Democratic Steering and Policy Committee

December 15, 2006

Mr. Frank Estrada
Lockhart, Texas 78644

Dear Frank:
Knowing of your interest in the opportunity in the new Congress to advance our priorities, I am writing to let you know that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi appointed me to serve on the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee. This group decides the committee assignments of all Democratic Members of Congress. The Committee is also responsible for developing policy for the Democratic Caucus, and advising the leadership on a broad array of issues. An article that recently ran in the Austin American- Statesman is attached below.
When Congress returns in January, we plan to be prepared to work full time on long-neglected priorities. As I am called on to help set the agenda for the new Congress, it is helpful to hear from you, and I trust you will continue to keep me advised of your priorities in the New Year.
Doggett named to House panel
Austin Democrat to help make committee
assignments.
AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
WASHINGTON - Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin, was one of a dozen legislators asked by incoming House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to serve on the Democratic Steering Committee, a group of members who make the party's committee assignments.
Doggett will be in Washington most of this week reviewing the pitches various members have made for assignments. Members compete for seats on some of the top committees, including Appropriations, Ways and Means, Commerce, and Rules.
After the assignments are made, the panel will continue to work with Pelosi to be "a good sounding board on what we should be working on," Doggett said.
"I asked Congressman Doggett to serve . . . because I value his judgment and considerable intellect," Pelosi said in a statement.
"Congressman Doggett enjoys working hard at work worth doing."
Sincerely,
Lloyd
---------------
U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett
201 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
(202) 225-4865, (512) 916-5921
http://www.house.gov/doggett

Tiger in San Antonio

Frank took these pictures of Tiger Woods during Tiger's rookie year in San Antonio, Texas

Housing Reconstruction Program

The City of Lockhart is sponsoring a Housing Reconstruction Program to assist Owner Occupied households in the City Limits. The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs – HOME Investment Partnership Program is sponsoring this program.

The City of Lockhart will be making housing reconstruction assistance in the form of “Five-Year Zero-Percent Interest Deferred Forgivable Loans” to Owner Occupied households at or below 50 percent of the Area Median Family Income (AMFI) within the City Limits of Lockhart.

The selection process for funding eligible recipients will be conducted on a “first-come, first served, most qualified basis”. The most financially distressed (low/moderate income) households, along with single head of households, elderly (over the age of 62), and handicapped will be receiving first priority for the “Five-Year Zero-Interest Deferred Forgivable Loans”.

All eligible applicants who want to participate, and who meet the minimum program requirements, will be required to fill out a Financial Application packet to verify credit information and proof of occupancy. Applicants must provide a copy of the warranty deed (or recent quit claim) to their property along with a copy of their most recent Federal Income Tax Return (or other approved documents that verify their gross household income).

There will be one Public Hearing held to give the citizens of Lockhart an opportunity to ask questions and to pick up Financial Application packets. The Public Hearing will be held as follows:

Meeting to be held on December 14, 2006 at 6:30 P.M.
Location: City Hall
Address: 308 West San Antonio, Lockhart, Texas 78644.

Financial Application packets may also be picked-up from Lockhart City Hall at 308 West San Antonio, Monday - Friday, 8:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M.

Financial Applications must be correct and complete. Failure to complete the Financial
Application in full, may be grounds for disqualification from further consideration for assistance.
For more Information on this Housing Reconstruction Program, call City Hall at (512) 398-3461. The City of Lockhart will offer basic technical assistance to those households unable to come to City Hall or those households who need assistance in filling-out the application packet. Deadline for returning the Financial Application packet to City Hall is:
5:00 P.M. on January 12, 2007.

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event

Saturday, January 27, 2007
For Current Residents of the City of Lockhart ONLY
Make your home safe – Bring us your toxic chemicals no longer needed

When? Saturday, January 27, 2007
Time? 9:00 a.m. to Noon (Rain or Shine, event will be held.)

Where? Lockhart City Hall
West parking lot off Market Street at Guadalupe St.

What we will take? Cleaning products: drain cleaners, concentrates, degreasers, oven cleaners, solvents, polishers, pool chemicals, household batteries, etc…

Paint Products: Latex & oil-based paints, spray paints, thinners, strippers, preservatives, brush cleaners, etc…
Gardening Products: Pesticides, sprays/dusts, weed killers, rat poisons, insecticides, etc…
Automotive Products: Batteries, brake fluids, transmissions fluids, etc…
Automotive oils, filters and antifreeze are accepted at the Recycling Center on Brazos at Walnut Street

We will NOT take: Wastes generated by businesses & commercial farming, tires, chemical containers larger than 5 gallons, medical wastes & sharps, empty containers, compressed gas cylinders, ammunition, gun powder, metal, wire and PCB’s.

