Aransas County Democratic Clubhouse

Congratulations Are In Order

2006-11-09T16:38:00.000-06:00

Congratulations go out to Juan Garcia for his narrow victory over Gene Seaman. This is amazing in that the Republican redistricting plan was supposed to keep the seat in Gene's hands. Juan will be good for all the people in the district even if a lot of them don't know it yet.

Congratulations also go to Martin DeLeon for his reelection as Justice of the Peace for Precinct 1. Martin garnered 1478 votes to challenger Jimmy Paterson 1164 votes to win by 11.8 percentage points.

I do think that congratulations are also in order for Dale LLoyd since he gets to stay retired. Seriously, for a race against one of the more recognizable names in the county, Dale made a good showing with 42% of the vote. I have no doubt that Dale's candidicy has raised expectations of how a county commissioner should act. That's good for all of us.

Finally, Congratulations to All of You for a job well done. I know from my view that the Democratic activists in the county have finally got their ground game going. Trust me, people outside this area have taken notice of what happened in the county.

(if you don't believe me go HERE)

You Won't Believe This

2006-10-28T22:51:00.000-05:00

I had an awesome day today. In spite of having to go to work this morning, I got to leave early but as good as that was it wasn't the awesome part.

I got off in time to go to early voting and took my wife. For the first time in a decade she voted Democrat. Great deal, huh? She's a wonderful person and has finally seen through the Republican bull . Before I get to the next point, I would like to say she is the sweetest person on the face of the planet and the day I met her was the greatest day of my life. But we still haven't got to the most awesome part of today even though we're close.

We went home and I agreed to wash her car. I figured it was the least I could do. After finishing I checked my email and discovered that Juan Garcia was coming to the Rockport GI Forum today from 1 to 3 PM. Now I haven't been able to do too much in the way of political activity for the last month because of my job. It looked like a good opportunity to see a great candidate. But it was 1:30 already. What the heck. I hit the road for the meeting.

I was driving along and remembered that I had my "Army of Juan" tee shirt in a duffle in the back of my Jeep. Woo Hoo! Serendipity baby! All I'll need is a quick stop to change shirts and I could be there by 2pm. By 2pm I realized I was lost but finally found the GI forum at 2:15. Juan wasn't there.

Okay, I been to enough of these gigs to know that candidates can and will be late. I'm sure at this stage of the game it must be mandatory. There are about three dozen people there and word was Juan would be there in about 40 minutes. Seems that he had an event in Mathis that had run long.

To me, this is a good sign. This is not Juan's first rodeo in Rockport. The Aransas County Democratic Club had previously held a fundraiser for Juan at Los Comales Resturaunt. He also has a group of Republican supporters in the county. Seriously, a lot of Republican supporters. He likes to get one on one with the attendees at his events. It is truly one of the things I like most about him. It is a personal trait which makes me think that when he is our state representative we will have someone who will listen to us. I could only assume a good turnout in Mathis.

Folks started leaving. I decided I would go and get some gasoline and come back so I wouldn't have to do it later. While at the store, a woman asks me where where she can get a Garcia tee shirt. "I'm so glad he's going to do something for the children," she said.

The cashier likes my shirt and wants to know what it means. I show her the back and she laughs, "Really?” I figure she thinks it's an odd campaign slogan. But this is fairly typical of the reaction I get to my tee. I can't think of a time I've worn it that someone hasn't asked about it. People want to know what it means. Many get it.

I went back to the GI Forum and the crowd had thinned out seriously. I was talking with a pair of members outside. They wanted to know where to get tee shirts! I said Juan might have some if he ever showed up. Anita O'Rourke, Democratic County Chairperson, pulled up and asked if Juan was there. And then he was.

He got out and went to talk to Anita. His traveling companion came over and introduced himself as Munuh. "Huh? I'm sorry. I didn't get that." I hate being old and possibly deaf.

"Minor," he said. Well, okay. I joked about being a minimalist myself. I know: Lame!

Juan came over and shook my hand. I told him he needed to give the person with the "Army of Juan" idea a raise if he got elected and told him the story of the Speedy Stop. Juan’s voice was seriously hoarse. He sounded like he had swallowed a box of nails.

