Roy Laverne Brooks for Tarrant County Justice of the Peace Precinct 6 from George Wada on Vimeo.
Showing posts with label Tarrant County. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tarrant County. Show all posts
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Monday, February 08, 2010
Citizens Right to Run for Public Office Challenged by Bank C.E.O.'s Lawsuit
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Roy LaVerne Brooks, former Vice Chair of the Texas Democratic Party, is a candidate for Justice of the Peace, Pct. 6 in Tarrant County. Roy's vision is to partner with the community to help prevent some of the situations which bring people into the JP Court. One of her opponents, a billionaire and C.E.O. of Surety Bank, filed a challenge on all of his opponents seeking to get their names removed from the ballot. Abrams alleges that they did not have enough valid signatures on their petitions. One candidate withdrew rather than to fight legal challenges. Mr. Abrams describes himself as a "small business owner." For most of the past decade he was CEO/COB of Surety Bank of Fort Worth, until he was barred in June 2007 by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency from engaging in banking and leading the holding company.
The challenge against Roy LaVerne was reviewed by the Tarrant County Democratic Chair. The ruling was that she had sufficient names on her petition of registered voters in the precinct and her name remains on the ballot. Mr. Abrams was not satisfied with that ruling and threatened to sue the party chair and Roy LaVerne. He filed suit in District Court, asking for an injunction to keep Roy's name off the ballot and asking that she pay all his court costs should she lose. Since all judges in Tarrant County are Republicans, he knew that this Democratic Party election case would be tried in a Republican judge's courtroom.
In addition to Get Out the Vote and other campaign expense, she is now forced to hire an attorney to defend her right to run for office. Unlike her opponent, Roy LaVerne Brooks is not a woman of independent wealth. She is a hard-working Democratic activist, community organizer, who is employed as a hospice counselor.
She has strong name recognition in the district and years of community service/activism. Many believe that Mr. Abrams knows that she will probably beat him if the election is fair and if she is given an equal opportunity to take it to the voters. He prefers to bully and sue his way, to attempt to keep his opponent enmeshed in court, attorney's offices and in last minute fundraising to pay court costs.
This Tea and Fund Raising Appeal in support of Roy LaVerne Brooks is an appeal to stand up for the right of citizens to run for public office.
It is an appeal to stand with her against a man who is trying to bully and harass his way onto the General Election ballot instead of campaigning and letting the voters decide.
This is an appeal to help her defend this case in court and defend the right of all citizens to exercise their civil right to participate in the democratic process which is the foundation of our American system.
This is an appeal to let the Voters' Decide who they want as the Democratic Nominee for Justice of the Peace, Pct. 6.
Contributions of ANY AMOUNT are welcome. We welcome contributions as small as your weekly coffee money or as large as you can afford. If you can join us Saturday and show Roy LaVerne that you stand with her, we welcome your presence at the tea.
Contributions can be made securely on-line at BROOKS FOR JP6
Sunday, February 24, 2008
More Democrats turn out all of first five days of early voting in Arlington and Tarrant County
By Faith Chatham - DFWRCC - Feb. 24, 2008
In Arlington, Democratic voters outnumbered Republican voters at all five polling places for each of the first five days of Early Voting. Countywide, over twice the number of Democrats voted early or by mail than Republicans.
In Arlington this year, larger numbers of Democrats are voting than Republicans. Democratic turnout at the five Arlington early voting sites exceeded Republican turnout for the first time in decades. In Arlington, known as a "Republican stronghold", 1033 votes were cast the first day of Early Voting in the Democratic primary while only 496 Republican votes were cast.
County wide, 5,733 Democrats voted early the first day; 2,606 Republicans voted early in Tarrant County on Tuesday.
On Wednesday Feb. 20, in Arlington, 1112 Democrats voted early; 463 Republicans voted early at the five early voting sites in Arlington.
On Thursday, Feb. 21, in Arlington, 846 Democrats voted early; 421 Republicans voted Thursday in Arlington.
On Friday, Feb. 22, in Arlington, 1,164 Democrats voted early; 557 Republicans voted early Friday in Arlington.
On Saturday, Feb. 23, in Arlington, 1,259 Democrats voted early; 431 Republicans voted early Friday in Arlington.
During the first five days of early voting in Arlington, 2,423 Democrats voted early and 988 Republicans voted early in Arlington during the first five days of early voting.
TARRANT COUNTY
County Wide on Tuesday Feb. 19, 5,732 Democrats voted and 2,607 Republicans voted.
County Wide on Wednedsay Feb. 20, 5,602 Democrats voted and 2,583 Republicans voted.
County Wide on Thursday, Feb. 21, 4,554 Democrats voted and 2,204 Republicans voted.
Wednesday. 5603 Democrats voted early and 2583 Republicans cast early ballots.
County Wide on Friday, Feb. 22, 5,992 Democrats voted and 2,985 Republicans voted early.
County Wide on Saturday, Feb. 23, 6,979 Democrats cast early ballots and 2,514 Republicans voted early.
During the first three days of Early Voting this year in Tarrant County 15,888 Democrats voted early and 7,394 Republicans voted early.
MAIL BALLOTS
By the second day of early voting, Tarrant County Elections reported a total of 2,146Democratic Primary mail ballots had been received and 1,982 Democratic Primary Vote by Mail ballots were still unvoted; 536 Republican Primary voters have returned Vote by Mail Ballots; 849 Republican Vote by Mail ballots remained to be voted at the close of the second day of Early Voting.
