Monitor Photo/Denise York
Candidates for Gun Barrel City Council gather after speaking to the group including Richard Yaws (from left), running for Place 5, Ken Foster, incumbent Place 5, Jennifer Jacobs, running for Place 3 and Gary Lerew, Incumbent Place 3. All four candidates spoke during the Gun Barrel City Chapter of the Cedar Creek Lake Area Chamber of Commerce breakfast meeting March 16 at Chicken Express. Missing is April Burns who is running unopposed for Place 1.

GUN BARREL CITY–The Gun Barrel Chapter of the Cedar Creek Lake Chamber of Commerce welcomed candidates vying for seats on the council during its monthly breakfast meeting March 16 at Chicken Express in the city.
Four candidates showed up to a packed house to let voters know why they deserve their vote. April Burns, who is running unopposed for place 1 was unable to attend due to a family commitment.
Ken Foster began by telling the group he is the current council member for Place 5 which is the at-large seat. Foster said he would like for the community to work together, fostering open dialog and collaboration in what he termed challenging times.
“The future of Gun Barrel City lies not only with the citizens but with people like you who own businesses,” Foster said. “We need your input.” Foster went on to say he would like to  see business owners and citizens freely express ideas to create cooperation and collaboration to make the city “better for all of us.” We have growth coming, it’s here whether we like it or not, he told the group and urged business people to form a coalition to bring issues and ideas to the council.
Jennifer Jacobs is running for Place 3, the west side of the city. She said she wants to be part of a positive change. She moved to the area in 2019. With her mom being involved in the beautification committee, Jacobs said she is inspired by those who give back. She said her values are honesty, integrity and service.
Jacobs said the city is facing many issues, the lack of an animal shelter, the development of Pier 334 (delays). Plans for a community center for which she said decisions should be made by the community. She said the city’s biggest problems are “antiquated systems and processes and poor communication. Our city website is outdated and missing much of the information that citizens have a right to have access to.” She stated that if elected, her votes would be guided by the city charter, comprehensive plan and the citizens of Gun Barrel. She said she will be in touch personally with citizens and when agendas are posted, she will set up online surveys so citizens can feel heard. “We can do better,” she said.
Gary Lerew is currently the councilman for Place 3. “I do represent the west, that’s who elects me but I represent everyone in Gun Barrel City,” he said. Lerew said that in the two years he has been on council, he has supported initiatives that benefit the city and the citizens. “We need to focus on those individuals who are already providing services for us,” he said, mentioning department heads, city secretary, city manager and police department, fire department and streets and parks department. Lerew said that with the city being financed by sales tax and franchise tax, supporting those who do the work is important. 
Lerew said he has supported salary increases to help attract good candidates to fill empty positions. He spoke of the challenges the city faces being a resort area, a recreational area. Lerew said Pier 334 will be a draw, and shows the EDC is investing in the community, not just in perception but in sales tax revenue. Speaking about the pavilion, Lerew said. “We need to leverage our current infrastructure,” and speaking of the pavilion vs. the civic center, he said, “We need to have a civic center but we need the pavilion too.” He agrees there needs to be more communication, but hopes that everyone can come together and work together.
Councilman Richard Yaws said he has a lot of respect for all who spoke. Yaws said it’s all about trust. “My voting record speaks to this one topic more than anything. I trust our city manager. I trust our city police chief… Every time I vote I put my trust in our EDC director, our EDC board,” Yaws said. He told the group he is still going to do his due diligence but he walks into the meeting with trust. In speaking about the community center and the pavilion, he asked, “Why can’t we do both? It can be done.”
He said he looks at other issues with that same idea; it can be done. He pointed to the issue of internet, which has been a problem in the area. Yaws recently presented a deal to the council for fiber internet. “Through two years of discussions, we are about to have one of the fastest internet services on the planet in Gun Barrel City,” he stated. We are very proud of some other accomplishments, Yaws said, mentioning helping with Henderson County Crimes Against Children Task Force. 
“Businesses coming to Gun Barrel City have to believe this is a good place to be. I’m going to cheerlead for this city…our job is to support you (business owners/managers, people who volunteer). Our job is to make what you do easier because what you do supports what all of us need in this community,” Yaws said. He added that trust means when someone in the city government brings something to council, he trusts them. He said he trusts that everyone who works in the city is doing their best to make things better.
Yaws is running for place 5, at large. He is currently council member place 1 (east side).