Fate, TX — Mayor David Billings is at the center of a growing controversy surrounding his close association with the urban planning organization StrongTowns.org, led by Charles Marohn. Over the past year, the Mayor has shared over 25 LinkedIn posts from Marohn and has triggered discussions about his motivations and potential ties to the organization.
StrongTowns.org, known for advocating the end of the “Suburban Experiment” and endorsing “Incremental Housing,” has raised concerns among some members of the community. Critics argue that the organization’s principles do not align with traditional rural development practices and conservative values.
Trouble arose for Mayor Billings when his support for StrongTowns.org began to attract public scrutiny. In response, rather than reevaluating his stance, the mayor appeared to double down on his endorsement of the organization. He actively flaunted his respect and support for StrongTowns.org by posting a link on June 16th to an article written by the City in support of Strong Towns, and how they have integrated this philosophy into our comprehensive planning.
When confronted, Billings and City Manager Michael Kovacs repeat the same talking point from Strong Towns, “We are taking a proactive approach with our growth management and development to become a fiscally sustainable community for our future generations. We are doing this by discouraging new suburban development in our rural areas, examining parking standards, and taking an exceptional approach to new development in our city’s business core.”
However, skeptics remain unconvinced. They argue that the mayor’s continued and intensified promotion of StrongTowns.org content hints at an alignment beyond mere engagement. This has raised doubts about whether the mayor’s intentions are truly centered on representing the interests of Fate’s diverse population or if he is actively pursuing an alignment with the organization directly.
As the Fate community grapples with the implications of Mayor Billings’ unwavering support for StrongTowns.org, a division has emerged among residents. Some see his actions as indicative of a progressive shift in urban planning direction, while most remain concerned that the mayor’s alignment might undermine the community’s values and the charm that attracted them to Fate in the first place. The extent of Mayor Billings’ association with StrongTowns.org and its potential impact on Fate’s future is yet to be fully understood. Included below are screen clips of Mayor Billings’ more recent re-posts, which shed light on his alignment with StrongTowns.org and its potential impact on Fate’s future. As the discussions intensify, Fate’s residents are left to contemplate whether the mayor’s allegiance to this organization reflects his dedication to their best interests or a larger ideological shift that could reshape the town’s character and trajectory.
