arland
Democratic Voice
News And Information for Garland Area Democrats
February 24, 2014
Garland, Texas
Edition 53
Ask Not for Whom the Bell Tolls ...
Fire-Water Is In My Backyard
David Griggs
SDEC 16 chairperson
GADC Voice editor, Rachel Baker Ford witnessed the
water burning at the Steven Lipsky home in Parker
County — located less than 70 miles from Garland, Texas.
Article: Steve Lipsky’s Dream Home Page 7
The Dick Guldis of
Richardson watched with
the group as Steve Lypsky
demonstrated the
firewater.
Rita Beving, Public Citizen organizer,
Dallas Sierra Club board member
Contents:
Front Page:......Ask Not for Whom the Bell Tolls.....................Page 1
Editorial:.................. It’s for Real, Folks ............................Page 2
Commentary..........Does our DA have a Doppelganger?...........Page 3
Article:.........Thank a Union/Look for the Union Label ...........Page 4
Article:..........................A Shot Across the Bow...........................Page 5
Article:................Write the EPA/ Carbon Copy..........................Page 6
Article:....When You Wish Upon a Fracking Area....................Page 7
Article:............................Solarize Garland Report.........................Page 8
Bits & Pieces I & II: ....................................................................Page 9
Out and About .................................................................... Page 10
Photo Report...Reelect Darlene Ewing Co. Chair for Results.... Page12
Special Section ....Meet the Candidates..... Pages 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18
Bulletin Board ................What’s Happening?...........................Page 19
Back Cover............Advertisement Information................... Page 20, 21
Produced and published in-house by Rachel Baker Ford, 3317 Knights Haven Lane, Garland, Texas 75044
Garland Democratic Voice
Editorial
It’s for Real, Folks
This month has been one where I have hit reality squarely. I have witnessed things for which I am
concerned for all of us. Recently, standing in the yard of a exclusive and expensive home compound,
located south of Weatherford, Texas, I witnessed well water burning firsthand. Homeowner Steve
Lipsky lighted the water (actually the methane contamination) from his well. As soon as the water
started flowing, the air smelled as the air smells next to the refinery in my husband’s hometown in
Western Pennsylvania. The water collected in glass jars was cloudy. Lipsky was sued by Range
Resources (the fracking company in the area) for $4 million because, so they state, he misled the public
about being able to ignite his methane-laced water. GADC Voice scientific writer Charles E. Ford, Jr.
has written an article on page 7 about Lipsky’s homestead. I know what I saw and smelled.
The EPA finally issued its long-awaited environmental study on the effects of the Keystone Pipeline.
Ford also read and studied the “Executive Report,” and has written an article about his findings on
page 5. “[T]he latest version of the EIS fails to meet its primary goal to protect the public from events
like we have seen in Michigan, Arkansas, West Virginia, and numerous other places. ... The report does
not specifically recommend approval for the project but it sugarcoats or ignores serious issues ... .” The
material being transported by these pipelines and by railcars is NOT crude oil. It is tar sands, diluted
with among other chemicals, naphtha, heated and pushed through the pipelines under high pressure.
It is DILBIT. TransCanada has begun pushing dilbit through the southern pipeline, which runs
through miles of Texas farmlands, over and under waterways carrying the poisonous dilbit to markets
in China and India. It took Enbridge 17 hours to identify and find the spill in the Talmage Creek,
which empties into the Kalamazoo River and eventually into Lake Michigan, from a 5-foot-long split in
the pipe — having been alerted to the spill by a local farmer. How long will it take them to find the
spills in Texas? I am disappointed with the apparent failures of the EPA in the report.
And so it goes: 1. Well water can be lighted because of the methane present, as a result of fracking
operations. 2. Fracking has been proven to have contaminated aquifers. 3. Earthquakes caused by the
containment wells have been proven by both the University of Texas and the University of Oklahoma.
4. The government report glossed over the most important facts and ignored the most important one
that if a railroad spills a load of dilbit we know quickly where the spill is, how much is involved, and the
parameters of the damage. When a pipeline bursts, the dilbit keeps spilling until someone, like the
Michigan farmer who alerted Enbridge they had a problem. Where are we? Currently, the news
reports a pipeline burst, or a railway car spill almost daily.
Yesterday, Chuck and I spent the day with our two grandchildren from Saratoga Springs, New York.
