We have pressed for change within our City Council over the past few years. That effort couldn’t be more important and have more impact on our city’s future than it will over the coming months. Change needed to keep our city moving forward for all residents. With that, I’d like to take a look at where we are in each district. I’ll examine where we can be by the end of May and beyond, and I’ll consider some hypotheticals.

As we have challenged for change within our PACC over the past few years, this couldn’t be more important and have more impact on our city’s future than it will over the coming months. Change, which is needed to keep our city moving forward for all residents. With that, I’d like to take a look at where we are per each district, where we can be by the end of May and beyond and some hypotheticals.

District 1 – Currently held by Raymond Scott who successfully won his re-election against Mike Mason in 2014. We feel the city missed a huge chance to move this district in the right direction during the May 2014 election but hope that when this seat comes up again next year, we can right a wrong and successfully electing Mike Mason to his rightful place. If he would consider running again!

District 2 – Tiffany Hamilton is a real up and comer. She is in it for the right reasons and wants to make a real difference for the citizens of Port Arthur. We need more young citizens like Tiffany who want to see and make real change in our city.

District 3 – Morris Albright currently holds this seat. As he will be meeting term limits in the near future, we will be looking for a strong replacement that will be focused on continuing to lead our community forward.

District 4 – Is the open seat up for election in April. After Stephen Mosley stepped down to pursue his county desires, this opened up a great opportunity for positive change. Keith Richard, who lost his election bid for District 5 against Willie “Bae” Lewis last year by just 5 votes, is again running for election and would be a good fit for the residents of District 4.

District 5 – Long time councilman Willie “Bae” Lewis who was re-elected last year has really toned down his political grandstanding over the past few months. Something that has been needed for a very long time and we thank him for that. Although, councilman Lewis has a strong heart for Port Arthur, his old school political mindset needs to be replaced at some point. We will get to that in a couple of years.

District 6 – Another real up and comer is Osman Swati. Like Hamilton, he is in it for the right reasons and wants to make a real difference. Before running for office, he saw first hand how the issues of ineffectiveness of the city were affecting citizens. So he decided to do something about it and take on the responsibility of making our city a better place. Again, like Ms. Hamilton, we need more like him.

District 7 – In November, Charlotte Moses won her seat on City Council by a landslide over Reginald Trainer in what was a huge addition to keep moving our city in the right direction. Although very young to the council, Ms. Moses brings a great balance stemming from her EDC board experience.

District 8 – Is currently held by “Mayor Pro Tem” Kaprina Frank. Ms. Frank is a true professional who was elected to council when citizens began pushing for change. Her focus to not allow herself to be drawn into the constant council battling and grandstanding that was commonplace then, shows her resolve for a better city council, which ultimately in turn is better for the entire city. Her professionalism was sorely needed on council at the time of her appointment and we feel has helped to shed a better light on the council as a whole. Thank you, Councilwoman Frank!

Mayor – As we all know, on May 7 we will be voting for a new Mayor of Port Arthur. And as we also know, at this time real change is needed to continue moving our city in the right direction for ALL residents. Electing a former city council member who was on council during the time many major issues were going on in our city and did not, or was unable to, correct these issues when they were already in position to do so seems ludicrous. A name that has yet to be thrown into the ring, but still has time to do so by the Feb. 19^th deadline, is Dr. Thomas Kinlaw.

Dr. Thomas Kinlaw has the experience in a working board by being president of the Port Arthur Independent School District board of trustees. During this time PAISD has gone through much needed change, not unlike the city of Port Arthur is. He will be a much-needed new face to the City Council and has the commitment to seek real change for all citizens of our city. That is, if he decides to run.

Electing a city council made up of professionals that have a common desire to move our city forward is not easy. Each must have their own thoughts about what is right, but at the same time, be willing to work through differences of opinions. It has been a long time since Port Arthur has been in such a position to make long-term change. But now is that time.

Rich Macke is publisher of The Port Arthur News. Contact him at rich.macke@panews.com.