Travis County Commissioners Court
November 18, 2008
Citizens Communication
Citizens communication is next. This item gives residents an opportunity to address the Commissioners court on any matter not on the agenda. For up to three minutes. Gus pena is first. He'll be followed by ronnie reeferseed, if we could get mr. Reeferseed to come forth at this time. And morris priest is third. If we could get morris priest to come forth, also.
>> good morning, judge, commissions, gus pena. Great to be back here. I thank god and jesus to allow me to live another day after that terrible accident that we had. Veterans still experiencing problems with the h.u.d. Vash program. We have a good investigation going on in washington as we speak. I do believe in the lord and jesus christ. We have good people investigating. I want to thank evans and Travis County mhmr for providing excellent mental health services for the veterans and other people that we sent over there. Even in my situation I still consider it an honor and privilege to help people out in need. Linda
>> [indiscernible], wally
>> [indiscernible], thank you very much, you know what for. Bill newman, on behalf of my family. Thank you. It is a great honor and privilege for me to be able to say I am a friend of luke mercer, constable precinct 1. I have known him for many years, even back at Travis Countysheriff's office. Travis County advocate program. I saw luke there as a sergeant. One day I was visibly a -- visiting a young gentleman acting unruly, he said okay, gus, good shop, but also helped the kid get some treatment that he needed, also a job for his family. Luke mercer, christian, good man, professional, respectful. An asset to any community, any organization. And I say we're blessed by the lord to have a gentleman be a gentleman and a christian to be a constable, specifically constable precinct 1 along with his wife and my fellow brother and sister deputies who I know, I met at the library, also, of course judge scott. Thank you very much for honoring a good man for doing his part to Austin and Travis County. We have heard and experienced and seen myself personally all of the good things that happen in the precinct with kids. The families and service to the community and service to the lord. I want to thank you, luke, for being a good friend to mine and my family. You helped out a lot of people also in poverty. Something some constables will not do and traditionally within their description, but you have made us a better community because of your service to the community. Thank you, my brother I love you and your family, deputies in your precinct. Everywhere. I have been there and done that also as a federal investigator. Attended the sheriff's academy, also. I have known various county attorneys, police chiefs, d.p.s. Directors, friends of mine. All of us thank you to the service to the community, first and foremost, service to the lord god jesus christ. Thank you and thank for you your service. You are retiring but I know that you are not retiring because the church is calling you back to help us out. Poverty levels please sponsor families for thanksgiving, christmas. This is a tough year. I told the city council last year we are in recession. Help them out. Help the poor. God bless you all. Congratulations, luke mercer, thank you very much. Have a good day.
>> ronnie reeferseed is next. If jennifer gale will please come forward.
>> okay. Good morning.
>> well, thank you, everyone involved here. I -- I just wanted to say once again to support our troops and please bring them home. We need to protect our borders and it's true that our troops can help solve this problem. Many others. But both parties, as you all know, the demublikns and republi cats, refuse to grant freedom to our forever evaporating family farms. To help feed our hungry future. Even farmers who never grow hemp and marijuana will benefit from all other farmers having another potential cash crop. In other words, we liberate farmers, honest cops, parents, doctors and our returning troops, many of who have suffered traumatic brain injuries, with the option for a better future with hemp, marijuana. How do I know? My skull shattered the windshield of a car many years ago when I was literally put into a coma for 10 days, and then made a remarkable recovery that is still obviously going on. Somehow, I knew that the reintroduction of thc into my bloodstream would help. So I asked all of my doctors, family, nurses and friends please somebody bring a joint will you. Lucky for me I was allowed to smoke a joint in the balcony of a hospital. Afterwards my friends rolled me back, then went home, I went to sleep. The next morning my conscious recovery really began. Finally my day to day memory really began begin and suddenly I knew. I knew where all of my hair had been cut off, why the name of the kid next to me, I knew what happened to him. In my experience with medicinal marijuana was profound and life altering. That is why I have devoted my life to stopping this ongoing counter productive war on pot smokers. Many of our returning troops have similar traumatic brain injuries for which we must make available any and all treatments to help them. By golly, that's why I choose to pronounce my name ronnie reeferseed. And some people don't like, but helping save our troops, police, doctors, farmers and others is much more important than any difficulties that I may ever receive for my efforts to stop this war on pot smokers. To be frank, I do -- I do suffer some -- some people don't like to -- won't think of hiring me. Political individuals republican party in particular. My precinct chairman wouldn't let me become a delegate to the state convention because of the way I choose to pronounce my name. It's out of love I'm trying to help not only myself but like I said our troops and others who suffer from traumatic brain injuries get a better -- get another option to help in their recovery. It's been a -- truly a miraculous medicine, in my case. I came out of a coma and -- and
>> [buzzer sounding] after just about a month of not making rapid recovery, not really remembering anything. Then when it was introduced into my bloodstream my brain was turned back on. I'm trying to help share this information with all of y'all. Thank you so much. God bless our troops.
