The Llano Ledger
Newsletter Text V57
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.
BANNER ADVERTISING PAYS ONLY FOR WEBSITE
Publisher's Note: Since this writer has received the boot from the
Llano County Library System in an outrageous attempt to thwart the
First Amendment and stifle the truth about egregiously corrupt and
abusive Llano County officials, the posting of the September 11, 2000
Newsletter has begun early. It will include a full report on the
ejection. Be sure to read the current September 4, 2000 edition on
Newsletter Text V56. This website is over 85% full. To conserve space,
the Lawson Deposition is continued in the Llano Ledger 2 and can be
found by clicking http://maxpages.com/llanoledger2. T.C. September 6,
2000.
*************September 11, 2000***************
Upon arrival at the Llano Library at 11:00am, Tuesday, September 5,
2000, this writer was immediately asked to sign a third Internet
Registration and User Agreement. Having carefully read the paperwork, I
informed Llano Librarian Connie Hendershot the policies contained in
the documents indeed abrogate First Amendment rights.
On an unnumbered page entitled "As Per Llano County Commissioners'
Court 08.28.2000 V.4, Prohibited Uses", consider the following item:
"Web pages-Creating, running, maintaining or hosting a web page or
online publication on the Web/Internet utilizing public computers at
any of the Llano County Library System's library locations."
This is a clear violation of the First Amendment. The policy was
written in a deliberate effort to shut down a non-profit,
non-commercial publication targeting egregiously corrupt and abusive
Llano County officials. County Judge J.P. Dodgen and his cronies on the
Commissioners' Court cannot refute the substance of _The Llano Ledger.
This is their pathetic attempt to silence extremely pointed
criticism, well-earned, well-deserved, and containing nothing but the
truth. The corrupt and abusive tyrants "running" and "owning" this
County cannot impeach the facts presented. This was their best hope of
silencing relentless determined exposure, -- and it miserably failed.
Ms. Hendershot was immediately informed I had every intention of
updating the website, regardless of the change in policy and
consequences. The issue would indeed be forced. She replied this writer
would summarily receive the boot from Llano County Library System
computers. I quickly told her I would call her attention to my
activities and expected a written explanation when ejected. Hendershot
was further advised a complaint would be filed with the American Civil
Liberties Union and there was the possibility of a lawsuit.
The user agreement was then signed. Next to my signature the phrase
"Under Duress" was placed and twice underlined. The phrase "Violation
of First Amendment Rights" was added and also twice underscored.
While there had been a 2-hour limit on computer usage regardless of
whether or not anyone was waiting for a machine, it had never been
enforced. Now, it will be. The machines at all three branches are
seldom fully occupied. Rarely. In fact, this writer in the last year
and a half was never "bumped" off a machine in Kingsland, only once in
Llano, and four times at Lakeshore, -- the latter branch only has two
computers.
Hendershot was further advised I wanted copies of the paperwork. She
agreed to provide them free of charge. I went online at 11:15am and was
allowed to work undisturbed. Approximately an hour and 55 minutes was
spent attending to e-mail. Five minutes before going off-line I logged
in and updated _The Llano Ledger website to force the issue. Logging
off, I accessed the website, hit the About button to reveal the date
and time of update.
Since Hendershot was out to lunch, I asked to speak to newly
appointed Library Director Dian Ray, (also Head Librarian of the Main
Library), and showed her the Site Update and Time Stamp. She then
informed me I would be ejected from the Llano County Library System
computers. Informing her a complaint would indeed be filed with the
American Civil Liberties Union and that there was the possibility of a
lawsuit, I requested an immediate written explanation of the ejection.
Ms. Ray dawdled in her office for approximately 15 minutes and
finally informed this writer she was unwilling to provide anything in
writing until the County Attorney could look it over. Unsatisfied with
the response, further pressure was applied. ... After all, if I'm
ejected, why shouldn't the explanation be immediate and in writing?
Certainly, the County Attorney and her cronies on the Commissioners'
Court including "His Honor" the County "Judge" had to have anticipated
this writer would immediately force the issue.
It's difficult to believe our corrupt and abusive officials could have
left the Library Director without instructions as to how to handle what
they certainly knew was coming. Clearly, however, they had not. Ms. Ray
became emotional and stated she had never been faced with a similar
situation and was uncomfortable since there was the possibility of a
lawsuit.
The Library Director was quickly informed none of this is personal
nor directed at her or any of the staff. Although there has been
underlying tension for the last year and a half due to improper
pressure by our corrupt and abusive officials, this writer has always
gotten along with and been quite friendly with all library personnel.
-- Until Kingsland Head Librarian Pam Downing betrayed this writer
to Commissioners Duane Steuven and Keith Faulkner who promptly placed
unethical pressure on the former Library Director to have this writer
ejected from the system. To her credit the former Director stood tall,
-- despite the apparently corrupt and abusive influence of two County
officials.
Regardless of the betrayal, this writer harbored no animosity towards
Downing and e-mailed condolences for the recent loss of her brother and
informed her of the goals of this publication after seeing her at the
Kingsland Town Meeting (charade) promoting the new Law Enforcement
Center earlier this year. She did not respond to the message.
