The Llano Ledger
Newsletter Text V5
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.
**************************July 12, 1999*********************
The First Lady's apparent intention to run for the Senate from New York
has ignited a firestorm. As many of you may remember, Robert Kennedy
did the same in the 60's, successfully beating Jacob Javitts.
Interesting, no? As a high school kid, I won a $1 bet with a classmate.
-- My friend was SO sure Javitts would win. Like Mrs. Clinton, Kennedy
was severely criticized as a carpetbagger. Will history repeat itself?
... Hard to say, no? After all, Mrs. Clinton's "negatives" are, and
have been, quite high, -- unlike Kennedy's.
More importantly, the First Lady's failure to reimburse the
government for the cost of flying to New York is a serious problem. The
Republicans and others are justified in their criticism. Of course, the
Republicans have their own problems. After all, the taxpayers of Texas
are paying for the Governor's DPS protection while he's campaigning out
of state. While Mr. Bush is certainly entitled to protection, it should
be paid for by his campaign war chest when he's elsewhere. To his
credit, the Governor has decided to forfeit his pay while gone.
Of course, the cost of Secret Service protection for the President and
his family also skyrockets during any campaigning. Again, war chest
funds should certainly be used to reimburse the government for the
additional expense. The problem is exacerbated when Secret Service
protection is extended to all major candidates later in the campaign.
My objection is not to the protection of our candidates. Clearly, all
must be physically protected. It is a question of who pays. With war
chests bulging, why shouldn't our candidates be required to reimburse
at least part of the cost? ... It might even have the beneficial side
effect of reducing the enormous amount of political advertising
extending now even to the Net. All joking aside, it is time to rethink
how our taxes are spent.
Sadly, all this illustrates how outrageously cavalier our officials
have become regarding the expenditure of taxpayer dollars at all levels
of government. Budget time is fast approaching for our county taxing
entities. -- Rest assured they're about to pick your pocket again. Time
to bend over and grab your ankles. Not surprisingly, the Llano Central
Appraisal District is considering another increase in its operating
budget. Why? What for? How much is enough?
When will the taxpayers finally demand "welfare reform" for the leeches
who are sucking the lifeblood from us? Our illustrious Chief Appraiser
Gary Eldridge is still presiding over a staff that continues to
outrageously overappraise property in the Lakes Area of Llano County.
Taxpayers on or about the lakes are continually forced to unfairly
support and carry the burden of the rest of the county. Most
convenient, no? Outrageous? Certainly.
Just as importantly, this deliberate overappraisal of property, due to
both the incompetence and greed of the Appraisal District, is directly
responsible for this area being declared a property-rich school
district. Consequently, each year we continue to be shafted by Mr.
Eldridge and his cronies to the tune of an additional $2 million or so.
Welcome to what has "affectionately" become known as Robin Hood. This
is money directly looted from the taxpayers and sent to Austin. While
the problem originated prior to the ascendance of our current Chief
Appraiser to the throne, Mr. Eldridge certainly continues to perpetuate
the problem and is directly responsible for this ongoing fiasco.
Nothing has changed since I first addressed Appraisal District abuses
in the April 12 edition. Apparently, our arrogant illustrious Chief
Appraiser and his cronies are deaf as well as abusive. As long as
Eldridge and his minions get theirs, no problem. Right? More pointedly,
why should they care when we apparently don't? What Eldridge wants,
Eldridge gets. When will we, the people, finally wake up?
Tim Chorney, Publisher (Scroll down for earlier edition.)
**************************July 6, 1999**********************
Jack Patton has finally replaced retired former Superintendent of
Schools Dr. Lawrence Lane. The Llano Independent School District (LISD)
has apparently outrageously paid both men for the last three months.
Why? The offices of President as well as Governor don't merit such
treatment. Why does the office of Superintendent? LISD certainly
generously spends our tax dollars, doesn't it? Yet, despite an annual
expenditure of some $10,000 per student, they're continuously crying
poverty.
Interestingly, Mr. Patton has ordered a review of all LISD
policies. More importantly, why hasn't he called for an independent
audit of school finances, -- if for no other reason than to protect
himself? The same could be asked of new School Board members Bob Poole
and Mark Stephenson. Don't these individuals fully understand there
will be no ducking, cover, or escape when the excrement finally hits
the fan? ... And it most certainly will.
After all, the enormous waste and egregiously poor judgement of
school officials reported in the May 3 edition of this newsletter only
scratches the surface. The deeper I dig, the murkier the muck becomes.
Recently, it was brought to my attention the $32,000 pressbox cost
overrun (resulting from duplicate payments for services), was
apparently due to the divorce and subsequent bankruptcy of the
contractor. Interesting, no?
