Fool Us Twice, Shame on Us: Redistricting Hearings in West Texas

This time we were ready. When the Joint House/Senate Committee on Redistricting came to Lubbock on Wednesday, August 18, the ICC Theater was full of West Texas Democrats from all over the Panhandle Plains--from Amarillo, San Angelo, Big Spring, Hereford, Midland, Odessa, Plainview, Lubbock, and points in between. Democrats asked simply for fairness in redistricting; compact, competitive districts; recognition of changing demographics, and attention to communities of interest.

The Committee noted that the Lubbock hearing was the largest of the meeting they had had thus far and they were impressed by the number of people willing to testify, the quality of the presentations, and the energized grassroots of our region.

I am inviting any of the people who spoke to post their comments on this blog. Let us know what you think.

Take it away Mary

Just handed over administrative privileges on this blog to Mary V.  I'll be checking back from time to time to see how the Coalition is faring.  I heard she turned out people from all over West Texas for the redistricting hearing in Lubbock.  Great job! 

This is a test of West Texas Voice. Can you see me?

West Texas Coalition of Democrats Update

I know, I know, it's been a while since I've blogged. (Is this really a verb?) But things change and things happen and I want you to know what's going on. So . . .

New Officers Were Elected at the Caucus at the Convention in June 2008.

Your new president is Johnnie Jones, former County Chair of Lubbock County now residing in Odessa. She has great organizational experience and skills, a marketing and pr background, and great passion for the Democratic Party.

Jim Perkins of Amarillo has agreed to serve as Vice President. Jim has worn many hats in the service of the Potter-Randall Democrats and we are fortunate to have his many skills now at the service of our Coalition.

Our new Secretary is Kinsey Croslin from Lubbock. She is super-organized and totally committed to our Coalition goals of making West Texas and West Texas issues a vital part of
the political dialogue in Texas.

Robert Ricketts, former candidate for the 19th Congressional District, is our new treasurer. It's kind of nice to have a 5-Star Accounting Professor help us find our way as we become a Federal Pac as well as a State Pac.

The Laney Camps
A major project for the next biennium is to conduct trainings for volunteers in the various campaigns. We will work with candidates and their campaign committees to develop an efficient and effective ground game. Our inspiration for this project is the Honorable Pete Laney who will also provide much of our leadership---and the name of our project, the Laney Camps. Let us know if you know or are part of a campaign committee that wants to hit the ground running after Labor Day. Our Laney Camps will be kicking off in August.

Our Go-To Guy, The Honorable Joe Heflin, (D) HD 85.

The Coalition's Go-To Guy to kick off the Fall Campaign season is The Honorable Joe Heflin.
Oue mission is to bring together funds, volunteers, and support from all over West Texas for a candidate who sincerely represents West Texas values and issues. We hope West Texans will contribute to his campaign, whether or not he will be on your ballot. He technically represents HD 85, but any West Texan from any district can expect an attentive and intelligent hearing from Joe Heflin. Like Pete Laney before him, he understands the economics and culture of our region and that's why he is our Go-T0 Guy.
Furthermore, he was a legislative star in his first term in the State Legislature. He was selected:
Legislator of the Year by the County Judges and Commissioners
Freshman Legislator of the Year by the Democratic Caucus
Friend of County Government by the Texas Association of Counties
Distingusihed Legislative Service Award for 2007 by the Texas Municipal League
Honorary Legislative Star by the Texas Classroom Teachers
Legislator of the Month (March) by the Texas Municipal League
Clearly, it behooves us to keep this Star of West Texas working for us all in Austin.
So send your contributions to
Joe Heflin
PO Box 426
Crosbyton, TX 79322

Let us hear from you. Nominate your own Star of West Texas! We need to know much more about each other. We are people spread thin over an area as large as Vermont or New Hampshire or something. We need to make a noise. A joyful noise about West Texas Stars!

Mary V

Meeting today in Lubbock

West Texas Coalition of Democrats meets today (Nov. 17, 2007) in Lubbock at 1:00 p.m., Science Spectrum, enter on 74th St. Speaker from TDP and maybe Texas Legislature, training session plus big plans to recruit writers for this blog.

Radnofsky heads to Dimmitt

U.S. Senate candidate Barbara Ann Radnofsky will be in Dimmitt on Wednesday, August 30, 2006. West Texas Coalition of Democrats will host Radnofsky for lunch at K-Bobs. She'll be there at 12:30p so show up early to eat before she arrives. Review: Radnofsky, lunch, Aug 30, K-Bobs Dimmitt.

Broomaday grows

Broomaday membership doubled yesterday as we added the anonymous woman on the phone accusing Democrats in Lubbock of "buying votes" by handing out school supplies to area students. Hey, last time I looked at election law, kids can't vote.

Policy Rollout: Restorative Justice

NEWS ADVISORY
Immediate Release: August 10, 2006

SUSAN BARRICK TO ADDRESS LUBBOCK AREA CLIENT COUNCIL

LUBBOCK -- Susan Barrick, Democratic candidate for Lubbock County Judge, will speak to the Lubbock Area Client Council on Saturday, August 12, 2006, meeting at 1:00 p.m. at the Patterson Branch of the Lubbock Public Library, 1836 Parkway Drive. Barrick will speak about one of her policy initiatives, restorative justice.

Lubbock Area Client Council is affiliated with Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas. Rose Wilson is president.

Who: Susan Barrick, Democratic candidate for Lubbock County Judge

What: “Restorative Justice,” an address to the Lubbock Area Client Council

When: Saturday, August 12, 2006 at 1:00 p.m.

Where: Patterson Branch of the Lubbock Public Library, 1836 Parkway Drive

# # #

Lubbock Democrats Lend a Helping Hand

Quoting the press release sent to the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal about the school supply program launched by Leo Flores, precinct 4 chair:

People Before Politics
Democratic Party hopes to help by handing out school supplies Lubbock--Today members of the Lubbock County Democratic Party distributed school supplies to area students. "We wanted to take care of an extra expense" said Leo Flores one of the event's primary organizers. The Democratic Party understands that high gas
prices have affected working and middle class Americans all over the country including Lubbock. In an attempt to make life easier for parents, any students were eligible to receive the supplies as long as they were present to pick them up. The Lubbock County Democratic Party was hoping to give supplies away all week at its headquarters, located at 2809-A 74th ST, but due to overwhelming response to the
offer, resources were exhausted by the end of the day. Nearly 500 students were able to receive a bag which included: a pencil box, mechanical pencil, protractor, and pencil sharpener--supplies not normally available at school supplies giveaways. The event was organized by Leo Flores and Mary Harris, who put in many long hours and who hope that the event will expand and become an annual occurrence. The supplies were purchased with donations from members of the Lubbock County Democratic Party. Flores was quoted as saying, "the Democratic party knows how much high gas prices have affected those in our community, and how many expenses come with the beginning of school." The Lubbock County Democratic Party welcomes anyone to drop by party headquarters at 2809-A 74th ST anytime to discuss any concerns they may have, and reminds the residents of Lubbock that it puts people before politics.