Elizabeth Zeitlin, a Colleyville resident since 2007, has announced her candidacy for Colleyville City Council, Place 5, in the May 9, 2015 election.
Zeitlin has distinguished herself as an effective community activist in Colleyville in recent years.
“This is a pivotal moment for our city’s future. Many of our major roadways are crumbling; our drainage and sewage systems are in disrepair; and our water rates keep going up with no end in sight. People are disappointed with vanity projects funded by taxpayers and disillusioned by current city leadership.” Zeitlin continued, “My husband and I bought land in Colleyville eight years ago, because we wanted to raise our children here. I love the small town atmosphere in Colleyville. Our sense of community needs to be preserved and expanded. Public affairs need to be conducted transparently. Public officials serve the community, not the other way around. As an active participant in the debate concerning the redevelopment of Glade Road, I’ve become troubled that city government has lost its way and has departed from our shared community values.”
Zeitlin first became involved in city politics when advocating against the 10-foot trail aspect of the Glade Road Project. While she supports the intersection improvements at Bluebonnet, Riverwalk and Bransford Roads, she believes that full depth reclamation would offer the long-term benefits of an improved roadway without the excessive cost and time commitment of reconstruction. Zeitlin was also active in the recent Highway 26 discussion, partnering with the local business owner-led coalition to urge Colleyville City Council to support a one-time, six-lane reconstruction of Highway 26. This group was delighted to be present when Resolution R-15-3850 was adopted on February 17, 2015.
Zeitlin opposes TexRail and is concerned about the impact on Colleyville homeowners of 50+ diesel locomotives coming through the city daily at 70mph speeds. “Most of our city council has stood by and done nothing to protect our citizens from the devastation to our community that may be coming. In fact, many have quietly supported the project. Property values will be destroyed, and new noise and traffic headaches will permanently alter Colleyville’s serene character. The T’s own data shows there will be no traffic or environmental benefit with TexRail. As a result, we shouldn’t be forced to sacrifice our town for Fort Worth’s economic development. Colleyville needs to take a formal opposition position to TexRail and pursue every political and legal option to protect our neighborhoods and residents.”
If elected, Zeitlin would introduce a resolution to establish term limits to break the cycle of entitlement that currently pervades Colleyville City Hall. She would work with the Council to re-allocate TIF funding to offset the cost of fixing the aging roadways in Colleyville; work to reconstruct Glade Road to solve the rush hour traffic situation without many of the added amenities that currently make this a 10-year vanity project; and fight the TexRail project through Colleyville. Zeitlin’s best attribute is her enthusiasm for meeting with Colleyville residents to listen to their concerns and fight for their rights, and she will continue to be a strong advocate for our citizens as a City Councilperson.
Zeitlin has been married to her husband, John since 1995, and they will celebrate their 20th anniversary four days after the election. They have two children – Taylor (17) a Junior at Colleyville Heritage High School, and Brendan (13) a 7th grader at The Clariden School.
For more information on Elizabeth Zeitlin, please visit www.lizforcolleyville.com, email LizforColleyville@gmail.com, Tweet @liz4colleyville, or “like” www.facebook.com/LizforColleyville .