----------------------

"If you want to know what's happening among the grassroots in South Texas, the weekly newsletter for South Texas Republicans is the place to look.

State Republican Committeeman Joe Solis and his team do a fabulous job of condensing and highlighting the most pertinent facts. I invite you to visit his web site and ENJOY!"

Cathie Adams, 

President Texas Eagle Forum"
 

- Dr. J.A. Holmes
 

Joe,

I wanted to share my thoughts of the meeting that you spoke at on Monday evening to the Hays County Republican Club.

I truly appreciated your message about the necessity of a grassroots effort in stimulating Party support. I have been running my campaign for Hays County Commissioner for almost a year, and your philosophies are so aligned with mine. I am very passionate about going door-to-door visiting with my Northern Hays neighbors because I believe that I need to truly "earn" their support. I have had other campaigns (I served two terms on the Hays CISD School Board), where I had the same philosophy. I cannot represent effectively if I do not know my neighbors and the issues that are most concerning to them.

Your message was so inspiring that one local businesswoman, an active member in the Hays County Republican Club, gave me her card as soon as you finished speaking and offered to help with my campaign. She stated directly that it was due to your message.

I also really appreciated the fact that the Party is interested in helping the local candidates running for office. You were correct in your statement that it is at the local level that has the most direct impact on the citizens. I have a degree in Public Administration that I sought out after serving the public on the local level. 

Thank you again for all that you do Joe, and I look forward to having the opportunity to work with you in the future. Please let me know how I can help.

Christie Pogue

http://www.christiepogue.com
 

- William P. Merrill, D.D.
 

“Friends, Business Leaders and Citizens for a Better Bexar County: After being approached by a number of concerned citizens and after careful consideration, I have decided to run for Bexar County District Clerk. This is an administrative position that requires someone with my background, education and management experience to chart a new course for this office and help make a positive difference in Bexar County Government.

I seek your support and vote on March 7th as well as in the general election on November 7th. Early voting begins February 21st — March 3rd. 

Thanks for all your support and I look forward to visiting with you.” 

Jo Ann Ponce Gonzalez is an adjunct professor in curriculum and instruction at Texas A&M University Kingsville at San Antonio. Additionally, she is the public relations manager spearheading Red McCombs Enterprises’ “Partnership In Education” initiative. A program that recognizes the hard work school district employees contribute to our community.

Dr. Gonzalez has worked tirelessly for the last 25 years in the field of education and government service specializing in mentoring gifted children as well as those who are physically or mentally challenged. Her work experience is steeped deeply in administration and program coordination as an instructor, teacher and assistant principal. She has also proven herself to be flexible and multi-talented in other areas. Dr. Gonzalez served as a field agent for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) and in dual roles as a Department of Defense technology training specialist and environmental specialist.

A native of San Antonio, Gonzalez attended Providence High School and received her Bachelor’s Degree at Southwest Texas State University in 1985 and a master’s degree in 1990; she finished her doctorate program at Texas A&M University in 1998.

Jo Ann P. Gonzalez has serve on the Bexar County Benevolent Fund Board and the San Antonio Police Department Advisory Board.  She also serves on the City of San Antonio’s Affirmative Action Board. She is married to Pedro “Speedy” Gonzalez.

www.jpgonzalez.net

One of the negatives of the 2002 election was losing the District Clerk's seat held by Reagan Greer. Greer got high marks in the Courthouse and around the State for being a leader in the e-government area, making for easier and more efficient access to the Clerk's office. The combination of the Tony Sanchez-get-out-the-vote dollars sunk into Bexar County (i.e., 20,000 more straight ticket Democrat votes than Republican votes), a Libertarian and a goofy recount put Reagan and a few others down as casualties in an otherwise good Republican year.  This year we have a great woman who has stepped up to take over where Reagan left off. Her name is Dr. Jo Ann Ponce Gonzalez and she is

The Alamo City Republican Women Membership Drive is on Tuesday, February 21, 2006, 11:00 a.m., at the home of Marilyn & Dr. Day McNeel, 119 E. Kings Hwy. Special Guest: U.S. Senator John Cornyn.  

WE STRONGLY URGE YOU TO WELCOME SENATOR JOHN CORNYN and THANK HIM FOR HIS CONSISTENT LEADERSHIP IN WASHINGTON. THANK HIM ALSO FOR THIS TERRIFIC GRASSROOTS OUTREACH TO RANK-IN-FILE REPUBLICANS.

