1.) Several years ago, a postal worker who lost his job went on a murderous rampage at a post office.

2.) An Israeli settler in the West Bank was so frustrated with Palestinians that he walked into a mosque and opened fire.

3.) Over the decades, nothing stirs more passion than landowners who have had their land taken away from them.

What happens to people when they lose everything?

What if their main source of income, which might be their farm land, is taken away from them by eminent domain?

What do you tell a farmer who has had his four-generation ranch land taken for economic reasons?

The Trans-Texas Corridor is slated to confiscate over 500,000 acres from ordinary Texans. Who will get economic rights to the land? Them. 

Who is “Them”? The quasi deeds to that land, and the corresponding profits, for 50 years will be going to international companies including Zachry and Cintra in Spain.

I pose some serious questions for our policy makers in Austin.

How will these families be removed from this land? Will they be removed by force? Who will move them if they do not want to leave?

What will happen with these individuals who will have had everything taken from them? Where will they go? What will they do?

Will their firearms be taken away 30 days before the land is confiscated? Who will take these firearms? Will the Texas National Guard do it?

Wouldn’t it make sense for people who have been forced off their land to take retaliatory measures that include violence against the state?

Texans love their land.  It is part of our heritage. The love of land is part of our blood line. It is what bonds us to this amazing state. The evidence of this is in our history. We have been willing to lay down our lives for this precious land.

When you cut off this vein of life, you invite hostility and anger.

I wish no harm to any person including state officials, law enforcement or members of the U.S. military.  It is my belief that the Governor of Texas needs to make plans for the possibility of civil unrest, domestic terrorism and acts of “self defense” for this unprecedented act--the confiscation of land from proud Texans.

I have never seen people so passionate about this issue.

May we never live through another Waco where women, children and men perish at the hands of their own government. 

It is time for state officials to address this issue.

The “What If” may be inevitable sooner than we think.

I shudder to think of what might happen when that trigger is pulled. 

This is one Texas Revolution we do not need.

They are pitting Texans against Texans for the economic gain of a few.

We are going down that road.

God Bless Texas…..now!
 

The Property Rights Organization of Texas (PROTexas ) is a coalition of groups and individuals singularly dedicated to protecting the property rights jeopardized by the 2005 U.S. Supreme Court’s appalling decision in Kelo v. City of New London.

When the Supreme Court decided Kelo, the rights of Texas property owners were put in jeopardy. The Court dramatically expanded the eminent domain powers of cities and counties to seize the property of one citizen for the benefit of another.

The Texas legislature responded to this decision by passing Senate Bill 7, a legislative fix to the issue of eminent domain reform.  

In most cases, Senate Bill 7 prohibits state and local governments from taking a person’s home or business just to give it to another person or company because they’ll get more tax dollars in return.  But not all Texans are protected. 

Unfortunately, some special interests in Texas, and their lobbyists in Austin, were able to see to it that their special projects were excluded from Senate Bill 7. 

To make matters worse, Senate Bill 7 is not a permanent solution to the problems created by the Kelo decision.  Any future legislature can simply decide to amend or completely overturn those protections currently in place.

While the passage of Senate Bill 7 is a good first step to protect the rights of property owners in Texas, much more work remains to be done.

The best way to ensure these protections become permanent is to make them part of the Texas Constitution.

That’s why PROTexas is working with legislators, small business and community leaders, and individuals to amend the Texas Constitution to provide permanent protections for ALL Texans against government seizures of private property for economic development purposes. 

But we’re going to need your help if we’re going to succeed.

Getting an amendment to protect the rights of property owners in Texas is not only going to be difficult, but also expensive.

Once again special interests in Texas are going to do and spend whatever it takes to either make sure their projects are excluded from any amendment, or make sure it never gets to the voters.

In order to succeed, it will take a broad-based coalition, with one consistent message, to make sure that the special interests cannot “divide and conquer” and derail lasting eminent domain reform.   

That’s why we hope that you will consider joining PROTexas and support our fight to restore our property rights with a contribution of $1000, $500, or $250. 

