Mockingbird said:
Frank has the right idea about the people’s right to due process and taking cases based on real evidence, not accusations/claims. He has made it clear to me that he is a law enforcer, not a law maker. And that he believes in the Constitution...

So if he waves the flag and can sing the national anthem will that make him qualified for Mayor??? Even if he believes in the constitution what has he down to better the lives of the citizens of Victoria? He surely hasn't touched my life or that of my friends or family. Do I have to be a part of his immediate community or his church to cross his path? If Mr. Henderson was as good as you say why has he not been elected in the last two elections? I think Victoria has already spoken. I will however, contact Mr. Henderson to make inquiries as I have suggested others to do.

I've also requested for Ms. Branch to post her thoughts on her website regarding the raising of bail issue. It seems to be that there are many misconceptions regarding this issue. This is also to help answer questions for BSer. Excuse me, BSspotter...

For Pigskin:
Your question was one of my questions to Ms. Branch. I couldn't understand how she was able to schedule as much as she does in a day. Her explanation is that on days of activities, she leaves Beeville a little early (with permission) and attends her meetings. Some of the meetings are on Saturdays and/or Sundays. Her child is grown which allows for her to be able to schedule her time effectively. There is even one organization that meets during lunch in Victoria and she meets with them on conference calls during her lunch. As I said many times here on the blogs, Ms. Branch was so open to my questions and was a joy to speak with. I think that if more people were to speak with her they too will see her love for Victoria. I asked her about her family and was surprised to hear she had grandchildren. She told me that her granddaughter begged her to move back to Houston. She explained to her granddaughter that her home was now in Victoria and that she had young people her age that relied on her being in Victoria to help them. As I've said before I do believe that she can make a difference in Victoria.

Wow - I am amazed that people are still commenting.

It is late - it was a very long day (as they will all be until March 2) - and I will try to answer all of your questions.

1. Ofthepeople: I have been to more than "2 or 3" county executive board meetings. I have been to more than that with you present. I do not know the exact number. You also claim I have made assumptions, and I would like to answer to those, if you would point them out.

2. Financial Chick: I completely understand what you are saying and I will simply state again that the reason I am running is because I feel I will do a better job as Precinct Chair than Mrs. Burns. I have never and will never claim that she is not a fantastic Republican.

I think that is why anyone runs for any level of elected office on the ballot. They feel they would do a better job. I am speaking for myself, not anyone else running on the ballot.

I think I have answered all the questions, and I also think that I have to let this issue lay where it is.

If anyone would like to email me, and talk to me further, please feel free to do so at toni_marek@yahoo.com

Thank you guys again for all of your comments!

Exresident,
You make me sorry I even mentioned the church issue. I don't attend her church nor am I of the same faith, however this issue here for me as a politically involved person is responsibility in the community. I don't think her Church affiliation was that relevent to her job other than the fact she is active in fund raisers, charitable causes, and the social aspects of that church. That doesn't make her any more or less qualified, however it does show her level of committment to her peers in her social order in which she obviously has respect for and is willing to work for and with others in her community. She has demonstrated her leadership capablities within the Republican party and I think they judge you by what you do for and with that party, not what you say in a post on a blog.. It has been fun, but Mrs. Burns has been out there working for the betterment of her business, her family, her community, and for the local Republican party. She obviously believes and has faith in all of those activities or I am sure she wouldn't be doing them..

BSspotter said "it looks like Toni may have addressed your question earlier:
"NO. I am no speaking for any group that I associate myself with from time to time or any group that I organize or any candidate that I campaign for."
_______________________

That is not all that I was asking. Please refer back to my questions.

I have to questioned Toni Anne's judgement. As a minority, she shouldn't have been out there thanking and praiseing the John Birch Society. There is a level of naivete here.

Ms. Marek,
I was aware of the lady's name of whom you are running agaist in the Precinct 18 race, I just wanted to make sure you knew who you were in the race with. I am glad to see you have an interest in political involvement on a local level, even though this is all very new for you, many of us has been involved in the local political process here for over 20 years. I personally have been more involved on a state and national level in my industry, and I have spent a lot of my personal time in meetings in both Austin, Tx, and recently in Ron Paul's office in Washington, DC, so you maybe preaching to the choir on involvement. I know Mrs. Burns shows up for her clients everyday in her business, shows up for her daguther at school, 4-H, and horse related events, and shows up for church on a regular basis. I think leadership includes you showing up a regular basis and having a responsiblity to your family, your schools, and your church.. Now if she didn't make one meeting that you felt she should be at I would just like to know what does that meeting have to do with her local job as precinct chair? I personally don't attend our commissioner's court on a regular basis, but I do keep up with the happenings there. You make many invalid assumptions in your posts, so that is why I told you to check your facts, and I have noticed many other's telling you to check your facts, and stop making some very absurd assumptions to those of us who read, vote, and take an active role in the political process. I applaud you for your enthusiasm, but you need more direction and education on the philosophys for which you claim you support. I believe leadership is proven not by what you say in the campaign, but what you actually do once you are in that position.
J R Burns has led by example in her profession, in her family, in the local community and in her support of the Republican party on a local level.