>> thank you.
>> morris priest is next. Jennifer gale should be at the table.
>> Commissioners -- Commissioners court, judge Biscoe, Commissioners court, I appreciate you all. I wanted to talk about
>> [indiscernible] issues. One is the campo board. Myriad of issues. One is the campo board that some of you are a member of. An agenda item December the 1st, I'm inviting the public to come out and oppose the tolling of 290. This is coming before the legislative session. Goes into session in January. I think the timing is off for something to be done like that. I would like this court to make a resolution that they will not support anything on that agenda. We are having a lot of things going on right now with funding. There's been multiple lawsuits filed all over the country as well as in Texas. San antonio, Austin area. Other places. I think that -- that the thing that I would like to -- the Commissioners court to understand is that the funding issues that campo is having right now, all of the major things that the state will be doing in the future with d.p.s., with text dot and not really knowing what the situation is, I think this is a premature time to -- to go forward with the toll project on 290. Also with the fact that other people have been promised things years ago. I mean, we're down to traffic lights that we're trying to get, we have been trying to get for years. So I think that -- I think that's one issue that I wanted to talk about. I know there's some vote rescue people here. I went and picked up a copy of the results of the votes the day after the election. And it's my understanding, unless they have been changed since then, there are -- that only 23 people voted for chuck baldwin in Travis County. There seems to be a conflict as to whether all of those 23 votes were in early voting or if they were all in regular voting. Looking at the records, the unofficial records, it appears that all of the votes when I looked at it on channel 17 that there were no votes cast and that all of his votes came after the early voting. And with such large support for Ron paul in this community and with him asking us to endorse chuck baldwin, I know many people did vote third party and it just seems like the number of people that I talked to, I haven't kept a count, but I know a couple of dozen people that voted for chuck baldwin, I think that's really an absurd nobody for Travis County to only have 23 write-in votes for chuck baldwin. Also I've heard a lot of people needing assistance with writing in vote. The transportation bees as far as the funding, it's -- I testified at the federal listening hearing, and so did some other people, roger baker and vince
>> [indiscernible], I would like y'all to look at the comments that we made to the federal transportation agency when we had that listening session. They --
>> [buzzer sounding] I would also like y'all to make changes in how, I will get with you each individually, on how campo does take citizens comments. Thank you.
>> thanks.
>> thank you, mr. Priest. By the way, we didn't canvass the election results until last Friday. So I would get the final results and then see how many mr. Bald kin got.
>> jennifer gale?
