New mayor to lead in Hedwig Village

Longtime officerholder Sue Speck loses re-election bid to Brian Muecke

Although the May 9 Memorial Village elections were relatively quiet with most incumbents running unopposed or winning their races, two newcomers will be joining them in council chambers including Brian T. Muecke who ousted longtime Hedwig Village Mayor Sue Speck in a tight race.

Muecke, who secured 229 votes to Speck’s 211, said his immediate plans are to make the city more “user-friendly and transparent” while also focusing on small capital projects in residential areas of town.

He also emphasized building relationships with residents and with the Spring Branch Independent School District, including Memorial High School and Spring Branch Middle School as important first steps after he is sworn in.

Muecke also acknowledged the 14 years Speck spent as the city’s top elected official.

“I would like to thank Mayor Speck for her years of service and wish her all the best in the future,” he said.

Speck, who was mayor from 1997 until 2001 and again from 2005 until now, said she’s proud of the accomplishments she achieved during her tenure and credited city staff, council

and the city’s police and fire departments for working with her and helping her succeed.

“It’s been a great and rare honor to serve as mayor, and I will miss working with others in the service of this great city,” she said.

Speck added that she was met with a health issue shortly after filing for re-election and, because of the stress of the situation, was not able to campaign to her satisfaction.

However, she expressed her gratitude to those who have reached out to her as she begins treatments now that the election is behind

her. Piney Point

In Piney Point, another elected official will not be returning to his seat. Position 5 City Councilman Ron Goodwine lost his re-election bid to Brian Thompson by a vote of 150 to 104. Hunters Creek

In nearby Hunters Creek Village, Board of Adjustment Chairman Chip Cowell beat out attorney Steve Schweitzer and City Treasurer Shanoop Kothari to secure the Position 4 seat being vacated by Michael Schoenberger.

The three-way race resulted in 367 votes for Cowell, 162 for Schweitzer and 5 for Kothari. It also marked the city’s first contested election in seven years.

In advance of the vote, Cowell — who has served in city government for the past eight years — said ensuring the city’s property tax rate stays low while keeping the quality of fire and police services high was an important issue moving forward. He also stressed the importance of maintaining the city’s natural beauty while still meeting the needs of

home-building residents. Hilshire Village

Finally in Hilshire Village David Gunn will hold onto his Position 5 City Council seat following his win over Bill Bristow.