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1404 IH 35 N
New Braunfels,TX 78130
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 TRANSPARENCY- Texas Public Information Minimize

Transparency - The Comal Independent School District?

Source: New Braunfels,Tx   Herald-Zeitung 

Published October 28, 2007\   

Herald-Zeitung  \ by Doug Toney

“Transparency (in government) is the key to a free society.

Visibility creates accountability.

Gerry Rickhoff, Bexar County Clerk, quoted in the Fall 2007 edition of the

FOI (Texas Freedom of Information Foundation) Focus newsletter

The idea, or better yet the belief that our system of government must be

 open and accessible to all citizens, seems to have fallen out of favor

with some, and that should concern all of us.

Many government employees, whether out of ignorance or out of

following flawed and misdirected policy and procedures, treat

citizens seeking information with disdain and even contempt.

Here’s what the Texas Public Information Act states:

“Under the fundamental philosophy of the American constitutional

 form of representative government that adheres to the principle

that government is the servant and not the master of the people,

it is the policy of this state that each person is entitled, unless otherwise

 expressly provided by law, at all times to complete information about the

 affairs of government and the official acts of public officials and employees.

The people, in delegating authority, do not give their public servants the

 right to decide what is good for the people to know and what is not good

for them to know. The people insist on remaining informed so that they

 may retain control over the instruments they have created. The provisions

 of this chapter shall be liberally construed to implement this policy.”

This preamble, this explanation of why this law is needed, is noble,

but the law itself and how it’s followed by most government agencies

 in Texas is not in the spirit of the law’s intent.

This past week, the National Freedom of Information Coalition

announced the results of a survey and study of how states performed 

in providing access to citizens seeking information from government.

Texas was one of 38 states that received a grade of “F”.

The criteria for evaluating the states included how the governments

 performed in following procedures, response for information

from citizens, timeliness of appeals, the speed in handling appeals

 and the penalty against the government agency for not following

the law and procedures in releasing government records to citizens.

Often, a citizen simply wants to view a document and the

government agency declines to let the citizen see the

document immediately, hiding behind a provision for a 10-day

period to seek an appeal to determine whether the document can

 be released.

Often, the type of document requested is clearly accessible to

 the public and the government employee uses this 10-day

 provision to avoid following the law and to frustrate the citizen’s

 legal right to view or copy a document.

Exceptions exist. The Texas Public Information Act does provide

 steps to protect social security numbers and private information

 of citizens; ongoing criminal investigations and a host of other

exemptions. That’s very understandable.

But often, government employees seem to exaggerate the

exemptions to simply avoid ensuring that your rights as a

citizen are met.

The Texas Freedom of Information Foundation provides a

telephone hotline available to all Texans who need

assistance in obtaining information from local and state 

government agencies, whether it be the courts, police, city,

 county, schools or state.

Lawyers throughout the state volunteer their time to answer

these phone calls. There is no charge for this service.

The TFOIF hotline number is 1-800-580-6651.

Remember, exercising your rights of access to government

is fundamental to keeping our republic accountable. It’s not

unpatriotic to insist that your rights as a citizen be acknowledged

and respected.

OPEN GOVERNMENT HELP

• Attorneys expert in government access laws volunteer their time

 to give advice through the Texas Freedom of Information Foundation.

• The legal hotline is 1-800-580-6651.

• Find out more about open government laws at www.foift.org.

 

The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas www.foift.org.

Protecting the public's right to know  -- 

The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texasworks to encourage,

sponsor and facilitate a greater appreciation, knowledge and understanding

of the First Amendment.  Ensuring that the public's business is conducted in

 public, the FOIFThas successfully helped citizens access government meetings

and documents that should be a matter of public record.Since 1978, the

Foundation's goal has been  to  educate media and legal professionals,

 educators, students, public and business officials and individual citizens

 about their rights and responsibilities as citizens in our democracy.

With the clear objective to protect and preserve the state's open meetings

 and open records  laws, the Foundation acts as a statewide information

clearinghouse and offers guidance and assistance on FOI-related issues

through a network of attorneys. The FOIFT is a nonprofit 501(c)(3)

supported through grants and tax-deductible donations  from private

 citizens, corporations and foundations.  


 

The WILL OF THE PEOPLE....

Source: This op-ed originally appeared in the Los Angeles Times, December 11, 2000.

Jack Balkin is a professor of constitutional law and the First Amendment at Yale Law School. His most recent book is Cultural Software: A Theory of Ideology (Yale University Press, 1998).

