The Llano Ledger
Newsletter Text V77
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Publisher's Note: Posting of the February 5, 2001
Newsletter has begun early. Be sure to read the
current edition, January 29, 2001 on Newsletter Text
V76. T.C. February 1, 2001.
*************February 5, 2001***************
The following snail-mail "response" to an earlier
e-mail of January 24 sent to the personal office of
the Attorney General was received in near record time.
Note the "response" is indeed from the "Open" Records
Division, -- NOT from the Attorney General or his
personal staff:
Office Of The Attorney General
State Of Texas
John Cornyn
P.O. Box 12548
Austin, Tx. 78711-2548
January 29, 2001
Mr. Tim Chorney
Route 2, Box 464A
Buchanan Dam, Texas 72609[78609]
Dear Mr. Chorney:
This will acknowledge receipt of your letter delivered
to the Office of the Attorney General via electronic
mail on January 24, 2001. You ask this office for
assistance in obtaining information you requested from
the Llano Independent School District ("LISD") on May
25, 2000 pursuant to the Public Information Act (the
"PIA"). Your letter was assigned ID#138059.
By letter dated May 30, 2000, LISD notified you that
the information responsive to your May 25th request
would be made available to you when LISD received
payment for records produced to you in response to
your request dated April 15, 2000. LISD submitted a
cost statement for the April 15 request to you on
April 28. The cost statement for the May 25 request
was mailed to you on May 30 along with a second notice
of the cost due on the April 15 request. Thus, we
understand that LISD will release to you the
information responsive to your May 25 request, but
that the remaining unresolved issue in regard to your
Llano ISD request concerns the cost of producing the
requested information.
The Office of the Attorney General lacks the statutory
authority to enforce the cost provisions of the PIA.
Section 552.269(a) of the PIA requires the General
Services Commission ("GSC") to review written
complaints from individuals who believe they have been
overcharged for a copy of public information.
Consequently, on June 15 and 30, 2000, this office
mailed to you letters advising you to contact the GSC
in order to resolve the cost dispute. Again, on August
9, 2000, I sent another letter to you in which I
referred you to the GSC for resolution of the cost
dispute.
The attorney general has the statutory authority to
enforce certain provisions of the PIA by means of
seeking a writ of mandamus when a governmental body
refuses to release public information to a requestor.
When a governmental body responds to a request for
public information by stating that it will provide a
requestor all the available responsive information,
this office must accept that statement. This office
has neither the resources nor the personnel to do
on-site inspections of records held by another
governmental office. Thus, based on the information
this office has received, the Open Records Division
has done all it can to resolve your May 25th request
to Llano ISD. The PIA gives local district attorneys
jurisdiction to evaluate possible criminal violations
of the PIA. Perhaps your district attorney can assist
you in this matter. You may contact David Mendoza at
this office if you should have any questions regarding
this letter, or if we can be of assistance on any
other open records matter.
Yours very truly,
Katherine Minter Cary
Chief, Open Records Division
Office of the Attorney General
cc: Mr. Jack Patton, Superintendent, Llano Independent
School District, 200 East Lampasas, Llano, Texas
78643; Ms. Hadassah Schloss, Open Records
Administrator, General Services Commission.
***********************************
The following e-mail was immediately sent in response:
Katherine Minter Cary
Chief, Open Records Division
Office of the Attorney General
January 31, 2001
Re: Open Records Stonewalling, January 29, 2001 Letter
Dear Ms. Cary:
My e-mail was sent to the personal office of the
Attorney General, -- not the "Open" Records Division.
I expect no assistance from you or your apparently
equally corrupt colleagues. You and others in the Open
Records Division have done nothing but aid corrupt and
abusive Llano County officials in their efforts to
circumvent the Texas Public Information Act. ... For
quite some time. Mission accomplished.
In fact, your most recent letter of January 29, 2001
again reinforces and complements LISD Superintendent
Jack Patton's philosophy: "If you can't dazzle 'em
with brilliance, baffle 'em with BS." With all due
respect, Chief, no sale.
