Amazing!!

As I arrived home this evening I was thinking about the County Commissioner’s meeting held Monday Morning. Due to my job I am not always available to attend these meetings; however, if I am unable to attend I usually get a complete run down on the proceedings from several sources. This Monday was one of those occasions and thankfully I got the rundown shortly after the meeting was over.

Prior to the meeting, Justice of the Peace Andy Isaacs had informed me that he was preparing a Proclamation asking Milam County residents to pray for rain to help end the drought conditions that have plagued Milam County as well as the rest of the State. We discussed the proclamation and its use in the state legislature and other counties. I am not always a great fan of symbolic gestures or unofficial business in public forums, but I thought this was a worthwhile effort if for no other reason than to possibly help lift the spirits of those most affected by the drought.

After the proclamation was presented and spoken up for by Andy Isaacs, past Democratic Chair and former Justice of the Peace Don Shuerman spoke up to challenge the Commissioner’s Court on the issue citing its constitutionality.

Of course the Proclamation did not establish a state religion nor did it favor one religion over another so therefore it was not unconstitutional, but that won’t stop those with an axe to grind with religion in public from tearing at a portion of the fabric of our society. I can already hear the Liberal Democrats claiming the “Separation of Church and State” argument; however, that is not even in the constitution and in actuality the very phraseology has its origins in Communist and Fascist writings – something else our liberal friends overlook.

The fact of the matter is that the proclamation is almost identical to the ones passed by the state legislature and by many other counties throughout the state. It is also symbolic and simply asks (or urges) the citizenry to pray according to their religious beliefs that we may soon receive some rain and begin to find our way out of this devastating drought. To some that may seem shallow or undeserving of the time and effort, but to those most affected by this drought these sorts of acknowledgements of their hardship is thankfully accepted.

It’s also important to point out that while the Local Democrats’ leadership seems to have an issue with this sort of proclamation for good hope; the elected Democrats do not as all four Democrats elected to the County Commissioner’s Court courageously stood for the values we hold dear in Milam County and voted with Judge Barkemeyer in support of this proclamation. So while the Democrat leadership in Milam County will no doubt take advantage of this situation to criticize Conservatives, Republicans, and the Tea Party members as overzealous religious nuts, it will be amazing if they even make mention of their own elected officials voting for the very concept they attack so vehemently.

I think I’ll say a little prayer for them also,
Bill

The Republican Movement Grows in Milam County.

On behalf of the Republican Party of Milam County, I would like to welcome Greg Kouba and thank him for his decision to be a part of the conservative movement in Milam County. Greg has announced his intention to run for Milam County Sheriff as a Republican in 2012 making the primary race for the Republican nomination for Sheriff a contested race Between Mr. Kouba and Sheriff David Greene.

Both of these gentlemen understand the changing landscape of politics in Milam County as well as Texas and recognized that in today’s climate, it is okay to run based on your beliefs and values.

Thanks to the strong organization provided by the Republican Party of Milam County and most especially the Republican Women of Milam County, true conservatives are taking notice and removing the shackles of Milam County’s longtime dependence on a single party that erroneously showed Milam County to be a liberal stronghold.

Today, people know it is okay to run as a Republican in Milam County based on the conservative standards shared for generations here in Milam County and not be enslaved to a one-party system that is beholden to and promotes the ideals of the liberal progressives in Washington and Austin.

Milam County is naturally conservative and historically conservative. Now the conservatives who were left behind by the Democrat Party can run for office to serve the citizens of Milam County and feel at ease as a member of the only conservative party in Milam County, the Republican Party of Milam County.

Thanks,
Bill

An Important Reminder!

Sometimes I find it necessary to restate the mission statement of the Republican Party of Milam County, especially when it is challenged as it has been this last week or so. I also find it important to reread it myself from time to time to keep the goals for which we are all working so hard fresh on my mind. I am reminded of them every time I go to our Party website; I hope they speak to you as well.

“Milam County Republicans are working for Milam County based on the values and principles of the people who live here and work here. We are beholding to the people of Milam County and not the national or state party.

The government in Washington D.C. has lost its way and taken the country in a direction that is not representative of what the framers of our constitution had in mind. To be honest, this is a situation that has existed for many years. To change this out-of-control government we must have strong conservative leadership; that leadership begins at the local level.

As the Republican Party of Milam County, our goal is to work to make Milam County government efficient, ethical, and cost-effective. We aim to work for an improved county-wide infrastructure and enhanced economic prosperity while retaining our community identity for the betterment of the county as a whole.

We are Republicans because we are Conservative. We are Conservative because we are from Milam County and those are the values we were raised with, live with, and believe in. Now is the time for Milam County residents to stand on those conservative values that represent us.”

Thank You all,
Bill

Sheriff David Greene joins the GOP!

On behalf of the Republican Party of Milam County, I would like to welcome Sheriff David Greene and thank him for his valued leadership in making the decision to be a part of the conservative movement in Milam County.

A movement built on the beliefs and values held by the people of Milam County and not simply to an ideology formed by a state or federal party.

