March 3, 2010

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View a copy of the city's 2009 Strategic Plan here. (Adobe Reader software required.)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Who won, who lost in the March 2, 2010, primary election

Here are complete but unofficial voting results of the March 2, 2010 primary election – contested races.

Key: D=Democrat; I=Incumbent; R=Republican

State Rep. District 7

Tommy Merritt (I, R) Smith 1885 Complete but unofficial Gregg 5284 TOTAL all counties 6996

David Simpson (R) Smith 1712 Complete but unofficial Gregg 5967 TOTAL all counties 7852

100 percent reporting (all counties)

State Senator, District 2

Bob Deuell (I, R) 37896

Sharon Russell (R) 15517

100 percent reporting (all counties)

Upshur County Judge

Dean Fowler (I, R) 1035

John Melvin Dodd (R) 554

James W. “Jim” Eitel (D) 750

100 percent reporting

Rusk County Judge

John Cloutier (R) 1,103 Complete but unofficial

Tom Brown (R) 1,198 Complete but unofficial

David Powell (R) 817 Complete but unofficial

Joel Hale (R) 2,003 Complete but unofficial

Carolyn Willeford (R) 714 Complete but unofficial

100 percent reporting

Gregg County –County Court at Law No. 2

Vincent Dulweber (R) 2,678, Complete but unofficial

Greg Neeley (R) 1,527, Complete but unofficial

Snow E. Bush Jr. (R) 1,005, Complete but unofficial

Upshur County Clerk

Cathy Mullins (R) 1323

Brandy Lee (R) 1233

Peggy LaGrone (R) 1225

Tina Smith (R) 419

Robin Rodenberg(D) 764

Upshur County Commissioner Pct #2

Cole Hefner (R) 334

DonGross (R) 415

Mark Mitchell (R) 185

Joe W. Newsom (D) 260

Upshur County Commissioner Pct #4

Ron South (R) 280

Mike Spencer (R) 590

Gary L. Drennan (R) 297

Glenn Campbell (D) 240

Upshur County Justice of the Peace Pct #1

Laurie Lee Norred (R) 685

Wyone Manes (R) 385

Upshur County Justice of the Peace Pct #3

RhondaTruitt Welch (R) 761

Martha WilsonGoolsby (R) 350

Upshur County Justice of the Peace Pct #4

Cloddie Henson (R) 685

W.V. (Valton) Ray (D) 251

Republican County Chairman

Chrissy Fincher 734

Ken Ambrose 1332

Brenda Patterson 1699

Smith County Clerk

Russell Buffington (R) 5543

Karen Phillips (R) 11362

100 percent reporting

241st District Judge

Jack Skeen Jr. (I, R) 13,767

T.J. “Jeff” Baynham Jr. (R) 4,065

100 percent reporting

Smith County Criminal District Attorney

Matt Bingham (I, R) 14,689

Lenis William Pierce III (D) 1,881

100 percent reporting

Smith County Commissioner Precinct 2

Bill McGinnis (I, R) 2,406

Cary Nix (R) 3,276

100 percent reporting

Smith County Commissioner Precinct 4

JoAnn Hampton (I, D) 759

Valita F. Waits (D) 398

100 percent reporting

Smith County Justice of the Peace Precinct No. 2

Gary Alfred (R) 4,184

R. Dale Fuller (R) 1,799

100 percent reporting

Smith County JP Precinct No. 3

James L. Meredith (I, R) 2977

Stephen “Steve” Dunklin (R) 1925

100 percent reporting

Texas House District 11

Chuck Hopson (I, R) 9580

Dr. Michael Banks (R) 2690

Allan Cain (R) 3377

100 percent reporting

Weather relents

A break in the weather allowed framing to progress well on the Extreme Makeover House in Mineola Saturday morning. Gary Edwards/ETCN photo

City Manager Stokes leaving Gladewater

By Jim Bardwell
Mirror Publisher

Jay Stokes, Gladewater City Manager, made an unexpected announcement last Thursday afternoon that he was leaving his post after 6-1/2 years on the job.

Stokes told the Gladewater Mirror he had accepted the city manager’s job in Deer Park, near Houston. He said he had informed each member of the Gladewater City Council about his decision earlier in the day of his decision to leave.

As part of his “State of the City Address” last Thursday, Deer Park Mayor Wayne Riddle revealed that Stokes would be the city’s new city manager. He is expected to assume the duties as city manger in two weeks. Stokes will replace longtime Deer Park City Manager Ron Crabtree. Deer Park is about five times the size of Gladewater, with a current population of 31,127 and is expected to grow to 32,964 by 2014.

