Mike Willis, Candidate for Rains County Commissioner, Precinct 2

 

            Dianne and I have made Rains County our home for many years, and it will continue to be our home for the foreseeable future.  I ask the voters of Precinct 2  to give me the opportunity to serve them as their County Commissioner.  If elected I will do my best to represent the citizens of my precinct in an honest and honorable way.  It is not my desire or intention to walk any party line, my intention is to simply do what is right.  Practically all Court agenda items deal with spending money, your tax dollars.  The efficient use of tax dollars should be what the Commissioner’s Court meetings are all about.  Here are some attitudes and principles I would hope to bring to the Court.

• I consider myself a fiscal and social conservative. 
• The Court needs to concentrate on the basics of roads and public safety.  These two responsibilities should be top priority.  Of course other issues will require the Court’s attention, but if these two basics are conducted and managed well, the Court will be judged favorably.  
• The Court and County Judge should work as a team for the benefit of the County as a whole.  It should not be about one’s position, re-election, or getting credit.  The Commissioners Court should concentrate on results.
• The most cost effective way to help stimulate business growth is through efficient operation, reasonable budgets and as little tax burden as necessary.
• Budget planning should start with revenue estimates not spending estimates.
• The County’s budget and financial accounting should be easily understood.  The Court and the public need to be able to tell where the County stands financially.  Deficit spending should occur only in emergency situations.  The county should maintain 3-5 months operating expense in reserve for emergencies and unforeseen expenses.  I consider this reserve necessary for the County to be considered financially sound. 
• It is my opinion Commissioners are compensated adequately, and I will oppose any increase in salary or benefits for Commissioners during my term if elected.  I believe any elected official with the ability to vote themselves a raise should not be able to realize that raise until after the next election cycle.  Merit raises should be directed to those in the field, providing the County services.
• Dianne and I have health insurance coverage from other sources; and will opt-out of the Counties’ health care program saving the County $6779 in annual employee health premiums.
• I will devote the time and effort necessary to be an informed and effective Commissioner.

If elected, it will be my honor to serve the residents of Precinct 2 as their Commissioner.  I hope to provide you with the information necessary to determine my qualifications and ability to serve.  I may be contacted at 903.473.2179 or email willis@academicplanet.com.  Thank you, and please vote for Mike Willis in the March 2^nd Republican Primary.

Thank you,

Mike Willis

 

 

 

Present and Past Activities and Experiences

• Currently serve as Vice President of the RISD School Board and approximately 20 yrs service on the Board, 6 as Board President, and have been involved in the planning and financing of several major campus expansion, renovation and construction projects at Rains ISD.
• Currently a Member of the Board of Directors of the Tyler City Employee’s Credit Union.
• Currently President of the Northeast Texas Hereford Association.
• Currently serve as an Elder of the Point Church of Christ, and serve on the Finance Committee.
• Currently a trustee for the Turner/Willow Springs Church and Cemetery Association.
• Past Director of the Texas Hereford Association representing Region 6.
• Taught Agricultural Sciences 2 years at Lindale High School.
• Joined the Tyler Fire Department on June 1, 1978, retired June 1, 2009 after 31 years with rank of Captain.
• Served 17 years on Tyler Fire Department’s Hazmat Team that responded to a variety of HM incidents throughout Smith County and East Texas, coordinating response efforts between several agencies.  I have training and practical experience in Incident Command and National Incident Management System.
• Taught Fire Administration as an Adjunct Instructor for Tyler Junior College.
• Charter Member of the Rains County Chamber of Commerce.
• Active in the Rains Youth Sports Association for many years.
• Owner and operator of a small ranching operation in Rains County.

Education

• Rains High School Graduate
• Bachelor of Science Degree from East Texas State Univ.  in Agricultural Education
• 12 college hrs in Fire Science from TJC
• Certifications Held:

1. Texas Teacher Certificate
2. Certified Texas Firefighter
3. Master Firefighter Certificate
4. Emergency Medical Technician
5. Hazmat Technician Certificate

Awards and Recognitions

• Tyler Fire Department Leadership Award 2001
• Tyler Fire Department Team Work Award 2001
• Tyler Fire Department Team Work Award 2008
• Most Recently:  First Place at the 2009 Rains County Fair Chili Cookoff and first place at the City of Emory Christmas BBQ Cookoff.

Family:

• My wife of almost 35 years, Dianne is a 2^nd grade teacher at Rains Elementary.
• Daughter, Sara, a graduate of Abilene Christian University, Owner and CEO of an online card company, www.photocardcafe.com.  Her husband Preston, graduate of Oklahoma Christian University, and the University of Oklahoma, is an Electrical Engineer. They have 2 children Chase and Ava.
• Daughter, Amy, a graduate of Abilene Christian University, and University of Arkansas at Little Rock, is a Social Worker, currently a stay at home mom.  Amy’s husband Captain Pete Hughes is a graduate of the United States Air force Academy, and a active duty pilot in the U.S. Air force.  They have one son Noah.
• Daughter, Leah, a graduate of Cascade College, Portland Oregon, is a Kindergarten Teacher for Oklahoma City ISD.  Her husband Kyle is a senior at Oklahoma Christian University, and will graduate in the spring with a degree in Bible.  Leah and Kyle are expecting their first child this summer.

I have been making some notes conserning county needs as I have watched court meetings, observed facilities and driven around the county.  These are in no particular order.

 

Management

• Emphasize safety and use safety equipment, have employees observe safety guidelines and procedures.
• Involve Department Heads in budget preparation and budget administration
• Study and try to improve the interest rate earned by the County Permanent School Fund
• Reduce or at the very least hold taxes steady.
• Work with Sheriff and Fire Departments as much as possible to improve response
• Conduct annual evaluations for non-elected county supervisors, Road and Bridge, Environmental, and Veterans Officer

1.      Require Road and Bridge Administrator and Environmental Officer to submit written report to Commissioners on Monday where crews plan to work during the next week.

2.      Commissioners check work for completion and quality in their precincts.

 

Court Meetings

• Provide ample agenda information before meetings so decisions can be made in a timely manner.
• Court members come to the meeting informed and prepared to conduct business.
• Complete projects before starting others, not have too many unresolved issues.
• Set some written goals to achieve during the year.
• Less micro-management of court appointed committees and advisory committees.
• Organize policies and procedures for quick reference.
• Have Department Heads report as needed, not every meeting.

Short term infrastructure needs

• Clean-up precinct yards
• Build or acquire a shop building for equipment and vehicle maintenance
• Storage space
• Improve radios and allow for radio communications between all county agencies.
• Provide more office space for county agencies. JP, Drivers License, Constable, Game Warden, County Attorney are in cramped quarters 

 

 

Our Family Thanksgiving 2009

 

Tyler Morning Telegraph, news article

 

Political Advertising paid for by Mike Willis, 499 Lake Fork Drive, Emory, Texas 75440