News - Village Republican Women

January 2019 Newsletter

December 23, 2018 By Cheryl Dalton

We are right in the middle of the Christmas Holidays and the end of the year 2018. It seems as if it suddenly appeared and that yesterday was June, but come to think of it, I feel that way every year as they come faster and faster. And what a year we have had with the election results that shocked all Republicans, especially in Texas….. don’t forget, though, this year was a vote by Democrats against Trump and they rallied their constituents in huge numbers. We don’t want to have this happen again and in 2020 so what do we do? Work harder you say, but we did work extremely hard this year… maybe we need to change our method of working to doing what the Democrats did: hold neighborhood meetings and talk about our beliefs and hold these often in homes in key areas, promote our values without calling them Republican values, sign up more folks to vote, be more visible and meet more folks outside our circle of friends. Stay involved! Couldn’t hurt, could it?

I especially want to thank everyone of you for your kind generosity to our Veterans and the Children’s Assessment Center. VRW asked a lot of all of you and you came through. Kathaleen Wall delivered the huge numbers of books to the Veterans at the USO, (read about in the January newsletter), our Teddy Bear drive at our Christmas Party was wildly successful and we donated a large number of Teddy Bears to the Children’s Assessment Center (see photo in the January newsletter) and your dollars added up to a nice sum in credit cards which Cheryl Dalton delivered to Camp Hope PTSD Foundation (see photo in the January newsletter). Camp Hope was so surprised and delighted to receive all the wonderful credit cards for them to pass out to their Veterans. Thank you!!!!

Be sure to get your 2019 membership renewals in before January 15 and encourage others you know to join our very active organization and meet others who think like you do. What better way to learn what is going on, what to do, and how to do it. We have a lot planned already for 2019 and will need your help.

I accepted the challenge for VRW to co-chair the Finance Committee for the TFRW bi-annual convention coming up later this year on October 3-5 in OUR area, which will make it easier for all of us to attend. It is at Moody Gardens, near Galveston. You will hear more about what is needed from you as plans proceed.

Have a wonderful Christmas and look forward to a prosperous New Year ahead!

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November Meeting – Debra Coffey – Honoring Veterans

November 3, 2018 By VRW

Please join Village Republican Women for a very special Veteran’s Day tribute, “An American Hero is Home at Last.” Debra Coffey, long-time Texas Republican treasure, will share the compelling story of her 50-year journey to give her father, Captain Robert Russell “Bear” Barnett, USAF, an American Hero, a coming home and proper burial after he was killed in 1966 during the Vietnam War. You will not want to miss her story.

Debra has served on the TFRW Board since 2006 in numerous positions and is currently serving as Patron Co-Chair. Prior to this position, she served as First Vice President, for four years. She often participates in Republican Leadership events, as a facilitator, presenter and event organizer encouraging Republican women to run for office.

She is a member of numerous Republican Women clubs in the DFW area, where she has served in many positions.

Debra Coffey has worked as a dedicated volunteer in Texas Republican politics for over 20 years. She has chaired precinct conventions and served as a delegate to Republican county and state conventions.

She has worked and assisted with numerous local, state and national campaigns, walking neighborhoods, writing letters, donating money, making phone calls, as well as hosting numerous events and candidates in her home.

In December 2016, Debra represented Congressional District 12 as an Elector, for President Trump and Vice-President Pence.

Debra lives in Ft. Worth, Texas, married to Retired Republican Judge Daryl Coffey, who served on the bench for 24 years.; now serving in the Texas State Guard in the Judge Advocate General Corps. They have two grown children.

~ Deanna Harrington, Programs

Filed Under: Featured

November 2018 Newsletter

November 3, 2018 By Cheryl Dalton

It’s here, it’s here! The Midterms are finally here. Like it or not we are heavy into this election and voters are turning out in masses. If you pay attention to the exit polls, we might be able to say the Republicans are slightly ahead, we hope that turns out to be the case. Don’t miss this chance to help your candidates and vote for your choices. See you at the Polls, that is if the crowds aren’t too bad! Don’t forget how bleak it will be if the left is put in charge.

