Candidates for County and State positions spoke to a packed house Monday night, February 5th, at a candidate forum sponsored by Freestone County Retired Teachers Association (FCRTA).

Twenty political hopefuls, ranging from Governor to District Clerk, were given five minutes each to address the crowd, explaining their goals and plans if elected and (on the state level) how they plan to help strengthen the education system and support current and retired teachers.

Donna Senter, President of the FCRTA, welcomed guests to the forum and chili supper; and recognized and thanked Legislative Chair, Alicia Smith, for organizing the event.

Serving as Emcee was the well-known Buzz Russell, who introduced each candidate.

First to speak on the County level, were candidates running for the County Clerk position.

Contender Renee Gregory Reynolds explained that her family has been serving the county since 1965. She is a landman and has worked with documents in several different counties and is disappointed in the lack of preservation of the documents in Freestone County. Her main platform is to properly preserve documents from the 1800-1900s, as well as to make all documents available online.

“There also needs to be friendlier customer service in that office,” she says. “I’ll make sure of that.”

 

 

Incumbent Linda Jarvis, who has served in the position for the past eight years, assured guests that she has been working on those issues mentioned by Mrs. Reynolds since she first took office.

“Almost everything I do in my position has to be approved by County Commissioners, not to mention the fact that you have to have the funding to get these things accomplished,” she says.

Mrs. Jarvis went on to say that she has made many changes and much progress in the office since she took over; and is in the process of getting all documents online. She also displayed a book from the County’s archives, dated in the 1800s, to show that proper preservation techniques are already in place.

Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2 candidates include Incumbent Debra Hamilton, Dan Ramsey, and Pamela Whitt.

“My family, from my great grandparents on down, have all lived and worked in Teague,” states Judge Hamilton. “Freestone County is my home, and I am proud to live and serve here.”

Judge Hamilton began her work for Precinct 2 in 1996 as Court Clerk. She ran, and was elected, for the JP position in 2002; and began her stint as Judge on January 1, 2003. She says that she has always been, and always will be, fair, honest, and impartial.

 

 

Opponent Pamela Whitt has worked with law enforcement for the past 28 years, of which the past 10 have been with Freestone County. The last eight years, Mrs. Whitt has served in the position of Court Clerk under JP #1 Theresa Farris.

“I feel my experience qualifies me to continue to serve Freestone County, but in the position of Justice of the Peace, Pct. 2,” she concludes.

 

 

Dan Ramsey, former Chief of Police for Teague, has served in law enforcement for the past 35 years. “I feel I can continue to offer good service for the people,” he says, “I feel I have more to give.”

He concluded by saying that he believes the focus should be on the youth, to try to keep them out of trouble now so they don’t grow up to be criminals.

 

 

Running for County Treasurer are Jeannie Keeney and Tammy Harris.

“I have served as Assistant Treasurer under Kay Taylor, who is retiring, for the past six years,” says Mrs. Keeney. “I work with human resources, payroll, and all county revenue. I’m even qualified to do everything Mrs. Taylor can do in her absence.”

Mrs. Keeney has twenty-two years of government experience and serves on the local CPS Board.

 

 

Opponent Tammy Harris is a life-long resident of Freestone County, as are the seven generations of family before her.

“I want to serve the community that I live in,” she says. “I believe my many years of diverse experience qualify me for this position.”

 

 

 

Incumbent for District Clerk, Teresa Black, who is running unopposed in this election, introduced herself to the crowd and explained that she is proud to serve the community and will happily continue to provide the same service she has all along.

 

 

 

Candidates for State Representative, District 8 include Republicans Thomas McNutt, Linda Timmerman, and Cody Harris; and Democrat Wesley Ratcliff.

Thomas McNutt began explaining that he is from a teaching family. “I believe that we need local control for our public education. I want to be your advocate and defender!”

 

 

 

 

“When I found out Byron Cook would not be running,” says Wesley Ratcliff, “I decided to run.”

