WCMessenger.com: Inside Wise

One of those delicious rumors ...

The voluntary annexation of 80 acres in the northwest corner of the city of Decatur could mean another commercial development.

The developer, Winklemann Associates of Dallas, didn't provide any details during Monday's council session.

That hasn't stopped the rumor mill from grinding out some juicy tidbits ...

We don't know if it's wishful thinking or something more tangible, but the big names we hear floating about include Home Depot, Target and Kroger ...

We hope it comes true, but access to the site needs some serious study and the cooperation of the developer, the Texas Department of Transportation, the city and the county.

A shocking prediction ... No, wait ...

A prominent Republican official told us that he believes at least one Democrat will be elected as a commissioner in the November voting.

That prediction really shocked us. In fact, we even asked him to repeat it - and he did. Another Republican standing with us was, needless to say, equally shocked.

Pressed on which Republican would be ousted and which Democrat would ascend to commissionership, the GOP official backed down and retracted his prediction.

The "other" official who was present at the prediction said the upcoming primary gives an edge to Bill McElhaney of Bridgeport in his bid to oust incumbent Judge Dick Chase.

Because there are contested races in the Republican primary for justice of the peace and commissioner in Precinct 4, more voters from that precinct are likely to cast ballots. That interest in those races gives McElhaney a "favorite son" advantage, assuming Precinct 4 voters would back McElhaney over Chase (who is from Rhome). The theory also goes that folks in Decatur and Rhome won't bother to vote because they don't have any contested primary races.

While commissioners seem to be constantly at odds with Chase, we wouldn't count out the former pilot just yet. He hasn't made any big mistakes (despite the petty gripes by commissioners) and the tax rate has gone down during his first term in office. Also, his belief in a unified road system (a threat to the precinct kingdoms of commissioners) for improved efficiency and cost-saving has widespread public support.

Even a critic can change his mind ...

Vic Czerniak, one of two Democratic candidates for commissioner in Precinct 2, attended Monday night's demonstration of the county's new electronic voting machines.

Czerniak has been an outspoken critic of the machines, raking county Clerk Sherry Parker-Lemon and assistant clerk Brenda Bosecker over the coals for the purchase and implementation of the so-called DREs.

Yet after Monday night's demonstration, Czerniak said voting on the machines was relatively easy.

"It went well," he said.

Parker-Lemon, always a class act, told Czerniak she appreciated his participation.

Close campus candidate?

Decatur School Board President Stan Smith was the driving force behind the recent push to close the high school campus during lunch, according to several officials with the district.

Smith filed for re-election this week for another term on the school board and you have to wonder if his position on the closed campus issue might entice someone to run against him.

School board races, at least in Decatur and Bridgeport, are rarely contested. Even if they are contested, the races tend to be low-key affairs.

The uproar over the closed campus, however, may inspire an opponent for Smith.

In Bridgeport, we're hearing that Jay Craddock will run to replace Bill McElhaney on the school board. McElhaney is giving up his spot to run for county judge. Craddock would seem to be a good choice for the BISD board. He's been very involved in the community.

Another name we've heard mentioned for the Bridgeport board is Sue Ann Denton. She's another highly-qualified individual, who also has the added credentials as a former educator.

But don't expect to see a head-to-head race between Craddock and Denton. High-profile races for the important but thankless job of school board member just haven't surfaced in Wise County.

Isn't it ironic ...

A point of interest in Rhome: The city had to pay for a legal notice in the Messenger a couple of weeks ago when its public works director, David Wilson, failed to collect proper water samples for state testing.

The interesting part is Wilson, a longtime Rhome resident, was hired away from Runaway Bay to replace the former public works director Devon Kennedy (whom the council fired). Before he was hired, Wilson reported at monthly council meetings that he thought Kennedy had neglected many of his duties, including collecting samples.

Revolving council seat...

Bridgeport's Place 4 seat on the city council needs a revolving door. First, Paul Owens ran for the job even though he had a pretty good idea he was buying a place outside the city limits. So, not long after his election, he had to resign.

Then came Vicki Holder, who had good intentions. But her radio station, KBOC, shut down and she has decided to move to Palestine.

Who's next?

Inside Wise is written by Publisher Roy Eaton, Editor Skip Nichols, assistant Editor Brian Knox, special projects Manager Denny Deady, sports Editor Robert Morgan and reporters Keri Pritchard, Jeremy Martin and Don Munsch. The Messenger welcomes suggestions for Inside Wise.