Westside HQ has been a huge success this year for this election and has played a very important part for our candidates. Thank you to the many volunteers who worked many hours phoning voters, handwriting postcards, block walking and so much more. We’re not to the finish line for a few more days and both our State and Federal Elections are very important. Let’s cover the ‘blue wave’ for our state and country and let them know we won’t let them take over.

Our next meeting will be November 28, 2018 when we will honor our Veterans with a fabulous program presented by Debra Coffey with a heart wrenching story of her personal experience. At this meeting, we will bring gently used mystery books to be given to Veterans to read. Also we will bring gift cards in any amount from anyplace that will be given to the Veterans at Camp Hope. Let’s support our Veterans and bring your Veteran to our meeting.

Then we end our year with our annual Village RW Christmas Party at Cantina Laredo. It will be held Sunday, December 2 from 5:30 to 8:00 when we will gather for fun, food, and great conversation as we celebrate the Republican win in the midterm election. Invitations will be going out this week, so make your plans now to attend this great evening.

Friends, stay focused on this election for a few more days and do everything you can to push Republicans to a win holding or increasing our seats in the House and Senate, then sit back and watch our President go to work again.

Enjoy your Thanksgiving, then the week after come to our Veterans Day Celebration for a great speaker.

Happy Thanksgiving!

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October Meeting – Don Carlson

October 4, 2018 By VRW

Don Carlson, whose wide range of legislative, international and political experience spans a 34-year Capitol Hill career. At the October meeting, he’ll be sharing with us his unique perspective on the current election cycle and goings on in Washington, D.C.

For 30 years, he worked for Congressman Bill Archer, Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, representing Houston’s 7th Congressional District. Mr. Carlson served as his Chief of Staff from 1988 to 2001. He was the Chairman’s prime liaison with the Members and staff of the Ways and Means Committee and the Joint Committee on Taxation.

Prior to assuming that position, he was Chairman Archer’s Legislative Director, with responsibility for all of his legislative/Committee work. His areas of concentration included taxation, trade, Social Security and budget matters. In addition, he was Chairman Archer’s chief political advisor and liaison to Republican Party groups at the local, state and national levels.

He currently serves as Managing Director in the Washington National Tax Service office of PwC providing strategic advice as well as legislative, executive branch and regulatory representation for domestic and international clients of PricewaterhouseCoopers on a broad spectrum of issues including tax, international trade, Social Security, budget and appropriations.

Mr. Carlson also serves on the boards of several non-profits. He is Chairman of the Advisory Board for the Archer Center, the Washington D.C. campus of the University of Texas. He is Chairman of the Board of the U.S. Capitol Historical Society.

Mr. Carlson earned his Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from the School of International Service at the American University, Washington, D.C. He served in the United States Marine Corps Reserve from 1970 to 1976.

~ Deanna Harrington, Programs

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October 2018 Newsletter

October 4, 2018 By Cheryl Dalton

We’re almost there… only 22 more days until early voting begins for the Midterm Elections with the Election to follow on November 6. How important this election has become with everything that hinges on Republicans maintaining and gaining seats in Congress to support our U.S. President Trump. It is so important that each of us work hard to register voters, work the phones for our candidates, block walk, address post cards. If you can’t think of how to help and have some free time, please come to the HCRP Westside HQ and fill in there. Don’t forget our statewide elections and the candidates who are facing tough Democrat opponents who are well funded by outside sources… Texas is under attack as well!

Village’s longtime friend and supporter, Don Carlson will be speaking at our regular meeting October 24. Over the years, Don has supported our fundraisers with donations, arranged extras for our members who visit D.C. and always answers questions for us personally on various political topics. Don has extensive knowledge and insight into ‘Swamp’ politics and will help us understand and sort out the truth in D. C. as he gives us the ‘Dynamics of the Midterms’.

November 28 is our annual celebration of Veterans Day with a fabulous speaker, Debra Coffey, to tell her experience. You won’t want to miss this moving talk and bring Kleenex for use during her presentation. Please invite the Veterans you know to attend with you. Also bring your gently used hard back or paperback books to be given to the Veterans Center for Veterans to enjoy reading. They especially enjoy mysteries. In addition, our club is a supporter of Camp Hope PTSD Foundation right outside of Houston and we ask everyone who attends to please bring a gift card in any amount from any place to be given to the Veterans at Camp Hope.

