The Llano Ledger
Newsletter Text V4
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.
************************June 21, 1999***********************
The Narcotics Enforcement Team (NET) is once again in the news. On June
9, they lost a drug possession case heard by a Burnet County jury,
presided over by District Judge Charles Hearn. What makes this case so
unusual are questions arising from the Gestapo-like tactics employed by
NET personnel. The case dates back to January of 1998 and a traffic
stop by Burnet officers. David Willard, a Llano County resident, was
allegedly found to be in possession of two empty vials containing
traces of meth. The most unusual part of this case is the follow-up
investigation by NET on Feb. 25, 1998, -- well after the original
arrest. NET conducted a warrantless search of Willard's home on that
date, forcing his wife and son to sign a consent to search form.
Allegedly, NET officers found "speed lab equipment" in the garage.
While Willard was acquitted of the possession charge, the "speed lab
equipment" charge is pending. Sadly, the empty vials belonged to
Willard's son. The father was on his way to confront the dealers who
had allegedly sold drugs to his boy.
The warrantless search and forced signing of the consent to search
form are fascist and unconstitutional tactics routinely employed by NET
in its investigations. The prosecutor is Assistant District Attorney
Nina Sanchez. Apparently, prosecutors in the District Attorney's office
have not read the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution since law
school, -- if then. More pointedly, the problem is top down starting
with our illustrious District Attorney Sam Oatman. Mr. Oatman's
egregious ignorance of the U.S. Constitution should be remembered by
voters if he decides to run for re-election. The public also needs to
remember Mr. Oatman has conveniently ignored the rapes of two female
inmates in the Llano County Jail.--The stench of fascism and "kangaroo"
justice remains unabated.
Sadly, former Lt.Gov. Bob Bullock died Friday morning June 18 at
his home in Austin. He was 69. Although not in agreement with all his
views, I thought Mr. Bullock was an extraordinary human being and true
statesman. During the 1997 legislative session, I mailed him a long
letter detailing abuses within the Llano County Appraisal District, as
well as the Sheriff's Department. As many of you know, I had already
been circulating the substance of that letter around the county for
quite some time prior to writing the Lt.Gov.. Surprisingly, Mr. Bullock
responded with a letter of his own offering support and containing a
copy of a bill the Senate was working on, designed to correct some of
the abuses in the appraisal system. In addition, he directed his staff
to make copies of my earlier letter and distributed them to other
senators on the committee considering the bill. While the outcome of
the last two sessions was disappointing, I never forgot Bullock's
gesture.
Having lived in central Texas for nearly 20 years, I followed his
career with great interest. He was indeed a colorful character. While I
subsequently learned he owned a ranch here in Llano County, ALL Texans
were his constituents. Strangely enough, I had recently considered
snail-mailing him the URL of _The Llano Ledger. Tied up with several
on-going investigations of our most venerable institutions, I never got
around to it. While I was indeed aware of his illness, I had no idea of
its seriousness and severity. Interestingly, I received Christmas cards
from him the last two years, --AFTER he had decided to retire. Being an
astute politician and statesman, he carefully included a business card
stating the mailing was not at taxpayer expense. While he was far from
perfect, he was one of only a handful of politicians sincerely
interested in more than his own personal gain. He will be sorely
missed.
Last Thursday, the visitor count at _The Ledger website surpassed
1000. ... I am deeply grateful and truly humbled. Considering the size
of the county and the fact this publication has only been in existence
for approximately two and a half months, the passing of this milestone
is quite remarkable and a tribute to all of you who have taken the time
to access the site. Kindly remember _The Ledger is a public service,
dedicated to peacefully forcing badly needed change. Feel free to
download any material and share it with others. I only ask you give
full credit to _The Llano Ledger, and don't sell what you've
downloaded. -- It must remain free to all. As you might imagine, the
reaction of public officials to this publication has not been positive.
-- After all, many of them have been deservedly targeted at one time or
another. Not surprisingly, an attempt was recently made to shut this
newsletter down. I immediately filed a complaint with the American
Civil Liberties Union. With your help and continued support, _The Llano
Ledger WILL remain on-line. Godwilling, a hard-copy version may someday
become a reality. Apparently, our illustrious officials fear this most,
know it is coming, and will of course do all they can to prevent it. --
After all, a printed version would be their worst nightmare come true.