(New York state has banned fracking.) Our destination was a rural vacation cabin, located about 20
miles northwest of Denton. As we drove past Denton, Abby’s nose began to run and Luke began to get
congested. Once we got out from Denton, Luke, 7, cleared up and was fine. Abby, 5, had trouble the
rest of the day. The last two times I have left this cabin, I could see a smog cloud hanging over Denton
like the smog I have seen hanging over Los Angeles, Dallas, and other urban areas. I just read an
article saying Denton has the worst air quality in Texas and blamed fracking as the major pollutioncausing activity.
The dilbit will not help the fuel shortages or provide jobs. The pipelines or railcars will burst or leak
and cause spills. Fracking is consuming what little water we have left and is causing pollution of the
aquifers, rivers and water sources. The containment wells cause earthquakes. The foul air around
Denton made my sweeties sick.
I’m not only frightened, I’m angry. This is for real, folks. The bell has tolled. The time is now.
— Rachel Baker Ford, editor
February 24, 2014
Garland, Texas
Edition 53, Page 2
Garland Democratic Voice
Commentary
Does our DA have a Doppelganger?
1
— Willa B. Kulhavy
“It is almost like Dallas County has two District Attorneys” was the headline of the March 2, 2013,
The Dallas Morning News article about Craig Watkins written by Ed Timms and Kevin Krause.
www.dallasnews.com/news/community-news/dallas/headlines/20130302-dallas-county-district-attorney-craig-watkins-viewed-as-both-hero-bully.ece
The good DA Watkins is a hero for convicting the guilty and freeing the wrongly accused. The
other Craig Watkins has been accused of using his office to help friends and intimidate rivals, and
was cited for contempt of court for failing to appear when ordered to do so by Judge Lena
Levario, judge of the 204th Judicial District Court.
Watkins had been accused of bringing fraud charges against someone as a favor to one of his
political benefactors. Judge Levario dismissed the misconduct charges against Watkins but held
the district attorney in contempt when he cited “privilege” as his reason for not testifying during
the trial. Watkins was cleared of the contempt of court charge by a state district judge.
Unfortunately, the other Craig Watkins, who looks just like the good Dallas DA, showed up at the
candidate forum presented by The Dallas Examiner at the African American Museum in Fair Park
on February 3rd . You can tell them apart because the other Watkins has venom. He was there to
scream about Judge Levario wanting to put him in jail and to belittle her qualifications while it was
Levario’s turn to speak about her qualifications. Levario’s opponent in the Democratic primary is
Tammy Kemp, an assistant DA prosecutor, who was also abusive and said white people don’t vote
for blacks and minorities. There are six assistant DAs, counting Kemp, running for judicial
positions in the Democratic primary.
Harris Heath, Watkins’ top assistant DA, said all future judges will come from the DA’s office
because they are training and encouraging them for that purpose. Heath is running for Dallas
Democratic County Party Chair against incumbent Darlene Ewing, chairwoman since 2005. Dallas
turned Democratic blue in 2006. Craig Watkins was elected in 2006 and reelected in 2010.
I voted for Craig Watkins for DA both times. The first time I voted for him because he was a
Democrat who my Democratic friends in Richardson knew and liked. The second time I voted for
him because I believed him to be a good District Attorney who fights to do the right thing. Now
that I know there are two of him, and at least one Craig Watkins wants the DA’s office to have
undue authority over the judicial system and to control the County Democratic Party, how can I
vote for the good Craig Watkins without getting the other one elected?
~
1
Doppelgänger: In fiction and folklore, a doppelgänger or doppelganger (/’d?p?l?gæ??r/; German: [‘d?p?l?g???], look-alike,
literally a “double goer”) is a paranormal double of a living person. A doppelgänger is often perceived as a sinister form of
bilocation and is regarded by some to be a harbinger of bad luck. In some traditions, a doppelgänger seen by a person’s relative or
friend portends illness or danger while seeing one’s own doppelgänger is said to be an omen of death.
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
February 24, 2014
Garland, Texas
Edition 53, Page 3
Garland Democratic Voice
Survey
Thank a Union
— Charles E. Ford, Jr.
Unions gave us the 40-hour work week, vacations, living wage,
safety regulations, employer-provided (at least partially) health
insurance, job protections, organizing rights, collective
bargaining, employer-funded (entirely or partially) workman’s
compensation, pension, overtime pay, and holidays off. Unions
will represent employees when there is a dispute with the
employer, and they at least try to buck the trend to send
American jobs overseas.
The same benefits are extended to all workers: union and nonunion, blue collar, white collar, executive and non-executive.
Unions also benefit the company or corporation by providing
structure and consistency to the workforce and performance.
