(audience chattering)
-: To go ahead and introduce you.
I'd like you all to meet Mr. James Paschal,
he is the candidate for Constable of Precinct 7.
Mr. Paschal.
-: I am, like you said, James Paschal.
I'm running for Constable of Precinct 7.
I am presently the acting Constable of Precinct 7,
following the death of Constable Pranza,
had served there for 34 years and nine months.
I have been in that office for 25 years.
I have served as a Chief Deputy the last 17 years.
In the last three years of Mr. Panza's illness
I have been in total charge of the office and its operation.
I've worked in all phases of the office
from administration, present procedures,
to everything connected with the office.
From civil process to warrants, to executions,
and working the legislative section for the last 17 years
through our state association.
I have changed some of the laws
that deal with your lives and give command daily
on how to make them more fair and more equitable
in the civil process.
Some of the candidates will tell you
that they want to change the criminal justice system
and Dallas County and Constable do not deal
in the criminal justice system
in a great majority of their procedures.
98% of what we do is related to civil process.
The other 2% deals with class C misdemeanor check warrants.
So we deal almost totally with the civil court system.
We are the enforcement arm of the civil district courts,
the civil county courts,
and the justice courts in Dallas County.
And those are the things that we deal with
and we address day-to-day.
And I think that's about 2 minutes.
-: Fine, yeah. A little bit over.
Oh, we'll have time for that at the end.
-: Okay.
-: Let's go ahead with your response for our questionnaire.
I believe everyone should have
a blank questionnaire in front of them.
Yes?
If not, you can get one at the back of the room.
The answer to question number one, yes.
Number two. Yes.
Number three. Yes.
Number four. No.
And number five. Yes.
And if we could open the questions from the floor.
(audience member asking indistinct question)
Oh, I'm sorry. Yes.
Mr. Paschal is seeking the endorsement of LGPC.
LGPAC, excuse me.
He did of course schedule his streaming session here
with us and he does plan to attend our
Candidates Night on Tuesday, February 2nd at 7:30.
One thing you might explain Mr. Pascal,
where is Precinct 7?
What does that account for-
-: Precinct 7 basically starts at I-35 and the Trinity River.
It runs South to Ewing Boulevard.
Runs south out in Ewing to Illinois,
east on Illinois to Corinth street.
South on Corinth to approximately Kiest,
and you'll run down to Kiest West about four blocks,
and over on Maryland to Holden back East to 35.
So encompasses Oak Cliff,
the south sector of Oak Cliff,
Arcadia Park, Cockrell Hill, Kessler, and West Dallas.
All within the confines of the city of Dallas city limits.
Questions?
-: Could you tell me a little bit
about what your role is in hiring deputies,
and more talk about the Deputy Constable?
And what the ethnic composition
is across the board for Dallas.
-: The ethnic composition?
Are you talking about minorities in relation to percentages?
(audience member asking question indistinctly)
-: Okay. We've got 17 deputies.
Two of those are court based.
We have two Black deputies.
One which is my opponent that I recommended
for his job position 10 years ago.
Two Black deputies, two Hispanic deputies.
One Hispanic clerk
Of the last three positions that were hired
within our office
when I was totally in charge
of hiring because of Constable Pranza's illness,
two were minorities.
Both of them were Hispanic.
-: What is the composition of precincts
being plurality Black,
do you see that changing in another ten years?
-: I think that is a misconception.
They say that, well, the population bracket.
Let me start with population.
Out of 247,000 of population in the precincts,
in 1980 the breakdown was 41% Black,
23% Hispanic and 37% Anglo.
And I'm sure those figures have changed probably right now
about 46% Black, probably 23 Anglo,
I mean, Hispanic and the rest Anglo.
I can see that growth coming, yes.
I have worked with the community.
I have no problem with race or any other problems.
We hired dedicated, qualified,
experienced people to serve the community.
Constable Vanley was the first elected official
in Dallas County to hire a Black employee
on equal basis to every other Deputy in the office.
During re-districting back 12 years ago
when they created a Black precinct,
the newly elected officials or the appointed officials
in Precinct 8 wanted only Black Deputies.
