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Bandera County Courier is published weekly by Gail S. Joiner, 1210 Hackberry St., Bandera, TX 78003. Subscription price $26 per year in Bandera County, TX; $36 per year for other Texas counties; $40 per year out of Texas. POSTMASTER: send address changes to Bandera County Courier, P.O. Box 1704, Bandera, TX 78003. Periodicals Postage pending in Bandera, Texas.

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Gail Joiner: Publisher
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Staff: Judith Pannebaker, Editor
David Arny, Writer
Dennis Allyn, Political Cartoonist
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James Henry Frazar, Composition Editor
Contributors: Stephanie Parker, Marlene Heavner, Doug White, Clare Barnett, Mikie Baker, Doris Doebbler, Jack Finger, Ed Longhurst, Bill Ellis, Bob Jamison and Jim Harris.

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Entire contents Copyright © 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 - Bandera County Courier

The Bandera County Courier
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Items should be typed or printed and should include the name and daytime phone number of a contact person. Items submitted after deadline will be considered for that week's edition but may be held over for later publication. Photos should include information on the time and place of the event, as well as full names of people from left to right, front row to back.

Election articles dealing with the 2006 general elections:

Election glitch explained	Published Nov. 23, 2006
Republicans keep reins on county government	Published Nov. 9, 2006
Voters buy a new jail-justice center	Published Nov. 9, 2006
Jail bond meeting swings from informational to histrionic	Published Oct. 26, 2006
Voting hours extended by request	Published Oct. 26, 2006
Jail bond information meetings scheduled	Published Oct. 19, 2006
Jail Bond Fact Sheet Released	Published Oct. 19, 2006
Candidates' debate floats issues to the surface	Published Oct. 19, 2006
Candidates address Ranchers and Landowners	Published Oct. 12, 2006
Governor Perry in Bandera	Published Sept. 21, 2006
Stricker announces as candidate for sheriff	Published Aug. 10, 2006
Attorney General candidate fired up to fire hogs	Published Aug. 10, 2006
Democratic Party schedules old fashioned stump rally	Published July 27, 2006
Community meets sheriff’s candidate Jack Wright	Published July 20, 2006
Democratic Candidate announced for Sheriff’s Race in Nov.	Published July 13, 2006
State Republican Convention	Published June 15, 2006
Republican Party votes to back Weldon Tucker as sheriff	Published May 25, 2006
Election Results	Published May 18, 2006
City and MISD elections coming up	Published May 4, 2006
April 11 Run-off Results	Published April 11, 2006
William E. "Bill" Bryce candidate for city council	Published April 13, 2006
Roberts announces candidacy for Pct. 2 Commissioner	Published April 13, 2006
Hegemier announces for City Council City Should Work with Professional Standards. Infrastructure Important	Published April 6, 2006
Pallaske announces for City Council Vows to Improve Infrastructure, Keep Property Taxes Down	Published April 6, 2006
Candidates for Bandera City Council sign in for place on May 2006 ballot	Published March 16, 2006
Connie Taylor appointed Republican chair for county	Published March 30, 2006
Who's Running for Medina School Board?	Published March 16, 2006
List of telephone numbers for election day
Lee Haile announces for re-election to BISD board of trustees.	Published March 2, 2006
Skipper announces bid for re-election	Published Feb. 16, 2006
Current election articles	Articles from the 2008 March primary
Articles from the 2007 city and general elections	Results from the 2006 general election
Articles from the 2006 Primary	Statewide and Bandera County Election Results from the March 7, 2006, Primary.
Articles from the 2005 election	Statewide and Bandera County Election Results for the Nine Constitutional Amendments Nov. 8.

Election glitch explained by Stephanie Day BCC Staff Published Nov. 23, 2006 Sheriff Weldon Tucker is sworn in by Bandera County Judge Richard Evans at the Nov. 16 commissioners' meeting. He was elected to fill the unexpired term of longtime sheriff James MacMillian who resigned earlier this year. Bobby Harris receives his certificate of election from Bandera County Judge Richard Evans at the Nov. 16 commissioners' meeting. Harris will serve as precinct 2 commissioner. Eino Zapata receives his certificate of election from Bandera County Judge Richard Evans at the Nov. 16 commissioners' meeting. Zapata will serve as precinct 3 justice of peace.    During their Thursday, Nov. 16, special meeting, Bandera County Commissioners canvassed the votes from the Nov. 7 election­and found what they thought was a glitch involving the Hart electronic voting machines.     Bandera County voters, 6,727 or 48 percent of the county's registered voters, turned out to vote in a jail bond, Weldon Tucker as sheriff and Bobby Harris as Precinct 2 Commissioner.     Election Director Toba Perez said it was exciting to have so many voters show up for early voting and election day. She also told commissioners that only one of 11 provisional ballots were accepted.     Then during vote canvassing, a reoccurring difference between write-in totals listed by election judges and the voting machine totals caused Bandera County Judge Richard Evans concern. He said the small discrepancy was not enough to change the election results but "in a close race, we wouldn't be able to canvass and certify the election."     After the canvassing glitch, Perez researched all voting records and the results from the electronic voting machines and found that everything tallied.     "There were 11 provisional votes and only one accepted by the resolution board (two Democrats and two Republicans)," she explained. "The judge was looking at the JBC (judge's booth controller on the electronic voting machines). That threw it off for the write-in votes because only one provisional vote was accepted. The resolution board decides which provisional votes it will accept and also what the intent of the voter is. For example, with Ralph Stricker, if a voter wrote him in but misspelled his name. The board would decide whether or not to count that vote."     The electronic voting machines counted all votes.

