Posted 11:29 pm Sunday, November 04, 2012
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Commissioner and constables highlight races
BY BETTY WATERS
blw@tylerpaper.com
PALESTINE — Anderson County voters will pick a county commissioner to represent Precinct 1 and constables for precincts 1 and 2 in Tuesday’s general election.
blw@tylerpaper.com
PALESTINE — Anderson County voters will pick a county commissioner to represent Precinct 1 and constables for precincts 1 and 2 in Tuesday’s general election.
Also available are four seats on the Neches ISD board of trustees.
Joe W. Chaffin, 67, who is in his 20th year as Precinct 2 commissioner, is seeking an additional term. Chaffin, a Democrat, is opposed by Greg Chapin, a Republican.
Running for Precinct 1 constable are incumbent Larry Bennett, a Democrat, and Ronnie Foster, a Republican.
The Precinct 2 constable race pits incumbent Doug Lightfoot, a Republican, against Horace Poullard, a Democrat.
In the Precinct 2 county commissioner contest, Chaffin cites his experience, knowledge, work ethic and accomplishments in office, but said he still has things he would like to work on in a new term. Chaffin said he would keep working hard and trying to save taxpayers money.
Chaffin said he was a leader in cutting the road and bridge budget by 10 percent last year while having a goal of retaining all employees and the same services, yet keeping the tax rate as low as possible. He said he has also worked a lot on county roads.
“We accomplished all the goals I had in mind,” Chaffin said. Employees received a raise, and there was a 1-cent tax increase per $100 assessed property valuation, he said.
Chapin could not be reached for comment.
In the Precinct 1 constable race, Foster has worked as an investigator for the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department since 1996, and Bennett has worked for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for 5 1/2 years. Bennett ran for office in 1992 and has been Precinct 1 constable since 1993.
“I love the citizens of Anderson County and thank them for the opportunity to be their fulltime constable for all these years, and I hope to stay in this office for as long as I can,” Bennett said.
Running for Precinct 1 constable are incumbent Larry Bennett, a Democrat, and Ronnie Foster, a Republican.
The Precinct 2 constable race pits incumbent Doug Lightfoot, a Republican, against Horace Poullard, a Democrat.
In the Precinct 2 county commissioner contest, Chaffin cites his experience, knowledge, work ethic and accomplishments in office, but said he still has things he would like to work on in a new term. Chaffin said he would keep working hard and trying to save taxpayers money.
Chaffin said he was a leader in cutting the road and bridge budget by 10 percent last year while having a goal of retaining all employees and the same services, yet keeping the tax rate as low as possible. He said he has also worked a lot on county roads.
“We accomplished all the goals I had in mind,” Chaffin said. Employees received a raise, and there was a 1-cent tax increase per $100 assessed property valuation, he said.
Chapin could not be reached for comment.
In the Precinct 1 constable race, Foster has worked as an investigator for the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department since 1996, and Bennett has worked for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for 5 1/2 years. Bennett ran for office in 1992 and has been Precinct 1 constable since 1993.
“I love the citizens of Anderson County and thank them for the opportunity to be their fulltime constable for all these years, and I hope to stay in this office for as long as I can,” Bennett said.
Bennett said he works with other law enforcement agencies, volunteer fire departments, medics and schools and provides free funeral escorts. “I use honesty, integrity and common sense in my office. I try to treat people like I would want to be treated. It may be old fashioned, but common sense law enforcement has worked for me,” Bennett said.
Foster said there’s a need in the southern part of Anderson County for more help from law enforcement, and he feels he could be an asset to the community by working more with the Palestine Police Department and the sheriff’s office.
A tremendous amount of teamwork is necessary in modern law enforcement, Foster said. He would assist police and the sheriff’s office with criminal investigations and other duties, he said, forging an alliance between the community and law enforcement and being accessible to citizens.
The Precinct 1 constable office is in need of modernization, Foster also contended.
Lightfoot, 57, who has served as Precinct 2 constable eight years, is seeking a third term.
Lightfoot said, “I feel like I’ve done a good job in this office. Things are running really smooth. I have brought the office up into the 21st century and got it more streamlined. I want to continue what we’ve got going on.”
Lightfoot said he usually gets paperwork back to the judge within 24 hours, and he has started neighborhood watch programs, established a good working relationship with the sheriff’s office, Palestine police and area volunteer fire departments.
“I’m accessible at all times,” Lightfoot said, noting he already has undergone constable training.
Foster said there’s a need in the southern part of Anderson County for more help from law enforcement, and he feels he could be an asset to the community by working more with the Palestine Police Department and the sheriff’s office.
A tremendous amount of teamwork is necessary in modern law enforcement, Foster said. He would assist police and the sheriff’s office with criminal investigations and other duties, he said, forging an alliance between the community and law enforcement and being accessible to citizens.
The Precinct 1 constable office is in need of modernization, Foster also contended.
Lightfoot, 57, who has served as Precinct 2 constable eight years, is seeking a third term.
Lightfoot said, “I feel like I’ve done a good job in this office. Things are running really smooth. I have brought the office up into the 21st century and got it more streamlined. I want to continue what we’ve got going on.”
Lightfoot said he usually gets paperwork back to the judge within 24 hours, and he has started neighborhood watch programs, established a good working relationship with the sheriff’s office, Palestine police and area volunteer fire departments.
“I’m accessible at all times,” Lightfoot said, noting he already has undergone constable training.
Poullard, 62, who made an unsuccessful run for Precinct 2 constable four years ago, said he wants to address some community needs, such as needs of less fortunate people and the elderly.
Poullard also said he would promote community awareness, help motivate young people in the right direction and establish a mentoring program for boys and girls interested in going into law enforcement. “I would take the constable’s office to a level never seen before,” Poullard said.
While campaigning, Poullard is on leave from his job as a Smith County deputy. He is also an entrepreneur and has had a contracting business for several years
Neches ISD voters will pick four school board members from candidates Luther E. Scott, Ryan Pence, Joshua Kincade, Blake Rogers, Kevin Kanetzky, Jack Wedgeworth and Clydell Klein.
Poullard also said he would promote community awareness, help motivate young people in the right direction and establish a mentoring program for boys and girls interested in going into law enforcement. “I would take the constable’s office to a level never seen before,” Poullard said.
While campaigning, Poullard is on leave from his job as a Smith County deputy. He is also an entrepreneur and has had a contracting business for several years
Neches ISD voters will pick four school board members from candidates Luther E. Scott, Ryan Pence, Joshua Kincade, Blake Rogers, Kevin Kanetzky, Jack Wedgeworth and Clydell Klein.
