In the last weeks I have continued to listen to voters by participating in numerous town meetings and events. The S.A.F.E.Quarry Meeting met at “The Barn” 156 N. Solms in New Braunfels. A large group of concerned citizens turned out. They are worried – concerned about dust, traffic (especially at the new school), water wasted, increased blasting noises, damage to their homes, piece of mind and many other issues. They asked about why they have never seen my opponent at their meetings – and wondered why.
I am amazed, but have recently been told (backed up by verifiable documentation) that he does not meet with them because as the Chairman or Treasurer, for all his many years on the EAA (Edwards Aquifer Authority) he is working with the quarries – their lobbyist, and even accepted multiple donations to his campaign from the quarry association – Texas Aggregate and Concrete Association. The location of this meeting, The Barn, is a great spot for large weddings and parties in a rural garden setting. As my wife Robbi and I host small weddings and parties at our Canyon Lake Ranch, we told Ron and Rhonda that we will refer the larger events to them.
We shared a table the La Prensa Hispanic Heritage Awards Gala, with a lovely television personality from Univision and her husband. A most interesting and vital woman, originally from Columbia, she hosts a Spanish language television show here and has for many years. This party was held at the Omni Hotel in SA, and is yearly benefit raising money for scholarships for outstanding Hispanic students. It was a treat to hear several of these terrific young students speak. Comal County’s Ramon Chapa was honored with the Community Service Award at this event.
The Bulverde Jubilee Parade and Festival was fun. We got to see many old friends and meet many new ones. Held in downtown Bulverde, this autumn festival really brings out crowds in Bulverde – and highlights businesses and local organization in a very wholesome manner. While Bulverde, like so much of the Hill Country, has growing pains, it is a terrific town filled with involved and committed people.
The Canyon Lake Lions Club Shrimp Fest, held at the CRRC near the Dam in Canyon Lake featured great shrimp and all the trimmings in their fund raising efforts for the Lions charities. What a great job these civic minded folks do. We ate – again - and then headed to Stonewall for their well known (and even better attended) Volunteer Fire Department Fish Fry. Again, great people pulling together for important reasons. The Stonewall Fish Fry is known all over the Hill Country. I salute their efforts.
It was a busy day, so Robbi and I then headed to the Cibolo Nature Center Gala, where we had also donated a stay at our Alamo Street Victorian Inn BB in San Antonio. This annual benefit, featuring great food from the finest restaurants in the Boerne area, is a terrific way to raise money for the Cibolo Nature Center. The efforts of Carolyn Evans and the whole staff is enabling this community to preserve a beautiful piece of land for the public and provides many interesting classes as well.
Back to Kerrville, I attended another GMA9 Water meeting. I left there uncertain as to how the models for our Future Desired Condition (to be presented to the Texas Water Board in 2010) are actually going to be done. I have talked about this before – and had thought the drought of record (1950’s) was going to be utilized – but now I am not so certain. There are powerful forces working on this and we will have to see what happens.
Talking with the Gillespie Retired Teachers, I again stated my positions about retired teachers needed a cost of living increase, doing better regarding the testing of our children (getting rid of the TAKS) and many other education issues. With a teacher wife and three educator daughters, we talk education in our family – and fully understand what must be done.
The Fredericksburg Chamber Member Appreciation Hamburger Supper was well attended. Fredericksburg is filled with interesting and interested folks – involved in their community and caring deeply about its future. Afterwards, and headed over to another Transmission Line meeting in Harper. Everyone in Gillespie County is worried about the commercial interests trying to bisect their land with huge power transmission lines. We will continue to work on this issue so that we can avoid the cutting up of family lands and the disfiguring of the hill country.. My suggestion; use the right of ways along I-10. This way we do not have to disturb so many families.
Thanks to the Boerne Chamber of Commerce for hosting a Candidate forum for their membership. My opponent, once again proved he has no understanding or knowledge of my positions. I am a strict Constitutionalist and believe in the 2nd Amendment - and – hold the highest rating from the NRA and the Texas Rifle Association. He just tries to align himself as a conservative, though his actions paint him as a tax and spend liberal. Strange . . . this politics business.
