Bipartisan support for open county government is growing in Williamson County. Here's what your neighbors say about a candidate who believes that we must not allow county government to become the lap dog of any political party.
Friends, I am writing you because I think good local government is vital to the health of our community. I was so concerned about improving local government that I became a Republican candidate for County Commissioner in Precinct 1 of Williamson County. I lost the primary race by a very small margin to the incumbent, Lisa Birkman. During the course of that campaign I met Mike Grimes, the Democratic Candidate for County Commissioner in Precinct 1. After joint appearances and discussions with Mike, I came to realize that many of his observations about the Court and his views about how it should operate were very similar to my own, even though we were candidates in opposing political parties. Because I believe Mike is the most qualified candidate for the position of County Commissioner, I have agreed to endorse him. I applaud his pledge on campaign finance and agree with his stance on open government. Mike believes, as do I, that Ms. Birkman failed to confer with her constituents and protect their interests on major issues such as the location of a probation office near the Round Rock West subdivision and the widening of Wyoming Springs. I am still a Republican, but I don't believe that endorsing the best candidate for a position in local government has anything to do with national politics! Good government comes from electing the most qualified candidate, not the candidate that has a specific political affiliation. I hope you will join me in a bi-partisan effort to elect Mike Grimes because I truly believe he is the best choice. Best Regards, Steve Laukhuf |
Mike Grimes for all As a person who has lived in Precinct 1 long enough to raise four children, be an active member of my community, and be elected as Constable of Precinct 1, I have come to not just know my community, but I've learned the "feel" of Precinct 1. Williamson County is currently facing difficult decisions. Because of this, it is imperative to have a knowledgeable, experienced person with proven leadership skills and quality personal skills to serve on the Commissioner Court and make, not just good decisions but, the right decision. Case in point #1, the animal shelter, what a mess. Taking care of animals should be pretty simple stuff, but Commissioner Birkman and others on the court failed miserably in this task. If we can't take care of animals effectively, how can we expect Commissioner Birkman to effectively take care of us? Case #2, the landfill mess; a blind man can see how wrong the court is on this as well. Commissioner Birkman has sided with the court's disregard for the welfare of the people. Case #3, last time I checked Williamson County had over 200 causes of action on various levels filed against them. You don't get sued when you make good decisions, only bad ones. I could go on and on about the failures of Commissioner Birkman, but that's like playing the same ole' sad song over and over. November 4th is a critical crossroad not just nationally but locally as well. As a three time elected Republican office holder, I believe we have a candidate where Republicans and Democrats can agree. You see, it is the person who makes the party, not the party who makes the person. When I was elected to serve as constable as a Republican, I represented everybody, Democrats & Republicans together. However, the ideology of the current Precinct 1 commissioner fails to allow broad citizen representation, but focuses on partisanship. A public servant who deals with the magnitude of issues facing the Commissioner Court has to be bigger than that. A public servant has to recognize the fact that once elected, all citizens deserve quality representation. That hasn't happened here for quite sometime. That is why this long time elected Republican official proudly supports, and graciously asks my friends and neighbors to support, Mike Grimes as the next Commissioner of Precinct 1. Mike not only has the background, experience, education and knowledge of the job at hand, he has proven himself in our community, time and time again for over 37+ years. Many of you know me as a baseball guy, so here's a baseball analogy. At one time or another anyone who plays the game wants to pitch. Most do not possess the talent to consistently throw a strike, but they think they can pitch. Commissioner Birkman does not possess the talent to be a pitcher. It has been a long time since any of us has seen a decent pitch come from the Commissioner Court. Poor decisions of the Court are routinely printed in every newspaper. Although, I have a great deal of respect for Lisa's background, she can't pitch and we need a strong pitcher at this point in our county's growth. Let's elect a man who not only knows how to throw a strike consistently, but can throw it hard and fast. In the most serious manner I can convey, the urgency we face can not be minimized. It is critical that we give Mike the opportunity to fix the mess made by incumbent members of the court. Mike Grimes is not only deserving of your vote, we as voters deserve Mike Grimes. I have full confidence Mike will represent all of us, not just some of us. Respectfully submitted, Gary Griffin, Republican Constable |