Patton has NEVER justified the "cost of producing the
requested information." NEVER. You know that. I know
that. The "Open" Records Division knows that. The
General Services Commission knows that. Even the dolt
himself knows that.
There is indeed NO justification. Patton has
unethically attempted to charge for copies never
requested and non-existent "research", -- or as you
have put it, "cost of producing the requested
information."
Quite simply, the Superintendent has unethically
engaged in a charade, a ruse, that you and your
apparently equally corrupt colleagues have aided and
abetted.
Chief, I call your attention to the following
statement in your letter of January 29, 2001: "When a
governmental body responds to a request for public
information by stating that it will provide a
requestor all the available responsive information,
this office must accept that statement".
Ms. Cary, I NEVER received such a response from the
School District to the Open Records Request of May 25,
2000. NEVER. If Patton asserts otherwise, bluntly, he
is a liar. If you have a copy of such correspondence
from the Superintendent in your possession, kindly
forward it to me. I NEVER received it.
My question to you is quite simple. Did you even
bother to thoroughly read my e-mail of January 24,
2001 to the Attorney General, the message you
apparently are referring to in your letter of January
29? Seems highly unlikely, since you have ludicrously
suggested I approach the district attorney.
As repeatedly asserted in my most recent letter and
numerous other correspondence to you and your
colleagues, District Attorney Sam Oatman has himself
unethically attempted to charge for copies never
requested in an earlier unrelated Open Records Request
of March 12, 2000.
Worse yet, the District Attorney never provided access
to the vouchers requested. Most pointedly, Ms. Cary,
whose example do you think Patton is following? With
all due respect, madam, wake up.
Your suggestion I contact David Mendoza "if you should
have any questions regarding this letter, or if we can
be of assistance on any other open records matter" is
equally ludicrous. He's part of the problem, Chief.
... Of course, he's only doing what he's told, isn't
he?
Sincerely,
Tim Chorney, Publisher
The Llano Ledger
http://maxpages.com/llanoledger
http://maxpages.com/llanoledger2
Rt 2 Box 464A
Buchanan Dam, Tx. 78609
cc: Llano Ledger website
cc by e-mail: John Cornyn, Attorney General, State of
Texas; June B. Harden, Assistant Attorney General,
Open Records Division; State Sen. Troy Fraser; Jim
Muse, Executive Director, General Services Commission;
Hadassah Schloss, Open Records Administrator, General
Services Commission; David Mendoza, Legal Assistant,
Open Records Division; David Short, Investigator, Open
Records Division; Jack Patton, Superintendent, LISD.
******************************
The following "response" was received Saturday,
February 3:
Office of the Attorney General
State of Texas
John Cornyn
February 1, 2001
Mr. Tim Chorney
The Llano Ledger
Rt. 2, Box 464A
Buchanan Dam, Texas 78609
Re: January 31, 2001 request
Dear Mr. Chorney:
This letter is in response to your open records
request to the Office of the Attorney General ("OAG")
dated January 31, 2001. Specifically, you have
requested a copy of the Llano Independent School
District's response to your May 25, 2000 open records
request. The OAG has reviewed its files and has
located the enclosed documents which are responsive to
your request.
Although the Public Information Act allows a
governmental body to charge for copying documents, in
accordance with section 552.267 of the Government
Code, the enclosed documents are being provided to you
at no charge.
If you have any questions or wish to discuss this
matter further, you may contact me at (512)936-6736.
Sincerely,
June B. Harden
Assistant Attorney General
Open Records Division
JBH/rjr
Enc.: Requested documents
********************************
The following e-mail was sent in response:
June B. Harden
Assistant Attorney General
Open Records Division
February 5, 2001
Re: Open Records Stonewalling, February 1, 2001 Letter
Dear Ms. Harden:
In response to your letter of February 1, 2001, be
advised this publication did not request "a copy of
the Llano Independent School District's response to
your [my] May 25, 2000 open records request." Clearly,
once again, you or one of your colleagues did not
carefully read my e-mailed message to Chief Cary.