Republicans keep reins on county government Published Nov. 9, 2006 Sheriff Weldon Tucker Precinct 2 Commissioner Bobby Harris Justice of the Peace Precinct 3 Eino Zapata State Representative Nathan Macias    With Republican candidates Weldon Tucker, for Sheriff, and Bobby Harris for County Commissioner Precinct 2, sweeping to wins in the Nov. 7 election, the reins of county government remain firmly in the hands of the Republican Party.     Republican Justice of the Peace, Precinct 3, Eino Zapata also won with 1,200 or 86.64 percent of the vote over write-in opponent Stacie Lynn Dobbs, who received 185 votes.     Weldon Tucker raked in 3,287 votes (50.79 percent) to win against his closest challenger, Jack Wright with 2,799 votes (43.25 percent). Write-in candidate Ralph Stricker brought in 386 votes (5.96 percent). Wright ran as a Democrat.     Republican Bobby Harris shot past Democrat candidate Don Roberts to win with 835 votes (55.37 percent) to Roberts' 673 votes, or 44.63 percent.     Prior to 1980, Bandera County had no Republican Party and too few Republicans to host a primary election. The influx of new residents brought an influx of Republicans. They joined forces with the Republicans already in the county and brought the two-party system to Bandera County. Since 1990, no Democratic candidate has won a county seat in government.     Bandera County Democratic Party Chair Jay Rath said she was disappointed in the outcome of the election. She said that had Jack Wright won for sheriff and Don Roberts for commissioner, precinct 2, "It would have been the beginning of the end of the Gestapo in Bandera County. It would have put some equality into our local government. Without a two-party system and the checks and balances it provides, you have corruption."     Weldon Tucker, appointed by the Bandera County Commissioners Court as interim sheriff after James MacMillan resigned in April, becomes Bandera County's 19th elected sheriff.     Tucker put confidence into his long marriage and strong church affiliation during campaigning. He and wife Nancy have been married for 48 years. He attends the Bandera Church of Christ.     Tucker has 10 years of law enforcement experience, having been elected as a constable in Real County in 1996. He also taught and coached in the Nueces Canyon Independent School District. Tucker came to Bandera County in 2002 as a patrol deputy and worked his way up through the ranks to investigator, evidence officer, sergeant investigator and lieutenant.     Tucker promised voters, "With my extensive qualifications and experience in all aspects of rural law enforcement, I will continue to serve citizens with honesty and professionalism."     After winning the election, Tucker said he wanted voters to join him in "Looking forward rather than looking back and digging up debacles."

Voters buy a new jail-justice center Published Nov. 9, 2006    Wanting to keep the "bad guys" behind lock and key, Bandera County voters turned out in force to vote in an $11.2 million jail-justice center Nov. 7 by 3,405 "yes" votes (55.62 percent) to 2,717­or 44.38 percent "no" votes.     The 96-bed facility will make it possible to house Bandera's average prisoner population of 45 per day in Bandera County instead of farming them out to jails in other counties and paying those counties to keep them.     Bandera County has been paying half-a-million dollars to other counties to house county prisoners.     Along with a new jail, the bond will make it possible to construct a justice center that will provide space for the sheriff's department, adult probation, district courtroom, DPS, Parks and Wildlife, 911 and an emergency management center. A secure corridor between the jail and the courtroom will enhance safety and provide convenience for court dates.     The jail-justice center will be located on SH 173 north (toward Kerrville) approximately three miles from Bandera.

Jail bond meeting swings from informational to histrionic by Stephanie Day BCC Staff Published Oct. 26, 2006    Bandera County Judge Richard Evans remained unflappable during the first in a series of informational meetings scheduled to present the $11.3 million bond issue to voters even when hit by histrionics from the Lakehills Civic Center crowd of approximately 35. Held Friday, Oct. 20, the power point presentation outlined facts about the proposed jail-justice center­facts adamantly protested by some.     Evans explained that the core facility for the 96-bed jail could easily be expanded in the future. It would provide space for the sheriff's department, DPS, adult probation, parks and wildlife, 911 and emergency management center. He said it was a perfect location for emergency management, the last area in the county to be isolated by severe flooding.     Also included would be a district court, multi-purpose court and offices, training and conference rooms related to the court system. The benefits, Evans said, would include lower long-term cost to house local inmates, increased control of operating expenses, more effective use of deputies and the increased used of jail inmates to perform county projects. He pointed out that four independent studies dating back to 1995 concluded that a new jail was needed. Evans said building the jail-justice center would increase public safety from booking to disposition of cases and increase law enforcement officer safety as well.     Figures to support the need of a new jail: an average jail population of 41 taxes Bandera's 15-bed jail facility. Some of the 26 extra prisoners are transported back and forth to Dimmitt County 130 miles away. Housing inmates out-of-county is expected to cost more than half-a-million dollars in 2007.     Bandera County's inmate population is projected to increase by two to three prisoners a year while the cost of housing those inmates rises 3 percent a year. Twenty-year bonds can be sold at an interest rate of 4.75 percent or lower.     Jail construction is estimated at $4,419,000, figured at $1.80 a square foot. The justice center, at $140 a square foot, is estimated at 3,466,960. The law enforcement center (sheriff's department) is estimated at $1,141,440, figured at $120 a square foot. The total package is estimated at $9,027,400.     Other expenses included in the $11.3 million bond package are the water and sewer, electric, engineering and architectural fees and finance-related costs.     Eventually and ideally, Evans said, the county's road and bridge facility could be built there. Evans apologized to those present for the lateness of getting the information out to them and added, "I was adamant that we don't put out bad information. I wanted to review all the information and make sure it was correct and as accurate as it could be."     Voters were told that if they approve the jail-justice center, bonds could be sold by February and bids could go out in the spring with construction beginning in early summer. He estimated that it would take between 14-16 months to complete construction.     Bobby Harris asked how much it would cost to operate and said, "the numbers don't add up."     Harris took Evans and County Auditor Christina Combs to task over the figures on operating a new facility. "These are y'alls figures," he said. "Everything I've heard makes me want to vote ‘No.' The numbers don't jive."     Combs invited him to her office to look through the figures that were used to create the power point presentation.     Other people in the audience chimed in, "We're asked to vote on something but we don't know what we're getting."     "You just want 11 million from us and you will handle it?"     "Early voting starts Monday. How are we supposed to go to Christina's office and check the numbers and still vote Monday?"     "It says here that furniture and equipment is included, but it doesn't tell us what kind it is."     "I'm worried about the value increase of homes."     "We want to know if it is cheaper to rent space from other counties or build this. What is cheaper?"     County Commissioner Richard Keese said that over 20 years, building a jail-justice center should save taxpayers $16 million.     One person from the audience received a round of applause for stating, "this smacks of the school bond (the unsuccessful school bond for building at the race track)." After the applause died down, he said, "wait! We could have built a new school then for several million dollars less than it cost­and this jail is the same thing. We need it desperately. The State Jail Standards is what decided the 96-beds. It's divided into 48 beds per unit. It will cost a bit more to run the 96-bed jail that what we are paying now, but it will cost more anyway. We need to approve this and get going before costs go up and while they can get the bond at 4.75 percent. We need to quit sending our money out of the county."     Harris said, "I'm for the jail and justice center but I'm against this. The numbers aren't what they're being presented to the people."     Gary Johnston said he had been on study groups about the need for a jail since the late 1980s. He said he looked at the jail problem in 1992, 1996 and 1997. "In the late 80s, the facility study groups said it would cost $1 million. In 1992, the cost was $1.5 million. By 1996, the cost was $3 million. There's errors in everything a human touches. We should go ahead and build it now­it's climbing at $1 million a year. It's time to put grandstanding aside and build it. My dad used to say, ‘son, I don't care if I do something wrong­but the barn is on fire and I've got to move!'"     Russell Hevenor told the crowd that he owns a business and has children in the school system. "It infuriates me to send money out of county," he said. "Over the next 20 years, the cost of housing prisoners out of county is expected to be $34 million." Hevenor said he thought the projected jail-justice center was coming in at a good price. "I think it's the right thing to do."     Evans told the Lakehills meeting, "All I ask is for you to consider the bond. We've done the best we could to be honest and frugal. We'll get the answer on Nov. 7."

