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THE VOICE
Volume 27 . Issue 1 . January 2025
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WHITNEY WHITE
President
As some of you may know, after nearly 30 years in Chicago, I relocated to Texas in late 2019 to be near family, so I moved from a big blue dot to a small red blob! I was born and raised in Florida, but my parents are both originally from small towns in south Texas and I grew up spending my summers there with extended family. So, while I expected the culture shock, the political shock was just that - shocking! And though I had block walked in Kendall County, IL, and marched in Chicago (the Women's March 2017, the March to the Polls 2018, the March for Our Lives 2018), I only became truly politically activated after my move to Kendall County, TX.
Like all of you, I've spent the last two months recovering...from the presidential race where we knew a loss was possible, but thought surely, we as a country knew better, and from the state race where we all had such high hopes for change. Now it's January and time for all of us to get back into the fight, because something this important is definitely worth fighting for.
First, though, I want to acknowledge successes from 2024: BAD supported KCDP in the largest get-out-the-vote effort ever, BAD added nearly 20 new members since September, we set a new record for democrats voting at 6,300, BAD and KCDP made national headlines from both the Texit/secession story and the "billboard wars", and Kendall County, TX, sent a national delegate to the Democratic Convention in Chicago. All of these are significant in the fight, so thanks to everyone for all the work!
This year, our goal is to remind the other side we're still here - to make our voices heard! As your new president, I'm counting on your continued energy and engagement to make it happen.
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Make plans to attend the first BAD meeting of 2025!
Thursday, January 9
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 noon.
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MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD!
The 119th Congress of the United States was sworn in on January 3, 2025.
The 2025 Texas Legislature begins on January 14 and runs through June 2.
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 must pressure our legislators to ensure they know
DEMOCRATS ARE STILL HERE and WE DEMAND TO BE HEARD!
We invite you to join the team and participate from the comfort of your own home. No block-walking, no door-knocking, and no postcard writing!
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 always 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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RACHEL KILGORE
Vice President
After 45 years living in Houston, I moved to Boerne in 2021 to be near my family in San Antonio. Houston was a great place for my husband and I to work, and we felt like we belonged.
I am a nurse and have worked in hospitals and universities as a manager, educator, and most recently, a simulationist educator. I am a three-degree graduate and Tessie from TWU.
I am a bit one dimensional as a nurse, so I really count on and listen to those better informed than myself. What I bring to this group is experience, ethics, research skills, good judgement, and concern for the future of the generations that will follow us. I am happy to be part of a group where I can be of service. Many thanks for your support.
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MICHELE SMITH
Treasurer
I'm a retired tax professional and a current wine pour professional raised in the Hill Country. I'm glad to be back while hoping to make a difference in our state and federal governance.
MEMBERS: It's time to pay your January dues!
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ROBIN PRESCOTT
Secretary
I grew up in California and moved to Texas 45 years ago. I was passionate then about the environment and women's rights and this has only grown with the assaults on all peoples' rights. I worked as a nurse/nurse practitioner at the Audie Murphy VA for 30 years. I have a daughter and two grandchildren who live in the area, and I see a couple of times a week.
This is the 3rd year I will serve as secretary for BAD.
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SHAWN BONNER
Membership
I once again have the pleasure of volunteering as BAD Membership Chair. I have lived in Boerne for many moons actively interacting with the community. I served in the Boerne Sunrise Rotary for many years, engaged in various Boerne Chamber Committee’s and graduated in the second year of Boerne Leadership Program.
Membership donations fuel the clubs’ efforts to support the Democratic Party and election campaigns so thank you for the commitments you make.
I look forward to another year of comradery, perseverance and fun!
We currently have 169 paid BAD members!
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ANDY WINE
Webmaster
I am a Marine veteran and University of Texas alum working in cloud computing and serve on the board as the webmaster.
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CORRINE CASTILLO
Publicity
I'm originally from San Antonio but now live in the Boerne area in Bexar County. As a former PR & Marketing professional, I am proud to serve as your publicity chair to help promote BAD's meetings and events.
