The Llano Ledger


Newsletter Text V50

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.

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Publisher's Note: This website is 80% full. To conserve space, the Lawson Deposition is continued in the Llano Ledger 2 and can be found by clicking http://maxpages.com/llanoledger2.

*************July 24, 2000**************

In follow-up to the snail-mailed July 17, 2000 open records complaint filed against LMHS, the following e-mail was sent to the Assistant Attorney General July 18. The July 17 complaint is included in the message:

June B. Harden
Assistant Attorney General
Open Records Division

Re: July 17, 2000 Open Records Complaint

Dear Ms. Harden:

In a follow-up to the snail-mailed July 17, 2000 Open Records Complaint filed against Llano Memorial Healthcare System (LMHS) Administrator/CEO Ernie Parisi, kindly be advised I now have evidence the records sought in the original request dated May 25 do in fact exist.

In response to an unrelated open records request dated June 23, 2000, the Administrator finally provided access to Llano Bay Health Care Inc. Board minutes for calendar year 2000. Three pages of minutes germane to the existence of the requested records will be shortly snail-mailed to the Open Records Division.

For your convenience, the following is a copy of the snail-mailed Open Records Complaint dated July 17, 2000.

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

June B. Harden
Assistant Attorney General
Open Records Division
Office of the Attorney General
P.O. Box 12548
Austin, Tx. 78711-2548

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

Re: Open Records Complaint

July 17, 2000

Dear Ms. Harden:

This is an open records complaint filed against Llano Memorial Healthcare System (LMHS) Administrator/CEO Ernie Parisi. Kindly find attached the June 15, 2000 open records request and Mr. Parisi's "response" of June 20. Be advised no response has been received from Mr. Center. As public information officer, however, Mr. Parisi is ultimately responsible for open records requests, and has repeatedly failed to timely fulfill his obligations.

The records requested are precisely the same ones sought in an earlier request dated May 25. The Open Records Division is already in possession of that document. LMHS attorney Fletcher H. Brown of Davis & Wilkerson had included it in his now withdrawn request for exception dated June 12, 2000 and assigned ID#138046.

Kindly find attached Parisi's June 14 response to the original request (May 25). He has disingenuously and falsely asserted: "With regard for your request concerning all donor records of Llano Bay Healthcare Inc. please be advised that there are no such donor records as all funds which have been provided to Llano Bay Healthcare, Inc. have been provided by Llano Memorial Hospital Foundation."

These records do in fact exist. Llano Bay Healthcare Inc., i.e. the Marble Falls Community Hospital has already raised in excess of $50,000 in funds. Mr. Parisi and counsel are playing a "shell game" with these records in an effort to thwart the Public Information Act and required disclosure.

Kindly be advised Llano Memorial Hospital Foundation Treasurer Lance Center is also a councilman and one of several Llano City officials who last year apparently placed unethical pressure on the Llano Chamber to merge with the Hill Country Wildlife Museum. It is quite possible the Treasurer is ignoring the request in an effort to quickly sanitize donor records.

You and your associates have been repeatedly informed of the egregious stonewalling by Mr. Parisi and other government officials in Llano County. When will you finally take action, -- despite the apparently corrupt and abusive influence of the District Attorney?

No open records complaint will be filed with either the District Attorney or County Attorney. It would be a waste of time. As repeatedly asserted in earlier correspondence, both are apparently corrupt, abusive, and highly selective in their prosecutions, -- "taking care of their own".

As also repeatedly asserted, District Attorney Sam Oatman himself failed to fully honor an earlier open records request dated March 12, 2000, and dishonestly and unethically attempted to charge for copies never requested in an unsuccessful effort to intimidate this writer.

The glaring indifference of the Open Records Division to continuous open records stonewalling by Llano County officials certainly provides valuable insight to readers of this publication as to just how corrupt all levels of government happen to be, -- and easily susceptible to the long reach and influence of corrupt local officials.

Ever wondered why LMHS attorney Fletcher H. Brown filed and then quickly withdrew his request for exception (ID#138046) despite the Administrator's failure to fully honor the open records request? Are you aware LMHS spent $7300 for an engineering study and survey confirming the obvious, -- you don't build a hospital next to an ongoing mining operation involving blasting? Did it ever occur to you or your associates while reviewing the ID#138046 file someone's palms might have been greased?