We went inside where there were a total of about six people left. Now I know that might sound terrible but it was great. Juan is a rising star in the party and now I had a chance to have a very personal moment with a small group of supporters. I told him about my wife giving up on Republicans. He asked that I give her his personal thanks for her support

Someone asked how things went in Mathis and he indicated it went well. He said the consultants had told him he would need to attract about 180 people to his rally there to have a chance of winning the precincts in that part of San Patricio County. He said he thought there were more. It was then Minor came back and said he had just talked to someone back in Mathis and that 320 People had signed in at the event. Pretty good, right? It gets better.

Juan then told us what is the unbelievable part of this story. Juan was scheduled be at an event with Gene Seaman and Texas House Speaker Tom Craddick would be there to support Gene. Craddick was a no-show. But Craddick called Juan and asked him for his address so Craddick could send him the orientation guide for new house members. Go ahead. Read that again.

Now questions remain. On one side Craddick could just be messin’ with Juan but I doubt it given his bipartisan support. Maybe Craddick is just hedging his bets to gets Juan’s support to continue as speaker. Or it could be Gene being thrown under the bus. Hmmm. Just saying that makes me feel good.

Unbelievable, Huh? But let me finish. I’ve gotten to the unbelievable part of the story but haven’t gotten to the most awesome part. I knew I had to go. “Look,” I said, “I’m going home and writing about this on our county blog if you don’t tell me no.”

Minor said to go ahead. He asked what our blog address was and I told him. He then asked me if I posted anywhere else. I told him I was a member at Texas Kaos and DailyKos. “What’s your screen name?” he asked and I told him.

“Really? I’m Redstate” he say’s then turning to Juan and saying, “Hey, this is Ex Con.” So now I feel Stooooopid. It’s not Minor but Mynor (Eddie) Rodriguez: Mr. Redstate himself.

But something else is going here that I’m not sure I can explain. After 2 years of reading blogs and a year and a half of commenting, rating and writing diaries I have finally made a personal connection with someone I previously only knew on line. It is something I have waited for a very long time. This is a lonely part of the country to be a Democrat. But not any more. That’s the most awesome part of the day!

Take it back, Juan!

Cross posted at Texas Kaos (GO THERE!)

Early Voting

2006-10-23T21:20:00.000-05:00

Be aware that early voting started today. To avoid issues that might keep you from voting on Nov. 7th, go to 602 East Concho according to the following dates and times:

8:00am to 4:30pm: Monday, October 23, through Friday, October 27

9:00am to 3:00pm: Saturday, October 28

8:00am to 4:30pm: Monday, October 30, through Friday, November 3

A Few Words from Martin De Leon

2006-10-23T20:44:00.000-05:00

Dear voters of Pct 2, 1, and 1A,

I have been your Justice of the Peace for 12 years. I have been a Rockport City Judge for 11 years. I have overseen over 20,000 cases for the JP's office and at least that many for the City of Rockport. I was also a city judge for the Town of Austwell. I was a law enforcement officer for 20 years working with the City of Aransas Pass, City of Rockport, Aransas County Sheriffs Department, and the Refugio County Sheriffs Department. I have worked with the Tri-County Narcotics Task Force as an Agent and as a Lieutenant. My experience in Civil and Criminal law is extensive. I have also attended numerous of hours in service training.

When I took office in 1995, the office had anual revenue collections of approximately $40,000.00. This year my revenue collections will be approximately a half a million dollars. My yearly office budget with salaries and all supplies is approximately $100,000. This makes my office a self sufficient operation with money to spare that goes into the county general fund for other uses. I look forward in continuing this progress for the next four years. My thanks to those who vote for me and my thanks to those who support me.

God Bless You!
Martin De Leon

For the last eleven years, Martin De Leon has served the the citizens of Aransas County as Justice of the Peace. Here he is shown with Court Manager Sandra Banueles and Court Clerk Nancy Rosser:

Martin has a succesful record serving Aransas County and deserves your vote.

Don't Forget: The election is in 2 weeks.
MAKE YOUR VOTE COUNT

A Statement from Dale Lloyd

2006-10-17T20:17:00.000-05:00

My name is Dale Lloyd; I am a candidate for county commissioner for Precinct 2. As a member of the community, I have many concerns for our neighborhood. Going door to door for the last five months, I have heard the same concerns and complaints from the people of Precinct 2. During this time, I have seen first hand the problems that we face. When I was campaigning in West Terrace I received many complaints about the drainage in their area. While campaigning on West Corpus Christi Street, I found the West Terrace drainage problem. Their drainage ditch is approximately fifty percent blocked. When talking to the owner of the property, he informed me that the drainage ditch has not been cut since last year.

