Thursday, February 8, 2018
Saturday, January 27, 2018
What the Republican Discord is About
I support Dianna Greenwood for Chairman of Bastrop County Republican Party.
Today, a front-page news story in the Bastrop Advertiser highlights that Republican discord has put the primary election in limbo, which story can be read here. In my view, here is a short list of some of the policies Jeanne Raley has supported as our incumbent party Chairman that convince me that a change of leadership is needed. This list also gives a glimpse of what the discord has been about:
- From the beginning of her term, Chairman Raley sought unilateral control of the party, rather than executive-committee control. She proposed party bylaws that would give herself and the committees of her sole appointment almost complete control of the party. When your executive committee proposed amendments, she disallowed consideration of them, violating Robert’s Rules of Order. A peaceful and expeditious resolution was mediated and approved unanimously by the executive committee. She thereafter refused to honor that arrangement, and it took fifteen months to resolve the issue.
- She closed the Republican office in the middle of a Presidential election. In June of 2016, she inherited an office that was extended and funded through the end of the Presidential election. She closed that office in her first week as Chairman, without notifying the executive committee of her intentions, giving the party no central distribution center for candidate materials in the Presidential election. For five months, she further resisted your executive committee’s direction to refund the donations given specifically for the office. Voters went to surrounding businesses at the former office location, or even the Bastrop Chamber, seeking their party.
- She discontinued our party’s monthly meetings. She held one meeting in August of 2016 for the benefit of candidates, and then she failed to comply with the executive committee’s direction to hold additional meetings in September and October. Meetings did not resume until the following May of 2017 at the insistence of the executive committee.
- She failed to give centralized support to our nominees in the Presidential election. With no office and only one meeting, our local nominees had virtually no party-coordinated support. And they were all running first-time races. She appointed her friend Don Loucks as chairman of the party’s candidate support committee, but he held no committee meetings in the Presidential election cycle to coordinate support for the nominees. She did initiate a Presidential sign campaign, but despite record high interest, it lost money and failed to meet demand.
- She has significantly curbed party communications. She refuses to use assets and media tools available to us. She refused to promote the party’s fundraiser through its email list. She is currently refusing to comply with party bylaws conferring management of media accounts to the party’s Public Relations Committee.
- She has failed to fundraise for the party. She initiated no party fundraisers during the Presidential election, or since. Curiously, she helped co-found an exclusive Republican club in September of 2016, and devoted her fundraising attention to it instead. This is likely what she refers to in her campaign material as having “built a foundation for growth.” When the executive committee undertook the Boots & BBQ fundraiser, she refused to participate in or promote it. She asked invited guests and speakers not to come. She has filed ethics complaints against some of the organizers falsely alleging the fundraiser was not an authorized event of the party. Excluding designated giving and the proceeds of the fundraiser she opposed, general giving to the party in 2017 was $73.00, and she asked one of those three donors to stop giving.
- She resisted the re-opening of the Republican office. When the executive committee approved the lease of the new office, she refused to sign the lease as directed. They authorized their Finance Chairman to sign instead. She cut the ribbon for the office opening, but has made little use of the office personally and has not used her time to staff it. The party office is presently staffed by the efforts of others. She has not used party communication channels to help raise volunteers to staff it. She did not use it for candidate filing, requiring candidates to come to her in Smithville instead. She has falsely claimed in her ethics complaints that the office was not authorized by the party.
- She opposed hiring the county to assist with election services in the Primary election. The party bylaws require that the county be hired, but she has resisted nonetheless. She refused to sign the contract the executive committee approved on September 30, 2017, requiring them to designate the party Secretary to do so. By contracting with the county, the Chairman’s responsibilities are fewer than they would otherwise be. She has nevertheless not fulfilled those duties in a timely manner, resulting in today’s news story on the issue. When a county commissioner pressed her in a Republican meeting regarding her intentions to comply, she refused to say. She and Don Loucks instead raise specious legal arguments as to the contract’s validity (citing a missing cost estimate she herself was responsible to prepare, which she did not complete until January 22, 2018, and which has no binding effect on the contract itself), knowing that election attorneys, Republican Party of Texas general counsel, and the county’s attorneys have all found the process valid under existing law.