It took 12 Black deputies out of our office to establish
and create that precinct with qualified people.
So that's what changed the makeup,
or the percentage make up within our office.
-: Additional questions?
Al.
-: What do you think sets you apart from the other people
in this race that would make it (indistinct),
considering most of you.
-: I think you look at the qualified people,
people that have experience
and qualifications for the job.
And I think I have proven credentials that I have
been running that office in the last three years
during Constable Vanley's illness.
I worked in every aspect of that office, civil deputy,
criminal deputy and execution deputy,
assistant chief deputy and then
promoted to the chief deputy
where I've been serving for 17 years.
I worked through the budget process with commissions court,
decent with the personnel department, litigation department,
and the commissions court.
And then along with the service that I have in office,
I lead with legislative matters, the legislative process.
We initiated and created a training program
for civil deputies in the state of Texas,
which was never available before.
They were officers in the state of Texas,
to be certified in commission as a officer.
During the original program it was 240 hours
basic training, classroom hours.
It was four hours civil training.
They increased that training program to 440 hours.
They increased civil training to six hours.
The civil process training has never been available
but through our efforts and a lot of mayor pressing often.
Creating a program for in-service training
and mandatory training because officers were getting
more qualified, more experienced, more knowledgeable
of things that affect your rights in a civil lawsuit.
This training was available until we initiated that program
and got the financing, state grants
to approve the enhancement.
Last year through 10 schools, we trained 1,185
officers in a civil process.
Each of them went 20 hours of in-service training
and that's an ongoing 20 hours training each year.
I think that I have met the guidelines
and proven that I can run an office efficiently.
I know the procedures and the training requirements
that we need to operate and serve our community.
-: Peter.
-: Did you have any reluctance
in serving neighbors (indistinct).
And how would you react if a member of your staff
insisted on wearing gloves or a mask, or protective guards?
It's not going to serve you in some places.
It's not going to consistently serve
somebody who is known or suspected to have any regard for,
you know, deputy violence.
-: I have no problem with that.
In fact, about four out of five days a week
we have to transport prisoners from the Dallas County Jail
to our two courts for hearings.
So we get with the courts all the time.
This is a victim, this one got that,
and this one got that.
So, we transport them everyday.
We don't wear no gloves, we don't wear masks
to transport people, like, they're people.
The service or the process,
to get back to what you asked me.
I think transporting prisoners deals more closely
with what you asked me.
That's why I answered you in that direction.
I don't have a problem with serving any papers anytime.
-: Are there additional questions?
If not, Mr. Paschal, we thank you.
If you want press on to the summation.
-: For summation?
Once again I would like to tell you
that, you know, I have three opponents.
One has got 10 years experience out in the field.
He's not serving yet.
In fact, he's going to head out this time.
He has the training and the quantification of experience
in the background that I have in law enforcement,
and works basically with civil law enforcement.
He was our next best option for about four years.
And a Hispanic is running.
He has 12 years of experience in another office
and all of his was still good.
The other candidate that's running
has been in the private security business,
has no training or qualifications in civil law enforcement.
73% of the cases in the state of Texas
within our court system are civil law enforcement.
Neither candidate is somebody who's serving
in the community that isn't experienced
and qualified in civil law enforcement.
I have that background and the credentials,
and I have a proven record as one of
the most efficient officers in Dallas County.
I will commit to you and I will continue
running office for Lesbians, Trans, for everybody.
I need your growth, I need your support,
and that will build the community.
I think (indistinct) for Precinct 7.
Thank you for having me.
(audience applauding)
-: I'll go ahead and introduce him.
This is Eddie Morgan, who is a candidate
for Precinct Chair 3304.
That is Democratic Precinct Chair. Correct?
-: Yeah. -: Yep.
Okay.
So I explained just a moment ago,
we'll open with, you know, starting with you two.
Give an opening statement about two minutes in length,
then I'll read your responses to the questionnaire,
we open questions from the floor,
and then another two minutes for you to give a summation.
-: Okay. -: Okay.
