Wednesday, December 23, 2015

2016 Milam GOP Contested Primary Races

Hello Everyone,

With everything going on I have had several questions about candidates and which races are contested and such. I know this can be confusing so I thought I would get this out to let folks know who the GOP primary candidates are in the contested races that mainly affect Milam County.

The final list of those who filed for office in contested races on the GOP Ballot are as follows (listed alphabetically):

U. S. House of Represntatives (Congressional District 17)
Bill Flores
Ralph Patterson
Kaleb Sims

Texas House of Representatives (District 20)
Marsha Farney
Terry Wilson

Sheriff
David E. Greene
Herbie Vaughan

County Tax Assessor
Melanie Crook
Sherry Mueck

County Commissioner, Precinct 3
John L. Fisher
Odes Foster

Constable, Precinct 1
John Anderle
Steve English 

Constable, Precinct 2
Charles L. “Charlie” West
Kenny Schneebeli 

These are not the final places on the ballot, that will change based on tonight’s ballot drawings. The ballot drawing will be held tonight, December 23, 2015, at 6:30 at 411 E. First Street, Cameron.

Thanks,
Bill


Bill Whitmire
Chairman,

Milam GOP

2016 Republican General Primary Ballot Propositions

Below are the Ballot propositions that will appear on the 2016 GOP Primary Ballot on the March 1st Primary Election. These propositions were proposed by various parties and worked their way through the process to be approved for the ballot by the State Republican Executive Committee (SREC).

Out of the 52 propositions presented, 48 did not make it. It is important to remember that these propositions are not laws, but are propositions the party will use to set policy for future elected officials to use as a guideline while in office.

As always there are some folks who were incredibly upset at some of the propositions that were or were not included; however, the one that definitely generated the most controversy was the following:

 “If the Federal Government continues to disregard the Constitution and the sovereignty of the State of Texas, the State of Texas should reassert its prior status as an independent nation.”

In the end, this proposition only garnered 16 of 62 votes, so in reality it wasn’t very well received by the SREC. What’s your opinion?


Below are the four ballot propositions that will appear on the March 1st Primary Ballot:

1. Texas should replace the property tax with an alternative other than an income tax, and require voter approval to increase the overall tax burden. YES/NO

2. Texas cities and counties should be required to comply with federal immigration laws or be penalized by loss of state funds. YES/NO

3. Texas should prohibit governmental entities from collecting dues for labor unions through deductions from public employee paychecks. YES/NO

4. Texas and its citizens should strongly assert 10th Amendment Rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution which states “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States Respectively, or to the people.” YES/NO

Well, there are the four issues the SREC felt warranted a place on the ballot. If you have any ideas, propositions, or resolutions you would like to add to the process, then please come to your precinct convention and the County Convention and present your ideas.

The convention is where resolutions and propositions are received and forwarded to the state. IT’s also where delegates are elected to go to Dallas for the State Convention in May. This year’s state convention will elect delegates the national convention in July held in Cleveland, Ohio. Current plans are to hold both of the Precinct and County Conventions on March 19th at a time and place to be determined.

If you haven’t been to the conventions, then you are truly missing out on one of the most important parts of the election and governing process.

One last note, tonight is the ballot drawing for a place on the March 1st Primary Ballot. If you are interested to see the process work, then come on by. It will be held at 411 E. First Street in Cameron.

Until Next Time!!

Bill

Sunday, December 20, 2015

Ballot Drawing and other Upcoming Events in Milam County

Hello Everyone,

I just wanted to take a little bit of time this morning and let everyone know what is going on here in Milam County in the next week and near future.

Wednesday, December 23, 2015, we will be having our drawing for a place on the ballot. We will kick it off at 6:30 at my family’s office at 411 East First Street in Cameron. That’s that small white building across the railroad tracks from the Crime Stoppers’ House of Horrors.

If you come in a car I would recommend turning on the street just past the office and entering the parking area around the back of the building as the drop directly from First Street to the parking area can be a little treacherous in a non-truck!!

January 19th, 2016, the Republican Women of Milam County will be having their monthly meeting. Please feel free to come by and enjoy a couple of hours with one of the Texas’ most successful Women’s group. Meeting will begin at 6:30 pm at the Budget Host Inn & Suites in Cameron.

February 4th, 2016 is the big event of the year for us here in Milam County; the annual Reagan Day and Texas Independence Day Dinner here in Milam County. As with election years in the past, this year there will be no featured speaker; instead each local candidate and contested state/federal candidate will be given some time to speak with the crowd. Lots of time to meet and greet, plus what has only been described as the best meal on the campaign trail….or any other trail for this matter.

The Crowd from Lat Years Reagan Day & Texas Independence Day Dinner!

Tickets are $50 a piece and tables can be bought as well. Email me for specifics on this.

That’s about it for today. I hope all is well with each of you. I look forward to seeing those who can make it Wednesday.

Merry Christmas,
Bill

Bill Whitmire
Chairman,
Republican Party of Milam County

williamwhitmire@yahoo.com

Monday, December 14, 2015

Addressing the Recent Issue

Hello Everyone,

I have been asked by many about the recent issue involving former Milam County Tax Assessor-Collector Kolette Morgan. I am not sure I can shed much light on the issue as the information I have is the same as most folks in Milam County. Contrary to any suggestions otherwise, I am not privy to any extra information as County Chairman, nor do I wish to have any special treatment as such.