Your financial support is crucial if PROTexas is going to have the resources to wage the media and public relations battles necessary in order to apply the greatest amount of persuasion and solidarity possible to keep legislators on message.

With overwhelming public support for restricting the government’s power to seize property for economic development purposes, now is the time to act.  

That’s why we hope property owners in Texas can count on you to get involved and help fight for lasting eminent domain reform. Your contribution of $1000, $500, or $250 could help make the difference between lasting protections for all Texans, or a victory for the special interests.

Thank you for your time and consideration and we look forward to working with you on these important reforms.

Sincerely,

Nathan Rhea
Executive Director

807 Brazos St, Suite 408, Austin, TX 78701

512-538-1528 Office    512-474-2009 Fax

nathan@protexas.org    www.protexas.org
 

On January 24th, the Bexar County GOP Executive Committee came together for a quarterly meeting. 

Roughly 75 people showed up including elected officials, about 30-40 Precinct Chairs and about a dozen or so candidates for precinct chairs. Patrick McCurdy, candidate for Mayor of San Antonio, was also in attendance. The guest of honor and speaker was our State Party Communications Director, Hans Klingler.

Hans Klingler, Head Of Communications For The Republican Party Of Texas Addresses The Bexar County Executive Committee

Hans discussed some wonderful communications strategies and then took some questions and criticisms, plenty of criticisms. All in all, he handled everything in stride and I think he had some solid ideas.

After Hans had left to return to Austin, the Bexar County EC got down to business. It was a good thing Hans had already left before hearing the sad state of affairs of our illustrious local party. According to the most recent financial records, our party is in the HOLE over $5,200!!! This is not exactly what one would call fiscal conservatism at its best. When asked repeatedly by at least one precinct chair as to WHY we were in the red and HOW we would be getting out of it…our Vice-Chairman Carol Van De Walle could barely keep her composure and could not give a very succinct answer. When she finally got a hold of herself, she gave the usual platitudes that I suspect no one believed such as, “We are planning to bring in a cabinet level speaker.”  I have one question about this…with WHAT MONEY does the Vice-Chair think we are going to pull that off?  We are in the HOLE after all.

Carol Van De Walle, Vice-Chair Of The Bexar County GOP Won't Find Answers To Our Budget Crisis In A Folder!

It seems to me, we have some work to do if we expect to be a strong positive influence as a party in Bexar County. How about listening to the grassroots--the voters? How about getting back to basics like smaller government, fiscal restraint, and moral values? It seems to me, even at the county level, our party leadership has failed in these areas. This has caused our Party grievous losses at all levels of government. Fiscally, we are in shambles. Steve Heinrich, who is in charge of the www.bexargop.org website and county party communication, has not received a paycheck in 5 months. Though I am not sure $2,000 a month for a website that has been stagnant for as many months, and one e-mail at most per month before or since, is appropriate for the position to begin with. It also does not help that our local party spends big bucks for big name speakers, cater to only the richest of the rich at speaking events, and can hardly break even! Basic math skills and common sense says this is a bad idea. We do not need to perpetuate the old Republican stereotype of being all about rich white boys with fat cigars and keg bellies. I think the Bexar County GOP leadership would go into shock if they saw what would happen when they made events financially palpable to the general public. I suggest they do exactly that, and I will get the AEDs (Automated External Defibrillator) ready for use!

I would also like to point out another matter involving Ms. Van De Walle and her arrogant, elitist attitude, which I suspect permeates the leadership. Prior to a vote being cast on candidates for Precinct Chair (15 or so were present of 48 total), I called into question whether we had a quorum. My reasoning for doing this was to ensure the rules were followed, thereby making sure everyone was voted on fairly and no one could come back and question the vote. Apparently, some thought wrongly that I just was trying to cause a ruckus, according to Charlie Rodriguez, who sits on the Management Committee. I assured him this was not the case, and I will say here, I appreciate his taking the time to phone me personally. At any rate, I was told by Ms. Van de Walle that my concern should have been addressed at the beginning of the meeting. However, there were no votes to be cast at that time, and several more people were in attendance before the vote on precinct chairs than when the vote was cast. Of course, it was not even clear how many were precinct chairs and how many were candidates or elected officials or other guests prior to the vote. Ms. Van de Walle also went on to be quite rude and insulting when she said “If you like, we can hold everyone here until we count to ensure a quorum, but I suspect you would not be very popular.” To which I replied, “I am not here to win a popularity contest, just to ensure the rules are followed and conduct business properly.”