Look for the Union Label
At a recent forum of candidates, I was given a packet of push cards from six candidates. None of these
cards carried a union printing label. The candidates were all Democrats. I then looked at a stack of
campaign materials I have on my desk. This is a report of what I found.
— Rachel Baker Ford, editor
No Printed Materials Available
Printed Materials With No Union Label
Candidate
Office
Michael Fjetland U.S. Senator
Anthony Eiland Dist. Judge, 265th Judicial Dist.
Justin Lord
Dist. Judge, 283rd Judicial Dist.
Nigel Redmond Dist. Judge, 363rd Judicial. Dist.
Stephanie Mitchell Dist. Judge, 291st Judicial. Dist.
Kim Cooks
Family Dist. Judge, 255th Jud. Dist.
Andrea Martin
Family Dist. Judge, 304th J.D. Dist.
Randall Grubb
Family Dist. Judge, 330th J.D. Dist.
Remeko Edwards Co. Criminal Court #4 Judge
Lisa Green
Co. Criminal Court #5 Judge
LeDouglas Johnson Co. Criminal Court #10 Judge
Shequitta Kelly
Co. Criminal Court #11 Judge
Ingrid Michelle Warren Co. Probate Court #2 Judge
Kissi Jones
District Clerk
Rose Renfroe
District Clerk
Paul Ingram
Heath Harris
County Treasurer
Democratic County Chair
Candidate
Office
Maxey Marie Scherr U.S. Senator
Harry Kim
U.S. Senator
David Alameel
U.S. Senator
Kesha Rodgers
U.S. Senator
Staci Williams District Judge, 101st Jud. Dist.
Larry Mitchell (Inc.)Dist. Judge, 292nd Jud. Dist.
David Hanschen Fam. Dist. Judge, 301st Jud. Dist.
George White
Fam. Dist. Judge, 301st Jud. Dist.
Craig Bonham Fam. Dist. Judge, 301st Jud. Dist.
Etta J. Mullin (Inc.) Co. Crim. Court #5 Judge
Margaret Jones-Johnson Co. Prob. Court #3 Judge
Cathy Sanchez
District Clerk
Bennie Elnora Brown County Treasurer
Note: We have no printed campaign materials from these
candidates on hand. Some candidates print in-house and display
the text: “Printed in-house.” If we are in error, please let us know
and we will gladly print this information in the next issue of the
GADC voice.
Note: Campaign materials from these candidates on hand and found on
my desk.
February 24, 2014
Garland, Texas
Edition 53, Page 4
Garland Democratic Voice
Armageddon foreseen
A Shot Across the Bow
— Charles E. Ford, Jr.
The government doesn’t do a good job of getting its
money’s worth from contractors. The latest version of
the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is an excellent
example of incompetence paid for by the taxpayers. The
State Department has released the Final Supplemental
EIS for the northern section of the Keystone XL pipeline
designed to carry dilbit from Canada to south Texas.
Dilbit is bitumen, the product mined from tar sands
diluted with 30 to 50 percent naphtha (lighter fluid) or a
similar petroleum product. The 11-volume report
ignores many of the issues. The Executive Summary says
the bitumen is exported by Canada to the United States
but fails to mention the refined product will be exported
to China and India. The report tells us the pipeline,
owned by TransCanada, a Canadian company, will carry
830,000 barrels per day from Canada but will share the
pipeline with the Bakken Shale Formation in the United
States if conditions and demand permit. Americans will
receive NO BENEFIT from the pipeline. The southern
portion of the pipeline, already in operation, is not
included in this report. The proposed route for the
pipeline has been altered to avoid the Sand Hills Region
of Nebraska (U.S. farm area and the Ogallala Aquifer).
The Executive Summary discusses the dangers of
shipping “oil sands crude” by rail and fails to mention
the product being shipped by pipeline is dilbit. The
concern is valid but which is worse? Having a pipeline
leak, large or small, contaminating an aquifer or a river
or having a spill or an explosion from a train derailment.
The train derailment would be limited in scope and very
visible. Pipeline leaks have the potential of poisoning
millions of people while and after the leak is detected
particularly from the underground portions. This type
of leak, such as those in Kalamazoo, Michigan and in
Mayflower, Arkansas poisons untold millions of people
and land acres.
The summary downplays any potential damage to the
Ogallala aquifer with the statement: “Modeling indicates
that aquifer characteristics would inhibit the spread of
released oil, and impacts from a release on water quality
would be limited.” This is a sloppy investigation. The
Ogallala aquifer furnishes the drinking water for millions
of Americans and irrigation water for approximately onethird of our agriculture production. The summary
concludes: “Generally, where long-term or permanent
impacts from the proposed Project are absent, the
potential for additive cumulative effects with other past,
present, and reasonably foreseeable future projects is
negligible.”
