The Llano Ledger
Newsletter Text V64
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: Posting of the November 6, 2000 Newsletter has begun
early. Be sure to read the current October 30, 2000 edition on
Newsletter Text V63. This website is over 90% full. To conserve space,
the Lawson Deposition is continued on The Llano Ledger 2 and can be
found by clicking http://maxpages.com/llanoledger2. In a few weeks, all
future editions will be posted on the second website. This website,
however, will continue to be used for Newsbriefs, Reader Letters,
Information And Services, etc., until it is completely full. In
addition, all material will remain permanently posted for reader
reference and convenience. T.C. November 1, 2000.
*************November 6, 2000*************
The following letter was received November 1, 2000:
LMHS
Llano Memorial Healthcare System
200 W. Ollie
Llano, Tx. 78643
October 31, 2000
Via/Certified Mail/RRR
Mr. Tim Chorney, Publisher
The Llano Ledger
Rt. 2, Box 464A
Buchanan Dam, Tx. 72609 [78609]
Re: Open Records Request of October 25, 2000
Dear Mr. Chorney:
We are in receipt of your Open Records Act request dated October
25, 2000. In that request you have asked for the following documents:
"All employee "expense reports" for the last five calendar years."
As indicated hereinabove, all responsive documents to your Open
Records request of October 25, 2000, will be made available at the
administrative offices of Llano Memorial Hospital on November 10, 2000
between the hours of 09:00o'clock a.m. and 10:00 o'clock a.m..
Very truly yours,
Ernie Parisi
Administrator/CEO
**********************************
The following e-mail from the Marble Falls City Manager was received Friday, October 27, 2000:
Mr. Chorney,
I have completed my research on the hitch hiking issue. The result
indicates that there is no ordinance against hitch hiking inside the
City or the State. The city and state do have regulations which
prohibit someone from trying to hitch a ride while standing in the
roadway itself (which any person with common sense would know not to
do, unfortunately some people do not always have or always display a
lot of common sense). There is nothing prohibiting someone from trying
to hitch a ride while standing on the shoulder of the road.
Unfortunately our officer, by including the shoulder area as part
of the roadway, was giving the word "roadway" a broader definition than
the law gives it. Please rest assured that this officer has a more
complete understanding of this issue now.
I apologize for any inconvenience we may have caused. I hope you
will not let this one incident completely color your opinion of Marble
Falls. I believe we have many friendly people who live and work here,
including government representatives.
I am not planning on mailing a copy of any ordinance to you since
there is not one that completely prohibits hitch hiking (outside of
standing in the roadway itself). However, if you still want a copy of
the city ordinance addressing this issue I will be glad to mail it to
you. Just e-mail me back and let me know.
Michael Stoldt
City Manager
******************************************
The following e-mail was sent in response Monday, October 30:
Michael Stoldt, City Manager
Marble Falls, Tx. 78654
Re: October 27, 2000 Message
Mr. Stoldt:
Thank you for your quick response and resolution of the issue. It
is indeed a credit to you and your management style. You are quite
right about not allowing one negative experience to color judgment
about your city. I've traveled many times to Marble Falls for
approximately 20 years and have always been impressed.
Although the approach of this publication has always been quite
aggressive and extremely pointed, the goal is good government, -- not
anarchy. As discussed Thursday, not all Llano County officials are
corrupt and abusive. Several in fact have been privately quite
supportive of this publication. Others, such as the Llano City Manager
and Police Chief, have always quickly and honestly responded to all
information requests and inquiries.
While this publication targets corruption and abuse and clearly has a
"take no prisoners" approach, it is extremely important to report
examples of good government and quick resolution of issues just as
aggressively. -- Precisely why, your message, this response, as well as
earlier enclosed correspondence with Officer Finto will be posted
shortly on _The Ledger website.
Although we strongly disagree on the 33rd Judicial District
Narcotics Enforcement Team (NET), I respectfully urge you to maintain
an open mind. Although this police agency has been repeatedly targeted
on the website for good reason over the last year and a half, be sure
to read the October 9, 2000 edition on Newsletter Text V60. Despite
numerous credible earlier complaints, this is the first time an
aggrieved family has had the courage to stand up and allow publication
of an abusive unconstitutional encounter with NET stormtroopers.
Due to the extremely high level of fear in the community regarding
NET, however, it has been unusually difficult to investigate this
outrageously corrupt and abusive agency. Be assured, however, the
effort has only just begun and, sadly, there is a long, long way to go.
As also asserted Thursday, the physical location of NET headquarters
has been published in _The Ledger for good reason.
This is not Nazi Germany, -- at least not yet. ... Despite the best
efforts of the District Attorney and NET officers. Indeed, the people
have the right to know the physical location of all police agencies.
