Stand Our Ground

Obama Supporter Slashes Offer Price on Austin Mansion

2008-12-18T08:15:00.003-06:00

Every morning during coffee, after I've run the children out of the kitchen and onto the bus, I browse my hot sheets. The Austin Board of Schmealtors charges me upwards of $1000 a year to have access to the "MLS", a proprietary software program that connects all real estate agents that choose to participate and pay. Agents enter the data into the application and it is available to all real estate brokers that have paid for the service. Every time an individual hires a real estate agent in the area, the agent may choose to place his listing into the MLS and offer a portion of his commission to a sub-agent or the buyer's agent. Hot sheets are lists of homes and properties that have been entered into the system. I run hot sheets every morning to keep a specific eye on the market and look for properties that may have potential for my clients.

Today, I found one that is interesting on several levels. First, it is on Mt. Bonnell road overlooking Lake Austin. Austinintes know Mt. Bonnell as one of the more famous, beautiful points in the city. It offers spectacular views of Downtown and glorious sunsets.

The Mansion has been on the market for 30 days at a price of 3.7 million dollars. Today, the price was slashed almost a million dollars to 2.95 million. That is a reduction of over 20% in only one month. Owner, Joe Moran, is a securities banker with Tejas Securities Group in Austin. Mr. Moran is also, along with Tejas Securities CEO John Gorman and several other Tejas associates, a maximum donor to the Obama Presidential campaign.

On the Tejas website, the company advertises "the firm specializes in the analysis of distressed debt, emerging growth equities and special situation securities." I wonder if this mansion on Lake Austin is considered "distressed debt". I wonder if these bankers are donating to Obama because of his social strategies or his economic strategies. The website claims the Group specializes in "Government and government agency securities and municipal securities."

Those securities must not be selling. Mr. Moran, however, is selling....and at a cut rate price.

The point is to be wary of price de-stabilization in Austin for the next few months. If you must sell, you may want to follow the lead of this high dollar Democratic investment banker, and drop your price 20%.

Hutto Remains a Cloud Over County

2008-12-16T08:11:00.005-06:00

T. Don Hutto is a prison. It detains children and families while they await immigration proceedings. None of the people being detained at the facility have been charged with any crime. None have been determined to be a threat to homeland security. Williamson County facilitates the private corporation responsible to the federal government(ICE)for the detention of immigrant families.
In my opinion, and many people like me, T Don Hutto is a shameful outrage that spits in the face of freedom.
On December 23, the contract between Williamson County and Corrections Corporation of America will be up for renewal. The vote in commissioner's court will determine if Williamson County persists in the complicit support of this disturbing practice of capitalistic incarceration. Please join me in letting our county officials know, "We do not wish to renew the contract. We want CCA out of our county. We would rather use the facility to allow the sheriff to arrest, charge, and incarcerate illegal immigrants and the employers that hire them."
I urge you to contact the County Judge, and our county commissioner. You can do so by simply clicking on their names and sending them an e-mail. Give these families an early Christmas. Show these children that there are still Americans that believe we are the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave. I also urge you to write brief letters to the Williamson County Sun and Round Rock Leader to express your hopes that our commissioners do not extend this accursed contract. It will only take a moment.
Our county judge is a an incredibly polite, thoughtful man with a rich Texas history. His family is prominent and his background is steeped in rodeos, cowboys, and politics. He knows that it is in his best interest to follow his de-facto leader, John Carter, and continue the incarceration of these innocent babes. But underneath that cowboy exterior, I believe, he is struggling with this issue. His own trials and tribulations weigh on his mind and he is bound to understand the persecution these children are enduring. I believe he will stand tall if we supply enough input, letting him know how precious each and every day of freedom means in a life that can change and end in the blink of an eye.
The people ask the Judge. Please sir. Do your part to set these children free. You can be a Santa Claus this Christmas. Do not renew this contract. Put this political nightmare to bed, quiet the clatter, and be a hero to children that may never know your name. I think the true meaning of Christmas and the Christ, the Prince of Peace, will descend upon your soul and give you a one-way ticket to the Promise land.

Iraqi Foot Soldier Misses his Mark

2008-12-15T07:36:00.007-06:00

The USA has created a generation of anger with our war in Iraq. We can be sure that for years to come there will be hostilities between the Persian offspring of Muhammed and the capitilistic freedom fighters of America. What a stinker President Bush has created for all of us. The President was as a nimble as a cat when he ducked under two shoes thrown at him by an Iraqi reporter this week-end. He remained calm and collected as the two size 10 tennis shoes sailed over his head, missing their mark.
The reporter made his point though. Iraqis are ready for our troops to go home. We have won the war. Saddam Hussein is dead. The country is clear of WMDs. The surge is being performed by approximately 30000 troops while the other 100000 are sitting in the Green Zone eating Whoppers and watching NFL games.
Iraq is full of orphans that will always blame the Bushes and America for the loss of their families, friends, and homes. Human memory is short and Iraq has quickly forgotten the terror reign of Hussein.
The reporter screamed to the President, "This is a farewell kiss for you, you Dog,"
as he was pulled, kicking and screaming, from the room. I was proud of Bush for being able to maintain that damn smirk of his throughout. Even as the shoe sailed right for him, President Bush grinned like a school kid playing dodgeball on the playground.
Iraq is detaining the reporter and charging him with a 'barbaric' act. I hope the President will urge the Iraqi government to free the reporter. It was an insult. But, as Americans, we like to say that free speech is ok. Now, if the shoe would have been on target, we would definately have a different story.
I would have made my shot count if I were flinging shoes at a visiting politician. I'd love, for instance, to throw my size 12 riding boot at that madmen Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. I would not have missed. Growing up in the Hood, we liked to fling shoes up on telephone lines. If people left there shoes outside their project door, we borrowed them for shoe flinging. If you have ever driven down a road where tennis shoes are hanging from the utility lines, you know some poor American urchins were practicing their chance at glory. If ever a power hungry, conquering ruler should ever make a farewell tour through our broken nation, we need to be ready to cast the right shoe. And then the left, if our aim is off.

Turds Runneth Downhill

2008-12-10T07:44:00.002-06:00

Rent isn't easily collected these days. Property management has never been a walk in the park. It was a natural fit for me from an early age. I like people. I like property. I like putting people in property. So, as a profession, real estate was fun. I like baseball too, but my fastball topped out at about 75 mph and I couldn't hit the broad side of a barn with a pitch. Now I'm having to chase tenants around with the baseball bat.
The problem is serious and getting worse. Good people with outstanding references are losing jobs all over. They fall behind on credit cards first. Car payments get behind and now they can't pay the landlord....and he can't pay the homeowner....and they can't pay the mortgage company. And the lender can't pay the note holder so the banks scream for help.
We are in a time when all people must find whatever it is they can do, and do it. Fight through this time with your head held high and soon our country will again prove to be the greatest nation on earth. And if that doesn't work, if we're still in the doldrums, we must look at new industry and new ideas. We will discuss, in depth, one of those industries in next weeks blog entry.

All you folks out there not paying the mortgage. You're not alone. Word came down yesterday that 1 in 10 of American homeowners are behind on the house payment. Looks like homeless shelters and soup lines are good investments. The KKK will be screaming, in the guise of the NRA, that poor folks are stealing the money from the rich when Obama's tax hikes on the mega rich are necessitated.
Annie get your gun...or your pool que.

