Barkers retire from NETEX board, Johnson and McCullough in
[adning id=”33097″]
The Hopkins County Commissioners Court retired two from the Northeast Texas Rural Rail Transportation District (NETEX), and nominated two to fill their spots on the six-county board.
Mickey Barker (Commissioner Pct. I) and Neal Barker (local businessman), announced their intention in court to retire after three and two years on the board, respectively, as is outlined in NETEX bylaws.
In their stead, the commissioners court nominated Brad Johnson (Northeast Texas Farmers Co-Operative) and Steve McCullough (former city manager of Irving, TX)
FORMER MEMBERS
County Judge Robert Newsom thanked Mickey and Neal Barker, an uncle and nephew, for their service to the NETEX board.
Throughout his tenure, Mickey Barker advocated, and then helped implement, monthly meetings for NETEX, as opposed to once-every-other-month meetings.
Neal Barker was elected twice to the post of treasurer during his service, and implemented monthly financial reports.
“There was a time when the railroad was not making as much progress as we are today,” Newsom said. “I give a lot of credit to Neal and Mickey. Things have changed since y’all have been on the board, and it’s been positive changes.”
Some challenges the group faced before the arrival of Mickey and Neal Barker included, but were not limited to: an ongoing lawsuit against the board, lack of open meetings training for members, and infighting amongst the group.
“There was a time where it was hard to get anything done there,” said former NETEX representative, commissioner Pct. 3 Wade Bartley. Bartley retired from the NETEX board in 2019 to be replaced by Mickey Barker.
“I felt it was time to step back and get Mickey on board,” Bartley noted. “He [Mickey Barker] faced some challenges. Then Neal came in, and Brad [Johnson] went to a lot of meetings too.”
“It made a lot of progress,” Bartley concluded. “It’s good to see that, because it’s going to help our economy around here.”
The court presented Mickey and Neal Barker with plaques for their service.
“Your time and talents made a positive difference,” Newsom said.
[adning id=”33207″]
NEW MEMBERS
The court unanimously affirmed the nominations of McCullough and Johnson.
Newsom instructed the court that McCullough was a new resident of Hopkins, but had previous experience in rail.
McCullough has “a lot of knowledge concerning this rail, and rail in general,” he said.
McCullough was formerly employed as the city manager of Irving, Texas, according to his social media.
For Johnson, it is the culmination of several years of interactions with the NETEX organization.
In March 2019, the Hopkins County Commissioners Court unanimously affirmed Johnson’s nomination to the board. In an unprecedented decision, the board did not accept the Hopkins’ court’s recommendation.
In four separate meetings, the NETEX board attempted to block Johnson from the board on the basis that he was employed by the Northeast Texas Farmers Co-Op, stating as a customer of the rail, he had a vested interest in its goings-on.
In March 2020, the NETEX board attempted to pass a bylaw specifically preventing rail customers from sitting on the board. The measure failed a vote 3-5.
Since 2019, Johnson has attended nearly all meetings as a citizen participant.
At the January 18, 2022 meeting, Newsom said Johnson was, “Faithful to the railroad and the meetings.”
“It’s high time he had the opportunity to serve,” Newsom said.
Mickey Barker endorsed the skill and dedication of Johnson and McCullough
“I think they will be very good assets to the whole community,” Mickey Barker noted.
By Taylor Nye. Logan Vaughan contributed to this report.
An earlier version of this story identified McCullough as employed by Public Werks, Inc. The piece has been updated to reflect McCullough’s most recent former job title.
[adning id=”33207″]
