Precinct 396
Precinct 396
Chairperson Billie Reaney, 868-0098
May 2010 Newsletter:
Saturday, September 11, 2010. Mark your calendars. It will be a day of Pride and Patriotism, with some good old down-home politicking added. Our Sun City Democrats Club will be inviting the whole Georgetown community to join us in the ballroom. Proud to be an American! Proud to be a Texan! Proud to be a Democrat!
February 2010 Newsletter:
Important Issues:
These issues need emphasis at our February meeting, because it is the last meeting before the Primary Election begins.
Early Voting begins on February 16 and ends on February 26. Early Voting is carried out by the county election office. Voting in Sun City will be in part of the ballroom. In Early Voting is done on the Electronic Voting machines. You will need to ask for a Democratic Ballot or a Republican Ballot.
To get a look at the two ballots, go to this site: http://www.wilco.org/ Near the bottom right of the page is a fancy flag draped button labeled “Elections”. Click on that to bring up the ballots and information about voting sites and times they are open.
On Election Day, March 2, there will be a separate Democratic Polling Place with Democratic judge and clerks. This is the case for the Republicans as well. All of these polling sites will be in the Ballroom where 4 precinct polling places will be set up for the Democrats and 4 more for the Republicans. A voter must vote in his/her own precinct on Election Day. Look at your own Voting Certificate (you received it in the mail several days ago) to find out which precinct you live in.
I will caution Democrats against crossing-over and voting in the Republican Primary. Some of us might be motivated to vote for Perry because he will be easier to beat in November. Others will cross over to vote for Hutchinson, because with the Republicans favored to win, she would be better in the statehouse than Perry. In the end those two groups will cancel each other out and your vote will be wasted.
Here are other reasons why it is important that you vote on a Democratic ballot. The most effective way to encourage other Democrats to come out of the closet is to show big numbers of Democrats voting. Otherwise Republican vote totals will look big, which gives them a boost in the press and in public perception.
Further, if you vote in the Republican primary, you will not be able to attend the Democratic Precinct Conventions that will take place at 7:15 pm on Election Day. These conventions will also be in the Sun City Ballroom. It is at our precinct conventions that delegates to the County Convention are elected. Sun City Democrats will get to send over 100 delegates to the WCDP County Convention. The County Convention is scheduled for March 20 at Reunion Ranch, just down the road from us here in Sun City. I plan to see you there.
December 2009 Newsletter:
WCDP prepares for 2010
$100,000+ WCDP Budget for election year 2010 is being developed now. It is a significant sum to raise, but an absolute necessity if we are to become a winner in the fight to make Williamson County Democratic once again. None of this money goes to the candidates. It is needed to maintain the efforts to get out the vote with mailings, phone banking, voter registration drives, party publicity and outreach, maintenance of the party headquarters, polling and election training and support. Fundraising efforts are underway now. Let me know if you want to donate. We grow stronger with each name we can add to our roster.
WCDP Candidate Recruitment Committee has worked diligently for months to fill all the slots on the 2010 ballot with good candidates. Last week, Jeff Maurice announced he will run for Commissioner for Precinct 4. Jeff has been an attorney for Dell and has been very influential in the recent political victories in the eastern part of Williamson County. He is a leader of the Hutto Citizen’s Group, working to address critical issues surrounding the Williamson County landfill near Hutto.
In other races, Diane Maldonado (D), who gained a seat in the Texas Legislature in 2008, will endeavor to keep her position. As a newcomer to the Legislature, her lack of experience makes her vulnerable and the GOP has set their sites on reclaiming that seat. Maldonado does not represent Sun City, but will need our help again to win. Dan Gaddis (R), who represents Sun City in the State Legislature will run next year for the Texas Senate. That leaves an open seat in Legislative District 20. We are certainly eager to fill that seat with a Democrat, but so far no strong Democrats have voiced interest.
Justice of the Peace (JP). Is there a Sun City Democrat among us who is willing to consider becoming a candidate for Justice of the Peace (JP) for this Commissioner Precinct? The incumbent JP is retiring, leaving an open field for this position, which pays about $73,000/yr. The court is located in the Williamson County Inner Loop Annex. A candidate need not be a lawyer. (None of the 4 JP s in Williamson county are.) You get the title of Judge, a courtroom and a clerk. Mostly the JP handles arguments between neighbors, traffic tickets, marries people and settles small claims disputes. (Like Judge Judy.)