Rockport's growth has changed the responsibilities of the county commissioner's job. It traditionally has been a part time job, but now problems require full time attention. We need a leader who will anticipate problems before they are in our face. Things are not going to improve if my opponent is elected. My opponent is quoted as saying "I will be available on any issue that may arise." Again, you have someone who is waiting for the wheels to fall off before they do anything. Precinct 2 families deserve and need a leader who is proactive not reactive.

Precinct 2 has some of the oldest neighborhoods in the county. Our infrastructures are aging and our communities are primarily made up of the elderly, blue collar and the average working family. Many of our households are working two jobs to survive. The least we can do is give them a better neighborhood to come home to at night. We need fewer dead ends and more street signs for quick 911 response and drainage ditches that do not turn your front yard into a moat every time we get an inch of rain.

We need to remember that growth affects different neighborhoods differently. Exploding growth means that old neighborhoods, like Precinct 2,will be hit hard by skyrocketing property taxes. Unfortunately, the rise in property taxes will force families to move.

Growth can be like a double edged sword. It is great to upgrade old neighborhoods with new houses, but not if it means that low income families and young families cannot afford to live in their own home town.

Growth and development can be planned and controlled. We have a lot of good resources within our county government. We need to begin to use those resources to our best advantage. Precinct 2 needs a leader who is prepared to act on issues not simply react to the problems.

Dale is an incredible candidate. He pounded the pavement in Precinct 2 to meet all of his future constituents. His dedication to the community has already shown what a great commissioner he will make. He has already started the work to transform Precinct 2. He deserves your vote.

Boo Hoo, I'm Gonna Sue

2006-10-05T20:58:00.000-05:00

According to the Caller-Times, Gene Seaman's attorney has been trying to get the TV stations in the Corpus Christi area to pull ads that he says misrepresent facts about Mr. Seaman, Republican incumbent in Texas House District 32.

"We have advised the local stations that the TV ads they are running are not just deceptive, they are just wrong," Seaman's attorney Lance Bruun said Wednesday. "We have asked them to pull the ads."

Seaman would not comment.

Bruun, sent a letter to the three stations Tuesday calling statements in the ad blatantly false. Seaman's campaign and Bruun, a former Nueces County Republican Party chairman, cite a letter from the Texas Ethics Commission that says it is OK for the representative to pay his wife as long she maintains separate ownership."

According to the man who paid for the ads, attorney Mikal Watts, the Seamans cannot have seperate ownership since Texas is a community property state. The ads do not mention Seaman's opponent, Democrat Juan Garcia.

"He is threatening all three stations," Watts said. "He can sue me or the PAC or both. The problem is that truth is a defense under the statute.

"He is hoping that the stations would rather pull the ad than face meritless litigation."

KIII (ABC) pulled the adds for a period while their lawyer reviewed the matter but they have started to re-air the commercials. KRIS (NBC) has notified Watts that they will continue to air the ads. There is no word in the article about CBS affiliate KZTV's position on the issue.

Read the whole article here.

Help take back Texas back and donate to the Juan Garcia Campaign.

Cross posted at Texas Kaos. (Yes, you should go there.)

Upcoming Events

2006-09-27T20:27:00.000-05:00

There are a number of events coming up for October:

The Sea Fair will be October 6, 7 & 8. The Democratic club will have a booth and volunteers are needed to man it. Please send an email to Anita Orouke (a.orouke@sbcglobal.net) and advise her of the times you would like to be there.
The Rockport-Fulton Chamber of Commerce will hold their Candidates Forum at noon on October 10th at the Saltwater Pavilion. Our local candites, Dale Loyd and Martin DeLeon, as well as Shane Sklar and Juan Garcia will be there.
South Rockport Neighbors Association will meetOctober 19 at 7:00pm at Anthonys Bed and Breakfast on South Pearl street. Dale Loyd and Martin DeLeonwill be present and Dan Pugh will introduce them.
Dale and Martin will also address the Oak Terrace Property Owners Association on Sunday, October 29, from 3 to 5 pm at the Masonic Lodge at Market and Hictory Streets.

I hope you have an opportunity to attend these events and show your support for some fine Democratic candidates.

Kinky Backers: What Is Wrong with You?

