MEGAN GRAY
The Ellis County Press
HUTCHINS – Mayor Artis Johnson
faces re-election against a reform-minded Rod Henderson in this southern Dallas
County town, but the incumbent said he’s confident he’ll come out on top.
Saturday is election day for
cities and school districts across the state. Early voting ended Tuesday and
polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday.
“I have ongoing projects that
have started while in office and I would really like to see them through,” said
Johnson, aiming for another two-year term on the six-member council. “I feel
like I am the better candidate who could achieve what's needed for our city.
Being an incumbent, I know the job and don't need to be trained.”
Henderson,
meanwhile, said the city needs “cosmetic” changes as they grow from a small
town to a burgeoning location for the Dallas Logistics Hub, an inland port that
has brought numerous jobs and double-digit appraisal increases to what was once
a dormant part of Dallas County.
“We just need a new change in
the way we run things here,” said Henderson, who is making his first run for
public office. “The streets could be fixed up a bit, there [are] some cosmetic
things to touch up on here and there, the senior citizens could really use a
nice center for some housing and assistance.
“That's something I would really
like to see happen. Bringing more entertainment into town and soliciting new
businesses, [etcetera]. Overall, just upgrading our city [is my goal].”
While Johnson said he has the
best interests of the city at heart, his town has been under several waves of
controversial decisions in the police department, with some officials being
demoted for what city employees have said were “whistle blowing” efforts.
The Hutchins Watcher newsletter,
for example, began circulating around the town – located at Interstate Highway
45 and Interstate 20.
“I feel like I am the more
experienced candidate,” Johnson said, stressing that he would also like to see
a grocery store land in Hutchins. “I 've made a network in and around town that
are willing to help me build up the city and I have the best interest at heart.
We are a small town with nothing but fast food right now…we need to draw in
more retail. That's my main goal.”
Leadership is needed to guide
Hutchins into the new century, Henderson said.
“I've been approached by people
in our neighborhood about running and they think I have the good leadership
quality it takes to run a city,” he said. “I believe we are a southern county
that can be reckoned with. I'm all about for the people. We need that strong
voice to be heard once and for all. Hutchins is a beautiful city and I urge
everyone that's registered to go vote and make sure your voice is heard.”