If true, why wasn't the contractor bonded? Does LISD routinely do
business with unbonded contractors and vendors? If so, is that indeed
lawful and in the best interest of the taxpayers? Relentless
"stone-walling" has made it impossible to as yet confirm this
allegation. ... Rest assured, the digging will continue. If you have
direct knowledge, come forward.
As reported earlier (May 3), the LISD Transportation and Custodial
unit was split into two separate departments. Transportation and
Maintenance are now supervised by two individuals, -- one newly
appointed, the Maintenance Manager. Aren't we lucky? The taxpayers are
now forced to pay an additional salary at a time when LISD is shrilly
crying poverty. Why? Mr. Patton, Dr. Lane, Assistant Superintendent
Judith Robbins, as well as other school officials have steadfastly
"stone-walled" information requests made under the Texas Open Records
Act.
These requests are germane to questions raised by the past
employment history and possible previous association of newly appointed
LISD Maintenance Manager Sid Schmidt and Superintendent of Schools Jack
Patton in two other school districts. Readers should understand
information requests have been sent by this publication to those
districts as well. To date, there has been no response.
These allegations and others have been made by several credible
sources. If untrue, why hasn't our illustrious new Superintendent
immediately put them to rest by communicating their lack of merit to
this publication? Mr. Patton and his cronies have apparently chosen to
"stone-wall". Why? What else are they hiding?
At the very least, there has been an enormous amount of waste and
egregiously poor judgement displayed by school officials to date.
Taxpayers need to demand an independent audit of all school finances.
This should be immediately done to prevent any additional waste, -- or
worse.
It has also been brought to my attention retiring Business Manager
Cynthia Bauer has not been handling the bond money for some time.
Requests for information to determine who is have been steadfastly
"stone-walled". Interesting, no?
All requests have been made under the Texas Open Records Act. As
previously reported, the Act provides civil and criminal penalties for
officials who do not provide information in a timely fashion. More
importantly, what do our officials have to hide?
If an independent audit is ever ordered and finds evidence of criminal
activity, what then? After all, District Attorney Sam Oatman has an
"impressive" track record: He (1) pre-emptively and conveniently
dismissed a rape indictment returned by the Llano County Grand Jury
against a jail trusty, (2) ignored the rape of a second female jail
inmate, (3) allowed the quiet resignation under questionable
circumstances of a former victims' assistance coordinator employed by
his office, (4) continues to tolerate and encourage ignorance of
constitutional rights by police officers under his jurisdiction, (5)
skillfully guided a Burnet County Grand Jury to a "no bill" after the
"investigation" of the Burnet Consolidated Independent School District
(BCISD). ... Sadly, I've only scratched the surface. Mr. Oatman's
egregious arrogance, ignorance of the U.S. Constitution, and apparent
support of our corrupt and abusive officials are quite staggering in
their impact, aren't they? -- Apparently, we can expect no justice from
our illustrious District Attorney.
While the investigation of LISD by this publication is only in its
early stages, the level of "stone-walling" to date has been impressive.
It is a clear indication there is much our officials don't want the
public to know. While always reluctant to publish allegations, it is my
hope doing so will put additional pressure on our officials and force
them to be more forthcoming. More importantly, doing so may encourage
disgruntled county and school employees to come forward as well. After
all, it is the people in the "trenches" who best know what is truly
going on. ... Are you tired of the waste, corruption, and abuse? Step
forward.
As stated repeatedly, _The Llano Ledger is a public service. For
this publication to be most effective, community participation,
involvement, and support are absolutely required. Despite vastly
superior resources, no other area publication to date is apparently
willing to target our corrupt and abusive officials.
The banner advertising in _The Ledger only pays for the website.
With no funding, this publication has resorted to admittedly
aggressive, unconventional, and creative tactics to target,
investigate, and expose our most egregious examples of waste, abuse,
and corruption. If our area papers were doing their job, there would be
no _Llano Ledger.
With no financial resources available, however, _The Ledger has to
be a community effort. Simply put, if we, the people, want badly needed
change in our community, it is up to each of us to make it happen.
I urge all with direct knowledge of any waste, abuse, or corruption
in any area of Llano County government to courageously contact this
publication. As promised repeatedly, I will protect your identity, --
regardless of the personal cost or consequences. Just as importantly, I
thank those who have already done so and am deeply grateful. More of
you, however, will have to follow suit if there is to be any meaningful
change. Sadly, the only way to end corruption, waste, and abuse is to
expose it to the light of day. Our illustrious officials certainly
won't. -- They'll only perpetrate it.
Tim Chorney, Publisher (Scroll down for earlier edition.)
