Have you ever been afraid to speak up about something you thought wasn’t right?

Many people in our County tell me stories of retaliation for speaking up about the “wrong” person or issue.

I’m told this gets you bullied, intimidated, worried about your personal safety, and/or being reported to various agencies so that you will be harassed.  

These stories were hard for me to believe in the beginning. Honestly it sounded like sour grapes that people around for a long time could not let go of.

However, when I started learning and sharing things about our local utility that was operating without integrity and in a lawless fashion, I faced similar threats.

My husband was told he better tell me to shut up and stop posting the things I was uncovering. He was told people ‘who aren’t happy” with what I was sharing would start calling me that same day.

I did not stop posting, and things escalated. Our home window was even shot. By whom? No idea, but I got calls from people I knew and others I didn’t that had read my posts on social media. They said that I should always carry a gun. When I asked why, because this sounded outrageous to me, I was told stories going back to the 1980’s and that Odessa was a very dangerous place at that time. People were murdered, some bodies were found, some were found burned, and some were never found.

There was mention of the Odessa Business Mafia, which I had never heard of.

Did this scare me? Well sure, wouldn’t it scare anyone who doesn’t operate in that kind of world or with that kind of values and morals?

However, after discussion and prayer with my family, we decided that intimidation would not deter me from doing what is right and just. We will not go back to those times.

But we find ourselves here today facing a clear and present threat – we find ourselves at risk with the people who are using bad tactics to put themselves into power during this upcoming election on March 5^th.

Mr. Ronnie Lewis, a long-time citizen of Ector County is someone I have never met in person, but online he has boasted he has recruited more candidates than ever to run for Precinct Chairs and County Chair of the Republican Party.  I think that’s great we have so many races with unopposed candidates. Opposed races with ethical and qualified candidates are healthy for our system – incumbents should not be able to sit back on their laurels and avoid accountability to the public. If they aren’t doing their jobs or they are lining their pockets, or not working for us, “we the people”, they should be fired (voted out or recalled).

However, Mr. Lewis’ leadership style and influence causes me deep concern – enough to write my first letter to the Editor. Besides the stories that are being relayed to me about folks guilting and threatening people who do not support his full list of candidates, I had my own experience with Mr. Lewis this week. Rather than tell you about it, I’ll post it here– word for word.  The only thing I changed was for clarity – I moved a couple of replies under the comment they belong to, as Facebook can mix them up and Mr. Lewis tends to comment back and forth between replies and new comments so it’s hard to follow.

Ector County citizens, whether you live inside or outside the city limits please ask yourselves: Is the type of leadership you want in place? Especially with Mr. Lewis claiming so much reach? What harm could he do to the system and how will we the public be impacted? We can only rely on his words and actions to make that decision. He recruited Donna Kelm for County Republican Party Chair, unfortunately she’s not been out at the scheduled events hosted by unbiased moderators. But I feel like she’s a dubious candidate since she is tagging along with and following Lewis’ lead.

Besides his clear attempt to intimidate me, including disparaging me and my husband, he then blocked or deleted the string of discussion and blocked me from his page – all because I asked Mr. Dubose to reply why he didn’t attend Monday’s debate.

Mr. Lewis has also continued to set up events, even at the last minute to keep his candidates from having to sit next to their opponents so that “we the people” can ask questions of both sides and see how they compare. I attended two events this week where this tactic was used by Mr. Lewis. As I was penning this, another candidate of his, Linda Hall, who previously confirmed 2 weeks ago had just responded saying she would not attend the candidate forum last night at Premier Ballroom because of a ‘scheduling conflict.’ And she did not show up. I will not be surprised if Mr. Lewis comes out with another paid, catered event for his candidates to attend on Monday, 2/19, when the official Republican Party Debates for County Commissioner 1 and 3, and Justice of the Peace 1, will occur.

If Mr. Lewis and his slate of candidates behave this way before being elected, what can we expect during their term? Transparency? Access? Ethics? I think not.