Unmute your mic to go ahead and start.
-: Hey there. My name is Eddie Morgan.
I am Vice President of the Oak Lawn Democrats.
I open my candidacy and hope to get your support
for Precinct Chairman in 3304.
I've lived in Oak Lawn for three years.
I've been a longtime resident of Dallas County.
I grew up in Pleasant Grove,
graduated from Duncanville Centennial High School.
I continued my education at El Centro Junior College
for the licensing of vocational nurse.
I have experience at the precinct level.
I was Precinct Chairman in 3327 from 1980 to 1986.
I'm proud to announce that I grew
up in the precinct of former County Councilman
Mack Bigobrad and County Commissioner, Jim Cunning.
The reason that I decided to run
for Precinct Chairman is because I don't think that,
I think we need to get more organized and we might.
When I was a Precinct Chairman
I did have barbecues with the candidates and so forth.
I don't think my opponent has brought
anybody to the community.
So I look forward to receiving your endorsement. Thank you.
-: Thank you, Eddie.
Okay, I'll read Mr. Morgan's responses to our questionnaire.
Should have a blank questionnaire in front of you,
the general candidate questionnaire.
If you do not, there are some at the back of the room.
Okay.
Response to question number one. Yes.
Number two. Yes.
Number three. Yes.
Number four. No.
Number five. Yes.
And answer to the items at the bottom of the questionnaire.
Mr. Morgan is seeking the endorsement of LGPAC.
He did schedule and is here before us
for the screening session.
And he does plan to attend the LGPC Candidates Night,
7:30 on Tuesday, February 2nd.
Okay. We'll open the questions.
All right.
One question I might have is
what are the boundaries of 3304?
-: It's Cedar Springs, Oak Lawn, and along on 80.
-: And what activities would you put into place to
increase the number of voters in
the democratic primary of your precinct?
-: I think it's good to know the candidates, right?
When I was Precinct Chairman in 3324,
Shawn Vance was running for sheriff,
and I had a barbecue in my parents' backyard,
or you can meet like at a recreational center
and meet the candidates in the precinct.
-: Okay. Yep.
Are there additional questions?
I guess not.
-: Maybe you can tell us about maybe some of the other
activities that you plan on doing in your precinct,
as Precinct Chairs to get out and vote on election night.
-: Lately it's been phone calling and walking.
Not only that but I had precinct parties,
that way you know who is going to be
at your precinct convention for the delegates.
You know, I've had, like, fast place social
and just a placing point.
-: Okay.
I guess, there are no additional questions.
Oh, I'm sorry.
-: How long have you been inside 3304?
-: For three years.
-: For three?
(audience member asking indistinct question)
-: Yes, I have.
-: Okay, if there are no additional questions,
we'll go to an opportunity for you to summarize.
-: I just want to gain your support.
Thanks for letting me be here. Thanks.
-: Thank you, Eddie. Mr. Morgan.
(audience applauding)
Okay, our candidate before us at this time is
Mr. Samuel W. Hudson III,
candidate for State Legislative District 100.
Mr. Hudson.
-: I certainly appreciate being able to,
I appreciate your invitation to invite me here
and I'm very happy to be here.
But I'd like to say that
I feel very endeared
to everyone here because of the fact
that going back to the acception of my career.
I have always had your organization to encourage me,
to give me good advice, to give me the type
of friendship and people who have been
very helpful to me through the years.
That, I am very ingratiated for.
And I want to let you know that I appreciate you
in that respect above and beyond anything
that we have attempted to do in the legislation.
And so far as my efforts are concerned,
I want to continue my efforts to abolish 2106,
and to parody the necessary legislation in the legislation.
I know that has been a situation
in which has to be worked by feel and touch.
And, I'm looking at Al here who I have
sought his advice out through the years
in attacking 2106.
You know, on many occasions I have wanted
to file 2106 just because of the fact that
I want to file it and I want to undertake the effort
to see that it gets through the legislature successfully.
But discretion has been apart of the ballot
is what I've been told in many instances.
And, and certainly that has been true.
