arland Democratic Voicegarlanddemocraticvoice.com/GADCVoiceEd43Fop.pdf · experiencing health impacts: sore throats, headaches, stomach aches and respiratory problems. According to

Contents:Front Page: Killing the Golden Goose...........................Page 1Editorial: “Oh, S—!........................................................Page 2Editorial Addenda.....RE: Tar Sands Bad News............Page 3Article:..... Social Security, Chained CPI, and You...................Page 4Article: Thank You, Mayor Jones/Meet Delores Elder-Jones. Page 5

Article:...Brooklyn Bridge Solution/ Sandy Hook My Kids................Page 6 Article:.Opinion from E. Berry Blog/May Election Info...Pages 7&8Article:,Sounding Off/GADC Club of the Month/Election Alert..Pg 9Out & About: ..............Photos of Club Activities .......... Pages 10 & 11 Bulletin Board: Events and Advertisements..................Page 12

arlandDemocratic Voice

News And Information for Garland Area Democrats

Produced and published in-house by Rachel Baker Ford, 3317 Knights Haven Lane, Garland, Texas 75044

April 19, 2013 Garland, Texas Edition 43

KILLING THE GOLDEN GOOSE!For decades politicians at state and local level have balancedbudgets or reduced budgets by laying off teachers,policemen, and firefighters while the public and even thoseinvolved stood silently by and watched with barely awhimper. Every time they do this, they reduce the middleclass. It’s like cutting down a tree one twig at a time. Suddenly, the tree is gone.

That worked so well, from their point of view, they expandedthe attack to the post office and the postal employees. Still no significant response from the public.

The politicians are on a roll. Their next brilliant idea is aSEQUESTER. They can spread the misery to governmentworkers, the poor, and children. The hardship is spread sowide few others take notice. Except for The Huffington Post,the news media has ignored the Sequester and the resultingmisery. www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/02/sequestration-effects_n_2996101.html?ir=Politics

They continue their assault using the budgetary process. Senior citizens, veterans, and the disabled are part of themiddle class and may have some savings. What if we slow theincrease in benefits using the chained CPI instead of theConsumer Price Index (CPI), raise their taxes, and increasethe co-pay for Medicare and Medicaid? The conservative GOP’pers are floating on air they are so happy.

The net effect is to destroy the middle class and drive more people into poverty while they simultaneouslyattack the social net programs like food stamps, Social Security, pre-school programs, Medicaid, a myriad ofothers. Some changes are necessary but attacks on the middle class are counterproductive. The less themiddle class has to spend, the slower the economy will grow and, in fact, it may even contract. Corporateprofits will shrink while the deficit and debt will balloon.

They are killing the Golden Goose.

Photo credit: This Incredible World / Foter.com / CC BY

Garland Democratic Voice Editorial

Oh, S- - - !

— Rachel Baker Ford, editor

Replies: Sue Heavenrich 4/1/13

The pipelinebroke/ruptured/exploded...

the crud spilled out.http://marcelluseffect.blogspot.com/2013/04/pipeline-spills-can-make-you-sick.html

April 19, 2013 Garland, Texas Edition 43, Page 2

Garland Democratic VoiceAddenda to the Editorial

Pipeline Spills Can Make You Sick Wednesday, 4/10/13

— Posted by Sue Heavenrich Turns out that having a pipeline rupture andflood your neighborhood with bituminous tarsands oil isn’t healthy for kids — or anyone, forthat matter. People living a mile away from theevacuation zone in Mayflower, Arkansas, areexperiencing health impacts: sore throats,headaches, stomach aches and respiratoryproblems.

According to a recent article in The HuffingtonPost, school kids are being sent home becausethey’re feeling ill from breathing the oil-laden,full-of-volatile-organic-chemicals air in andaround the school grounds. Though, you’ve gotto wonder just what the air quality is like athome ...

Chemicals that have been measured in the localair include benzene, toluene, hydrogen sulfide— stuff people shouldn’t be breathing even atlow levels. Unfortunately, most regulatorystandards are set for healthy people in theworkplace — not infants and children or elderlypeople who might be breathing polluted air 24/7for as long as it takes to mop up the spill.