Early voting starts Tuesday, February 20^th. Please go vote and protect us from this intimidating style of leadership that will surely bring back the wealthy good  ‘ole boy network.

And to the candidates on his slate – I am sure there are some of you who do not agree with his tactics, but if you continue to avoid debates and forums and attend alternate events, then that is giving your approval. It also shows you are part of his culture of intimidation. We have many of your political signs in west Odessa and we deserve the right to hear from you. Otherwise, come pick those signs up! Signs don’t vote, people do.

Patti Kappauf

Letter To The Editor: Patti Kappauf is a story from Odessa Headlines, a publication covering Ector County, Texas. Odessa Headlines’ vision is to provide quality in-depth original coverage and commentary of local issues – predominantly politics and public policy – while cross-sharing excellent coverage of state and national issues from our media partners across Texas.

The first was that he reviewed the evidence against Paxton, but at trial we discovered there was no evidence, only hearsay and accusations. The second lie was that “this wasn’t a vote to oust anybody from office.” The gaslighting in that sentence is astounding, because a vote to impeach is at its heart a vote to oust someone from office. Paxton was immediately suspended for months after Landgraf’s vote. 

Lastly, he claimed this wasn’t a vote about the “good work” Paxton does in office, but most of the charges against him was to prevent him from investigating potentially corrupt federal and state officials who may have illegally oppressed a private businessman. We may never know, but it demonstrates “the good work” that voters selected Paxton to do. 

What we do know is that the House leadership hid their investigation behind closed doors, never placed witnesses under oath, didn’t allow Paxton’s attorneys to cross examine them, and in a matter of hours with no time to think or read forced the members to vote on the impeachment and it became a question of loyalty to the House leaders, not loyalty to their constituents. 

The ironic thing about this sham proceeding is it revealed the stark hypocrisy that has become prevalent in Austin. 

House leaders, including Landgraf, have either been a part of or turned a blind eye to criminal conduct and immoral behavior amongst their own ranks for sometime. Only when a political foe does something they don’t like, do you see them suddenly clutch their pearls and claim they have some high standard of ethics. 

The record proves this statement true. 

For example, former Democratic State Representative Poncho Nevarez was made chair of the powerful House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee by Republicans, which has oversight jurisdiction over the Department of Public Safety. 

In 2019, Nevarez was caught on camera smuggling a bag of cocaine in a state representative envelope into the United States from Mexico, dropping it on the floor of an airport. 

Was there an investigation by the General Investigation Committee? Did the House vote to expel him? Did the speaker remove him as chair? No, he was allowed to remain in office as chairman and gracefully serve out his term, and is still commenting on Texas politics. 

Then there were the affairs. 

Honestly, there are too many of those to count. To quote defense attorney Tony Buzbee, “if we impeached people in Austin over affairs we’d be impeaching for the next 100 years.” 

Odessa Headlines even reported on allegations of an affair between Landgraf and another woman. After a state lawmaker requested the House General Investigation Committee to launch an investigation to see if House Rules or state laws were broken during the course of the alleged affair, they buried their heads in the sand and refused. 

Most recently, Landgraf was named top ten worst lawmakers by Texas Monthly after the statewide magazine caught him using the power of his office to benefit clients at his law firm this legislative session. Was there an investigation?  No, once again there was not.  Why? Because Landgraf is one of Speaker Phelan’s top lieutenants.

We also must point out that this session, it appeared Speaker Dade Phelan was presiding drunk over the House Chamber, which prompted Paxton to call for his resignation. Shortly thereafter, he was impeached. 

Our point is, millions of voters just re-elected Ken Paxton. His opponents, some of whom were political friends of the House leadership, lost. And Landgraf’s willingness to overturn the will of the people while he and his friends enjoy a lack of accountability is the worst form of hypocrisy and cronyism we have seen. 

Not to mention his disrespect for the will of the people. 

Landgraf should apologize for so recklessly ignoring the will of the people of Texas, and for being untruthful to his own constituents. 

