WEATHERFORD —
Crystal Brown
cbrown@weatherforddemocrat.com
Two new council members were selected to serve on Weatherford City Council Saturday.
Incumbents Jerry Clinton and Eric Matthews both lost their re-election bids to challengers Heidi Wilder and Jeff Robinson.
Early voting had both Wilder and Robinson with well over 50 percent of the votes, a lead they were able to retain when the final numbers came in.
Wilder garnered 728 votes to Clinton’s 507 taking 58.95 percent of the final vote.
Robinson received 716 votes, 56.87 percent of the vote, while Matthews took 481 and challenger Darwin Yeary had 62.
Wilder will now occupy Place 1 and must resign her position on the Weatherford Municipal Utility Board where she has served for about three years.
“I’m in shock,” Wilder said after receiving the totals.
Shaking with disbelief, she expressed a deep thankfulness for all the residents who voted and voted for her.
“I’ve had such a great experience meeting all the new people,” Wilder said. “It’s just been wonderful. I’m ready to serve.
“My door will always be open to every citizen in the City of Weatherford. It’s been an outstanding experience. I hope I can do the job that is expected of me. I will give 100 percent.”
Robinson, a former council member in Hudson Oaks, will take over Place 2 previously occupied by Matthews who won the vacant seat for six months following a November special election.
“I’ve been overwhelmed with all the support for the community,” Robinson said. “I’ve had so much help, and it’s a great feeling. I’ve worked hard the past two months and it’s good to see it pay off.
“I’m excited. Now I’m going to give 100 percent to the citizens of Weatherford.”
Mayor Dennis Hooks was present at the results and was welcoming to the new council members.
“I know we’ve had a light turnout, but those who turned out voted their conscience,” he said. “I thank those outgoing council members for all the service they’ve done, and I welcome the two new ones. We’ll all work together for the best of the city.”
About 1,250 Weatherford residents cast their vote in the election. The Weatherford College election received the most voter turnout with 2,525 votes cast in the contested race for Place 7. Luke Haynes won that seat over Jack DeShazo, 1,423 votes to 1,102 votes.
Parker County Republican Party Chairwoman Zan Prince thanked all those who voted, but hopes to see more out participating in the next election.
“Thank you to every person who took time out of their family, their business and their busy schedule to go to the polls and vote for the candidate of their choice,” Prince said. “Hopefully there will be more of their friends and neighbors voting in the next election. A very small minority decided for the whole today. Their vote and their voice matters, and it’s important.”
Local News
Two new faces elected to Weatherford council
- Local News
-
-
Zonta’s sweet event Tuesday
Join the Zonta Club of Parker County for an evening of “Sweet Entertainment” this Tuesday at The Texas Opry Theater, 315 York Ave., in historic downtown Weatherford, from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
-
ASK A MASTER GARDENER: Timely prunings will make for better mums
Garden mums are a perennial that will bloom twice each year if they are not pruned. However, the stems will be long and floppy and the flowers will be small. Timely pruning will greatly improve the appearance and the bloom of the plant.
-
Local Guild sends quilts to West nursing home residents
The Quilter’s Guild of Parker County has a long history of providing quilts to local organizations and individuals through it’s Comfort Quilt Program.
-
WCS student reads in nation’s capitol marking 224th inaugural anniversary of President George Washington
Madison Avery Flynn, daughter of Sean and Ashley Flynn, of Weatherford, and a first grader at Weatherford Christian School, participated in a historic event in the nation’s capitol on May 8th honoring President George Washington.
-
Local artists’ works on display
The Weatherford Art Association announced the Artist of the Month for April at their Monday meeting.
-
MILITARY NEWS: Pvt. Thompson completes basic infantry training
Army National Guard Pvt. Ian A. Thompson has graduated from basic infantry training at Fort Benning, Columbus, Ga.
-
Substance abuse rally Monday at Texas Opry Theater
The next IFC Wellness Coalition “Substance Abuse Awareness Rally” is Monday evening at the Texas Opry Theater.
-
Sheriff's investigators probe shooting
Parker County sheriff’s investigators are looking into a shooting incident that led to a female being injured.
-
CRIME STOPPERS: Alleged check forger sought
On April 20 at approximately 6 p.m. an unidentified white male forged a stolen check at Super Save grocery store located at 102 College Park Ave. in Weatherford.
-
PK Lake drowning death believed to be accidental
GAINES BEND – An Azle man died Tuesday evening at Possum Kingdom Lake in what authorities are describing as an apparent accidental drowning.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Zonta’s sweet event Tuesday



