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Candidate Path

Submitted by john wertz on 2018-05-22 10:15:23

 

Pros:

  • Experienced and elected two-term commissioner in Comal County (New Braunfels)
  • Positions
    • Proponent of zero-based budgeting
    • Against toll roads/bridges - wants tolls removed from defeased Hwy 242 Flyover
    • Wants to bring back decision-making/accountability under commissioners control(not just the Judge)
    • Wants a strong Ethics Policy w/teeth
  • Parker said MoCo commissioner salaries (highest in the state) should come down, while opponent Dawson indicated only a "freeze of current salaries" - MCTP PAC meeting. Riley is fine w/his exhorbitant salary the taxpayers are footing and even asked, along w/Judge Doyal(who arrogantly said you get what you pay for) and other comissioners, for a 10% raise a couple of years ago in a recession layoffs occuring everywhere.
  • Many assertions and half-truths told by opposition, many dissplelled on his website.
  • Endorsed by:  MCTP PAC;  Patriots PAC;  District Attorney Brett Ligon: Gordy Bunch and other members of the Township Board;  GOP HD!% Nominee Steve Toth;  Members of Shenandoah City Council;   TURF (anti-toll roads); MCLEA (Mo. Co. Law Enforsement Assoc.) .  ***UPDATE***  (3/10/19) Brian Dawson has come out in support of Parker.
  • Took the high road in a rebuttal to a story about a hit-website of opposition research(below) by one of his opponents, Brian Dawson,  now being pushed by Dawson turned Riley surrogates.  
    • One of his opponents (Dawson) asserted that Parker broke the law when he worked as a City Manager in Oklahoma, while residing in Montgomery County Texas, citing Ok Constitution 11 O.S. 14-101.  However, Parker refutted that indicating that 11 O.S. 13-109 provides that municipal laws supercede laws of the state in conflcit therewith, which states also that 11 O.S. 22-127 (1981) "The municipal governing body, by ordinance, may designate which employees shall reside in the municipality....".
    • Sep 16, 2005 - Commissioners approve 2-cent tax rate hike (document indicated Parker said "it didn't go far enough", alluding to coverage for a depleting Law Enforcement staff).  
    •  Aug. 19, 2005 - Supported voting commissioners 8% Salary increase. Parker rebutted Comal is one of the lowest paid of that size county (50K - 100K). 
    • On Dec. 2nd, 2010 (Resolution #2010-44)  voted to Oppose Appraisal Caps and Revenue Caps.  Parker indicated that he didn't think a cap was needed (in Comal), but understood why one might be needed in MoCo, when the Spenders (Commissioners) also sit on the Appraisal Board.
    • Mar 23, 2012 - Commissioners endorse proposed SH 130 connector .  Michael Meek, President of the Greater New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce gave Commissioner Greg Parker assurances that the connector would not be a toll road. Dawson claimed Parker supported I-130 Toll Road, when in fact it was only to allow TX-DOT to tie into it (as a free road).
    • Other issues addressed on Parker website.
  • Good references from: 
    • Comal County Constable Shane Rapp stated:
      • “Thank you for your service to the United States and thank you even more for your service to Comal County. You were a great steward to those who placed trust and faith in you. Honesty, Integrity, Common Sense and Conservative values! You are truly missed!”
    • From his former employee Robert J. Grazioli, retired Chief Master Sergeant, United States Air Force, and retired Human Resources Director, Comal County, Texas, stated: 
      • “Greg will make a good Commissioner, and he is a conservative all the way…I think his time as Commissioner at Comal and his stints as a City Manager will help him be the best choice. He doesn’t sugar coat things and he is very cost conscious in all areas. He’s not afraid of tackling the big and uncomfortable issues and doesn’t mind being the lone voice of reason. If he had stayed in New Braunfels, I believe he’d still be a Commissioner there!”

