Early voting has begun for the November 8 General Election.
Parker County Conservatives did not utilize its vetting committee for the general election since the party association (Republican/Democrat/etc.) is indicated for the candidates on the ballot and we cannot imagine recommending a Democrat over a Republican. Please note that you can no longer vote “straight party ticket” – you must vote on every race all the way down the ballot.
In addition to the partisan races, there are several important non-partisan races and ballot propositions for some areas of Parker County this year, which are less obvious (see below).
Please note, we are not telling you how to vote, but are including some recommendations and explanations that we have received from trusted sources for some of the races and propositions.
ESD 1
Parker County Emergency Services District No. 1 Willow Park Area Annexation Election Special Election
Proposition AA – Vote AGAINST
“Adding a tract of land located in the City of Willow Park, Texas, and adjacent territory to Parker County Emergency Services District No. 1.”
Proposition BB – Vote AGAINST
“The tract of land located in the City of Willow Park, Texas, and adjacent territory, assuming its proportionate share of the outstanding debts and taxes of the Parker County Emergency Services District No. 1, if it is added to the district.”
Explanation:
Parker County Conservative Gene Martin, Republican Precinct Chair and former Willow Park City Councilman, has been kind enough to provide the following analysis of two ballot propositions and encourages us to vote AGAINST both propositions (see below).
ESD-1 and the Willow Park Fire Department
There are 2 propositions on the November 8 ballot:
PARKER COUNTY EMERGENCY SERVICES DISTRICT NO. 1 PROPOSITION A
"Adding a tract of land located in the City of Willow Park, Texas, and adjacent territory to Parker County Emergency Services District No. 1."
PARKER COUNTY EMERGENCY SERVICES DISTRICT NO. 1 PROPOSITION B
“The tract of land located in the City of Willow Park, Texas, and adjacent territory, assuming its proportionate share of the outstanding debts and taxes of the Parker County Emergency Services District No. 1, if it is added to the District."
A vote for Proposition A means you are in favor of adding the ESD 1 Property Tax rate to property in Willow Park and the Willow Park ETJ. That rate is currently $100 per $100,000 of valuation.
A vote for Proposition B means you are in favor of Willow Park property owners becoming responsible for current established ESD-1 debt.
The ESD obtained authority to create this ballot initiative by being presented with a petition signed by less than 60 Willow Park registered voters. One should note that 10% of the petitioners were elected City officials and their spouses. Of special interest is that four of the original signees have since signed affidavits asserting their retraction of their original petition once they learned more of the details.
There is no mutually agreed plan between the ESD-1 Board and the Willow Park City Council documenting:
When a transition of responsibility would occur
What assets the ESD will purchase
How the ESD will afford to reimburse the City for current assets and assume responsibility for current WPFD debt
If you live in the current ESD 1 (outside Willow Park), you need to consider the following before voting to annex the Willow Park Fire Dept jurisdiction: The City claims current annual expense for the Willow Park Fire Dept is $1.4 million. The ESD will get approximately $800K from the new tax on Willow Park property. However, there is no explanation of how the ESD will maintain service levels due to that $600,000 shortfall. Ignoring this financial shortfall, we are told the ESD pay scale is higher than that for the WPFD so the personal will likely get raises.
At the same time Willow Park officials talk about lowering the city’s property tax rate, they talk about how to spend the money they will save from not funding the WPFD. The city would have to lower the city tax rate by 0.10 to offset the implementation of the new ESD tax and we do not believe they will reduce it that much meaning there will be a net increase of your overall property tax rate. Note for seniors: if your taxes have been frozen you are not likely to benefit from City of Willow Park lowering the tax rate a little. Every property owner in Willow Park will see the new ESD tax imposed.
Willow Park citizens may well wonder what plan there is for use of the $6 million public service building recently put in service if ESD 1 assumes control of the WPFD assets.
As Council Member Greg Runnebaum posted publicly, we will have to vote to approve this measure before the City and ESD 1 can start negotiating the details. Kind of like Nancy Pelosi’s “Pass the bill so that you can find out what is in it!” Greg and his wife both signed the petition to enable this initiative.
