Will Brownwood Election Officials be held responsible for their actions ? What were the actions of Ken Harris and Suzy Young ?

Brown County LULAC wants election officials suspended

By Celinda Emison / emisonc@reporternews.com
November 7, 2006

The head of the League of United Latin American Citizens of Brown County asked commissioners to suspend the election administrator and election judge while an investigation of misconduct is under way.

The U.S. Department of Justice is investigating allegations of misconduct surrounding a May 13 incident at the polling place in Brownwood.

Susie Flores, president of LULAC Chapter 4513, asked commissioners to suspend Election Administrator Suzy Young and Election Judge Ken Harris while an investigation is conducted into allegations by Eddie Gomez concerning federal voting rights violations.

''This may deter people from going to vote,'' Flores said. ''When I voted, I felt uneasy, and I don't want that environment for our voters.''

Flores gave commissioners a letter dated Oct. 24 from the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division informing district LULAC officials that an investigation is under way into federal voting rights violations.

Judge Ray West said he was unsure whether authorizing the suspension fell under the jurisdiction of commissioners court.

''It might be improper for us to take action before an investigation is completed,'' West said. ''But the last thing this court wants is a feeling of a chasm between LULAC and the elections office - to do this the day before the election would cause a shipwreck.''

On May 13, Gomez was charged with two counts of aggravated assault on a public servant following an altercation with police that occurred during the municipal election at the Brownwood Coliseum annex.

Gomez was jailed that day and released on bonds totaling $17,500. Gomez, a disabled combat Marine, has no prior record, according to Brown County officials.

Police reports indicate the altercation began when Gomez was told he could not use his cell phone at a polling place. Police reports indicate Gomez, who was outside the building, struck one officer in the face two times and had to be restrained.

A Brown County grand jury indicted Gomez on Oct. 5 on two counts of aggravated assault of a public servant. He will be arraigned on Nov. 27.

Gomez maintains he was unfairly provoked by the election administrator, election judge, officers, and bystanders during the incident.

Brown County elections official Shirley Keyes told commissioners early voting had gone smoothly for the past two weeks and there ''was no difference for voters whether they were Hispanic, black or white.''

Commissioner David Carroll said any action by the court would be inappropriate and ''a detriment to Mr. Gomez and the election process.''

Following the meeting, Gomez called the request ''the beginning of many steps ahead.''

''I hope people are aware of this situation,'' Gomez said. ''It is not just about me, it is about human dignity and respect.''

EDITED BY: LORETTA FULTON; COPY EDITED BY: JEFF WOLF; HEADLINE BY: JEFF WOLF

source: http://www.reporter-news.com/abil/nw_local/article/0,1874,ABIL_7959_5123415,00.html
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Note from Steve, If you are listening to the "Staunch Republicism" of the KXYL 96.9FM morning Talking Heads ( J.R.WIlliams and Mike Cope ) this morning, "people taking responsibility for their actions" only applies to the voter in this incident ! J.R. Williams refers to this discussion as "spreading fertilizer". I hope J.R.'s wearing gloves as he is involved in the verbal tossing of large volumes of fresh "TURD BLOSSOMS" from the studios of Wendlee Broadcasting !