>> hi travis. Good morning. Sam Biscoe, chairman of the capital metro policy tan transportation authority, Margaret Gomez, Commissioner Gerald Daugherty, sarah eckhardt, missing Ron Davis. I'm jennifer gale, six time candidates for mayor of the city of Austin. I reminded you a few weeks ago once you vote black you never go back. Well, we got president elect barack obama. He may be coming back three, four, five times, we'll change the constitution if he does a good job. Sam Biscoe
>> [indiscernible] I have asked channel 17 to put up the names of the dead of our homeless. I don't see that. I would like to thank luke mercer for the job, job he's done as a constable, a very arduous job to do fairly. The Commissioners court, we started about 15, 20 after, I think a new start time would be 9:20. That way if you get here at 9:00. We wait until 9:20 and begin the Commissioners court meeting. Gerald Daugherty, we're going to miss you. You are one of the finest representatives that I have seen. If I need to speak to you, you were there to listen. That's unusual for an elected representative. And reeferseed, that's pretty impressive that his mind started working after he smoked marijuana. And it's -- it has been said that -- that it does many great medical benefits and I think we should sponsor a resolution saying that. We have -- we had an early morning breakfast -- well, a memorial for all of the homeless that have died. If they could put up the list of names you could see it. See all of the failures. Our Commissioners court and our city council here in Austin to save these people's lives. They can't rely on themselves. Like reeferseed whose mind -- their minds don't work. They are dying. We're not there to help them. They are not getting the nutrition and they are not getting the jobs, we are giving our jobs to people from other countries. Let's give these jobs to our own homeless right here in Austin in Travis County. We just had a strike. I called against that strike back in -- in February of this year. After several months of -- of the capitol metropolitan transportation authority without a contract, you all failed to act. That's a shame on this court. We have a lot of good bus operators and -- and they needed your help. But you go up to dallas, try riding a dallas bus you will see how wonderful the capital metro transportation authority bus operators,
>> [indiscernible] workers and mechanics truly are. I want to wish everyone a happy thanksgiving, thank you.
>> thank you.
>> luke mercer is next. William madison, let's call those two together and constable elect danny thomas here? Okay. I would like to recommend -- we do a operation during citizens communication. That's why three signed in. We will ratify this next week. Mr. Mercer's schedule is such we needed to do this today. Whereas pntd 1 constable luke mercer is retiring after 31 outstanding years of service in law enforce. He began his career in Travis County in 1976 as a corrections officer with the Travis County sheriff's office and represented the residents of Travis County with distinction by rendering services in a variety of other county positions including fugitive warrants deputy, patrol deputy, deputy 2 for the civil process division and courthouse security field training officer. Whereas constable mercer demonstrated a tenacious and unselfish commitment to fighting and developing and maintaining safe communities and foster the ideals of peace and justice. Whereas he will retire on December 31st, 2008 to spend more time with family and friends, participate in various church activities and hopefully continue to showcase his melodious gospel singing well known locally and throughout Texas. Whereas by word, deed and steadfast determination, constable mercer has set an example that inspires us to use our skills, talents and intellect in a manner that will make Travis County a better place for all of us and whereas it is appropriate for us to honor constable luke mercer for dedicating his career to serving his fellow man. Now there ever be it resolved that we, the members of the Travis County Commissioners court, do hereby extend best wishes to constable mercer, luke mercer, on his retirement and ask all residents of Travis County to join us in showing our appreciation for his outstanding service and I move that we approve the resolution.
>> second.
>> good morning, would others like to -- to join these three? There are three more seats available and you can stand behind them.
>> thank you, judge.
>> [indiscernible] join us, too.
>> judge scott, is he here? I have known judge scott with the -- was a school mate of fine, like a father to me -- school mate of mine, he was kind of like a father to me, although he always claimed to be younger.
>> [laughter]
>> good morning.
>> judge Biscoe, Commissionerrers, our honoree it is my pleasure to be here today on this special occasion, as an honorees, behalf of my staff, it has been a pleasure working with you. We work cooperatively together, supportive of our office, been there when we need it. On behalf of precinct 1 I know that have good concerns for the safety of us all. You have protected us and done well. As you know, I have served with three or four other constables and you are tops. We will miss you and hope that you will come back and visit with us throughout your retirement. We will see that you are healthy, alive and well at retirement age. I know that judge Biscoe knows how long I have been here. Since I taught him, then you can follow in my footsteps. And congratulations, constable mercer.
>> good morning, I'm chief willie madison. I worked for luke for 11 years. It's been an honor. He has done a lot of good things here in the community in precinct 1. We are going to miss when luke is gone. But for the staff and myself, I want to say thank you to luke. I learned a lot from you. Learned leadership from you. And that was really important to work in precinct 1 the leadership. So when luke came there, he taught me a lot. I want to take that with me and I'm always using it in life. You have been an important person in my life, I'm going to miss you, man. Thank you.
