Sandra Melton is asking voters to allow her to return to the Sherman City Council when they hit the polls this fall for the Nov. 4 elections. Melton will face off against incumbent Clay Barnett for the place no. 1 seat.
The Herald Democrat recently reached out to both candidates about the race and what they wanted to accomplish if elected to the city council. Below are the questions and answers. Candidates were given 150 words to answer each question, and the responses are printed verbatim with edits only for style, formatting and if the candidate went over the response length.
Here is a question-and-answer interview with Melton about what she feels she will bring to the council.
Q: For our readers who are not familiar with you, who are you and where might they know you from within the community?
A: “I am Sandra Melton, a former member of the Sherman City Council and a retired city employee with over twenty-two years of experience. I served in the water office for five years before transferring to the city clerk’s Office, where I became a Certified City Clerk. Upon my retirement from the city, I joined the Sherman school district at Neblett Elementary. My husband, Danny, and I have been together for thirty-four years and have five children and nine grandchildren.”
Q: What unique skillset do you feel you will bring to the table if elected to the city council?
Melton: “As a former city council member, a retired city clerk, and an employee of the Sherman Independent School District for the past ten years, I am confident that these diverse skill sets will contribute significantly to the success of our community.”
Q: For this election, both candidates are former city council members. What lessons did you take from your previous tenure on council and how will it help you if elected?
A: “As a former city council member, I’ve come to realize that it’s crucial to have a representative who doesn’t own a business or answer to anyone except the citizens who elected them.”
Q: The growth from Texas Instruments and GlobalWafers offers a unique opportunity to Sherman. How do you feel the city should take advantage of this as the new facilities begin production?
A: “As these new facilities begin production, it is imperative that the city becomes more selective about attracting businesses. Instead of simply offering financial incentives to attract them, it is crucial to ensure that businesses and individuals align with Sherman’s aspirations and values. By doing so, Sherman can foster a sense of community and ensure that its future development reflects its rich history and heritage.”
Q: Recent forecasts have called for tight budgets in coming years with regard to public works and water production. How do you feel the city should navigate the challenge so that the burden does not fall on residents?
A: “In my opinion, the burden should not be placed on our residents. Instead, we should encourage developers to contribute to the infrastructure development of Sherman by implementing additional fees, such as the impact fee that I helped champion during my tenure on the council. These measures should be maintained as the city continues to grow.”
Q: What do you see as the city’s biggest challenge going into 2026 and beyond and how do you intend to resolve it if elected to the city council?
A: “Sherman has lots of challenges facing them in 2026 and beyond such as, the massive growth. I plan to work on having the developers pay their share for this growth and stop spending the taxpayers money to bring them into the community. We need those that are coming here to pay for the roads, water, sewer and such. Quality affordable housing and grocery stores are needed in our community. I will work on balancing the growth with what and where things are allowed in Sherman. We need to stop allowing the multifamily growth in the existing neighborhoods.”
