The Mayor by Briana Garlow

As full time activist in the community as the Mayor of Nacogdoches Dr. Van Horn still has time to continue his dentistry practice. He works about four hours a day from 8 A.M. –noon in the mornings and all day on Fridays. Although many citizens might believe that their tax dollars are paying for his seat on the city council in actuality Dr. Van Horn receives no salary as the Mayor of Nacogdoches. Nacogdoches runs the city on a 57 million dollar budget. “There are four enterprise departments, which trash, sewer, water and airport have to support themselves”, Dr. Van Horn said. Every January SFA and city officials go to Washington to ask for funding. The funding received is for the city not for city-governed salaries. He described the process of funding and the trip to Washington with excitement and made direct contact with every student in the room. Nacogdoches government runs on the common characteristics of Dallas or Houston but runs its government on a strong manager commission, which limits Dr. Van Horn’s authority. His main job as the mayor is to set policies and he is very involved in listening to the citizen of Nacogdoches at city council meetings.
“I had to learn that being mayor is not about Roger Van Horn its about the process, thinking broadly what’s good for our city”, he said. He firmly placed his hands in an cross position and took his time to make emphasize on describing the process of Nacogdoches government.
At the age of 65 –year-old Van Horn sees him self, filling five success terms if re-elected. Dr. Van Horn is on his second term as the Mayor of Nacogdoches.
He wants to continue his career in dentistry or with something. He says he gets, “bored about half a day.” He hopes to be engaged with something and finding some way to serve.
He loves going to the local Kroger grocery store while shopping enjoying conversations with citizens about either their dentures or the local neighborhood problems.
He told the Stephen F. Austin students to “find something in your community where you can give of your self.” Dr. Van Horn continued to speak with the local college students regarding the importance in a firm voice to “ Yes Vote! Yes get involve not just to vote, get involve with the community where you go to school.” The city council meetings are held every first and third Tuesday 5:30 in the afternoon downtown at city hall.