Members of the local public submitted questions to be posed to the two candidates for Mayor of Mount Vernon, with responses being published here on April 19. The questions fall into three categories: (1) city finances, transparency, and public communication; (2) economic development and growth; (3) accessibility and long-range planning. Each question appears above the respective candidate’s response.
Several of the dozens of questions were similar or related. The MVNow staff reviewed these and narrowed the list to six that were repeated themes among those submitted. To ensure which candidate the response is from, GO = Greg Ostertag and BH = Brad Hyman.
Editing from some original submission text was done by the candidate to meet the 125-word limit for responses. Candidates may choose to answer additional questions or provide a more extended response on their social media sites, which are easily found via search on various media platforms.
BH: My top priorities are infrastructure restoration, responsible growth, and clear communication. First, continuing to improve streets, water, and sewer systems—because those are the foundation of everything we do. Second, moving forward with housing and business development projects already in progress so we can keep our momentum and grow our tax base responsibly. Third, strengthening communication with our citizens so everyone knows what the city is doing and why.
BH: These priorities matter because they directly impact daily life, long-term stability, and trust in city leadership. We’ve made progress over the past five years, and the next six months are about building on that work and keeping Mount Vernon moving forward.
GO: My top three priorities are providing proactive, easy-to-understand updates and casual communication beyond the required formal postings so residents can easily understand what’s happening in their city without needing special knowledge or a government background; accelerating critical road repairs while coordinating with utility upgrades; and building stronger partnerships with the County, MVISD, fire department, police, and other groups.
GO: These matter most because real progress happens when everyone works together instead of in silos, and residents deserve clear information and visible improvements in their daily lives.
GO: I will give residents advance notice of upcoming meeting topics through quick social media posts and proactive outreach, ensure audio/visual recordings are posted promptly, and provide simple summaries of approved budgets and projects. Progress will be measured by website traffic, social media engagement, resident feedback, and increased meeting attendance.
BH: Under my time as Mayor, I had us move to livestream video meetings so that our community can watch city council meetings and city board meetings live if they aren’t able to attend in person. All meetings are available through our YouTube Channel on our city’s website. We’ve had positive feedback from residents on transparency. We are adding monthly articles in MVNOW, sharing performance initiatives, regular updates on city projects, and timelines for our infrastructure and park projects, city activities, and festivals. BH: Just as important is being available, listening to concerns, and answering questions directly. I’ve always had my personal cell phone and e-mail address posted on our City of Mount Vernon website, and my days always include time for our citizens and team at City Hall.
BH: Our current approach has been focused on working with developers who understand Mount Vernon and want to invest here in the long term. We’ve made progress by being practical and willing to partner where it makes sense. We have a close relationship with the Franklin County Industrial Foundation and have partnered to secure property adjoining the school and leading up to I-30, specifically for new home development. We’re establishing a Public Improvement District for this project that will fund all of its infrastructure through the project itself and cost nothing to the other citizens of Mount Vernon.
GO: I see our current approach to new housing as limited, even though we have clear demand from families who want to live and raise kids here. The 2017 RSI housing study that the EDC and Franklin County Industrial Foundation helped fund laid out a solid roadmap for workforce housing - and I believe we should build on that foundation.
GO: I would strengthen it to create a clearer, more welcoming process for responsible developers. This would include reasonable incentives for quality, affordable homes while protecting our small-town character and agricultural roots. I’d gather a group of residents, business owners, and MVISD representatives to guide these decisions. Having restored downtown buildings through private investment, I know we can attract the kind of growth that supports our families.
GO: I’d actively recruit businesses that fit our community by highlighting Mount Vernon’s strong location on I-30, our revitalized downtown square, and our hardworking local workforce.
GO: This means putting together a simple, friendly “welcome package” with available sites, realistic permitting timelines, and real local support through our EDC. I’d work hand-in-hand with the EDC and FCIF to make the process smoother and more responsive.
GO: Attracting new large-scale businesses also goes hand-in-hand with housing - more employees need decent places to live. Having poured my own time, energy, and resources into bringing life back to downtown, I’m ready to bring that same hands-on, practical approach to attracting good jobs along the I-30 corridor and throughout town - jobs that support our families and honor our heritage.
BH: We are in a strong position along I-30 and need to continue promoting that advantage. My focus will continue to be on preparing sites with the needed infrastructure and working closely with the EDC and Franklin County Industrial Foundation. Over the past several years, we have successfully recruited and secured the new Starbucks and Frito-Lay’s Regional Distribution Center. We were also able to attract The Oaks on 37.
BH: Support doesn’t stop once they arrive—we need to be business-friendly, responsive, and consistent. That includes helping navigate city processes and making sure our local workforce and amenities support long-term success.
BH: The goal is steady, sustainable growth that brings jobs, strengthens our tax base, and benefits the entire community without sacrificing our small-town charm and culture.