Jail bond information meetings scheduled Published Oct. 19, 2006    Several town hall meetings for the upcoming Nov. 7 jail bond issue, an $11.3 million decision for Bandera County voters, have been scheduled for different locations around the county.     The first meeting will be this Friday, Oct. 20, at the Lakehills Civic Center, beginning at 6 p.m.     Other meetings include the following: Sunday, Oct. 22, at the Lakeshore Volunteer Fire Department at 9019 Wharton's Dock Road; Monday, Oct. 23, at the Silver Sage Corral at 803 Buck Creek; Tuesday, Oct. 24, at the Vanderpool Community Center at 32710 FM 187 North; Wednesday, Oct. 25, at the Pipe Creek Community Center on SH 16 across from the Pipe Creek Post Office and Saturday, Oct. 28, at the Tarpley Volunteer Fire Department on Williams Creek Road.     All meetings begin at 6 p.m.

Jail Bond Fact Sheet Released by David Arny BCC Staff Published Oct. 19, 2006    An information packet concerning the proposed new 96-bed Bandera County Jail and Justice Center was made public Friday, Oct. 13. Copies may be obtained at the Bandera County Courthouse. It includes details regarding projected costs to area taxpayers and answers to frequently asked questions about the $11.375 million bond referendum.     Proponents claim the new jail, located on a 20-acre site 2.5 miles north of town on SH 173, will greatly lessen the need to transport county inmates out of the county and reduce costs and liabilities, plus it will allow deputies to spend more time on patrol in the area.     Currently, over 60 percent of Bandera County Jail inmates are housed out of county. This requires nearly 35,000 miles per month on county vehicles. Construction of the new jail, backers say, would be less expensive than to continue housing inmates out of county.     The planned Justice Center, besides providing the Sheriff's Department much-needed added space, would also house the Department of Public Safety, Adult Probation, Parks and Wildlife, 911 call center and room for other unspecified public services.     The judicial component of the planned project would include new district and multipurpose courtrooms, District Clerk offices, conference/training rooms, legal consultation rooms, jury rooms and additional related facilities.     According to the fact sheet released by the Bandera County Jail Bond Committee, "(The) project is estimated to have a net combined tax rate impact of approximately 2.7 cents per 100 dollars assessed valuation, given the effect on operating costs and revenues of converting from housing the majority of inmates out of county to housing them in county in a facility sized to meet the county's long-term needs."     Just how "long-term" a solution to the county's needs the proposed project will be is only one of the questions asked by opponents of the bond issue. Estimates of annual property value increases, costs associated with a water treatment system required to operate the facility and debt cost over 22 years are other issues which skeptics say need addressing.     As a fully-informed electorate is essential to a healthy democratic process, the long-awaited release of these and other details is most welcomed by Bandera County voters. Also, seven information meetings are scheduled in the coming weeks so interested citizens can learn more details about the bond proposal.

