Former ECP reporter honored for years of public service

PALMER – At the recent joint meeting of the Palmer City Council and the Palmer Economic Development Corporation, Mayor Kenneth Bateman took a moment to award outgoing PEDC President Mark Varsel with a plaque recognizing his 19 years of public service serving on the Board of the PEDC.

Under the guidance of editor Sheila Hatfield, Varsel began covering city council meetings for The Ellis County Press shortly after relocating to North Texas in 2001. 

His constant presence around city hall eventually led to the opportunity being extended for him to serve on the PEDC. 

According to Varsel, the greatest improvement the PEDC brought about after it was revived so many years ago, was the construction of the water line from Rockett to Palmer, a distance of about 10 miles. At the time, it allowed the City of Palmer to retire its reverse osmosis water system.

Along the way, the PEDC has funded a number of public works projects which has allowed the city to pursue economic development while allowing for increased residential development at the same time. 

After residing in Ellis County for the last 23 years, Varsel is relocating outside of the county ending his tenure on the PEDC, as it is a requirement to reside within the county to be qualified to serve.