New City Council Steps Up by Peggy Heinkel-Wolfe, Denton Record-Chronicle, May 20, 2014
“Some election night exuberance spilled into the Council Chambers on Tuesday night as a standing-room-only crowd cheered and clapped after Chris Watts took his oath of office as Denton’s new mayor.”
Article continues with a review of the evening’s events, including tributes to outgoing Council members and the swearing-in of new council members.
by Peggy Heinkel-Wolfe, Denton Record-Chronicle, May 10, 2014
Chris Watts captures nearly 61% of the vote in complete but unofficial returns. Early returns enable supporters to begin celebrating shortly after 7 p.m. and are sustained through the final tally.
The story reports, “Watts said he was humbled and honored by the confidence the voters showed in him, and credited both his past experience on the City Council and his grassroots campaign for the success.”
“I knew I was running an uphill campaign,” said Watts, 52….“I didn’t know what to expect. I knew I had to run hard and smart and be authentic.”
Heinkel-Wolfe also wrote, “The three veteran candidates worked hard to differentiate themselves during the campaign this spring, but Schaake appeared to have lost momentum early in the race after the Denton Firefighters Association announced it would be endorsing Watts.”
Mayoral Hopefuls Field Questions at Forum by Peggy Heinkel-Wolfe, Denton Record-Chronicle, April 2, 2014
Report on the Robson Ranch Republican Club debate, which featured only mayoral candidates.
Chris calls for a culture change at the city to maximize the way tax incentives are employed and strengthen efforts of the Economic Development Partnership (EDP) Board.
Reporter notes that, at the Denia forum on Monday, Mar. 31, Chris had called for inclusion of Denton Black Chamber of Commerce and Hispanic Chamber of Commerce representatives on the EDP board.
Chris says he is interested in exploring an EMS service for Robson Ranch, in response to a question about residents’ dissatisfaction with EMS response times.
Fracking Fuels Forum Denia-area residents grill candidates on neighborhood drilling
by Peggy Heinkel-Wolfe, Denton Record-Chronicle, March 31, 2014
Report on the the Denia Area Community Group Denton City Council candidates’ forum, the first major forum of the election season.
“Watts called the deal a ‘failure of leadership at all levels.'” — in answer to a question about what the city could have done to keep Denton Area Teachers’ Credit Union from moving its corporate headquarters from Denton to Corinth.
Watts to be Sworn In Today by Lowell Brown, Denton Record-Chronicle, May 22, 2007
Interview with Chris at the beginning of his Denton City Council service as the District 4 representative.
Reflection of Watts by Peggy Heinkel-Wolfe, Denton Record-Chronicle, May 19, 2013
Interview with Chris at the close of his six years of Council service as the District 4 representative.
Staff report, Denton Record-Chronicle, Oct. 12, 2012
TAMU Advocacy Team Wins National Championship
Texas A&M University School of Law announcement
Chris Watts, coach, with Texas A&M School of Law student negotiation team members at their win at the Southwestern National Entertainment Law Negotiation Competition, Oct. 5-6, 2013.
City Mayoral Campaign Taking Shape By Peggy Heinkel-Wolfe, Denton Record-Chronicle, Sept. 25, 2013
Announcement of the appointment of Bette Sherman as treasurer of the Chris Watts for Mayor campaign.
Mayor, Watts Want More Detail on Audit Report By Peggy Heinkel-Wolfe, Denton Record-Chronicle, March 5, 2013
Chris presses for additional information on assessed property values, since large apartment complexes now rank among the top 10 taxpayers in the city. He also asks for information on changes in data from before and after the economic downturn.