And these are just the current problems. Someof the chemicals will remain in the soil andwaterways, only to be dredged up later, or endup in a kid’s backyard sandcastle. I can see anew service industry emerging in this country:cleaning up pipeline spills, storm impacts, firedamage ... and fat pockets for the healthinsurance providers.http://marcelluseffect.blogspot.com/2013/04/pipeline-spills-can-make-you-sick.html

Bitumen

— TXsharon 4/3/13 in Tar Sands, XOM(with apologies to Carl Sandburg)

The black death slithers silently like a snake. It slimes through the forest and village into the water with its putrid stench and lethal venom.

Pipeline spillsLast year, in the U.S. alone, there were 364 spillsfrom pipelines. This year, as of February 28, therehave been 41 reports of spills — 70 percent of whichwere caused by failure of materials, welding, orequipment — racking up damage costs of more than$3 million.

Ways to Observe Pipeline Spills

1. From your neighbor’s back porch. Maybe there was aswimming pool, or just a swing set ... but now it’s thousandsof gallons of heavy, stinky crude bitumen from Canadian TarSands, courtesy of EXXON. “Share this widely,” said anemail. “Local authorities have denied the media access so fewhave seen the extent of this spill.” 3/29/13, Mayflower, AR

2. Through the eyes of a family of beavers who havesacrificed their home — and their store of spring twigs fornoshing — to halt the flow of diesel into Willard Bay. Thirdspill in three years! 3/27/13, Ogden, UT

3. From small town America. 7/27/12, Grand Marsh, WI

4. From the banks of the Yellowstone River three daysbefore celebrating Independence Day. 7/1/11, Billings, MT

5. From a leak along the Keystone XL. Don't worry! It's justa transnational flesh wound. 5/7/11, Brampton, ND

6. As the reason for five funerals. 2/10/11, Allentown, PA

7. A loud and noisy explosion in the middle of theneighborhood. 1/8/11, Philadelphia, PA

8. In what used to be a furniture store. 1 block from an elem.school and 5 blocks from WMHS. 12/29/10, Wayne, MI

9. From the point of view of a utility worker wondering ifhe’s the next victim. 9/28/10, Cairo, GA

10. As numbers: eight lives lost, 55 homes damaged, andunmeasurable sorrow. 9/9/10, San Bruno, CA

11. As yet another call to clean up responders to yet anotherEnbridge spill. 9/9/10, Romeoville, IL

12. Through the oily mist of an orange and brown geyser.7/27/10, Barataria Bay, LA

13. Beneath the surface of one of the largest spills sinceBP’s Earth Day disaster in the Gulf of Mexico. 7/26/10,Kalamazoo River, MI

14. As an oil slick on the city’s drinking water. 7/6/10, Justiceburg, TX

15. While riding a bicycle around the Liberty Park loop.6/11/10, Salt Lake City, UT

16. Palins’ Front Porch. 5/25/10, Trans-Alaska pipeline, AK

17. As data reported to government statisticians at thePipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration,where data are pie-charted and analyzed in three-year andfive-year increments.

18. Minnesota train derailment leaked tens of thousands ofgallons of tar sand oils. 3/27/13, MN

19. Banks of the Mississippi River from barge spills.1/13, MS

20. Storage facilities’ leaks due to Hurricane Sandy. 10/2012

21. The Earth Day blowout of Deepwater Horizon. 4/2010

Does not include spills, ruptures, explosions, etc. in Canada, Mexico,South America, Europe, Asia, Australia or Africa.

http://marcelluseffect.blogspot.com/2013/04/17-ways-to-look-at-pipeline-spills-with.html

April 19, 2013 Garland, Texas Edition 43, Page 3

Garland Democratic VoiceAbout Chained CPI

Social Security, Chained CPI and You— Charles E. Ford, Jr.

