Unity vs. Uniformity

Unity does not mean uniformity. Unity does not mean unvaried or even uniform. Unity doesn’t even mean everyone agrees. But, I will say, unity was on display this past Saturday, March 26 at the Lakehills Civic Center- the meeting place for this year’s Bandera County Republican Precinct and County Chair Convention of 2022.

You may or may not have heard, Bandera reader, of the investigations, accusations and sometimes back and forth of the Republican party in our fair county.

Republican Party Chair Lynn Haueter was served with Five Articles of Censure in February by members of the County Executive Committee lead by Republican Party Secretary Conrad “Butch” Streigl.

I will not go into allegations and the back and forth here, but I will say the matter is serious and I don’t think anyone is treating in any way other than the seriousness it deserves. Currently, Jennifer Hall the Organization Director for the Texas Republican Party and Cat Parks the Vice-Chair of the party, have both said the censures have no merit, are fraudulent, and Lynn Haueter will serve out her term until it expires on June 12 of this year. At that time, Conrad Streigl will assume the title of County Chair and the duties that go with it as he was duly elected on March 1. Streigl and other members of the CEC feel differently.

In the mean time, questions are still floating around and the sheriff and Texas Rangers are conducing a criminal investigation and Wells Fargo internally for the bank There has been much said in the paper, online and I am sure in living rooms and text messages across the county.

All of that will eventually be settled, as it should be. Once all investigations are completed, pertinent information, and what is allowed by law, should be made public so that there are no lingering questions. There is enough distrust with our national government, we do not need it in our own back yard.

So what of the unity I first proffered? How can there be unity if there is such division and mistrust in the party? Because there is something else at stake here and those on opposite ends of the censure understand that.

For a few hours, differences needed to be set aside for the good of the party and the country. Caucusing with fellow precinct constituents, voting on delegates to state convention and resolutions to the Republican Party’s platform are important parts of our Constitutional Republic. Ever wonder how the Party determines the planks in the platform? It is by we the people and it starts at a county level.

Over 70 people filled the civic center. These people cared about our Republic enough to stand together, talk about issues that concerned them, elect delegates to the convention and to put forth resolutions they felt strongly needed to be part of the coming Republican platform.

Yes, a nomination of Butch Streigl for convention chair was put forward. And as is proper, a vote was cast. Lynn Haueter received 48 and Mr. Striegl received 26. There was a question on the count, though it was clear Haueter had carried the vote, Streigl didn’t make a scene, argue, no one yelled. Instead, Butch Streigl graciously conceded, and the convention continued. Because unity for the liberty that this convention stood for needed to prevail. Because having delegates that will help shape the party for the future is a cornerstone of our liberty and should bring us together, not tear us apart. This is the kind of unity that will build bridges of commonality not walls of separation.When our Founding Fathers conceived of this nation, not everyone was in agreement then. John Adams penned to his wife Abigail praying we would not live to “rue it”, meaning the forming of the Republic at great cost.

And it was at great cost. Through the years people have died to defend the promise that piece of paper signed by 56 men over 200 years ago established. Protests have been held, marches in the streets, petitions signed and yes, censures brought forward to people who share the same political party you do. And yet, through all of that, when it is important, liberty prevails in the hearts and actions of patriots who love this great state of Texas and this land of the red white and blue.

Let us continue in that vein, and let it not be in vain, that we work for further unification and be resolute in the principles of the party.

Becky Lay is the Chairman of the Bandera County Republican Party Election Integrity Committee. This column does not necessarily represent the views of the Bandera County Republican Party. Editor’s Note: The referenced statements from Jennifer Hall and Cat Parks can be found in the Bulletin’s issues from March 16 and 23.