Candidates impress the area press

Two statewide candidates for office impressed the members of the Panhandle Press Association last week at the group’s 100th annual convention in Canadian.

Attorney General Greg Abbott addressed newspaper men and women on Thursday night, and Democratic gubernatorial nominee Bill White spoke at the Friday Luncheon.

A third statewide candidate, Democrat Barbara Ann Radnofsky, who is running against Abbott, was scheduled to appear at the convention but was unable to attend due to a bout of pneumonia.

Abbott spoke on a subject near and dear to the members of the press, that being open government, and specifically the Texas Open Meetings Act. Abbott’s office has come up with innovative ways to educate elected officials about the requirements of the law, although it remains unclear how many of them actually appreciate the spirit of the law.

Abbott specifically addressed a lawsuit that is being brought by several parties which seeks to undermine the penalties for violating the Open Meetings Act by arguing that the law infringes on the free speech rights of elected officials by restricting what they can say to each other outside of an open meeting. In other words, some elected officials want to be able to discuss in secret the business that ought to be public. Abbott said he is prepared to defend the Open Meetings Act all the way to the US Supreme Court.

The attorney general also said that the act needs to be reviewed since social networking Internet sites, such as Facebook and Twitter, are blurring some of the lines about what is acceptable communications.

Another topic on Abbott’s agenda is a lawsuit the State of Texas and several other states have filed questioning the constitutionality of the new federal health care law. Abbott said the law’s requirement that every American must purchase health insurance would dramatically expand the powers granted Congress under the commerce clause, and he noted that there would be no limit to what the government could force you to buy.

The act also tramples on the tenth amendment, Abbott said, which reserves the right to regulate health insurance to the state governments.

White, the former mayor of Houston, made a strong impression with members of the press just by showing up after Governor Perry was “too busy” to address the group, and he followed that up by making a lot of sense during his remarks.

White focused on public and higher education as a key responsibility of state government and specifically criticized Perry’s veto of some funds for community colleges three years ago. He said he wants to work with everyone for what is best for Texas and pointed to his record in Houston of strong fiscal policies, bi-partisan accomplishments, and re-election wins with 80 and 90 percent of the vote.

White also said he would listen to as many points of view as possible even though he wouldn’t always agree with every view.

The mayor praised the press and said democracy has four main pillars – an educated people, a method by which the people get information about the government without bias (i.e., the press), people willing to run for office, and people getting out to vote.

Both White and Abbott are to be commended for making the trip to Canadian. While they both no doubt relished the opportunity to address dozens of journalists, their appearances shows a respect not just for the press but for you, our readers. These men took the time to come to a rural West Texas town because they knew it was a way to speak to you through columns like this. And that respect is something to consider as you prepare to cast your ballots this November.

A tip of the hat…

One of the most talked about conventions of the West Texas Press Association continues to be the 2006 convention in Clarendon. Four years later, members of the press are still bragging on it and telling your humble editor what a good time they had here. Now the members of the Panhandle Press Association also have a convention to talk about, and the 2010 gathering in
Canadian will likely be the yardstick by which future PPA conventions are measured for many years.

The convention, which is usually held in Amarillo, was returned to its birthplace this year to celebrate the past 100 years. The Canadian Record, led by Laurie Ezzell Brown and Mary Smithee, hosted the event; and together with the people of their fair city, they put on a first class convention with venues, speakers, and meals that just blew the socks off everyone in attendance.

If you haven’t been to Canadian lately, it’s time to take a road trip. You will be impressed.

And a sad goodbye…

The Enterprise family lost one of its own last week – Bob Kidd, the grandfather of Contributing Editor Ashlee Estlack and Office Director Anndria Newhouse. He left his mark on his family and his community through his love and service. He is missed, but we still hear his laughter in his children and grandchildren. We will cherish his memory forever.