SBOE Candidates. Drs. Judy Jennings and Lorenzo Sadun, candidates for the State Board of Education, impressed a crowd of about 50 as they spoke at an event on Nov. 11 here in Sun City. The event was sponsored by the 4 Sun City precinct chairs. These two Democrats will face off in the primary in March. But the critical race will come in November when the primary winner will run against Cynthia Dunbar, a far right-wing nut case who represents us on the SBOE.
November 2009 Newsletter:
As Chair of Precinct 396, one of the four Sun City Precincts, I encourage every Democrat with a desire to be active and involved in making “change you can believe in” happen, to become familiar with Williamson County Democratic Party activities. WCDP has enlarged its base of supporters significantly since the Obama campaign helped to invigorate people all over the country to help make change happen. You can begin by going to the party’s new website at http://www.wilcodemocrats.org/. (The site may request that you allow “Active X” to run – in order to take full advantage of all the information on the screens.) A number of our Sun City Democrats are already volunteering at party headquarters in Round Rock. WCDP meets on the second Thursday of the month @ 7:00pm. Earlier (6:15 pm.) several volunteers provide a meal for $10.00 to help raise money for the party. Check with your precinct chairperson if you would like a ride to the meeting.
Democratic activists in the county are currently supporting Joyce White’s “feeding the poor” initiative. Her project has gained the interest and commitment of a number of local Democrats, including a group of activist Democratic women in Sun City. Joyce, 75, along with her friend, Nellie, 84, cook and deliver meals once a week to more than 50 impoverished individuals whose economic status, along with their age and infirmities combine to make their situation extremely perilous. Joyce’s project is centered in an area of the county and among individuals that are seemingly invisible to the social service agencies of county and state government. Fixing that is also part of the change we need.
I chair the Fundraising Committee for the support of Williamson County Democratic Party and I am happy to report that our list of sustaining donors (those who give monthly or quarterly) has more than tripled in the year since President Obama has been elected, now totaling 81. Fifteen of the 81 are Sun City Democrats. The sustaining donors are critical to the success of the party since it is the money raised through their contributions which allows us to maintain a Party Headquarter. Annual donors (those who donate $100 or more once a year) are now up to 67, with 6 from Sun City. A number of Sun City Democrats also contribute by giving their time as volunteers and by working as election clerks and judges. Praises and thanks to all of you.
WCDP headquarters is located in a highly visible site in Round Rock, in the same shopping mall at the corner of I35 and hwy 620 as the new natural foods store Sprouts . Drop in at Democratic Headquarter when you shop at the new store. Our headquarters are open from 11:00 am until 5:00 pm every weekday. It is often open in the evenings, as well, to accommodate committee meetings and special events. Elections are won through the constant effort and focus of volunteers and activists who step up to do the work when the need is evident. Winning the election was just the first part. It is sustaining the effort that will make the Democratic Party the dominant force in the county again. With your help, this will happen.
June 2009 Newsletter:
Williamson County Democrats shouldered a big obligation last November when they decided to keep WCDP Headquarters open year round. Convinced that our party is headed for significant growth in the near term, we elected to finance a year round home for the party. The WCDP Fundraising Committee was formed, with Billie Reaney as chair, and we set to work to provide the kind of dependable funding that is necessary to pay the rent and prove that the Executive Committee had made the right decision. A half a year later we can be proud of all that we have accomplished.
The committee efforts has more than doubled the number and income of our annual donors, adding 35 new or renewing donors to make a total 65. The yearly gift from these donors average a little more than $100.00 each. Our sustaining donors, those who give regular monthly payments of $10.00 or more, now total 65, up from 44. Their monthly contributions average about $17.00 each, a level that brings in $1100 each and every month.
Sun City Democrats have been a big part of this success. Howard Butler, Jean Carlson, Norman Ford, Jane Yendell, Kay Walker, Kim Moran, Billie Reaney, Ronald Yeck, Larry J. Hilliard, Don & Jackie Lelong, Don Mohr, Harold Steadman, Phyllis Vogel and Karen Welcome are sustaining donors.
Kim Moran, Jane Yendell and Harold Steadman are also annual donors. The other annual donors from Sun City are Joan Baker, Fred Becker, Betty Dougherty, Sharon Cassidy, Robert Melsha, George & Mary Pliszka, Vivian Schroeder, Diane Gadell and Richard & Diana Waterbury. If I have left off your name, please let me know. If you would like to join this great effort to make a big move forward for our party, you can let me know that as well.
Thank you all for your help and confidence that this party is ready to become the major mover and shaker in this county.
May 2009 Newsletter:
News about the Democrats in Williamson County: Get ready to help celebrate the first 100 days of the Obama administration. We are planning a party on the 100th day (April 29) at our party headquarters in Round Rock. I will send an invitation in separate email. Watch for it!