“This was a very hard decision,” Stokes said. “But this is best for me and my family.”

Prior taking the job in Gladewater in 2003, Stokes worked as City Administrator in Jefferson and was Director of Community & Economic Development in White Oak. Stokes grew up in Kilgore, and is a 1988 graduate of Sabine High School. In 1992 he received his B.A. from Abilene Christian University and completed his Master of Public Policy & Administration from Baylor University in 1994.

He is a member of the Gladewater Lions Club, the Texas City Management Association, and Alpine Church of Christ. He and his wife, Erin, have three children, Aidan, Colin, and Jaci.

Stokes said he regretted the timing of his leaving – city councilwoman Judy Burlison remains hospitalized after suffering a stroke while attending a Gladewater Economic Development meeting and city councilman Charles Meadows passed away less than two weeks ago after suffering a heart attack. But he said he simply could not pass up this opportunity, which had presented itself at this time.

As for finding his replacement...

...Continued in this week's edition of The Gladewater Mirror.

Suit filed after fatal wreck on Hwy. 271

By Phillip Williams
Mirror Correspondent

GILMER – The parents of a 6-year-old Union Grove boy who was killed when a commercial box delivery truck struck his family's car last month filed a wrongful death lawsuit here last week against the truck's owner and its driver.

Jerry D. Croley and Melody Croley, parents of Nathan Connor Croley, filed the suit Feb. 23 in 115th District Court through their attorney, Brent Goudarzi of Gilmer.

Defendants are Talley Rents, L.L.C. (also known as RentFirst) and its employee, Judson William Maurer of Longview.

Young Croley, who was in the back seat of a 2000 Toyota Camry driven by his father, died when the truck struck the auto from behind Jan. 29, said the Texas Department of Public Safety. The crash occurred on U.S. 271 in Union Grove.

Maurer, 28, escaped injury, but received a citation for failure to control speed, said investigating DPS Trooper Wayne Cavanaugh. The 2006 GMC truck was from the Gilmer branch of RentFirst, said Goudarzi. 

It was undetermined whether young Croley was wearing a seat belt, said Cavanaugh, who said no belt could be found in the demolished rear end of the car. The child was a first-grader at Union Grove Elementary School, where counselors were called in for students in the wake of the tragedy.

The 9-page lawsuit charges that Maurer's negligence in at least six ways--including failure to control speed, to keep a "clear distance" from the car, and "to timely apply his brakes"--caused the crash.

The Croleys also allege that Talley Rents "was guilty of negligent entrustment and knew or should have known that...Maurer was a negligent and reckless driver."

In addition, the suit says...

...Continued in this week's edition of The Gladewater Mirror.

City election

Two former mayors, one incumbent pick up packets

By Jim Bardwell
Mirror Publisher

If you’re thinking about running for the Gladewater City Council or the Gladewater ISD School Board, time is running out.

The last day to file for either board is March 8 and the election will be held May 8 and so far two former mayors and a current mayor appear to have more than just a casual interest in the upcoming election.

For city council – the following seats are up for grabs: Place 1, Mayor – currently held by Walter Derrick. Derrick has not filed for re-election as of presstime - Tuesday.

Place 2, Council Seat – currently held by John Ussery. Ussery has filed for re-election. Ussery’s name also has surfaced as a possible candidate for mayor.

Place 3, Council Seat – currently held by Jimmy Williams. Williams has not filed for re-election as of presstime - Tuesday. Williams has indicated he will seek re-election but hasn’t picked up the paperwork necessary to run.

Also under consideration will be the Place 7, Council Seat, formerly held by Charles Meadows, who passed away recently. His 1-year unexpired term will be on a special ballot, also decided May 8.

According to Gladewater City Secretary Melba Haralson, current mayor Walter Derrick and former mayors John Paul Tallent and Jackie Wood have picked up candidate packets. Haralson said anyone may pick up a packet – either for themselves or for someone else.

With no one formally filing to run for mayor as of yet – the field appears wide open. Various scenarios have been batted about, but all of them hinge on whether or not Derrick decides to seek another term.

Others picking up packets for undisclosed offices include: Kirk Rotramel, Leon Watson and Mark Carpenter. John Ussery is the only one to actually file, and he did that on the first day.

Several others have voiced an interest in running for the city council and are waiting until the last day to make up their minds.

Over in the race for GISD school board, there appears voters will be asked to make at least one choice so far, as Nick Foster has signed up to run against Place 2 incumbent Rickie Blackmon. This the first time in several years anyone has challenged...

