Adryana Boyne speech at the Commissioners Court of Dallas

by Adryana Aldeen on February 24, 2011 at 7:01 PM

All elected officials are expected to carry out their offices with honesty and integrity. If you cannot give an honest answer, the constituents of this county will perceive that you are hiding the truth. Everyone cares about corruption. Hispanics, Whites, Blacks, all races and ethnicities oppose corruption.

Former Dallas County Administrator "Bruce Sherbert said that he believes one reason he was forced out of office is that he “refused a request from powerful County Commissioner John Wiley Price to send election workers to help in early voting in a hotly disputed commissioner’s race last year." Mr. Sherbert served the county for 35 years and he disclosed that top officials are blatantly lying about how they dealt with the matter. Citizens demanded to know the truth and when this happened the County Commissioner John Wiley Price had an outburst of anger. After Judge Clay Jenkins adjourned the meeting, Price asked, "Why are all the speakers white?” Price asked why only whites signed up to speak. Later he called a clergyman a "fat boy." "All of you are white," he said to the citizens. "Go to hell." Price told Sherbets supporters to "go to hell" seven times.

This video shows the outrageous behavior of Commissioner John Wiley Price in the Dallas County Commissioners Court.

Due to this behavior I decided to go to speak on Tuesday February 22. Here are the words of my speech:

Thank you for allowing me to speak with you today. As a U.S. citizen and as a Hispanic, I have concerns about the procedures and contradictory statements made by individuals on this court. I am a leader in the Hispanic community and I stand strong on values. Accountability and transparency are important to Hispanics as well as Texans. My concerns are about the contradictory statements made by "Certain Commissioner" and "Certain Judge." "Certain Commissioner" said the Commissioners Court had been giving Bruce Sherbet performance reviews over the years. "Certain Judge" said Mr. Sherbert has never been given a performance review. These statements cannot both be true. The citizens demand an honest answer.

To the leader of “The Dallas County Commissioner Court”: you said that the purpose of the Elections Commission meeting was to give Bruce Sherbet a Performance Review. However, the facts speak otherwise. You did not notify him about the meeting or the purpose of the meeting. You did not require his attendance at the meeting. When you called the meeting, you did not tell the Elections Commission that the purpose of the meeting was to give a Performance Review. The evidence shows that you had no intention of giving a Performance Review. The citizens demand an honest answer.

To a "Certain Commissioner" when you ran for this office: you said that you will fight for Texas values. ¡Estamos observando! We are watching! Without a doubt Texans expect all of their elected and appointed officials to act with honesty and integrity. Without honesty, the people cannot trust their elected officials. You are a well admired leader among the Latino community; you said that you would push for transparency and accountability. This is your opportunity, if there ever was one. The citizens demand honesty and accountability on the statements and actions of this court. The Hispanic population is watching to see if you carry out your promise. Silence is consent and we want to know where do you stand?

Commissioners, you have all taken an oath to uphold the law and to tell the truth. The citizens demand to know the truth. Truth is not a racial issue. It is not a Democrat or Republican issue. All elected officials are expected to carry out their offices with honesty and integrity. If you cannot give an honest answer, the constituents of this county will perceive that you are hiding the truth.

Everyone cares about corruption. Hispanics, Whites, Blacks, all races and ethnicities oppose corruption. And quoting the leader of this court: We know there is strength in our diversity and a bond in our shared values. Texans demand honesty and integrity from our elected officials, therefore we have opportunities like these to express our concerns and ask for transparency, accountability, integrity and honesty. Estamos observando! We are watching!

Thank you for your time.

Video links:

Dallas County Commissioners Court