Hill Country Chapter of
Texas Democratic Women
 
 
 


 
 
 
 
 
July 2020   
 

 

HCTDW Summer 2020 
 
We knew 2020 was going to be an exciting year as we Democrats worked to turn Texas and Washington, D.C. blue. However, it has certainly proved to be more of a challenge than we expected. Who could predict that March would be the last meeting of the 2019-2020 year? How could we have anticipated our fun evening with "Molly" fundraiser would be postponed? I guess some of us were paying attention to what was happening but I doubt many of us realized we would spend so much time under a "stay at home" order.
 
You have just elected a new HCTDW Board via email. This is a first for us because our April annual meeting had to be canceled. The new officers are Sylvia Ostos, president; Stephanie Ertel, vice-president; Linda Stegall, secretary and Julie Sentell, treasurer. The board is trying new ways to do business without face (mask) to face (mask) meetings.
 
Our first decision is that the "Molly" event is now canceled. If there is a way to show the movie before the end of the year we will do so. However, as of now your ticket price and sponsorship money has been designated as a donation. The funds will be sent to candidates running for offices in Texas. Should you wish to have your ticket price or sponsorship money returned, please let us know.  
 
Look for a special announcement concerning the silent auction items that were donated.
 
Your board has had several meetings via Zoom. After much discussion it was decided that we will not attempt to have our regular luncheon meetings at the KROC starting in September. We believe it is much too dangerous for our members to attend meetings in a closed area at this time. We do not make this decision lightly because we had looked forward to seeing everyone in September. There is much we hoped to accomplish.
 
The board will continue to explore ways we can meet. Streaming, Zooming, videoing and other possibilities for us to meet are being considered. All suggestions for how we can proceed with our association meetings are welcome. Send them to any of the board members.
 
Our condolences to Susan Curtis on the death of her husband, John. Susan was our parliamentarian for 2019-2020. John was a frequent attendee.
 
Memberships will continue to be accepted. Information concerning membership (joining or renewing) will be published as we get closer to the renewal process starting in October.
 
Be sure to vote in the Democratic Party run-off election. You have a choice of candidates to nominate for U. S. Senator as well as Railroad Commissioner.
 
Our PAC will donate to the candidates running for state offices. Now is the time to get behind these candidates: State Senator District 24 Clayton Tucker; State Representative District 73 Stephanie Phillips; State Representative District, 54 Joe Herrera; Board of Education Rebecca Bell-Metereau; Chief Justice Court of Appeals Rebeca Martinez. There are also several women running for Supreme Court and District Court of Appeals.
 
We are receiving many requests for money from the various candidates. Remember your personal contributions to support our nominees for U. S Senator and U. S Representative District 21 should be sent directly to them. We all know how important it is to turn these offices BLUE.
 
I think we can all agree that our number one priority is getting Joe Biden elected President. Whether he was our first choice or not, he is our Democratic candidate for President. In this time of pandemic, criminal justice challenges and economic failure, Biden has shown himself to be the leader who seems to understand our everyday concerns. I personally get excited each time I see him on TV and listen to him speak. We hope you are enthusiastic in making sure he is elected. Don't be fooled by polls. Remember 2016 and that every vote counts.
 
Writing letters to friends - Democratic, Republican and Independent - in support of these important nominees is crucial.  Reminding them to vote by mail, vote absentee or in person on election day means making that extra phone call or sending the extra email.  If you don't know specific details about a nominee, the message 'VOTE BLUE' is a good reminder.
 
Hill Country Texas Democratic Women is a vital association that we want to energize even when we can't meet in person. That will depend in large part to how much you and we are willing to keep in touch with each other. Just because we can't meet doesn't mean we can't be active with phone calls, emails and notes to one another. We Democrats care about each other and those in our community no matter their political choice. During these stressful times it is important that we have hope that this pandemic will be curbed. It is especially important that we keep thinking and talking about our very qualified BLUE candidates. We know how important this election is and it is up to each of us to do all the educating and supporting we can. Stay safe, think BLUE and let's Make America United Again!
 
Sylvia Ostos, HCTDW President 
 
                                                                                               
 



Justice Zooming to Texas
 July 10, 2020, 6:30 p.m.
 
Democratic Women of Comal County will host a virtual meeting with the four Texas Supreme Court candidates and the candidate for the Third District Court of Appeals, all of whom will join the meeting. 
 
Special interests have little to worry about in the Texas Courts, which are packed with Republican judges. Currently all judges on the Texas Supreme Court are Republicans, but we can start to turn that around in November.  
 
Four courageous, intelligent women are running for the four open seats on the Supreme Court. They are all Democrats, and they will be at the DWCC virtual meeting on July 10, 6:30 p.m. Tune in and hear from Judge Amy Clark Meachum, candidate for Chief Justice, and Justice candidates Atty. Kathy Cheng, Judge Staci Williams, and Judge Gisela Triana. We will also hear from Judge Darlene Byrne, who is runnning for Chief Justice of the Third District Court of Appeals, which has jurisdiction over Comal County. These races are vitally important to justice in Texas, and these women are fascinating. This is history!
 
Please send an email to dwcomalco@yahoo.com for an invitation and instructions about joining the Zoom meeting. All are welcome.
 
 

Starting a top left - Supreme Court candidates Judge Staci Williams, Judge Gisela Triana and Attorney Kathy Cheng; candidate for Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Judge Amy Clark Meachum; candidate for the Third District Court of Appeals, Judge Darlene Bryne.
 