**********************June 28, 1999**************************
The Llano Economic Development Corporation (LEDC) has created a
firestorm in Llano over the last several weeks. Llano City Councilman
Roger Pinckney has made quite a name for himself submitting information
requests and challenging LEDC every step of the way. My hat is off to
Mr. Pinckney. He is doing exactly what he was elected to do. In fact,
he's a breath of fresh air.
Of course, the councilman is paying the price for his boldness.
Reaction has been swift and searing. LEDC has not only challenged his
motives, but called his conduct into question as well. Why? What are
they trying to hide? Who are they protecting? What are they so afraid
of? City Manager Philip Cook is also unhappy about information requests
being made by Pinckney and others in the community. Why?
Mr. Cook is certainly aware of the Texas Open Records Act, isn't
he? If not, I respectfully suggest he access the Texas Attorney
General's website and click on the Search icon. A vast amount of
material on the Act can be found, with civil and criminal penalties
reserved for officials who fail to respond in a timely fashion. The URL
is http://www.oag.state.tx.us/
Interestingly, one LEDC official considers Mr. Pinckney's conduct
to be "imperial" and "bordering on harassment". Is that right? Why? Why
shouldn't the councilman attempt to get at the truth, whatever that may
be? Again, what are they hiding? Why such raw sensitivity to
justifiable and determined questioning?
Like Pinckney, former Texas Supreme Court Justice Bob Gammage has
had the audacity to question LEDC and its motives. Llano Mayor Terry
Hutto's reaction was swift and personal. Why? If Hutto isn't able to
handle the heat, why is he mayor? Sadly, Pinckney and Gammage have been
subject to attack, -- much of it on a merely personal level.
In fact, it was patronizingly suggested to Pinckney he look up
"teamwork" in the dictionary. -- A touch of Aryan arrogance, no? After
all, "teamwork" is only a euphemism for the "Good Old Boy" system
currently securely in place in the city as well as the rest of the
county.
The Founders wisely guarantied free speech in the First Amendment.
Their primary concern was to ensure government be constantly
questioned, challenged, poked, probed, and prodded by the people.
Apparently, the mayor and city manager of Llano have conveniently and
arrogantly forgotten the government is ultimately the people, -- not
our illustrious officials.
Unlike a fascist police state, a republic is not, nor was it ever
designed to be orderly, politically correct, or neat and tidy. The
Founders wisely intended intense and constant questioning of government
and its institutions. ... It's called liberty, and we, the people, seem
to have forgotten this.
The Llano County Commissioners' Court is sadly in need of someone
like Mr. Pinckney. The Court is a prima facie example of the "Good Old
Boy" system in practice. For at least the last two January's our
illustrious County Judge J.P. Dodgen has declared January
"Crimestoppers Month". Judge, why not consider placing a Crimestoppers
sign in the Llano County Jail? After all, we've had at least two rapes
of female inmates. -- Possibly more.
More pointedly Mr. Dodgen, how could you as a sworn official have stood
by and publicly said nothing when our illustrious District Attorney Sam
Oatman conveniently and pre-emptively dismissed a rape indictment
returned by the Llano County Grand Jury against an inmate trusty? It's
called "kangaroo" justice, sir. Yet, you remained defiantly,
deafeningly, and cowardly silent, -- like the rest of our illustrious
commissioners. Why? Were these women only "trash" to you and your
cronies on the Court?
Sadly, "justice" is non-existent in this county. ... Oh, I almost
forgot. As long as you and the "Boys" get yours, no problem. Right,
Judge? What about the supposed need for a new law enforcement center?
Why haven't you and your associates on the Commissioners' Court ordered
an independent outside study, unbeholden to you and the commissioners?
After all, the "feasibility" study previously ordered is a sham and
merely a rubber stamp for you and your friends. ... Do you really think
the people in this county are as stupid as you apparently think they
are?
Equally pointedly Judge, why were county taxpayers forced to
"donate" $1500 to the Narcotics Enforcement Team (NET)? After all, this
agency has a well-earned reputation for abusing, harassing, and
terrorizing innocent citizens on our highways and elsewhere.
Interestingly, credible sources are asserting NET is losing cases in
court after its former Co-Commander Brent Nichols in effect repeatedly
pleads the Fifth Amendment under oath.
If true, why is NET continuing to assert Nichols' demotion and
employment probation are not for reasons criminal in nature, but merely
"administrative"? There are too many unanswered questions, and the
"stone-walling" continues unabated. Yet, the taxpayers are outrageously
forced to pay for all these ongoing fiascos. Sadly, the stench of
fascism, and "kangaroo" justice grows increasingly putrid in this
county with each passing day.
Tim Chorney, Publisher
Tim Chorney, Publisher
P.O. Box 997
Buchanan Dam Tx. 78609
llanoledger@mailcity.com
Page Updated Tue Oct 9, 2001 1:41pm EDT