Georgetown’s civic festival, Red Poppy Days will happen on April 25 and 26th, with a street dance on the evening of the 24th to kick off the celebration. WCDP will have a booth on the square both days of the festivities. We will be asking festival attendees who drop by our booth to help out the party by volunteering and/or become donors for the Democratic Party. We will have some Obama merchandise to sell. We will be registering voters and making sure that we demonstrate a big and growing presence in Williamson County. We can use your help in staffing the booth. Just call me at 868-0098 to help out. A couple of hours at the booth on one of the days would be greatly appreciated.
And finally, regarding the May 9th municipal election, there is no ballot for those of us who live precinct 396, which is the Jarrell School District. That is because our school district does not have a contest, and our city mayor and councilman are also not up for election. We have nothing to vote on!
April 2009 Newsletter:
Sustaining & Annual Donors support Williamson County Democratic Party (WCDP). Fundraising continues for the support of the new Democratic Party headquarters in Round Rock. To achieve our first and most basic goal which is to “pay the rent”, we are seeking donors among our local Democrats. We intend to recognize all donors for their generosity by displaying their names on a wall plaque at headquarters. Let me know if you would like to help support our party by becoming a donor.
There are two categories of donors: Sustaining and Annual:
Sustaining Donors are those who pledge to contribute a minimum of $10.00/ month or $30.00/ quarter. These donors are the life blood of the party. It is their commitment to provide continuous ongoing support that sustains our party into the future. These donors make it possible to keep the doors open at our new Headquarters. That achievement has encouraged other major donors to commit to providing the funds for an Executive Director who will work full time for our party.
Annual donors are those who make a one time donation of any amount with no clear obligation for further contributions. The many ongoing programs and activities that keep the party visible and that help to elect Democrats at all levels of government depend on these donors.
The Bus. The Georgetown City Council has agreed to appoint a steering committee charged with working out a business plan for a city transit system. The committee plans to employ a consulting firm to investigate and evaluate options for funding of a bus system. I expect to be named to the steering committee. The plan will not be worked out in time to make Georgetown’s budget for the coming year.
CA election. So far, four people have filed to run for the three open positions on the CA board. One of those candidates is our own Kim Moran. This is an election where candidates run without party labels. The city and school district elections are also nonpartisan. That does not mean, however, that the political parties are not involved. Republicans are very good at finding and providing support for conservatives who will run on the usual “no tax increase” platform. Democrats are learning they, too, must recruit citizens willing to run. Their goal is to find candidates whose primary aim is good government and service for the good of the school and community.
City County Elections. Judges, clerks and workers are being recruited right now for upcoming elections. One slate of Democrats willing to serve as Judges and Alternate Judges for elections conducted by Williamson County is due at the end of June. These are the judges who will serve in elections through the November 2010 election. The County Democratic Party asks you to volunteer to help your party and community by agreeing to serve as a judge. Workers earn 8-10 dollars per hour. Usually the work is done right here or in the nearby voter precincts. Training for our workers is part of the deal.
JS 04/05/2009
March 2009 Newsletter:
Volunteers. Our Sun City precinct has been contributing in many ways to ensure the success of our party as we get ready for the election. At the risk of leaving out some helpers, I will note that Jeanne Carlson is among those volunteering behind the desk each week at the Williamson County Democratic Party headquarters in Round Rock. If you would also like to volunteer too, let me know.
Strategic Plan. W CDP has adopted its 2009-2010 Strategic Plan which will guide the party activity for the next two years. The Planning Committee (on which I serve) for the first time, had the happy task of adding a paid position, Executive Director, to our party organization. Resumes have already been received from all over the country and interviewing of the 36 applicants will begin shortly.
Fundraising. The party also has an ongoing effort, through the Fundraising Committee of which I am a member, to raise the funds our new headquarters requires to stay open year round. We are working to increase our sustaining membership in the party to 130. Sustaining members are those who give $10.00 per month to WCDP. We have now reached 110 members. Fourteen of those donors are from all of the Sun City precincts. Thank you Sun City! Ask me how you can help. Phone 868-0098.
Obama Store. Another fundraising activity for the party is the Obama Store. At party headquarters in Round Rock, you will find jewelry, posters, T-shirts, pictures, caps and other items featuring our new president. These and other similar items are part of our effort to make sure Democrats are well prepared for the next election.