The withdrawn exception request was filed at the very least to spare Hospital officials embarrassment, --if not worse. After all, LMHS had neglected to inform the public as to exactly why the defunct site was rejected. If there is indeed criminal activity involved and not merely outrageous aggressive stupidity, the glaring indifference of the Open Records Division certainly provides LMHS officials more than just aid and comfort. Although it is not clear why the exception request was quickly withdrawn, LMHS officials are apparently now more concerned with protecting donor records from disclosure. Interesting, isn't it?

Have you conveniently forgotten one of the most important reasons the Public Information Act was created, -- to facilitate the exposure of corruption? Should the Open Records Division continue to balk on forcing Llano County governmental entities to provide access to requested records, a complaint will be filed directly with the Attorney General. While nothing will be done, Mr. Cornyn should indeed be aware he has a serious problem with your agency.

Sincerely,
Tim Chorney, Publisher
The Llano Ledger
cc: Llano Ledger website
cc by e-mail: David Mendoza, Legal Assistant, Open Records Division; David Short, Investigator, Open Records Division.

The following additional letter was snail-mailed to the Assistant Attorney General:

June B. Harden
Assistant Attorney General
Open Records Division
Office of the Attorney General
P.O. Box 12548
Austin, Tx. 78711-2548

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

Re: Follow-up To July 17, 2000 Open Records Complaint

July 19, 2000

Dear Ms. Harden:

In follow-up to the snail-mailed July 17, 2000 Open Records Complaint filed against Llano Memorial Healthcare System (LMHS) Administrator/CEO Ernie Parisi, kindly find attached 3 pages of Llano Bay Health Care Inc. Board minutes providing evidence of the existence of documents originally sought in the May 25, 2000 open records request.

When will your agency finally take action? How much longer will the Open Records Division drag its feet? Each day of delay gives LMHS officials additional time to sanitize donor records.

Just as pointedly, Open Records Division intransigence and subsequent dumping of ID#138059 on the General Services Commission, regarding School District efforts to "charge" for access to public documents, provides additional time for school officials to sanitize requested documents.

Be advised, in an unrelated matter, the General Services Commission has yet to take action on ID#137576 regarding $1/copy charges imposed by the County Judge and Commissioners' Court in an effort to thwart the Public Information Act.

Is this the best State government has to offer?

Sincerely,
Tim Chorney, Publisher
The Llano Ledger
cc: Llano Ledger website
cc by e-mail: David Mendoza, Legal Assistant, Open Records Division; David Short, Investigator, Open Records Division.

LMHS Administrator/CEO Ernie Parisi finally honored one of several pending open records requests Tuesday, July 18. The request was dated June 23 and posted in the June 26, 2000 Newsletter. Readers will recall this request was for access to the withdrawn LMHS request for open records exception, the minutes of the Llano Bay Health Care Board for calendar year 2000, and all O'Connell Robertson & Associates-Hospital correspondence, faxes, memos, and e-mails regarding construction of the Marble Falls Community Hospital.

Unlike previous open records responses, a substantial amount of documents was provided. -- Interestingly, more than requested. Thorough examination of the material took approximately an hour and forty minutes, and was uninterrupted. ... Apparently, the Administrator or Executive Secretary had read last week's edition posted the day before...

Released Llano Bay Health Care Inc. Board minutes provided evidence of the existence of donor records originally requested May 25. Consider the following three excerpts:

January 24, 2000: "VI. General Discussion. There are three Fund Raising Focus Groups planned in the next two weeks. Christine Reed asked all Board Members to attend as many as they can. These evening meetings will be to answer questions about the Marble Falls Hospital and to start the foundation for asking for donations. During these meetings we should also identify any potential leaders. Brenda Morris has agreed to be on the Advisory Board. Others that have been identified are: Alice Johnson, Jack Kemper, Dr. Stuart Nunnley, Dr. Swett, Dr. Turner and Frank Southers.

