Judge Steve Walker to appear on San Antonio Living, June 6th

Walker Report Publisher & Judge Steve Walker (photo) will appear on San Antonio Living, Monday, June 6th from 10-11 a.m. with Shelly Miles to talk about truancy and how the education cuts will affect the Justice of the Peace Courts.

Coming in the June issue of the San Antonio Jewish Journal, Walker writes an article on the lack of Jewish Office Holders in San Antonio.

The Southside Reporter will periodically run "Legal Tips from Justice of the Peace Steve Walker" in its weekly Thursday edition.

Walker's "Ask the Judge" column continues every week in the Sunday edition of La Prensa of San Antonio.

Today it is Michael Williams Birthday-candidate for Senate

Michael Williams (photo)

I’d like to invite you to join a very special celebration. Today, my husband and best friend, Michael Williams, celebrates his birthday!

Michael and I are so lucky to have so many dear friends like you who have inspired him and cheered him on in the many long days out on the campaign trail. He does it -- and you do it -- because the things that are worthwhile rarely come easy. I am so proud of Michael for taking a stand for the future of this nation, and I know he will make a terrific U.S. Senator.

As one of Michael’s greatest friends and supporters, will you take a minute today to sign his birthday card? With your birthday message, I hope you’ll also consider making a contribution on this special day so we can all chip in for the best gift of all -- a thoughtful, hard-working, and principled new Texas Senator.

In the coming months, Texans will get to know the same Michael I know -- a man of faith and conviction who never puts himself before service to others. Under Ronald Reagan, Michael prosecuted criminals despite receiving death threats. As a Railroad Commissioner, he never accepted a pay raise in 12 years... sacrificing personal comfort to lead by example to cut spending.

The Michael I know has the courage of his convictions -- and not only does he say it, he lives it. He's tough and he's principled. And he's the kind of leader Texas needs.

Michael is truly one of a kind. This year, I hope you’ll join me in wishing him a Happy Birthday -- along with an extra special gift to make sure that the folks up in Washington see A LOT more of him!

Thank you for all that you do for Michael, for Texas, and for our country!

Sincerely,

Donna N. Williams

Memorial Day photos @ Ft. Sam Houston, May 30th

Photos by Martha Cerna taken @ Ft. Sam, Memorial Day, May 30th.

"Ask the Judge" Column in Sunday's La Prensa, 5-29

Ask the Judge: Truancy Show/Cause
By Judge Steve Walker

Over the past three months in this column we have offered some insights into various aspects of the jurisdiction of the Justice of the Peace Court.

To date we have addressed some aspects of truancy, handling disorderly students, how to take care of traffic tickets and keep them off your driving record, the procedure for appealing evictions and small claims, familiarizing oneself on legal terms, pros and cons of hiring an attorney and how to conduct yourself in the court to name a few.

This column will deal once again with the seriousness of truancy and its impact on the student. Of all the infractions or offenses that are filed in the Justice of the Peace, truancy tops all other offenses in priority.

With four separate dockets and two Judges in Pct. 2 dealing with the never ending truancy from four school districts, the long term ramifications are staggering.

In the initial encounter with a student cited for skipping school (unexcused absences) and tardy to class, the school district attendance officer cites the number of full days the student failed to attend and the number of tardies incurred during the school year.

Students who are absent due to legitimate medical reasons must turn in a doctor’s note within two or three days (varies from District to District) after the absence. If they do, no cases will be filed against them.

On the students initial arraignment once the attendance officer makes his/her case against the student & parent, punishment is then determined due to the severity of the offense.

The student is given a specified probationary period, assessed a dollar amount fine, court costs, possible counseling such as goal setting, decision making, anger management, community service, possibility of prevention of driver’s license or revocation of driver’s license, mandatory sign in sheet at school, daily attendance sheet, credit retrieval, Saturday School and more.

If the student fails to comply with what was mandated, he/she is returned court to show why he/she should not be remanded to juvenile detention for refusing to do what the Judge instructed.

If the student is 17 years old he/she will not be remanded to juvenile detention. Their case is revoked and they must pay all fines owed to the court.

Only those students who are 16 or younger are sent to juvenile detention where they are assigned a probation officer and released to their parents. The student will report for a designated time to the probation officer who will be in charge of their punishment till they are released from the probation officer’s custody.

