Bryant recognized for time with Council

By Kyle Mooty

LPR Editor

Derrick David Bryant served on the Lockhart City Council for four years, deciding not to run for reelection this time around after some controversial comments from his Sunday pulpit earlier in the year caused much friction among many members of the council and others in the community.

Nevertheless, Bryant was honored for his service during last week’s special meeting of the City Council where newly elected councilmembers were sworn into office.

Lockhart Mayor Lew White presented Bryant with a plaque that honored his “steadfast dedication” from 2019-2022.

“It’s sad to have to say farewell to councilmembers who will no longer remain on the council,” White said. “Derrick David Bryant has served admirably as representative of District 2. He’s had a special thing in his heart for the youth of this community. He’s always been very supportive of our parks program.”

Bryant said he would still be happy to help if needed and thanked other members of the council and the community for placing their trust in him.

“I’m still serving,” Bryant said. “I enjoyed my time serving on the city council.”

Four seats on the City Council were up for election in November, with three of those won by incumbents — Juan Mendoza (District 1), and At-Large members Mayor Pro-Tem Angie Gonzales-Sanchez and Brad Westmoreland.

“I will continue to serve the citizens like I have the past 12 years,” said Mendoza, who ran unopposed.

Gonzales-Sanchez said, “The decisions I have made up here have not been for personal gain, but for the betterment of the community.”

This will be the seventh year for Westmoreland to serve on the council.

“Lockhart is in for some exciting times for about the next five years, ladies and gentlemen,” he said. “It’s astonishing to see where we’ve been and where we’re going. We’re at the iceberg right now, at the tip of it. Together, we can make this town what we want it to be.”

Castillo, who was previously on the council from 2010-2019, said although he left the council a few years ago, he remained engaged.

“We’ve got our work cut out for us the next few years; how we’re going to manage the growth and how we’re going to prepare and be ready to deal with those growing pains,” Castillo said,

The next meeting of the Lockhart City Council will be Tuesday, Dec. 6, beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the council chambers at the Dr. Eugene Clark Library.