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Weather and Rainfall Statistics provided by Bob PurdomWeather data for 8-3-2020 to 8-9-2020High 105 Low 66Rain: 8/5 0.40”

Total for August 0.40”Total for 2020 29.72”

Volume 136 Issue 32 50 Cents Thursday, August 13, 2020

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The Whitewright Sun

Whitewright ISD School Board Candidates

Two Seats at Large for 2.5 year terms

Danielle Kennemur, Incumbent

Kelly Selman, Incumbent

Erick Elwell

Tom Bean ISD School Board

No ElectionRequired,

due to the fact the number of

Candidates who filed for election in

May of 2020 was the same as the number

of open seats.

Tom Bean Candidates

Mayor of Tom BeanDaniel HarrisonSherry Howard,

Incumbent

Two at Large Council Members

Sarah DusenberryJerry Harris

Scott SprouseRicky Thomas

Aaron Marshall, Incumbent

Whitewright Candidates

Mayor of WhitewrightTona Shiplet

Jamie Lawrence, Incumbent

Two Council MembersPlace 3

Joshua Waller John Simon

Place 4 Russell PonderBarry Wheeler

LOCAL GENERALELECTIONS NOVEMBER 3rd

Whitewright Police Department Adds Another Officer Jessica Bell is sworn in as a Peace Officer for the City of Whitewright by the mayor following the council meeting last Tuesday, August 4, 2020. Whitewright police department staff Chief Scott, along with the city’s two full time officers O’Neal and West, and reserve officer Sublett attended the ceremony.

By: Sarah Beth Owen

City of Whitewright Council MeetingFour Public Hearings & Another Executive Session

Only three council members attended the meeting held on August 4th at 6:30 pm. The meeting was again held outside with members of the public seated in the street under the burning rays of the August sun, while the elected officials for the city were seated in the shade on the sidewalk. The mayor called the meeting to order following the invocation and pledge. During Citizen comments, council members Jason Summers, Ruby Howell and Bart Bodine along with the mayor listened to Whitewright resident, Tona Shiplet, who questioned the lack of a subject for the executive session on the agenda for the meeting which is required to inform the public of the nature of the executive session. The agenda only provided a reference to the Local Government Code for Open Meetings, Chapter 551, and specifically stated “Executive Session as authorized by Texas Government Code Sec. 551.071, Consultation With Attorney on a matter in which the duty of the attorney to the governmental body under the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct of the State Bar of Texas clearly conflicts with this chapter (Open Meetings Act).” The mayor responded to Mrs. Shiplet by reading off the above quote which was printed on the agenda under executive session. The council moved on to the consent agenda which was approved, 3-0. The mayor read off a list of upcoming dates for events in the city, and announced Olivia Hutchison would be joining the city staff as the WEDC and WCDC secretary. The council then held 4 public hearings, two for zoning variances including lots on Locust and Pine which do not meet the current zoning setbacks, and two for re-plats including lots on Gowdy and Cedar. All of which were approved, 3-0. The council also approved by a 3-0 vote, Resolution 466 to apply for a FAST grant. According to a notice which appeared in the Herald Democrat on August 5,2020, the day after the meeting, “The grant application is for $468,249.00 to purchase a new ambulance and fire and ambulance equipment.” Resolution 467 ordering the municipal election for November 3, 2020 was also approved by the council, 3-0. According to the Grayson County Elections Office website, early voting will be Monday, October 13, 2020 through Friday, October 30, 2020. The last day to register to vote will be Monday, October 5, 2020. The last day to apply for a ballot by mail will be Friday, October 23, 2020. The council then approved the TCOG Inter-local Agreement, 3-0. The mayor then adjourned the meeting into an executive session at 7:00 pm. The three council members in attendance, the mayor, along with Public Works Director Brandon Latimer, and Interim City Secretary, Gwyn Jordan entered 111 W. Grand for a closed meeting. The executive session lasted for almost an hour, when the council reconvened there was no action to be taken and the meeting was adjourned.

By: Sarah Beth Owen

Candidate Questions There are only 82 days between now and election day on November 3rd, 2020. It is now time for election activities to resume in the City of Whitewright and the City of Tom Bean, along with TBISD and WISD. Each year The Whitewright Sun provides every candidate with a list of questions which they may respond too, in order to help inform the voters. Each candidate’s responses are printed in the newspaper free of charge to the candidate. As in years past, The Sun would like to ask its readers what topics do you want to know more about? What concerns you with regards to your city or school district? What questions would you like to have presented to these candidates? Please send in your ideas, thoughts, topics, or questions to be considered as part of this year’s questions. You may e-mail them to news@whitewrightsun.com, mail them to PO Box 218, Whitewright, Texas, or drop them off in the drop box at 125 W. Grand, Whitewright, Texas. Meanwhile, be sure you are registered to vote. The deadline for voter registration for the November election is Monday, October 5, 2020.

By: Sarah Beth Owen

Tigers take the Field for 12:01 Practice

Whitewright Tigers Varsity and JV football teams took to the field on August 8, 2020. It was the teams’ first practice in full pads for the 2020 football season. Turn to page 4 to see the complete rosters for the Varsity and JV teams, the full season schedule for high school and middle school football, and more photo coverage of the practice. The first scrimmage for Varsity and JV is scheduled for Friday, August 21st against Howe. The Whitewright Sun is your number one source for Tiger football coverage every week. Subscribe now to support the scholarship fund, and stay up to date on all Tiger news!

By: Sarah Beth Owen