Gene Chapman plans to run for mayor of Kermit, although until recently, he had not lived or even been to Kermit. An independent truck driver from the Dallas-Ft. Worth area, Chapman has been in the area hauling fracing sand into New Mexico.
An avid Roy Orbison fan, Chapman was happy traveling through Wink and touching base with old memories -- until he went through Kermit and was stopped by local police for being off the truck route.
In a call to the presiding judge, Chapman explained the road signs indicate a truck route to the west and another to the east. Since he was traveling north, he kept driving. What he did not know is that Kermit has a truck route on the east side and another on the west side of town, both of which can be used to go north. The judge agreed the signs could be clearer and dropped the ticket.
And, that would have been the end of the story, except for the fact that Chapman received a second ticket, also in Kermit.
According to Chapman, he has gone over 20 years without an accident or a serious ticket. He also noted that getting three such tickets in a year could cost a trucker his job, his home and his family, due to the loss of income.
With educational credentials attained over many years, Chapman has become a believer in searching for truth in the sense of Gandhi, whose political acts eventually freed India from the British Empire. For Chapman, abuse of power is a violation of the relationship between citizens and governmental agencies.
Chapman says he is not one to sit on the sidelines. In the 2008 (not 2012) election, he ran on the Libertarian Party ticket for US President, and this year, he lost out to Kathie Glass as the Libertarian Party nominee for Governor. He also serves on the Board of Trustees of the proposed Libertarian University in Austin.
Chapman checked with some people in Kermit and learned there are some folks who are not pleased with the city government, including the police.
He is aware that, unlike Monahans, Kermit is not heavily involved in the oil and gas boom. And, because of this, the town may not see the trucks and water carriers as a benefit. But Chapman says truth would seem to require the town to make others, including truckers, welcome to pass around the town without being punished for earning a living.
So, he now has a piece of property in Kermit and will soon have a home on that property. He will seek information and support for his campaign for Mayor. Whether he is elected or not may not be the only issue. If enough citizens vote for him, Chapman believes the message that will reach the city management will be the truth.
Back to the most recent ticket for doing 37 mph in a 30 mph zone. As with the first ticket, Chapman has specific reasons he feels the ticket was unfair. Perhaps more importantly, Chapman has general reasons he thinks the citizens of Kermit should be concerned. He has developed a two question survey for the citizens. His two questions are:
1) Should a person's occupation and lifestyle be put at risk for doing 37 mph in a 30 mph zone at 4 am on dry pavement, not in school or construction zone?
2) Is it reasonable to have 16 speed zone changes in 6.1 miles of roadway?
Chapman would like to know what readers think. He can be contacted by email at gkchapman2012@gmail.com.
The News does not advocate for Chapman or Libertarians in general. However, Chapman brought the issue to light when he contacted The News a few weeks ago to ask about signs for truck routes in Monahans.
According to Monahans City Manager David Mills, Monahans has had concerns about signs and has worked with the TxDOT to make changes that work well. Mills indicated that it was the practice of the Monahans Police Department to issue warnings before issuing tickets.
"The Monahans News"
Staff reporter: Donald Bard
Monday, Sept. 22, 2014
Staff reporter: Donald Bard
Monday, Sept. 22, 2014
