Lake Highlands People
By Casey Smith
Bill Keffer is running for state representative for House District 107. The family man and current President of the Highland Hills Homeowners Association previously represented the White Rock Lake area in Austin from 2003-06. Bill and his wife, Liz, have lived in the heart of Lake Highlands since 1992, and the couple has spent the past fifteen years raising their three children and serving the White Rock Lake area through their involvement in various neighborhood organizations. – Casey Smith
What is your favorite thing about living in Lake Highlands?
The most compelling feature of living in Lake Highlands is its sense of community. Community activities and events still revolve around the high school—everyone goes to the football games, basketball games, volleyball games, musicals, choir concerts, etc. The Exchange Club and Women’s League provide tremendous support and reinforcement. The new development and Town Center are sure to spawn even more community pride and enthusiasm. In many ways Lake Highlands is its own small town.
Why do you feel that being active in serving your community is so important?
Communities and neighborhoods are only as attractive and successful as the involvement of their residents. The more desirable your community is, the more you want to engage in keeping it that way and making it even better.
You were state representative from 2003 to 2006. Of all of your accomplishments during that time, of which are you most proud?
I was very proud to be an ardent spokesman for limited government, lower taxes, more freedom, and a more market-based economy. I was very pleased to be a part of balancing a $10 billion budget shortfall without raising taxes, passing historic tort reform, substantially reducing property tax rates, and pursuing improvements in the transparency, accountability, and incentives in public education. I was also extremely pleased to be able to pass a law in response to the continued unwanted presence of a strip club near the Lake Highlands part of the district. The law was immediately challenged by the strip clubs, and the case is still in court, but the community has remained vigilant, and I anticipate a successful conclusion. It was a great example of what a community and its representative can do together.
Could you tell me a little about your family?
My wife, Liz, is—and has been for many years—very active in the Lake Highlands Women’s League and the PTAs and various booster clubs at Lake Highlands Junior High and Lake Highlands High School. Our son Scott is a freshman at the University of Missouri, our daughter Caroline is in the 10th grade at Lake Highlands High School, and our younger son Doug is in the seventh grade at Lake Highlands Junior High.
Is your family helping you with your campaign?
My wife is my best asset. I think it is a fair statement to say that more people know her and know about her countless contributions than know me! Our children have always helped in my campaigns. Scott will certainly do so again, when he is in town, and Caroline is helping me so far this time by participating in the Young Republicans Club at the high school. I’m sure there will be a lot of block-walking, handing out literature and other campaign-related work for everyone in the next several months.