Early Voting begins Monday, April 25, 2022 for Fairfield School Board, Fairfield City Council, and Teague City Council.
A short list of questions were sent out by Freestone County Times to all the candidates. Answers from those candidates who responded within our press deadline may be found below, or by clicking City of Fairfield, City of Teague, or Fairfield ISD.
(If you are a candidate, and do not see your information in this week’s edition, please contact Editor Karen Leidy at 903-389-6397 or via email to news@freestonecountytimes.com)
Also on the ballot will be two proposed Texas State Constitutional Amendments:
–SJR 1 proposes a constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide for the reduction of the amount of a limitation on the total amount of property taxes that may be imposed for general elementary and secondary public school purposes on the residence homestead of a person who is elderly or disabled in order to reflect any statutory reduction in the maximum compressed rate of the maintenance and operations taxes imposed for those purposes on the person’s homestead from the preceding tax year.
–SJR 2 proposes a constitutional amendment increasing the amount of the residence homestead exemption from property taxes for public school purposes from $25,000 to $40,000.
Additionally, voters in Fairfield Independent School District will also be considering an $8 million Bond proposed by Fairfield ISD. If passed by voters, the Bond will fund the following projects:
–$200,000 – FHS Roof Repair
–$5,300,000 – HVAC
–$900,000 – LED Lighting
–$1,200,000 – Transportation (school buses)
To read the complete Fairfield ISD Notice of Bond Election, click here.
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CITY OF FAIRFIELD
Up for election for the City of Fairfield this year is the Mayor, and Place 1 & 2 on the Council.
Election is set for Saturday, May 7, 2022. Early Voting will be held beginning April 25th and ending May 3rd. For complete information concerning dates and poll locations, click here.
This year’s candidates are:
–incumbent Mayor Kenneth Hughes running unopposed;
–James Tyus running unopposed for Place 1; and
–three candidates vying for Place 2: incumbent Arland Thill, and candidate Conrell Lockett III and Roger McDaniel Keeton.
Candidates were asked the following:
1. What qualifications or special skills will you bring to Fairfield City Council?
–Roger Keeton
I will bring four years on the student government association in college with me. I will also bring three different times that I was a delegate the Texas Republican state conventions for being actively involved in the city affairs. I have also ran three previous times and I feel that I have gotten to know the people very while I was campaigning.
–Arland Thill
I have been the Technology Director for Fairfield ISD for a total of eight years, and have been part of the district for twenty years. I have a great understanding of how budgets work, and I am adept at finding creative and effective ways to make the very best use of taxpayer dollars. I understand that transparency is important, and communication is key to making good decisions. For example, FISD could have spent $600-$800 per teacher computer buying factory machines from Dell, HP, or Acer, but under my leadership, we built all of the computers in house for half the price. This is just an example of how frugal and creative I can be when it comes to making every dollar count. My success in managing the Technology Department at FISD has been built on a foundation of honesty, transparency and a fundamental understanding of the challenges of managing a limited budget sourced with taxpayer dollars.
We also live in a technology age like no other. Having served in this industry for over 25 years, I bring experience and understanding of the technology advancements required to move our city forward into a world where technology is crucial to public safety, security and every aspect of managing a municipality.
2. Voters have petitioned for an Election to approve the proposed $6M Certificates of Obligation to fund city street repairs and the building of a police station / city hall. Will you vote “for” or “against,” and why?
–Roger Keeton
I will vote for that petition if elected because 6 million dollars is at stake and since it is the people’s tax money to begin with they should have complete say in how it is spent.
–Arland Thill
I would 100% vote for this certificate of obligation. When I was appointed to the city council, the first thing I did was take a tour of the entire town. Having lived here for twenty years, I wanted to view this city with fresh eyes. I was completely devastated when I walked into the police station and saw how we have been treating our local police. We are out of compliance on a lot of things at our police station. I learned that this inadequate arrangement was only supposed to be a temporary solution. Almost 3 years later, we are still operating under these temporary, suboptimal conditions, and that just breaks my heart. I know it’s not a good working environment and this is something, as a city, we need to take care of. I was embarrassed to see that a lunchroom table was serving as our municipal courtroom. I knew at that point, something needed to be done.
