Donna Snowden, Cheryl Reese lay out priorities for Bastrop County Precinct 4 commissioner’s seat

Courtesy of the Bastrop Advertiser
Oct. 13, 2020

Cheryl Reese, the former Bastrop County Democratic Party chair, is challenging Republican incumbent Commissioner Donna Snowden for the two years left in the unexpired term for the Precinct 4 Commissioners Court seat.

Gary “Bubba” Snowden, who was elected in 2018 to a four-year term for the Precinct 4 commissioner’s office, died on Jan. 3, 2019, three days into his new term. Bastrop County Judge Paul Pape appointed Donna Snowden, the late commissioner’s wife, to fill the seat for two years, until an election could be held to determine who would finish out the term, which expires Dec. 31, 2022.

“I see an opportunity to give voice to all the community regardless of race, creed, or color,” Reese, who is hoping to unseat Snowden, said. “As we think about all the aspects of the community, including diversity, jobs, housing, transportation and health care, we all matter and should have a voice. I want to help give residents of Precinct 4 that voice.”

Reese, who before chairing the Bastrop County Democratic Party worked in Travis County as a voter registration outreach coordinator and as a business analyst before then, says she can make a difference on the court and for the residents of Precinct 4.

“My professional life has been one of public service,” she said. “I want to serve the community of Elgin and its outlying areas in Precinct 4 by being an active commissioner who listens and who will make the tough decisions.”

Snowden, a retired educator of 34 years, says she wants to remain in office to finish the road and infrastructure projects she has underway.

“I have done a good job and I love serving the people of Precinct 4 — McDade, Elgin, Sayers, Paige, Webberville, Upper and Lower Elgin Roads, FM 1704, FM 3000, Littig Road, Monkey Road, Young’s Prairie, Mundine and Roemer Roads — and all of the rest of Bastrop County,” she said.

Snowden said her teaching experience helps her to not only work on solutions, but work on educating the public of what problems the county is facing.

She said the three biggest challenges facing the county are roads, growth and the budget.

“By working with citizens, our Developmental Services Department, sheriff’s office and the members of our Texas Legislature, we can strive to improve the problems that come with growth such as drainage, roads, excessive noise/music, speeding and illegally dumped trash,” Snowden said. “By creating awareness to the public of these increasing issues, we can begin to work on a solution. It will take the cooperation of all of us to make these improvements.”

Reese said the most pressing challenges the county is facing are growth, roads and broadband infrastructure.

“We seem to think if we do not plan for growth, we will not have to deal with it,” Reese said. “Traffic is a problem in some areas. It will only get worse. Safe and well-kept roads are a problem in some areas. They will continue to deteriorate without proper planning.

“The current pandemic is another example of how unprepared we are,” she said. “People need to work from home. Children could attend school online, and doctors could visit with patients through telemedicine. But our infrastructure for fast and affordable internet is inadequate due to lack of motivation and poor planning. Furthermore, our local health care system is being stretched to its limits.”

Reese said she would improve the county’s road system by using the budget. She said she wants the county to be prepared for and adapt well to population growth, therefore she will work with the court to implement a five-year plan to expand infrastructure and services.

“This means plans for safe county roads; expanded emergency medical services; more healthcare services for our children and senior citizens; and expanded business growth opportunities,” Reese said. “We should be actively encouraging new businesses that bring jobs and add to our tax base to move here. We must make it a priority to provide adequate internet services throughout the county.”

She also said she’d like to study the possibility of bringing a Metro rail service from Austin to Bastrop County, as well as improve transparency in the county’s process to involve residents in policy making and transparency in spending tax dollars.

Snowden said voters should elect her because she has a knowledge of the 212 miles of roads in the county, works well with the road and bridge crew and has the time and energy to devote to the job.

“Elgin is very important to me and I have always wanted to do my part to help it,” Snowden said. “Besides my involvement in the community, I was very involved with my husband, Bubba Snowden, when he served as Bastrop County commissioner. I pledge to do my best for Bastrop County and her citizens.”

Reese said she is not a politician. She cares about the community because she is a part of the community.

“I have been working in the community all my life to help bring about change,” Reese said. “I have seen many pressing problems go unaddressed, everything from educational needs to child hunger to unsafe county roads and health care. I will listen to the residents and I will use my skills and experience to find solutions rather than make excuses.”

Early voting runs through Oct. 31. Election Day is Nov. 3.