The Village of Salado will elect a Mayor to a two-year term on May 7. Mayor Michael Coggin filed for a position on the ballot. Linda Reynolds has filed as a write-in candidate.
We asked the following to introduce the candidates to our readers: Name, Years Residency in Village of Salado, Family Information, Education, Professional Information, Personal Information, to include civic clubs, religious or church affiliations, if any, professional groups and local volunteer groups; Why are you running for Mayor? (Limit 100 words)
What characteristics, skills, and/or qualifications will you bring to the office, if elected? (100 words)
What is the role of the Mayor of Salado? (100 words)
Michael Coggin, PE
Years of Residency in Village of Salado: Our family moved to Salado 22 years ago where we fell in love with the small-town feeling, incredible schools, scenic creek and friendly people. It is a great place to live, worship and raise a family.
Family Information: I was born in Lubbock. I am married to my wife, Diana, a graduate of Angelo State University. We have two children – Brinn the 2004 valedictorian at SISD and Blake who is a 2007 SISD graduate and the University of Texas. We have five grandchildren.
Education: I graduated from Texas A&M with an engineering degree and graduated from the Army Management Staff College
Professional Information: I am currently a Texas registered professional engineer working as a consulting engineer. I served at Ft Hood for eight years as Engineering Chief at the Directorate of Public Work. I retired after 33 years with the Army as the Facility Manager at the Brooke Army Medical Center.
Personal Information: I am active in the First Baptist Church of Salado, Salado Historic Society, MCCA and Salado Lions Club.
Why am I running for Mayor: I am running for re-election as your mayor to continue to serve the Salado community. I aim to accomplish these goals if re-elected:
• Lower taxes
• Provide a safe environment with an efficient police team
• Open and transparent governing
• Modify the Sanctuary development to benefit Salado
• Add users to the sewage system to spread the costs and lower taxes
• Keep Salado’s historic identity during this explosive growth
• Improve roads, traffic and drainage
• Manage new development to match our Salado quality of life
What characteristics, skills and/or qualifications: I bring engineering, emergency management and construction experience to the Salado community. An example of how I used my experience was to successfully guide Salado through the 2021 February Ice Storm. Under my guidance we ensured our community was provided the necessities to safely endure the storm. We were in constant contact with the electrical service providers, warming stations, police citizen safety checks, water supply corporation, and emergency services. I was humbled how our town pulled together to survive in tough conditions.
What is the role of the Mayor of Salado: My role as your mayor is to represent the citizens of Salado, provide a safe environment, propose a budget and serve in emergencies. I also conduct the Board of Aldermen meetings, review development agreements, and represent Salado at various functions. An example of how I can perform as mayor was during the COVID pandemic where I was responsible for continuing village services without interruption while maintaining a healthy staff and following Bell County health guidelines – this was successfully completed with minimum impacts to our community.
Please consider voting for Michael Coggin to continue as your Mayor.
Linda Reynolds
One of the few benefits I’ve found living within the Village Taxable borders….I can run for Village Office.
Although being Mayor means you don’t usually get to vote on actionable items, the Mayor does, in theory, create a budget.
I learned how to do budgets when my husband died before I was forty. I had a 12 year old daughter, college debts, and two house mortgages.
I was not managing a government or company millions. It’s easy to spend other people’s money.
But what I did, on a teacher’s salary, was pay off both houses and give my daughter the opportunity for a college education.
When I retired and moved to Salado in 2011, my plan was to help care for my mom, and read.
My decision to run for Mayor came very late this year. In fact, it was really made at a Special BOA meeting President’s day.
Monday night, 2/21/2022, an alderman questioned the Village manager about election costs. This is an alderman who signed the Village budget last fall. How could he think running an election could cost $100.00?
Every person working at the election makes at least $12 an hour. Many workers are retired village residents. This work is both a service, and an opportunity to supplement their income.
The next morning, 2/22/2022, I voted in the primary, and then went to the Village office to apply as a write-in candidate.
I lived on the neglected Southside of Salado for ten years. I love the neighborhood, and my neighbors.
But I have felt, since 2015, that the area was never considered an important part of the Village.
Before The Sanctuary contract was signed, I realized the sewer was offered to the N/W/S/and Eastside of my neighborhood, but not the residents of Salado affected by the Sanctuary development.
The mayor can direct the Village manager to cut the budget 10% across the board (exception: Police Department).
Are there other cost cutting policies a mayor might institute? Absolutely!
The BOA is NOT REQUIRED to spend tax dollars every two weeks.
I’ll search out possible cost cutting areas, and direct the Village manager to provide them at EVERY meeting. This plan might inform Aldermen, who may not always do their homework.
Also, I’ll ask the Village
manager, at every meeting, to share a list of pothole repairs. Resident’s suggestions welcomed.
At that rate, by the time I end my two year term, we may have at least 80 potholes filled , and a tighter budget in our 2 1/2 mile long Village.