Meet the four who are running for a 2-year term Council Member seat in 2019.
Kara Gilliland
Kara Gilliland was born and raised in Llano and is the daughter of Larry and Deborah Miller. Gilliland graduated from Llano High School in 1998. “I have been married to the love of my life and high school sweetheart, David Gilliland for 16 years,” said Gilliland. “David and I have 2 wonderful boys, Kyle (13) and Andy (10), who are active in many extracurricular activities that keep us busy in our spare time.”
Gilliland attended Tarleton State University. In 2002, she received her Bachelor of Science degree with honors in Hydrology and minors in Engineering and Mathematics.
She immediately started her career working for the Lower Colorado River Authority as a field Hydrologist, and within a few years, moved into Engineering and Dam Safety. For the past 10 years Gilliland has been a Construction Coordinator.
In August of 2018, she put in her application and was selected by the City Council to fill the vacant position that was left by previous Alderwoman Katherine Stephenson. “I knew the appointed position would only last until the May 2019 elections. I thought then that this would be a great learning experience and opportunity to get my feet wet, if that was even possible, considering the drought we were in,” said Gilliland. “I have learned a tremendous amount in the last 7 months about different aspects of the City, processes, procedures, projects, events, committees and much more.” In those seven months she gained experience and a calling to serve her community even more. “I want to thank David for all of his support throughout this endeavor and our boys for their patience,” added Gilliland. “I want the opportunity to continue to serve to better our community.”
“I feel that I am qualified to serve on the City Council because I am committed. I love my town and I want to make a difference,” said Gilliland. “I am a citizen and vested in the community. I am not a politician, but I would be honored to continue to serve the citizens of Llano with some of my core values: integrity, truthfulness, accountability, ability to listen, and responsibility.”
Gilliland would like to see the City work on communicating more with the citizens. “Times have changed, and there are other resources available for keeping the citizens up to speed and informed. Social Media can be a valuable tool for getting information out, in addition to the local newspapers. I believe that frequent, open communication creates a pathway to transparency,” said Gilliland.
“It’s funny how quick and easy it is to notice the bad and how the good is overlooked. Not everything is perfect, and no one is perfect,” said Gilliland. “There are only a few percent of people who choose to take the difficult jobs and only a few percent who continuously volunteer their time, and those people are underappreciated.” Gilliland respects and appreciates those who serve our community in their various capacities and those who volunteer their countless hours to make our community what it is. She asks that before judging or condemning, to seek the facts and truths, understand the processes, and ask questions.
“Through this process I have realized that I have more to offer to my community. I am asking for your vote in the upcoming May 4th election to help give me the opportunity to serve you,” said Gilliland. “If you have any comments or questions, I can be reached at [email protected] or through my Facebook page: Kara Gilliland for Llano City Council.”
Larry Sawyer
Larry Sawyer grew up on his family’s ranch in the Babyhead community. Sawyer was born on October 1, 1954, the fourth child of John H. Poochie and Clara Lou Sawyer. He married Gail Manglberger on April 8, 1978 and they had three daughters: Tonya Leslie and her husband Tim, Tiffany and her husband Mark Stevenson, Trish and her husband Travis Anderson. His grandchildren are Vala and Cain Stevenson, and Tripp and Tana Anderson.
Sawyer has lived in Llano since 1988. “I decided to run for Council because of my concerns on the affordability of basic utilities for new construction and the high monthly cost for low and fixed-income residences,” said Sawyer. “There needs to be a little common sense used on the usage of bond monies and every day expenses, and on how projects are started and seem not to have an end in sight mentality.”
Sawyer has been involved in ranching for all of his life. “Gail and I have owned and operated Oasis Irrigation and Total Lawn Care since the mid-1980s,” said Sawyer.
He feels that growth is the common goal of any small town. “I just hope that the lost art of common sense can be a useful tool in operating this great city of Llano,” said Sawyer. “I would appreciate your vote for me, Larry Don “Spot” Sawyer.”
Roper Mikulenka
Roper Mikulenka was born in Fredricksburg, Texas, and lived in Llano, attended Llano ISD from kindergarten through high school. Two weeks after graduation, he left to start a new journey with the U.S Army. Mikulenka spent two tours in Iraq before returning to Llano to start his family. He married Natasha Isenberger of Llano and they had three children: Wade, Ryelan, and Reagan. “They are the ones that have supported me the most and who I love dearly,” said Mikulenka. “I am blessed to have them in my life.”
He decided to run for City Council because he wants to help make a difference. “Llano needs to be cleaned up,” said Mikulenka. “The people of Llano depend on the city to make the right choices. If the city loses support of the people, then everything we have worked for accounts for nothing.” Mikulenka would like to see a lot of changes in Llano, but believes we have to start with what is important, and that is making sure the city is focused on what is best for the people.
“With all my experiences in the military, I believe we can all work together as a city and get everything on the right track,” said Mikulenka. “For the last few months we have been a headline in the media for all the negativity. Let’s work on being in the headlines for something good.”
