Justice Rebecca Simmons of the 4th Court of Appeals
Commentary by South Texas Republicans

Leadership on the Bench:

Justice Rebecca Simmons is a deliberate and thoughtful justice because she is genuinely interested in understanding the positions of all the parties in the dispute. She has a unique desire to internalize the issues that are being presented to her. She will seek to understand the parties themselves. Justice Simmons will also seek to comprehend the human element of the dispute. How will the decision by the Justice impact the parties involved?  It is this kind of leadership on the bench that makes her so special.

Family Law:

We were impressed with the fact that Justice Simmons works hard to fashion her rulings so they are not just a cure for the symptoms. In other words, how do you structure a remedy that will solve the problem in the first place? Her probing on the bench seeks to determine the core issues of the problem. She is diligent because she knows that her decisions will have an impact on families.

The Art of Listening:

Our advisor told us that Justice Simmons will patiently allow each party to present their cases until she thoroughly understands all the elements of the case. Several weeks ago, at the Fourth Court of Appeals, Justice Simmons began her dialogue with counsel with a completely open mind. She started to ask questions once all sides were heard in the dispute. The attorney we interviewed actually said that he is never upset when Justice Simmons rules against him because he has confidence that she gave him a fair shake from the beginning.

Did you know that Justice Simmons represents the following counties:   

Atascosa, Bandera, Bexar, Brooks, Dimmit, Duval, Edwards, Frio, Gillespie, Guadalupe, Jim Hogg, Jim Wells, Karnes, Kendall, Kerr, Kimble, Kinney, LaSalle, Mason, Maverick, McMullen, Medina, Menard, Real, Starr, Sutton, Uvalde, Val Verde, Webb, Wilson, Zapata and Zavala.

PLEASE FORWARD this E-MAIL to your FRIENDS and FAMILY MEMBERS in these counties. 

Let them know the good word about Justice Simmons today. One e-mail can make a difference. 

We would like to thank Justice Rebecca Simmons for her friendship and her leadership on the bench. South Texas Republicans has always been impressed with the fact that Justice Simmons always brings her beautiful mother to assorted grassroots functions. Family values in Action!

Justice Rebecca Simmons Fundraiser

When:  September 22  (This Thursday)

Where:  Cibal Restaurant, 4003 Broadway

Time:  5:30 p.m.  7:00 p.m.

Cost:  $100 per person. 

Sponsorship levels:  Patron $1000; Sponsor $500, and Advocate $250. 

Breaking News: Jim Craven, Mayor of Balcones Heights, Texas Will Introduce Tim Lambert!

Keynote speaker: Tim Lambert, of the Texas Home Schoolers Coalition of Texas (http://www.thsc.org/)

Program title: Home schooling in Texas: A Legislative Perspective

Date: Thursday, September 22nd

Time: Networking Reception and Dinner (on your own):  6:15pm-7:00pm
Program:  7:00pm  8:15pm

Location:  Grady's BBQ; 4109 Fredericksburg Road

Cost: $5

Sponsorships will be available

The Texas Home School Coalition is dedicated to serving the home-school community of Texas and promoting a greater knowledge, understanding and acceptance of home education in our state.

Rough Riders of Bexar County Logo Courtesy of Robert Sanchez-www.sanchezforcongress.com
 

Let us give you our take. Chairman Tina Benkiser of the Republican Party of Texas pulled out her shotgun and chased the carpetbaggers back to Atlantic City and Las Vegas. She mobilized us. Tina was uncompromising and absolute on this issue: VLTs are bad for the families of Texas.

Was Chairman Tina Benkiser personally threatened by the pro-gambling interests? Yes!

Did her spine crumble?  No!

Can Grassroots Republicans make a difference?  Yes!

Can one person stop a charging train?  Ask the Gambling lobby.
 

If you have any questions or comments about the Perry Alliance Network, please send an e-mail to info@perry06.org. If you need technical assistance, please contact webmaster@perry06.org.

http://www.perry06.org

http://www.rickperry.org

Commentary by South Texas Republicans:  We have web envy in a big way!! The Perry Alliance Network e-Newsletter and the Alliance web page are really impressive.  Sign up today. The Perry campaign leadership team in Austin is taking online grassroots outreach to a new level.  These folks are aggressive, diligent and relentless. (Note to Grandma: The "Perry Bulldozer" does not have brakes. Run!!)
 