Each year the government determines if Social Security, SSI, disabled veterans benefits, andgovernment retirement payments should be raised and by how much, based on the percent change inthe Consumer Price Index (CPI) from the third quarter of the previous year to the third quarter ofthe current year. The CPI is based on the prices of items in a huge shopping basket that includesfood, energy (gasoline, fuel, and electricity), new and used vehicles, apparel, medical carecommodities and services, and shelter (owned, rented or leased). The complete list is available fromthe U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics. www.bls.gov/cpi/tables.htm

President Obama has proposed to use the chained CPI (C-CPI) instead of the CPI to determine thepayment increases because the increases will be smaller using C-CPI. If a price increases for an itemlike a beef steak, the government may assume you will buy a substitute item that costs less like chickenor you would buy a used car instead of a new one. What the media fails to mention is the monthlypayment increases with either system. No one can say for sure what the future will bring, but usingthe last 9 years of data as a base, we can expect the yearly increases will average 2.55 percent usingCPI for the calculations and 2.28 percent when calculated using C-CPI. If your monthly SocialSecurity benefit in 2012 was $1,000 per month in 2030, you should expect $1,500 per month evenwhen the payments are calculated using C-CPI. Today’s $2,000 will be $2,250 in 2030.

Social Security Monthly Payment for CPI and C-CPI Increases (in dollars)

Year 2012 2015 2020 2025 2030

CPI $1,000 $1,078 $1,223 $1,387 $1,573

C-CPI $1,000 $1,070 $1,198 $1,341 $1,500

Difference 00 $8 $25 $46 $78

The change may be a hardship for some but you can still anticipate increases as you have in the past.The total reduction in benefits from 2013 to 2030 will be approximately $7,300, or 7.3 times yourcurrent benefit.

April 19, 2013 Garland, Texas Edition 43, Page 4

Garland Democratic VoiceGarland Mayor

A Visit with Mayor Ron Jones— Peggy Henger

Mayor Ron Jones is one ofthe most accessible mayors inthe Metroplex. OurGarland group appreciateRon Jones efforts to preserveand protect the environmentduring his term as mayor. Imet with Mayor Jones whenhe signed the Cool CitiesAgreement, agreeing toencourage conservation andsustainable infrastructure improvements and Imet with him again last week to review hisaccomplishments.

Garland’s accomplishments in energy andconservation projects:

1. Water conservation via restrictions2. Low-flow toilets and shower heads 3. Storm water protection4. Protection of drinking water5. Single-stream recycling and

Trash-Off events6. LED street lights (pilot project)7. Electric vehicles and charging stations

for city vehicles8. LEED Gold Building —

Garland Richland College Campus

Garland Power and Light (GP&L) has taken stepsfor alternative energy sources, including windand solar. Currently, GP&L provides electricityprimarily produced from coal (shipped at a highcost from Powder River Basin in Wyoming) foran old coal-fired plant. However, Garland iscurrently exploring wind energy programs,expanding solar for use on residential homes,and exploring converting gas into energy atlandfills.

Thank you, Mayor Jones, and we wish you thebest as senior pastor of New Hope BaptistChurch. We hope you will come back and visitus often.

Reasons to Vote for Delores Elder-Jones

— Elizabeth Berry [email protected]

Delores Elder-Jones, candidate for Mayor ofGarland, is anything but a cheerleader for the statusquo. Her entire life is testimony to bold innovationand job creation and community bonding. Now isthe time for bold leaders like Delores with theeducation, experience, and enormous faith in thepower of the people. Delores will work with usside-by-side to forge new and innovative solutionsfor our community that will benefit all. Delores hasthe capacity to bring jobs and ways of workingtogether that we today cannot even imagine possible. If ever there were a person who has lived by thesewords written by Goethe, it’s Delores:

“Enough words have been exchanged; now at last let me see some deeds!” (Goethe, Faust I)

It’s a fact in case you haven’t noticed: The leaders inWashington are not going to save our localcommunities. Most of them aren’t even aware of ourexistence (except of course in election year). Andjust any local leader is not going to help our localcommunities to prosper either. Leaders like DeloresElder-Jones will. Delores is a listener with a greatcapacity to learn from the wisdom of others and addit to the large and ever-growing storehouse of herown wisdom. Delores is bold and will be willing totry new solutions for job creation offered up to herby citizens of our community.