In addition, he should support Lt. Gov Dan Patrick’s calls for reforms to ensure this reckless and wasteful process never occurs in our state again. 

Lastly, we applaud Senator Kevin Sparks for finding Paxton not guilty on every charge, and standing with leaders like Senator Ted Cruz who called this sham proceeding out from the very start. 

Headline’s Opinion: Landgraf’s Impeachment of Vindicated Attorney General Paxton Demonstrates Flagrant Hypocrisy  is a story from Odessa Headlines, a publication covering Ector County, Texas. Odessa Headlines’ vision is to provide quality in-depth original coverage and commentary of local issues – predominantly politics and public policy – while cross-sharing excellent coverage of state and national issues from our media partners across Texas.

Basically, the role of local precinct chairs is to inform, mobilize, and assist voters in Ector County.  Precinct chairs serve as the steering wheel of the local Republican Party.  Every two years, local voters elect precinct chairs for their precinct.  If a vacancy occurs mid term then the other precinct chairs appoint a precinct chair to complete the uncompleted term. While the County Chair can vote like other precinct chairs, generally the responsibilities of the chair in this process are merely to maintain order and record the vote of the precinct chairs.

Currently, there are no appointed precinct chairs as every current precinct chair stood for election and was voted in during the March 2022 elections.

The work done by the volunteer, unpaid precinct chairs is very important to the success of the party on a local, state, and even on the national level.  Think of a precinct like you would a neighborhood.  The precinct chairs’ job in each precinct or neighborhood is to Identify, register and inform voters and to encourage them to vote in each and every election.

Precinct chairs use data obtained from the local elections office to get to know Republicans in the neighborhood and organize voters at election time to help support Republican candidates.  Precinct chairs also educate our neighborhood voters and provide opportunities to become more involved with the Republican Party.

 On the local party level Precinct chairs participate in Convention, County Executive Committee Meetings, recruit precinct chairs to fill vacant seats and organize volunteers.   One of the most time consuming tasks that we do is knocking doors for candidates.  

Additionally, the local Republican Party hosts the annual “Back The Blue” pancake breakfast to raise funds for local law enforcement and the annual Lincoln Day Dinner where top, national level speakers are the keynote speakers.  

Once early voting begins Republican precinct chairs fill the ranks as poll workers, poll watchers, and election judges.  Also, precinct chairs provide transportation to the polls to those who are unable to get to a voting location on their own.

Overall, precinct chairs and our Republican county chair are busy throughout the year promoting the Republican values of civic engagement and limited, conservative government.

Locally, it seems, local precinct chairs have come under attack by Democrat operatives who have chastised, berated, and harangued precinct chairs for the other two critical functions they perform.  Firstly, Texas law requires that at least two precinct chairs sign a petition to allow anyone to run for local party chair.  This law was enacted after local Democrats in a county conspired together to take over a local Republican party by crossing over in a primary to elect a Republican county chair.  

In addition to the obvious problems of such subversive activity, the County Chair position is not just a ceremonial role.  County Chairs must be an expert on election laws and rules and are responsible for overseeing elections, candidate filings, and the legal qualifications for local office holders who choose to run for office on a Republican ballot.  

The second “controversial” role undertaken by precinct chairs is the endorsement of candidates for offices.  The precinct chairs will sometimes vote to endorse one candidate over another.  These endorsements come after much debate and discussion and the Ector County Republican Party doesn’t always endorse a candidate for a race.  In the end, endorsement is taken very seriously and seeks to inform voters of the reason why one candidate exemplifies the conservative principles that our party platform espouses over the other.  Contrary to the false rhetoric being espoused by local Democrat operatives, the endorsement of local candidates has been encouraged by the Republican Party of Texas and our chair Matt Rinaldi.

I’m proud of the fact that the Ector County Republican Party is one of the most active and influential county parties in Texas.   My hope is that our local Republican party will continue to strive to make a difference in our county and will continue to promote the solid, conservative principles laid out in our platform.

