NEWS
Guns, school safety top Beto O’Rourke Q&A at Tuesday Bowie town hall
By BARBARA GREEN
[email protected]
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.
City of Bowie officials were on hand to inspect the emergency electrical generators that were delivered last week.
Mayor Gaylynn Burris and City Manager Bert Cunningham inspected one of three emergency electrical generators purchased as part of an ongoing Federal Emergency Management Agency Hazard Mitigation Grant. They also talked with Jay Evans, head of the city electric department, and Jerry Sutton, director of the water treatment plant about the next step for installation of the generators.
This grant provides funding for one 150 kW and two 250 kW generators for use at the water treatment plant.
Read the full story in the mid-week Bowie News.
City Manager Bert Cunningham and Mayor Gaylynn Burris talk with the electric and water department staff about the new generators. (Photo by Cindy Roller)
No action was taken on a legal issue after members of the Bowie City Council met in a called closed session at 4 p.m. on July 12.
City Secretary Sandy Page said the council met for almost one hour for “consultation with attorney – Midwest Waste Services LLC vs. City of Bowie.
This lawsuit goes back to August 2019 when Midwest sued the city for its action requiring those who receive city water outside the city limits to use the designated waste collector, which is Waste Connections. This was shortly after the city signed a new long-term contract with WC.
The suit was dismissed in June 2020 on two points in the suit, but City Manager Bert Cunningham said a third point remained in mediation.
The Department of Public Safety has provided information on an auto vs. motorcycle accident that reportedly occurred on July 4.
James Lee Hilton, Nocona, was driving a 2019 Harley-Davidson motorcycle and Daniel Parra, Chico, was driving a 2018 Ford Fiesta. Both vehicles were north on State Highway 101 outside Sunset with the motorcycle behind the car.
Parra was attempting to turn left on Farm-to-Market Road 2265 when the motorcyclist attempted to unsafely pass to the left states the report. The bike struck the left side of the Fiesta. Both vehicles came to rest off the roadway on the northwest corner of SH 101 and FM 2265.
Hilton was transported to Denton Medical City with
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