Local GOP politics

Now that I’ve been “convicted” [Editorial, “Party squabbles: Local feud does little to serenade Hispanics into the GOP column,” Dec. 9], I’d appreciate the opportunity to address the court.

First, our job as a county party is to put together and hold the primary election. Then it is our responsibility to seek out and elect good Republican candidates who are fiscally responsible and who subscribe to less government, lower taxes and solid family values.

We are not aware of any Republicans running from the party. On the contrary, those who have been involved for any period of time and are aware of the party’s doings are most supportive.

It does seem somewhat strange that an Anglo citizen of Bosque County would have such a great interest in McLennan County rather than in her own county.

Precinct chairs are volunteers and members of the county executive committee. They serve at their pleasure.

I have never said “why bother” regarding non-Republican precincts. That is simply an attempt to put words in my mouth. My Democratic counterpart understands the problem because it also affects his precinct chairs.

We do not dispute the importance of Hispanic voters. That is why in 1999 we started the Los Brazos de Dios, a Hispanic organization within the McLennan County Republican Party. We stand ready and willing to work with Hispanics because they support the same principles as do Republicans — pro-life, pro-family, hard work and keeping more of the money they earn.

Talking about what was wrong with Republicans nationally seemed to indicate some bias since that has nothing to do with the local situation. There is plenty of evidence regarding Democrats’ treatment of minorities over the years.

This issue is not about Hispanics. It’s about the inability to work with an individual who lives outside our party’s jurisdiction and who has no standing in the McLennan County Republican Party.

M.A. Taylor

McLennan County GOP vice chairman

Waco

Defending decision

Regarding Don Summer’s Dec. 29 letter supporting coal-fired power plants: Sir, I was one of those “other local officials” who fought the addition of new plants. I didn’t want our school children and townfolk of Hallsburg to be in the middle of five possible polluting plants within a five-mile radius. I wasn’t willing to trade money for health.

Mr. Summers, I understand choices and decisions that get made, but I could not understand why our governor would practically mandate these coal plants. After following the money trail and the monopoly power-play by TXU for control, however, I now understand.

TXU sold out and a compromise was reached. Since that compromise, amazing discoveries have been made in wind power and new natural gas plants that the public was originally told just weren’t possible!

Former Dallas Mayor Laura Miller said she was invited to tour the Big Brown plant in Fairfield. On a table was coal used at that plant. However, when she reached to touch it, she was stopped and told she would get dirty.

That kind of sums it up right there.

Mayor Mike Glockzin

City of Hallsburg