My name is Larry Koy. I am 71 years young. I am retired from AT&T after 35 years of service. I am married to Barbara Ann (Gilbert) Koy for 48 years as of April 2nd. We have three children. Ginger (Koy) Kovar and husband, Tim Kovar, Travis Koy and wife Gayle (Hejl) Koy, and Cody Koy and wife Jennifer (Jalaway) Koy. We have eight grandchildren, and three great grandchildren. I have lived in Sealy al
l my life. My experiences in office are as follows; Served on Sealy City Council from 1986 to 1997, and from 2007 to 2013. In that seventeen years one learns what it takes to run the CITY, how to get along with other council members, and receive input from the Citizens of Sealy. I have also been on the Planning Commission and the Sealy Economic Development Corporation. These two boards help plan the direction the city is headed and the SEDC helps bring in new companies and helps to retain the ones that are here today. Companies bring employment and housing which helps keep taxes low. I have decided to run for office to help stop the fighting and unprofessional way the council meetings are carried on. I can stop that- and I will bring back the ethics, professionalism, and “working together attitude” for a better city. If I had a business and went to a past council meeting, I would locate down the road in “another city”. If I am elected to this position, I will get back to the basics of what a good city needs to do every day and will prepare our city for the future. That is providing water, sewer, gas, roads, good safety – a top notch Police Department. Council is charged with the safety, health, and welfare of its citizens. Sealy still has dirt roads and citizens without sewer, water or both. Many of these people have lived in Sealy for years without these services, and yet still pay city taxes. 10. There are many challenges facing Sealy and I plan to address them in the following ways; Prepare for the future of the predicted growth from the East; Provide the basic items; water, sewer, gas, good streets, safety (Police Force), etc. We need to provide everyone in the city limits with utilities. We need to expand utilities into the projected growth areas in the ETJ, which is one mile outside the city limits. Health and safety are my other concerns. Have health inspections in local restaurants and have some type of reward for the cleanest restaurants. For safety, with the help of the county, place an EMS station between the Fire Department and the Police Department with a landing pad for Life Flight. 11. Regarding the City Manager Position and qualifications I believe he or she must possess a good moral standard, ethics, and dedication to the Citizens of Sealy. He/She should follow suggestions and directions of all City Council Members. Good work habits that maintain good relations with staff and all employees. It’s important to make them want to come to work and not dread or be reluctant to work for the citizens. The City Manager should not listen to any particular group of citizens unless it would benefit the city as a whole. The City Manager should encourage developers to locate in Sealy, but don’t hand them the city checkbook. That includes any and all developers. The city has paid the City Manager a very good salary to care for its citizens. He/She should work with the Finance Director and consider all citizens of Sealy. 12. When it comes to the financial status and budget, my concern is that the $15,000,000 C.O.’s is spent on what they were intended to be spent on. There will be 10 or 11 Million Dollars dedicated to a new sewer treatment plant. If the new plant comes in less than that after the bids come out, then reinvest that money back into expanding or replacing some old lines. Spend money for people who do not have sewer service. The interest rate for $15 Million Dollars is low right now, but he bonds will have to be paid off by tax dollars and/or raising water and sewer rates to spread the cost out. The financial status of the city is sound now, but I would hope no additional C.O.’s will be needed in the next few years. I feel I am ultimately qualified for City Council due to the fact I have seventeen years experience on City Council and many years on the EDC and Planning Committees. I have a proven track record of honest, hard working, and professional work ethics on and off council. I believe I am a servant of the tax paying citizens of Sealy and they deserve No Less. I am tired of the infighting and childish manner in which the meetings are now being run. I will play a big part in stopping this behavior. The people of Sealy need to return to professional business meetings, as intended. I will add, there are several council members who are working their best to “hold the meetings together.”
I have spent my entire life in Sealy, I believe giving back is part of our service to the city. Seventeen years on City Council has been good, and I would like to give three more years. Again, I served on SED and the Planning Commissions. These directly affect the city and its finances and the direction the city is headed in. I have attended many TML schools, which helped me to understand the Open Meeting Laws, and the Open Record Laws. Texas Municipal League serves as the city’s training and legal advice organization for all Texas cities.
