Outgoing Mayor Trace Johannesen isn’t running again, but that didn’t stop candidate Tim McCallum from taking a swing, claiming just seven minutes into the Rock 30 podcast that Rockwall is “sorely lacking” leadership in the “middle chair” (Debate Transcript: “I thought we need real leadership in the middle chair…”). McCallum, a sitting council member since his uncontested 2023 election, aimed this jab at Johannesen after the council’s narrow 4-3 approval of the IKEA project on October 7, 2024—a 65-acre mixed-use development with 485 high-end rental units, retail, and restaurants. McCallum, who voted against it alongside Clarence Jorif, later Johannesen defended his vote, the decision’s merits on X, emphasizing its infrastructure benefits and sales tax revenue potential (Read full X post.).
McCallum makes no mention that he suggested that the developer might consider, in lieu of the multi-family aspect of the proposal, building a very nice hotel and convention center instead. This is in addition to City Attorney Frank Garza interjecting that, it is up to the developer’s discretion if he would like to answer McCallum’s questions, but he cautioned that the City Council cannot take those answers into consideration at all during the zoning case regarding sharing who his primary investors are and what his ‘capital stack’ is.
(source) October 7, 2024 City Council Meeting Minutes
Listening to McCallum throughout the podcast, I couldn’t help but notice his arguments misunderstand the process of negotiating with developers. Worse, his habit of using social media to stir emotional public reactions—undermines the city staff’s meticulous work on zoning, engineering, and public notices. It’s one thing to share agenda updates; it’s another to preemptively sway votes because you “don’t like a business,” as McCallum does persuade people to voice public comments to add to the public pressure to council members to vote a certain way or suggest a different business model at the dais to somehow satisfy the density problem. McCallum was so proud of his involvement when he served 20 years ago in 2003 of the Rockwall City Council that brought us The Harbor Hilton hotel and convention hall that maybe he was contemplating this could be done again right off of I-30. I would presume that a study would need to be involved considering the location. This doesn’t sound like leadership—it’s showmanship.
Rockwall County lags on infrastructure, a real issue Johannesen tackled with the IKEA deal by securing roads and sewage upgrades to manage growth. A traffic study backs his stance, showing most IKEA traffic will flow from I-30, not local streets. Yet McCallum clings to straw man arguments, demonizing high-end apartments—where rent prices are sky-high—as a haven for “bad people,” ignoring their role in addressing housing shortages for workers that could potentially work for Rockwall ISD, single moms, local wait staff, executive relocations, etc. Johannesen put it best: he may not like “gears,” but he’d buy a “car” (Post Game Transcript: “I buy a system…”), highlighting how IKEA’s broader system benefits outweigh its parts, drawing sales tax from as far as Little Rock, Arkansas.
The podcast also exposed the candidates’ grasp of Rockwall’s biggest complaint: traffic. Clarence Jorif outlined a logical process—collaborating with TxDOT, the county, and state reps to meet halfway (Debate Transcript: “Conversations… with the Texas Department of Transportation…”). McCallum? He reminisced about past “aggressive” approaches like the John King bypass, offering no real plan or mention of the Rockwall County Road Consortium (Debate Transcript: “Bill Cecil… aggressive approach…”). Neither candidate fully addressed the Rockwall ISD’s growth challenges which are completely effected by local municipalities decisions on residential developments—1,000 new homes mean roughly 700 new students—but an upcoming April 10, 2025, school district’s finance series offers a chance to learn.
Joriff’s steady leadership, grounded in law and process, reflects Rockwall’s values—not McCallum’s political game of zingers and TikTok drama. As Johannesen leaves office, leaving a city worth leading my hope for voters is to ask: Do you need a showman or a steward? Listen to Rock 30’s debate, hear Trace’s take, and decide for yourself.
What Does Tim McCallum Get Wrong About Leadership?
Point: McCallum’s “center seat” dig at Johannesen paints a thriving Rockwall as leaderless, a cheap shot Johannesen shrugs off.
