Republicans demand exclusive use of Denton Fire Station for Primary Election

Thursday, 04 February 2010 15:00

GOP attempts to exclude Democrats from polling locations on March 2^nd

Contrary to Texas State election laws, the Denton County Republican Party is putting the Denton Fire Department in the middle of a political power play over the use of public facilities by both major parties in the upcoming Primary Election.  The Fire Department agreed to allow both Parties the use of Station No. 4 for as a polling place on March 2^nd, yet the GOP is claiming an exclusive contract.  

“The GOP,” said Phyllis Wolper, chair of the Denton County Democratic Party,” wants to prevent our Party from using the fire station and possibly other public facilities, claiming it has exclusive rights.”  “Assuming such an exclusive clause actually exists in their contracts, according to our contacts at the Texas Secretary of State, such a demand for exclusivity would violate State law.  “Facilities supported by public money, such as schools, fire houses and public offices, cannot discriminate for or against one particular political party.  Parties have to be treated equally and fairly,” she added. That’s the starting point of democracy.” 

“The taxpayer money used by both parties to hold their primary elections comes from the Texas Secretary of State.  “We have confirmed again with the Secretary of State’s office who agrees with our position that there can not be exclusive agreements that bar the opposition Party from using the same public facility.  I sympathize with Denton Fire Department and those who run other public facilities who find themselves in the middle of a controversy that is so far outside their mission to serve the greater community,” said Wolper.

Record number of Denton County Democrats attend Chili Supper fundraiser

Sunday, 24 January 2010 00:32

Denton County Democratic Party Chair Phyllis Wolper welcomed a record turnout at the recent Chili Supper fundraiser that crowded into Denton’s spacious Center for the Visual Arts.  She said she was especially heartened to see so many new faces as well as old friends from every corner of the County. It was evidence that the Party is growing and the fact that voters are getting weary of the corrosive effect of one-party local government.

Neil Durrance, Democratic candidate for the US Congress in the 26th District talked about the need to get out the word that Democrats are working for a better America for all, not just for the special interests.  The present Congressman, as a former doctor, said Mr. Durrance, should be looking out for patients and not constantly quoting insurance company statistics to prove all is well with the nation’s health care. 

Party Chair Wolper noted one particularly troubling example of the local one-party spoils system. The incumbent Republican County Probate Judge had been recently reprimanded by the State Commission on Judicial Conduct for, as the Denton Record-Chronicle noted “for appointing guardians and trustees that seemed to inordinately reward close friends, business associates and even his own former wife.”

Probate Judge Candidate Stephen Stephens said that the County had any skilled probate attorneys and he would fairly spread duties among them.  He also said that as judge he would stop attorneys from running up bills by going to court separately on issues that could readily be combined in one hearing at a much lower cost to beneficiaries.

Justice of the Peace District 1 (Denton area) candidate Bill Barnett commented that the JP Court was where youngsters in trouble had their first brush with the courts.  Mr. Barnett said he intends to work to keep at-risk students out of the type of trouble that lands them in JP court and ensure they don’t later find themselves in higher courts facing more serious charges.   His plan includes organizing mentoring teams with local school systems and organizing discussions with students at their schools.

The County party’s Executive Director Mary Infante said the key to the evening’s success were event organizers Marsha Keffer and Jan Dickson, and the chili maestros at Sweetwater Grill.  She also thanked the growing number of volunteers who were helping with the complexities of running the Party organization.

State and local candidates speak at Stonewall Democrats’ Candidates Forum

Saturday, 23 January 2010 23:54

At the well attended forum were Neil Durrance running for Congress in the 26^th District and Statewide candidates, Hank Gilbert for Agriculture Commissioner. Bill Burton for Land Commissioner, and Keith Hampton for Criminal Court of Appeals.  Candidates for office in Denton County included Stephen Stephens, Probate Judge, Bill Barnett, JP1 (Denton area), and Paul Gomez, JP 6 (Carrollton area.) Houston City Councilmember Sue Lovell spoke on behalf of Bill White and John Sharp.

Here are some sites where you can donate to help the living in Haiti

Friday, 15 January 2010 00:18

Clinton Bush Haiti Fund - www.clintonbushhaitifund.org

Doctors without Borders - http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org

American Red Cross, Dallas Chapter - http://www.redcrossdallas.org  

Unicef - http://www.unicef.org

Mercy Corp – http://www.mercycorps.org

Save the Children - http://www.savethechildren.org

New Precinct Chairs sworn in

Thursday, 14 January 2010 23:53

Denton County Democratic Party Chair Phyllis Wolper administered the oath to six new Precinct Chairs at the Party’s January Executive Committee meeting. 

Said Ms. Wolper, “The Party is growing rapidly in Denton County and, if we are to be effective, we need to keep expanding our ground organization.  I am delighted to be able to swear in more new Precinct Chairs each month.  They are the backbone of our commitment to replace one party rule in the County with a fully democratic government.”