West Texas Organizing Strategy (WTOS) Shuts Down Threatening Robocalls
WTOS & Llano Estacado Alliance for Democracy (LEAD) clergy and leaders succeeded in getting City of Lubbock Utilities to halt robocalls to residents. The automated calls were causing "fear and anxiety that utilities would be shut off," even after the emergency declaration was put into place.
“As a pastoral leader in Lubbock I want to recognize the City of Lubbock Utilities for listening and assisting to reduce the fear and panic especially among some of our city’s most vulnerable people, a segment of our population very much in need of compassion in the current difficult circumstances,” said The Most Reverend Bishop Robert Coerver of the Catholic Diocese of Lubbock.
Rev. Becky Fox, Pastor of Covenant Presbyterian Church added, “We look forward to future opportunities to work together with City of Lubbock Utilities to continue to find ways to better serve our community.”
[Photo Credit: AP Graphics]
City of Lubbock Utility Robocalls to Stop, KCBD News [pdf]
WTOS Leaders Stir Up Public Debate on Lubbock Power & Light
West Texas Organizing Strategy stirred the pot in Lubbock by hosting a functional community dialogue about Lubbock Power & Light. Leaders invited the a representative from the utility, in addition to Lubbock City Councilman Hernandez and two candidates for Council District 3. Council candidates and the utility representative reported that they found the meeting a useful way to find out what is happening in the community. WTOS leader Edward George said that the meeting was a clear example of what the organization does, giving city residents a way to communicate directly and effectively with their elected representatives.
WTOS Leaders Celebrate Power Behind Victories
"Sometimes the 'least expected' grandmother-type stands face to face with an elected official, not only getting that official's attention, a hearing, but also getting a mayor's personal cellphone number and an important friendship....It is in the power of churches from all areas of the city coming together to speak up, to fight for justice that WTOS obtains credibility among local city, county and state officials in their efforts to speak together..."
Glenda Harbert: Coalition Makes All Our Lives Better, San Angelo Standard Times
Read moreWTOS Helps Launch Innovative Software Training Project for Low-Income Youth
WTOS Credited With Turning West Texas Neighborhood Around
"The local arm of West Texas Organizing Strategy, an interdenominational coalition of churches, has been the single biggest community organizing force behind the revitalization efforts."
Read moreWest Texas Organizing Strategy Credited for Urban Improvements
Police: Taking Survey Can Lead to Improvements, San Angelo Standard-Times
WTOS in Lubbock and San Angelo Launches GOTV and Parish Development Campaign
Leaders in West Texas committed to signing up 2,000 voters in advance of the gubernatorial election this fall. They have also secured commitments to organize parish development efforts in three congregations.