Turkey 2008

2008-11-29T09:11:00.005-06:00

My daughter,Mary Blake, has three little brothers. No sisters. Just "three stinking brothers." This Thanksgiving she has tormented them all with continually pestering to the point of physical violence. Luckily I was able to save her from Gunnar's wrath and send her to her room for some parent imposed convalescence.
This Thanksgiving was a tough one here at the Gnarlee Rute. Sara's grandmother succumbed to old age and passed into the light. Mrs. Leotta LeBleu was Sara's last remaining grandparent and she will be missed terribly. Sara left me alone with the four kids and has gone to Louisiana to pay her respects. I wished I could be there but Sara thought it best I stayed home with the children.
It was the third death this year of an immediate family member. First, my grandfather passed in July after battling neuropathy. He had gone into the hospital for a procedure to battle his prostate cancer. The procedure produced a horrible reaction, he was infected with staph and spent six months in a world where he could not talk, walk, or eat much of anything. My mother and grandmother cared for him day and night. They were in misery, seeing this happy, free-spirit wither and die before their eyes. The grief and pain was far too much to bear for my dear mother. She took her own life just six weeks after her father died. Suddenly my grandmother had lost a husband and a child. My sister, brothers, and I were distraught. Wounds like these take time, love, and faith to heal. We work together to keep our heads high when the crying times come.
The world seemed in disarray all year. The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan linger on and the promise of the newly elected President to end the Iraqi invasion is highly anticipated. We will be blessed if the hope lives up to the hype. It will be difficult to bring this country out of the self-inflicted doldrums of this economy. I doubt the general public realizes or wants to face the fact that a core change in behavior is necesarry. True conservatism has been smeared and defaced by a sitting President that faced impossible circumstances. The sociological chaos that surrounds us makes fiscal conservatism downright impossible. We have raised a herd of calves we cannot ween. Too many people are under the impression that being an American somehow entitles them to more than just a piece of the pie. They want the pie, the plate, the oven, the resteraunt. The fight to restore confidence in this Nation must start with the people. It is not about the individual anymore. Sure, we need the brains, brawn, and brass of certain individuals to promote industry. But more importantly, we need to realize, America is the land of the free. Free to do well, free to get by, and free to suffer in indolence for the ones that choose that path.
Mary Blake continues to pester the brothers. She refuses to believe all three will soon be much bigger and stronger than her. We're still standing and thankful for one another and our network of supportive friends. We wish you well this Turkey Day.
What did the Daddy turkey say to his disobedient children? If your mother could see you now, she'd turn over in her gravy!
Bonne Chance, mes amis.
J'aime vous tous.

Infested Waters

2008-11-19T08:10:00.007-06:00

Get ready for some serious regulation in the Real Estate industry. People are wary of Realtors, real estate agents, condo Joes, and all other sorts of people that are paid when property changes hands. I have been a broker for over a decade and have worked with some of the most honest, hard working, leading innovators in the business. Those folks are the minority. For the most part, people's fears and mistrust of the players in this game are well founded. Snakes abound. Slackers, reprobates, liars, swindlers, and individuals with low moral character line the landscape of most all real estate offices. It is ALWAYS best to find someone you know personally to handle a real estate transaction or refer you to a reputable firm that can be trusted with your assets. I believe that the lenders, agents, Realtors, and especially the appraisers are to blame for our current real estate recession.

The Obama administration should not bail out bad mortgages. They should allow the foreclosure wave to balance itself . They should not extend credit in any manner to either the borrower that took out the loan or the lender that made the loan. People cannot be bailed out when a speculative risk turns sour. It sends deplorable messages to the nation's youth. "You can get away with murder", "Everybody does it", and "There are little consequences to your risk."

Life is not so forgiving. There are consequences to risk. Conservative judgement is needed when you see everyone about you frenzied in money for nothing schemes. Murder and stealing and fudging the truth is wrong. You will pay for it. What comes around......you know the rest.

In spite of the adverse circumstances, minor face-saving initiatives can be implemented. Credit reporting forgiveness, late fee waivers, and foreclosure acceleration can reduce the backlog of foreclosures and give relief to the borrower that rolled the bones on these dicey mortgages. 0% down, 1 time construction close, no document loans, ARMs, and roll in the points plans have been eliminated for the most part. The Feds should be sure that minimum standards are met when lenders approve loans. Debt ratios must be strictly verified so that people aren't sucked in by predatory lenders.

We can fix this. Let the market adjust itself. Stop bailing out every business that goes South. Our government is a Captain on a sinking ship. He sees people drowning all around. He can't save everyone. In this case, he best save himself. The sharks can swim.

Sweet Potato Pie and Pork Sandwiches

2008-11-12T12:37:00.005-06:00

My neighbor, Bill, brought back a nice size porker from his new deer lease this week-end. His young son shot it during the hunt. Bill smoked it on Monday, drinking cold Lone Star and watching Monday Night Football.
Monday Night Football's color analyst, Tony Cornheiser, doesn't jive with Bill. I don't care for the Corn either. He's not our style; wormy, little, bad hair, too smart, and doing Monday Night football. I hope Obama acts fast too fire Cornheiser, it would be a nice gesture to the Redneck faction that so adamantly opposed his candidacy.
When the meat was ready to eat (and not before), I butchered the carcass and boiled the bones. We have eaten wild pig every night this week: green hatch wild hog enchiladas, ferrel swine stew, pig tacos, artiodactyl appetizers and much more. Even though the food has been boaring, the polemic has been steady. All six Windhams in this house know how to argue, fight, and whine. I'm the best at all three. Sara is close second. Jake third. Blake. Gunnar. Will.

Personally, we had a blast for the past year preaching the Obama message and mixing in Windhamisms to the Sweet Potato Heads of Williamson county. Turns out the Republicans could have run Mr Potato Head himself in this precinct and won against a Democrat aligning himself with a man that many called the Anit-Christ. Sun of a Bitch City reminded me you can't Teach Old Dogs new policy. And now we face the realization that we are indeed on an island here in Williamson County. And what a shithole, concrete playground it will be if the new Court gets its way. The court will get its way. We pay for it.
There will be little help from the Democratic controlled federal government for a bastion of robber barons disguised as God Fearing, gun praising, gay bashing, money making Christians calling themselves "Republican." Say it with me... "President O B A MA" There that was easy.
Democrats are on the rise out here as more and more lights come on upstairs and people realize they've been victimized by proposterous lies of small government, property rights protection, and laissez-faire.
Thanks to the fighters like Jason Kendall. This friend sacrificed his time, money, and liver cells to help berate our local Williamson County Commissioners and the historically sad state of local policy. Kudos to Dianna Maldonado and her team for waging an uphill battle and coming out victorious. I salute you.
I was proud to meet Jaime Lynn, our candidate for County attorney, and watch him fight tooth and nail with a heavyweight opponent.
Larry Yawn helped Mike Grimes come ever so close to unseating the unqualified, visionless, nare too sweet Lady that sits in the Precinct 1 Commissioner's chair. I can only hope that our commissioners are not emboldened to inflict massive amount of injury on the taxpayer while their friends cash county checks for projects that lag and go unfinished.
There will be another day and another battle.
I sure hope my Baptist buddy takes his guns down to South Texas and brings back more food.
I can get used to this "Democrat" label.