By Saturday, Feb. 23rd, 2,579 Democratic Vote by Mail Ballots had been returned and 893 Democratic Vote By Mail Ballots remained unvoted; 714 Republican Vote By Mail Ballots had been returned by Thursday and 888 Republican Vote By Mail Ballots remianed out and unvoted.
Democrats outpaced Republicans at the polls in Tarrant County on each of the first five days of Early Voting. Arlington, formerly thought of my many as a Red city, and discounted by most national Democratic campaigns as too expensive to work and too Republican to merit expenditure of resources, continues to turn out over two Democratic voters for every Republican. Democratic turnout has attracted the Presidential Campaigns. Chelsea Clinton appeared at UTA earlier this month. Her father, President Bill Clinton, will be 'stumpin'' for his wife at a rally this morning, (Sunday, Feb. 24) from 9:30-noon at Vandergriff Park. Arlington, noted as a city with a large number of Republican donors, has attracted Republican Presidential candidates in past years and some statewide Democratic candidates. This year, instead of fundraisers, the campaigns are holding rallies open to the public. Retail politics has arrived in Arlington
COMPARISON OF TARRANT COUNTY EARLY VOTERS BY DAY
FOR LAST THREE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS
DAY 1 EARLY VOTING
Tarrant County - 2000:
Democratic Voters: 372 - Republican Voters: 1,558
Tarrant County - 2004:
Democratic Voters: 396 - Republican Voters: 286
Tarrant County - 2008:
Democratic Voters: 5,732 - Republican Voters: 2,607
DAY 2 EARLY VOTING
Tarrant County - 2000:
Democratic Voters: 558 - Republican Voters:2,518
Tarrant County - 2004:
Democratic Voters: 464 - Republican Voters: 387
Tarrant County - 2008:
Democratic Voters: 5,602 - Republican Voters: 2,583
DAY 3 EARLY VOTING
Tarrant County - 2000:
Democratic Voters: 713 - Republican Voters: 3,319
Tarrant County - 2004:
Democratic Voters: 591 - Republican Voters: 496
Tarrant County - 2008:
Democratic Voters: 4,554 - Republican Voters: 2,204
DAY 4 EARLY VOTING
Tarrant County - 2000:
Democratic Voters: 983 - Republican Voters: 4,665
Tarrant County - 2004:
Democratic Voters: 610 - Republican Voters: 538
Tarrant County - 2008:
Democratic Voters: 5,992 - Republican Voters: 2,985
DAY 5 EARLY VOTING
Tarrant County - 2000:
Democratic Voters: 1,205 - Republican Voters: 5,788
Tarrant County - 2004:
Democratic Voters: 542 - Republican Voters: 372
Tarrant County - 2008:
Democratic Voters: 6,979 - Republican Voters: 2,514
SOURCE: Tarrant County Election 3-4-2008 Primary Elections Combined Early Voting posted Sunday, Feb. 24, 2008
In Arlington, Democratic voters outnumbered Republican voters at all five polling places for each of the first five days of Early Voting. Countywide, over twice the number of Democrats voted early or by mail than Republicans.
In Arlington this year, larger numbers of Democrats are voting than Republicans. Democratic turnout at the five Arlington early voting sites exceeded Republican turnout for the first time in decades. In Arlington, known as a "Republican stronghold", 1033 votes were cast the first day of Early Voting in the Democratic primary while only 496 Republican votes were cast.
County wide, 5,733 Democrats voted early the first day; 2,606 Republicans voted early in Tarrant County on Tuesday.
On Wednesday Feb. 20, in Arlington, 1112 Democrats voted early; 463 Republicans voted early at the five early voting sites in Arlington.
On Thursday, Feb. 21, in Arlington, 846 Democrats voted early; 421 Republicans voted Thursday in Arlington.
On Friday, Feb. 22, in Arlington, 1,164 Democrats voted early; 557 Republicans voted early Friday in Arlington.
On Saturday, Feb. 23, in Arlington, 1,259 Democrats voted early; 431 Republicans voted early Friday in Arlington.
During the first five days of early voting in Arlington, 2,423 Democrats voted early and 988 Republicans voted early in Arlington during the first five days of early voting.
TARRANT COUNTY
County Wide on Tuesday Feb. 19, 5,732 Democrats voted and 2,607 Republicans voted.
County Wide on Wednedsay Feb. 20, 5,602 Democrats voted and 2,583 Republicans voted.
County Wide on Thursday, Feb. 21, 4,554 Democrats voted and 2,204 Republicans voted.
Wednesday. 5603 Democrats voted early and 2583 Republicans cast early ballots.
County Wide on Friday, Feb. 22, 5,992 Democrats voted and 2,985 Republicans voted early.
County Wide on Saturday, Feb. 23, 6,979 Democrats cast early ballots and 2,514 Republicans voted early.
During the first three days of Early Voting this year in Tarrant County 15,888 Democrats voted early and 7,394 Republicans voted early.
MAIL BALLOTS
By the second day of early voting, Tarrant County Elections reported a total of 2,146Democratic Primary mail ballots had been received and 1,982 Democratic Primary Vote by Mail ballots were still unvoted; 536 Republican Primary voters have returned Vote by Mail Ballots; 849 Republican Vote by Mail ballots remained to be voted at the close of the second day of Early Voting.
