Posted 9:12 pm Sunday, May 18, 2008
Joey Seeber Leaves City A Greater Place
Joey Seeber has played an important role in the city of Tyler’s city government development over the past dozen years into an operation being looked to by other cities as a model to emulate.
Seeber’s third and final term as Tyler mayor will expire Wednesday when the city council meets to officially canvass the May 10 election votes and swear in newly elected mayor Barbara Bass.
Before being elected mayor Seeber served three terms on the city council, so he has been closely involved with all of the outstanding city government accomplishments for the past 12 years. As a council member he was instrumental in setting the blueprint and implementing the half-cent sales tax.
Public acknowledgment of Seeber’s outstanding accomplishments in his long commitment to the city was made in “A Rose City Salute to Mayor Joey Seeber” on April 22. Members of the public joined in the salute which featured a special video highlighting the mayor’s service to the city.
People who worked with Seeber during his years with the city praised his leadership, saying they considered it an honor to have had a part. Seeber praised the efforts of city employees during his terms as mayor, saying they deserved all the credit he usually received for city achievements and progress. He also cited the present council and previous councils he has worked with as “all concerned about the city as a whole” and thanked family and friends for their support.
A good feature of the Salute was having part of the proceeds from the event directed to a scholarship fund set up in Joey and Kristin Seeber’s names. Gaylord Huey, the scholarship’s underwriting chairman, said the fund was estimated to be $45,000.
Fellow council members at a meeting Wednesday thanked Seeber for his service and leadership as mayor in moving the city in the right direction.
Seeber is recognized as having a huge impact on the city’s lowering property taxes and balanced pay-as-you-go spending. In February the city paid off the last of its general obligation bond debt.
Also among the notable accomplishments of Seeber’s service as mayor was formation of Tyler 21 Project, an ambitious program aimed at getting city residents actively involved in setting goals and priorities for improvement projects and carrying them out. Seeking public input in a comprehensive way allowed many citizens to offer their input on Tyler’s bright future.
Since moving to Tyler 15 years ago Seeber also has been involved in community and civic organizations. He was active in supporting the successful Tyler Independent School District bond issue and has served on boards of the American Heart Association, the Literacy Council of Tyler, the Parent Services Center and Tyler Teen Court.
The first five years of his Tyler residency Seeber was in active law practice. He left active law practice and has owned and operated several businesses. Currently he is president of WC Supply Company in Tyler. He and his wife, Kristin, have two sons.
He also was honored for his community leadership by the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce in 1999 as recipient of the W.C. Windsor Award.
While serving as mayor, Seeber has been extremely active in representing the city in support of numerous community activities. He established a reputation of being a good listener and highly effective in getting things done. Seeber’s commitment to open government has been a welcome part of his tenure.
One fellow council member suggested the leadership skills Seeber showed as mayor likely will emerge in other areas in years to come, saying, “I don’t think we’ve seen the last of Joey Seeber.” A look at Seeber’s resume even before his service as mayor suggests that assessment is on the mark.
Joey Seeber deserves the gratitude of Tyler residents for his dedicated service and leadership that has helped their city become an even greater place to live.
