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Lometa council hopefuls share ideas for continued growth of community
Seats of incumbents Cynthia Kirby, George Watson and Toni Torres are up for election. Mrs. Kirby and Watson filed for re-election, but Mrs. Torres did not. Kyle Walton, appointed to fill a Lometa council seat earlier this year, also has filed. These council members are being challenged by Chuck Lymber, Mario Maldonado and Betty Poe. Candidate profiles follow. Cynthia Kirby An allegiance to her hometown was the incentive for lifelong Lometa resident Cynthia Kirby to run for the City Council two years ago. Now, as her first term winds to a close, it is that community loyalty that continues to drawn her to the political forum, she said. "I feel I need to give back to the community where I was raised and have also spent my adult years," said Mrs. Kirby. "I want to see Lometa move forward and remain a great place to live and raise families." She believes her municipal experience has prepared her for a second term. "I have served on the council for the past two years and have become familiar with our community's needs and what we have to work with to meet those needs.
Though progress has been made during her tenure, Mrs. Kirby recognizes more is to be accomplished. "I would like to see the appearance of our town improved, although there are steps being taken at this time to that end," she said. "We have made progress with the work of our current code inspection officer, and there is much more to be done. Also, street improvement is a concern of mine. We also need to look for ways to improve the economic development of our town." The councilwoman sees Lometa Regional Park as another area in need of improvement. "I believe many possibilities exist for using the park facilities that would benefit Lometa both economically as well as socially," she said.
It is that sense of duty that prompts the close-knit relationship among citizens that Mrs. Kirby feels has sparked their willingness to come together in times of need as well as celebration. "Our biggest asset is our people," she said. "We love our community and each other, caring for each others' needs and well-being. We care about our town and are willing to work to improve it. "Also, as I mentioned previously, the Lometa Regional Park is a huge asset for the city of Lometa. We need to investigate ways to use it more. I believe this park could really help our community if we can find some further activities to be held there."
Chuck Lymber After a break from the Lometa City Council, Chuck Lymber once again has thrown his hat into the political arena. His candidacy announcement came at the request of several Lometa residents, Lymber said. Having worked to update city ordinances and write grant applications during his previous stint as a council member, he said he is aware of the strengths and limitations of a small city. While he has high hopes for Lometa's fiscal future, Lymber holds a sense of realism in how to achieve the city's goals given the current economic situation. "This is my second go-round of serving on the council," he said. "I want to explore what is there for us to work with and go from there. There were not a lot of grants available at the time and with the economy as tight as it is, there may not be now. "When I was on the council before, we did many things by a squeak and a pencil, like getting the Lometa streets paved. I learned how to work with very little funding, making something out of it with ingenuity. It's like getting your checkbook out. You have to make sure it's up to date before you spend a dime." As for the possibility of a more secure financial situation for the city and its residents, Lymber believes location will play a pivotal role in Lometa's growth. "Centrally located, we're a hub town whether we realize it or not. Traffic through town on U.S. Highway 183, U.S. 190 and FM 581 has the potential to bring business here. It's going to take time. "We must get industry here, and to do that it's going to take change," he continued. "We've had opportunities, but things like high water prices got in the way." A resident of Lometa for seven years, the candidate discovered the town when he was stationed at Fort Hood while serving in the Army. After shoeing horses for more than 24 years and retirement on the horizon, Lymber returned to Lometa. "Lometa citizens are great people. When someone is in need, the people of this town will fall in to help them," he said. "They are its greatest asset." Mario Maldonado Mario Maldonado's reasoning for an election bid to the Lometa City Council stems from his belief that criticism of a situation requires individual responsibility. In order to secure a viable future for his hometown, he believes he must first accept the duty it requires. "I feel that as a citizen, it is not only a privilege but a duty to be involved in the happenings of my city," said Maldonado. "I do not have a right to complain about any of the decisions made by the council if I am not willing to be a part of the solution. "Over time, there is a need for new people and ideas in order for continued growth. I feel that time is now." A longtime resident and business owner, Maldonado believes the key to establishing a bright future for the Lometa area is in accentuating its appeal and thereby infusing