Among other things, ourmayor has the power tocontinue to push GarlandPower and Light in thedirection of green and awayfrom our dependence oncoal-fired plants. I trustDelores for that kind ofleadership. In fact, I trustDelores. Period! Thatstatement in and of itself isabout the best complimentthat any citizen can extend toa local candidate.

Note: I am not a member of Delores’ campaign staff. The opinions expressedhere are my own. However, like the Plumbers and Steamfitters’ Local Union

#100 – another bunch of folks who know what it means to work for a living —I too am voting for Delores Elder-Jones as Mayor of Garland. ed.: Agreed!

Hon. Ron Jones

Delores Elder-Jones

April 19, 2013 Garland, Texas Edition 43, Page 5

Garland Democratic Voiceresponse to Violence

Knowing a “Brooklyn Bridge” Solution

— Katherine McGovern

While being a senior may not produce manythings, one benefit is having the experience andknowledge to recognize “Brooklyn Bridge” offerswhen you see them. Armed schools is not going toend gun violence, not at schools or anywhere else. The meager proposal of universal gun registrationis cheaper and more effective. As an example oflikely effectiveness, the whole current gunregistration law, as filed, has worked to prevent the direct purchase of guns from those prohibitedfrom buying them. It is a red herring to fightuniversal gun registration by arguing, as Sen.Lindsey Graham and others do, that the verylimited gun control laws aren’t effective becauseeveryone who has been prevented from buying agun has not been prosecuted. The point of nothaving been able to buy the gun is missed,apparently. The importance of the individual nothaving been able to buy the gun doesn't matter tothe NRA (except as lost profit) and its supporter,Sen. Graham.

The limited prosecution of gun control attemptedpurchase violations likely represents a fiscallydriven decision on the allocation of resources as amatter of prosecutorial discretion ... rather thanan argument for no gun registration and in favorof gun violence.

Universal gun registration is essential as afoundation to obstruct gun violence. We must notcontinue to linger back because the efforts so farare not perfect. Every positive step counts.

Stand Strong Against Gun Violence and ThoseEnablers of Gun Violence. The SecondAmendment provides for a “well regulated”militia — let’s see some meaningful regulations tolimit gun violence.

Sandy Hook Kids - My Kids

Open Letter (email)From: [email protected]:[email protected]: Mon., Apr. 15, 2013 9:45 amSubject: Dallas Texas Effort

I am a grandparent to twoyoung girls. I cannot get theimages of your kids out of mymind ... so, being thecommunity activists and retiredclergyman that I am, I havebeen mulling what I can do tobring a part of what ishappening in Newtown to Dallas, Texas ... andhere is where my thoughts have taken me: Aneffort to get a million grandparents wearing yourgreen ribbons motivated by the meme “SandyHook Kids — My Kids”... in other words,grandparents and others not willing to let theNewtown kids be forgotten because they have“adopted them” as their own!

Were I to find supporters of this effort in Dallas,what would be the next step?

Rev. Stephen (Steve) L. Love3920 Sleepy Lane, Dallas, TX 75229214.803.4489 [email protected]

I’m In — Are You? In a message dated 4/15/2013, 11:43:31 am [email protected] writes:

I’m in. Will publish this in the Voice . Thanks fordoing this.