Disposal cost to you? None

Did you know it is against the law to put items like these in your regular household garbage? Many can also cause serious injury to employees who pickup your garbage. Whenever possible avoid purchasing such items because of the disposal liabilities and costs. If you must purchase, buy in quantities for immediate use. Please explore alternative products that are environmentally friendly/safer.

Must be a Lockhart City Resident
Bring Utility Bill or other proof of residence
Sponsors: City of Lockhart, Capital Area Council of Governments, TCEQ
Questions? Call Public at 398-6452.

Austin to rename bridge in honor of Ann Richards

A downtown bridge famous for political marches, parades and a bat colony will soon bear the name of the late Texas Gov. Ann Richards.
The Austin City Council today plans to name the Congress Avenue Bridge after Richards, the quick-witted former governor who died in September of esophageal cancer. Richards led a march up Congress Avenue from the bridge to the Capitol on the day she became governor.

''Ann always worked to bridge the divides that separated people, and I think it is very fitting that we honor her memory by naming the bridge where she began her inaugural parade in 1991,'' Mayor Will Wynn said, calling Richards ''my friend, an adviser and an inspiration.''
Richards, a Democrat, served two terms on the Travis County commissioners court beginning in 1976 before winning election to state treasurer. Eight years later, in 1990, she was elected as the state's second woman governor.
Her re-election effort in 1994 was thwarted by Republican George W. Bush.
The bridge will join the Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders, a public all-girls academy in South Austin, as a tribute to her service.

inquiry about the condition of Stueve Lane

I amresponding on behalf of Mayor Pro-tem Frank Estrada.We acknowledge that the Stueve Lane is in poor condition. In the currentbudget cycle, the Council approved funding through Certificates ofObligation for paving surface improvements including Stueve Lane. Theseimprovements are scheduled to begin next spring or early summer, dependingon gas, telephone or other utility clearances, which means we make sure theydo not have planned line replacements that would damage the new pavement.For your information, drainage improvements were completed last year andsome utility line work will be completed within the next 3 to 4 months. Therailroad is also doing some improvements for the crossing area. Thesepreparation steps are necessary prior to the paving surface improvements.In the mean time, we will continue to patch areas as needed on the surface.Again, we appreciate you contacting us about this issue. Should you haveadditional questions or need clarifications, please let me know.
Sincerely, Vance RodgersAssistant City Manager

Tiger Woods in San Antonio, Texas

Frank took this photo shots of Tiger during his rookie season in San Antonio, Texas

Community and Civic Participation

Voting is a basic political act in a democratic society. It is the way we elect public officials, and it is the way that we ensure that those officials are responsible and held accountable once they takes office. Recently, a judge declared Missouri's new voter identification law unconstitutional because it required voters to show a federal or Missouri-issued photo ID at the polls, which is not free to obtain. To learn more read the New York Times' Editorial. Do your part to make your community’s voice heard! At TCJC we were able to register 2,000 new voters in 3 months! You too can find new eligible voters! Start with: Your family and friendsYour colleaguesYour neighborsTeensParentsSeniorsMembers of your church, synagogue, or place of worshipNew citizensFormerly incarcerated people For more guidance, view our Voter Participation Manual.

Ann Richards, 1933-2006

Take a moment today to remember former governor Ann Richards, who died yesterday after a battle with cancer.

“She elevated our state from the Lone Star State to rock-star status. And thank God we all got to come along for the ride.”

Former Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk, among many luminaries eulogizing former Texas Gov. Ann Richards at her funeral in Austin

AHMO Program for Austin TML 94th Conference

AHMO Program for Austin TML 94th Conference


Wednesday, October 25
6:00 – 10:00 p.m.
Sponsor Appreciation
Meet, Greet and Eat Reception
Introduction and opening by Hon. Johnny Rodriguez, AHMO Executive Director, and Edwards Aquifer Authority, Director District 7, Bexar County, San Antonio

Welcome by Hon. Frank Estrada, Mayor Pro Tem, Lockhart and AHMO President and
Hon. Mike Martinez, Councilmember, Austin
Embassy Suites Town Lake, 300 South Congress, Austin (Presidential Suite, Suite 908)
For further information, contact Johnny Rodriguez, AHMO Executive Director at 210-849-0320, or e-mail him at johnnyaquifer7@sbcglobal.net.

