Brushfires of Freedom (Citizen Advocates in Action)

November 11, 2019

Y’all know that quote from Sam Adams has become my new favorite quote.  It’s on the back of our new TTP T Shirts.

“It does not take a majority….but rather, an irate, tireless minority, keen on setting brushfires of freedom in the minds of men.”

I love that quote because that’s exactly what I see happening with True Texas Project Citizen Advocates tirelessly working for causes and issues they believe in.  We are truly setting “brushfires of freedom in the minds of men.” all across the State of Texas!  Take a look at what’s been happening recently.

 

House Committee on Redistricting

Last month, the House Committee on redistricting held public hearings in Ft Worth and Dallas to receive public testimony.  Our citizen advocates were there, and many testified.  Redistricting will be done in 2021 (after the census) and Texas is expected to gain 3 or more Congressional seats as a result of the census.  Most of the testimony focused on having the re-drawing process done fairly, with consideration for established voter patterns, commonalities, and geographic considerations.  Whatever the testimony, it was good to see so many people show up to the hearings!

House and Senate Committees on Mass Violence

Both House and Senate select Committees on Mass Violence and Safety have been holding public hearings all over the State. TTP’s citizen advocates have attended in Austin, and in Dallas.  There are more to come, and we need as many people as possible to testify in support of our 2nd Amendment rights.  It has become clear that the members of the Committees are mostly leaning towards more regulation, expanded mental health intervention, use of social media for threat assessment, and establishing red flag laws that would infringe on law abiding citizens.  The next one of these is scheduled for Dec 4 in Austin.  We will have a group going.  Let us know if you’d like to join us.

School Bonds

A small group of citizens in Keller have been working on sending the message that It’s OK to Vote No on the Keller ISD bond proposal.  This bond, adding $315 million to the existing $700 million debt, includes safety, infrastructure and technology updates for all schools but also includes the complete re-build of 4 existing schools, 4 new buildings for indoor practice facilities, and a new building for agri-science studies.   Those opposed to the bond believe that the district already has too much debt, and that many of the items on the bond are “wish list” items rather than necessities.  The bond passed narrowly at 53 to 47 percent.  The small group working to oppose were out spent, and out manned, but they put up a good fight, and we appreciate their efforts.

There were several other schools and municipalities across the state proposing bonds, and similar grassroots citizen advocates have also been working against them, holding elected representatives accountable, and demanding fiscal responsibility.

Trump Rally

Many TTP folks attended the Trump Rally in October, along with 50,000 of our closest friends.  What a fun time everyone had!  There’s no doubt NE Texas loves Trump.  Many folks traveled from far outside the metroplex to attend that rally, and some even didn’t get to go inside.  Still, spirits remained high and positive, and many new patriot connections were made.  Julie met a promising new candidate for Texas House in a district we’ve been trying to flip for several years.

 

Tarrant Appraisal District

The City of Colleyville recently adopted a Resolution recommending a change to the way the TAD Board of Directors are elected.  The proposal would change the current 6 week voting window to one week in December, making for a more fair and transparent election for the smaller jurisdictions.  We asked several of our citizen advocates to present this proposed resolution to their cities and school boards, and urge support.  People stepped up to help in North Richland Hills, Keller ISD, Southlake, Saginaw Eagle Mountain ISD, and City of Keller.  Thank you!  We don’t yet know the resulting vote on the Resolution, but some of these jurisdictions would not even be aware of it if our Citizen Advocates & Liaisons had not brought it to their attention.

Grapevine Planning and Zoning Committee

A handful of citizens in Grapevine recently organized themselves to petition the Grapevine Planning and Zoning Committee to refuse a zoning change for a high density apartment project that they thought would be detrimental to the City.  And they were successful!  75 people showed up to a meeting, all but 2 or 3 were opposed to the project, and the P&Z Committee denied the zoning request.  (that’s what we call an irate, tireless minority!).  Kudos to the citizens of Grapevine!

Texas Conservative Grassroots Coalition

TTP has been represented on this statewide coalition of grassroots leaders since it’s inception.  In recent months, we’ve seen more and more of our TTP colleagues joining the Coalition.  Over 288 leaders from across the state have joined together in this coalition, to produce the Lone Star Agenda, and now are calling for the Governor to call a special session to address the items on the agenda, before the 2020 Primaries.   TTP believes that addressing these items in a special session is the only way for Republican leaders in the legislature to earn back our trust, and our votes in 2020.  TTP participated in a press conference on Oct 30, where we called on the Governor and the Legislators to call a special session.  Please contact your State Representatives and Senators asking them to demand a special session to address the items on the Lone Star Agenda.  https://www.lonestaragenda.org/

If you need help finding your Representative or Senator and their contact information, it’s all on the TTP website.  https://tarrantcountypatriots.net//contact-representatives/

Campaigns/Elections

Primary campaign season is in full swing, and of course, TTP folks are out knocking on doors, making calls, donating money and doing whatever they can for their favorite candidates.  If you would like to help with a campaign, let us know, and we’ll help you get plugged in.

Also, during the elections, the TCGOP is always in need of election workers (judges, alternates, clerks, poll watchers).  It takes a lot of people to staff an election!  Most of the positions are paid positions, so for once, you can do a good thing, and get paid for it.  If you’re interested in helping with the next election (which will be in late February/Early March) contact the Tarrant County GOP office at 817-595-0303.   https://www.tarrantgop.org/ 

Well done, Citizen Advocates!

YOU are all part of that “irate, tireless minority”, and we see results every day.  If you’re not already involved, would you like to be a part of that action?  It’s easy!  Just contact me at [email protected] and I’ll help you get started.  Everything we do is a big team effort, and we need dedicated people to make it happen.  There are so many ways for people to be involved – you can be a citizen advocate, become a liaison, serve on an event committee, be a greeter at meetings and events, volunteer for a campaign.   Just let us know what is your passion, and we’ll find a place for you to express it.

Thank you for all that you do at whatever level.  It’s a pleasure and honor to serve with you.

God Bless Texas!

Fran Rhodes, President