March 19, 2013 Repulican Women's Meeting

Hello Everyone,


I hope everyone is doing well. Just wanted to drop a little reminder that this is the third Tuesday of the month and as such it is the Republican Women of Milam County’s monthly meeting is tonight. It will be at 6:30 at the Budget Host Inn & Suites in Cameron.

Eric Opiela is the guest speaker tonight. Eric is the Executive Director and General Counsel for the Republican Party of Texas and he will be addressing the get out the vote efforts throughout the state and how to better it here in Milam County.

I invite you all to come on out for an informative talk, especially if you are an aspiring candidate for 2014. Remember, filing for the 2014 election starts in November at the latest and possibly as early as September depending on this year’s legislative session.

I would also like to take a moment to address an issue that I know is near and dear to our recently elected officials and that is campaign finance and helping y’all out with some of the expenses from last year’s campaign. During the last meeting we discussed this and wanted to make sure each of you know that there is still an opportunity to get some help from the RWMC.

I don’t think the system ran as smoothly as it should have last year and as the Chairman of the Milam GOP I take responsibility for that. I know there are a few of you out there who are still a little irked at me and I apologize. I should have done a better job keeping you all informed. I am thankful that each of you was elected, but I feel that some of you needed a little more help than you got and for that I apologize.

HOWEVER, like I said, after our meeting last month we decided to try and get you some help with last year’s expenses; to do so we need some help from you also. But in order to get some help we will need some information from you all and we need to definitely keep the lines of communication open.

There was a bit of a lack-of-communications issue last year and we are working on that by preparing for next year’s election by designating aid levels for candidates depending on whether they are county-wide or precinct candidates and by providing a candidates packet for Primary winners that will give the candidates instructions and an application to fill out to receive aid from the RWMC.

So there is the event for this evening and what we are looking forward to in the next few months. If you are not able to make it tonight and you would like to know more about running for office, getting some financial help for last year’s campaign, and whatever else you might have a question or concern about, then just give me a call.

I am very excited as I have already had a number of possible candidates already sit down with me to discuss the 2014 race and to begin the decision making process and the organizing required for a run for office. I would also suggest if you are considering a run for office in 2014 or you are a current office holder then you should probably be there.

I hope to see you all soon!

Thanks,
Bill



Bill Whitmire
Chairman
Republican Party of Milam County
254-482-0354

Term Limits – Are They What We Need?

Term Limits have long been a popular debating point in American politics. There is much to be said for both sides of the argument. Whether you’re for term limits or not, that is up to you and I will not try to sell you on either side. But the one thing that is important to remember is that the main detriment to term limits is similar to the obstacles involved in unseating incumbent office holders.

The simple fact that there is a lack of good people willing to run for office; therein lays the single largest obstacle to keeping a good slate of people in government. It’s not that there is an overall lack of people willing to run, just a lack of good solid citizens who will to take the plunge and actually run for office. And who can really blame them?

A run for elected office invites many terrible experiences such as the basic unsavory criticisms, all the way to time away from home and family, the financial investment that is seen as insurmountable, and an invasion of privacy that most folks can’t even begin to imagine. Yet even with all this we are still surprised that the people who run for office so often tend to be of unfavorable morals.

Before this goes too much farther I am not saying that there aren’t good people in elected office – There Are. But for many folks who would make good elected officials, the intrusions into their life are far more than they are willing to endure. So whether we enact term limits or we are just looking for a better quality of person to run for office, good people must step up and meet the challenge of running for office.

Term Limits can be good as they keep people from becoming too complacent after years of serving in elected office; however, they can also be a detriment if good people are removed from office by term limits and replaced by less than desirable people who are elected simply because good people won’t run for office.

So in the end, term limits have their good points and their potential failing possibilities. The question is, if given the chance would you be willing to run for office? Or are you one of those willing to let someone else do it. It’s easy to sit back and just let someone else do the hard work, choose the hard path, and make the hard decisions. Are you one of those citizens or are you ready to make a difference?

If you support term limits then understand that the day may come when you may be that good person who people select to run – Would You?

The choice is yours,

Bill

2013 Reagan Day and Texas Independence Day Dinner

Hello Everyone,

I wanted to send out a little notice for you all to place on your events calendars.

The Republican Women of Milam County (RWMC) will be hosting their annual Reagan Day and Texas Independence Day Celebration on February 7^th, 2013. The evening will kick off at 5:00 pm with a mixer featuring our local elected officials in addition to State and federal representatives of Milam County.  Supper will be served at 6:00 pm and you definitely do not want to miss this as the meal will be served once again by the Kostrums. Speakers will begin around 6:30 capped off with our special guest Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott.

