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Clements
Ben Clements is one of three candidates on the Republican ticket for County Commissioner Precinct 3 and is running for the office because he wants to make the precinct better for all those who live in it.
“Undoubtedly, I know some of the specific things that are needed around the Precinct, and I have a plan to accomplish what is needed. I want to make a difference and want to work hard for this County. I want to contribute both my business expertise and my people skills,” Clements said. “Working with the people of Erath County as the County Commissioner would let me use both my knowledge of budgeting and business as well my experience in customer service. I pride myself on being able to get things done, communicate with people successfully, and get the right people in place for the right job, to do the best work possible.” Clements said he finds the role of county commissioner to be two-fold: one as overseer for budget and policy-making functions of county government and two as someone who manages and makes county roads better.
“When you represent the people of Erath County, you represent the best there is.
That is why people are flocking to this community. With the growth and movement of Erath County toward Urban County status, the county commissioner will be forced to be more focused on the courthouse activities and all that goes with being a part of the Commissioners Court,” he said.
Clements said his background will aid him in the offi ce of county commissioner.
He grew up on a 44,000acre cattle ranch in West Texas which helped him learn at an early age the importance of good roads and how bad roads can adversely affect vehicles and safety.
“I also learned the values and hard work ethic that have shaped my life and my business. When you come from an agriculture background, you know the importance of balancing funds and making those funds work for you. Funds are limited and need to go a long way to get done what needs to be accomplished now, not later; but all the while making sure you have an emergency fund in case something happens you don’t foresee,” he said.
Clements graduated valedictorian of his high school and then attended college with several academic and rodeo scholarships.
In college, he began announcing rodeos and numerous events across the U.S. which eventually led to his professional career of announcing full time. He was hired by a large corporation to handle and be a part of their event production, scheduling, advertisement, and representation to the rest of the nation, managing over 100 employees, and handling budgets and pay outs of over several million dollars.
“In addition, I became the editor of a world-wide magazine with a budget of several million dollars and a circulation of close to a million copies annually. With the people I met, with the experience I gained, and with my own ambitions to forge a stability in this community for my growing family, my wife and I started our X-Treme Team Roping business,” he said.
As part of their business, they handle events across the state and all the production and budgeting that goes with it.
“I could give you my entire background and history of who I am and why I think I am qualified, but here is the bottom line; this is not about me but about the community, about Precinct 3, and the people and those that live in it,” Clements said. “If you ask me if I come from a construction background or how many roads have I paved, I haven’t but that is not who or what this community needs right now in this position. The current road crew for Precinct 3 has over 75 years of road experience. Precinct 3 and Erath County needs someone to make sure their money is being spent where it is needed, that it is not wasted, and that enough is kept in the event of an emergency. They need someone to oversee the betterment of the county roads in the Precinct and they need someone to make sure all the t’s are crossed and the i’s dotted.”
Clements placed emphasis on the need to spend taxpayer money wisely and to make sure those who live on county roads can get down them without tearing up their vehicles.
“I will work hard to get the majority of the almost 300 miles of roads in our precinct to a paved status. This will take some time, but I have a plan to put into action to make this work,” he said. “With the growth of Erath County, we can use the influx of tax revenue, without increasing taxes to make this happen. Precinct 3 has a reserve fund in place. I intend to make sure that money is going to remain accessible so that our county can operate without debt.”