PEOPLE Bill Hastings Former mayor of Katy
BY LAURA ROBB
AHISTORY IN PUBLIC SERVICE
Former Mayor Bill Hastings served Katy for more than 43 years in varying capacities. In addition to his work with the city government, Hastings has also served the public through a variety of local nonpro ts. Hastings served the Katy Police Department for 32 years with 10 years as the chief of police. Hastings was named Police O cer of the Year four times in Harris and Fort Bend counties. Hastings also served on the Arc of Katy board of directors. The Arc of Katy is a nonpro t that aims to provide resources and opportunities to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, according to its website. Hastings also serves on the Katy Christian Ministries Advisory Board. KCM is a local nonpro t that has been working to ght poverty, food insecurity, domestic violence and sexual assault since 1984, according to its website.
On May 10, Bill Hastings’ mayoral term ended, and Dusty Thiele began his rst term as Katy mayor, but for the past 43 years, Hastings served the city through a variety of di erent roles. Before he was elected to mayor in 2019, Hastings was with the Katy Police Department for 32 years with a decade under his belt as the Katy Police Department’s chief of police. Hastings served as a Katy volunteer re ghter, as a paramedic and in the U.S. Coast Guard. Hastings also helped facilitate the emergency response during six natural disasters. In 2022, Hastings announced he would not be running for re-election. This interview was edited for length and clarity.
Bill Hastings, former mayor of Katy
WHATWILL BE THE CITY’S BIGGEST HURDLES IN THE NEXT DECADE, ANDWHY? I think it will be the same issues we have faced in the past, such as mobility. As the city and west side of Harris County grows, the area around the city grows. ... The second has been one of our priorities every year for as long as I can remem- ber—and that’s drainage. Drainage is a never-ending project with the growth we are taking from the north and northwest right now. DURING YOUR TIME SERVING THE CITY, WHATWAS YOUR BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENT? As the police department, we were able to keep up with the growth of the city. The police department, as a whole, has always been very diligent in making sure that Katy is a safe place to live and raise a family. As mayor, I think the city’s biggest accomplishment—not mine, because it takes a team—but the biggest accomplishment in the three years that I’ve served as mayor has to be the way we came through the pan- demic with the COVID[-19]. We were
able to keep our employees safe. Nobody worked from home. We just split up across the city buildings and divided everybody up into smaller groups. We took all the precautions that we could. … And we never discontinued any form of services. We took away no bene ts from our employees. …We furloughed no employees. …At the end of it, we had a balanced budget. DO YOU PLANON REMAINING INVOLVED IN CITYWORKS? I do. The project that right now is closest to my heart is the Ley- endecker Landing project. David [Leyendecker] and I were close friends for close to 40 years. That project means a lot to me. And I think it means a lot to many may- ors—not only that he served under, but even some of the ones before [who have] passed away now. David was such a big part of this city, and he played such a role in the devel- opment of the city. So I want to stay involved in that project. With that comes the Mayor’s Advisory Group that I formed because I thought [Leyendecker Landing] was more or
less a decision that all mayors had a stake in because they all worked with him. And I’m going to stay involved with the Co ee with the Mayors. I plan on still attending that you know, as one of the ‘old guys.’ [There might be] other community things that I might get involved with, sporadically, but I really plan on retiring this time. WHAT ADVICE DO YOUHAVE FOR THE INCOMINGMAYOR? My philosophy has always been what my grandfather taught me: The people you work with are the ones that make your job easy—if you take care of them. I’ve always looked at myself as just an employee of the city. The people that work here and actually do the job—they’re the ones that make the city run. … No position makes you king. It takes a real large group e ort, and the biggest part in any job I have ever had is just to be a supporter … Take care of your employees and they will take care of you. [Mayor] Dusty Thiele is a great guy. I am very excited for him, and I know that he will do a good job.
Former Mayor Bill Hastings served on the board of directors with The Arc of Katy. (Courtesy The Arc of Katy)
Hot Pepper Foods* 15%OFF
Father’s Day to help him keeping crit bird feeders lineup of ho the trick! Bir squirrels an Shop now a great gift fo one thing da food, it’s sa intended!)
DSC Members get an additional 5% OFF the sale price. Use Code: HOTPEPPER
*Valid in-store at the Wild Birds Unlimited, Katy or by shopping online at mywbu.com/katy. One discount per purchase. Offer not valid on previous purchases or sale items. Offer valid June 10 - June 20, 2022.
23930 Westheimer Pkwy. STE 115 Katy, TX 77494 • (832) 437-4937 23930 Westheimer Parkway Katy, TX 77494 (832) 437-4937
DownyWoodpecker Seed Tube Feeder with Fiery Feast®
Wild Birds Unlimited, Katy • 23930 Westheimer Pkwy. STE 115, Katy, TX 77494 • 832.437.4937 | Hours: Mon - Sat: 10am-6pm, Sun: 11am-4pm
Save 15% on Bird Food Every Day!
In-Store Online Curbside
25
KATY EDITION • MAY 2022
Powered by FlippingBook