2023 Election Candidate Profiles
SPEARMAN CITY COUNCIL
ROGER BUCHANAN
Current job/Profession: INSURANCE AGENT/FARMER/CATTLEMAN
How can voters Contact or find out more information about you?
Why are you running for this office?
Our city is facing many challenges, internal and external. Our city needs individuals who are willing to take a stand for the betterment of our community. Our community needs leaders who will listen to the needs of the tax payers, and follow city and state regulations.
What training, experience, and background qualify you for this position?
I have lived in Spearman for 57 years and have two successful businesses. I serve on the Hansford County Stock Show Board, CIPA (Crop Insurance Professionals Association) Board and EDC Board. I have served as a past board member of the Palo Duro Water District Board. As an alderman the past two years, I've had the pleasure of attending the last two TML meetings which have been a great learning experience.
What do you see as the current challenges facing our community?
State regulations
If elected, what would you hope would be key accomplishments of the board during your years of service?
Maintain a balanced budget, more transparency between city and tax payers, better working relations between city, EDC and Chamber and maintain the quality of life we expect from our community.
CHRISTINA DETTMER
Current job/Profession: Mental Health Case Manager
How can voters Contact or find out more information about you?
Phone, Facebook and email christinad95@hotmail.com
Why are you running for this office?
I enjoy serving my community in any capacity I can.
What training, experience, and background qualify you for this position?
I’m very familiar with and good at working with different personality types- I have experience with researching and finding different resources which can be presented for current or future suggestions or improvements - I have experience with budgets and policy development and implementation as well. I have experience with mediating and navigating difficult discussions or topics toward positive results. I’m good at gathering information and helping to create plans that encourage others to pursue success.
What do you see as the current challenges facing our community?
Currently, communication and forms of communication need to be reviewed, improved, and added. More information on how to obtain information needs to be communicated to allow for the community to know how to access the information they’re needing or looking for.
If elected, what would you hope would be key accomplishments of the board during your years of service?
I want to continue helping the community become more educated about what the council does and how the council is available to them. Additionally, I want to continue to help educate community members on the importance of their roles in assisting or being involved to better our community and communicate with the council their concerns.
BRIAN GILLISPIE
Current job/Profession: Banking
How can voters Contact or find out more information about you?
I would be glad to visit with anyone, at any time, about any City subject.
Why are you running for this office?
I feel that the citizens of Spearman need to be represented at all times by the Council, and I believe that I can add some experience to the current Council and City leadership.
What training, experience, and background qualify you for this position?
I have previously served for 16 years on the Council and an additional 10 years as Mayor of the City of Spearman.
What do you see as the current challenges facing our community?
Regarding the City, I do not think the public in general is aware of some of the various ordinances and laws and what is allowed or not in our community.
If elected, what would you hope would be key accomplishments of the board during your years of service?
I would like to see the City Council, Sedcorp and City leadership all working in the same direction to continue to try and improve our community.
ROBERT (BOB) JOHNSON
Current job/Profession: Disabled Veteran Retired
How can voters Contact or find out more information about you?
Phone (806) 330-0082 or Email melbajo55@gmail.com
Why are you running for this office?
To put the priority of the citizens first and lead this city into the future.
What training, experience, and background qualify you for this position?
With my military experience of working with groups of people, help lead this city into the future honestly and with pride in our beautiful city.
What do you see as the current challenges facing our community?
Working with students more on an individual basis.
If elected, what would you hope would be key accomplishments of the board during your years of service?
My goals if elected are to be one of the spokespersons for this community, work together with all entities of this city, work as a team, make this town presentable to future citizens, and make this town presentable to new businesses.
FRANK SALGADO JR
Current job/Profession: PTCI / Combo Technician
How can voters Contact or find out more information about you?
Phone 806-330-0721
Why are you running for this office?
To better serve the citizens of Spearman. To be a good steward of their tax dollars and help revitalize our community, businesses, and Main Street.
What training, experience, and background qualify you for this position?
Political involvement involves constant training and never-ending experience. I bring common sense, initiative, and accountability.
What do you see as the current challenges facing our community?
Operating in a budget deficit is a tremendous strain on education and our teachers. People need to stop voting for name and status and vote people in who want to make a difference. The current school board is a clique and we need to head into a new direction.
If elected, what would you hope would be key accomplishments of the board during your years of service?
