GOP meets for first time since leaders’ indictment

Two dozen people gathered at the Lakehills Library for the Bandera County Republican Party’s Feb. 9 meeting, the party’s first since the indictment of its chair and treasurer on charges of fraudulent document execution.

Party chair Conrad Streigl and Treasurer Cari Rene Leith turned themselves into the Bandera County Jail Jan. 13 following the charges and would later post bail.

Neither were present at the party’s last meeting on January 12, though party Parliamentarian Darcy Hasty said during that meeting both were sick.

Hasty told the audience Feb. 9 she would be glad to discuss the current situation concerning Streigl and Leith since the pair had been advised by their attorneys not to speak about the situation. She said any member who wished more information on the situation could contact her personally.

Striegl mentioned there had been a straw poll among the precinct chairs, and 70 percent concurred Striegl and Leith should remain in their positions.

A lengthy discussion about a possible audit of the party’s books was initiated by Leith. Striegl said that much of the documentation (receipts) needed for the audit was unavailable.

After consultation with an auditor, the auditor indicated that an audit without receipts and documentation would be ineffective. He recommended the group retain a bookkeeper to keep the party’s finances up to date.

A member of the audience requested the membership be sent a spreadsheet that contained all available data, though Leith

BULLETIN PHOTO/ responded the spreadsheet would be unwieldy for the average computer to display.

The group then asked for a PDF that could be scanned. Striegl said past GOP treasurers had a duty to provide as much information as possible to help unravel the party’s finances.

Precinct 306 Chair Cammie Burger Morgan stated she was one of the precinct chairs who had requested an independent audit of party finances. She said that she had not been communicated with about the audit.

Morgan, as she had in a previous meeting, said she had a donor willing to pay for the cost of the audit. Striegl indicated a committee would be put together to discuss the issue and said there had never been an audit in the party’s history.

Striegl said the party had made no deposits or expenditures since the Treasurer’s Report last Oct.

The evening featured recognition for Bandera County Precinct 2 Constable Greg Spengler, presented by Sergeant at Arms Juan Mata.

The meeting’s guest speaker was Terry Harper, former member of the State Republican Executive Committee.

Harper spoke about the ways that the Republican party polices itself, outlining the process by which a county chair can be removed from their post. He gave examples and answered a few questions about the process.

County Chair Conrad Striegl reviewed the Republican Party planks to start the meeting, emphasizing to the audience it is a grassroots and ground up organization.

He said the county party, which formerly had meetings quarterly, now had monthly meetings in locations around the county.

Striegl noted Zach Rathbun, Bexar County Precinct 4097 Chair, was leading a movement to censure Texas Senator John Cornyn for gun legislation introduced in the wake of the Uvalde shooting. Rathbun was slated to speak at February’s meeting but could not attend.

The Bandera County Executive Committee asked members to follow through on their commitment to attend the state convention. Mata also asked the group to volunteer as poll workers.

At the end of the meeting, Striegl made a statement about how important political participation was to the citizens of the state and nation.

“Right now, we are living in an historical time. If you don’t believe that then just look around,” he said. “They are coming after our freedoms, your freedoms There are no rules for them. It is hard for us to compete. We have jobs. The other side doesn’t have jobs. So they can work as hard as they want. Our way of life is in jeopardy. I truly believe that. We must preserve our way of life. What can little ole Bandera County do? They have got to come through us.”

The party meets next on March 9 at 7 p.m. at the Silver Sage Community Center in Bandera.