2006-09-25T19:28:00.000-05:00

How much more evidence do you need to understand that Kinky is as crazy as a soup sandwich. Do you actually believe that our great state will be better off with governor who behaves like this:

That's not all that makes me wonder why a sensible person would waste an important vote on this clown. check out this audio from Burnt Orange Report:

"It's like what old Abraham Lincoln said once he sobered up, ya know... I freed the what?"

"Yeah, reminds me of old Jimmy Carter's Christmas card that he sent to Khomeini some time ago that said 'Ho Ho Ho, the Niggers were the spies."

And there's this:

Then I come down to Houston, I went to a bowling alley. I couldn't go bowling, there were no bowling balls. The people here throw 'em all in the sea, thought they were nigger eggs...thought they were nigger eggs.

And here he is speaking of Katrina survivors in Texas:

"The musicians and artists have mostly moved back to New Orleans now. The crackheads and the thugs have decided to stay. They want to stay here. I think they got their hustle on, and we need to get ours," Kinky said.

This man is a joke, and certainly not a serious candidate. There are people who think voting for Kinky will send a message. I got your message: You haven't got the inclination to give careful consideration to making your vote matter.

Now Kinky would say that I don't have a sense of humor or am too politically correct. I am still waiting for Kinky to say something that isn't a joke or a book plug. But this is an election for Governor, not State Jester.

Chris Bell is a shoe-in if the Democrats just vote for him. Kinky isn't even a decent third pary candidate offering any reform measures. He's just a racist windbag cracking jokes. Chris Bell has a couple of new commercials out on broadcast now. Please consider going to the link on the left and making a donation so he can purchase more air time.

And Make Your Vote Count

Media Note: Juan Garcia

2006-09-22T13:13:00.000-05:00

The San Antonio Express-News had an article titled Garcia Touted as Rising Demo Star in last Tuesday's paper which is now available online.

Juan was modest while speaking to a group in San Antonio:

"This kind of turnout for a guy from out of town is a tribute to your leadership and standing in the community," Garcia said, standing under an elk's head in the lounge of the exclusive Club Giraud.

Garcia — who's challenging state Rep. Gene Seaman, 76, in Texas House District 32 on the Coastal Bend — was referring to his host, lobbyist and Democratic fundraiser Frank Burney.

Also at the meeting was billionaire and HEB CEO Charles Butt:

"I'm just interested in a new person on the political scene," Butt said shortly before meeting Garcia. "He seems to have quite a list of personal achievements."

The article notes that many of the attendees have personal and business ties to Corpus Christi and that Juan was recieved warmly.

"Part of the problem with the Democratic Party is they haven't been able to identify future leaders," Burney said. "Juan fits the mold of that future leader."

(Hat Tip to Joan Bounds)
***************************

There is also a very good article on Garcia in the Texas Observer, which is availble online here. The article has good pictures from Juan's event in Taft.

Bob Bezdek, a political science professor notes:

...the district is predominately white, and about 60 percent of the district usually leans Republican...

I personally think that race will be close given all the support from local republicans that we have seen and one of those is mentioned in the article:

When he talks to voters, Garcia offers up some familiar words about not wasting tax dollars and reforming how business is done in Austin. But it wasn’t so much the promises as the sincerity that converted Republican Rockport resident Lynn Lee, a 70-year-old retired member of the U.S. Foreign Service. “He’s honest,” Lee says of Garcia. “We believe he’ll do as he says.”

LET’S ALL WORK FOR THE FUTURE STAR OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY!!!

Bell Is Within Striking Distance

2006-09-21T15:45:00.000-05:00

The results of a SurveyUSA poll taken on Sept. 16-18 show Perry at 35%, Bell at 23%, Friedman at 23%, and Strayhorn at 15%. According to Paul Burka, Senior Executive Editor at Texas Monthy, "Strayhorn is dead." Burka says to look for Strayhorn to go negative because she has no message or constituency. Burka believes that that won't help Strayhorn but it will cost Perry.

The striking thing about the poll is that Perry has only 55% of Republicans. 44% of his own party won't vote for him.

As to Kinky, I wonder how hard his numbers really are. His strength seems to come from those who are disaffected and disgusted, the folks who hate government and don't vote. To me, that's a recipe for failure. As to those who say they will vote for Kinky and are likely to vote, again, are they really going to vote for him? I mean, his one liners are amusing but people who are serious about government aren't in it just for chuckles. It's one thing to laugh with Kinky in September, it's quite another thing to vote for him in November.