1. Our safety and security is important for Spearman. Strong support for our police and safety awareness from our community. 2. Cyber Security for our city. We need to make sure our IT system is backed up. If we get hit by ransomeware, our system will be held hostage and the only way to get it back is to pay that ransom through digital or crypto currency. Once you pay it, you are not guaranteed to get your system back. This can bankrupt a city. 3. Help our businesses and continue to revitalize our Main Street. Beautification projects, citizen involvement through volunteering projects, and a heavier campaign on shopping local. Embracing youth programs from arts to sports.
SPEARMAN SCHOOL BOARD
CARLOS BACA
Current job/Profession: Operations Manager Skyland Grain LLC and Co-Owner Tacos Los Socios LLC
How can voters Contact or find out more information about you?
806-570-8035 or Email: carlos_9426@yahoo.com
Why are you running for this office?
I am running for a seat as a school board member of Spearman ISD because I want to be an advocate for our Hispanic Community. I believe that our school district should be able to understand the Hispanic culture and beliefs. I also have 3 kids that will all be a part of this district because my family loves Spearman and this is home to us.
What training, experience, and background qualify you for this position?
My experience as a business owner and being married to a former teacher and current assistant principal, I possess a unique perspective that allows me to understand the needs and challenges faced by our school district. I am well-equipped to contribute positively to the school board's decision-making process and work towards creating equal educational opportunities to all students.
What do you see as the current challenges facing our community?
As an advocate for public education in our community, I am aware of challenges such as educational equity, language barriers, funding, keeping up with technologies, and promoting inclusivity and diversity. To ensure equal opportunities for all students. I believe that it is essential to work collaboratively with our community to provide educational excellence to our students.
If elected, what would you hope would be key accomplishments of the board during your years of service?
If elected, I hope to be an asset to the school board. I want to able to work together as a committee to meet the needs of our district. I believe that student safety should continue to be our number one priority and then student success. I hope to make a positive impact on the education needs of our community and ensure that all students have an equal opportunity to be successful.
DUSTIN MACKIE
Current job/Profession: Feedyard Manager
How can voters Contact or find out more information about you?
Email: dustinmackie7@gmail.com or just ask me when you see me in public.
Why are you running for this office?
I am running for school board to make a difference for the school that I love.
What training, experience, and background qualify you for this position?
I have been in numerous leadership positions at work along with serving on different boards. The skills that I use everyday will be very helpful if elected to the school board.
What do you see as the current challenges facing our community?
1. Making the right decisions for every kid. 2. Making SISD a place where people want to work. 3. Financial responsibility.
If elected, what would you hope would be key accomplishments of the board during your years of service?
Providing an environment for all children to thrive academically along with balanced budgets and an exceptional workplace for all employees.
SHAWN MOORE
Current job/Profession: Service Manager (Liberty Lift Solutions)
How can voters Contact or find out more information about you?
806-330-2165
Why are you running for this office?
Desire to Serve our Community/District
What training, experience, and background qualify you for this position?
Over 25 years in Project Management Roles, Government and Private Sector
What do you see as the current challenges facing our community?
Positive Perception of the current path our district is headed.
If elected, what would you hope would be key accomplishments of the board during your years of service?
Continue forward progression in our children's education/wellbeing, promote a positive work environment for our educators/administrators/district employees, continue to maximize taxpayers' dollars/budget accountability, and transparent/proactive engagements with shareholders, staff, children, and parents.
CHAD RIGGINS
Current job/Profession: Business Owner
How can voters Contact or find out more information about you?
Feel free to stop by Horse Creek Boutique and we can visit in person. If they have my cell they can call or text. If that is not option, they can call the office (806.644.9663) and someone can give them my cell.
Why are you running for this office?
Mendy and I are passionate about Spearman. We wanted our kids to go to school here because of the quality of the school and community that we experienced. We built our businesses here and have been blessed by the community support. There have been many amazing individuals before me who have volunteered their time and efforts to pave the way. I wanted to give back! The school is a vital part of our future and the future of this community. I feel like I have experience and can help SISD continue to improve,
What training, experience, and background qualify you for this position?
1992 Graduate from Spearman ISD, Bachelor of Agriculture Economics from Texas Tech University, Managing 40 plus employees and creating budgets for multiple businesses. As a current board member we have to have so many continuing ed hours every year. I have also served on other boards that have helped prepare me for this board.
What do you see as the current challenges facing our community?
