Junker for Bandera County Judge

Editor’s Note: The following is an election announcement from a local candidate. Candidates are allowed an announcement free of charge, with all following materials charged an ad fee.

Thank you to all the registered voters who signed my petition. The conversations with you and many others confirmed my resolve to serve the citizens of Bandera County as your County Judge. They also required that I demonstrate not only that I am qualified to serve, but that I am your best choice to serve and lead.

I believe there are five requirements to be an outstanding Judge for Bandera County; 1) Capability; 2) Commitment; 3) Character & Uncompromising Ethics; 4) Communicate; and most important, 5) Care.

Capability A County Judge must meet

A County Judge must meet the basic knowledge, skills, and qualifications to do the job. I am a retired United States Army Colonel with 25 years of service followed by 10 years of leadership in the defense industry (e.g., Lockheed Martin) and the past eight years in volunteer leadership in our county. There are five primary responsibilities; 1) Head of Emergency Management; 2) Budget Officer; 3) Presiding officer of Commissioners Court; 4) Chief Administrative Officer; and 5) Conduct court with original jurisdiction over Class A and B misdemeanors and appellate jurisdiction from Justice of the Peace and municipal courts. My resume of successful results meets and often exceeds each of these areas. Planning, exercising and executing for contingencies is second nature from my military duties. My budget responsibilities across multiple, diverse programs worth over $200 million dollars, to include the over $98 million post-construction contract for the Ft. Sam Houston hospital and training facilities. Successful leadership of operations, programs, and people – to include judicial investigations and punishment – is second nature for me. I have addressed complex management challenges with creative, conservative solutions in uniform, in business, and the nonprofit arenas.

Commitment

The Bandera County Judge is on-call 24/7. The U.S. military is not a 9-5 occupation and defense industry programs in support of it aren’t either. I am committed to investing the time and attention when and where it is needed. I am also committed to conservative values. The oath I swore to the United States Constitution and the freedoms contained there is unchanged since my first day in the Army. I will work to conserve the best of the past and applying hardfought lessons to the future. I believe in accountability, personal freedom, quality public education, limited taxes and balanced budgets, conserving the environment, encouraging capitalism, and American leadership in the world. Responsive, transparent local government is a must.

Character and Ethics

There is a higher standard for “servants of the people”, for “leaders” in county government. Your County Judge should have uncompromising moral standards, moral strength, mental toughness, and agility. As shown by pandemics and ice storms, a leader must be able to adapt to succeed. I believe in decision-making that is aboveboard, transparent and accountable to the people. For example, all meetings that can be made open by law, should be. This includes Commissioners Court budget deliberations, new construction planning, road and bridge priorities, and allocation of new COVID funds: engagement with taxpayers should be routine and publicized. Integrity is mandatory for public officials and a “right” for the taxpayers who pay them.

Communication

In the information age, county government should utilize all technology available to communicate with county citizens, both honestly and often. This includes the opportunity to view Commissioners Court proceedings anytime making it easier for everyone to participate in local government. Certain issues of significant concern can be shared in special announcements and video chats with interested constituents. I have been “customer focused” throughout my career whether it be providing supply, maintenance, medical and transportation support to the combat arms units, fulfilling contracts for clients in industry or serving at the American Legion post. Effective communication with taxpayers, Bandera City and County residents, BEC, other Hill Country governments, Alamo Area Council of Governments, or Texas legislators is a must. This means building and maintaining relationships: taking the initiative and expending the required energy to do so. In order to make these four re quirements that I will deliver on, the last is most important.

Caring

Leading Bandera County as your Judge demands a person who genuinely cares for people. Citizens deserve leadership that will take on hard challenges, find common ground, and serve all constituents. When working in the defense industry, my executive boss asked, “Junker, do you know what’s wrong with you?” Curious, of course, I asked, “What”? His reply was that I “cared too much” and my response was “well, what do you think I should do about that?”. He said, “Not a darn thing.” I haven’t changed from my decades of care and concern for those that I have served. I will continue that as your next Bandera County Judge, caring for your family and a bright future for Bandera County, when elected during the March 1st primary.

Learn More: My military career took me far from my rural Illinois birthplace. I have been in my Bandera County “forever home” for 12 years after purchasing land 20 years ago. My husband of 35 years, Dennis Birchall, Colonel (Retired), U.S. Army, is currently serving as the Bandera County Veteran Service Officer. To learn more and connect with me: www.junkerforjudge.com or facebook.com/junkerforjudge or P.O. Box 475, Lakehills, TX 78063.