Date:  September 20, 2005

Time:  11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Location:  Oak Hills Country Club, 5403 Fredericksburg Rd., San Antonio

Special Guest Speaker:  Agricultural Commissioner - Susan Combs, Candidate for State Comptroller

Cost: $17 - Personal checks ONLY made out to ACRW-PAC ($20 if reservations are made after 12:00 Noon, Friday, September 16, 2005.)

RSVP Contacts:  Barbara at 210-342-5482 or Carolyn at 210-493-6210 or you can even make your reservations on the internet at reservations@acrwomen.org.

Dear Senator: We dont care for stealth candidates who fly through our county of 1.2 million people. Okay, I understand, you had 17 stops in Texas last week. Just give us an advance notice the next time you are going to be in San Antonio for such a big announcement. Why werent SREC members given a courtesy call about this event? We could have contacted voters in our respective districts about your event. Did you know that Commissioner Susan Combs called my cell phone about her campaign several months ago?  We were on the phone for half an hour. The same applies to Commissioner Elizabeth Ames Jones. The little things are big in politics. Thanks for allowing us to vent: It is much cheaper than therapy. Good luck.    
 

Elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 2002, Ken was appointed to the House Higher Education Committee, where he worked tirelessly with UTSA students, alumni and members of the development board on critical budget decisions. At the request of UTSA students, Ken authored and saw successful passage of House Bill 1650 to restructure student service fees to allow major expansion of the Universitys Recreation and Wellness Center and enhanced participation in NCAA 1 athletics.

-          UTSA Alumni, Rising Star Gala Program, 9/10/05
 

Joe, I have not received a copy of your newsletter. How often is it be sent out? The South Texas Republicans newsletter came out every week. I very much would like to receive the newsletter. I found the South Texas Republicans Newsletter extremely informative.

Thanks for your help,

Why are we sending this to you? The author lives in Dallas. Our focus is South Texas.

  
Sunday September 25th, 2005

6:30 pm

La Normadie Restaurant

1302 Fiorella Street, Castroville

830-538-3070

Our 5 course dinner will feature Chateaubriant

Dont miss the Fun, Interesting Conversation, and Great Food

Coat and Tie are usual, but optional

Please phone or fax acceptance or regrets as soon as possible

Phone (830)426-2334 or 741-3166 or 426-2067

Cell 830-931-5038 fax 426-8080

****************************************************************
The money raised at this FUN EVENT WILL BE USED TO PRODUCE AND DISTRIBUTE 12,000 Educational Voter Guides in five different newspapers just before the General Election in November 2006. The Voters Guide is a pictorial ballot that features all the candidates (state and local), gives their qualifications and a brief description of the office.

THANK YOU IN ADVANCE for your support of this valuable educational project.

YES ! I want to enjoy the fun, great food and interesting conversation

Reserve_______tickets at $100 each     Enclosed is my check for $____________

Sorry, I can not make it this year but want to help this worthwhile project

Enclosed is my check for $_____________

Please make your PERSONAL check payable to the MEDINA COUNTY REPUBLICAN PARTY and mail to Bob Peden 1118 18th Street, Hondo, Texas 78861 by September 21st
 

When I was a child my older brother used to play a word game to take advantage of me.  He would ask a question like, Do you want to do the dishes for me?  Then he would quickly throw in a; Yes means No and No means Yes. No matter what I answered with, it was always interpreted to his advantage. Well believe it or not, the Texas legislature is playing the same game. In 2003, our Bexar County Commissioners passed a resolution stating that no existing highway will be converted to a toll road. This was their good faith assurance to address citizen suspicions that this was exactly what TXDOT had on their mind.

Move forward one year Faced with the Commissioners' resolution that protected highway 281; what does the Texas Legislature do? They pass legislation to change the meaning of that resolution. The legislation, in essence, redefines the English language. Now the phrase; No existing highway will be converted to a toll road means; Any road may be converted to a toll road." I guess its just a matter of time until insurance companies and mortgage companies and others start redefining their terms and the English language.

