PALESTINE —
Palestine community leader Timothy Triplett officially announced his plan to file for mayor this week, and said he hoped to lead the city into its “true prosperity.”
The City of Palestine’s filing period starts next week and ends in March. The election will be held in May.
“Palestine is a city with a rich history and a promising future, but that future also comes with challenges. Palestine does not need to lose any of the things that we hold dear. ‘Progress, for progress’ sake’ is not progress at all. Rather we need a true prosperity that protects the good aspects of Palestine — such as its friendly nature, its natural beauty and charm, and its outstanding historic neighborhoods — while providing an environment in which its citizens can enjoy greater financial security and a better and more enjoyable quality of life,” Triplett said. “If the voters of Palestine agree with my vision for our city, as mayor, I will do my best to lead us into that true prosperity.”
Triplett, 61, owner of Coherent Technologies, originally moved to Palestine with his family in 1956.
“As a young boy growing up in Palestine, I developed a love for my hometown that stayed with me as I traveled the world for 30 years, living overseas in Pembrokeshire, Wales and in Houston and Los Angeles. In fact, my travels gave me a better perspective and appreciation for my hometown and all it had to offer,” Triplett said.
When his mother needed someone living close by to allow her to safely stay in her home where she and his father, had raised their family, Triplett returned to his hometown and relocated his engineering company to Palestine.
“Upon my return, I found my love for Palestine strengthen even more. I have been welcomed back by old friends, some of whom were my classmates from the first grade all the way through my studies as an electrical engineer at Texas A&M, and I have made many new friends whom I enjoy and respect. I now live next door to the house I grew up in, not far from Reagan Park,” Triplett said.
Since returning to Palestine, he has served on the Palestine Economic Development Corp Board of Directors and was the first president for the organization he helped start, the Palestine High School Alumni Association. He also has served on the Palestine Community Theatre board of directors, and has helped organize the community Christmas caroling event the last few years at the Texas Theater with his wife, Elaine.
The decision to run for mayor didn’t come easily for Triplett.
“I prayed a lot about it. I didn’t want to make the decision but I felt God leading me, saying ‘I really want you to do this, I will equip you to do this,’” Triplett explained. “Now that I have, it feels comfortable, I feel well equipped and feel I could be an asset to the community.”
While in year’s past, his work with his company has required him to travel, he now is able to work from Palestine.
“In the past I did a lot of traveling, but since last summer all of our travel is done. Our work shifted and we now work remotely, enabling me to stay in Palestine,” Triplett said. “I’ve been able to rejoin Rotary. I’ve been consistently in Palestine for the last six months.”
The Tripletts have one grown son, Donovan, 42, who lives in Katy with his wife, Misty, and son, Kenyon.
Current Palestine Mayor Bob Herrington announced last week that he will not seek a third term as mayor.
Local News
Community leader Timothy Triplett announces run for mayor
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Boil water notice issued for Elkhart residents
A boil water notice has been issued for City of Elkhart residents. It reads as follows:
Due to a water main line break, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has required our water system, City of Elkhart PWS id 0010005, to notify customers of the need to boil their water prior to consumption. -
Reagan Park Spray ground to open Saturday
The City of Palestine Parks and Recreation Department will kick off the first full season for the Reagan Park Spray Ground with an public opening event this Saturday.
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Annual Bluegrass Music Festival begins today at Salmon Lake
Bluegrass bands from across the country will descend upon the Grapeland area this week for the 16th Annual Memorial Day Weekend Bluegrass Music Festival, opening today and continuing through Sunday at Salmon Lake Park.
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Healthy cooking program offered
The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in Palestine is offering a four-week program starting this Thursday to help diabetics make healthy cooking choices.
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Steps of Faith Dance Center production Saturday
Steps of Faith Dance Center will hold its annual production at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Palestine Civic Center.
“We’re going to take you to a land far away and tell you the ‘real’ story of some of your favorite fairy tale characters,” Steps of Faith Dance Center owner Jennifer Ballew said. “The production is full of lively fun music, a reminiscing ol’ Granny, and of course the incredible dancing of several talented students.” -
Chamber sets photo contest
The Palestine Area Chamber of Commerce is seeking shutterbugs to participate in its second annual photo contest — portraying structures, landmarks and memorable locations in the Palestine/Anderson County area.
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Memorial Day celebration set Saturday
The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3907 will hold a Memorial Day celebration on Saturday featuring barbecue, live music, an auction and more.
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Longview man injured in motorcycle wreck
A Longview man remained in fair condition in a Tyler hospital Monday following a one-vehicle motorcycle wreck Friday near Montalba on Texas 19.
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Traffic stop leads to arrest
A Palestine man remained in jail Monday on drug-related charges following a suspicious vehicle stop in Anderson County on Saturday.
According to Sheriff Greg Taylor, while on patrol in the early morning hours on Saturday, deputy Johnny Gorden saw a suspicious vehicle sitting on the side of U.S. 287 between Palestine and Elkhart. -
Residents urged to welcome back local troops on Wednesday
Palestine area residents are asked to help welcome back the local National Guard troops, which will be coming by bus to the National Guard Armory in Palestine at about 3 p.m. Wednesday.
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