He took an oath, to support and defend The Constitution of the United States on June 15, 2004. “I will do the same for Llano,” Mikulenka said. “Llano is my home and always will be.”
Tony Virdell
Tony Virdell is married Jill Virdell, and has one step-son, Jake Budde and one step-daughter, Anna Bella Budde. He was born in born in Fredericksburg in 1974 and lived in Llano until he attended college at SMU in Highland Park from 1992-93, then Texas Tech from 1993-97, to Midland from 1997-98, before moving back to Llano in 1998.
“I believe it’s time to serve again (I filled a 1-year term in 2006-07) due to some of the actions of the current council and leadership’s positions and situations that have played out,” said Virdell. “I was very disappointed to see our City Council appear to not stand behind the Llano Police Department. It was an embarrassment to see our great town on nightly news and I believe it could have been handled in a different manner.”
“I am also questioning why there has not been a strong advocate for our folks with relief from the seemingly high utility bills,” said Virdell. He would like to see the contracts and has worked with the LCRA before and believes that he can help.
“I am dedicated to helping our citizens to the best of my ability with the utility bills and would like to be involved with where our money is being used,” said Virdell. “I have a business degree and am running several successful businesses and strongly believe I can serve Llano residents to relieve many of the financial burdens implemented upon our people and make Llano a better place to live.”
“I have a great education with a business degree and a real estate broker’s education, with 1,000-plus hours of financial and real estate continuing education,” said Virdell. “I’ve always been interested in serving my fellow Americans. I served as Alderman in 2006-07, nominated to a group of approximately 300 young professionals in the United States to the 2006 Senate Leadership Summit in Washington D.C., and worked for John McCain in 2008 as a ‘McCain’s Maverick’ stationed in Stuart Florida for the 2008 election.” He has had many family members, including himself, in Llano and Kerrville elected to serve our people and feels that he can be a good steward of our great city.
“I LOVE Llano and know I can help to serve and guide our great people into the future. An Alderman must realize the citizens come first. I know that, and I will perform in that manner,” said Virdell. “The people of Llano are my family and I LOVE all of us and have matured over 44 years to realize serving Llano’s people is the greatest of honors a citizen can perform!”
Meet the two who are running for a 1-year term Council Member seat in 2019.
Kelli Tudyk
Kelli Tudyk is a Llano native. “When I look around, I see friends, family, neighbors, and community,” said Tudyk. “I see people from all walks of life, people of many faiths, and people with diverse political beliefs, but who all have Llano in common.”
Tudyk left after high school in search of a career but was soon drawn back to Llano and returned to start a family and make their home there. She has 3 children, ranging in age from 14 to 19. “Their lives are busy with school activities and we all enjoy spending time in the great outdoors - hunting, fishing, and enjoying the natural beauty of this part of the country,” said Tudyk. “I have a passion for floral design and plants in general, and my own home often looks like an explosion of flowers!” She has been in real estate for more than 23 years. Tudyk also owned and operate K T United Inc Real Estate in Llano.
“I love this town, I care about its future, and I have history here that I can pull from to help with the present issues we face,” said Tudyk. “That is why I want to serve on the City Council.” She has previously served on the City Council, and also on the Planning and Zoning committee. Tudyk has also served as 1st Vice President of Llano Chamber of Commerce and as a Board Member for the Llano Community Center Board.
Some items she hopes to address are city utilities, traffic, and a potential new low water crossing. “I feel that my previous time on Council and in Planning and Zoning gives me the experience needed to fill the council seat,” said Tudyk. “I want to see people participate in this community; whether that is serving on committees, attending meetings, or just engaging in civil discourse. I want to hear opinions and concerns, and I want to do the best that I can for this town.”
Faron Miller
Faron Miller has two sons, Nathan (24), Austin (22), and one daughter, Kinley (16). Virdell’s parents are Frosty and Vicki Virdell Miller. He has numerous uncles, aunts, and cousins that reside and do business in the City of Llano and in Llano County.
“The City of Llano has never faced a more challenging period than today, with the high cost of utilities, the roads that are in need of repairs, water and sewer infrastructure replacement and upgrades, the rising cost of providing services within city limits, and limited funds that will be needed to address the aforementioned challenges,” said Faron. “It is my desire to have a role in addressing the current and future needs of Llano.”
“First and foremost, I desire to be a part of the solution to the opportunities that exist for our city,” said Miller. “Numerous acquaintances have spoken to me regarding the balance between the wants compared to the needs in the city as it relates to where our dollars are being utilized.” By working hard with our citizens and city staff, Miller believes a realistic balance can be found to address our short-term needs with the longer-term capital improvement monies needed to accomplish our goals
During the course of his working career, he has had the opportunity to serve as a firefighter and paramedic, giving him the opportunity to work within the framework of city budgets and procedures. “In addition, I have been involved in a family ranching operation and real estate company, giving me a strong understanding of the balance between civil service and the private business sector,” said Miller.
“I love and care about our community and would be honored to represent its best interest on the City Council,” added Miller. “ Thanks for your support.”