Coming from a teaching family as well, Ratcliff knows the importance of education. He told the story of how he worked for NASA, making great money; and when he realized that he made more money than teachers, he was appalled.

“Educating our children is much more important than trying to get a man to the moon,” he explains. “I want to ensure proper funding for public education and better salaries for our teachers.”

Seventeen-year resident of Freestone County, Linda Timmerman, has 35 years experience in public education. She explained that the State of Texas only provides 38% of funding for the education system and the rest is paid for by property taxes.

“It’s time for Texas to step up,” she says. “Experience matters. I have that!”

 

 

 

Resident and businessman in the Palestine area, candidate Cody Harris says he is 100% in support of public schools and against school vouchers.

“We need to untie the hands of teachers and stop teaching to a test,” he states.

Harris concludes saying, “It comes down to voting for which candidate most reflects you and your views.”

 

State Senate, District 5 candidates attending were Harold Ramm (R), Glenn “Grumpy” Williams (D), and Brian Cronin (D).

Harold Ramm, who served as Superintendent for Groesbeck ISD for 30+ years, says that education is his main reason for running for this position.

“Teacher retirement is not, and should be, fully funded,” he explains. “School financing needs meaningful change; and I’m sick and tired of the STARR tests! There has to be a better way than teaching to a test.”

 

 

 

Glenn “Grumpy” Williams has worked with CPS most of his career; and his wife is a retired teacher.

“Teacher retirement needs to be the equivalent to that of government employees,” he says.

He also stands for better funding for CPS services, restoring the Medicaid rate cut from 2015, and focusing on the lack of exercise epidemic.

 

 

“I want to serve the people of this community,” says Brian Cronin. “I have four children in school, so public education is very important to me.”

He explains his five reasons for running as: 1) Teachers need a raise and need better funding for extracurricular activities; 2) Access to Quality Healthcare; 3) Create programs that work for all families and to fund CPS services properly; 4) Equal pay for men and women; and 5) Bring balance back to the government.

 

 

Candidate for Land Commissioner, Rick Range (R) of Irving, previously worked as a teacher, and spent 31 years as a Spanish translator for fire and police departments in the Dallas Area.

His platform focuses on improving Veteran housing and medical services, and saving the Alamo from becoming a politically correct theme park.

 

Kathy Cheng (D), candidate for Supreme Court Justice, Place 6, has been working as an attorney for the past 20 years.

“If you’re passionate about something, you take it to the next level,” she says. “I’ve spent the past 20 years speaking for my clients. It’s not about money, but speaking for the people.

She continues, “I have the courage to be the voice of the people. I stand for change, folks!”

“We need to bring diversity back to the court, and I will speak for all Texans,” she concludes.

One candidate running for Lt. Governor against Incumbent Dan Patrick is Mike Collier (D).

“I am in politics precisely for public education,” he explains. “I want to straighten our public education and property taxes; fix the fiscal policies at the State level; and to be a champion for the public education system.”

A CPA from the Kingwood area, Collier says he is an accountant who can figure out the numbers.

Candidates for Governor speaking at the event were Danny Harrison (I) and Cedric Davis (D). Tom Wakely (D) had plans to attend, but was unable to due to the flu.

Danny Harrison states four main reasons he is running for Governor. Those reasons are:

–Child Protective Services – He is angry that Gov. Abbot waited two years to react on the issue and put proper resources in place.

–We need a government for the people, not a government who sold out.

–Public Education should be a priority. Don’t privatize education. Better teachers’ packages should be offered.

–Prison, food stamps, and Medicaid issues should come after public education, not before.

“There is an attack on the education system,” says candidate Cedric Davis. “As a teacher myself, I want to know why the state is giving money to private schools.”

He continues, “We need someone who can relate and who can close the loopholes and to keep public education a priority.”

 

 

 

Primary Election day is Tuesday, March 6, 2018.

Early Voting runs Tuesday, February 20th through Friday, March 2nd.

Be sure to educate yourself on all the candidates running for State and local positions; and then get out there and exercise your right to vote!