PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
Susan Dollar
As I sit here writing this on a cold Saturday morning (it's 19 degrees at my house!), I find myself still caught in a general malaise. Between this weird winter weather and the virus that just won't go away, I really want to crawl back in bed, pull the covers up, and ignore the world. But I know there's a real danger in doing that. As much as I'd like, I cannot ignore what is going on in our country.
I'm also bummed because, once again, we will not be meeting in person this month. There are several factors that influenced the prudent decision to meet via Zoom this month. With that said, I want to emphasize that there are many important things we can all do while in this isolated time.
On Wednesday, BAD members will receive the meeting reminder email. Several attachments will be included: how to contact your state and federal representatives, a list of all the Primary Election candidates, and the 2022 BAD calendar. I urge everyone to please do something - whatever you are comfortable with - whether it is writing letters, making phone calls, or sending postcards. It is critical that we all band together and continue to fight the good fight to save our democracy. I'm not going to get into all the terrible things that continue to happen - you all know them as well as I do - but I do want to encourage you to turn your anger and frustration into action.
It's also important to stay informed. As discouraging as it is to watch the news, read the paper, and follow various podcasts and blogs, we must stay up-to-date and aware. Eventually when we can meet in person and start interacting with voters, we will need to "know our stuff" and be able to articulate what Democrats stand for, what our candidates' platforms are, and why we need new leadership.
So here are things you can do now:
1) Watch this documentary on Sunday:
LOVE & THE CONSTITUTION
"Love & The Constitution," a new feature documentary from MSNBC Films, provides an insider’s view into the life of Representative Jamie Raskin and an intimate look at both a nation and Congressman in crisis. The film follows Rep. Raskin for over three years as he fights to defend democracy during Donald Trump’s presidency and in the second impeachment trial, and navigates intense personal tragedy amidst the loss of his son, who passed away just days before the January 6th attack on the Capitol. "Love & The Constitution" airs Sunday, February 6 at 9:00 p.m. on MSNBC.
2) Read this article and plan to attend the Zoom BAD meeting on Thursday, Our speaker will be Staci Decker, the Kendall County Elections Administrator, and you will be able to ask her any questions you have:
5) Go by the Democratic Headquarters at 216 E. Blanco and pick up some postcards to send to voters or simply volunteer a few hours to help out at the office.
Lastly, just take care of yourself! I can't wait to see all of your smiling faces in March but until then, stay healthy, warm, and happy. We have a lot to do this year!
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FEBRUARY BAD MEETING
Thursday, February 10
12:00 p.m.
Click here to join via Zoom:
After a short business meeting, Staci Decker, Kendall County Elections Administrator, will join us to talk about the new voting laws in Texas and will answer all your questions. Please plan to join us for this important and informative discussion.
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CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS!
BAD needs people to step up and take the lead on some new and exciting activities! We need coordinators and volunteers for Market Days, parades, and several new social activities. Watch your email for a link to the volunteer survey or click here for an opportunity to volunteer! https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NNTWLH6
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A heart-felt thank you to the 16 recurring donors and the additional 12 donors who have contributed to BAD since January! We really appreciate your support!
If you would like to set up a recurring donation through ActBlue., click here:
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Speaking of donors and money...ever wonder what happens to our scholarship winners? Well, here's an update from Schyla Hernandez, our 20??? winner from Comfort High School. Schyla is entering her senior year at UT and recently posted this on her Facebook page:
Yesterday was my last day of school at Universidad Pontificia Comillas and as my study abroad program is coming to an end, I would like to reflect on my time here and the impact this semester has had on me. While I have learned a tremendous amount about Global Communications at my host university, I believe the most important knowledge I acquired this semester came from the experience itself.
Adjusting to life in a new country and immersing myself in an unfamiliar culture was a difficult but wonderful process that helped me become more independent, open-minded, respectful, capable, and inquisitive. I’ve met so many amazing and intelligent people here, and I’m so thankful for the lifelong friends that I’ve made from all over the world.
I’ve traveled tremendously, ate incredible foods, and intimately experienced some of the most amazing cultures. Nothing beats living like a local, and after these short 5 months of living in Spain, I truly feel like a Madrileño. This unbelievable opportunity is something I will never forget.
I’m extremely grateful for everyone that has helped me through my collegiate journey, and I would especially like to give a huge thank you to the Boerne Area Democrats for their continued support in my education!
