City bids farewell to Vaughan
Bullard council honors mayor for his service
By Lori Mellinger Bullard Banner News
A crowd showed up at Thursday's Bullard City Council meeting to bid farewell to outgoing Mayor Connie Vaughan.

Right, Mayor Connie Vaughan stands with well wishers at last week's council meeting. Above, council members recognize Vaughan for his four years service as mayor.

Vaughan -- who was elected in 2003 -- did not choose to seek re-election this year. When Vaughan ran in 2003, it was a contentious time in Bullard, and he beat longtime mayor B.J. Langford.

Langford ran the next year for a council seat but was defeated, garnering 25 votes. Also running that year were Todd Thoene, Gary Watkins and A.W. Hines.

Since that time, Watkins did not pursue re-election, Thoene was defeated in 2006 and A.W. Hines - who was the only candidate who filed for the mayoral seat - will be Bullard's next mayor.

Vaughan spoke to a group of well-wishers before the meeting, thanking them for allowing him to serve as mayor for the past four years.

"When you become mayor, you can either grow or swell," he said. "I encourage the council to do the former and always remember that we are working for the citizens of Bullard.

"That's what I hope I've done."

During the citizens' participation part of the council meeting, council members left the dais to address the mayor from the floor - presenting him with a plaque.

Mayor Pro-Tem thanked Vaughan on behalf of the entire council.

Hines will officially take the reins as mayor once the votes are canvassed at a specialcalled council meeting set for May 21.