By Saturday, Feb. 23rd, 2,579 Democratic Vote by Mail Ballots had been returned and 893 Democratic Vote By Mail Ballots remained unvoted; 714 Republican Vote By Mail Ballots had been returned by Thursday and 888 Republican Vote By Mail Ballots remianed out and unvoted.
Democrats outpaced Republicans at the polls in Tarrant County on each of the first five days of Early Voting. Arlington, formerly thought of my many as a Red city, and discounted by most national Democratic campaigns as too expensive to work and too Republican to merit expenditure of resources, continues to turn out over two Democratic voters for every Republican. Democratic turnout has attracted the Presidential Campaigns. Chelsea Clinton appeared at UTA earlier this month. Her father, President Bill Clinton, will be 'stumpin'' for his wife at a rally this morning, (Sunday, Feb. 24) from 9:30-noon at Vandergriff Park. Arlington, noted as a city with a large number of Republican donors, has attracted Republican Presidential candidates in past years and some statewide Democratic candidates. This year, instead of fundraisers, the campaigns are holding rallies open to the public. Retail politics has arrived in Arlington
COMPARISON OF TARRANT COUNTY EARLY VOTERS BY DAY
FOR LAST THREE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS
DAY 1 EARLY VOTING
Tarrant County - 2000:
Democratic Voters: 372 - Republican Voters: 1,558
Tarrant County - 2004:
Democratic Voters: 396 - Republican Voters: 286
Tarrant County - 2008:
Democratic Voters: 5,732 - Republican Voters: 2,607
DAY 2 EARLY VOTING
Tarrant County - 2000:
Democratic Voters: 558 - Republican Voters:2,518
Tarrant County - 2004:
Democratic Voters: 464 - Republican Voters: 387
Tarrant County - 2008:
Democratic Voters: 5,602 - Republican Voters: 2,583
DAY 3 EARLY VOTING
Tarrant County - 2000:
Democratic Voters: 713 - Republican Voters: 3,319
Tarrant County - 2004:
Democratic Voters: 591 - Republican Voters: 496
Tarrant County - 2008:
Democratic Voters: 4,554 - Republican Voters: 2,204
DAY 4 EARLY VOTING
Tarrant County - 2000:
Democratic Voters: 983 - Republican Voters: 4,665
Tarrant County - 2004:
Democratic Voters: 610 - Republican Voters: 538
Tarrant County - 2008:
Democratic Voters: 5,992 - Republican Voters: 2,985
DAY 5 EARLY VOTING
Tarrant County - 2000:
Democratic Voters: 1,205 - Republican Voters: 5,788
Tarrant County - 2004:
Democratic Voters: 542 - Republican Voters: 372
Tarrant County - 2008:
Democratic Voters: 6,979 - Republican Voters: 2,514
SOURCE: Tarrant County Election 3-4-2008 Primary Elections Combined Early Voting posted Sunday, Feb. 24, 2008
Thursday, January 03, 2008
Tarrant voters have plenty of choices this year
By AMAN BATHEJA - Star-Telegram Staff Writer - Jan. 2, 2008
It's going to be a busy election year in Tarrant County.
The deadline for candidates to file for the March 4 primary was Wednesday. At every level of government, incumbents attracted challengers.
Eight of 10 Tarrant County state representatives attracted challengers from the opposing party. Two Republicans, Charlie Geren of Fort Worth and Bill Zedler of Arlington, have primary challengers.
District 97 is a priority for both parties. Democrat Dan Barrett beat Republican Mark Shelton in a special election runoff last month, ending 30 years of Republican representation from southwest Tarrant County. Now three Republicans -- Shelton, former state Rep. Bob Leonard and private equity manager Clint Roberts -- are vying for the nomination.
Democrats fielded slightly more candidates than in 2006 but continued a recent tradition by not offering challengers in most local judicial races.
Other races of note:
No Tarrant County-area U.S. representative received a primary challenger. All will face a general election opponent.
Tarrant County Sheriff Dee Anderson will face Dalworthington Gardens Police Chief Bill Waybourn in the Republican primary. The winner of that race will go against Democrat Hank Pope in the general election.
Six of eight county constables will face primary challengers.
THE CANDIDATES
These candidates have filed to run in Tarrant County primaries March 4. Incumbents are marked with an *.