growth. "Lometa needs to grow," he said. "I feel that in order for Lometa to do so, we need to take a more proactive stance on positive activities that will bring in revenue and let people know we are here. We need to put our thoughts together and find a way for Lometa to be more inviting to businesses and families." While Maldonado realizes the city's need for expansion and the increased revenue that would bring, he is not naive as to its limitations. He would seek to research prospects and situations before making a definitive statement on which avenue to pursue, he said. The candidate, however, does believe there are means in which the best options can be brought to Lometa. "Without knowing what there is to work with, it is hard to say that I would do this or that. I know something needs to change," he said. "We need to offer upstanding families a reason to come to Lometa and make this their home. "We should look into annexation of our extra-territorial jurisdiction, which could increase our tax base," Maldonado continued. "We need to look at applying for some grants that would help with children's activities and also to aid in offsetting some costs for increased law enforcement." Maldonado also sees a need for improved availability of beneficial activities to Lometa residents. "One of the primary concerns facing Lometa is the lack of positive activities for the citizens and their children," he said. "The lack of activities for the children causes the opportunity for vandalism and other illegal acts. We need to address the issue of the lack of positive activities." One means to do that, he believes, is better utilization of the Lometa Regional Park. "Lometa has a beautiful park," the candidate said. "The park has RV hookups, a rodeo arena, volleyball courts, baseball fields and a fishing area. We need to utilize this asset with family-oriented events to bring in revenue. "At the same time, we will have to grow in other ways in order to be able to accommodate a large number of people coming into our community." A 1986 graduate of Lometa High School, Maldonado and his wife, Misty, have chosen Lometa as the place to raise their family. With his children Mackenzie, a fifth-grader, and Colt, a high school freshman, the issues in Lometa are personal. "I have been a citizen of Lometa for most of my life. I have lived here with my wife and two children for the last 12 years, and have owned and operated M&M Paint and Body in this community for the last 10 years," he said. "I feel that I am aware of the feelings of the people of Lometa and can represent those feelings on the council." George Watson Running for his second term on the Lometa City Council, George Watson would like to continue the efforts he has made toward improving the city. With the intent to "put the people back in the government," he is seeking to carry on that endeavor. During his two years on the council, Watson believes his greatest accomplishment has been equipping the Lometa Volunteer Fire Department's Engine One. "When the fire department presented their request for equipment, it seemed that no one took interest," he said. "So, I just took the ball and ran with it. It took six months of fighting, but we got it." Watson said his interest in the fire truck was a response to his belief that the police and fire departments are Lometa's greatest assets. "I'm behind them 110 percent," he said. "They do everything they can to do their job, and they need equipment to do that job." Despite his support, the councilman is not convinced firefighters receive the credit they are due. "They put their families behind to put their lives on the line. They are volunteers, not paid. We can at least back them up with equipment when they do their job," said Watson. He also has concerns about the city's police department and its two-person staff. "We need more policing in Lometa, additional on-duty police officers," Watson said. While he backs a number of aspects of city work, the councilman feels some are lacking. Lometa Regional Park and the use of alcohol there demonstrates what Watson believes is a disregard for family morals. "From what I gather, when we received grants for this park it was a city park. I don't believe we should have any activities unfit for children in our city park. That's where the morals come in. "Activities unacceptable for children need to take place in a private setting," he continued. "They don't have any place in a public facility." For Watson, moral responsibility begins on a personal level. "You have to have self-respect before you can respect someone else. I am proud of what I believe in, and I stand for what I believe in." As for his goals if re-elected, Watson would like the city to explore grants to improve the police and fire departments. He also plans to continue investigating the prospects of a trade day event at the Regional Park. Self-employed, he and his wife, Debora, have resided in Lometa for the past six years. Kyle Walton Appointed to the City Council in February after David Ivey moved into the mayoral position, Kyle Walton is looking for success for the city that generations of his family have called home. "My family has been here for generations," he said. "I've lived different places around the state, and now I'm back permanently. "I'm interested in helping Lometa prosper. I would like to see the town and its