...Continued in this week's edition of The Gladewater Mirror.

Annual Chamber of Commerce banquet set March 11

By Aaron May
Staff Writer

The Gladewater Chamber of Commerce plans to hold its 79th annual membership banquet March 11 at the Gladewater Former Students Building.

Dr. Kirk Calhoun, M.D., president of The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler, is scheduled to be the guest speaker for the event. Calhoun also is the chief administrative officer at UTHSCT.

He also serves on the State Health Services Council, is the chair-elect for the National Association of Public Hospitals and served on numerous other medical boards and committees in recent years.

The event will include remarks from outgoing Chamber President John Ussery and incoming President Ruby Henry. Awards will also be presented for the business of the year, educator of the year, “main streeter” of the year and other honors.

Tickets are now available and cost $18 each. A table seating eight can be purchased for $145.

For more information, contact the Chamber of Commerce at 903-845-5501.

Jury gives 4-year term for assault

By Phillip Williams
Mirror Correspondent

GILMER – A 115th District Court jury sentenced Christopher Ridge Moon to four years in prison and fined him $5,000 Feb. 18 after convicting him of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon two days earlier, said Upshur County District Attorney Billy Byrd.

Moon, 23, of Longview, was convicted in connection with a July 4, 2009, incident in which he rammed a woman's car from behind with his truck, Byrd said. Defense Attorney Paul Mayben of Pittsburg said his client contended the incident was "accidental."

Because the jury found that Moon used his vehicle as a "deadly weapon," he must serve at least half his sentence before becoming eligible for parole, Byrd said in a press release.

Jurors took two hours to convict the defendant, he said. Mayben said 115th District Judge Lauren Parish was ill on Feb. 17, so the punishment phase was delayed till the 18th, and jurors deliberated about an hour and a half on the sentence.

During the punishment phase, Mayben said Monday, he sought probation or a prison term of no more than 2-5 years and asked the jury to not "throw away" Moon's life, pointing out the defendant has a 3-year-old child. Byrd said he asked for prison time. T

The range of punishment for the crime is 2-20 years.

In the press release, Byrd summarized the case as follows:

Evidence showed the defendant and victim separated in February 2009. Afterward, Moon assaulted her at his mother's home on Gregg Tex Road in Spring Hill community on April 28, 2009.

The victim then fled to her car and Moon struck it with a baseball bat, "attempting to get her out. Based on that assault, the victim filed for and received a protective order from the Gregg County District Attorney's Office on May 28, 2009.

"After completing work on July 3, 2009, the victim went to a friend's house when the defendant called her. She finally answered after repeated phone calls and the defendant became angry. After leaving her friend's home, the victim began traveling to her home in Upshur County."

In the Spring Hill area, the victim was traveling on Texas Hwy. 300 toward Upshur County. "The defendant kept calling her and she finally answered. When she did the defendant exclaimed 'Gotcha' and struck" the rear of the car with the truck.

The woman accelerated at speeds of more than 100 miles per hour "trying to get away. At the intersection of FM 1844 and HIghway 300, the defendant struck her again from the rear at speeds of more than 100...Her vehicle began to spin out of control when she was struck again, blowing her tires out and totaling her vehicle. She came to rest more than 354 feet away from the strike that occurred in the intersection."

Upshur County sheriff's deputies and a Texas Department of Public Safety "trooper came to the scene and arrested the defendant that night. The indictment charged the defendant with...

...Continued in this week's edition of The Gladewater Mirror.

Upshur delays action on grant

By Phillip Williams
Mirror Correspondent

GILMER – Upshur County Commissioners Court on Friday postponed until at least March 15 deciding whether to accept a $285,333 state planning grant for historically restoring the aging county courthouse.

Pct. 1 Comm. James Crittenden's motion to immediately accept the grant failed for lack of a second. The court's four commissioners then voted unanimously to table action.

Pct. 4 Comm. Glenn Campbell said he wanted to postpone the decision in order to study the matter and allow public input. "This is a mighty big decision," he said.

The Texas Historical Commission recently approved the grant subject to the county's acceptance. County Judge Dean Fowler said It would be used for planning to restore the courthouse to its state in 1936 (when it was constructed), with the exception of "modern-day amenities" such as telephones and the elevator.

The county's match for the planning grant would be $142,500, said Fowler. And the county would have to pay both that amount, and repay the $285,000 planning grant, if it decides against receiving a grant for actual construction, he said.