Tim Harry
Precinct 110 Chair
Ector County Republican Party

Opinion: Local Democrat Operatives Continue to Spread Misinformation is a story from Odessa Headlines, a publication covering Ector County, Texas. Odessa Headlines’ vision is to provide quality in-depth original coverage and commentary of local issues – predominantly politics and public policy – while cross-sharing excellent coverage of state and national issues from our media partners across Texas.

I will get right to the point, Ronnie the coward keyboard warrior crossed a line he shouldn’t have when he attacked the record of Odessa City Councilman Greg Connell’s qualification and service as a veteran of the United States Marine Corps. 

As a veteran of the United States Navy, my blood boiled over as I read Ronnie’s latest rant published in the local rag newspaper (more on them in a minute) where he accused Councilman Connell of engaging in cronyism and claimed he doesn’t care about his constituents, and then proceeded to diminish Connell’s service record to substantiate his accusations of cronyism. 

No Ronnie, just because you write a crocodile sentence purporting to respect his military service in one breath, and then proceed to disrespect and belittle his service and the leadership qualifications it instilled in him just so you can slander his character in the next breath is what a two faced turtle would do.   

Councilman Connell raised his hand and swore a sacred oath to defend this nation and our constitution, serving our country honorably as a United States Marine. He has raised his hand once again and re-affirmed that oath to serve the people of Odessa as their duly elected City Councilman. 

I know what it means to both step forward and serve our country in the Armed Forces. I also know what it means to serve the community as an elected precinct chair. 

The best I can tell, the most Ronnie has raised his hand to is a beer, and the cowardly keyboard warrior can’t even bring himself to attend city council meetings while he openly belittles real warrior who has served the nation and who does show up to serve again for little or no pay. 

Boot camp would serve Ronnie Lewis well, because then he might learn about the commitment, sacrifice, and integrity that men like Connell have earned that Ronnie will never understand. 

As for the rag newspaper that published his garbage, since they regularly refuse to publish views they disagree with but promoted his article, I can only take away that they endorse his cowardly attack. Typical of the liberal media. 

I for one am sincerely grateful for Councilman Connell’s service to our nation, and to Odessa. 

And as for Ronnie, perhaps he should bother to show up sometime and learn something before you run your mouth in public. 

I would like to see anything you’ve accomplished in your resume that qualifies you to criticize the qualifications and integrity of the U.S. Marine veteran with roughly a decade of service and commendations from the highest military officers for service in public affairs. 

And while you have the audacity to question a veteran, you sit silent about or deny altogether  the scandals that plagued your candidates, like bank fraud and tax evasion. 

By all means keep embarrassing yourself, but disrespecting a military veteran’s qualifications and integrity is out of bounds. 

Opinion: Ronnie Lewis’s Cowardly Political Attack on a U.S. Marine Veteran Is Disgusting  is a story from Odessa Headlines, a publication covering Ector County, Texas. Odessa Headlines’ vision is to provide quality in-depth original coverage and commentary of local issues – predominantly politics and public policy – while cross-sharing excellent coverage of state and national issues from our media partners across Texas.

Two words came to mind after reading the OA’s editorial: Gish Gallop.

According to one source, the generally accepted definition of this term means it is a “rhetorical technique that involves overwhelming your opponent with as many arguments as possible, with no regard for the accuracy, validity, or relevance of those arguments.”  In West Texas parlance we would call this “talking something to death”.

An example of this is when a “person using the Gish gallop might attempt to support their stance by bringing up, in rapid succession, a large number of vague claims, anecdotal statements, misinterpreted facts, and irrelevant comments.” 

Since the purpose of talking something to death is to intentionally overwhelm, I won’t examine all the arguments made by the former daily newspaper, but there are a couple I would like to take a moment to examine.

The OA wrote that they found it curious that Councilwoman Swanner “has such a problem” with former City Attorney Natasha Brooks, writing “Swanner recently reported Brooks to the Texas Bar accusing her of backdating affidavits. If true, that is certainly an issue and should not be tolerated. But, come on, Jones (the interim city attorney) appears to have far more issues than that,” referencing how Jones was recently fined for contempt in District Court.

