The Llano Ledger
Newsletter Text V86
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*************April 2, 2001***********
Earlier last week, e-mail "pleasantries" were exchanged with Jimmy
Stephenson, Editor of the Llano News. ... Apparently, Ole' Jimmy got a
little more than bargained for, however. All joking aside, plagiarism
charges made by this publication in the March 19, 2001 Newsletter
remain unanswered.
Fascinating, isn't it? Quickly pommeling his "bloodied" beak, the
Editor wisely retreated. Too bad, though. Just when things were
beginning to get interesting. The entertaining exchange can be found on
Reader Letters Vol 4. ... Enjoy.
On a more serious note, the following e-mail was sent to State Senator Troy Fraser:
Troy Fraser
State Senator
Texas Senate
Austin, Tx.
Re: Public Information Act
April 2, 2001
Dear Senator:
For well over a year, this publication has not been able to access
documents sought under the Texas Public Information Act. On May 25,
2000 an Open Records Request seeking access to Llano Independent School
District (LISD) records was filed with Superintendent Jack Patton.
The documents sought involved outrageous financial irregularities
costing taxpayers at the very least thousands. The May 25, 2000 Open
Records Request, however, was only the latest of several earlier
unsuccessful attempts to access the same information, for well over a
year, now.
As earlier, Patton stonewalled the latest request dated May 25,
2000, unethically attempting to extort $515.90 for copies and
"research" never requested. Despite this demonstrable fact, the Open
Records Division callously refused to take action, disingenuously
throwing the complaint into the purview of the General Services
Commission.
Numerous hardcopy documents and e-mails were exchanged with Open
Records Administrator Hadassah Schloss in regard to this matter and
other matters unrelated. Despite months of effort by this publication
and due to outrageous foot dragging by both the Open Records Division
and General Services Commission, the Superintendent of Schools has
successfully circumvented the Texas Public Information Act.
The apparently corrupt and abusive influence of District Attorney
Sam Oatman is clearly evident in the intransigence and refusal of both
the Open Records Division and General Services Commission to take
action and force disclosure of public documents as required by Ch.552,
Gov't Code, Public Information.
After all, the Superintendent had only followed the example of the
District Attorney, who himself unethically and illegally stonewalled an
unrelated Open Records Request dated March 12, 2000 in a strikingly
similar fashion.
Bottom line? The Superintendent has deliberately and willingly
attempted to extort $515.90 for "access" to public information. -- In
an effort to protect himself and his cronies from the consequences of
thousands of dollars, at the very least, in financial irregularities.
In fact, in documents dated April 28, 2000 and May 30, 2000, Patton
unethically and illegally attempted to sell access to public
information for the sum of $515.90. Had anyone other than a public
official such as the Superintendent attempted such blatant extortion,
he or she would have already been indicted and convicted. ...
Rightfully so.
In Llano County, however, all such "unpleasantry" is conveniently
swept under the rug. After all, the District Attorney and County
Attorney protect their own. Furthermore, the Attorney General has
expressed no interest and ignored all messages to date.
Sadly, the "Good Old Boy" system is deeply entrenched in this
hell-hole of a county. No support or help can be expected from equally
corrupt state authorities, -- as the last year of effort has clearly
demonstrated.
Not only do County officials desperately suppress legitimate
inquiry into outrageous irregularities and abuses, they do what they
can to stifle free speech. There is no First Amendment in Llano County.
After all, a corrupt and abusive County Judge, Commissioners'
Court, and County Attorney ejected this writer from a public computer
for exercising free speech highly critical of County officials.
The ejection came September 5, 2000. The fascists running this
County brazenly dictate what speech is, and is not, acceptable on
computers in the Llano County Library System. Fascinating, isn't it?
Sadly, open records stonewalling is also a problem in the Llano
Memorial Healthcare System (LMHS) as well as the Hospital Foundation.
The Administrator/CEO is outrageously dragging his feet, allowing 1hr.
inspection of employee "expense reports", monthly.
-- Despite the fact the sought documents were pulled months ago and
left unguarded in the Diane Gage Learning Center between visits. Worse
yet, they clearly indicate the Hospital is being egregiously looted.