City Hall is too small to serve its needs in a professional manner. Meetings have been interrupted by citizens coming to pay a water bill. No one believes there is a need to build the Taj Mahal, but there does need to be adequate space to serve all the functions of city government.
City Hall is the heart of our city, and right now, I don’t feel like the heart of our community is well reflected by this space.
The streets speak for themselves in our city, and I can say the majority of them are just in terrible shape. We need to do whatever it takes to get back into shape. I never want to raise taxes, but if we have to, I firmly believe that it should be spent on things that will outlast the life of the bond that is purchasing those items. I think when you keep those things in mind, you are being a good steward of the taxpayers dollars
3. The City of Fairfield has seen growth in local business the last 12 months. Name one thing the City could do to continue supporting that growth, and what you would do as a Council member to see it accomplished.
–Roger Keeton
The city of Fairfield could use some form of entertainment for people to use instead of the local sports teams to cheer for. They could build a movie theater here so that people would not have to travel all the way to Corsicana just to see a movie. As city councilmen I would recommend that we use some of that 6 million dollars to do just that.
–Arland Thill
To help with growth, I would love to see Fairfield start developing new property within city limits to build new neighborhoods. It has been a long time since our city has done anything like this, and to bring in new businesses, we are going to need room to grow. Right now there are not a lot of places to live in our city, and if we do figure out a way to bring in a business that brings 250-300 jobs, we are going to need places for people to live. Also, building new neighborhoods within our city would bring excitement to the community, and it would support and inspire business people and entrepreneurs who want to build and invest in our great little town.
4. Anything else you would like voters to know?
–Roger Keeton
I am currently attending Liberty University Graduate School Online Program so that I can get my Masters Degree in History hopefully by the end of this year so that I can serve the good people of Fairfield Texas even more and better than now.
–Arland Thill
My wife and I moved to Fairfield 20 years ago to work for Fairfield ISD. We love this community, and we have seen first hand the lasting impact of the TXU plant and mine closure. I have seen the school district lose student enrollment and tax dollars because of this. I want to help our city to rebuild and reinvent itself in this post-TXU world. This community is a great place to be because we are a family– and if it is to stay that way, we must work to create a strong, healthy city that provides our kids a place to return home– a place where they have jobs and housing.
I believe that my education, experience and knowledge will be a great benefit to the City Council. I not only have degrees in technology, but a Bachelor’s degree in Business and a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction in Education. I want to use this knowledge to benefit the City of Fairfield. Further, it is a priority for me to make sure transparency is a core value in all we do. I also want to work hard to not just bring any job to Fairfield, but quality jobs to Fairfield. I am ready to help this town attract the kind of jobs that our community can build careers out of and support the awesome families who call this place home.
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CITY OF TEAGUE
Up for election for the City of Teague this year is the Mayor, and Alderman Place 1 & 3 on the City Council.
Election is set for Saturday, May 7, 2022. Early Voting will be held beginning April 25th and ending May 3rd. For complete information concerning dates and poll locations, click here.
Candidates are:
–incumbent Mayor James Monks challenged by candidate David Huffman;
–Place 1 incumbent Alderman Jerry Ballew and opponent Garland Steed; and
–Place 3 incumbent Alderwoman Marilyn Michaud facing candidates Lois Ann Mims and Douglas Allen.
Candidates were asked the following:
1. What qualifications or special skills will you bring to Teague City Council?
–James Monks
I am currently in my 2nd term as Mayor. I have previously served on the council as an alderman and later as Mayor pro tem. I have lived in the Teague city limits consecutively for 22 years and believe that I understand the wants and needs of the community to maintain our town as a place we want to raise our families and future generations and leave them a place they will be proud to call their home.
–David Huffman
My involvement with work related experiences, education and collaboration: Graduate with Bachelor of Science and Masters Degrees from Sam Houston State University, past Texas House Legislative Aide State of Texas, TAP (Texas Agriculture Products) Representative for Texas Agriculture Commissioner John White for East Texas, Special Affairs Coordinator/ Representative Houston Lightning & Power (now NRG) for executive officers, and owner and originator of the Huffman Agency currently in Teague developed in 1979. Past President of South Texas Honey Corp. and currently President of the Tri-County Beekeepers Association of Freestone, Limestone, and Leon Counties. A member of the Texas Beekeepers Association and philanthropically currently involved in the Texas Masonic Lodge since 1975 (Boggy Lodge in Teague currently) and a past Assistant Governor and Lt. Governor for Rotary International District 5870 of which I joined in 1978 and a current member and Past President of Fairfield Rotary Club, and a Major Donor to Rotary International. A proud member of 1st Baptist Church and a choir member and married to Trish Huffman, my wife.
