Posted 11:35 pm Sunday, November 04, 2012
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Incumbent sheriff and tax assessor seek return to office
BY BETTY WATERS
blw@tylerpaper.com
Three Henderson County cities will vote on alcohol propositions in Tuesday’s elections, and voters countywide will pick a sheriff and a tax assessor-collector. School and municipal elections will be conducted in a few towns.
blw@tylerpaper.com
Three Henderson County cities will vote on alcohol propositions in Tuesday’s elections, and voters countywide will pick a sheriff and a tax assessor-collector. School and municipal elections will be conducted in a few towns.
Two alcohol propositions are on the ballot in Chandler, while the towns of Malakoff and Trinidad will each decide an unrelated alcohol proposition.
Facing voters in Malakoff is the proposed legal sale of all alcoholic beverages for off-premise consumption only. In Trinidad, the proposition is for legal sale of beer and wine for off-premise consumption only.
In Chandler, there are two alcohol propositions on the ballot. One is a proposition for the legal sale of beer and wine for off-premise consumption only, and the other is a proposition for the legal sale of mixed beverages in restaurants by food and beverage certificate holders only.
The Chandler alcohol election was triggered, backers say, by concern that Chandler establishments would lose business if they do not sell alcohol, and if alcohol propositions for neighboring Smith County Justice of the Peace Precinct 2 and the city of Tyler pass.
Backers of the Chandler alcohol propositions also say the measures would generate sales tax revenue for the city.
In two countywide races, voters will decide whether to return incumbents to office seeking new terms as sheriff and tax assessor-collector.
Longtime Tax Assessor-Collector Milburn Chaney, who switched from the Democratic to the Republican ticket, is seeking a seventh term. He is in his 24th year as tax assessor and contends he is the most qualified candidate.
Bryan Barker, a Democrat, is challenging Chaney. Although now disabled, Barker has a background working in the corrections field and sees the tax assessor’s job as a step toward getting back into the workforce. He said he would bring “more transparency” to the office.
Sheriff Ray Nutt, a Republican, is running for a second term against Democrat Bill Burton.
In Chandler, there are two alcohol propositions on the ballot. One is a proposition for the legal sale of beer and wine for off-premise consumption only, and the other is a proposition for the legal sale of mixed beverages in restaurants by food and beverage certificate holders only.
The Chandler alcohol election was triggered, backers say, by concern that Chandler establishments would lose business if they do not sell alcohol, and if alcohol propositions for neighboring Smith County Justice of the Peace Precinct 2 and the city of Tyler pass.
Backers of the Chandler alcohol propositions also say the measures would generate sales tax revenue for the city.
In two countywide races, voters will decide whether to return incumbents to office seeking new terms as sheriff and tax assessor-collector.
Longtime Tax Assessor-Collector Milburn Chaney, who switched from the Democratic to the Republican ticket, is seeking a seventh term. He is in his 24th year as tax assessor and contends he is the most qualified candidate.
Bryan Barker, a Democrat, is challenging Chaney. Although now disabled, Barker has a background working in the corrections field and sees the tax assessor’s job as a step toward getting back into the workforce. He said he would bring “more transparency” to the office.
Sheriff Ray Nutt, a Republican, is running for a second term against Democrat Bill Burton.
Nutt says he has made the sheriff’s office more professional, it has become an aggressive, proactive law enforcement agency that has made hundreds of narcotics cases and saved the county money while obtaining grants for improvements.
Burton voiced concern about what he says is a tremendous drug problem and crime rate. He maintained the sheriff’s office should provide more aggressive and proactive programs aimed at preventing and intervening to keep young people from becoming involved in crime.
A countywide proposition on the Henderson County ballot would prohibit the running at large or free range of hogs, sheep and goats.
Voters in Cross Roads ISD will decide on the issuance of $5.995 million of bonds and the levying of tax to pay off the bonds.
The bonds would fund a proposed multipurpose facility for agriculture classrooms and shops, two science labs, a competition gymnasium and additional parking at the high school.
