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Crystal Knoy -
Larry Koch
Four people will vie for two positions on the Lometa City Council on election day May 4. Their profiles appear below and in the Tuesday edition of the Dispatch Record.
Julia Thomas, who was recently appointed Lometa City Secretary, said that while technically her name will appear on the ballot for Lometa City Council candidacy, she cannot hold both positions.
“It’s too late to pull my name off the ballot,” she said.
When asked if she was still hoping to be elected, Thomas said, “not really. If I was elected, I would immediately have to resign. It’s my preference the voters not vote for me, and use their vote for another candidate.”
Thomas said she would prefer to continue to serve as city secretary.
“I’d like to keep the job. I’m hoping the voters will see that their vote would be better used toward another candidate,” she said.
Derek Talley did not submit a candidate profile.
CRYSTAL KNOY
Q: What is your background/experience? (You may include education, work, community involvement, city government service, etc.) How does that experience prepare you to serve on the City Council?
Knoy: I have been in the real estate title insurance business for 30-plus years. I have been involved in helping small communities grow my entire career.
Q: What are your priorities for Lometa if you are elected to the City Council?
Knoy: My priority is helping Lometa grow in the correct way. I never want Lometa to lose its small-town friendliness.
Q: Do you propose any changes in Lometa city services, policies or ordinances? Why or why not?
Knoy: There will always be a need for changes in city services, policies and ordinances as a small town grows.
Q: What areas of improvement do you believe the city should address?
Knoy: Our economic development is one important improvement I believe we should focus on.
LARRY KOCH
Q: What is your background/experience? (You may include education, work, community involvement, city government service, etc.) How does that experience prepare you to serve on the City Council?
Koch: I was on the City Council from 2017 to 2020 during which time we made some major changes to zoning, annexed the City Park, City Cemetery and some of the LISD property. Passed several ordinances to help clean up the city and other enhancements.
I have a business background of 50-plus years in providing service to customers. I worked with many small and large city governments and the state legislature along the way. I have been the volunteer building inspector since 2018.
Q: What are your priorities for Lometa if you are elected to the City Council?
Koch: Our city needs to get control of our budget expenses, look for ways to improve services, fix streets, solve the water crisis and prepare for expansion as the movement of population heads this direction.
Q: Do you propose any changes in Lometa city services, policies or ordinances? Why or why not?
Koch: Changes always need to be made as conditions warrant. Policies need to be reviewed. We should always be open to listen to options that are brought before the council. Flexibility of equal enforcement needs to be a priority.
Q: What areas of improvement do you believe the city should address?
Koch: Invite more businesses to our town to generate more revenue and serve our great town. Help our police, fire and maintenance departments grow and develop to serve the increase in anticipated population and development. Our school system will need to work with city leaders as well.