Ray L. Williams -- Home

Retailer, Farmer, Web Designer, Computer Consultant, Occasional Political Consultant

34 years working with computers, including mainframes, telecommunications, technical training, and public speaking. Two years on the city council of an area city (the second person in the history of the city to unseat an incumbent), as well as city and state boards. Presided over the two lowest effective tax increases in the history of that city (2.99%, 0%), while implementing many public safety programs, including police car replacement every 3 years and manning a previously closed fire station.

"The right to have your own honest opinion, and express it, is one of things that makes America great. When you try to take that from another individual through harassment, intimidation, ridicule, or other means, you are not trying to destroy that individual -- you are trying to destroy America."

"I haven't lived here all my life, but I came as soon as I heard it had turned republican."

Ellis County provides a peaceful, country atmosphere in which to live, while being close to services available only in large cities. The Commissioner's Court generally does a good job of running the county, but they could use a dose of conservatism. Commissioner Brown, who had the courage to vote against the "Pink Elephant," has the foresight necessary to make intelligent decisions. Commissioner Sims doesn't mind asking questions to keep everyone on their toes, and reminds everyone why there are five people representing the county, instead of just one.

We have Johnny Brown protecting us as Sheriff and Mike Jones as our constable. When you add Commissioner Ron Brown to the mixture, I feel we have honest, caring people representing us in Precinct 4.

Firm supporter of public safety. Ellis County has a very good group of peace officers, although the 2008 Sheriff's primary and election seemed to turn a few into playground bullies, which hurt the entire department. It's one thing to promote your candidate, or say why you don't like someone else's candidate. It's quite another to spread rumors and call people childish names. If we have issues of public integrity, they should be exposed to the public and to the county and district attorney. But, office politics shouldn't exist, and certainly shouldn't be broadcast to the public.

McDonald's says, "If you have time to lean, you have time to clean." If an employee has time to play office politics, they aren't busy enough. The ECSO needs to learn from that.

Some forums degraded into name-calling. That was being performed by people claiming to be, and sounding like, Ellis County Sheriff's Office officers. One of the words being repeatedly used toward a private citizen can be interpreted to question one's sexual orientation. If proved to be a county employee making these accusations, it could (a) be used to demonstrate sexual bias by the county in any case where that orientation could be considered a factor, and/or (b) result in a significant lawsuit for the county by the individual being harassed -- one paid by our tax dollars. We deserve better, and the other ECSO officers should not be tainted with the actions of a few malcontents. (Hint: time to get another job. Johnny: please assist them.)

For those who picked on one particular individual using the "clown" slur -- trust me, you have no idea with whom you're dealing. I know that person, and if you had any idea who you were calling that name, you'd be shaking in your boots. I kid you not.

Johnny Brown will be the most innovative sheriff we've ever seen. As the most powerful man in the county, it would be easy for this job to "go to his head," but I don't think Johnny will have that problem. His ideas are progressive and intelligent.

Mike Jones is a man who has proudly served our country and has the best interest of the citizens at heart. He has already worked to solve mortgage fraud, having the foresight to recognize the problem and work toward a solution months before it became nationally recognized. He will work with the INS to reduce the number of illegal citizens in our county.

Government should tax only to the extent necessary for essential services. Instead of raising taxes, government should spend the money it has more wisely. Governments often are not short on money, they're short on the common sense to spend it wisely and the honesty to keep it out of their own pockets. The federal government has over-stepped itself by charging taxes, licenses, and fees on just about everything. The burden of tracking those fees, not to mention paying them, is a tremendous one to any business.

To be charged a fee for a license to do what the 2nd Amendment tells us we can do is just wrong.

Dick Armey	House Majority Leader	When Armey was running for speaker, we were touring the capitol. Our young son ran up to him and asked, "Are you Mr. Speaker?" He turned to his colleagues and said, "See? Even HE thinks I should be the speaker." I immediately told him we were not in his voting district, and he replied, "If you're an American, you're MY constituent." We chatted and took photos for 15 minutes; I couldn't believe the amount of time he spent with us, especially without an appointment. He was an amazing statesman.
Mary Kay Ash	Founder, Mary Kay Cosmetics	I attended church with Mary Kay and Mel (2nd husband) for several years. They were both very gracious and generous people. Mary Kay wore 2 lapel pins all the time. One was a bumblebee. Scientists say the bumblebee can't fly, but the bumblebee doesn't know it. She used that to demonstrate the power of positive thinking, especially for women, who had not quite been accepted into the marketplace at that time. The other pin was two shovels: One was large; the other, quite small. "The small shovel," she would say, "is what I give to God. The large shovel is what He gives back to me."
Arlo Guthrie	Musician, Actor	We met him at the Meyerson. He was very friendly and down-to-earth. How else could Arlo be? (If you've never heard "City of New Orleans" with full orchestra background, you don't know what you're missing.) It was an honor to shake the hand of such a talented musician.
Tom Lester	Actor, "Green Acres" and "Benji"	Think of "Eb" with a doctorate. Very intelligent, yet down to earth and sincere. Trivia: he teaches Sunday School at a Baptist Church in California.
Al Lewis	Actor, "Car 54, Where are You?" and "The Munsters"	A brief encounter on a plane, but when I asked for permission to take his picture, he responded with the "Grandpa" grin.
Dan Quayle	Vice President, U. S.	Extremely nice guy, very personable, intelligent, and amazingly powerful speaker. It's sad how TV destroys his image. I got about 2 minutes to speak directly with him before his speech. It's amazing how many guys there were around him in dark suits -- he should have felt very safe.
Dr. David Sibley	State Senator, Texas	I spoke at the opening of his Duncanville office. He's a man who has overcome amazing physical hardships. He sent Christmas cards for several years -- he's a great guy.
Jim Wright	Speaker of the House	Yes, I know he's a democrat. It was still interesting to chat for a few minutes with the Speaker of the House -- it's not something you get to do every day.