The Collin County Observer

Collin County at bottom of federal funds distribution

Wednesday, March 10, 2010
By JESSICA MEYERS / The Dallas Morning News

Collin County, known for its corporate headquarters and explosive growth, has a new distinction: The county reportedly receives the smallest amount of federal funds per person among the country's 200 largest counties.

A Brookings Institution report released this week looked at 2008 federal spending tied to the census in an effort to understand how the upcoming count will affect the distribution of more than $400 billion from federal programs. The bulk of federal assistance goes to states through grants for low-income households and highway infrastructure. States' per-capita funding is tied to income inequalities of high pay and high poverty, Medicaid income limits and the percentage of rural population.

Collin County didn't receive much federal money largely because it doesn't have an income disparity that pulls those funds, said Andrew Reamer, who authored the report. The county got $182 per person in 2008. Suffolk County, Mass., which includes Boston, received the most funding per person at $6,032.

"In wealthier counties, people don't use Medicaid, so they aren't likely to benefit," Reamer said.

Medicaid alone makes up almost 60 percent of federal assistance spending. The low-income health program accounts for most of Collin County's funding, as well. But these services are less utilized than in Texas counties of similar size, said Stephanie Goodman, a spokeswoman for the state's health and human services commission.

Collin County, which has a 6 percent poverty rate, has 31,064 people enrolled in Medicaid. El Paso County, with roughly the same population, has 133,079 in the program. Hidalgo County has 195,559.

That doesn't mean residents can slough off the upcoming census, Reamer said. "If Collin County is undercounted, it may not get its fair share from the state of Texas," he said, pointing to both fiscal and political ramifications. Businesses uses census data to identify markets, and an inaccurate count could lead to mistakes in investment, he said. The data will also be used to draw new legislative boundaries.

The 2010 census may also reveal just how short-lived the county's current distinction is, said Terry Clower, director of economic development and research at the University of North Texas. The county is becoming "more income diverse," he said.

Link to article and more at The Dallas Morning News....

Stakes high as cities debate proposed tollway routes

by STEVE STOLER / WFAA-TV
Posted on March 9, 2010 at 9:56 PM
Updated March 9 at 10:38 PM

PILOT POINT — The Dallas North Tollway is expanding far north.

Right now, there are three proposed routes, and the stakes are high. The chosen path will bring with it millions of dollars in tax revenue and economic development.

The Mayor of Celina, Jim Lewis, put it this way:

“The decision on where the Tollway will go is about money — who gets it and who pays it,” said Mayor Jim Lewis of Celina.

Three hundred people converged on the community room of a Pilot Point bank Tuesday to take a look for themselves.

The Green Alignment veers west-northwest toward Pilot Point and meets up with U.S. Highway 377. Cindy Schindler says its the best route for rural Denton County.

“They have no direct route to the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex areas, no matter where they work," she said. "They have a long, winding way to get there. This route would benefit them, save fuel and save time."

The Yellow/Red Alignment veers west and then heads due north up the Collin/Denton county line. Pilot Point leaders say this route would share the wealth and cost between both counties. They believe it can be built the fastest.

“It’s just a lot better route. It's a straighter route," said Pilot Point City Manager J.C. Hughes.

But Celina leaders want the Tollway to run through their town in Collin County on the Orange/Red Alignment. They claim it's the shortest route to Grayson County, which means less road to build and big savings.

“And what that means is that's $40 to $45 million less in tolls that will have to be charged to make up the funding," said Celina City Manager Jason Gray.

The cities are competing for big benefits. The Tollway extension is expected to generate $50 million in tax revenue every year.

The NTTA board is scheduled to approve a route in July.

Related:

* Detailed map of proposed Dallas North Tollway expansion options (pdf)
* Dallas North Tollway expansion information Web site

read and watch video report at WFAA....

=================

The Observer comments:

You want to know why there is a Collin County Toll Road Authority?

Look at the DNT extension map, that's why.

The CCTRA was formed out of fears that this extension of the DNT would bypass much of Collin County. for years, there was an agreement between Collin and Denton counties that the future tollroad extension would be along the county line. This is the yellow route on the map.

Hearing that other routes were under consideration that would move the alignment into Denton County, the Collin County Commissioners panicked and after repudiating the agreement with Denton, formed the CCTRA and tried to take the right of way from NTTA.

Unfortunately for our commissioners, the North Texas Tollway Authority has lots of friends in the Texas Legislature. Collin County was forced to back off and promise not to interfere with the DNT extension in return for being allowed to pursue their work on financing the Outer Loop.

At one point, the NTTA floated the compromise idea of the "Y", basically creating two roads one east and one west. At the time, The Observer predicted that the "Y" option was not realistic.

We notice that it didn't even appear in the map used in yesterday's NTTA presentation. Instead there are 3 possible routes, one largely in Collin County and two in Denton County. The original negotiated route along the county line appears to no longer be on the table.

At stake is billions in future long-term economic development.

Because of its 'snatch and grab' attempt, Collin County finds itself at the disadvantage.

Neither NTTA nor Denton County has any moral imperative now to play fair. If they do, you can bet they'll make our commissioners squirm first.

The Collin County Commissioners Court often rails against "regionalism" as if it were some kind of communist plot. Right now they are letting Celina fight alone for the Collin County route.

It will be interesting to watch the commissioners court now that they have no choice but to seek a regional approach.

Bill

Eric Lynn Moore has been appealing his conviction of the 1990 murder of Helen Ayers of Prosper.

Today, the United States Supreme Court refused to hear an appeal from the State of Texas, who was asking that his death sentence be reinstated.

Moore will now spend the rest of his natural life in prison.

Moore and three accomplices went to the Ayers' home and complained of having car trouble. Invited inside the home by Ayers' husband Robert, 53, the men pulled guns and robbed the couple of money and jewelry. The couple was forced into their bedroom, where they were both shot twice. Mrs. Ayers, shot in the head and leg, died. Her husband was shot twice in the back, but survived.

Moore and his accomplice, Kenneth Eugene Bruce were convicted in the 219th Collin County District Court and sentenced to die in 1991. Bruce was executed for Ayers' murder in 2004.

Moore's attorneys argued for years that he was mentally impaired, with an IQ below 70.

In 2002, the United Supreme Court declared the execution of mentally retarded persons unconstitutional, declaring it cruel and unusual punishment.

In 2003 Moore's lawyers sought a stay of execution while appealing his conviction on the grounds that he was mentally retarded. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals rejected his claim and Moore appealed to the US District Court.

U.S. District Judge Leonard Davis gave him a hearing and found he should not be executed.

Texas appealed to the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans. A panel of that court reversed Judge Davis, but later the full court reversed the panel and set aside the death sentence, the court wrote, "After considering the evidence, the district court found Moore to be mentally retarded, and enjoyed the State from executing him."

The US Supreme Court has refused to hear the Texas appeal, thereby affirming the Circuit Court's decision sparing Moore's life.

Bill

See also Sherman Lawyer Gets a Man off Death Row, KTEN, March 8, 2010

On Saturday, the League of Women Voters held a candidate's forum for the Plano City Council, Place 3 run-off between Andre Davidson and Cathy Fang.

The Observer was there with his hand-held camera.

Each candidate was given a 3 minute opening and then several questions were asked. Here are some clips from the forum:

Bill

In a response to an email from The Collin County Observer, Doug Reeves informed me that on Friday, he withdrew for the race for Justice of the Peace, Precinct 4.

Mr. Reeves was responding to a request to comment on or rebut the issues raised in this investigative article.

####

Doug Reeves, whose surprising 2nd place finish in the Republican primary race put him in a run-off against the incumbent Mike Yarbrough, will soon have his day in court.

But Reeves will appear in Judge Raleeh's JP Court, not as a judge but to defend himself against a Class C misdemeanor charge of filing an incomplete campaign finance report.

CASE NO. 01-TR-10-01329, STATE of TEXAS vs.DOUGLAS REEVES has not been scheduled for trial as of the date of this article. Court records appear to indicate that a fine of $320 dollars is proposed.

The hapless Mr. Reed, who boasts on his website that he has been "Tea Approved" by the North Texas Tea Party, is also under investigation by the Texas Secretary of State for illegally notarizing his own signature on a campaign finance report.

Not the first time: My Brother's Helper, Inc.

This is not the first time Mr. Reeves has run afoul of state law and regulations.

Research by the Collin County Observer has turned up a disturbing record of failure to comply with the law.

On his campaign website, Reeves writes, "In 1988 I founded My Brother's Helper, Inc. For the past 22 years, I have assisted handicapped adults in their quest to obtain meaningful employment and become self-supporting. This small business, 501(c) (3) non-profit organization also provides for young people to perform community service and learn life lessons. In January, 2009 we began a program mentoring fatherless young men."

There is a website for My Brother's Helper, and it is actively soliciting donations. It asks that donations be sent to "101 West Buckingham Road, Ste. 144 Richardson, Texas 75081".