City Bus. Our City Councilman, Bill Sattler, voted with the city council majority to terminate the Sun City bus route. The Sun City bus was a trial intended to give city planners a good idea of how many of us would use the bus. Transit experts agreed the numbers for the Sun City trial were good, but the council members were clearly focused on money, not need or use. The Georgetown Transit Working Group, of which I am a participant, has now voted to cancel any further bus trials. Instead they are asking the city to look for sources of money that might be available to support a real bus system. Several weeks ago I sent emails to council members urging them to commit to finding funds to solve Georgetown‘s transit needs. I suggested that they make a strong effort to tap into the mass transit funds available in the Stimulus bill. Bill Sattler’s email address is dist4@georgetowntx.org , if you want to add your two cents. An enterprising senior here in Sun City, named Jack Birchall, started his own blog on the subject of the need for a bus system for our city. Here is the web address: http://www.sctxbusetc.blogspot.com.
February 2009 Newsletter:
Gallup findings that show Democrats with slight edge among Texans.
The Gallup polling organization says that, based on its daily tracking polls during the 2008 election, 43 percent of Texans say they’re Democrats or lean Democratic, compared with 41 percent who say they’re Republicans or lean Republican. “I don’t believe it for a minute,” said Cal Jillson, a political science professor at Southern Methodist University. Texas is generally considered a Republican state. “In the body politic, the Republicans have lost some ground,” said James Henson , director of the Texas Politics Project at the University of Texas. “Where Democrats have gained ground is among people who don’t vote as much.”
The news item above was excerpted from last Sunday’s Austin American Statesman. Living in Sun City, it is easy to join Cal Jillson in disbelief. But if you spend some time engaged with the Democrats and the Democratic Party in the rest of Williamson County, it is a lot easier to become a believer. Having been ignored by both parties for years, these non-voting Democrats have become a discouraged bunch, not easily energized. Williamson County Democratic Party recognizes our challenge and we are embracing it. WCDP has opened a year round headquarters in Round Rock. The party is in the process of hiring a full time Executive Director to help us develop a larger public presence in the county. The headquarters is open from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. week days with shorter hours on Saturday. The headquarters is located in the ‘Market at Round Rock’ Shopping center on the southwest corner of the intersection of RM 620 (Round Rock Ave.) and IH-35. Being visible and easy to reach, the headquarters helps keep the Democratic image in front of the public. You can find more information at http://www.williamsoncountydemocrats.org/. Consider becoming a volunteer at our headquarters, serving as receptionist for visitors dropping in and answering the phone. One need only volunteer for a few hours a month. Any of the Sun City precinct chairs can give you more information and help to get you involved.
WCDP meets on the second Tuesday of the month. The meeting is at 7:00 p.m., but often volunteers helping to raise money for the support of the party begin serving an evening meal around 6:00 pm. Every Democrat is welcome at these meetings.
January 2009 Newsletter:
It’s over, 2008, and Oh, what a year it was! And aren’t we glad it’s gone? On Jan. 20th a new era begins and we join the vast majority of Americans in anticipation and hope. Many of us will be in front of our TV sets on that day to hear what President Obama expects from us as he begins the hard work of restoring America to a place of leadership with honor in a world that is struggling with a myriad of woes. “Yes, we can” is a pledge of help from all of us.
So let me tell you about a project that we call Democratic Women’s Exploration Project. The purpose of this project is to create opportunities for Democratic women to gather, network, explore common values and identify ways to get involved in Democratic activities. The group will be informal, evolving and will build on the growth and success of the local Democratic party. It is open to all Democratic women who want to add their talents and energy to help wherever possible. Call Billie Reaney at 868-0098 or Kay Walker at 864-2874. Or you will find our email addresses elsewhere in this newspaper. We are eager to hear from you.
Georgetown’s Bus Service
The CARTS bus has started a trial run roundtrip from Sun City to downtown, with stops at HEB on Williams Drive, the downtown Visitor Information Center, St. David’s Georgetown Hospital, then returning via the Wolf Ranch fountain plaza, Wolf Ranch Target, Rivery Wal-Mart, City Lights Theatre, to HEB again, and back to the Sun City Social Center.
As Billie Reaney says, “It is important for the future health of our town and the people who really need a transit system that we help to make this bus trial of the transit system a success.” So ride the bus. It’s fun, and it’s convenient much of the time, when you can fit it into your routine. You can get a bus schedule, showing the route schedule, route map, and fare information, from the Sun City Community Association office, the Georgetown Visitors Information Center, City Hall, and the Georgetown Municipal Complex. You can also access the information at http://sctxca.org/suncity/. Click on the heading “Pilot Program for Public Transit in Georgetown.”