The Llano Ledger


Newsletter Text V17

This Website Is Full. Starting With The December 25, 2000 Newsletter, All Future Editions Will Be Posted In The Llano Ledger 2, Found By Clicking http://maxpages.com/llanoledger2.

****************November 22, 1999****************

The City of Llano and the Narcotics Enforcement Team (NET) have apparently agreed to an expansion of an earlier interlocal agreement. City taxpayers will be looted an additional $1200 for the privilege. Aren't they lucky? Will this "elite" law enforcement agency ever get enough? NET has generously presented the Council with a report of its activities for 1999. Imagine it contains a full accounting of the ongoing abuse of constitutional rights by its illustrious officers? This publication has respectfully requested access to all related City of Llano-NET documents. City Manager Philip Cook has graciously agreed.

With outrageous, gouging property appraisals from Tow to Horseshoe Bay, lakes' area taxpayers indeed need to be concerned with the figuratively speaking "incestuous" relationship of the LISD Board with the Llano Central Appraisal District. Several weeks ago, LISD Board member Bill Kirkman was apparently appointed a director to the Appraisal District Board. Readers are reminded taxpayers received a double-whammy shafting earlier this year, courtesy of both the Appraisal District and LISD. Kirkman's appointment will certainly facilitate matters next year. Far-sighted no?

Equally pointedly, why are LISD students released early to facilitate attendance at an away evening football game? ... As a football fan, it causes great personal pain to even ask this question. It IS, however, a matter of priorities, isn't it? What comes first? Education or sports? ... Where's the outrage of the supposedly "conservative" Extreme Right? Equally appalling is their gutless silence while lakes' area taxpayers are egregiously overappraised.

With an ongoing investigation of the Llano County Jail, the Sheriff's Department, and the judicial system by this publication, readers may be interested to learn of a trial balloon recently floated by the U.S. Department of Justice. According to Attorney General Janet Reno, the population of U.S. prisons stands at 1.3 million. There's a turnover of 500,000 each year. Interestingly, Ms. Reno is proposing a "re-entry court".

The idea has its origin in the National Institute of Justice, a DOJ think tank. Re-entry court judges would be required to approve a carefully crafted plan to re-integrate each prisoner back into society. The courts would utilize community resources to provide support to released inmates. Help with housing, employment, job training, etc. would be offered to offenders. While the court would be empowered to help, it would also have power to punish. -- A carrot and stick approach would be invoked by the judges. The Justice Department has requested several thousand local and state jurisdictions provide proposals for pilot programs. The DOJ is apparently willing to offer support, needed technical assistance, as well as help securing funding.

Apparently, the federal government is once again attempting to insinuate itself further into state and local affairs. More pointedly, why aren't district, county, and JP courts already using a carrot and stick approach? Why should federal involvement be necessary? When will our judges finally wake up and use more creative approaches to enormously difficult problems? When will our legislators finally provide necessary support in terms of new legislation facilitating this? Just as pointedly, when will taxpayers finally wake up to the deeply-rooted problems within the penal, judicial, and law enforcement systems nationwide?

Long time readers of this publication are quite aware of my profound concern for the ongoing loss of privacy in our country. The President has recently signed into law a bi-partisan banking bill that allows banks, insurance companies, and securities firms to merge. Proponents favor the "supermarket" approach provided by the new legislation. Opponents decry the loss of privacy since these merged businesses will be allowed to share information with each other directly. Others argue the legislation is anti-consumer as well, and may lead to price-gouging. Regardless, the sharing of financial data will become easier than ever, leading to further privacy loss. Sadly, both political parties as well as the President have little to no respect for these concerns. -- As always, the almighty buck rules. Apparently, we've been once again sold out by our self-serving politicians.

Today is the 36th anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Although barely a teenaged kid at the time, it seems like only yesterday. ... Where indeed has the time gone? Sadly, our country has never been quite the same.

I wish all of you a very happy Thanksgiving. Enjoy the holiday. ... Love of family and friends is indeed what life is, or should be truly about. Despite a booming economy, remember there is still considerable suffering throughout our country. Be sure to help our local charities and foodbanks. -- Not only during the holidays, but all year long. If you're traveling, drive safely. Adherence to traffic laws, courtesy on the roads, and sobriety will insure we're all here next year to celebrate another Thanksgiving. Finally, thanks to all for faithfully reading this Newsletter week after week. I'm deeply grateful. ... As should be clear by now, these aren't empty words, nor carelessly written. -- Nor disingenuous.