Should NET be at risk, it is precisely because of their outrageously
unconstitutional, corrupt, and abusive tactics and procedures.
As repeatedly stated on the website, this writer does not use drugs and
is strongly opposed to drug usage. The "war" on drugs, however, was
lost 30 years ago and has been a remarkable failure, leading to
extremely abusive policing such as displayed by NET. Worse yet,
militarization of numerous police agencies throughout our country, in
direct response to a failed drug war, is indeed a threat to liberty for
all, -- not just the criminal element targeted. Unconstitutional
seizure of property and vehicles from innocent citizens without due
process is reminiscent of Nazi Germany.
Sadly, it is growing increasingly difficult to distinguish the good
guys from the bad, --as in the case of NET. Outrageously, the District
Attorney chose not to criminally investigate former NET Co-Commander
Brent Nichols last year. Apparently so, because this stellar officer
had too much on his equally corrupt and abusive colleagues. According
to numerous courtroom sources, NET lost cases when Nichols essentially
pleaded the Fifth while on the stand.
Mr. Stoldt, I again urge you to maintain an open mind regarding
serious problems within NET, -- as well as the District Attorney's
office. If not, you and other honest government officials will wind up
looking extremely foolish and culpable when NET is finally exposed for
the scourge it truly is.
On a happier note, again, thanks for your message and quick resolution
of the complaint. It is indeed a credit to you and the Marble Falls
Police Department.
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: Officer Finto
********************************
The following e-mail was sent to Officer Finto October 30:
Ms. Finto:
The enclosed message was being drafted in response to your earlier
e-mail when I received word from the City Manager that hitchhiking was
indeed lawful within Marble Falls city limits. Since my response to you
was by then dated as a result of new information, the decision was made
not to send the following message.
Having had additional time to re-read and reconsider, however, I've
decided to send it anyway since it honestly and candidly was written
with the intention of providing some insight into police-community
problems existent throughout our country. Kindly understand your
message did not go into great detail and my response, therefore, was
directed for the most part at the greater philosophical principles
involved.
Regardless, I give you and the City Manager credit for quickly
resolving the issue, -- without stonewalling. It is indeed evidence of
good management and honorable intentions both within City Hall and the
Police Department. It also took great courage for you to quickly and
personally respond by e-mail, and I am indeed grateful.
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: Marble Falls City Manager
*******************************************
Officer Rene Finto
Marble Falls Police Department
Marble Falls, Tx. 78654
October 27, 2000
Dear Ms. Finto:
Thank you for your e-mail. Currently having no phone service, it
would be difficult for me to call and discuss this matter further with
you. If you have something to add or clarify kindly do so by e-mail. It
not only provides a permanent record, but date and time stamp as well.
I'm indeed extremely interested in what you might have to say.
For the record, Officer, this citizen is law-abiding and ALWAYS
tries to do the right thing. Had there been a legal problem with
solicitation of a ride within Marble Falls city limits, you and your
partner could have simply told me so, and I would have been on my way.
Instead, you chose to waste some ten minutes of my time waiting for a
warrants check. In addition, you attempted to interrogate me regarding
my activities both prior and after our encounter. With all due respect,
Officer, and as I made quite clear to you and your partner, they are
none of your business. This is not Nazi Germany, -- at least not yet.
When I arrived at the police station to determine if hitchhiking is
in fact illegal within Marble Falls city limits, neither the Chief,
Watch Commander, nor anyone else of rank was available to answer my
questions. Worse than that, the Dispatchers refused to provide the
first names of you and your partner. As I told them, your full identity
is public information and I would have obtained it through the Texas
Public Information Act.
The City Manager, however, promptly passed it on and further
indicated that he did not know if hitchhiking is indeed illegal in
Marble Falls. He also quickly assured this writer he would find out and
provide the ordinance if so.
If it is in fact illegal, there are serious constitutional
questions that need to be addressed. If it is legal, you wasted 2 hours
of my time yesterday and approximately 5 miles of unnecessary walking,
plus the time I've taken to write and send this message. ... My safety
was also placed in jeopardy since I was forced to seek transportation
to Burnet in an isolated area outside of Marble Falls city limits.
My irritation with you and your partner was exacerbated by the fact
I had been through a remarkably similar experience in Llano several
weeks ago, -- only to find the officers were mistaken.
Kindly be advised that despite our encounter yesterday, this writer
is a strong supporter of police provided they do their jobs lawfully,
constitutionally, and non-abusively. We're not all criminals, Officer.
We're NOT the enemy. We're the citizens you're supposed to be serving.
This citizen in fact would readily give his life if necessary to aid
you or any officer in need of assistance.
The Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Amendments still mean something to at
least a few of us. If it turns out hitchhiking is not illegal in Marble
Falls, where was your probable cause for asking for identification? If
solicitation of a ride in your city is in fact illegal, why not have
simply informed me of that fact and let me be on my way, instead of
wasting a considerable amount of additional time?
Why not have the courtesy of removing dark sunglasses when talking
to a citizen? Or is it part of the power trip? A useful tool of
intimidation? Sadly, was it also part of the power trip to attempt to
conduct an "investigation" of a hitchhiking "suspect"? Despite your
assertions to the contrary, solicitation of a ride is NOT illegal in
Texas.
My business card was offered to you and your partner because I
target corrupt and abusive officials in Llano County. -- Consequently,
I always try to develop friends and sources within law enforcement,
however, whether here or in surrounding counties. Regardless of your
disinterest, I thank you for your service and the risk you take every
day in your job.
Frequently, police work involves use of good judgment and discretion. A
considerable amount of time was wasted yesterday by all involved.
Regardless of the legality or lack thereof of hitchhiking in Marble
Falls, the image of your fine city was blemished needlessly over a
minor issue.
If you have something to add to our encounter yesterday, please e-mail.
I would be most interested in your interpretation of state traffic code
definitions of roadway and highway, -- provided it doesn't employ the
use of sophistry and semantics. If you are in fact right about the
illegality of hitchhiking within Marble Falls city limits, serious
constitutional questions will have been raised by the City ordinance.
Sincerely,
Tim Chorney, Publisher
The Llano Ledger
http://maxpages.com/llanoledger
Rt 2 Box 464A
Buchanan Dam, Tx. 78609
****************************************
The following e-mail was received Friday, October 27:
Mr. Chorney,
This is Officer Finto of the Marble Falls Police Department. I
spoke with you on 102600 in reference to soliciting a ride from the
roadway. I would like to speak with you in ref to the state traffic
code definitions of roadway and highway, which differ from one another.
Please contact me at the police department Mon-Fri from 0700 to 1500h.
Thank you,
Officer Finto #412
****************************************
What do you think? ... Drunken driving okay with you, dear readers,
-- as long it's a Republican doing it? After all, it was 24 years ago,
right? Why not forgive and forget, -- especially since it is the
Governor? ... No doubt, a favorite son. A shining example of leadership
and "personal responsibility", wouldn't you say? More importantly, it
was only a youthful indiscretion, at age 30, wasn't it? No big deal,
right?
Had it been Gore, Nader, Brown, or Buchanan think Texans would have
been quite as forgiving? More pointedly, where the hell is the "moral"
outrage of the fascist Right? Interestingly, Clinton was skewered for
his admitted usage of marijuana and alleged use of cocaine years ago by
these very same outrageous hypocrites. Conveniently, their current
cowardly silence in regard to Bush is not surprising. "Do as I say, not
as I do", right? Especially if you're a Republican. Anything goes.
Remember Iran-Contra?
"Liberal" media? Where? Who? If in fact so, where were they all
this time? Why not have released this damaging morsel months ago when
it would have done some serious damage to the Governor? Sadly, the
supposedly "liberal" media is fiction, -- a distortion of reality by
the fascist Right. A convenient excuse for their own egregious
shortcomings, hypocrisy, and "moral" bankruptcy.
If this story was indeed leaked by Democrats, it would have been the
ultimate in aggressive stupidity since it will certainly solidify not
only fascist support of Ole' George, but those still undecided. -- Late
in the campaign.
The Governor strongly, dishonestly, and disingenuously, however,
asserted his failure to inform the people of his drunken driving
conviction was due to the need to "protect" his family. ... His sister
and daughters. Sadly, the man has outrageously lied. Most pointedly, he
neglected to share his criminal record with voters to protect his own
sorry ass and political future. -- Not his family.
Go ahead. Forgive. Forget. Elect him President. After all, it's the
right thing to do, isn't it? Truth notwithstanding, Ole' George's a
Republican. A favorite son. A self-made man, right? -- Despite use of
his Daddy's fame, fortune, and connections. But it's all right. Ole'
George's a Republican. That's all that matters, doesn't it? Never,
never, ever, NEVER consider a political independent. After all, he or
she wouldn't have a chance, right? The hypocrisy of Texans is stunning.
Had it been Gore caught in similar circumstances on the eve of the
election, he would have been skewered.
The visitor count stands in excess of 36,600, -- another excellent week
and true testament to the shameless willingness of the readership to
"steal" this writer's labor. Certainly, you ought to be proud of
yourselves. Nothing quite like "character", is there? Readers are
advised this writer receives no renumeration from the banner and pop-up
advertising. They only pay for the website itself. There is no personal
compensation, nor are there desperately needed funds for investigative
expenses. 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 12:55pm EDT