Every time I see the photos of these dear childrenand their courageous teachers, I weep and then Istrengthen my resolve in support of gun control. Rachel [Rachel Baker Ford]

More Than 3,300 Gun Deaths SinceNewtown Sandy Hook MassacreThe Huffington Post Posted: 4/11/2013

Since writing this Voice, we have suffered yetanother national violent trauma at the hands ofterrorists during the 2013 Boston Marathon. Our thoughts and prayers are with the familiesand friends. Thank you brave first respondersand those who gave aid to the victims. — editor

April 19, 2013 Garland, Texas Edition 43, Page 6

Garland Democratic VoiceGuest Article

An Opinion From The Elizabeth Berry Blog— by Elizabeth Berry

The broken mantra of the right — “Reduce

Regulations” — needs to change to encouragecooperatives and locally held businesses

April 7, 2013 at 6:56 am In Class War,Corporations, Economy by IfLizWereQueen

We’ve heard it for years and communities continueto fall for the broken common sense mantra:Reduce regulations so we can, “attract morebusinesses and bring in more revenue.” And yes,we are still hearing it. I know we are in my localcommunity of Garland, Texas. This week at acandidates forum for mayor and city councilcandidates I heard no less than two of the fourcandidates for mayor touting the “reduceregulations” political cliche over and over andover. It’s a popular political slogan and peoplelove it. “Yeah, tear down those regulations. Yeah,that’s the ticket!” If it’s anything we Americanslove, it’s our freedom. Of course, politicians arevague when it comes to exactly what regulationsthey want to do away with and exactly where the“revenue” for the community will come from andhow much it will really add to the economy of theircommunity in terms of actual dollars and cents.

Here is the reality they don’t point to: These WallStreet chains with their reduced regulations andtax-free land and other municipal tax abatementsend up polluting our environment (which wetaxpayers must pay to clean up), endangering thehealth of our citizens, and bringing in jobs thatdon’t pay living wages (and most of thempart-time). What about the “revenue” that thesecorporate trojan horses bring to our communities?

The workers in our community generate profitsand revenue for these corporations; however, thepart the politicians don’t mention is that the lion’sshare of that revenue (thanks in great part to the“reduced regulations and taxes”) goes back to their corporate headquarters not even located inthe state where they are operating, much less localmunicipality. (continued in next column)

Again where does the “revenue” that politicianstalk about come in? Well, that’s the “trickle-down”part of their economic model. The “new revenue”comes from the citizens, most of whom areearning minimum wage, in the form to the citytaxes they pay.

Reduce regulations is code for inviting Wall Streetchains into your community — chains that take aheck of a lot more from the community than theygive back in return. You remember that whenyou hear a politician going off on the topic ofreducing regulations. I’m sure there are somepoliticians who even believe their own politicalcliches. But it’s time for local citizens to stand upand start facing off with some of these people whopromise citizens the moon while giving away thefarm once they are elected to office.

Look to Texas history to see how well the “ReduceRegulation” mantra works for the citizens. Asgovernor, George Bush with his political mantraof deregulation, took Texas to No. 1 rank in many categories of pollution and environmentaldegradation. Under Perry, our state’s pollutionhas only gotten worse. Beware when a right-wingpolitician speaks to you of “deregulation.” Besure to ask the politician to list just exactly what heis wanting to “deregulate” and just exactly howthis will improve the quality of your life.

#1 in the emission of ozone causing air pollutionchemicals

#1 toxic chemical releases into the Air #1 use of deep well injectors as method of waste

disposal #1 counties listed in top 20 of emitting cancer

causing chemicals #1 total number of hazardous waste incinerators #1 environmental justice Title 6 complaints #1 production of cancer causing benzene and

vinyl chloride #1 largest sludge dump in the country.

(continued on next page)

April 19, 2013 Garland, Texas Edition 43, Page 7

Garland Democratic VoiceAn Opinion From The Elizabeth Berry Blog (continued)

Is there a place for reducing regulation forbusinesses in a municipality ?

Absolutely! You want to increase business in yourcommunity but not at a price tag that makes it oflittle value for the people who live in thecommunity.

New, locally-owned startups in your communitydeserve reduced regulations as long as they aredoing no harm to the environment of yourcommunity. Efforts such as small urban farms inindividual citizen’s backyards are one example. The establishment of locally held businesses andcooperative are examples of other types of newbusiness that deserve support in your community.

But the place for reducing regulations forbusinesses in a municipality should not be extendedto multibillion-dollar corporations who have beenestablished businesses for years who come into acommunity bringing low-wage jobs and expecting afree ride on taxes along with the license to freelypollute the environment of the community in whichthey operate while shipping the lion’s share of theirprofits to locations outside the community.