However the company at that address is not "My Brother's Helper", but "Lincoln American Security Officer/Concealed Handgun Academy".

The website for Lincoln American advises, "Call Doug to schedule a class", and that is is "designed and hosted by Doug Reeves @ Homestead."

A search at the Texas Department of Public Safety lists Doug Reeves at 101 West Buckingham Rd. as a licensed to operate a school for private investigators.

A search of incorporation records at the Texas Secretary of State shows that "My Brother's Helper" was incorporated as a non-profit on August 28, 1989, but that on August 3, 2007 Reeves was sent a "Notice of Forfeited Rights for non-filing of Periodic Report"

The State of Texas then "involuntarily dissolved" My Brother's Helper on December 5, 2007. Yet in an article about a pro-life rally in 2008, Mr. Reeves continued to represent that My Brother's Helper was an incorporated non-profit.

Further, on a web page titled "Ethics and Texas, Happy Halloween from My Brother's Helper", Reeves writes that:

"Approximately seven years ago Carol McKinney, a Texas Rehabilitation Commission Counselor, called me with some astonishing news. Paul Begales, the TRC regional Programs Director had visited the Plano field office. He met with the Vocational Rehabilitation Commission counselors. He told these VRCs that they could no longer take referrals from me and to cease doing business with my organization, My Brother's Helper Inc.

"I had been referring handicapped clients to TRC for years. They in turn would refer many of them back to me for various services that I provide. Some of the services I provide are, helping clients with a resume, and teach them job getting and job keeping skills. The main service I provide is teaching a security course and helping handicapped people get a job as a security officer."

Nevertheless, Reeves continues to state in his campaign materials that My Brother's Helper, Inc. is a non-profit corporation helping rehabilitate young men.

Withdraws from race: Reeves responds

The Observer contacted Mr. Reeves and asked him to refute or comment on any of the issues raised in this article. I received 3 seperate email responses from Mr. Reeves.

The first one was a terse, "I withdrew from the race on Friday."

His second response asked me to double check my facts, charging that I, "have drawn a wrong conclusion in some regards".

On the issue of the campaign finance reports, Reeves stated that:

"You and many others do not take into account the circumstances that I faced in this campaign. I am not a criminal or evil man. I have made stupid mistakes on paper work. Much of this campaign I have been depressed related to circumstances. My father passed away last year, a few months later an uncle who was like an older brother passed. We were close in age, fished and hung around together, and he was the big brothers that I never had. In the middle of the campaign my cousin passed away. You are probably aware of the grief process which can last one week or in some cases over one year. The first stage is shock---you expect them to walk through the door. You pick up the phone to call them; it does not seem real. Then anger sets in. I was at this stage at the very beginning of the campaign. People who knew me inquired into what was wrong with me. I wasn't myself. I was able to put a smile on my face when in public, but as soon as I left the public the smile left my face. The third stage--grief did not set in until the last 1 1/2 months into the campaign. Also my job went the way of the economy. My income dropped and I took on a part time job. I was the candidate, the campaign manager, and the campaign secretary. Almost every night I was up until one or two o'clock, and arose for my part time job at 4:45 in the morning. This eventually took its toll on my body--the grief--the lack of sleep---I developed stomach problems, my blood pressure went up. At 59 I am not the man I used to be. Yes, I made paper work mistakes, and have been beaten up pretty badly for them. I look forward to the day when everything is resolved."

On the issue of My Brother's Helper, Inc. accepting donations, Reeves wrote:

"Incidentally, My Brother's Helper, Inc. was run out of the office on Buckingham. I now operate it out of my home, and have done so for a long period of time. I operate another business out of the Buckingham address. I have asked the building owner to change the name on the door, but they have not. Some tenants have moved out of the building and the name on the door was not changed for up to two years. My Brother's Helper, Inc. does not accepted donations. When people inquire, I refer them to their church. The website needs to be updated, and I will get to it. I have not been on tha site in a long time."

He also issued a veiled threat, asking me if I had checked the statute of limitations, as someone might want to file a complaint against one of my 2006 campaign reports.

In his third response, Reeves again issued a veiled threat, but offered no specific defense or argument other than to say, "Some of your assessments earlier are definitely wrong. Some will amount to slander. I am under no legal obligation to correct before you go to print."

A few hours later, someone revised the donations page at My Brother's Helper, removing the suggested $10 donation and adding the line, "We will resume our non-profit status soon."

The Texas Election Code permits a run-off candidate to withdraw from the race, if he informs the County Chair of that party within 10 days of the primary. If Reeves does in fact officially withdraw, then Mike Yarbrough will be the nominee.

Since Yarbrough is unopposed in November, he is in effect, re-elected.

Bill

On March 8, I received the documents from the Texas Secretary of State's Office that are referenced in this article:

My Brother's Helper - Incorporation
My Brother's Helper - Incorporation Certificate
My Brother's Helper - 1st warning letter of periodic reports not filed
My Brother's Helper - 2nd warning letter of periodic reports not filed
My Brother's Helper - Notice of Involuntary Dissolution
North Shepherd Christian Center - Incorporation
North Shepherd Christian Center - Forfeiture of Incorporation

The big news last week (aside from the elections) was the on again, off again, ready to go, not ready start of construction for the Performance Hall for the Arts of Collin County. Presently the project is in official "go mode", but the Frisco City Council may put the brakes on the project if it approves a second referendum on the bond sales for the hall.

During the same week, the North Texas Historical Center announced that because of funding cuts by the Collin County Commissioners Court, they may have to close their doors forever. The Historical Museum is in the old ca. 1911 post office building in McKinney.

At the center of the downtown McKinney square sits the old Collin County Courthouse, now the home of the McKinney Performing Arts Center (MPAC).

MPAC too is facing an uncertain future as the McKinney City Council has begun a 're-visioning process' that could spell the end of the Performing Arts in downtown McKinney.

All three projects, are victims of the poor economy. Local cities and the county are expecting tax revenue shortfalls and are looking for ways to trim their budgets. Because private donations are also affected by the downturn, these cultural institutions are in financial trouble.

Given the current 'hard times', it makes sense, at least on the surface, to kill funding for arts and history in order to preserve core functions, such as roads and public safety. No elected official, especially in this economy, is wiling to ask voters for a tax hike for the Arts.

But there are good arguments to be made for funding these entities.

One is simple economics.

While it is true that when times are hard, the prudent consumer stops discretionary spending, it is also true that in those same hard times, the savvy investor builds his portfolio. He buys when prices are low.

In the case of the Arts Hall, proponents argue that construction costs are cheaper than they have been in a long time, and much cheaper than they will be in the future. This is the time, they argue, just as America did in the Great Depression, to invest in our community. The costs are low, and the project will bring in much needed jobs.

During the Great Depression, this country invested not only in building parks, roads and buildings, but also in the arts and history. For example, "Federal One" consisted of, The Federal Art Project, The Federal Music Project, The Federal Theatre Project, The Federal Writers Project and The Historical Records Survey.

These programs were created because the government saw an opportunity to preserve its people's culture - culture that was threatened by economic and technological forces that could have doomed the traditional arts.

Now, no one I know is remotely suggesting that Collin County embark on its own New Deal, but it is critical to recognize that our past and our culture is also threatened today. The poor economy has greatly reduced the availability of private donations. If the public subsidies are also killed, we may loose our historic treasures like the old courthouse and post office forever.

Preserving MPAC and the Historical Museum require small, not huge investments.

If we as a community value our own culture, we can easily find a way to afford these projects.

We need to force budget cuts on all three of these programs. But they should be cuts, not mortal blows.

In the end, having a diversity of cultural venues enhances our communities and our quality of life. They bring people to our cities. They make our neighborhoods more attractive investments.

They are who we are.

Can we afford to loose them?

Bill

From North Texas E-News

Town hall meeting planned March 9 to discuss McKinney Performing Arts Center

By City of McKinney
Mar 5, 2010

McKINNEY, TEXAS (March 3, 2010) – A town hall meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 9 at 5:30 p.m. in the Courtroom Theater at the McKinney Performing Arts Center (MPAC). Mayor Brian Loughmiller will speak on the city’s arts facility and take questions from attendees.

The meeting is open to any citizen who wants to attend and present their opinion surrounding MPAC and council’s previously released plan for the future of the city’s arts facility. Unlike the public input meetings, this town hall will give residents the opportunity to directly address and to be addressed by the Mayor during a Q&A session.

This town hall is part of the ongoing process to determine the future course of MPAC. The process started with initial feedback from arts groups who regularly use the facility. One of two scheduled public input meetings hosted by the McKinney Arts Commission (MAC) has been held to review the proposed plans, ask questions and give feedback. The MAC serves as the advisory board to the City Council about expenditures of city funds designated for promoting or sustaining the arts in McKinney.