BH: Community events and public spaces are a big part of what makes Mount Vernon special. We must ensure accessibility for all residents by addressing sidewalks, parking, and public facilities where improvements are needed. We have added new handicap access ramps to many of our downtown sidewalks, but still have more that need help. Grants have helped us here in the past, and we are still applying for those as we are eligible.
BH: We must ensure new projects consider accessibility from the start and identify areas where we can improve existing spaces. We’ll continue working with local organizations and volunteers who help make these events successful.
BH: The goal is to be a community that is welcoming, functional, and enjoyable for everyone.
GO: I love seeing our community events, parks, and recreational facilities grow…they’re what bring families together and make Mount Vernon feel like home. The recent grant for improvements at Little Creek Park is exciting progress, and I fully support continuing those upgrades. However, the Plaza is a historic gem. Why does it have to be all or nothing? We can have events at the park and on the Square, so everyone benefits.
GO: I will make sure every improvement includes full ADA accessibility from the start and work with our Public Works team and city administration to review and upgrade existing facilities where needed. My goal is simple: safe, welcoming spaces - both at the park and on the Square - that every resident can enjoy.
GO: The actions that will benefit Mount Vernon most in the long run are sustainable economic growth paired with infrastructure repairs, honest transparency, consistent communication, and strong partnerships across the city, county, schools, fire, and police.
GO: I will ensure these are implemented effectively by setting clear, measurable goals with public timelines, regularly sharing plain-language progress updates, and inviting resident input at every stage. Having already invested my own time and resources into downtown revitalization, I know real results come from consistent, hands-on effort and listening to our fellow residents. Decisions made will always put our community first - not politics.
BH: Long-term success comes from consistent, thoughtful planning—investing in infrastructure, supporting responsible growth, and maintaining strong financial management. We also need to continue to be active with our local civic organizations, support our great school system whenever possible, and be business-friendly to our merchants.
BH: To ensure these actions are implemented effectively, it comes down to accountability and follow-through. Setting clear goals, tracking progress, and making adjustments when needed is key. Over the past five years, we’ve updated our zoning and land use ordinances to give us more say in what developments come our way, and I believe in continuing that steady approach.
BH: Mount Vernon’s future is bright if we stay focused, work together, and keep making decisions that serve both today’s residents and future generations.
BH: Personal information about candidate Hyman.
Bradley Scott Hyman was born at Methodist Hospital in Dallas, Texas, and raised in Mount Vernon. He is a 1987 graduate of Mount Vernon ISD and a 1991 graduate of Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, with a degree in Agricultural Economics.
Brad has worked in the crop protection industry for his entire 35-year professional career. He was Executive V.P. and Head of Commercial for the U.S. Crop Protection business for Australia-based Nufarm and managed more than a $1.2 billion budget & P&L. Today, he owns Hyman Ag Consulting, where he represents international Ag Chem clients in North America. Brad has enjoyed assembling their family's farming and ranching operations in north Franklin County, which he manages with his son Chase. He is also the business owner of The Texas Chophouse and The Bull Pen Grill and Cantina.
He has previously served on the Mount Vernon Economic Development Council from 2012 to 2020, the Mount Vernon ISD School Board from 2015 to 2018, Sacred Heart Catholic Church Pastoral Council, and as the Mayor of Mount Vernon since 2020 – present. Brad has resided in Mount Vernon for 35 years, including 18 years as a youth (1969-1987), and 16 years from 2009 to the present.
Brad and his wife of 33 years, Stephanie Hyman, have two sons, both graduates of MVISD: Chase Hyman, married to Morgan Hyman, and Cade Hyman, married to Maddy Hyman. Brad’s parents are Lee & Carol Hyman and live here in Franklin County.
Personal Information, background on Greg Ostertag.
Gregory “Greg” Ostertag was born and raised in Duncanville, Texas. He majored in Human Development and Family Life at the University of Kansas, where he played basketball for the Jayhawks. He played professional basketball for 11 years in the NBA, primarily with the Utah Jazz. Currently, Greg is the owner of Tag’s Hometown Bar & Grill in downtown Mount Vernon. He is an active realtor with Century 21 Harvey Properties. Locally, he is a Certified High School Basketball Official and serves as a substitute teacher at Mount Vernon ISD. Greg is a real estate investor and an award-winning restorer of multiple historic buildings in Mount Vernon. Included in his restoration efforts is the first privately owned building to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and the first in Mount Vernon to receive the Texas Historical Commission / National Parks Historic Tax Credit. Greg served on the Mount Vernon ISD District Educational Improvement Committee. His wife, Shannon, has served on the Mount Vernon EDC and the Main Street Association and is a current member of the Mount Vernon Key Club. Greg and Shannon have lived in Mount Vernon since 2015 (11 years). The couple moved to Mount Vernon in 2015. “We fell in love with this community. We both live and work downtown, and we’ve been blessed to raise our family here. Our children attended and graduated from MVISD, and we still have a 12-year-old in middle school,” said Greg. “At the end of the day, family is everything to us - and that same commitment to family is what drives me to serve our community as mayor.”