I have been a councilman for 3 terms for the City of Teague. I have been a successful businessman for 43 years and God willing, another 20 years. I am familiar with the problems as well as the possibilities our city can positively receive in upgrading the quality of life our citizens will receive while living in Teague if elected. And I have never forgot where I have come from over the years.
Serving as a past Health Director for the City of Pasadena has assisted me immensely prior to moving to Teague. Regarding city issues, elected officials should always maintain compassion and responsibility towards our citizenry as too how each passed city ordinance will effect its citizens. My connections with state-wide contacts over the State of Texas via my 35 years as a Rotarian has assisted me greatly and will help our city as well.
–Jerry Ballew
Teague is my home, and I have great pride for our city. My career as a registered professional engineer has given me an extensive background in project design and management. My working with multi-million dollar budgets and facilities has proven valuable when balancing resources with requirements in making long-term projections. While the position of Alderman isn’t necessarily a hands-on function, my experience will enable me to continue advising and making decisions in the best interest of Teague, both immediate and long term.
–Marilyn Michaud
Alderman – 2014-2019 and 2020-2022
2. Looking over the last 12 months, what has the City of Teague excelled in doing?
–James Monks
In the past 12 months, the city of Teague has continued in our efforts to maintain and improve our infrastructure by self funding projects and also receiving a grant for several projects. These funds have allowed us to improve water and sewer services to different areas of town, enabling us to provide a plentiful and high quality supply of water as well as a system to remove the waste water.
As these projects are completed, we will begin the visible projects such as street replacement and drainage improvements. I refer to the street projects as replacements as several of our streets are beyond the repair stages and will require a complete rebuild. Unfortunately the water/sewer projects will take time to complete, and need to be completed prior to any street work on those roads that contain our water system.
–David Huffman
Not being on council I could not elaborate…that would be the current administrations luxury. But I don’t see unnecessary lawsuits and excess fees and penalties directed to our citizens and potential new business as a means of moving our city forward.
–Jerry Ballew
The City of Teague has excelled in providing opportunities to enhance the community experience and involvement. Not only does the City maintain three public parks, but it also holds multiple venues for community involvement. “National Night Out” is an annual event promoting law enforcement. The Teague Public Library holds regular reading sessions for youngsters as well as a summer reading program. “Christmas in the Parks” has become a local attraction that draws area visitors throughout the holiday season. “Make Teague Beautiful” is another opportunity for residents to participate in making our city more attractive. The city is currently sponsoring a “Recycled Art Contest” for entries using recycled materials. Events of this nature support and strengthen our community.
–Marilyn Michaud
During the past 12 months with all cities everywhere having to work through pandemic conditions, we have stayed stable, money-wise and continue moving forward with projects setup for 2022. We have faced office closures and our share of Covid illness, but have been able to keep moving forward.
3. Name one thing you would like to see improved, and what you would do as an Alderman / Mayor to see it accomplished.
–James Monks
I would like to see more community involvement in the operation of the city thru their ideas, suggestions and support. As Mayor, the city staff and I strive to maintain a transparent day to day operation, while remaining in compliance with our state and federal laws as well as our city ordinances. We encourage attendance at our council meetings and public hearings. We will be opening a new city website that will allow users to link to pertinent information, council meeting agendas and minutes, reach all city departments and to report /create work requests for our public works department.
–David Huffman
I would personally see a schedule of toping roads and streets monthly in the City of Teague which was prevalent while I was on council as was done then with the current Public Works Director. Keeping the alley ways cleaned and usable (driveable) also a major issue. This is the top issue…Several other issues I will address if elected and will be addressed during the campaign.
–Jerry Ballew
The City is presently working to complete five-year infrastructure plans. My goal would be to increase these plans to include all areas of the city as a comprehensive master plan. Water, sewer, and streets are the most visible, but maintenance, fleet management, parks, library, and unused buildings are also important areas to consider in improving the overall city environment. Working with and providing the City Administrator and other Department Heads with adequate resources and support to accomplish this goal would be where my efforts would be directed.