The summary also fails to mention the dilbit is pumped
through the pipeline at up to 1,400 pounds per square
inch. The rip in the pipe in Michigan, less than five feet
long, spewed thousands of gallons of dilbit into the
Talmage Creek, a tributary of the Kalamazoo River.
February 24, 2014
Monitoring the pipeline for leaks is done by looking
for pressure drops. Obviously, leaks through small
holes are not going to be detected until a significant
amount of dilbit has escaped and damaged the
surrounding area. The summary says the affected
soil would be removed and replaced. For spills in the
water or a spill that flows into the water the report
says, “If the release enters flowing water or other
surface water features, the extent of the release could
become very large, potentially affecting soil, wildlife,
and vegetation along miles of river and shoreline. As
has been seen in recent large spills, sinking oil can be
deposited in river or stream bottoms and become a
continual source of oil release over time.” No
remedy is suggested. No concern indicated.
The chemical leak in West Virginia affected 300,000
people to an unknown degree. There were obvious
consequences, limited at the time, but the extent of
health effects on adults or children will not be known
for years. The West Virginia spill will be a minor
event compared with a leak into the Ogallala aquifer
or the Trinity water basin from the Keystone XXL
pipeline.
The latest version of the EIS fails to meet its primary
goal to protect the public from events like we have
seen in Michigan, Arkansas, West Virginia, and
numerous other places. Much of the evaluation for
the report is based on historical data, such as the
number of spills or leaks and the amount leaked or
spilled. The error of their ways is that it only takes
one leak, large or small, to poison millions of people,
land, water, and air. The pipeline will leak, now or
later. The decision to complete the pipeline should
be based on a competent analysis of the worst-case
scenario, not the average case, and the response to a
worst case disaster.
“Because the risk of a potential release is roughly
equal at all points along the pipeline, the risks
associated with such releases would not be
disproportionately borne by minority or low-income
populations.” When they run the pipeline through
Highland Park, the people there will be at risk of
health problems just like the people in South Dallas.
The EIS summary does not specifically recommend
approval for the project but it sugarcoats or ignores
serious issues. The EIS is not the final document to
be submitted before a final decision is made by the
State Department or President Obama, but the EIS is
bound to have a serious impact on the decision.
Both the Executive Summary and the full report are
available at: http://keystonepipeline-xl.state.gov/finalseis/index.htm .
Garland, Texas
Edition 53, Page 5
Garland Democratic Voice
Write the epa — NOW
CARBON COPY
A climate, energy, science and politics blog
•U.S. Keystone Report Relied Heavily on Alberta
Govt-Funded Research.
•State Department review used studies funded by
Alberta agencies and carried out by Jacobs.
• Consultancy is a subsidiary of a major tar sands
developer.
Burst pipeline in Kalamazoo, Michigan. It took
Enbridge 18 hours to notice the spill of more
than 1,000,000 gallons of poisonous dilbit.
By John H. Cushman Jr., InsideClimate News Feb 7, 2014
Just Say, “ NO!”
U.S. State Department’s Keystone Pipeline EIS
Schedule for Public Comment begins February 5th.
—Katherine Savers McGovern
The Presidential Permit review process now focuses
on whether the proposed Project serves the national
interest, which involves consideration of many factors
including: energy security; environmental, cultural,
and economic impacts; foreign policy; and
compliance with relevant federal regulations and
issues. During this time, the department will consult
with, at least, the eight agencies identified in
Executive Order 13337: the Departments of
Defense, Justice, Interior, Commerce,
Transportation, Energy, Homeland Security, and the
Environmental Protection Agency.
A 30-day public comment period began on
February 5, 2014 and will close on March 7, 2014.
During this period, members of the public and
other interested parties are encouraged to submit
comments on the national interest determination
to: www.regulations.gov .
•Koch Brothers’ Political Activism Protects Their
50-Year Stake in Canadian Heavy Oils
•Koch Subsidiary Told Regulators It Has ‘Direct
and Substantial Interest’ in Keystone XL
•Keystone Pipeline Will Diminish Energy Security,
Prominent Canadian Says
http://insideclimatenews.org/content/us-keystone-report-relied-heavily-alberta-g
ovt-funded-research
Critical Part of Keystone Report Done by Firms
with Deep Oil Industry Ties
Two consulting firms provided State Department
with key analysis of whether the pipeline would speed
development of Canada’s oil sands.