 
 




The Center for Public Policy Priorities Changes Name to  
Every Texan    
 
Reflecting its 35-year history in social justice and public pPolicy, the Center for Public Policy Priorities (CPPP) is changing its name to Every Texan, better reflecting the organization's social justice values and commitment to expanding equity. The non-profit's long-standing mission remains the same -- to make Texas the best state to live in, where Texans of all backgrounds have a fair opportunity to thrive. 
 
"At Every Texan, we believe that social justice requires public policy," said CEO Ann Beeson. "The pandemic is showing us starkly how public policy can determine who survives and thrives. It's time to rewrite the rules and build a more just and equitable Texas for people of all backgrounds." 
 
Today, Every Texan is leading on the front lines with short-term policy solutions to save lives and livelihoods during the pandemic, and a  people-centered policy road map that will rewrite the rules to build a more just and equitable Texas. 
 
Every Texan is an organization pursuing social justice through public policy. Their dedicated team researches, analyzes, and advocates for public policies to expand equitable access to quality health care, food security, education, and good jobs. Learn more about how Every Texan is making Texas the best state to live in at   everytexan.org.  or contact Oliver Bernstein, 512-289-8618 or Bernstein@everytexan.org.
 
     

 
 
 
Just a reminder that early voting ends Friday, July 10.
 
Election day is Tuesday, July 14.
 
 
Election Information
 
City of Kerrville - resc heduled to Tuesday, November 3  
There are three Council seats up for election: Mayor, Place 3, and Place 4 This is a non-partisan election.
 
Primary Runoff - rescheduled to Tuesday, July 14.
The Democratic Party Primary Runoff is critical, as it decides the candidate for U.S. Senator.
The two candidates are M. J. Hegar and Royce West.  
 
In the runoff for Railroad Commissioner are Chrysta Castanedo and Roberto Alonzo. 
 
The Office of the Texas Secretary of State Elections Division is working on a new calendar of dates for the rescheduled elections.
 
 
Please Support Our Democratic Candidates
 
The political candidates are having to find new ways to campaign.  There are no big rallies to excite voters. That doesn't mean they do not need money for their campaigns. We hope to have the fundraiser we had to postpone in late summer or early fall.  HCTDW will give money to the candidates running for state offices: Stephanie Phillips, District 73; Judge Rebeca Martinez; Rebecca Bell-Metereau State Board of Education and Joe Herrera District 53, a member of HCTDW.  There is a runoff between Chrysta Castanedo and Roberto Alonzo for Railroad Commission.  
 
Because we are a state PAC, we cannot give money to those running for national offices.  That does not mean you cannot give to these campaigns yourself as well as work for their election.  We need to get out the vote for the run-off election that will decide the Democratic candidate for Senator. Whether it will be M.J. Hegar or Royce West we need to work to send the winner to Washington.  We know Wendy Davis needs our support for District 21.
 
 
 


 
 
Democratic Events Around the Hill Country  
 
Please refer to websites and other contact information
for updates on area activities.

Kerr County Democratic Party
Go to kerrcountydemocrats.org to learn about Democratic activities in Kerr County.
To receive emails from the  Kerr County Democratic Party, email Barbara Veldhuizen at barbara4kerrdems@gmail.com and ask her to add you to her list.
 
Bandera County Democratic Club
For information, write Eloise Clayton at ekc@att,net.
Chair of the Bandera County Democratic Party: Lynn Oliver, 210-687-9701

Gillespie County Democrats
Gillespie County Democratic Party Headquarters, 209 N. Crockett, Suite 1, Fredericksburg 
For information, go to gillespiedemocrats.org.

Democratic Women of Comal County
Visit democraticwomenofcomalcounty.com for more information.
 
Medina County Democrats

 
As part of their July 4 celebration, Gillespie County Democrats invited everyone to come by headquarters to have a picture taken with famous Democrats (well, cardboard cut-outs, anyway). Syvlia and Dan Ostos made the trip for the photo op and also got to put their names in a
drawing to win a cookie.
 
 


 
 
Find HCTDW on Facebook
 
HCTDW invites members to "like" our Facebook page:
Texas Democratic Women of the Hill Country.
 
Websites
 
 
  Kerr County Democrats: kerrcountydemocrats.org
 
*   *   *   *   *
  Newsletter
  
If you have information for the newsletter or know someone who would like to receive it, please write Jeannie Berger at jsberger@twc.com. You are welcome to forward this newsletter to anyone who would be interested.  
   
       
 



Contact Information for Officers and Executive Board:
President:  Sylvia Ostos - sotxpta@ktc.com  
Vice President:  Stephanie Ertel - ertels@mac.com 
Secretary:  Linda Stegall - lindastegall@hotmail.com  
Treasurer:  Julie Sentell - jsentell@hotmail.com
Past President:  Val Ostarch - vmostarch1@gmail.com

Standing Committee Chairs:
Communications:  To be announced  
Legislative:  To be announced  
Membership:  Barbara Young - barb7801@hctc.net
Parliamentarian:  To be announced  
Public Relations & Newsletter:  Jeannie Berger - jsberger@twc.com  
 


Hill Country Chapter of Texas Democratic Women
 P.O. Box 293014
Kerrville, TX 78029-3014
hillcountrytxdemocraticwomen.org