A.J. Mathieu
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Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
A week to go
Next Tuesday is the primary and it's going to be exciting! I'm sticking with Debra Medina for Texas Governor and I'm pretty confident that she'll end up in a run-off with Rick Perry. I can't call it beyond that, but I'd be hoping for a Scott Brown kind of race.
I'll be attending our local precinct convention the evening of the primary to inject my opinion into the Republican Party platform. I hope others will join me in moving our ideas up the ladder in the party.
Both national and local conservative radio hosts have talked a lot recently about the role of the tea party movement and both the affect it may have on the Republican and Democrat parties and the possible reversal of the parties into the tea party movement. I strongly oppose the "Tea Party" as a third party option. I think it would just split the conservative vote and get us nowhere. The fear of that happening is what has kept third parties down for a century, but in this case I think conservatives need to look closer at what we have to work with. True conservative Republicans need to stand up at the grass roots level and make sure the Republicans powers do not hijack the tea party movement, pulling in those votes only to carry on with business as usual. On the contrary, the tea partiers need to hijack the Republican party and restore it to the values and attributes it used to stand for before the party candidates started leaning left to try to swing votes. Small government, individual liberties, fiscal responsibility and balanced budgets all need to be strong party messages again. If that happens the tea party will no longer be needed because the party of conservative values will once again fulfill it's role.
The time is right for a reformation of the Republican Party. The voters have been screaming for it for numerous election cycles and all we get is the same talk and a progressive walk.
Pandering to the left to try to get the votes isn't where the Republicans need to be. There's more than enough votes on the right to get the job done. Get back to where the voters want you to be and you'll win. The country will win...again.
A.J.
A.J. Mathieu
Promote Your Page Too
I'll be attending our local precinct convention the evening of the primary to inject my opinion into the Republican Party platform. I hope others will join me in moving our ideas up the ladder in the party.
Both national and local conservative radio hosts have talked a lot recently about the role of the tea party movement and both the affect it may have on the Republican and Democrat parties and the possible reversal of the parties into the tea party movement. I strongly oppose the "Tea Party" as a third party option. I think it would just split the conservative vote and get us nowhere. The fear of that happening is what has kept third parties down for a century, but in this case I think conservatives need to look closer at what we have to work with. True conservative Republicans need to stand up at the grass roots level and make sure the Republicans powers do not hijack the tea party movement, pulling in those votes only to carry on with business as usual. On the contrary, the tea partiers need to hijack the Republican party and restore it to the values and attributes it used to stand for before the party candidates started leaning left to try to swing votes. Small government, individual liberties, fiscal responsibility and balanced budgets all need to be strong party messages again. If that happens the tea party will no longer be needed because the party of conservative values will once again fulfill it's role.
The time is right for a reformation of the Republican Party. The voters have been screaming for it for numerous election cycles and all we get is the same talk and a progressive walk.
Pandering to the left to try to get the votes isn't where the Republicans need to be. There's more than enough votes on the right to get the job done. Get back to where the voters want you to be and you'll win. The country will win...again.
A.J.
A.J. Mathieu
Promote Your Page Too
Think about serving
Time is running out to file for a place on the May 8th ballot for city council or mayor. March 8th is the deadline so if you've ever thought about getting into local government or even if you haven't now is the time. The city has published a FAQ on the city web site to answer any questions.
I personally can't state strongly enough the pleasure I've had in serving the people of Joshua since last June and the enjoyment I've gained from learning about the function of our government. The opportunities I've had already to get to know other officials and to begin to influence legislation and the shaping of our local area and the state have been very rewarding. The job is what you make of it and the opportunities to get more deeply involved are there. It's the participation of more people that makes our system of government so great and so effective.
It takes time and you don't get paid, but it certainly has it's rewards. I'd be glad to have a conversation with anyone considering a run. Give me a call.
A.J.
817-426-1641
A.J. Mathieu
Promote Your Page Too
I personally can't state strongly enough the pleasure I've had in serving the people of Joshua since last June and the enjoyment I've gained from learning about the function of our government. The opportunities I've had already to get to know other officials and to begin to influence legislation and the shaping of our local area and the state have been very rewarding. The job is what you make of it and the opportunities to get more deeply involved are there. It's the participation of more people that makes our system of government so great and so effective.
It takes time and you don't get paid, but it certainly has it's rewards. I'd be glad to have a conversation with anyone considering a run. Give me a call.
A.J.
817-426-1641
A.J. Mathieu
Promote Your Page Too
February 2010 City Council Meeting
Last Thursday's council meeting was technologically successful with the council fully on our new electronic agenda system and working off laptops instead of a huge stack of paper. The city estimates a significant savings each year using technology instead of trees.
