Tuesday, December 04, 2007

Candidates begin filing for office

By BRAD KELLAR

GREENVILLE — Few declare intentions on first dayThere were only a few candidates rushing Monday to officially kick off their campaigns on the first day of filing for the Democratic and Republican party primaries next March.

Of the Hunt County offices to be determined, Richard Phillips of Celeste filed seeking the Republican Party nomination for Hunt County Commissioner Precinct 1, currently held by the incumbent, Kenneth Thornton.

Sandy Lane Berger was the first candidate to file for the Republican Party nomination for the office of Hunt County Justice of the Peace for Precinct 1, currently held by the incumbent Justice of the Peace Kenneth Newman Peters.

Please Read the rest of this article at: http://www.heraldbanner.com/local/local_story_338004725.html

Please also take a moment and read this related article:
http://www.heraldbanner.com/local/local_story_336004433.html

County Candidates

December 3rd 2007 was the day of filing for the Primary election in March. So far 6 candiates have formally filed for office.

Hunt County Sheriff
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Richard Hill
County Sheriff
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Justice of the Peace Candidates:
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Sandy Lane Berger
Justice of the Peace Pct. 1, Place 1
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Brandon Bobbitt
Justice of the Peace Pct. 1, Place 1
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County Commissioner Candidates:
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Mike Pierce
County Commissioner Pct. 1
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Richard Phillips
County Commissioner Pct. 1
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Constable Candidates:
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Kent Layton
Constable Pct. 4
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Glenn Parris
Constable Pct. 4
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Benny Brothers
Constable Pct. 1
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Terry Jones
Constable Pct 1
No Photo Available yet
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Candidates for Hunt County Republican Party Chairman
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Bill Hocutt
County Chairman

Sunday, November 11, 2007

Jay Atkins (Hunt County GOP Club VP) Elected Mayor

Union Valley decides to become a city
By DANIEL WALKER Herald-Banner Staff

Voting in Union Valley was especially heavy Tuesday as residents decided their fate — to be a city or not.

“It’s been a pretty good turnout, much better than what we usually have for a mid-term election,” said Election Judge Robert Hernandez. When the day was done, voters had approved incorporating as a town by a 75-15 count.

At 9:30 a.m., 33 votes had been cast, two hours later the number had doubled to 66.

Please Read the rest of this article at: http://www.heraldbanner.com/archivesearch/local_story_311015135.html

Jay Atkins the Vice President of the Hunt County GOP Club was elected at the first Mayor of Union Valley

Sunday, November 04, 2007

Hall faces three primary foes, Melancon running again

By BRAD KELLAR Herald-Banner Staff

GREENVILLE — The official start of filing is still months away, but several candidates have already announced they are planning to run in the March 2008 Republican and Democratic party primaries for House of Representatives District 4.

The district covers the northeast corner of Texas, including all of Hunt and Rockwall counties and most of Collin County.

The surprise so far has been how longtime incumbent Rep. Ralph Hall of Rockwall, who has usually only faced mild opposition in the primaries since switching to the GOP from the Democratic Party several years ago, now has three opponents challenging him for the Republican Party nomination.

While Hall has not formally announced he is seeking re-election, he has maintained a campaign Web site since the 2006 election.

Please read the rest of this article at: http://www.heraldbanner.com/archivesearch/local_story_252004630.html

Owners Comments: This article is from way back in September but it does "Officially" list the people running for CD4.

Ralph Hall, the Incumbent
Gene Christensen, Businessman from Celina
Kevin George, Businessman from Celina
Kathy Seei, Former Mayor of Frisco

Congressman Hall has visited our club numerous times and was a sponsor of the Picnic
Mr Christensen has visited our club numerous times and was a sponsor of the Picnic
Mr George has attended one of our club meetings so far
Ms Seei has not been to any of our meetings so far, but contacted me last week about attending our November 12th meeting.

Hunt County Jail: PART I: Cracks in the system

By JANELLE STECKLEINHerald-Banner Staff

The door to the interview room screeches loudly in protest as Hunt County Jail Administrator Brian Alford yanks hard to open it partially.