–Marilyn Michaud
It would be helpful if citizens, instead of airing complaints on social media, would attend council meetings to learn and understand the reasons the council is taking the action they do to accomplish what is in best interest of City.
4. Anything else you would like voters to know?
–James Monks
During my terms as Mayor, I feel that we have made tremendous improvements for Teague. We have begun a fleet management plan to replace equipment and vehicles on a schedule, thus providing our employees with safe and reliable equipment while saving on high repair costs. We have had our engineers develop a long range prioritized plan for city wide repairs to streets, infrastructure and drainage systems. We are working to continue improvements to our parks while also having our park coordinator planning community activities thru the year. I appreciate every one’s support and would like the opportunity to continue serving as Mayor so that I, along with our city council can continue with these projects that will benefit each of us.
–David Huffman
I have always been a “Gladiator” and fighter for my city and its citizens. I will do the same as your next Mayor with a “common sensed” council willing to address the challenges…and with the right attitude towards its citizens.
–Jerry Ballew
Being an alderman takes a commitment to learn, participate, and lead. Decisions made by the City Council affect many people. Having a preconceived “agenda” only hinders and confuses otherwise legitimate decisions. Having an open and honest-minded approach is the way to achieve positive results. A vote for me is a vote for an objective and experienced representative on the Teague Board of Aldermen.
–Marilyn Michaud
Repeating – attend meetings – listen to agenda items and hear why the council handles them the way they think best for the City. Social media is not the answer. If your opinion is that the current council is not working in your best interest – there is an annual election – RUN for office!
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FAIRFIELD ISD
Up for election for the Fairfield ISD School Board this year is 3 At-Large positions.
Election is set for Saturday, May 7, 2022. Early Voting will be held beginning April 25th and ending May 3rd. For complete information about election dates and poll locations, click here.
Candidates include:
–incumbent Greg Gipson,
–incumbent Kim Whitaker,
–incumbent O.B. Utley,
–challenger Penny Robinson Meredith,
–challenger Cody Roller, and
–challenger Josh Carlson.
Candidates were asked the following:
1. What qualifications or special skills will you bring to the Board of Trustees?
–Gregory Gibson
My name is Gregory Gibson. I am a product of Fairfield ISD and I graduated from Fairfield High School in 1980 and I have been a member of this community for 44 years. Being an FISD alumni and residing in this community, I understand the importance of education in this community. After high school, I attended Navarro College and earned an Associates Degree in Business Management. After 28 years of employment, I retired from Nucor Steel in Jewett, Texas. Because of my background, I understand the importance of providing a variety of opportunities and avenues for student success in the real world, whether that is trade school, traditional college, military, or work force.
In addition, I have served on the Board of Trustees for the last six years and received multiple years of Texas Association of School Board training. Serving in this capacity has allowed me to gain more knowledge of the vast aspects of education and a deeper appreciation for our staff.
I have volunteered in the concession stand, been a culinary arts “Food War” judge, member of the Eagle Club, worked basketball tournaments, attended countless student events, and served on the original Educational Foundation Board. All of these occurrences have allowed me to witness the many talents and successes of our incredible student body and phenomenal educators.
–Cody Roller
I am a fair and honest person, which I feel is the best characteristic anyone can have. I like to look at the whole picture, listen more than I talk, and then try to come up with solutions. Lastly, I have a servant and volunteering heart. I try to serve and volunteer my time in any organization and community I am involved in. For example my involvement in the Fairfield Athletic Booster Club for the past twelve years where I have served as the president for the past five years. Seeing our students succeed is why I am most proud of the fact that this year alone we have donated over $21,000.00 to the FISD athletic department to directly benefit the student athletes.