I asked Ms. Cary for supposedly existent documentation
from LISD Superintendent Jack Patton asserting he
would in fact provide this publication with all
available responsive information to the Open Records
Request of May 25, 2000. -- A claim made by the Chief
of the "Open" Records Division in her January 29, 2001
letter to me.
This publication, however, NEVER received such
correspondence from the Superintendent granting
"access" to requested public documents as sought in
the May 25, 2000 Open Records Request. Apparently, the
correspondence does not exist. The two documents
provided by you, however, dated May 30 and April 28,
2000 were in fact initialled and sent by me to the
"Open" Records Division last year.
Both documents, in fact, do NOT grant "access" to
material requested in the Open Records Request of May
25, 2000. They are, however, an unethical and illegal
attempt by the Superintendent to sell access to public
information for the sum of $515.90.
Had anyone other than a public official such as Patton
attempted such blatant extortion, he or she would have
already been indicted and convicted. ... Rightfully
so.
Ms. Harden, being as careful as I am, it is quite
possible you did not authorize the February 1, 2001
letter sent in your name. In fact, the signature
appears to be that of a stamp.
Regardless, you or whoever is responding in your name
needs to more carefully read what is requested in
correspondence. -- Or is that part of the Catch-22,
stonewalling process of your agency? Sadly, the
sloppiness of you and/or your colleagues over the last
year has been appalling. I do, however, warmly thank
all for the additional fodder. My readers certainly
understand the depth of corruption and ineptness
within the "Open" Records Division.
Sincerely,
Tim Chorney, Publisher
The Llano Ledger
http://maxpages.com/llanoledger
http://maxpages.com/llanoledger2
Rt 2 Box 464A
Buchanan Dam, Tx. 78609
cc: Llano Ledger website
cc by e-mail: John Cornyn, Attorney General, State of
Texas; Katherine Minter Cary, Chief, Open Records
Division; David Mendoza, Legal Assistant, Open Records
Division; David Short, Investigator, Open Records
Division; Jim Muse, Executive Director, General
Services Commission; Hadassah Schloss, Open Records
Administrator, General Services Commission; State Sen.
Troy Fraser; Jack Patton, Superintendent, LISD
******************************
Sadly as expected, former Llano County Deputy Duane
Nobles has been appointed Precinct 2 Justice of the
Peace (JP2) by our apparently corrupt and abusive
Commissioners' Court. Readers will recall Nobles had
been repeatedly skewered on this website for his job
performance as a law enforcement officer. Now, instead
of terrorizing innocent citizens on the road he'll
apparently do so as a "jurist" in the "courtroom". ...
Nothing quite like reverse Darwinism, is there? -- Or
Llano County "justice".
A credible source has strongly alleged the Nobles
appointment resulted from the concerted effort of
Llano County Sheriff Nathan Garrett, County Judge J.P.
Dodgen, and Precinct 2 County Commissioner Keith
Faulkner. ... Quite clearly, our apparently corrupt
and abusive officials were unwilling to relinquish the
JP2 cash cow. After all, JP2 does more "business" than
any of the three other courts. -- Certainly, the
office of choice by the Llano County Sheriff's
Department. Interesting, isn't it?
The appointment of Nobles is proof-positive there is
NO independent judiciary. JP2 will indeed continue to
be "owned" by the Sheriff, County "Judge" and his
apparently equally corrupt cronies on the
Commissioners' Court. Justice? What the hell's that?
Right, Nathan? J.P.? Keith? After all, "it's the
money, stupid."
Why else would an abusive, inept former officer, who
made Barney Fife look good, get an appointment he was
not qualified for, nor suitable by temperment? --
Especially, in light of the fact at least two other
candidates were far better qualified and had NO link
to the Sheriff's Department? With a "Good Old Boy"
securely in office, however, our corrupt and abusive
officials will maintain their stranglehold on the
Golden Goose.
Ole" Duane "The Bumbling Pain" will have two years
advantage as an incumbent when he's up for election at
the end of his predecessor's unexpired term. ... The
County "Judge", Sheriff, and Precinct 2 Commissioner
have certainly outdone themselves, -- again. Result?
