Consistent. Principled. Action.

Citizens, the June 10 email/post on engineering concerns did not properly articulate the boundaries of the research that I conducted.

The details within the email/post were correct, but they apply only to the 7 major engineering firms that were selected for a second review by the commissioners court on segment 3 of the regional outer loop in Collin County.

The email/post was written from my perspective and with my background knowledge, but did not account for the fact that you were not aware of the research boundaries. The issue at hand is the current consideration of the outer loop segment.

Sincerely,
Keith

I want to thank the 300 folks who came out on a "warm" afternoon on Saturday to attend our First Annual Summer Picnic. We had a great time enjoying good food, friends, and fellowship in rural Collin County.

John and Diann Jones' Pepper Hill Ranch is a great spot for a picnic - pavilion and trees providing shade next to their beautiful lake - what a great setting! Check out the pictures (one to the left, the remainder at my Facebook page) for a taste of the great afternoon that we had.

I appreciated remarks by the Chairman of the Collin County Republican Party, Fred Moses, and I was honored to have the Republican National Committeewoman representing Texas, Cathie Adams, also address the crowd. Ken Paxton and Jodie Laubenberg added a few words about the recent legislative session.

We discussed the new transparency in Collin County government, our lower county tax rate, the new county homestead exemption, and the restrained growth of county government.

I thank each of you who came out to enjoy the afternoon with us, and I look forward to the second annual summer picnic!

Sincerely,
Keith

Citizens, I am concerned about the current methods of awarding engineering contracts in Collin County.

There seems to be a special relationship between the county and a very few engineering companies. Over the past 5 years, 49% of all contracts for engineering design work has been awarded to only a single firm. That may not be in the best interest of County taxpayers.

I have no issue with any of the engineering firms that do business in our county - they are all very respectable and capable firms. There is no indication of wrong doing, collusion or corruption and no information that would suggest otherwise. This is an issue of acquiring the best value at the least, but reasonable cost without sacrificing quality.

The bottom line is that state law states that pricing CANNOT be considered in the INITIAL selection of engineering firms - a system that encourages a relationship with no check and balance against giving all business to the same firm. It is difficult to negotiate "best value" if price is not included.

Contrary to what you may hear, I don't believe that allowing price to be considered in engineering contracts would lead to failure of projects designed by any of the world-class engineering firms in Collin County.

In court on June 8, we designated the firm that has received 49% of all contracts over the past 5 years as the single firm with which we will negotiate scope and price for a major section of the massive project. In this project, even a small percentage savings would be a huge dollar amount.

The next step in our process is to negotiate only with the selected firm. The only way that we have to get you the best price on this massive project is to continue to negotiate down the priority list of firms in turn until we reach a price that reflects the current weak economy, work available on the market, and recent pricing history in the region.

I am encouraging the two commissioners designated to monitor the negotiations to press hard for the best price possible.

That is the least that we can do for you.

Sincerely,
Keith

Citizens, we are in the midst of a series of important national dates; dates that directly speak to our liberties. I face re-election next year, so some ask why I spend so much time on the issue of freedom. Freedom is why I spent 25 years in an Army uniform, and what I want to preserve for all Collin County citizens.

Special Forces Sergeant Stefan Mazak said it well, "There are only two types of warriors in this world. Those that serve tyrants and those that serve free men." To paraphrase for us, there are only two types of citizens, those who serve tyrants, and those who live free.

We recently remembered our fallen heroes on Memorial Day on May 25, remembering those who paid the ultimate price for liberty. Many of us attended ceremonies that reminded us that our freedoms are not free; that maintaining freedom requires the participation of every citizen in an increasingly complex and interconnected world.

On Saturday, June 6, we celebrate the 65th anniversary of D-Day, the massive invasion of Europe that signaled the beginning of the march to victory in World War II. I parachuted into the 49th D-Day anniversary and had a wonderful two days with many old vets from the Normandy invasion. After nearly half a century, their memories were as clear as yesterday, their emotions as strong as when they were 49 years younger, and their commitment to defend our freedoms and our way of life still absolutely resolute. It is one of the most meaningful memories of my military career. Every American should visit the military cemetery overlooking Omaha Beach - an inspiring place of rest for more than 10,000 dead and missing from that campaign.

The 4th of July, the touchstone of our freedom with the signing of the Declaration of Independence, is just around the corner. In the last sentence, the signers stated that, "we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor." It is that commitment to the principles of freedom and independence that continues to be essential in the defense of freedom today.

However, the signers of the Declaration were NOT of one mind as our young nation matured. In fact, two of the most famous signers, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, later became political opponents.

From the Thomas Jefferson Encyclopedia, referring to Jefferson's victory over John Adams in the election of 1800, quote,

"The revolution of 1800 was as real revolution in the principles of our government as that of 1776 was in its form; not effected by the sword ... but by the rational and peaceful instrument of reform, the suffrage of the people," wrote Jefferson. With the overwhelming support of the citizenry, Jefferson and his followers had overcome the politics of faction and intrigue, turned back the tide of counter-revolution, and restored the country to its true republican course. End quote.

Let's re-commit ourselves to this spirit - keeping the flames of freedom alive and bright at every level of government.

As Collin County continues to go through a period of rapid change, including political changes, we are reminded of the words of Edward Everett in a speech just a month after Adams and Jefferson both died on the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence - July 4th, 1826,

"Having lived and acted and counseled and dared and risked all, and triumphed and enjoyed together, they have gone to their great reward. Forgetting the little that had divided them and cherishing the communion of service and peril and success that had united, they walked with honorable friendship the declining pathway of age; and now they have sunk down together in peace into the bosom of a redeemed and grateful country."

All who love liberty and independence should cherish the memory of these two Founding Fathers; compatriots in the Revolutionary War, political opponents in the years that followed, and finally, old friends with a common desire - a great future for America. I ask that all who cherish liberty come with me as we continue this experiment in open and transparent county government focused only on core functions in order to preserve your freedom.

Sincerely,
Keith

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...Please join us on Saturday, June 13, for my first annual summer picnic. You can download a form at http://www.keithself.com/images/SelfJune2009PicnicRSVP.pdf or just call Kim Watts at 214-236-1053. We kept the cost low in order to get as many of the grassroots army together as possible before we start campaigning in earnest in the fall. Burgers, dogs, bounce house, volleyball, and horseshoes - fun for all ages! And of course, comments by a few folks that you will want to hear.

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