Chairman Raley’s policies have harmed the party, and our Chairman’s refusal to comply with party bylaws, Robert’s Rules of Order, or majority votes of the party’s executive committee have put our party in disarray.
In contrast, Dianna Greenwood’s policies and/or actions on these issues are as follows:
- Bylaws – the party should continue to be executive-committee lead; she will propose we continue to use existing bylaws rather than seek to centralize power in the Chairman.
- Office – having an office open to the public is essential in supporting our candidates and communicating with the public. Dianna voted in favor of re-opening the office. She has volunteered her time to staff our office since its re-opening.
- Monthly meetings – these should continue as an outreach around our community to help people connect to their party. Dianna held an information meeting in her own precinct while the party had discontinued its meetings.
- Communications – we should make use of all communication media and assets available to us. Dianna is the Chairman’s appointed Director of Communications, is currently serving on the party’s Public Relations Committee, and administers the party’s Facebook page.
- Fundraising – the Chairman should be engaged in the fundraising initiatives of the party. Dianna chaired the committee that put on the successful Boots & BBQ fundraiser last Fall.
- Primary Elections – electoral responsibilities should demand our highest priority to ensure well-run elections. The county is a vital source of expertise, equipment, and logistics coordination that lessens the burden and taxpayer cost of an election. Dianna voted in favor of the contract for county election services.
We cannot grow if we disappear. People will not stay if we cannot disagree with grace. And there is no point in being Republican (meaning representative government) if we believe all power should be vested in one person who need not heed bylaw, parliamentary procedure, or majority vote.
If Chairman Raley’s policies alarm you as they alarm me, then please take personal responsibility to aid your party. Link to this blog story on your Facebook pages at https://bcrnews.blogspot.com/2018/01/what-republican-discord-is-about.html. Email it to your local Republican friends.
Spread the word and join me in voting for Dianna Greenwood as next Chairman of the Bastrop County Republican Party.
There are more elections on your ballot that touch upon these issues, and I will speak to those in the days ahead. Those stories now appear here:
Part 2 - County Judge Considerations
Part 3 - Choose a Direction
Albert L. Ellison, Founder
Bastrop County Republican News
Saturday, January 20, 2018
Come Meet Candidates - Republicans Meet Monday in Elgin
Bastrop County Republicans will meet Monday night at 7pm at First National Bank in Elgin (1312 US-290, Elgin, TX 78621).
Republican primary candidates will be present and speaking. We are about a month away from early voting opening in the Primary. Come out and get to know your options for both local and party office, and leave with signs supporting your favorites!
I hope to see you there.
Albert L. Ellison, Founder
Bastrop County Republican News
bcrnews.blogspot.com
Republican primary candidates will be present and speaking. We are about a month away from early voting opening in the Primary. Come out and get to know your options for both local and party office, and leave with signs supporting your favorites!
I hope to see you there.
Albert L. Ellison, Founder
Bastrop County Republican News
bcrnews.blogspot.com
Saturday, January 6, 2018
Republican Meeting Schedule 2018
Bastrop County Republican Party will hold monthly meetings through 2018. They will usually be held at 7pm on the 4th Monday of the month (exceptions noted below) at First National Bank, but will rotate around the County. The meeting schedule for the year is as follows:
Albert L. Ellison, Founder
Bastrop County Republican News
- Jan 22, 7pm, First National Bank - Elgin
- Feb 26, 7pm, First National Bank- Bastrop
- Mar 26, 7pm, First National Bank - Smithville
- Apr 23, 7pm, First National Bank - Elgin
- May 21, 7pm, First National Bank - Bastrop (3rd Monday to avoid Memorial Day)
- June 25, 7pm, First National Bank - Smithville
- July 23, 7pm, First National Bank - Elgin
- Aug 27, 7pm, First National Bank - Bastrop
- Sep 24, 7pm, First National Bank - Smithville
- Oct 22, 7pm, First National Bank - Elgin
- Nov 26, 7pm, First National Bank - Bastrop
- Dec 11, 7pm, First National Bank - Bastrop - Christmas Social (2nd Tuesday)
Albert L. Ellison, Founder
Bastrop County Republican News
Friday, January 5, 2018
Chairman Raley Demands Retraction
In response to my last email giving the 2018 Republican Primary candidates for Bastrop County, Jeanne Raley, Chairman of the Bastrop County Republican Party, has demanded a retraction. Lest I be accused of mis-stating her position, and to give full play to her point of view, her demand in its entirety can be read here.
