District 6 receives new representation, Tompkins sworn in at recent City Council meeting

At its regular meeting Tuesday evening, the Big Spring City Council oversaw the administration of the oath of office and seated one of its newest members, Troy Tompkins, as councilman for District 5. Newlyelected councilman Maury Smith in District 6 was not present at the meeting.

Tompkins replaces former District 5 councilwoman Camilla Strande, while Smith will replace former District 6 councilman Jim DePauw. Strande and DePauw were voted out of office in a recall election Nov. 3, 2020.

Tompkins and Smith were elected in a special election March 6. Tompkins defeated the opposing candidate, Daniel Moreno; while Smith prevailed over candidate Casey Pledger.

Big Spring Municipal Judge Timothy Green administered the oath of office to Tompkins during Tuesday’s meeting. During their closing remarks, each city council member congratulated Tompkins on the new position.

Tompkins congratulated District 5 citizens on the turnout for the special election, and urged Moreno to continue to pursue public service.

“Typical turnout for a special election is 5 percent. I want to thank District 5; there was a 10 percent turnout,” he said. “We obviously want to see more turnout on all elections, but that doubles the typical turnout for a special election, so thank you to all those in District 5 who came out and voted on a Saturday. Special thanks to Daniel Moreno who ran an amazing race. Daniel, if you’re listening, the city needs your youth. The city needs your energy. Please stay engaged.”

The council also voted to cancel the scheduled May 1 general election for City Council District 6, as no one has filed to oppose Smith for the seat in the election.

“The following candidate, who is unopposed, is officially declared as elected. City Council District 6: Maury Smith,” reads the resolution approved by the council.

In other business, the council voted to extend the disaster declaration stemming from the recent winter storm, originally instituted by Mayor Shannon Thomason for seven days, for an additional 60 days.

“While the effects of the winter storm are past us, the need to coordinate with the Texas Department of Emergency

Management and (the Federal Emergency Management Agency) for recovery efforts and reimbursements for those recovery efforts are still ongoing,” Thomason said. “So this resolution would extend the disaster declaration for 60 days.”

Councilman Nick Ornelas (District 1) questioned the need for a 60-day extension, asking if, instead, the declaration could be extended for 15 days and then renewed as needed at subsequent city council meetings. City staff including Fire Chief Craig Ferguson and City Manager Todd Darden expressed a preference for the 60-day extension, adding that the extension could be cut short at a future council meeting if the disaster status was no longer needed.

The council approved the 60-day extension unanimously.

In another item, the council voted to officially request the Texas Department of Transportation to install a traffic light at the intersection of FM 700 annd East 11th Place.

“Luckily we haven’t had any fatal accidents at FM 700 and East 11th Place, but there have been a fair number of accidents there, and at citizens’ request, they would like us to be a bit proactive