By Lisa Song, InsideClimate News 3/6/13
http://insideclimatenews.org/news/20130306/keystone
-xl-eis-state-department-transcanada-oil-tar-sands-ind
ustry-ensys-energy-koch-brothers-exxonmobil-bp-oba
ma?page=2
Comments may also be mailed directly to:
U.S. Department of State
Bureau of Energy Resources, Room 4843
Attn: Keystone XL Public Comments
2201 C Street, NW
Washington, DC 20520
Comments are not private and will be made public.
The department continues to review the Presidential
Permit application for the proposed Keystone XXL
pipeline in a rigorous, transparent, and objective
manner. http://www.regulations.gov/
February 24, 2014
This is dilbit from the Mayflower, Arkansas Pegasus
spill by Exxon
Garland, Texas
Edition 53, Page 6
Garland Democratic Voice
Report on the Lipsky Compound well
©2013 Julie Dermansky
When You Wish Upon A Fracking Area
The Lipsky Cottage, South of Weatherford, TX
It doesn’t always help to be rich. Steve and Shyla
Lipsky built a small cottage in Parker County in
2005. Their fairy tale had come true. But in 2009,
the big bad wolf moved into the territory. Range
Resources drilled a gas well in the area and began
fracking. Fracking pumps a fluid mixture of water
and poisonous chemicals into the well at high
pressure to fracture the rock formation deep in the
ground and release the natural gas trapped within
the rocks. In December of the same year, the
Lipsky’s well water started to bubble.
The Texas Railroad Commission has the oversight
responsibility but failed to respond, so Steve
requested help from the Environmental Protection
Agency. It took a long, frustrating year, but the EPA
issued an Emergency Administrative Order in
December 2010 requiring specific actions by Range
Resources Corporation. In the interim, the gas level
at Lipsky’s house and a neighbor’s home were
measured to have methane, benzene, and other
chemicals above safe levels for human consumption
or use. The methane levels are so high they require
venting the wells to avoid an explosion. Analysis of
the gases in the wells showed both wells contained
thermionic methane, meaning the gas formed deep
below the surface of the earth through geologic
processes involving pressure, heat, and time.
Lipsky connected a hose to his water well to
demonstrate he could light the gases from his water
well on fire. You would think by this time Lipsky had
made a case requiring a serious response. Instead
on February 16, 2012, District Judge Trey Loftin
issued an order denying a motion to dismiss Range’s
counter claims.
February 24, 2014
The order refers to “this deceptive garden hose
demonstration” and “a conspiracy to defame Range.”
The judge fails to explain why it was deceptive. Steve
Lipsky is not alone in this predicament. Another
neighbor, Shelly Perdue, showed News 8 WFFA how
she can also light her well water on fire. In addition,
the EPA measured the methane level at 627 µg/l
(microgram per liter) at another neighbor, Struth’s
well. The EPA measured the methane at 20,100
µg/liter at the Lipsky well. On August 7, 2013, Stacy
Systems Inc. detected methane at 140,000 PPM (parts
per million) at Lipsky’s water pump vent and
summarized their results this way: “the situation is
potentially explosive and dangerous to the health of
anyone using the water.” The lower explosive limit
(LEL) is 50,000 PPM. The houses are siting above the
Trinity Aquifer and the two wells in question tap into
the aquifer. If these wells are contaminated with
methane and carcinogens, there have to be concerns
about the water in the Trinity Aquifer and the people
who drink or use the water. Range Resources sampled
30 homes and wells in the area including the Lipsky
and Struth homes and wells but found no problems.
In August 2010, Range Resources proposed to correct
a problem by “squeez[ing] cement behind the 4 ½”
production casing and circulate the cement to
surface.” The work was never done and Range
Resources reverted to an argument thatb the methane
was from natural causes. They have ignored the
presence of thermogenic methane, which comes from
deep in the earth. We know the Railroad Commission
and EPA have let this issue drag out way longer than it
should have. And we know it has to be hell to be out
there all alone fighting with the government that is
supposed to protect its citizens but fails to perform its
duties.
Garland, Texas
Edition 53, Page 7
Garland Democratic Voice
Solarize Garland Meeting
Summary of Solarize Garland Meeting — January 30, 2014
— Peggy Henger
The first meeting for Solarize Garland was held at the Garland Library at 7:00 p.m. We were
pleased to have more than 30 people show up to hear about solar in Garland. Richard Bach
provided an excellent PowerPoint presentation on how our group can facilitate a group purchase,
thereby allowing Garland residents an opportunity to install solar power at a substantial savings. A
copy of the presentation is on the Solarize Garland website http://solarizegarland.blogspot.com/ .
