Alex Witherspoon
-
Luella ‘Ronnie’ Cartwright -
Jaelyn Downey -
Lawrence ‘Larry’ Koch
EDITOR’S NOTE: The Dispatch Record provided a questionnaire to Lometa City Council candidates so residents could learn more about them and their interest in holding public office. Three candidates will be elected May 6 to fill the at-large positions that are up for election. Candidates responses follow.
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?
I served over 10 years in the U.S. Army, as a legal clerk/NCO. This is good training for paying attention to detail, which comes in handy reviewing assorted documents presented to the council. Also, I have had some experience with the workings of the council, and find it both interesting and challenging.
What are your priorities for Lometa when re-elected to the City Council?
I hope to be able to help find ways of bringing business and/or events to Lometa. I pray that we are able to move ahead in ways beneficial to the city and citizens, without losing ties to our history.
Do you propose any changes in Lometa city services, policies or ordinances? Why or why not?
Absent additional help, I don’t think there is much we can do for city services at this time. At least one council member teamed up with the city maintenance man to do some work in the city cemetery, and the mayor used his own time and equipment to help catch up on the mowing.
The Employee Handbook has just been re-written so any necessary adjustments will be made known and addressed in a timely manner.
I think that we have some ordinances that likely need updating/clarification or removal from the files. I am confident that the office staff can and will check them out and present the information to the council.
What areas of improvement do you believe the city should address?
Roads and water are the “hot topics” that are most often addressed by the citizens. I am confident that when more resources become available to us, these issues will be of top priority. We do the best with what we have.
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?
My background is not anything to do with a city official, per se. I am a member of the Lometa Volunteer Fire Department, where I have served the community in that way for about a year. I’m also the Church of Christ preacher.
I think these experiences will help me in serving the community because both of these positions allow you to deal with people on a daily basis. You get to really know people and understand what they desire for the city to be.
What are your priorities for Lometa if you are elected to the City Council?
My priorities for Lometa would be to try and figure out the best ways to bring life into this town. For instance, depending on finances and such, possibly making additions or upgrades to the park that would be attractive to the people. The idea is giving people something to do or a reason to want to travel to Lometa.
Do you propose any changes in Lometa city services, policies or ordinances? Why or why not?
At this time, I do not suppose any changes in the city services or ordinances of Lometa.
What areas of improvement do you believe the city should address?
I mentioned the park upgrade and things as such, but I would also like to see some of the old businesses that were once here be refurbished and in business again.
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?
I’ve been on the Lometa City Council previously; I also have extensive experience working with state officials, large and small municipalities and businesses over the years of managing a large service operation. This also provided me with much experience working with the public and solving their problems and issues.
I had to resign my last council position due to voluntary services I am performing with the city in conflict of duties, but that has been resolved and I hope to serve on the council again.
What are your priorities for Lometa if you are elected to the City Council?
Lometa needs to get on track to attract new business, especially in the downtown area. Clean up the neglected properties, invite the growth heading our direction. We have a great school district to invite that expansion but need to rebuild our financial security to meet the growing demands. I field a lot of calls each week about potential growth in our area since I’m involved in zoning and building which allows me to encourage investment here. That is a good sign.
Do you propose any changes in Lometa city services, policies or ordinances? Why or why not?
We always need to improve our city services and upgrade any policies or governmental ordinances to keep up with new state and county growth and changes. Building codes and improvements need to meet current standards. Our city’s water system needs to be improved.
What areas of improvement do you believe the city should address?
I always hear about our streets needing many improvements, that needs to be priority, recent park improvements need to continue, city pride needs to improve, and help support our police, fire department and school.
EDITOR’S NOTE: No photo available. 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?
I used to be an employee with the city of Lometa. I worked in the maintenance department and had hands on with laborious jobs around the town. I was able to get out and meet a few people of Lometa while performing my duties.
I also have a local business doing yard work. I donate my time here and there to help try to keep Main Street and a few other streets in my area clean. I also donate my time by helping mow the cemetery and around city properties.
I am on the Lometa Volunteer Fire Department. If I am not volunteering my time helping out around town, I am helping the citizens of Lometa, as well as the surrounding community, by serving as a first responder.
These experiences help with being able to hear what the concerns are of the people of Lometa. Being in a paid position with the city, I was able to see what Lometa needs.
What are your priorities for Lometa if you are elected to the City Council?
One of the priorities that I believe everyone wants is to bring business and people to Lometa. But in order to do that, Lometa needs to be eye-catching, have something people want, to want to live in this area. Keeping the streets clean and tidy, for example.
My main priority is to get people of Lometa to come out to the City Council meetings. To get people to get out and vote! The city of Lometa is nothing without its people. To speak up, and let the voices and concerns be heard.
Do you propose any changes in Lometa city services, policies or ordinances? Why or why not?
I don’t have any proposed changes at this time. I would like to hear what our citizens would like to change or propose, as I would be voicing their concerns, changes or proposals.
What areas of improvement do you believe the city should address?
The water situation here in Lometa is really causing a concern. I would like to see this addressed and hear what others have to say about it.
Around the school where I live is a hotspot for people driving fast and recklessly. For example, people leaving football games, leaving school, running the stop signs without slowing down.