Advice from South Texas Republicans: Friends, we are providing some advice about this event. ACRW members will only pay $10 to attend (what a bargain to see a U.S. Senator) and guests will pay $35. We suggest that you join ACRW for $25 and send a $10 check for the event. In 2006, you will be a member of ACRW and receive all their newsletters in this important election year. (This is such an incredible bargain for only $35.)

The membership form can be found here: http://www.acrwomen.org/JoinUs.html.

Try to send your $35 check ASAP because this event will probably sell out two weeks before the event. 

- Dr. Albert Schweitzer
 

South Texas Republicans is offering Republicans and non-traditional voters another opportunity to get involved in Senate District 26. Justice Phylis Speedlin of the 4th Court of Appeals has agreed to be our inaugural guest speaker. Nelson Balido, Candidate for State Representative 125th District, will also be at this event. We will post more information about this function in upcoming newsletters. Many thanks to our donors for making this grassroots outreach possible.

Justice Phylis Speedlin, 4th Court of Appeals Place 7

Nelson Balido, Candidate for State Representative District 125

Date: February 23rd

Location: Fire Mountain at 7200 Bandera Road

Time: 6:30-8pm

Please contact Schuylar Crist skyskyrider@hotmail.com if you are interested in getting involved in this new organization.
 

Sponsorships are welcome and General Admittance Tickets will be $150 per person. Anyone interested can call 512/495-9522 OR E-mail NORMANPATART@AUSTIN.RR.COM

- James Robertson
 

“Dear State Chair Benkiser, SREC members, and Bexar County Chairman Langlois,

By mere chance I have discovered a cancer growing in Bexar County. I wanted to bring this to your immediate attention. I have been told by others, similar situations have occurred where Mr. Solis has shown blatant bias. As a former SREC, I see the beginning of problems that is causing people to run from Party instead of jumping in and participate.

...that I realized that Mr. Solis’ Web Newsletter has become a tabloid blog of sensationalism with little, if any, substantive comments. This was made clear to me in his own comments in the newsletter concerning the anonymous democrat contributor, “Now that would be really exciting!!!  We just have a great source who is writing for us. Enjoy!!” quote unquote.

The usefulness of the South Texas Republicans newsletter has become merely a list of calendar events. Even then, I would confirm the dates.

Time to get a knife and cut the unwanted growth out.”

I just wanted to pass on my thanks for such a good informative newsletter. I consider myself to be not only a better person because of you but also one that is more informed.

Pamela D.L. Berry

Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD
 

By Greg Abbott

Attorney General of Texas

The Iraqi people have reminded the world that democratic elections are still possible, even in a country that until very recently was pinned under the thumb of total, murderous rule.

America has helped make those elections happen, and we should be proud. But while we work to ensure that the polls in other countries are free of corruption, we shouldn't forget about our own.

In Texas, an epidemic of voter fraud is infesting the electoral process, and it's time we rooted it out.

Of course, voter fraud is no newcomer to the Lone Star State. Six decades ago, the votes "found" in Jim Wells County's infamous Ballot Box 13 helped squeak Lyndon B. Johnson into the U.S. Senate. Other instances of "election irregularities" -- although perhaps none quite so dramatic-- on both sides of the political aisle have plagued Texas since that 1948 primary.

And the fraud continues. Since last summer, the attorney general's office has been involved in several voter fraud cases across the state.

In January, the mother of a March 2004 primary candidate for Reeves County sheriff and another woman were indicted on charges of illegally possessing and transporting election ballots of several voters.

In Nueces County, four women are accused of targeting elderly voters during last year's local school board elections, going door to door soliciting votes and then taking ballots and carrier envelopes to the post office.

A Hardeman County commissioner pleaded guilty to illegally collecting mail-in ballots during the 2004 elections that put him in office.

And in Bee County, a Beeville resident pleaded guilty to mailing an absentee ballot in the name of her deceased mother during the November 2004 elections.

Local prosecutors are dealing with voter fraud, too. The week before Christmas, the Hidalgo County district attorney obtained indictments against nine people in connection with the McAllen city election in May.

At first glance, these might seem like isolated events in far-flung towns. Step back, though, and the picture looks just as sinister as it did 60 years ago. Texas has long been a haven for paid political operatives who target seniors and the disabled for mail-in ballot schemes. Many of the cases referred to my office by the Texas secretary of state fall into this category.

