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THE VOICE
Volume 27 . Issue 2 . February 2025
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WHITNEY WHITE
President
For me, the 20 days since the election have felt like 20 months and inauguration day was a setback. After taking a mental health break from the news and social media, the effort to re-engage has come in fits and starts as I work to find a balance between wanting to know what is happening in the world and trying to slow and control the firehose of information. I still have trouble watching network news and I can spend way too much time doom scrolling on social media. But I'm getting better at turning off the news and being selective about what I watch and read and listen to. We all need to find our own balance - what works for you is not always what works for the next person. In the coming weeks, we will be sharing resources for just that purpose - to help you find what works for you.
I saw this from Timothy Snyder, author of On Tyranny: "Make sure you are talking to people and doing something. The logic of 'move fast and break things', like the logic of all coups, is to gain quick dramatic successes that deter and demoralize and create the impression of inevitability. Nothing is inevitable. Do not be alone and do not be dismayed. Find someone who is doing something you admire and join them."
There are good things happening out there.
- On Feb. 5th, for the first time in history there were simultaneous protests in all 50 states against the sitting president.
- The U.S. Senate phone system has been receiving 1,600 phone calls per minute, compared to a previous average of 40 calls per minute.
The phone number for the U.S. Capitol switchboard is 202-224-3121. An operator will connect you directly with the office you request. Let your members of Congress know how you fee. It matters.
We may feel alone and that our voices are not being heard, but together, we can make a difference. Keep making your voice heard!
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Make plans to attend the first BAD meeting of 2025!
Thursday, February 13
Please plan to arrive around 11:30 a.m. so that we have time to visit and food orders can be received in time for the meeting to begin at 11:45.
HEADS UP: Our next BAD meeting on March 13 is at 6:00 p.m.
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SPEAK UP!
SIGN UP FOR THE BAD
RAPID RESPONSE TEAM
Though not an election year, there remain urgent and important legislative issues at the local, state and federal level requiring our attention. Thanks to long-time BAD member Cindy Offutt, we are implementing a RAPID RESPONSE TEAM to contact our elected officials as critical issues and votes arise.
We are asking all interested BAD members to sign up to receive texts and/or emails from Cindy. As urgent matters come up in Austin or Washington DC, Cindy will send out a brief recommendation on how to proceed.
When you receive an alert from Cindy, follow her directions to send out your own texts or emails, go online and sign petitions, or make phone calls.
Everyone can do this!
If you would like to join this effort, please send your name, email address and cell number to fcoffutt@yahoo.com. There is strength in numbers, so the more we can hammer our legislators, the more likely things may change.
BAD RAPID RESPONSE TEAM
Comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable!
Please note: We will not release or share your email or cell phone number with anyone.
This is a strictly voluntary, opt-in effort. You can opt-out at any time.
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Several Boerne Democrats joined the Bexar County Dems at Senator Cornyn's office on February 6 to protest. Our elected senator wasn't there and his staff refused to talk to anyone - they actually locked the door so that no one could enter. Vote him out in the 2026 midterms! | |
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ATTEND THESE MEETINGS
The Kendall County Democratic Party will hold a strategic planning meeting on Wednesday, February 12, at 5:30 p.m. at the Hampton Inn in Boerne. Everyone is invited to attend! We need your input as we prepare to move forward and make our voices heard!
RSVP here:
https://www.mobilize.us/kendalltxdems/event/751162/
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Boerne ISD School Board:
3rd Wednesday, 5:00 p.m.
Boerne City Commission:
6:00 p.m., 2nd & 4th Tuesdays
Kendall County Commissioners:
9:00 a.m. 2nd & 4th Tuesdays
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The Center for Refugee Services Needs Our Help!
CRS is a non-profit and doesn't take any federal funds; they rely solely on donations and grants. They desperately need donations of food staples and personal hygiene items. As you know, BAD helped provide furniture for several of the new Afghan families that arrived in January 2024. The average Afghan family has 6 children and has an income of $24,000. CRS helps them by supplementing their food needs.
If you can help, please bring your donations of these items to our February meeting:
STAPLES such as sugar, flour, salt, soups, rice, beans, tea, peanut butter, cooking oil, soap (of all kinds) and laundry supplies.
PERSONAL HYGIENE items such as deodorant, shampoo, disposable razors, combs/brushes, toothpaste and toothbrushes.