================================

UPDATE, March 8, 2010

The Frisco City Council voted today to leave intact the planned bond sales for the Arts of Collin county Performance Hall. From a City of Frisco press release:

FRISCO CITY COUNCIL TAKES "NO ACTION" DURING SPECIAL CALLED MEETING INVOLVING ARTS OF COLLIN COUNTY PROJECT

(March 8, 2010) "No Action" was taken during this afternoon's 'special called' Frisco City Council meeting, which revolved around Frisco's position on the Arts of Collin County project.

By voting to take "no action", Frisco continues to be a partner in the Arts of Collin County project.

Today's "no action" move means there will not be a proposition on the May ballot asking voters to revoke Frisco's remaining $16.4 million of the $19 million dollars in bonds approved by voters in 2002 for the Arts of Collin County.

###

History museum loses funding, in jeopardy of closing

by STEVE STOLER / WFAA-TV
Posted on March 5, 2010 at 4:57 PM
Updated today at 5:54 PM

******

A rally will be held on the steps of the North Texas History Center in McKinney Saturday morning in an effort to drum up support to save it. The museum is in jeopardy of running out of money and closing its doors.

The building that houses the center is historic itself. It was built as a U.S. Post Office in 1911. Collin County now owns it and leases it to the history center. County commissioners, who act as landlords, recently decided to cut museum funding 75 percent and stop funding altogether next year. "I was surprised and horrified," said museum executive director Vicki Day.

The museum houses historic artifacts from five North Texas counties, from authentic flags, a covered wagon and civil war uniforms, to military weapons, a mask worn by Abraham Lincoln and slave shackles.

Students from area schools, including the Bonnema kids, often come to the center to learn hands-on about their heritage.

“It’s real-like. It’s not in a book. You can actually feel it,” said Boone Bonnema, a student. His grandfather, Arch Bonnema, also likes the hands-on approach. “It becomes more real to them when our grand kids can go there and try on clothes and actually touch and hold some of the old tools that our grandparents had to do to make things that are all electric for us."

History Center officials say they had a five-year plan to become self-sufficient without any county money. But the commissioners’ sudden move has left them struggling to find a way to survive. “If we're lost, that means history is lost. You can never retrieve it. It's gone forever," said Day.

Many of the supporters who will attend Saturday’s rally will be dressed in civil war uniforms. After the rally, they will march to the downtown McKinney square, where they will ask people to help save a local treasure.

link to this story at wfaa.com....

The North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) is holding a public meeting at 6:30 on Monday night (March 8) at the Allen City Hall to present and get comments on three items:

• Mobility 2035: Determining the Future of Transportation in the Region
  NCTCOG is developing the next long-term transportation plan, Mobility 2035. It will be a comprehensive plan that includes projects and policies aimed at meeting transportation needs through the next 25 years.
  
  
• Status Report: List of Funded Projects and Economic Recovery
  Project Progress
  A comprehensive list of funded transportation projects through 2011 is maintained in the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). Projects with committed funds from federal, state and local sources are included in the TIP.
  
  
• Advancing Transportation Projects and Drafting Plans for Potential Funding Opportunities
  Staff will summarize how $43 million awarded to North Texas on Feb. 17 from the federal Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) Discretionary Grant Program will benefit S.H. 161 and the downtown Dallas streetcar project.
  
  

NCTCOG is the regional planning authority for federal and state financed transportation projects. It is an association of just about all the local governments in the North Texas Region and is financed with your tax dollars.

Then on Wednesday, March 10, The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is partnering with the NCTCOG to hold a 'Town Hall' meeting at Plano's City Hall to give residents and local officials an opportunity to share their thoughts on local transportation issues and needs.

TxDOT, along with NCTCOG and other local transportation representatives, will be on hand to answer questions and provide information on projects and funding, including a brief perspective on regional infrastructure requirements for the future.

“It’s important to engage Texans in the discussion—to bring citizens to the table so they can contribute to shaping our future transportation system and participate in the statewide funding conversation,” said Amadeo Saenz, TxDOT executive director.

Citizens are encouraged to attend these meetings and provide feedback on regional transportation issues. The information received will be used to help Texas plan and develop an efficient transportation system—one that is sophisticated enough to meet the needs of future generations, he noted.

A webcast link will be available on the TxDOT home page. Viewers can participate in the town hall via the Internet and have an opportunity to submit questions during the meeting.

Bill

The Arts of Collin County's Executive Director, Michael Simpson, is firing back at those on the Frisco City Council who are proposing that a referendum be held to allow the voters to rescind the decision they made in 2002 when they voted to approve issuing bonds for the Arts Center. Simpson, who is the former mayor of Frisco is sending the below email to Frisco voters urging them to support the Arts Center:

From: Arts of Collin County
Date: Fri, 05 Mar 2010 11:12:51 -0600
To: Bill Baumbach
Subject: URGENT - Arts of Collin County Facts

Important Facts on the 2002 Bond Election

At the last Council meeting there was a lot of talk about what happened in 2002 when the vote was taken to approve the bonds. Also, about 12 months later when it was discussed at three different Council meetings in October and November 2003 before the council decided to move forward with the project.

Here are the facts:

September Election-2002 Total Vote- 2,403 total Votes 1,624 (67% in favor) –Refer to City Ordinance 02-09-106

About one year later, when the council had to start deciding to move ahead with the agreements with the other cities, there were three (3) council meetings held where public input was taken. The facts are:

(the information below is directly from the Minutes of the meetings from the City Secretaries office)

Council Meeting-Oct, 21, 2003 A total of 11 citizens spoke-7 spoke in favor of moving ahead. 1 other was in favor and asked to find a way to make it work.

Council Meeting-Nov. 4, 2003 A total of 3 citizens spoke- 2 spoke in favor.

Council Meeting-Nov. 18, 2003 A total of 2 spoke-1 for and 1 against. At this meeting the council voted to move ahead with the project and not revote.

At three different council meetings-a total of 16 speakers (some the same each meeting) spoke and 10 were in favor.

If this item was so contentious among the voters as has been expressed by certain council members, why did only 16 speak out of the 2,403 who went to the polls and voted on the bond?

Again, ask your City Council to not revote this item, but to make a business decision on whether or not to move ahead on this item and determine when they might sell the bonds to build the arts hall.

E.Michael Simpson
Executive Director
Arts of Collin County

In other ACC news, The Arts of Collin County announced a $100,000 in-kind donation of sandstone from Sunset Stone. The sandstone will be used on the interior walls of the Arts of Collin County’s 2,100-seat performing arts hall.

Sunbelt Stone is owned by Scott and Lisa Carpenter, formerly of Plano and now a Highland Park resident.

Bill

This year citizens are being asked to vote, and vote, and vote, and then vote some more.

In January, Plano citizens cast their ballots for the vacant Place 3 City Council seat. Since no one won the three way race they will vote again in a runoff on March 27.

Tuesday was Primary Election day, and there will be runoffs in the Republican primary. The run-off election date will be April 13.

....and two weeks later most Collin County voters will once again be asked to do their civic duty. City Council and School Board Elections are slated for May 8.

On the first Tuesday in November, voters will once again troop to the polls for the 2010 General Election.

Primary elections here are typically very low turnout, and so the results are often skewed to the most highly motivated voters. Those are generally voters on the extremes of their party.

In recent years, both Keith Self and Matt Shaheen have benefited from run-off contests. In both 2006 and 2008 primary run-offs the conservative far right in the Republican Party turned out enough of their voters to defeat the more moderately conservative incumbents.

On Tuesday, many Republicans stood in line for an hour or more in order to cast their ballots. They likely won't see those kind of lines in the 2nd round of voting - that is, if they show up at all.

2010 ELECTION DATES

• January 30, 2010 Plano special election
  
  
• March 2, 2010 Democratic and Republican Parties Primary election
  
  
• March 27, 2010 Plano special election run-off
  
  
• April 13, 2010 Republican Party Primary run-off
  
  
• November 2, 2010 General elections

Bill

Frisco voters have already approved bonds to build the Arts Of Collin County's Performance Hall.

Recently the beleaguered project got a huge shot in the arm when construction bids came in at $16 million less than planned. Donor's have already added $10 million to the public funds promised. And the City of Allen announced they would give the ACC a $5 million loan guarantee so that construction could begin.

But don't break out the shovels yet. From Thursday's Dallas Morning News:

No Frisco means no arts hall, Plano mayor says

March 4, 2010
By VALERIE WIGGLESWORTH / The Dallas Morning News
Staff writer Matthew Haag contributed to this report.

An effort to put Frisco's bonds for the planned Collin County arts hall before voters again could cripple the project if they're turned down, Plano's mayor says.

Some members of the Frisco City Council want residents there to vote again to authorize Frisco's remaining $16.4 million in bonds for the project. They say the original 2002 vote was based on Frisco, Plano, Allen and McKinney teaming up. McKinney later opted out.

"The city gave its word," Frisco council member Pat Fallon said during a council meeting on the subject Tuesday that went late into the night. Fallon and some others on the council want a referendum on the bonds in May or November.

"If they feel this is the will of the people, why not ask them?" Fallon said Wednesday.

The council will meet Monday afternoon to decide whether to put the question on the ballot.

And if Frisco votes against re-authorization, what then?

