Free Republic

The man calling himself David Briscoe appeared in Time as a substitute teacher seemingly in the wrong place at the wrong time; CNN described his heroism as he ordered his students to “get down” and kept them protected until police came; The Wall Street Journal relayed the blood-curdling screams he heard from students in the hallway.” witnessing the carnage in Santa Fe High School as the students and teachers came under attack. The problem with his story is that he wasn’t a teacher at the school and he was never a resident of Texas. There is no record of his...

Galveston County has extended voting hours until 8:54 pm. Votes after 7:00 will be counted as provisional. County will have further details available at the polling location and on Galveston County website. Any idea what caused this extension?

League City, TX - Just weeks after taking steps to reduce the city’s budget, city council shocked many observers when it decided to spend at least $500,000 and, more likely, well over a million dollars to save an oak tree. The city had three options to deal with the Compton Oak Tree: the first option was to reroute the Louisiana Avenue road expansion around the tree. This option is likely to cost the city in excess of one-million dollars after the purchases additional land and engineering fees. The second option was to relocate the tree less than half a mile...

The current debate over Social Security reform is reminiscent of the discussions that occurred in Galveston County, Texas, in 1980, when county workers were offered a retirement alternative to Social Security: At the time they reacted with keen interest and some knee-jerk fear of the unknown. But after 24 years, folks here can say unequivocally that when Galveston County pulled out of the Social Security system in 1981, we were on the road to providing our workers with a better deal than Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal. The Problem with Social Security. Social Security is a pay-as-you-go system under which taxes...

Galveston, TX - A standing room only crowd overflowed the Galveston County Commissioners Court on Tuesday. Normally it’s easy to get a seat to watch the proceedings, however, the unveiling of the proposed countywide redistricting maps was on the agenda so Judge Mark Henry was treated to a packed house. As you might expect emotions were high with such a hot button issue on the schedule. Joe Nixon and Trey Trainor, attorneys from Beirne, Maynard and Parsons, presented the maps with the underlying demographics behind them and then commissioners began asking questions. Commissioner Holmes led the charge asking a number...

Galveston, Texas - For the first time in more than a century, Galveston County will have a Republican sitting in the county judge's chair. At around 8:30 pm, Jim Yarbrough conceded his hotly contested battle against Republican Mark Henry.

If there ever was any proof needed that there’s a lot of interest in this year’s election, an initial count of the number of voters who cast their ballots on the first day of early voting might be a solid indicator. County election officials said an unofficial count showed 4,200 voters cast ballots on the first day of early voting across Galveston County on Monday. That compares to about 1,800 who voted on the first day of early voting four years ago, which at the time was considered a high early voter turnout. Of the county’s 15 early voting locations,...

Last week I reported that Judge Yarbrough’s service on the board of American National Insurance Company appears to violate state law and the county’s ethics policy. However, the real story is not a piddly $366.00 annual lease, but is actually the county’s relationship with Moody National Bank. After submitting a formal information request, County Treasurer Kevin Walsh stated that the county has approximately sixty accounts with Moody National Bank worth $100 million.

Further research into Galveston County Judge Jim Yarbrough’s service on American National Insurance’s board of directors has revealed that his entire nine-year tenure has been illegal. Judge Yarbrough’s service violates not only the county’s ethics policy but more importantly Section 81.002 of the Texas Local Government Code which prohibits county judges and commissioners from serving as an officer or as part of the governing body of a publicly traded corporation. According to Greta Bassett with American National Insurance Company’s investor relations department, ANICO has been a publicly traded company since 1972 not 2009 as first reported by Fox’s Randy Wallace...

Galveston County Judge Jim Yarbrough’s position as a director for American National Insurance Co.’s board of directors might run afoul of a little-known state law that prohibits county judges or commissioners from serving on boards of publicly traded companies that do business with the county. Yarbrough, who’s been county judge for 16 years, said he was unaware of the law that apparently prevents him from serving on the Galveston-based insurance company’s board of directors. Yarbrough joined American National’s board in 2001. Section 81.002 of Chapter 81 Texas Local Government Code addresses the issue: “The county judge or a county commissioner...

Galveston County Judge Jim Yarbrough is paid $131,000 a year as the county's highest-ranking elected official. But that's a drop in the bucket compared to what he makes for being on the board of directors for American National Insurance Company, commonly referred to as ANICO. "They paid you almost $200,000 last year, more than you made with the county correct?" "I don't have all that information at hand," Yarbrough answered "You don't know how much they paid you?" "No," the County Judge replied. Since the County Judge doesn't seem to know how much ANICO paid him in 2009, why not...

