As the Justice of the Peace, I am prepared to serve the citizens of Hays County 24 hours a day.  There are many responsibilities with this appointment, and I know I am ready to serve the citizens of Hays County.

One of the saddest jobs of the Justice of the Peace, but also one of the most important ones, is pronouncing a person dead.  Families and Law Enforcement need a compassionate Justice of the Peace who will respond in a timely manner to the death scene.  I have been told you can not expect a judge to always be available.  I say as a public servant not only can you expect it, you should demand it from all your elected officials. I will never forget who I work for.  I will work for the citizens.

Another reason I decided to seek this position was to bring fair rulings to the court based on common sense and facts.  That common sense and equality will extend to the setting of bail for arrested persons.  Bail will never be used as a form of punishment.  Rather, the amount of the bail will be that amount which will guarantee the person will show up for court.  There will be times when P.R. bonds will be enough, other times monetary amounts will be needed.  Again, judgment will be based on common sense, equality, and fairness.

Most importantly, I understand and accept the fact being a public servant is not an eight to five, Monday through Friday job.  The first plank of my platform was to extend the hours of the court one night a week to allow access to the court for those who could not get off work or out of class before 5 p.m.  Prior to me bringing up this issue, the only people who could exercise their constitutional right to be heard in court were those who could get to the court Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.  The current judge has recently announced she will start having a clerk stay at a service window until 7 p.m. one night a week to accept payment of fines (something you can already do on-line).  I am glad to see after three and half years she finally agrees it is important to stay open late.  However, there is a difference between what she is now doing and what I will be doing.  I will be staying late, not just a clerk.  I will be the elected official.  I am the one who needs to be accessible to the people, not only clerks.  The constitution gives every person the right to be heard in court.  That was not being done in this precinct until I brought up the issue.  Again, I am happy the current judge has now realized she was not allowing everybody the right to be heard in court, but when elected, I will do more.

I am reminded of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King when he said, “A right delayed, is a right denied.”

I will never deny anyone of their rights.