"The deal dies," said Plano Mayor Phil Dyer, whose city would be left with Allen to figure out how to make up Frisco's share of the construction costs. The two cities would also have to pick up Frisco's portion of the operating costs once the arts hall opens.

Plano couldn't afford that, Dyer said.

As to what Frisco should do, Dyer said it's not his place to say.

Allen Mayor Steve Terrell said this is just the latest of many hurdles that the Arts of Collin County has faced over the years. He doesn't expect the project to be derailed forever if Frisco pulls out.

"We'll just keep going and try to make it happen," he said.

The man in charge of making the 2,100-seat performance hall happen, meanwhile, says he is frustrated by what he calls a misguided effort.

Mike Simpson, executive director for the Arts of Collin County, was there Tuesday as the Frisco City Council debated.

And Simpson, who was Frisco's mayor during the original vote, said the council thought long and hard before deciding to proceed with a three-city project. The matter was settled back then, he said. After seven years of Frisco's involvement, this shouldn't be an issue, Simpson said.

What the council should be debating, he said, is whether this is the time to move forward. Simpson has a construction bid that's brought the total costs for Phase 1 to $68.9 million, down $17 million from earlier estimates.

He's ready to finalize the contribution agreements and set a date for breaking ground in Allen.

"Did they not think I would get the job done?" he asked.

Frisco City Council member Jeff Cheney said Tuesday that he has struggled with the three- vs. four-city issue and what's right.

"Circumstances change," he said. "I'm not afraid to ask the voters."

Frisco Mayor Maher Maso said the city prides itself on weighing the facts and getting things done. "There's too much to do here to dwell on this," he said. "A very real and valid dialogue needs to take place about if now is the right time [to build]."

Read this article at The Dallas Morning News....

Bill

It's been a long night of counting votes. The elections office finally reported their final counts at 2 AM.

But amid all the drama of the election, there was some really wonderful news.

Congratulations to Collin County Elections Administrator Sharon Rowe on the birth of her 4th grandchild.

The young lady, who was named after her favorite Grandma, was born in Denver while Grandma was counting votes in McKinney.

I hear that mother and baby are doing well.

Bill

Election Summary Report
Democratic and Republican Primary
Summary For Jurisdiction Wide, All Counters, All Races

COMBINED ACCUMULATED TOTALS (all precincts reporting)

Local races only:

U.S. Congress 4th CD - REP
Statewide results (76% of precincts reporting). Hall wins, and makes it look easy. He will face Democrat VaLinda Hathcox in November.

Ralph Hall [I] 29,336 58%
Steve Clark 14,775 29%
John Cooper 2,708 5%
Jerry Ray Hall 2,146 4%
Lou Gigliotti 688 1%
Joshua Kowert 714 1%

State Rep, 66 - REP
Mabrie Jackson will face Van Taylor in a run off. This will be an expensive, knock down brawl.

Van Taylor 4581 33.48%
Wayne Richard 3485 25.47%
Mabrie Jackson 5616 41.05%

District Judge, 219 - REP
Another run off

Scott J. Becker 18014 48.43%
Angela Tucker 12434 33.43%
Wendy McMillon 6749 18.14%

District Judge, 296 - REP
Judge Roach wins re-election in this very hard fought over race.

Keith Gore 19621 45.75%
John R. Roach, Jr 23263 54.25%

Criminal District Attorney - REP
With a surprisingly large margin, Greg Willis gets a clean win - no run off. He will face Democrat Raphael de la Garza in November.

Jeff Bray 7786 19.76%
Greg Willis 25638 65.06%
James Angelino 5985 15.19%

County Judge - REP
Keith Self wins decisively and will face Democrat David Smith in November

Keith Self 26822 57.54%
John Muns 19790 42.46%

Judge, County Court at Law 2 - REP
Jerry Lewis cruises to another term

Sharon Ramage 17394 45.99%
Jerry Lewis 20430 54.01%

Judge, County Court at Law 3 - REP
Who will face Baxter in the run off? It may be a few days before we know.

Stewart Matthews 10571 31.66%
Lance S. Baxter 12298 36.83%
Barnett Walker 10518 31.50%

Judge, County Court at Law 4 - REP
Matt Goeller will face off with David Rippel in a run off. they have very different personalities and styles. It will be an interesting contest.

Linda Wynn Drain 8263 23.89%
Matthew Goeller 9713 28.09%
Chrysti Bryant 7115 20.57%
David Rippel 9493 27.45%

Judge, County Court at Law 6 - REP
Terri Green will meet Jay Bender in the run off

Shawn Ismail 2396 6.70%
Jay Bender 11224 31.40%
Don High 10554 29.52%
Terri Green 11573 32.37%

District Clerk - Rep
Late comer to the race, Terrye Evans, is the spoiler - forcing a run off between Crigger and Hays

Patricia Crigger 15984 43.35%
Terrye Evans 8587 23.29%
Alma Hays 12303 33.36%

County Commissioner, 2 - Rep
Williams handily beats the 30 year incumbent, but not with a majority - This will be one heck of a run off. (83% of the precincts in district reporting)

Karl Voigtsberger 1827 17.45%
Cheryl Williams 4796 45.80%
Jerry Hoagland 3849 36.76%

County Commissioner, 4 - Rep
Webb unseats incumbent Kathy Ward

Kathy Ward 5181 49.29%
Duncan Webb 5330 50.71%

Justice of the Peace, 4 - REP
This one is a big surprise. Reeves is totally unqualified, but looks to face Yarbrough in a run off. In the next few days, there will be a lot of embarrassed Republicans who didn't look at who they were voting for.

Doug Reeves 2738 28.00%
WM "Mike" Yarbrough 4800 49.08%
Kelley Don Adley 2242 22.92%

Democratic Party County Chair - DEM

Shawn Stevens 3879 79.02%
Yasin R. Ali 1030 20.98%

Republican Party County Chair - REP
Fred Moses keeps his chairmanship

Fred Moses 23313 63.57%
Mandy Tschoepe 13362 36.43%

Complete election results from the Collin County Elections Department are here.

Bill

Doug Reeves, who came in a surprising 2nd place in the Justice of the Peace, Precinct 4 race has been accused of violating "the duties and responsibilities of [his] office as a Notary Public.

Reeves is accused of notarizing his own signature on a campaign ethics filing. State law specifically prohibits Notary Publics from notarizing their own signature.

In a letter to Mr. Reeves from the Texas Secretary of State's office, Reeves was ordered to respond to the accusations within 20 days. He was also asked to turn over to the State portions of his notary log book.

If the allegation is upheld, Reeves could have is Notary commission suspended or revoked. He may also face a fine and criminal prosecution.

Last month, the Observer pointed out that Reeves campaign ethics reports were the worst we've ever seen. It is our understanding that more than one complaint has been filed with the commission. The errors, omissions and creative accounting on all 3 of his reports will, if sustained, likely subject Mr. Reeves to heavy fines by the Texas Ethics Commission.

Reeves will face incumbent Mike Yarbrough in a run off for the Precinct 4 Justice of the Peace Republican nomination.

Bill

Notes:

Letter to Doug Reeves from the Office of the Texas Secretary of State dated February 25, 2010

Reeves form C/OH Campaign Finance Report dated February 3, 2010 signed and notarized by him on Feb. 2.

Reeves form C/OH Campaign Finance Report dated January 15, 2010

Reeves form C/OH Campaign Finance Report dated February 22, 2010

Collin County election results delayed amid heavy voter turnout

Wednesday, March 3, 2010
By ED HOUSEWRIGHT / The Dallas Morning News

Election results were delayed Tuesday night in Collin County, where officials said voting was extremely heavy.

At some polling places, people waited in line more than an hour, said Patty Seals, assistant county elections administrator. And some locations still had people waiting in line to vote at 7 p.m., when the polls are supposed to close. Those people were allowed to vote.

"A lot of locations probably could have used more [voting] machines," Seals said.

The county's highest-profile race was the Republican primary for county judge, and first-term incumbent Keith Self led John Muns in early voting.

The winner will face Democrat David Smith in the fall. He had no opposition in his party's primary.

During the campaign, Self said he had kept his promise to lower the county tax rate and slow the growth of government spending.

Muns, meanwhile, said the budget was too austere. He said the county needed to hire more sheriff's deputies and add courts to keep crime from increasing.

The county judge heads the five-member Commissioners Court, which approves the county budget.

In other Republican Commissioners Court races, Commissioner Kathy Ward was trailing Plano school trustee Duncan Webb, and Commissioner Jerry Hoagland was behind business consultant Cheryl Williams, with retired engineer Karl Voigtsberger in third place.

In the Republican district attorney's race, former county court-at-law judge Greg Willis was leading lawyer James Angelino and Jeff Bray, senior legal adviser to the Plano Police Department. Incumbent John Roach did not seek re-election.

In the county judge race, both Self and Muns had high-profile, passionate supporters.