Again, I gratefully and humbly thank you for your continued support and
concern. I have absolutely no intention of backing off, -- regardless
of the personal cost or consequences. ... Just an iron will, with
unshakable determination and resolve.
Tim Chorney, Publisher (Scroll down for earlier edition.)
************************June 14, 1999***********************
Today is Flag Day. Display the colors proudly.
While this publication targets waste as well as corrupt and
abusive officials throughout county government including the schools,
it is interesting to note the mixed effectiveness of some of our most
cherished institutions. With school funding comprising the lionshare of
the property tax burden, the Llano Independent School District (LISD)
is certainly the premier cash cow of the county. With an annual
expenditure of nearly $10,000 per student, taxpayers are entitled to an
expectation of high and consistent performance by the majority of our
students. Sadly, we have a long way to go.
Both extremes of the educational spectrum were glaringly brought to
my attention recently. -- The very best, and the very worst LISD has to
offer. The best was a letter written by Llano High School Class
Valedictorian Elisabeth Wolfe that appeared in one of our area papers.
Ms. Wolfe is a National Merit Scholar and will attend Baylor
University. Addressing student rowdiness at the graduation ceremonies,
her letter was articulate, thoughtful, and a tribute to her education.
It is clear she will be successful at Baylor and beyond.
Sadly, there is also the other extreme within LISD. A friend, whom
I had not seen for awhile, was distraught his son had quit school. The
boy was bored and failing. Currently, he is living with relatives in
Mexico, picking melons for approximately $20 per week. Needless to say,
he is begging his parents to send money. Wisely, they refused, --
hoping he'll come home and return to school. Both are warm, loving,
caring, hard-working, responsive, and responsible. What has gone so
terribly wrong?
While school officials salivate over bond funds, they conveniently
ignore deep-seated problems within the educational system. Student
rowdiness at the graduation ceremonies is the tip of the iceberg, and
is indicative of a problem far greater than youthful over-exuberance.
It is a glaring lack of control. Why aren't teachers receiving the
backing from school administrators and parents they so desperately
need? Why are so many young people bored in our schools? Why is the
drop-out rate as high as it is?
Who is ultimately benefiting from the $10,000 per student annual
expenditure? -- Our students, ... or others who are lining their
pockets at the expense of taxpayers? There are too many unanswered
questions. The investigation of LISD continues. To date, school
officials have ignored requests for information.
In last week's newsletter (June 7, 1999), the first sentence of the
last paragraph was incorrect. It read: "Under Freedom of Information
Act statutes, _The Llano Ledger has sent requests for information to
Dr. Lane, Assistant Superintendent Judith Robbins, Maintenance Manager
Robert Darnell, and Business Manager Cynthia Bauer."
It should have read: "Under the Texas Open Records Act, _The Llano
Ledger has sent requests for information to Dr. Lane, Assistant
Superintendent Judith Robbins, Maintenance Manager Robert Darnell, and
Business Manager Cynthia Bauer." -- Sadly, the error slipped by my most
illustrious proofreader: me. ... Until late Friday no less... I'll just
have to have a talk with the old boy! All joking aside, I have taken
the liberty of correcting the earlier edition.
Regardless, the stone-walling continues and has been raised to an art
form. Our officials are well aware of their legal obligation to release
information to the public. This responsibility is enforceable through
criminal penalties provided for in the Act itself. ... Additional
pressure will be brought to bear. More importantly, what are they
hiding? Who are they protecting, and why? There is a lot more digging
to do. Stay tuned. This is just the beginning of a long, hard, dirty
fight.
Tim Chorney, Publisher (Scroll down for earlier edition.)
************************June 7, 1999************************
Apparently, there has been a major shake-up on the Narcotics
Enforcement Team (NET). Co-commander Brent Nichols was given the boot,
demoted to a sergeant investigator position. While no details were
provided, the change was made for "disciplinary" reasons. ... Possibly
Aryan arrogance? NET's handlers supposedly want "new blood" and "fresh
air". Is that right? How so?