President
Republicans: Hugh Cort, Rudy Giuliani, Mike Huckabee, Duncan Hunter, Alan Keyes, John McCain, Ron Paul, Mitt Romney, Fred Thompson, Hoa Tran
Democrats: Joe Biden, Hillary Clinton, Chris Dodd, John Edwards, Barack Obama, Bill Richardson
U.S. Senate
Republicans: John Cornyn*, Larry Kilgore
Democrats: Gene Kelly, Ray McMurrey, Rick Noriega, Rhett Smith
U.S. House of Representatives
District 6: Joe Barton (R)*, Steven J. Bush (D), Ludwig Otto (D)
District 12: Kay Granger (R)*, Tracey Smith (D)
District 17: Chet Edwards (D)*, Rob Curnock (R), Tim Kleinschmidt (R)
District 24: Kenny Marchant (R)*, Tom Love (D)
District 26: Michael Burgess (R)*, Ken Leach (D)
Statewide
Texas Railroad Commission: Michael Williams (R)*, Art Hall (D), Mark Thompson (D), Dale Henry (D)
Chief Justice, Texas Supreme Court: Wallace Jefferson (R)*, Jim Jordan (D)
Texas Supreme Court Justice, Place 7: J. Dale Wainwright (R)*, Baltasar D. Cruz (D), Sam Houston (D)
Texas Supreme Court Justice, Place 8: Susan Criss (D), Linda Reyna Yanez (D)
Court of Criminal Appeals Judge, Place 3: Thomas Price (R)*, Susan Strawn (D)
Court of Criminal Appeals Judge, Place 4: Paul Womack (R)*, J.R. Molina (D)
Court of Criminal Appeals Judge, Place 9: Cathy Cochran (R)*
State Board of Education, District 11: Patricia Hardy (R)*, Barney Maddox (R)
State Board of Education, District 13: Cindy Werner (R)
State Senate
District 9: Chris Harris (R)*, Melvin Willms (D)
District 10: Kim Brimer (R)*, Wendy Davis (D)
State House of Representatives
District 58: Rob Orr (R)*
District 61: Phil King (R)*, Charles William Randolph (D), Joe Tison (R)
District 90: Lon Burnam (D)*, Larry Keilberg (R)
District 91: Kelly Hancock (R)*, Chris Utchell (D)
District 92: Todd Smith (R)*, Kalandra N. Wheeler (D)
District 93: Paula Pierson (D)*, Bill Burch (R)
District 94: Diane Patrick (R)*
District 95: Marc Veasey (D)*
District 96: Bill Zedler (R)*, Lee Jackson (R), Chris Turner (D)
District 97: Dan Barrett (D)*, Bob Leonard (R), Clint L. Roberts (R), Mark M. Shelton (R)
District 98: Vicki Truitt (R)*, Nancy Moffat (D)
District 99: Charlie Geren (R)*, Tom Annunziato (R), Sheila Ford-Henderson (D)
District 106: Kirk England (D)*, Karen Wiegman (R)
Tarrant County
2nd Court of Appeals Justice, Place 7: Terrie Livingston (R)*
17th District Judge: Wade Birdwell (R), Mike Hrabal (R), Skip Reynolds (R), Randy Turner (D), Melody Wilkinson (R)
48th District Judge: David Evans (R)*
67th District Judge: Don Cosby (R)*, Warren Gould (D)
96th District Judge: Jeff Walker (R)*
153rd District Judge: Ken Curry (R)*
213th District Judge: Louis Sturns (R)*, Lisa Callaghan (R), Bill Ray (R)
342nd District Judge: Bob McGrath (R)*
348th District Judge: Dana Womack (R)*
352nd District Judge: Bonnie Sudderth (R)*
396th District Judge: George Gallagher (R)*
Criminal District Court No. 2 Judge: Wayne Salvant (R)*, Maureen R. Tolbert (D)
360th Family District Judge: Debra Lehrmann (R)*
Sheriff: Dee Anderson (R)*, Hank Pope (D), Bill Waybourn (R)
Tax Assessor-Collector: Betsy Price (R)*
County Commissioner, Precinct 1: Roy Brooks (D)*, Cora Mosley (D)
County Commissioner, Precinct 3: Gary Fickes (R)*, Jerry Lee Phillips (D)
Constable, Precinct 1: Jerry Crowder (R)*, Andy Bryant (R), Richard Aldridge (R)
Constable, Precinct 2: Antonio Molina Jr. (R), Robert J. McGinty (R)
Constable, Precinct 3: Zane Hilger (R)*, Jason L. McCaffity (R)
Constable, Precinct 4: Dub Bransom (R)*
Constable, Precinct 5: Sergio DeLeon (D)*, Ernesto Magallon (D)
Constable, Precinct 6: Joe Kubes (R)*
Constable, Precinct 7: Clint Burgess (R)*, Mike Arter (R)
Constable, Precinct 8: Chester Luckett (D)*, Michael Campbell (D), Chris Salone (D)
Democratic Party Chair: Steve Maxwell, J. Roddy Turner
Republican Party Chair: Stephanie Klick*
AMAN BATHEJA, 817-390-7695
abatheja@star-telegram.com
It's going to be a busy election year in Tarrant County.
The deadline for candidates to file for the March 4 primary was Wednesday. At every level of government, incumbents attracted challengers.
Eight of 10 Tarrant County state representatives attracted challengers from the opposing party. Two Republicans, Charlie Geren of Fort Worth and Bill Zedler of Arlington, have primary challengers.
District 97 is a priority for both parties. Democrat Dan Barrett beat Republican Mark Shelton in a special election runoff last month, ending 30 years of Republican representation from southwest Tarrant County. Now three Republicans -- Shelton, former state Rep. Bob Leonard and private equity manager Clint Roberts -- are vying for the nomination.
Democrats fielded slightly more candidates than in 2006 but continued a recent tradition by not offering challengers in most local judicial races.
Other races of note:
No Tarrant County-area U.S. representative received a primary challenger. All will face a general election opponent.
Tarrant County Sheriff Dee Anderson will face Dalworthington Gardens Police Chief Bill Waybourn in the Republican primary. The winner of that race will go against Democrat Hank Pope in the general election.
Six of eight county constables will face primary challengers.
