Two new members sworn into McLennan County Rural Transit District board

The McLennan County Rural Transit District board on Aug. 20 swore in two new members, Isabella Lozano and Ronnie Hurst, during the board's regular meeting.

Presiding officer administered the oath of office and congratulated the new members. Lozano was introduced as taking a seat previously held by Josh Gordude; Hurst was introduced as replacing Trevor Ba. Lozano described her background in local government and education, saying, "I just finished up my first year on city council representing district 2. I am an educator. I recently resigned from being an elementary school principal." Hurst said he grew up in the county and intends to focus on outreach to lower-income and senior residents: "I've been raised in Mlennon County all my life... I'm going to try to do what I can to educate them by going to some of the senior meetings."

Board leaders asked the new members to monitor how rural transit serves their communities, provide feedback to management and consider hosting or attending on-site meetings to learn operations firsthand. The board noted meetings are typically short but emphasized there is substantial operational work outside the meeting room.