Steve Smith pointed out that we need to ask for donations of a minimum of 2M, but we need 3M to 4M. All Board Members agreed."

February 16, 2000 "VI. Discuss Fund Raising Activity. The next Focus Group Meetings will be in the Meadow Lakes area. This will help to evaluate the Marble Falls residents. To date we have received approximately $34,000 in stocks and pledges. Christine Reed is in the process of finalizing the members of the Advisory Committee. She also thanked the Board Members for their attendance a[t] Fund Raising Activities. It shows good credibility. It will put rumors down as we answer all the questions, which arise. She is working on a Question and Answer Form to assist with this process."

March 21, 2000 "X. Discuss Fund Raising Activity. There is another Fund Raiser scheduled for April 5th at 6:30PM. It will be in the home of Dr. St. Nunnley in Marble Falls. C. Reed passed out the Marble Falls Community Hospital Building Project Named Giving Opportunities."

Having falsely asserted there were no Llano Bay Health Care Inc. donor records, the Administrator's credibility remains in the toilet. -- As it has for months. Having failed to tell the truth and finally nailed, how can his word be trusted regarding any and all Hospital matters? Serious questions remain regarding the reliability of accounting reports offered by Hospital officials in support of the original Feasibility Study, -- reports used by investors to decide viability of bonds. ... Having lied about the existence of donor records, what else is Mr. Parisi... shall we say... less than candid about?

The extreme Right in Llano County has vociferously championed "personal responsibility". Where is the Administrator's? More pointedly, where the hell is the outrage of "conservatives", i.e. fascists in this County? After all, you've been lied to and looted, -- legally or otherwise. Repeatedly. Not only by Hospital officials, but by School and other County officials as well. Yet, you remain cowardly and deafeningly silent. ... Oh, nearly forgot... -- As long as it's government or business doing the lying and looting, no problem, right? Got to protect "authority" and the "privileged", don't we? At any cost.

Since there were no Llano Bay Board minutes for April, Executive Secretary Karen Kinard was asked if the Board met monthly. She replied no. They meet as necessary in Marble Falls. Readers should clearly understand Llano Bay Health Care Inc. is a subsidiary of LMHS and a Llano County quasi-governmental entity. -- Just as the mother corporation, LMHS. Yet, this writer has never seen Llano Bay Health Care Inc. Board meeting notices posted in the Llano County Courthouse. Interesting, isn't it?

Ms. Kinard could not provide any information as to where the notices are indeed posted, -- if anywhere. These notices MUST be posted by statute. As correctly asserted by the Executive Secretary, LMHS Board meeting notices, however, are indeed posted in the Courthouse. What about Llano Bay, Ernie?

This writer does not, and will not, attend Hospital Board meetings since nothing of substance is discussed outside of executive session. -- Clearly, in violation of Open Meetings statutes. With the District Attorney and County Attorney both apparently corrupt, abusive, and highly selective in their prosecutions, however, nothing will change. The Attorney General reportedly does not have the power to enforce the Texas Open Meetings Act. Aren't we lucky? Nothing quite like looking out for the best interests of the taxpayers, is there? Right, Sam? Right, Cheryll?

Amazing how embroiled the Hutto family is in Llano County politics, isn't it? Tere Hutto, as readers well-know, is LISD Board President. Ms. Hutto has failed to respond to two snail-mailed letters sent over the last year and posted elsewhere on this website. Apparently, she answers to no one, -- since only approximately 11% of registered voters turn out for School Board elections.

Ms. Hutto is married to Wade Hutto, -- well-known Llano attorney and President of the Llano Bay Health Care Inc. Board. Small world, isn't it? Interestingly, Mr. Hutto served as advocate for the School Bonds passed on the second try due to an extremely poor voter turnout several years ago. ... Also due to the aggressive stupidity of the public, these bonds with interest will cost Llano County taxpayers some $37 million for two new school facilities this County had no need of. School officials with the help of their shills, however, deliberately mislead the public. Imagine that. Could never happen here, could it?

Readers are reminded LISD Superintendent Jack Patton has dishonestly and unethically imposed $515.90 in "charges" for access to public documents. Mr. Patton is apparently protecting school officials from exposure of serious financial irregularities within the District, -- or worse. He is also apparently being supported in this endeavor by Ms. Hutto and her School Board cronies in an effort to thwart the Public Information Act and required disclosure.

