Precinct 1 - Beth Wisenbaker

Biographical Information: I was raised in Sulphur Springs and I was an honor graduate from Sulphur Springs High School in 1969. I married in 1970 to Donnie Wisenbaker and we have 2 children - Tricia Wisenbaker Macaluso and Donnie Wisenbaker Jr.

Education/Training: In place of a formal education, I have been a secretary/bookkeeper and I have been self-employed in a family owned business for 30 years. While in business for yourself, you learn marketing, financing, personnel and business planning. I have had continuing education courses through Texas A& M in various fields. As a County Commissioner I was selected to be in the Inaugural Class of the Commissioner Court Leadership Academy and have completed the Commissioners Court Curriculum 2000/Continuing Education Courses sponsored by the VG Young Institute, an affiliate of Texas A & M College Station.

Church/Community/Civic Involvement: It has been, and still is, my honor to serve in various volunteer positions. I have been a Church Board member, Trustee, Sunday School Teacher and President of the Christian Women's Fellowship. I have been a member of the First Christian Church since I was 8 years old.

As a parent, I have also been involved with PTA's and Sporting Associations in leadership positions. I like to think I was one of the Moms you could count on to help get things accomplished.

As a County Commissioner, I have extended my volunteer efforts into such areas as Board of Director of the Chamber of Commerce, Community Chest, Northeast Texas Opportunity Council, Region D Water Board, Northeast Texas Drug and Alcohol Council, Ark-Tex Economic Review Committee, Regional Review Committee for Community Development Grants (a Governor's Appointment), etc. On may of these committees, I served on the executive board.

Accomplishment while in Office: 40.7 less miles of Dirt Roads, 14.8 more miles of Rock Roads and 38.2 more miles of oil roads. I worked with the Texas Department of Transportation to procure $1.2 million dollars of new bridges for Precinct 1 through the Off Systems Bridge Program, upgraded the equipment in Precinct 1, bought 4 acres and a house to expand the present County Barn location (the rent on the house is making the payment), obtained software for keeping computerized records of road maintenance and equipment, etc.

Also, I have worked on two successful Legislative Issues for Hopkins County, (lowering the population bracket for JP requirements and asking that "Special Courts for Child Advocacy" be exempted from Hopkins County because we have a County Court-at-Law. These 2 initiatives saved Hopkins County Taxpayers $100,000's of dollars. I have also been a part of procuring Homeland Security Grants and Grants that helped establish the County's Environmental Department.

County Challenges Met: A County Fire Department has been established. Along with establishing the County Fire Department, all Volunteer Fire Departments were purchased new equipment and County Funding for each department has been increased.

Working with the Federal Government, the Commissioner's Court received a $750,000 grant to build an Intermodal Facility that includes a Fire Station, Ambulance Service and Trax Buses for medical transportation. The Ambulance Service is provided through an interlocal agreement with the Hospital District.

Two other building projects that have been completed for the County Citizens are the Expansion of the County Jail and the Equine Pavilion at the Civic Center. The County has recently purchased the Fidelity Express building on Jefferson St. to provide more space for the Judicial System and the County and District Clerks. A renovation project on this building will start in the summer of 2008.

The County Commissioner's Court is a partner in the working with the City and the State on the Expansion of Hwy 11 from Hwy 154 to Hwy 19 south. This project should be let for contract in January 2008. A second joint project between government entities (City, County & Hospital District), will be the Revitalization of Downtown Sulphur Springs. I believe that taxing entities must network together for the betterment of the citizens of their communities. After all...we all work for and are financed by the same taxpayers.

Another accomplishment I am proud of is the awarding of a Courthouse restoration Grant to our county for our 1895 Courthouse. It was a "Joy" to be involved from the very beginning...working through the Legislative process in the passage of the funding, the grant writing process (Hopkins County Received a $3.7 million grant) and the actual restoration process through completion. The Hopkins County Courthouse received the East Texas Historical Association 2005 Lucille Terry Historical Preservation Award.

Personal Philosophy: My Mom & Dad taught me that you can only take pride in accomplishments when you have given the best of yourself. Every individual has significant talents; mine are organization, determination and persistence to see goals achieved. If a Challenge/Goal is worth setting, it is worth the time and energy it takes to see it through to is successful conclusion. A person should be judged not by the color of their skin or the cut of their clothes or where they live...They should be judged by their actions and what is in their hearts.

Short Term Personal Goal: Enjoy the time I have in Public Office. "It is an Honor to Serve!"...Exercise More/Lose Weight...Do a "Curb Appeal" on the front landscaping at home.

Long Term Personal Goal: Praise my Lord for the Wonders of My Life, Love My Family with All My Heart and accomplish My Short Term Goals!!!

WOULD YOU LIKE TO CONTACT ME?

OFFICE...COUNTY COURTHOUSE
118 CHURCH STREET
SULPHUR SPRINGS, TX 75482

TELEPHONE: 903-438-4031
Email: comprec1@hopkinscountytx.org

OFFICE...COUNTY PREC #1 BARN
5516 HWY 19 SOUTH
SULPHUR SPRINGS, TEXAS 75482

TELEPHONE: 903-485-2040