But I think the time has come to actually
go forward with the 2106,
and just for the sake of the fact
that it needs to be held in the legislation.
We, in previous legislatures, have gotten
to that point almost but we've been trying other things.
But I want you to know that I'm wholeheartedly set
upon doing what is necessary in the legislature to
be able to address the needs of all concerns
so far as the problems that we have set with.
I'm not afraid.
-: Time is out. -: Okay.
-: That's the opening. We'll give you more time at the end.
-: Okay. -: (chuckles) Okay.
Now, onto the questionnaire.
You should have a blank legislative candidate
questionnaire in front of you at this time.
If you don't have one,
there are ones at the back of the room.
Okay, in response to question number one,
Mr. Hudson wrote yes.
Number two. Yes.
Number three. Yes.
Number four. Yes.
And number five. Yes.
The items at the bottom of the page.
Mr. Hudson in seeking the endorsement of LGPAC.
He did schedule and is here before us
at this screening session.
And he does plan to attend the LGPC Candidates Night
at 7:30 on Tuesday, February 2nd.
Okay, are there questions from the floor?
Yeah.
(audience member asking question indistinctly)
-: Yes.
(audience member asking question indistinctly)
Everything that's Betty, you know, Betty Laber?
And whoever works with her has asked me to do it.
I've always been, wanted to,
matter of fact when I, you know,
I don't want to sound too overzealous.
But I have truly been, in previous sessions,
I have wanted to do something finite
in respect to gay rights.
And it's always been 2106, which is the instrument
and policy upon which that can be accomplished.
So for, as Betty is concerned,
Betty has, sort of, been a monitor as to how
to handle that effort.
And I have always worked with her in that respect
on a total basis whenever we're in session,
whatever she has apprehended things that would
have any significance, anything to do with that effort.
-: I think the question was, have you met
Betty Laber's replacement Glenn Maxi who is currently
in office is where we're getting at.
-: Oh, I believe I have but, you know,
I have to say that I recall per se.
But I see Betty all the time.
-: Oh, she's still a very active one-
-: Right.
-: In regards to many of our issues.
Al, you had a question.
-: Hudson, you have an opponent this time.
What do you think sets you apart from your opponents
that's proven better to consider your endorsement?
-: Well, I don't know who he is.
To tell you the truth, I don't know my opponents.
I don't know what, I know that they're,
I guess you'd say the general
composition of my philosophy and myself
would set me apart from him.
And the fact that I have experience that he doesn't have.
And I know people that often the other one doesn't know
and I have the know-how that he certainly doesn't have.
And the 15 years of prior legislative experience
that I'm certain he doesn't have.
-: Yep. Question?
Didn't I see your hands up?
More questions?
Yes. Certainly.
-: I came up with a new question (laughing).
-: Oh. (audience laughing)
-: I understand that your legislative is predominantly Black.
Do you find the probability that support
for a Representative would come quicker
in an urban Black legislative district?
Or perhaps (indistinct)
-: Yes. I believe so.
-: Why would you say that?
-: Because of the fact that we have sort of,
I guess you'd say,
have the inmate empathy that the stuffed shirts
or the upper echelon don't have to North Dallas.
Because we experience the same problems of discrimination.
In essence, it's the same thing.
And we are, I guess you would say,
we are understanding of what true discrimination means
where others are not.
Because it's not the type of situation
in which a lot of people think it is
as just a Black/White situation.
It's basic in the minds of other people,
which can be just as discriminatory as a depiction of color.
We are denied things that,
in the same way that,
well, we understand how it to be denied
just as well as you do based on discriminatory philosophy.
So, my district is comprised of minorities basically.
And that is the reason that I think that we are more
amenable than understanding in that respect.
-: Since we've all had a chance to speak with you
on many occasions, coming before us to screen
in many aspects, and also speaking with you at other times,
that I'm sure is why most of us have already
had our questions answered.
-: Okay.
-: Okay, so we can just move right into your summation.
-: All right.
Well, I just want to say that
I have appreciated over the years getting a chance
to know as quite a group of people as you all.