She takes issue with my following statement: "Chairman Jeanne Raley seeks to strengthen her position in Bastrop County Republican politics by seeking election to a second term, by fielding allied candidates for seven positions (up from the 3 she has held this last term), and through ally Don Louck's run for County Judge." I will address three of her points, each in turn.
First, Chairman Raley claims that she personally recruited no one. If accurate, point well taken. But that does not negate my opinion that seven precinct chair races have the potential to strengthen her position depending on how they go. Mrs. Raley's leadership remains the central issue of those races, even if she left the recruiting to her friends. Given that Chairman Raley's husband James is running for one of those positions, it strains my ability to give her the benefit of the doubt to believe she had no conversations with him about his run.
Second, Chairman Raley disavows any alliance with Don Loucks, who seeks a rematch election with County Judge Paul Pape. But that contradicts Mr. Louck's published remarks. Mr. Loucks ran for precinct chair last election in support of Jeanne Raley's challenge against me for the County Chairman position. He printed in his column at that time (and I paraphrase) that he would be running for precinct chair to support the new chairman [Chairman Raley] in electing true Republicans [apparently speaking of himself]. By printing that statement, he announced an alliance with Jeanne to help her get elected as chairman for the purpose of changing who gets elected locally in the future. So the two leave us with conflicting statements of alliance and wondering who to believe? Given that Mr. Loucks almost always voted in favor of every position of Chairman Raley's in the last term (I recall no exceptions), given that Chairman Raley appointed Mr. Loucks chairman of the party's candidate committee, and given that Chairman Raley instructed one precinct chair candidate up for consideration before the executive committee to hide their friendship to avoid political repercussion ("Now just keep it our little secret that we are friends. Life will be much easier for you, believe me."), I'm guessing Mr. Loucks has been the most forthright about their relationship.
The interesting thing to me in this is Chairman Raley's desire to hide and/or deny where her alliances exist. It suggests to me that she views association with herself as a net negative before the electorate. In my view, it is best to state what you stand for, identify those who will stand with you, and leave it to the voters to decide whether your position is best. But that's just me.
Third, Chairman Raley, who considers herself a Constitutional Conservative, objects to me asserting my opinions in my emails and on my blog. Umm, no comment.
Bastrop County Republican News was born as my response to Chairman Raley's significant curbing of communication to the Republican family. You can complain fruitlessly at the chair, or you can step up and make a positive difference. I chose the latter path. In my communications through this email list and my blog, I have not before now uttered a word of criticism concerning Chairman Raley. All that while, I was taking slander and/or abuse from Chairman Raley and Don Loucks in multiple forums. Now that campaign season has arrived, we the Republican family have a choice as to our local party leadership, and I will be expressing my views, and basis for them, in future emails on that subject. I will endeavor to be factual and reasoned. I will endeavor to keep my discussion on issues of policy. But I will most definitely be opinionated. And you are free to consider what I say, dig deeper, assess for yourself, and come to your own conclusions.
For now, it is enough to state that I support Dianna Greenwood for Bastrop County Chairman, and I support the re-election of County Judge Paul Pape.
Albert L. Ellison, Founder
Bastrop County Republican News
bcrnews.blogspot.com
She takes issue with my following statement: "Chairman Jeanne Raley seeks to strengthen her position in Bastrop County Republican politics by seeking election to a second term, by fielding allied candidates for seven positions (up from the 3 she has held this last term), and through ally Don Louck's run for County Judge." I will address three of her points, each in turn.
