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Warr, Cooper to vie for Fleming's seat
As of last week, two had filed papers at the Smith County courthouse officially putting them in the race. Another has announced intent, but as of press time Friday, had not completed the paperwork at the clerk's office. It looks as if it will be a three-way race between Republicans Jeff Warr, Derrell Cooper and possibly Mike Boyter. Warr, a former Tyler councilman, currently serves on the board of the North East Texas Regional Mobility Authority. He also owns an insurance agency. He was a council member from 1994 through 1998, serving as mayor pro-tem in 1998. Warr announced his intent publicly in September at a press conference. "I don't have a political agenda," Warr said, "other than to bring some good, quality leadership and experience to the county." Warr said leadership is something he learned early on --- when he was involved with Key Club in high school. The group - a youth part of Kiwanis Club - was a pivotal part of his training, he believes.
"But I also learned that you don't have to be right." He said it's more about - at the end of the day - working well with the rest of the court to do what's best for the county. "Though I was fortunate enough to be elected to the city council, I have always thought of myself as a public servant, not a politician," Warr said. "If I am elected to serve county residents as commissioner, I will continue to conduct myself as a public servant." Given the current atmosphere of discord among the commissioners, Warr said he would take another route. "People want to see the county succeed," Warr said. "The commissioners see and realize Smith County is changing, and I believe public servants must be held accountable for every action "I will focus on meeting the county's needs with good planning, done with a spirit of cooperation and mutual respect." Serving on Tyler's City Council, Warr said he was an advocate of the plan to shift some of the property tax burden to a half-cent sales tax. That allowed the city to adopt a pay-as-you-go approach to capital improvements. Since that shift, the city's property tax rate has been cut in half and the city has all but eliminated its bonded indebtedness. Although city government differs from county government, some of the same principles can still be applied, he said. In addition to the council, Warr has served as chairman of the Mayor's Anti-Crime Task Force, on the board of the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce and several of its planning committees, and on the boards of Historic Tyler, the TISD Foundation, the Alzheimer's Association and Tyler Jaycees. Warr and his wife of 24 years, Sabrina, have one son. They are members of Green Acres Baptist Church, where they teach Sunday school in the children's department. John Orbaugh will serve as Warr's campaign treasurer. Cooper, who was born in Teaselville and now lives in Flint, said his roots in the Bullard area are strong. He first announced his intent for the seat in June - before Fleming had decided not to rerun. "I was born there - one of 7 children," he said. "And I still have family in Bullard." Cooper is also no stranger to county government, having served as Smith County Commissioner for Precinct 3 from 1992 to 2000. He moved to Flint, in Precinct 1, over the summer. "With such close connections to the area, I feel like I'm coming home," Cooper said. "Mother and dad are both buried here. You can see why the Bullard and Flint area holds a special place in my heart." He says he wants to serve the citizens of Smith County again. "I work well with people, " Cooper said. "I'm a people person. "My role is to serve the constituents and take care of county business. You don't always get your way and you don't always get things right, but you learn and grow. Cooper said that would parlay into a benefit for Smith County residents. "If you call me with a problem, you'll either get it solved or get an answer," he said. "One of my areas of expertise was intervening on behalf of my constituents. If someone had a problem, I could step in and help get something done." Cooper was on the first panel to meet the first Target executives to choose a site in Texas for the Target Distribution Center. He said he was instrumental in getting Target to locate here. Cooper served on the East Texas Council of Governments; helped to get animal control established in Smith County; helped in getting the new facility for the Juvenile Detention Center in Smith County and was instrumental in getting Bob Craig appointed to Veteran's Service Office who helped make it what it is today, he said. Cooper was elected to Lindale School Board and to the Smith County Water District Board of Directors. He spent 40 years in the rose growing industry in Smith County; was on the Board of Directors for Consolidated Rose Nursery and his granddaughter was the Rose Grower's Duchess for the 2001 Texas Rose Festival. Cooper is a member of the Lindale Masonic Lodge No. 848 and of Sharon Shrine Temple. Cooper and his wife are members of Green Acres Baptist Church. Carmell teaches at Bullard Intermediate School. Cooper has three children, five grandchildren as well as two step-children and four step-grandchildren. "I am retired and will be able to devote all of my time to serving the people of Precinct 1," Cooper said. "I will be their Commissioner 100 percent of the time - 100 percent commissioner. 100 hundred percent of the time." As of press time, no Democrat filed for the seat. The primary is set for March 4. Early voting gets under way Feb. 19. Early voting locations are: ! Smith County Courthouse Annex, 200 East Ferguson, Suite 500,Tyler. ! United Methodist Church, 405 W. Main Street, Whitehouse ! Heritage Building, 1900 W. Bellwood, Tyler
! Lindale Masonic Lodge, 200 Margaret, Lindale |
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