WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas, <strong>Thursday</strong>, October 28, 20<strong>10</strong>7AHERBGONZALES, JR (G)ATTORNEY GENERALBackground:(50 words)Consumer Fraud: What are the most serious areas of consumer fraud inGREG ABBOTT (R) - No reply receivedBARBARA ANNRADNOFSKY (D)JON ROLAND (L)COMPTROLLER OFPUBLIC ACCOUNTSSUSAN COMBS (R)Background: My experience is based on studying and being actively involvedin politics and government. I have a BA in polisci and was a representativefor student group in student government. I was elected precinct chairand a delegate to Green convention. I have been campaign coordinator in cityand county.Education: The present system is in need of dismantling and creating afortune 500 corporations that whether they are chartered in Texas or not willBackground: Wife, mother, teacher, mediator. Lawyer for30 years. I’ve represented people and businesses of everyVinson & Elkins (retired 2006). Listing “Best Lawyers inAmerica” for the past 17 years. Outstanding Young Lawyerof Texas 1988.Consumer Fraud: Wall Street misconduct harmed Texansand our economy. Texas’ top ten investments lost$35 billion (2007-2009). I will: Fight to get back our billions-Background: Founder and president of the ConstitutionSociety, and webmaster of its website. Editor of the mostimportant works, online there, on constitutional history, law,and government. Author of several peer-reviewed and otherarticles on constitutional issues. Intervenor in several courtcases, and co-author of Supreme Court amicus briefs.Consumer Fraud: The two most important and neglectedare for the public as consumers of government contracting,and as consumers of government services, especially at the local level. Thereis too much cronyism, bribery, and intimidation taking place, especially at thelocal level, that has compromised local judges, prosecutors, and law enforcementagents. Would open grand juries to complaints by private citizens, andBackground:(50 words)Data:Background: Have managed the CPA for 4 successfulyears, comprehensively reformed online transparencyefforts; served in state legislature and understand budgetbusiness owner for 30 years; former prosecutor; have foundnearly $173 million in tax underreporting; pushed Texas tobuy smarter.Data: We frequently update legislators on economic conditionin preparation for the Biannual Revenue Estimate. I developed two programscalled “Where the Money Goes” and “Where the Money Comes From”so that people everywhere can search where the money is allocated from andwhat it is used for. All state funds come from the taxpayer and it’s my job toFour-year term. Must be at least 18 years old, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Texas for at least 12 months. Among duties:lawyer for the state; defends the laws and Constitution of the state; represents the state in litigation; approves public bond issues;enforces health, safety and consumer regulations; collects court-ordered child support; administers Crime Victims’ Compensation Fund.Current annual salary: $150,000Four-year term. Must be at least 18 years old, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Texas for at least 12 months. Amongprovides estimates of revenue for the coming year; provides economic development assistance to local governments and businesses;audits the performance of Texas schools. Current annual salary: $150,0003Transportation: Texas should begin to invest in transportation that will beused by all to reduce and eliminate the need of oil and gas. Urban areas mustinggreenhouse gases. Monies should be directed at creating not toll but roadwaysthat are for public transportation electric and rail and to create a systemto rebate citizens who use public transport instead of privately (///)Function:who reside in Texas.Regulations:Responsibilities: What advisory and enforcement responsibilities of theRegulations: The Texas Attorney General should protect the economic andhave led to sky high electrical and insurance rates and Texas’ number oneranking of several key pollution measures. The Attorney General should beenforcing the law, instead of suing the EPA to protect polluters.Responsibilities:shipfrom the top, respect for the career employees, training and resources toserve the public. Reform Child Support, correcting computers to properlythe Texas Youth Commission scandal.Regulations: Would seek to have them handled by grand and trial juries,and insist that issues of law be argued in the presence of juries. Would seekto reduce unproductive paperwork and meddling by anonymous bureaucrats.public corruption. Would insist constitutions be defended in all cases, and thatwhistleblowers be adequately represented as required by law.Responsibilities: Would work to institute a Federal Action Review Commission,a grand jury empowered to hear citizen complaints about unconstitutionalfederal activities, and authorize disobedience of them by state agents andcitizens. Would seek to move most child support enforcement to the countylevel. Would seek a new, clean State Constitution, with greater protection ofrights, providing for “superstatutes” approved by referendum that are superiorto ordinary statutes but inferior to constitutional provisions.Spending: