The Llano Ledger
Newsletter Text V3
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************************May 24, l999************************
The Narcotics Enforcement Team (NET) is once again in the news.
Apparently, there is an $11,000 shortfall for the fiscal year ending
May 31. It is supposedly due to a cash-match program required under the
grants. Reportedly, the total figure needed is $55,000. NET is
desperately trying to make up an $11,000 deficit, hat in hand.
Our illustrious Commissioners' Court approved a $1500 "donation" to
NET Commander Brent Nichols and his organization. Why? These corrupt,
arrogant, and abusive officers are predators on our highways,
terrorizing and harassing innocent citizens. Sadly, it is time to take
a careful look at the effectiveness of the Narcotics Enforcement Team,
-- and the price to fleeting civil liberties.
Nichols asserts there will have been between 450 to 500
drug-related arrests by the end of the fiscal year. Why did he neglect
to mention the fact most of those arrested are petty users? Isn't that
precisely why the asset forfeiture figure is insufficient to cover NET
operating expenses? Isn't that also why the Commander is making the
rounds, hat in hand?
Most of those arrested are quickly released, usually overnight.
Otherwise, the jail couldn't handle the overflow. Of course, NET does
all it can to keep the jail population figure at or minimally above the
maximum allowed. After all, there is a "reality" as well as an "agenda"
at work here. How else can Sheriff Garrett and the "Boys" get a new
jail and law enforcement center?
Since our illustrious commissioners have refused to order an
independent study of the efficiency and operation of the county
judicial and jail systems, how can we accurately assess the supposed
"need"? Worse yet, our corrupt magistrates are routinely violating
Eighth Amendment proscriptions against excessive bail. They also
continue to drag their feet and delay the judicial process. After all,
the judges do have to take care of our illustrious sheriff and his
cronies. ... One hand does indeed wash the other, doesn't it? -- And
sadly at taxpayer expense.
Nichols further asserts we're getting results from all the taxpayer
expenditures. Is that right, Commander? What results? For the 450 to
500 arrests, how many were repeat offenders? How many others didn't you
catch? For every individual arrested, there may have been 10, 50, or
100 who were not. No one knows for sure, but drug demand is clearly
enormous and growing.
Despite the evisceration of the Bill of Rights and the rest of the
Constitution over the last 30 years, drugs are as cheap and plentiful
as ever. The "drug war" has been an abject failure only resulting in
the decimation of constitutionally guaranteed civil liberties. I say
this as a citizen who does not use drugs, and strongly opposes their
use.
By your own admission, Commander, NET is having problems nailing
the suppliers and kingpins. This is true despite the employment of
Gestapo-like tactics by your corrupt and abusive officers. The only
thing you have clearly accomplished is the further alienation of the
law-abiding citizens you allegedly serve. Your assertion NET has
succeeded in getting drugs off the streets is outrageously false and
ludicrous. If indeed true, why isn't the arrest figure dropping?
Commander, you further disingenuously assert NET isn't trying to
grab money, and that doing so would give your corrupt and abusive
organization a bad name. Not to worry, sir. The damage has already been
done, -- and is stupidly self-inflicted. The only reason why your asset
forfeiture figure isn't any higher is because this area is clearly not
a distribution hub.
With a monthly budget supposedly in the $40,000 range, just what
has NET really accomplished, other than further erosion of civil
liberties and the alienation of the law-abiding public? While NET goals
are noble, the end doesn't justify the means. The tactics employed are
fascist and unconstitutional.
Worse yet, drug use continues to grow despite the best effort of
our corrupt and abusive officers. It is most important to remember all
local law enforcement operates at the pleasure and under the
jurisdiction of District Attorney Sam Oatman. Mr. Oatman is ultimately
responsible for the poisonous atmosphere and abuses of his minions.
Most pointedly, it is time to look for a new approach to this most
difficult problem and scourge. Sadly, NET has become part of the
problem, not the solution. Our illustrious and arrogant Commander and
his abusive colleagues apparently continue to believe we live in Nazi
Germany, not the United States.
Tim Chorney, Publisher (Scroll down for earlier edition.)
