Candidates for Fairfield ISD Board of Trustees, City of Streetman, and City of Fairfield gathered Thursday evening, March 22, 2018 to introduce themselves to the community at a Candidate Forum sponsored by “Freestone County Times.”
Each candidate was given a few minutes to tell a little about themselves, their family, and why they are running for the specific position; followed by a series of questions directed to all candidates in that particular group.
Fairfield ISD School Board
First up were candidates for the Fairfield ISD School Board of Trustees. There are two “At Large” positions to be filled, previously occupied by Eric Chavers and Blake Robinson.
Vying for those two seats (pictured at top) are incumbent Eric Chavers (right), Kirby Flandry (center), Tony Leadbetter (left), and Willie Dowell.
Robinson is not seeking reelection.
Dowell was not present at the event.
—Eric Chavers is a FHS graduate who has been serving on the board of trustees. He chose to run for a seat as a way to be involved and to give back to the community that he grew up in.
“I believe we have a good momentum built up here and these kids are pretty amazing!” he says.
—Kirby Flandry, also a FHS graduate, is married with two children in the FISD system. Her father and grandfather spent many years each serving on the school board in the past.
“As a parent, I need to be involved where my kids are,” she says. “I believe every child deserves a quality education. We have to make decisions that are in the best interest of these kids. We need to concentrate on attracting and keeping quality people employed in the district; and we must be good stewards of the tax payers’ money.”
—Tony Leadbetter, FHS alum, wants to get involved as both parents were teachers at FISD.
“I love the students, teachers, administration, and the extracurricular programs in this school district,” he says. “I’m business savvy and a people person. I believe we have to hire a great leader, and then let that superintendent do his/her job.”
One question asked of the candidates was: ‘If you could name just one thing, what do you think Fairfield schools are doing right?’
—Chavers: “We are producing the leaders of tomorrow. Our academics and extracurricular programs are great,” he explains. “University feedback is amazing, stating that we are creating productive citizens with our well-rounded programs.”
—Leadbetter echoed Chavers’ response adding, “I believe we are doing a great job getting kids prepared for the real world.”
—Mrs. Flandry states, “I love that every teacher here goes above and beyond for the children. They genuinely care about and love the students.”
A member of the community asked if teachers would have to start carrying guns at school; to which all candidates were unanimous in saying that they were not opposed to allowing teachers who wanted to carry a gun to do so, as long as they are properly trained, but would not require it.
They each concluded by thanking everyone for attending the forum and asking people to please get out and vote!
Streetman City Council
Next to take the stage were candidates for Streetman City Council and Mayor.
Both seats for Commissioner are up for reelection; however, both incumbents (Barbara Polk and Heather Davis) are running unopposed.
Mayor Johnny Robinson is seeking reelection and his competitor is Billy R. Butler.
Commissioner Davis and Mayor Robinson were not in attendance.
–Commissioner Barbara Polk (pictured above, left) is a native to Streetman, has two kids and several grandchildren. She is a FHS graduate and has been employed at the Mexia State School for 39 years. She is running for a second term as Commissioner.
Mrs. Polk states that she has seen much progress in the past two years that she has served as Commissioner.
“I love helping people, including the people of Streetman,” she says. “I can help with getting projects up and running; and making sure city funds are spent wisely. I believe we currently have a great team at the City of Streetman.”
“We are also seeing a lot of clean up of dilapidated properties and I would like to see this project continue to move forward for the beautification of our City,” she continues. “I want to see the city continue to grow, try to bring in newcomers and more jobs.”
She concludes by saying, “I will be retiring in a couple of years and, if reelected, I plan to dedicate a lot more time to the city.”
—Billy R. Butler (pictured above, right) served as Mayor in 2000 for one term. He moved to Streetman in 1986 with his job. He’s married to Brenda Butler, has two step-children, two step-grandchildren, and raised three other boys.
