Cowman resigns CapMetro board seat

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Leander Mayor John Cowman, amid some recent controversy, will step down early as the small city representative of Capital Metro’s Board of Directors.

Cowman, an active supporter of transit-oriented development, has been on the board for almost six years and is currently the longest-serving member.Leander City Council was active in supporting the area's first commuter rail line.

“A chapter is closing, but my concentrations must lie more on city right now,” Cowman said. “As you may know, there’s been some unfortunate press over the last month. It’s just kind of brought to the realization that I just need to concentrate more on issues that involve where I started and that happens to be the City of Leander.”

Recently, an investigation surfaced that revealed Cowman and the Leander Mayor Pro Tem Chris Fielder were involved in a heated physical altercation during a city budget retreat at Lakeway Spa and Resort.

"That’s passed us. He’s my friend and it’s unfortunate that those things happen, but it did happen, but we’re passed that. The Leander City Council has moved on and done so with honor,”  Cowman said.

There also has been some recent controversy with claims that Mayor Cowman received personal mileage reimbursements from Cap Metro while driving a City of Leander vehicle.

In his six years, Cowman has seen the metro-rail enter his city, controversy arising from the Sunset Report and election of new CEO Linda Watson who just started last week.

“Getting her on board was a major goal of mine to get her on board and that goal was accomplished,”  Cowman said.

But, the Mayor claims his main reason for leaving is timing.

“The key for me was the date and I decided and especially up in Leander in July, that my concentrations need to be elsewhere,” he said

“I would like to leave on the 30th of August, but not leave my post until it is filled, so if it’s not filled through the next board meeting, I would gladly serve through that.”

Cowman is expected to meet soon with mayors of the other small cities in the service area that he represents. Those citie include Manor, San Leanna, Volente, Lago Vista, Point Venture, Jonestown and his city of Leander.

An elected official from one of those cities will fill Cowman’s duties on the board until board elections in 2012.