THE CANDIDATES
These candidates have filed to run in Tarrant County primaries March 4. Incumbents are marked with an *.
President
Republicans: Hugh Cort, Rudy Giuliani, Mike Huckabee, Duncan Hunter, Alan Keyes, John McCain, Ron Paul, Mitt Romney, Fred Thompson, Hoa Tran
Democrats: Joe Biden, Hillary Clinton, Chris Dodd, John Edwards, Barack Obama, Bill Richardson
U.S. Senate
Republicans: John Cornyn*, Larry Kilgore
Democrats: Gene Kelly, Ray McMurrey, Rick Noriega, Rhett Smith
U.S. House of Representatives
District 6: Joe Barton (R)*, Steven J. Bush (D), Ludwig Otto (D)
District 12: Kay Granger (R)*, Tracey Smith (D)
District 17: Chet Edwards (D)*, Rob Curnock (R), Tim Kleinschmidt (R)
District 24: Kenny Marchant (R)*, Tom Love (D)
District 26: Michael Burgess (R)*, Ken Leach (D)
Statewide
Texas Railroad Commission: Michael Williams (R)*, Art Hall (D), Mark Thompson (D), Dale Henry (D)
Chief Justice, Texas Supreme Court: Wallace Jefferson (R)*, Jim Jordan (D)
Texas Supreme Court Justice, Place 7: J. Dale Wainwright (R)*, Baltasar D. Cruz (D), Sam Houston (D)
Texas Supreme Court Justice, Place 8: Susan Criss (D), Linda Reyna Yanez (D)
Court of Criminal Appeals Judge, Place 3: Thomas Price (R)*, Susan Strawn (D)
Court of Criminal Appeals Judge, Place 4: Paul Womack (R)*, J.R. Molina (D)
Court of Criminal Appeals Judge, Place 9: Cathy Cochran (R)*
State Board of Education, District 11: Patricia Hardy (R)*, Barney Maddox (R)
State Board of Education, District 13: Cindy Werner (R)
State Senate
District 9: Chris Harris (R)*, Melvin Willms (D)
District 10: Kim Brimer (R)*, Wendy Davis (D)
State House of Representatives
District 58: Rob Orr (R)*
District 61: Phil King (R)*, Charles William Randolph (D), Joe Tison (R)
District 90: Lon Burnam (D)*, Larry Keilberg (R)
District 91: Kelly Hancock (R)*, Chris Utchell (D)
District 92: Todd Smith (R)*, Kalandra N. Wheeler (D)
District 93: Paula Pierson (D)*, Bill Burch (R)
District 94: Diane Patrick (R)*
District 95: Marc Veasey (D)*
District 96: Bill Zedler (R)*, Lee Jackson (R), Chris Turner (D)
District 97: Dan Barrett (D)*, Bob Leonard (R), Clint L. Roberts (R), Mark M. Shelton (R)
District 98: Vicki Truitt (R)*, Nancy Moffat (D)
District 99: Charlie Geren (R)*, Tom Annunziato (R), Sheila Ford-Henderson (D)
District 106: Kirk England (D)*, Karen Wiegman (R)
Tarrant County
2nd Court of Appeals Justice, Place 7: Terrie Livingston (R)*
17th District Judge: Wade Birdwell (R), Mike Hrabal (R), Skip Reynolds (R), Randy Turner (D), Melody Wilkinson (R)
48th District Judge: David Evans (R)*
67th District Judge: Don Cosby (R)*, Warren Gould (D)
96th District Judge: Jeff Walker (R)*
153rd District Judge: Ken Curry (R)*
213th District Judge: Louis Sturns (R)*, Lisa Callaghan (R), Bill Ray (R)
342nd District Judge: Bob McGrath (R)*
348th District Judge: Dana Womack (R)*
352nd District Judge: Bonnie Sudderth (R)*
396th District Judge: George Gallagher (R)*
Criminal District Court No. 2 Judge: Wayne Salvant (R)*, Maureen R. Tolbert (D)
360th Family District Judge: Debra Lehrmann (R)*
Sheriff: Dee Anderson (R)*, Hank Pope (D), Bill Waybourn (R)
Tax Assessor-Collector: Betsy Price (R)*
County Commissioner, Precinct 1: Roy Brooks (D)*, Cora Mosley (D)
County Commissioner, Precinct 3: Gary Fickes (R)*, Jerry Lee Phillips (D)
Constable, Precinct 1: Jerry Crowder (R)*, Andy Bryant (R), Richard Aldridge (R)
Constable, Precinct 2: Antonio Molina Jr. (R), Robert J. McGinty (R)
Constable, Precinct 3: Zane Hilger (R)*, Jason L. McCaffity (R)
Constable, Precinct 4: Dub Bransom (R)*
Constable, Precinct 5: Sergio DeLeon (D)*, Ernesto Magallon (D)
Constable, Precinct 6: Joe Kubes (R)*
Constable, Precinct 7: Clint Burgess (R)*, Mike Arter (R)
Constable, Precinct 8: Chester Luckett (D)*, Michael Campbell (D), Chris Salone (D)
Democratic Party Chair: Steve Maxwell, J. Roddy Turner
Republican Party Chair: Stephanie Klick*
AMAN BATHEJA, 817-390-7695
abatheja@star-telegram.com
Sunday, August 12, 2007
E-voting machines under fire in Tarrant
By AMAN BATHEJA - Star-Telegram staff writer - Sun, Aug. 12, 2007
Electronic voting machines are under fire around the country because of security concerns, and the growing outcry may lead to changes in the machines used in Tarrant County.
