NEWS
Guns, school safety top Beto O’Rourke Q&A at Tuesday Bowie town hall
By BARBARA GREEN
editor@bowienewsonline.com
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Beto O’Rourke brought his 49-day “Drive for Texas” tour to Bowie Tuesday afternoon and was greeted by a large audience filled with enthusiastic supporters, and an equally ecstatic group of Republican Governor Greg Abbott supporters chanting and marching with signs in front of the Chapman Building.
Very seldom does Bowie see major state candidates visit, but O’Rourke is taking his campaign to every county in the state. North Texas was early on the tour that began on July 20.
When the town hall meeting was announced last week there was a lot of social media rhetoric about mounting a protest outside showing support for Abbott. Some of the Facebook posts even included comments about coming armed with “our AKs, it’s legal for us to carry them,” it stated.
While the candidate travels with his own security which was stationed around the building, Bowie police also were present. Through it all the participants on all sides remained calm. O’Rourke invited those outside to come in and ask questions.
“This is a campaign by and for all of us. Even those who are outside chanting, jumping, even the one who showed up with an AK, but I’m not sure that is what it was. Everyone is welcome to ask questions,” he began.
It was uncertain how many people O’Rourke would draw in Montague County which is a long-time Republican stronghold. Tuesday he told the audience of about 200 he is well aware probability is not on his side.
“Chances are, I’m taking a big leap here, we won’t win Montague County in November; maybe we crack 20%. I’m a dreamer. What matters is we show up for each other. When we win, I will be a governor for all to serve everyone equally. I am trying to earn your vote, your time and effort. Abbott is taking rural communities for granted he thinks your votes are in the bank,” explained O’Rourke.
The 49-year-old candidate touched on many of the campaign’s top issues but audience questions focused on public school education, gun control, marijuana legalization, immigration and health care. He spoke about 50 minutes before taking audience questions.
Read the full story in the weekend Bowie News.
The Bowie City Council will meet at 6 p.m. on May 27 in council chambers.
Items on the agenda include the following: City manager’s report discussing the master plan grant, repairs to Rock and Pillar and status of the substation transformer; consent agenda of minutes and bills; speed limit ordinance update second reading; Bowie 4B Sales Tax Corporation request to approve expenditures on park enhancement project to include additional concrete parking at Pelham Park and installation of covered pickleball courts southwest of the Bowie knife and public comments.
Bowie City Councilors heard complaints about the recently approved food truck ordinance during last week’s meeting and were updated on damage from recent flash flooding.
Mayor Gaylynn Burris also presented a proclamation for Emergency Medical Services Week, as members of the local EMS team were presented with the proclamation.
In his city manager’s report, Bert Cunningham said there were numerous problems with excessive rainfall during the last few weeks, with the most significant at Rock and Pillar where the rusted washed out culverts have been deteriorating for several years. Portions of Rock have collapsed near that intersection closing part of the street.
Another less traveled street had a sinkhole which the city crews have repaired, and two crews have been out trying to fill potholes and make street repairs as they can.
Cunningham told the council they have to figure out a way to pay for the new culverts on Rock and Pillar, and he has been meeting with a pair of engineering companies to get some preliminary estimates that are close to $1,000,000. He also has been talking with the city’s financial advisor to discuss options for financing repairs.
Read the full story in the May 22 Bowie News.
Photo – Mayor Gaylynn Burris presented a proclamation from the City of Bowie for National EMS Recognition Week. Several members of the Bowie EMS team were present: Daniel Fogle, Enrique Roman, Fire Chief Doug Page, Chad Gerlach, Marco Sandoval and Luke Waltersheid. (Courtesy photo)
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