Our BLOG will transform over the next few months as I transition back into Real Estate Mode. We will talk about the best ways to make money in this opportunity rich economy. Perot always said you make your money when you buy, not when you sell. New economic policies begin to form on a national level. If you have cash, buy real estate. If you have real estate, hold on. We may be in for a continuing tumble for the next few months but I heartily anticipate a robust spring and summer selling season.

I have a few ideas to deliver service to the filling of the Sweet Potato Pie. Some nice folks need friendly service in that baked dish. Any of you seeking adventure in this market are encouraged to give me a call. Even you Tony Cornheiser.

A Conversation with Voters

2008-10-17T08:56:00.003-05:00

Our County government is derailed. It's time to get back to basics.
Many of my friends and neighbors were shocked when I entered this race for Williamson County Commissioner. Others knew I was biding my time, waiting for a moment when a conservative, states rights Democrat would be a viable choice. This race is in my community where I have lived, worked and played for the last dozen years. It is the landscape I call beautiful, the people I call friends, and the ground I will stand for as long as you want me.
It was the consensus in December of last year that a Democrat would have no prayer of winning in Williamson county. I would be wasting my money, time, and effort. I was too much of an underdog. The label was too strong to overcome. My soul isn't timid, I like a good fight, and I believe I'm doing the right thing. So with confidence, intellect, research, and a new pair of boots, I hit the campaign trail and began to stir the pot.
Issues like Urban Sprawl, Highway corruption, eminent domain abuse, campaign finance ethics, child imprisonment, and open government initiatives were rarely topics for the local press. But it has been a long year. We've seen our economy dwindle, our housing boom disappear, and our nation bicker over issues Washington loathes to face.
Republicans in the county have become fractured due to the Rovian style leadership that has overwhelmed the once proud, upright, compassionate wing of the party. Constable Gary Griffin, a fine public servant and dedicated Republican was pushed aside so that a Republican sugar daddy might have his name an elected title. Many Republicans have gone with Gary. Many others have chosen to stay and are working diligently to remove the power principles that have caused the deterioration of the faith in the local party. They understand they must continue the whisper campaign to oust the liberal Covey and her highway robber barons before the county is bled dry to the special interest transportation lobby that would like to see Wilco a Turnpike. RepublicansAgainstCovey.com is yet another group of NIMBY party outcasts. Realizing their government officials have fallen by the wayside, this well funded and organized group is working daily to unseat Mrs. Covey and send a strong message to the Court.

I am personally shocked that Valerie Covey has continued to back this Williamson Transportation plan when it is such an unpopular, foolish direction for our county. The Highway 29 debacle encompasses many of the issues we have addressed in this year long campaign.

First, open government is not a $1 million Public Affairs firm that also handles PR for toll roads and the TTC. Citizen voice was handled by submitting questions prior to the open houses so that the PR could cherry pick the topics. No Q & A time was allowed at any of the open houses. This is no surprise from a Commissioner's Court that implemented dress codes, time restrictions, and speaker restrictions early in the year. Ask someone who has spoke at a meeting. "Did your commissioner respond to you at all?"

Second, campaign finance ethics are in question when a sitting commissioner awards county contracts and employment to individuals and companies that have donated to her campaign. Valerie Covey has received thousands of dollars from companies that have and will benefit from the expansion of Highway 29.

Third, urban sprawl is caused by building highways and inviting development. The highway building induces more congestion, it absolutely does not relieve it. In an energy descent America, in the middle of a recession, against the voice of the people, Val Covey wants to spend our current and future bonds on her crystal ball vision of the future. I say its time for public transportation strategies and a New Urbanism planned by the cities and counties cooperating to promote walkable developments and smart growth.

Fourth, highway corruption has reared its ugly head again in our town. This has happened before. Dan Moody, a young Democrat from Williamson county, used highway corruption as one of his major platforms to unseat the corrupt Ma Ferguson from office in 1926 and become Governor. Moody's lifelong reform service proved to be one of the most successful public service careers in the history of our great state. Now, the highways have turned to corridors and toll roads. Ms Covey's effort to transform our historic township into a blow through for the NAFTA superhighway, toll roads, and the TTC must be stopped now. We must stand our ground and remove the special interest transportation lobby from our commissioner's sphere of influence.

Fifth, private property rights are a cornerstone of our American ideal system, government, and way of life. Using the government to condemn and seize a private citizens land in the guise of the public good is a suspiciously socialist viewpoint. Eminent domain has serious constitutional questions in general. Specifically, in the case of Highway 29, it is a gross abuse of power and destroys the citizens faith in the American concept of private ownership. I will be deeply saddened if the citizens of this precinct allow it to go forward.
Highway 29 needs work. So does 195, Williams Drive, Great Oaks, and other roads in this precinct. I think 29 is low on the priority list and surely not worth the amount of time an money our Court has spent on it. It is evident they have a different agenda.

It is important for a voter to know a bit about the Candidate's personal life. Election Day is my 13th Wedding Anniversary. Sara LeBleu Windham is my friend, wife, and precious love. She has worked, sacrificed, cried, screamed and worked some more through this campaign. Without Sara, I would be half the person I am. We have four beautiful children, a German Short Hair pointer, and a barn full of cats. Our lives are centered around God, family, and community. We love baseball, Longhorns, Texas, Elvis and Willie Nelson.
I am a graduate of the University of Texas with a degree in Literature and a minor in history. I have been a small business owner and real estate broker for 10 years. I have had the privilege to work with some of the wisest, most ethical, and visionary real estate people in the country. I understand the strains of small business ownership and the complexities of being your own boss.
As a family, we are just like many of you. We are concerned about the future for our children. We want affordable education, good roads, security, and a chance to work in a job that is gratifying and helpful to the public. We want public spaces were we can meet people, enjoy our surroundings, and be proud of our community and the social fabric of our culture.
Smart growth planning is one of my priorities and I will work hard with the Court and leaders of other governing bodies to promote sensible developments based on the human scale. Dependency on the automobile must be challenged now.
I believe we need an integrated, comprehensive regional transportation system including not just roads, but also rail, rapid bus and HOV. Failing to provide leadership in the area of mass public transportation is planning to fail.

Help me now to shake the foundations of this county government. Help me now to provide the citizens of Williamson County with the eyes and ears and fists needed to get our County back on track.

Please take a look at our commercial and all the related videos we have done for free via our youtube channel.

2008-10-16T20:43:00.004-05:00

I was born for the storm. I will rattle their cage
of cronyism. No more back room deals. No
more will your county government hide behind
a veil of secrecy. No more will politicians
waste our tax dollars on pie in the sky projects
for their campaign donors. No more million
dollar PR fi rms. No more $4 million road studies.
No more eminent domain to steal our lands and
mortgage our future. Resist Sprawl, Implement
Public Transportation, Close T Don Hutto. Stop
relying on future bonds. Road Block 29 Expansion
and Covey’s Cross County Corridor. Fight
Highway Corruption and open the Courthouse
for the Palace to produce it’s historical play “You
Can’t Do That, Dan Moody”.

