City Residents Enjoy Coffee with the Mayors

By George Slaughter

Former Katy mayors, from left, Skip Conner, Hank Schmidt, Doyle Callender, Don Elder, Fabol Hughes, Chuck Brawner, and current Mayor Bill Hastings. (Terry Carter/UD Photos.com photo)

It’s one thing to have coffee with the mayor. But it’s unique to have coffee with not just the mayor, but all his predecessors, too.

That’s what happened Thursday morning at the Johnny Nelson Katy Heritage Museum. To hear City Administrator Byron Hebert tell it, the idea of a “Coffee with the Mayors” has been discussed for some years. Hebert said he told the staff that this year, it was time to make happen, and it did.

People enjoyed the coffee, doughnuts, and the light and friendly conversations. They also enjoyed seeing all the former mayors together, which doesn’t happen very often.

Mayor Bill Hastings welcomed all the living former mayors, who included:

  • Chuck Brawner, mayor from 2017-19.
  • Fabol Hughes, mayor from 2013-15.
  • Don Elder, mayor from 2007-13.
  • Doyle Callender, mayor from 2001-07.
  • Hank Schmidt, mayor from 1995-2001.
  • Skip Conner, mayor from 1991-95.

Hebert said he expected more coffees would be held, though nothing official has been set.

The museum, 6002 George Bush Dr., has exhibits about the history of Katy, which was incorporated in 1945. The museum is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. every Thursday-Sunday. Admission is free.

Among its exhibits, the museum has a “Mayor’s Room” that features photo exhibits and mementos of each mayor’s term of office, up through Hastings, who took office in 2019. Conner said during his time as mayor, he received five city business-related phone calls at home. Two of them, he said, were from the same person, and two of the other calls were about another person.

Callender said looking at his photo display brought back memories.

Katy City Council members attending were Council Member-at-Large and Mayor Pro Tem Chris Harris, Ward A Council Member Janet Corte, and Ward B Council Member Gina Hicks. Harris County Pct. 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey and Fort Bend Pct. 3 Commissioner Andy Meyers joined the festivities, along with Police Chief Noe Diaz and Fire Chief Kenneth Parker.

The museum itself was created in 2002 and is named in honor of Johnny Nelson, who served as mayor from 1983-88 and as city administrator 1994-2014.

In addition to his lengthy community service, Nelson has been credited as a key figure in the development of the Katy Mills Mall. The mall has been cited as a key factor in Katy’s economic development and growth. Nelson died in 2018.