Candidates' debate floats issues to the surface by Stephanie Day BCC Staff Published Oct. 19, 2006 Candidates visited together during the Courier's Oct. 14 debate. Pictured here are sheriff candidate Jack Wright, left, precinct 2 commissioner candidate Bobby Harris, incumbent sheriff Weldon Tucker, standing, and precinct 2 commissioner candidate Don Roberts. The crowd for the debate at the Lakehills Civic Center. Current Helotes Echo editor, and former Bandera Review editor, Newton Renfro moderated The Bandera County Courier's candidate debate Oct. 14.    The Bandera County Courier hosted a candidates' debate Saturday, Oct. 21, at the Lakehills Civic Center in Lakehills with current Helotes Echo (and former Bandera Review) editor Newton Renfro moderating. Close to 200 people swarmed into the civic center to ask candidates questions they felt were important before making a choice Nov. 7.     Write-in sheriff's candidate Ralph Stricker, was not present. Stricker submitted a written statement, "please understand that my absence is not because I am disinterested in this debate, but rather in respect for the office of the sheriff. Debating one's superior in the chain of command in a public forum may infer distrust, dislike or disrespect, none of which is the case."     Candidates who did debate included Sheriff Weldon Tucker and opponent Jack Wright and Precinct 2 County Commissioner candidates Bobby Harris and Don Roberts.     Giving his opening statement, Tucker said that he had spent 10 years in rural law enforcement, half in Bandera County. Tucker said that he took office after former Sheriff James MacMillan resigned and urged voters not to look at the past, but to look at how he has run the department since April 10. He said a large number of cases had previously been dismissed by the district attorney's office for lack of evidence. "We don't get that anymore."     Tucker introduced himself as having been married to wife Nancy for 28 years, being a member of the Church of Christ and being moral. He said under his guidance, the sheriff's department would "continue to go forward, not backward." Jack Wright said he had been a Bandera County resident for 15 years, had been married to his wife for 41 years and had 26 years of experience with the San Antonio Police Department.     Wright said that he started out as a patrol deputy and worked his way up in the department. He said he had been everything from a burglary detective to a narcotics investigator, having spent 17 years in the narcotics division. "There is no type of crime I haven't solved and prosecuted successfully and brought to a successful conclusion he said. We don't want to be Podunk no more. The county is growing. The sheriff's department needs to grow with it."     Bobby Harris said he came to Bandera County in 1983. Harris owns Tadpole's Restaurant in Lakehills. He said he had five years of corporate experience with $7 million dollar electronic systems and had spent 35 years as an independent, self-employed construction superintendent. "I know roads. I've built them." Harris said 70 percent of the county's revenue comes from the Lakehills area. "We want someone who cares for taxpayers."     Don Roberts said he became a Lakehills citizen in 1973. "My desire to put Lakehills on the map is precisely why I chaired the Lakehills Incorporation Committee two years ago."     Roberts spent six years on U.S. Navy submarines and had careers as a federal air traffic controller, small business owner and Texas high school teacher. "I have been active as an officer and firefighter in the Medina Lake Volunteer Fire Department." He said effective grant writing had helped the department acquire modern equipment and that he would use that experience to better Precinct 2.     All candidates were asked if they favored the construction of a new jail facility and the 11.3 million bond to build it. With the information available today, they were asked, would you support or oppose it? And if the bond election fails in November, what alternatives could you suggest?     Tucker said he supports the jail and justice center bond. "It's a no-lose for taxpayers."     Tucker said that Bandera County's incarceration rate is half of the state average and that every attempt is made to find alternatives to jailing offenders. "We spent $513,000 last year out of the county (to house inmates in other jails) and $25,000 to transport them. If the bond fails, we will continue to house them out of county and pay for someone else's justice center." He added that with jails around the state filling to capacity, failure to build a new jail would facilitate transporting prisoners greater distances.     Wright called the jail-justice question "a no-win situation. We're going to pay one way or another. Build me a jail and I'll run it professionally. I have a lot of conflicting thoughts. There are too many variables. I am not pleased with the current figures. Let your pocketbook vote." Wright said if he is elected, only those who commit serious crimes will be held.     Tucker rebutted: he said those arrested for Class C misdemeanors are not kept overnight in jail. He said those incarcerated include burglars and child sex predators.     Harris answered, "we need a new jail but I cannot support the current proposal. They did not solicit more than one bid­how can we guarantee that taxpayers are getting what's best?"     Harris said it would cost between $1.5 to $1.7 million to operate a new jail and that revenue from renting beds out to other counties would be non-existent because Bandera County's inmates would fill up the facility. He also said that the language of the bond issue would allow the county to exceed 20 years. He recommended putting ankle bracelets on non-violent offenders and sending them home.     Tucker rebutted Harris' comment, saying that current inmates have all committed serious crimes and are not candidates for ankle bracelets.     Roberts said he was absolutely committed to the construction of a new jail facility. "With the lack of available information, however, I cannot support the current jail-justice center proposal. This is not a new or unexpected problem that faces our county. Commissioners Court has been cussing and discussing this item for 10 years."     Roberts aid the commissioners court and county judge had failed to prepare for the bond election to ensure its success. "Let's hope this information is forthcoming, factual and presented in a manner that will allow the citizens of Bandera County to cast an informed vote on the issue."     Tucker and Wright were asked how they would achieve higher salaries for law enforcement officers.     Wright said that, outside of obtaining temporary grants, commissioners court holds the purse strings. Wright said that county residents do not like the current sheriff's department because of the county-wide drug problem and unsolved crimes. "When we raise it to a good image and provide good service to the people, they will back us. I trust the people."     Tucker said he agreed with his opponent that the commissioners hold the purse strings. He said he has redone all the job descriptions and that under the county's step and grade system, a raise in the sheriff's department's employees salaries would equate to a raise in other county departments. He said Bandera County law enforcement officers' salaries are within $1,000 a year of those in Medina County, the closest they've been in years.     Wright countered, "we have to convince the commissioners. If we show them a strong sheriff's department, the people will back us."     Candidates for county commissioner were asked about the construction of a new road and bridge facility. It's been three years since the flood washed away the county facility.     Roberts said that expensive construction equipment could not be maintained adequately without a shop. "It doesn't make sense to cut corners on procedures that will extend the operational life of very expensive construction equipment. I would insist that repair and maintenance procedures are followed to eliminate the early replacement of worn out equipment. Would you like to meet a road grader coming down the road that you know was recently repaired under a shade tree?"     Harris said, "no, we shouldn't work under shade trees. We were paid $140,000 (by FEMA) for our loss. We used it to buy 20 acres on SH 173. The $600,000 is just for the building. The county got only one bid. With 70 percent of the populations and roads in the southeast of Bandera County, that's where the maintenance facility needs to be built­then get a minimum of three bids."     When Renfro asked Roberts if he would like rebuttal time, Roberts said he agreed with Harris. Both Roberts and Harris said that a new maintenance facility would make more sense if it were built in the county's population center to the east of Bandera than on the proposed SH 173 site toward Kerrville.     Sheriff's candidates were asked about the flurry of recent negative publicity about the department. Tucker invited residents to visit the sheriff's department instead of believing rumors and innuendos. He said employees receive monthly education and training. "We have a good sheriff's department with good people. Get concerned about keeping the ones we have."     Wright countered, "whether or not it is true, people believe it: ‘come to Bandera on vacation, leave on probation.'" Wright bashed the lack of supervision that resulted in a homosexual jail guard and Paris Hilton driving a patrol car. He said the department needed a strong, honest sheriff who would demand accountability from deputies. He said he would focus on training, training, training and start a community policing program. He added that in the motto "protect and serve," serve is the optimum idea. "Don't just put people in jail."     Both Tucker and Wright questioned the accuracy of the figures in the newly released jail bond information. They were joined by Roberts and Harris. Roberts said, "I want to know the net result? Will it save us money? Will it be cheaper for citizens?"     Harris said the numbers were wrong.     Taking questions from the audience, Tucker said he is not a property owner in Bandera County but that his wife works at the high school and they are looking for affordable property.     Wright said he has been a Bandera County taxpayer for 15 years and understood how the taxes increased every year.     Roberts said he had owned property in Bandera County for more than 10 years.     Harris said he had bought property in 1997 and opened his business in 2000.     Asked about a TxDOT projection of growth for Bandera County, Roberts said growth is coming to the county and the county needs to prepare.     Harris said the county's population is running behind estimated growth projections and more money should go toward road improvements.     Roberts and Harris were asked about Lakehills issues. Harris said stopping taxpayer abuse. Roberts said the next elected county commissioner for Precinct 2 would need to raise citizen awareness of the effects of local issues in the Lakehills area.     Tucker and Wright were asked what major crimes they had worked. Wright said he had brought in federal and state convictions and caught the man who killed a Ft. Worth police officer.     "There's no type of narcotics case I haven't worked. I have a vast knowledge of law enforcement and court cases and know how to make it work."     Tucker said he had worked murder cases and two of the largest dope cases in the state, seizing more than $3 million in marijuana. "What we need is good leadership."     Asked about changes they would make, Tucker said his department had a policy and procedure manual for the first time ever and would follow it. He said he would form a citizen's committee from each precinct to see what special needs that precinct had. "Sheriff MacMillan was here 14 years. I did not do away with what he had done and left in good working order­I fixed what was broke."     Wright said the sheriff's department was a business in need of competency. He said he would train jail and dispatch supervisors and install two new substations in outlying areas. Wright said if anything in the sheriff's department was "broke" while MacMillan was sheriff, Tucker should share the blame. "you were a lieutenant."     Wright said he would not plan on firing anyone if he were elected sheriff. "Everyone will be given the chance to step up and be trained and made to feel welcome."     Tucker asked Wright where he intended to find money to open two substations. He said a sheriff is responsible for every dime that goes through the sheriff's department budget."     Wright replied, "foot leather solves crimes, not toys."     One question from the audience: what level of training Wright and Tucker had attained. Wright said he had held a Masters, the highest TECLOS rating, and had taught for more than 20 years."     Tucker said he held an Intermediate rating but was ready for the next level.     The candidates were asked about the current sheriff's department policy of allowing deputies to take cars home. Tucker said they were on call 24-hours a day and should have a vehicle at their immediate disposal­like in the 2002 Flood when every part of the county was stranded from every other part of the county.     Wright countered, "why should taxpayers pay for vehicles to be taken home out-of-county. Why should taxpayers pay for their gas and insurance?"     Asked about community involvement, Wright said he had been a reserve deputy for 11 years and put in 3,000 volunteer hours with the juvenile probation department. "I will respond for all citizens and will take care of people­finally."     Tucker said he started at the sheriff's department in 2002 and made the rank of lieutenant. He said he had already mentioned his church involvement. "I love it here and plan to stay."     Commissioners candidates asked to answer that question from the audience, too. Roberts described his "joy" in Lakehills as his involvement with the fire department and the American Legion. "I also chaired the Lakehills incorporation issue. Eighty percent came out to vote and it lost by 21 votes."     Harris said he was the president of LAMCOS and a board member of Concerned Citizens, member of Ranchers and Land Owners Association and involved in the Bandera Business Association. "I've been the unofficial watchdog of Bandera County for four years. I'm a barking watchdog. I can be a biting watchdog."

