PRESS RELEASE: Marcus Brand

It is official now; I have two opponents in the primary this coming March 2, 2010. So what can I offer the people of Precinct 2? I will bring representative government, honesty, and respect to the office of Commissioner Precinct 2. I will work hard to attract businesses to Liberty County. I will work with all County government agencies to reduce crime, improve roads, improve drainage, and I will back the Liberty County Fire Fighters Association (LCFFA). In the near future, I will explain each of these items in detail, so check back. Please visit my website: www.marcusbrand.com

Sincerely,

Marcus Brand

Candidate for Liberty County Commissioner Precinct 2

PRESS RELEASE: Marcus Brand

It is official now; I have two opponents in the primary this coming March 2, 2010. So what can I offer the people of Precinct 2? I will bring representative government, honesty, and respect to the office of Commissioner Precinct 2. I will work hard to attract businesses to Liberty County. I will work with all County government agencies to reduce crime, improve roads, improve drainage, and I will back the Liberty County Fire Fighters Association (LCFFA). In the near future, I will explain each of these items in detail, so check back. Please visit my website: www.marcusbrand.com

Sincerely,

Marcus Brand

Candidate for Liberty County Commissioner Precinct 2

PRESS RELEASE: REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE FOR 253RD JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT

Candidate: Jan Michelle Mangum-Merendino

After prayerful consideration and encouragement from the community, I am pleased to announce my candidacy for Judge of the 253rd Judicial District Court. I am a lifelong resident of Southeast Texas. My husband, Jared, is a Math teacher at Hull-Daisetta High School. We have three wonderful children. I graduated from Hull-Daisetta and worked my way through college, earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting from the University of Houston, Clear Lake. I worked as a tax manager for Clear Channel Communications prior to graduating Summa Cum Laude (top 1%) from South Texas College of Law. At South Texas I was an editor of the Law Review and worked on the preparation of federal and state appeals.

I am the first female attorney to begin her legal career as a sole practitioner in Liberty County and the first woman candidate for District Judge in Liberty County. Throughout my fourteen-year career, my work ethic and diverse experience have prepared me for service as a judge. My legal career encompasses both civil and criminal law, including juvenile law, family law, child protective services litigation, criminal defense, mental health law, probate law, tort law, real estate law, and bankruptcy law. I have tried cases in 12 Texas counties, including Chambers and Liberty. I have served as president and vice president of the Liberty County Bar Association.

I strongly believe that an individual’s ability to take his or her legal matter before a fair and impartial tribunal is essential to preserve the rights guaranteed by the United States Constitution and the Texas Constitution. Without open and fair courts, our freedoms cannot be protected. Liberty and Chambers counties need impartial judges who are committed to the letter of the law in every case.

I have filed as a Republican candidate because I believe in conservative principles. My opponent changed parties for political reasons, citing the preference for Republican officials in Chambers County in his Christmas Eve announcement.

If elected, I won’t let political expediency guide me … and I won’t taint Christmas with politics.

PRESS RELEASE: REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE FOR 253RD JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT

Candidate: Jan Michelle Mangum-Merendino

After prayerful consideration and encouragement from the community, I am pleased to announce my candidacy for Judge of the 253rd Judicial District Court. I am a lifelong resident of Southeast Texas. My husband, Jared, is a Math teacher at Hull-Daisetta High School. We have three wonderful children. I graduated from Hull-Daisetta and worked my way through college, earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting from the University of Houston, Clear Lake. I worked as a tax manager for Clear Channel Communications prior to graduating Summa Cum Laude (top 1%) from South Texas College of Law. At South Texas I was an editor of the Law Review and worked on the preparation of federal and state appeals.

I am the first female attorney to begin her legal career as a sole practitioner in Liberty County and the first woman candidate for District Judge in Liberty County. Throughout my fourteen-year career, my work ethic and diverse experience have prepared me for service as a judge. My legal career encompasses both civil and criminal law, including juvenile law, family law, child protective services litigation, criminal defense, mental health law, probate law, tort law, real estate law, and bankruptcy law. I have tried cases in 12 Texas counties, including Chambers and Liberty. I have served as president and vice president of the Liberty County Bar Association.

