Local News
Former aide challenges Representative Brown in Republican primary
TERRELL – Republican Lance Gooden formalized his candidacy for state representative on Thursday.
He has filed the paperwork required to appear on the Republican primary ballot against incumbent Betty Brown.
“There is a disconnect between the Betty Brown that runs around Kaufman and Henderson counties calling herself a conservative and the Betty Brown that goes to Austin and votes against the conservative values we hold dear,” Gooden said. “I’m not claiming to have all the answers, but I can tell you that it’s high time we have a representative who actually acts like a conservative instead of one who just talks about it.”
Gooden — an insurance and risk management consultant — has deep roots in the district. He grew up in Terrell and graduated as the valedictorian of Terrell High School where his father, Tom Ed Gooden, was the head football coach. After earning two degrees from the University of Texas in Finance and Government, he went to work as an insurance broker for energy and energy-related companies, negotiating for them in the insurance marketplace and helping to protect them from lawsuits and other business risks.
“My pledge as our next state representative is to provide the kind of steady, conservative leadership we need to tackle such tough issues as enhancing border security, lowering property taxes, stopping out-of-control spending and improving our education system,” Gooden said. “We face a lot of serious issues in this tough economy, and now is not the time for more of the same old business-as-usual Austin politics.”
Gooden also has legislative experience, serving as a legislative aide to Betty Brown during the 79th Legislature. He said his experience in the legislature was one of the key factors in his decision to run.
“If you spend a little time at the capitol, it becomes abundantly clear that there are two kinds of state representatives,” Gooden said.
“Those who represent the values and beliefs of their districts and those who have completely lost touch with the people they represent,” he said. “ I like Betty a lot as a person, but her record paints a pretty clear picture that she has lost her way. We need a representative whose first priority is to represent the conservative interests of their district. I can deliver that to our community.”
Gooden is a member of the Rockwall and Brin Church of Christ in Terrell.
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Mabank voters to decide on tax rate increase
MABANK — Voters will be going to the polls to decide whether or not to assess themselves a 13-cent tax rate increase.
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Famed Austin musician to appear on Wofford House porch
The East Texas Arboretum has scheduled a concert for Friday night on the porch of the Wofford House with Austin Musician Suzanna Choffel.
The show is scheduled for 8 p.m. A VIP party is set for 6 p.m. -
Renovations celebration
More than 50 community leaders, school board members, Athens Independent School District faculty and staff, Athens Chamber of Commerce members and friends gathered at Athens Intermediate School for the ribbon cutting to celebrate the new additions.
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Public voices views about city taxes
The Athens City Council cleared another hurdle in its desire to increase the tax rate for the residents of this city.
The hearing was held in council chambers Wednesday morning, giving members of the public a chance to state their views. -
HCSO continues to search for alleged copper thief
A citizen’s tip helped the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office identify two suspects following a theft of copper wire from an abandoned Cherokee Shores residence.
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County conducts first of two tax rate hearings
The Henderson County Commissoners Court Tuesday conducted the first of two public hearings on the tax rate in what has been a peaceful budget season.
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DA McKee leaves Iraq, returns home
The last American combat troops left Iraq last Friday, 7-1/2 years after the U.S.-led invasion, and two weeks ahead of President Barack Obama's Aug. 31 deadline for withdrawal from the country.
The final troops to leave, the 4th Stryker Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, rolled in convoy across the border and into Kuwait, officially ending combat operations, which began in March, 2003.
In that group was Henderson County District Attorney Scott McKee, who left his office and family in January to serve his country with the U.S. Army National Guard. McKee arrived in Dallas at DFW Airport on Saturday just in time for his 40th birthday Sunday.
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Burn ban for Henderson County now in effect
The Henderson County Commissioners Court imposed a burn ban Tuesday, at the request of Fire Marshal Darrell Furrh.
The ban took effect immediately after the vote, and will remain in place for two weeks. Furrh said he had talked with fire chiefs in the county, and was told that they had not seen a big jump in the number of severity of grass fires. -
Teachers of the Year
Maureen Bogowitz (left) and Rita Curington (right) receive a gift from Athletic Director Paul Essary Friday night before the Athens-Ft. Worth Nolan football game. Bogositz was the Region 7 Teacher of the Year and Curington was the AISD Secondary Teacher of the Year.
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Biker evades police in chase
A motorcyclist sped away from an attempted traffic stop in Athens Saturday and led law officers on a two county chase.
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Mabank voters to decide on tax rate increase