Meanwhile, back at the Alamo, what does our great legal counsel to the RMA tolling authority, David Cassidy, do? He meekly says something like this: Well, according to the law, I guess we must comply I don't think we have any other choice. The legislature says; Yes means No and No means Yes, so...it looks like... we just have no other option but to turn over our highway to TXDOT and let them toll it."

Just where did our great legal council get his degree  at Kmart???  It is clear, even to a layman as myself that the intent of the initial resolution was to prohibit the conversion of an existing highway to a toll road, regardless of subsequent changes in the English language, legislation, or the weather. A resolution is a resolution, is a resolutionexcept maybe when made by a bunch of spineless pawns of TXDOT. 

To make matters worse we are at a crossroads that few people are aware of, and we are about to set a very costly precedent. Never in the history of our country has an existing (already paid for) highway been converted to a toll road. By allowing TXDOT to do this we are opening a Pandoras box. When this happens; rest assured that toll roads will be coming your way, and from every direction. You will be paying $ 7 or more a day just to travel to work. As an example, in Houston its not unusual to pay $13 a day, or about $350.00 a month in tolls!

I say we redefine a few things ourselves, beginning with the recall of our elected officials who conveniently use finger pointing and word games to take advantage of us taxpayers. You know, almost all of us go through a probation period when we start a new job  why not our elected officials? We need to change our approach to government  - we need to consider all elections as a Probation Period.  If we see that any elected official is not making good on his promises we should recall him immediately  and no waiting until the next election!  As we have seen, they can do too much damage in that time. We need to move just as aggressively as TXDOT has on the highway 281 conversion. (Remember, they need that precedent).

Its time for all of us in San Antonio to make our own resolution to take back our government!  I urge you all to join every recall effort.  Lets put our politicians on notice that we can change the rules too!  Lets put the fear of God into them. And, unlike the RMA board  lets stick to our resolution and take our government back.  Lets come together; lets stay united  that is the only way to defeat this beast.

By the way, I did finally learn how to handle my older brother I learned to say; In my world, Yes means Yes and No means No. Deal with it.

I urge you all to join the fight before its too late!  Go to www.texastollparty.com (like the Boston Tea Party) and let our politicians know where you stand.  Local questions? Contact: Terri Hall at terrih@gvtc.com or visit the SA blog at: http://satollparty.blogspot.com/

See an article about the happenings at the RMA on the Lightning at: http://www.sanantoniolightning.com

By Richard Bravo, San Antonio Resident, US 281 Corridor
 

(This is the basically the Supreme Court of the criminal court system.)

Election Date: Republican Party primary in March 2006

Current Contenders who have contacted us:  State Representative Terry Keel and District Court Judge Robert W. Francis

State Representative Terry Keel

Last week, we received a mass mailing from State Representative Terry Keel about his statewide campaign. Representative Keel lives in Austin, Texas. His letter had a dazzling list of fellow house members who are endorsing his campaign. The letter states: I am also uniquely qualified to serve: I am the only candidate for this court who has ever served as a prosecutor, a defense attorney, a lawyer who has appeared before the court itself, a law enforcement officer, and a lawmaker with extensive experience in the enactment of criminal law. Representative Keel enclosed an envelope with an appeal for money and volunteers. Two months ago, we made contact with Representative Keel, but there has been no follow-up since that time.

District Court Judge Robert W. Francis

We had an opportunity to meet Judge Robert W. Francis at the September SREC/Republican Party of Texas meeting in Austin, Texas.  (Representative Keel, your opponent outfoxed you in your own backyard.)  Judge Francis gave a strong speech to the SREC members about his passion for service and justice. We are always impressed with candidates who frantically give out their business cards after our SREC luncheons. I am happy to announce that Judge Francis has offered to host a pizza party for Bexar County families in Senate District 26. 

The battle between these two leaders is going to be fierce and intense. We will keep you updated throughout this process. Friends, let these folks work for your vote. Competitive races at the Senatorial and Congressional level are non-existent for the average America voter due to the power of incumbency, lobby money and strict redistricting. (I think the voters in Iraq and Kabul have more choices than we do.) Thank God we can practice Democracy in these judicial races.