It is time the Bexar County GOP got its own house in order in ALL facets. I believe that must start from the very top with our Chairman Richard Langlois…who by the way, was NOWHERE to be found at the meeting and no explanation had been given as to his absence. Maybe he sees the writing on the wall? True conservatives can only hope. We cannot afford Hillary or Ciro Rodriguez in 2008…or any of their ilk for that matter. Let’s right the Conservative Republican ship in Bexar County and sail into a victory in 2008!

Schuylar Crist

VERY Concerned Precinct Chairman, #2076
 

FOUR SEASONS HOTEL

10:00 am-11:00 am REGISTRATION & CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST

11:00 am WELCOME

11:30 am LUNCH

12:00 pm SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKER: THE HONORABLE RICK PERRY

  1:45 pm BUSES DEPART FROM THE FOUR SEASONS

  2:00 pm -4:30 pm LEGISLATIVE VISITS AT THE CAPITOL

  5:00 pm -7:00 pm LEGISLATIVE RECEPTION AT THE FOUR SEASONS

For more information: 713/963-9363 or tlr@tortreform.com
 

By John Merrifield,
Professor of Economics
Director, Entrepreneurial Conservatism Institute
February 5th, 2007

Last week, I made the case that a Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR) is needed as a constitutional amendment because the political process strongly favors increased spending. What are the facts? Is the legislature growing the state budget faster than the standards widely used to assess the rate of expenditure growth?

One such standard – indeed the symbolic standard of Texas’ easily and routinely ignored formal fiscal restraint - is personal income growth. From 1990 to the present, total personal income grew at an average annual rate of 6.5 percent. From Fiscal Year 1990 to Fiscal Year 2006, the state’s Total Net Expenditures rose at an average annual rate of 7.2 percent. The difference between 6.5 and 7.2 may seem small, but the difference adds up quickly. Had the state’s total net expenditure growth been in compliance with the personal income standard from 1990 to 2006, Fiscal Year 2006 spending would have been only 90 percent of its actual $68.83 billion level.

Many states have, or are considering, a TABOR that limits spending growth to population growth plus inflation. From 1990 to 2006, Texas’ combined population growth and inflation rate averaged 4.2 percent per year. State expenditures increased at nearly twice that rate. If Texas had enacted a TABOR in 1990 that restricted expenditure growth to population plus inflation, Fiscal Year 2006 spending would have been only 63.5 percent of its actual $68.83 billion level. Are we better off as a result of having increased real, per capita state expenditure so substantially? What state services are we getting now that we were suffering without, or didn’t ‘need’ in 1990? Our leaders need to ask such questions, and then design a TABOR that fits Texas’ unique circumstances.

It takes exceptional leadership to successfully argue that our elected representatives are inherently unable to keep from spending a bigger and bigger share of citizens’ money. The facts show that without such leadership to enact constitutional constraints in the form of a TABOR, state government will become a larger and larger presence; we will control less and less of our earnings.
 

Our speaker for February is Janis Roznowski. She is the extraordinary woman who founded Operation Comfort an all volunteer organization which has served the injured military personnel at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio since 2004. 

The mission of Operation Comfort is to provide support to any service member and /or their families convalescing at BAMC. Janis will tell us more about this special program and how, we too, can give back to our injured soldiers.
 

“It is important to meet with law enforcement officers who are dealing directly with the challenges on the ground and to discuss what support can be provided at the federal level,” Sen. Hutchison said. “Breaking down cooperative barriers and proving new resources for drug enforcement will help their efforts to improve the safety of our cities, towns and neighborhoods.”

