The Bandera Republican Party met on June 27 at the BEC Community Room under the leadership of the newly elected party chairman Mark Miller.
The meeting began at 4 PM with former Precinct Chair Becky Gring opening the meeting with a prayer.
Then Ron Sopchak, the new Sergeant at Arms Ron Sopchak led the pledge to the American flag, and John Schultze led the pledge to the Texas flag.
The first order of business was the appointment of a temporary Secretary. Brenda Miller was appointed temporary secretary until a permanent secretary can be appointed.
Mark Miller called for a roll call. All precinct chairs were present except for Brandi Conover who was ill. All officers were present, excluding Vice Chair Ben Wilhelm who was late to the meeting.
A lengthy discussion occurred about changes to the by-laws. Only minimal changes were suggested and would be voted on at the July 11 meeting.
The by-law changes would mirror changes to the Republican Party of Texas made at the recent convention.
Since the Chair of Precinct 102 was vacant, Ginger Sopchak was appointed precinct chair. The Chair for Precinct 409 (Wharton’s Dock) remains vacant. Miller encouraged Republicans to volunteer for work at the polls, as the last primary election was conducted with members of the Democratic Party taking the place of Republicans at the polls.
Special Committee assignments were made. Ron Sopchak was appointed Sergeant at Arms, Ben Wilhelm was appointed Vice Chair, and Dennis Gonzales was appointed Chaplain.
The appointment of three signatories for the bank account was voted on by the Executive Committee. Treasurer Melanie Stringfellow reported on the bank balance for the party. Chairman Mark Miller remarked that the group would set up a Republican Club which would oversee fundraising for the Party.
Stringfellow assured the group that the audit was nearly complete for the Party. She stated that fiscal years 2022, 2023, and 2024 were complete but that the audit for 2021 was still in process.
Stringfellow brought up the postal box for the party. The postal box was registered under Stringfellow’s name, and she would be responsible for it. The Executive Committee voted in favor of that.
The last order of business was the appointment of the permanent Secretary. Miller assured the group that the Secretary, as well as other officers of the Executive Committee, did not have to be Precinct Chairs. After much discussion, Courtney Wilhelm was appointed Secretary of the Republican Party of Bandera.
The meeting adjourned briefly to allow visitors to enter the room for the swearing in ceremony of the precinct chairs. A standing room crowd filed into the room. Holly and Johnny Boyle, Ann and Russel Hevenor, Jana Lindig, Linda James, Ople Boyle, Sandy Vannater, Jack Mosely, Andrea Jankowski, George and Barbara Sharman, and Troy Konvicka attended the swearing in.
Chairman Mark Miller recognized Dede Skoglund, Crystal Swope, Cammie Morgan, and Rebecca Gring as members who had gone above and beyond in their work for the party.
Chairman Miller was sworn in by Bandera County Judge Richard Evans and then the Precinct Chairs were sworn in: Precinct 101, Laura Briscoe; Precinct 102, Ginger Sopchak; Precinct 204, Shirley Grohman; Precinct 305, Joe Kitzman; Precinct 306, Milam Boyle; Precinct 407, John Schuetze; Precinct 408, Deanna Skoglund; and Precinct 410, Melanie Stringfellow. Precinct 203 Chair, Brandi Conover, was absent.
Judge Evans made some final remarks which encouraged the group to actively participate in the political process. Chairman Miller made closing remarks and invited all attending to enjoy the food provided and to visit with other Republicans.
The next meeting of the Bandera County Republican Party will be on Thursday, July 11 at the BEC Community Room. The meeting will start at 6 p.m.
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