This week, we will focus on State Representative Keel and his qualifications and biographical information.

State Representative Terry Keel

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

State Representative, January 14, 1997 to present. Representative Keel is serving his fifth term as a member of the Texas House of Representatives and is Chairman of the House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence, Chairman of the House Select Interim Committee on Sex Offender Statutes, and Chair of the Select Committee on Election Contests. District 47 covers a large portion of southwest Austin and also includes other communities such as Lakeway, Bee Cave, Briarcliff, Village of the Hills, Oak Hill, San Leanna, Spicewood, Sunset Valley, Manchaca, Circle C and Onion Creek. Rep. Keel has authored numerous legislative measures including major public safety and criminal justice enactments. In the private practice of law, Mr. Keel is a founding partner of Keel & Nassour, representing clients at the trial and appellate levels in state and federal courts in Austin and throughout Texas. Mr. Keel is also retained by the Austin Police Department Training Academy as a Consultant on criminal profiling. In May 1999 Representative Keel was named an honorary member of the Austin Police Association in recognition for his work as a legislator and his prior service as Travis County Sheriff and Assistant District Attorney.

Sheriff, Travis County, November 17, 1992 to January 1, 1997. The first Republican Sheriff elected in Travis County since Reconstruction, Sheriff Keel served as the county's chief law enforcement officer, supervising a staff of over 1,200 corrections and law enforcement personnel. Sheriff Keel successfully managed inmate populations exceeding 2,500 during the worst jail over-crowding era in Travis County history and established a program for housing jail prisoners in tents. He implemented numerous innovative initiatives, including: the construction of corrections facilities using inmate labor; the expansion of inmate agriculture, labor and education programs; the establishment of a professional victim services program with a crime-scene response; and the formation of joint law enforcement operations between the Travis County Sheriff's Office and the Austin Police Department in the areas of narcotics, criminal intelligence and training. Sheriff Keel received several distinguished law enforcement and civic awards, including the Law Enforcement Commendation Medal in 1995 from the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution.

Assistant District Attorney, Travis County, July 23, 1984 to November 17, 1992. Mr. Keel served as lead prosecutor in over fifty contested felony jury trials and held the position of Chief Prosecutor over several units, including: Major Crimes, Narcotics, Organized Crime, District Court, Child Abuse and Juvenile Prosecution. From 1987 to 1991 Keel also was assigned to Austin Police Department headquarters to establish and supervise the District Attorney's Office / Austin Police Department Repeat Offender Program, one of the first of its kind in the United States, consisting of specially trained prosecutors and police officers in a joint program targeting career criminals for apprehension and prosecution. As Chief of the Repeat Offender Program Unit, Keel participated in the arrest of over 200 felony career criminals and the service of more than 100 search warrants. In addition, he was designated as the lead Assistant D. A. in numerous capital murder, homicide, sexual assault and attempted capital murder cases, including the first courtroom case in Texas using PCR DNA. During his service as Assistant District Attorney, Keel received numerous honors and awards, including three certificates of appreciation from the Chief of the Austin Police Department (1986, 1991, 1992), awards from the Austin Police Association for the prosecution of career criminals (1986), for homicide prosecution (1989), and capital murder prosecution (1992), and award recognitions from the A.P.D. Sex Crimes Detail (1985), Hispanic Police Officers Association (1988) and Hispanic Crimes Unit (1988).

Education

University of Houston, College of Law- Doctor of Jurisprudence conferred May 1983.

University of Texas at Austin-Bachelor of Arts in English conferred August 1980.

Professional Licenses and Memberships

Admitted to the State Bar of Texas, June 24, 1983. Licensed to practice law by the Supreme Courts of Texas and the United States. Licensed also in the federal district courts for the Western and Southern Districts of Texas, and the Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Rep. Keel was also appointed by the District Attorney of Hays County to serve as a special prosecutor before the Hays County grand jury in 1999 - 2000. In 2000 and 2001 he was recognized by the State Bar of Texas for making outstanding contributions to the delivery of legal services to low income Texans.

Mr. Keel holds Master and Advanced Peace Officer licenses and is additionally certified as an Instructor of Peace Officers by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education. From 1990 to 1996 he served as the penal code instructor for the Austin Police Department Training Academy.

