Lone Star Report Recent Blog Posts

To Judge Self: It seems your opponent feels your "keeping taxes low" is a way to
"jeopardize county services and quality of life." In my view that's convincing evidence
he sees raising taxes during this economic downturn as a solution of some sort.
Here's another quote from your opponent, "Keith has done a minimal amount of anything,
except keeping taxes low" (!?!?)
I am astonished that he is so out of touch with the current financial shortfalls we all face.

This is a very misleading article. I'm as "right-wing" as it gets and I applaud Keith for keeping taxes the same ("cutting taxes" is a stretch, I would say maintaining current tax rates, but in politics, I also understand you can use just about anything to your advantage). As far as my taxes right now, I feel like I pay alot to the county every year. I don't like cutting that check to Ken Maun as much as anyone else. So, if I'm going to have to send that check every year, I want some great county services for it and what John is saying is that Keith's approach to government is an "I don't care about anything but taxes" approach. In a weird way, republicans are at a point where they don't care about education, healthcare, libraries, roads, transportation, the aging community - we just don't give a damn as long as you keep our taxes low, let everything else go to hell. Personally, I think that is a recipe for long-term failure.

Wow! With endorsements...err...attacks like this maybe the voters will finally be able to determine who is a conservative and who is not. They just might even be able to see who is a republican and who isn't. Part of the problem locally, state and federal is that there are many who falsely claim to be conservative republicans and vote just the opposite! Duh... What kind of representation do you want? I hope the voters of Collin County will be motivated to look around them and see that this county has a great quality of life and very well managed services for all its' citizens... and by the way, proving that it CAN be done at an affordable tax rate! Who is the leader here?

I will definitely support Keith Self in his re-election campaign for Collin County Judge. I appreciate his dedication to fiscal responsibility and applaud his efforts to keep government spending transparent, by putting the county's check register on-line for constituents to see how the county is spending its money. I applaud his service to our country and know he possesses excellent management skills. His four-year record shows his abilities, dedication, and strength to stand up for what is right.

His opponenent, Muns, sits on the PISD Board of Trustees that provides NO transparency. They recently made a boundary decision where the public has been more active than any other issue in recent PISD history. This decision was made in closed-door meetings and was not even discussed in public before the vote. They have not explained their reasoning to the public, after many inquiries by citizens and local news media. I cannot support someone who conducts government business in a closed-door manner.

What about what he cost the taxpayer over the audit scandal? Your blog is a joke if it can't be fair and unbiased. You will be seen as just another GOTV machine for select candidates.

We need to keep Collin County Judge Keith Self in office.
He is one of the very few lawmakers who keeps his word.
He works for the people of Collin County - NOT the lobbyists,
NOT big government and NOT the self interest groups!!!!!!

Re Nancy H remark - "His opponenent, Muns, sits on the PISD Board of Trustees that provides NO transparency. They recently made a boundary decision where the public has been more active than any other issue in recent PISD history. This decision was made in closed-door meetings and was not even discussed in public before the vote."
I THOUGHT that TX has an "open meeting" law which requires state sub-divisions and agencies to have ALL meeting open Except those about personnel, etc. and the subject of a "closed meeting" must be made public - I think it must be made public Before the "clsoed meeting'.

I personally know this man. I work beside him as a children's volunteer at church. Both he and I have devoted a careers to military service with great sacrifice to our families. When Keith says he can keep taxes low and still have the quality services we need in Collin County, I believe him. I'm proud to display one of his
campaign signs in my yard. First time I've ever had a campaign sign. Al

To Collin County Guy - I never heard of the audit scandal you speak of, but if taxes didn't rise then regardless he's doing a much better job than any one of these other politicians who just want to spend more of your money. The very fact that Collin County taxes rose just 1% over Keith's entire term tells me he's doing something right, and I know for a fact he's taken flak for it too.

