On April 10, several Whitesboro citizens came out to a “Meet the Candidates” reception hosted by the Whitesboro News-Record to meet and hear from each candidate running in this year’s municipal election. The event was held at the Jimmie O. Rector Community Center from 6-8 p.m. Candidates running for a seat on the Whitesboro City Council and those running for the Whitesboro Independent School District (ISD) School Board were present and ready to speak to those in attendance.
In his welcome address, News-Record publisher Austin Lewter said, “We hope the format of tonight’s event encourages conversation between citizens and candidates.”
Mayor Dave Blaylock was in attendance and was very happy to see many showing their interest in the upcoming elections, but said he hoped for a larger crowd.
“This room should be filled with hundreds of people,” Blaylock said.
City Council candidates present were aldermen Ben Edwards, Stacey Miles and John Moore, who are each up for re-election for a two-year term. Running against them are former City Inspector Johnny Carnes, Mike Pack and Ronnie Fielder. Incumbent Colby Meals (who was appointed to replace a vacant seat) is also up for re-election for a one-year term. Running against Meals is Su Welch, wife of Whitesboro’s former mayor, Dee Welch.
The Whitesboro ISD has two three-year terms available. Those running for re-election are President Jeff Patterson and Kevin Hartless; running against them are Whitney Walsh-Sietz, Nicole Hawkins and Caleigh Latta.
Walsh-Sietz, who has lived in Whitesboro for the past 37 years, said she comes from three generations living in Whitesboro and wants to be a huge part of the decision-making in the school district. She said even before having children of her own, she knew she would want to be involved because of her history with the town. She currently has a first grader and a kindergartener attending Whitesboro ISD.
“I really want to know what the curriculum is,” Walsh-Seitz said.
She said there are so many school districts outside of Whitesboro that have been trying to change and manipulate history. Walsh-Sietz said she wants to keep unnecessary teachings out of the classroom, be sure the district’s teachers are being paid fairly and they are hiring teachers who treat each child as their own.
“Every kid is different and not every kid may be going to college. Some kids maybe need to learn a trade and I can relate to both sides,” Walsh-Sietz said.
The Whitesboro ISD will also have a two-part $118 million bond election. Proposition A is for $100 million which includes the construction of an Early Childhood Center, High School Auditorium Addition, High School Career and Technical Education Addition, an Agri-Science Arena and district renovations for safety/security and busing. Proposition B is for $18 million which includes a multi-purpose event center.
Early voting will begin on April 22 and Election Day will be held on May 4. The Whitesboro City Council, Whitesboro ISD School Board and the School Bond propositions will all appear on voting ballots.