As I sent out in my press release on Tuesday December 8, 2015, I was informed via text message that evening by Mrs. Morgan that she would not be seeking reelection based on a decision she made after discussing it with her family and doctor. That is all we discussed in the two texts that were sent

The next morning, December 9, 2015, I found out about the actual charges and plea deal like most others in Milam County, via press coverage of the court proceedings. I am saddened by this turn of events and it is not as a Republican Party member or chairman that I have concern, but as a citizen of Milam County.

I have been contacted by many Milam County Citizens regarding statements made by various individuals for political and personal reasons; however, I waited to make a comment until I had some actual and relevant information to share.

Here is what I know. This investigation was conducted by Milam County District Attorney Investigator Douglas Kunkel and the State Attorney General’s office. The investigation was conducted in secret, as is normal of an investigation such as this as per standard investigative practice.

Once it was apparent that charges would be filed, Mrs. Morgan was notified and a plea bargain was quickly reached with a penalty not out of line with that of similar court rulings or plea deals. Likewise, once it was apparent this would be the outcome, the plea bargain and penalty phase was completed in an expedited manner to avoid any conflict with the filing period and the upcoming election process.

I applaud the efforts of those involved in the investigation and the penalty phase for their diligent work on behalf of the citizens of Milam County. These individuals represent both political parties here in Milam County and did their jobs not as members of a political party, but as responsible officials of Milam County, both elected and appointed. This was a difficult situation for all involved and I thank them for their efforts to seek the truth and bring this issue to a swift and appropriate conclusion.

In closing, I would remind everyone to consider the values and beliefs we hold dear here in Milam County and pray for all involved, including the Morgan Family. It is important to remember that at this moment this is still in the process of being concluded. None of us know the reason this incident happened; and while a transgression occurred, it has also been adjudicated and now we must move forward.

Thank You,
Bill

Bill Whitmire
Chairman,
Republican Party of Milam County

Final Filing Day Candidate Listing

Hello Everyone,

Well the final day of filing has come and as of 6:00 pm this evening, the final field for the 2016 Primary Election is set. I want to thank all the candidates who filed and wish good luck to those in contested races. I will list the final list of GOP candidates and then address a few other issue following the list.

The final list of those who filed for office on the GOP Ballot is as follows (listed alphabetically where there is not incumbent):

District Judge
John W. Youngblood (Incumbent)

District Attorney
Bill Torrey (Incumbent)

Sheriff
David E. Greene (Incumbent)
Herbie Vaughan

County Tax Assessor
Melanie Crook
Sherry Mueck

County Commissioner, Precinct 1
Richard "Opey" Watkins (Incumbent)

County Commissioner, Precinct 3
John L. Fisher (Incumbent)
Odes Foster

Constable, Precinct 1
John Anderle (Incumbent)
Steve English 

Constable, Precinct 2
Charles L. “Charlie” West (Incumbent)
Kenny Schneebeli 

Constable, Precinct 3
Jay Beathard (Incumbent)

I would also like to let you know about the 6th Annual Reagan Day/Texas Independence Day Dinner set for February 4th, to be held at the Cameron VFW post. Times to be announced in the coming week. All of the local GOP candidates will be there, as well as many of the state GOP candidates as well. The Republican Women of Milam County will be hosting this event and put on the finest dinner and fund raiser of the year. More information to follow on this. There will be a ticket for each of our Milam County Press outlets.

That’s about it for today. Thank you so much for your help and patience.

Thanks,

Bill

Wednesday, December 9, 2015

Updated Filing GOP Filing list for Milam County!

Hello Everyone,

There are still a few people who have spoken with me about filing for office. They have until 6:00 pm, Monday, December 14th to get with me and sign up. Since last week, Odes Foster of Milano filed to run for County Commissioner, Precinct 3.

For the final day of filing, I will available from 1:00 pm until 6:00 pm at 411 E. First Street in Cameron to accept applications.

To date the following have filed for office on the GOP Ballot.

District Judge
John W. Youngblood (Incumbent)

District Attorney
Bill Torrey (Incumbent)

Sheriff
David E. Greene (Incumbent)
Herbie Vaughan

County Tax Assessor
Sherry Mueck

County Commissioner, Precinct 1
Richard "Opey" Watkins (Incumbent)

County Commissioner, Precinct 3
John L. Fisher (Incumbent)
Odes Foster

Constable, Precinct 1
John Anderle (Incumbent)

Constable, Precinct 2
Charles L. “Charlie” West (Incumbent)
Kenny Schneebeli 

Constable, Precinct 3
Jay Beathard (Incumbent)

I also spoke with current Tax-Assessor Kolette Morgan and she said she will not be seeking reelection to office citing her health concerns for not wanting to go through an election.

I would also like to let you know about the 6th Annual Reagan Day/Texas Independence Day Dinner set for February 4th, to be held at the Cameron VFW post. Times to be announced in the coming week. All of the local GOP candidates will be there, as well as many of the state GOP candidates as well. The Republican Women of Milam County will be hosting this event and put on the finest dinner and fund raiser of the year. More information to follow on this. There will be a ticket for each of our Milam County Press outlets.

That’s about it for today. Have a wonderful and safe rest of your week and for those traveling for football games and such, be careful out on the roads.

Thanks,
Bill


Bill Whitmire
Chairman,
Milam GOP
254-482-0354