Yantis Mayor, Jerry Miller, was presented with the "Community Builder Award" by the Yantis Masonic Lodge,
at Ceremonies on Tuesday night, in Yantis.

 

Yantis Mayor Receives "Community Builder Award"

 

by: Bobby McDonald

 

In ceremonies Tuesday night, Yantis Mayor Jerry Miller was presented the "Community Builder Award" by the Yantis Masonic Lodge. Miller accepted the award on behalf of his office, his City Secretary Tonya Norris, and The Yantis City Council. "I couldn't have made the strides in this community without the talented staff and the support of the council, in helping implement the many changes we've been able to accomplish," state Miller, in accepting the award.

Miller was elected mayor of Yantis in May of 2003 and has not had an opponent in an election since. Miller's first course of action, once elected, was to work on improving the water supply for the city of Yantis. He immediately sought land south of Yantis and drilled a new well, that continues to pump over 100 gallons per minute.

The next project involved a City Park and he and Norris began searching for a place to build one. Immediately, they found land owned near the Yantis Community Center and began hosting fundraisers to accomplish the project, and raised the necessary money with 3 golf tournaments, with aid of longtime friend Cone Golden. The park, named for longtime city employees, Marlin and Wilma Scarborough, became a reality with a concrete walking track, a 1200 square foot pavilion, and picnic tables.

 

 

 

 

The next phase of his work in office, involved "Operation Clean-up," where many of the lots in downtown Yantis were cleaned off and eventually sold for rebuilding structures that would be attractive and attract business to Yantis. Today, there are newly constructed businesses on many of the lots and life has been brought back to the small town.

The latest and one of the biggest projects was the purchase of property that had once been in need of repair, and the new Dollar General Store purchased it and built a recently opened facility. The store offers convenience to residents of Yantis and provides income to the city, as well.

Recently, the City of Yantis purchased the Yantis Family Clinic building, that was vacant, and plan to relocate the City of Yantis offices to this site, allowing more room and better operations for the town's government.

Other accomplishments include: the dedication of "Yantis Catfish Day," each July, to coincide with the Lake Fork Fishing Tournament and the formation of the Yantis Catfish Day Parade; and the working with East Texas Council of Governments to open the Yantis Congregate Meal Program at the Yantis Community Center, that is attended by Senior Citizens all across the community.

"I can't thank my staff and the Yantis City Council enough, for seeing the vision in some of these projects and helping to make them become a reality," expressed Miller. "They're things that needed to be done and they've helped me to get them accomplished and the results is a better business and community atmosphere in our small town, located on the Hopkins-Wood County Line!"

Miller's family was in attendance as he received the award on Tuesday night.

 

 

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