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LAURA BRAY
KCDP CHAIR
NOTES FROM THE CHAIR
Join us on Wednesday, February 12 at 5:15pm at the Hampton Inn Boerne for our annual Strategic Planning meeting! Arrive at 5:15 to mix and mingle and meet new folks; we'll get started promptly at 5:30. An agenda will be sent to all participants prior to the meeting. We'll spend a little bit of time talking about 2024 election year activities, but most of the meeting will discuss ideas on how we can best take action against the current 50-alarm fires going on in Washington and Austin. (The voucher bill has passed the Senate. The meeting will be facilitated by Wayne and Billie Watts. We'll have sandwiches, chips, and drinks. You're welcome to bring a dessert to share. RSVP here: https://www.mobilize.us/kendalltxdems/event/751162/
We have several key job openings and are looking for folks to step up and get involved. We are in particular need of an Office Manager. KCDP also needs these volunteers: an Historian (gather, collect, and file historical information related to KCDP), an Editor (to develop content for the TxLege Action Alert Newsletter), Office Staff (to open/close the office, answer phone, respond to visitor questions, and register voters), an Event Coordinator (to coordinate various events such as rallies or social events), Writers (to write Progressive Views columns for The Boerne Star), and several Precinct Chairs/Deputy: Precinct Chairs (to coordinate voter contact and the “boots on the ground” work).
We’ll provide training and support for all these jobs. If you want more information on any of the job openings, contact Laura [email chair@kendalltxdemocrats.org] or Karen Cox [email deputychair@kendalltxdemocrats.org].
About 10-12 folks from Kendall County went to downtown San Antonio on Thursday morning to stage a protest against Elon Musk and demanding that John Cornyn do his job. We got some good news coverage (https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2025/02/06/demonstrators-gather-in-downtown-san-antonio-to-protest-elon-musk-unelected-influence-over-us-government/).
Thanks for everything you do to fight for equality and justice in Texas!
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"Our very survival depends on our ability to stay awake, to adjust to new ideas, to remain vigilant and to face the challenge of change."
Martin Luther King
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BAD NEEDS RECURRING DONORS!
Donations are still critical so that we can continue to support important causes, our scholarship program, and our Democratic office. Please consider becoming a recurring donor!
It’s really easy to set up your recurring donation via ActBlue. Simply go to https://secure.actblue.com/ and click on Sign In to enter your information. You can also donate via a credit card, an auto-withdrawal from your bank, or by mailing a check to BAD, P.O. Box 2132, Boerne, TX, 78006.
If you prefer to pay regular dues ($10 for students, $35 for those 60 or over, and $50 for everyone else), you can do so online by clicking here:
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BAD received a nice thank you note and a $200 donation from Kristin Hook, former candidate for TX HD 21.
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The Kendall County Democratic Party will hold a strategic planning meeting on Wednesday, February 12, at 5:30 p.m. at the Hampton Inn in Boerne. Everyone is invited to attend! We need your input as we prepare to move forward and make our voices heard! RSVP here:
https://www.mobilize.us/kendalltxdems/event/751162/
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BAD BOOK CLUB
Book Club will meet on Wednesday, February 19, at 5:30 p.m. at the Dem headquarters, 216 E. Blanco, Suite 201.
The book selection for January is
On Freedom, by Timothy Snyder.
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Several folks braved the freezing weather and met in Main Plaza to remember Martin Luther King on January 22. Many thanks to Richard Caldwell for organizing the event and to Sheree Whitney for speaking.
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Many thanks to the few brave Democrats that came out on a cold Saturday morning to pick up trash on FM 3351. | |
A good time was had by the 40 Democrats that showed up at 28 Songs Brewery for Wine Down Wednesday on January 22! | | |
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The BAD Knitting Club enjoys their Thursday morning lessons; some members are also crocheting and quilting. There's a lot of discussion about politics!
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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 Tuesday of each month at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall, 447 N. Main Street, Boerne.
The Planning and Zoning Commission meetings are held on the first Monday of each month in the Ronald C. Bowman Council Chambers at City Hall, 447 N. Main Street, 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 Fair Oaks City Council meets on the 1st and 3rd Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at the FOR City Hall, 7286 Dietz Elkhorn Road, FOR. | |
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. | |
The Boerne ISD Board of Trustees meets on the 4th 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: Whitney White
Vice President: Rachel Kilgore
Secretary: Robin Prescott
Treasurer: Michele Smith
Membership: Shawn Bonner
Publicity: Corrine Castillo
Webmaster: Andy Wine
Past President: Susan Dollar
Ex Officio member: Laura Bray, KCDP
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Connect with us!
JOIN THE BOERNE AREA DEMOCRATS
Membership Form
Email: BAD@boerne-area-democrats.com
Web: boerne-area-democrats.org
Facebook: facebook.com/boerne.area.democrats
Notice Regarding Photography and/or Audio/Video Recording
The Boerne Area Democrats captures photographs and/or audio/video recordings during our events.
Such photographs and recordings may be used in BAD's advertising and social media relations to let others know of our events. In addition, local news organizations may hear of our events, and BAD may allow them to record events for news reporting. If you do not wish to be in photos/videos,
please let the photographer/videographer know in advance.
This newsletter is intended for people interested in the work of the Boerne Area Democrats and the Democratic Party in general. To be removed from this mailing list, please click on Unsubscribe below
or email us at bad@boerne-area-democrats.com.
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