Bell's problem are the same ones they've always been: name recognition and money. Among those who know who he is, Bell outpolls everyone else. He will have another commercial on TV soon, but the other three candidates, especially Perry and Strayhorn, swamp him with their money.

Therefore, if you want good government and honest government, you'll have to work for it: walk your neighborhood, don't be afraid to tell your friends about Chris Bell, spend an hour at a phone bank, display a yard sign and a bumper sticker.

Otherwise, Perry and corporate money win again.

Dennis Carnes

Take Action for Human Rights

2006-09-18T20:53:00.000-05:00

10 days ago, President Bush launched an all-out assault on justice, rule of law and human dignity. In the name of national security, the President proposed new legislation that would authorize indefinite detention, unfair trials and immunity for people who may have inflicted torture or cruel treatment on people in detention. This is not the America we believe in. The America we believe in should lead the world on human rights.

The Geneva Conventions insure that the United States has legal redress against those that would abuse our soldiers and citizens. To now pass laws that bypass the Geneva conventions puts our soldiers at great risk.

By supporting Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions, the Supreme Court has upheld international law calling for fair trials and prohibiting torture and other cruel and degrading treatment. Our elected representatives need to maintain this ruling by rejecting any proposals that would weaken the Geneva Conventions, allowing for unfair trials and ill-treatment of people in detention.

If you have time, ask your Senator or Representative to vote AGAINST any proposal that would:

Authorize unfair trials that would allow the accused to be convicted on the basis of secret or coerced evidence

Allow for the use of interrogation techniques that amount to torture or ill-treatment

Undermine the fundamental right of judicial review through habeas corpus proceedings for anyone in detention

Codify a broad definition of "unlawful enemy combatant" that would grant expansive power to the Executive to detain people

Establish retroactive immunity for individuals who may have committed torture and other war crimes

Find Contact Info Here

Gene Seaman Pays Rent to Himself With Other People's Money

2006-09-10T08:00:00.000-05:00

Did you see the September 9 issue of Corpus Christi Caller Times? According to a first page story, Gene Seaman, the member of the Texas House of Representatives from our district, has been using campaign funds, i.e. other people's money, to pay rent for a condo. in Austin. The principal problem with that is that he seems to be paying the rent to himself. The Caller Times reports that Mr. Seaman pays an entity called 'Austin Land Company' $1,000 in rent and $500 in condo. fees each month. Austin Land Company is solely owned by Mr. Seaman's wife, the article says. Austin Land Company owns no properties other than the Austin condo. It seems also that Mrs. Seaman failed to file the appropriate form with the Texas Secretary of State that would have disclosed that she is the sole owner of Austin Land Company

The Caller Times also says that the Seamans are claiming two homesteads for property tax purposes: one on a residence in Corpus and the other on the Austin condo. Therefore, they are getting two homestead exemptions from their property tax bill, which is illegal even if you are a Republican legislator. According to the article, Mr. Seaman's spokeman attributed all this to Mrs. Seaman.

When will all this stuff stop? Maybe when we elect different people. Let's elect Juan Garcia to this seat and stop all these shenanigans. Dennis Carnes

Gene Seaman: Double Trouble

2006-09-09T18:26:00.000-05:00

Seems Gene has, according to the Caller (Membership required), been paying his wife rent with campaign funds for a condo she owns in Austin. While it is legal for campaign to be used to pay rent, it seems that Seaman went out of his way to hide where the money was really going.

The rent checks, according to Seaman's finance reports, were made out to Austin Land Co., which is listed at the same address as the condo he is renting. Yet as of Friday afternoon, there was no Austin Land Co. with offices at that address, and the Texas Secretary of State did not have a record of a company by that name currently operating in the state.

Instead, the money has been going to Seaman's wife, Ellen, who is listed on Travis County tax rolls as the sole owner of the condo, Seaman's spokesman Mac McCall said.

It is against the law to use campaign donations for personal gain. That would be the case if Mrs. Seaman's real estate business is bogus. But there's more. Seems that homestead and over-65 exemptions were claimed for both properties.

Unless Gene and Ellen Seaman were divorced or legally separated, they could not legally have the two sets of exemptions, said Nueces County Assistant Chief Appraiser Michael Mantz.

Seaman spokesman, Mac McCall, says these problems are all just paperwork snafus. However:

To qualify for each of the exemptions, the property owner fills out a form and signs a sworn statement on the application. False statements are punishable as a Class A misdemeanor or state jail felony, depending on the circumstances, according to appraisal district officials and a disclaimer at the bottom of the exemption form.