The door will no longer open all the way, and to try and even open it a few inches creates a ruckus that drowns out yelling inmates.

The sound is so loud and piercing that those within hearing distance flinch and wary jailers on guard turn their heads to make sure everything is OK.

“It’s me,” Alford tells the alert jailers.

The door opened easily when the Hunt County Jail first opened in early 2002, but now, like many other areas of the jail, it has fallen victim to a shifting foundation.

“It was from the get-go that there were foundation problems,” Alford said. “Just like everyone else, you go to work, and you do your job and you try not to think about it. But when the talk’s around it, I think it bothers everybody.”

Please read the rest of this three part article at: http://www.heraldbanner.com/insidestory/local_story_053235941.html?keyword=topstory

The fact that our County Jail is falling part SHOULD be a major issue facing the Commissioners Court and the Sheriffs department.

New Direction

Since the Hunt Count GOP Club 2007 Picnic is over, a huge success, it's time to take this blog in a new direction for a few months. We will be posting candidate information and related news for Hunt County Republicans. Candidates for office can officially start filing on December 3rd 2007.

Saturday, July 21, 2007

Picnic Agenda

Here is the Agenda for the Picnic, it is of course subject to change

Event: 2nd Annual Hunt County GOP Club Family Fun Picnic
Date: July 28th, 2007
Time: 10 AM till we finish
Place: Money Lake on CR 1031 right outside of Greenville

Tenative Agenda

10:00 Gates Open at Money Lake

10:30 Opening Prayer by "Mack" McCrory
Pledge of Allegiace by County Attorney Joel Littlefield

11:00 Opening Remarks by Bill Hocutt, President Hunt County GOP Club
Remarks by Jay Atkins, Vice President Hunt County GOP Club

11:30 Williams Family Band

12:15 Food Served

12:45 Speaker: Congressman Ralph Hall

1:00 Speaker: Chairman Tina Benkiser, Texas State Republican Party

1:45 Williams Family Band

2:30 Speaker: Clark Kirby, State Director Minuteman Civil Defense Corps

Other Speakers will be speaking off and on during the event. Food will be available from 12:15 till the end of the Picnic. The Bounce House will be open during the entire event.

Partial List of Officials in Attendance:

Chairman Tina Benkiser, Texas Republican Party
Cindy Burkett, SD 2, SREC Woman
Congressman Ralph Hall
Constable Randy Meeks, Hunt County
Councilman Chris Bracken, Greenville City Council
County Attorney Joel Littlefield, Hunt County
Gene Christensen
John Cooke, SD 2 SREC Man
JP Aaron Williams, Hunt County
Judge Andy Bench, Hunt County
Judge David Bridges, Rockwall County
Judge John Horn, Hunt County
Judge Robert Francis, Dallas County
State Representative Dan Flynn
State Representative Jodie Laubenberg

Sponsers of the Picnic

Level 1: Friend of Hunt County
1) Aaron Williams, JP Hunt County
2) Judge David Bridges, 5th Court of Appeals
3) Tim Stainback
4) Jay & Jan Atkins

Level 2: Silver Friend of Hunt Cnty
1) Judge Mary Murphy
2) Judge Robert Francis

Level 3: Gold Friend of Hunt Cnty
1) Representative Dan Flynn
2) Christensen for Congress

Level 4: Platinum Friend of Hunt Cnty
1) Senator Robert Deuell
2) Congressman Ralph Hall

I want to once more invite everyone to attend this event. Come on out and have a lot of fun and listen to some real consevatives speak on the issues facing us.

Thursday, July 12, 2007

Picnic Update 6

Things continue to roll forward on the picnic. We are less than three weeks away from the bigt day and the committments and sponsers continue to roll in. As soon as I get in confirmed (Very Shortly) we will have a major announcement about who will be attending and speaking at the picnic. So watch this spot

Sunday, July 08, 2007

Picnic Update

Sent out another 25 letters today to various State Officials and Presidential hopefulls. We are not only 20 days away from the Picnic and the excitement is begining to grow. We have added a "Bounce House" for the Kids and booked the Williams Family Band to play the Picnic.

