Monitor Photo/Carla Gray
Mayors from around Cedar Creek Lake meet on a quarterly basis to collaborate, network and discuss issues that affect the lake area. Malakoff Mayor Nicole Driver-Mason (front row, from left), Enchanted Oaks Mayor Judy King, Tool Mayor Vera Bennett, Log Cabin Mayor Paul Eckeberger (second row, from left), Mabank Assistant City Administrator Michael Main, Tool City Administrator Julius Kizzee, Gun Barrel City's City Administrator Dr. Angie Smith, Gun Barrel City Mayor Brian Crull, Mabank City Secretary Kim McClasky, Henderson County Precinct 2 County Commissioner Scott Tuley, Mabank City Administrator Bryant Morris (back row, from left), Caney City Mayor Steve Pine and Mabank Mayor Randy Teague attend the first quarterly meeting of 2026 in the Mason Eubank Hall in Mabank.

MABANK–Cedar Creek Lake area Mayors Coalition met for their quarterly meeting Jan. 14 at the Mason-Eubank Hall in Mabank. The focus for the quarterly meeting was from guest speaker Henderson County Precinct 2 Commissioner Scott Tuley.
Mabank Mayor Randy Teague welcomed the mayors that were in attendance by saying, “This is just an opportunity where we can get a feel for what everybody’s doing. What problems do you face? Is that something that we’ve faced before? How can we help with that? How can you help with our problems? And we can talk through those.”
Gun Barrel City Mayor Brian Crull commented on how the mayors coalition was developed, “I can tell you, I had no clue about what I was doing when I started. I’m a coach by trade, so I knew how to lead and that was it. I didn’t check any box. So to have people that you can lean on and ask questions is great.” Crull went on to say, Mabank citizens shop at all Lowe’s and Walmart, but 100% of our kids go to Mabank Independent School District. Continuing on Crull said, “So why wouldn’t we come together? And that’s why we did that. And it’s been a great deal. We’ve met incredible people, made  great friendships, and  you will  get that out of this.” Crull talked about being a mayor by saying, “it is rewarding because, everybody can make a living but not everybody can make a difference. Maybe we’re all difference makers and that’s why I’m always honored to be in a room filled with people like this.”
Tuley began his discussion with praising the mayors for gathering together and discussing the needs of the lake and how the needs can be met. By listing the accomplishments that his office has completed, Tuley was able to discuss what a county commissioner can do to help a city. Tuley said, in 2019 his office was responsible for the two bridges on Peach Tree Road. During COVID Tuley worked to implement a lock door policy for businesses that would otherwise have to be closed. During the difficult winter months of 2021 Tuley said his office was able to get water donated to those who did not have water. Tuley said, “We believe our team has done over about 40% of 176 miles of road in Precinct 2, and that’s about 72 miles.” According to Tuley his office helped stop biosolids waste from being dumped in Van Zandt County, which would flow into Cedar Creek Lake and his office is continuing to work on the aquifer development in Jacksonville.
Tuley said he was instrumental in the purchase of the Prosperity Bank building in Seven Points, which will hopefully be opening between March and May of this year. According to Tuley the building will allow residents to take care of county business without having to travel to Athens and have a permanent voting place.
The commissioner spoke to the mayors about interlocal agreements with the county and how those agreements can help with funding and projects for the individual cities.
The next meeting will be held in Malakoff on the south end of Cedar Creek Lake in mid spring.