Mineral Wells Area News

By Amy Bearden

Mineral Wells Area News

Ward 1 City Councilman Jerrel Tomlin has filed his application with City Clerk Sharon McFadden to rerun for his council seat. He will now be on the May ballot in two places.

Last October, a group of disgruntled citizens unhappy about the water rate hike implemented by City officials to fund several projects that will establish water security for the future of the community, fought back and vowed to unseat all of the council.

Tomlin was the first of three council people who were targeted by We the People Uncensored Facebook group to force the council out of their positions by a recall election.

Doyle Light in Ward 4 and Carlos Maldonado in Ward 2 are also subjects of a recall that was certified by the City Clerk.

The difference for Tomlin is that his term will end this May, while the other two have another year on their terms. Tomlin had been undecided if he would seek reelection, until today.

Tomlin has made his decision to rerun in the upcoming election, therefore his name will appear on the ballot for both recall and reelection.

In an exclusive interview, Tomlin tells Mineral Wells Area News that he will stand behind his decision that he and the other six council members made to approve the plans for the future water security of Mineral Wells and surrounding communities.

“We are at a place in our city that we have to address water, and when we get water solved, then I think the sky is the limit for Mineral Wells,” said Tomlin. “I mean who would spend millions of dollars to bring their business here if they don’t have water to support what they do. It’s the basis of everything.”

“That’s where we were and had a decision to make and I stand behind it,” he continued.

Tomlin says he will respect the recall process and looks forward to campaigning these next few months.

“If I don’t prevail in the election, I will walk away, but I feel like I’ve been a part of making a difference for the city for the last seven years and I will continue for two more if I’m given the opportunity to do that.”

At this time, no one else has filed to unseat him in Ward 1. Incumbent Mayor Regan Wallace and Ward 3 Councilwoman Beth Watson have also filed for reelection. The deadline to file is February 16th.