The California secretary of state recently banned the use of several voting machines, including the types used here. The machines cannot be used in California in next year's elections unless extra security measures are put in place.
The move followed a report highlighting work by University of California researchers who hacked into three widely used electronic voting machines. The report found vulnerabilities in all the machines, including Hart InterCivic's eSlate and eScan systems used in Tarrant County.
Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., chairwoman of the Senate Rules and Administration Committee, plans a hearing in September on the report. She and other Democrats in Congress are trying to pass a bill requiring all voting machines in the country to be outfitted with a voter-verifiable paper backup.
"I was very surprised to read how easily these machines could be hacked into and election results distorted," Feinstein said in a statement.
Disputed findings
Tarrant County Elections Administrator Steve Raborn said the study was done under unrealistic circumstances.
"Right now, I don't have any undue concerns," he said.
Among the study's findings, researchers found a way to trick Hart's electronic voting machine to generate the same vote multiple times.
On the eScan machines, which digitally scan paper ballots and count the votes, researchers bypassed some of the machine's defenses and predicted that, given more time, they could have altered the vote tally.
Some of the methods researchers used to infiltrate the machines were "low-tech and required tools that could be found in a typical office," according to the report.
Hart InterCivic has disputed the study, calling a test in which researchers had unfettered access unrealistic.
Raborn agreed, noting the researchers didn't factor in the security procedures counties have put in place, including locks and numbered seals on the machines.
Security concerns
For all the focus on paper trails, some remain skeptical about whether they will make electronic voting machines more secure.
A report released last month by the New York University School of Law and the University of California at Berkeley School of Law said paper trails give only an illusion of security. Many states that employ them aren't doing enough to ensure that the tallies from the electronic machines match the paper results, the report said.
"It's obvious and easy to imagine how you can go about compromising a machine and make it appear on the paper trail that it wasn't compromised," said Jerry Lobdill, a Fort Worth Democratic activist whose research on the issue was published by the National Institute of Standards and Technology and was cited in the report. "It's just a technical nightmare, really."
On the trail
Many voting rights activists hope the renewed attention on voting machines will lead to Texas adding paper-trail systems to its electronic voting machines.
Considering the options
A paper backup would consist of a cash register-style printer in a sealed case attached to each machine. Voters could check their ballots against receipts. The paper trail could then be consulted in the event of a recount.
Stumbling blocks
The major obstacle to the move has been the Texas secretary of state's office, which is required to approve all election equipment in Texas but has refused to validate any paper-trail systems.
Former Secretary of State Roger Williams has said all the systems on the market are susceptible to compromising the secrecy of voters' ballots. Scott Haywood, a spokesman for the secretary of state, could not say how Williams' recent replacement, Phil Wilson, would act on the issue.
Legal wrangling
The Tarrant County Democratic Party and four local voters filed a federal lawsuit last year in Tarrant County against the secretary of state, claiming that the electronic voting machines used in the county are unconstitutional and violate federal law without a paper trail.
In December, both sides agreed to put the suit on hold until June to see whether the Legislature would pass a bill requiring paper trails. None of several such bills filed became law. Art Brender, chairman of the Tarrant County Democratic Party, said he is pursuing the case. Another federal suit was filed by the Texas Democratic Party.
Looking ahead
Thirty states require voter-verifiable paper records. Several members of Congress have said they want to require paper trails on all voting machines nationwide by 2008. Most have since agreed that a 2010 deadline is more feasible.
Whether any voting machine legislation will make it to President Bush's desk this year is unclear.
Read more
Electronic voting machines are under fire around the country because of security concerns, and the growing outcry may lead to changes in the machines used in Tarrant County.
The California secretary of state recently banned the use of several voting machines, including the types used here. The machines cannot be used in California in next year's elections unless extra security measures are put in place.
The move followed a report highlighting work by University of California researchers who hacked into three widely used electronic voting machines. The report found vulnerabilities in all the machines, including Hart InterCivic's eSlate and eScan systems used in Tarrant County.
Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., chairwoman of the Senate Rules and Administration Committee, plans a hearing in September on the report. She and other Democrats in Congress are trying to pass a bill requiring all voting machines in the country to be outfitted with a voter-verifiable paper backup.
"I was very surprised to read how easily these machines could be hacked into and election results distorted," Feinstein said in a statement.
Disputed findings
Tarrant County Elections Administrator Steve Raborn said the study was done under unrealistic circumstances.
"Right now, I don't have any undue concerns," he said.
Among the study's findings, researchers found a way to trick Hart's electronic voting machine to generate the same vote multiple times.
On the eScan machines, which digitally scan paper ballots and count the votes, researchers bypassed some of the machine's defenses and predicted that, given more time, they could have altered the vote tally.
Some of the methods researchers used to infiltrate the machines were "low-tech and required tools that could be found in a typical office," according to the report.
Hart InterCivic has disputed the study, calling a test in which researchers had unfettered access unrealistic.
Raborn agreed, noting the researchers didn't factor in the security procedures counties have put in place, including locks and numbered seals on the machines.
Security concerns
For all the focus on paper trails, some remain skeptical about whether they will make electronic voting machines more secure.
