Dear Editor,

On May 9, 2009 an election will be held to choose two city council members from three candidates: Pamela Capps, Bobby McClung and Danny Ray. The mayor’s position is also open for election and only has one candidate, Tina Gourley, who is presently on the city council. When Tina moves into the mayor’s position on May 15, her place will be open for an appointment of a person by the city council. This person does not have to be the candidate that was not elected on May 9. The voters of Blanco will not have the right to choose the council member to fill Tina’s spot; however, you have the right to be at the council meeting on May 12 and can express your opinions concerning the appointment. You also have the right to contact the council members to voice your request and opinions.

This is a very critical time for changes in Blanco government and the policies and broken promises that we have had for the past eight years. We have a chance, by electing new members to the city council, to see our dreams and visions for the city of Blanco be fulfilled. By electing two new council members, we have a chance for a third new council member to be appointed.

Please read the biographies of the candidates, look at what has not been completed that the citizens asked for in the Comprehensive Master Plan and Visionaries in Preservation five years ago, and vote for the two candidates that will help see that these plans are carried out. If we do not get these two new candidates, we may have a candidate nominated who has stopped Blanco from moving forward to complete the goal of growth management with preserving our history and heritage on our terms.

Please be at the polls on Saturday, May 9 to bring a much needed change to Blanco and to show your concern for our wonderful town.

The following is some information from the Texas Municipal League publication that I want to share about our freedoms as Americans and the Freedom of Speech and to run for public office without the fear of intimidation:

According to the February 9 Texas Town & City publication, a person commits the crime of “coercion against candidacy” if he or she threatens, among other things, bodily harm or to bring about hatred, contempt, or ridicule to a potential candidate. Id;TEX.PEN.CODE 1.07.

Retta Martin

Blanco, TX