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BROOKE ORR
Membership
The Boerne Area Democrats club is currently 192 members strong! If your membership is up for renewal, you will receive an e-mail from me, so be sure to add bko57bko57@yahoo.com to your contacts. Also, be sure to check your SPAM folder for messages from BAD.
To become a member or renew, you can pay online with PayPal by following this link to https://www.boerne-area-democrats.org/become-a-member. Fill out the payment form and submit and also complete the application and submit it. You can also mail your check to BAD Membership, PO Box 2132, Boerne, TX, 78006. Dues are $40 a person for those under age 60, $25 a person for those aged 60 and older, and $10 for students. If you have already submitted your payment, thank you very much for your support of the club.
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LAURA BRAY
Kendall County Democratic Party Chair
Notes from the Chair: February 2022
Both the Democratic and Republican Parties will hold Primary Elections on Tuesday, March 1. Early voting runs from February 14-25. Voters choose in which party’s Primary they wish to vote; voters must choose one or the other. The choice you make in March has no impact on your choices in the November General Election. I explained “the basics” of a Texas Primary election in my Progressive Views column on December 31, which you can find on our website.
The Democrats have a strong slate of candidates running for all statewide offices, from Governor all the way through judicial races. You can find candidate profiles for all the contested races in the Democratic Primary at www.kcdems.us. Look for the “2022 Candidates” button at the top of the page. Each candidate’s profile includes links to their website and social media accounts.
The League of Women Voters (LWV) hosts a non-partisan website, www.vote411.org, that lists all the candidates that will appear on your ballot. The candidate profiles include answers to questions the LWV poses to all candidates. Those profiles should be available soon on their website.
Those who are eligible to vote by mail can now request an application to do so. Just call the Kendall County Elections Office at 830-331-8701. The last day to request such an application is Friday, February 18 (received, not postmarked). You may vote by mail if you are: 65 years of age or older; sick or disabled; out of the county on Election Day and during the period of Early Voting; or confined in jail, but eligible to vote. Make sure to fill out the application completely in order to lessen your chances of it being rejected.
Right after the March Primary is the next election—for local, non-partisan offices. Filing for that election opened in late January and runs through February 18. Your specific ballot will depend on your address, but races include: three City of Boerne City Council slots, some Fair Oaks Ranch City Council slots, some Boerne ISD slots, and some slots on the Cow Creek Groundwater Conservation District. Amendments to the Texas Constitution, passed during the three special legislative sessions last summer, will also appear (on everyone’s ballot), as well as some local bond issues. You can find information on running for local elections in the “Candidate Information” section of the Texas Secretary of State Elections Division website. Information on filing for City of Boerne election can be found here.
We need all local Democrats to vote in the Democratic Primary, so we can field the strongest slate of candidates for the November mid-term election. We also need Democrats to run for local positions in the May election. Think about running yourself! Check out https://runforsomething.net/ for information on how to get started. For more information on voting or either election, call our office at 830-331-1243 or visit www.kcdems.us
Thanks for everything you do to work for voting rights in Texas!
Click here if you would like to read Laura's article published in the local paper:
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LOCAL CANDIDATES FORUM
Sunday, February 6th, 2022
2:00 p.m.
Waring Hall, Waring, TX
The Waring Fire Department will be hosting candidates for local offices at a public forum. Each candidate will have an opportunity to speak followed by audience questions. We will also have a meet and greet session after the organized portion of the event. There will be candidates for County Judge as well as for Precinct 4 Commissioner. We have also reached out to candidates for state rep and senate but can’t yet confirm that they will attend. Please join us for this opportunity to meet the candidates for local offices.
Our own Kevin Henning, candidate for
County Commissioner Place 4, will be a part of this forum!
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Land Commissioner Candidate Forum
Thursday, February 10,
6:00-7:30pm. via Zoom
Llano County is hosting/moderating the HCDC forum for three of the four Democratic candidates in the race for the General Land Office (Martinez will be missing). Please email your questions to candyhuff@yahoo.com, and the moderator will select and ask the questions. Click here to join the Zoom.
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VOTING ISSUES FOLLOW-UP VIRTUAL MEETING
Host: Barbara Gervin-Hawkins
Thursday, February 10
8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
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For your viewing and listening pleasure this month:
Storm Lake: A PBS documentary about Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist Art Cullen and his family and their fight to unite and inform their Iowan farming community through their biweekly newspaper, The Storm Lake Times—come hell or pandemic. Available on Amazon Prime.
Listen To 'The Disconnect: Power, Politics And The Texas Blackout,' A New Audio Series About The State's Power Grid. Click here to access.