>> [ applause ]
>> thank you.
>> good morning, judge, Commissioners. I want to say that I have felt really good, I feel proud on this day to have served under constable luke mercer. He has been the inspiration for me, I've worked on his leadership -- under his leadership. His leadership is strong and powerful. We have come a long way in precinct 1 since I started. Words cannot express or explain what he has taught us in that precinct. How he has brought us together to stand firm in that precinct. And how we have -- we've made strides in that precinct. We have -- we've started off small and -- and he grew us. Over the 10 years he's been there. I'm proud of the leadership he's shown me and the example that he's laid the 10 or 11 years that he's been there. I'm going to miss you constable mercer.
>> [ applause ]
>> are you going to be last, okay? It's truly a blessing today, judge Biscoe and the Commissioners court, it's an honor for me to be here today. First of all I want to say to luke, luke and I have been friends for many years. We have worked together when I was at Austin police department, he was with the sheriff's department. It is truly an honor for me to take over the position. He had a great staff, I'm looking forward to working with them. But I want to say one thing I appreciate you constable for even allowing the transition period that we are having among each other. I wish you many blessing, I wish you help. And I -- I wish you health and strength and continue to serve the law like you do. But I'm looking forward to moving in to precinct 1 as the constable and this is good to be here today just on the -- this side where I am sure we will be several other times on a good, on a positive mood. But I think overall precinct 1 is one of the largest precincts, growing precincts and I think everybody on this Commissioners court know that. But we are coming forward with a vision that I know that the constable is proud leaving and giving me the reins to take it to another level. The work is really tremendous. Which you read on the proclamation. I can't even get close to that. But I tell the time I be there we're going to take it to another level and precinct 1 community will be very proud of that. Brother, congratulations on your retirement. But I will be calling you. God bless you.
>> [ applause ]
>> I just wanting to say thank you for letting me start my law enforcement career. This is my first law enforcement job. Thank you for allowing me to start and congratulations on our retirement. We're going to miss you.
>> [ applause ]
>> to the county judge and to the Commissioners and all that are present, and I'm just happy to be here this afternoon, this morning. To be able to come before you to say to the Commissioners court and to Travis County, that my career started right here from correction as you read to the sheriff's department to the present time. Travis County has been good to me and my family. My children have all been raised up under this administration. I'm just happy to be a part of it and I talked with my wife that -- that when it became time that I would go ahead and, you know, step down and try to enjoy life, try to enjoy my grandkids, to meet and to deal with them. I have always wanted to work where I could do the things that were important, that was -- that was a people person, dealing with people. And the lord so fixed it. After 21 years with the sheriff's department, then to go over to the -- to become an elected official as the constable of precinct 1, that was a blessing in disguise. Who would have ever thought that I would ever be where I am. But I'm here to say that I'm very appreciative to what has been done. I'm happy for my wife and I and for all of the people in the community that will be able to continue to work and to help the people in precinct 1. And the surrounding community. Judge Biscoe, we come from a long ways. We go back. And one of the greatest honors is knowing that -- that I worked with you, when you were a Commissioner and now look at you now, being a judge. Then I -- Ron Davis, have another Commissioner on the Commissioners court. We have come a long ways from when we first started. All of us. But I'm just happy to know that Travis County is the type of place that it has been. I want it to be -- I want to be grateful to bruce elfant, a close friend of mine when I came into this business and with his cooperation and all of the constables in 1 through 5, we have worked together. My thing was come to in and work together. Not work separately. Together we can accomplish things, divided we don't. And I felt like I have done that over the years, tried to get along, communicate with all of the constables. And we have had a very good time. It's -- it's sort of going down that -- that I'm going to be stepping off the scene on the side, but I'll still be around. I'll be there when you need it. I don't plan to come in and try to tell you what to do in your office, danny, but I will be there for you if you need me. And I'm so happy for all of my staff for the many years that we have grown from where we were to where we are now. That we leave a staff that's able to communicate. I've -- I've had my offices in such a manner that -- that they would be trained so that they can do all things. So we are interchangeable. Not just one -- one thing. They can all do each and every thing that needs to be done. All that we have to do is point at them and say you do this instead of something else. The end of my conversation is again in Travis County, the people in precinct 1 and the community, to my church and my pastor, gb clark, he's not here, in his absence that -- that all the while I've been in this organization the -- my church has been with me. They supported me in the community. But whatever had to be done, I will always be grateful for them. And my wife put this together and said some things to several people that was asking me and they let the cat out of the bag, where do we go, what do we do? But I'm so grateful for them for some of my members at the congregation and the deacons other organizations that are here this morning to support me in receiving this proclamation. I know that I may take a little more time than I should have, but I just want to say to Travis County, because this has been a part of me all of my life to where I am now. That I can always hold my head up and look forwards and say I'm happy to Travis County for what has been done. Thank you.