It just seems clear, in my opinion, that the Seamans have made an effort to hide what they were really up to. But then again, they are Republicans.

Seaman: Class Act

2006-09-05T21:53:00.000-05:00

In the Caller Political Pulse column there was a recent item titled Seaman: Campaign is about seniority

Republican state Rep. Gene Seaman explained to a crowd of supporters at Sam and Catherine Susser's house last week that he needs to be re-elected because there is a seniority drain in the local legislative delegation, after the loss of longtime Rep. Vilma Luna, D-Corpus Christi.

Seaman is the most senior legislator in the delegation, and because he is also a Republican, he says he has the ear of Gov. Rick Perry and House Speaker Tom Craddick.

Of course Mr. Seaman is just glossing over the real problem he has: who has his ear? It's well known in these parts about his support for the the Delmar College annexation plan which would have raised county taxes for a questionable benefit. The citizens in the area certainly didn't have his ear. Perhaps it's the the insurance companies that have his ear.

The item continues:

"It's important to save senior legislators, not me," he said. "Ellen and I can always do something else. For the $600 a month that I make, I could go back to selling insurance."

There you have it. Gene says he'll be perfectly happy to go back to his first love if he doesn't win. There's a real ringing endorsement for public sevice! Perhaps he could legislate a pay raise for himself in the next session. But that would go against the limited government talking point.

It's just too bad there's no next session for him.

Contribute to Juan Garcia

Good Turnout for Juan Garcia Event

2006-08-29T22:52:00.000-05:00

In what was clearly the largest turnout of this year's candidate events, over sixty area residents came to Los Comales Restaurant on Tuesday evening to meet Juan Garcia. Garcia, a former navy aviator who is still in the reserves, is looking to unseat Gene Seaman as State Representative in District 32. The distric includes Aransas, San Patricio and Calhoun Counties as well as a portion of Nueces.

I'd say Juan was well received by the crowd. Garcia spoke about his candidacy and commented on the trouble that Seaman is in over his support of the expanded Del Mar tax district and high insurance rates. Because of Seaman's troubles, Juan is getting a lot of support from Republicans like his Campaign Treasurer, Joe Hall. Mr. Hall admits that the size of Juan's Republican support does not get reported on much but some journalists are reporting it.

The Aransas County Democratic Club made a $100 donation to his campaign and there were numerous individual donations. Garcia says that all the signs, stickers and pamphlets are paid for and that any new money is going to buy air time on radio and television. If you were unable to attend the dinner please consider using his link on the left to make a donation and help him get the word out.

Recomended reading on Insurance companies and Gene Seaman

Your Suggestions Needed

2006-08-28T21:45:00.000-05:00

The blog has been up for a short time and I hope you have all enjoyed your visits here. Those of you that attanded the club meeting on Wednesday, August 23rd will recall that I stated that the blog's purpose was to build the Democratic community. To this end I need your sugestions.

Is there anything you would like to see on the blog? What topics would you like discussed. Is there something you would like to contribute? Please click the comment counter immediately below this post to let us know what you would like this site to do for the Democratic community.

A Sign of the Times

2006-08-17T22:06:00.000-05:00

So you think you can’t put up a sign for a political candidate or ballot issue because of deed restrictions. Think again. In 1994, a Harris County District Court ruled that a restrictive covenant prohibiting the display of temporary political signs was unconstitutional. Last year, a statute passed by the Texas Legislature, HB 873, clarified how and under what circumstances a Home Owners Association (HOA) may regulate the placement of political signs.

The new law added Section 202.009 to the Texas Property Code. The section defines the things that can and cannot be prohibited by a HOA. A HOA cannot enforce restrictive covenants that prohibit owners from displaying signs that advertise a political candidate or ballot item for an election. The signs may appear on the property anytime 90 days before the election and ten days thereafter.

A HOA may require the signs to be ground-mounted and no more than one sign per candidate or per ballot item. According to the law, a HOA may also prohibit signs that:

Contain roofing, siding or paving material, flora, balloons, lights or any other similar building, landscaping or unusual decorative component

Attach to plant material, traffic control devices, lights, trailers, vehicles or other existing structures or objects

Include the painting of architectural surfaces

Threaten public health and safety

Exceed four feet by six feet

Violate the law

Incorporate language, graphics or any display that offends an ordinary person

Distract motorists with music, sounds, streamers or other means.

