its almost here

The movie, "Truth Be Tolled" was shown at San Antonio's Palladium Theater on October 30^th.It was excellent and enlightening; demonstrating how our state government could maintain and further develop a first class road system here in Texas - if it choose to do so. The 90 minute film also was good as it explained the issues in understandable terms.

We have purchased two copies of the video to share with Republican and Democratic groups here in District 73. If you have a group you want to see this film, please contact me or go to www.truthbetolled.com to order one for $10.

TURF and the San Antonio Toll Party have been instrumental in fighting the taking of our public roads and converting them to toll roads. They are also active in fighting the Trans Texas Corridor. I have marched, testified and spoken against these TxDOT plans from the beginning. And I have written about my testimony at the Sunset Commission Hearings regarding TxDOT and it's restructuring. Terri Hall, founder of these groups is to be congratulated on her vision and tenacity. Our government is to represent the needs and wants of the people. The people are united against these abuses of power. TxDOT and our state legislature must listen.

Another very important event has occurred. On October 20^th, Jacobs Well in Wimberley went dry. This is the second time that this has happened since the disastrous drought of the 1950's when it continued flowing. We must take action to protect and preserve our water. We can no longer wait – or worse yet, turn a blind eye to those interests who represent unfettered development over the Aquifers and recharge zones. We must respect nature – and work with it – without that goal, they day will soon come when our property values will drop, our businesses close and life as we know it in the hill country will cease. As the "canary in the coalmine", the stoppage of Jacobs Well must be noted and used as a catalyst for preservation and action regarding our water supply.

On a happier note – The Hunters Barbeque in Bandera County and sponsored by the Bandera Chamber of Commerce, was held Friday night at the park. They used a clever twist on the BBQ supper idea – They had all the food prepackaged – no flies, possibility of contamination or waiting in lines. And the food was hot – and - outstanding. The silent auction and vendors all displayed great items. – The live auctioneer did a great job. Coming from a family of auctioneers, and having held a license myself, it is always fun to hear good auctioneers. Thanks to Bandera's Chamber event, Robbi and I ""won" stays at Bandera lodgings – to use after the election. Relaxing a bit is not a bad idea.

St Andrew's Lutheran Church near Startzville, in Comal County held their holiday fair on Saturday. With lunch, holiday items to purchase and silent and live auctions, we managed to find some great gifts. We always are welcomed and enjoy spending time at St. Andrew's. We also found that they sponsor Angel Food Ministries in our area. Anyone needing a hand with groceries is invited to contact the church for monthly packages. This ministry is an outranking effort to be certain that people who request help receive it without paperwork, qualifying or being listed in any official way.

"Art Past Dark" in Fredericksburg began last weekend and is continuing through next weekend (November 9^th). It is a yearly event worth noting as it is designed to highlight outstanding visual artists in the area.

Robbi and I joined many of the artists and Gillespie County residents at their Red, White and Blue Opening party at the Fredericksburg Hanger Hotel. Held right after Halloween, many came festively dressed in red, white and blue. Rosemary Estaban even came dressed as Uncle Sam. Featuring a silent auction, live music and great food, the pre-election party had ballot boxes marked Obama, McCain and Neither of the Above. Dollars counted as votes and all the proceeds of the event are scheduled to go to children's education in Gillespie County. More information can be found at www.artpastdark.com.

Along with many terrific Boone volunteers, I am spending a lot of time on the streets – waving to motorists, talking with passersby and having a great time visiting with folks. If votes can be judged by thumbs up, honking and smiles, we are in good shape.

This certainly is an interesting year to be running for public office in HD 73. Tomorrow will tell the tale. I invite anyone reading this to participate tomorrow by voting and then by heading to a precinct area and waving the Boone "signs already there - to help remind our Republican friends to cross over (as many are doing) while in the voting booth.

It has been a long race to save our Hill Country, preserve our water and facilitate our public education system. I am very grateful to the wonderful volunteers who have worked tirelessly on behalf of my candidacy. This is truly a grassroots effort and while thank you seems inadequate it is offered with heartfelt gratitude.

Water meeting, endorsement, parades and more

What a week for the campaign! On the heels of the Democracy for American endorsement came another one. This time, the endorsement is from Independent Texans. I am both appreciative of this support and grateful for their endorsement.
Independent Texans understand that I am running for the HD73 seat in the legislature for our Texas Hill Country; water and growth issues being among the most important problems faced by our state - and that I am independent in my thinking, valuing everyone's ideas and suggestions. Water does not know the name of a politcial party. If we turn the tap and nothing comes out, it affects us all equally. And - I intend to operate the same way in the Texas House. No person or party has all the good ideas. We can all benefit by talking and reaching accord so that we can actually address the issues that the people want dealt with by our legislature.

After this excitement, I met many Republicans and Democrats alike at the joint Bulverde Spring Branch, Canyon Lake Chamber of Commerce autumn kickoff meeting held at the GVTC Auditorium in Spring Branch. After the apathy of years past, it is a joy to see people engaged in our political process and interested in discussing the decisions we will all have to make. Voting is what makes our democracy strong and I respect everyone's right to make a personal decision.

A very important meeting I attended was the GMA9 (Groundwater Management Area 9) meeting held on Friday in Kerrville. Though Comal County does not have a water district, I was welcomed as a private citizen to participate in the meeting. To my knowledge, I was the only Comal County citizen present.
Attended by about 100 of the most water knowledgable folks in the area, this meeting discussed planning for the presentation to be made to the 2010 Texas Legislature.
I suggested, along with several others, that the drought of record" (DOR) beginning with 1950, be included in the computer model. Including this drought will provide the "worst case scenario" that we can expect with droughts of the future. The board discussed the fact that inclusion of the DOR would severly skew the model in a direction that is unacceptable in considering any additional drawdown (how much water can be withdrawn) from the aquifer.
The board also determined that including other multiple factors such as expected population growth without the ability of county commissioners to manage this growth is possible and will require significant adjustment to the model and substantial time and resources.
In what I believe was a wise and prudent decision, the board will included a DOR model run as well as less stressful drought model runs. I congratulate the DMA9 Board on their decision. This willl provide valuable data regarding actions that must be taken before and during the next DOR.
By the way, I suggest that hill country residents become aware of the good work being done by the GMA9 Board - and - ask you to take part in solving these water need problems. This board appreciates input from citizens. They believe input from the communities is the best way to find solutions to the substantial water issue facing us.

After this serious meeting, the Labor Day festivities really began in earnest. The Kendall County Fair Parade kicked off on Saturday morning. Enthusiasm and a positive response greeted me and our Booone volunteers in Boerne. Then we drove to Gillespie County. First we were in Harper for their 5:00 pm parade. This was followed by the delicious fried fish dinner put on by the Doss Volunteer Fire Department. Also in Gillespie County, Doss, last year , served over 3,000 people at the annual Fish Fry and they believe that this year will total even higher. Our hats are off to all the VFD folks throughtout our state. What a job they do for us all!

IN addition, great volunteers manned our entry in the Bandera parade as it was impossible for me to be in two places at once. I sure enjoyed the postive reaction in Bandera during their Frontier Days parade in Bandera last May. I was sorry to miss the excitement this time, as Bandera folks really know how to party.

I will try to post new additions to this site often. I expect to discuss pressing Texas issue each time I blog here. Please let me know if there are specific topics you want to talk about.