After all, Co-commander Hardin has been promoted to full commander
and has made clear the personnel change won't result in modification of
NET operating procedures. Aren't we lucky? If true, the public can
expect more of the same: unconstitutional Gestapo-like tactics, and
abuse of innocent citizens. "Fresh air"? We'll see. -- Highly unlikely.
After all, testosterone and power are enormously addictive intoxicants.
Regardless, the stench of fascism remains unabated.
Our illustrious retiring Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Lane, sung
his swan song in area papers last week. His trip down memory lane was
particularly touching, wasn't it? His photographic memory and startling
attention to detail are quite remarkable. Too bad they don't extend to
other areas of responsibility not quite as flattering to him or his
illustrious cohorts.
Under the Texas Open Records Act, _The Llano Ledger has sent requests
for information to Dr. Lane, Assistant Superintendent Judith Robbins,
Maintenance Manager Robert Darnell, and Business Manager Cynthia Bauer.
To date, all four have conveniently ignored these requests. What are
they hiding? The requests are germane to credible allegations of
questionable conduct reported to this publication by sources. As the
investigation continues, additional material will be published over the
next several weeks.
Tim Chorney, Publisher (Scroll down for earlier edition.)
************************June 1, 1999************************
Another Memorial Day has come and gone. As in years past, people
traveled all over the nation, eagerly getting a start on the
long-anticipated summer season. -- Grateful to get a few days of
respite from the mundane routine? ... Enjoy a hamburger or hot dog over
the long weekend? Many did. Sadly, most also forgot what the "holiday"
is truly about.
My father's generation certainly hasn't forgotten Normandy, the
Bulge, Iwo Jima, and countless other places of unimaginable sacrifice,
suffering, and uncommon valor. The Marine landing at Inchon, the
crossing of the 38th Parallel, and the Red Chinese human wave attacks
are still remarkably fresh in the minds of Korean War veterans.
Hamburger Hill and Tet are no strangers to those who served in Vietnam.
... The list could go on. Sadly, this is what Memorial Day is, or
should be about, -- not the hamburgers, hot dogs, beer, traveling, and
partying we're all so fond of.
How many of our young people have even heard of Omaha Beach? It
certainly wasn't a "party" in early June 1944. No beer or brisket
served. No beach volleyball. No scantily clad lithesome blondes working
on a tan. Sadly, just dead and dying GI's valiantly fighting for the
Flag and Constitution, --for values and principles held dear and
inviolable.
Some 40 years ago while growing up, Memorial Day was a far cry from
what it is today. Ten years after the Second World War people easily
and readily remembered the sacrifice and tremendous loss of life and
suffering. Despite horrendous losses, some 400,000 killed in action,
Americans were not desensitized and indifferent to the killing as we
seem to be today.
Back then, turnout was good at all Memorial Day functions. I can
still remember attending one with a chum over 40 years ago. As little
as we were, we stood at attention while the guns were fired, and "Taps"
was blown. I can still smell the pungent powder after all these years.
Despite the presence of children, you could have heard a pin drop.
People wore Forget-Me-Nots for at least a week prior to the holiday.
How do we repay our veterans? Sadly, we don't. In fact, we
constantly cut their benefits and services. Why? -- Apparently, our
politicians aren't satisfied with what they're already stealing. They
want more, always more. They seem to have forgotten, if it weren't for
the sacrifices of our men and women in uniform, there wouldn't be
anything TO steal. If it weren't for our armed services, our fleeting
freedoms wouldn't be fleeting, -- they would be long since gone.
How do we honor our veterans? Sadly, we don't. Despite the fact
countless GI's have bled and died for the Bill of Rights and the rest
of the Constitution, we willingly tolerate judicial and law enforcement
evisceration of rights and liberties bought and paid for by the blood
of so many on the battlefield. Why? We do so because we no longer
understand what liberty truly means. Sadly, we readily, willingly,and
foolishly trade liberty for security, only to wind up with neither.
More pointedly, "personal responsibility" is the favorite battle
cry of the political Right. Where is THEIRS when they cowardly refuse
to peacefully challenge the corruption and abuse of local law
enforcement? Apparently to the Right, "personal responsibility" means
having the "freedom" to do what you're told. -- What THEY tell you to
do. Interesting, no? Hypocritical? Certainly.
