Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Frisco Mayor Maher Maso’s goals for city are quality of life oriented

By Minnie Payne

Frisco Mayor Maher Maso

FRISCO — When 44-year-old Frisco Mayor Maher Maso moved to Frisco in 1992, the population was 6,500. According to Maso, the city’s population as of July 1, 2008 was 101,393, and it’s the seventh fastest growing city in the United States.

“I like the way Frisco is headed,” Maso said. “My fundamental goals of keeping taxes low and improving our roads and transportation are very quality of life oriented.

“Public safety is also important, because we have a lot of families here and people want to feel safe in their community.”

Because the city has accomplished a lot, he said that he wants to keep it moving in the same direction by partnering with the school districts, colleges and county.

“Frisco alone can’t create a successful community,” he said. “It takes many different groups working together. I firmly believe in regionalism.”

Maso also believes in open communication. Aside from city council meetings, the second Monday of each month from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. has been set aside for informal coffees on the fifth floor of city hall.

“The gatherings aren’t just to have coffee and pastries,” he said. “We have round table discussions where I learn from citizens, and they learn from me.”

The next coffee with the mayor is Aug. 11.

Maso grew up in North Seattle in the Shoreline area where he graduated from Shoreline High School in 1982. He attended North Seattle Community College for approximately two years and then continued working with his father in a family-owned service station business.

“At age 20 I learned I had testicular cancer, which completely refocused my understanding of life,” he said.

In 2003, he earned a B.S. degree in Business Management from the University of Phoenix, and he is presently pursuing his MBA from the University of Texas at Arlington, from which he is scheduled to graduate in November.

Maso presently serves as vice president of the family-owned privately held corporations of Maso, Inc., a retail services firm, and CMTEX Corp., an investment firm.

He is of the Eastern Orthodox Christian faith.

He served on Frisco City Council from May 2000 to June 2007; mayor pro tem from May 2003 to June 2007 (five appointments); deputy mayor pro tem from May 2002 to May 2003; chair of budget & audit sub-committee from May 2003 to June 2007, and Frisco Tax Increment Finance District Zone Board from May 2000 to June 2007.

Maso said that he spends about 40 hours a week on mayoral duties and plans to do whatever needs to be done to make Frisco a successful city.

Former Frisco Mayor Mike Simpson has known Maso since 1999 and served on the city council with him, starting in May 2000 until June 2007.

“Maher is a very dedicated public servant who gives his all to any project that he sets out to do,” said Simpson. “He devotes the time and energy to make sure that it’s done right.

“I feel very good about him being elected mayor following me, because he has the same desire to make Frisco a unique sustainable community.”

Maso has been married to his wife, Val, for 18 years, and they have three children, Brandon, 17, Alisa, 15, and Layna, 10.

Related stories

• Pegasus News Week in View: Hello Dolly edition (July 24, 2008)

See more stories in:

• Citizen Profiles
• Politics and Government > City Government > Frisco
• Pegasus News Exclusive

Comments

Jason Rice Verified

I know there are a LOT of arts people very excited to see Maso at the helm. Good luck and we wish you smooth sailing, Mr. M!

2 months, 3 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )