Primary candidates ask for support at forum

A good crowd of voters gathered last Tuesday, February 13, at the Bairfield Activity Center to hear Republican candidates for local offices explain why they want to be supported in this year’s primary election.

Donley County Republican Chair Bill Word opened the forum and thanked those in attendance before turning the floor over to candidates facing contested elections this spring.

Precinct 1 County Commissioner Mark White was the first to speak. White was raised in Donley County and raised his family here. He owns Wallace Monument Co. and has served as a county commissioner since 2009. He said he feels like the county has done a lot of good during his time on the commissioners’ court, starting at a time when there was little extra money to do anything with.

“We’ve bettered everything,” White said, “equipment, sheriff’s vehicles, etc. Being a business owner better prepares you to deal with the county budget and the ongoing things we face.”

White said the county tax rate is lower than it was ten years ago while the equipment has been upgraded and county wages have been increased.

“I enjoy county government and enjoy the court,” White said. “I hope I can serve four more years.”

Del Essary, who is challenging White for the commissioner of precinct one, spoke next and said he moved to Howardwick 17 years ago and has since volunteered in many positions. He is a former mayor of Howardwick and is currently on the city council there.

Essary said he spent 27 years as a superintendent with the City of Plainview where he managed employees, a large budget, and heavy equipment. He was very active in the public works association and was named Public Works Director of the Year in 2003. He still teaches waste management classes and also does consulting. He thinks the county is in pretty good shape and the budget is lean but thinks change can be good.

“I think you tend to get complacent when you’ve been in the same job for a long time,” Essary said. “People want representation from Howardwick and feel like they haven’t had that.”

Essary also said he wants to move away from the personal property tax and look at an equipment replacement program for the county.

Precinct 3 Commissioner Neil Koetting spoke next and said he hasn’t accomplished all he sat out to do on the commissioners’ court but said he’s still trying. He grew up in Groom, and then went to Clarendon College and has since been in business for 37 years. During his time in office, he said he has worked with the state highway department for certain improvements in Hedley and Lelia Lake.

“Being fully equipped in dirt construction gives you experience in road work,” Koetting said. “I’m someone who cares, and I covet your support.”

Sis Bond is also running for Precinct 3 Commissioner. Bond was raised in Goodnight and went to school. Her grandfather was “the best maintainer operator you’ve ever known,” and he raised her on the equipment and taught her to operate it. Bond is also a nurse and an EMT. Her passion is serving the elderly, the weak, and the sick; and she wants those people to be able to be reached in times of crisis.

“When you call, I will answer,” Bond said. “I have good backing and resources; and I have a friend whose been a commissioner for 27 years to mentor me.”

Greg Wootten is the third person running for Precinct 3 Commissioner. He was also raised in Clarendon and said he started his first business right out of high school, which quickly failed. He then found what he was needing in the United States Marine Corps and then returned to Clarendon to own and operate the NAPA store, which taught him how to budget and set realistic goas. He started a cattle business in 2016, which has since grown, he said.

“As a commissioner I want our sheriff’s office to have what they need, I want our roads to be in improved, and I want to be part of the discussion and the vote for the future of Donley County,” Wootten said.

Karen Post spoke next. She is from Plainview and is challenging State Rep. Ken King for his seat in the Texas House of Representatives. Post said the 19 counties in our district are “suffering a slow death” and also said it’s important to maintain the red wall in Texas. She said the morals of West Texas have always been the backbone of the state. She said she wants to listen to the people of the district.

Sheriff Butch Blackburn was the last candidate to speak. He faces no opposition but thanked the voters for their past support and encouraged everyone to “push the Republican card” this election.