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Thanks to all the good DEMS who collected road side trash on a cold Saturday morning, January 29. We also had two candidates for Tx21 join us. Pictured below: Cherif Gacis and Claudia Zapata are standing on either side of Laura Bray.
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BELOW ARE SOME OF OUR NEW BAD ACTIVITIES - JOIN US!
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SATURDAY NIGHT SUPPER CLUB
Stacey Gilfillan is going to head up a brand new activity for us - the Saturday Night Supper Club! The first get-together will be on February 26 at La Gloria Street Food of Mexico in Leon Springs (outdoor patio, pay on your own). Plan to show up wearing a blue Democratic-theme shirt and bring an extra $10 per person in cash to leave as a tip for the server. Contact Stacey at stazzinaro
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BAD BOOK CLUB
Time to start reading! The first meeting of the BAD Book Club will be on Wednesday, February 23, at 5:30 p.m. at the Democratic Headquarters. The first book selection is Betrayal by Jonathan Karl. R.S.V.P. to Janice at
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MEET YOUR NEWEST BOARD MEMBERS
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JERRY TERRY
Vice-President
JT's experience ranges from 23 years of active duty in the U.S. Navy (Master Chief Petty Officer Networks) and four years as a NSA employee. He has served in various roles such as NSA/CSS TAO/ROC Interactive D/Division Chief (current), NSA/CSS Texas TAO/ROC Interactive Division Chief and Senior Enlisted Leader for U.S. Navy Computer Networks Operations Community. Jt holds and MA in Computer Resources and Information Management from Webster University, MO, and a BS in Computer Science (Cum Laude) from the University of Saint Leo, FL.
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ROBIN PRESCOTT
Secretary
Robin grew up in California, worked in electronics, and moved to San Antonio to get her BSdegree in nursing from UTSA. She worked at Audie L Murphy VA for 30 years while also going back to school to pursue her Nurse Practitioner degree/license. Now retired, she loves to bird watch, grandkid watch, and spend time out on Boerne Lake with her daughter and granddaughters paddling their kayaks. Over the years, Robin has been passionate about civil rights, women’s rights, gun violence, income equity, and the environment.
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Just a reminder: there are always interesting and informative posts on our social media pages so be sure to check them out - and Like them!
Web: boerne-area-democrats.org
Facebook: Boerne Area Democrats
Instagram: @boerneareademocrats
Twitter: @BerneDemocrats
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Our Democratic Headquarters at 216 E. Blanco is now open on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Stop by to visit with other Dems and pick up campaign materials and other goodies.
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Click on any of these icons to be taken to their web pages.
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GET INVOLVED IN YOUR COMMUNITY!
Let your voices be heard by attending these community meetings.
Click on any of the icons for more information.
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Boerne City Council meets at 6:00 p.m. on the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month at 6:00 p.m. at 9 Topperwein Road, Boerne.
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The Kendall County Commissioner's Court meets on the 2nd and 4th Monday at 9:00 a.m. in the County Courthouse, 201 E. San Antonio Street, 3rd floor.
The Planning and Zoning meetings are held on the 1st Monday of each month at 6:00 p.m. at the Boerne Police/Municipal Court, 124 Old San Antonio Road.
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The Fair Oaks City Council meets on the 1st Thursday at 9:30 a.m. and the 3rd Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at the FOR City Hall, 7286 Dietz Elkhorn Road, FOR.
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The Comfort ISD Board of Trustees meets on the 2nd Monday of each month at 6:00 p.m. at the CISD Central Office, 327 High Street, Comfort.
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The Boerne ISD Board of Trustees meets on the 3rd Monday of each month at 5:00 p.m. in the Administrative Offices,
235 Johns Road.
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The Cow Creek Groundwater Conservation District meets on the 2nd Monday of the month at 6:00 p.m. at 9 Topperwein Road, Boerne.
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BOERNE AREA DEMOCRATS BOARD
President: Susan Dollar
Vice President: Jerry Terry
Secretary: Robin Prescott
Treasurer: sharon Noack
Membership: Brooke Orr
Publicity: Natalie Schun
Newsletter: Judy Dewey
Social Media: Krista Bermejillo-Vasquez
Past President: Stacey Gilfillan
Ex Officio member: Laura Bray, KCDP
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Connect with us!
JOIN THE BOERNE AREA DEMOCRATS
Email: BAD@boerne-area-democrats.com
Web: boerne-area-democrats.org
Facebook: facebook.com/boerne.area.democrats
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