In the runoff for Houston Community College System Board of Trustees, District 5, the clear choice is Robert Glaser.
Yeah, yeah, I get it. He’s a “Democrat” and the other guy is a “Republican”, so I should automatically support the self-proclaimed “Republican”, right?
Well, no, I shouldn’t. And if you are a Republican like me, you shouldn’t either. Here’s why.
The HCCS is a non-partisan board. Claiming to be a Republican is fine but results should matter more. And when you factor that in, Glaser is the clear choice.
I don’t know the other guy, except that he started coming to Downtown Houston Pachyderm Club meetings during the summer and introducing himself as the only Republican candidate in the race. Perhaps he is.
But Robert Glaser has been there in the thick of the fight for conservative fiscal issues in Houston. Here is a picture I took of him at a meeting when we were trying to defeat the “rain tax” in Houston:
So you can believe all the nonsense coming from the paid operatives in the other camp if you choose. But I know for a fact that this Democrat is a fiscal conservative. And I highly recommend him and think that he would add a lot to the HCCS board.
YES! Robert is just the guy you want on the board. I support him wholeheartedly.
Robert has showed up to all of the fights: management districts, Metro, no rail on Richmond, prop1 (rain tax), and HCC. He shows up with money and time. His actions demonstrate that he is fiscally conservative. His integrity is unquestioned and he knows what it takes to make a payroll, which he has done for 25+ years. He runs a very successful oil tool company and I am proud to call him a friend. I have done so for more than 10 years.
For whatever it is worth. I am the”other guy” – Phil Kunetka for HCC 5. Big Jolly never spoke to me or interviewed me or asked me about what I believe.
He only saw me at Republican events and yes, I said I was the Republican in the race. You are given 2 minutes to speak and you do what you can to get people at the events to support you…Republicans. It’s called getting out the vote!
Jolly seems to be disdainful of my saying I am a Republican. Those who know me know I have been a strong advocate for good government, good candidates, children’s issues, etc. A short visit would have told him about children helped, agencies made more efficient and tax dollars saved.
I have also been successful working with largely Democrat groups such as at the Harris County Protective Services and non-political groups like the Maplewood Civic Club, where I am President. I try to do good.
Listen, if you like the other guy, fine. Say so. If you are going to write endorsements in a Republican blog, talk to the candidates, particularly the GOP candidates first.
Jolly and Don Hooper know and like Robert. Fine, I haven’t said anything bad about Robert, but have touted my Republican values. The HCC Board has been 8 Democrats to only 1 Republican for many years….. it has done a horrible job of managing our tax dollars and has failed to provide the workforce our economy needs. If I promote my GOP values, isn’t it fair to question whether another Dem is the answer, to propose a better way of thinking?
I also fought Prop. 1, got flack from people I had hoped to work with for it. But I stood by my ideals, even if it got me in trouble. I appreciate the effort by Robert, Jolly, Don and others for taking charge of the fight against Prop 1.….but in the end they lost and we have to all pay that tax.
If elected, I hope not to be intentionally uniformed when I carry out my duties. I will talk to people first and then try to do things that will actually serve people.
Then again, this sort of reporting could get a job with the Houston Chronicle!
Phil Kunetka
for
HCC 5
Phil, I didn’t say anything bad about you and certainly didn’t present “Republican” as disdainful. I simply said that I know Robert Glaser and that I recommend him for this job, despite the fact that we disagree on which political party is best.
This wasn’t “reporting” – it was an endorsement by me of Robert Glaser and I explained why I supported him.
David
Yep, he’s been in the trenches…rain tax, red light cameras, no feeding ordinance, etc. He’s the guy! Party ties aside, do what is fiscally sound and right folks, vote for Robert!
I’m glad I don’t have to vote in this race. Anybody who says that his family has been Republican for generations is also telling you he hasn’t been in Texas very long. As to Glaser, in his talk to Downtown Pachyderms, he sounded like he had a better grasp of the HCC’s issues and more relevant qualifications for the job. I can see both sides of this argument, but anybody who still admits to being a Democrat is telling you that he voted for Obama and Obamacare and is not ashamed of it. Kind of makes you wonder how his mind works on other topics. That’s how my mind works.
