In an update to the article David posted on February 8, 2016 titled “Al Zolli says to be skeptical when using endorsement slates” where he wrote about a “Conservative” group playing politics with their slate endorsement process in the Republican Primary for HD 150 comes another example of why it’s important to never take any endorsement on face value.
Only this time the race is for a position on the board of ESD 11.
Seven people are vying for three spots on the board of ESD 11—the elected government safety agency for Cypress Creek EMS that provides 911 emergency ambulance service for over 600,000 Harris County residents.
Would the hijinks used in the CCHC endorsement process in the HD 150 race be repeated in the ESD 11 race?
A community source forwarded me a copy of an email sent by Alex McCoy, GOP Precinct Chair 876 on March 21, 2016. Alex wrote:
“It is time for the voters of Harris County to clean up the board of ESD 11 and elect the following slate:
Robert Berleth
Kevin Brost
Matt Folsom
All three have a combined 75+ years of 911 first responder experience, are highly educated, and understand how to run an ESD. The other candidates have 0 years of first responder experience, combined. (Now Fred Blanton has also filed to run, but I think Fred did it just to ensure that there was a third person available on the ticket to clean up this board.) Voters will vote for (up to) three candidates in this election on May 7th. Three commissioners will be elected; the three candidates that receive the highest number of votes.
Early voting will happen for 2 weeks before then election. If the polling places are similar to the last election, they will be located at various fire stations around the Klein area within ESD 11.
We do not want to split the ticket again this election – the stakes are too high for our voters. Please contact either Robert ([email protected]) or me if you want more information about the current situation with ESD 11.
If you want to support this candidate slate, please contact Robert or me as there are various ways to help support these three candidates. I ask for your support of this slate in the May 7th election.”
Alex is also the Treasurer – Coordinator of the “Conservative” Coalition of Harris County and is the same Alex McCoy Al Zolli contacted about the endorsement process in the HD 150 race.
Note the date of this next email—April 8, 2016—–less than three weeks AFTER the “slate support” message above dated March 21.
From: “CCHC Coordinator” <[email protected]>
Date: Apr 8, 2016 2:05 PM
Subject: CCHC PAC Voter’s panel results for ESD 11 race
To: [email protected]> email address obscured by Yvonne
Cc:Candidates:
To those candidates that responded, I want to thank you for taking your time to fill out our questionnaire and interview before the panel. Our 12 member panel has finished voting for their choices in the ESD 11 race. Each panel member cast 3 votes from the seven candidates running in this race. The three candidates with the most votes are considered to be endorsed by CCHC PAC. The results (alphabetical order) are:
Candidate Totals
Robert William Berleth 7
Fred T. Blanton 5
Robert Kevin Brost 11
Robert Matthew Folsom 11
Karen Clara Plummer 1
Robert Thomas Pinard 0
Thomas Allen Ripley 1Total votes cast 36
Again, special thanks to all the candidates for being willing to serve the public as an ESD commissioner.
Alex McCoy
Treasurer – Coordinator
Conservative Coalition of Harris County
Draw your own conclusion—an email of support for the “slate” candidates was circulated on March 21, 2016 before the results of the candidate questionnaires were publicized on April 8, 2016.
Did the other candidates have a chance to earn the endorsement of the “Conservative” Coalition of Harris County ?
Make up your own mind based on the facts.
The Conservative Coalition got it right. It is time for the ESD Board to do its job.
What is Wayne’s agenda? This is all about NW HARRIS County and he lives in Katy. Couldn’t be money, could it????????
I support Fred Blanton, a devoted member of his community, and the rest of this is horse hockey
So why should I care about the Episcopal School of Dallas or any of its inner workings?
This was my first time on the CCHS board. Based on what I experienced, it might behoove you to sit in on one of our interview processes (if the CCHS allows for this). Everyone that was there asked great questions, discussed the answers amoung ourselves and each came to our own conclusions. I had not read any of Alex’s pre-meeting e-mails about the candidates nor would it have influenced me if I had.
The group is a very thougthful and independent group thinkers. We are not “paid” for nor seduced by any groups or candidates (or slate of candidates). Our choices were based on our conservative principles and what we felt were the best options to improve our neighborhoods. Do some people disagree with our choices – I would certainly expect so. In fact, as the information you posted showed, we did not all agree on the same choices.
I do not see how we could be fairer in our choices. We are a conservative coalition. If you are a conservative, you might want to consider our choices. If you are not, then you are free to vote for the other candidates. Your inuendos about our choices being tainted are not correct nor well researched. Perhaps a little more homework is in line before judging our intentions..
How to you resolve anything in 20 minutes? When you ignore facts, records and the history of the candidates that you endorse, it makes you look foolish and stupid. When you predetermine who you are going to endorse before you even interview anyone, you look fraudulent. Perhaps that none of the reputable consultants will let their clients talk with your club is another example of credibility……
Then I guess that is why candidates who don’t fill out questionnaires or show up to panel interviews get endorsements over those who do.
They know they have the endorsement before it all begins, so why bother.
SHADY.
It is unfortunate that we (CCHC) felt it necessary to spend precious volunteer time to set the record straight, but we take great pains to minimize “agendas” on our panels. We accept ZERO money from candidates for any reason, we are all volunteer, our minimal expenses are self-funded, and we do not profit from our activity except for the satisfaction of helping conservative voters research races in a way most cannot take time to do in down ballot races. We do independent research, provide voluntary candidate questionnaires, conduct interviews, and vote by secret ballot. The fact that most panels are 10-15 members in size, composed of experienced, passionate, conservative activists may not be perfect in some minds, but is far better at eliminating individual personal bias from the GROUP vote results than anything we’ve come up with to date. This is evidenced in part by one candidate getting nearly as many votes as the third place finisher, though he was NOT supported by Alex. As an added data point, Alex did NOT participate in the ESD11 panel. Rather, he honorably recused himself from the ESD11 panel–neither participating in the panel NOR DID HE VOTE. The establishment candidates got zero or a single vote chose to not return questionnaires and did not show up for a candidate interview before our panel. As to the specific accusations, please see http://www.conservativecoalitionhc.org/big-jolly-reply.html. Thank you.
False.
In 2014 there were candidates who did no questionnaires or panel interviews and got endorsements over those who did.
One of the incumbents has a record that just is hard to believe from the TDJC to the NLRB; the other can’t get any work in Harris or surrounding counties. Two have conflicting business relationships. do the research before you vote. Also ask the question of what’s in this for hiring an outside consultant?
I have been a candidate being interviewed and I can honestly say it was a fair process. The invitation of all candidates and the candidates can choose to accept the interview or not. These 12 on the board are from all walks of life and not all have same agenda. I trust them because I have been the one being interviewed.
I will assume you got their endorsement.