–Kim Whitaker
When I was elected to the Board in 2013 I was reminded by my husband that my main purpose as a Board member would be to provide children with what they really need to be successful. I see this as the only focus if I am truly to be a servant to this wonderful community in which I live. This constant reminder of being held responsible causes me to make sure that I have a humble heart in governance, for the decisions I make as a Board Member have a significant effect upon many lives. I know I bring discernment concerning the needs of students stemming from both of my parents, my husband, my daughter, and myself as classroom teachers and athletic coaches. These relationships provide me with a unique point of view from which to see what children need to be successful in the classroom and in other extracurricular arenas. I truly believe every child is a gift from God, and they come first! Therefore, any decisions that I make will be based on the Needs of children first. Children must come first, and parents should have a voice in their child’s education. Teachers also must have support from their administration which includes but is not limited only to standing strong when breaches of school decorum occur, providing financial support with adequate educational materials, providing adequate compensation to school staff by which to live, and providing appropriate facilities in which to teach. Because my father was an athletic administrator and my husband was an administrator, I see the way by which this school district works in and beyond the classroom and the different ways the academic, extracurricular, and security programs compliment each other to make this school district great. A factor extremely important to this district being great is school safety. We must have school security our children and our employees must be safe and feel safe!
Support services are also important to this District. When I was teaching, my husband was in charge of the transportation needs of the district. I learned everything I could about busses when I took a twenty hour course to learn how to drive a bus. This experience instilled within me an awareness that we as a board need to make sure that we hire, retain, and take care of support personnel such as bus drivers, cafeteria workers, technology experts, school resource officers, and maintenance workers with salaries and benefits commensurate with their chosen vocations. Additionally, team work on a school board is very important so that individuals don’t work counter-productively and thus fail to focus on the needs of children, parents and employees. I have coached high school and junior high g’rls basketball and track; I played college volleyball and I know what teamwork looks like and what it takes to work as a team. With thirty-five years in the classroom, nine years on the School Board, and at least 50 hours of school board training in terms of school governance, I have acquired the tools and experience to help me in decision making. Thus, as the President of the Freestone County Retired Teachers as well as a member of the Fairfield ISD Educators Hall of Fame, I am humbled and reminded that I am a servant as a School Board Member.
2. What are your thoughts on the $8M Bond Election that voters are being asked to consider this year?
–Gregory Gibson
At times, discussing finances can be very difficult, especially when dealing with everyday financial challenges. However, every school district must be maintained and attention must be given so that students can continue to receive a high quality education.
As a school board member, I must make the best decision for handling the school finances while not sacrificing high quality education for all students. As community members, I hope you consider the importance of maintaining our facilities, its impact on successfully educating our students, and support the bond.
–Cody Roller
Having attended the budget workshop meeting about the bond and several of the bond presentations Dr. Adams has done the last few weeks, I am knowledgeable on how the $8M Bond will be spent. In my opinion the bond is being spent on what should be considered necessities for the school district. In addition to things the school is planning to do with the $8M Bond, I would also like to see us update and improve facilities in order to benefit our current staff and students and in hopes of attracting new students and their families to Fairfield and Fairfield ISD.
–Kim Whitaker
I remember the days of “Robin Hood” when this School District sent millions of dollars to either the State of Texas or other school districts. I longed for the taxpayers of this district to get some relief after so many years of having to “recapture” money. I don’t like spending other peoples’ money, period. I don’t like asking for money from others—in other words when it came to fundraisers for different programs in which my children participated many years ago, I often just bought it myself. But, when it is absolutely necessary, as a last resort only, I will ask the taxpayers of this District to help because it is NEEDED. Our student athletes played in the Athens High School gymnasium against Rice High School, and someone exclaimed how wonderful that gymnasium is and it is quite remarkable. Then an elderly man remarked that he liked the Johnson Activity Center better—because—it is paid for. That made me very proud of our school district.
The $8 million bond is necessary because:
Currently, we have HVAC systems at the elementary, junior high, and high schools that are 15-20 years old that are not efficient anymore. With energy costs projected to rise in the future as well as the cooling agents needed by these systems, we must move now to insulate this District from these cost draining needs in the future. Good stewardship saves money.
We can save an estimated $50,000/year if we change all the conventional lighting to LED lights which last for years without replacement.
We need 6 large conventional school buses and 4 fourteen passenger buses to modernize an aging fleet: for example, when our varsity football team, volleyball team, and our 4cer team go to different events on a Friday night, we don’t have to wait until route buses (with more dependability based on mileage and repairs) get back from taking students home before these groups can leave to go to an event.
We also need to fix the roof on the main academic wing of the high school. The cost to fix this is about $200,000.