Why I’ll vote for DELORES ELDER-JONESmayor of Garland, Texas !

I know from the bottom of my soul (and soles)that Delores will stand up for the majority and bethe voice for the people we need. Delores willbring a new sense of freedom and justice, thebuilding blocks for the American Dream, to ourcommunity. Under her leadership, Garland willgrow into an innovative citizen-centric communitythat will serve as an example to communities allover the U.S.A..

We need the new and fresh approach of Delores Elder-Jones!

Please stop voting for the same old, same old tiredcliches and expecting different results.

Vote for innovation! Vote for Delores!PLEASE VOTE ON May 11!

j j j j j j j j j j j jMay 11, 2013 Election Information

Candidates Mayor: Larry Jeffus, Douglas Athas, Delores Elder-Jones, Harry J. Hickey District 3: Charles C. Egan, Stephen W. Stanley District 6: Lori Barnett Dodson (unopposed/incumbent) District 7: Scott LeMay, Manju Shrivastava, John Kirby District 8: Jim Cahill (unopposed/ incumbent)

Important Upcoming Election Dates:

April 11: Last day to register to vote for May electionsApril 29: First day of early voting May 3: Last day to apply for a ballot by mailMay 11: Last day to receive a ballot by mail May 11: Election Day

Early Voting:

Mon. April 29 – Fri. May 3 8 a.m. – 5 p.mSaturday, May 4 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Sunday, May 5 1 p.m. – 6 p.m. Monday, May 6 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 7 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.

þ Registered voters may early vote at any Dallas County early voting location.þOn Election Day, voters will vote at their assigned precinct location.

The Garland early votinglocation is Richland College —Garland Campuslocated at 675 W. Walnut St., Garland,Texas 75040.

**IMPORTANT**NO Voting at City Hall.

City Hall is not a polling location either during

early voting or on election day.

Note: This post was created without any input or discussionwith Delores or her campaign team. They may or may notagree with the opinions expressed therein. I am simply an

individual citizen who may perhaps be the No.1 fan of Delores Elder-Jones! — Elizabeth Berry

Richland College — GarlandCampus

April 19, 2013 Garland, Texas Edition 43, Page 8

Garland Democratic VoiceBits & Pieces

ALERT ALERT ALERT ALERT

April 19, 2013 Garland, Texas Edition 43, Page 9

Dallas County DemocraticParty Club of the Month: Garland Area Democratic

Club

The GADC is the definitivegrassroots club with a longhistory of volunteer serviceto the people of Garland.Candidates find awelcoming audience ofsupportive,

willing-to-walk-the-neighborhoods Democrats. Our members, involved in the political arena atall levels, are activists in social issues includingthe environment, education, healthcare, equalityof all people, and life issues, especially women,life styles, children and senior citizens.

Also active in Garland is the Garland DemocraticWoman’s Club providing a daytime,like-minded group for Garland Democrats.

Our monthly publication, The GarlandDemocratic Voice, with readership of over1,100 subscribers, provides researched news andinformation on current local and national issues.

Facebook:www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Garland-Area-Democratic-Club/114741511897433

Website: www.garlanddemocraticvoice.com

Info: Harold R. Johnson, president [email protected],

Dallas Morning News

From: Willa Kulhavy [email protected]: RBF [email protected]: Sat, Mar 30, 2013 1:49 pmSubject: My Athas Letter to the Editor

Re: Old folk target at election time,

Like any other old lady I resent being remindedI'm old and will lose my mind or croak any day.But I can understand why we old folks aretargeted by candidates for elected office. Ahigher percentage of old folks vote than anyother group of citizens.

I can tolerate the robo calls and mailers but amangered by seeing my voter identificationnumber (VUID) as well as name and address onan application for a ballot by mail form whichwas part of a slick mailer from Garland mayoralcandidate Douglas Athas,

Much more voter fraud happens with mail inballots than in person. In my job at agovernment agency, I am immersed all day longin the fight against identity theft. My VUID is animportant piece of my identity for votingpurposes.

