Courtesy photo

1. District 5 City Council candidates differ in campaign strategy

Businessman Bob Westbrook will run for the City Council District 5 seat in the May 6 municipal and school board election.

Current District 5 City Councilman Mark Whatley cannot run again because of term limits, and Westbrook cannot formally file to be on the ballot until Jan. 18.

The seat carries a two-year term, and mayor and council representatives are limited to three terms in each role, for a total of six years of service.

“After visiting with residents of the district as well as community leaders over the past several months, I am excited to announce my candidacy for City Council. Tyler has great momentum with the pay–as–you-go plan and the overall businesslike approach to city government,” Westbrook said in a campaign announcement issued Wednesday. “I believe my small business background and experience serving in leadership roles with various community boards will be an asset in working as a member of the City Council. I would consider it an honor to be elected to this position.”

Westbrook is a small business owner and was a 19-year CiCi’s Pizza franchisee, the announcement reads.

He held leadership roles for local and statewide organizations including: Chairman of the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce; on the executive board of directors of the Tyler Economic Development Corporation; president of Tyler Sunrise Rotary Club; chairman of the East Texas Food Bank; Chairman of the Northeast Texas Public Health District; chairman of the Texas Restaurant Association; and president of the East Texas Chapter Texas Restaurant Association.

He was recognized by the rotary as a Paul Harris Fellow, honored with the Doc Ballard Award by the Northeast Texas Public Health District and received the Industry Meritorious Service Award by the Texas Environmental Health Association.

He currently is a volunteer member of the Industry Growth Initiative Strategic Planning Committee as a mentor on the Mayor’s Mentor Assistance Program as well as a member of the Mayor’s Innovation Pipeline Committee.

Westbrook and his wife, Cindy, are the parents of two grown children and grandparents of six.

In May, the odd-numbered council districts are up for re-election. Those include District 1, currently held by Linda Sellers and District 3, held by Ed Moore. Mrs. Sellers has served one term, and Moore has served two, according to city records.

Twitter: @TMTFaith