ofthepeople, it looks like Toni may have addressed your question earlier:
"NO. I am no speaking for any group that I associate myself with from time to time or any group that I organize or any candidate that I campaign for."

www.victoriaadvocate.com/weblogs/a-ba...

I find it interesting that you would distract people from the questions raised about Toni and go to MaryAnne. I have no idea what you are talking about when you mention her neighbors sign. I wish someone or Toni herself would reply to the questions raised in my blog about endorsements and precinct chairs. Also, about her and her groups push to be 100% party platform and how that fits into her supporting a Democratic.

Eighth Amendment:
"Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted."

Fifth Amendment:
"... nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property [money], without due process of law;"

Anyone know where Branch stands on presumption of innocence?

-

“That it is better that 100 guilty persons should escape than that one innocent person should suffer, is a maxim that has been long and generally approved.” - Benjamin Franklin

Ms. Branch says she wants to "raise bail" on all criminals. But correct me if I'm wrong, just because you're charged with a crime doesn't make you a criminal does it? Raising bail makes it hard on the innocent just as much!!! Seems unconstitutional to me.

No, Matt and Toni are not the official spokes people for the local GOP!!!!!!!

Toni, I thought you agreed 100% with the Republican Party Platform. I also thought this is what your group was pushing and wanting candidates to go by. Is that not what Mr. Hill kept asking, over and over again? If that is true why would you vote outside the party? Mrs. branch, I am sure is a very good person, but does she fit the Republican values that you have stated that you will follow. When you choose to be a spokes person for a group"Victoria Conservatives" I think that is what it is called, you have to learn how to go by what you say and what your group stands for. I wonder what Mr. Zuck as to say about this?

Also, your group has a number of names that you are endorsing that are current precinct chairs and they hardly ever/if ever show up for Ex. Board meetings;which are held on the second Monday of every month. Why would you support them if they are not at least doing the minimum amount of work and showing up? Their precincts have gone unrepresented for two years! Dale has said over and over that his group will be active and represent the people, well some of his group do not have a very good track record. If they are going to preform their duties as they have in the last 2 years, their precinct will be unrepresented for another two years.

Mrs. Burns has been very active in the party! I do not think you have been but to maybe two or three of the Ex board meetings in the last couple of years, so how would you know if she has been there or not? Enough is enough, tell the truth and stop talking about how every one else is not doing their jobs, when you know nothing about what they are doing, because you have never taken the time out of your busy day blogging to talk to them.

There is one point I agree with you on and that is being a full time mom is a full time job and I commend you for sticking up for yourself on that point.

"ToniAnne in Toni Marek: Blogger Extraordinaire"

"....talk about another candidate on my tiny, minuscule blog on the internet"

Toni, you posted a blog as a blogger extraordinaire and then you claim to have a tiny, minuscule blog. So which is it? You have extraordianry ideas or you're just a flibbity-jibbit?

Still, waiting for my answers to the questions I posed, by the way.

Absurd as this is to even post, I have gotten more calls and emails than I care to about the matter:

NO. Steve Tyler is not paying me to talk about another candidate on my tiny, minuscule blog on the internet.

NO. I am no speaking for any group that I associate myself with from time to time or any group that I organize or any candidate that I campaign for.

I simply wrote some words down about a candidate that I thought deserved it. God forbid there be a "D" behind her name.

Financial Chick: J. R. Burns currently holds the precinct chair position for Precinct 18. Since I have been active in the Republican Party, I have seen J.R. at exactly ONE County Executive Board meeting. This is one of the sole purposes of a precinct chair – to be present at the monthly County Executive Board meetings.

Additionally, Mrs. Burns did not hold a Precinct Convention in March 2008 after the Primary Election. She showed up, hung around for 4-5 minutes and then left. Even if no one shows up to the precinct convention area, you MUST hold a precinct convention, and in accordance to the packet that is left.

Those are the two main jobs of a Precinct Chair, and Mrs. Burns has failed to do either one. I respect that you know her personally, and I have met her myself. She is a wonderful woman and I have nothing against her. I think that too many people take politics to a personal level.