Tim Chorney, Publisher (Scroll down for earlier edition.)

****************November 15, 1999****************

The examination of the jail booking records was completed Thursday November 11. Since the Chief Jailer was on vacation, he graciously offered to meet this week to answer remaining questions. A meeting with the Sheriff will then be requested to resolve the agency affiliation of several officers. A comprehensive study and evaluation of the data will begin thereafter.

There has been a flurry of activity and paperwork generated from the LMHS request for an exception ruling from the Attorney General regarding an earlier open records request from this publication. Some of these documents are of considerable interest to the readers and will be published shortly. With the matter currently under consideration by the Open Records Division, publication will be held off until a decision is rendered.

Since the people have a right to know the costs involved in the proposed Marble Falls facility, a second request for information has been sent to LMHS Administrator Ernie Parisi. In a Davis & Wilkerson document, attorney Fletcher H. Brown has asserted the Hospital "Authority has spent in excess of $40,000 in developing this information...". This publication is interested in determining the exact figures involved, as well as cost to date of all legal fees. The following is a copy of the information request:
*******************************************
Llano Memorial Healthcare System
Ernie Parisi, Administrator
103 West Lampasas St.
Llano, Tx. 78643

Tim Chorney, Publisher
The Llano Ledger
http://maxpages.com/llanoledger
Rt 2 Box 464A
Buchanan Dam, Tx. 78609

November 13, 1999

Dear Mr. Parisi:

Under the Texas Open Records Act, copies of billing invoices for the following items are respectfully requested:

1. Feasibility study for the proposed Marble Falls acute healthcare facility.

2. Verification documentation from the outside auditing firm.

3. All legal fees to date for proposed Marble Falls acute healthcare facility.

4. All other fees to date for proposed Marble Falls acute healthcare facility, excluding Items 1-3 above.

5. All legal fees to date to process request for Attorney General decision regarding exception from disclosure of information requested by Tim Chorney under the Texas Open Records Act.

Sincerely,
Tim Chorney, Publisher
The Llano Ledger

cc: File
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Despite retention of the Davis & Wilkerson law firm, LMHS was quite tardy in forwarding my copy of its written communication to the Attorney General asking for an exception ruling. Administrative rules require such action within ten business days of reception of the original open records request. The document was not received until November 12, -- well after the deadline. Readers should understand this paperwork is a five page request and legal argument for an exception ruling from the Attorney General. As previously asserted, it will eventually be fully published on this website. There is additional documentation from _The Ledger that will also be presented after the ruling. -- I ask the readers to be patient.

The Davis & Wilkerson document written by Mr. Brown offers disturbing insight into how LMHS has conducted business regarding the proposed Marble Falls facility in nearly absolute secrecy. It confirms earlier assertions in this publication LMHS has indeed conducted all proposed facility business in executive session to avoid public disclosure. LMHS has apparently been so obsessed with secrecy that only "executive staff" and Board members are aware of the details. In addition, no pertinent documents allegedly ever left any executive session. -- They were carefully retained by LMHS. ... Sounds more like national security precautions, then plans for a new hospital, no?

Such actions at the very least violate the intention and spirit, -- if not the letter of both Open Meetings and Open Records Acts. Readers, however, are advised the Attorney General only has jurisdiction over Open Records issues. More pointedly, this latest stonewalling has been done most conveniently prior to the arrangement of financing and the breaking of ground. ... LMHS is fully aware public questioning of the wisdom of the proposed facility will be at best moot after financing is arranged and ground quickly broken. The claim by LMHS that no final decision has been made regarding the proposed facility is also interesting as well as questionable. After all, the Hospital has already expended funds to date in excess of $40,000 for the gathering of information. Why would it reverse course after such expenditure and effort?

Sadly, Mr. Brown's five page written communication confirms earlier assertions alleging LMHS has cleverly abused both the Open Meetings and Open Records Acts in a concerted effort to withhold critical information from the public. This information is assuredly required to adequately assess the wisdom of the proposed Marble Falls facility. Regardless of the AG decision on the LMHS request for exception, the Open Records Division has been respectfully urged to fully consider the prime purpose and spirit of both Open Meetings and Open Records Acts: Ensuring the right of the people to know.