Representative Keel served from 1997 to 2003 as an appointee of the Texas Attorney General to the Advisory Council of the Crime Victim's Institute and from 1995 to present he has served as a member of the St. Edwards University School of Behavioral and Social Sciences Advisory Board.

Civic Activities

Emerald Society of Texas, Austin Police Department,
(founding member and charter board member)

Member, Emmaus Catholic Church, Lakeway

Life Member, Texas Ex-Students' Association

Personal

Born in Austin January 13, 1958 and raised in a family of six boys and one girl; fifth generation Austinite. Children: twin sons, Travis and Sean, age 18.

Be sure to read next week when we will spotlight District Court Judge Robert W. Francis!
 

I wanted to advise you of an exciting development. Governor Rick Perry today named Commissioner Williams to lead the state's long-term effort to help Katrina evacuees rebuild their lives. Commissioner Williams will coordinate the state's continuing response to this tragedy, working with state agencies that are on the forefront of this effort to ensure what is needed on the local level is provided at the state level.

Commissioner Williams' primary goal will be to help our Louisiana neighbors rebuild their lives.

"Commissioner Williams is perfectly suited for this great challenge," said Governor Perry.

"As we move forward, there will be challenges. We will meet these challenges successfully and make the most of each oppoortunity," said Commissioner Williams.

Click here to read the press release.

Click here to read Governor Perry's remarks.

Click here to read Commissioner Williams' remarks.

Thank you for your interest. We will keep you updated with any developments.

Sincerely,

Corbin Casteel

Director, Friends of Michael Williams

email: info@michaellwilliams.com

He will be learning a great deal from the best conservative minds in the country such as Vice-President Dick Cheney, U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert, and Senators Mitch McConnell and George Allen. There will be hands-on sessions from grassroots activism to cutting edge media strategies. There will also be national TV, radio, and newspaper reporters covering the entire conference.

While there, Schuylar expects to:

1.) Recruit nationally recognized speakers for our Rough Riders of Bexar County Educational Series

2.) Build new relationships with national conservative organizations and individuals for South Texas Republicans, P.A.C.

3.) Utilize these contacts to gain support in terms of resources and finances for the P.A.C., and our South Texas Candidates at the state and federal levels

4.) Demonstrate the strength of the Republican Party in South Texas at the grassroots level

The costs to attend this event will be about $1,400. The package to attend all 3 conference days (including the Presidential and Reagan dinners) and gain admittance to the exhibit halls/book signings, will cost $425. The hotel room on location (Omni Shoreham in D.C.) will cost $555 (plus tax) for all 3 nights. Roundtrip airfare is expected to run about $400 (plus tax).

Ideally, he would like the funds available before November 1st, 2005. This would allow for plenty of time planning arrival and transportation while in our nations capitol.

It would take only 28 people giving $50, 14 people giving $100, 7 people giving $200. Of course any amount you can give will put him that much closer to his goal.

Checks can be made out to Schuylar Crist, and mailed to:

9570 Autumn Shade

San Antonio, Texas

78254

You may also reach Schuylar by phone at (210) 663-6093 or via e-mail at skyskyrider@hotmail.com

To find out more about the conference, go to cpac.org
 

The location of the meeting is:

Sea Island Restaurant
11715 Bandera Rd at Bandera Point (Rt. 1604 and Rt. 16)
San Antonio, TX 78015

Come join us at our September 27th, 2005 meeting to hear
Grace Kunde discuss her campaign.

The meeting time is as follows:

6:30pm to 7:00pm - Social and networking time.  Dinner is optional and on your own
7:00pm to 8:00pm (time-certain) - Formal Meeting

Please RSVP your attendance to our Secretary Karen Stewart: Phone: (210) 488-3108 or email (gospursgo10@hotmail.com) her with your reservation
 

Source: San Antonio Bar Association

Gov. Perry Appoints Price as Judge of 408th District Court in Bexar County (8/23/05)

The following clubs will be holding important events and South Texas Republicans encourages participation by local activists:              

Do you have event information?
You can reach Schuylar either by phone at (210) 663-6093 or via e-mail: skyskyrider@hotmail.com

Click here to view the calendar for details on these and other events