By J.J. Smith. Rockwall County Judge run-off election candidate Jerry Hogan says the contents of the direct mail piece which his opponent, Kevin Fowler, sent to thousands of homes across Rockwall County last week was rather “amateurish” and quite inaccurate.

The retired U.S. Army officer and former IBM and MCI corporate vice president, who was the leading vote-getter in the March 2 Republican Primary election, said he was quite surprised that American National Bank vice president Fowler would actually put such contrasting opinions on paper since the claims reveal his naivete and are far from accurate.

For example, Hogan said he can’t understand why someone running for County Judge in Rockwall County in 2010 wouldn’t at least question the ethics of all elected officials, considering the problems Rockwall County has obviously had in the past few years.

Former Criminal District Attorney Ray Sumrow was convicted in 2007 of felony Abuse of Official Capacity, the theft of $68,000 and sentenced to 15 years in prison.  Former County Treasurer Sheree Jones was sentenced in 2006 to four years’ probation and a $2,000 fine after it was determined she had “borrowed” $2,000 from the County to pay her bills.

Hogan wants to safeguard against future problems by hiring an ethics officer, which Fowler said he thinks is unnecessary because County elected officials are some of the best in the state.

In his ad, Fowler wrote:  “Never questioned ethics or integrity of elected officials.”

Hogan’s position was described:  “Has repeatedly questioned the ethics and integrity of county officials.”

The ad compared their supposed positions on five other issues, as well.

Hogan said he thinks it’s silly that Fowler would criticize him for questioning the issuance of road bonds to build more roads, when it appears that the state highway fund is broke and Rockwall County may never obtain those funds expected when Rockwall Co. voters passed the $100 million road bond.

In the mailer it reads:  “Fowler: Worked hard for passage of $100 million road bond and believes infrastructure development and roads are key to economic viability of Rockwall.”

Regarding Hogan’s position:  “Questions issuing the road bonds even though citizens passed it by almost 78%. Doubts the process for funding road projects.”

Current County Judge Chris Florance has also stated that the state highway fund appears to be broke and the matching funds expected from the state may never find their way to Rockwall, since we have to compete with Dallas, Collin, Tarrant and Denton Counties for the funds.

Hogan also takes issue with Fowler’s comments about taxes.

Fowler wrote:  “Believes in listening to voters and will heed their wishes in infrastructure development.”

He represented Hogan as saying:  “No new taxes ever. Unrealistic in a growing community. Another empty promise.”

Hogan pointed out he’s never said “No new taxes ever,” and that someday they may be necessary. On the other hand, he intends to find a way to prevent a tax hike for as long as possible.

Hogan said he is disappointed, as well, that Fowler would suggest he will use an authoritarian style of leadership, if elected, and order Rockwall County employees around rather than listening to what staff members have to say.

The mailer reads:  “Fowler: Experience in building consensus, working with groups and communicating.” Or as the headline reads, “Vote for a leader that can build consensus. Not Walls.”

Hogan:  Experience in an authoritarian type leadership style.

Hogan suggested that it’s Fowler’s inexperience with leading people that’s prompting him to say and write such inaccurate things.

“Kevin may be a good financial planner, regulator and loan officer but he is unqualified to become County Judge because he has never led any significant number of people or organizations,” Hogan stated.

“On the other hand, I have led several companies with as many as 1,500 employees – all with different career goals and human problems to deal with.”

“The basic difference between Kevin and me is qualifications for this office. He’s never led any significant number of people or organizations while I have a strong history of doing so in the corporate world and the military.”

“He may have a been involved in many community projects and organizations as a volunteer, but it’s a lot easier to lead volunteers who want to be there.”

By Jim Hardin, Rockwall Herald Banner. Kevin Fowler and Jerry Hogan are vying for the County Judge’s seat in Rockwall County in the upcoming runoff ballot. The Herald-Banner takes an in-depth look at both campaigns prior to the start of early voting.

Fowler slogan: ‘I can build consensus, not walls’

That’s a message county judge runoff candidate Kevin Fowler wants to get across to Rockwall County voters before the April 13 election.

That will be his down-the-stretch slogan in his judgeship race against Jerry Hogan.

“I find myself saying over and over, ’I can build consensus,’” Fowler said this week during an hour-long interview at American National Bank, where he is a commercial loan officer.

And what’s the opposite of building consensus, Fowler said a marketing representative asked him.

“Well, it’s building walls,” Fowler said he responded. “If you have a personality that’s polarizing, or pushy, or strong, what doesn’t work in county government, then you’re building walls with other commissioners, or other departments, or other elected officials, or other cities, with Washington, with Austin. You have all these walls and you can’t get anything done.”

After the response to the marketing representative’s question, a slogan was born.

