The Jimplecute asked all four candidates for Alderman a set of questions about themselves and their thoughts on the City. The responses from three of the four follow.
For Alderman Ward 1
Full Name: Hattie Lee Hackler
How long have you lived in Marion County: 14 years
Why do you want to run for office? I am running for Ward 1 Alderman because I am passionate about the future of our community. Our city is unique, a place rich in history, culture, and character. I feel privileged to call Jefferson home. I believe that our local government can be one of cooperation, respect, and service to the people. My decision to run is driven by a genuine desire to serve this community and to represent your voices and your values.
What is your goal while in office? My candidacy is rooted in core values: civility and respect, protecting our natural resources, shaping the future while preserving the past, and fostering sustainable tourism. I don’t come with a rigid agenda- just a commitment to doing what’s best for the citizens of Jefferson.
What is one thing you’d like to see improved while in office? One thing I would like to see improve, is communication between citizens of Jefferson and the city council. Once communication improves, we can move forward together guided by respect, passion, and a shared vision of Jefferson. It is my belief that we can create a city government that listens, leads with integrity, and acts for the common good of all residents.
What is the main strength of the City? Jefferson is a truly unique place, rich in history, culture, and character. It’s a proud, close-knit community where neighbors know and support one another. Together, they create unforgettable events year-round, welcoming visitors with warmth and showcasing the town’s vibrant spirit and charm.
What new thing would you like to see in the City? What I’d love to see in Jefferson isn’t something entirely new. It’s simply our city being the best it can be for its citizens. A place that grows with its people, protects them, and continues to be the place I am proud to call my home.
What’s your favorite color? Burnt Sienna
Full Name: Charles “Bubba” Haggard
How Long have you lived in Marion County: 58 years
Why do you want to run for office? I am running for re-election. I want to have input on the infrastructure grants the City received during my first term.
What is your goal? In my Ward, we need additional water and sewer lines so the vacant property can be developed and existing lines upgraded, I also want to help secure a new fire station and try to secure a permanent City Hall building.
What would you like to see improved? I hope that the City Council will commit to a multi-year plan for paving and maintaining streets and drainage. The City has priorities and it comes down to having the funds to implement them.
What do you see as the main strength of the City? Jefferson is a unique city with a heritage built around the river. Over our 175+ years of existence, we have evolved to a place where people want to live.and enjoy the quality of life that is not found anywhere else. Our strengths are the people that want to make Jefferson better.
What new thing would you like? Fire Station/City Hall. The current facility is 70 years old. The vehicle side is inadequate for modern fire fighting equipment and the administration building had to be closed for safety reasons.
What’s your favorite Color? Gold
For Alderman Ward 3
Note: Robin Moore is also a candidate but did not respond to the Jimplecute request.
Full Name: Douglas Thompson
How long have you lived in Marion County: 9 Years. I wasn’t born here in Jefferson, but I got here as soon as I could
Why do you want to run for office? To provide a New Voice and a New Focus for Ward 3. I have over 40 years of corporate leadership experience in remodeling, building or developing existing and/or new sales and marketing organizations. This experience has already become useful in helping multiple organizations here in Jefferson. I have proudly served Jefferson for 6 years as the Treasurer of JEDCO board and 6 years on the Marion County Chamber Board and have been the MaxPreps reporter for the Jefferson HS Bulldog varsity football team for the last 9 years. I have the time, energy and enthusiasm to help make Jefferson one of the best places in Texas to work and live.
What is your goal while in office? Bring Common Sense to Change. Bring Leadership Through Experienced Innovation. Support Economic Development – for existing businesses as well as new business and additional housing to support such growth. Keep Our Neighborhoods clean and Vibrant. Work on improving the Roads, Water pressure & Sewer services for existing citizens while preparing for new.
What is one thing you’d like to see improved while in office? Implement a city-wide Tree limb and Yard debris pickup and mulching service whose byproduct would then create yard mulch and compost which the city can resell to the public per pickup load. This new program would pay for itself and will help encourage and assist our citizens in keeping their yards, trees and gardens trimmed and beautiful. Let’s Make Jefferson Beautiful Again.
What do you see as the main strength of the City? Tourism and our city’s Location should help in the promotion of our unique Texas and regional history. Jefferson is located on one of the fastest growing North and South Highways between two of the State’s main East and West Freeway arteries and we are not taking advantage of this vast opportunity of people passing by every day. We also need a new drip-marketing sign campaign (Burma-Shave, Wall Drug style) which would include large and small signs, located from Texarkana on the north to Tyler and Shreveport on the south hinting to all that pass by as to WHY they should “Come Experience Jefferson Texas.”
hat new thing would you like to see in the City? New large lighted stone/rock signs, in an old Historical vintage style, out on each of our four main entrances to the city showing the pride we have in our Historical City and welcoming people to Experience Historical Jefferson, TX. These new signs could easily be designed, built and installed by local artists and craftsmen in a short period of time with existing funds that are already available for such projects. New Christmas lights all over Jefferson, especially downtown. Jefferson used to be known as “The” place to take your family at Christmas to see the lights. Let’s bring all of East Texas and Western Louisiana back to Jefferson once again to watch us light up the Good Ole Holidays in Jefferson.
What’s your favorite color? Bulldog Maroon