Robert Lorance
Bowie County Commissioner, Precinct 4
Biographical
Spouse and children: Spouse, Laura; children, Lakyn, Bailey and Tanner
Age: 53
Years a Bowie County resident: 46
Political party:
Republican
Highlight your top three degrees and/or educational achievements:
■ Mechanical/electrical certifications, Kilgore College
■ Heavy equipment and HAZMAT certifications ■ 300 hours of professional training in business management and leadership, Frito Lay Corp.
List your current job and employer and your top three occupational achievements:
■ Route business manager for Frito Lay Corp., 23 years
■ Multiple-year recipient of Herman Lay Ring of Honor (top 5 percent)
■ Owner of hay harvesting operation, 20 years
Highlight the top three examples of your civic or community service:
■ Mayor/City Councilman, city of Redwater
■ Charter Member/Vice President, Redwater Education Foundation
■ Diesel Technology Advisory Board, Texarkana College
Highlight the top three examples of your political experience:
■ Lifelong Republican
■ Volunteer or contributor to various local, state and national Republican candidates and conservative causes
■ Bowie County Republican Precinct chairman/election judge
Political
Why did you run for office?
I am seeking the position of commissioner to provide consistent leadership on issues that matter most to Bowie County’s future: jobs, transportation, water and taxes.
What are your top three goals, if elected?
My tops goals are to provide consistent leadership to the people of Precinct 4, not just at election time, on issues such as:
■ Road maintenance/infrastructure improvements
■ Public safety
■ Budget priorities/economic development
The Issues
What are the three greatest issues facing the county?
The greatest issues facing Bowie County are: ■ expanding the tax base ■ creating jobs ■ making timely investments in much-needed infrastructure on water and transportation
How should these issues be addressed?
In order to secure Bowie County’s future, we must elect leaders who understand the “big picture” and how we best fit into it. Decisions that are made in Austin and Washington, D.C., have serious impacts on our region, and we must have leaders who are capable and willing to stay informed on all levels. I am ready to put both my private sector business experience and my previous public service to work for the betterment of Bowie County. I will be responsive to the needs of Precinct 4 citizens, properly manage the budget, support law enforcement and provide informed leadership on important local, regional and state issues.
How many miles of roads does your precinct maintain, how many employees and where is the precinct barn?
Precinct 4 includes 312 miles of county roads; employs about 15 people, both fulland
part-time; and the barn is located at 801 Texas Highway 8, New Boston, TX 75570.
What are the three most pressing issues facing your precinct?
The most pressing issues are making timely road repairs and infrastructure investments for water and transportation, expanding the tax base and creating jobs.
How should these issues be addressed?
In order to secure the future of Precinct 4, we need a commissioner who will put the interests of the taxpayers first, not just at election time. The precinct is experiencing record growth in certain areas, and we need proactive leadership to effectively manage that to the benefit of the taxpayers and preserve our quality of life. I am ready to put both my private-sector business experience as well as my previous public service to work for Bowie County. I will be responsive to the needs of Precinct 4 citizens, properly manage the budget, support law enforcement and provide leadership on important local, regional, and state issues.
Under what, if any, circumstances would you support a tax increase or bond issue?
I do not foresee a circumstance by which a tax increase would be needed for Bowie County. With respect to the issuance of bonds, I would seek voter approval when possible and properly research both the current and long-term economic forecasts before proceeding.
If the county’s financial situation improves, where would you like to see the money go?
I would support providing relief to the taxpayers, investing in needed infrastructure and/or providing improved benefits/salaries to employees in order to attract and retain a quality workforce at Bowie County.
If the county’s financial situation does not improve, how would you suggest curbing expenses?
I would defer capital projects, maintain the current tax rate, and/or cut other non-essential expenses in the budget.