First, Chairman Raley claims that she personally recruited no one. If accurate, point well taken. But that does not negate my opinion that seven precinct chair races have the potential to strengthen her position depending on how they go. Mrs. Raley's leadership remains the central issue of those races, even if she left the recruiting to her friends. Given that Chairman Raley's husband James is running for one of those positions, it strains my ability to give her the benefit of the doubt to believe she had no conversations with him about his run.
Second, Chairman Raley disavows any alliance with Don Loucks, who seeks a rematch election with County Judge Paul Pape. But that contradicts Mr. Louck's published remarks. Mr. Loucks ran for precinct chair last election in support of Jeanne Raley's challenge against me for the County Chairman position. He printed in his column at that time (and I paraphrase) that he would be running for precinct chair to support the new chairman [Chairman Raley] in electing true Republicans [apparently speaking of himself]. By printing that statement, he announced an alliance with Jeanne to help her get elected as chairman for the purpose of changing who gets elected locally in the future. So the two leave us with conflicting statements of alliance and wondering who to believe? Given that Mr. Loucks almost always voted in favor of every position of Chairman Raley's in the last term (I recall no exceptions), given that Chairman Raley appointed Mr. Loucks chairman of the party's candidate committee, and given that Chairman Raley instructed one precinct chair candidate up for consideration before the executive committee to hide their friendship to avoid political repercussion ("Now just keep it our little secret that we are friends. Life will be much easier for you, believe me."), I'm guessing Mr. Loucks has been the most forthright about their relationship.
The interesting thing to me in this is Chairman Raley's desire to hide and/or deny where her alliances exist. It suggests to me that she views association with herself as a net negative before the electorate. In my view, it is best to state what you stand for, identify those who will stand with you, and leave it to the voters to decide whether your position is best. But that's just me.
Third, Chairman Raley, who considers herself a Constitutional Conservative, objects to me asserting my opinions in my emails and on my blog. Umm, no comment.
Bastrop County Republican News was born as my response to Chairman Raley's significant curbing of communication to the Republican family. You can complain fruitlessly at the chair, or you can step up and make a positive difference. I chose the latter path. In my communications through this email list and my blog, I have not before now uttered a word of criticism concerning Chairman Raley. All that while, I was taking slander and/or abuse from Chairman Raley and Don Loucks in multiple forums. Now that campaign season has arrived, we the Republican family have a choice as to our local party leadership, and I will be expressing my views, and basis for them, in future emails on that subject. I will endeavor to be factual and reasoned. I will endeavor to keep my discussion on issues of policy. But I will most definitely be opinionated. And you are free to consider what I say, dig deeper, assess for yourself, and come to your own conclusions.
For now, it is enough to state that I support Dianna Greenwood for Bastrop County Chairman, and I support the re-election of County Judge Paul Pape.
Albert L. Ellison, Founder
Bastrop County Republican News
bcrnews.blogspot.com
Friday, December 22, 2017
2018 Republican Primary Candidates & Propositions
Following is the list of the 2018 Republican Primary Candidates in the order in which they will appear on the ballot in Bastrop County:
Following are the non-binding propositions that Republican Party of Texas voted to place on your ballot (essentially a survey of Republican primary voters):
1.) Texas should replace the property tax system with an appropriate consumption tax equivalent.
2.) No governmental entity should ever construct or fund construction of toll roads without voter approval.
3.) Republicans in the Texas House should select their Speaker nominee by secret ballot in a binding caucus without Democrat influence.
4.) Texas should require employers to screen new hires through the free E-Verify system to protect jobs for legal workers.
5.) Texas families should be empowered to choose from public, private, charter, or homeschool options for their children’s education, using tax credits or exemptions without government constraints or intrusion.
6.) Texas should protect the privacy and safety of women and children in spaces such as bathrooms, locker rooms, and showers in all Texas schools and government buildings.
7.) I believe abortion should be abolished in Texas.
8.) Vote fraud should be a felony in Texas to help ensure fair elections.
9.) Texas demands that Congress completely repeal Obamacare.