Our guests included Larry Howe from Solarize Plano and David Kolibo from Garland Power and
Light (GP&L). Howe gave many details about how their group was successful in their first Solarize
“group purchase.” He has also provided guidance and direction to help Garland get started. David
Koliba summarized the Garland GP&L incentive program.
The term Solarize is used as a term for “Groups Purchasing Programs.” The larger the group, the
greater the discount. Solar companies usually sell about 5 to 10 percent of their sales calls. Solarize
Plano had a 50 percent sales closure rate. By having a large group ready to go (at least 20),
companies are very pleased to offer substantial discounts.
There are incentives as well. The federal incentive program provides an investment tax credit of 30
percent off the net cost to the homeowner. GP&L provides a credit on a bill for $3.00 per installed
system watt, up to $5,000. The GP&L incentive is credited to the Garland utility bill. The federal
incentive, GP&L credits, and the “group purchase” discount provide a big saving on solar
photovoltaic (PV) installations. This is a good time to consider available home solar options.
It’s difficult to give specific costs and savings, without having a site assessment and a recommendation
on size of the system required.
Here are the three steps:
1. Decide to Enroll — This is NOT a commitment to buy. This is an agreement to look
at the options and learn more about solar. You learn about the size of a system you will
need and its cost. It gives Solarize Garland an idea of the number of people interested.
During this step, the people who enroll will pick the solar installer to use. (The enrollment
form asks if you want to serve on the installer selection committee.)
2. Decide to have a Site Assessment — This will be done by the company selected in step
1. The site assessment will determine if your home is suitable for solar and the size of the
system you will need.
3. Decide to Install — Individuals sign a contract directly with the selected company.
Solarize Garland is not involved at this time. But the contractor must meet certain
requirements of Solarize Garland, be in good standing with GP&L, and obtain all the
necessary permits from the City of Garland required for the installation.
This is just a brief summary. We look forward to seeing you at our next meeting. For questions,
please email [email protected] or visit the website http://solarizegarland.blogspot.com/ . You may also contact
Richard Bach 972-365-0740, [email protected] Peggy Henger 972-276-5944, [email protected]
1
Credit is based on total watts installed. $3.00 per watt credited to your GP&L account to a maximum of $5,000. 1,500 watt sys x3 = $4,500 credit
February 24, 2014
Garland, Texas
Edition 53, Page 8
Garland Democratic Voice
Bits and Pieces
What Everyone Should Know
About Probate
A monthly feature prepared by:
Ingrid Michelle Warren
Candidate for Judge of Probate No. 2
Wendy Davis Supports Open Gun Carry Law
—Katherine Savers McGovern
I find unnerving the thought of having to figure out whether
the woman or man “open carrying” a gun (of any type) in
public places is emotionally stable or not, i.e., do I need to
leave or “shelter in place.” The only people I want to see
“open carrying” guns are law enforcement officials and the
military.
However, my support for Wendy Davis is based upon her
history of support for funding for education, infrastructure,
and Medicaid, as well as her position against having Big Texas
Government involved in a woman’s decisions concerning her
reproduction and other medical issues.
It’s easy for me to choose:
Abbott equals: Big Texas Government involvement in private
matters involving women plus frivolous litigation which wastes
Texas money and time.
Davis equals: Common sense governance focused on service to
the people of Texas plus sensible financial and budgetary
decisions, e.g., adequate funding of public education.
Michael Li: Two points: (a) I don’t agree with Senator Davis
on open carry but anyone who thinks this is some ‘calculated
position’ hasn’t looked at her record or at her detailed,
nuanced positions on gun issues, (b) Everyone whose response
was ‘Wendy needs new advisors’ is being markedly sexist — as
though the woman is just some dumb puppet who can’t think
for herself.
Dying without a Will may result in unintended
consequences. It is best to leave a Will.
Scenario:
Millie, 87, has one daughter, Dollie, who lives out
of town. Millie opened an account and listed her
niece, Lena, to help write checks from the account.
The terms of the account contract included a right
of survivorship. Throughout the life of the
account, only Millie contributed to the account.
Lena did not deposit any money into the account.
In 2013, Millie passed away leaving a Will, which
gifted all funds in the convenience account to
Dollie. Lena claims she is entitled to all funds
from the account because of the right of
survivorship and Dollie believes she is entitled to
the funds because of the Will.
Question: Who is entitled to the funds?
