Kathy Seei Park – Some Words

At tonight’s City of Frisco Council meeting, there is a recommendation to rename a city park from Central Park to Kathy Seei Park, after one of our former mayors, and a good friend. Here is the speech that I hope to give during the public comments (this has been forwarded to the Council by email in the event this doesn’t happen).

Good Evening Everyone,

I’m James Nunn, a resident of Frisco TX 75035, and I’ve called this wonderful city home since March 5, 1999—exactly twenty-five years ago today. I’m here to lend my support to the recommendation of the Park & Trail Naming Committee to rename Central Park to Kathy Seei Park.

Firstly, I’d like to commend the committee for their decision to honor our former Mayor’s dedication to our city. I believe there’s no better location for this recognition than here, in this park. When you stand here and look around, you can’t help but be reminded of the vision Mayor Seei and our city leaders had for Frisco.

When Kathy began her term as Mayor in 1996, Frisco was a young home rule city of just twelve years, with a population of around 18,000. Our city leaders were facing crucial decisions about our future. Thanks to Kathy and our council at the time, everything that defines Frisco today stems from the ideas, hopes, and dreams of those leaders from the late ’90s and early 2000s. “The plan,” as the award-winning Millennium Plan was known, mapped out the pathways for our city’s development. Today, we live, work, and play in that vision.

My husband, Chris, and I had the privilege of getting to know Kathy after moving to Frisco. We attended city council meetings in the old municipal court building on McKinney, becoming increasingly involved over the years. Kathy encouraged citizen involvement, listening to concerns, feedback, and dreams for life in Frisco. She believed it was crucial to honor our past while building our future—a philosophy that resonated deeply with many. Kathy’s ability to engage people in conversation was truly remarkable.

Kathy was a mayor of the people. She connected with them, listened to them, and engaged them. She knew that with citizens actively supporting Frisco’s growth, nothing could stop us from realizing our vision. And we did. I recall a time when Kathy asked about our newest addition to the family, our dog Bosley, after meeting him just once. It blew our minds. It was a testament to Kathy’s unique character and why she was loved by so many.

It’s long overdue and deeply appreciated to see such an amazing Mayor honored with a significant focal point bearing her name. Remembering our past as we shape our future is integral to our community’s identity. Thank you for recognizing Kathy’s contribution to what Frisco is today. May future generations hold each of you in the same high regard that we hold Kathy.

Thank you.

Updated (3/6/2024): Here is the link to this agenda (with video) from the Council meeting. Click on Agenda Item 19 (or move to timeline 32:30) to see the video segment.
https://agenda.friscotexas.gov/OnBaseAgendaOnline/Meetings/ViewMeeting?id=4822&doctype=1#