We honor Sheriff Greene’s principal goal of serving the citizens of Milam County while representing his true conservative beliefs and we are proud of his decision to change his party affiliation to the Republican Party of Milam County.

Welcome Sheriff Greene,
Bill

Milam County Redistricting!

Milam County Redistricting is almost complete and in what is looking like a record time compared to those counties around us. Kudos to our County Judge and Commissioners for their hard work and dedication to getting this done in a timely and transparent manner. If you haven’t seen the redistricting maps then head on over to the county website and take a look (www.milamcounty.net). By the way, the county website is up and has received very nice reviews from those who have used it.

The redistricting meetings were well received and all those in attendance were generally happy with the outcome of the redistricting maps. Many were very thankful for the actual opportunity to have an open and public forum to review the maps and question the members of the commissioners’ court about their reasoning for making the changes.

By getting the preliminary maps out on the county website, Milam County citizens were able to view the maps and give their feedback to the commissioners and Judge Barkemeyer thereby allowing changes to be made that meet the needs of Milam County Voters. Problems addressed, concerns tackled and suggestions acted on; all concepts of working with the public that is allowing our County Government to act swifter, work harder, and become more efficient.

Thanks for a job well done!!
Bill

State Redistricting 2011 – Strike One

Well the first set of redistricting maps came out for the Texas House of Representatives last week and I have to say I for one was not very exciting. It’s proposed that Milam County move from House District 20 to a new House District 149. This all sounds non-threatening until you read a little more and find out that it takes Milam County out of the District served by Rep. Charles Schwertner (whom we elected) and includes us in an open district with a sprinkling of Williamson County and all of Burnet County – Yes, Burnet County.

This new district has been called many things including “Dumbo Ears with a Chinstrap.” What it has not been called by anyone in Milam County was logical, smart, pragmatic, nor has it been referred to as desirable. My first phone calls to our elected officials suggested that this is not a very realistic plan and I asked for some sort of explanation, no one wanted to take credit for it.

So Sunday afternoon, Judge Dave Barkemeyer accompanied by a concerned citizen headed to Austin to speak at the open forum for this committee. His testimony was favorably received and in speaking with one state legislature this morning I was told that the House redistricting map is about 85% complete, which is down some from the 95% complete I was quoted last week. I was also told that we should expect to be in the 15% to be changed as even the House Committee is perplexed and does not think this map in its current form will stand the scrutiny of Department of Justice approval. But they had to start somewhere.

Just like with the budget plans and other legislation, these initial maps are far from the final version; however, unlike in other aspects of American politics, this committee seems to be addressing the redistricting fairly and is working together to improve this map and avoid a repeat of the House Democrat Exodus to Oklahoma of 2003.

As the Chair of the Milam County Republican Party I would like to see Milam County remain in as close to the same District 20 as we can manage; however, if not then I would prefer to see Milam County move to a more rural district such as District 17 currently represented by Tim Kleinschmidt (R-Lexington).

This redistricting plan is far from complete I would recommend you contact your State Representative with your thoughts. With the legislature in session, if you feel strong enough, head to Austin in person and let them know your feelings.

Thanks,
Bill

The Website is Up!!

During the 2010 Election, transparency in county government was an issue we in the Milam County GOP took very serious. Our former County Judge said a county website was too expensive and would take too much time to maintain. Due to those expenses we could not justify setting up a new website for the County. Cost figures from $20,000 to $40,000 were thrown out when questions on this subject arose. Guess what; it didn’t cost much after all!

Maybe it wasn’t the cost of the website but the cost of making access to information too easy, but I digress.

In the end, the web service the county uses to host their emails was used to host the website for no additional cost to the county. So thanks to the hard work and dedication of Mike Brown and others, Milam County now has a website that is both user friendly and user helpful.

All the county departments are listed and you can find contact information for them all. Forms that have required a visit to the county offices in the past are now available online. You want a copy of the County Budget, click on it and print it on your printer. That’s right; no longer must you make a trip to the County Clerk’s office at a cost of $1.00 a page (costing as much as $75.00 for the whole budget).

Want to see where the money is spent and what bills are paid by the county – it’s on there. You want access to the County Appraisal District Database – it’s on there. You want to see the agenda or minutes from a Commissioner’s Court Meeting – it’s on there. Lots of the information that many people have wanted access to is also on there, just like in most other counties in Texas.

Some information is not there yet, but it’s on the way. Soon there will be maps for the county, court docket lists, a user feedback section to tell the county what you want to see as well as other parcels of information many people have wanted to see for some time now.

Another nice function of this website and its professional appearance is that people and businesses looking to do commerce here now have a central county website that they can look at. That way they can find the information they desire about the county as well as links to county departments and other websites in the county such as chambers of commerce and municipal websites.

Having been to many conferences on economic development, many business people tell me a strong county website is invaluable in attracting business. Being in an oilfield service business I can tell you that a solid county website make a huge difference when I am making plans for the future of my business.

So take a few seconds and go to www.milamcounty.net and check out the new county website. I think you’ll be quite impressed by the quality and quantity of the information.

Thanks for all the hard work,
Bill