Mineral Wells Area News

Dear Editor,

I write today in response to a letter submitted by Mr. Steve Gray, “leadership team member” of the Palo Pinto County Conservatives group. Unlike Mr. Gray, I don’t have a cheesy cliché to begin my letter. Instead, I write to simply say that Mr. Gray conveniently forgot to mention a few things in his letter.

First, he alludes to Rep. Glenn Rogers referring to someone scheduled to speak to Mr. Gray’s group as a neo-Nazi chauffeur. He then moves on without clarifying. Rep. Rogers was alluding to Chris Russo, founder and president of a group called “Texans for Strong Borders.” Russo hosted and chauffeured Nick Fuentes when he visited Pale Horse Strategies last October. Fuentes is a self-avowed anti-Semite who thought Hitler was “cool.” Using an alias, Russo celebrated Fuentes’ abhorrent behavior. If memory serves me, Russo withdrew from speaking at Mr. Gray’s event after people learned about his behavior.

The “enemy of public education” Rogers alluded to, Michael Quinn Sullivan. Sullivan has been openly hostile to public education, going so far as to say, “A reminder that “public education” is a babysitting service offered at the convenience of the government employees. Public education in Texas is about employing otherwise unemployable adults, not educating kids.” Yes….He really said that.

So yes, Dr. Rogers’ comments were absolutely – and verifiably – true. Mr. Gray may have his opinion on these facts, but they are facts nonetheless.

As for the other facts Mr. Gray conveniently forgot. First, Palo Pinto County Conservatives is an offshoot of Parker County Conservatives, which was started by none other than Mike Olcott. Palo Pinto County Conservatives’ parent group does have direct ties to Defend Texas Liberty, both in their relationship with Defend Texas Liberty PAC leader Jonathan Stickland and in monetary donations from Defend Texas LibertyPAC.

So, what is the purpose of Palo Pinto County Conservatives? Well, most of its leadership team and a large number of its members are recent transplants to the county, moving here from the Metroplex and in a few cases, California before the Metroplex. Rather than joining already-established groups here and becoming an active member of our community, they decided to start their own group to attempt to “seize power” for themselves.

This can be seen in their blatant attempt to usurp the will of the people by recalling not one, but two members of the Mineral Wells City Council. I’m sure the remaining members of the Council will receive a recall petition, as well. Shouldn’t an individual running for state office work to bring the two sides together for an agreeable solution instead of working with one to undermine the other?

In conclusion, Mr. Gray should spend more time addressing why his group has worked so hard to undermine the will of Palo Pinto County voters – men and women whose families have decades and, in many cases, more than a century, devoted to working to build this county. They may include “Palo Pinto County” in their name, but their actions show that they are anything but one of us.

Sincerely,

Ryan Roach

Palo Pinto County