Sen. Hutchison supported passage of the National Drug Control Policy Authorization Act which was signed into law December 2006.The legislation allows coalitions of law enforcement agencies to petition for High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) designation. In addition to authorizing appropriations, the law provides an additional $7 million to improve neighborhood safety and to combat illegal drug distributing problems.
 

The Alamo City Republican Women's Club will be hosting a membership reception on February 20 at 11:00 in Historic Monte Vista. Elizabeth Ames Jones, one of Texas' most powerful women, will be the featured speaker. Ms. Jones is the former State Representative of District 121.

 She is currently Chairman of the Railroad Commission in charge of regulating our oil and gas industry. Cost to attend is $35.00 which includes a year's membership in Alamo City Republican Women. 

For reservations or information contact Barbara at 342-5482, Carolyn at 4993-6210, or ACRWreservations@gmail.com
 

I could not have defended the Christian perspective on capital punishment any better. The problem with a majority of today's Christians is they don't take the time to study the Bible. I am a Catholic, and a devout Christian, but I don't blindly follow Church leaders. I follow my conscience based on the Bible, which I have studied extensively for many years. Joe, you were wrong on this one, and you did come across like a flaming liberal, who base their beliefs on emotion.
 

Mr. Solis, before you printed the responses to your Open Letter to Mr. Dewhurst, you printed a short letter with 3 points to which I would like to respond. Please do not look at this as a personal attack but an attack on what is wrong with the system and why most people cannot follow logic. You ask a question about Jesus and would he put them to death. If you believe that he will return and rule this world then you must answer yes because the Law will go forth from Zion. The whole world will be ruled by the Law and all will be judged according to that Law. I think it should be mandatory for any and every politician and aspiring politician to  read The Institutes of Biblical Law, Vol. 1,2, and 3, by R.J. Rushdooney, beginning with 3 then 1 and then 2.

You say that Mr. Dewhurst is going to "spend valuable political capital,”

you speak of  "goodwill with Democrats" and worry about "dormant liberal groups.” What is the issue here? This whole thing is not about justice, liberty, right and wrong but about games. Our Republic is in danger and we play political pattie cake. Our founding fathers and our Master did no such things.

You say "try explaining to the Archbishop of San Antonio that twice convicted Roman Catholic priests will be put to death under this new law.” I really do not care nor should anyone have to explain this to an Archbishop of all people. Not only should they be removed from "office" they should be put to death and if he doesn't have a better grasp of the Book he teaches from, then maybe he should resign. Why should doing what is right and just ever be considered a "waste of political capital"?

You say that Jeff Wentworth is a "pragmatic and skilled politician" and "will develop a plan to gut this proposal.” The problem lies in those "pragmatic and skilled politicians" who won't waste "valuable political capital" doing what is right and necessary for a just, safe, and prosperous society. Yes, the state may go broke but this will not be the reason it went broke. "Pragmatic and skilled politicians" waste real capital hand over fist many times over, but are very careful with political capital. Our Republic is in grave danger because of politicians not doing what is just and right and because of the apathy of our people. Our schools, colleges, and politicians try to keep our children and the masses Constitutionally illiterate and much of the Clergy keep them Biblically ignorant.

Let's not worry about "political capital" but in doing what is right according to the Law.

Regards, 

Robert M. Smith
 

Please join us from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 13th, at the Water Street Oyster Bar on Broadway at Basse Road for lunch featuring our guest speaker Ted Terrazas, Chairman and CEO, TerraHealth, Inc. Mr. Terrazas is recognized nationally for his expertise in health care delivery systems and as an entrepreneur. He started TerraHealth in 2001 with 7 employees. Today, five years later, TerraHealth has 400 plus employees. His leadership has been recognized in many different venues including television appearances.  He has been published and has presented lectures on several health care, business, and leadership topics nationally.

