Candidates make pitch for votes at forum

Published Sunday, February 24, 2008

By Brandon Evans

Precinct 1 Commissioner Robert Rankin appears to hold one of the most sought-after political positions in the county.

Rankin is facing three other Republican opponents in the March 4 primary. The winner of the primary will then face Democratic candidate Jim Popp of Greenwood in the November general election.

Three of the four Republican candidates running for Precinct 1 commissioner got a chance to present their platforms at a Republican forum held at the Decatur Lions Club on Monday, Feb. 18.

Rankin, along with challengers Danny White and Cory Schwenn participated in the forum. Candidate John Peterson did not attend the forum.

Roadway conditions appeared to be the main concern from those challenging the incumbent.

"There are a lot of unpaved roads in Precinct 1," White said. "I feel I'm qualified to handle this job. It doesn't take an Einstein, just someone willing to do it."

Schwenn echoed these concerns.

"Road repairs are the number one priority for people in Wise County," Schwenn said.

Rankin defended the efforts he has made to repair county roads in Precinct 1.

"When I first took office the roads were in bad shape," he said. "They were only paving about two to three miles of road per year.

"We have since paved 54.9 miles of road in three years. It's quite an accomplishment, and I'm proud of it."

Rankin went on to list more projects he has been a part of over the past three years as a commissioner.

One commissioner's committee he served on brought in more commercial vehicle enforcement officers for the Department of Public Safety (DPS) into the county. The county also worked with DPS to install a new weigh station on Texas 114, just south of Bridgeport.

Rankin also emphasized the creation of the Upper Trinity Groundwater Conservation District.

"This is the first and only such district in the state of Texas that allows for some control over the oil and gas industry," he said. "They will have to report how much water they use and will have to pay for it."

Rankin worked with Precinct 2 Commissioner Kevin Burns and public work director Tom Goode to form the district. State Rep. Phil King (R - Weatherford) also helped the county on the project.

A major area of concern for many residents throughout the county has been the closure of the county's animal shelter by the state last summer.

Rankin reported that the commissioners are currently in the process of getting a new animal shelter constructed.

County Attorney

The county attorney race is also being heavily contested with three Republicans vying for the spot.

All three candidates were present at the forum.

James Stainton highlighted some of his community service efforts. He said he helped with the creation of the Wise County Teen Court program. He also serves on the board of the Wise County Domestic Task Force.

"The county attorney needs to be invested in the community," Stainton said. "And I plan to continue working with the community."

Stainton graduated from Boyd High School 14 years ago.

Candidate Marilyn Belew said she has been involved in private practice for 12 years in Decatur. If elected, she intends to take a hard look at repeat offenders in the cases she tries.

"One thing I will do is identify and handle appropriately all the repeat offenders," she said. "I know we have a problem with repeat offenders in Wise County."

The third candidate, Thomas Aaberg, highlighted his experience in the county attorney's office. Aaberg has served as the assistant county attorney for the past four years.

He said last year their office tried more cases than any other county of a comparable size in the state of Texas.

"I've always enjoyed being a prosecutor," Aaberg said. "I'm passionate about searching for the truth."

Sheriff

Incumbent Sheriff David Walker faces challenger David Allen in the primary.

"I think we're falling short of what we need to do in Wise County," said Allen, a sergeant with the Corinth Police Department.

He mentioned a need for better training and long response times for some calls to the Sheriff's Department.

Allen also said turnover has been a problem.

"I know over 15 officers that have left the patrol division since Walker took office," he said. "... Almost all of them said inconsistencies with rules are the reason why they left."

Walker said the department has improved its training efforts.

"Our training is a lot better that it was when I first started," Walker said. "We've teamed up with Weatherford College to offer courses to deputies."

He also said the department has created a training coordinator to better manage the training of employees.

"Our number one goal is to make Wise County a safer place to live," Walker said. "We try to involve citizens as much as we can."