It’s time to take back our County.
It’s time to set things right.
Word is Out.

www.standourground.com

Old Values and New Visions for our practical matters.

Please Remember to Vote. Spread the Word

Smoke Signals and the Politics of Distraction

2008-10-14T11:04:00.002-05:00

We summed up our appearences before the commissioner's court this morning. A long year of research, public outreach, sacrifice and hard campaigning is culminating in the next 21 days.
In just 7 days Texas will begin early voting. Over 46% of the ballots cast in the March primary this year came from early votes; and election officials are predicting an even greater turnout this November.

Your help is needed more now that ever before!

Donate Please on the Paypal button.

From October 20th to October 31st thousands of Williamson County residents will cast votes at one of the 24 polling locations. We need to make sure that they remember to vote the entire ballot.

The only way for us to ensure a sweeping
victory is for you to sign up to volunteer!

Early Vote Locations in Williamson County

DATES AND TIMES FOR FULL-TIME LOCATIONS:

Monday, October 20 through Friday, October 31
7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Weekdays and Saturday
Noon - 6:00 p.m. on Sunday

Main Location:
Williamson County Inner Loop Annex,301 SE Inner Loop, Georgetown

Branch Locations:
Parks & Recreation Admin. Bldg.
1101 N. College, Georgetown

Sun City Social Center
2 Texas Dr., Georgetown

Brushy Creek Community Center
16318 Great Oaks Dr., Round Rock

PART-TIME LOCATIONS, DATES, AND TIMES:

Georgetown ISD Admin Bldg
603 Lakeway Dr., Georgetown,
Thursday, October 23 through Saturday, October 25
Wednesday, October 29 through Friday, October 31

Seton Medical Center Williamson
201 Seton Parkway, Round Rock
Tuesday, October 28 and Wednesday, October 29

Rural Temporary Locations, Dates and Times:

Jarrell Memorial Park
1651 CR 305, Jarrell - Thursday, Oct 23

Florence VFD
301 S. Patterson, Florence - Friday, Oct 24

Liberty Hill Annex
3407 RR 1869, Liberty Hill - Saturday, Oct 25

Andice Community Center
6600 FM 970 - Wednesday, Oct 29

Hours for voting at Rural Temporary Locations are
from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Please sign up now to volunteer just a few hours of your time.

Will you call voters? -
Will you take a few hours and knock on doors? - We have picked key precincts across Precinct 3 to go door-to-door and encourage
them to vote for Gregory Windham!

Will you help us deliver literature to undecided voters? - I can't afford to mail everyones. So I'm counting on your support over the next few weekends to hand deliver thousands pieces of information on our race.

Will you help us with Early Vote/Election Day visibility? - Help remind people to vote early and bring extra attention to our local races. We'll be looking for volunteers for the first 2 days of early voting, the weekend of early voting and for the last two days of early voting...and of course election day.

.Help us achieve victory!

Sign up today!

Sincerely,

Gregory Windham

Something That Matters

2008-10-09T00:32:00.004-05:00

A call from a Republican friend prompted a pre-empt sive strike against Valerie Covey and The Williamson County Republican Party. I can understand the mentality of a cornered wildcat. It was important that we let Valerie Covey and Bill Fairbrother know that their October surprise was less than startling.
Valerie, I forgive you. Mr Fairbrother. I forgive you. Sometimes we do things that affect people's lives in manners we may not consider. You spent a lot of money doping up this video, but I'll try to do my best to take the high road in all this. Good manners, proper behavior and integrity are paramount to a man's character. I stand up for the ideals I cherish; freedom of speech, honesty, democracy, love, and forgiveness. I hope we are all, in the end, citizens striving for the happiness and prosperity of our community.
It is necesarry, in a democratic government, to turn the rows and start anew. Your past record of submitting to special interest projects leaves you with little support. Your dogmatic backing of these outlandish transportation projects makes you seem punch drunk to us ordinary tax payers that have begged you to see our point of view. Your refusal to rely on the voice of the citizen as a guidepost of your term will ensure your short lived reign as Republican party representatives.. We need leaders, not followers. We need heart and mind. In America today, from DC to Georgetown, from Wasilla to Laredo..we must unite and be diligent and persistent. We must advance confidently towards a greater cause.
Why you would decide to attack me personally is plain to see. Again, I forgive you and look forward to great polemic on the important issues facing Williamson County.

Political Prostitutes of Williamson County

2008-10-01T20:36:00.005-05:00

Thanks to better reporting in Williamson County, we have a light at the end of the tunnel. I have been walking Precinct 3 and many are aware of the Highway 29 Debacle and the hungry eyes of our commissioners of collusion. We have the Williamson County Sun and Austin American Statesman to thank. Young reporters diligently reporting the facts have shaken the foundations of cronyism in Wilco. Keep up the good work. Spread the Word. The intimidation will come but truth will survive. Like the tower reads..."Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." John 8:32.
Help me. Please donate $100 via pay pal on the right. Please. It's getting down to the nitty gritty and I need funds to keep swinging.
Truth is on our side. Don't let them convince you "Everbody does it."
Like Grandma said when I came in too late and kept her up worrying.
"If they all jump off the edge of a cliff, will you."
No I won't. I'm a non-conformist. I question authority. I accuse authority when authority is proven corrupt.
The weekly prayers by the commissioners that open the counterfeit court are sugar coated and despicable. Not once this year has a commissioner prayed for peace. If we are going to mix church and state, I suggest a Bible study to begin next weeks court, perhaps Leviticus 19 Verse 29.

Valerie Loves Me.

2008-09-25T19:46:00.003-05:00

The race for the commissioner's seat in precinct 3 is heating up. Three straight days of media coverage is bringing the issues of this election to the public. Our opportunity to win this race, against all odds, through adversity, tragedy, and struggle, is before us.
I will be working day and night to shed the light of special interest influence and corruption that has infilitrated our county's government. I will be introducing myself to new people and asking people that know me to help me take this county back. Please donate $100 by clicking the donate button on the right. I need money.
The Statesman has reported on the county's wasteful, negligent hiring of a PR firm to defend their Highway 29 expansion. The Sun has outed Valerie Covey and Lisa Birkman for their ties to the Trans-Texas Corridor and toll road engineers that fund their commissioner campaigns. A bright new reporter has had the boldness, the audacity to report the truth about the contractors that pull the commissioners by the purse string. And today, several media outlets have reported on the T Don Hutto forum and the failure to attend by our county judge and commissioners that hold the contract that is key to the profit made on imprisoning innocent children.
Never underestimate an underdog.
Never quit, never say die.

And the South Shall Rise Again

2008-09-04T10:28:00.005-05:00

Our county commissioner just won't listen. Valerie Covey, CPA insists on spending your hard earned tax dollars despite the overwhelming opposition of the citizens of precinct 3. She just won't listen. Valerie Covey, CPA is sure the people of Williamson county need another east west corridor to plan for the future growth of her dominion. She just won't listen. Valerie Covey, CPA is beholden to the road engineers, consultants, mappers, and planners that are helping her in this campaign. She just won't listen. Valerie Covey, CPA is looking at the numbers and shutting out the voice of the people. She just won't listen. Valerie Covey, CPA has lost touch with her base by refusing to safeguard private property rights. Good, hard working, self reliant Republicans are getting a dose of the machine they've created and nourished for the past 10 years.