The goal of the court is to ensure students attend school till they are 18, walk the stage at commencement, or court order a GED for the student at the request of the student, parent or supervising school district.

Lastly as always, if you are due in court, be sure to show up to court on time. It is in everyone’s best interest.

Justice of the Peace, Pct. 2 Steve Walker is a Vietnam Veteran and a former Journalist.

A Memorial Day Message (May 30th) from Michael Williams

L-R: Michael Williams message

Memorial Day, which falls on the last Monday of May, honors the men and women who have died in our Nation’s service. Originally known as Decoration Day, it originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971, to set aside one special day for the nation to get together to remember, reflect and honor those who have given their all in service to our country.

As we observe this Memorial Day whether visiting cemeteries or memorials, holding family gatherings or participating in parades, let’s take a moment to give a true tribute to the men and women who gave their lives for our liberty.

These patriots all came from different backgrounds and walks of life, but they all had one thing in common; their love and loyalty for America. Because of their courage we go about our day-to-day activities free, free from dictators, free from communist commissars, and from Islamic jihadists. We owe them so much and all too often seem to appreciate them so little. By honoring them, we preserve their memory and acknowledge their sacrifice.

This Memorial Day let’s do even more to preserve their memory and acknowledge their special sacrifice. Why not make a contribution to a highly rated veteran or military charity or sit down for a visit with a wounded soldier at your local Veteran’s Hospital?

If you’re in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, join Donna and I “welcome home” some Army soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan for two weeks of well deserved rest and recuperation. There is no more moving and inspirational experience.

You can’t imagine the sheer joy of witnessing those young men and women, who left home a while ago, a little nervous and awkward, departing DFW airport with their backs straight, heads high and eyes staring strong and straight ahead, perhaps, with one of them looking through the crowd for the newborn he’s never seen.

And, there you are, standing with other Americans, chanting USA! USA!, waving the American flag, shaking their hands, patting them on the back, telling them “thank you”. So call (972) 574-0392 to find out the time and terminal for the R&R arrival. We look forward to seeing you.

“We come, not to mourn our dead soldiers, but to praise them.” — Francis A. Walker

Council District 7 candidate Cris Medina to blockwalk, 5-28

Our momentum in the run-off election continues to build. I am pleased to announce the endorsement of former District 7 candidate Fred Rangel. I thank Mr. Rangel for his support of our campaign, as we continue to dismiss negative campaigning from my run-off opponent and focus on the issues most important to District 7 families.

We will be back at it this weekend knocking on doors in the District, beginnning at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday. We will meet at our HQ, located at 5975 Bandera Rd at Loop 410. Breakfast and lunch will be provided.

As a reminder, the run-off election is set for June 11th. Please support our campaign by reminding folks to come out one more time, with early voting beginning May 31st through June 7th.

For more information on the runoff election or to volunteer, please contact my campaign headquarters at (210) 427-3229 or email: district7@crismedina.org

A very funny "Quote of the Day" unless you are in Congress

"Suppose you were an idiot. And suppose you were a member of Congress. But I repeat myself."
-- Mark Twain (photo)

Still more photos of La Prensa Foundation Gala, May 26th

L-R: Honorees Diana Barrios-Trevino with La Prensa Publisher Tino Duran, Lynn Hickey, Graciela Cigarroa, Beverly Purcell-Guerra, Kimberly Bowers, Evangelina Flores, April Ancira, Gisela Girard, Shelley Miles, Sonya Medina-Williams, Aaronetta Pierce, Councilwoman Elisha Chan, Sr. Charlene Wedelich, Cathy Amato, & Jennifer Sedlacek, MC News-4 WOAI Anchor Randy Beamer, former El Rey Feo Fernado Reyes, Bexar County Democratic Party Chair Choco Meza, former Councilman Rger Flores & mother honoree Evangelina Flores, honoree April Ancira & husband, honoree Councilwoman Elisa Chan & husband, Howard Hew, honoree Shelly Miles, Judge Sandi Bryon Marion with honoree Beverly Purcell-Guerra, honoree Kim Bowers, sign in desk, attendees, MC & News-4 WOAI Anchor Randy Beamer

Still more photos of the 15th Annual Gala of La Prensa Foundation, May 26th.