Mayor Bell has served the Galveston County community for 27 years, first as a firefighter, a union leader, and a civic volunteer, including La Marque City Council for the past 17 years.
At 8:30 a.m. on January 2, 2021, Keith Bell was sworn in as the Mayor of the City of La Marque. Bell has been serving the citizens of La Marque for 17 years, first as a councilman and then as Mayor Pro Tem. Today, he is leading La Marque through turbulent waters as the city navigates the investigation of an officer-involved shooting and the launch of a new Safe City Initiative.
"Sometimes we find ourselves in the midst of adversity without warning or time to prepare," said Mayor Bell. "I can attest to the challenges life has brought to me personally and professionally. I can attest to the impact this can have on a community. I learned while serving in the Galveston Fire Department, we cannot always control the situations in which we find ourselves, but we can control how we respond to them. I learned that leadership is critical to move from a place of unexpected adversity to unparalleled opportunity. The base of leadership is service."
Mayor Bell has served the Galveston County community for 27 years, first as a firefighter, a union leader, and a civic volunteer in many organizations.
"I have served the greatest city in Texas, La Marque, for 17 years as a council-member, Mayor Pro-Tem, and as of a few days ago, Mayor," he said. "As your Mayor, I want you to know I believe in La Marque! I believe in our ability to persevere through any and all adversity. I believe in our ability to overcome any obstacle. I believe in the people and the diverse culture of our city."
Bell said from Omega Bay, to Borondo Pines, to Lake Road and beyond, he believes in La Marque.
"Since I have become Mayor, I have been humbled by the vast number of citizens who have pledged to roll up their sleeves and do the hard work of community," he said. "Community is hard work. It requires more give than take. Community requires sacrifice and service, more than selfishness."
Mayor Bell made a pledge to do the hard work of community.
"I pledge to ask the tough questions, make the tough decisions with an indispensable council, listen to the hard truths that may come from our community, and do all in my power to lead us to our goal: La Marque will be THE SAFEST CITY IN TEXAS!," said Bell. "God bless you all, and God bless the City of La Marque."
The change in leadership follows the resignation and retirement of longtime Mayor Bobby Hocking, who took a step back in October 2020 to focus on the health and healing of his wife of 50 years. Hocking's last day in office was January 1, 2021. Per Section 2.07. of the City of La Marque charter, Mayor Pro Tem will serve as Mayor until the next general election expected in May of 2021.
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