Return to Op-eds Online - How Do We Measure the Will of the People?
 By JACK M. BALKIN -  
AMERICAN DEMOCRACY IS FOUNDED on faith in something called "the will of the people." According to the Declaration of Independence, our leaders have the right to rule only with "the consent of the governed." Politicians are well-trained to begin their remarks with an invocation of the people and their will. Indeed, every politician seems to know exactly what the American people want at all times.
In fact, however, "the will of the people" is a legal and political fiction. Real people do have real desires and real values. And when the state ignores them and oppresses them, that oppression is real too. Yet the "will of the people" that politicians are constantly prattling on about does not precede the political process. Rather, it is constructed by that process.
This fact is the source of our current constitutional crisis. The election of 2000 is about contrasting ideas of who "the people" are and how to measure their will. Take the electoral college. Vice President Al Gore won more votes nationwide than Gov. George W. Bush. Yet Bush claims that he won more votes in Florida, and so he won the election.
Does the electoral college represent the authentic voice of the people? Hardly. It's a way of constructing popular will by aggregating victories in individual state elections. It gives small states somewhat more say than their proportionate share of the national population. To be sure, electors are usually chosen by popular vote. However, the Florida Legislature now wants to substitute its slate of electors for the electors certified earlier. The Legislature may insist that in doing so it is respecting the true will of the people of Florida. But plenty of other people in the state may beg to differ.
The point, however, is that procedural rules create one kind of "people" as opposed to another. There's not just one way to do it. Yet whatever grouping is produced by procedural rules is the one that gets to wear the mantle of "the voice of the people."
Procedural rules aren't the only constructors of popular will. Technology matters too. Counties with electronic voting systems produce different numbers of mistakes and undervotes than counties with old-fashioned machines that use punch cards.
Like a person with a bad hearing aid, counties with old technology can't hear what their voters aresaying very well and so may conclude that they said nothing at all. Machines clogged with chads construct popular will just as surely as the electoral college does. The Bush team describes the resulting "undervotes" as "non-votes," thus equating the result of technological imperfection with no expression of will at all.
Finally, technological limitations interact with legal procedures: Faced with mountains of partially pressed and punched pieces of paper, canvassing boards and courts must come up with legal rules for counting (and discounting) ballots. Whatever rules get used, they do not so much reflect popular will as construct it. Then they present the finished product as what the people "really" said.
Ordinarily these different constructions of popular will don't seem to matter much. That's more or less what keeps democracy going. The popular-vote winner is usually the electoral college winner. Electoral margins are usually wide enough that old and outmoded technology will do just fine.
But sometimes the election is close, and it matters greatly which construction of popular will gets chosen. Then the fictional character of "the will of the people" is exposed all too starkly. This is just such a moment.
The widespread concerns about legitimacy that we hear now don't stem from the fact that people are especially partisan or especially angry with each other. They stem from the fact that whoever wins this election, it will be clear that he won because of a contestable and controversial construction of popular will.
Americans can put up with a system in which the opposite parties hate each other's guts. What they cannot put up with is a system in which the official winner sanctimoniously pronounces that "the people" supported him when it's not at all clear that they did.
Legitimacy, however, is a strange and wonderful thing. If we remember that elections and procedures are not popular will itself but only one particular construction of it, we will understand why there is still cause for hope.

Elections are won by rules, but legitimacy is produced through informal popular acceptance. Americans can easily bestow legitimacy on the new president despite the recent shenanigans of the two major political parties. If people make clear that they accept the new government, it will have all the legitimacy it needs.                                                                                                                                   

 


 

Transparency - The Comal Independent School District?

$$$$ Is Comal ISD  "Frugal" with Taxpayers money? $$$$

Feb.2010-What are the details of ComalISD superintendent Marc Walker's extended employment contract? Does our Comal Independent School District  Board President Carol Kendall Keller care about Transparency  for our Comal County Taxpayers?

Will Comal ISD still have a BALANCED BUDGET after they finish installing and begin maintaining the three (not-competition size) swimming pools at Canyon Lake High School, Canyon High School, and Smithson Valley High School?

 


  
 U.S.A. Troops Minimize
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS
God Bless Our Soldiers
click on FLAG
A Safe and Merry Christmas
God Bless Our Soldiers,
Sailors, Airmen, and Marines.
Please help our US Soldiers in
Fort Hood, Texas ..read morehttp://www.ivaw.org/

MEMORIAL DAY 2010...Remember our Veterans
Are we doing enough
for our u.s. military? 
Do our U. S. soldiers have the tools necessary to do their jobs?
Are they provided with what they need to be safe and productive?