School District stonewalling is now subject to investigation by both the Open Records Division and General Services Commission. -- For whatever the hell that's worth. ... Up to now? Squat. Sadly, State government has already given LISD and LMHS more than enough time to sanitize records. Anything subsequently released would be more than suspect.

Regarding the outrageous waste of $6000 for an engineering study and $1299 for a survey for the now defunct hospital site located adjacent to an ongoing mining operation using blasting, consider the following minutes from the January 24, 2000 Llano Bay Health Care Inc. Board meeting:

"Discuss Engineering Study. O'Connell Robertson & Associates is assisting E. Parisi in finding an engineer. The bid received was for $6000 but does not include surface and environmental studies for lead. The area was a shooting range in the past. It does include O'Connell Robertson & Assoc. working with Huber to analyze vibration and mining techniques. Wade Hutto feels we need to proceed now. We need to go and get the study done. The time frame is shortening. We must know the effect. Ernie Parisi will have them begin ASAP. It will take approximately three weeks. Kevin Reed also suggested that what we need is a Phase I on the property."

Most pointedly, why did Mr. Hutto pressure the Board to act? Why order a survey and engineering study to confirm the obvious, -- you don't build a hospital next to an ongoing mining operation using blasting. ... Whose palms were greased, Wade?

As a result of the engineering study, the Board decided not to proceed on the defunct site during the March 21, 2000 meeting. The reason given, however, does not jive with the objections raised in the engineering study. Quoting the Board minutes: "Because of the mineral rights being owned by J.M. Huber, it would not be advisable to build our hospital on this land."

As reported in the June 26, 2000 Newsletter, however, the overriding concern as quoted in the Law Gibb engineering study was the blasting and its effect on Hospital equipment. Duh. Interesting, isn't it? Nothing quite like "massaging" the truth, right, Ernie? Regardless, $7300 was squandered to confirm the obvious. Again, whose palms were greased?

Another Hutto family member and current Mayor of Llano, Terry Hutto, with the help of several of his cronies on the Council as reported last year, apparently unethically pressured the Llano Chamber to merge with the Hill Country Wildlife Museum. One of the Councilmen reportedly involved was Lance Center. Mr. Center also serves as Treasurer of the Llano Memorial Hospital Foundation and has stonewalled an open records request for all LMHS donor records. Again, small world, isn't it? Sadly, everything in this corrupt and abusive County is inexplicably intertwined. Truly fascinating, wouldn't you agree? ... Indeed, a retro time warp to 1960.

There is much more of interest in the Llano Bay Board minutes and recently released documents. Due to space and time considerations, however, it will have to wait until at least next week. Upon departure of LMHS Administrative offices, the following open records request was handed to the Executive Secretary:

Ernie Parisi, Administrator
LMHS
103 West Lampasas
Llano, Tx. 78643

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

Re: Open Records Request

July 18, 2000

Dear Mr. Parisi:

This is a request for information under the Public Information Act, Ch.552, Gov't Code, Public Information. Access to following documents is respectfully requested:

1. Minutes of Llano Memorial Healthcare System Board for calendar year 2000.

Sincerely,
Tim Chorney, Publisher
The Llano Ledger
cc: Llano Ledger website

There are three currently pending LMHS open records requests. A fourth will be sent shortly regarding the missing April and June Llano Bay Board minutes. Although they may not exist, it will be instrumental having it so stated in writing by the Administrator. Readers should understand the recently released material will generate additional open records requests for other documents not yet accessed. Sadly, there is a long, long way to go...

Clicking the About button above the Table of Contents, the visitor count proudly stands in excess of 22,100. Another record-breaking week. Non-profit and unfunded by the readership it serves due to greed, gut-wrenching fear, and the continuing intimidation of corrupt and abusive Llano County officials, this publication remains as always beholden to NO ONE.

Tim Chorney, Publisher
The Llano Ledger



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

llanoledger@mailcity.com

Page Updated Tue Oct 9, 2001 1:08pm EDT