Bill McGinnis sworn in as commissioner
BY SUZANNE LOUDAMY Staff writer

Smith Co. Commissioner BILL MCGINNIS

Monday, William A. McGinnis was sworn in as Smith County Commissioner for precinct 2.

He is ready to begin another level of service to people of Smith County. The first item to address must be the jail issue. "I'll do my best to get that going," said McGinnis. "It's not the only thing we need to tackle, but it's got to be the first."

Before being elected county commissioner in 2006, McGinnis served the citizens of Smith County for 20 years as administrative assistant to the Commissioners Court. Over the years, he was responsible for a wide variety of tasks involv- ing the day-to-day operations and management of Smith County and attended countless hours of county government continuing education.

As he said during his campaign, he will be a full-time commissioner. "I'm not going to sit in my office eight hours a day, waiting for someone to call or come in. I'll be out in the field." McGinnis wants to be a real hands-on commissioner serving the citizens of his precinct.

A native of Burbank, Calif., McGinnis has come full circle by settling in Smith County, only 40 miles from the old McGinnis family homestead overlooking Lake Fork. Soon after leaving California, he entered the field of news broadcasting, specializing in government and political reporting. Rising from "cub" repor ter to news director, McGinnis interviewed a wide range of public figures including President Jimmy Carter, presidential candidate Ronald Reagan, Vice President/President, George H. Bush, several Texas governors and the author of the bestseller "Roots," Alex Haley.

Since his "roots" were in East Texas, McGinnis jumped at the chance in 1983 to relocate from the Tulsa, Okla., area to East Texas. During his news career he won several awards, including a national "Best Newscast" award, before leaving broadcasting to join Smith County in 1987.

A strong advocate for law enforcement, McGinnis is a 24- year member of the Smith County Peace Officers Association and has been recognized by Smith County Victims Services for "outstanding service to victims of crime." He was a charter member of the Cotton Belt Rail Historical Society, serving

on its board of directors for several years, a past president of the Carnegie History Center Museum, and has served on the Smith County Historical Commission.

McGinnis actively celebrates his own family history, his Scottish Highlands heritage, through membership in the International Association of Clan MacInnes. He is very proud that a poem he authored commemorating the rebirth of the Clan Castle in the Highlands of Scotland now hangs in the Great Hall of Kinlochaline Castle.

McGinnis is a Past Master of Tyler Masonic Lodge and was the regional public relations officer for Smith County Masons for 12 years. He also served the Masons of Smith County in 2002 as district deputy grand master. McGinnis has also been a volunteer with the Operation

Lifesaver Railroad Grade Crossing Safety Program for many years.

McGinnis is married to the former Lynn Rae Matthews of Troup. They have two daughters and one granddaughter. The couple are longtime volunteers in Therapet, a non-profit organization that utilizes dogs, cats and other animals in Animal Assisted Therapy.

he group regularly visits area hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and hospices to bring the healing powers of animals to those in need. Their French bulldog "Jake" is a Therapet and also holds a title in Rally Obedience.

The McGinneses are members of Christ Episcopal Church in Tyler.

His other interests include writing, ancient history, biblical archeology, travel, and riding his Harley-Davidson.