One thing that I can say for our current board is that we discussed all of these issues for over a year and chose the things that were needs and not wants.
3. Fairfield ISD does many things well. Name one thing you would like to see improved, and what you would do as a school board member to see it accomplished.
–Gregory Gibson
Fairfield ISD is known for its excellence in academics and an extraordinary district. We must continue to strive for success, providing more opportunities for success, to ensure educational opportunities are equitable so all students are prepared for their next step in the real world.
In the future, I would like for these educational opportunities to be provided through additional Career and Technology courses. I would also like for all students to have an opportunity to attain academic college hours, known as dual credit, without family finances being a determining factor. With all of the school finance challenges, I will continue to research avenues for FISD to alleviate the financial burden for many students and their families. Therefore, the one thing I would do is to continue to advocate for equitable educational opportunities and success for all students through supporting more career courses and reducing the financial factors for students earning dual credit hours.
–Cody Roller
Yes, Fairfield ISD does many things well. We have been known for both our academic and extracurricular successes. I have been involved in and witnessed those successes as both a student, a volunteer, and a spectator. I would like to see us continue to grow both academically and extracurricularly for the students of FISD. I would like to see us improve and increase teacher compensation and benefits so that we can recruit and retain highly qualified teachers and employees for the betterment of our students and schools. I would also like to see us update and improve facilities in order to benefit our current students and in hopes of attracting new students and their families.
–Kim Whitaker
It is virtually impossible for a student to finish in the top ten of his or her graduating class without taking advanced placement courses, honor courses, and dual credit courses. In the last twenty years, perhaps only two students who finished as the valedictorian were identified as low socio-economically disadvantaged. This is somewhat due to “weighted” courses such as dual credit courses as well as a lack of financial means. I am convinced that we need to level the playing field and give financially disadvantaged students an avenue to take dual credit courses through Navarro College just like neighboring schools do; I don’t want in cash strapped times to see students transfer to a neighboring school district that pays for dual credit classes. Obviously, there would need to be stipulations such as a student must make an A or a B in each course; failure to do so would result in the student paying the District back for the cost of the course. I would vote to pay for dual credit courses through Navarro College for students so that there would not be an unfair advantage to those students who are not limited economically. Children need and should have an equal opportunity regardless of their financial status.
4. Anything else you would like voters to know?
–Gregory Gibson
As a school board member, I want to ensure our staff have the tools and resources they need to educate and successfully prepare our students for the next stage of their life. It is important for me to be sensitive to the needs of the staff and their sincere concerns. In addition, educators must know that they are valued.
I have been honored to serve on the school board for the last two terms. If you attend school board meetings, you know how much I value education, educators, students, and the community. I would be honored to serve FISD and this community for a third term.
–Cody Roller
I attended Fairfield ISD schools Kindergarten through graduation. I am married to Andrea Roller, and together we have twin daughters Alleigh and Audrey, Fairfield ISD 2030 graduates. I am employed by Exxon Mobil/XTO Energy. I am currently an Operations Supervisor and I have worked for the company for 17 years. In my current role at Exxon my daily responsibilities include overseeing staff, managing accounts, and making decisions that affect daily operations. I am an active member of the First United Methodist Church in Fairfield.
–Kim Whitaker
My husband and I moved here in 1986 with an 8 year-old daughter and a 4 year-old son from the Rio Grande Valley. This community is our home, and the people in it have been so very wonderful and gracious. For this community to continue to prosper, one of the factors will need to be for the school District to thrive and even improve. As our society becomes more mobile and technologically dependent, parents will continue, as they have in the past to search online for those schools that are high performing. The better the school District the more attractive the community looks to potential relocation, One of the factors figuring into this equation for relocation is the attractiveness of producing learners that are college ready. College readiness many be enhanced through the number of students who enroll in dual credit courses-the more students we enroll, the more college ready your school is perceived by state agencies. More students will take dual credit courses if the District pays for the courses; this would be so financially helpful to our parents and students.
In closing, I am grateful for this community of extraordinary people and to the Fairfield Independent School District which gave my children the opportunity to be successful and meet their educational needs. I truly want to continue to serve students, parents, staff, and the community if I may be so fortunate to do so because of you. Thank you very much.