And that's why I was saying that,
I don't want to say it in what would
be considered trite terms.
But I just feel like I am a part of the effort and
I'm not afraid to move forward
in any fashion in that respect.
I have no reservation.
I would like to see 2106 repealed and would do
everything that I can to make that become a reality.
As well as all other aspects, you know.
So far as the AIDS situation and the answers
in that respect that can be solved legislatively.
I'd just like to be a part of it.
-: Thank you very much.
Thank you Mr. Hudson. -: Thank you.
(audience applauding)
-: And our candidate before us at this time
is Mr. Charles R. Rose, who is candidate
for Justice of the Peace, Precinct 8.
Okay. Mr. Rose, the floor is yours.
-: Thank you.
Excuse me. I'm just getting over the flu (chuckles).
My name is Charles Rose and I am a candidate
for Justice of the Peace.
I presently serve on the school board
at Ridgemont Independent School district.
This is my fourth year.
I'm a native Dallasite born and raised.
Like I say, I get involved in the political arena
for many many many years.
I have enjoyed the support of this organization in full.
I ran for state legislature back in '76, Precinct 8.
Al, Mr. Al Crawford and I
have become acquainted with each other.
But I've been in the delivery room for quite some time.
The reason I'm running for this office of JP
is because I feel like it's an office of service.
The reason I'm running, two things that I believe
is important, that's why I feel like
I'm the best candidate.
One of them is commitment
and I'm committed to a better life.
I'm committed to my community and service.
I have served my community for many years
and I think those things are important for any
candidate strive and want to excel in the political arena.
I've been involved with many organizations.
I continue to be involved.
I said, my involvement is not a political involvement.
Although, everyone might say I'm a perennial candidate,
Al, but this it's a commitment of concern
that I really feel like that I can make a difference.
I feel like that as long as no matter what,
if I was in politics for personal reason,
I would have been had left the arena a long time ago.
But it's important to have good people
in office who is concerned, who has understanding,
and that's going to deal with everybody.
I think that is the main thing.
I think that's what the office of JP stands for.
-: Time.
And the questionnaire.
You should have in front of you at this time,
the traditional candidate questionnaire, a blank one.
If not, there are additional blank ones
in the back of the room.
And the answer to question number one,
Mr. Rose wrote yes.
Question number two. Yes.
Number three. Yes.
Number four. Yes.
Number five. Yes.
Of the items at the bottom of the questionnaire,
Mr. Rose checked that he is seeking
the endorsement of the LGPAC.
And he is, of course, appearing before us tonight
at our screening session.
Now, if we could open the floor to questions.
(all laughing)
Yeah?
-: Could you explain the answer to number four, please?
-: Okay, and possibly if I read the question
for everyone concerned.
Do you believe that persons who have AIDS
or ARC, AIDS-Related Complex,
or who had positive AIDS antibody tests should be
discriminated against in employment, housing, insurance
education, public accommodations, and or public services?
-: Okay.
That's my fault 'cause I did not mean to.
Let me explain one thing.
I just took my hand out of a cast.
I protested to that (laughs).
I just went to the doctor, they took my hand out of a cast.
For my campaign, I did, I filled this out
the night just before I came here.
And I did make a mistake that I didn't read the
question fully but in my explanation, no.
What I'm saying is I don't feel like
anyone should be discriminated against
in any form, fashion, whatsoever.
And I guess, especially with me being Black,
I can understand and relate to being discriminated against.
And I don't think what color, race, whatever,
a mental disease, whatever, should be discriminated
because we all are Americans.
We all have that right.
It's civil rights where we should have,
shouldn't have to be discriminated against.
I should never be discriminated against
for any reason, cause, or color, or disease.
It's just like any other thing, you know?
I think the biggest problem that we have
is lack of knowledge.
People just don't understand
and people don't have the knowledge.
And we all go through this change just like years ago.
I know they thought all Black folks had tails, you know?
(audience laughing)
But, and I'm not, I'm just saying,
when you don't know, when you don't have an understanding
about the disease, you jump to all of conclusions.