This is about doing the job right. I believe that Mrs. Burns is not doing it right, and I can do it better.

You mentioned that Mrs. Burns participates in local activities. I do as well. She owns her own business and has two employees. I work full time as a campaign coordinator and political activist on a local, state, and national level – for free, while I stay at home with my two young sons. I consider them employers!

I go to church and also own my own home and pay property taxes. I may not pay the same amount as Mrs. Burns or make the same amount of income as Mrs. Burns, but the Precinct Chair position is not one that is bought.

Finally, I want to reiterate: I never said that Mrs. Burns was not conservative or Republican. I believe she is both of those things. I believe, however, that she is not doing the job correctly, so I am running against her. I have held a precinct convention when my previous chair failed to show (last election cycle), and I have been to County Executive Board meetings many many more times than Mrs. Burns. I am very politically active in my community and I feel like I would just serve as a better Precinct Chairperson.

Thank you for your comments!

TxEx, are Marek & Ocker official spokespeople for the local GOP?

Ms. Marek- you have not won precinct 18 yet?? The Current Preceinct 18 Chair/Aloe area, the lady that currently holds that position is a Conservative Republican through and through. Since I personally know her from her local activities both in her business as a businessowner who employs 4 full-time employees, Owns her own home and pays property tax, and she and her family are active in their local church. To ever state that this woman is not a true conservative Republican is an absurd assumption by someone who obviously doesn't know her personally, professionally, or on a political level... Check your facts Ms. Marek, you might need to know who your competition is???

Specifically, what has Ms. Branch accomplished?
What EXACTLY does she do?

Why didn't Ms. Branch set up a law practice in Victoria?

Why isn't the republican precinct chair candidate endorsing the republican candidate?

What is your motive for supporting Branch?

I have repeated my questions and I did expect an answer from you, Toni. Since you wrote the blog, I feel like you are the one responsible for the answers.

My bad on the typo about the home in Victoria for Ms. Branch. Meant to say "does she live here?". Thanks to all those who corrected me. Point is, she doesn't work here and has an hour commute to her current job in Beeville, so how can somebody work 40-50 hours a week, have the 2 hour daily commute, and say they have meaningful time to spend in Victoria's community today?? I fully expect all who zapped my typo to answer that one!

I like your picks.

Patrick Barnes.

I have read your comment, but from what I read. I am starting to agree with you. It seem to me that the only honest person on the Objectiveliberatian wing of GOP is BS Spotter.

Zorro.

I respect you and everything, but this time I can not agree with you. Your statement is based on mistruth and lies. Few2speak68 had beaten me to correct you.

Second, As far as race goes, race never played a major role in the election because most blacks like everyone else didn’t vote in the last election.

Third, even if you add the anti-Tyler votes in 2006, Tyler would still had won the election. Why ? Because Victoria usually votes straight ticket GOP.

I wasn't sure if I should even respond to some of the (expected) comments, but I do have something to say in response to one comment.

MzUnderstood said: "Why isn't the republican precinct chair candidate endorsing the republican candidate?"

As I stated previously, I find it sad that certain races are tied under a party banner. I also find it sad that some people tie themselves so hard to a party that they forget their principles.

I am voting in the Republican Primary. I am an active Republican and I have seen and heard a candidate that I feel deserves a few words on a simple blog in my little section of the online version of the Victoria Advocate.

I appreciate the other comments and I delight in the fact that everyone is so spirited in local politics. At the heart of the matter, that is what is more important: That we all get involved to learn more about the candidates, so as when we are told to support a candidate, because of a letter behind their name, we can actually feel GOOD in supporting that candidate.

Because maybe, finally, more of the politicians before us will hold some of the same ideals we have as well and voting for some people won't be such a "lesser of two evils" battle anymore.

As Republican Precinct Chair (in Aloe, Precinct 18), I hope to echo those same thoughts at the County Executive board meetings (that are supposed to be monthly). I want to be proud of the candidates that I support. 99% of them fall under the Republican banner, and that is where I place my political hat.

Finally, I would like to state again: I am voting in the Republican Primary and I have and will be active in the Republican Party.

Thank you for visiting and commenting on my blog and again, thank you for all of yall's enthusiasm.

