INTERVIEW WITH A COUNCIL MEMBER WHO VALUES US:
COUNCILMAN FLOYD EMERY AUBREY R. TAYLOR: What was life like for you as a child growing up? COUNCILMAN FLOYD EMERY: I was raised in a Midwest-city by a blue collar worker father and homemaker mother. My father was a strict disciplinarian with a strong competitive spirit. He worked hard and long hours to provide my younger sister and I with the basics required to live a safe and comfortable life. My mother with great homemaker skills provided a loving atmosphere instilling religious principals in my life, and was fully supportive of my fathers’ decisions. AUBREY R. TAYLOR: What did you dream of becoming as you were a child growing up? COUNCILMAN FLOYD EMERY: Like many young boys, I wanted to be a major league baseball player; playing for my home town heroes -- the St. Louis Cardinals. After that, I wanted to build a life where I would not have to face the hardships my father endured due in part to his lack of formal education; but would imitate his hard and competitive work ethic. AUBREY R. TAYLOR: What is your mission in life? COUNCILMAN FLOYD EMERY: To provide a loving atmosphere for my wife and sons while setting a good example in both my personal and business life. Giving back to my community, country and faith, through service and commitment to each, with an overall goal of being recognized as a good husband, father, friend and citizen is extremely important to me. AUBREY R. TAYLOR: Can you tell us a little about what you do for a living? COUNCILMAN FLOYD EMERY: I retired from business life after 47 years of service with Baroid/Halliburton, achieving directorships in the disciplines of IT, Finance and HR. Currently, I have dedicated my time and energy to the job of performing the duties, and meeting the responsibilities as the Missouri City Council-member representing District D. AUBREY R. TAYLOR: Do you have a recent accomplishment you would like to share? COUNCILMAN FLOYD EMERY: I am equally proud of two accomplishments. The attention and actions brought to the support of our Public Safety (fire/police) is most rewarding. Working with the City Staff and my Council counterparts we’ve implemented processes to bring their pay (firemen/police officers) and benefits to a competitive level; provided budget and assets required to make them effective while providing for their safety, and the safety of our residents. Their performance (fire-
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men/police officers) positioned Missouri City as the 6th safest City in Texas. Additionally, the strengthening of our partnership with our HOA’s is rewarding. My commitment to attend most HOA meetings while directing City actions needed to address their issues; insuring we have City representation at these meetings to listen to, and address issues, promoting the National Night Out event by City Staff; and the review and development of City ordinances that assist the HOA’s in maintaining home values is an accomplishment in which I am very proud to have played a part in. AUBREY R. TAYLOR: What is your outlook for 2015? COUNCILMAN FLOYD EMERY: I have a very positive outlook for Missouri City and its residents. Taxes collected and jobs created from our current and newly projected business park(s); increases in sales tax revenue, and existing home valuation, will provide the revenue required to meet our budgetary needs and potential City tax rate considerations. The City is in sound financial condition, the standards established for ratios and reserves by credit and bonding institutions reflect we are above the norms. Development of residential properties has a healthy outlook as evidenced in Sienna South, Riverstone and Olympia Estates among others. The City is making great strides in providing transparency in our financial, ordinance, and land planning activities, and mobility for our residents will continue to improve. Missouri City will continue to move forward. AUBREY R. TAYLOR: What advice would you give to someone out there striving to achieve their dream? COUNCILMAN FLOYD EMERY: Educate yourself both formally and in the attributes needed to make yourself a viable candidate for the station in life in which you ascribe. Associate yourself with activities and individuals through volunteerism, public service or other means of involvement. I was given advice early in my career that a job given is a job worth doing well; going over and above what might be expected. In all that you do, build a reputation of reliability, consistency, honesty and truthfulness.
ON THE COVER
COUNCIL MEMBER FLOYD EMERY has been married 52 years to his wife, Linda. They have been homeowners in Quail Valley for more than 35 years, where they raised their two sons, Brian and Dennis.