A report released last month by the New York University School of Law and the University of California at Berkeley School of Law said paper trails give only an illusion of security. Many states that employ them aren't doing enough to ensure that the tallies from the electronic machines match the paper results, the report said.
"It's obvious and easy to imagine how you can go about compromising a machine and make it appear on the paper trail that it wasn't compromised," said Jerry Lobdill, a Fort Worth Democratic activist whose research on the issue was published by the National Institute of Standards and Technology and was cited in the report. "It's just a technical nightmare, really."
On the trail
Many voting rights activists hope the renewed attention on voting machines will lead to Texas adding paper-trail systems to its electronic voting machines.
Considering the options
A paper backup would consist of a cash register-style printer in a sealed case attached to each machine. Voters could check their ballots against receipts. The paper trail could then be consulted in the event of a recount.
Stumbling blocks
The major obstacle to the move has been the Texas secretary of state's office, which is required to approve all election equipment in Texas but has refused to validate any paper-trail systems.
Former Secretary of State Roger Williams has said all the systems on the market are susceptible to compromising the secrecy of voters' ballots. Scott Haywood, a spokesman for the secretary of state, could not say how Williams' recent replacement, Phil Wilson, would act on the issue.
Legal wrangling
The Tarrant County Democratic Party and four local voters filed a federal lawsuit last year in Tarrant County against the secretary of state, claiming that the electronic voting machines used in the county are unconstitutional and violate federal law without a paper trail.
In December, both sides agreed to put the suit on hold until June to see whether the Legislature would pass a bill requiring paper trails. None of several such bills filed became law. Art Brender, chairman of the Tarrant County Democratic Party, said he is pursuing the case. Another federal suit was filed by the Texas Democratic Party.
Looking ahead
Thirty states require voter-verifiable paper records. Several members of Congress have said they want to require paper trails on all voting machines nationwide by 2008. Most have since agreed that a 2010 deadline is more feasible.
Whether any voting machine legislation will make it to President Bush's desk this year is unclear.
Read more
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Elderly say the city is letting their homes rot
By MIKE LEE - Star-Telegram Staff Writer - Wed, Jul. 11, 2007
KYEV TATUM FORT WORTH -- Like many people in retirement complexes, the residents of the Villas at Eastwood Terrace loved getting together with their neighbors.
They held bingo games, potluck suppers and other activities in the meeting room of the city-supported apartment complex for senior citizens.
But when residents began complaining about conditions -- the leaks, the mold, the need for energy-saving screen doors -- the bingo games and other activities came to an abrupt halt.
"They didn't have anything to do; they'd sit around at home and watch television," said Bobby Allen, 59, who moved into the complex to be close to his mother.
Residents believe the complex managers canceled their activities for about six months in retaliation for complaints, and they want some answers from the city.
Complex managers did not respond to a request from the Star-Telegram seeking comment.
High praise
It was billed as "the miracle on East Berry Street," a city-backed housing development for senior citizens that would help revitalize the Stop Six neighborhood in southeast Fort Worth.
The $10.5 million, 160-unit complex opened in May 2003 on 14.5 acres at 4700 E. Berry St. with amenities that seniors could appreciate: carpeting, covered parking, major appliances, and a beauty salon, game room, library, exercise room and swimming pool.
The complex is owned by the nonprofit Villas of Eastwood Terrace, which was set up by the city to oversee the development, and was funded through the sale of tax-exempt bonds issued by the Fort Worth Housing Finance Corp., an arm of the city. Today, the Villas board of directors includes city Housing Director Jerome Walker.
Calls unheeded
Residents say it didn't take long for the problems to begin.
Pearl Gordon, 81, was one of the first to move in. She thought the complex was supposed to have full-time security guards, but the guards stopped working soon after the units were filled, she said.
Maintenance men charged her $25 for services such as hanging pictures and unlocking doors. And the managers have ignored her complaints about a water leak around her front door that has led to mold along her baseboards.
"I turned it in, but no one ever came," she said.
Across the way, Allen said water leaks under his front door when it rains because of the way the landscaping was graded. He, too, has gotten no response.
"I've been through three managers about this," he said.
Bonnie Burns said one of her bedrooms flooded from a leaky outdoor faucet. The manager fixed it by screwing a cap over the end of the faucet and telling residents not to use it, she said. Burns had to replace her bedroom furniture.
"I left for three weeks; there wasn't anything done," she said. "I tolerate it because I like my neighbors."
Screen doors
The latest squabble has been over screen doors. The residents want them so that they can catch breezes and avoid running their air conditioners.
Both city staff and the management company have turned them down. Walker, the city housing director, said screen doors would clash with the complex's design and cost too much to maintain.
But Walker said he wasn't aware of many of the other complaints, and officials from the management company, Quest Asset Management, could not be reached to comment.
The Rev. Kyev Tatum, a community activist whose father lives in the complex and who volunteered to represent the residents, said the city has a history of ignoring complaints from low-income residents.
"The buck stops with Mike Moncrief and the City Council," Tatum said. "They wouldn't allow this on the west side."
Walker denied that the city is responsible for the problems, but he said the complex has had a hard time bringing in enough revenue to cover its expenses, despite occupancy rates typically higher than 90 percent.
Walker wouldn't say whether the city or the complex managers were considering raising the rent. But Quest is scheduled to present options to the City Council this month.