Thursday, October 26
9:00 – 9:30 a.m.
Introduction and Opening by Hon. Johnny Rodriguez, AHMO Executive Director, and Director District 7, Edwards Aquifer Authority, Bexar County, San Antonio, Texas

Welcome to Austin Texas! By Hon. Will Wynn, Mayor, Austin, and Hon. Mike Martinez, Councilmember, Austin
Welcome by AHMO President, Hon. Frank Estrada, Mayor Pro Tem, Lockhart,
Introduction and presentation of colors by U.S. Marines Color Guard, Austin Division.

General Session
9:45 am – 11:00 a.m.
Border Security and Local Enforcement
Hon. Jorge Guajardo, Consul General of Mexico, Austin Embassy
Joyce Wilson, City Manager, El Paso

11:00 – 11:45 a.m.
Lessons learned from the War on Terrorism and Issues Facing Soldiers in Today’s Army
Commander Captain John Gray, 603rd Transportation Company, Fort Polk, Louisiana
Video Presentation

1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
AHMO Business Meeting
2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Executive Board Meeting

Questions or comments contact AHMO Executive Director Johnny Rodriguez @ 210-849-0320 or email johnnyaquifer7@sbcglobal.net

St. Mary’s Catholic Church 31st Annual Jamaica

This picture was taken at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church 31st Annual Jamaica on Saturday July 29th, with Little Joe y La Familia. I presented Little Joe with a City Proclamation Saturday that evening declaring Little Joe y La Familia day in Lockhart. It was a record setting event in attendance and very successful.

Little Joe & La Familia is one of the most popular Tex-Mex bands in the music industry. Little Joe & La Familia have been entertaining for more than 30 years, and have been described as "Texas' best kept secret". Little Joe is known as the "King of the Brown Sound". He also helped pioneer "Tejano" music, a mix of traditional "norteno" music and country, blues, and rock styles.

Intergovernmental Risk Pool Board of Directors place 12

My name is Frank Estrada and I have just recently been nominated to serve on the TML Intergovernmental Risk Pool Board of Directors place 12. I would appreciate your vote and support. I believe the council as a whole or member of the Risk Pool will have to vote on this. Please check with your Mayor or City Secretary. I am qualified and prepared to serve as your Board Member. I am a man of faith, honor, ethics and integrity, and I urge you to visit my Web site, http://lockharttexas.blogspot.com/, for more information about myself.

During my tenure as Lockhart City Councilmemeber I have worked on many major policy initiatives, and during that time I have gained the valuable experience needed to become an effective voice. I have an intimate knowledge of the legislative process and the people involved. I have widespread support from many community leaders and elected officials who know my strong work ethic and commitment to fairness, professionalism and diversity.

I would appreciate your vote so that I can serve as the next TML Intergovernmental Risk Pool Board of Trustees. Before Sept. 30th, please cast your vote for Frank Estrada. Please view attached for more detail information on Frank Estrada

Again, thank you for your time and I would be honored to receive your vote. Vote for Frank Estrada for Place 12 on the TML Intergovernmental Risk Pool Board of Trustees

Frank Estrada
Mayor Pro-Tem
City of Lockhart, Texas

Frank in San Antonio, Texas

Representative Pete Gallego

Mayor Ed Garza



Representative Trey Martinez Fischer

Mayor Henry Cisneros

Mayor Por-Tem Estrada recently attended the NALEO ANNAUL CONERENCE in Dallas

Regency Ballroom, Banquet Level12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Special Remarks· Introduction: Hon. Victor G. Carrillo, Chairman, Texas Railroad Commission·

Mr. Ken Mehlman, Chairman, Republican National Committee

Texas Welcome· Hon. Frank Estrada, Mayor Pro-Tem, City of Lockhart, Texas; President, Association of Hispanic Municipal Officials of the Texas Municipal League·
Texas Supreme Court Justice David Medina

Special Remarks:

Hon. Trey Martinez Fischer, Texas State Representative; Legal Counsel, Mexican American Legislative Caucus of the Texas House of Representatives·

Introduction: Hon. Adolfo Carrion, Bronx Borough President, New York; NALEO Vice President·

Hon. Howard Dean, Chairman, Democratic National Committee