Posted 3:04 am Sunday, April 29, 2012
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Four Seats Open On Bullard City Council
By KELLY GOOCH
Staff Writer
Four candidates hope to take a spot on the Bullard City Council.
Incumbents Shirley Coe and Rodger Johnson, along with Clay Thompson and Mark Maple, are vying for seats. The election is at large, and the three candidates who receive the most votes, win.
Johnson, 58, said during his tenure, the council accomplished a lot, but there are “still things to do.”
For instance, he said he would like to see the city’s waste water treatment plant through to fruition and continue to address infrastructure issues.
Johnson, owner of Johnson Financial Group, said he also believes he can bring continuity to the city as well as his experience as a financial advisor.
“I’m the kind of person who likes to see the job done, but by the same token, I’m not there as career councilman. I don’t feel like my job is done currently because there are so many issues ...” he said.
Maple, 49, who is self-employed, said he’s challenged his Sunday school class and local Boy Scouts to be involved in the community, and he wants to do the same.
Staff Writer
Four candidates hope to take a spot on the Bullard City Council.
Incumbents Shirley Coe and Rodger Johnson, along with Clay Thompson and Mark Maple, are vying for seats. The election is at large, and the three candidates who receive the most votes, win.
Johnson, 58, said during his tenure, the council accomplished a lot, but there are “still things to do.”
For instance, he said he would like to see the city’s waste water treatment plant through to fruition and continue to address infrastructure issues.
Johnson, owner of Johnson Financial Group, said he also believes he can bring continuity to the city as well as his experience as a financial advisor.
“I’m the kind of person who likes to see the job done, but by the same token, I’m not there as career councilman. I don’t feel like my job is done currently because there are so many issues ...” he said.
Maple, 49, who is self-employed, said he’s challenged his Sunday school class and local Boy Scouts to be involved in the community, and he wants to do the same.
“I have a financial background, looking at financial statements and seeing ways to improve,” Maple said. “I think every city has a tight budget right now, but I think it’s good to come in from the outside and see. I think whenever you get fresh blood I think it’s a good thing.”
He also addressed growth, saying Bullard needs to manage growth in the future and find ways to spread the tax burden, which could include bringing in new businesses.
Ms. Coe, 42, who works for Austin Bank, said she feels that her time with the council is only beginning.
“I would just like to see the new project that is breaking ground for our remodel to our sewer plant to see it completed. ... That’s going to help with future growth in Bullard. It will provide the city the ability to handle any new water and sewer uses from any new businesses and residents,” she said.
He also addressed growth, saying Bullard needs to manage growth in the future and find ways to spread the tax burden, which could include bringing in new businesses.
Ms. Coe, 42, who works for Austin Bank, said she feels that her time with the council is only beginning.
“I would just like to see the new project that is breaking ground for our remodel to our sewer plant to see it completed. ... That’s going to help with future growth in Bullard. It will provide the city the ability to handle any new water and sewer uses from any new businesses and residents,” she said.
She also noted that she has several years of experience in city and county government and was involved with projects that occurred through the Bullard Economic Development Corp., which helped with water and sewer issues.
Thompson, 48, with BankTexas in Tyler, said he wants to serve his community.
“I’ve been living here, as my wife has, since 2003. ... (And) I have served on the BEDCO board as a founding member ...” he said. “I want to get involved in what’s going on in the city. Instead of complaining about current leadership, I thought I would run for one of the current seats available and go from there.”
He said his goals include bringing his banking experience to the council and looking at city finances.
Thompson said he also wants to try to show more transparency and continue what the founding members of BEDCO were trying to do — keep the businesses Bullard has and bring new businesses in.
Thompson, 48, with BankTexas in Tyler, said he wants to serve his community.
“I’ve been living here, as my wife has, since 2003. ... (And) I have served on the BEDCO board as a founding member ...” he said. “I want to get involved in what’s going on in the city. Instead of complaining about current leadership, I thought I would run for one of the current seats available and go from there.”
He said his goals include bringing his banking experience to the council and looking at city finances.
Thompson said he also wants to try to show more transparency and continue what the founding members of BEDCO were trying to do — keep the businesses Bullard has and bring new businesses in.