The HOA is allowed to remove signs that violate their discretionary requirements. But this is only as long as their requirements are not more restrictive than the statute allows. Note that this law says that only restrictive covenants (deed restrictions) may be enforced. Mere by-laws and rules have no legal standing under the statute.

So, what are you waiting for? Put up those signs!

Dale Lloyd; County Commisioner Candidate for Precinct 2

2006-08-14T20:53:00.000-05:00

If you're an active Democrat, you're bound to have seen Dale Lloyd at the monthly meetings or at of one of our other functions. And even if your not a Democrat you are bound to have seen him on his bike in Precinct 2 as he travels from house to house to discuss his candidacy with the people in the precinct.

Dale is a proud Democrat and I, for one, am glad to have a person like him on our side. He is well on his way to meeting his number one goal, which is to visit every house in Precinct 2. This is no small feat considering that the precinct is the largest and most heavily populated in the county.

Dale has enjoyed meeting the people in the precinct. However he has also noticed that the roads are in bad condition, many of the drainage ditches need cleaning and there are a lot of missing road signs. He sees the current state of maintenance within the county as an issue of public health and safety.

Dale is retired now after working for years in maintenance for a railroad company. He is now ready to work full time to bring that experience to work for the people of Precinct 2. Please give him your support on Election Day.

Upcoming Events

2006-08-12T19:34:00.000-05:00

The Aransas County Democratic Club is holding events in the next few weeks that we hope will interest and inform you. You might also have some fun.

On Tuesday, August 29, at 6:30 p.m, we and Los Comales Restaurant are hosting a dinner for Juan Garcia, the Democratic candidate for the Texas House of Representatives seat from our district. Everyone will pay for his or her own dinner and beverage. Los Comales has generously offered to pay part of the proceeds of your dinner to Juan's campaign. Juan is running against Gene Seaman. Juan, who is from Corpus Christi, is a decorated Navy pilot (he continues to serve in the Naval Reserves) and is a Harvard-educated lawyer. He is dedicated to public education, public safety, and restoring health care for the millions of our Texas children whom the Republican legislature stripped of their health care benefits.

The Aransas County Democrats will have a booth at Fiesta en la Playa on September 2nd and 3rd. We will have literature and bumper stickers from many of our candidates, including Barbara Radnofsky, Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate, Shane Sklar, candidate for Congress, Juan Garcia, Chris Bell, candidate for Governor, and David Van Os, candidate for Attorney General. Representatives from Democratic candidates' campaigns will also be there to speak with you from time to time.

We and Los Comales are hosting another dinner on September 12 for Shane Sklar, who is running for the U.S. Congress against Ron Paul for the seat from our district. Shane is a fourth generation rancher from central Texas. Shane knows what it means to make a payroll. He was President of the Independent Texas Cattlemen's Association and has fought for the rights of rural Texans for years. He doesn't agree with Ron Paul on many issues: Ron Paul voted against help for victims of hurricanes Rita and Katrina, against benefits for veterans, against armor for our soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan, against legislation to protect Texas children from internet predators, against a bill of rights for patients, and against tax relief for working families. Ron Paul also wants to phase out Social Security and Medicare. Shane does not. Again, Los Comales is kind enough to donate part of the proceeds of the dinner and drinks that you buy to Shane's campaign.

We look forward to setting dates to meet our local candidates: Martin De Leon, candidate for reelection as Justice of Peace in Precinct 1, who has done a terrific job of giving thousands of our citizens a fair and honest shake in his court; and Dale Lloyd, the Democratic candidate for County Commissioner who works tirelessly going door-to door every day in the South Texas heat meeting voters on his famous bicycle. Please check our blog later for firm dates.

As always, our events are open to everyone, regardless of political persuasion. (We are Democrats for goodness sake!) You need not make reservations. These candidates want to hear your ideas, criticisms, and concerns, so feel free to give them a piece of your mind. There is never any cost to you, except that we would ask you to pay for your own meals at the Los Comales events. (If you are moved to make a personal contribution to any of the candidates, that is up to you and, of course, the candidates would appreciate it, but it is not a prerequisite of your attending.)

Please join us at these events. They offer you unique opportunities to tell candidates what you think and to obtain the information that you need before you vote on November 7.

If you have any questions, just ask by calling 727-9277 or sending an email to RockportCarnes@aol.com.

