A&M-Commerce student to run for City Council

A&M-Commerce student Douglas T. Rohrabaugh will be running for a seat against incumbent Billie Biggerstaff on the Commerce City Council in the upcoming elections.

Rohrabaugh is a senior history and political science major.

"I decided to run for city council after completing an internship with the city of Commerce in the summer of 2009," Rohrabaugh said. "The internship opened my eyes to some of the challenges, which our great city is faced with. I would like to help overcome some of those challenges by serving on the Commerce City Council."

Adam Haney, also a senior at A&M-Commerce, is Rohrabaugh's campaign manager and thinks Rohrabaugh could bring some big changes to Commerce.

"Doug brings fresh new ideas with determined energy to make Commerce the best it can possibly be," Haney said.

One of the issues Rohrabaugh would tackle, if elected, is the condition of the roads in Commerce.

"The main object of any elected official is to address the concerns of the citizens; here in Commerce the biggest concern of the citizens is the condition of our streets," Rohrabaugh said. "As of right now, the city is not in a position to improve the conditions of our streets. My goal would be to find a solution to our street problem that does not place a financial burden on our citizens."

Rohrabaugh also thinks the relationship between A&M-Commerce and the city needs to be strengthened.

"The Commerce I dream of is a place where the university and the city work hand-in-hand toward the common goal of improving the quality of life for everyone within the city," he said.

A&M-Commerce student and Texas College Democrats President Kaycie Clark thinks Rohrabaugh would set his main focus on improving Commerce for its residents.

"It is very important to Doug to strengthen the relationship between the university and the city, although his first priority will be to the City of Commerce and its constituents," she said.

Rohrabaugh and Haney think it is important that A&M-Commerce students become involved with this election.

"I believe that the most important election you can vote in is your city elections," Rohrabaugh said. "City elections affect you directly, and students should voice their concerns about the condition of Commerce by voting in the local election."

As a husband, father and student, Rohrabaugh wants to see Commerce meet the needs of all its citizens.

"I want to ensure that Commerce remains a safe, small town to raise a family in while providing the employment, entertainment and commercial needs of a college town," he said. "I believe that with hard work and God's blessing we can make Commerce a great place to live and grow."