How do we show appreciation to our veterans? Sadly, we don't. The
right to vote has been dearly paid for by our people in uniform. Most
of us couldn't be less interested in our elections. In the recent
School Board race, 11% of registered voters turned up at the polls. --
How many more of us haven't even registered?
How do we show respect for the values our soldiers died for? Sadly,
we don't. Apparently, no longer. We even tolerate sexual assault in our
penal facilities. At least two women have recently been raped in the
Llano County Jail. Yet, we remain stonily silent. Do we really care? --
As long as it wasn't OUR wife, mother, girlfriend, sister, aunt,
cousin, etc., who cares? No? After all, they got what they "deserved",
didn't they?
It could never happen to one of our loved ones anyway, could it?
No. Never. Garrett and the "Boys" are too honorable, pristine, and
diligent. Right? There aren't any false arrests in this county either,
are there? No. Never. Couldn't happen. Is there ever any retaliation by
our corrupt and abusive officers? No. Never. Not here. No way. Right?
How do we show gratitude for the legacy left by the sacrifice of our
veterans? Sadly, we don't. Not only have we cut their benefits, we have
stood by and watched our Chief Appraiser and his predecessors unjustly
and grossly overappraise their properties as well as our own over the
years. Yet, we remain silent and afraid of our corrupt and abusive
officials. What would never have been tolerated at the hands of a
foreign aggressor, we readily and cowardly tolerate right here. -- In
deafening silence to boot. The Founders must be turning over in their
graves.
Our troops have bled and died securely believing in the honor and
character of our school officials and their willingness to put their
students ahead of themselves and their own best interests. Was that
belief indeed justified? Apparently, no longer. With school finances
claiming the lionshare of property taxes, the schools have become an
enormous cash cow, ripe for plunder and looting.
This publication is taking a very close look at the bond money and
how it is being spent. There have been a number of ethical issues and
persistent mismanagement problems that have been brought to my
attention. There is also a possible conflict of interest on the School
Board that is also being carefully looked into. More will be reported
in the coming weeks and months. While I intend to continue aggressively
investigating these allegations, I once again urge anyone with direct
knowledge to come forward.
Liberty is not cheap. It certainly is not "free". It always comes
at a tremendous price. It is never given, -- always taken. It is never
secure, nor can it be traded for security. Once it is attained, it has
to be constantly maintained, nurtured, and continuously fought for, --
or it is quickly lost, seized by tyrants, foreign or domestic.
Sadly, we have truly forgotten the meaning and price of freedom as
we silently tolerate our corrupt and abusive officials. We cower in
fear, too timid to challenge the ongoing injustice in our systems of
government. Our officials steal from us, -- yet we say nothing and even
return them to office. They serve themselves, -- yet we cower, too
afraid to raise our voices. Somewhere along the way, we seem to have
forgotten it is we, the people, who are the government. -- Not our
corrupt, abusive, and arrogant officials.
We disingenuously pay lip service to "liberty", while cowardly and
callously displaying an unwillingness to challenge the abuses that
threaten it. If you have direct knowledge of corruption and abuse and
refuse to come forward, you are indeed a coward and a sad excuse for an
American. More importantly, you betray those who valiantly fought,
bled, and died for the liberty you have taken for granted.
Outrageously, the most intolerant and aggressively stupid among us
actively, arrogantly, and strongly discourage dissent. Sadly, such
fools have no appreciation of the First Amendment and its guaranties.
Apparently, they remain content to leave their heads buried in the
sand, -- or, more pointedly, securely lodged in a bodily orifice that
seldom sees the light of day.
... As a sage far wiser than I once shrewdly quipped: "You can fix
'ignorant'. -- You can't fix 'stupid'." Adroit and astute, this comical
nugget of street wisdom is indeed true and sadly right on target. --
Especially here in Llano County. Most importantly, never, never, NEVER
confuse 'em with the truth. ... After all, they might be forced to
think for themselves. We can't have that now. Our illustrious officials
wouldn't stand for it.
Tim Chorney, Publisher
P.O. Box 997
Buchanan Dam Tx. 78609
llanoledger@mailcity.com
Page Updated Tue Oct 9, 2001 1:42pm EDT