Tim Chorney, Publisher (Scroll down for earlier edition.)

****************November 8, 1999*****************

Apparently, Precinct 2 Justice of the Peace Lanny Stephenson isn't particularly pleased with _The Ledger, and more importantly the time taken to review the jail booking records. Interesting, no? What's the matter, Judge? Afraid of what I might find? With limited information available, access to judicial records will almost certainly be necessary, --after I've had the chance to follow numerous leads already provided by research to date. I imagine the "Queen" of Precinct 2 jurisprudence won't be a happy camper when or if access to her office records is finally sought under the Texas Open Records Act. ... Unlike our illustrious "magistrate", I'm extremely patient, methodical, and most importantly, -- persistent.

Believe it or not Judge, this isn't Nazi Germany. Citizens DO get to criticize our corrupt and abusive officials in this country, -- including our most "humble" and illustrious "jurists". More pointedly, when will "Her Majesty" finally learn scofflaw smoking not only sets a poor example for others, but generates additional contempt for government? ... Time to wake up, Judge. H-e-l-l-o??? While Ms. Stephenson has indeed been exposed previously in this publication (Aug. 2, 1999 Newsletter), readers can be assured this remarkable "magistrate" will be fully featured again in the future. Although deeply grateful Judge, why foolishly continue to provide additional fodder?

All joking aside, Ms. Stephenson's temperament and fitness for office are being carefully and thoroughly investigated by this publication. As all of you already know, this writer will not be intimidated. By now, most of our officials understand this as well. -- Time for all of them to finally get the message. Sadly, Llano County bureaucrats willingly tolerate this abusive self-serving "jurist" since her office has apparently become a lucrative cash cow for the county. -- Justice? ... What's that? Right, Judge? As long as the cash flows, no problem. "Her Majesty" should be relieved to learn the search of the booking records is nearly complete. The examination will continue Thursday.

Llano city politics are nearly as amusing as elsewhere in the county. -- Sometimes more so. Amazing how much squabbling goes on, no? This time, they're fighting over the hotel/motel funds disbursement. For a supposedly "conservative" town, don't businesses understand these funds are nothing more than corporate welfare? Where's the rugged individualism supposed "conservatives" constantly champion? ... Apparently, it must only apply to the other guy or gal, right? Sadly, it doesn't apply to all.

While there was indeed a need of generational welfare reform for our "have-nots", when will the same zeal be applied to end corporate welfare for the "haves"? More pointedly, when will our businesses finally learn to survive without governmental subsidies? If a business can't survive without a handout, -- it shouldn't. Supposed "conservatives" argue passionately the virtues of the free-market. Yet, when it comes to business, most remain unwilling to give up taxpayer funded pork. Interesting, no? Sadly, it's always okay for the other person to do the suffering. Never us, right? Funny how "liberal" most "conservatives" get when feathering their own nest. Equally strange how "conservative" most "liberals" become when asked to spend their own money. ... As long as it's the other guy getting looted, who cares? Sadly, both political extremes are guilty.

Incredibly, there's even squabbling going on regarding Christmas lighting at the Courthouse and who will pay for a needed electric service upgrade. Luckily, Llano enjoys a strong Chamber with many members including contractors and hardware stores. ... There's no way for all these businesses to share the cost and generously offer to upgrade electric service at the Courthouse without sticking it to the taxpayers? After all, Chamber businesses benefit enormously from the Holiday lighting and the atmosphere it provides on the Square. With no pun intended, what about enlightened self-interest? More pointedly, don't these businesses fully appreciate how petty this squabbling looks to the public?

Councilman Roger Pinckney has continued to face endless criticism from some in the community. Why? This man has indeed been a breath of fresh air. In fact, it's stunning to find an elected official finally willing to challenge the status quo and place the best interests of others ahead of his own. As stated in an earlier edition, someone of Mr. Pinckney's stature is desperately needed on the Llano County Commissioners' Court.

Finally, Thursday November 11 is Veterans' Day. Be sure to thank one for your freedom.

Tim Chorney, Publisher



Tim Chorney, Publisher
P.O. Box 997
Buchanan Dam Tx. 78609

llanoledger@mailcity.com

Page Updated Tue Oct 9, 2001 1:32pm EDT