Voting hours extended by request Published Oct. 26, 2006    The main voting location for Bandera County, 403 12th Street, has been petitioned by the Bandera County Democratic Party to extend early voting hours.     Early voting will be held from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Monday, Oct. 30, through Friday, Nov. 3.     Questions should be directed to Toba Perez at 830-796-3731.     The last day to vote early is Nov. 3.     The other early voting locations in the county, the Lakehills Courthouse Annex and the Medina Courthouse Annex, will be open 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays through Nov. 3.

Candidates address Ranchers and Landowners by Stephanie Day BCC Staff Published Oct. 12, 2006    Local candidates for sheriff, commissioner precinct 2, and justice peace precinct 3 candidates attended the Ranchers and Landowners meeting Oct. 3 and said they could and would work to represent all Bandera County residents.     Each candidate was asked to introduce himself and give a brief account of his goals before answering questions from the large audience.     All candidates were asked the same question: could they work beyond the party affiliation label of "Democrat" or "Republican" if elected?     Republican candidate Bobby Harris, who faces Democrat Don Roberts Nov. 7, told the crowd that he will take a stand to stop taxpayer abuse. "I believe it's time for every elected official to be accountable to every voter and taxpayer who elected him."     Harris is a member of LAMCOS, Concerned Citizens, the Medina Lake Betterment Association and Ranchers and Landowners. He closed his statement by saying, "I will do what's good for all taxpayers."     Eino Zapata said he has been an attorney for 35 years, is a U.S. Navy veteran and "will represent all citizens."     The bilingual Zapata is licensed to plead cases in the Texas Supreme Court. He faces write-in candidate Tracy Lynn Dobbs of Medina.     Republican sheriff incumbent Weldon Tucker said he had respected the commissioners' injunction to him to "keep the wheels on the vehicle" until the Nov. 7 election and not make sweeping changes. He said he plants to make changes within the sheriff's department after he is elected.     Tucker has spent the past seven months as sheriff and the past 28 years married to wife Nancy. The couple's son works at Bandera Electric Cooperative. Their daughter is a pre-law student. Tucker said he believes in "everything on the Republican platform" but that he will do "what's best for all the county." He said the sheriff's department has been replacing worn-out vehicles for the past five years and that he was able to trim $25,000 off next year's budget by eliminating replacement vehicles. He said he plans to continue the policy of letting deputies take department patrol vehicles home with them even if they live outside Bandera County.     Tucker said that puts a "police presence" in the area. He said that he has replaced deputies who lived outside the county with Bandera County residents when those positions became vacant. "We were using 16 out-of-county deputies when James MacMillan was here. Now we're down to eight."     Tucker said he supports the construction of a jail facility because the county spent $518,000 last year to house prisoners outside Bandera County.     Tucker said he felt he was the best qualified candidate to work with game wardens, JPs and all law-related officials in Bandera County.     Democratic challenger Jack Wright served four years in the Marine Corps and served in Vietnam before spending 26 years with the San Antonio Police Department, working as a patrol officer, detective and narcotics investigator. Wright said he had run over 1,000 warrants resulting in "too many convictions to count."     Wright said he owned land and paid taxes in Bandera County. "When I'm spending your tax dollars, I'm spending mine."     Wright said he would change virtually everything about the current sheriff's department including the policy of letting deputies take vehicle home with them. "I will get rid of half the cars. Why should I provide cars, gas and insurance for them to drive back and forth to work?     "I don't like hardly anything in the sheriff's department. I think its very unprofessional." Other ideas Wright listed were staffing a substation in Medina and organizing a sheriff's mounted patrol "for show, the businesses in Bandera that would like that for tourists and to search for victims and young children who are missing."     Wright said Bandera County needs a jail and it was "physically the right thing to do." However, he added, no one in county government had been able to provide him with figures on how much building a jail would save taxpayers in relationship to how much it now costs to house prisoners in other counties.     He ended his comments at the meeting by assuring Ranchers and Landowners that he could work with every law enforcement agency in Bandera County including the game wardens. "I'll represent all the people­I don't care who you are."

Governor Perry in Bandera Published Sept. 21, 2006    Gov. Rick Perry made a stop in Bandera Saturday, Sept. 18, and met with many people including these Bandera ISD band students.

Stricker announces as candidate for sheriff Contributed Published Aug. 10, 2006    Ralph Stricker, a registered Republican, is seeking write-in votes for the office of Bandera County Sheriff.     "My main goal," Sticker says, "is to have an open door policy at the sheriff’s department. I want to hear the voices, concerns, ideas and recommendations of all the people of this county.     "I will be a sheriff who will continue to increase the professionalism and commitment of this department. I will be a hands-on sheriff by being in the field as often as possible.     "I will insist that each and every member of this department continues to train and grow in their respective positions. I want our constituents to truly believe that our sheriff’s office is here to serve and protect in a professional, honest, fair and hard working manner. The staff of this department will be united, effective and concerned for all citizens."     Stricker has 11 years of experience as a peace offer and currently possesses an Intermediate Peace Officers Certificate. He has completed many hours of continuing education. "As Sheriff," he states, "I will continue my education and will require all deputies and staff to do the same."     Stricker is married and lives in Lakehills with wife Coral. He has lived in Bandera County since 1985 and personally knows many residents in the county. "My ancestors have roots in this county dating back to the late 1930s," he adds. "We are active members of St. Victor’s Chapel and support many of the local community functions. We have grown children who were educated here in the schools of Bandera County.     "I am hard-working, fair-minded and committed to making Bandera County a better place to work and live. Your write-in vote for me will mean outstanding protection and pride in the sheriff’s office for the next two years—for all the citizens of Bandera County."