10.) To slow the growth of property taxes, yearly revenue increases should be capped at 4%, with increases in excess of 4% requiring voter approval.
11.) Tax dollars should not be used to fund the building of stadiums for professional or semi-professional sports teams.
Albert L. Ellison, Founder
Bastrop County Republican News
| Office | Candidate |
| US Senator | Stefano de Stefano |
| US Senator | Ted Cruz |
| US Senator | Bruce Jacobson, Jr. |
| US Senator | Mary Miller |
| US Senator | Geraldine Sam |
| US Representative, Dist 10 | John W. Cook |
| US Representative, Dist 10 | Michael T. McCaul |
| US Representative, Dist 17 | Bill Flores |
| US Representative, Dist 27 | John Grunwald |
| US Representative, Dist 27 | Jerry Hall |
| US Representative, Dist 27 | Michael Cloud |
| US Representative, Dist 27 | Bech Bruun |
| US Representative, Dist 27 | Christopher K. Mapp |
| US Representative, Dist 27 | Eddie Gassman |
| Governor | SECEDE Kilgore |
| Governor | Barbara Krueger |
| Governor | Greg Abbott |
| Lieutenant Governor | Dan Patrick |
| Lieutenant Governor | Scott Milder |
| Attorney General | Ken Paxton |
| Comptroller of Public Accounts | Glenn Hegar |
| Commissioner of the General Land Office | Davey Edwards |
| Commissioner of the General Land Office | Jerry Patterson |
| Commissioner of the General Land Office | Rick Range |
| Commissioner of the General Land Office | George P. Bush |
| Commissioner of Agriculture | Jim Hogan |
| Commissioner of Agriculture | Trey Blocker |
| Commissioner of Agriculture | Sid Miller |
| Railroad Commissioner | Christi Craddick |
| Railroad Commissioner | Weston Martinez |
| Justice, Supreme Court, Place 2 | Jimmy Blacklock |
| Justice, Supreme Court, Place 4 | John Devine |
| Justice, Supreme Court, Place 6 | Jeff Brown |
| Presiding Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals | David Bridges |
| Presiding Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals | Sharon Keller |
| Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 7 | Barbara Parker Hervey |
| Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 8 | Dib Waldrip |
| Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 8 | Michelle Slaughter |
| Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 8 | Jay Brandon |
| State Senator, District 14 | George W. Hindman |
| State Representative, District 17 | John P. Cyrier |
| Justice, Third Court of Appeals District, Place 2 | Cindy Olson Bourland |
| Justice, Third Court of Appeals District, Place 3 | Scott Field |
| Justice, Third Court of Appeals District, Place 5 | David Puryear |
| Justice, Third Court of Appeals District, Place 6 | Donna Davidson |
| Justice, Third Court of Appeals District, Place 6 | Jennifer S. Freel |
| Justice, Third Court of Appeals District, Place 6 | Kristofer Monson |
| Justice, Third Court of Appeals District, Place 6 | Michael "Mike" Toth |
| Criminal District Attorney Bastrop County | Bryan Goertz |
| County Judge | Donald A. Loucks |
| County Judge | Paul Pape |
| District Clerk | Sarah D. Loucks |
| County Clerk | Rose Pietsch |
| County Treasurer | Laurie Ingram |
| County Surveyor | Michael Olson |
| County Commissioner, Precinct 2 | Clara Beckett |
| County Commissioner, Precinct 4 | Rosanna L. Abreo |
| County Commissioner, Precinct 4 | Gary "Bubba" Snowden |
| Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1 | Kelley Price |
| Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1 | Sherry Cook |
| Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1 | Cindy Allen |
| Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1 | Mac W. Simpson |
| Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2 | Raymah M. Davis |
| Justice of the Peace, Precinct 4 | Larry Dunne |
| Bastrop County Republican Party Offices | |
| County Chairman | Dianna Greenwood |
| County Chairman | Jeanne Raley |
| Precinct Chairman, Precinct 1002 | James Clifton Sparks |
| Precinct Chairman, Precinct 1002 | Derek Van Gilder |
