Clay Barnett could bring an engineer’s perspective to addressing the needs of Sherman going into the future.
Barnett is one of three candidate who are vying for the district no. 1 seat most recently held by Shawn Teamann, who resigned his position in order to run for mayor during the November general election.
The Herald Democrat recently spoke with the candidates in the city council race and asked a series of questions to each regarding their qualifications, background and priorities going into the election. It is our hope that these questions and answers will help inform voters as they go to the polls this fall.
The special election to fill Teamann’s vacancy will be held on Sept. 14, with early voting running from Aug. 28 through Sept. 10.
Q: For individuals who may not be familiar with you, who are you? Where might they know you in the community?
A: “My wife, Laura, and I have two boys, Thomas and Chris. Sherman has been our home for twelve years. My parents joined us here about a decade ago, moving across the street. We are members of First Baptist Church Sherman where I serve as a deacon. I was proud member of the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Corps of Cadets. I received my bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M in Civil Engineering in 1997 and my Professional Engineer license in 2003. I also have an MBA from UT Dallas. I became the City Engineer for the City of Sherman in 2011. Shortly thereafter, I became the Director of Public Works and Engineering. I was the county engineer for Grayson County after that. Folks may have seen me on the local news informing them about our city’s infrastructure projects. In January of last year, I opened an engineering office in Sherman for Huitt-Zollars.”
Q: What led you to seek office on the Sherman City Council?
A: “My oldest son is in college studying to be a teacher and a basketball coach. Driving in town, Thomas noticed some new homes and he asked me their cost. I stated they are priced starting at $400,000. He replied, “I will never be able to afford a house, if I move back to Sherman.” This conversation broke my heart. Sherman is known for its strong sense of community, and it is vital we maintain this as we grow. Many citizens have shared concerns with me about multifamily developments and the housing needs in our city. We must find balanced solutions that allow our children to afford to live in the community they love, while also managing growth in a way that preserves our unique character. I commit to researching all issues thoroughly and will consider all options to ensure that we maintain the charm and cohesion that makes Sherman special.”
Q: What skillsets and unique traits do you think you bring to the table for the Sherman City Council?
A: “I have 26 years of experience assisting cities with managing the problems and challenges they face. A vital part of city management is maintaining existing infrastructure and building what is needed for growth. The citywide improvements we enjoy today are, in part, a result of my work while at the City of Sherman and Grayson County. Examples include the realignment of south Travis Street to intersect US 75 and continue to the high school, and the redesign of Heritage Parkway (FM 1417) to be four lanes. The Heritage Parkway work includes an extra wide median to accommodate two additional lanes, anticipating the needs of the future, and sidewalks on both sides to preserve the health and safety of our citizens. As a council member, I am committed to continuing to work with our regional partners to increase the quality of life in Sherman and throughout the region.”
Q: If elected, what priorities do you plan to bring to the city council?
A: “If elected, my priorities are infrastructure, preserving our community, and collaborating for regional success. I focus on infrastructure and preserving our community in other responses, so I will focus on collaborating for regional success for this response. As the largest community in Grayson County, Sherman must lead by example. I have and promote strong relationships with regional partners and political leaders. I worked successfully with our area leaders to provide the funding necessary for the reconstruction of US 75, now almost complete, as well as the section between US 82 and Loy Lake in Denison. As the only candidate endorsed by all four commissioners, I am committed to working with the largest property owner in the downtown area, namely Grayson County. By collaborating with our regional partners, we can continue to enhance the quality of life for everyone in our area.”
Q: What challenges do you see facing the city in 2024 and beyond? How do you plan to address them?
A: “The City of Sherman faces significant demands on its resources. Infrastructure will be the biggest challenge we face as a city over the next decade: existing infrastructure and infrastructure needed for growth. Our city was founded in 1850. We have to work with the very old and the very new systems. Our downtown and surrounding areas, the oldest sections of our community, need attention. Progress has been made in funding the replacement of sewer lines and replacing Cherry Street, but we have much to do. As an engineer, I bring the expertise needed to ensure our city is robust and ready for the future. I will advocate for smart investments in roads, utilities, and public services that not only support our current needs but will sustain us in the future. We need to enhance and preserve the quality of life in all our communities while also fostering economic development.”
Q: With the growth facing Sherman, what do you think is the best strategy for balancing the needs of new growth and existing residents?
A: “TI and Globalwafers will bring many high paying jobs to our region. They will also bring in more people, more families — more demands on our roads, our schools, our recreational areas. Even prior to the announcement from these two great companies, Sherman was facing growth pressure from the south. Melissa, Anna, and Van Alsytne are all growing at a rate exceeding 50% every three years. Celina was recently named the fastest growing city in the USA. The regional trends affect us directly. The opportunities and potential for our city are great. The Sherman City Council has considerable influence on how the city grows and develops. As a council member, I am committed to researching the facts, listening to the concerns from all sides and making decisions that will increase the quality of life for everyone in Sherman. I ask for your vote and your help to get the work done.”
