I was quoted in this article about Mayor Susan Narvaiz.  She has decided not to run for another term.  It was in the Sunday Edition of the San Marcos Daily Record.

Narvaiz will leave a legacy of service, hard work

By Jaime Kilpatrick Staff Reporter

San Marcos — Politics and opinions aside, it’s hard to deny the long list of accomplishments that three-term Mayor Susan Narvaiz has been a part of during her eight years of service to the city.

Narvaiz’ recent announcement that she will not be seeking re-election in November came as a surprise to some local figures who said they will miss working with her to achieve common goals for the city and its residents.

Narvaiz was elected to Place 3 on the City Council in 2002, and she was elected mayor in 2004 and re-elected in 2006 and 2008.

In her announcement not to seek a fourth term as mayor, she described the “long and varied” list of City Council accomplishments in which she was involved,  including the construction of the Embassy Suites Hotel and San Marcos Conference Center.

Rebecca Ybarra-Ramirez, executive director of the Convention and Visitors Bureau, said Narvaiz has been “one of our biggest cheerleaders for the tourism industry in San Marcos.”

“Everything we’ve done she has been very supportive of,” Ybarra-Ramirez said, especially the new visitors center on IH-35 that houses the CVB offices as well as the hotel and conference center.

Before she ran for her first term on City Council, Narvaiz served on the San Marcos Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors from 1998 to 2001.

Chamber President Phyllis Snodgrass said Narvaiz has brought a lot of progress to San Marcos.

“She’s done a wonderful job for the community,” Snodgrass said. “She helped make the community more business friendly.”

Snodgrass said that while the chamber does not endorse political candidates, “when someone has served that long and accomplished as much as she has, they deserve our thanks.”

In her announcement, Narvaiz said the work the council has done to improve relations with Texas State University – San Marcos.

“We added a Texas State student liaison at the dais with the City Council – to ensure that the perspective of university students is heard and to expand their understanding of their personal responsibilities as community members,” she said.

Texas State student Tyler Johnson took the oath of office as the newest liaison at the July 20 council meeting.

University President Denise Trauth said the years that Narvaiz has been in office “marked a period of unprecedented cooperation between the city and the university.”

“Her commitment to education has made San Marcos a better place to live, work and raise families,” Trauth said. “We look forward to seeing what the future holds for this true public servant.”

Narvaiz has worked with both local and regional organizations during her time in office, including members of the clergy.

Robin Steele, pastor at Promiseland Church and president of the San Marcos Ministerial Association, said the SMMA was pleased to work with the mayor on several issues.

“She met with us on numerous occasions to discuss ways the city could partner with non-profit groups and address concerns,” Steele said. “There has been a good dialog between the two entities to get a clear understanding of San Marcos’ pressing needs and long-term planning.”

One of the most recent projects to receive high marks during Narvaiz’ time in office is the Wonder World Drive extension.

Ross Milloy, president of the Greater Austin-San Antonio Corridor Council, praised Narvaiz’ “demonstrated leadership” on the road extension that now allows travel between IH-35 and Ranch Road 12.

“People have been talking about it for 20 years, and she got that done on her watch,” Milloy said. “I think she’s been an outstanding leader and I’m sad to see her go.”

Narvaiz is the 43rd mayor of San Marcos and only the third woman to serve in that position