The judge estimated the county would have to pay about $2 million of the cost of the renovation in two years if it proceeds with construction.

He said a construction grant would pay the more than $1 million cost of replacing the courthouse's 30-year-old heating and ventilation system – and the county would have to spend $1 million without the grant to replace it.

Crittenden said accepting the planning grant would save money "in the long run." When Campbell and Pct. 2 Comm. Joe E. (Buddy) Ferguson contended more time was needed to decide, Crittenden said the county would spend more on the heating/ventilation system if it used local tax revenues instead of a grant.

Responded Ferguson, "We're not talking about turning it (the grant) down," but instead talking about time to get more information.

Also on Friday, the court heard an emotional statement from Sheriff's Deputy Chad Wade concerning deputies' pay. Wade said he was leaving the sheriff's office because "there's no financial incentive for me" to stay, and that deputies' pay was an "embarrassment" to both him and the county.

Wade said he could earn more changing toilet paper dispensers and other manual labor than as a deputy. His voice breaking with emotion much of the time, he said he didn't want to leave the sheriff's office, but that it was a "necessity" for him and that deputies "need a financial incentive to stay here."

In another matter, the court voted 3-1 to deny Wayne Arnold's request to open Lantana Road, the third time the court has heard the controversial matter. Crittenden opposed the denial.

Arnold said he wanted the opening for him and Kenneth White to have access to their property. Dr. John McKenzie, who owns property nearby, again objected to the request, saying it was "taking money for a private road that two people benefit from."

                   Fowler finally cut off Crittenden's discussion of the matter...

...Continued in this week's edition of The Gladewater Mirror.

District judge sentences 13 for felonies

By Phillip Williams
Mirror Correspondent

GILMER – 115th District Judge Lauren Parish sentenced 13 persons on felony charges and one for a misdemeanor offense between Feb. 19 and Friday, said Upshur County District Attorney Billy Byrd's office.

Details of the felony cases were as follows, the office reported:

Cody Elder, 26, of Big Sandy, drew 17 months in state jail Feb. 26 after the probation he was serving for criminal mischief was revoked.

Elder admitted violating probation for the Dec. 28, 2004, crime, which the Gilmer Police Department investigated. Byrd represented the state at the sentencing while Gilmer attorney David Griffith represented Elder.

Herbert Hobgood, 18, of Gilmer, was placed on 10 years "deferred adjudication" probation Feb. 19 after pleading guilty to sexual assault of a child. He is accused of committing the crime Sept. 8, 2009.

"Deferred adjudication" means no final conviction appears on a defendant's record if he/she successfully completes probation. However, when such probation is revoked, the maximum term for the crime can be assessed.

Some of the numerous terms of Hobgood's probation include a $1,000 fine; 800 hours of community work service; registering as a sex offender for life; sex offender classes; and counseling.

The Upshur County Sheriff's Office investigated the case. Assistant District Attorney Edward Choy represented the state at the pleading, while Gilmer attorney Matthew Patton represented Hobgood.

Evaristo A. Villafuerte, 41, of Gilmer, drew five years probation of a 10-year prison term Feb. 23 after pleading guilty to driving while intoxicated – subsequent offense. However, he must serve four consecutive weekends in county jail as a term of probation.

The Texas Department of Public Safety investigated the Dec. 26, 2008 offense. Some of Villafuerte's numerous terms of probation included 500 hours of community service; a $500 fine; suspension of his driver's license for a year; and DWI repeat offender school.

Byrd represented the state in the case. Gilmer attorney Angela Smoak represented the defendant.

Charles Kuykendall, 31, of Gilmer, drew 12 years in prison Feb. 26 after pleading guilty to burglary of a habitation.

The sheriff's office investigated the July 1, 2009 crime. Byrd represented the state, while attorney Scott Novy represented Kuykendall.

Jordan Lee Spangler, 18, of Gilmer, was placed on six years deferred adjudication Feb. 23 after pleading guilty to injury to elderly individual. However, he must spend 30 days in county jail to begin his sentence.

The Gilmer Police Department investigated the case. Spangler, who was ordered to perform 300 hours of community service and fined $500 among other terms of probation, is charged with committing the crime July 16, 2009.

Choy represented the state. Gilmer attorney Tim Cone represented Spangler.

Matthew Doss, 38, of Longview, drew eight years in prison Feb. 23 when the probation he was serving for driving while intoxicated – subsequent offense was revoked.

Doss admitted violating terms of his probation...

...Continued in this week's edition of The Gladewater Mirror.

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