Self was endorsed by state Reps. Jodie Laubenberg and Ken Paxton. Muns had the backing of former Plano mayor Pat Evans and former county Commissioner Phyllis Cole.

Self, a retired Army officer, toppled longtime county judge Ron Harris in the 2006 Republican primary.

Muns, a real estate developer, has been on the Plano school board for 17 years and has deep ties to the community. His father, James Muns, was Plano mayor from 1992 to 1996. His mother, Betty Muns, is on the Arts of Collin County Commission.

John Muns said he would work closely with local mayors if elected. Some were angered by Self's opposition to a 2007 county bond program that included money for city projects, Muns said. Voters overwhelmingly approved the $328.9 million package.

Muns also said he would increase the county's economic development efforts.

Self, meanwhile, said the best way to attract businesses was to keep county taxes low. He said he had a more proven conservative record than Muns.

Last month, some fellow Republicans criticized Self for using a quotation from a Nazi official to rebut campaign statements made by Muns.

Self put a post on his Web site and Facebook page titled "Let's Try Some Truth" that leads off by quoting Joseph Goebbels, Nazi Germany's notorious propaganda minister: "If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it."

Muns and some other Republicans said they were offended that Self would invoke a Nazi official's comments in a campaign. Others, however, defended Self, who said he didn't intend to link Muns to Nazism.

A record 39 candidates in 14 contested races appeared on the Republican primary ballot.

read this article at The Dallas Morning News....

Election Summary Report
Democratic and Republican Primary
Summary For Jurisdiction Wide, All Counters, All Races

COMBINED ACCUMULATED TOTALS (73% of precincts reporting)

Local races only:

U.S. Congress 4th CD - REP
Statewide results (76% of precincts reporting). Hall wins, and makes it look easy. He will face Democrat VaLinda Hathcox in November.
Ralph Hall [I] 29,336 58%
Steve Clark 14,775 29%
John Cooper 2,708 5%
Jerry Ray Hall 2,146 4%
Lou Gigliotti 688 1%
Joshua Kowert 714 1%

State Rep, 66 - REP
Mabrie Jackson will face Taylor in the run off
Van Taylor 3387 32.93%
Wayne Richard 2631 25.58%
Mabrie Jackson 4269 41.50%

District Judge, 219 - REP
Looks like another run off
Scott J. Becker 14775 48.67%
Angela Tucker 10254 33.78%
Wendy McMillon? 5329 17.55%

District Judge, 296 - REP
Judge Roach wins re-election in this very hard fought over race.
Keith Gore 16080 46.06%
John R. Roach, Jr 18832 53.94%

Criminal District Attorney - REP
With a surprisingly large margin, Greg Willis gets a clean win - no run off. He will face Democrat Raphael de la Garza in November.
Jeff Bray 6123 19.08%
Greg Willis 21127 65.83%
James Angelino 4843 15.09%

County Judge - REP
Keith Self wins decisively and will face Democrat David Smith in November
Keith Self 21728 57.67%
John Muns 15947 42.33%

Judge, County Court at Law 2 - REP
Jerry Lewis cruises to another term
Sharon Ramage 14159 45.82%
Jerry Lewis 16741 54.18%

Judge, County Court at Law 3 - REP
Who will face Baxter in the run off? It may be a few days before we know. UPDATE: With 90% of precincts reporting only 50 votes seperate Matthews and Walker
Stewart Matthews 8564 31.26%
Lance S. Baxter 10151 37.06%
Barnett Walker 8678 31.68%

Judge, County Court at Law 4 - REP
Matt Goeller will face off with David Rippel in a run off
Linda Wynn Drain 6786 23.96%
Matthew Goeller 8011 28.29%
Chrysti Bryant 5795 20.46%
David Rippel 7729 27.29%

Judge, County Court at Law 6 - REP
Another toss up for the run off. Terri Green and either Bender or High. The result might have to wait for all absentee and provisional ballots to be counted. Update: with 90% counted Jay Bender moves into the solid #2 spot with a 450 vote advantage over Don High.
Shawn Ismail 1944 6.65%
Jay Bender 9053 30.95%
Don High 8788 30.04%
Terri Green 9470 32.37%

District Clerk - Rep
Late comer to the race, Terrye Evans, is spoiler - forcing a run off between Crigger and Hays
Patricia Crigger 13331 44.00%
Terrye Evans 6849 22.60%
Alma Hays 10121 33.40%

County Commissioner, 2 - Rep
Williams handily beats the 30 year incumbent, but not with a majority - This will be one heck of a run off. (83% of the precincts in district reporting)
Karl Voigtsberger 1551 17.24%
Cheryl Williams 4162 46.27%
Jerry Hoagland 3283 36.49%

County Commissioner, 4 - Rep
Way too close to call, this is a real cliff hanger. (65% of the precincts in district reporting) Update: With 97% reporting Webb is holding his lead, with a 76 vote advantage.
Kathy Ward 3764 49.49%
Duncan Webb 3841 50.51%

Justice of the Peace, 4 - REP
This one is a big surprise. Reeves is totally unqualified, but looks to face Yarbrough in a run off, unless Yarbrough can get a clean majority (68% of his precincts are reporting)
Doug Reeves 2320 27.41%
WM "Mike" Yarbrough 4155 49.09%
Kelley Don Adley 1989 23.50%

Democratic Party County Chair - DEM
Shawn Stevens 2745 79.50%
Yasin R. Ali 708 20.50%

Republican Party County Chair - REP
Fred Moses keeps his chairmanship
Fred Moses 19011 63.58%
Mandy Tschoepe 10890 36.42%

Bill

The Associated Press has called the Republican Governor's race for Rick Perry, and the Democratic race for Bill White.

Election Summary Report
Democratic and Republican Primary
Summary For Jurisdiction Wide, All Counters, All Races

COMBINED ACCUMULATED TOTALS (17% of precincts reporting)

Local races only:

U.S. Congress 4th CD - REP
This is only the Collin County vote
Lou Gigliotti 232 3.29%
Steve Clark 2653 37.58%
John Cooper 437 6.19%
Joshua Kowert 109 1.54%
Jerry Ray "Tea" Hall 466 6.60%
Ralph M. Hall 3162 44.79%

State Rep, 66 - REP
Looks like Jackson will have to face Taylor in the run off
Van Taylor 2628 31.96%
Wayne Richard 2131 25.92%
Mabrie Jackson 3463 42.12%

District Judge, 219 - REP
Too close to call. Will Scott Becker make a clean victory?
Scott J. Becker 10015 49.84%
Angela Tucker 6642 33.05%
Wendy McMillon? 3437 17.10%

District Judge, 296 - REP
Keith Gore 10155 44.02%
John R. Roach, Jr 12916 55.98%

Criminal District Attorney - REP
Looks like Greg Willis will get a clean win - no run off
Jeff Bray 3563 16.82%
Greg Willis 14355 67.79%
James Angelino 3259 15.39%

County Judge - REP
Keith Self 13641 54.58%
John Muns 11353 45.42%

Judge, County Court at Law 2 - REP
Sharon Ramage 9320 45.22%
Jerry Lewis 11292 54.78%

Judge, County Court at Law 3 - REP
All three running about even to each other - the race is now to see who makes the run off
Stewart Matthews 5479 30.04%
Lance S. Baxter 6773 37.14%
Barnett Walker 5986 32.82%

Judge, County Court at Law 4 - REP
Another toss up for the run off
Linda Wynn Drain 4576 24.13%
Matthew Goeller 5431 28.64%
Chrysti Bryant 3754 19.80%
David Rippel 5201 27.43%

Judge, County Court at Law 6 - REP
Another toss up for the run off
Shawn Ismail 1283 6.56%
Jay Bender 5850 29.90%
Don High 6140 31.38%
Terri Green 6293 32.16%

District Clerk - Rep
Late comer to the race, Terrye Evans is spoiler, forcing a run off between Crigger and Hays
Patricia Crigger 9214 45.60%
Terrye Evans 4422 21.88%
Alma Hays 6572 32.52%

County Commissioner, 2 - Rep
Williams is beating the 30 year incumbent, but a run off will be needed
Karl Voigtsberger 778 15.07%
Cheryl Williams 2464 47.73%
Jerry Hoagland 1920 37.19%

County Commissioner, 4 - Rep
Still too close to call, but Webb appears poised to replace Kathy Ward
Kathy Ward 2992 48.43%
Duncan Webb 3186 51.57%

Justice of the Peace, 4 - REP
This one is a big surprise. Reeves is totally unqualified, but looks to face Yarbrough in a run off
Doug Reeves 1437 27.83%
WM "Mike" Yarbrough 2511 48.63%
Kelley Don Adley 1215 23.53%

Democratic Party County Chair - DEM
Shawn Stevens 1981 79.56%
Yasin R. Ali 509 20.44%

Republican Party County Chair - REP
Fred Moses keeps his chairmanship
Fred Moses 12493 62.39%
Mandy Tschoepe 7530 37.61%

Bill

Election Summary Report
Democratic and Republican Primary
Summary For Jurisdiction Wide, , All Races

