Local Weather Forecast
Today: Current:82	Thursday: 90/72	Friday: 94/75
Complete Forecast for  Jul 23 2008

Tyler Morning Telegraph Publisher Nelson Clyde IV has been appointed by Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst to the Elections Advisory Committee. Clyde will fill out the term for his late father, Nelson Clyde III, due to expire on Dec. 31, 2009.

"As you know, this committee plays an important role in the tabulation and monitoring of election results," Dewhurst said. "The very essence of our democratic society is based on free and open elections. Your involvement in this committee is a key component of maintaining the public's confidence in our election process."

The Cherokee County Republi-can Club will meet at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Legacy of Harvey Collins Restaurant, 204 W. Sixth St. in Rusk. For more information, call 903-586-2669.

The Smith County Republican Club will host a candidate forum at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Heartland Ham, 3400 S. Broadway Ave. The forum will focus on the Smith County sheriff's race, in which incumbent Sheriff J.B. Smith faces challenger Andy Dunklin.

For more information, call 903-521-5635.

Some East Texas legislators have been honored as "Defenders of the American Dream by Americans For Prosperity-Texas. State Reps. Leo Berman, R-Tyler, Betty Brown, R-Athens, Bryan Hughes, R-Mineola, Byron Cook, R-Corsicana, and Dan Flynn, R-Van, made top marks on the conservative group's legislative report cards.

"These legislators voted consistently for free enterprise and taxpayer protections," said Peggy Venable, director of AFP-Texas.

The Great Decisions discussion series continues at noon on Wednesdays at the Tyler Public Library. Each of the weekly meetings will address a current foreign policy topic, with one or more experts on the subject leading the discussions.

The series is part of a national effort launched in 1954 by the Foreign Policy Association. In Tyler, the event is sponsored by the American Association of University Women - Tyler Branch, the League of Women Voters of Tyler/Smith County and the Tyler Public Library.

Dr. Robert Sterken, associate professor of political science at The University of Texas at Tyler, serves as chair of the Great Decisions steering committee.

For more information, call 903-565-6655.

Upcoming discussions include:

Feb. 6: Russia - DVD featuring Strobe Talbott, president, The Brookings Institution; Ret. Gen. Wesley Clark, former Supreme Allied Commander, NATO; Jessica T. Mathews, president, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace; and John Bruton, ambassador of the European Union to the United States. During his two terms as president, Vladimir Putin has attempted to remake Russia into a major, independent world power. Some of his recent policies have provoked concern in the United States and Europe. With a 2008 Russian presidential election expected, what course will Russia take?

The League of Women Voters of Tyler/Smith County has scheduled a candidate forum for 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 18 at the Tyler Public Library. Candidates for Smith County sheriff and county commissioner, as well as state district judge, are invited.

The March 4 primary elections are approaching. Offices up for election include county commissioner Precincts 1 and 3, tax assessor/collector, sheriff, all constables, some state district judges, all state representatives and all U.S. House of Representative seats.

Important dates:

Feb. 4: Last day to register to vote, in order to participate in March 4 primary.

Feb. 19-29: Early voting.

March 4: Election Day.

Political Happenings are compiled by staff writer Roy Maynard, who can be reached at 903-596-6291 or at roymaynardtmt@gmail.com.