Attorney General candidate fired up to fire hogs by Stephanie Day BCC Staff Published Aug. 10, 2006 Democratic Attorney General candidate David Van Os spent the afternoon of Tuesday, Aug. 8 addressing supporters in front of the Bandera County Courthouse. David Van Os said supporting him was not about Democrat over Republican, it was about saying "NO" to greed, big oil companies and the Trans-Texas Corridor. BCC Staff Photo by Stephanie Day    Democratic candidate for Attorney General David Van Os urged a crowd of more than 20 in front of the Bandera County Courthouse Tuesday, Aug. 8, to help him "fire" elected government officials who believe public office is an "invitation for hogs to come to the trough."     "One of my favorite political heroes," Van Os said, "is Harry Truman. They told him he couldn’t win, so he took his case to the people and won." Bandera County was Van Os’ 122nd stop in his visit to all of Texas’ 254 counties.     He pointed to another political hero, Texas Attorney General James Stephen Hogg. Hogg, Van Os said, drafted the country’s first anti-monopoly law to protect residents against land and money-grabbing railroads. Pointing to the merging of big oil companies and the escalating price of gasoline, Van Os said, "we’ve been through this before. Texas takes the lead for individual rights. This is Texas and we can do it."     Van Os said that he knew he would be elected?he could feel that at every stop he makes because people come out in the middle of the work day to support him. He said that after he gets elected, he will go after the big oil companies. "While millions of Texans are struggling to make their paychecks stretch to the $3 per gallon price of gas and while working people have to decide, ‘I can’t afford the gas to go to work, but I can’t afford to stay home and not work,’ Exxon-Mobil made a net profit of 10.7 billion in three months. "Somebody has to fight the oil companies. I’ve put them on notice: when I’m Attorney General, I’m coming after you."     Van Os said that at one stop he made, the sheriff of a small rural county told him that the price of gas was so high that he had limited his deputies to making two calls a day. Van Os blamed the high prices on the consolidation of oil companies and the resulting monopoly. "It’s the same in the health industry. Texans pay the highest home insurance premiums of people in any state because of the insurance monopolies.     "I’m proud to be a Democrat?the party of the people. But what I’m saying is for everyone. We the people have to take our government back from this reign of greed. I think the Declaration of Independence meant it when it said that the government derived its power from the people. I believe democracy works. I believe we can take back the power from the people who hijacked it."     Van Os came out strongly against the Trans Texas Corridor, calling it "a monstrosity, the most gigantic land grab in the State of Texas and the biggest in the U.S. It’s intolerable. The land we’re standing on was claimed to be owned by Spain. We threw off their imperialism. We didn’t want a king. Now we’re tearing up half-a-million acres of agricultural land so Spain can run our highway system and profit from it.     "No law has ever been passed that can’t be repealed. No politician has ever been elected that can’t be fired. Help me fire the ones running the state government. It’s our duty when they are not responsive to the people.     "Sam Houston said, ‘Do right all the time and suffer the consequences.’"     Van Os asked voters to help him say "NO" to greed, cronyism, land grabs, corruption, arrogance, double taxation, foreign control of Texas highways and Rick Perry’s tolling plans.     "My job is to tell the truth to all the people and trust them with the truth."

Democratic Party schedules old fashioned stump rally Contributed by Jaye Rath Published July 27, 2006    A statewide candidate stump rally, "Moving Texas Forward," is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 26, at Mansfield Park, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call Jaye Rath at 830-796-7320.     The event is sponsored by the Bandera County Democratic Club. Democratic Party candidates for state and local races will speak that day including Chris Bell, Barbara Ann Radnofsky, David Van Os, Rick Bolanos, Carlos Uresti, Dale Henry, VaLinda Hathcox, Maria Alvarado and many more.     Activities will include a barbecue lunch, refreshments, desserts, a silent auction and entertainment. The building has air conditioning.     Jaye Rath says, "Mark your calendar. See you at the park. Remember in November, think blue."

Community meets sheriff’s candidate Jack Wright Published July 20, 2006 Gary Moore introduced Jackie Wright, sheriff’s candidate, to a large group of people Wednesday, July 12.    A diverse group of Bandera County residents turned out to meet Democratic candidate Jackie Lee Wright on Wednesday, July 12, at Tacqueria’s in Bandera Village.     Wright was introduced by Gary Moore who told the group that the meeting was not about political parties or rivalries but about the best person for the job of Bandera County Sheriff. "I’m glad he’s on the Democratic ticket, but this is about the man and who can do the best job."     Wright, a lifelong Republican, told the group that he was nonpartisan. "I’m not going to tell you to vote for me. I’m going to tell you to vote for the best man for Bandera County. I believe in justice for every resident. I came out of retirement to run, so this must be important to me.     "I’m a taxpayer. I think I deserve a better sheriff’s department. We’ve got a drug problem in this county. It’s been covered up and denied. I’m going to do something about it.     "I don’t like the waste in our sheriff’s office. It’s our money. It’s poor management and supervision. It’s up to you. Let’s do something about it."     Jack Wright was born in San Antonio and is married with one adult daughter. He moved to Bandera County in 1991 and has been a county taxpayer since that time, owning a home and eight acres in Pipe Creek.     Those facts are important to Wright as he introduces himself as a candidate for Bandera County Sheriff in the November election.     "I believe that the sheriff of a county should have lived in the county for a reasonable number of years, own a home in the county, pay taxes in the county and be a registered voter before expecting that county’s voters to elect him."     Wright calls himself conservative in all areas of life including finance. He believes one important role of the sheriff is to compile a budget that equates into taxpayer savings. "Together, the budget of the sheriff’s department and jail is a third of the county’s budget. I am a taxpayer. I would like to know that my tax money is spent properly. We require our schools to be exemplary. Why can’t we require the sheriff’s department to be exemplary?     "I’ve been a cop all my life. I’m not a politician. I’ve been a training officer for 20 years. I had sheriffs James MacMillan, Francis Kaiser (former Kerr County) and Rusty Hierholzer (current Kerr County) in my classes.     "I believe a sheriff should be a strong leader with a message and a purpose and a person who respects law enforcement and sets an example to follow. Part of being a good sheriff is being a good manager."     Wright says that it is imperative to build a new jail but that as sheriff he would not offer advice on financing. Certificates of Obligation would probably cost less than a bond election. But that is up to commissioners court and the people. Housing inmates in other counties is a fiscal burden on our community. We have to decide if we are going to quit arresting criminals, keep paying other counties to keep them or build a new jail."     Because it would cost as much to build and staff a 60-bed facility as it would a 96-bed facility, Wright is in favor of building a 96-bed jail. "For the first few years we could make money housing prisoners for other counties."     He believes that Bandera County residents have lost confidence in the sheriff’s department. "It relates to them doing nothing about the drug problem. People think the sheriff’s department wastes county tax money. They think they have too many patrol cars and too many people hired to have so few out on the street. They wonder where all the deputies they pay their tax dollars to are and why they are not out on patrol protecting them.     "Drugs are without a doubt the county’s biggest problem and are a catalyst for some of the other crimes. Very little is being done about drugs."     Wright worked narcotics for 17 years.     He served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1962 to 1966 and was part of the invasion force sent to Cuba during the missile crisis and was in the first Marine combat unit sent to Vietnam.     He joined the San Antonio Police Department in 1966. During his career he was patrol officer, detective-investigator, robbery detective and narcotic detective.     He told the crowd at the July 12 meeting that he believes in community policing and will install a deputy to work the same area of the county on a daily basis.     He said he will work closely with TRIAD and wants the county’s senior citizens to have the services they need.     "People want a safe place to raise a family. They want to be left alone when there is no problem. They don’t want to be hassled. They want to live in safety and in peace."