Observation: McCallum twists reality for political points, leaning on buzzwords like “leadership” over substance.
Analysis: Rockwall’s not broken—San Jacinto Plaza and top schools prove it. McCallum’s grandstanding ignores the steady parades, concerts on the lake, hotel occupancy for pickleball tournaments, multiple recreational programs to excellent City public services.
Can Social Media Undermine the Council’s Deliberation?
Point: Johannesen warns against elected officials overstepping. Which I believe would be McCallum’s social media crusades (Debate Transcript: “I have my Tik Tok on IKEA… 67,000 views”), which may sway opinion before council deliberation.
Assertion: Johannesen stresses the mayor’s role isn’t to dictate but to work within standards (Post Game Transcript: “We set the standard… we shouldn’t say ‘I don’t like you’…”), something McCallum’s preemptive rallies—like on IKEA—disrupt.
Analysis: By rallying citizens with half-truths (e.g., calling 1.65 units/acre “high density”), council member(s) can risk spot zoning lawsuits and weakens council unity. A mayor can’t govern by TikTok—he’d fracture the team. An individual claiming that they are using their freedom of speech is one thing. However, when you are elected you are held to a higher standard so when you intentionally use your voice “freedom of speech” to discriminate the applicants constitutional right that includes due process then it becomes a misconduct of the council member(s). Jorif seems it is an ethical concern and would rather not entertain that direction that McCallum is choosing to take or stymie the Council.
Is the Density Fight Just Political or Practical?
Point: McCallum’s anti-density obsession (Debate Transcript: “I’ve never voted for multi-family…”) clashes with Jorif’s balanced view on property rights and zoning (Post Game Transcript: “I don’t think… yocals should say that family can’t sell…”).
Perspective: Jorif sees density as a spectrum, not a boogeyman, while McCallum’s “pull up the drawbridge” vibe dodges practical limits.
Analysis: McCallum’s political campaign fuels a fantasy—no growth means no traffic—Jorif gave thoughtful insight about that type of governing which I agree sounds unAmerican and unrealistic. McCallum’s not mayoral material if he can’t handle the law’s logic over populist cries. The amount of people that did write in, showed up, participated in the public forum is minor compared to the entire city population.
Who Fits the Mayor’s Real Role?
Point: Jorif’s focus on rules and fiscal sense mirrors Johannesen’s pragmatic leadership.
Observation: Jorif’s stance—“the rules are the rules”. Jorif aligns with governing by standards, not whims, unlike McCallum.
Analysis: Jorif’s not flashy, but his law-enforcement backbone suits a mayor who supports staff and council, not one who’d upstage them. Johannesen’s “1/7th leader” quip fits Jorif’s team-player vibe.
Key Takeaways
McCallum’s Buzzwords: His “leadership” jabs at Johannesen misfire—Rockwall is thriving.
Undermining Isn’t Leading: McCallum’s social media stunts risk council chaos and lawsuits, not the unity a mayor must foster.
Density Needs Logic, Not Slogans: The anti-growth crusade by McCallum ignores zoning reality, while Jorif balance law, progress and growth management.
Jorif’s the Fit: Clarence’s rule-based, staff-supporting style matches the mayor’s real job—McCallum’s political game doesn’t.
Conclusion
Thank you, Trace Johannesen, for your honorable service to Rockwall—enjoy your first Monday night dinner with a recipe from my blog (Flavor-Packed 10-Spice Vegetable Soup). Props to Billy and Jay for a fun, Texas-rock-infused Rock 30 podcast that captured Rockwall’s heart. Thanks to Jay’s wife and your children who were assisting with the production too!
The mayor’s role should uplift staff and council, not sideline them. Trace Johannesen leaves a Rockwall worth leading. McCallum’s buzzword blitz might win votes, but Jorif’s logic should win the role. Listen to Rock 30’s debate and Trace Johannesen’s take—then ask: Do we need a showman or a steward?
Let me know your thoughts in the comments below or send me an email—I’d love to hear from you!
Our Spring Break adventure continued on the G
