Bill White Celebrates Independence Day with Denton County

Friday, 30 July 2010 08:34

A large and enthusiastic group of supporters greeted Texas Gubernatorial candidate Bill White and Democratic candidates, Neil Durrance for Congress, Jeff Weems for Texas Railroad Commissioner, Hank Gilbert for Texas Agriculture Commissioner, Stephen Stephens for Probate Judge, and Bill Barnett for Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1 to celebrate Independence day with local supporters from Denton county.

Jeff Weems                                                                Hank Gilbert                                                                                                                                         

The successful event was enhanced by some cooperative and well placed cloud cover. After local humorist Jim Stodola warmed up the crowd, Jeff Weems talked about the need to protect our environment while promoting a safe, modern energy industry in Texas. Justice of the Peace candidate, Bill Barnett spoke of his deep connection to the area and his commitment to equal opportunity and justice. Stephen Stephens emphasized the need for fair probate hearings that treat estate heirs with fairness and respect. Hank Gilbert spoke of protections for our food safety, and marketing Texas agricultural products domestically and overseas. Neil Durrance excited the crowd with his description of the need for a congressman who will represent the people of his district and not the gas and oil industry, as well as protecting and growing jobs, and the economy of North Texas. 

Read more: Bill White Celebrates Independence Day with Denton County

Durrance Comments on Burgess Defense of Oil and Gas Advocate, fellow Representative Joe Barton

Friday, 30 July 2010 08:31

Candidate, Neil Durrance, for the 26th District of Congress, criticized Congressman Michael Burgess for his continuing defense of the conduct of fellow North Texas Congressman Joe Barton (R-Ennis) and Barton’s apology to British Petroleum in the wake of the massive Gulf oil spill. “By defending Joe Barton and his apology to big oil, Michael Burgess is throwing his own constituents under the bus in a big way,” Durrance said. “I don’t believe Burgess’ constituents, who are daily doing battle with big oil in the Barnett Shale and are fighting cancer-causing chemicals leaking into our air and water supply, believe British Petroleum or any other oil company deserves an apology from a member of Congress,” Durrance said.

Read more: Durrance Comments on Burgess Defense of Oil and Gas Advocate, fellow Representative Joe Barton

Denton Democrats Host County Convention - Elect Delegates to State Convention

Thursday, 25 March 2010 10:10

Lewisville, TX, Saturday, March 20, 2010--The Denton County Democratic Party, led by County Chair Phyllis Wolper, held their County Convention on Saturday, March 20th at the Lewisville High School Auditorium.  Delegates, elected at their Precinct Conventions on Election Day, vied for delegate status at the Texas Democratic Party's State Convention to be held in June in Corpus Christi, TX.

Delegates heard from Congressional Candidate Neil Durrance in person.  Durrance spoke passionately  about the need for change in District 26 and America's need to move beyond the politics of fear in order to get this country working in the right direction.  Also stopping in to fire up the delegates, was Candidate for Agriculture Commissioner, Hank Gilbert.  Gilbert is concerned about the politicians of Texas adding to their own resources instead of taking care of the family farmers of Texas--citing instances of farms being on the auction block and Agribusiness corporations waiting like vultures to buy them up.

Other statewide candidates sent in video messages for the delegates, including Gubernatorial candidate Bill White, candidate for Lt. Governor Linda Chavez-Thompson, and Rail Road Commissioner candidate Jeff Weems. 

Delegates also voted on Resolutions to recommend to the state Democratic Party presented by Resolutions Committee Chair, John McClelland.

Bill White and Denton County Democrats on Primary night

Wednesday, 03 March 2010 21:17

Denton County Democratic Party activists were invited to a private meeting with Mayor White when he swung through North Texas on Primary Eve for a rally at Gilley's in Dallas.

L to R: Candidate for Justice of the Peace Pct. 1, Bill Barnett; Precinct Chair Colleen Shaw; U.S Congessional Candidate Neil Durrance; RoyAnn Cox; Newly reelected DCDP Chair Phyllis Wolper; Michael Durrance; Democratic Gubernatorial nominee Bill White; Democratic Women of Denton County President Judith Ford; DISD Trustee Candidate Sheryl English; DCDP Diversity Chair Toni Medellin; and Democratic Activist Amy Manuel.

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.