Posted 1:55 am Wednesday, September 09, 2009
District 5 Candidate: Tolbert Seeking Place On Ballot For Seat 5
By CASEY KNAUPP
Staff Writer
Staff Writer
Local real estate sales consultant Michael Eugene Tolbert has filed for a place on the Nov. 3 ballot for Tyler City Council District 5, left vacant by Nathaniel Moran.
He said an important issue in Tyler is job growth and one of the foundations that built the middle class in America is manufacturing jobs. Tolbert, who has lived in Tyler for more than nine years, has manufacturing experience and he wants to see growth in those jobs here.
Tolbert, 41, would also like to see Tyler retain more of its intellectual capital and with the colleges in the city, he believes there needs to be more of an environment to promote the retention of students here.
He is president of the East Texas Farm and Ranch Club, the East Texas Coalition for Fathers and Children and is on the board of directors for the Tyler Day Nursery and the East Texas State Fair.
Tolbert is a graduate of the Texas Agricultural Lifetime Leadership Program, is a member of the Greater Tyler Association of Realtors and is on the Appraisal Review Board for the Smith County Appraisal District.
Tolbert said he has learned from serving on several boards the importance of those who represent a diverse group of people in a district to look at all sides of an issue and make good sound decisions for all of those involved.
Tolbert is the Precinct 55 chair for the Smith County Democratic Party.
He has a bachelor of science in engineering management and a minor in communications from the Missouri University of Science and Technology.
Tolbert is a first-time candidate. Three other men have filed to run in the special election for District 5, which serves eastern Tyler. Planning and Zoning Commissioner Mark Whatley, former Tyler City Councilman Ron Shaffer and artist Keith A. Pyron all have filed.