 
11/09-Please,
OUR PRAYERS FOR
OUR U.S. SOLDIERS
AND THEIR FAMILILES AT  FORT HOOD,TEXAS
FR: A SOLDIER'S MOM 

 11\09 - VETERAN’S DAY
Thank you for your service

US Dept.of VETERANS AFFAIRS

On Veteran's Day, thank
 our Soldiers, Sailors,

Airmen and Marines  


Executive Order Seeks More Veterans in Government read story

Cornyn/GI Bill
Dear U.S. Senator
John Cornyn,
Please support our troops.
Is there ‘funding’ for
health programs for
our U.S  Veterans?
Are we doing enough
for our military?
Do our U. S. soldiers have the tools necessary to do their jobs?
Are they provided with what they need to be safe and productive?
Sept.2009-
In today's society, should
our children serve our
US Military at least
two years before College?

Do DEVELOPERS RULE
IN San Antonio,Texas?
July 23, 2009  

http://www.ivaw.org/

 www.votevets.org/

In 1776, the Declaration of
Independence was signed.
HAPPY  4th  of  JULY!
Memorial Day 2009:
Sacrifices made by
our U.S. Military.
The Star Spangled Banner

__________________

Fr: mom ~ By 2nd. Lt.  ---- ------- [beginning]
On the evening of July 24, I was graced with the opportunity to meet some of my heroes. They live right here in Bulverde – you, yourselves have probably shared a dinner with them, waved in passing, or driven by them. You may call them “neighbors” or schoolmates or coworkers. They are the veterans and current service personnel who are forever a part of the Armed Forces; they are the mothers, fathers and relatives of these individuals who offer their loving support and, unfortunately, have or may have to weather the tragic news of a loved one being taken too soon.
They joined me in the council chambers of City Hall that evening to shake hands and offer stories. How small I felt with my seven months of service in the midst of several hundred years of military experience imbued in the many veterans honored that night. My bare right arm, without a combat patch, mixed in with the families of those who are wondering what their sons and daughters are doing in Iraq at the moment. I was humbled seeing my mother hug the tearful parents of -----------, who gave his life in that same country where many of us will eventually serve.
It was a feeling that was surreal, but also a blessing. I deploy to Iraq in December, and though I am still very anxious, I felt something inside rest. It was the realization that although I may be in another country, surrounded by a foreign culture, and that I would have to leave Bulverde, Bulverde would not leave me. I will always carry, in my heart, the support the people of Bulverde showed me that night.   [end]
Not only did our son remember this special night but the people of our community reinforced their support with every card, letter, email, gift and package they sent. -----, now a seasoned 1LT combat veteran, will be returning home early next month. It has been over a year since we have seen our son and I am so looking forward to his homecoming! My husband and I will be at the  Fort Campbell airport to welcome him and his troops home. I would like to thank everyone who has supported him and his troops over the past year of deployment. If there are any messages you would like me to pass along to him and his troops please email me at  ------- or drop them off at our house. And please continue to support our troops!

MEMORIAL DAY

Remember our Veterans
Message from a son
to a mom…
May 2008
 mom,thank you 
for the support, I’m
going to call soon,
I love you all.
I’m working hard as
always and everyone else
here is too. just know that
I’m happy to be part of
something that means
a lot to me and I know
things are crazy here but
we are here,and  it’s 
important that we as
Americans do and be the
best  we  can be here 
 in Iraq,...and we are.
I wish the girls 
(his sisters) could 
understand that they have
more than just cell phones, 
computers  and cable television,
 ..they have Freedom.
Please reiterate this to
them especially since its
Memorial Day
weekend. I hope
everyone is fine,
and this son 
of yours  is strong.
It wouldn’t be easy if I
didn’t  have the loving
and supportive family
that I have. thanks!
love,---
 Thanksgiving 2008-
I am so Thankful my son returned 
home to us from Iraq. We are grateful.
I pray Lord, please bring our troops
back home to the USA sooner than later.
For the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and
Marines serving in the Military
and at WAR, please know
you are in our prayers. For our
USA veterans, who are the wiser,
you are not forgotten. mom
 
VETERAN'S DAY.. 
Veteran's Day, thank
 our Soldiers, Sailors,
Airmen and Marines
--------------------------------
Gates Speaks of Troops’
Courage,Dedication,
Patriotism -  
 By Jim Garamone -
American Forces Press Service
source:U.S. Department
of Defense\                                 
DECLARATION OF
INDEPENDENCE

