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Keith McElroy, Co-Owner KMC Equipment.

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Mayor Mack Leaves a Legacy of Promoting Unity, and Sparking Revitalization in Longview

by Christina Cavazos

When Dr. Andy Mack decided to run for mayor nine years ago, he had a couple of key goals in mind.

He wanted to unite the city to bridge the gaps between north, south, east, and west. He also wanted to help transform Longview into a place that younger generations – like his children – would return to work and start families of their own.

In the last nine years, Mack led Longview through a bond election that has enhanced city parks, facilities, and infrastructure. He prompted changes at Longview Economic Development Corporation that set LEDCO on a trajectory to bring more than 4,000 new jobs and $157 million in development to the city. He advocated for development on Interstate 20 and promoted efforts that helped revitalize Downtown Longview. Mack also helped guide the city through a health pandemic, striving to provide accurate information to citizens. Through every moment and milestone, he believed in and advocated for the idea that Longview is better together. The term “#OneLongview” is synonymous with his tenure as mayor.

“When I ran for mayor, I had a few simple goals. I wanted Longview to close the gap. I wanted to reunite our city, create new opportunities for business, look for new efficiencies, and create a new legacy to leave for future generations. Together we have done all that and more,” Mack said. “We’ve supported each other through hard challenges and been, in a word, #OneLongview.”

From City Council to Mayor

Throughout the years, Longview has meant many things to Mack. A Longview native, he was in the final tenth grade class at the former downtown Longview High School campus and was a member of the second graduating class at the “new” North Longview campus.

He attended Stephen F. Austin State University where he received his Bachelor of Science degree with a major in biology and minor in chemistry. He received a Doctor of Dental Surgery from Baylor College of Dentistry in 1985 and went on to complete his residency in oral and maxillofacial surgery at The University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston.

He returned home in 1989 to start his own practice, East Texas Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. In addition to common procedures such as removal of wisdom teeth, Mack also performs facial reconstructions and cosmetic surgery.

In addition to opening a practice in Longview, Mack and his wife, Kelly, raised their children in the community. The couple has three children – daughters, Spencer and Madison, and son, Luke.

Mack served on the City Council in the late 1990s and early 2000s prior to making his first bid for mayor in 2005. During his time on the City Council, Mack led the charge on items that, while controversial at the time, have proven to be beneficial to the city.

The non-smoking ordinance prohibits smoking in public places. Though some people at the time felt the ordinance was overreaching on the government’s part, Mack maintained his position that it was a matter of public safety. At the time, Longview was a leader in the East Texas region for passing such an ordinance; a few years later the state would implement a similar rule.

“As science became clearer as to the e ects of secondhand smoke, it became apparent that we needed to make a change in our community,” Mack recalled. “At the time, it wasn’t incredibly popular to tell businesses what they could or could not do. I completely understand that, but this was a matter of public health.”

The other item that proved controversial during Mack’s time was the Lear Park project. Mack championed the idea of developing a first-class sports complex at Lear Park. The issue of developing the park was brought before voters in 2003 and received approval.

While Longview generates visitors and hotel stays Monday through Thursday due to laborers who come into the city for work, those visitors decrease on the weekends.

“We needed something to bring people to our community. We needed sports tourism,” Mack said. “Lear Park opened us up to being a leader in sports tourism. We have developed an incredible network of teams and sports that come and utilize Lear Park.”

Lear Park holds a special place for Mack. It’s been an important project throughout his legacy, and in 2015 it was the site of his announcement for that year’s mayoral election. Longview voters elected Mack as mayor in May of 2015.