Answer: Lena is entitled to the funds because the
beneficiary designation form will take precedence
over the terms of the Will.
Moral: Confer with an attorney to ensure that
your beneficiary designation form is consistent
with your will.
Political advertising paid for by the Campaign to elect Ingrid Michelle
Warren for Judge of Probate No. 2. Algernon “Al” Herron,
Treasurer, in compliance with the voluntary limits of the Judicial
Campaign Fairness Act. P.O. Box 131205, Dallas, TX 75313
Guns ’N’ Democrats
Last night Chair Darlene Ewing
spoke to KTVT CBS 11 about the
Democratic Party’s position on
“open carry,” support of the U.S.
Constitution and the Second
Amendment, along with common
sense regulation in the interest of
public safety. We’re the big tent
party and we are able to disagree
on certain issues while remaining
united as a party. From Facebook 02/10/14
February 24, 2014
Garland, Texas
Edition 53, Page 9
Garland Democratic Voice
Bits and Pieces II
Congratulations to
Harryette Ehrhardt, who’ll receive the
League of Women Voters of Dallas
Susan B. Anthony Award
on Thursday for her dedication
to equal rights.
Adoption Day in Dallas
The courtrooms overflowed with teddy bears and
joy. Families beamed and hugged. Even the
judges wore smiles.
That’s not the usual scene at the Henry Wade
Juvenile Justice Center in Dallas. But Saturday
morning, Dallas CASA held National Adoption
Day in its courts. The national program was
started in 2000 to reduce delays in adoptions of
foster children and to celebrate new families.
Dallas was one of the first to jump on board.
About 50 North Texas children went home
Saturday as official sons and daughters. The
effort had support from Child Protective
Services, the Dallas County Sheriff’s Department,
the Commissioners Court and the district clerk’s
office.
“Everyone should consider it,” said Diana
Daniels. “Every child deserves love.”
To learn more, visit www.dallascasa.org or
www.nationaladoptionday.org.
February 24, 2014
Judge William “Bill” Mazur, 304th Juvenile District
Court even held babies.
Everyone who helped — judges, lawyers and others
— donated their time.
Garland, Texas
Edition 53, Page 10
Garland Democratic Voice
o=Incumbent
Out & About
Hon. Theresa Daniel
Co. Commissioner, Dist. 1
David Riggs, President
Garland Fire Fighters
Assoc. IAFF Local 1293
Harold Johnson
GADC President
Ed Miller, Precinct Chair 2510
Melodee Armstrong
County Criminal
Court 11
o Andy
Chatham, Judge
nd
282
Judicial District
Craig Bonham
301st Family District Court
Paul Ingram
Dallas Co. Treasurer
Lisa Green
Co. Criminal Court 5
Nancy Mulder
Co. Criminal Court 4
February 24, 2014
New DCDP Executive
Director Taylor Holden
Richard Davis
GADC Treasurer and
Precinct Chair 1041
Rachel Baker Ford, editor
GADC VOICE
Susan Anderson
291st Judicial District
Justin Lord
283rd Judicial District Court
Garland, Texas
John Sheridan
GADC V. Pres.
Rose Renfroe, candidate
Dallas County Clerk addressing the GADC
o Michael Miller
Probate Court 3
o Chris Wilmoth
Probate Court 2
Trey Bunch
Co. Criminal Court 5
Bonnie Goldstein
44th District Court
o Lori
C. Hockett, Judge
th
255 Family District Court
Carol Donovan
TXHS 107
Edition 53, Page 11
Garland Democratic Voice
o=Incumbent
ReElect Darlene Ewing o
o Darlene Ewing, Dallas Co.
o
Judge Roberto
Cañas, Co. Criminal
Court 10
Chair & John Wiley Price,
Dallas Co. Commissioner 3
o Judge Julia Hayes
Co. Criminal Court 2
Park Cities County Chair Forum
(Not Present: Heath Harris)
Big East Candidate Forum
(Not Present: Heath Harris)
Hon. Peggy Henger and
Michael Fjetland for U.S. Senate
David Bradley Dallas Co.
Treasurer & Bonnie Goldstein
44th District Court
D.C. & Rev. Michael Smith
at Bouqui’s’ Home
Meet & Greet Darlene at Caveness’ home.
