GBC to hold run-off

By ART LAWLER

May 14, 2008 10:26 am

— A new-look city council was created by Gun Barrel City voters last Saturday, but the man who will guide these session is yet to be determined.
Incumbent Mayor Paul Eaton topped his two rivals in the primary, but his 194 votes weren’t enough to win another term without a runoff.
Councilman Marty Goss, who gave up his council seat to challenge Eaton, got 128 votes to earn a runoff spot with Eaton, but third-place finisher, David Parras played the spoiler role by getting enough votes (78) to deny Eaton an outright victory.
So Eaton and Goss will go at it one more time on June 28 when voters return to the polls.
Goss’ council seat will be filled by Melvin Hayes, who beat John Gregg, 74 votes to 41.
Kevin Banghart also won a the Place 4 seat, garnering 156 votes to Dean Wright Jr.’s 105.
Those two men join three others who were not up for re-election this year — Townsend, Kathy Cochran and Hogan.
Voters overwhelmingly improved the 12 propositions for the Gun Barrel City Charter and re-authorized by a 305-77 vote, the sales and use tax,.
“The citizens want us to continue building roads,” said City Manager Gerry Boren. The city is building 8.4 miles of lanes and 4.2 actual road miles this year.
Goss, when reached by phone Tuesday, said he gathered his supporters to make sure there was enough commitment for him to stay in the race after finishing a distant second to Eaton in the mayor’s race.
“Yeah, we’re going to run,” he said.
The move by Goss represents a political risk, one he said he was willing to take. If Eaton outnumbers him again in the runoff, Goss will no longer be on the council.
“I’m willing to take the risk because the city was going nowhere. I put my council seat up so we could get more people on the council.”
He said he felt Banghart and Hayes would be good, progressive additions to the council.
“They’re very intelligent men and they’ll do an excellent job,” Goss said. “I’ve listened to both of them and they’re both pro-growth. They’ll be very tight with the city money and want to see how it’s spent.
Meanwhile Eaton was confident Tuesday afternoon he can win re-election. “I’m feeling good. The weather is humid, but nice.”
Asked about the two new additions to the council, Eaton said, “We’ll have to wait and see. Nobody knew what I was going to do until I got in there and did it for a while.
Goss said he’ll have much to say about some claim’s Eaton has made in advertisements in which Goss says he takes credit for new businesses coming to Gun Barrel City.
“We were all part of the council and had something to do with it.
Eaton, when asked about Goss’ statement, said, “We all participated in it. It’s what we did when we were in, and we should all take credit for it. Why not?