Panola County candidates stump for votes at forum

Candidates were each asked questions pertaining to the office they sought, including why voters should choose them and what qualifications they would bring to the table.

David Leary

David Leary, running for a seat on the Carthage City Commission against Isha Brown, said he wanted to make a difference in the city.

“I want to do something to help people simply because i care, not to do it for recognition or title or even compensation, but to do it because I care,” he said.

Leary said he has the kind of passion that will mean he is proactive in bringing about change and meeting people’s needs. He said his background as an employer, officer manager and pastor will help him do that.

“People do not care about what you know until they know how much you care,” he said.

Leary talked about diversity and inclusion — and making sure he wouldn’t overlook any stakeholder. When asked about differences between the west and eastern sides of town, Leary agreed the eastern, historically Black side of town was often looked over in the past.

He said addressing issues within the city will take people building cases for their proposals.

“That goal is a goal that can be achieved. But it will take combined effort,” he said. “Even with the full width of all commissions, I know that if you keep focusing — sometimes you have to push yourself in order to get it done. And looking at the present condition than they are now, it’s gonna require push. Not just a drop and say ‘Oh, well nothing’s going to happen.’ Something needs to happen.”

Brenda Giles

Brenda Giles is running for the Carthage ISD school board because of her teacher’s heart, she said. The longtime CISD teacher wants to use the knowledge she gained as a teacher in the district to help students succeed.

“I’ve been there. I’ve been in those trenches. I know what’s going on in the classroom,” she said.

Giles also said she wanted Carthage ISD to be a leader in addressing issues that stem from state mandates that often stifle the joy of learning. She joked that the education buzzword in her day was “rigor” — and that always made her thing of rigor mortis and how the enjoyment of learning has been destroyed.

“I think Carthage can lead the way in making some changes to what’s going on at the state level,” she said.

Some of the issues cited by Giles include students who have trouble learning to read, as well as bullying and the negative impact of digital testing. She promised to be available to her constituents, saying she would work to benefit the entire community and would be dedicated to her job.

She also encouraged parents to get involved in their children’s educations.

Danny Buck Davidson

District Attorney Danny Buck Davidson, who is running against Tim Cariker, told those gathered Thursday that he wants his record to speak for him. Davidson cited his more than 7,780 felony convictions garnered during his tenure. That experience is valuable, he said.

Davidson said his office is working to address a backlog of cases exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, and a lot of that means pleading out cases because trials are both expensive and time-consuming.

“I have experience on the job,” he said. “Anybody here going to hire one person... one’s experienced and one’s not, who you gonna get? The experienced person.”

Davidson also pledged to continue efforts to prosecute crime all over the county and in the Cook’s Quarters neighborhood of Carthage so that everyone could grow up in a safe neighborhood.

“When something happens, we need people to stand up and tell the truth,” he said. “I will prosecute if I can make a case.”

Rodger G. McLane

Rodger G. McLane told attendees that they needed a county judge who would do the entirety of the job, both the administrative work and work as a judicial officer.

“Your tax dollars are paying a county judge to handle the administrative side of the budget, to work with commissioners to handle and effectuate the county business every two weeks at commissioners court. You’re also paying the county judge to hold court: misdemeanors, civil cases under $20,000, juveniles, guardianship and appeals from the justices of the peace,” he said. “Wouldn’t you like another public official to do the job that you’re already paying them to do?”

McLane, an attorney, said he was uniquely situated to go to work the first day and help Panola County. He also said he has a focus on discernment and working with people to find solutions to problems.

“I’m not a yes man. I’m going to tell you that’s a bad idea, we can’t do that, we don’t need to do this,” he said.

When asked about how to fix Texas 315’s safety issues, McLane noted the State of Texas’s apparent lack of concern about the road and local options for addressing issues — namely increasing a patrol presence.

“What can we do there? Can we increase patrol there or our citizens willing, are they interested in a small tax increase to provide a dedicated officer for 315? — I’m not proposing that, but I’m just asking rhetorically. How serious are we about it?” he said.

The issue is one of manpower, he added.

“It’s the same thing with the backlog of cases. Are we interested in hiring another assistant prosecutor to help him or are we interested in electing someone else with legal experience to hold court to help with those backlogged cases?” he said.

McLane said he was not going to sit and make promises just to get votes.

“I’m not going to persuade you with something that I cannot do. I hope for the best for Panola County, and I plan to work hard for you to figure out the best answer for that,” he said.

Paul Beatty

Paul Beatty, who is also running for county judge, says the role’s main focus is the budget. As someone who has started six companies and has managed a budget while serving on the Carthage ISD school board, Beatty says he is very qualified for the job.

“When you have those assets behind you that you’ve already done, along with the six companies and the budgets, you have that knowledge going into (the job). So it’s a win-win for you,” he said.

He also wants to see the county do more in terms of attracting businesses to the area, saying it would help boost the county’s revenues.

Beatty also cited his former work in law enforcement and as a volunteer firefighter as a good thing if he’s elected county judge: He’s got experience for all aspects of the job, whether it’s working with the sheriff’s department or building roads or getting on the phone to Austin or Washington.

“Someone needs to be the contact person, someone needs to have that relationship with Austin, with our adjourning counties, and somebody with Washington, D.C. Fortunately I have those connections,” he said.