2008- 

DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE
Happy Fourth of JULY 1776
232 years ... Our Troops
are doing a great JOB!                
  From Parents of Soldiers
 Please continue to send our
Soldiers at war letters and
cards from  home.
They  truly appreciate it.
I can envision a smile for
a card or note received, that
simply says …
Thank you for our  freedom.
             Be Safe.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From the sister  
of a soldier at war.
A little piece of home warms our
soldiers Heart and brings a
smile to their faces.
It keeps them going and fills
them with faith
That we believe in what they
are doing and they know they
will be home soon.
My brother even told me that
my letters are Precious to him
and he appreciates them very
Much.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From mom:
If people would send some of his
troops just a simple card if nothing
else.
Having personally experienced 
separation from family while I was
on active duty, I can tell you
that it means  so very much to
receive mail.
There were days that it seemed
everything went wrong but
a card in the mail made the
whole day worth living and 
gave me back a positive attitude.
His Dad and I do what
we can sending a full flat
rate box each week to our son
which he shares with his troops.
Those who receive share with
those that don't.
----------------
From a MOM....
It's not right for
"COMMERCIAL
AIRLINES" to.....
charge our U.S. Troops
for additional baggage fees.
 
Plus, it's not right to charge
our students as long as it's
a school activity.   
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
       MEMORIAL DAY
Remember our Veterans
Message from a son to a mom…
May 2008
 
mom,
thank you for the support, I’m going to
call soon,I love you all. I’m working hard as
always and everyone else here is too. 
just know that I’m happy to be part
of something that means  a lot to me and
 know things are crazy here but we are
here, and  it’s  important that we as
Americans do and be the best  we  
can be here  in Iraq,...and we are.
I wish the girls  (his sisters) could 
understand that they have more than
just cell phones, computers and cable
television, ..they have Freedom. 
Please reiterate this to them especially
since its
Memorial Dayweekend. i hope
everyone is fine,and this son of yours
 is strong. It wouldn’t be easy if I didn’t
 have the loving and supportive  family 
that I have. thanks!
love,   -----

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Back in September of 

2005, on the first day
of school, Martha Cothren,
a social studies school
teacher at Robinson High
School in Little Rock,
did something not to be
forgotten.
 On the first day of school, with the
permission of the school superintendent,
the principal and the building supervisor,
she removed all of the desks out of her
classroom. When the first period kids
entered the room they discovered that
there were no desks.
 
Looking around, confused, they asked,  
'Ms. Cothren, where're our desks?'
 
She replied, 'You can't have a desk until
you tell me what you have done to earn
the right to sit at a desk.'
 
They thought, 'Well, maybe it's our grades.' 
   'No,' she said.
 
 Maybe it's our behavior.' She told them,
'No, it's not even your behavior.
 
And so, they came and went, the first period,
second period, third period. Still no desks in
the classroom.
 
By early afternoon television news crews
had started gathering in Ms. Cothren's
classroom to report about this crazy
teacher who had taken all the desks
out of her room.
 
The final period of the day came and as
the puzzled students found seats on the floor
of the deskless classroom.
 
Martha Cothren said, 'Throughout the day no
one has been able to tell me just what he/she
has done to earn the right to sit at the desks
that are ordinarily found in this classroom.
Now I am going to tell you.'
 
At this point, Martha Cothren went over to
the door of her classroom and opened it.
 
Twenty-seven (27) U.S. Veterans, all in
uniforms, walked into that classroom,
each one carrying a school desk.
The Vets began placing the school
desks in rows, and then they would
walk over and stand alongside the wall.
 
By the time the last soldier had set the
final desk in place those kids started to
understand, perhaps for the first time in
their lives, just how the right to sit
at those desks had been earned.
 
Martha said, 'You didn't earn the right to
sit at these desks. These heroes did it for
you. They placed the desks here for you.
Now, it's up to you to sit in them. It is your
responsibility to learn, to be good students,
to be good citizens.
They paid the price so that you could
have the freedom to get an education.
Don't ever forget it.'
 

(By the way, this is a true story.)

 

If you can read this, thank a Teacher.  

Since you read it in English,

Thank a Soldier.

-----------------------------------------------------
          2008
DECLARATION OF
INDEPENDENCE
Are we doing enough
for our military? 
Do our U. S. soldiers have the tools necessary to do their jobs?
Are they provided with what they need to be safe and productive?

 

Do DEVELOPERS RULE
IN San Antonio,Texas? 

11\09VETERAN’S DAY
Thank you for your service
VETERAN'S DAY..

US Dept.of VETERANS AFFAIRS

On Veteran's Day, thank
 our Soldiers, Sailors,
Airmen and Marines

 


 


 

  
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