Democratic Candidate announced for Sheriff’s Race in November Submitted by Sylvia Colburn Communications Committee, Bandera County Democratic Party Published July 13, 2006    Saturday, July 8, the full Bandera Democratic Party Executive Committee and Jackie Lee Wright of Pipe Creek convened at the Silver Sage Corral. After a lengthy question and answer session and brief deliberation, the Committee was honored to unanimously elect Jack Wright as the party's candidate for Bandera County Sheriff.     Coming out of a comfortable retirement from a distinguished, honorable, 40-year career in San Antonio Law Enforcement (following his service in the US Marine Corps), Jack Wright is ready to serve the citizens of Bandera County as their Sheriff. He plans to address aggressively the extensive fiscal and policy problems surrounding the Sheriff's department. Wright’s entry into this race bolsters the resurgence of representative-government, of two-party Democracy in Bandera County.     Jack Wright has a lot of local support. From the higher populated Bexar County, the list is longer, including numerous judges and Beth Taylor (retired Chief of the Criminal Trial Division of the Bexar County Criminal District's Office), Ralph Lopez (Bexar County Sheriff and Bandera County citizen and tax payer), Milton Shoquist (retired Special Agent in Charge of the San Antonio Drug Enforcement Agency Office), William Gibson (retired Chief of Police San Antonio Police Department), etc.     Wednesday, July 12, 2 p.m., at the Taqueria AguasCalientes on SH 16, the general public was invited to meet Jack Wright and other candidates running in the upcoming November election.

State Republican Convention Published June 15, 2006 Photo Courtesy of Linda Palmer    The Texas State Republican Convention was held this past Friday and Saturday June 2-3 at the HBG Convention Center in San Antonio. Texas was cited as having the largest Republican delegation of any state .     Family values were emphasized as well as Homeland security including boarder security.     (Photo of Senator K. Bailey Hutchison and family. She is on record as NOT supporting the proposed Texas Corridor. Web site www.TexansForKay.com.)

Republican Party votes to back Weldon Tucker as sheriff Contributed Published May 25, 2006    Bandera County Republican Party Chair Connie Taylor announced that the Republican Party has selected Weldon Tucker as a candidate for Bandera County Sheriff.     The office of sheriff was not scheduled to be on the ballot until 2008. However, when former Sheriff James MacMillan tendered his resignation, the office became an unexpired term on the November 2006 ballot.     Each political party’s executive committee, according to the Texas Election Code, has the opportunity to name a nominee for the November ballot. Political parties executive committees consist of the elected and/or appointed county chairman and the precinct chairman. Bandera County had 11 voting members of each party’s executive committee.     After exhaustive discussions and interviews, the Bandera County Republican Executive Committee met and voted to place the name of Bruce “Weldon” Tucker on the ballot as the Republican nominee. This is for the unexpired term only.

Election Results Published May 18, 2006    In Bandera, Horst K. Pallaske and John Hegemier defeated Bill Bryce in a three-way race for two seats on the Bandera City Council May 13. Only 12.77 percent of eligible voters cast ballots, with Hegemier winning 69 votes, Pallaske 64, and Bryce 25. Pallaske and Hegemier will be sworn in June 15 for two-year terms.     Jason Williams, unopposed, will serve for one year to fill the post of John Teich, Jr., who is serving with the U.S. military in Iraq.     Mayor Denise Griffin, unopposed, was reelected for another two-year term.     In the Medina Independent School District, for place 5 Randy Boysen, incumbent, defeated Carrie Campbell and Terri Rose. Marshall McWilliams, unopposed, was reelected to place 4.     In Utopia, Ernie Moore and Betty Ann Boyce were elected as trustees at large of the Utopia Independent School District.

CITY OF BANDERA Ballots: 84 Registered: 658 Turn-out: 12.77% Mayor Denise A. Griffin 39 84 53.57 City Council John Hegemier 69 158 43.67 City Council Horst K. Pallaske 64 158 40.51 City Council Bill Bryce 25 158 15.82 City Council, special, 1 year Jason Williams 39 51 60.71

MEDINA INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT Ballots: 198 Registered: 1,387 Turn-out: 14.28% Place #4 Marshall McWilliams 138 198 69.70 Place #5 Randy Boysen 99 194 51.03 Place #5 Terri Rose 50 194 25.77 Place #5 Carrie Campbell 45 194 23.20

City and MISD elections coming up Published May 4, 2006    Early voting for Bandera City Council members and Medina Independent Board of Trustee members began on May 1 and will continue through Tuesday, May 9, at the Bandera County tax office at 403 12th Street. The city and Medina school board elections will be held on Saturday, May 13 at the Bandera tax office from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.     Early voting will be held on Saturday, May 13 from 8 a.m. to noon. The county tax office in Bandera is open on the first Saturday of each month.     Extended hours for early voting will be held on Monday, May 8 and Tuesday, May 9 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the tax office.     For the City of Bandera, Mayor Denise Griffin is running unopposed. City residents will vote for two of three candidates, incumbent Bill Bryce, incumbent Horst Pallaske and challenger John Hegemier. Jason Williams is running unopposed for a one-year term to fill the vacant seat left by John Teich.     For Medina ISD, Marshall McWilliams is running unopposed for Place 4. Candidates for Place 5 include Randy Boysen, Carrie Campbell and Terri Rose.

April 11 Primary Run-off Results
100% Complete (statewide)

Office/Candidate	Party	Local	Statewide
U.S. Senator
Gene Kelly	D		83,398
Barbara Ann Radnofsky	D		124,052
Lieutenant Governor
Maria Luisa Alvarado	D		117,950
Benjamin Z. Grant	D		86,838
Justice, Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 8
Charles Holcomb	R		89,075
Terry Keel	R		76,873

Statewide turnout of Democrats: 1.63% of 12,722,671 registered voters. All precincts reporting. Statewide turnout of Republicans: 1.30% of 12,722,671 Registered Voters. 99.75% precincts reporting. Statewide turnout: 2.93%.