************************May 17, 1999************************
The Llano County Commissioners' Court stood firm on the supposed
need for a new law enforcement center at a meeting held Monday evening
May 10. Why? On what basis? Why didn't they have the courage and
foresight to order a study of the efficiency and operation of our court
and jail systems? The preordained "feasibility" study that had been
previously ordered is a sham. It is no more than a rubber stamp for our
illustrious "leaders".
It will be most interesting to follow the money trail and see how
they each benefit from this latest boondoggle. How is it to be funded?
Incredibly, our "leaders" have made no provision. Nonetheless, the
taxpayers will be royally shafted to the tune of some $3 million.
Will overburdened and beleaguered taxpayers be asked to vote for
another bond issue? Who knows? Our illustrious "leaders" have only
decided to build the pork pen, not how to finance it. ... What do I
want, the world or what? After all, this is Llano County, no? The
irresponsibility and arrogance of our officials are stunning and
sickening to behold. With little to no public input or interest, the
taxpayers will get exactly what they so richly deserve, won't they? --
It's time to bend over and grab your ankles. The School Board and
Commissioners are on their way with the shaft.
The new jail will have 48 beds. In light of the unconstitutional
Gestapo-like tactics currently employed by NET, our state troopers, and
Garrett's "Boys", will a 48 bed facility indeed be enough? After all,
we do have an increasing number of petty criminals being held in lieu
of bail set at unconstitutional and outrageously high levels by our
judges.
Worse yet, our illustrious magistrates have been apparently doing
their very best to drag their feet and delay the judicial process even
further. -- After all, one hand does wash the other, no? It will be
most interesting to follow the kickbacks to their source. ... No matter
how cleverly concealed, they are traceable through information provided
by disgruntled colleagues, acquaintances, friends, and even disaffected
family members. I urge you to come forward. Your identity will be
protected.
As in other areas across the nation, the political Right in Llano
County has stood up and strongly spoken out publicly against the fiscal
waste and corruption at the federal level. Yet locally, they remain
strangely silent and apparently oblivious to our own corrupt and
abusive officials and police officers. Why? Is it a lack of guts?
After all, it is easy and politically correct to verbally
eviscerate the President and other corrupt and abusive officials and
officers at the federal level. Interestingly and more importantly,
these officials are not able to easily respond or "strike back". It's
easy to be "brave" under those circumstances, no? On the other hand,
doing the same to our local officials requires some intestinal
fortitude. After all, one might have to withstand harassment, further
abuse, and retribution from these corrupt, cowardly, and arrogant
officials.
The deafening public silence and lack of guts are stunning and
appalling to witness. -- Especially in view of the fact this is
supposed to be the United States, not Nazi Germany. Once again, we do
get what we so richly deserve, don't we? The hypocrisy is stifling, but
laughable. Sadly, the joke is on us, the people. Our corrupt and
abusive "leaders" are certainly laughing. The Founders must be rolling
over in their graves.
Tim Chorney, Publisher (Scroll down for earlier edition.)
************************May 11,1999*************************
Sadly, voter turnout for the May 1 School Board election was
pitiful. Only 11% of the registered voters chose to exercise a
strikingly precious right. Egregiously low turnout sends a destructive
message to our officials. It clearly tells them we really don't care.
More importantly, it gives them license to do as they please.
Earlier last week, the School Board met in a lengthy closed
session. Why? After all, they are discussing the people's business,
aren't they? Don't we have a right to directly know what is or isn't
transpiring at these meetings, rather than hearing of it from a
secondary source? Why did they go into executive session? What were
they hiding, or "protecting" the citizens from learning? Was the closed
session indeed lawful?
Apparently, the Board approved three new positions. Action on 15
others was postponed. The public needs to be aware these positions will
ultimately cost the taxpayers some $500,000. -- What's another half
million bucks anyway, no? After all, the taxpayers haven't been gouged
and gored enough yet, have they? The Board also apparently voted
unanimously to ax the local homestead tax exemption from 20 to 10%.
After all, how else can they afford to pay for the new positions as
well as other cost overruns in the school finances? -- Another royal
shafting of the taxpayers. Most importantly, the school bond and Board
elections are over. The Board is finally free to do as they please and
stick it to us. -- And stick it to us, they have. Sadly, they're only
getting started.
Magnanimously, high school principal Dennis Hill has admitted
"responsibility" for an $11,630.85 past debt that is apparently due to
the Taylor Publishing Company. Guess who will pay? The principal? No.