I strongly believe that an individual’s ability to take his or her legal matter before a fair and impartial tribunal is essential to preserve the rights guaranteed by the United States Constitution and the Texas Constitution. Without open and fair courts, our freedoms cannot be protected. Liberty and Chambers counties need impartial judges who are committed to the letter of the law in every case.

I have filed as a Republican candidate because I believe in conservative principles. My opponent changed parties for political reasons, citing the preference for Republican officials in Chambers County in his Christmas Eve announcement.

If elected, I won’t let political expediency guide me … and I won’t taint Christmas with politics.

PRESS RELEASE: Paul Kelly for Pct. 4 Commissioner

Hello, my name is Paul Kelly.

My wife and I have been living in Liberty County for the past 11 years, we have 3 children. I am very concerned for our County and the negative images portrayed by local and national media groups due to issues at the Court House which have been going on for years. Our elected officials at the County Court House should uphold the highest integrity, moral character, honesty and remember who they where elected by and for, and to uphold The Constitution of the United States of America. Liberty County elected officials must be about protecting its citizens and bring in Industries, retail establishments, Jobs! Jobs! Jobs!,,, For far too long Liberty County has had and still has one of the highest unemployment rates in the State and Nation currently at 11.2%---this is unacceptable, and it is time to clean house. These are just a few reasons why I am running for the office of Liberty County Commissioner Pct 4 in the March primary election as a Conservative Republican. If you too are a concerned citizen and you are sick and tired of the direction and corruption of our court system, please consider helping my campaign with funds and/or helping spread the word to Vote for Paul Kelly County Commissioner Pct 4 on March 2, 2010. Make sure you are registered to vote! AND VOTE!!!

Thank You and God Bless!

Paul Kelly - Conservative

PRESS RELEASE: Paul Kelly for Pct. 4 Commissioner

Hello, my name is Paul Kelly.

My wife and I have been living in Liberty County for the past 11 years, we have 3 children. I am very concerned for our County and the negative images portrayed by local and national media groups due to issues at the Court House which have been going on for years. Our elected officials at the County Court House should uphold the highest integrity, moral character, honesty and remember who they where elected by and for, and to uphold The Constitution of the United States of America. Liberty County elected officials must be about protecting its citizens and bring in Industries, retail establishments, Jobs! Jobs! Jobs!,,, For far too long Liberty County has had and still has one of the highest unemployment rates in the State and Nation currently at 11.2%---this is unacceptable, and it is time to clean house. These are just a few reasons why I am running for the office of Liberty County Commissioner Pct 4 in the March primary election as a Conservative Republican. If you too are a concerned citizen and you are sick and tired of the direction and corruption of our court system, please consider helping my campaign with funds and/or helping spread the word to Vote for Paul Kelly County Commissioner Pct 4 on March 2, 2010. Make sure you are registered to vote! AND VOTE!!!

Thank You and God Bless!

Paul Kelly - Conservative

County Judge Phil Fitzgerald Re-Election Announcement

My first day as Liberty County Judge, January 2, 2007, I was sworn to office by Judge Ronnie Davis. During the ceremony I asked the citizens of Liberty County to pray for our county and to pray for me and the other newly elected officials. I appreciate not only your prayers but also the support and encouragement you’ve shown over these last three years, and specifically this past year. Your cards and letters of support have been overwhelming. I now ask that you continue your prayers and support as I seek re-election so that I may continue what I promised when I originally sought this office; to give all my effort in working toward bettering Liberty County for all its citizens.