| Precinct Chairman, Precinct 1003 | Carol A. Spencer |
| Precinct Chairman, Precinct 1003 | Carl M. Rees |
| Precinct Chairman, Precinct 1004 | James V. Richard |
| Precinct Chairman, Precinct 1004 | Jarrett A. Namken |
| Precinct Chairman, Precinct 2005 | Michael J. Campbell |
| Precinct Chairman, Precinct 2005 | James Raley |
| Precinct Chairman, Precinct 2006 | Sandra Stokes |
| Precinct Chairman, Precinct 2006 | Cade Hurta |
| Precinct Chairman, Precinct 2007 | Dawn Thompson |
| Precinct Chairman, Precinct 2008 | Faithe Evans |
| Precinct Chairman, Precinct 2009 | Kathleen Caso |
| Precinct Chairman, Precinct 2010 | Shari Wyatt |
| Precinct Chairman, Precinct 2011 | Doug Kelsay |
| Precinct Chairman, Precinct 3012 | C. Reed Lewis |
| Precinct Chairman, Precinct 3013 | Susan (Sue) Beck |
| Precinct Chairman, Precinct 3014 | Ana Zuniga |
| Precinct Chairman, Precinct 3014 | Kaye Leidy |
| Precinct Chairman, Precinct 3015 | David Weller |
| Precinct Chairman, Precinct 3016 | Marc Mulkey |
| Precinct Chairman, Precinct 3016 | Mike Gepner |
| Precinct Chairman, Precinct 4017 | W. C. Estes |
| Precinct Chairman, Precinct 4019 | Curtis Courtney |
| Precinct Chairman, Precinct 4020 | Damon Doss |
Following are the non-binding propositions that Republican Party of Texas voted to place on your ballot (essentially a survey of Republican primary voters):
1.) Texas should replace the property tax system with an appropriate consumption tax equivalent.
2.) No governmental entity should ever construct or fund construction of toll roads without voter approval.
3.) Republicans in the Texas House should select their Speaker nominee by secret ballot in a binding caucus without Democrat influence.
4.) Texas should require employers to screen new hires through the free E-Verify system to protect jobs for legal workers.
5.) Texas families should be empowered to choose from public, private, charter, or homeschool options for their children’s education, using tax credits or exemptions without government constraints or intrusion.
6.) Texas should protect the privacy and safety of women and children in spaces such as bathrooms, locker rooms, and showers in all Texas schools and government buildings.
7.) I believe abortion should be abolished in Texas.
8.) Vote fraud should be a felony in Texas to help ensure fair elections.
9.) Texas demands that Congress completely repeal Obamacare.
10.) To slow the growth of property taxes, yearly revenue increases should be capped at 4%, with increases in excess of 4% requiring voter approval.
11.) Tax dollars should not be used to fund the building of stadiums for professional or semi-professional sports teams.
Albert L. Ellison, Founder
Bastrop County Republican News
Wednesday, December 6, 2017
BCRP Christmas Party
The Bastrop County Republican Party will be having their Christmas Social on December 12, 2017, from 7-9pm, at the First National Bank on Hwy 71 in Bastrop. This will be a fun and festive evening with candidates introducing themselves and socializing with everyone. Light holiday refreshments will be served. We look forward to seeing everyone, getting to know our candidates and enjoying the holiday season.
Dianna Greenwood
BCRP Public Relations Committee
BCRP Precinct Chairman 1001
330-418-9164
dlgreenwood89@gmail.com
Dianna Greenwood
BCRP Public Relations Committee
BCRP Precinct Chairman 1001
330-418-9164
dlgreenwood89@gmail.com
Wednesday, November 29, 2017
Tuesday, November 21, 2017
Republicans Meet Monday in Elgin
Republicans will meet in Elgin as follows:
Monday, November 27, 2017, 7:00 p.m
First National Bank
1312 US-290, Elgin, TX 78621
Our guest speaker will be Jonathan Saenz, president of Texas Values, which organization supports socially-conservative issues such as religious liberty, family and marriage issues, and pro-life initiatives.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving, and I hope to see you all there!
