Senior Leadership Northeast Minutes from February 10, 2010

The February 10, 2010 meeting of Senior Leadership Northeast was convened at the Colleyville Chamber of Commerce building at 9:00 AM by Chairman Ed Havran.

 There were twenty two (22) individuals present representing four (9) Northeast Tarrant County cities.

 Sunny Meeks with the Colleyville Chamber of Commerce welcomed the group to the Chamber. 

 The Chairman stated the ground rules for the candidates which would allow 10 minutes for each candidate to be followed by a question and answer session at the end of the individual candidate’s presentation.  Jack Lewis was to act as time keeper.  Candidates included the following.

 District 91

 Charles Scoma -  Mr. Scoma began by providing a bio including prior public offices, and numerous civic organizations which he has served.  He stated he was a fiscal conservative and has plans to improve education and transportation.  He supports restricting Federal Government mandates, and combining services between Government entities. 

 Kelly Hancock – Mr. Hancock has served two terms, and is now running for a third term.  He provided his bio, and cited endorsements.  He did not take the entire allotted 10 minutes.

 District 91

Jeff Cason – Mr Cason gave his bio, and stated that he was more conservative than his opponend who is not representing conservative principles.  He cited endorsements.  He stated he supports state rights, and is opposed to unfunded Federal mandates.

Todd Smith – Mr. Smith gave his bio, and stated he has served for 7 terms.  He summarized his experience, and cited his endorsements.  He strongly responded to Mr. Cason’s criticism.  He stated that he supports a voter ID bill, and he supports disclosure about who is financing elections.

District 98

Richard Deotto – Mr Deotte gave his bio, and stated he was a conservative.  He does not want to raise tax.  He criticized HB 1875 which he stated his opponent had association.  This bill would require a health insurance plan for students prior to entry in college, and would double costs for new students. He also criticized his opponent for association with HB3325 regarding end of life decisions.

 Vicki Truitt – Ms Truitt gave her bio, and stated she was a conservative, and opposed OBAMA care and anything socialized.  She also stated she supports voter ID, and opposes property tax increased.

Question and Answer Session

A number of questions was directed at individual candidates.  Mr. Jack Lewis asked each candidate to respond with a yes or no to the following question:  “Would you support a gas tax increase?”  Responses by each candidate are stated below:

 Mr. Scoma stated he would need to see the circumstance, and could not answer yes or no at this time.

Mr. Hancock answered: no.

Mr. Cason answered: no. Mr. Smith answered: no.

Mr. Deotte  answered: no.

Mr. Smith answered: no.

Ms Truitt declined to answer because the question was complicated.

Chairman Havran thanked the candidates for participating in the meeting, and wished them luck in the forthcoming election.

 Meeting was adjourned at 10:30 AM.  Next meeting will be March 16.

 Respectfully submitted, Rebecca Barksdale