To Pigskin and FinancialChick: Follow your own advice and check your facts before you post. Ms. Branch lives in Victoria (fact) Bush spent the majority of his career in Texas, that didn't make him "highly qualified" to be Commander in Chief (fact)
What projects or celebrations attended by Henderson have benefited all of Victoria and not just the neighborhoods around him? I would love to see a resume of the projects that Henderson is actively involved in vs. Branch's projects that she is actively involved in. I wondered who is more dedicated to the community? When it comes to Victoria, the biggest thing is not just the projects they are a part of but whether their participation is effective to the betterment of Victoria. I've seen and heard of families lives changed thanks to the tireless efforts of Ms. Branch. She has compassion and determination to help families that have had their lives changed by crime.

Zorro:
You wouldn't know facts if it was served to you on a silver platter. Deborah Branch did not run in the Democratic Party last election. She was unable to run in the Dem. Party due to her boss, dear ol' Dexter, was running in the Democratic Party. An employee of the D.A.'s office cannot run against the sitting D.A. The only way for her to run was to do so as a write-in. So far as siphoning off the black vote...I was wondering when race would be factored in. She is involved in a variety of organizations that benefit as many people as she can reach in Victoria. Before you decide to throw your so called facts out, you might want to check them. Oh...or maybe you call her and ask her or go to one of her events and speak with her to get the real facts. I've done it and found Ms. Branch to be quite informative. If your mind wasn't closed on "YOUR FACTS" you could quiet your questioning mind.

Ms Marek, thanks for clarifying the process for me. Every person that you are endorsing, I made a list and will make sure that I stay clear off.

Writein

As I said in my earlier post, in the last election cycle, Ms. Branch ran for DA in the Democratic Primary and she lost to Mr. Henderson. She later, in what looked to all the world that she was acting in the role as a stooge stalking horse for the king makers, she ran as a write-in candidate in the role of spoiler in the general election to siphon off the black vote. While Ms. Branch succeeded in throwing the election, she did so as an opportunist without a scintilla of a chance of actually being able to win. Ms. Branch clearly has no moral compass when it comes to party loyalty or common political decency. My strong opinion is borne out by the facts.

Toni Anne
But what about Geanie Morrison?

Zorro.
Ms branch ran as an Write-in candidate in the last election.

Pigskin.
Ms branch does have a home in Victoria

MzUnderstood..."Why didn't Ms. Branch set up a law practice in Victoria?"

I don't propose to answer for her, but, I'd suspect that she didn't want to defend the people she'd rather put INTO jail. Can't say as I'd blame her. I'd bet that her integrity just wouldn't allow her to do that. I have met her and been very impressed with her. I don't know that I'd be willing to vote for a defense attorney as my choice for D.A. I'm not at all unhappy with Tyler. I think he's been right in the run-ins he's had with the VPD.

Specifically, what has Ms. Branch accomplished?
What EXACTLY does she do?

Why didn't Ms. Branch set up a law practice in Victoria?

Why isn't the republican precinct chair candidate endorsing the republican candidate?

What is your motive for supporting Branch?

The only one I really agree with is Ron Paul...that's all I intend on voting for. He's our real HOPE and CHANGE for America! I HOPE and PRAY he runs for presidency again! Maybe more will see next time around, just how much of an asset he would be to us as our Commander in Chief!

I am shocked that Ms. Marek is even suggesting voting for a liberal decomcrat like Ms. Branch??? Wow you have made my day... Please give me a list reasons as to why you think Ms. Branch is not very liberal leaning in her view points.. I challenge you, read before your post. This is America, and we all have a right to our opinion, it would be better that it be an educated opinion before it is stated to the masses.

Are you advocating that Us S.P.L.N.S. vote for Ms. Branch because you think that Mr. Tyler can defeat her in the general election?
Why aren't you pushing your own party's candidate?
Patrick Barnes

My vote is for None O'The Above for DA. None has demonstrated the ability to not be a threat to society in some form or fashion. Vote for None to preserve your rights.

Deborah Branch ran for district attorney last time in the Democratic Primary and lost. Then, after losing, this queen of chutzpah allowed herself to be used by local king makers to run as a write-in candidate to throw the election to Steve Tyler. This little chess piece, and puppet of the powerful, is undeserving of any elected office. Whether it was her vanity or worse, the diaboolical plan to thwart the will of the people, Deborah Branch has shown beyond a shadow of a doubt that she can be comprimised and bought off. We don't need her anywhere near the District Attorney's office. Now we see Deborah Branch has the blessing of the TEA Party endorsing her bid in the Democratic Primary. What a hoot!

Ms. Marek, You are in a word, incorrect. To suggest Ms. Branch has had more to do with the community than Mr. Henderson is a complete untruth. Henderson lives here, has spent his entire career here practicing in Victoria, and is involved in numerous community activities year to year. Branch doesn't live here, work here, and seems to be present only in certain projects or celebrations. Get your facts before you post.