Perhaps the OA could elaborate further on how they believe Jones’ civil fine levied by a perturbed judge is more egregious than the felony aggravated perjury accusations presently levied at Brooks.   I find this hard to track.

Speaking of contempt, I also find it interesting that the OA sings the praises and qualifications of attorney Gaven Norris and says that he disputes the allegation from Odessa resident Tim Harry that he was also recently held in contempt.

I find this interesting because Norris posted on his Facebook timeline in November that he was just held in contempt of court, writing “I argued my clients constitutional rights under the law. I was held in contempt and the bailiff was ordered to remove me from the courtroom while the hearing took place without me. Filing emergency motions now.  Still waiting on the punishment for the contempt.”

Is there more to this story?  Perhaps, but I still do not follow the logic of how two attorneys can commit the same offense and one be so wonderful, while the other has fallen so far from grace the OA cannot believe the City Council still takes advice from him. 

But one can see how a little more information to the story can quickly change how things are portrayed.

Turning towards the accusations the OA made against our publication, which includes the implication that we are not a legitimate news outlet by calling Odessa Headlines a “spin machine” that exists only to make selected City Councilmembers look good while echoing their talking points and also falsely claiming that Headlines endorsed a candidate against Representative Landgraf in an effort to unseat him.

Whew, that is a lot of ‘gallop’ to unpack. But hey, on the bright side at least we are no longer just a “social media site” which seems to be the past code terminology used to reference us. 

First, I am proud to say Odessa Headlines is the foremost source for local political news in Odessa, and over the past couple of years our reports have been featured statewide and recognized by many prestigious news publications. I am especially proud of the engagement we receive on our stories with recent stories receiving thousands of reactions and hundreds of comments and shares.  To me this proves that the public still appreciates solidly reported, well written news.

Secondly, our journalists have always been fiercely independent and will follow a story where the facts lead them.  Period.

Lastly, unlike the Odessa American, who ironically endorsed Landgraf and are staunch supporters of him and I believe other candidates in the past, Odessa Headlines has a policy of neutrality in campaigns and does not endorse or support anyone running for office despite the continued and unfounded allegations made by the OA.

We will offer our opinion from time to time, but we clearly mark what is opinion from what is news so that you the reader can make your own informed opinion.

On a final and personal note, let me add that the OA’s recent editorial was particularly disappointing to me as, for many years, I held the OA in high regard. 

Growing up my Dad had a contract to deliver newspapers to the entire south side of Odessa and I really did grow up around the OA loading docks helping roll and distribute newspapers from a very early age.  My Uncle also worked at the OA for his entire life working his way up from circulation to being the OA’s press foreman for many years until his retirement.  

I bought my first car with the money I earned slinging papers from my bicycle on my neighborhood route with my brother.  Back then everyone read the paper (I think paid circulation peaked at around 33,000) and the newspaper was held in high regard. 

Now, paid circulation data disclosed by the OA to the U.S. Postal Service indicates they have fallen to roughly 3,500, down from 17,000 in 2012.

In the end, it is my hope that the OA will retract and apologize for their name calling and antics.  The city I love and call home deserves a lot better.

Russell: The OA’s Antics Are Just Too Much is a story from Odessa Headlines, a publication covering Ector County, Texas. Odessa Headlines’ vision is to provide quality in-depth original coverage and commentary of local issues – predominantly politics and public policy – while cross-sharing excellent coverage of state and national issues from our media partners across Texas.

Our little media outlet has been an amazing venture. Proving the vital role good journalism can play in our community, we have broken some major stories and struck a blow for truth and accountability.

But fear not, my new adventures do not mean the end of our beloved little media outlet that roars.