I understand that a person that might have AIDS
or whatever might not harm specifically
someone next to him, to touch.
But you got to have enough knowledge to go
learn, and understand, and find out about things
instead of jumping to conclusions.
We are an emotional society.
Most of us get emotion about things
and they don't really try to seek the real answer.
But that's a mistake on my part and I do apologize.
I'm sorry.
-: I'm all ears.
(audience laughing)
-: Okay.
-: You're changing your answer there.
-: Huh?
-: So, you're changing your answer?
-: I'm changing it? Well, naw.
It's just a mistake, I'm not changing it.
No, obviously it was a mistake. Oversight on my part.
I want to be clear in giving that out.
-: Okay.
-: But yeah, it's that. It's a mistake.
And I apologize for the mistake.
-: I'm sure with the permission of this group
we can allow Mr. Rose to reexamined us.
(audience laughing)
-: Pleasure.
-: Okay. Jose was next.
(audience member asking question indistinctly)
-: We have discussed that at length.
We have not had to deal with it, we have discussed it.
We have eight educational program
where we tried to enlighten, we have purchased
a number of pieces of literature
where we tried to educate our young people.
We have classes, the counselors have different classes
for the board has approved for them to have
counseling classes to enlighten them.
Because what we see happening
is that panic situation happening,
and it's really not a cause for panic.
It just calls for understanding
and dealing with the problem.
And that's basically what we've done.
We've tried to educate our people, our staff,
we sent out staff people out to counseling, I mean,
to schools, different counseling services
that that's been provided by Regional 10.
They're really good, they have a good program,
and we've sent out people to that program
to educate themselves and the problem.
And they in turn can come back to the school district
and provide to their students,
not only the other faculty members but our students as well.
(audience member asking question indistinctly)
One of the things that I've mentioned earlier
is commitment and service.
You know, I'm committed to this whole community.
I think it's important.
My service just speaks for itself.
I've worked in many organization.
But number one, I think is sensitivity and understanding.
I'm not bragging.
You know, but I had
my experience basically dealing with many members
that they've allowed, coming before this organization
many many times for their endorsement.
In fact, when 2106 first came out,
when it first came up and we was trying to kill it.
I'm one of the main ones that came out
as a legislative candidate.
As a legislative candidate I came out and supported 2106
when all the rest of them,
a lot of them wouldn't even come out.
So I had never, you know,
I think that is the main thing to be assisted
not only to that position but to hold uphold
the needs of everyone.
And that's what you'd have to be.
You know, you can't look at things through
a small microscope, you got to look at the total picture.
But I feel like that would be an asset.
I think that I would be helpful if there is a problem
I would be sensitive to it.
I don't have all the answers, but I have an open ear,
an open court, and I will sit and listen.
And if there was any way that I could help with the problem,
I'll be the first on the bandwagon leading the charge.
(audience member asking question indistinctly)
Yes, uh huh.
-: Are there additional questions?
Okay, all right then.
Mr. Rose, two minutes. Summation, please.
-: Well, number one, I really appreciate the opportunity just
to come before you tonight, but I'm really
seeking your endorsement.
I'll make this commitment that my court
will be an open court.
That I have a desire to serve my community.
If there's ever a need or a problem that I can help with
that I will be there for you.
And I just think this court is important because
of the fact that we have out of the 30,000 cases
that was filed in this court last year,
they are not phase two of this court.
He had 24,000 of those cases.
Place one is the presence of justice,
JP (indistinct).
I'm not being critical, but it's just time for change.
It's time for someone in that court
that can handle the case load.
It's going to deal with the cases.
Many of you are business people
who have education cases filed.
You might have peace fund cases you might have filed
but when you come and file all of those cases
you want speedy action on them.
That's what I want to be, a full time Justice of the Peace,
working for the people, and that's why
I think with an advantage.
And that's why I need your support
and that's why I'm seeking your support.
That's good.
-: Very good. Thank you, Ms. Rose.
We appreciate you.
(audience applauding)
(audience chattering)
-: It was mistake a on my part, rushing through there,
and I'm rushing through here.