Staff presented a comparison of neighboring cities budget and funding percentages from the Emergency Services District (ESD) as we continue to discuss Joshua's options to best utilize the taxpayer's funds in regards to fire and EMS services. It was encouraging to find that we are not alone in the imbalance of funding for our department as it relates to the ESD. I've been in contact with Representative Orr to discuss legislation to allow municipalities the option to vote themselves out of an ESD. The city will continue the discussion as preparations get underway for the 2011 Texas legislative session.
The council approved a zoning change from R-1 to R-2 for a lot on Joshua Blvd. to allow additional duplexes to be built on Joshua Blvd. and Honey Bee to finish out those streets of duplexes.
The council approved an economic development package for a proposed O'Reilly's Auto Parts store to be located at the corner of Hwy 174 and 4th St. The required road widening and gas line relocation will cost approximately $45,000. O'Reilly's requested 55% of the cost from the city. The council agreed to 50% of the cost with 50% of the money to be reimbursed upon completion of the work and the remaining 50% to be reimbursed when the store opens on or before a specific date to be determined once construction is ready to begin. The estimated annual sales tax and property tax revenue to the city by the store will be approximately $35,000 per year.
The council approved an ordinance amendment changing the times of most school zones in the city. Most of the changes removed all day speed zones in favor of specific times during arrival and departure of students around the campuses.
A.J.
A.J. Mathieu
Promote Your Page Too
Staff presented a comparison of neighboring cities budget and funding percentages from the Emergency Services District (ESD) as we continue to discuss Joshua's options to best utilize the taxpayer's funds in regards to fire and EMS services. It was encouraging to find that we are not alone in the imbalance of funding for our department as it relates to the ESD. I've been in contact with Representative Orr to discuss legislation to allow municipalities the option to vote themselves out of an ESD. The city will continue the discussion as preparations get underway for the 2011 Texas legislative session.
The council approved a zoning change from R-1 to R-2 for a lot on Joshua Blvd. to allow additional duplexes to be built on Joshua Blvd. and Honey Bee to finish out those streets of duplexes.
The council approved an economic development package for a proposed O'Reilly's Auto Parts store to be located at the corner of Hwy 174 and 4th St. The required road widening and gas line relocation will cost approximately $45,000. O'Reilly's requested 55% of the cost from the city. The council agreed to 50% of the cost with 50% of the money to be reimbursed upon completion of the work and the remaining 50% to be reimbursed when the store opens on or before a specific date to be determined once construction is ready to begin. The estimated annual sales tax and property tax revenue to the city by the store will be approximately $35,000 per year.
The council approved an ordinance amendment changing the times of most school zones in the city. Most of the changes removed all day speed zones in favor of specific times during arrival and departure of students around the campuses.
A.J.
A.J. Mathieu
Promote Your Page Too
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Gibbs needs to go
I kind of liked Sarah Palin when she first came on the scene last year, but my opinion of her has declined since then and especially since she chose to endorse current Texas governor, Rick Perry, in his re-election bid this year. I have to say, though, the press over this writing-on-the-hand nonsense is really ridiculous.
The left really has little to talk about when they attack someone for putting a few notes on her hand and the speaking to a large crowd for an hour when our President can't say "good morning" to his kids without a teleprompter. Seriously, this guy never leaves home without it. He's a robot. So the same week that Sarah Palin jots down a few points he mispronounces "corpsman" multiple times in one speech! Of course the logical comeback for any liberal, progressive or Democrat is "Bush was such an idiot he could barely get through a sentence without saying something wrong". You can believe that to be true, but the press crucified him for it every time and they look the other way with every Obama gaff.
To take things even further now we've got the public voice for the White House, the arrogant, moronic, Robert Gibbs, making fun of Palin in a press briefing. Is this the third grade or the most powerful nation on the planet? I'm beginning to wonder with the current group that reside and work in the White House. Shame on Gibbs for his actions today. That was childish and he should not keep his job.
A.J.
A.J. Mathieu
Promote Your Page Too
The left really has little to talk about when they attack someone for putting a few notes on her hand and the speaking to a large crowd for an hour when our President can't say "good morning" to his kids without a teleprompter. Seriously, this guy never leaves home without it. He's a robot. So the same week that Sarah Palin jots down a few points he mispronounces "corpsman" multiple times in one speech! Of course the logical comeback for any liberal, progressive or Democrat is "Bush was such an idiot he could barely get through a sentence without saying something wrong". You can believe that to be true, but the press crucified him for it every time and they look the other way with every Obama gaff.
To take things even further now we've got the public voice for the White House, the arrogant, moronic, Robert Gibbs, making fun of Palin in a press briefing. Is this the third grade or the most powerful nation on the planet? I'm beginning to wonder with the current group that reside and work in the White House. Shame on Gibbs for his actions today. That was childish and he should not keep his job.
A.J.
A.J. Mathieu
Promote Your Page Too
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