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SUSAN DOLLAR
Past President
I moved to Boerne in 2006 and thank goodness for the area Democrats! Otherwise, I don't think I would have lasted this long. After a career in higher education, I am happily retired and love to travel with my husband, Scott.
I am so proud of what BAD had accomplished and am looking forward to the new year. We have to keep on going, so please join us in our efforts to continue to make our voices heard.
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LAURA BRAY
Kendall County Democratic Party Chair
Laura has served as County Chair for the Kendall County Democratic Party (KCDP) since January 2021. As Chair, she oversees:
· Elections and Election Workers, particularly the Democratic Primary
· Get Out the Vote Efforts
· Fundraising
· Communications
· Community Relations (such as our quarterly Adopt-A-Highway pickups)
· Volunteer Management and Recruitment
Laura checked off a Bucket List item by attending the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago in August as a Delegate from Congressional District 21.
Besides her Democratic Party activities, she’s a freelance writer and photographer, a Texas Master Naturalist, and Chair of the Boerne Public Library Advisory Board. You can find out more at www.laurabray.net.
Laura is a fifth-generation Texan. Born in Midland, she grew up in Houston and attended Texas A&M University. After fifteen years of living outside of Texas, she and her husband Bruce returned (for good!) to the Lone Star State with a move to San Antonio in 1998. She currently lives in Boerne. She has one son (active duty Air Force) and two young grandsons who live in Tyler.
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NOTES FROM THE KCDP CHAIR
January 2025
I feel like we’re all holding our breath, waiting to see what happens on and after Inauguration Day and what awful bills the next session of the Texas Legislature will bring. We all know that 2025 will be a roller coaster of a year. I encourage you to fight back and get involved and find ways to recharge your batteries when you need to. For myself, Bruce is taking me down to the coast during Inauguration Week so I’m spending my time and energy in nature and not obsessing over (or watching) what’s happening in DC.
Sometime in late January or February, KCDP will hold a facilitated Strategic Planning meeting where we’ll focus on two things:
· A discussion on what worked and what didn’t during our 2024 efforts.
· A discussion on how we want to focus our efforts/spend our time on for the non-election year of 2025. Stay tuned for more details as we get our plans finalized. I hope many of you will join us to share your insights.
I’ll close with a few of my favorite quotes that I shared in my end-of-year Progressive Views column:
“The path ahead won’t be easy. It isn’t what we fought for. But it’s the path before us—and I believe in our ability to keep up the fight. Reach down deep to find the strength to keep going.”—Sen. Elizabeth Warren on November 18
“All you need is the plan, the road map, and the courage to press on to your destination.”—Earl Nightingale
“We generate fears while we sit. We overcome them by action.”—Dr. Henry Link
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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 BOOK CLUB
Book Club will meet on Wednesday, January 15, at 5:30 p.m. at the Dem headquarters, 216 E. Blanco, Suite 201.
The book selection for January is
King: A Life, by Jonathan Eig.
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Want to attend THE PEOPLE'S MARCH in Austin on Saturday, January 18?
If so, contact Peg Layton at layton.peg@gmail and let her know to count you in! The plan is to rent vans that will transport people to the march location in Austin, drop them off, then make a return trip after the march. The cost is $50 per person. Don't delay - sign up now!
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Remembering
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Monday, January 20
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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 22
28 SONGS BREWHOUSE + KITCHEN
110 Market Avenue
5:00 p.m. or whenever you can get there!
Join us for this informal gathering with like-minded folks!
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ADOPT A HIGHWAY DAY
Join us at our next trash pick-up for our Adopt-A-Highway section on FM 3351 (just south of its intersection with Hwy 46).
Saturday, January 25
9 – 11am
Parking lot behind Circle K
913 TX HWY 46
Sign up here: https://www.mobilize.us/kendalltxdems/event/746711/
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A good time was had by all at the BAD/KCDP Holiday Party on December 15. Over 80 people showed up to enjoy good food and great friendship!!
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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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