Interesting, isn't it?
The Public Information Act apparently means nothing in the State of
Texas. Changes made in the last legislative session two years ago did
nothing to encourage compliance. Most pointedly, no one is willing to
enforce it.
Sadly and despite millions at its disposal, MSNBC's Dateline was in
fact forced to wait months by the "Open" Records Division to access
public data. Apparently, unfunded publications have even less of a
fighting chance. The stench of kangaroo justice is indeed growing
increasingly putrid, Senator.
Numerous e-mails have been sent to your office in regard to this
and other matters. To date, however, no response has been received.
Clearly, my readers deserve better. ... Or, are you indeed part of the
problem?
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; June B. Harden,
Assistant Attorney General, Open Records Division; David Mendoza, Legal
Assistant, Open Records Division; David Short, Investigator, Open
Records Division; Ann Dillon, Acting Executive Director, General
Services Commission; Hadassah Schloss, Open Records Administrator,
General Services Commission; Jack Patton, Superintendent, LISD; Jerry
Durr, Administrator/CEO, LMHS
****************************************
Problems of fascism not only exist within Llano County government
per se, but also within the School District itself. Although the
Superintendent has been repeatedly targeted for open records cover-up
of egregious financial irregularities, the problem runs much deeper and
wider.
Disgruntled parents and students are increasingly complaining of
heavy-handed, unconstitutional abuses within the schools, --
particularly the High School. This writer has recently been provided a
copy of Student Handbook 2000-2001, Llano High School, Llano, Texas.
... Indeed, an eye opener.
While minors are traditionally not accorded the same constitutional
rights afforded the rest of us, the Llano Independent School District
(LISD) seems particularly determined to impose its iron fist, --
regardless of the Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Amendments.
... Nothing quite like an in-house "civics" lesson in fascism, right,
Mr. Patton? More pointedly, dumb 'em down, now, while you still can,
no? After all, you and your cronies are damn determined that graduates
will indeed enter society compliant and willing shills of abusive
government. Right, Jack?
Over the next few weeks, the Handbook will be extensively quoted.
Most pointedly, the community is indeed entitled to know the extent
looted taxes are used to foster iron-fisted fascism within the
District, -- particularly the deliberate evisceration of constitutional
rights.
Interestingly, School Administrators are apparently not required to
live up to the same high standards demanded of students. ... Hey, Jack?
Kindly take a look at p.33 of the Handbook under Section II-Student
Code of Conduct, Requirements, 2. Students are prohibited from: t.
Committing extortion. H-E-L-L-O?
... Doesn't apply to you or your cronies, though, does it, sir?
Most pointedly, how do you justify an unethical illegal attempt to
extort $515.90 from this writer for "access" to public documents, -- in
a deliberate effort to cover up outrageous financial irregularities?
-- Another thing, Jack. ... We're just getting started, pal.
Despite the abuses, waste, and egregious financial irregularities, no
one in fact wants your head on a platter. Nor that of any of your inept
compadres.
What the community desperately demands, however, is immediate
responsive change and unfettered access to public information. Just as
importantly, parents want prompt, complete, unobstructed access to
their children's records as well as due process when it comes to
handling behavioral problems.
When, not if, this occurs, the approach of this publication to the
School District will finally change. Until then, expect pressure to be
ratcheted up. ... Wake up, sir. Things WILL indeed change, -- with or
without you.
Friends, serious consideration is given by this writer to simply
walking away from The Ledger due to a glaring lack of financial support
from the readership. As strongly asserted in Special Edition V65,
lacking any vested interest and no longer owning property in Llano
County, why continue in the absence of financial support from a
cowardly and selfish community? -- Despite a combined Llano Ledger and
Llano Ledger 2 visitor count exceeding 88,800? ... Two years, now. For
what?
Tim Chorney, Publisher
The Llano Ledger
Tim Chorney, Publisher
P.O. Box 997
Buchanan Dam Tx. 78609
llanoledger@mailcity.com
Page Updated Mon Apr 2, 2001 4:38pm EDT