Today was the big day for the City of Hagerstown. There was a special session of a mayor and council meeting where a verbal presentation was given by Bruce Poole and Dane Bauer of the written report that the Sora "dream team" submitted to mayor and council. I think all of Hagerstown has been on the edge of their seats waiting to hear back from them after the city signed a letter 5-weeks ago giving them permission to represent the city in meetings with interested parties regarding the revitalization of downtown. This was followed by a presentation of  Ripken Report II on two alternative sites for a new Suns stadium.  I will post blogs on these presentation separately, begining with the dream team's. Both presentations had tense moments, but overall I walked away with a good feeling about the future of Hagerstown. I'll tell you why, but first I want to give a brief description of each presentation.

   There was a good turnout of government and community stakeholders in attendance: State Delegate John Donoghue, County Commissioners Ruth Ann Callaham and William McKinley, Chamber of Commerce Chairman Brien Poffenberger, Greater Hagerstown Committee Executive Director James Kercheval, a representative from CHIEF, and others, including residents of the community. 

All men recognize the right of revolution; that is, the right to refuse allegiance to and to resist the government, when its tyranny or its inefficiency are great and unendurable.

-Henry David Thoreau

Where is the America we have known?  What is happening to “One Nation," “Under God," “Indivisible," “With Liberty," and “Justice for All?"  Might I propose that Russia’s socialistic ways were a success for one reason and one reason only: Lack of Free Press, creating ignorance!  That’s right; they were uninformed and therefore easily manipulated. So while we still have a choice and while Freedom of Press and Freedom of Speech are still within our rights, its time to take advantage of both before they’re gone. The time to rise is now, America.

Mike Pompeo, the Kansas Congressman from District 4 pens a letter to Senator Max Baucus after Baucus called the Healthcare Bill "a train wreck." It is a wonderful letter and points out that without Baucus the debacle called "Obamacare" would not have passed!!!

This one is worth printing out and passing on!

http://pompeo.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=330089

This is an action moment that we girls need to have a voice to our elected leaders.

Who am I?

I am the voter in charge of my elected representatives. It is time to call or email your employee to make sure they are working for you before the end of this Texas legislative session in May 2013. The next Texas legislature session will be in 2015 unless the governor calls a special session. I have provided a link to help you find your elected representatives at the end of this message.

The people that want these bills to fail are calling, are we going to stop them by taking a few moments to say what we want done. When do I make a difference, now is the time call.

Link to Senate bill SB1406 for status: CSCOPE

http://www.legis.state.tx.us/billlookup/History.aspx?LegSess=83R&Bill=SB1406

Relating to State Board of Education oversight of regional education service center activities concerning certain curriculum management systems.

Link to Senate Bill SB1263 for Status: Failing schools

http://www.legis.state.tx.us/BillLookup/history.aspx?LegSess=83R&Bill=SB1263

Relating to allowing parents to petition for repurposing, alternative management, or closure of certain public school campuses.

Link to Senate Bill SB17 for status: Concealed Hand Gun License for teachers

http://www.legis.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=83R&Bill=SB17

Relating to the training in school safety of certain educators of a school district or an open-enrollment charter school authorized to carry a concealed handgun on school premises.

Please contact your state Representative and urge him or her to support the ones you feel are important to put your voice of support.

Link for Who Represents Me? Call or email to ask if they are for or against the Bill you are supporting and explain why it is important to YOU the voter in charge of their job.

http://www.fyi.legis.state.tx.us/Home.aspx

Who Represent ME? Link is where you enter your address to find out Texas Senate, House of Representatives, US Senate & House of Representatives, and the State Board of Education for your area

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Additional information video on what is CSCOPE and a video on what Senator Dan Patrick has done on SB1406.

• What is in Scope and how did 80% of schools in Texas adopt it. David Barton breaks down what he did as 1 of 6 expert reviewers appointed by the Texas State Board of Education.

http://www.video.theblaze.com/media/video.jsp?content_id=25682189

• Senator Dan Patrick on Texas Senate Bill 1406 and why is it important to have oversight of SCOPE.

http://www.video.theblaze.com/media/video.jsp?content_id=25682289