Denton County representatives meet with Washington officials

Community leaders from Lewisville, Flower Mound and Highland Village recently traveled to Washington, D.C. to discuss issues concerning Denton County.

"Our primary initiative was to convey our community and business concerns to our delegates," said Jeffrey Potter, Lewisville Area Chamber of Commerce (LACC) board chairman. "We successfully communicated to our elected officials our concerns and relayed the local area and business priorities that are of major importance to the Lewisville Area."

Denton County Chamber representatives and community leaders also discussed legislation that is important to businesses in Denton County with leaders in Washington. While in Washington, representatives from Denton County met with various government officials, including Speaker of the House John Boehner, chairman John Mica and majority leader Eric Cantor. Congressman Michael C. Burgess hosted the Denton County Chamber representatives, and was present at the meetings and luncheon held for the representatives.

"Representation of our community, our businesses and our chamber was our initial goal, and we left with a secure sense that our priorities, as well as our voices, were heard," said Matt McCormick, LACC president. "We were able to provide our legislators with information on our county, our community and the needs of our local businesses."

Donna Barron, Lewisville assistant city manager, said Denton County days is a long-standing tradition with the Flower Mound, Highland Village and Lewisville chambers.

"Our goal during that time is to be there in Washington and get a feel for the support of various issues," Barron said. "We talk about what's important for Denton County at the highest level. It's a very quick trip that we prepare for before hand."

Lewisville Mayor Pro Tem Rudy Durham said there were two main issues discussed: lake/water usage and transportation.

"The Corps of Engineers discussed extra uses around the lake for lake-related activities. They don't mind development on the lake, but it has to be lake-related such as fishing tournaments. It can't be used for condos, apartments or single-family homes. Development has to be short term uses that will compliment the lake. We also discussed long-term water sources including long term sources out of Oklahoma," Durham said. "We're looking at water needs 50 years from now. There are preliminary actions that need to be taken. We need to keep looking out for the future."

Ray LaHood, secretary of transportation, met with the group from Denton County to discuss transportation needs. He said it's bad politics right now that are stopping projects, and something has to be done to stop that. He said everyone has needs, and progress needs to begin on the highways.

"The major issue we're facing is funding for the Interstate 35E project," Barron said. "It was helpful to meet and share with Ray. We also talked about the transportation bill and how it could help."

Durham said he felt the group accomplished what they wanted.

"The biggest problem with transportation is the grid lock of the two parties. We wanted to say that we need to have a plan and money for roads," Durham said.

LACC member, Patti McCoy, of Heritage Health Solutions Inc. attended the Denton County days as a representative of both the chamber and the community in which her business operates.

"It was a great experience to meet face-to-face with Congressman Burgess and the Senate leadership," McCoy said. "The sessions discussing the measures taken to support businesses and communities in North Texas was extremely beneficial. Many thanks to the Congressman and his staff for the endless support."

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