There will be a silent auction filled with donated items from various elected officials and community members. This is the only fundraiser the Republican Women will have this year and we need everyone’s support to make it a success; Money raised from this event will go to help candidates in future elections and towards community events such as the “Old-Fashioned Rally in the Park” and to support local schools with unfunded projects.

Get your tickets early as they are going fast.  For tickets contact any of the Officers of the Republican Women or Bill Whitmire at 254-482-0354.

Thank You,

Bill

Tomorrow is the Day!

After over a year of hard work, tomorrow is the day when we can celebrate a little as we will have a swearing-in for those taking office here in Milam County. So come on out to the Milam County Courthouse at 10:00am in the District Court Room as our candidates will be sworn-in giving Milam County 14 Republicans holding local office!!

I remember three years ago several folks (actually lots of folks) telling me that we were crazy for setting out to create a Republican Revolution here in Milam County and now here we are with a majority of Republicans in local office and a GOP majority on the County Commissioners Court – AWESOME!

So come on out tomorrow morning, yes I know it is New Year’s Day and there are a lot of things going on, but come on out tomorrow morning to give our candidates some more support and to congratulate them on their victories and thank them for their efforts to serve us all. I know I am always amazed at the time and energy involved with the candidates running for office but the amount of time and efforts they put into the job once elected is even more impressive. So come help them enjoy their day tomorrow.

There will be no formal party following the swearing-in but many of us will be gathering at the Cameron Country Club to get some lunch following the ceremony so please feel free to join us!!

See You There!!

Bill

First 2012 Swearing In!!

New Milam County Treasurer, Republican Donna Orsag, being sworn into office by County Judge David Barkemeyer this last Monday, November 26, 2012.

Congratulations to Dona Orsag as she was sworn in Monday as the first elected Republican Treasurer in Milam County history!!


Donna was sworn in early as she was elected to finish the unexpired term as Treasurer following her Election Day Victory. If you get a chance go by and congratulate Donna on her election win and wish her luck as she takes the reigns as Treasurer.

Congrats Donna, and Good Luck,
Bill

The Hangover is OVER!!

I have given everyone a rest, for the most part, but now it is time to get back to work. Here in Milam County Tuesday night was a good night to be a Republican as we carried the load for the GOP by taking 10 out of 11 local races and carrying Milam County for every elected spot on the State and Federal ballot including all four spots on the 3rd Court of Appeals. Even Mitt Romney carried nearly 70% of Milam County.

But even with the great success Tuesday night was for the Milam County GOP, the United States is still in turmoil. And NO, it’s not just because as a country we re-elected Barack Obama as President, but because for all the talk of a faltering government in Washington, we voted as a country to essentially send the same people back to Washington to do the same job (or lack thereof) that they have not been doing for many years that has the United States in such a mess.

What we needed was a new direction in Washington and since Tuesday all we have been hearing is more of the same. It is true that we are approaching a fiscal cliff the likes this nation has never seen; unfortunately, we have a dysfunctional leadership vacuum in Washington that appears to still remain even following the most expensive elections ever on record.

Now I am a principled Republican and I agree with the conservative principles of the GOP for the most part and while I am unmovable in my core beliefs, I also understand that we have a country to run and we must do what is best to govern; that is not what has been happening for at least the last four years….actually, more like the last 8+ years.

We all get it; the Republicans are conservative and the Democrats are liberal; the Republicans believe in plan “red” and the Democrats believe in plan “blue.” But let’s be honest, neither of those two plans are going to make it through, what we need is a plan “Purple” that blends to two plans into an agreeable national plan that allows our country to improve and not to regress as we have the last few years.

And it is possible – It’s Called COMPRIMISE!

Compromise has been given a bad name in recent years as it is thought of as giving up on your ideals – BUT IS IT? Can’t we see compromise as a spirit of cooperation to create a successful piece of legislation that will get through the legislative process and help govern the country?

No one has to sacrifice their beliefs on an issue, just maybe take the time to compromise a little in the negotiation process to move forward. You bring your ideas and beliefs to the table as a basis for the negotiations and then you agree to create legislation that will accomplish what is best for the citizens and the country.

This can be done and has been done before. In the 1980’s, President Reagan learned to work with a democrat legislature by passing tax reforms and immigration reforms that occurred even with the “Iran-Contra” affairs having taken place. In the 90’s Bill Clinton was able to work with a Republican Legislature that passed welfare reform and balanced the budget even after he had been impeached.

THIS CAN BE DONE!!