I am just going to put this out there these are the politicians in and around the district that have endorsed the two candidates.
Robert Glaser- Annise Parker, Chris Bell, Ellen Cohen, Debra Danburg, and Alan Rosen
Phil Kunetka- Sarah Davis, Orlando Sanchez, Ann Clutterbuck, Chris Daniel, Phil Nauert, Paul Simpson,
it is sad that Big Jolly would support a Annise Parker/Ellen Cohen cannidate over a Sarah Davis/Ann Clutterbuck guy.
I have known Phil Kunetka for many years, seen him work for many candidates and issues, and think he is a class act. He has spoken to me at length regarding HCC issues and his hopes to make positive changes on that board, so I am confident he has the depth to serve well if elected. I do not know Glaser, except from his campaign statements and materials. Like Big Jolly, I do not live or vote in that district.
I see that comments have been dropped from this post. If I am not mistaken, most sided with the Republican candidate. Is this a normal practice?
Jack, what are you talking about? It’s a little early for happy hour, isn’t it?
Oh wait, my bad, I see it’s almost 5 pm. Carry on.
David I have copied and pasted from FB to the website blog in an attempt to be consistant. I may have made a mistake in the process. In any event, under better circumstances I may have worded the comment differently and your response may have been …..the practice of Big Jolly is to publish and not remove any comments unless offensive and inappropriate. It appears that most likely I am in error and apologize for the tone of my comment.
Last paragraph in this post…
“So you can believe all the nonsense coming from the paid operatives in the other camp if you choose. But I know for a fact that this Democrat is a fiscal conservative. And I highly recommend him and think that he would add a lot to the HCCS board.”
I am not a paid operative. I do not think (all) the others who favored the Republican candidate and/or questioned the wisdom of your endorsement of a Democrat on this blog and the same blog posted on Facebook are paid operatives. I believe “all the nonsense” you refer is an incorrect description of those comments coming from the other (Republican Camp).
David,
Is there a possibilty that two of my comments subsequent to your last comment above are still in moderation? Just a question ? Thanks
I see them now….thank you….
I see the last four comments I have made are marked with “Your comment is awaiting moderation” on my screen. My comments appeared on my screen just after my inquiry to you but with the qualification of “awaiting moderation”. Please advise if I have done something wrong or is this a pocket veto….perhaps you are voting late.
Jack O’Connor says
December 14, 2013 at 11:02 am
Your comment is awaiting moderation.
David I have copied and pasted from FB to the website blog in an attempt to be consistant. I may have made a mistake in the process. In any event, under better circumstances I may have worded the comment differently and your response may have been …..the practice of Big Jolly is to publish and not remove any comments unless offensive and inappropriate. It appears that most likely I am in error and apologize for the tone of my comment.
Reply
Jack O’Connor says
December 14, 2013 at 11:21 am
Your comment is awaiting moderation.
Last paragraph in this post…
“So you can believe all the nonsense coming from the paid operatives in the other camp if you choose. But I know for a fact that this Democrat is a fiscal conservative. And I highly recommend him and think that he would add a lot to the HCCS board.”
I am not a paid operative. I do not think (all) the others who favored the Republican candidate and/or questioned the wisdom of your endorsement of a Democrat on this blog and the same blog posted on Facebook are paid operatives. I believe “all the nonsense” you refer is an incorrect description of those comments coming from the other (Republican Camp).
Reply
Jack O’Connor says
December 14, 2013 at 4:50 pm
Your comment is awaiting moderation.
David,
Is there a possibilty that two of my comments subsequent to your last comment above are still in moderation? Just a question ? Thanks
Reply
Jack O’Connor says
December 14, 2013 at 4:51 pm
Your comment is awaiting moderation.
I see them now….thank you….
Reply
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And, now the race to replace pct 3 commissioner Steve Radack has begun.
Wait, what? Did I miss something?