Sincerely,

Ed Bandas

Mr. Terrazas will be discussing the development of the Center for Strategic Studies of the Americas (CSSAM). Ted Terrazas whose goal was to build a Strategic Think Tank in San Antonio, Texas, with a focus on the Americas, founded CSSAM in 2006. The founding Charter Members include former Ambassadors of Latin America and senior (Retired) Generals with Military Policy experience.

The mission of Center for the Strategic Studies of the Americas (CSSAM) is to formulate expert strategic analysis on topics of importance pertaining to countries within the Northern and Southern American continents and the Caribbean. These studies will be directed in scope and concern toward economic, political, military, and humanitarian policy and issues.

This initiative by Mr. Terrazas is certain to continue to increase the influence and visibility of San Antonio in the Western Hemisphere as major player in global policy, academics, and economic status.

Please RSVP by using the links below or replying to this email. Cost for lunch is $20 for Pachyderm Members and $25 for guests. Cash or check only please!

THIS IS AN EVENT YOU WON'T WANT TO MISS! FORWARD THIS EMAIL TO YOUR FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES! WE ARE COMMITTED TO BRINGING YOU DYNAMIC SPEAKERS WITH A RELEVANT DISCUSSION!

Alamo Pachyderm Club

900 NE Loop 410 Suite D-105 San Antonio, Texas 78209

alamopachyderm@yahoo.com

"It is our belief that most of the corrupting influences in American politics could be erased, and government generally made more responsive by one basic improvement. That is simply for more good citizens to participate in politics." "We get the Government we deserve, not the one we wish for," remains a guide-star for a free people. We offer a meaningful movement of political clubs as the most practical mean by which a broad citizen participation in politics may be achieved.
 

Our local Metropolitan Planning Organization that's stacked with appointed rather than elected officials (including two votes by TxDOT in a colossal conflict of interest to vote themselves money for their own projects) stubbornly REFUSED to listen to 100 concerned citizens who turned out to oppose proposed toll plans for 281 (in the middle of a workday no less)! The public continues to turn out in record numbers to defeat tolls across Texas, but what is our Transportation Department's response? Threats, intimidation, and more arrogance. Read about it here. In fact, TxDOT District Engineer David Casteel threatened to yank funding from other projects if 281 tolls were voted down and once the meeting was adjourned and before attendees were even out of the meeting room Casteel was already making threats against Via for their votes FOR THE PEOPLE and with Commissioners Larson and Adkisson. Read Commissioner Adkisson's letter to the Governor that tells of TxDOT's threat to remove Via Board members from the MPO and threats to sabotage any legislative efforts by Via in retaliation for their votes against tolls here.

The MPO is but one place to stop tolls and Commissioner Lyle Larson along with Tetco Chairman Tom Turner and Auto Dealer Ernesto Ancira and more than a dozen other businesses along 281 all took a stand to STOP TOLLS at last week's MPO Meeting. TxDOT and their highway lobby minions may have won that battle but the war is FAR FROM OVER! This Tuesday is the last public hearing on 281 before they give control to a foreign company. This marks a turning point for San Antonio's highway history. If the citizens do not take a stand, TxDOT will put our vital public infrastructure in the hands of a foreign company for the NEXT 50 YEARS without ANY CAP on how high tolls will go and would even give them control of the non-toll roads surrounding the toll lanes (through non-compete agreements, read about the dangers here and here: here) guaranteeing congestion on the free lanes and guaranteeing lucrative toll revenues.

What's most egregious is the fact that the gas tax funded ORIGINAL plan for 281 is already PAID FOR (http://satollparty.com/post/?p=144) and should have been completed LAST YEAR! It's an outrageous betrayal of TxDOT's fiduciary duty and a violation of the public trust (if not outright FRAUD) to make the taxpaying public pay a lifetime of homage (tolls) to a private company for the "privilege" of driving on our PUBLIC roads when they're already BOUGHT AND PAID FOR! Tolling 281 is special interest money grabbing pure and simple, one that reaps the HIGHEST POSSIBLE COST to the taxpayer! Time for a taxpayer revolt the size of Texas! The FACTS and momentum are on our side. Go to http://satollparty.com/post/ to read more...

