The Ellis County Press: Former Wilmer mayor appointed to vacant council seat

Former Wilmer mayor appointed to vacant council seat
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Editor on 07/10/2003 00:00:00


SHERRY LONG
The Ellis County Press
WILMER - Former Mayor and Fire Chief Eugene Lowe, 69, was selected to fill Henry
Martinez's vacated council member seat, after a 2-1 vote during the Thursday,
July 3 council meeting.
Lowe describes himself as a pro-business person.
'I would like to see more businesses and rooftops,' said Lowe. 'In that order.'
Lowe has a long history of serving the Wilmer community, most recently serving
as Wilmer's Volunteer Fire Chief until June 26, when Dean Rolison took the reins
of Volunteer Fire Chief.
With 18-plus years experience as a volunteer fire fighter, Lowe replaced former
Wilmer Fire Chief Dwayne Longino after being hired by the city coun-
cil in December 2002.
Lowe said he was appointed mayor in 1997, after Billy Wickliffe had ran for city
councilseat and resigned as Wilmer mayor.
Lowe served as mayor until defeated in the May 2002 election by current Wilmer
Mayor Linda Root.
Before serving as Wilmer Mayor, Lowe previously served as a city councilmember.
Martinez announced during the June 19 meeting he would step down from his
politically duties because of career and personal matters prompting him to
relocate to Ennis.
With Martinez exiting Wilmer's political circle, freshman council member Marlena
Hagen nominated Steve Maygar, who lost the May 3 election to incumbent Don
Hudson by a margin of five votes, but Lowe got the majority vote.
Upon losing councilmen Martinez, Mayor Linda Root's political group, Team
Wilmer, lost one of the two remaining seats.