The putrid stench of kangaroo justice is indeed alive
and well in this hellhole of a County. -- And will
continue to be for the foreseeable future.
For nearly two years, this publication has patiently
investigated irregularities within JP2. Sadly, much
has been sat on, due to victims terrified of
retribution should their identity become known.
Precisely why the S.O.B.'s who "run" and "own" Llano
County operate with impunity. Hey, "Boys"? Adolph and
Benito would have been proud.
Hear about recent Medicaid looting by Texas dentists?
Seems these outrageous leeches have been needlessly
placing stainless steel crowns on the perfectly
healthy teeth of poverty-stricken children, -- at
taxpayer expense.
Of course, "President" George "The Tush" Bush was too
busy running for high federal office to bother or care
as Governor about abuses not properly investigated by
State authorities. After all, "compassionate
conservatism" is nothing more than "I got mine, now
you get yours, sucker." ... Right, Mr. "President"?
With a little over two weeks in office, however, Ole'
George's supposedly "civil", disingenuous courting of
Democrats is proof-positive style rules supreme over
substance. ... Then again, there is little to no
difference between both major political parties any
longer. Aren't we "lucky"?
More importantly, liberty is seriously threatened by
the confirmation of a bona fide fascist, U.S. Attorney
General John Ashcroft. ... Aryan arrogant Ole' John
most certainly doesn't want a woman to do as she
pleases with her uterus. -- Equally pointedly, seems
willing as well to deny gays and Blacks the same
rights most of us take for granted.
Will this sad excuse for the nation's chief law
enforcement officer make Adolph and Benito proud?
We'll soon see. Hopefully, civil rights, civil
liberties, and women's rights groups will target all
50 Republicans and 8 Democrats responsible when it
comes time for re-election.
Apparently, the "President" hasn't read the First
Amendment in quite some time and its church-state
separation requirement, i.e. freedom of religion as
well as freedom FROM religion. Sadly, Ole' George
intends to spend billions on "faith-based" charity
programs for the poor. ... While dishonestly,
disingenuously, and outrageously claiming the funds
won't amount to governmental financial support of
religion.
Hey, George? Wake up. Really think the poor won't have
to endure religious indoctrination in return for a
meal, clothing, shelter, job-training, etc.? Think
certain mainstream religions won't be more appealing
to government bureaucrats than others not quite so
popular? Bottom line? Think Satanists won't sue when
denied government funds?
Clearly, George "The Tush" hasn't carefully thought
out the profound ramifications and consequences of
unwisely mixing religion and government. ... Then
again, fascists aren't particularly known for their
brilliance, -- nor more pointedly, support of the Bill
of Rights.
Readers should clearly understand this writer has no
objection to faith-based charity. The objection is to
the use of taxpayer dollars to fund it. ... Especially
if those funds are used to indoctrinate
poverty-stricken clients with views denying women
control of their uterus, the bashing and condemnation
of gays, the infliction of corporal punishment
(physical assault) on children to "control" behavior,
etc..
Sadly, the list could go on and on. Conversely and in
fairness to the Religious Right, however, think these
fascists will be happy campers should some judge allow
public funding of a Satanist group hellbent on
providing meals to the poor and indoctrination in
free-sex? Think it or something similar won't happen
should the "President's" "faith-based" plans pass
constitutional muster? Think again, friends. Most
pointedly, the glaring lack of thinking displayed by
our "leaders", and the yahoos following in lockstep
(goosestep?) is quite disturbing and a harbinger of
worse to come.
There was no time to continue review of LMHS employee
"expense reports" in this edition. Posting of next
week's Newsletter, February 12, 2001, will begin
shortly. As strongly asserted in Special Edition V65
the clock is indeed ticking... The combined visitor
count of The Llano Ledger and Llano Ledger 2 stands in
excess of 67,600, -- 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 reminded 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 Thu Jun 14, 2001 5:34pm EDT