Hwy. 281 Public Hearing

Tuesday, February 6, 2007

Open House (sign-ups to speak) 6:30 PM

Formal hearing begins 7:00 PM

Alzafar Shrine Temple, Main Ballroom

901 N. Loop 1604 West San Antonio, TX 78232

Get your comments on the LEGAL record that the community wants TxDOT to be forced to install the ORIGINAL GAS TAX FUNDED PLAN for 281 and NOT A TOLL ROAD in the hands of a foreign company. We should not have to pay a lifetime of tolls for what's already bought and paid for! Remember that TxDOT is now lying about having the money to fix 281. We have them ON RECORD stating they DO have the money and their own records show it as well. Be prepared for more double speak and for them to whine other projects will be cut to pay for the 281 project without tolls. Prioritizing projects is a reality of government...it's all a matter of priorities and a FREEway is always LESS MONEY than a TOLLway. Also be prepared for them to BLAME YOU, the public, for the higher costs for the project and for the "delay," when it's TxDOT not concerned citizens who put the project on hold to toll it instead.

Even TxDOT's own survey of stakeholders in the corridor showed that more than 60% of respondents want the MPO to cancel other projects to fund 281 improvements WITHOUT TOLLS! So much for the PEOPLE being owners of government and so much for responsive government and taxpayers calling the shots. Do we want to live under the rule of a few elitist bureaucrats or do we want a government of the people, by the people and for the people? It's our choice...choose wisely or lose your freedom and live under tyranny.

Also, TxDOT is guilty of taxpayer funded lobbying to the tune of $30,000 a MONTH!
 

R.G. Griffing is complaining that the city clerk’s office is giving him problems and threatening him in his campaign to be Mayor. What with Griffing’s successful muckraking record in the past, first blush would tell you that he is inciting the commotion to garner attention for his campaign that will most likely go nowhere. You have to give him credit in that he does know how to stir up his followers.

I am looking forward to attending one of his fundraisers, invited or not, to see who would actually support him in his race for Mayor. My first thought would be City Council critic Jack Finger, but apparently, Jack has opted to back Patrick McCurdy instead. I guess even Wildman Jack draws a line somewhere. 

But, let’s get back to R.G. for a thrashing. I would devote a whole column to him and his platform, if he actually had a sound one to offer. He only offers criticisms, rants, malicious innuendos, and true trash talk.

I will give him his just due on the trash talk since I am not one to cast aspersions in that direction. I have the reputation on occasion, to talk a little trash myself. Where is birkie girl?

The other challenger to incumbent Mayor Phil Hardberger is Patrick McCurdy. A nice fellow who runs Joseph’s Bakery on N. St. Mary’s, he preaches at his bakery on Sundays. I assume he will attract many of the Conservative Christian voters who don’t like the current Mayor for supporting groups like the Esperanza Peace and Justice Center and is cordial to the Stonewall Democrats and Log Cabin Republicans. You figure that one out by yourself.

I am informed that McCurdy is very affable, an excellent preacher and believes he has been called by God to run. The negative comments are only that he doesn’t have a real platform with specifics. Word is that he speaks in general terms and doesn’t say how he will address the problems the city is currently facing. It is nice to say we have to do something about high school dropouts without presenting a plan to reduce the numbers.

And, then there is Mayor Phil Hardberger. Why the other two candidates would run against him is ludicrous. True he has his faults, but considering he is one of the most popular Mayors we have elected in many years, it is beyond me why they would challenge him unless they have a death wish or want to see their names in the headlines. Since R.G. has his own newspaper, he gets to write the headlines!  

Moving on to District 1candidate Mary Alice Cisneros, there appears to be no one willing to challenge the former Mayor’s wife to a political duel. So far, she is the only candidate to receive extensive media coverage for her announcement. I wonder how she did that. I still predict she will run unopposed or at best against a wannabe candidate.