EARLY VOTING ACCUMULATED TOTALS

U.S. Congress 4th CD - REP
Lou Gigliotti 223 3.31%
Steve Clark 2564 38.01%
John Cooper 422 6.26%
Joshua Kowert 108 1.60%
Jerry Ray "Tea" Hall 451 6.69%
Ralph M. Hall 2978 44.14%

Governor - DEM
Felix Alvarado 98 3.72%
Star Locke 40 1.52%
Alma Ludivina Aguado 58 2.20%
Bill White 2146 81.38%
Farouk Shami 218 8.27%
Clement E. Glenn 37 1.40%
Bill Dear 40 1.52%

Governor - REP
Kay Bailey Hutchison 8891 31.86%
Rick Perry 13980 50.09%
Debra Medina 5037 18.05%

Lt. Governor - DEM
Marc Katz 359 15.49%
Linda Thompson 1100 47.48%
Ronnie Earle 858 37.03%

Commissioner of General Land Office - DEM
Hector Uribe 928 44.15%
Bill Burton 1174 55.85%

Commissioner of Agriculture - DEM
Richard Friedman 1319 55.58%
Hank Gilbert 1054 44.42%

Railroad Commissioner - REP
Victor G. Carrillo 9532 46.77%
David Porter 10848 53.23%

Justice, Supreme Court, 3 - REP
Debra Lehmann 4267 21.78%
Rick Green 3666 18.71%
Jim Moseley 4337 22.14%
Jeff Brown 2005 10.23%
Rebecca Simmons 3842 19.61%
Rick Strange 1473 7.52%

Justice, Supreme Court, 9 - REP
Eva Guzman 13256 69.67%
Rose Vela 5771 30.33%

Member, State Board of Education, 9 - REP
Don McLeroy? 6770 48.90%
Thomas Ratliff 7074 51.10%

Member, State Board of Education, 12 - Rep REP
Geraldine Miller 2176 45.33%
George M. Clayton 2624 54.67%

State Rep, 66 - REP
Van Taylor 2323 31.94%
Wayne Richard 1805 24.81%
Mabrie Jackson 3146 43.25%

District Judge, 219 - REP
Scott J. Becker 9565 49.86%
Angela Tucker 6379 33.26%
Wendy McMillon? 3238 16.88%

District Judge, 296 - REP
Keith Gore 9672 43.96%
John R. Roach, Jr 12332 56.04%

Criminal District Attorney - REP
Jeff Bray 3357 16.60%
Greg Willis 13731 67.90%
James Angelino 3133 15.49%

County Judge - REP
Keith Self 12981 54.50%
John Muns 10837 45.50%

Judge, County Court at Law 2 - REP
Sharon Ramage 8908 45.20%
Jerry Lewis 10798 54.80%

Judge, County Court at Law 3 - REP
Stewart Matthews 5212 29.91%
Lance S. Baxter 6496 37.28%
Barnett Walker 5717 32.81%

Judge, County Court at Law 4 - REP
Linda Wynn Drain 4394 24.27%
Matthew Goeller 5179 28.60%
Chrysti Bryant 3582 19.78%
David Rippel 4952 27.35%

Judge, County Court at Law 6 - REP
Shawn Ismail 1225 6.55%
Jay Bender 5556 29.71%
Don High 5906 31.58%
Terri Green 6013 32.16%

District Clerk - Rep
Patricia Crigger 8839 45.74%
Terrye Evans 4194 21.70%
Alma Hays 6292 32.56%

County Commissioner, 2 - Rep
Karl Voigtsberger 771 15.10%
Cheryl Williams 2442 47.83%
Jerry Hoagland 1893 37.07%

County Commissioner, 4 - Rep
Kathy Ward 2687 47.78%
Duncan Webb 2937 52.22%

Justice of the Peace, 4 - REP
Doug Reeves 1378 27.86%
WM "Mike" Yarbrough 2399 48.49%
Kelley Don Adley 1170 23.65%

Democratic Party County Chair - DEM
Shawn Stevens 1723 79.44%
Yasin R. Ali 446 20.56%

Republican Party County Chair - REP
Fred Moses 11872 62.10%
Mandy Tschoepe 7247 37.90%

Bill

Early voting totals:
(incomplete with another 620 paper ballots to be counted)

U.S. Congress 4th CD - REP
Lou Gigliotti 219 3.31%
Steve Clark 2517 38.05%
John Cooper 416 6.29%
Joshua Kowert 104 1.57%
Jerry Ray "Tea" Hall 440 6.65%
Ralph M. Hall 2919 44.13%

Governor - DEM
Felix Alvarado 98 3.78%
Star Locke 38 1.46%
Alma Ludivina Aguado 57 2.20%
Bill White 2110 81.34%
Farouk Shami 217 8.37%
Clement E. Glenn 35 1.35%
Bill Dear 39 1.50%

Governor - REP
Kay Bailey Hutchison 8690 31.82%
Rick Perry 13662 50.03%
Debra Medina 4957 18.15%

Lt. Governor - DEM
Marc Katz 353 15.51%
Linda Thompson 1085 47.67%
Ronnie Earle 838 36.82%

Commissioner of the General Land Office - DEM
Hector Uribe 916 44.36%
Bill Burton 1149 55.64%

Commissioner of Agriculture - DEM
Richard Friedman 1298 55.64%
Hank Gilbert 1035 44.36%

Railroad Commissioner - REP
Victor G. Carrillo 9319 46.73%
David Porter 10625 53.27%

Justice, Supreme Court, 3 - REP
Debra Lehmann 4207 21.93%
Rick Green 3581 18.67%
Jim Moseley 4265 22.23%
Jeff Brown 1964 10.24%
Rebecca Simmons 3718 19.38%
Rick Strange 1448 7.55%

Justice, Supreme Court, 9 - REP
Eva Guzman 12973 69.60%
Rose Vela 5667 30.40%

Member, State Board of Education, 9 - REP
Don McLeroy 6640 48.93%
Thomas Ratliff 6931 51.07%

Member, State Board of Education, 12 - Rep REP
Geraldine Miller 2117 45.25%
George M. Clayton 2561 54.75%

State Rep, 66 - REP
Van Taylor 2259 31.74%
Wayne Richard 1772 24.89%
Mabrie Jackson 3087 43.37%

District Judge, 219 - REP
Scott J. Becker 9350 49.75%
Angela Tucker 6274 33.38%
Wendy McMillon? 3169 16.86%

District Judge, 296 - REP
Keith Gore 9494 44.02%
John R. Roach, Jr 12072 55.98%

Criminal District Attorney - REP
Jeff Bray 3302 16.69%
Greg Willis 13496 68.23%
James Angelino 2982 15.08%

County Judge - REP
Keith Self 12749 54.65%
John Muns 10578 45.35%

Judge, County Court at Law 2 - REP
Sharon Ramage 8712 45.16%
Jerry Lewis 10580 54.84%

Judge, County Court at Law 3 - REP
Stewart Matthews 5112 29.96%
Lance S. Baxter 6376 37.37%
Barnett Walker 5574 32.67%

Judge, County Court at Law 4 - REP
Linda Wynn Drain 4322 24.35%
Matthew Goeller 5087 28.66%
Chrysti Bryant 3525 19.86%
David Rippel 4817 27.14%

Judge, County Court at Law 6 - REP
Shawn Ismail 1201 6.55%
Jay Bender 5445 29.71%
Don High 5772 31.50%
Terri Green 5907 32.23%

District Clerk - Rep
Patricia Crigger 8673 45.80%
Terrye Evans 4135 21.83%
Alma Hays 6130 32.37%

County Commissioner, 2 - Rep
Karl Voigtsberger 758 15.20%
Cheryl Williams 2370 47.52%
Jerry Hoagland 1859 37.28%

County Commissioner, 4 - Rep
Kathy Ward 2619 47.71%
Duncan Webb 2870 52.29%

Justice of the Peace, 4 - REP
Doug Reeves 1345 27.73%
WM "Mike" Yarbrough 2357 48.60%
Kelley Don Adley 1148 23.67%

Democratic Party County Chair - DEM
Shawn Stevens 1692 79.36%
Yasin R. Ali 440 20.64%

Republican Party County Chair - REP
Fred Moses 11648 62.16%
Mandy Tschoepe 7090 37.84%

Bill

I drove to several polling locations this afternoon. All were reporting a heavier than expected turnout. I captured a couple of shots of candidates doing some last minute electioneering outside the polls.

The scene at Lucas City Hall was extraordinary, cars were parked along FM 1378 for at least 2 blocks, and a police unit was there to try and control the flow of traffic. (next door however, donkeys grazed, seemingly oblivious to the crowds a few hundred feet away).

Meanwhile, McMillan? Jr. HS in Wylie was reporting that the line to vote was over 25 minutes long. Other locations were also reporting long lines to vote.

According to the Elections Office more than 29,000 people had voted by 6PM, and that number, I was told was probably understated, since all polling sites had not reported in.