Not a chance. Why admit "responsibility", Mr. Hill, if you're not
willing to personally make it right? Is this in fact the fine example
you wish to set for your students?
District Attorney Sam Oatman and Sheriff Nathan Garrett are once
again in the news. Both are again pressing for a new jail. Oatman is
blaming recent jail breaks and attempted escapes on antiquated jail
systems in the area. Is that right, Mr. Oatman? Why did you neglect to
mention the fact that the Llano County Jail received an upgrade some 17
years ago, courtesy of the beleaguered taxpayers? Once again,
convenient memory loss, Mr. Oatman? ...Oh, I almost forgot. How could
I? After all, Garrett and the "Boys" can't be held responsible for
everything, now can they?
More importantly, why haven't our illustrious district attorney,
the sheriff, and the commissioners ordered an independent study of both
the court and jail systems in our county? Instead of a worthless
preordained "feasibility" study ordered by the commissioners, why
aren't we investigating the efficiency and operation of the courts and
the jail itself? Just as importantly, why aren't our local papers doing
the same instead of regurgitating propaganda from our illustrious
officials? ... What's another $3 million anyway, no? Sadly, gullible
citizens willingly believe anything our corrupt and abusive officials,
or the papers, tell them.
Most pointedly, Oatman and Garrett have no credibility. Both have
been seriously damaged by the jail-rape scandal. While it was
gratifying to learn Mr. Oatman recently attended an update course on
Intoxication Manslaughter Investigation and Prosecution, when is he
going to finally attend one on corruption in the jails, law
enforcement, or in our prosecutors' offices? After all, there has been
no independent outside criminal investigation of either the jail-rape
scandal or the former victims' assistance coordinator employed by his
office. Another convenient memory loss, Mr. Oatman?
Apparently, the district attorney is not concerned with the royal
shafting of the taxpayers, or the corruption in law enforcement, the
jails, or even his own office. He is concerned, however, with the
solidification and consolidation of his own power and that of his
cronies. After all, innocent citizens are still being harassed and
terrorized by corrupt and abusive officers on our roads as well as at
the Pub and elsewhere. Whether these officers are state troopers, NET
members, or sheriff's department employees, they still operate under
the jurisdiction of our illustrious district attorney. Sadly, the
abuses continue to date and Mr. Oatman is directly responsible for
them.
Just as importantly, we have some serious problems in the area of
school finances that need investigation by Mr. Oatman. Apparently,
waste and cost overruns are a serious problem within the school system.
There is also a possible conflict of interest on the School Board
itself. This publication will take a very careful look at these
problems over the next several months. How can we trust Mr. Oatman to
do the same?
After all and despite corruption in the Burnet Consolidated
Independent School District (BCISD), Mr. Oatman's Burnet County grand
jury returned no indictments. Why? -- One has to look very carefully at
the district attorney. After all, DA's carefully "guide", manipulate,
and control grand juries. Very rarely does a renegade jury act on its
own. The DA is akin to a pied piper, capable of indicting virtually
anyone regardless of culpability. Conviction, of course, is another
matter.
In light of this, imagine Mr. Oatman's chagrin when the Llano County
grand jury returned an indictment early last year against the jail
trusty for the sexual assault of a female inmate. ... What to do to
protect the sheriff and his cronies? Apparently, Mr. Oatman at the
behest of the sheriff preemptively dismissed the indictment, ostensibly
as part of a plea bargain. Mighty convenient and quick (within 48
hrs.), no?
After all, the sheriff wanted the trusty out of "his" (the taxpayers')
jail as quickly as possible. Why? To protect himself and the "Boys"? --
Another glaring exquisite example of "kangaroo" justice. Egregiously
complicating matters is the fact that neither the district attorney nor
the sheriff ordered an independent outside criminal investigation. Who
were they protecting and why?
Worse yet, Mr. Oatman is alleged to have tampered with a witness at the
time of the grand jury investigation. Sadly, it's time for the people
to finally wake up and demand an independent outside criminal
investigation of our corrupt and abusive officials.
Tim Chorney, Publisher
Tim Chorney, Publisher
P.O. Box 997
Buchanan Dam Tx. 78609
llanoledger@mailcity.com
Page Updated Tue Oct 9, 2001 1:43pm EDT