Some try to claim that these folks are simply helping seniors make their voices heard, but that's a smoke screen to hide the fact that this manipulation is simply another form of elder abuse.

The fact is, voter fraud allegations are surfacing in communities from the Rio Grande to the Red River, from the Pecos to the Piney Woods.

For too long, Texas has turned a blind eye to these crimes, thinking that everyone does it. Or that it is too hard to prosecute. Or that it's not really a serious crime, that it's always taken place, or some other excuse.

Voter fraud is occurring on a large scale when viewed statewide, and our state elections are being affected to a significant extent.

As the March primary elections approach, we must redouble our efforts to stem this epidemic. I have asked my office's Special Investigations Unit (SIU) to work with police departments, sheriff's offices, and district and county attorneys to successfully identify, investigate and prosecute voter fraud offenses.

Officers from the SIU, working through a $1.5 million grant from the governor's office, will visit key counties across the state to conduct voter fraud training. Included among these counties are the 14 where my office has previously investigated or prosecuted allegations of election code violations. In addition to those mentioned above, the list includes Bowie, Comal, Floyd, Harris, Jim Wells, Parker, Robertson, Tarrant and Waller.

SIU officers also will visit the 34 Texas counties with populations of at least 100,000. Together, these 48 counties contain more than three-quarters of the state's eligible registered voters.

With more law enforcement officers and prosecutors on the alert, we hope that those who would commit fraud will think twice. If they do it anyway, let this be their notice that we will come after them.

We must do all we can to ensure the validity of our elections. Voter fraud strikes at the heart of our democratic process, and it must stop.
 

I am a Board Certified Criminal Law Specialist, have taught at over 15 judicial and legal seminars and I have been highly rated in every Bar Poll. 

I pioneered the first “ReEntry Drug Treatment Court” in Texas, designed to reduce crime. Two independent SMU studies have shown this court to be effective at a minimal cost. The result is a reduction in the number of victims in Dallas County.

The Court of Criminal Appeals reviews the decisions of trial court judges; I have the experience to ensure that the opinions of the CCA give clear guidance to trial court judges in the future.

My judicial record and clear conservative values set me apart from the field. I have no intent to legislate from the bench, but will serve as a strict constructionist on this court.

http://www.JudgeRobertFrancis.com
 

With just a week to go to before early voting, the quiet before the storm is brewing. There is still plenty of time for sparks to fly, accusations to be made, and political blunders.

Reality number 1 is that Democratic Party Chair candidate Dan Ramos has proven to be politically impotent in garnering any broad base support for his candidacy. His meager Westside coalition of political coyotes (all men) is slowly dissipating. Insiders are predicting as high as a 3-1 margin of victory for his opponent.  

Considering some well-connected Democratic women are the backbone of her campaign, it is no wonder odds makers are betting that Carla Vela will trounce the trash talking, street fighting, strong arming, ACLU trustee in a runaway election.

Vela’s backers include Southside political consultant and heavy hitter JoAnn Ramon and political heavyweight Gail Beagle who ran the San Antonio congressional office of Henry B. Gonzalez for nearly 40 years. A bevy of high profile politically active Democratic women from all parts of town, who don’t appreciate Ramos’ blatant machismo are also her core support.

The anticipated lop-sided victory should be a devastating blow to the man whose leadership skills are apparently modeled after Cuban Dictator Fidel Castro! Fellow members of the Bexar County Democratic Women’s organization report that Ramos’ presentation at a County-wide candidate’s forum, recently, was patronizing and condescending.

On a lighter note, judicial candidate Milton Fagin, County Court-at-law Paul Canales, County Clerk candidate Tim Ybarra, judicial candidate Gloria Saldana and Congressional candidate Victor Morales are still missing in action.

Judicial candidate Barbara Elizabeth Scharf-Zeldes is now actively campaigning on the Democratic circuit and ready to host a fundraiser. With a husband on the San Antonio Police Department, she was unable to muster SAPD’s endorsement. However, they tend to endorse Republicans over Democrats, although not always. Judicial candidate Larry Noll did receive their endorsement.

Former judge Carleton Spears’ campaign is finally kicking into gear as he will be hosting his first fundraising event soon. He also failed to receive SAPD’s endorsement, although his family members have a history of judicial endorsements from the SAPD.

The “Laugh of the Day” blooper goes to JP candidate Ricardo Martinez who was recently quoted as publicly proclaiming he voted for his opponent, incumbent Saul Acevedo, the last go round. (Can you say political blunder?)