The Collin County Observer will be reporting election results as they come in this evening.

Bill

UPDATE:

At 7:40 PM there was still a long line to vote for the GOP primary at McMillan? JHS in Wylie. I think it will be after 8PM before the last voter casts her ballot.

Bill

Texas Independence Day is the celebration of the adoption of the Texas Declaration of Independence on March 2, 1836.

With this document, settlers in Mexican Texas officially broke from Mexico, creating the Republic of Texas.

The Texas Declaration of Independence was the formal declaration of independence of the Republic of Texas from Mexico in the Texas Revolution. It was adopted at the Convention of 1836 at Washington-on-the-Brazos on March 2, 1836.

The convention was convened on March 1 with Richard Ellis as president. The delegates selected a committee of five to draft a declaration of independence; the committee was led by George Childress and also included Edward Conrad, James Gaines, Bailey Hardeman, and Collin McKinney.

The Unanimous Declaration of Independence made by the Delegates of the People of Texas in General Convention at the town of Washington on the 2nd day of March 1836.

When a government has ceased to protect the lives, liberty and property of the people, from whom its legitimate powers are derived, and for the advancement of whose happiness it was instituted, and so far from being a guarantee for the enjoyment of those inestimable and inalienable rights, becomes an instrument in the hands of evil rulers for their oppression.

When the Federal Republican Constitution of their country, which they have sworn to support, no longer has a substantial existence, and the whole nature of their government has been forcibly changed, without their consent, from a restricted federative republic, composed of sovereign states, to a consolidated central military despotism, in which every interest is disregarded but that of the army and the priesthood, both the eternal enemies of civil liberty, the everready minions of power, and the usual instruments of tyrants.

When, long after the spirit of the constitution has departed, moderation is at length so far lost by those in power, that even the semblance of freedom is removed, and the forms themselves of the constitution discontinued, and so far from their petitions and remonstrances being regarded, the agents who bear them are thrown into dungeons, and mercenary armies sent forth to force a new government upon them at the point of the bayonet.

When, in consequence of such acts of malfeasance and abdication on the part of the government, anarchy prevails, and civil society is dissolved into its original elements. In such a crisis, the first law of nature, the right of self-preservation, the inherent and inalienable rights of the people to appeal to first principles, and take their political affairs into their own hands in extreme cases, enjoins it as a right towards themselves, and a sacred obligation to their posterity, to abolish such government, and create another in its stead, calculated to rescue them from impending dangers, and to secure their future welfare and happiness.

Nations, as well as individuals, are amenable for their acts to the public opinion of mankind. A statement of a part of our grievances is therefore submitted to an impartial world, in justification of the hazardous but unavoidable step now taken, of severing our political connection with the Mexican people, and assuming an independent attitude among the nations of the earth.

The Mexican government, by its colonization laws, invited and induced the Anglo-American population of Texas to colonize its wilderness under the pledged faith of a written constitution, that they should continue to enjoy that constitutional liberty and republican government to which they had been habituated in the land of their birth, the United States of America.

In this expectation they have been cruelly disappointed, inasmuch as the Mexican nation has acquiesced in the late changes made in the government by General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, who having overturned the constitution of his country, now offers us the cruel alternative, either to abandon our homes, acquired by so many privations, or submit to the most intolerable of all tyranny, the combined despotism of the sword and the priesthood.

It has sacrificed our welfare to the state of Coahuila, by which our interests have been continually depressed through a jealous and partial course of legislation, carried on at a far distant seat of government, by a hostile majority, in an unknown tongue, and this too, notwithstanding we have petitioned in the humblest terms for the establishment of a separate state government, and have, in accordance with the provisions of the national constitution, presented to the general Congress a republican constitution, which was, without just cause, contemptuously rejected.

It incarcerated in a dungeon, for a long time, one of our citizens, for no other cause but a zealous endeavor to procure the acceptance of our constitution, and the establishment of a state government.

It has failed and refused to secure, on a firm basis, the right of trial by jury, that palladium of civil liberty, and only safe guarantee for the life, liberty, and property of the citizen.

It has failed to establish any public system of education, although possessed of almost boundless resources, (the public domain,) and although it is an axiom in political science, that unless a people are educated and enlightened, it is idle to expect the continuance of civil liberty, or the capacity for self government.

It has suffered the military commandants, stationed among us, to exercise arbitrary acts of oppression and tyrrany, thus trampling upon the most sacred rights of the citizens, and rendering the military superior to the civil power.

It has dissolved, by force of arms, the state Congress of Coahuila and Texas, and obliged our representatives to fly for their lives from the seat of government, thus depriving us of the fundamental political right of representation.

It has demanded the surrender of a number of our citizens, and ordered military detachments to seize and carry them into the Interior for trial, in contempt of the civil authorities, and in defiance of the laws and the constitution.

It has made piratical attacks upon our commerce, by commissioning foreign desperadoes, and authorizing them to seize our vessels, and convey the property of our citizens to far distant ports for confiscation.

It denies us the right of worshipping the Almighty according to the dictates of our own conscience, by the support of a national religion, calculated to promote the temporal interest of its human functionaries, rather than the glory of the true and living God.

It has demanded us to deliver up our arms, which are essential to our defence, the rightful property of freemen, and formidable only to tyrannical governments.

It has invaded our country both by sea and by land, with intent to lay waste our territory, and drive us from our homes; and has now a large mercenary army advancing, to carry on against us a war of extermination.

It has, through its emissaries, incited the merciless savage, with the tomahawk and scalping knife, to massacre the inhabitants of our defenseless frontiers.

It hath been, during the whole time of our connection with it, the contemptible sport and victim of successive military revolutions, and hath continually exhibited every characteristic of a weak, corrupt, and tyrranical government.

These, and other grievances, were patiently borne by the people of Texas, untill they reached that point at which forbearance ceases to be a virtue. We then took up arms in defence of the national constitution. We appealed to our Mexican brethren for assistance. Our appeal has been made in vain. Though months have elapsed, no sympathetic response has yet been heard from the Interior. We are, therefore, forced to the melancholy conclusion, that the Mexican people have acquiesced in the destruction of their liberty, and the substitution therfor of a military government; that they are unfit to be free, and incapable of self government.

The necessity of self-preservation, therefore, now decrees our eternal political separation.

We, therefore, the delegates with plenary powers of the people of Texas, in solemn convention assembled, appealing to a candid world for the necessities of our condition, do hereby resolve and declare, that our political connection with the Mexican nation has forever ended, and that the people of Texas do now constitute a free, Sovereign, and independent republic, and are fully invested with all the rights and attributes which properly belong to independent nations; and, conscious of the rectitude of our intentions, we fearlessly and confidently commit the issue to the decision of the Supreme arbiter of the destinies of nations.

Bill

If you've been stuck on an ice flow in the Antarctic for the last 4 months, you might not know that today is primary election day - but it is.

The polls are open from 7 AM to 7 PM. Precinct conventions begin at the polling place just after the 7PM closing.

More than 1/2 the anticipated voters have already done so, most in Early voting, a few by mail. In recent years a little more than 1/2 the voters vote early. Some analysts have told me that in west Plano, more than 70% of the expected voters voted early.

On election day, you must vote in your assigned neighborhood polling place if you want your vote to count. You must bring your voter registration card or a valid ID.

The Collin County Elections Department has great links and maps to voting locations.

If you are unsure where to vote, call the Elections office at 972-547-1990 or 800-687-8546 (Toll Free). they can help you.

The Elections Office also have sample ballots. Since the GOP ballot is very long, I would recommend printing out and marking up a sample ballot before entering the voting booth.

Oh yea and Happy Texas Independence Day!

Bill

Texas death row inmate set to die for murder of Brazilian couple in Plano

Monday, March 1, 2010
The Dallas Morning News / Associated Press

HUNTSVILLE, Texas – Michael Sigala was on probation for robbery and allowed to leave a Dallas-area substance abuse treatment center for the day to look for a job. Instead, he violently ended the lives of a newlywed Brazilian couple and ended up on death row.

Sigala, 32, was set for execution Tuesday evening for the death of Kleber Santos, 28, a Brazilian engineer whose wife also was killed in an attack nearly a decade ago at their Plano apartment

Sigala would be the third Texas inmate to receive lethal injection this year and the first of four scheduled to die this month in the nation's most active death penalty state.

The U.S. Supreme Court last week refused to review his case and no new appeals were in the courts Monday.

Sigala, of Plano, was condemned for the fatal shooting of Santos, whose job brought him to Texas in January 2000, a month after he was married. His wife, Lilian, remained in Brazil to continue her veterinary studies at the University of Sao Paulo and was visiting her husband during a school break that August.

Evidence showed the 25-year-old woman was raped and also fatally shot several hours after her husband was killed. Their wedding rings were among items taken in the attack. Sigala also was charged with her slaying but was not tried.

read the rest of the article at The Dallas Morning News....

UPDATE (March 2):

The Associated Press reported that Michael Sigala was executed in Huntsville at 6:20 PM CST. He is the third person executed in Texas this year.