Don’t give up hope, WE CAN PULL THIS OUT!!!! Just continue working and staying plugged in to Village and HCRP Westside HQ… support each other through this process.

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September Meeting – Sen. Paul Bettencourt

September 4, 2018 By VRW

Come hear Sen. Paul Bettencourt show us statistics on exactly how we are voting in recent elections, who is voting for whom, and where do we need to concentrate our efforts on GOTV for the upcoming Midterm Elections.

First elected to the Senate in 2014, Paul Bettencourt represents Senate District 7, which includes portions of Harris County. He previously served 10 years as the Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector, where he introduced “Smart Government” at the Harris County Tax Office and developed a customer service-driven organization. His team created the first major online property tax payment system and the first county tax office website with online automotive registration in Texas. (His motto was “Get on-line, not in-line.”)

In his first legislative session, Senator Bettencourt served as the chief Senate sponsor on 25 bills that the Legislature approved, including his amendment to SB 1760 that requires a 60% supermajority within a taxing jurisdiction to increase property taxes and has already prevented Dallas ISD from imposing a $100 million tax increase on its taxpayers. Senator Bettencourt also led the passage of the Andrea Sloan “Right to Try” bill, which allows terminally ill Texas patients access to drugs still in the FDA approval pipeline, and SB 1004, which expanded dual credit opportunities in Harris County. He built upon this success in the most recent legislative session by passing legislation to stamp out inappropriate student-educator relationships and he reached across the aisle to establish ISD and Charter School Partnerships to give Texas students better access to educational opportunities. Additionally, he worked to pass HB 810, which gets government out of the way and allows adult stem cell treatments to be used for patients facing severe chronic illnesses.

The senator and his wife Susan are active members of Saint John Vianney Catholic Church, where Paul is a fourth-degree Knight of Columbus.

~ Deanna Harrington, Programs

Filed Under: Featured

September 2018 Newsletter

September 4, 2018 By Cheryl Dalton

At our CHAT last Wednesday we heard Jim McIngvale, aka ‘Mattress Mack’ as he entertained us and several Candidates speak to kick off our fall GOTV to prepare for the Midterm Elections. This is a tough Election, folks, and we need to prepare ourselves with as much information as possible in order to make the right choices that will impact our future both locally and nationally.

Have you ever heard so much about Socialism as we have recently, but I wonder how many of us really know what Socialism is or what it would mean to every person in this country if the current Socialist Candidates were elected to office. On Wednesday, September 12, we have another CHAT planned at the HCRP Westside HQ office on Katy Freeway at 5:30 pm . Our speaker is Carmen Montiel, former Candidate for CD 29. She grew up in Socialist Venezuela and will tell us, first hand, exactly what Socialism will do to this country if the worst happens and what we can expect. Watch your email for a separate flyer invitation and rsvp to Rajada Fleming now.

As we move forward to the election, we will have Sen Paul Bettencourt speak at our September meeting to address the true picture of voting that is actually happening in Harris County by Republicans and Democrats. Are they really about to overtake us and turn us Blue. Sen. Bettencourt has the figures to show us facts proving how things are turning out here in our area. Don’t miss this meeting! Is Harris County turning Blue? It’s up to us to prevent it.

Get involved!!!! If you don’t know what to do, go to the HCRP Westside HQ and volunteer your time to help elect our Republican Candidates. You can address postcards, make phone calls, block walk and many other things, just get involved or you can’t complain when your candidate doesn’t get elected. Our wonderful Village RW are staffing and running this office so you will see faces you know and have fun as well. Let Rajada Fleming know when you can be there and we’ll see you next week. And when you go, take some supplies like napkins, bottled water, cleaning wipes, etc.

Don’t sit out this election, that’s what Village RW do, we’re involved, we work and elect the best Candidates for the job. And don’t miss the September meeting!

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August Chat – Mattress Mack – Harvey One Year Later

July 18, 2018 By VRW

We are having a special Social lunch CHAT and you’re invited to come CHAT with your friends over lunch and enjoy hearing “Mattress Mack” talk about the last year, where we are now, and where we are going in Houston. Our representative, Jim Murphy, will make a special introduction. So, come spend your lunch time with us and leave ready to take on the Democrats!

