Jeff Thompson, former Deputy City Manager, City of Boerne
I am proud to state my support for Laura Haning to be the next mayor of the City of Boerne. Having had the privilege of working closely with Laura for 14 years while I was serving as Deputy City Manager for Boerne, I can personally attest to her exceptional leadership skills, unwavering dedication, and profound commitment to our community.
Laura and I were both hired by the city in 2007, and it was my privilege to recommend her for promotion to the position of Director of Planning and Community Development in 2015.
In the 37 years I spent in public service in New Braunfels and Boerne, Laura stands out as one of the most customer and employee focused and dedicated individuals I have had the pleasure of working with. Through challenges of all types Laura put in the extra time & effort needed to ensure that development projects were moving forward at a responsible pace while at the same time ensuring that the city’s stringent ordinances regarding new development were being adhered to.
I will cite some of her professional accomplishments from her years at the City of Boerne, but before doing that I want to speak from the heart and tell you that Laura will be relentless in her efforts to focus every day on doing the right thing in her role as Mayor. That includes being a servant leader who genuinely understands the balance of the rights and needs of all of us as citizens of Boerne with the rights and needs of personal and business property owners and those seeking to develop in the City of Boerne in the right way.
Here is a short list of her accomplishments that set her apart as the most qualified person to ever serve as mayor of Boerne in the most important time in the evolution of our wonderful community:
Graduate of the Greater Boerne Chamber of Commerce Leadership Boerne Program (2015)
American Planning Association award for Great Places in Texas (2019)
Texas Planning Association award for
Planning Excellence (2018)
Comprehensive Master Plan (2019)
Scenic City Gold Designation (2022)
Championed two comprehensive master plans and two thoroughfare plans over multi-year periods of analysis, collaboration, community involvement, editing, and ultimately approval by the City Council
Led multi-year effort to analyze and amend all development ordinances to create a unique single document; the first City of Boerne Unified Development Code (UDC)
Based on City Council input and direction, analyzed and modified all drainage and water quality related ordinances to require environmentally sensitive and responsive development for watershed protection
Recognition from the Cibolo Center for Conservation for her role in writing environmentally sensitive development regulations (2020)
In addition to her professional achievements, Laura’s personal attributes make her an exemplary candidate for Mayor. She is a person of exceptional character, whose kindness, humility, and unwavering work ethic inspire all who have the pleasure of knowing her. Her ability to lead with empathy and decisiveness sets her apart as a true servant leader, capable of guiding our city towards a prosperous and well-balanced future. She was loved and admired by her staff and respected by the development community.
I wholeheartedly endorse Laura Haning for the role of Mayor. Her proven leadership and experience in the things that matter most at this stage in the evolution of our community make her the ideal choice to lead our city forward. I have no doubt that, under her stewardship, our city will continue to thrive and reach new heights.