Attending the Garden Ridge Marketplace Robbi and I found great items for our home, our San Antonio Bed and Breakfast and for gifts. As always the Garden Ridge people are warm, friendly and anxious to talk about the local issues.
The Fredericksburg Rotary Club sponsored their famous spaghetti Supper on the 17th. For a group supper, the food was excellent. Everyone was friendly and interested in talking. Good company and more support. Robbi shared suppertime with the Fredericksburg founders of Angel Ministries. What a terrific project they began four months ago. Through the Methodist Church, and lots of volunteers, they are doing a fantastic job of bringing a month’s supply of food to folks in the Fredericksburg area at reduced cost. See more about this at www.angelministires.com
The New Braunfels, Bark in the Park was again held on a beautiful day and was filled with happy dogs and their owners. The Wiener dog race was a hoot. A great New Braunfels “happening”.
Last Saturday was Rock the Vote, designed to encourage and involve high schooled students in the political process. All of the Comal County Independent School District High Schools participated. A pizza lunch was served afterwards and the students each received a great Rock the Vote tee shirt. Held at the new Canyon High School, many local candidates attended in support of students – Larry Horton, Donna Eggleston, Ramon Chapa, Greg Parke and I. Sandy Morales, candidate for Constable, Woodie Jones and Catherine Stone, for judicial slots were also in attendance. My opponent, Doug Miller did not attend.
The Kendall County Democratic Women sponsor the Eleanor Roosevelt Dinner each year as their major fundraiser. This year, Catherine Stone, Judicial Candidate was the featured speaker. It was a great evening with an active group of Boerne area Kendall County Democrats. We were sorry to miss the Fischer Store Italian Spaghetti Supper held at the old Fischer Community School at the same time. It is just around the bend from our place – and we were sorry to miss seeing our friends and neighbors.
Last week Sunday was the Anhalt Oktoberfest. It is always a treat to be in Anhalt. The people are very friendly and it is such fun to speak German, dance and watch others dance at lunchtime.
The League of Women Voters is to be commended for hosting their Candidate Forum and Voters Guide. Impartial and well conducted, the LWB offers a wonderful service to us all. Please consider joining the League as they research and lead the way in a totally bipartisan manner on many important issues.
On the radio in Gillespie County, I had fun sparing with James Williamson. The morning talk show host on Revolution Radio, James and I both respect and appreciate our Constitution and love talking about it. We discussed a whole range of things – from water, to same sex marriage, finance, education and a host of other things.
Regarding same sex marriage - Any two people should have the right to be legally, financially and medically responsible for each other as they choose. This is not same sex marriage, but has total respect for the individual and smaller government, not more government control.
Leadership New Braunfels, a reunion of those who have completed the leadership training through the New Braunfels Chamber, offered another opportunity for all our candidates to speak. The luncheon, held at Landa Park, was delicious and the event well attended.
The Comal Needs Assessment Study presentation held at New Braunfels Convention Center was very informative. An additional Needs Assessment presentation was held today at the Bulverde library –another gorgeous new building with loads of good activities including a genealogy group, exhibitions and story times for the little ones. The new library has a great staff and is off to a good start.
I also attended the TxDOT Meeting at Hoffman School where TxDOT explained about all the coming changes to FM 306. What wonderful new buildings we have – the New Braunfels Convention Center, the Bulverde Library and our new Comal County schools. We are growing very fast here in District 73 – which is why I am running for office.
The New Braunfels Chamber Mixer at Eden Home had our favorite, Betty Doepenschmidt with her camera, recording this lovely party. She let us know that the next Eden Home Gala will be held in New Braunfels next March 27th. Eden Home, around for almost 100 years is yet another local organization that provides outstanding service to our seniors. We plan to again attend and support their efforts with a stay at our bed and breakfast.
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