If you read the front page story about the new addition to the Bullard Banner News staff, you are likely aware that I'm the new editor.

Certainly, you should know a little something about me. However, it should first be noted that a town's newspaper has the responsibility to report the news of a community in as much of an objective way as possible. Reporting objectively in a positive way, however, certainly benefits a community more than doing so in a negative way. So these columns (hopefully weekly) will reflect the positive things about Bullard.

For example, the city council met at the city hall Wednesday, July 22. Regardless of what happened in the recent election, Bullard citizens can be assured that the mayor and the people representing them on the city council are working together tirelessly on next year's budget. The council members spent countless hours pouring over the proposed budget and at Wednesday's workshop, they discussed many ways to possibly save money and yet provide services needed by Bullard citizens.

A government's budget is perhaps the most difficult assignment of an elected official. That unpaid representatives such as the Bullard City Council and Mayor take such a task so seriously is rewarding in today's economic conditions. The only "pay" the mayor and city council members get for their hard work is your thanks.

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Not only is Bullard a beautiful and clean community, it also is a friendly place. Though I've only been here about 12 days, I've met many wonderful people and I look forward to meeting many more.

As for me, my wife Brenda and I moved to the area in April to be closer to family. We have grandchildren who attend school in Whitehouse. We also have many friends who live in Bullard and some who attend Bullard schools. Before moving to East Texas, we lived in Breckenridge, a community 100 miles west of Fort Worth about twice the size of Bullard. I moved to Breckenridge in 1975 and worked for the newspaper there for almost 30 years. Like Bullard, Breckenridge is a great town with friendly people. The biggest difference about living in East Texas as opposed to West Texas is that there are trees in East Texas - big trees. It also rains more in East Texas. Drought conditions have prevailed for more than 10 years in much of West Texas.

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I look forward to serving the people in Bullard. If you have any news, including news about schools, civic organizations, churches, community or anything else, please let me know or send it in. News can be sent by regular mail to 120 N. Houston in Bullard; by e-mail to editor@bullardnews.com; by fax to (903) 894-9308; and by dropping it in the slot in the front door.

The office hours are officially 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Howevewr, both Doc and I keep late hours many days. So, if you see our vehicles out front, come by for a visit. Dot will available from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. every weekeday except Wednesdays. She has been with the newspaper for about 10 years and is a valuable source of help for both the newspaper and the community.

Additionally, forward your suggestions about the newspaper to me. I look forward to hearing from you.