Being mayor of Boerne, a small, scenic townsome 30 miles north of San Antonio, may soundlike a snap. But actually, Boerne Mayor Dan Hecklerhas one of the toughest jobs in Texas. As the town’stop o cial, Heckler must prepare the public for thefuture. And he has to do it while respecting thepast, which is proving to be a problem as prickly asa Hill Country cactus.
So far, the past still shines in Boerne, named inhonor of Ludwig Borne, an adventuresome Germanwho inspired many to come to America in the 1840s.Historic buildings dot the streets; quaint shops and“oompah” bands attract folks weary of citified hustleand bustle. On the outskirts of town, however, amassive residential/commercial development calledEsperanza is rising. And, though some welcome thethoughts of increased business opportunity andrevenue, others fear the laid–back lifestyle they lovemay never be the same again.
According to its developers, Esperanza willcover some 1,240 acres and boast 2,480 homesplus dozens of businesses. The building boom isprojected to double Boerne’s population of 9,414in ten years. Likely, more development projectswill follow because the Hill Country is visuallyappealing. Mayor Heckler finds himself smack dabin the middle of all this and is working overtime tofind answers and quiet fears. He’s convinced thatgrowth is inevitable –maybe even necessary to keepcommunities vibrant—and since the dye is cast, thechallenge is to meet growth in a sensible way.
This is being done by looking at infrastructureand revamping things that must be improvedto handle the in ux. Mayor Heckler notes that the slowdown in the nationaleconomy, which has put portions of Esperanza aon hold, has been a blessingin disguise—allowing more time to study the situation, consider options andbe sure the right steps are taken. In the works: a new sewer system, automaticmeter readers, more and better sidewalks and street improvement. Tra c owthrough the downtown area is also being analyzed with an eye to conveniencenow and in years to come.
It all sounds good. But Mayor Heckler realizes you can’t please all the peopleall of the time no matter how hard you try. Realistically, he knows that therewill always be opposing voices and disgruntled voters complaining aboutdevelopment and other issues as well. Yet, he wishes it weren’t so. He’s happiestwhen dealing with happy people. The worst part of his job is having to answerto the unhappy ones.
So, what’s the best thing about being mayor? Talking with school kids is hisfavorite thing. He loves hearing their ideas and o ering them encouragementto set worthwhile goals and have strong values and high ideals. One of histop priorities is Project Red Apple, a cooperative educational e ort involvingthe Boerne Independent School District, Texas Tech University and the AlamoColleges. It’s designed to bring higher–learning opportunities to students andtraining programs for the local workforce. Mayor Heckler has been quotedsaying that the educational alliance could result in higher–quality jobs in thearea and, thus, enhance the quality of life.
Boerne ISD Superintendent John P. Kelly is working closely with MayorHeckler on Project Red Apple and has been impressed with his dedication.
“Mayor Heckler isn’t a self–promoter, but he’s definitely promotingcommunity improvement,” says Kelly. “I’ve found him to be well informed onthe issues and if he disagrees with something, he’s frank about it—but alwaysin a respectful way. I admire that.”
Kelly isn’t the only official in townthat is impressed by Mayor Heckler.“It’s the Mayor’s strong work ethic thatI admire most,” says City CouncilmanRon Warden.
Perhaps Heckler’s militarybackground honed the work ethicand other qualities that associatespraise. A decorated Vietnam veteran,he served as a medic in the Air Force,retiring in 1988 as a Chief MasterSergeant. Many di erent jobs in theprivate sector came next. And, ofcourse, there was that time he spent time in jail. Heckler loves to tell that story.Then, when you’re suitably shocked, he explains that he really wasn’t a prisonerbut an employee in charge of the prison laundry.
It was thanks to his wife, Lynn that he moved to Boerne in 1999. Also in themilitary, she was stationed in San Antonio at Wilford Hall and discovered a perfecthouse on Cibolo Creek. It seemed ideal for entertaining friends and family (theHeckler’s have a son, Steve, and two grandchildren, Peyton and Carlynne). Shetold her husband they should buy. They’ve never been sorry.
“Traveling in the Air Force, I never had roots and Boerne gave me a sense ofcommunity,” says Heckler, who was born in Bu alo, N. Y. and educated in nursingat Wayland Baptist University in Plainview, TX. “Once settled, I started doingvolunteer work and got involved with the Daily Bread Ministry. So did Lynn.”
Lynn founded the Christian Women’s Job Corps of Kendall County. He too is adevout Christian and faithfully attends the First Baptist Church of Boerne no matterhow busy he is with mayoral duties.
The journey to the town’s highest public office began with getting elected vicepresidentof the Kendall County Republican Club. A position on the Boerne CityCouncil followed, where he devoted much time to community–planning issues.In 2007, he won his first mayoral race and in May of this year was handily reelected.
Ben Sta ord, who served on the Boerne City Council for a decade and hasencountered plenty of politicians during this time, considers Heckler one of themost capable and sincere public servants he has ever met.
“The Mayor can keep his cool in hot debates, guide people to a commonmeeting and, above all, is an honest and loyal friend,” says Sta ord.
Sounds like Boerne’s future and treasured past are in mighty good hands.
