Message from the new, Willow Park Mayor Teresa Palmer to the Citizens of Willow Park

Summary: After a clear electoral mandate by the Citizens of Willow Park, Mayor Teresa Palmer took her oath of office, surrounded by her family and over 50 Willow Park Citizens, who came to take their seat at the table -- a place promised by the new Mayor during her campaign.

• Latest Update: 13 May, 2025 • #Tags #Electricity • Photo MWilliams

• Note: Willow Park Civics is about Willow Park but is NOT associated with or managed by the City of Willow Park.

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Message from the new, Willow Park Mayor Teresa Palmer to the Citizens of Willow Park

After a clear electoral mandate by the Citizens of Willow Park, Mayor Teresa Palmer took her oath of office, surrounded by her family and over fifty (50) Willow Park Citizens, who came to take their seat at the table -- a place promised by the new Mayor during her campaign.

Then, Mayor Palmer sent the Willow Park Citizens, elected Public Servants, and City Employees a clear and bold message as follows:

Good Evening Ladies and Gentlemen;

First and foremost — TO THE PEOPLE of our great community — THANK YOU!!!

Personally, and sincerely, I am grateful for the trust you’ve placed in me to serve as your Mayor. Your voices were heard, your votes counted, and your message was clear… I am here because of YOU -- and I will never forget that.

To my family and friends, your love, strength, and unwavering support have carried me to this moment. I could not have made this journey without you, and I will always be grateful.

Above all, I give thanks to GOD for calling me to serve, for granting me the strength to lead, and for giving me the opportunity to make a difference. This moment belongs not to me, but to something far greater.

To the Council and City Staff — as we move forward TOGETHER – we must understand that THE PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN. I’m here to carry out the mandate THEY have given. I call upon you to join me in that mission, with purpose, humility, and integrity.

With that in mind, my VERY FIRST ACT as your Mayor is to declare the following proclamation:

I HEREBY PROCLAIM — from the Office of the Mayor — and with the hope that Council and Staff will join me in this commitment — A NEW STANDARD — for how we engage with and serve the people of Willow Park.

We Work for the People at Every decision and every dollar must reflect our accountability to the taxpayers who employ us.

Respect and Courtesy Are Non-Negotiable: All staff and council members must treat residents — and each other — with professionalism, patience, and respect, even in disagreement.

Transparency Is the Default: We will conduct city business openly. Information belongs to the public, and we will favor disclosure over secrecy.

Clear, Timely, and Honest Communication: The public should never be left in the dark. Every citizen deserves direct, clear, and complete answers.

We Lead with Humility, Not Ego: Titles do not make us superior to the people we serve. We will listen more than we speak and stay open to feedback.

Customer Service Is Core: Government Servicem from permits to potholes, every department, must treat residents like valued customers.

Commitment to Fairness and Inclusion: No citizen should feel ignored, dismissed, or treated unfairly based on who they are, who they know, or what they believe.

Professionalism Is the Baseline: Gossip, personal agendas, and internal politics have no place in a City Hall focused on the people it serves. The Mayor, Council, and City Staff Are Community Liaisons — Not Power Brokers. Our role is to elevate the voices of the people — not to silence, steer, or control them.

We Will Build a Culture of Trust: This administration must be committed to rebuilding trust through action. Accountability will be expected — and enforced.

This proclamation is not a suggestion — it’s an EXPECTATION of the citizens we serve. It sets the standard of conduct this administration will uphold and enforce.

More importantly — it marks a culture shift at City Hall — one rooted in humility, respect, transparency, and trust. I trust this administration will embrace this obligation with the grace of a servant’s heart. You can expect nothing less from me…

As my SECOND ACT as your Mayor — and keeping with those values: I formally propose the following item be ADDED to the next Council AGENDA — a Council Discussion to begin the process leading to a Home Rule election. Willow Park is operating under an outdated governing concept — one that no longer reflects the size, complexity, or aspirations of our growing city.

We surpassed the 5,000-resident threshold for Home Rule in 2015, and this year, we’re on track to reach 9,000.

The time has come for a serious, deliberate conversation about our future. I urge this Council to begin discussing that process immediately — to include forming a Charter Commission made up of Willow Park residents. The Commission’s task would be to draft a Home Rule Charter — a local constitution tailored to Willow Park’s unique needs and values. One that empowers our community with a stronger voice, greater local control, and encourages active public engagement in how we govern ourselves.

Once completed, the draft Charter would return to the Council — which may then vote to place it on the ballot for the citizens to decide in an election.

This is not about rushing a decision — it’s about starting a responsible, informed conversation about our future. But the time to act is now. I call upon our Council to lead this effort — not with hesitation or political calculation — but with the will of the people as our guide. Our citizens deserve their voice to be heard. I look forward to discussions on Home Rule at the next Council Meeting.

Finally, I want to make a public statement about my personal commitment to transparency and open communication.

Over the past week, I’ve been advised — and even WARNED — by Council and City Staff to STOP sharing information through my public social media pages.

But I didn’t run to maintain the status quo… I’ve consulted with fellow Mayors, trusted advisors, and legislators across Texas who ALL agree — the people of Willow Park deserve to be informed, early and often.

I will continue using my platforms to share what’s happening… what’s coming… and how YOU can be involved. YOU hired me to represent YOU — not to hide behind closed doors.

That’s a commitment I intend to keep. My sincere hope is that leadership by example will take hold. It’s time for City Hall to get back to work — FOR THE PEOPLE — with meaningful communication, active engagement, and true transparency. YOU deserve nothing less.

In closing — let me say one more time how truly grateful I am to the citizens of Willow Park for YOUR TRUST — and for the honor of serving as YOUR Mayor.

I trust in YOU — the great citizens of our community — to remain vocal, engaged, and unafraid to speak truth to power.

My door is always open. Bring me your concerns, and I will personally work with our Council and Staff to see them addressed. I trust in our Council and Staff to carry out their duties with integrity — keeping their focus and actions aligned with the will of the people.

Together, we will face every challenge and embrace every opportunity with honesty, courage, and heart.

And finally, I trust in GOD to walk beside me, to guide my decisions with wisdom, and to shield this work and this city with His protection over the next two years.

For the duration of my service as YOUR Mayor, I am here to serve YOU — the proud and deserving citizens of Willow Park.

God bless you, and thank you.

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