Editor’s note: Early voting begins Monday in the May 5 City of Rock-dale election. The Reporter invited candidates in Rock-dale’s contested race to submit statements of candidacy for voters to consider.
Here are those statements in alphabetical order:
City council
East Ward
Sharon Cloud
Over the years I have attended many city council meetings.
When Willie Phillips announced his retirement fro the council after so ably serving our community for 18 years, I began to think seriously about the contributions I might make in carrying Rockdale forward.
Currently I serve on the Planning & Zoning Board, chairperson for the Library Board, and served on the Tourism Committee. I was selected to serve on the Oil & Gas Board which established city guidelines limiting drilling within the city limits.
Rockdale has always been my family home. I have a picture taken in front of my house when I was two years old. I live in the home where my family has gathered for many years.
I graduated from Rockdale High School and moved back to Rockdale when I retired from teaching in Plano. I love this town, intend to remain here and always strive to make it better for our current citizens and future generations
My formal education included undergraduate semesters at North Texas State in Denton, a Bachelor of Arts from The University of Texas at Dallas and a Master of Liberal Arts from Southern Methodist University.
My 20-year teaching career was spent in the Plano School District where I taught government, history and humanities.
My goal is to first represent the issues concerning the east side—those who have placed their trust in me—while keeping in mind what’s good for the community as a whole.
City councils make lasting impacts on Rockdale’s future as well as maintaining basic services on a daily basis.
Richard Coppedge
Dr. Richard Coppedge grew up in Gilmer, Texas on a small farm.
He is newer to the city of Rockdale, but loves this town and the people that have welcomed him so graciously.
He received his Bachelors and Masters Degrees from Tarleton State University in Agricultural Education and holds a joint doctorate from Texas A&M University and Texas Tech University in Education.
Dr. Coppedge previously taught Agricultural Education in the Austin ISD, before entering into law enforcement.
He currently works for the US Department of Justice, where he has been for the past ten years coordinating Occupational Education programs for the Bureau of Prisons.
He has served as an adjunct faculty member at Texas State University and presenter at Texas A&M University.
Tim Ramey
My name is Tim Ramey and I am running for city council east ward.
I have lived in Rockdale for 20 years. I am married with six children and six grandchildren
I have worked for Rockdale ISD since 2004 with our special needs students. I presently work at RHS in Life Skills.
I am proud to work at RHS home of the 2017 state champ Tigers.
I have served on the Rockdale City Parks Board for six years and the Rockdale Library Board for three years.
I love this city and want to improve our way of life for us and our children. The decisions we make now will affect the future.
I feel when we work together as a community we will begin to change our city in ways we could never imagine.
If you truly want to see change for our great city it starts with you.
You have a choice May 5. Get out and vote for the candidate you feel will best serve the needs of our great community.
City council
West Ward
Jason Barcak
My name is Jason Barcak and I am a West Ward candidate running to bring renewed energy to the Rockdale City Council.
I was born in Rockdale and I have lived here my entire life. I am married to my Wife, Lacy of 12 years and have 3 children, Jaylyn, Calli, and Blaydn. I am a 1993 Rockdale High School graduate and I attended TSTC and Temple College.
I started my career shortly after TSTC at Manitex in Georgetown, TX manufacturing boom cranes. During my 12 years, I moved up and served as Service Technician, Warranty Manager & Quality Manager. I decided to take a job closer to home and went to work for Butler Weldments in Cameron where I was a Customer Accounts Manager and managed various accounts including government projects. In 2012 I left Butler Weldments and went to work for Perry & Perry Builders where I am currently the Sr. Project/Sales Manager.
My family and I are members of the Milam County Cowboy Church. I have gladly volunteered my time in our community for the last 18 years serving either as a coach and board member for Rockdale Youth Softball, Baseball, and Rockdale Tigers Youth Football & Cheer. I am on various committees at the schools; Career & Technology Education Advisory Council, Campus Education Council and District Educational Council to name a few and have been involved in many projects around the town.
I am a man who loves God, my family, and my community. I have a lot of fond memories and enjoyed being raised in Rockdale and raising my kids here. My family is a big part of why I am running for Rockdale City Council. I feel that Rockdale was a better place, when I was younger, than it is now. I know that the economic times have changed and that things are not what they use to be but doesn’t mean we can’t plan for a future that reinforces our strength as a community. Rockdale has proven to be a very resilient town over the years. When we lost Alcoa, our biggest employer, some people said we would be a ghost town and yet here we are. Now with the loss of Luminant I’m hearing the same things but our town and our citizens are resilient.
We need to develop plans and take advantage of what we have to offer to make this town great again. All taxing entities need to work together for the betterment of our community. We owe it to our children and grandchildren to spend this money wisely. Times are constantly changing and we need to be proactive and not reactive to potential issues. I feel I would be a good asset to the council because as a Project Manager, I am constantly having to look ahead, think outside of the box and manage projects within the budget. We need to constantly be looking ahead and developing a clear path for our future. I want Rockdale to be an option for my children to raise my grandchildren in. I am motivated and energized to work hard for our community. I am running for City Council for my family and yours.
Monique Gebhart
My name is Monique Gebhart and I am running for city council west ward.
I am running because I want to do everything I can to ensure Rock-dale is prosperous.
I was raised in Rockdale, graduated here, and have been employed with the postal service in Rockdale since 1995.
I have also been a realtor in Rockdale since 2010. I have served on the Milam County Child Protective Services Board for many years and joined the Rockdale PAWS Board last year.
Rockdale is my home. I raised my children here and love this town. I want to see Rockdale flourish, to be a town that the residents can be proud of, and that others from outside of our town would love to relocate to and/or visit.
My biggest concerns are budget and infrastructure. We need to see fiscal responsibility from our elected officials and we need council members that listen to those that they represent.
Entrance cleanup and a welcoming appearance are also important. There is much work to be done.
I would very much appreciate your vote. Thank you.
School board
Place 7
Julia Cardona
Dear friends and neighbors, my name is Julia Cardona and I am asking for your support and vote for the upcoming election on May 5.
I am looking to be re-elected to serve on our RISD School Board. I was born and raised in Rockdale and was privileged to attend and graduate from our Rockdale schools.
I have six children, two who have graduated from Rockdale ISD and four currently attending. I am currently employed at Workforce Solutions and have served employers and customers for 17 years.
Here are a few of my accomplishments:
• Serve as a LPAC (Language Proficiency Assessment Committee) parent representative at Rockdale ISD since 2010.
• Serve on the CTE (Computer Technology Education) Team since it began in 2016/2017.
• Have been a member of the Rockdale Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center and now serve as a Board of Directors for my second year.
• Member of St Joseph’s Church, Rockdale, where I teach catechism to the second grade class (since 2011).
I believe I strongly possess the passion, experience, and communication, leadership, and decision making skills to serve in such an important role.
Your support and vote are much appreciated.
Ryan Warner
Ryan Warner moved to Rock-dale from Maryland 12 years ago.
He is passionate about education and is an experienced leader.
Ryan served honorably in the Air Force for eight years and is a combat veteran. After the military, Ryan served his community once again working for both the Burleson county and Milam County sheriff’s offices.
Ryan served as youth minister at Meadowbrook Baptist church before becoming a teacher and coach.
Helping to provide a positive future for our children is Ryan’s number one priority.
He has dedicated his life to this goal. Ryan is a husband, father, educator, coach, and leader in his community.
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