Furthermore, Downing apparently violated state privacy statutes
regarding patron use of Library facilities. That information was
apparently unethically used by the County Attorney to craft the second
and third Internet Use Agreements forced on this writer. Interesting,
isn't it?
This writer accessed computers at the Kingsland Library for some
time before the betrayal. Sadly, the branch is run like a gulag by a
Head Librarian impressed with herself and her Aryan arrogance. This
same individual was recipient of the Kingsland Chamber Outstanding
Citizen Award March 24. Interesting, isn't it? As jokingly asserted by
a friend last year, there is a "reverse Darwinism" at play in Llano
County. -- Survival and flourishing of the unfittest.
Every Llano County Librarian knows damn well the new Internet Use
Agreement violates First Amendment rights. To the best of my knowledge,
not one had the courage to stand up and state it was wrong. Not one. It
is also quite obvious the new agreement required of all patrons is
targeted against one user, this writer. Corrupt and abusive Llano
County officials, in a cowardly effort to protect their sorry asses,
have imposed this outrageous agreement on all, -- to get rid of one
persistent thorn in the side. Apparently, the Librarians have
conveniently forgotten they serve the best interests of patrons, not
their corrupt and abusive masters on the Commissioners' Court.
The following letter was received September 7, 2000:
Llano County Library System
102 E. Haynie
Llano, Texas 78643
September 5, 2000
Mr. Tim Chorney
Rt 2 Box 464A
Buchanan Dam, TX 78609
Mr. Chorney, as per the Llano Libraries Internet Policy, violation
of any prohibited use of our computers disqualifies the user for six
months. Your showing me that you had updated
maxpages.com/llanoledger/home violated that policy. You will be able to
access the Internet using the Llano County Libraries computers again on
March 5, 2001.
Dian Ray
Interim Director
Llano County Library System
cc: J.P. Dodgen, Llano County Judge
cc: Cheryl Mabry [Cheryll Mabray], Llano County Attorney
*********************************************************
... Well, well, well. The Director quickly got her marching orders
from our stellar County Attorney and "His Honor", the "Judge".
Excellent. Couldn't happen at a better time. A complaint will indeed be
filed with the American Civil Liberties Union. Whether or not there is
a lawsuit, the egregious abrogation of the First Amendment by the
County "Judge", his cronies on the Commissioners' Court, as well as his
shills in the Llano County Library System provides further evidence of
the corruption and abuse pervasive in County "government". -- Sadly,
the "finest" government money can buy.
If there was no substance to what's posted on this website, J.P.
and the "Boys" would have ignored it. ... They can't afford to,
however. With a visitor count approaching 28,000, the word's getting
out, "Judge", -- despite your best efforts to squelch it. The timing of
all this is even better for a more important reason: With improper
pressure on the librarians no longer a consideration, the tenor,
aggressiveness, and approach will be stiffened and ratcheted up. ...
Thanks, J.P..
According to another librarian with seniority, Ms. Ray had indeed
received the appointment as Library Director. Either the report was
false or the change does not take place until the beginning of the new
fiscal year, October 1. By all means, "Judge", you and the "Boys" need
to finalize the appointment. After all, you've found the perfect shill,
willing to do your bidding whether right or wrong. You certainly don't
want what you had in her predecessor, do you, J.P.? After all, the
former Library Director had the courage to stand up to you and your
cronies. Can't have that, now can we, "Judge"?
Interesting, isn't it, that J.P. and his pals have the time to
implement and micro-manage day-to-day Library business while too busy
or unwilling to resolve an ongoing dispute with the General Services
Commission regarding $1/copy charges in all County offices?
Wake up, "Judge". You're looking like a buffoon. Thanks for the
additional fodder, though. Not only is it extremely useful on this
website, but additional material to be conveyed to the Office of the
Attorney General, the Open Records Division, and the General Services
Commission in future correspondence. ... Much obliged, sir.
In his letter dated May 15, 2000 posted in an earlier Newsletter,
Mr. Dodgen had asserted: "E-mails, faxes, etc. between this office and
Huckabee have been limited to construction documents, etc., and there
is a copy of all this in the files you saw." Not only is this statement
disingenuous and non-responsive to questioning in an earlier e-mail, it
is false. In plain English, the "Judge" lied. The records were
shamelessly incomplete. "His Honor" does what "His Honor" wants, --
with impunity. After all, there is no one willing to hold him legally
accountable. ... An apparently corrupt and abusive District Attorney
and County Attorney? ... An "Open" Records Division that's succumbed to
the apparently corrupt and abusive influence of the District Attorney
who clearly wants no inquiry? Unless there is indeed an ongoing
criminal investigation unknown to this writer and the public, the lack
of action by the Attorney General is indefensible.
In response to the six month suspension of access to County
computers and as strongly asserted to the Library Director, Tuesday, I
could care less. What is of importance, however, is the egregious
abrogation of the First Amendment by corrupt and abusive County
officials with the aid and support of gutless shills in the Llano
County Library System.
