‘3 Gs' sworn in to council

By Nancy Flake

Updated: 05.19.10 Conroe's ‘3 Gs' - Guy Martin, Jim Gentry and Gil Snider - were the headliners Wednesday afternoon at the City Council's workshop meeting as dozens of residents packed council chambers to witness their swearing-in ceremony.

The three won their seats - Gentry is in his second term in Position 3 - May 8 following often contentious campaigns. Gentry's margin of victory was the largest, with 636 more votes than his opponent, Charlene Payne.

Martin won his Position 4 race by only 104 votes over opponent Cara Canada McCollum, while Snider earned his Position 5 seat in what many thought was a surprising victory, with just 31 more votes than his opponent, Leo Hewett.

Neither McCollum nor Payne were present at the swearing-in ceremony.

Position 5 Councilman Jay Ross Martin and former Mayor Pro Tem Jerry Streater, who held Position 4, were term limited.

Those who were present Wednesday joined in cheers and standing ovations for Guy Martin and Snider following their oaths of office.

County Court-at-Law 2 Judge Jerry Winfree swore in Gentry and Snider, with Elaine Snider holding the Bible for her husband. State Rep. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, swore in Guy Martin.

Quoting Martin Luther King Jr., John F. Kennedy and Sam Houston, Gentry pledged to continue to be fiscally conservative with residents' tax dollars.

"The voters elected us not to do as we please, but as they please," he said.

Snider kept his remarks brief, first thanking his "fantastic" wife for her support.

"I'll try to do what's good for Conroe," he said.

When he first sat down with his key supporters in August 2009, Guy Martin said, "My only rule was to stay positive. Not one time did they violate that rule.

"I hope we're able to get more citizen impact (to reflect) the will of the people. I have no other agenda while I'm sitting in this room."

Nancy Flake can be reached at nflake@hcnonline.com.