Former Fate Mayor is making a run for John Stacy’s seat on the County Commission.
Opinion: Former Fate Mayor Lorne Megyesi is asking the voters of Rockwall County Precinct 4 to entrust him with a multi-million-dollar county budget. His campaign says he offers “transparency, fiscal discipline, and thoughtful planning.” But his record as mayor and his personal financial history tell a very different story.
A Mayor Who Left a Mess Behind
From 2014 to 2019, Megyesi presided over a period of rapid, developer-driven growth in Fate that left deep marks on the city’s character and infrastructure.
High-density subdivisions were approved at a staggering pace, with little consideration for the long-term impacts on roads, schools, or utilities. City planning under Megyesi seemed focused more on accommodating developers than on safeguarding the small-town feel that residents valued.
Public meetings often left citizens frustrated, as major zoning changes were pushed forward with minimal explanation or engagement. Today, the current Fate City Council is actively working to undo many of the planning and zoning policies from his administration—policies that are now widely seen as short-sighted and detrimental to the city’s long-term stability.
This is the reality behind Megyesi’s claim that he “helped guide the city through a period of rapid growth while maintaining its hometown spirit.” The truth is, Fate is still trying to recover from his brand of “planning.”
The Bankruptcy Question
Voters evaluating a candidate for a role that involves budget oversight and fiscal decision-making have a right to consider his personal financial record. In Megyesi’s case, that record includes a personal bankruptcy filed in Portland, Oregon—Case #0031885ELP, discharged in 2000.
The Fate Tribune reached out to Megyesi for comment and he provided this personal statement about his bankruptcy:
“In late 1999, I suffered a severe back injury that greatly impacted my ability to work and provide for my family. Like many Americans, I faced a season of financial hardship that was not the result of irresponsibility, but of unexpected life circumstances beyond my control. In such cases, the Bible acknowledges both the reality of debt and the provision for its release. In Deuteronomy 15, God Himself established a system of debt forgiveness not to reward poor choices, but to give people a fresh start and restore them to productivity. Our own bankruptcy laws reflect this same principle, ensuring that when someone is knocked down, they have a lawful, honorable path to get back on their feet.
I made the decision to use the legal framework available, a framework our Founders wisely incorporated into our system so that I could recover, rebuild, and once again contribute to my family, my church, and my community. That experience taught me the value of stewardship, perseverance, and compassion for those who face unforeseen hardship. I paid the price, I learned the lessons, and I came back stronger. Today, I stand not as someone defined by that moment of difficulty, but as someone equipped to fight for policies that strengthen families, reward hard work, and extend grace where grace is due just as Scripture commands.”
His explanation is sincere, and no one should dismiss the real impact of medical hardship. But bankruptcy—whether caused by poor judgment or bad fortune—is still a critical factor when voters are deciding who should manage public money. This is not a personal attack; it is a matter of qualification and trust.
County commissioners oversee large budgets, make fiscal policy decisions, and control spending priorities. A candidate’s ability to handle personal finances responsibly is not irrelevant—it’s central to the job.
The Core Issue: Record vs. Rhetoric
Megyesi’s campaign promises sound good—transparency, fiscal discipline, thoughtful planning—but they ring hollow in light of his record. His years as mayor saw opaque governance, developer-friendly zoning, and long-term infrastructure strains. His financial past, while explained as the product of hardship, still raises serious concerns about whether he’s the right person to be a steward of taxpayer funds.
Rockwall County voters must decide: Do they want someone with a proven track record of fiscal prudence and responsive leadership, or someone whose past in both public office and personal finance raises legitimate questions?
The people of Precinct 4 deserve leadership that inspires confidence—not déjà vu from the mistakes of Fate’s past.