Consider the following snail-mail written in response to the Director's letter:
Dian Ray
Interim Library Director
Llano County Library System
102 E. Haynie
Llano, Tx. 78643
September 8, 2000
Dear Ms. Ray:
In response to your letter dated September 5, 2000, kindly
understand a complaint will be filed with the American Civil Liberties
Union against you, the County Judge, and the Commissioners' Court for
the deliberate egregious abrogation of First Amendment rights.
Regardless of whether or not there is a lawsuit, your action
provides further evidence of the corrupt and abusive influence of your
handlers. Worse yet, it has become quite clear the Llano County Library
System is no more than a shill for the "Judge" and his cronies on the
Commissioners' Court.
Highly unflattering material regarding the Llano County Library
System, the County Judge, County Attorney, and the Commissioners' Court
in regard to this matter has been posted on the website over the last
four days. There will be more to come.
Although not afforded the same consideration, in the interest of
fairness to you and your corrupt and abusive handlers, however, any
response will be published in its entirety and without editing.
Material germane to the current matter can be found on Newsletter Text
V56 and V57. The latter is temporarily located on the bottom of the
Table of Contents until posting has been completed.
Sincerely,
Tim Chorney, Publisher
The Llano Ledger
http://maxpages.com/llanoledger
Rt 2 Box 464A
Buchanan Dam, Tx. 78609
cc: Llano Ledger website
cc by e-mail: Llano County Judge J.P. Dodgen; Lakeshore Library; Kingsland Library.
*********************************************
Poor Ole' Sam's got "problems" in the office again. -- Who'd a
"thunk" it, no? Could never happen here in Llano County, could it? What
the hell am I talking about??? ... You mean you haven't heard the
latest??? On September 1, District Attorney Sam "The Sham" Oatman
issued a press release crowing about the results of an "investigation"
conducted by the Texas Commission on Human Rights "clearing" one of the
"Boys", Investigator Henry Nolan, of sexual harassment charges lodged
by Nancy Hinze, -- a former employee of Oatman's office.
Readers should clearly understand this writer has no idea whether or
not the charges are in fact true. Considering Ole' Sam's track record
of protecting and taking care of his own, however, nothing would come
as a surprise. It takes enormous courage for a woman to step forward
and allege misconduct in any community. Especially so in small ones
such as this, where a handful of corrupt and abusive white collar thugs
have the "peasants" by the throat.
It should also be clearly understood the Texas Commission on Human
Rights, despite its noble name, was founded to protect and coddle
corrupt and abusive business and government leaders from lawsuits. It
is the express function of this rubber stamp organization to "cull out"
supposedly meritless claims. Worse yet, citizens are denied the right
to sue in cases of discrimination if a complaint has not first been
filed with the Commission and "reviewed". People can thank the fascist
Right and the Governor for making it far more difficult for victims
honestly aggrieved to litigate and prevail. Not surprisingly, Ole' Sam
and the County insurance "investigator" support the Commission's
"findings". -- One S.O.B. lies, and the other two swear by it.
Interesting, isn't it? Nothing quite like the stink of "kangaroo"
justice, is there?
Although Ms. Hinze can still file suit now that the ruling has been
handed down, apparently she is legally limited to asking a court to
review the "findings". If indeed true, this is an outrageous denial of
justice. Again, thank the fascist Right, -- both Republicans and
Democrats who passed the legislation.
Readers will recall an Open Records Request dated August 23, 2000
was filed with LMHS Administrator Ernie Parisi. Not surprisingly late,
the "response" came Saturday, September 9. ... It's a doozie. Having
not seen Ole' Ernie for quite some time, I imagine his beak must have
grown a couple of feet over the last few months. Outrageously
disingenuous and false, the Administrator has sadly outdone his best
efforts displayed in the earlier June 14, 2000 open records "response"
fiasco. In view of his latest extraordinarily entertaining caper,
posting of next week's Newsletter, September 18, 2000, will begin
shortly and be found on Newsletter Text V58 at the bottom of the Table
of Contents.
A News Release from Kingsland American Legion Post #437 has been
received and posted on Information and Services. This fine organization
is conducting a recruitment drive and is offering enhanced incentives
for membership. Not only does the Legion serve veterans, their
survivors, etc., but also the community at large with many worthwhile,
needed programs. Be sure to check out the notice.
While on Information And Services, scroll down to the PLAN
Newsletter announcing the Annual Membership Meeting to be held
Wednesday evening, 7:30pm, September 13 at St. Charles Catholic Church
in Kingsland. ... Don't let this fine, selfless organization die on the
vine... ... Please...
The visitor count stands in excess of 28,100, -- a true testament
to the shameless willingness of the readership to "steal" this writer's
labor. You ought to be proud of yourselves. Nothing quite like
"character", is there? Another record-breaking week, in excess of 1,100
hits. Non-profit and outrageously unfunded by the readership it serves
due to greed, gut-wrenching fear, and the continuing relentless
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 1:02pm EDT