SSISD Superintendent, Patsy Bolton, addresses those present at the Hopkins County
Republican Meeting, about the upcoming SSISD Bond Election.

 

Politics On the Plate....Thursday Night

 

Jobs, Recycling, Streets, and Education Discussed

 

by: Bobby McDonald

 

John Cooper, a candidate for Congressman Ralph Hall's seat, addressed the local Republican
Party meeting, on Thursday night.

 

It was large crowds of voters at two different forums on Thursday night, where they learned about a variety of local issues important to Hopkins County. The Hopkins County Republican Party invited office seekers and members of the Sulphur Springs I.S.D. to their monthly meeting in the Ag Building in Buford Park and the Hopkins County Democratic Women conducted their traditional non-partisan Candidates Form, both on Thursday night.

 

Ken Dickson, a friend of Ralph Hall, spoke in his behalf, at Thursday night's
Republican Party meeting.

 

The Republican Party meeting featured an open invitation to local office seekers to introduce themselves and Dr. John Cooper, local land surveyor, took the opportunity to introduce himself and reveal that he is seeking the U.S. Congress seat now held by Ralph Hall. Cooper told of his vision for a better world and outlined many of the things that he sees "troubling" in govenment.

Ken Dickson, of Rockwall, spoke for a few minutes on behalf of Congressman Ralph Hall, whom he described as one of his closest friends and told of the things that Hall is working on in Washington at the present time.

 

 

Following the open forum, Pasty Bolton, accompanied by SSISD Finance Director, Miki Eddins, and other bond election supporters, took the podium and outlined the advantages of the upcoming SSISD Bond Election slated for May 9th. She spoke of the overcrowding conditions in the elementary schools within the district and told of the proposal to build a new Middle School on the newly constructed South-Loop. She indicated that the proposed new campus would be occupied by 6th, 7th, and 8th graders, with grades 3 and 4 being moved to the current Middle School Campus, on Bell Street. Three elementary campuses, Bowie, Lamar, and Travis, would be occupied by 1st and 2nd graders, and the current Austin Elementary would be utlized as an alternative school. Additional classrooms would be added to the Douglas 5th grade campus. She also outlined a multipurpose building being constructed at the high school campus and improvements to the recently constructed track, near the high school. "I'm convinced that this is the most prudent use of the district's funds," explained Bolton. "This plan is a result of a two-year study and has been unanimously endorsed by your SSISD Board!"

 

Hopkins County Democratic Party Chairman, Bill Brannon, welcomed
candidates and voters to Thursday night's Candidates Forum at the
SSISD Board Room.

 

Meanwhile, at the Hopkins County Democratic Women's Forum, hosted in the SSISD Board Room, on Connally Street, candidates for the upcoming City Council Race, representatives of the SSISD Board of Education, and an unopposed candidate in the school board election, addressed the crowd on a number of local issues, as well as fielding questions from the audience. Radio personality, Enola Gay, served as the moderator, and kept the questions "rolling" to the candidates.

 

Jordan Horne, a candidate for the City Council Place #1, addressed Thursday night's crowd with his
credentials and vision for Sulphur Springs.

 

Each candidate was offerd a five minute introductory period, where they outlined their position on a variety of issues. Then, questions were fielded from the audience, as candidates made comments on the issues important to those in attendance. Budgets, a recycling program for Sulphur Springs, improvements to city streets, bringing jobs and economic growth to the area, and education were all discussed.

 

Craig Johnson, a candidate for City Council Place #1, addressed the crowd at Thursday
night's Democratic sponsored forum.

 

 

Clay Walker, incumbent, for Place #2 on the City Council, outlined some of the
many projects he would like to continue to work with, in another term.

 

Claude Walter, Candidate for Place #2, outlined his involvement with Main Street
and his purchase of a building there, as evidence of his belief in the project.

 

Place #2 Candidate, Bradley Edge, outlined his vision for Sulphur
Springs and extended a desire for "giving back" to the community
in which he was reared.

 

 

 

Judy Gillem, a member of the SSISD Board of Education, outlined the proposed SSISD Bond for the crowd, stating the advantages of taking care of the local school system and the needs of our children. "One of the first things that potential companies look at, when anticipating moving their business to a community, is the quality of the education system," expressed Gillem. "We must keep our school system great and provide our children with the facilities to learn and grow!"

 

Judy Gillem, member of SSISD Board, passionately explains the advantages
of the SSISD Bond proposal to Thursday night's crowd.

 

Jason Dietze, a candidate for the SSISD Board, who is running unopposed, addressed the crowd and told of his experiences being reared in the SSISD, as well as his concept of the education system from the perspective of serving as a local youth minister for the past 13 years. "I feel I have a unique opportunity to offer the Board of Education, with several perspectives, first having been a student in the system, listening to the youth of this community as their minister, and finally, as a parent who has children in the current systme," expressed Dietze. "I have a deep interest in making certain that the locals schools continue their tradition of greatness!"

 

 

Jason Dietze, an unopposed candidate for the SSISD Board,
addressed the crowd and pledged his suport for continued
excellence in local education.

 

"With the opportunities presented in Sulphur Springs, tonight, there isn't any excuse for voters not being informed," expressed one local attendee. "The two forums tonight offered voters an opportunity to ask any questions that they are concerned about, and the candidates definitely addressed the issues and questions, in the format. Hopefully this means that everyone will get out and vote and voice their oppinions at the ballot box!"

Early voting begins on Monday April 27th, with the official election day being May 9th.

 

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