I am NOT voting for Douglas Athas unless I dolose my mind by May 11, election day.

Willa Kulhavy, Garland

NOTE: This letter to the editor of the Dallas MorningNews was unpublished. The Voice staff, includingeditor, Rachel Baker Ford decided this issue wastoo important to go unreported. The unsealedflier came from the Athas for Mayor Campaignand sent to every senior citizen in Garland.

In several cases we know of the names wereincorrect. With the voter ID number printed onwhat was termed an “Official Application forBallot by Mail,” a ballot could be sent to someoneother than the valid registered voter.

A similar flier was circulated in Richardson, TX.

Garland Democratic Voice OUT &ABOUT

Fundraiser at Ventoni’s on Main

April 19, 2013 Garland, Texas Edition 43, Page 10

Blue Ribbon Lobby DayProgressive, Democratic Women

Advocating for: 1.Women’s Health Programs 2.Medicaid Expansion

3.Education Funding 4.Texas Lilly Ledbetter Act

Garland Democratic Voice OUT &ABOUT

Sue Copeland, secretary/treasurer Ruth Ann Cloud, president and

Bobby Copeland, speaker

April 19, 2013 Garland, Texas Edition 43, Page 11

Bobby Copeland spoke to the groupabout a constitutional convention to end

corporate money in politics.

Hon. Eric Johnson TXHS100DTown Hall Meeting to update folks on the

Texas Legislature

Bobby Copeland spoke to thegroup about getting big money

out of politics.

Peggy Henger, Margie Manuel and Judith Matherne, chair

Rowlett County Democrats

GDWC March 2013 Meeting

Joy Brady, precinct chairfor precinct 1716

Ann Rector withDelores Elder-Jones

GADC Pres. Harold Johnson

with Delores Elder-Jones

GADC April 2013 Meeting

Consuelo Ramos-Kaiwi withDelores Elder-Jones

Susie Stansel

Earth Day The Dallas County Democratic Party needs

volunteers to work the April20 and/or 21 Earth Dayevent at Fair Park from

10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. eachday. Volunteer for the day orfor several hours. We needvoter registrars, and smiling

Democratic faces. Clubs are invited to take a block of time.

Contact the DCDP headquarters to volunteerat 214/831-8221 or by email to

Garland Democratic Woman’s Club MeetingWednesday, May 15, 2013, 11:30 a.m. Enjoy the company of Democratic women over lunch! All are welcome, bring a friend. Siciliano’s Taste of Italy2210 W. Buckingham, Garland, TexasInfo: Ruth Ann Cloud, 918 Woodhaven Lane Garland, Texas 75040, (972) 495-5329

April 19, 2013 Garland, Texas Edition 43, Page 12

Garland Area Democratic ClubMeeting

Thurs., May 9, 2013, 7:00 p.m.Women’s Activities Building, 713 Austin St., Garland 75040

All are welcome. Contact: Harold R. Johnson 721 Forest Ridge DriveGarland, Texas 75042-5168H: (972) 272-2863

7th AnnualJefferson Jackson Dinner

Honoring the Elected Officials of Dallas County and Benefiting the

Dallas County Democratic Party Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Hyatt Regency DallasMarquis Ballroom

300 Reunion Boulevard Dallas, Texas 5:30 p.m. VIP Reception: Sponsors and Elected Officials 6:30 p.m. Dinner and Program

Individual tickets are $150 or $100 for precinct chairs andSDEC members (Limit 2)

Keynote Speaker - Paul Begala News commentator and political strategist,Paul Begala is a regular contributor to CNN,frequently appearing on The Situation Room. He is also a contributor to The Huffington Postand The Daily Beast. Begala and JamesCarville were strategists for the 1992Clinton/Gore campaign. Begala served as an advisor to President Clinton.

Begala earned undergraduate and lawdegrees from The University of Texas.

Garland Democratic VoiceBulletin Board

Great food, Great Service, Great DemocratsVisit Ventoni’s!