With reports that Congressman Henry Cuellar’s political campaign contributions are nearly seven times as much as former Congressman Ciro Rodriguez has been able to raise, the future doesn’t look too promising for Rodriguez.

Even with a large voter turnout on the Southside, political insiders are predicting it will not be enough. Rodriguez backers are hoping the photo blogging incident of President Bush cupping Cuellar’s face in his hands at the recent State of the Union Address will resonate with voters.

Now that State Senator Frank Madla is filling the airwaves with campaign spots, the heat is turned up a notch or two in the Southside battle for bragging rights. Some insiders believe that State Rep. Carlos Uresti’s campaign is making headway, causing a nervous Madla to panic and spend bundles of money to ensure a high profile on television. It is still believed that a large turnout in the Southside will favor Uresti, but does not guarantee victory. Early balloting and mail-in ballots may well make the difference.

Rumor also has it that judicial candidate Ralph Lopez is being funded by Republicans and he was allegedly spotted at a Republican Super Bowl Party, rather than at a Democratic Super Bowl function. Again let’s see if these candidates will get their political act together before it is too late. Only time will tell.

Correction: In a recent column, Election Consultant Christian Anderson who advises Republican State Rep.118 candidate George Antuna was mistakenly referred to as Christian Archer who serves as a special assistant to Mayor Phil Hardberger. I extend an apology for the mix-up to Mr. Antuna for the blunder. 

That’s the moderate viewpoint. I am the Republicrat.
 

of San Antonio - PAC

Founded November 6, 1988

We are Americans First

Alicia Rodriguez, President Cordially invites you to our

General Membership Meeting

Luncheon

Saturday, February 18, 2006.
 

Come and join us as we take pleasure in the company Of Atty. Ted Kenyon, Candidate State Representative, District 117
 

Topic: Legislative Justice &

 Business Development

At the Ocean Star Seafood and Grill

1039 N.E. Loop 410

210-822-9788

12:30 P.M. – Social

1:00 – 2:30 P.M. - Program

Please, RSVP by February 17, 2006

$16.00 with RSVP; $18.00 w/o RSVP, at door

 Marlyn 496-5024 Jane 691-9695 Alicia 682-3569

Celia 492-8544               

Marlynfeliciano2005@yahoo.com
 

Apparently our little grassroots effort to keep our freeways free has ruffled some feathers. First, the Executive Director of TxDOT, Michael Behrens submits an Op/Ed to the Express-News then San Antonio Mobility Coalition Chair and Greater Chamber CEO Joe Krier submits another within less than a week! What's striking is their total lack of rationale for tolling EXISTING freeways. Like most government bureaucracies , TxDOT prattles on about how its bloat factor isn't high enough…they "NEED" more money. But what's truly astounding is Joe Krier and the Greater Chamber supporting a policy that will increase government, increase the cost of doing business, and increase taxes.

A principled approach to representing the business community would take into account more than just the highway lobby (SAMCO represents 70 private companies who stand to profit handsomely from toll roads), it would promote lowering taxes which genuinely spurs economic growth. No nation has EVER taxed their way into prosperity. There is simply NO EXPLANATION (other than greed) for tolling FREEways that are already built and paid for! It's DOUBLE TAXATION and violates conservatism and responsible fiscal policy.

Krier got on KTSA radio Feb. 3 and emphatically stated no toll will be placed on ANY existing road, when Frank Holzman of TxDOT stated on camera that they are planning, in fact, to toll what we drive on today on US 281 (at an Encino Park HOA mtg., Jan. 24). ANYONE who's attended the public hearings on the project can attest to the same.

Who else is pushing tolls? The highway lobby itself, of course, with the help of willing public officials. Last November, former Executive Director of the MPO JoAnne Walsh landed herself a lucrative private sector job at a firm tied to the toll industry, Parsons-Brinckerhoff, right after seeing to it that $500 million in gas taxes were earmarked for toll roads. In January, former Executive Director of the Alamo Regional Mobility Authority (tolling authority) Tom Greibel also moved on to an executive position with a highway engineering firm, Pape-Dawson. Coincidence or conflicts of interest? Coincidence or exploiting the public good for personal and private gain?

We've seen enough corruption with the Abramoff scandal in recent days, Republicans certainly don't need to be hitched to more of it! Though there are friends and enemies on both sides of the aisle pushing tolls, it's Republicans who run the show in Austin and it'll be Republicans who pay the price for a messy, shady, scandal with plenty of conflicts of interest if not outright criminal behavior taking place.