Big East Candidate Forum Crowd
oAndrea Plumlee
Judge, 330th
District Court
Chris Wilmoth
o Lori C. Hockett o Probate
Court 2
th
Judge, 255 Family
District Court
o Marty Lowy
Judge, 101st Judicial
District
o Bill Mazur
304th Juvenile
District Court
Meet & Greet Darlene at Bouqui’s home.
o Andy Chatham
Judge, 282nd Judicial
District
o Lena Levario
o Rick Magnis
Judge, 283rd Judicial
District
Judge, 204th
Judicial District
Trey Bunch
Criminal Court 5
David Hanschen
301st Family District
Court
Larry Praeger
301st Family District
Court
Carol Donovan
TXHS 107
o
Larry Mitchell
292nd Judicial District
o Tracy Holmes
Judge, 363rd
Judicial District
o Michael Miller
Janice Schwarz
SDEC Senate
District 16
Probate Court 3
Rose Renfroe
Dallas Co. Clerk
George Clayton
TXHS 102
Felicia Pitre
Dallas Co. Clerk
Pauline Medrano
Dallas Co. Treas.
February 24, 2014
Mary Brown
301st Family
District Court
Melissa J. Bellan
Justice of the
Peace Pct. 5 Pl. 1
Nancy Mulder
Criminal Court 4
Leigh Bailey
TXHS 108
Garland, Texas
Bonnie Goldstein 44th
District Court
Mary Warren Park Cities
Central Dallas Democrats
Susan Anderson
291st Judicial
District
Edition 53, Page 12
Paid Political
Advertisements
Garland Democratic Voice
FEBRUARY 24, 2014
Working to Turn Texas Blue
Garland, Texas
Edition 53, Page 13
Garland Democratic Voice
Paid Political Advertisements
Working to Turn Texas Blue
Darlene Ewing, Dallas County Democratic Chair
Judge Julia Hayes, Dallas Criminal Court 2
Judge Chris Wilmoth, Probate Court 2
February 24, 2014
Garland, Texas
Edition 53, Page 14
Garland Democratic Voice
Paid Political
Advertisements
Feb ruary 24, 2014
Working to Turn Texas Blue
Judge William A. “Bill” Mazur, Jr., 304th Juvenile District Court
Judge Roberto Cañas, County Criminal Court 10
Judge Lori Chrisman Hockett, 255th Family District Court
Garland, Texas
Edition 53, Page 15
Garland Democratic Voice
Working to Turn Texas Blue
Paid Political Advertisements
State Rep. Lon Burnam
The Fort Worth People’s
Champion
Rep. Burnam is a champion for all Texans.
As a lifelong member of Sierra Club, he has
worked tirelessly for clean air, clean water,
and for the environment. He also is very
involved in education, women’s health
issues, the Affordable Care Act, employment,
and the general welfare of all Texans.
February 24, 2014
Garland, Texas
Edition 53, Page 16
Garland Democratic Voice
Paid Political Advertisements
Working to Turn Texas Blue
Carl Ginsberg District Judge
193rd Civil District Court
February 24, 2014
Garland, Texas
Edition 53, Page 17
Paid Political Advertisements
February 24, 2014
Garland Democratic Voice
Working to Turn Texas Blue
Garland, Texas
Edition 53, Page 18
Garland Democratic Voice
Bulletin Board
Paid Political Advertisement
Garland Area Democratic Club Meeting
Thurs., Mar. 13, 2014, 7:00 p.m.
Women’s Activities Building
713 Austin St., Garland 75040
All are welcome.
Contact: Harold R. Johnson
721 Forest Ridge Drive
Garland, Texas 75042-5168
H: (972) 272-2863
[email protected]
Garland Democratic Woman’s Club
Wed., Mar. 19, 2014, 11:30 a.m.
Enjoy the company of Democratic
women over lunch!
All are welcome, bring a friend.
Democratic candidates are
encouraged to come and meet us!
Siciliano’s Taste of Italy
2210 W. Buckingham, Garland, TX
Info: Susan J. Copeland 5442 Barcelona Dr.
Garland, TX 75043-5109 (972) 681-3464
[email protected]
Early Voting
Voters can vote at any early voting site in Dallas Co.
Tues. thru Fri. 2/24 – 2/28, 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Primary Election Day
March 4, 2014, 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Voters must vote in their home precinct.
Photo ID Required
NOTE: Driver License offices are open Saturday,
March 1, 2014 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. for Election
Identification Certificates ONLY. This card
cannot be used for identification purposes other
than voting.
Local Help from any location can be found at:
https://localhelp.healthcare.gov/
Parkland Health & Hospital System
3320 Live Oak, Dallas TX 75204 Phone: (214) 590-8000
Hours: M–F 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
http://www.parklandhospital.com/ [email protected]
February 24, 2014
Garland, Texas
Edition 53, Page 19