Emergency Service District No. 2 will vote on a proposition to replace the district’s current maximum tax rate cap of 3 cents per $100 of appraised property valuation with a maximum tax rate cap of 6 cents per $100 appraised property valuation.
Voters in Precinct 1 will choose between Scotty Thomas, a Republican, and David McClaun, a Democrat, for county commissioner. The winner will succeed Joe Hall, who did not seek re-election.
Voters in Precinct 5 will choose between Brad Miers, a Republican seeking re-election for constable, and challenger Rick Simmons, a Democrat.
Cross Roads ISD voters will pick four trustees from these candidates: Shelly Robertson, Gayle Harmon, Pam Underhill Cole, Darren Himes, William “Russell” Giles Jr., John Weaver, Randy Norwood and Scott McCurley.
Burton voiced concern about what he says is a tremendous drug problem and crime rate. He maintained the sheriff’s office should provide more aggressive and proactive programs aimed at preventing and intervening to keep young people from becoming involved in crime.
A countywide proposition on the Henderson County ballot would prohibit the running at large or free range of hogs, sheep and goats.
Voters in Cross Roads ISD will decide on the issuance of $5.995 million of bonds and the levying of tax to pay off the bonds.
The bonds would fund a proposed multipurpose facility for agriculture classrooms and shops, two science labs, a competition gymnasium and additional parking at the high school.
Emergency Service District No. 2 will vote on a proposition to replace the district’s current maximum tax rate cap of 3 cents per $100 of appraised property valuation with a maximum tax rate cap of 6 cents per $100 appraised property valuation.
Voters in Precinct 1 will choose between Scotty Thomas, a Republican, and David McClaun, a Democrat, for county commissioner. The winner will succeed Joe Hall, who did not seek re-election.
Voters in Precinct 5 will choose between Brad Miers, a Republican seeking re-election for constable, and challenger Rick Simmons, a Democrat.
Cross Roads ISD voters will pick four trustees from these candidates: Shelly Robertson, Gayle Harmon, Pam Underhill Cole, Darren Himes, William “Russell” Giles Jr., John Weaver, Randy Norwood and Scott McCurley.
Running for three positions on the Brownsboro ISD board of trustees are Scott Williams, an incumbent; Michele Rinehart, Tammy Osborn Anderson and Steve Sanders.
In Coffee City, Ray Wakeman and Steve Gullekson are running for mayor. Seeking the Place 1 City Council seat are Michal Reavis, Richard Shuyler and Ruthie Woods Seward. Running for the Place 3 council seat are Donald Gary Weaver and Lee Farris. Candidates for the Place 5 council seat are Ron Jeffries and Phil Rutledge.
Vying for mayor of Murchison are Mike Hill and Deanna Benson, the incumbent. Running for two, two-year terms on the Murchison ISD board are Gayla Robert, Lloyd Smith and Rusty Abney. Seeking two, four-year terms are Nancy McCall, Sheryl Sims and Cheryl Smith.
Candidates for three positions on the Tool City Council are: A.J. “Red” Phillips, Frances E. Sonka, Cindy A. Clounch, Rickey E. Williams and Tamra J. Brickey.
In Coffee City, Ray Wakeman and Steve Gullekson are running for mayor. Seeking the Place 1 City Council seat are Michal Reavis, Richard Shuyler and Ruthie Woods Seward. Running for the Place 3 council seat are Donald Gary Weaver and Lee Farris. Candidates for the Place 5 council seat are Ron Jeffries and Phil Rutledge.
Vying for mayor of Murchison are Mike Hill and Deanna Benson, the incumbent. Running for two, two-year terms on the Murchison ISD board are Gayla Robert, Lloyd Smith and Rusty Abney. Seeking two, four-year terms are Nancy McCall, Sheryl Sims and Cheryl Smith.
Candidates for three positions on the Tool City Council are: A.J. “Red” Phillips, Frances E. Sonka, Cindy A. Clounch, Rickey E. Williams and Tamra J. Brickey.
