The Bandera County Republican Women hosted Bandera County Sheriff Elect Josh Teitge on Thursday, October 10, at their regular monthly meeting. Teitge spoke about his experiences as a canine handler and how his, now retired, German Shepherd Fritz would assist him with police investigations.
Teigte demonstrated Fritz in action and showed the various equipment he used as a canine handler.
Fritz is a seven-year-old German Shepherd which Teitge’s previous department in Florence acquired from Germany for approximately $10,000.
Since Fritz was so close to the usual police canine retirement age of 8 years to 10 years old, Teitge’s previous department let him keep Fritz.
Teitge has worked with Fritz for the past four years. Fritz is a trained narcotics dog (certified in five substances), he is trained in tracking and patrol and is a trained bite dog.
Teigte and Fritz attend training each month to keep both officers in peak performance mode.
Fritz was originally trained at the Pace Center in Liberty Hill, Texas.
Fritz is responsible for finding during his previous service, onehalf kilo of cocaine, 22 grams of methamphetamine, and 6 pounds of marijuana. Fritz is a passive alert dog.
Teigte stated that while Fritz is technically at the age limit of his service, he is still healthy and active.
Teigte plans on retaining Fritz in service when he takes over as Sheriff in January, essentially providing the county with an extra canine officer and handler.
Bandera County has one canine officer and handler currently.
Teigte provided time at the end of his presentation for audience members to chat with him and pet Fritz.
The Minutes of the September Meeting of the BCRW were
approved and Treasurer Sharon Striegl presented the Treasurer’s report.
Membership Chair Melanie Burns noted that the club starts its membership year on November 1 which runs through October 31.
She stated that there were no changes in membership at this time.
Scholarship Chair Liz Garcia reported that the Spaghetti Lunch on September 27 was a success.
She said that 180 out of 200 possible plates were sold to fund 2 scholarships for high school seniors.
Chaplain Jarod Tomassi reported back to the group on his meeting with BISD Superintendent Gary Bitzkie and High School Principal Dr. Patrick Sizemore.
Tomassi explained about the process which the high school used to educate seniors during their government classes on the rights and requirements of voting.
This voting unit was presented in government classes during the week before voter registration day on September 17.
Bitzkie said that each qualified senior was given a voter registration card to fill out and turn into Dr. Sizemore.
Sizemore would be personally delivering the cards to Elections Administrator Andrea Jankosky in future.
Legislative Chair Laura Briscoe reported that there were few legislative issues at this time. She encouraged the members to “get the people to the polls.”
SREC District 24 rep Mary Jane Avery spoke to the group about their efforts to encourage Hispanic voters to vote red. She recommended that they get on the Zoom call on October 19 to hear how to target specific groups of voters.
Gayle Teagarden from the Texas Federation of Republican Women spoke about which candidates needed wins in South Texas and the Valley. She encouraged the members to do block walks.
BCRW Secretary Tiffany Shirey reminded the group about the fundraiser for Wes Virdell on October 11 at the Ridin’ the River Cowboy Church. Virdell is running for the legislative seat vacated by longtime legislator Andrew Murr.
Candidate for the 4th Court of Appeals, Todd McCray spoke briefly about his candidacy.
The BC Republican Women were recognized for 35 years of membership in the Texas Federation of Republican Women.
The next meeting of the Bandera County Republican Women will be on Thursday, November 7, at 6 p.m. in the Silver Sage Dining Room.