TEXAS CITY — A massive superhighway that Texans have protested at public hearings statewide drew heated opposition among Galveston County residents, who said they feared the toll road would cripple the local shipping industry and do nothing to improve insufficient hurricane evacuation routes. The Trans-Texas Corridor would wind from Laredo to Corpus Christi, wrap around the western edge of Greater Houston, parallel Interstate 59 through East Texas and leave the state in Texarkana. But residents at a public hearing Thursday night in Texas City questioned the real purpose for the road, which would also be part of a national Interstate...

The political grass roots closest to the soil — precinct chairs — are enjoying some time in the sun because of their role in selecting a Republican congressional nominee to succeed Tom DeLay. Most of the time, precinct chairs labor anonymously in the unglamorous elective positions that typically are won uncontested if anyone seeks them at all. But for now, the precinct leaders have one of the hottest jobs in local politics. "We've been discovered," said Harris County precinct chair Kathy Haigler. "We are the lowest level of public officials that exist. We are the last ones on the ballot....

Homeowners expecting to save $2,000 on their school property taxes should brace for a bit of sticker shock. According to figures from the county’s tax assessor, the best the average homeowner in the county can expect in savings thanks to the recently passed school tax relief laws is $544 during the next three years. “I think it is a bit disingenuous to tell people they will be saving $2,000,” said Cheryl Johnson, the Galveston County Tax Assessor-Collector. “We will definitely pay less because of the new law, but I don’t want people to be deceived about saving $2,000.” The $2,000...

I’ve been saddened over the past year watching my fellow Republicans let the ultra-conservative wing take the party off course. Other moderates like me want smaller government with local control and good effective solutions to the problems that confront our communities. The far right appears to be focused on establishing power and control. Chris Stevens was out campaigning at the League City SportsPlex the evening of Feb. 28 and I had the opportunity to meet him and explore some of his beliefs. Tax cuts, vouchers for stay-at-home schooling moms and forcing local schools to spend 75 percent — rather than...

The longest-tenured city manager in Galveston County is resigning. Friendswood officials confirmed Wednesday that Ronald Cox would step down in April after years on the job. Cox met Friendswood Mayor Kimball Brizendine last week to inform him of his plan to resign. “It was a surprise to all of us,” said Brizendine. “We’ve been blessed to have had him for the last 15 years.” Cox shared the news with the city council in an executive session Monday and his resignation was announced to city employees Tuesday. The mayor said Cox would pursue opportunities as a private consultant for cities across...

LEAGUE CITY — League City police and the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency took 62 people into custody during a sweep Thursday. The people rounded up were suspected of being illegal immigrants. But almost all of them — even those determined to be illegal immigrants — were released a few hours later. Sgt. Dan Krieger of the League City Police Department said officers and immigration agents set out around 7:30 a.m. and hit two spots where day laborers hang out. That included a spot along West Walker Street, less than a block from the police station. The other spot was...

Officials have called for mandatory evacuations ahead of Hurricane Rita. The order is for every one living in Galveston County. People in medical centers and nursing homes to start at 6 a.m. Wednesday. Residential evacuations start at 6 p.m. The county's evacuation plan calls for the evacuation of residents in phases. Several of the cities within Galveston County had called emergency sessions of their councils and commissions Tuesday evening to make declarations of emergency. Under an emergency declaration the mayors of the cities can impose a curfew, restrict access to areas of the community that may suffer storm damage as...

She makes a symbolic visit to DeLay's office, attends anti-war rally at a church Cindy Sheehan, now internationally known for her crusade to get President Bush to explain her son's death in Iraq, swung through the Houston area Thursday with a busload of anti-war protesters. She went to U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay's office in Stafford and an evening anti-war rally at a local church. At DeLay's office, she asked to meet with the Republican power broker and supporter of the Iraq war. But DeLay wasn't there to hear her plea. "We didn't get an appointment. We were told...

FRIENDSWOOD — How does someone opposed to the war and lukewarm about NASA spending fare before a crowd of astronaut-enthusiasts and loyal Republicans? Pretty good from the looks of things at a luncheon for U.S. Rep. Ron Paul at a family-owned Mexican restaurant Thursday. It was the congressman’s first official visit to Friendswood since his district was changed to include parts of Galveston County. Galveston County Commissioner Ken Clark sponsored the burrito and fajita event, which drew more than 50 residents and elected officials. Paul got some strong applause for his calls to eliminate the IRS and pull the United...