In the District 2 race, sources say that there will be two more candidates in the race to challenge Sheila McNeil. Last week I told you about a guy named Keith Toney who will contest the incumbent. He is still in.  Eastside activist David Arevelo who previously said he would not run has decided he will run. Another candidate named Wright is also mulling over the idea of running. Don’t know much about him. The recent brouhaha over industrial storage tanks may be an issue on the Eastside. Sheila convinced the Council to vote against an ordinance allowing more tanks to be built in District 2.

Her nemesis on that issue is activist Tommy Calvert who recently ran unsuccessfully for Congress. Ironically, Tommy is the paid lobbyist for the company who wants to increase the numbers of storage tanks in the Eastside.

In District 3, we have Incumbent Roland Gutierrez running for re-election. At this time, no one has stepped up to challenge.

In District 4 Philip Cortez who has run this race before is back on the campaign trail. He recently hosted a fundraiser at a VFW on S.W. Military Drive, which I hear attracted a good crowd. Sources tell me that former Mayor Ed Garza and former Councilman Julian Castro are actively endorsing him along with Justin Rodriguez who is running in District 7. The money that will fund their races will be developers’ money.

Also, word is that former Bexar County Judge John Longoria will not run as previously reported. From people who know him he could change his mind again.

In District 5, local activist Lourdes Galvan, is the frontrunner in her race. Somebody who attended a gathering at Estela’s Restaurant on W. Martin recently says a decent crowd showed up for her announcement. She also told me that most of those in attendance were the old timers of the district.

In District 6 Delicia Herrera is still waiting to hear if anyone will challenge her. She was overheard saying she assumes she will be challenged, but hopes she won’t be challenged. The deadline is March 12th a long way off. 

As I stated last week, the District 7 race will be the major contest in the city council races with District 8 being the other notable contest. Embattled incumbent Elena Guajardo is currently in low-key mode but that will soon change. Everyone is waiting to see if anyone will test the waters and jump in at the last minute.

The Graham Central Station controversy is still fresh in the minds of voters that will make for a highly spirited race. While Elena has a strong base of support, Justin also has a good base of supporters. The turnout for his announcement last week at Woodlawn Lake drew a huge number of supporters.

In District 8, the number of candidates is increasing. A new young face has emerged to jump in the race. Jacob Dell is the latest of a string of candidates who think they are the next San Antonio version of the American Idol for District 8.

Let’s see, we have Mario Obledo who used to work in State Senator Leticia Van de Putte’s Office that is close to officially announcing, Diane Cibrian, Ken Lawrence, Gloria Sanchez and still rumor of Morris Stribling entering the race.

There is some grumbling about Diane throwing her hat into the ring, because she supposedly stepped on some political toes and her critics are planting rumors about alleged improprieties and mismanagement of one of the City’s programs she was involved with as the chairperson.

Sounds like she is doing well in her bid and the forces against her are already plotting her demise. Since District 8 is the home of Valero and other major businesses, the war of words will most likely escalate into a full-blown jihad.

In District 9, nothing has changed. Kevin Wolff is gearing up for possible run for Mayor next time around after he wins his Council seat back this time. There are currently no challengers on the horizon. That is at least no sane candidates on the horizon.

In the District 10 race, the only name so far is John Clamp who ran once before against Chip Haas. There was a brief moment when a retired Colonel named Greene was considering, but he has since reconsidered and said no.

Here is some late breaking news. My Democratic Precinct Chair source says that a number of Pct. Chairs have received  phone calls from the Party Headquarters to vote by phone for volunteers who wish to serve as Pct. Chairs. The source says the explanation is to make the Pct. Chair meeting tomorrow night,“ run smoother.” 

The source says she is angry since the Party rules states that voting to install new Chairs can only been done at a meeting with 50 percent plus one of the Pct. Chairs in attendance. She also said she never received a phone call.

According to the source, the State party has been receiving complaints about the phone calls and states that it is not a legal way to fill Pct. Chair slots. She says the meeting will most likely get ugly.

That is all I know so far until next week.

And that, is the moderate viewpoint, I AM the Republicrat PLUS!