Published: May 07, 2008 05:26 pm            

3 fighting for Place 1 seat

Allen, Dempsey, Mangrum square off Saturday

By Philip Navarrette

reporter@trcle.com



Cleburne ISD’s largest race has three candidates from different backgrounds hoping to take the win during Saturday’s vote.

Brad Allen, 39, is a banker and former board member who wants to return to a trustee’s seat.

“I’m real excited about the opportunity to serve the citizens of Cleburne ISD,” he said.

Allen, who ran for re-election and won a board seat last May, gave up his seat in June so his brother could be hired by the district. Now he’s counting on his past experience and his interest as a CISD parent to help him in his goal of being elected Saturday.

“I just felt like there were still some things that I wanted to see accomplished for the district, and the opportunity arose,” he said.

Allen said that if he’s elected, he’ll fight to bring the best teachers, environments and facilities to the district.

“I bring the desire to have my children in safe campuses,” he said. “I bring the desire for success beyond public education.”

As Saturday approaches, Allen said he has good feelings.

“I’m very optimistic it will be a good day for my campaign,” he said.

This is the second time candidate Wendell Dempsey has thrown his name into the hat for a school board position. Dempsey ran as a write-in candidate two years ago but lost to Brent Easdon.

Dempsey, a 69-year-old business owner, said he’s pleased with the campaign he’s run so far.

“I’ve tried to do a good job,” he said. “I said everything I could say. I don’t have any complaint about the two I’m running against — I just think I could do better.”

Dempsey said he has mixed feelings going into the vote.

“I didn’t expect to win to start with,” he said laughing. “I get calls for more signs, but then I get calls saying I’m way off base on some stuff. I just want to see how we can pay for stuff before we can get it. But I’m not in a position to judge everything, being an outsider.”

This is Cindy Mangrum’s first experience as a school board candidate. The 41-year-old business owner said she’ll bring her experiences to the position if elected.

“I am a graduate of Cleburne High School,” she said. “I am co-owner of Curly’s Plumbing, which gives me a strong background in the knowledge of how a business is ran.”

Mangrum said if she wins, she’ll work to better the district any way she can.

“I pride myself on being a woman of faith,” she said. “I am honest and forthright. If elected I hope to make our district one of the best in the state. I want to invest in our children because they are our future, and they deserve all we can offer.”

Place 1 incumbent Donna Boles is not seeking re-election.

        

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