More

By J.J. Smith. County Judge run-off election candidate Kevin Fowler alleged if his opponent is elected – retired US Army Lt. Col. and former corporate executive Jerry Hogan – that he will order people what to do rather than build consensus as Fowler claimed should be done to over 100 people gathered at the monthly Rockwall County Republican Men’s Club Breakfast March 13 at the Harry Myers Park Community Center.

Fowler said that an authoritarian leadership style – which he implied is Hogan’s – simply won’t work in Rockwall County government.

“The County Judge is a leadership position. The most important task is to build consensus. An authoritarian leadership style simply will not work in County government. It requires a leader that can lead leaders.”

Speaking next, Hogan scoffed at the accusation, stating that building consensus is obviously necessary and something he’s always done during his 40 years experience in the U.S. Army, plus afterward as president and vice president of an IBM-owned company and MCI Telecommunications.

Then he jabbed back at Fowler, vice president of commercial lending at Rockwall’s American National Bank, adding that leaders should lead by example and not hesitate to make decisions when they need to be made. Hogan added that he will definitely not “drive” people, as the banker was suggesting.

Fowler said that since he has served for 23 years on committees and in organizations with many of Rockwall County’s current government and community leaders, he is “the person who can work side by side with them” to accomplish the most as County Judge.

“Our County is facing some very real challenges, such as  roads, infrastructure development and decreasing tax revenues. I cannot express to you how important it is for our next County judge to be able to work with people, to build consensus, to communicate, to listen,” Fowler stated.

“That is why I’ve talked so much about my leadership in this community, because it’s so relevant to what the County Judge has to do every single day.”

“I’ve learned how to accomplish difficult agendas, build consensus and encourage communication. That is what I bring to this position.”

Fowler also questioned Hogan about his statements about the need for ethics reform.

“You’ve heard my opponent question the lack of ethics in our own County officials and how he wants to change how things are done. I agree with change but you know what? We already have some of the best officials in the State right now. I want to know who’s unethical? And he listed numerous current County officials as possible examples.

When Hogan spoke, he explained that he simply meant former County DA Ray Sumrow, who was sent to jail for theft, and former County Treasurer Sheree Jones, who resigned when it was learned that she “borrowed” several thousand dollars from the County treasury.

Hogan added that these examples, plus the fact that County Commissioners ignored the wishes of County voters when they voted to build the new County courthouse next to the County library, are ample evidence why ethics reform is needed so residents can have their faith renewed in County government.

Fowler concluded his remarks with comments about taxes and confimred that he will leave his job at the bank and work full-time as County Judge, if elected.

“Bottom line: “We must live within our means.” And I can make the difficult decisions when the time comes.

“I pledge to you that I will manage the County’s finances in a conservative and responsible manner. After all, it’s not just your money, it’s mine too.”

Fowler said he believes the three most important issues facing Rockwall County are: infrastructure development/roads, a master plan and the budget.

Hogan said he considers renewing trust in government, growth – which he sees as an opportunity and not a problem – plus the budget as top priorities.

The run-off election will be April 13. Early voting runs April 5-9.

By J.J. Smith. Rockwall banker and community leader Kevin Fowler has become the second Republican candidate to announce his candidacy for Rockwall County Judge, a position currently held by first-term incumbent Chris Florance, who is also expected to begin his re-election campaign soon. 

Former corporate executive, retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. and “The Military View” columnist Jerry Hogan announced his candidacy last month.

Employed as Vice President of Commercial Lending for American National Bank of Texas for nearly eight years, Fowler says he believes he is uniquely qualified to handle the issues the County must address due to recent rapid growth in the area. 

“I believe with my financial background, proven ability to lead and strong community involvement I can build consensus throughout Rockwall County and lead our County to the next level.”

The new candidate said he will work with the Commissioner’s Court and the community to address Rockwall County’s biggest challenges, including roads. He added that the County could benefit from strong financial planning and he would like to see short and long term financial forecasting.

Fowler cited his work as Chairman of the Rockwall County Building Better Roads Bond Committee as evidence of his ability to build community support for important county projects.  He says there is still much work to be done. 

“The recent road bond package is just one piece of the puzzle toward solving Rockwall County’s long-term road needs,” he said. 

Fowler said the county, and the county judge in particular, must continue to be active at the state level to obtain funding for other construction projects. 

“The county judge plays a critical role in obtaining state funding for local road projects, and the County Judge must be able to work well with our state elected officials,” he added.

Fowler has a long history of community involvement.  He currently serves as a Director of the City of Rockwall’s Economic Development Corporation and as Chairman of the Rockwall Business Education Council.  

He is also a member and past-president of the Rockwall Rotary Club, past chairman and secretary of the Rockwall Chamber of Commerce and former treasurer of Rockwall County’s Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), plus the Rockwall Alliance for the Arts. 

He received a Bachelor of Science in Finance degree from Louisiana State University, and is a graduate of the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University. 

He has two children, Jake, who attends Rockwall High School, and Grace, who attends Utley Middle School. 

He is also a member of First Baptist Church, Rockwall.