Butler explains what his plans are if he is elected as Mayor. They include the following points:
- Keeping open communication with citizens, to make sure their concerns are addressed
- Building open communication with the City of Fairfield, Fairfield ISD, and Freestone County
- Coordinating with County Commissioner Clyde Ridge to help keep streets graded
- Working on getting a dump station like the one in Dew
- Maintaining proper records and paper trails for all City business
- Making sure tax payer money is spent correctly
- Keeping the water system up and running
- Maintaining proper drainage in the city
- Making sure the roads are properly maintained
Fairfield City Council
The last group to speak was the candidates for the City of Fairfield. Running for Mayor are Councilman Kenneth (Kenny) Hughes and Luke Ward, Jr. Vying for Councilman Place One are incumbent Joe Lee Kirgan, Jr. and contender James Tyus. Councilman Place Two candidates are incumbent Randy Johnson and William (Bill) Rogillio.
Luke Ward, Jr. was not present.
—Kenneth Hughes (above) has served on Fairfield City Council in Place 5 for the past nine years. He is a Fairfield native and FHS graduate. He is married to Nicole Hughes and together they have two daughters. The family is active at the First United Methodist Church of Fairfield.
Hughes has been a businessman in Fairfield for the past 30 years; and also serves on the Fairfield ISD Education Foundation board of trustees.
—Randy Johnson (above, left) is serving as Councilman Place 2. He too is a Fairfield native. He and wife, Karen, have four children. “I’m very proud to be a citizen of Fairfield.”
—William Rogillio (above, right) moved to Fairfield in 1983 while working as a Texas Highway Patrol Officer. He has served as Police Officer for Fairfield Police Department, as well. He is married to Janet Rogillio, and together they have two daughters. He is newly retired and says that he has enjoyed living in Fairfield because it has been good for his family.
—Joe Lee Kirgan, Jr. (above, right) served on Fairfield City Council for the past 13 years. His family has been in Fairfield since 1895. His grandfather purchased The Fairfield Recorder in 1900 and its ownership passed down to his father, then himself before he sold it many years ago. He is widowed, has three children, and grandkids.
—James Tyus (above, left) is a FHS graduate and his family has been in Fairfield since the beginning. He has a military background and currently works as a commercial helicopter pilot.
When asked what they believed to be the best asset the City of Fairfield currently has, Rogillio, Johnson, and Hughes all agree that it is the people and the way they come together for the betterment of the community.
Kirgan and Tyus state that, while the people are great; they believe that the city’s location on I-45 is its best asset. It brings wonderful opportunities to current and future businesses.
All candidates agree that in light of the current economic situation, getting and keeping jobs in the area is of utmost importance, as well as frugal spending.
Another topic in which all candidates concur is annexation. While none believe in forced annexation, all but James Tyus agree that it is important to keep the city growing; and that it is vital for getting more businesses to the area.
Tyus adds that he is against any annexation. He believes that the City should do away with the ordinance that prohibits water sales outside of City Limits and sell water at the residential rate, plus a surcharge, to help raise City revenue.
[this paragraph was added as a correction, after the print edition was delivered to newsstands.]
“I know we are all great choices and are on the same team,” says Tyus. “All of us are headed in the same direction, but have different strategies to get there. Council has to strive to do the most good with the budget available; and community input is greatly needed.”
Johnson says, “Growing up, were pulled together as a family to support each other. We prepared for the bad times. It’s time the City starts to plow, plant, and put back for our future.”
“I am for open and honest leadership,” explains Hughes. “I feel we are both fine people,” he says about his opponent, “but I believe the key word that makes me the better candidate is commitment.”
Rogillio states, “I really wish more people in the community would get involved. Citizens need to attend council meetings to understand what is going on in the City. They need to do their due diligence and then get out there and vote!”
“I love to see people participate,” explains Councilman Kirgan. “During the last election, of the 1,600 registered voters in the city, only 400 actually voted. We can, and need, to do better than that.”
School Board and City Elections will be held Saturday, May 5, 2018. Early voting begins April 23rd.
A special ‘Thank You’ to the City of Fairfield for allowing the use of the Green Barn, Sam’s Original Restaurant for donating drinks, and Brenda Pate with the Chamber of Commerce for her assistance during the event.