people to continue doing well and remain a viable small town. Facts are facts; this is a small town." While Walton said he is still getting his feet on the ground with council business, he does see progress. "We are on the right track with the ordinance to clean up the trash," he said. "It's good that we are doing that." As for further progress, the new councilman sees room for more action. "To become more welcoming to new businesses would be great. I know this is a small town, but anytime you create jobs it's a fantastic thing," Walton added. Also of concern are recent events involving children from the Williams House residential facility, where foster children are housed temporarily. "My primary concern is the number of runaways from the Williams House," said Walton. "Many are leaving the home without permission and endangering the children of this community. They are vandalizing the town and breaking into cars. There needs to be better supervision there." Walton views the Lometa Regional Park as one of the city's attributes. "The park is a big asset, as is the people's ability to use it. Anything that will attract business to the park is a good thing. "I know everyone is up in arms about the biker rally to be held there," he said, "but I think it will bring in revenue to Lometa. Anything that attracts revenue into this town is a great thing. As a small town, we need every bit of it we can get to stay afloat." A graduate of San Angelo's Central High and Odessa College, where he completed his degree in culinary arts, Walton has worked in the restaurant industry in College Station, Odessa and Evant. Returning to reside in Lometa four years ago, he and his wife, Ronda, have two children, Noalle and John, as well as five foster children. Ronda is employed by a local café, and the couple also is building a goat business. "Coming back to Lometa has been fantastic," he said. "I couldn't imagine living in a big city again." Betty Poe Since opening the Lometa Music Hall, Betty Poe's interest in the betterment of the town has grown. In response to that concern, she has chosen to run for a position on the City Council. "I have a long-standing interest in Lometa and since I have opened the Music Hall feel like I need to step up to the plate and do my share promoting Lometa where I can," she said. Mrs. Poe believes a critical ingredient of the recipe for assisting Lometa is the success of local business. The community itself can be the remedy to the town's lack of growth. "Lometa businesses seem to be going out of business, and there don't seem to be many knocking on the door to take their places," she said. "We have three new businesses trying to establish themselves in Lometa and unless the community supports their efforts, we won't have them very long." Mrs. Poe also has taken interest in the lack of family-oriented activities in her community. That concern was a key point in her decision to open a business and provide a diversion for citizens of the area. "I have been trying to bring some family-type entertainment into the community for the last year as there doesn't seem to be much of that around the community," Mrs. Poe said. "There seems to be a rash of juvenile, mischievous activities lately that there are some concerns about. Our small community needs to feel secure and safe to attract new residents," the candidate added. Mrs. Poe lauded the efforts of those Lometa residents who have aided one another and supported local projects. She admitted some concerns about area facilities and the appropriate use of them. "Our number-one asset are the citizens of Lometa and the way they come together to help out with school activities and events and in times of natural disasters," Mrs. Poe said. "The second-best asset is the Regional Park. It is one of Lometa's biggest assets, and it is not being fully utilized. "From remarks I have heard, it seems to be abused more than objectively used," she continued. "The Tractor Pull in June each year is a good vehicle to publicize that asset, along with the Diamondback Jubilee in March. The FFA rodeo is an activity usually scheduled at the park now. "More activities and events should be promoted at the park, and more venues of advertisement proclaiming our asset should be looked into." A lifetime resident of Lampasas County and graduate of Lampasas High School, Mrs. Poe has lived in the rural area around Lometa for more than 50 years. She has resided within the city limits for about two years. "I have been a registered voter in Lampasas County for over 50 years and exercise that privilege at every opportunity," she said. During her 35-plus-year career in personnel security at Fort Hood, from which she retired, Mrs. Poe attended college to earn an associate's degree in business and business-related studies. She also worked in Lampasas and Austin law offices for more than eight years as a stenographer and paralegal. "I have six children -- four boys and two girls -- who are contributing citizens of the local area and the state," she said. "My current interests are getting my craft/quilting/ sewing shop up and running to my satisfaction, and promoting the Music Hall." Mrs. Poe said she also enjoys quilting, sewing, crochet, cooking, silversmithing, ceramics, reading, doing genealogy research and meeting new people. |
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