Johnson questions Gilbert's financial history in trustee race
BY CHARLOTTE SMITH Editor

Incumbent school board candidate Johnny Johnson delivered Smith County Clerk records about challenger Hank Gilbert's personal finances to the Tri County Leader offices Tuesday, saying it was for the good of the citizens of Troup. The documents included information about a federal tax lien on property Gilbert owns in Whitehouse.

Gilbert called Johnson's actions "petty, disrespectful and childish" and said this epitomizes

ever ything that people have come to hate about politics."

"I think it's very petty in a local school board election that an incumbent would feel so threatened he has to try to dig and find out personal information about his opponent in an effort to win, rather than try to win on merit," said Gilbert. "I've been involved in the school business most of my adult life, working with kids, and have a proven track record. My opponent can't produce that type of record and has to stoop to mudslinging tactics to gain an advantage." When asked to respond to Gilbert's charges of political gamesmanship, Johnson replied, "His actions speak for themselves."

Johnson said he felt the infor- mation was relevant to the trustee race because "you're in charge of running the district and taking care of the district's money. It doesn't look like he's doing a very good job with his own, somehow or another."

Gilbert said he felt the lien had no bearing his ability to serve on the school board.

"A good example of leadership, even with this in my past, is the Walnut Grove Water Supply. I ran for the board five years ago during a time when the system was very corrupt, on the verge of falling apart," said Gilbert. "Since being on the board and being president the last fouryears, we've changed our image with the state from worst to being one of the best rural water systems in the state."

Gilbert said the lien was attached to his property in Whitehouse after a business failed in the late '90s. He said he has been making monthly installments for several years and is in the process of negotiating a good-faith compromise based on his payment history.

"We could have sold the property to satisfy the tax lien, but we wanted to keep our property," said Gilbert, adding that when he ran for Texas land commissioner last year, the information about the lien was included in his financial statement disclosure.

"I am an individual who has provided for his family for well over a decade through self-employment and during that time have not done anything morally or ethically wrong. I challenge my opponent to be able to say the same," said Gilbert.

Johnson said a phone call tipped him off to the existence of the tax lien on Gilbert's property. He then requested the public records with the Smith County Clerk's Office and made copies.

The most recent unpaid balance assessment on the submitted documents is $10,663.08 for the tax period ending Dec. 31, 2003 (date of assessment Oct. 18, 2004).

Johnson and Gilbert are vying for Place 6 on the Troup ISD school board.

Trustee Bill Lacy is running unopposed for Place 7. Mr. Lacy has been on the board for four years and currently serves as vice president.

TISD voters can cast their ballots at the Troup library.