09/04/2025
Six and a half years ago, I embarked on my journey as Mayor during a water crisis that brought national attention due to water discoloration. Despite hearing “we don’t have the money” and “you won’t get grants,” my leadership has secured $1.1 million in grants for water line replacements. We’ve completed Phase 2 of the water line project and are actively working toward Phase 3, demonstrating steady progress in addressing our infrastructure challenges.
When I took office, the city’s financial situation was dire, with a treasury report showing $2,129,110.70, of which only $886,120.22 was in investments. Today, our financial standing is stronger, with $3,496,324.07 in total funds and $1,452,814.85 in investments, setting Grayville up for a financially secure future. How did we achieve this? Through strategic investments in infrastructure—including a water tower maintenance program, new water lines, a new pool liner, new uptown sidewalks—and by hiring a fourth police officer to provide near 24/7 coverage, something previously deemed unaffordable. The growth in local businesses has boosted sales tax revenue, enabling these improvements.
The Grayville/Albion water filtration plant project is another key initiative. While progress may not always be visible, we are on track with the 5-to-7-year timeline for permitting and construction, as outlined when I led the agreement with Albion. We continue to secure grant funding to minimize costs for our residents.
Under my leadership, we’ve collaborated with IDOT to replace the four-way stop on North Street with 10-inch-thick concrete, eliminating the bumps that have long frustrated drivers. This is another project we’ve funded to ensure completion.
Consider the water tower: once covered in mold and in disrepair, it now stands as a symbol of our progress. Voting for someone else risks returning to the days of neglecting problems and passing them on to future generations. The facts speak for themselves—check the investments we’ve made in infrastructure that wasn’t neglected overnight and won’t be fixed overnight. These improvements are the result of years of dedicated effort, addressing decades of prior mismanagement.
Our strong partnership with the Grayville School System, the heart of our community, has been vital. As one of our largest utility users and employers, the school drives significant sales tax revenue, supporting further community upgrades.
We’ve also prioritized cleaning up Grayville, with over 30 properties revitalized, mostly at the property owners’ expense. We continue to address dilapidated housing to make our city more attractive to new residents and businesses. However, we must focus on developing more suitable housing to meet demand.
I ran for mayor because our community was struggling with a failing water system, a neglected water tower, an outdated pool, weak finances, limited businesses, and rundown properties. Since taking office, we’ve seen unprecedented investment in Grayville, with more transformative projects on the horizon. Our city is gaining attention from homebuyers and businesses alike, and we must keep this momentum going.
With that, I am proud to announce my re-election campaign. Let’s keep Grayville moving forward in the right direction. Travis Thompson—a leader you can trust!