I like a County Judge who thinks about the ramifications to the citizens of Collin County rather than what it can do for him. I didn't vote for him to be a rubber stamp for the Commissioners Court, we have to much of that already. There is an elitist community in Collin County that believes they should have their like minded cronies in office so that they can keep control. I personally am tired of business as usual. I want a free thinker who isn't afraid to go against the pack and vote for what he thinks is right for the citizens. You notice I say citizens and not voters, because he represents all the people not just those who show up to vote. Keep it up Keith you're doing a terrific job.

When I review my Collin County Property Taxes, I wonder if anyone in Plano realizes that John Muns and Duncan Webb both were on the PISD Board and have participated in years of lavish tax increases for the Plano School District that makes up the greatest amount on the Collin County Property Tax. They justify these taxes with facetious statements that without good schools, the city cannot grow. But, in the statewide school districts evaluations, Plano is barely garnering acceptable ratings. And, the City is NOT growing. Look at Frisco, Allen, and other towns North of Allen along Central - they are growing. Because their tax rates are lower? I shudder to think of what our County Taxes would be under their oversight.

I will support Keith Self for his control of discretionary spending, and his overall honesty in dealing with Collin County residents.

Let me see if I have this correct: John Muns is accusing Keith Self of jeopardizing county services and the quality of life in Collin County by not raising taxes. Then one might expect that Plano Schools, during Mr. Muns tenure on the Board of Trustees of the Plano Schools, would have raised taxes and improved the quality of the educational services of the Plano Schools. Plano Schools have in fact raised taxes and proudly states that they spend more per pupil than either Allen Schools or Frisco Schools. On the other hand, TAKS scores in Plano Schools lag far behind both Allen Schools and Frisco Schools and the dropout rate in Plano Schools is five times that of Frisco Schools. [And let us not forget that the TAKS scores are only an indication of minimally acceptable academic performance for matriculation to the next grade or for graduation. TAKS scores are not an indication of academic excellence as would be ACT or SAT scores. Is that why Plano Schools no longer publish ACT and SAT scores?] Judge Self, on the other hand, has been implementing programs that improve the quality of life in Collin County while reducing the cost of services. The County Road Paving Program is an example. By paving 50 miles of county road per year, the county permanently reduces the cost of maintaining gravel roads. A question for Mr. Muns: Will you make a public disclosure, by February 1, 2010, of all business enterprises in which Muns Investments LLC, of which you are and have been an officer, has currently or has had during your tenure on the board of trustess of the Plano ISD any financial interest?

I'm not a tea party member, but I went to a forum last night that was sponsored by the tea parties and both Self and Muns were there. I didn't know much about either candidate up to that point. Here's the gist of what I heard from Self--"I have defended the taxpayer and will continue to defend the taxpayer even if it isn't a popular thing to do. I will defend my county even if it makes other folks mad. I'm not in politics for some kind of popularity contest or diplomatic achievement award." Here's the gist of what I heard from Muns--"Blah blah, blah blah blah, blah blah blah blah, blah blah, blah blah blah, blah blah blah blah, blah." Nothing really more than a bunch of hot air void of even a hint of substance, besides the fact that the only ones in the room who seemed to support him were just your run of the mill, entrenched establishment. (Excuse me, but if my memory serves me correctly, it was the "run of the mill" folks who got us in this mess in the first place!) That alone sends up red flags to someone like me who believes in the party platform and is proud to be a registered republican but who votes independently and is smart enough to recognize stupid party games when I see them! So, let me break it down for the voters who might still be undecided--vote for Keith Self if you have brains and care about your county even a little bit OR vote for John Muns if you are (or have a relationship with anyone) who is angry and bitter over losing the last city council election by 40 votes! For me, I brought my Keith Self sign home and put it in the yard last night because I highly suspect Mr. Muns won't preside over collin county any better than he did the failed Wyatt cafeterias. What do you think, Clyde?????

You can watch the debate for yourself here: www.baumbach.org/b2evolution/blogs/index.php. If you hear Mr. Muns say anything of substance, wake me up and let me know...

Where's the comment I left a few days ago? Shame on you!