From the AP story in the Houston Chronicle:

"During his final statement, Sigala asked for forgiveness from the slain couple's relatives who attended the execution."

"'I have no reason for why I did it,' Sigala said. 'I don't understand why I did it. I hope that you can live the rest of your lives without hate.'

"Relatives of Kleber Santos and his wife, Lilian, did not speak with reporters afterward, but the parents of both victims issued statements saying they were grateful justice had been done.

"'For many people facing such tragedy, life would be worthless. For us, however, we have faith and we find meaning in an eternal life that our merciful God will provide us. We really believe that we will meet our dear son and daughter-in-law one day in heaven,' Jonas and Lizete Santos, Kleber Santos' parents, said in their statement."

Bill

History center in McKinney fighting to survive

Monday, March 1, 2010
By ED HOUSEWRIGHT / The Dallas Morning News

Vicki Day is trying to preserve the museum that preserves Collin County.

The 28-year-old North Texas History Center in downtown McKinney could close because of a sharp cut in county funding and private donations, said Day, executive director.

"We are in serious jeopardy of running out of money shortly," she said.

The museum took an unexpected financial hit when Collin County commissioners slashed its funding from $134,950 in fiscal 2009 to $32,000 this year, Day said.

"I was so surprised," she said.

Commissioners say they told Day last year the museum needed to become self-sufficient through private fundraising.

It had been receiving far greater county funding than other historical organizations, said County Judge Keith Self, who heads the Commissioners Court.

"The North Texas History Center is a wonderful organization, but they are just one of many historical organizations in the county," he said.

Commissioner Jerry Hoagland said the county had to focus limited funding on core functions, such as building roads and operating courts and the jail.

"These are tough economic times," he said. "You have to make cuts that are not always popular with people."

Civil War event

The history center had hoped a Civil War re-enactment last November at Myers Park in McKinney would raise $50,000. Instead, the event lost $7,000, worsening the museum's outlook, Day said.

Attendance didn't meet projections, and recent heavy rains prevented people from parking on the grounds, she said. As a result, organizers had to rent buses to take people to and from the park. In addition, insurance costs to hold the event exceeded expectations, Day said.

Commissioner Joe Jaynes, who took part in the Civil War re-enactment, voted against cutting the museum's funding. He said another year of higher county funding might have helped the center hold a successful Civil War event.

"Those re-enactments can basically be a cash cow, but you need three or four years to get it going," Jaynes said.

In search of help

Day said the history center may seek money from the city of McKinney, which currently does not provide funds. It may also approach the county commissioners again, she said.

"It's worth the county getting involved to help us survive," she said. "We've got a collection that is very unique."

About 8,000 students a year from Collin and surrounding counties visit the North Texas History Center, Day said.

On Friday, two fifth-grade classes from Daffron Elementary School in Plano attended and saw a Civil War exhibit.

"It's wonderful," said Cindy Burns, one of the teachers. "We teach the Civil War in school, and this really gives them the opportunity to see how it affected their ancestors."

The museum is housed in an old post office, built in 1911, at Virginia Parkway and Chestnut Street, a block off the square in downtown McKinney. It has exhibits with photographs and a variety of artifacts on the main floor and in the basement.

Upcoming rally

The museum has tried to sell memberships and get corporate sponsors for exhibits, but had little success, Day said. It receives revenue from school field trips, ticket sales and gift shop purchases.

The history center is holding a "Save the Museum" rally on its front steps on Saturday. It's also having a dinner and lecture on March 27 with Arch Bonnema, a Collin County resident who funded an expedition to Iran in search of Noah's ark. Tickets are $75.

"This could make a world of difference for us," Day said. "We hope we can clear about $7,000."

Jaynes said he hopes the museum can remain open. Although he supports it, he doesn't believe county commissioners will approve any additional funding.

"The court has let its will be known," Jaynes said.

link to the article at The Dallas Morning News....

-----------

The Observer comments:

My wife and I went to see the "Reluctant Confederate" exhibit at the NTHS last Saturday.

The building is a real jewel, and the exhibit was interesting and informative. Anyone interested in the history of their community will be entertained and educated by a trip to the North Texas History Center.

Bill

Note to Joe Jaynes -- put your Confederate uniform back on before the next court and fight a little harder for these guys. They deserve our support.

Bill

Election day is only one day away and the candidates are busy slinging barbs at each other as to who stood where, who gave to who's campaign and who spent money on campaign consultants.

Meanwhile real issues, involving real people are little debated or even discussed.

I haven't seen any substantial discussion of the Collin County Toll Road Authority and the county's Outer Loop.
Bill

It was in May of 2008, when the commissioners court met at Murphy City Hall in a meeting that was supposed to "take the court on the road", but which instead made two decisions that had great impact on the county. In executive session that night, the court approved a law suit against their Auditor. The suit eventually cost the citizens over $350,000.

But also that night, the commissioners voted to rescind an agreement made with Denton County and the NTTA on the alignment of the future expansion of the Dallas North Tollway. The commissioners wanted the road, and its subsequent commercial development, not on the county line, but completely in Collin County. They also began to make plans to create a county toll road authority to develop the extension of the Dallas North Tollway.

A few months later, the Collin County Toll Road Authority was born. It's mission was to secure financing for the DNT extension and to finance and build what Collin County called their "Outer Loop".

The Outer Loop is a segment of a regional "Loop 9" originally conceived as the DFW bypass along the Trans Texas Corridor. This huge loop road will, when and if built, completely encircle Dallas and Fort Worth. The Collin County portion begin at the DNT on the Denton county line and would run north of McKinney before turning south to end at the Rockwall County line.

The Collin County Commissioners, facing rapid growth in their own county, were clearly frustrated with the slow pace of development of the regional loop. They decided to go it alone at a cost of $4 billion. They had no idea how to pay for such a huge project, but they hoped that the county's rapid growth would attract a public-private partnership that would finance and operate the Outer Loop for toll revenue.

They didn't count on the recession, the killing of the Trans Texas Corridor, or the fact that no one, not even the Spanish giant Cintra, was going to write a check for $4 billion to build a super highway to connect Melissa to Royce City.

Their insistence on forming their own toll authority, their attempt to hijack the DNT extension, and their perceived reluctance to work in a regional manner also frustrated those local partners whose cooperation was needed to make the road economically possible. At a State Senate hearing, Dallas' Republican Senator John Carona told Keith Self, "I don't think Collin County plays nice lately. "I don't think they have a regional concern, but only for provincial Collin County."

Denton County Judge Mary Horn scolded the commissioners with, "I think you should honor your county's agreements." Denton Commissioner Andy Eads told the press that, "I was very disappointed. Everyone represents their own jurisdiction, but we also have to wear the hat of regionalism."

The NTTA, reacting to the takeover of the DNT extension garnered support in the legislature for a bill that would have required the county to get the NTTA's permission to build any toll road in Collin County. The chairman of the NTTA board, a Collin County appointee, told the commissioners, "We're not going to make a political decision. We're going to make the right decision for the agency."

Frantic, last minute backtracking by the county allowed for a compromise where Collin County gave up any claim to the DNT, and the bill was dropped.

The commissioners, in going it alone, likely slowed any opportunity for regional cooperation with Denton and Rockwall Counties. Cooperation with both counties is critical. To make the Loop economically viable, it needs to connect more than small towns here - it needs to go west in Denton County to I-35 and South through Rockwall to I-30.

However, even though no financing of the construction of the Outer Loop is in place (nor likely to be anytime soon), the commissioners court believes that it is important to acquire the needed land for the Loop's right of way. Their reasoning is that over time, the land will become more expensive, and as vacant land fills it will be harder to plot a path across the county.

The county has the cash. $7 million was set aside for the road back in the 2007 budget. So the land acquisition plan, especially on the northern leg of the loop, has gone forward - with or without the acquiescence of local land owners.

For the last year, the county has been using its power of Eminent Domain to force the purchase of at least 7 different properties without the consent of the sellers.

In today's court session, the commissioners will vote to "lend" (against future toll revenue) the Collin County Toll Road Authority $6 million to pay for these condemned properties.

For a road that may never be built, at least not in our lifetime.

Bill

Update March 1, 2010:

The Commissioners Court agreed in today's meeting to lend their Toll Road Authority the money. The only discussion was on a suggestion by Jerry Hoagland that the county charge the CCTRA interest on the funds.

Then, meeting as the Collin County Toll Road Authority, the commissioners voted without discussion to spend the money to close the condemnation sales.

I was interested to see that the Chairman of the Texas Senate Committee on Transportation issued a not-so-veiled threat today to the CCTRA. On his blog, Senator John Carona's spokesman wrote, "The compromise language between the Collin County Toll Authority and the North Texas Tollway Authority was ultimately removed from legislation. As a result, Senator Carona is observing how the relationship progresses over the interim, and depending on that outcome, may proceed with appropriate legislation in the 82nd session."

He's telling Self and company to "play nice".

Bill