Sunday, June 03, 2007

Picnic Update4

Received Notice Today that Judge Robert Francis of Dallas will be attending and sponsering the Picnic.

Monday, May 28, 2007

Update on Canidates

Heard from Mitt Romney's campaign this week. The odds are that he will not be able to attend the picnic or send a representative to it.

Thursday, May 03, 2007

Breaking Picnic News

Last night we heard from the office of Tina Benkiser, Chairman of the Republican Party of Texas. Chairman Benkiser is "Tentatively" scheduled to attend the Picnic on July 28th. Everyday this picnic looks more and more like the event to attend this summer in East Texas.

There is still time to get on board as a sponser or just as someone wanting to come share the day.

Thursday, April 26, 2007

Invitations Sent Out

Today I am sending out a second set of letters to the candidates and invitation letters to all of the officials mentioned in the "Invited Section". You can help this effort go forward by telling your elected officials --- State Reps, State Senators, Judges, City Councilmen etc etc --- That you will be attending the event and would like for them to also support East Texas's effort to have it's voice heard.

Wednesday, April 25, 2007

Getting Involved

Here is where you take that first step to getting involved in this event in East Texas. Sign up to attend, Sign up to help sponsor the event or sign up to help work the event.

The Picnic will Be July 28th 2007. We will need lots of folks to cook.

At this point the single most important thing you can do to help this event happen is committ to attend it here where the candidates can see that we are going to have a large group. Then send a copy of the sample letters to one of the candidates to let them know you will be attending and you would like to hear from them. Send it to the candidate that you personally think would be the best President.

Please contact me directly for more info on how you can help
Bill Hocutt
Bill@BHocutt.com

2007 Picnic Proposal

1) Basic Proposal
2) Groups to be contacted
3) Projected costs
4) Proposed Financial Solutions
Attachment 1: Emails Sent
Attachment 2: Letters Sent
Attachment 3: Responses received
Attachment 4: 2nd Set of Letters Sent Out.

Basic Proposal:

Objective: Encourage One or several of the conservative candidates for President to visit East Texas prior to the Labor Day Straw Poll Method: Sponser an event that would draw at least 150-200 Conservative Grass Roots voters

Suggested Event: The 2nd Annual Hunt County GOP Club Family Fun Picnic is scheduled for July 28th (Saturday) 2007. That is exactly 34 days prior to the Straw Poll. If the Hunt County GOP Club and several other East Texas County Organizations banded together we could (possibly) pull together enough conservative grass roots voters to entice these candidates to come talk to us. Realisticly no one single county or group in East Texas is large enough with enough votes to catch the attention of one of these Presidential candidates. They will visit Dallas, Ft Worth, San Antonio, Houston and the other “BIG” cities and bypass our smaller communities for logistic reasons. They can speak to more voters at a single setting in one of the larger cities. However, by several of us banding together to co-sponsor the event we can (I think) catch their attention.

Projected Costs:
Picnic Price Out Based on Last Years

Picnic Price Out

Estimates based on 100 people attending: 150 Attending

50 pounds of Hamburger ($2.50 a pound) $ 125 $200
200 Burger Buns (8 to a pack = 25 packs) $ 40 $ 60
200 Hot Dogs (8 to a pack = 25 packs) $ 60 $ 90
200 Hot Dog Buns (6 to a pack = 33 Packs) $ 40 $ 60
17 Cases of Soda's (@ $7 a case) $ 120 $155
8 Cases of Water (@ $5 a case) $ 40 $ 60
25 Bags of Chips (@ $3 a bag) $ 75 $120
20 Bags of Lettuce (@ $2 a bag) $ 40 $ 60
Tomatoes $ 50 $ 60
Pickles (5 Jars @ $3) $ 15 $ 15
Condiments $ 30 $30
Paper Plates $ 50 $ 60
Napkins $ 20 $ 20
Porta Potty's $ 250 $250
Band $ 350 $350
Cheese $ 25 $ 40
Onions $ 20 $ 20
ICE $100 $150
The Money Lake Rental $100 $100

