The Mayor by Ashley Land

Most people would not think of their car breaking down as a good thing; however, for Roger Van Horn it was a blessing in disguise.
Van Horn always wanted to live in a small town with a university. On a trip from Houston back to Kansas City, his car broke down in Nacogdoches, Texas, in front the dealership of the vehicle he owned.
“They were so nice, they took us to hotel Fredonia and put us up in a room,” Van Horn said.
Not long after they got settled into their room, he received a phone call from Dr. Walker, a surgeon in Nacogdoches. Dr. Walker came and picked them up and took them to a Sunday school party.
Van Horn and his family were in town for three or four days, were taken care of, met many people, and he knew before they left that this was the town he wanted to move his family to.
Van Horn was born in Tulsa OK, has been in Nacogdoches since the 1970s, has a full time dental practice, and is the mayor of the town. Van Horn is currently serving his third term as mayor of Nacogdoches.
“I like to serve” Van Horn said. He only spends three or four hours a day as mayor with a full day on Fridays. The other times he is in his dental office.
Van Horn talks about the differences in the processes between being mayor and having his dental practice. With his dental office he can change the policies however and whenever he wants and does not have to go through anyone to do so.
“My dental staff knows that when it get to pushing and shoving, I will ask them to glance out the window and see who’s name is on the sign out there,” Van Horn said with a laugh and his hands in his pockets. “With government that is not true, which is a good thing sometimes.”
Van Horn talked about that how a mayor of a small town like Nacogdoches is different than that of a larger city like Houston. Nacogdoches is a strong manager commission style of government and the mayor is there to head up the meetings and serve as the chairman on the city commission. Another thing with being mayor in a small town, it is strictly service-based and he does not get paid.
Van Horn is serving his community not only as a mayor but also as a dentist. As mayor he has to set aside his personal beliefs and choose what is best for the city of Nacogdoches, even if it is not what he believes is the best thing.
From a simple thing like a car breaking down, a man and his family found what they call home. Nacogdoches: a small town, with a university, a place Roger Van Horn moved his family to, started his dental practice, and serves his community as mayor.