It is true, Odessa Headlines will be facing some logistical challenging in the coming days. For one, journalists are far and few between. There will be many things to consider, business model, structure, personnel, and so on, but I expect it won’t be too long before Headlines will be back to full speed and better than before. Stay tuned.

As for me, I will reveal a few personal details.

I graduated with my bachelor’s degree this past December, took the law school admissions test, and I spent as much time before the end of the year on my family’s land in the mountains as I could.

For the coming months I will be working in Austin at the state capitol covering the senate with some amazing new colleagues.

I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to join the team at The Texan news and will be covering the Texas Senate during the legislative session, as well as other political and public policy issues.

The Texan is an incredible organization and I highly recommend checking them out, subscribing, and following my reporting there!

I believe there’s a lot of great new things in store for Odessa.

It has been my honor to see and follow so many interesting developments in our town and region, and I am optimistic about the incoming new leadership that will carry forth their vision and mandates from the people.

But they cannot do it alone, and it is going to take a large effort of everyone working together, and most importantly listening to each other to make great things happen.

Odessa has been my home for most of my life. I was born here, and I care very deeply about its future. I hope those who are fortunate enough to call Odessa home realize how truly significant, important, and wonderful this energy community is.

For Liberty,

Matt

“The object of education therefore is wisdom—the wisdom to live happily and govern oneself; it is a question of educating not only the mind, but also the heart and the backbone. What is wisdom, but character? And what is character but good citizenship?”

John Ben Shepperd

Stringer: A New Year and New Adventures is a story from Odessa Headlines, a publication covering Ector County, Texas. Odessa Headlines’ vision is to provide quality in-depth original coverage and commentary of local issues – predominantly politics and public policy – while cross-sharing excellent coverage of state and national issues from our media partners across Texas.

We are talking of course about councilmembers Steve Thompson, Detra White, Tom Sprawls, and Mari Willis and the many times the quartet marched over Mayor Javier Joven, and Councilmembers Denise Swanner and Mark Matta.

Then, when it came time for three of them to stand in front of the voters and offer their records and their platforms against new Republican Party-backed challengers, they folded and retired.

With the lockstep majority gone, several sore losers among the group are spreading lies, rumors, and criticisms of their successors and opponents in what can only be described as a tantrum.

Multiple rumors quickly spread after the November election including one rumor with several versions that begins with City Manager Michael Marrero being fired – one version claiming his successor would be ODC member Kris Crow, and the latest rumor that Mayor Joven will take the job and be replaced as mayor by Councilman Matta.

These of course are ridiculous lies cast in a desperate attempt to land some form of a blow against a political foe – anything besides congratulating the new council on their victory and allowing them the courtesy of carrying forth their electoral mandate.

The most distasteful attack was a political group, headed by failed mayoral candidate Dewey Bryant who overwhelmingly lost to Joven’s 63 percent victory, shaming his former opponent for missing a council workshop session when Joven was at the hospital tending to his 92-year-old grievously ill father, and even recently posted a bizarre image mocking him.

But by all means, let’s discuss the council appointees.

There is a saying in government that personnel is policy. When President Trump lost to President Joe Biden, Biden was not expected to retain Trump’s White House Chief of Staff.

In a management-led city structure such as what we have in Odessa, there is no difference.

The city manager is the key figure in city government who has a major influence in setting the policy direction of the council.

If the voters of Odessa saw it fit to alter the course of the public policy direction of the city by overturning an ideological majority on the council and installing a new council, that council has a right, a duty, to ensure the best people to carry out the electoral mandate of the council are installed.

Performance reviews conducted by the prior council just before the election can only say that an appointee satisfied their interest, they cannot speak to whether that appointee satisfies the interest of the new council and what their voters asked of them.

As for what is going to happen Tuesday at the city council meeting, all that can be legitimately reported is what is on the agenda.

Odessans interested in the issue should certainly reach out to their council-members and attend the meeting.

And those who lost should not pretend to be surprised that elections have consequences.