They've decided to take the Cross County Corridor south of Liberty Hill. They've decided to destroy ranches, landscape, and natural environment. They've decided its best for us to bridge the South San Gabriel several times, to prepare for this east west connector of the Trans Texas Corridor. The corrupt commissioners claim the road won't be built for 20 years. They claim they will give market value to willing sellers. Valerie Covey, CPA could give a damn about the future of Georgetown. She is lining her pockets with contributions from firms representing the Trans Texas Corridor. She is awarding no bid contracts to PR firms to defend her positions because she hasn't got the intestinal fortitude to do it herself.
She has embarrassed her Republican base and opened the door for the first Conservative Democrat in years to win a position on the Commissioner's Court. She has showed where her true allegiance lies. This is the epitome of corruption in our local government.
Let's get this perfectly crystal clear for everyone. I have opposed this road and others like it from the start of my campaign. This is the paramount issue that brought me into this race. I will fight it tooth and nail. I will check this court at every turn. I will safeguard private property rights and do my very best to influence and persuade the other commissioners to do the same.
This debacle is a shining example of what an absolute majority can do to circumvent the will of the people. When there are no checks...abuse is natural. When there is no balance, there is no argument. This Corridor issue cuts across party lines. It turned me from a middle of the road Republican into a middle of the road Democrat. Checks and balances are absolutely essential for good government. These people aren't Republicans....they aren't representatives of our citizens...they are disillusioned, licentious land grabbers using our government to push personal agendas.

Fight. Fight Fight. Put County before party. Put people before party. Put Voice before party. Valerie Covey is wrong. She is gazing into a crystal ball 20 years into the future(so she says) while the projects in front of her face go unfinished and neglected.
When I win, I will not be a party representative, I'll be a people representative. My team will make the calls to State representatives and US Congressman that aren't answering the calls of the citizens.
Our team will hold their feet to their fire. The reckoning is near in Williamson county.
Our platform:
Fight Urban Sprawl
Safeguard Property Rights
Promote Mass Transit Pilot Programs
Increase funding for our sheriff to fight illegal immigration.
End the landfill debacle and open the bids to all waste managers.

Our promises:

I will never vote to raise my pay.
I will donate $7500 per year to a scholarship fund for Precinct 3 students.
I will have an open door policy.
I will drive my roads and hold my contractors accountable.
I will negotiate and promote open bids
I will not take campaign contributions from anyone doing business with the county. Period.

Join me. I need your help to take our county back. Its time to set things right.

WANTED : Republican denies the facts on Covey

2008-09-02T15:38:00.006-05:00

Click the pic for larger view.

Today I received an e-mail I wanted to share. The e-mail was in response to a campaign ad that ran this weekend in the Williamson County Sun.

Ms Gwen Hodges of Georgetown writes.

" It is better to keep your mouth shut, and be thougt of as a fool than to open it and prove to everyone you are! The things you wrote in the Sun are absolutely so untrue and mis-leading as to have no credibility at all! If you are going to run for an office, you need to at least learn how things work - you just showed you don't have a clue! Do your fellow Democrats realize this - if you are the best they have to offer up - no wonder we haven't elected any of them in a decade!! "

My reply.

"Unfortunately, for you and me... they are all true...and I have the docs to prove it. I have more than 5 of the Republican precinct chairs behind me for a reason. All are, and have been members of your local party. They tell me immediately when Val makes a plan.
I'd be glad to meet you anytime, anywhere to persuade you or show you the truth.

If folks will stand up for truth in government, we will all be better off. 1) The first two questions of Valerie are documented. The third...I have requested a debate with party leaders, Val , and publicly at the court.

The fourth is true...

The fifth is absolutely true. Sorry.
I know you are a big John McCain supporter, and, in that vein, should be absolutely ashamed of the special interests that have taken a hold on this county.

Thank You for registering on my site. I can assure you I will stand our ground and offer a non partisan approach to the commissioners office.

Your quote is sincere, I'm sure, and again, I'm sorry you feel that way. I have never attacked you. I will be using it, your e-mail that is, in my next ad."

Mrs Gwen Hodges:

"IT IS TOO BAD THAT YOU HAVE NEVER USED ONE WORD TO EXPLAIN YOUR
QUALIFICATIONS FOR BEING AN ELECTED OFFICIAL AND MOST IMPORTANTLY COUNTY
COMMISSIONER. YOU NEED TO EXPLAIN THE JOB DESCRIPTION AND ALSO DISCLOSE
THAT YOU ARE A REALTOR (WHICH FOR ME MAKES YOU INELIGIBLE TO SERVE AS A
COUNTY COMMISONER). IF YOUR (AND I QUOTE) REALTOR LICENSE IS IN FORT WORTH,
DOES THAT MEAN THAT YOU ARE A NEWCOMER TO WILLIAMSON COUNTY OR MAYBE DON'T
REALLY HAVE ROOTS HERE? WHY WOULD YOUR REALTY COMPANY BE IN FORT WORTH?
AND BY THE WAY, IT IS THE STATE OF TEXAS THAT LICENSES REALTORS, SO YOU CAN
SELL ANYWHERE IN TEXAS. IT IS NOT RIGHT FOR YOU TO BASICALLY SLANDER YOUR
OPPONENT WHEN IT IS BECAUSE YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND THE WORKINGS OF THE OFFICE.
ONE PERSON ON THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT DOES NOT HAVE THE POWER THAT YOU ARE
TRYING TO MAKE PEOPLE BELIEVE. YOUR OPPONENT IS VERY ETHICAL OR WE AS
REPUBLICANS WOULD HAVE NEVER CHOSEN HER TO RUN. GWEN "

My Response

I will be publishing your comments in this weeks BLOG.
If being a Realtor disqualifies a person from the job, should Cynthia(LONG) step down?
My roots in this county run far deeper than my opponents. I am a sixth generation Texan, proud father of four, husband of 13 years, and small business owner. I have worked in the capitol building, for the UT athletic director, and for the AG as an investigator. I practically grew up in a courthouse where my grandfather was the County director and my grandmother the County tax assessor-collector. The local Head Start center is named for my grandfather. My father was on Darrell Royals' National Championship football teams at UT before he started his public service career. My uncle was the head baseball coach at Round Rock High School for thirty years, my aunt has taught History at the same school and is still there now. Our family has a long, prestigious record of public service. I look forward to augmenting that record. I have a degree, like Valerie, from the University of Texas.
I have been a broker for many years and would never be audacious enough to use my position for personal gain. That's your party's modus operandi...not mine. I have only questioned my opponent. Of course I know the answers to the questions. For you to sing slander is a knee jerk reaction of a desperate campaign. I assure you, I know more people in this precinct than you do. And everyone loves me...that's the good part.
If you want to continually back your candidate, as a responsible citizen, you have that right. But by backing Valerie Covey, you too back the TTC in Wilco, the continued corruption on the CTRMA, the intimidation tactics of the local Republican party, and the shutting out of the general public.
Your quotes are priceless. Keep 'em coming.
Have a good afternoon."

Where's Valerie? Stay Tuned.

