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Early Voting April 22-29 | Election Day May 3

Mitch Ownby

Mitch Ownby: A Proven Leader for Heath’s Future

My name is Mitch Ownby, and I am excited about my candidacy for Heath City Council Place 6. I have called Rockwall County home for 30 years, moving here in 1993 to manage Emergency Medical Services. In 1996, I helped establish Rockwall County EMS, ensuring our community’s growing population had reliable emergency care. I also served as a volunteer firefighter and EMS Chief for the Rockwall Fire Department for more than a decade.

Beyond public safety, I have dedicated myself to serving our community. I currently serve as President of the Rockwall County Republican Men’s Club, Vice Chair of the J.E.R. Chilton YMCA Board, Programs Chair for Rockwall Noon Rotary and a member of the Rockwall County Road Consortium. In 2022, I helped establish the Texas Valor Project, a nonprofit supporting veterans and first responders with traumatic brain injuries.

My wife, Sandra, and I moved to Heath in 2003 because we loved its small-town charm and believed it was the best place to raise our family. Unfortunately, in recent years, I have seen City Council neglect critical needs of our city and realized that it’s time for change, which is why I am running for City Council. My goal is to help resolve costly lawsuits, improve water and infrastructure and promote only high-end boutique businesses and restaurants that fit within the model outlined in The Reserve and The Downtown Overly project, while preserving Heath’s low-density, small-town character.

I want to be part of a City Council that truly works for the people of Heath, not against you. With my years of experience in public service and community leadership, I am ready to bring solutions that benefit our residents. I would be honored to have your support and your vote for Heath City Council Place 6.

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Priorities

COLLABORATING Through Trusted Relationships Built Over Decades

For the past 30 years I have served Rockwall County as the EMS Chief and have made countless calls for accidents and emergencies of every kind. My organization has built the trust of the county, its citizens, local law enforcement, the Fire Department and the Sherrif’s Department who have come to rely on my team for Emergency Medical Services and support. Additionally, I continue to work with nearly every elected county and city official, and many city staff members to this day. These relationships will aid in collaborating with the other 5 cities in Rockwall County to develop plans for collaboration as the region continues to grow. Heath needs to be a good neighbor and lead the way in fostering relationships, working with the County and other Cities on solutions, not filing lawsuits with no end game in mind. My demonstrated leadership, trust and rapport will aid in the winding down of unnecessary litigation while we build a brighter future for Heath.

WATER - Execute the Water Bridge Plan – Develop A Long-Term Solution

At the direction of Heath City Council, staff has submitted a Water Bridge Plan to meet the short and mid-term water needs for the City of Heath. This plan must be implemented, funded and executed to relieve our citizens of the long-standing water crisis that has been ignored for years. Water supply and storage would be doubled over the next few years and additional capacity identified to solve for our long-term needs. I will work with council and staff to find creative solutions for this critical resource as we execute the complete Water Bridge Plan and control our own destiny by owning the new water assets that supply our community. We need long range planning and as I have done with serving the needs of Rockwall County’s Emergency Services, I will do the same with the #1 issue facing Heath.

OPPOSE High Density Development
Some of the most cited reasons for moving to Heath is its serene backdrop of beautiful neighborhoods, lakeside access, distinctive homes, its low density and rural feel compared to the ‘rooftop’ approach that most of our neighboring communities have adopted. We are a premier life-style community with an incredible footprint that is unmatched in North Texas. I moved here 20 years ago for these very reasons, and I vow to keep it this way. We must strengthen our Comprehensive Plan and Ordinances to support the type of growth we want and keep out the type of developments that we do not. While many strides have been made, more work needs to be done. We need SMART residential development and only the type of development outlined in our Comprehensive Plan. On the commercial side, we need to continue to seek out those high-end, exclusive and boutique businesses that fit within the model that is outlined in The Reserve and The Downtown Overlay project. I will also drive on a comprehensive review of all of our ordinances and impact fees so that the current residents do not have to pay for growth. As your City Councilman for Place 6, I will fight high density locally and with our County Commissioner and County Judge. I will also leverage my relationships within the County and at the State level to preserve local zoning control with our elected State representatives.
PUBLIC SAFETY - Leverage 30 Years of Experience in Making Heath a Safer Place to Live
My entire professional life has been dedicated to saving others and collaborating with Police and Fire Departments for the express purpose of improving Public Safety and delivering life-saving care. When people are having their worst day and must call 911, my teams must be at their best. I am a staunch supporter of the Department of Public Safety (DPS) and Heath has one of the best in the entire State. We currently rank the #7th safest city in Texas, and this is due in no small part to Chief Seery and his team. Heath has one of the few triple certified agencies in the State with the officers having Police, Fire and EMS credentials. With my extensive knowledge of Public Safety, I will liaise the City Council and bring that knowledge to bear in supporting Chief Seery and our DPS to become even stronger in their protection of our citizens.
INFRASTRUCTURE PLANNING and Improvement
The lack of long-range planning and constant litigation has put Heath on a dangerous path of having inadequate water, sewer and roadway systems for our citizens. These issues did not manifest overnight and have been going on for years. By failing to plan we have planned to fail and that is not representative of the type of City that we want to live in. This situation has been made worse by isolating Heath and not collaborating with our municipal partners. We now have a Water Bridge Plan that we need to execute, and we need to develop a long-term solution for the future. Additionally, we need to invest in making corresponding sewer improvements as our infrastructure ages. This will take some time and coordination, but relief is on the way. We need to stop emptying the road repair fund to pay for all the litigation that we have entered and find creative win-win solutions. Heath’s roads are crumbling and we do not have a long range plan for the County and State Roads that run through our city. I have sat on the Rockwall County Road Consortium for 15 years and know how to navigate TxDOT, budgets and bonds with our County Commissioners so that Heath gets the attention it deserves. These issues can all be resolved and with your support, I will help lead the charge towards a Better Heath.

Bill Sinclair, Rockwall County Treasurer (retired)

I have known Mitch since 2005 when I became County Treasurer for Rockwall County and served until my term ended in 2010. We have been friends ever since through our involvement in politics and our membership in the Rockwall Rotary Club. He was and is a friendly, outgoing individual. I believe he will serve the City of Heath with honesty, integrity and judicious decision-making. I am pleased to offer my endorsement.

Bobby Gallana

Mitch is a man of integrity. I have personally worked with Mitch on complex issues and his thoughtful, logical approach to situations has always been appreciated. Mitch will serve the citizens well. He has no outside interests to benefit. He will simply do what is right for Heath.

Lee Gilbert

I came to know Mitch through his interactions with the Commissioners Court as EMS Chief. I found him to be professional, prepared and knowledgeable. His company has done Rockwall County, a great service, protecting our citizens for nearly 30 years while saving them countless tax dollars. Over the years, I have gotten to know Mitch on a more personal level. I now consider him a friend. He is a man of honor, conservative, genuine, and always puts Rockwall County’s and Heath’s interest first. I’m proud to endorse Mitch Ownby for Heath City Council Place 6.”

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Early Voting

April 22-29

Election Day

May 3

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