What measures do you support to make sure that state tax moneyOther Issues: Aside from the issues above, what do you see as the two most(75 words)Spending: As a small business owner I understand the importance of spend-harness the buying power of purchasing in bulk and have saved the state over$51 million. I have put all state expenditures online and have worked to balancethe books of other state agencies. By making state spending transparent Ihave uncovered various ways to see Texas government work smarter.Other Issues:sionin 2011 will cause shortages of funds for state programs and agencies.statewide unemployment rate, though one of the lowest in the nation, mustimprove. I will work tirelessly to allocate money to job training and the creationof jobs statewide.The Voters Guide is protected by copyright. For permission to duplicate the Guide,Comptroller of Public Accounts, continuedMARY RUWART (L)EDWARD LINDSAY (G)COMMISSIONER OFGENERAL LAND OFFICEBackground:(50 words)Coastal Lands: What are the most serious threats to Texas coastal lands andHECTOR URIBE (D)JAMES HOLDAR (L)Background:the sciences has given me ample training in computationalanalysis. In addition, I have kept the books for a number ofsmall businesses throughout my career, as well as analyzingbudget items for the Libertarian National Committee.Data: Because government entities in the United States usecash basis accounting, anyone monitoring the books seeswhat the State of Texas has already paid, but not necessarily what it still owes.The Comptroller can provide more transparency and accuracy by includingadditional information, such as outstanding bills, in its reporting to mimic theaccrual accounting system used by most businesses. Otherwise, even consci-Background: Married 34 years, 3 children, Vietnam Eraematics,School Administration, Administration), LicensedInsurance Broker, Licensed Real Estate Broker, past Treasurerof the Texas Junior College Teachers Association,Data:for collecting state revenue, tracking state expenditures, and monitoring theaccountants and attorneys who are experienced in state budgets, ad valoremand occupation tax records, bonds, and computers. I will work closely withthe State Legislative Branch and the media.JERRY PATTERSON (R) - No reply receivedBackground: Thirteen years in the Texas legislature andservice on the Finance, Education and Natural Resourcescommittees prepared me to plan for the future funding,educational and environmental needs of our state. I chairedthe Senate’s standing sub-committee on Water and vicechairedthe joint subcommittee on Oil Spills and WaterPollution (///)Coastal Lands: Coastal development, off-shore and intercoastalwaterways drilling, sea level rise and dams - thatincreasingly starve our coastlines of sediments that feed beaches and limithabitats are threats to coastal lands and habitats. I oppose eforts to divertwater and sediment in our rivers from our environmentally sensitive coastallands and support greater funding for a rapid and comprehensive response toan oil spill.Background: Age 67 years. Resident of Texas since 1969.Military: US Army. Education: BSCE Civil Engineering.Registered Professional Land Surveyor. Registered ProfessionalEngineer. Owned an engineering and land surveyingCoastal Lands: The most serious threats to Texas coastalwork to change laws and regulations to allow private property owners to protecttheir lands from erosion, while preserving the public’s right to the publicbeach easement. This will include energy dissipating structure when practical.I will work with the coastal counties to allow the maximum local controlof the public beach.Four-year term. Must be at least 18 years old, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Texas for at least 12 months. Amongduties: management of state lands and mineral-right properties totaling 20.3 million acres and providing revenues for the PermanentSchool Fund; repository of state land documents; responsible for the prevention of and response to oil spills that occur on “submerged”lands out to <strong>10</strong>.3 miles in the Gulf of Mexico. The Commissioner also serves as a chairman of seven state boards, including the SchoolLand Board, the Veterans Land Board, and the Coastal Coordination Council. Current annual salary: $137,500Spending:tationof accounting controls are used in the private sector to cut fraud andwaste. The Comptroller should demonstrate the potential savings from theseappropriate controls. The Comptroller can then recommend that other Texaseconomy, they should expect their government to do the same.Other Issues:--spending and then by exposing the government agencies which fail to followits example.Spending: Measures I support to make sure that state tax money is spentwisely are to provide close monitoring of proposed state budgets to insureitems comply with state law, to ascertain if revenues meet expenditures, andto collect data to insure tax monies are being spent on their intended purposes.Furthermore, I will make recommendations for retiring any debt which thestate has incurred.Other Issues: The two most serious issues the Comptroller will face involvecollection of tax revenues and authicating the use of taxpayers’ money fortheir intended