William E. "Bill" Bryce candidate for city council Published April 13, 2006    Bill Bryce has served on the Bandera City Council off and on since 1992. He currently completes a two-year term in May. Bryce has been mayor pro-tem for the past two years.     Bryce says that he is very concerned about false information circulating that states that the City of Bandera does not have proper water lines. "The city just completed a seven-year project of upgrading our water lines so that the water delivered by our water lines has the same high quality all over town. Water pressure is based on the status of our wells.     "No one likes tax hikes or raising water rates each year," Bryce adds. "Every small city without a major source of a tax base must show that it wants to help itself before grants or other associated sources of income will be considered."     Bryce retired from the United States Ar Force and is a 100 percent disabled veteran. He is active in the VFW in the State of Texas, serves the VFW as the voluntary service representative at the Kerrville VA and represents the City of Bandera at the Service Officers meetings quarterly at the Kerrville VA.     "I ask that you reelect me on May 13," Bryce says, "for another two-year term on the Bandera City Council."

Roberts announces candidacy for Pct. 2 Commissioner Published April 13, 2006    I have always believed that the genius of American Democracy is local control and that "all politics are local." It is my considered opinion that, although the Lakehills area contains the largest population in Bandera County, it has been adrift politically and has not received the attention and resources it so well deserves. My desire to put Lakehills "on the map" is precisely why I chaired the Lakehills Incorporation Committee two years ago. Although this initiative was narrowly defeated at the polls, I am still committed to helping Lakehills increase its political presence and weight so that increased resources will flow to our precinct and community.     I became a Lakehills citizen by marriage in 1973 with the former Marilyn Evans, who grew up on the shores and in the water of Medina Lake. My life experience includes service on U.S. Navy submarines and careers as a Federal air traffic controller and a Texas high school teacher.     I have been very active both as an officer and a firefighter in the Medina Lake Volunteer Fire Department (MLVFD). I have been its President the past four years, and under my tenure and with the cooperation of the entire membership, the MLVFD has acquired the latest and most modern equipment, to include protective clothing, radios, breathing apparatus, and four new fire trucks. The MLVFD financial position is strong, and it is common knowledge that MLVFD is the best fire department in Bandera County. I believe that the outstanding commitment this community made to its fire service can be repeated to improve other community services and resolve social problems. We did it once and together we can do it again.     Marilyn and I are active in the American Legion and the Methodist Church. On a personal level, we are assisting our daughter, who is a single mom, in raising our grandson Zack, a Hill Country Elementary forth grader. We are also blessed with our son's three daughters in Waco.     I would appreciate your vote for Precinct #2 Commissioner. I want to work with you in making Lakehills a better place for our families.

Hegemier announces for City Council City Should Work with Professional Standards. Infrastructure Important Published April 6, 2006    Bandera County Library Director John Hegemier also highlights road maintenance, city services, and water system maintenance as key goals if he is elected to the Bandera City Council. "Our water system doesn’t distribute water equally with the same pressure," he said. "It is old and needs attention."     The city council should work closely with its paid staff to provide services and information in a professional manner, he said. "Gene Foerster is an excellent city administrator. He needs a council that will listen to his recommendations."     "It’s going to be hard to pay for needed improvements, but I believe that if we compare our city’s budget to other towns of similar size we’ll find expenses that can be substantially reduced."     Hegemier moved to Bandera in 2002 from Austin. He grew up in San Antonio, and holds a bachelor’s degree in finance and master’s degree in information science from the University of Texas Since moving here, he has been active in a variety of volunteer activities.

Pallaske announces for City Council Vows to Improve Infrastructure, Keep Property Taxes Down Published April 6, 2006    Horst Pallaske, running for one of two Bandera City Council places up for election this year, says his main goal is to "serve the people of Bandera."     Chiefly he will work to accomplish this, he says, by seeking to improve the condition of city streets and roads, upgrading, maintaining, and if necessary replacing water and sewer lines. At the same time he will work to hold property taxes steady.     "We need to take a good, hard look at our budget, and make some difficult decisions," he said The city council has a history of acting slowly or not at all, on key issues, he said, citing parking regulations and RV regulations and restrictions.     Encouraging tourism is one key to keeping property taxes under control, Pallaske is convinced. And yet, he noted that the business community in Bandera, which plays a significant role in tourism success, doesn’t have much of a voice in the town, or in city government. "Our business people are doing a wonderful job. We need to listen to them," he said.     Pallaske, a native of Germany, is a naturalized American citizen, and a retired U.S. Army veteran. He is currently serving as chairman of the Bandera Economic Development Commission. He is also vice president of the Bandera Area Lions Club.

Connie Taylor appointed Republican chair for county Published March 30, 2006    The Bandera County Republican Party Executive Committee met on March 27 and appointed Connie Taylor interim chairperson.     The Executive Committee reviewed Election Code (Sec. 202.004) and information from the Secretary of State (Sec. 145.031-145.039) concerning the Republican Party procedure for a nominee to be placed on the November 2006 ballot to fill the unexpired term of the Bandera County Sheriff.     The deadline for nominee resumes to be submitted for consideration is April 19. Nominees are to mail resumes to the Bandera County Republican Party Executive Committee Chairperson Connie Taylor, P.O. 1174, Bandera, 78003. For more information, call 830-796-1141.

Candidates for Bandera City Council sign in for place on May 2006 ballot Published March 16, 2006    Five candidates filed applications for a place on the ballot for the Bandera City Council March 13. City election is Saturday, May 13.     Mayor Denise A. Griffin filed for re-election. She is unopposed.     Jason Lee Williams filed for the unexpired term now held by Council Member Bob Cowan. He is unopposed and will serve a one-year term until May 2007.     There are two empty seats for full two-year terms. Filing for those two places are William Bryce, currently on the council, and Horst K. Pallaske, also now on the council. County Library Director John W. Hegemier also filed for those positions.

Who's Running for Medina School Board? Published March 16, 2006    On filing deadline March 13, four individuals had filed for two places on the MISD board of trustees.     For place four, Marshall McWilliams, incumbent, is unopposed.     For place five, Terri Rose and Carrie Campbell will oppose incumbent Randy Boysen.

Lee Haile announces for re-election to BISD board of trustees. Published March 2, 2006    First, I would like to thank all those who have supported me for the last 3 years. I feel like we have come a long way and I am pleased with the direction we are headed.     The issue of the racetrack is finally behind us. We have just about completed the new construction on all campuses. We have new and up to date administration and transportation facilities. We have purchased land in the Pipe Creek/Medina Lake area for futur