    • Mr. Parker was a great city manager. He displayed excellent knowledge and ability to handle all areas of his job. From managing employees, road projects, to creating budgets, Mr. Parker was more than capable and in all cases, exceeded my expectations.  Unfortunately, while political pressures forced him out, some of the best practices he started remain.   (Dusty Miller, Mayor City of Healdton, OK

    • Greg was one of the best city managers our city has had.  His integrity and unwavering comtment to do what's right, even in the fact of political pressure, made him very valuable to our city.  His management, financial talent and ability to motivate city employees and citizens alike changed our town for the better.  He is missed.  (Gus Hanke, Former City Councilman, City of Healton, OK).

    • Vetting Committee Chair Wertz asked a local Comal County District Court Judge (Dib Waldrip, candidate for Court of Criminal Appeals) his thoughts on the job Parker did for the county, to which he replied "I think he did a good job, w/no problems".

 

Cons:  

  •  Feb 19, 2004 -  "4 Fail to Meet Campaign Report Deadline"
  •  Aug 18, 2004 - Parkers' ex-wife sues over unpaid credit card bills Parker says debt settled.
  • Jan 3, 2006 - Was against a petition calling for a Tax Rollback Election. The petition succeeded, but ultimately the measure failed at the ballot box 48-52%.
  • Supported pay raises for County Commissioners/employees in an Aug. 4, 2006 article;
  • Signed a Resolution(2007-14) on April 19, 2007, Endorsing the Motor Fuels Tax (increase) indexing; 
  • April 20, 2007 - Advocated for a new taxing entity called a Venue Tax to help pay for new parks. According to Parker, "unlike Montgomery County, the Idea was discussed in open court and dropped".
  • Advocates property seizure for misdemeanor. Comal County Wants To Seize Gambling Property For Misdemeanors.  "It would act as a greater deterrent for criminals, and with the seizure of this property we would get an instant storage spot for the machines themselves," said Precinct 3 Commissioner Greg Parker.
  • Aug 26, 2008 "Commisioners Advocate for $49.8 million budget" Unsubtantiated document
  • Voted (Dec. 11, 2009) to support building a $36 million Justice Center using a(n Emergency) Certificate of Obligation (rather than put it before the voters).  Citizens petition later forced a citizen vote. Parker acknowledged that he saw MoCo citizens are against CO's, especially when the court tried to go behind MoCo voters back to activate a $30M CO, that was part of a $200M bond previously defeated by voters. He further claimed he did NOT try to go behind voters backs.  Partially Subtantiated
  • On Sep 13th, 2010 (Order 263) Parker voted to allow appraisals to increase taxes
  • Apr 21, 2011  Opponent Dawson asserted that Parker supported investigating high-speed rail between Georgetown and San Antonio in Commissioners hear high-speed rail debate in night session, by greg bowen, New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung Unsubtantiated document.  Parker said "it was discussed but cost prohibitive and dropped".
  • May 9, 2012 - Tax Increase consideration.
  • Aug. 24, 2012 - In a FB post, Cathie Adams endorses Barry Smitherman over Greg Parker, in the Railroad Commissioners race, for many reasons enumerated by SREC member Mark Ramsey (Substantiated personally by Mark Ramsey.) Parker indicated Cathie Adams apologized to he and his wife, having only reviewed one source.
  • Ethics issues in Comal County while commissioner.  The March 27,2013 complaint alleged that "the respondent 1) did not file a campaign treasurer appointment with the proper filing authority; 2) accepted political contributions and made political expenditures at a time when he did not have a campaign treasurer appointment in effect; 3) did not properly disclose political contributions and political expenditures; and 4) did not include on political advertising appearing on an Internet website the required disclosure statement".  Representations by Mr. Parker: The respondent neither admits nor denies the facts described under Section III or the commission’s findings and conclusions of law described under Section IV, and consents to the entry of this order and agreed resolution solely for the purpose of resolving this sworn complaint......The respondent consents to this order and agreed resolution and waives any right to further proceedings in this matter....".  The Sanction:  "After considering the nature, circumstances, and consequences of the violations described under Sections III and IV, and after considering the sanction necessary to deter future violations, the commission imposes a $600 civil penalty". 
  • Dawson friend(Shenandoah City Councilman Byron Bevers) claims Parker's a spendthrift