Madame of the Toll Road -- Covey's 29 Reasons for Highway 29 Toll Road

2008-08-20T18:28:00.026-05:00

It's with sincere trepidation that I begin this entry.
"Be careful what toes you dance on," my wise old friend said when I got into this fight. I can tell you now that this election is much bigger than just a Commissioners Race in Williamson County.
The rats in this race are ravenous, uncivil engineers of profit and plunder. This is the no-bid capitol of Texas and our cohort contracts abound.
I am going to list a who's who' of Political Contributors to the campaign of my opponent, Valerie Covey. I withheld listing donors that are residents of Precinct3. Ms Covey has many fine Americans from precinct 3 that gave their money to someone they believed would hold up the values of the Republican Party. Ms Covey received almost $50000 from interests and individuals outside of Precinct 3. She did not receive half that number from within her own precinct. It will be up to them, primarily, to determine if Valerie should remain in control of our precincts input on the county budget and road bonds. Voters in the precinct will determine if her voting record represents the citizens of precinct 3 or the developers and road engineers that fund her campaign. They can buy lots of signs, but folks that live on Lake Travis can't vote here.
Friends, neighbors, and residents of precinct 3. This isn't meant to be smear politics. These records are public domain. The names don't always tell the whole story. Sometimes there are faces and impressions behind the name that must be explained further. A brief attempt at the background of the donor and the relevance of the donation will be attempted. These are in no particular order.

1) I'll fill in this blank later in the campaign.

2) Steve Kallman - $1700 Toll Road Engineer No Bid Contract recipient of CTRMA..Lives on Lake Travis.

3) Carter and Burgess PAC $750 TRANS TEXAS CORRIDOR Engineers. Direct Connections to this PAC proves, without a doubt, that our commissioners are pro-TTC.

4) Bill Gunn III -- $1000 A director with TXDOT. Why would a state employee give so much money to a county candidate.? Stinks to high Heaven.

5) Chiang, Patel, Yerby -- $500 Trans Texas Corridor engineers that received a no-bid contract for millions to study and map the "possible" 29 Expansion, the Cross County Corridor. Big Donor of Rick Perry and toll road consultants.

6)Fullbright and Jaworski $750-- Houston Attorneys

7)Kenneth Graham HNTB Executive $1000--- HNTB engineers our road bond and is the LEAD CONSULTANT for the TRANS TEXAS CORRIDOR !!!!
Lives up in Wisconsin.. North of Precinct 3.

8)Munsch, Hardt, Kopf, and Harr $750-- Dallas Attorneys Not quite so far north.

9)Allen Watson (Cobb Fendley and Associates) Toll Road Utility engineers that received a No Bid contract from CTRMA for almost half a million dollars.

10) Mike Weaver --$1040 CEO PRIME STRATEGIES INC, Darth Vader or The Emperor, I can't decide which. Our County Road Bond Manager and creator of the CTRMA. This unduly created Authority is the bed of all corruption. .Weaver was the architect.

11) Smith, Robertson, Elliot, and Glen $1000 Austin attorneys

12)Unnamed Local Engineer $2000 Road and civil Engineers. Georgetown Firm. Still, is it OK for commissioners to receive contributions from firms or people they will be considering for million dollar projects?

13)Keith Young and TCB PAC $1250 Toll Road and Trans-Texas Corridor Engineers support Toll Road Val. See her here cutting the ribbon on her first toll road.

14)Don Bourn -- $500 Arizona Mega Developer. Many holdings in Williamson County

15)Tony Dale -- $200 Hard Line Party Man, McCain Delegate. Suspected of being propaganda tool of the Wilco RIGHT and Bill Fairbrother.

16) Bryan Farney $500 Austin Attorney

17) Kerry Russell $250 Attorney retained by Williamson County Commissioners to do the County Attorney's jobs. Billing thousands to the county monthly.

18) Sheets and Crossfield -- $1000 The Attorneys from Round Rock that handle land acquisition, eminent domain, and condemnation. Toll Road attorneys. Involved in all county business.

19) Steve Ogden Campaign $500 Just helping their fellow Republicans. Ogden will never seek re-election.

20) Rex Bohls- $1000 Developer Deluxe Dove Meadows, Bohls Palce

21) Bob Wunsch $1000 Developer. Waterstone Development. La Frontera

22) James Dannenbaum $1500 Toll Road Trans Texas Corridor Consultant One of Rick Perry's Longtime friends and supporters. Lives in a mansion in Houston.

23)Halff Associates $1500 Trans Texas Corridor Consultants and Engineers These guys are from Dallas.

24) Home Builders Association of Austin -- $500 Home Builders need roads to create Urban Sprawl.

25)Bill Pohl --$1000 Land Owner, Developer. Pohl, Brown. Broker and retain considerable property portfolio in Williamson County.

26) HDR PAC $500 Trans Texas Corridor Consultants These folks hail from the Cornhusker State.

29) Greg Hall $1500 Georgetown Developer. Lives in Precinct 1. Smells.

There it is. In black, white, and GREEN.

Now, who do you think Incumbent Republican County Commissioner Valerie Covey represents? And let's not forget Lisa Birkman. Ms Birkman's war chest is dotted with many of the same names.

Why do so many Trans Texas Corridor consulting, engineering, and construction firms give thousands and thousands of dollars to your county commissioners?

Ask the question. Do these women work for us, the citizens of Williamson County? Or do Valerie Covey and Lisa Birkman represent the road engineers, builders, and consultants of the toll roads and the Trans Texas corridor.?

Ask the people along Highway 29 or the residents of Liberty Hill.
Ask yourself on November 4th.

Please Donate to this campaign. You can do it from the PAYPAL button on the right. Unless your a Trans Texas Trick, of course.
I have included videos concerning the Trans Texas Corridor. Watch them. We have to stand our ground now. Right now. If we fail, it will be too late.

Fiscal Responsibility and the Cross-County Corridor

2008-08-13T08:18:00.003-05:00

In every person's life there comes a time to cut up the credit cards, tighten the belts, put away extravagant plans, and be fiscally responsible. That time is now for Williamson County. Our commissioners must be aware of the energy crisis. Our commissioners should be using our taxes and road bond monies to finish current projects, like Williams Drive and Highway 1460, rather than planning Nutty Highways to Nowhere like the Cross County Corridor, Highway 29.
It is completely obvious that a great majority of people living in this county are absolutely united in their opposition to the Cross County Corridor.
I believe they are right on target. A huge highway cutting through the middle of our beautiful county is advantageous to truckers, companies shipping nationwide, and trash trucks.
The citizens, on the other hand, are left with more carbon emissions, more pollution, more urban sprawl, more taxes to provide the infrastructure, and a much uglier place to live.
It doesn't have to be that way. In my tenure as county commissioner I will roadblock 29, fight the cross county corridor, and use our funds for priority projects that need completing now. There is nothing wrong with looking into the future, but our commissioners should be taking care of the task at hand rather than peering into their crystal balls. Commissioners aren't elected to be fortune tellers. They are representatives of the people in their precincts.

I need help with this fight. I'm asking you to give this campaign money so that we can fight. The donate button is a t the bottom, and right up top. Do it now please. I vow to stand our ground.
Check out the videos.