Brock ISD
Brock ISD District Trustee, Place 4
John Brunner – Recommended Candidate
Ronald T. Bell
Brock ISD Trustee, Place 6
Shannon Hart
Katarina Lindley – Recommended Candidate
Brock ISD Special Election
Proposition A “The Issuance of $45,600,000 of Bonds for School Facilities and Levying the Tax in Payment Thereof. This is a Property Tax Increase.”
Proposition B “The Issuance of $18,300,000 of Bonds for Indoor Multipurpose Activity Center and Levying the Tax in Payment Thereof. This is a Property Tax Increase.”
Proposition C “The Issuance of $700,000 of Bonds for Football Stadium Improvements and Levying the Tax in Payment Thereof. This is a Property Tax Increase.
Granbury ISD
Granbury ISD Trustee, Place 5
Billy Wimberly
John Mark Graves
Terry Louvin – Recommended Candidate
Granbury ISD Trustee, Place 6
Barbara Townsend
Jeff Hastings – Recommended Candidate
Granbury ISD Trustee, Place 7
Karen Lowery – Recommended Candidate
Paula McDonald
Poolville ISD We have not received any recommendations for Poolville ISD
Poolville ISD Board of Trustee, Place 2
Toby Gammill
Todd Phillips
Randy Harrell
Poolville ISD Board of Trustee, Place 3
Lynn Duvall
Laura Mendoza
More Election Info can be found at the following links
Hope this information helps in your decision on how to vote on your ballot. Personally, I always vote on Election Day for the following reasons: I would like to do away with early voting and the more people increasingly vote early, the harder it will be to shorten early voting or eliminate it all together. Democrats are masters at using early voting to their advantage and I believe that the majority of election fraud occurs during early voting.
It is about two weeks until our 2nd Annual San Jacinto Shootout between Parker County Conservatives and Wise County Conservatives. If you were there last year, you know how much fun we had. If you missed it, now is your chance to experience a great afternoon of shooting sporting clays, great BBQ and hanging out with like-minded conservative activists and an impressive list of VIPs.
Since last year, our movement has made a huge difference in Parker County thanks to your grassroots efforts. Because of your activism, the Parker County commissioners court declared an invasion on our southern border and asked Governor Abbott to do the same. People like you who knock on doors, make phone calls, testify at committee meetings and Commissioner Court are a crucial part of our fight. You have invested so much time, talent, and treasure that we wanted to invite you to come kick back, relax, and shoot some sporting clays with like-minded conservative activists and an impressive list of VIPs.
The best part about it is that there is something for everyone. If you are a seasoned sporting clay enthusiast, your expertise is needed to dethrone the Wise County Conservatives who narrowly outscored us last year. Shooters will be grouped in 4-man teams with the top 3 teams from each County counted in the competition for the San Jacinto trophy. If you have never shot sporting clays but simply enjoy shooting, you will fit right in. Andy Hopper only hit 3 targets out of 100 last year so the bar is very low. If you don’t like shooting, come enjoy BBQ and hang out in the Fossil Pointe clubhouse with other activists.
Proceeds from the shoot fund the Parker and Wise County Conservatives PACs.
Worried you're not the best shot?
Don’t worry, most of the shooters are not and are just there for fun and fellowship. However, if you don't want to shoot, you can still join us for a fun day of fellowship and lunch with like-minded conservatives. Everyone is welcome! Whether it is your first time shooting or if you would rather sit out, we need you there to show your support for Parker County’s all star team! Secure your spot here before tickets sell out!
Can’t make it November 11th? Sponsor a Veteran to shoot on your behalf! This is a great way to show your support for Parker County. Plus, you get to honor the heroes who have served our country on Veterans Day.
Thank you so much for all that you do!
Now, let's show Wise County who the best shooters in North Texas really are.
For Parker County and Texas!
Mike Olcott
817-727-1869
P.S. Click here to shoot for Parker County, sponsor a veteran, or enjoy a day of fellowship!
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