Going to City Hall
About a dozen residents took their complaints to Tuesday night's City Council meeting.
After listening to Tatum, who spoke for the group, Mayor Mike Moncrief said the council will look into the complaints.
"I don't think any member of this council would condone any of our senior citizens, regardless of where they are, being intimidated," he said.
Read more
KYEV TATUM FORT WORTH -- Like many people in retirement complexes, the residents of the Villas at Eastwood Terrace loved getting together with their neighbors.
They held bingo games, potluck suppers and other activities in the meeting room of the city-supported apartment complex for senior citizens.
But when residents began complaining about conditions -- the leaks, the mold, the need for energy-saving screen doors -- the bingo games and other activities came to an abrupt halt.
"They didn't have anything to do; they'd sit around at home and watch television," said Bobby Allen, 59, who moved into the complex to be close to his mother.
Residents believe the complex managers canceled their activities for about six months in retaliation for complaints, and they want some answers from the city.
Complex managers did not respond to a request from the Star-Telegram seeking comment.
High praise
It was billed as "the miracle on East Berry Street," a city-backed housing development for senior citizens that would help revitalize the Stop Six neighborhood in southeast Fort Worth.
The $10.5 million, 160-unit complex opened in May 2003 on 14.5 acres at 4700 E. Berry St. with amenities that seniors could appreciate: carpeting, covered parking, major appliances, and a beauty salon, game room, library, exercise room and swimming pool.
The complex is owned by the nonprofit Villas of Eastwood Terrace, which was set up by the city to oversee the development, and was funded through the sale of tax-exempt bonds issued by the Fort Worth Housing Finance Corp., an arm of the city. Today, the Villas board of directors includes city Housing Director Jerome Walker.
Calls unheeded
Residents say it didn't take long for the problems to begin.
Pearl Gordon, 81, was one of the first to move in. She thought the complex was supposed to have full-time security guards, but the guards stopped working soon after the units were filled, she said.
Maintenance men charged her $25 for services such as hanging pictures and unlocking doors. And the managers have ignored her complaints about a water leak around her front door that has led to mold along her baseboards.
"I turned it in, but no one ever came," she said.
Across the way, Allen said water leaks under his front door when it rains because of the way the landscaping was graded. He, too, has gotten no response.
"I've been through three managers about this," he said.
Bonnie Burns said one of her bedrooms flooded from a leaky outdoor faucet. The manager fixed it by screwing a cap over the end of the faucet and telling residents not to use it, she said. Burns had to replace her bedroom furniture.
"I left for three weeks; there wasn't anything done," she said. "I tolerate it because I like my neighbors."
Screen doors
The latest squabble has been over screen doors. The residents want them so that they can catch breezes and avoid running their air conditioners.
Both city staff and the management company have turned them down. Walker, the city housing director, said screen doors would clash with the complex's design and cost too much to maintain.
But Walker said he wasn't aware of many of the other complaints, and officials from the management company, Quest Asset Management, could not be reached to comment.
The Rev. Kyev Tatum, a community activist whose father lives in the complex and who volunteered to represent the residents, said the city has a history of ignoring complaints from low-income residents.
"The buck stops with Mike Moncrief and the City Council," Tatum said. "They wouldn't allow this on the west side."
Walker denied that the city is responsible for the problems, but he said the complex has had a hard time bringing in enough revenue to cover its expenses, despite occupancy rates typically higher than 90 percent.
Walker wouldn't say whether the city or the complex managers were considering raising the rent. But Quest is scheduled to present options to the City Council this month.
Going to City Hall
About a dozen residents took their complaints to Tuesday night's City Council meeting.
After listening to Tatum, who spoke for the group, Mayor Mike Moncrief said the council will look into the complaints.
"I don't think any member of this council would condone any of our senior citizens, regardless of where they are, being intimidated," he said.
Read more
Friday, May 25, 2007
Interstate expansion, bridges aim to ease traffic as Cowboys arrive in 2009
Arlington bridges to improve I-30 access
By JEFF MOSIER - The Dallas Morning News - Saturday, May 12, 2007
jmosier@dallasnews.com
By JEFF MOSIER - The Dallas Morning News - Saturday, May 12, 2007
jmosier@dallasnews.com
ARLINGTON – EuroCater is so isolated that owner Kristen Ariola had to walk outside last week and wave her arms to flag down a lost customer.Read more
The catering business and its shopping center have been hidden for years, tucked way behind the Guitar Center and Waffle House and enveloped by the giant cloverleaf interchange at Collins Street and Interstate 30.
Saturday, May 19, 2007
Marijuana grown under neighbors' noses in Burleson
By ALEX BRANCH - Star-Telegram staff writer - May. 19, 2007
abranch@star-telegram.com Alex Branch, 817-390-7689
Read more
abranch@star-telegram.com Alex Branch, 817-390-7689
BURLESON -- The brown brick home with children's bicycles parked out front blended well into the neighborhood.
But inside the house was a drug operation the likes of which Johnson County authorities say they've never seen.
One part of the house had been transformed into a "grow room," where 3- to 4-foot marijuana plants thrived under well-positioned lights. Large rotisserie-like equipment with irrigation systems and lights at their core nurtured smaller plants. Marijuana plants were also growing in a free-standing greenhouse in the back yard.
Read more
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