And we were able to speak to the court yesterday as well. We talked about how the county has been derailed by personal agendas.

And in this one, we lay out the precinct for voters to decide.

Mass Transit For Sun City

2008-08-08T14:09:00.004-05:00

When Val Covey took over the job of Williamson county commissioner in Precinct 3, she was an assistant to the previous Commissioner. When Commissioner McDaniel died, his supporters turned to Ms Covey to fill his shoes. She made it her number one priority to widen Williams Drive from DB Wood Road to Highway 3405. She has FAILED miserably.
The road was under the control of TXDOT and scheduled to be widened by the state.
The money from TXDOT disappeared and our county leaders, instead of holding TxDot's feet to the fire, shouldered the burden of widening the road on their own. Its still not done and likely won't be when I replace her in November. Her concerns have turned away from Williams Drive while she focuses on her Legacy and the over expansive, 400 million Land Grab on Highway 29. She is wasting our money.
My proposal is simple. A pilot program of mass transit that would serve Sun City and Georgetown.
As our energy crisis expands and our population grows, its imperative that we begin the process of developing a county wide mass transit system that will serve our citizens who can no longer stomach the congested roadways, high price of fuel, and overburdened infrastructure. With 5 San Francisco style trolleys, Williamson County can join with the city of Georgetown to develop and quickly implement a Wilco transit Agency.
Sun City is the perfect place to start. Many of the citizens of Sun City would benefit greatly from mass transit. Mass transit reduces the number of cars on the road, it provides a service for those unwilling or unable to drive, and it will increase the economic mobility of those who just can't afford to drive today.
Supporters of these initiatives are my supporters. I make 3 claims of main benefits to such a strategic realignment of resources: first, it will benefit the environment and, therefore, the nation’s health; second, it will increase the economic mobility of citizens currently marginalized because of their geographic isolation and revitalize neighborhoods by reconnecting them to their surroundings; third, it will decrease American dependence on foreign oil, thereby improving U.S. national security.

With your vote and support I will eliminate the nutty highways to nowhere and use your tax money in a responsible, practical manner. Urban Sprawl is the enemy, and these Nutty Highways to nowhere are the number one contributor to this sprawl. Move the money for these outlandish ideas to plans that will confront our 21st century dilemma.

"God Bless America" by James McMurtry

"God Bless America "

Look yonder comin', mercy me
Three wise men in a SUV
Corporate logo on the side
Air-conditioned quiet ride

That thing don't run on french fry grease
That thing don't run on love and peace
Takes gasoline make that thing go
Now bring your hands up nice and slow

Take us to the land of milk and honey
Sing and dance all night long
Whatcha gonna do with all that money
Whatcha gonna do when that money's all gone

Negotiation's just no fun
And it don't serve our interests none
Gonna turn up the heat till it comes to a boil
So we can go get that Arab oil

And we'll suck it all up through the barrel of a gun
Everyday's the end of days for some
Republicans don't cut and run
Tell me ain't you proud of what we've done

Take us to the land of milk and honey
Sing and dance all night long
Whatcha gonna do with all that money
Whatcha gonna do when that money's all gone

Take us to the land of milk and honey
Sing and dance all night long
Whatcha gonna do with all that money
Whatcha gonna do when that money's all gone

And a couple of more messages to Val Covey and all her Sprawl campaign contributors.

It ain't revenge I'm after...it's a reckoning.

LAND GRAB

2008-08-05T08:28:00.002-05:00

Last nights participation at Liberty Hill High School for the Williamson County Commissioners song and dance was an A+ in democracy. Too bad our leaders aren't listening. When Val said "Icould be home tonight with my kids," and "Don't come crying to me in 10 years," I thought "Is she serious."

One fellow was escorted from the building after explicitly demanded that she not be so smug.

Reminds me of the old Blazin Saddles movie.

Sun City Speech

2008-08-04T08:07:00.000-05:00

I'm Greg Windham and I'm running for County Commissioner because Williamson County has to do better. I have with me today the number one, two, three, four, and five reasons I entered this race. They are my wife and children and I want to thank them very much for their patience, sacrifice, and oodles of motivation they provide this campaign and this candidate. Thank You my love. I couldn't do this without you. You know that don't you. Yes she does.
Williamson County has to do better. We have allowed unbridled growth to overburden our existing infrastructure and we have failed to rapidly prepare the county for public transportation and mass transit necessities that are needed today .
Currently we lack leadership on the Commissioner's Court. Guided by absolute majority politics, our county leaders are representatives of special interests.
The culmination of this betrothal to highway builders, engineers, and Toll road consultants is the emergence of a pie in the sky project I call the Covey Cross County Corridor.
Alaska nearly had the $320 million dollar "Bridge to Nowhere". Alaska Governor and current GOP VP Candidate Sarah Palin has been applauded as a national hero for stepping up and squashing this bridge. Georgetown, Liberty Hill and the State Highway 29 Corridor are poised for the $475 million dollar "Road to Nowhere". Commissioner Valerie Covey has already spent several million Williamson County taxpayer dollars on an engineering study in preparation for saddling us with this $475M debt. Unfortunately, we don't have any Republican leadership stepping up to squash this mess. Instead, we have an election November 4 that will send a strong message to the Commissioner's Court. "Now is not the time."
Why is Ms Covey turning a deaf ear to her constituents. A resounding majority of Georgetown is against this gamble of our tax dollars. Round Rock has many pressing issues that must be addressed that are going unfinished, Williams Drive is still crawling at a snail's pace because of TXDOT and the billion dollar boondoggle. Ms Covey's decision to take over the project as a county initiative is essentially a double tax for the county taxpayer and a triple tax for City residents that will pay yet again, in future bonds that haven't even been approved. So Why Ms Covey.
I think I know why.
You see, when you take tens of thousands of dollars from the highway lobby, you need to build a highway. Ethics, personal property rights, citizen outrage, is out the window. But we can stop it. A win in November in this precinct, one of the highest Republican majorities in the state, sends a message to the Court. "Clean Up, or Clear out."

Highway 29 $475 million mortgage of my children's future for a project that will induce sprawl, increase truck traffic, increase carbon emissions, and turn the old, historic flavor of Georgetown into a dingy truck stop city between the Houston ports and points West. We don't want it. We don't need it. We must stop it.

Enough about her. I know I could have said, She's a Republican and amany of you would have heard enough. But we must persuade our friends and neighbors that are Independent, undecided, and yes Republican if we are to stop Ms Covey and this debacle.

According to this Georgetown Public Transportation plan, we can implement public transportation bus routes for a little over a million dollars and mange the program for a million dollars a year. Now, let's guess that they were short, so for the polemic, lets say it will cost us 2 million a year.
For the price of the Covey Cross County Corridor, we can have Public Transportation in this county for a hundred years. 12 lanes to nowhere or 100 years of Public transportation...what's it gonna be. I will work hard to lead this county. With the power of citizen voice behind me, we can stop looking to the past for our solutions to the future. Einstein said that the definition of insanity was doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. New Highways in the middle of nowhere are not hate answer, they are the problem...they produce sprawl and diminish our sense of place and our way of life. We must do more to encourage smarter growth and better land use,'' while promoting transportation solutions to gridlock.
I am a promoter, sales trainer, investigator, reporter, and non-conformist. Questioning authority is the patriotism I respect.
With your help, the help of God and my family, I will be a leader you can trust and a friend you can call.
When I win, I will not be a party representative, I'll be a people representative. My team will make the calls to State representatives and US Congressman that aren't answering the calls of the citizens.
Our team will hold their feet to their fire. The reckoning is near in Williamson county.