The declining number of students in our district is a challenge because our funding is largely based off of attendance. Declining students means a declining budget. Spearman ISD is blessed to have wonderful teachers and administrators, but with increased pressures and responsibilities placed on teachers by the legislature, less and less people are graduating from colleges with teaching degrees. In addition, more and more teachers are leaving the field of teaching to look for occupations with higher salary and less stress. Our goal is to make teachers feel supported and valued while striving to pay a competitive salary.
If elected, what would you hope would be key accomplishments of the board during your years of service?
Key accomplishments: 1. Student achievements and education in the classroom is always a main priority. We have made great strides in the classroom due to excellent teaching, and we want to continue that. 2. Student involvement and excellence in extracurricular activities. I hope we see an increase in ALL student participation in ALL extracurricular activities offered by SISD. This includes athletics, ag, band, and fine arts. 3. a balanced budget with declining funds while being creative to continue taking care of our teachers and activities for our students responsibility while making necessary improvements is a huge goal. 4. Insure student and staff safety. 5. Prioritize teacher recruitment and teacher retention.
TOBY THOMPSON
Current job/Profession: Parts Manager
How can voters Contact or find out more information about you?
thompsontoby704@gmail.com or phone (806) 330-2110
Why are you running for this office?
I am running for school board to make sure our students get the best experience while at Spearman ISD. Our students and children of SISD are the future and we need to make sure that they are prepared when they leave high school. Our educators are vitally important and we need them to feel supported and make sure they have resources to do their job to the best of their ability.
What training, experience, and background qualify you for this position?
I was an educator/coach for three years at Wellington ISD. My mom was an educator for over 35 years, so I understand the value of education and understand how important education is. I have always been a supporter of Spearman ISD whether in athletics or academics or whatever our kids are involved in.
What do you see as the current challenges facing our community?
Education has changed over time and school systems face way more challenges now, than they did 30 years ago. Finances is a big issue now only in our school but also in other schools. I personally feel like teachers need to be paid more because they are the ones shaping our kids future. I know teachers all across Texas are leaving because they can go make more money in other professions. I have spoken to lots of teachers/coaches over the years and teachers pay and support are all the common themes in those conversations.
If elected, what would you hope would be key accomplishments of the board during your years of service?
My goals for the board if I am elected would be that Spearman ISD is financially sound and that the students were given the best opportunity to shine in whatever activity they are involved in. I want Spearman ISD to be the best at whatever we do and I feel like we can accomplish that.
SCOTT SONNENBERG
Current job/Profession: Cotton gin management
How can voters Contact or find out more information about you?
Phone: 806-281-3155
Why are you running for this office?
I feel like I’m in a position where I can help the school and community.
What training, experience, and background qualify you for this position?
I run a successful business, I have knowledge of working budgets, and I have experience managing employees with an open door policy.
What do you see as the current challenges facing public education in our community?
I think the amount of teacher turnover is a challenge. I understand it’s difficult to get highly qualified educators to come to Spearman and stay.
If elected, what would you hope would be key accomplishments of the board during your years of service?
I hope we can have students successfully involved in all sorts of various activities. I would like to see teachers and staff who work hard together and enjoy the positions that they are in.
CLANCY VANDERBURG
Current job/Profession: Western Equipment Sales
How can voters Contact or find out more information about you?
Candidate Profile
Why are you running for this office?
I believe that Leadership is submitting to our Heavenly Father, as Jesus did, letting the Holy Spirit guide us to God's will. I'm here to support our students, teachers, administrators, and community. Also, to help provide our students with the highest quality education possible.
What training, experience, and background qualify you for this position?
I am a Certified Teacher in Math, Science, English, and History with 6 years of teaching experience. I have Empathy for Teachers because I was one and understand the stresses of being a teacher. I have also served on the school board for the last 3 years.
What do you see as the current challenges facing our community?
Enrollment. We just graduated one of the largest classes in school history last year. The class sizes are getting smaller. Esser Funds (covid relief funds) are only good for 3 years. We use those funds to help with Teacher Retention Stipends. Teacher Retention is another huge challenge. We want our teachers to be valued and supported.
If elected, what would you hope would be key accomplishments of the board during your years of service?
Continued success of Servant Leadership by building relationships through Capturing Kids Hearts program and having a positive culture where teachers and students are valued. Thank You! Clancy Vanderburg
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