The only two companies "bidding" to build the toll starter system in San Antonio, Spanish-based Cintra and Australian-based Macquarie, also just happen to be partners on at least two such public-private partnerships, one in Ontario, Canada, and one just inked in Indiana. Competitive bidding or shady monopolies?

Back in its glory days, the Texas Department of Transportation built a highway system many touted as one of the best in the world. Well, sadly that ceased to true when Governor-appointed Transportation Commission Chairman Ric Williamson took the helm. With statements like: "It's toll roads, slow roads, or no roads," (El Paso Times, 05/05/04) and "In your lifetime, most existing roads will have tolls," (Houston Chronicle, 10/11/04) it's not hard to make the case. TxDOT just hosted two workshops, one to over 1,000 people in the highway lobby to essentially "sell" private Texas land taken by eminent domain over to these new quasi-governments, these foreign consortiums, for 50-99 year SECRET toll agreements (public-private partnerships, called Comprehensive Development Agreements or CDAs in Texas), and one just THIS WEEK to bond buyers promoting the same CDAs for toll roads.

Special interests have more power over the government than the governed. Our elected officials are selling out the public good for the private gain of the few. Look who's promoting these toll plans and who's drinking at the public trough and it's easy to understand the public outrage! It's time for new leadership. Statewide and nationally, Republicans need to return to the conservative principles that built this Party and made this country a beacon of light, liberty, and democracy to the world.

Go to www.satollparty.com to learn more.
 

Executive Committeewoman, Genny Hensz, will discuss the election process and the primary.

February 20, 2006

11:00 a.m.

Lunch $8.00

Reservations should be made with

Gayna Wommack at 629-5922 or email to jwommack@satx.rr.com

or

Debbie Tucker at 609-6107 or email to tucker11@texas.net

--

Beverly B. Nuckols, MD

hocndoc@flash.net
 

Medical Professionals for Steve Salyer

6:00 to 8:00 PM

Cha Cha’s

2026 Babcock Road in San Antonio

Tuesday, 28 February 2006

South Bexar County Republicans for Steve Salyer

6:00 to 8:00 PM

Grady’s Bar-B-Que

6919 South Zarzamora in San Antonio
 

    1. Cleaning up of the Washington Corruption

    2. Reducing the size of the bloated Federal Government

    3. Starving of the Fed of the huge taxes by assuring low tax rates.

As a result of these incidents, we elected two Republican Presidents [both named Bush], and both houses of congress became Republican. As a result of our belief in the promises made, we have seen the axiom proven that absolute power corrupts absolutely. Since the election of G.W. Bush, we have seen:

  1.The Federal budget increase by 40%

  2.Earmarks [hidden pork projects added after bills have been voted on] increase from 2400 to 13,999.

  3. Jack Abramoff, and Tom DeLay

With the President’s approval rating in the toilet, and congressional Republicans even lower, Bush gives an energy prescription that any lover of big government programs would love, and the House Republicans, elect a compromise majority leader [John Boehner], rather than a real reform candidate [John Shadegg].

These people are truly like the Israelites who betrayed God and Moses. The result, that they and the boy genius [Karl Rove], don't even hear the drums that say they are in real trouble. After years of support [both financially, as well as effort], I now contribute ONLY to candidates of CLUB FOR GROWTH, and this fall, like [I believe] millions of other conservative Republicans, will stay home.

Ray Williams

Boerne, Texas
 

Thurman R. Williams

Mix N' Mingle with NRA-ILA Staff & Fellow NRA Members

Help Pro-Gun Candidates

How often do you get the opportunity to mix n' mingle with NRA-ILA Headquarters staff and fellow NRA members in your area, to earn FREE NRA items, and to assist with the efforts of pro-gun candidates seeking  office in your area? Well, on Saturday, February 25, you will have that opportunity and it will cost you NOTHING!

Please join NRA-ILA Headquarters staff, your fellow NRA members, and U.S. Representative Henry Cuellar and his campaign team for a few hours of socializing and protecting freedom.

This FREE NRA-ILA Grassroots "Mix N' Mingle" will be held:

Saturday, February 25

10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

National Skeet & Shooting Association (Natl. Shooting Complex)

5931 Rofte Road

San Antonio, TX 78253

(210) 688-3371

Cost: FREE (includes food, beverage, materials, NRA fraternal items)

To reserve your seat for this event, please click here.