Albert L. Ellison, Founder
Bastrop County Republican News
Monday, November 27, 2017, 7:00 p.m
First National Bank
1312 US-290, Elgin, TX 78621
Our guest speaker will be Jonathan Saenz, president of Texas Values, which organization supports socially-conservative issues such as religious liberty, family and marriage issues, and pro-life initiatives.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving, and I hope to see you all there!
Albert L. Ellison, Founder
Bastrop County Republican News
Tuesday, November 14, 2017
LPRW Hosts Mayor Connie Schroeder
LOST PINES REPUBLICAN WOMEN
126 Brazos Drive
Cedar Creek, TX 78612
LostPinesRW@gmail.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Contact: Carol A Spencer, President
Tel: 512‐549‐3031
Email: LostPinesRW@gmail.com
CONNIE SCHROEDER, CITY OF BASTROP MAYOR,
HIGHLIGHTS LOST PINES REPUBLICAN WOMEN “THIRD THURSDAY SPEAKER SERIES”
While not required, LPRW is asking attendees to bring a new, unwrapped child’s toy in support of the Bastrop “Blue Santa” program. Pre‐registration is online at www.LostPinesRW.org/register‐now
Held at the First National Bank located at 489 Highway 71 West in Bastrop, Texas 78602, networking with fellow Republicans will begin at 6:30PM. The program begins promptly at 7:00PM. Light refreshments will be provided.
Connie Schroeder is a 14‐year resident of Bastrop. She has served on the City’s Planning and Zoning Commission since 2011. She was an active participant in the City’s Form Based Code initiative, designed to safeguard the character of Bastrop’s many neighborhoods. She has served as a child advocate volunteer, board member and officer for the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program.
Schroeder is an honors graduate of the University of Texas at Austin and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering. She became a licensed Professional Engineer in 1988 and served as a project manager for Manorwood Development and as the Road & Bridge Maintenance Engineer for Travis County. In 1994, Schroeder joined Motorola as the project manager overseeing construction of what was, at the time, the largest semi‐conductor factory in the U.S. Following her marriage to Bastrop native son Charlie Schroeder, she settled in Bastrop to enjoy her grandchildren, retirement, and to offer her skills, experience and enthusiasm to this community.
The “Third Thursday Speaker Series” is program of LPRW that features a notable speaker in support of LPRW goals “to promote an informed electorate through political education” and “to increase the effectiveness of women in the cause of good government through active political participation”. The public is invited to attend this enjoyable and informational evening.
Carol A Spencer, President
Lost Pines Republican Women
Tuesday, November 7, 2017
2017 Election Results
The results are in, and here is how the 2017 elections went:
Constitutional Amendments
* - with 84.41% of precinct reporting statewide
(Although the entire vote isn't in yet statewide on these, none appear in danger of failing.)
Bastrop ISD - $88.5 million School Bond - 35.61% (failed)
In the 2016 Presidential general election, BISD had a $75 million school bond on the ballot. With 15,626 votes cast in that bond election, the bond failed, having received only 46.06% of the vote. I had heard conjecture that because this kind of election (nonpartisan election in an off-year) would have lower turnout, that would favor passage of the bond. But while only 4,597 votes were cast in this bond election, this bond received only 35.61% of the vote.
Bastrop County Emergency Services District #1
This is a more confusing vote than usual, so a word of explanation is in order:
ESD Proposition A was about annexing new territory into the ESD services district. Residents of the existing ESD area and residents of the territory to be annexed (ETJ) had to be polled separately, and both groups had to vote in the affirmative for the annexation to occur. Both did vote in the affirmative, so the territory has now been added to ESD#1.
ESD Proposition B was about whether the new territory to be annexed would share in the pre-existing debts of the district, if they were annexed in (as opposed to owing only new debt going forward). Again both groups had to be polled separately and both had to vote in the affirmative for it to pass. Both did vote in the affirmative, so the new territory added in now owes its proportionate share of the district's pre-existing debt.