Over the past three years I, and the commissioners, have worked together in a united effort to do all we can for the good of Liberty County. The commissioners have all worked together to help in each other’s precincts and make decisions that benefit the county as a whole. Our efforts led to many successes for our county including:

• Securing over $43 million in grant allocations for Liberty County in the past three years;

• Increasing the number of law enforcement officers by 17 without increasing the tax rate;

• Attending to the needs of all communities in our county borders equally, breaking down the barriers of past divisions;

• Implementing a job classification system for Liberty County identifying salary concerns for county employees and raising the pay standard for all citizens by demanding incoming industry to recognize the value of our citizens compared to pay scales in other areas outside Liberty County;

• Increasing Liberty County’s fund balance from $8 million to over $18 million by closely managing county finances. This healthy fund balance enabled us to fund disaster recovery efforts immediately when state and federal resources were slow to arrive;

• Implementing a traffic patrol division that aided in decreasing traffic fatalities by 42% leading to an estimated 20 lives being spared in the last 2 years.

Remaining true to goals I set when I took office, I have facilitated meetings with mayors, school and other officials to share in solutions to county issues, again in efforts to unite our county. These quarterly governmental summits provide leaders throughout our community a forum to unite and work together for our county.

As County Judge I’ve also worked hard in establishing and maintaining good working relationships with officials from surrounding counties, state officials, and federal legislators. Working as Emergency Director for Liberty County immediately following Hurricane Ike I appointed a liaison to assure that Liberty County rigorously monitored FEMA guidelines and requirements for reimbursement. These efforts resulted in State and Federal audits approving all $23 million in Ike recovery expenses that were eligible for reimbursement helping Liberty County to more quickly and more fully recover in the face of tragedy and disaster.

In my capacity as Juvenile Court Judge I have had the opportunity to work with Chief Juvenile Probation Officer Anthony Scott in successfully re-evaluating procedures in handling juveniles. We are confident these efforts have led to making our schools and neighborhoods safer.

Lately, there seems to be an attempt by some of my foes to proclaim value changes based on party affiliation. For the past twenty-three years I ran on the local Democratic ballot and will continue to do so. Does it mean my personal values or the values of the citizens of this county have changed? I think not. I have attended the same local church for the past thirty-three years worshiping alongside Democrats and Republicans alike and never veering from the same conservative values we all hold dear. I hope that my party affiliation is not needed to reflect my values. Rather, I hope my values are reflected in my decisions, actions, family, and most importantly, my Faith.

In holding true to my values, I enjoy working with officials from both political parties. Working together we have accomplished many things over the past three years for the betterment of our entire county. If you feel the need to label me, I ask you to label me in the most important way, not by party affiliation, but rather as a common man looking to God to guide his every decision in hopes of doing everything he can to make his home and community, Liberty County, the very best it can be.

As I’ve said I have had the opportunity over the past three years to work with many dynamic people all striving to make Liberty County the best it can be. Unfortunately, since nearly day one as County Judge I’ve also been in a battle against wickedness entrenched in high places. There are some in our county, and its leadership, who are primarily driven by their extreme sense of entitlement and care only for getting their way despite the effects their actions have on the citizens of Liberty County. Despite the negativity and disregard of integrity by some, I remain steadfast in my efforts as County Judge to bring common sense business principles to our local government and work towards positive achievements for our county.

One of the foremost of these principles is to eliminate unnecessary expenses in the operation of our county. As you can imagine this conservative philosophy did not sit too well with those who are determined to maintain the way things had always been done. However, they failed to realize that unlike themselves, my loyalty is to the hard-working citizens of this county and not to the self-proclaimed elite of the courthouse. I have not nor will I back down from my values as they attack me from every side.

I will continue to stand against those who care only about their own ego and sense of entitlement and care nothing for the good of those around them. I will continue to stand against those who ignore truth and the law and fail to seek justice and impartiality. I will continue to stand against those who abuse their positions by using fear and intimidation to get their way. I will continue to stand against those who care nothing for right and wrong and only hunger for control. I will continue to stand for the good of all the citizens and the betterment of Liberty County. Stand with me.

Phil Fitzgerald
Liberty County Judge