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Residents protest at Saturday's Tea Party
  
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BY JOHN VERSER
Several area residents were fed up, and they were ready to talk about it on Independence Day.
About 200 residents showed up at Calhoun County’s second Tea Party Saturday at the county fairgrounds, speaking against excess government and high taxes, while generally supporting “conservative” values.
The rally, deemed a “Calhoun County Freedom Celebration,” allowed citizens to voice their frustrations with government. The group “Sisters Two” also provided patriotic music.
State Rep. Todd Hunter, a surprise guest at the event, opened the session by speaking on the success of windstorm legislation in the recent legislative session, while vowing to focus on taxes next.
“Now is the time to focus on taxes,” Hunter said. “I’m very disappointed in the state of Texas’ appraisal rules. I don’t blame the locals, I blame the state and I blame the federal. They’ve ignored the tax laws for too long.”
“So my pledge to you today is the following – I’m going to vote for less government,” he added.
Avril Sassman spoke out against higher property taxes in the county. He said his property taxes went up 600 percent.
The Port Lavaca resident sported what he called his “first-ever” protest sign that asked the Calhoun County Appraisal Board “How do you justify (a) 600% increase in land value?” Sassman added that he had a hearing set for Monday to discuss the issue with the board.
He also praised Texas’ two Senators and Representative (Ron Paul), but added “We’ve got a bunch of radicals in Congress.”
Jan Regan urged citizens to get active in government to change things.
“We can not wait another year,” she said.
The Port Lavaca businesswoman, a fourth generation Calhoun Countian, also spoke about the perceived attitude of Texans. She said that attitude is existent because Texans think “we do things right.”
Regan specifically cited the right to work law and the lack of a state income tax.
“We are starting a grassroots movement to bring conservative values to every level of government – city, county, district, state,” Regan said.
Walter Rosenbrock Jr. said that it could be time to think differently while talking about the issue of secession.
“We’re fed up with it,” he said. “If worse comes to worse, then we need to tell them it’s time to separate, it’s time to divorce.
While not directly advocating session, Rosenbrock did say it was something to think about if things don’t change.
“We’re self-reliant. It’s time Washington knows we don’t need you, you need us,” Rosenbrock said.
Connie Hunt, one of the organizers for the event, said citizens were frustrated with government.
“The average men and women of America are frustrated, concerned and desperate,” she said.
“The government and the mainstream media continue to refuse to acknowledge that there is a growing dissatisfaction with the federal government and their heavy-handed ways. There is a limit to what people will take,” Hunt added.
In addition to those from Calhoun County, Hunt said that residents of Edna, Bay City, Yoakum, Lolita and Palacios attended Saturday’s event.
About 200 residents showed up at Calhoun County’s second Tea Party Saturday at the county fairgrounds, speaking against excess government and high taxes, while generally supporting “conservative” values.
The rally, deemed a “Calhoun County Freedom Celebration,” allowed citizens to voice their frustrations with government. The group “Sisters Two” also provided patriotic music.
State Rep. Todd Hunter, a surprise guest at the event, opened the session by speaking on the success of windstorm legislation in the recent legislative session, while vowing to focus on taxes next.
“Now is the time to focus on taxes,” Hunter said. “I’m very disappointed in the state of Texas’ appraisal rules. I don’t blame the locals, I blame the state and I blame the federal. They’ve ignored the tax laws for too long.”
“So my pledge to you today is the following – I’m going to vote for less government,” he added.
Avril Sassman spoke out against higher property taxes in the county. He said his property taxes went up 600 percent.
The Port Lavaca resident sported what he called his “first-ever” protest sign that asked the Calhoun County Appraisal Board “How do you justify (a) 600% increase in land value?” Sassman added that he had a hearing set for Monday to discuss the issue with the board.
He also praised Texas’ two Senators and Representative (Ron Paul), but added “We’ve got a bunch of radicals in Congress.”
Jan Regan urged citizens to get active in government to change things.
“We can not wait another year,” she said.
The Port Lavaca businesswoman, a fourth generation Calhoun Countian, also spoke about the perceived attitude of Texans. She said that attitude is existent because Texans think “we do things right.”
Regan specifically cited the right to work law and the lack of a state income tax.
“We are starting a grassroots movement to bring conservative values to every level of government – city, county, district, state,” Regan said.
Walter Rosenbrock Jr. said that it could be time to think differently while talking about the issue of secession.
“We’re fed up with it,” he said. “If worse comes to worse, then we need to tell them it’s time to separate, it’s time to divorce.
While not directly advocating session, Rosenbrock did say it was something to think about if things don’t change.
“We’re self-reliant. It’s time Washington knows we don’t need you, you need us,” Rosenbrock said.
Connie Hunt, one of the organizers for the event, said citizens were frustrated with government.
“The average men and women of America are frustrated, concerned and desperate,” she said.
“The government and the mainstream media continue to refuse to acknowledge that there is a growing dissatisfaction with the federal government and their heavy-handed ways. There is a limit to what people will take,” Hunt added.
In addition to those from Calhoun County, Hunt said that residents of Edna, Bay City, Yoakum, Lolita and Palacios attended Saturday’s event.
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