Thursday, April 25, 2024
Hood County was under a tornado watch with the possibility of another hailstorm, yet more than 40 people turned out last Thursday night for the inaugural meeting of United Republicans of Hood County.
The group, originally a political action committee called Hood County Forward, was created to restore party principles and to push back against a political element that its members feel has caused division through personal attacks, false or misleading information, and refusal to consider differing viewpoints.
“The political scene in our county has become incredibly toxic and that has kept many people from participating in our elections,” Bret Deason said in a press release sent to the Hood County News the day after URofHC met at Farina’s Winery & Café on the square. “We hope this group can change that. We believe in Ronald Reagan’s ‘big tent’ philosophy: all Republicans are welcome, but unanimity of thought is not required.”
Former Granbury School Board trustee Nancy Alana stated, “We want people to be involved in our local government. They should have a place to debate issues without fear of being targeted or harassed for having a different opinion.”
The new organization has a logo and a website that is under construction at URoHC.org (no “f” is in the web address).
A program was printed for its inaugural meeting. Issues discussed included member recruitment, primary elections, and how United Republicans of Hood County will be involved in the community, a topic that many in attendance felt was particularly important.
“We have to be active,” former chamber president and CEO Mike Scott said. “We will be at council meetings, commissioner meetings, and school board meetings. We plan to be involved in the process of governing our county and our communities.”
Although last week’s gathering was the group’s first official monthly meeting, the organization has already become involved in local politics. Last December, under its previous name of Hood County Forward, the group sent a letter to the Upper Trinity Groundwater Conservation District board asking the board to disregard a letter sent by Precinct 4 Commissioner Dave Eagle regarding a vacated seat designated for Hood County.
The UTGCD board makes decisions about water rights.
Eagle’s letter was an attempt to thwart a 3-2 vote by the Commissioners Court to recommend Mike Massey, a former longtime UTGCD board member and board president, for the vacated seat.
Hood County Forward’s letter bore 42 names, including prominent local residents and current and former elected officials.
The vacated seat still hangs in the balance, but Eagle did succeed in rescinding the court’s November vote for Massey and replacing it with a recommendation for Bob Lusk. He did so in January with the help of newly seated Precinct 2 Commissioner Nannette Samuelson and Precinct 1 Commissioner Kevin Andrews.
The still-unresolved situation has riled anger locally.
United Republicans of Hood County are focused on more than just the UTGCD seat, though.
“Elections are just around the corner,” member Marilyn Luton said. “We are already planning how to get our membership active and involved.”
Anyone interested in joining the organization can email URofHC@gmail.com for more information.
Details regarding URofHC’s April meeting will be announced at a later date.