>> thank you.
>> [ applause ]
>> after 31 years, we do give you a few extra minutes. All in favor? That passes by unanimous vote.
>> does this mean that judge scott has another year or two and then he's moving on?
>> [laughter]
>> thank you.
>> do you fish much?
>> I don't fish but I eat it.
>> pass that on to Commissioner Davis.
>> [laughter]
>> [ applause ] I am looking for sign-in sheet number 6. Does somebody have that one? Karen rennick is here. Next. Okay.
>> it's kind of hard to follow. Very touching. I do want to congratulate constable mercer on his retirement. Good day, Commissioners and judge. My name is Karen rennick the founder and director of vote rescue and also the state coordinator for Texas for
>> [indiscernible] elections. Our group and coalition are a group of concerned citizens who really have no confidence in how our votes are being counted at this point because we are using electronic voting machines that council our votes secretly using secret software that's proprietary. We are trying to educate both citizens and our elected officials regarding how serious this issue is and that there are -- there is a solution that we all should be working towards and that is a -- a system that gives us 100% transparency and a chain of custody that is never broken from start to finish. That system is hand counted paper ballots that are counted by citizens at the precincts on election night with the results posted with enhanced security. I first of all wanted to thank Commissioner Daugherty --
>> we need a bit more volume on the mic, media. More volume. Thank you.
>> thank you. I wanted to thank Commissioner Daugherty very much for what he did in terms of listening to our -- our issue. It was an honor to work with you very much. I felt that we did -- advance our cause. We looked at the -- the steps that would need to be taken in order to move this along so I just wanted to publicly thank you very, very much for everything that you did for us. I would say that with this election more and more citizens have woken up to the serious nature and -- about using these voting machines. I'm very excited to say that we have numerous groups that are going to be joining our coalition, texans for real elections. At this point I can't announce who they are. But in the next few weeks we will when we return to the court. Quickly, I just wanted to say on election day we had over -- we had 37 volunteers who were stationed at -- as 31 polling places throughout Travis County. Gathering trouble reports from voters. We wanted to see for ourselves what was happening in the polls. Oftentimes
>> [buzzer sounding] the county clerks they have a tendency to gloss over, I think, glitches that maybe to them aren't serious and so we have compiled a large number of reports that we will be submitting to the county and to the Commissioners court in the coming weeks. And we are continuing to -- to receive trouble reports. So I just want to say that we look forward to -- to working on the Commissioner or the panel that you are planning on putting together, we understand that was a motion put forward by Commissioner Davis who is not here today, but we thank you very much for getting that started and we hope that it does get underway very quickly. Thank you very much.
>> thank you.
>> thank you, ms. Rennick. -- anybody else for citizens communication whether you signed in or not?
>>
The Closed Caption log for this Commissioners Court agenda item is provided by Travis County Internet Services. Since this file is derived from the Closed Captions created during live cablecasts, there are occasional spelling and grammatical errors. This Closed Caption log is not an official record the Commissioners Court Meeting and cannot be relied on for official purposes. For official records please contact the County Clerk at (512) 854-4722.
Last Modified:
Tuesday, November 18, 2008 1:38 PM