Headline’s Opinion: City Council Sore Losers is a story from Odessa Headlines, a publication covering Ector County, Texas. Odessa Headlines’ vision is to provide quality in-depth original coverage and commentary of local issues – predominantly politics and public policy – while cross-sharing excellent coverage of state and national issues from our media partners across Texas.

Opinion: The Continued Need For Sanctuary Cities For The Unborn is a story from Odessa Headlines, a publication covering Ector County, Texas. Odessa Headlines’ vision is to provide quality in-depth original coverage and commentary of local issues – predominantly politics and public policy – while cross-sharing excellent coverage of state and national issues from our media partners across Texas.

If I were Chief Alvarez I would have been embarrassed too.

I would have been embarrassed that my team – the front-line firemen and women that protect our homes and businesses and respond to our 911 calls – found it necessary to take the extraordinary step of publicly begging to be heard.

I would have been embarrassed that I stood at the podium surrounded by disgruntled heroes and claimed that my department didn’t have a moral problem while trying to throw shade on Councilmembers Swanner and Matta for being willing to set down with OFR rank and file and hear their grievances.

I would have been embarrassed when Council Matta pointed out that almost one third of my department was present at the meeting but instead of supporting them I felt the need to throw my firehouse Captains under the bus by blaming them for any moral problems that might exist.

I would have been embarrassed that I was so tone deaf and out of touch with the needs of my folks to not have been at the podium offering full throated support for their calls for better working conditions and competitive wages.

I would have been embarrassed by being confronted with the lie that I had told my crews time and again that I had asked for raises but the City Council had refused them when in fact no such requests were ever made.

Yes, if I was Chief Alvarez I would have been embarrassed too.

OFR Chief Alvarez Has A Right To Feel Embarrassed is a story from Odessa Headlines, a publication covering Ector County, Texas. Odessa Headlines’ vision is to provide quality in-depth original coverage and commentary of local issues – predominantly politics and public policy – while cross-sharing excellent coverage of state and national issues from our media partners across Texas.

The process began on a positive note as the Trustees outlined the process to fill the empty seat by publicly announcing the selection process via local news and social media outlets and sending out candidate solicitation letters throughout District 7.

As part of the process, two public meetings with ECISD Superintendent Scott Muri and three of the Trustees to educate and inform potential candidates about the selection process were announced. Approximately 15 people attended the first hour-long meeting held at Blanton Elementary and a smaller number attended the second meeting at Nimitz Middle School.

It was noted during the selection process meetings that under Texas law the Trustees can but are not required to conduct the candidate interviews and the subsequent discussions surrounding their selection in executive session and that this private, out-of-the-public view process had been used in the past.

We applaud ECISD for taking these very positive steps to inform the public about the vacancy and to seek out potential candidates to fill this important position and we were encouraged to see the large turnout of those expressing interest in being appointed to the vacant District 7 seat.

Open communication and well-defined processes by our public institutions help build trust and confidence in our public leaders and would be a good first step in rebuilding the trust that was shown to be lacking in the push poll the District completed as part of the recently failed bond issue.

Now, it is incumbent upon the Trustees to take full advantage of the appointment process and to complete the selection process in open session. Rebuilding trust is a slow, arduous process that requires steady, consistent steps and conducting candidate interviews in open session – not behind closed doors – would be another positive step that ECISD Trustees could take that would restore public trust. It is important that District 7 residents have the opportunity to participate in the selection process and to hear candidates interact with Trustees and express their ideas and views about the important issues facing our District.

During the appointment process it is incumbent upon each Trustee to remember that their most important task is to select the candidate that best represents the values, priorities and ideas of District 7 and an open interview and discussion process where the public is freely and completely involved is the best way to select the right candidate for District 7.

Headline’s Opinion: ECISD Has a Golden Opportunity to Rebuild Trust is a story from Odessa Headlines, a publication covering Ector County, Texas. Odessa Headlines’ vision is to provide quality in-depth original coverage and commentary of local issues – predominantly politics and public policy – while cross-sharing excellent coverage of state and national issues from our media partners across Texas.