Letters to the Editor July 31, 2008 Judge Baker Is One Of The Best In Galveston County I recently spent a few days on Galveston Island visiting my parents. As a child, I spent many summers traveling from Chicago to visit my grandmother and cousins on th island and I always felt as if I was part of the community, wishing I had been born on the island. While I was visiting, my father made me aware of the election of Susan Baker for 56th District Court Judge and I am refreshed that leaders of her caliber continue to dedicate themselves to the island I love. Baker is an advocate for children and families in Galveston County, working and volunteering with various organizations such as Court Appointed Special Advocates and the Galveston County Resource and Crisis Center, of which she is a founding member. As a father of a teenager and grandfather, I see firsthand the challenges faced by today’s youth. Many of us don’t have the tools or resources to deal with the complicated issues we face, such as drug or alcohol abuse, physical abuse, neglect, or hard times in a bad economy. Compassionate, experienced and dedicated, Susan Baker is the right choice for Galveston and its residents are lucky to have her. Nate Wilson Vashon, Wash.

In the Democratic primary this spring, Susan P. Baker received 25,138 votes to her Republican opponent’s 10,372 votes.

40 years for former cop in kidnapping By Scott E. Williams The Daily News Published January 19, 2008 GALVESTON — A former Galveston police officer’s family sobbed Friday evening, during the announcement that the ex-cop’s kidnapping sentence would be twice what the prosecutor had requested. More....

from Letters to the Editor, Galveston Daily News, March 11, 2008: Let’s Keep Up Sweet Result Of Election Day Turnout What a wonderful election day we had on March 4. The turnout showed that folks are giving the democratic process a chance to work. Yes, there were problems at both the polls and the caucuses, but what a problem to have. An overwhelming number of participants, like we’ve not seen in recent history, appeared like a swarm of honeybees at each precinct. How sweet it was. No matter for whom they voted, on behalf of all the candidates, I thank each and every voter for making the effort to get out there and let their preferences be known. It is only through such efforts that we’ll be able to set Galveston County, the state of Texas and the United States on a better course. Voters should not be afraid to speak up. I encourge them to stand up for their beliefs and learn the rules so they can be at their most effective. They should roll up their sleeves and get ready to continue their hard work as we move through the political process that will take the will of the people to the county, state and national conventions — and eventually to the general election Nov. 4. Susan P. Baker, candidate for state district judge, 56th District Court Galveston

Mainland United Way hopes to top last year

From staff reports
The Daily News
Published August 30, 2007

TEXAS CITY — Mainland Communities United Way launched its 2007-08 fundraising campaign on Wednesday with a goal of more than $2 million.

Early contributions from local industries, including BP, Dow and Valero, raised more than $1.3 million.

But United Way officials said that’s just the beginning, and it’s important to stay focused on the goal of helping the 34 agencies with which United Way partners.

“It’s very easy to sit back and think you can’t make it happen, but I know this group here today can,” Walter Treybig, executive director for mainland United Way, said.

“The work you all do, the donations you all give, the (industrial) plants, the individuals, the small mom-and-pop businesses — those things mean so much to the community,” Mayor Matt Doyle told a crowd of hundreds who gathered in Texas City to start the campaign.

Keynote speaker Susan Baker, a former state district judge in Galveston who helped establish the Crisis and Resource Center of Galveston County, urged people to look within to determine how they can best support their community services. Some do best with ideas, while others have funding or hands-on help to give, she said. More....

County Lines for November 08, 2007 From staff reports The Daily News ‘Extraordinary Women Leaders’ Concludes GALVESTON — Galveston College will conclude its Fall 2007 Lecture Series: “Voices for Women — Extraordinary Women Leaders and Their Stories” with presentations from three leaders tonight. The speakers are Dr. Taylor Riall and Dr. Rebecca Saavedra, both of University of Texas Medical Branch, and Judge Susan P. Baker, a former state district court judge. The presentation will begin at 7 p.m. at Fine Arts 207 on the college campus, 4015 Ave. Q. It will be preceded with a reception at 6:30 p.m. when light refreshments will be served. Each guest will speak for about 15 minutes, with a brief question-and-answer period following. — From staff reports

Library urges writers to join novel endeavor By T.L. Hamilton The Daily News Published November 1, 2006 GALVESTON — There are some who say writing a novel takes talent, language skills, academic training and dedication. Or it takes deadline — a very tight deadline. This month, Rosenberg Library will participate in National Novel Writing Month, a literary crusade that encourages aspiring novelists worldwide to write a 50,000-word novel in one month. There will be opportunities at the library to meet other writers, check in with participants and celebrate efforts. The library also provides space to work on writing. “The program is very motivational, especially knowing that there is a whole group of insane people out there doing it with you,” said Michelle Martinez, library assistant. Martinez also said the program’s organizers provide a Web site for nationwide participants to communicate and view a local bulletin board with events and messages from the library. “I participated in the program in 2005 and decided to bring it to the library this year,” Martinez said. “It takes a lot of dedication and caffeine to get to that 50,000-word deadline.” The library will start its observance at 6:30 p.m. today with a party and opportunity to meet other participants and prepare for the month. The event will feature an address by Susan P. Baker, author of “Death of a Prince.” Throughout the month, the library will have check-in meetings each Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. and each Friday at 10 a.m. for participants to discuss plot points, untangle writer’s block or commiserate. Once the month and novels are complete, there will be a celebratory party on Dec. 4 For information, call Martinez, 409-763-8854, Ext. 116, or visit www.nanowrimo.org . WHAT: National Novel Writing Month kickoff party WHEN: 6:30 p.m. today WHERE: Rosenberg Library, 6310 Sealy Ave. in Galveston CALL: Michelle Martinez, 409-763-8854, Ext. 116 VISIT: www.nanowrimo.org