ESD Proposition C was about whether to add a 1.5 cent sales tax to the ESD territory to benefit the ESD as an additional funding source on top of property tax. Separate polling was not required for this proposition, and this had no relationship to the prior two annexation-related propositions. It failed.
Bastrop County WCID#2 (Tahitian Village) - $7.5 million Road Bond - 62.11% (failed)
Although this bond received 62.11% of the vote, it nevertheless failed because it was required to receive a 2/3 vote to succeed. As a result of its failure, Tahitian residents will see a raise in their per-lot annual road fees from $156 to $252 to facilitate the District addressing road needs on a cash basis over a 10-year period (except for those who have already had their road fee frozen due to age or disability).
City of Elgin, Ward 3 - Special Election
James Mark Jones - 21.15%
Daniel Lopez - 78.85%
Albert L. Ellison, Founder
Bastrop County Republican News
Constitutional Amendments
| Prop | Issue | Bastrop | Statewide* |
| 1 | Disabled Veteran Tax Exemption | 85.05% | 86.07% |
| 2 | Home Equity Loans | 68.77% | 69.76% |
| 3 | Limiting Service Past End of Term | 85.18% | 83.13% |
| 4 | AG notice of Constitutional Challenges | 61.66% | 66.30% |
| 5 | Charitable Raffles by Sports Franchises | 56.65% | 60.86% |
| 6 | First Responder Tax Exemption | 83.84% | 84.73% |
| 7 | Financial Institution Raffles | 57.85% | 60.13% |
(Although the entire vote isn't in yet statewide on these, none appear in danger of failing.)
Bastrop ISD - $88.5 million School Bond - 35.61% (failed)
In the 2016 Presidential general election, BISD had a $75 million school bond on the ballot. With 15,626 votes cast in that bond election, the bond failed, having received only 46.06% of the vote. I had heard conjecture that because this kind of election (nonpartisan election in an off-year) would have lower turnout, that would favor passage of the bond. But while only 4,597 votes were cast in this bond election, this bond received only 35.61% of the vote.
Bastrop County Emergency Services District #1
| Prop | Issue | Vote |
| A (ESD) | Annex ETJ into ESD Territory | 56.61% |
| A (ETJ) | Annex ETJ in to ESD Territory | 81.08% |
| B (ESD) | New Territory Shares Pre-Existing Debt | 67.52% |
| B (ETJ) | New Territory Shares Pre-Existing Debt | 89.19% |
| C (all) | Add 1.5 Cent Sales Tax for ESD | 45.67% (failed) |
This is a more confusing vote than usual, so a word of explanation is in order:
ESD Proposition A was about annexing new territory into the ESD services district. Residents of the existing ESD area and residents of the territory to be annexed (ETJ) had to be polled separately, and both groups had to vote in the affirmative for the annexation to occur. Both did vote in the affirmative, so the territory has now been added to ESD#1.
ESD Proposition B was about whether the new territory to be annexed would share in the pre-existing debts of the district, if they were annexed in (as opposed to owing only new debt going forward). Again both groups had to be polled separately and both had to vote in the affirmative for it to pass. Both did vote in the affirmative, so the new territory added in now owes its proportionate share of the district's pre-existing debt.
ESD Proposition C was about whether to add a 1.5 cent sales tax to the ESD territory to benefit the ESD as an additional funding source on top of property tax. Separate polling was not required for this proposition, and this had no relationship to the prior two annexation-related propositions. It failed.
Bastrop County WCID#2 (Tahitian Village) - $7.5 million Road Bond - 62.11% (failed)
Although this bond received 62.11% of the vote, it nevertheless failed because it was required to receive a 2/3 vote to succeed. As a result of its failure, Tahitian residents will see a raise in their per-lot annual road fees from $156 to $252 to facilitate the District addressing road needs on a cash basis over a 10-year period (except for those who have already had their road fee frozen due to age or disability).
City of Elgin, Ward 3 - Special Election
James Mark Jones - 21.15%
Daniel Lopez - 78.85%
Albert L. Ellison, Founder
Bastrop County Republican News
Today is Election Day!
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