Retired Navy master chief faces 3 incumbents in Crawford City Council election

A retired U.S. Navy master chief is vying to unseat one of three incumbents in the May 2 Crawford City Council election.

Richard J. Putnam, who moved to Crawford four years ago upon separating from the service at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, will face incumbents Cindy Vannatta, Jared Ferrell and Neil Watts in the four-person race for three at-large council seats.

Among the four candidates, only Putnam agreed to an interview with the Tribune-Herald. Vannatta, Ferrell and Watts did not respond to phone or email requests for interviews. Watts answered a call from the Tribune-Herald, but it disconnected immediately after he was informed he was speaking to a reporter. He did not respond to subsequent calls or emails.

Putnam now works as a contractor for the Department of the Navy, helping to write medical support policy for sailors and marines. He has not served on any local boards or commissions before running for council.

He said he can apply the same administration and leadership skills he honed for 31 years looking out for the best interests of Navy sailors on 10 ships in the Atlantic and Pacific fleets to help Crawford plan for its future. He also said new skills in planning and policy perfected while earning his doctoral degree from Baylor University will serve Crawford well.

Putnam said competition brings better results, and in addition to bringing his skills and leadership to the service of his city, he also wants the council seats to be competitive.

Many of the issues Putnam is running on center around a recently approved 53-lot subdivision expected to break ground later this year.

"We're a town of about 800, and 53 homes, that will bring 75, maybe 150 people, maybe more," Putnam said. "I know that the homes will be built out over several years, but I'm concerned about what having the big trucks delivering materials to drive through our town will do to our streets. I'm concerned that our volunteer fire department and our police department need to be ready for those new people."

Putnam also mentioned concern about bringing those 53 homes onto Crawford's water system.

Crawford City Manager Brian Bolfing said the subdivision, called Whispering Oaks, will be built on North Lone Star Parkway just south of the 317 River Oaks Addition. With lots of a little more than an acre to three acres each, the homes will have on-site septic systems and be served with Crawford water, Bolfing said.

Putnam said he wants to plan for the spillover effects Crawford will see from job growth in McGregor.

"I heard that McGregor has 200 jobs coming," Putnam said. "Those people when they move, won't all live in McGregor. Some of them will probably live in Crawford, and we need to be prepared for the overflow from growth in McGregor."

Putnam said Crawford has only one gas station and only one flashing traffic signal. He is concerned that neither may be sufficient for coming growth.

If elected, Putnam said his goals for his first term on council would include improving communication between the city and residents, between the city council and residents and also improving transparency.

Putnam said his wife, Windy Putnam, along with his mother-in-law and younger daughter live with him. Richard and Windy's older daughter has left home for college.

Richard Putnam lived in Newburgh, Indiana, before enlisting in the U.S. Navy and Windy Putnam grew up in a town outside Abilene.

"I love my country and I love my town," Richard Putnam said. "I don't want to just be taker. I want to give back. I want to serve."

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This story was originally published April 19, 2026 at 4:41 AM.