Sheriff race; Texas House District 92; family court; Trump and Hillary; ignoring Carson; Sanders on education; Proposition 3; GOP chair

Sheriff race

Sheriff Dee Anderson runs a tight ship: under budget, no jail breaks, no corruption, no scandals, no accidental shootings.

With 1,600 deputies and other employees, his department is the largest in Tarrant County government. Morale is high. His staff likes and supports him.

Anderson cooperates with all law enforcement agencies: local, state and federal.

Inmates released from his jail and wanted for crimes elsewhere are turned over to appropriate law enforcement agencies, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

He is not a sanctuary sheriff.

Anderson’s opponent says if he’s elected he’ll get out of the office more to meet with other lawmen around the county.

Otherwise he hasn’t found anything to improve or reform in the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Department.

Dee Anderson is your conservative, down-to-earth, no-frills, law-and-order sheriff.

Let’s keep him.

The current sheriff is an honorable man but it is time for a change in leadership.

Bill Waybourn has outlined ways the sheriff’s department can and should work more efficiently for the residents and cities of Tarrant County.

Elected officials often serve longer than they should. Revitalization is often needed.

When a qualified, dynamic candidate challenges a well-respected but long-term incumbent, we should not fear change.

It’s time to bring new eyes and fresh ideas to the sheriff’s office.

House District 92

On Feb. 16, I participated in a live question-and-answer telephone call with Texas Rep. Jonathan Stickland.

After several softball questions, I asked how Stickland would represent the more mainstream conservative voters in District 92, not just those of the ultra-right-wing Tea Party and Empower Texans donors funding his campaign.

I was cut off “due to technical difficulties.”

District 92 needs a representative who listens to all citizens.

Family court

Having practiced family law in Tarrant County for more than 40 years and as a former judge, I know both Mike Sinha and Patricia Bennett.

I endorse Patricia Bennett for judge of the 360th Judicial District Court.

She’s a board-certified family law specialist, and she received recognition from the Tarrant County Family Law Bar Association.

She also is endorsed by numerous Republican precinct chairs, conservative Republican activists and Republican clubs and organizations.

I’m confident that Patricia Bennett is the constitutional conservative who will honor and respect her oath to support and obey the U.S and Texas constitutions.

Trump and Hillary

Robert Kai’s Feb. 11 letter about Donald Trump shows how some readers tout their self-proclaimed superior intelligence and deem those who don’t share their world view too dumb to comprehend.

Like the readers who recognize Hillary Clinton as untrustworthy and untruthful but plan to vote for her anyway.

Ignoring Carson?

I don’t understand why the media are ignoring Republican presidential candidate Dr. Ben Carson.

Maybe you don’t realize what a big following he has, especially in Texas.

Maybe you don’t understand that he’s the one candidate that many people are inspired by, and the candidate who brings hope for America.

I know he refuses to be drawn into this down-and-dirty and totally silly mess. But, really, wake up!

Sanders, education

The “free higher education for everyone” Bernie Sanders promotes is not equitable.

Public universities cost far more than community colleges (80 semester hours at Tarrant County College costs about the same as one semester at UT Austin). Flagship universities like UT Austin and Oklahoma accept the academic cream, the majority of whom come from families that have afforded them excellent advantages.

That will not change, meaning struggling students would receive far less investment and their degrees would mean less than the students who already begin life with privilege.

My American Dream is that the most in need get the most help, the privileged carry some of the load, and we ensure upward mobility for those who work hard, regardless of where they begin. Affordable, accessible and equitable education and training for all.

Proposition 3

John Riddle’s Feb. 17 column opposing Proposition 3 in the Republican primary accuses supporters of the proposition of making false statements. However, nowhere could he list a single harm that would befall public worker unions or union members should the proposal become state law.

The proposition’s complete text is “Texas should prohibit governmental entities from collecting dues for labor unions through deductions from the public employee paychecks.”

That does not outlaw public employee unions or prevent anyone from joining such a union if they choose. It doesn’t stop members from paying dues. It only says that governmental entities shouldn’t be bill collectors for the unions.

It would change the dynamic relative to dues from having to opt out if you don’t want to pay, making it opt in of you do want to pay. That better assures that those who pay dues are willingly joining the union and paying dues.

GOP chair

I know Tim O’Hare and am confident he will be a strong, conservative leader for the Tarrant County Republican Party.

As mayor of Farmers Branch, he has a track record of leadership. His experience dealing with the media as a radio guest host allows him to be a clear voice for party causes.

Tim will ensure Tarrant County stays red and will also expand our tent to reach all ages and demographics.

This story was originally published February 23, 2016 at 5:25 PM with the headline "Sheriff race; Texas House District 92; family court; Trump and Hillary; ignoring Carson; Sanders on education; Proposition 3; GOP chair."