Massey Elected Round Top Mayor

Mark Massey is the newly elected mayor of Round Top by a vote of 54 to 36 over incumbent mayor Barry Bone. Based on his research, Massey thinks he may be the youngest mayor In the town’s history. “I’ll be 40 on Nov. 9 and believe I will be the 27th mayor going back to 1870,” he said. “I’m honored and excited and ready to get started.”

The newly elected mayor said he will seek to preserve the character of the town, expressing that as “Keep Round Top Round Top.” His maternal grandparents have had a farmhouse near town since 1968 and Massey said he has spent time here his entire life. “I love the town and have tried to preserve it’s character with the old buildings I have moved in and given a second life.”

The Massey family has been a prime mover in the town’s development in the past two decades, having developed Henkel Square on the site of the former Pioneer Arts museum of historic houses adjacent to the town square. Subsequently Massey developed The Compound show venue south of town and Rummel Square on the south end of town. That project also uses renovated older structures in keeping with town’s 19th century appearance.

Reflecting on the current plague year, Massey noted while sales and HOT tax collections are down the recent rescheduled antiques show “was extremely strong.”

“I want to work on the town’s infrastructure such as signs which are missing or damaged and will seek input from residents and business owners about what projects are needed such as encroachments on rights of way and street conditions.” Massey said he supports the designation of the town as a “dark sky” community, a process which is currently underway under the management of Councilman Jerry Hinkle. Massey praised the current council including Frank Hillbolt who was re-elected and Lynn Conine who was elected unopposed Tuesday.