What we need is leadership – Good, Positive Leadership!! We need positive Leadership from the President that seeks to work with the congressional leadership in a bi-partisan manner that benefits America and not demigod a certain class, race, sex, or any other demographic for political expediency. We need Leadership from Senator Harry Reid that allows the Senate to vote on legislation coming from the House regardless of his feelings on the legislation and how he believes the senate will vote on it. We need Leadership from John Boehner that doesn’t just tote a party-line but reaches across the aisle in a manner that shows that he can treat the Democrats in the House in a manner that the Republicans in the Senate would like to be treated. As a matter of fact, we need all of this from all the leaders in Washington.

THIS CAN BE DONE!!

As Americans, we agree to disagree about certain issues and to have enough respect for those differing opinions that we do not degrade an individual for having them, but work with those individuals to find common ground and work in a manner that benefits us all.

No one came out of last week’s election with a mandate; everyone came out of the election still an American and as such we need to work together to make this the country we all want it to be. President Bush had a mandate early in his presidency as did President Obama – it doesn’t exist anymore.

Following last Tuesday’s vote, the government in Washington is truly a government of the people; and the government of the people needs to govern for the people – not for themselves or their parties.

THIS CAN BE DONE!!

I’ll put my soapbox up now,
Bill

Milam County Election Results!!

Okay Everyone, I hope you were able to get some sleep last night. While I am sure many of you are a little disappointed in the results of the Presidential election, I think the thing to work towards is the future and how our other elected officials perform in Washington.

Only the legislature can keep everything moving. So whether your representative is a Republican or a Democrat is not what is important. What they are able to get done in the next two and/or four years is what is important. Remember, Reagan spent eight years dealing with a Democrat majority in the legislative branch and Clinton with a Republican majority and they were still able to make things happen.

Be motivated to stay on your elected officials and PRAY!!

So without further adieu, here are the results of last night's election here in Milam County. I will post the percentage won in the state and federal races and the actual results in the local races. Republicans carried every race in Milam County except the Precinct 4 Constable's race. (Remember, Red is for Republicans)

Straight Ticket
2,099 (58.37%) - GOP
1,446 (40.21%) - Democrat

District Judge, 20th District Court
4,944 (60.74%) - John Youngblood
3,196 (39.26%) - Hollis Lewis

District Attorney
4,213 (51.74%) - Bill Torrey
3,930 (48.26%) - Kerry Spears

County Tax Assossor-Collector
5,307 (65.54%) - Kolette Morgan
2,790 (34.46%) - Tommy Grimes

County Treasurer
4,580 (65.70%) - Donna Orsag
3,498 (43.30%) - Linda Aacosta

County Sheriff
David Greene, Unopposed

County Commissioner, Precinct 1
1,512 (75.94%) - George Tomek
479 (24.06%) - Ricky McCall

County Commissioner, Precinct 3
1,578 (70.86%) - John Fisher
649 (29.14%) - Andy Jackson

Constable
Precinct 1 - John Anderle, Unopposed
Precinct 2 - Charlie West, Unopposed
Precinct 3 - Jay WIllingham, Unopposed

Constable, Precinct 4
949 (47.55%) - Fred Keefer
1,047 (52.45%) - Giles Summerlin

President
5,478 (66.63%) - Romney/Ryan
2,632 (32.01%) - Obama Biden

U.S. Senator
5,059 (63.10%) - Ted Cruz

U. S. House District 17
5,594 (85.02%) - Bill Flores

Railroad Commission, Full Term
4,750 (60.80%) - Christi Craddick

Railroad Commission, Unexpired Term
5,324 (82.24%) - Barry Smitherman

Justice, Supreme Court
Place 2 - 5,388 (85.61%) - Don Willett
Place 4 - 5,213 (82.34%) - John Devine
Place 6 - 4,493 (58.27%) - Nathan Hecht

Court of Criminal Appeals
Presiding Judge - 4,707 (61.09%) - Sharon Keller
Place 7 - 5,256 (83.20%) - Barbara Parker Harvey
Place 8 - 5,149 (82.29%) - Elsa Alcala

State Board of Education
4,774 (61.87%) - Tom Maynard

State Senator, SD-5
5,424 (83.76%) - Charles Schwertner

State House, District 20
5,718 (100%) - Marsha Farney

3rd Court of Appeals
Place 2 - 4,827 (63.35%) - Jeff Rose
Place 3 - 4,666 (61.11%) - Scott Field
Place 5 - 4,718 (61.71%) - David Puryear
Place 6 - 4,991 (65.00%) - Bob Pemberton

Well that's the entire list from the results last night. Republicans now hold 14 of the 20 elected offices in Milam County. Not too shabby for a party that had never had a candidate win a local Milam County Race until 2010.

Thanks for all your work and support. I get a lot of credit for the political change in Milam County but the truth is without your support, both monetarily and physically, none of this would be possible.

Thank You All,
Bill