Transition time in Reno

May 13, 2009 09:46 am

— Chelsea L. McGowan
cmcgowan@weatherforddemocrat.com
The voters of Reno joined other Parker County residents at the polls last Saturday, and their cry for change was deafening. Incumbent Mayor Randy Martin was soundly defeated by his challenger, political newcomer Roen Cox.
Election day was the culmination of a heated race between the two hopefuls. Both spoke out against each other in the May 3 edition of the Democrat, with Martin defending his policies and Cox raising allegations of violent threats and abuse of power.
Now that the voters have spoken, Cox said he hopes power in Reno will change hands quickly and easily ... but said he’s not holding his breath.
“I have not been contacted by Mayor Martin, nor has he made any offer to help with a smooth transition,” said Cox, who also claims Martin has gone so far as to physically leave City Hall whenever Cox attempts to meet with him. “Should I be unelected in the future, facilitating a smooth transition for the good of the community would be my first priority. City business should go on as usual. But I don’t know what’s going to happen there.”
Cox said he felt the mandate from the community was evident in election results, which showed 269 votes for the challenger and only 35 for the incumbent.
“It’s unbelievable all the support and congratulations I’ve received,” Cox said. “I guess I didn’t realize how badly the community wanted to get back on track. I was hoping for a little better than a passing grade, since I’m an unknown. But I was knocked off my feet.”
As for his priorities upon assuming office, Cox said he would attempt to reverse what he called an “unhealthy” power structure in Reno and attempt to re-establish a weak mayor-strong council system of government in the small community.
“The council hasn’t been able to be effective because there were constant roadblocks being set by the administration,” he said. “I want to work for the council. That’s what’s supposed to happen.”
Multiple calls requesting comment from Martin were unreturned as of press time. Cox said he believes Martin is “hunkered down,” trying to make his case to city staff.
“His comment to employees has been that I ran a dirty campaign and other things like that,” Cox said. “But I’m not worried about that. All I did was defend myself and my property. I didn’t have knee-jerk reactions in the face of adversity. I feel I handled myself really well during the campaign.”
More than any one candidate, Cox said he feels it is the citizens of Reno who will benefit from a change in city hall.
“That council was voted into place by the community because they know the needs of this community,” he said. “I want to work together so that they can do their job, and we can straighten this place up.”