Sarah Beth Owen for Mayor of Whitewright
Dear Whitewright Residents,
I am excited to announce my candidacy for Mayor of the City of Whitewright! As a dedicated community leader and advocate for progress, I look forward to the chance to lead Whitewright.
With a deep-rooted commitment to the prosperity and well-being of our town, I bring years of experience and a fresh perspective to the table. As a longtime resident I understand the unique needs and charm of our community. Throughout my years in Whitewright, I have demonstrated a willingness to roll up my sleeves and dedicate my time to help the community and address the challenges it faces.
I currently serve on the Whitewright Cemetery Association board, I own and operate the oldest business in Whitewright, The Whitewright Sun newspaper. I also provide a building rent free for the Whitewright Food Pantry to operate out of in order to serve those in need in our community. In the last few years, I have brought three businesses to town including the Almost Home Childcare center, the Color Me Crazy salon, and Red River Model Railroad Club, the permanent model train display which draws visitors to our town each week.
Now, more than ever, we need leadership that is responsive, attentive, and forward-thinking. Let’s unite and work together to build a brighter future for our town. Together, we can make Whitewright an even better place to live, work, and thrive!
Stay tuned for updates and ways to get involved in my campaign. The residents of Whitewright will choose a new mayor on May 4, 2024. I ask for your support, and for your Vote!
Exciting things are coming for Whitewright! Let’s make history together!
Sarah Beth Owen
Below is the first question and my reply for Whitewright Mayor candidates.
1. Why do you want to be mayor of Whitewright? What experience and qualifications do you have you want voters to know?
I believe I am uniquely qualified and well prepared to serve my neighbors as their mayor. I have previously been a council member, and I currently own the newspaper. As a result, I have extensive knowledge of the activities of the city spanning many years. I also volunteer on the Whitewright Cemetery Board as secretary, provide the Food Pantry a building to operate out of so they may serve others, and volunteer throughout the community.
My background also includes considerable experience in the private sector with project oversight and budget management. By nature, I am a problem solver always seeking answers and better ways to achieve results which is something Whitewright really needs right now. Whitewright deserves a leader willing to roll up their sleeves, work hard, and find new and improved ways to help every day. I set my own schedule with the newspaper, so I will be available daily for the needs of the city. For all the above reasons, I feel I am truly the best candidate for the job.
Below is the second question and my reply for Whitewright Mayor Candidates.
2. If elected, what three steps would you take to improve the city’s financial standing and financial transparency?
I will evaluate where the city is currently on completing the annual audits and meet with the staff about what resources, if any, are needed. Then present a plan to the council to get the annual audit completed and plan for timely completion in the future.
I will also work with the city secretary to schedule monthly budget reviews with each department head as well as quarterly budget workshops with the council. It is imperative council members know exactly where each department stands financially in order to make the best decisions on where funds should be allocated.
I will require any changes or unexpected expenses the council approves during the budget cycle be allocated to a specific account so both the expense and the budget amendment are approved by the council for any change needed. Again, tracking revenue and expenses throughout the year is very important.
Most importantly, all of the above needs to be timely posted to the website so the public is able to access information about where funds are being spent.
Post shared on facebook: As a property owner and resident of downtown Whitewright, I am committed to expanding the businesses downtown and throughout Whitewright. Most recently, I was blessed to have the opportunity to bring the Red River Model Railroad Club to Whitewright. There have been many other businesses that have opened in recent years in Whitewright too, which is great to see. My family tries to frequent local restaurants and shop local as much as possible. Growing commerce and increasing the number of jobs available in Whitewright is an important step to the future of Whitewright. It is my goal to help develop a community where people can live, work, live, and be proud to call Whitewright home. If elected as Mayor, I will work to foster relationships with future business opportunities and their owners and welcome them to town. Please consider voting Sarah Beth Owen for Mayor of Whitewright.
Post shared on facebook: As a resident I am plugged into our community. I support The Whitewright Food Pantry and Clothes Closet by providing their building free of charge to ensure they can serve those in need. I serve on Whitewright Cemetery Association as the secretary and point person for locating graves. It is vital the Mayor be someone willing to put in the time and effort, and available to coordinate with others to accomplish goals. If elected, I will continue my service to the community as a leader and a volunteer. Please consider voting Sarah Beth Owen for Mayor of Whitewright.
Let’s unite and work together to build a brighter future for our town. Together, we can make Whitewright an even better place to live, work, and thrive!