It is very likely that a vote to remove and relocate the Confederate monuments on the Bastrop County Courthouse lawn will be put on the Agenda for the July 27th meeting. What we need from each of you is for you to contact your commissioner directly and ask them to vote in favor of removal and relocation. This is a VERY important ask because while Judge Pape has resolved they should be removed, we still don't have a guaranteed yes vote from all of our Commissioners in favor of removal.

So your very important task between now and the 27th:

1. Find Your Commissioner: Be sure you know who your commissioner is by clicking the link below and following the steps below. We ESPECIALLY need everyone to :

a. https://www.co.bastrop.tx.us/page/com.main

b. Click anywhere on the map

c. Check the Box at the Bottom that says continue to map

d. Enter your address at the bottom in the box and search

A pop up box will appear on the map, click the arrow to right and your commissioner will pop up. That is who you need to call AND email using the information below. If you have already contacted them, contact them again. We are in another phase of this process so we need a really big push between now and July 27th to every single commissioner of the court asking for removal and relocation. Below is a script to copy and paste in your email:

Script: My name is (your name) and I live at (Your Address). I am calling because you are my commissioner for Precinct (#), and I would like for you to vote for the removal of the Confederate Monuments from the Bastrop County Courthouse Lawn. I would like this correspondence entered on record for the July 27th meeting of the commissioner’s court. Respectfully, (your name)

2. Share this on your social media platforms and to everyone you know. Especially to those living in Precinct 3. Mark Meuth is the Commissioner from Precinct 3 and reports are that he has primarily heard from those against removal. So email and call and make sure your voice is heard if you live in that Precinct.

3. If you are a Veteran and in favor of removal, please contact Commissioner Mel Hamner. He is passionate about honoring the wishes of Veterans and so far he is primarily hearing from Veterans in favor of keeping them up.  So we need a huge push to get Veterans in favor of taking them down for relocation to let him know he has their support to vote in favor. No matter what precinct you are in, if you are a Veteran please reach out to him and let him know your stance, and share his contact info with other Veterans in the county to build support for removal. Below is a sample script to copy and paste in your emails.

Script: My name is (your name) and I live at (Your Address). I am calling because as a (Branch) Veteran I am in support of the removal of the Confederate Monuments from the Bastrop County Courthouse Lawn. I served for (#) years (add what if any wars you may have served in), and while I understand many see and respect the views of those that see these monuments as memorials to Civil War Veterans, I feel because of the true nature of the Civil war and its stance on maintaining institutions of slavery, the Courthouse lawn is not the appropriate place to represent the values and institutions the confederacy fought to uphold. We are at a time in our history were our county needs to begin the process of atonement for the sins of the past. I would like for you to vote for removal and relocation of the Confederate Monuments from the Bastrop County Courthouse Lawn and I would like this correspondence entered on record for the July 27th meeting of the commissioner’s court. Respectfully, (your name)

CONTACT INFORMATION FOR THE COMMISSIONERS COURT

County Judge Paul Pape
Phone: (512) 332-7201
Pct. 1 Commissioner Mel Hamner (Bastrop area)
Phone: (512) 332-7295
paul.pape@co.bastrop.tx.us

Pct. 2 Commissioner Clara Beckett (Smithville area)
Phone: Phone: (512) 581-4002
clara.beckett@co.bastrop.tx.us

Pct. 3 Commissioner Mark Meuth (Cedar Creek, Rockne, Red Rock area)
Phone: (512) 581-4000
mark.meuth@co.bastrop.tx.us 

Pct 4 Commissioner Donna Snowden (Elgin, McDade area)
Phone: (512) 332-7267
donna.snowden@co.bastrop.tx.us