Not All Hat

2006-08-09T22:37:00.000-05:00

Underneath the hat and vest is a true Texan. David Van Os says rural, small town Texas is being left behind in the political process, which is why he plans on visiting all 254 county courthouses in Texas in his bid for Attorney General of Texas. On August 9th, Van Os made the Aransas County courthouse the 124th visit in his whistle-stop tour of Texas.

According to David, political consultants and pundits measure success according to how much fundraising a candidate can do instead of their values. “And the greed for money is a poison that has corrupted our entire political system,” says Van Os. In his mind, the large corporate donors are buying protection from the candidates who then ignore their sworn duty to meet the people’s needs.

David promises to investigate the major oil companies for violations of the Texas anti-trust statutes, which are even older than the federal anti-trust laws. Other states are filing suits against these oil companies and Van Os believes that Texas should lead the way to protect citizens from high energy prices caused by mergers that have reduced competition. “There is a difference between reasonable profit in a healthy free enterprise system and greed gone crazy,” says David, “and that’s the monopoly power we’re under now. Everybody knows this.”

David vows to go after the big oil companies on behalf of the people of Texas after he is sworn in. Counties are struggling to make their budgets in the face of rising energy costs. These high costs are causing reductions in police patrols, EMS, and other services. It is a real threat to our public safety and economic wellbeing.

David points out that the same anti-trust statutes can be used to go after the large insurance companies to ensure that Texans pay a fair price for their homeowners insurance. “We have the power to fight back,” he says. He also claims that the incumbent has done nothing on the big picture issue of monopoly power because he is bought and paid for by corporate donations. “People all over this state know that government has been stolen,” says Van Os.

Now David’s opponent is way ahead of him on fundraising, but he says the most important thing he needs is our votes. Yes he needs our votes but I’m not going to be shy. If you can spare a few bills, Please go to the link on the left for David and make a donation to his campaign so he can get the word out to more citizens. You’ll feel better for it.

David Van Os Coming to Rockport

2006-08-03T19:10:00.000-05:00

David Van Os, Demcratic candidate for Attorney General of Texas, will appear at the Aransas County Court house on Wednesday, August 9th, at 10 am. David is really a must see and hope everyone takes the time to attend this event on his statewide whistlestop tour.

David Van Os will truly be "The People's Attorney". He vows to fight for the citizens against price gouging oil companies, big insurers that won't honor their policies and other predatory corporate interests that have bought and paid for the Republican majority in Texas that acts against your self interests. You can learn more about Mr. Van Os at his website.

I am very proud to have a candidate like David Van Os representing the Demcratic Party. David is a real firebrand and doesn't mince words like many politicians. I garantee you won't be disappointed if you come and hear him speak this coming Wednesday. Won't you please come and garantee he's not disappointed.

I'm going to be there. How about you?

It's Great To Be A Democrat

2006-07-28T08:01:00.000-05:00

It is a great time to be a Democrat. We have an opportunity in the November election to recover the U.S. Congress and the Texas Governor's Office. Nationally, our fellow Americans are realizing what we have known for years: the Bush administration's zeal for war in the middle east has accomplished nothing except tragedy for so many of our wonderful servicemen and servicewomen, their families, the Iraqi people, indeed the entire middle east. Here in Texas, the voters are fed up. They are tired of Republicans closing our parks, denying our teachers the tools they need, and spoiling our environment, and turning Texas into the 'thank God for Mississippi' state: we are last in the country in so many areas, except for Mississippi. Since there are four main candidates for governor, and since the candidate with the most votes wins even if that candidate gets fewer than 50% of the votes, Chris Bell can easily be the first Democratic governor in a decade. Juan Garcia, our candidate for the Texas House, is one of the most impressive candidates in years: a decorated Navy pilot and protege of Gen. Wesley Clark. By electing Shane Sklar to Congress, we can finally replace Dr. No, the incumbent, Ron Paul, who votes against almost everything, including helping hurricane victims. We in the Aransas County have a very active season ahead of us. You are going to enjoy the events that are planned. Stay tuned and keep positive. It's great to be a Democrat!

Well, Here Goes It!

2006-07-23T23:29:00.000-05:00

Ya gotta start somewhere. So I'm trying to work this template to do what I want. And let me tell you, it ain't easy but it's a first step.

Hopefully, this blog will soon be delivering all the news and information on Democratic candidates, meetings and such. Your patience is appreciated. Stay tuned.