Dems, GOP approve delegates, resolutions for state conventions
Both parties approve resolution supporting the Neches River National Wildlife Refuge over proposed Lake Fastrill
BY LELAND ACKER

Efforts to support the Neches River National Wildlife Refuge were given a boost in the recent Cherokee County Democratic and Republican conventions. A resolution in support of the refuge over the Fastrill Reservoir passed in both conventions, meaning the resolution will be presented at the state party conventions.

"I have already sent it to (the state party)," said Josie Schoolcraft, Cherokee County Republican party chairman. "If approved, it will be taken to the national convention."

Caesar Roy, chairman for the Cherokee County Democratic party, said the resolution passed the Democratic county convention.

Dr. Michael Banks, co-chair for the Friends of the Neches River, a group which has supported the refuge and opposed the construction of the Fastrill Reservoir, said the county convention votes were just another step in the political process.

"It was just a continuation of having resolutions go up the ladder in the process," he said.

Dr. Banks added for the resolution in support of the Neches River National Wildlife Refuge to even be brought to the floor at the state conventions, representatives from the local parties will have to promote the resolution before the state's resolutions committee.

"They get hit with hundreds of resolutions," he said. "John Ross will promote it in the Democratic convention. I don't know who will promote it in the Republican convention."

When the resolutions were presented at the precinct level, Dr. Banks said his goal was to send a message to the legislature.

"I think we've accomplished that," he said. "We want to keep it in front of the public."

The local parties also elected delegates to represent Cherokee County at the state conventions.

The Republicans will send 16 delegates and 16 alternate delegates to the state Republican convention June 12-14 in Houston. All are committed to presumptive Republican Presidential Nominee John McCain.

Local Democrats will send 14 delegates to the state Democratic convention June 6-7 in Austin. Nine of those delegates are pledged to Barack Obama and five are pledged to Hillary Clinton.

Delegates at both state conventions will elect delegates to represent Texas at the national Republican and Democratic conventions, as well as approve resolutions to propose at the national conventions.