Subtotal $ 1550 $ 1900


Attatchment One: Emails Sent Sent to Hunt County GOP Club Board Hi Guys Here is a copy of the letter I just sent out to Delta County, Kaufman County, Garland GOP, Rains County. If we jump on this we can bring one or more of these Canidates into Hunt County this July.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------Email sent to: ---- Delta County Men’s Club
Garland Republican Club
Kaufman County Republican Party Chairman
Garland Republican Club
Hunt County Republican Party Chairman
Van Zandt County Republican Club
Rains County Republican Party
John Cooke ---- SRC Man
Cindy Burkett -- SRC Woman

OK Folks Here is a copy of the Letter that I am sending out Monday Morning to the Hunter Campaign, Tancredo Campaign, and the Romney Campaign. As soon as I find an email or snail mail address for the Huckabee Campaign I will send them a copy of the same invitation. Here are the Basic Facts: What: Hunt County GOP Club PicnicWhen: July 28th 2007 all day eventWhere: Money Lake Greenville TexasCost: $5 per person or $10 per family (To cover cost of food, band etc) What we need: Letters from all of our groups Delta County Clubs, Hunt County Clubs, Kaufman County Clubs, Garland Clubs and others that I will contacting in the next few days to go to these canidates inviting them to this event. If they get multiple invites to the event ---- telling them that there will be grass roots workers and VOTERS in attendance shortley before the Staw Poll I think we can convince them to come down and talk to us. What do yall think?----------------------------------------------------------------------- Attached was a copy of the Three “Candidate” Letters

Attachment 3: Responses Received


Responses So Far:

John and Angie Ford of Garland

Bottom of Form


Hi Bill,

I just got on the computer and got your E-Mail. Your letter and Invitation
sound GREAT to me. John & I will plan to attend your Picnic--It sounds like
a lot of fun. where is this Park & how do we get there from Garland. I can
get to Greenville, but where do I turn off of I30 and go from there. See
You Soon!!!

Angie Ford

Jerry Derr of Delta County


From
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Jerry Derr
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Subject
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Re: Picnic Invitation
Date
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Tue, Feb 27, 2007 04:16 PM

Bill, Thank you so much. I just got the letters ready to go. I hope they will take you up on it. If they do we will have sooo many people who will attend, which I stated in my letters. I will mail them tomorrow. Jerry should get his done tonight. I will let you know if I get a response. Pam----- Original Message -----

Monday, January 22, 2007

Kaufman County hosts David Barton

Come Hear David Barton
Nationally Known Author and American Historian
Author and historian, David Barton is the Founder and President of Wallbuilders, www.wallbuilders.com, a national pro-family organization that distributes historical, legal, and statistical information, and helps citizens become active in their schools and communities.

David's exhaustive research (from original writings) on the Founding Era has rendered him an expert in this field, and consequently serves as consultant to state and federal legislators, has participated in several cases at the Supreme Court, was involved in the development of history textbook standards, and countless other projects across the country. David is the author of numerous works and this information has been directly implemented to reclaim the original intent of our Founding Fathers in the areas of faith and family.

Celebrate America!

Friday, February 23, 2007
Doors open 6:00p.m.
Forney High School Auditorium
Featured Speaker David Barton
Author, Historian, Founder of Wallbuilders,
Former Vice-Chair Republican Party of Texas
Featured in Texas Monthly
State wide and Local Elected Officials Invited
·Dinner ·Auction ·Entertainment ·Door Prizes

The Kaufman County Republican Party
P.O. Box 221
Terrell, TX 75160
www.kaufmancountygop.com
Corporate checks will not be accepted
Contact info: 469-376-6601 or kaufmangop@yahoo.com
Pol. Ad pd for by Kaufman County Republican Party
200 Metro Terrell. TX 75160