purposes. With a projected shortfall of nearly $18 billion, itis imperative that tax dollars be collected and used for legitimate means. Iintend to address these issues through diligent efforts, capable personnel andtireless energy for the people of Texas.Energy Revenue: How will emerging alternate energy sources affect theBeachfronts: In managing Texas beachfronts, how would you balance theconcerns of taxpayers, ecologists, environmental groups, residents andEnergy Revenue: Texas owns submerged lands (<strong>10</strong>.3) miles in the Gulf.The GLO should promote the development of wind farms on our submergedlands to provide a clean and renewable source of energy to our coastal citiesthat would also create a new and permanent source of funding for our PSF.The installation of approximately 5000 wind turbines would generate as muchincome as generated by our mineral leases in our peak year - 1984.Beachfronts: Our beaches belong to all Texans. Our coastal communities aregreat income generators for state and local businesses. I support the enforce-ordinance making powers to counties to address beachfront development. I‘llbe a strong advocate for beach replenishment programs. Engineering solutions- seawalls, breakwaters and groynes, are often ineffective. Beach replenishmentis preferred on both economic and conservation grounds.Energy Revenue: Alternate energy sources should not affect the revenuesto the Public School Fund. I will work at leasing state lands for alternateenergy development. I will work at insuring the oil and gas lessees developtheir leases to maximize revenues from the leases. I will work at leasing statelands to produce the maximum revenue.Beachfronts: I will work at developing ecological preserves on land that isnot under pressure for development by private property owners. I will workState and public. This will include increase property values, increased recreationaluse by the general public. I will encourage protection and develop-The League of Women Voters: Nonpartisan since its founding in 1919YOUR VIEWSContinued from page 6AMurrayis qualifiedLet me start by explaining that as a resident ofChico, I have no personal stake in the outcome ofthe Justice of the peace Precinct 3 election. I dohowever have an opinion about Mr. Ken Murray’squalifications, not the qualifications that can belisted on paper, but the intangible qualificationsthat make up a person’s character.Mr. Murray and I were both employed by ChicoI.S.D. for a number of years. When it comes totalking about a person’s character, there is no finerman than Mr. Murray. As a teacher, he always conductedhimself in a professional manner regardlessof who he was dealing with.He worked hard with his alternative placementstudents to ensure that they received a qualityeducation, and at the same time, he treated thosestudents with respect, and received respect inreturn.Mr. Murray is an honest, hard-working familyman who is constantly seeking out ways to staycurrent in the field of education and in law enforcement.He does not let his personal bias interferewith his ability to solve conflicts, which is so importantin the role of a judge. Organization, communicationand the ability to follow the letter of the laware positive traits that he can bring to the office ofjudge.With Mr. Murray you get a man who is honest,the type of man that people can say, “His handshakeis as good as his word.” A judge should be aperson who can bring dignity, respect, knowledgeand a love of the law to the bench, and that typeof judge can be had in Precinct 3 if Mr. Murray iselected.Ann FergusonChicoHays istrue conservativeMy wife and I attended the meet and greet forMrs. Hays on Saturday, Oct. 23. We are both veryimpressed with her. She’s a true conservative thatknows where she stands and stands firmly on herprinciples without wavering.Some of the things Mrs. Hays covered as shespoke to the group (of about 70 or so when we arrived)included her desire to serve the communitywhere she grew up. She also spoke about how awife, mother, teacher and regular person can do thejob of justice of the peace because the state of Texassays that office is closest to the average citizen, andthat’s what she is, rather than a typical politician.She also looked us in the eye and pledged to puther work ethic, knowledge, education and abilitiesto work for our community if elected. She has beenvisiting justice courts in <strong>Wise</strong> <strong>County</strong> and othernearby counties to prepare for the possibility ofserving us. She also offered to answer questionsone-on-one after asking the group if there were anyquestions.Her plans for the website are very forward thinking,where standard forms and other resourcescould be made readily available. Her small businessexperience will translate to good stewardshipof the budget for that office. This true conservativeis just what we need.Bryan BarnettBoyd✔EASE✔VALUE✔SELECTION✔SERVICE115 S. Trinity, Decatur 940-627-5987Visa MasterCard American Express Discover Public Fax 940-627-<strong>10</strong>04 7:30-5:30 Mon.-Fri.MORE UP-TO-DATE THAN GPS!WE HAVE ATLASES FORTEXAS & THE USAOFFICEFURNITURESPECIALISTSOrder Online atmessengerofficesupply.com
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