By R.J. Morales | TX3DNews
Allen city leaders, elected officials, family members, and residents gathered Tuesday night to honor outgoing Mayor Baine Brooks and swear in Chris Schulmeister as Allen’s new mayor.
The largely ceremonial meeting focused on Brooks’ years of service and Allen’s growth during his time in office.
Allen City Manager Eric Ellwanger called the evening “the definition of a bittersweet night.”
“Bitter because we have to say goodbye to Mayor Baine Brooks,” Ellwanger said. “But sweet because we get to welcome Mayor Chris Schulmeister and re-elected council member Tommy Baril.”
Brooks first joined the Allen City Council in 2012 before later serving as mayor pro tem and eventually becoming mayor in 2023.
Community Leaders Reflect on Brooks’ Tenure
Speakers throughout the evening described Brooks as one of Allen’s biggest public advocates both in city government and through his ownership of TwoRows restaurant.
Mayor Pro Tem Ben Trahan said Brooks constantly promoted Allen across Texas.
“He sells Allen everywhere he goes,” Trahan said. “No doubt he has shown a spotlight on our fair city.”
Trahan also said Brooks consistently focused discussions around residents and taxpayers.
“Every conversation started, began and ended with that,” Trahan said.
Council member Tommy Baril referred to Brooks as Allen’s “best yell leader.”
“I don’t think you get a better yell leader for Allen, Texas than Baine Brooks,” Baril said.
Council member Dave Shafer also pointed to Brooks’ leadership following the May 2023 Allen Premium Outlets mass shooting.
“Baine’s leadership helped our city heal and unite during our community’s most difficult moment,” Shafer said.
Brooks Reflects on Allen Outlet Mall Shooting
Brooks became emotional during portions of his farewell remarks while discussing how the Allen outlet mall shooting changed both his leadership style and personal outlook.
“When I get in there, I’m going to do this, I’m going to do that,” Brooks said while reflecting on first becoming mayor. “It’s all about me. And that was the wrong, wrong, wrong attitude.”
Brooks recalled learning about the shooting while election-related activities were still underway across the city on May 6, 2023.
“We just stood there and looked at each other and didn’t know what we were going to do next,” Brooks said.
He later added, “It changed my life forever.”
Brooks said the tragedy reshaped the way he approached public office during the past three years.
“I carried that humility piece for the last three years,” Brooks said. “And I’m going to continue to carry that humility piece down the road because it changed me as a man.”
Brooks Highlights Allen Projects and Staff
Much of Brooks’ farewell address focused on Allen city staff and major projects completed during his administration.
“The biggest winning piece that makes Allen win is the city staff,” Brooks said. “We have an amazing city staff.”
Brooks highlighted public safety investments, infrastructure improvements, economic development activity, and commercial growth throughout Allen.
He specifically pointed to Costco’s recent opening in the city as a major accomplishment.
“Their first day was a record day,” Brooks said. “We did over $2 million in sales.”
Brooks also referenced ongoing discussions involving a possible Kalahari Resorts project and praised multiple city departments, including engineering, planning, communications, police, and fire staff.
Throughout his remarks, Brooks repeatedly returned to a message of unity inside the city.
“We’re talking about one Allen,” Brooks said. “We’re not talking about left Allen, right Allen, east Allen, west Allen. We’re talking about one Allen.”
Schulmeister Takes Oath as New Mayor
Following Brooks’ remarks, Schulmeister officially took the oath of office and became Allen’s new mayor.
In his first remarks after being sworn in, Schulmeister pledged to remain accessible to residents while focusing on Allen’s continued growth.
“I will listen, I will be present,” Schulmeister said. “And I will work every day to see that Allen remains a city where families thrive and businesses grow.”
Schulmeister also spoke about Allen’s future and the city’s continued success.
“Our city’s history of success is still really being written,” Schulmeister said.
The meeting also included the swearing in of re-elected council member Tommy Baril.
State Senator Angela Paxton, State Representative Mihaela Plesa, and representatives from Congressman Keith Self’s office attended the ceremony recognizing Brooks’ years of service to Allen.
Allen Turns the Page
The meeting closed with residents and city officials gathering outside the council chamber for a public reception honoring both Brooks and Schulmeister, formally marking the transition to a new administration at Allen City Hall.
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