Our platform:
Fight Urban Sprawl
Safeguard Property Rights
Promote Mass Transit Pilot Programs
Increase funding for our sheriff to fight illegal immigration.
End the landfill debacle and open the bids to all waste managers.

Our promises:

I will never vote to raise my pay.
I will donate $7500 per year to a scholarship fund for Precinct 3 students.
I will have an open door policy.
I will drive my roads and hold my contractors accountable.
I will negotiate and promote open bids
I will not take campaign contributions from anyone doing business with the county. Period.

Join me. I need your help to take our county back. Its time to set things right.
Please put a yard sign, write me a check, or get a bumper sticker. This is a race we must win. Failure is disastrous for too many people. Thank you, God Bless you and God Bless Texas

What'd I Do?

2008-07-29T18:15:00.004-05:00

I was interrupted 30 seconds into my weekly pleadings for thought, vision, and justice before the Williamson County Commissioners. I was reminded that their is to be no political 'campaigning' during citizens comments. I was threatened with contempt should I continue. My weekly comments are prepared. So, I went back to Campaign Headquarters and read it to the camera, as I would have read it to the Court.
Please comment. Just maybe we have a problem with freedom of speech in this county government. Just maybe.

Obama rights the Wrongs. LBJ's Dream realized.

2008-07-28T15:45:00.000-05:00

Our Republican Leadership Puppet Dance

2008-07-16T19:06:00.002-05:00

A great video from the testimony of our hand-picked TXDOT employees. Toll-roads and toll road interests have overthrown our local governments under the disguise of Republicans. Republicans and Democrats and Independents alike should hold these leaders accountable. The bullshit flows from the top and these are the clowns dancing for their jobs. Remember, road projects in many counties, especially Williamson, were eliminated because of a purported 1 Billion shortfall. Well 183A and 45 and all these empty toll roads around the county damn sure finished in a hurry, like a conjugal visit. Please realize, the more we spread the word about these pranksters, the faster they will be righted. American's patience for good government only goes so far. Why the lies.? Why the secrecy? Where is this going?

Watch the testimony.

No To 29 Starting to Gather Steam

2008-07-13T15:46:00.001-05:00

I am happy to report that the campaign received $1000 from individuals and an endorsement from a citizens group in Liberty Hill last night. Concerned about the effects of a county plan to expand Highway 29, citizens of the Sundance Ranch neighborhood have formed noto29north.com.
For several weeks I have been compelling local landowners and business leaders to make a stand against this underhanded campaign by county commissioners to condemn property along the existingHwy 29. This particular group, and many other individuals from the neighborhood, have been working quickly and responsibly to hold our county leaders accountable for their miserable lack of vision.
Giant highways to nowhere like this are the number one economic stimulus for Urban Sprawl, that great beast that destroys communities and causes the entropic disaster that is devouring the natural landscape of our great nation. Our countryside, our streams, rivers, and creeks are under attack.
It is the duty of our citizens to vote this November. If there has ever been a referendum tied to an election, it is evident in this one. A Vote for my opponent is a vote for unchecked development, unbridled growth, toll roads, trans-Texas corridor and the perceivedprogress of a commissioner that is beholden to her campaign financiers.
A vote for our platform is a vote for open, balanced government, private property rights, and fiscal accountability. Our campaign will pursue an agenda of environmental conservation, expanded county emergency services, and prioritized road projects. My role as commissioner will be defined less by what I control and more by the initiatives I promote. I believe in finding good people and letting them do their job.
This current brain spasm by the commissioners court has all the characteristics of bad government. There was little notice, lax expenditure control, a vacuum of constituent input, and short sighted thinking in a long term spectrum. Frankly, it is likely, with skyrocketing fuel costs, that the perimeters around major Texas cities will begin to contract. As people move closer to denser urban centers, the need for giant highways into the night aren't a priority. Keep fighting.

Our county government, in its efforts to plan for future growth, is avoiding the concerns and objections of its citizens. The huge expansion of Highway 29 through Georgetown and Liberty Hill is a senseless, disturbing proposal that smells too much like a feed lot after summer rain. Particularly short sighted is the proposed Northern Route that would circumvent Liberty Hill. This route would be most devastating to the greatest number of individuals and be a grandiose abuse of power by our county leaders. This is the typical behavior that we have begun to expect from a court that thinks its a Roman Consul and not a representative of the precinct in a service delivery position. This whole idea still can be thwarted. It is the responsibility , indeed the duty, of the citizens elect responsive commissioners that are more concerned with the voice of the citizenry-- the will of the people-- the desires of the existing communities. -- Fortunately, a group has formed in Liberty Hill, noto29North, that will work hard against this preposterous plan. I stand with them against this entire ill-conceived attempt and especially the proposed Northern Route.

Val Covey is far too anxious for fast lane development. She and her commissioner cohorts should kill this plan now...It will be costly in November."

Independence Day Thanksgiving

2008-07-09T08:26:00.000-05:00

The Fourth of July Celebration down at San Gabriel Park in Georgetown was filled with patriotic Americans struggling to make ends meet. I visited with over 500 different families and was not surprised to hear many stories about the everyday budgets being cut to ensure that necessities were available to the family. Thanks goes out to Sertoma for promoting, managing, and attending the grand celebration of our great nation's historic beginings. There were young men and ladies performing heartfelt patriotic tunes, flag retirements performed by a proud young Boy Scouts troop, and a grand finale with spectacular fireworks enjoyed by all. The entire day was, in my opinion, solid proof that Americans will persevere through these dark days and be stronger, wiser, and prouder to be Americans.
The Democratic Party also had a fine turnout of volunteers to help our candidates win in November. Thanks especially to Marie Smith, Sharon Webster, Randall Craig, Walt Tibbetts, Kay Walker, Faye Elliott, Phyllis Vogel, Lee Roberts and Kay Walker for helping man the booth and fight the fight. We are sure winners this year if we stay positive, convey the message, and refuse to be dragged down by the forthcoming negative attacks by the desperate right wing that clutches to power in our local, state, and federal governments.
I am fully convinced that our turnout this year will make the Democratic Party proud this fall. Please, stand with us. We need your donations of time, effort, and especially money to wage this fight. We will stay on the issues, present the facts, and give the voters of Williamson County a clear choice in the election.
With that in mind, I would like to announce the Grand Opening of our Williamson County Coordinated campaign office on Saturday, July 19 from 4-7PM. The office is located behind the McDonalds at on the Southwest corner of Interstate 35 and Highway 620. We will have cold beer, big mouths, and Air conditioning -- so please come and join us as we prepare for a long, hard campaign for change in Williamson County and beyond. This is our time, this is our moment...let's prepare for success today. Thank you all so very much for your encouragement, support, and good humour. We are destined for great changes in this county. It is paramount that we steer our ship according to the winds of change or else we will continue to be blown off course by our current government that is bought and paid for----lock,stock, and barrel.