In 1981, Mack and his wife Linda started Gallery Furniture with five thousand dollars and a dream. Mack began television advertising early on and with his motto of “Early to bed, early to rise, work like hell and advertise”, he quickly became a household name. Gallery furniture has expanded to 3 locations in Houston.

Mack’s strong work ethic is matched by his philanthropy and exceeded only by the commitment he has to his family. He has given to numerous charities and is the Houston Livestock Rodeo’s largest contributor. Gallery furniture made a memorable mark in Houston after Hurricane Harvey when he offered shelter in his stores for volunteers and cleaning supplies for the flood victims. He was recognized by President Trump for his generosity to the community.

State Representative Jim Murphy represents HD-133 in west Houston. Murphy was first elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 2006. He currently serves as Chairman of the House Committee on Special Purpose Districts and is a member of the Ways & Means Committee. Murphy also serves as Floor Leader for the House Republican Caucus.

Download the Event Flyer for details.

Filed Under: Featured

May Meeting – Cindy Ashe RPT Chair Candidate

May 5, 2018 By VRW

Cindy Asche, candidate for Chairman of the Republican Party of Texas, will be joining Village Republican Women at our next general meeting on May 23rd for a conversation about the Republican Party of Texas (RPT) and her vision for it.

A 5th generation Texan, Cindy Crocker Asche was born in Waco and raised in Austin. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Business from Baylor University in 1983 and graduated with a BSN in Nursing from the University of Texas in 1986 after putting herself through school by working in the Emergency Room at St. David’s Hospital.

Since 1986, Cindy has served in a variety of ER and Trauma roles from assistant head nurse, trauma case manager, injury prevention coordinator, ER unit manager, and ultimately ER manager. Through these positions, she managed a 50+ member staff, administered multi-million dollar budgets, and developed best-practices to ensure optimal efficiency in the office.

Cindy actively worked alongside her father, Bill Crocker, during his tenure as RNC National Committeeman for Texas, before she served as a State Convention delegate, Grassroots Club member, and Precinct Chair in Denton County. In 2016, she served as the Dallas-Area Captain for the Mighty Texas Strike Force—a movement credited by many as playing a vital role in the election of President Donald Trump.

She is the current president of the Republican Women of Greater North Texas, Chaplain for Texas Federation of Republican Women (TFRW), and a current member of the RPT Candidate Resource Committee (CRC). Additional information about Cindy can be found on her website at www.cindyasche.com.

RPT Chairman James Dickey was also invited to join us for this conversation but unfortunately had a scheduling conflict. For more information about Chairman Dickey, his website is https://jamesrdickey.com.

~ Deanna Harrington, Programs

Filed Under: Featured

May 2018 Newsletter

May 5, 2018 By Cheryl Dalton

Village has been keeping its members busy recently with educational, informational activities and there is more to come. April 10, we gathered at the Courthouse in downtown Houston for a personal Tour through the Houston Historical Documents section by our good friend Chris Daniel, Harris County Clerk. He gave us history that dated back to the 1600’s on Harris County and we were fascinated to see very old documents with signatures of our founding fathers.

Also, our last meeting with State Representative James White answered, as well as brought up, so many questions about the Mental Health Issue in Texas’ Criminal Justice System. He was a great speaker who presented details of our problems in the system.

Keep watch for the Westside HCRP HQ which will be opening soon. There is so much planned between now and the election there for you to be part of. Village always is the largest presence in the Westside Office, if you have not signed up to volunteer, please contact Rajada at rajadafleming@yahoo.com. There will be signs, t-shirts for sale, candidate forums, and lots more!

Don’t forget the School Board Elections, on May 5 and the all important Run-off election May 22. Volunteer to help in these elections and make calls at the Westside HQ to bring out voters.

On May 23, our next meeting will be a forum between both of the candidates for Chair of the Republican Party of Texas: Cindy Asche and James Dickey. This forum will answer everything you ever wanted to know to help you make a decision when you vote at the Texas State Republican Convention, June 14-16, 2018.

Time to get busy, members! Don’t let the Democrats take over our wonderful state.

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