A Red Oak Window Seat-Some Inconvienent Truths

Obama...Messiah and Master of Foreign Policy

2008-11-09T13:18:00.000-08:00

President Obama has proceeded to show the world what a master of foreign policy he is by selling Poland down the river. I guess Prezident O only REVISES rather than remembers history....that September of 1939 comes to this historian's mind. Read below and make up your own mind. This community organizer is a joke!

Obama adviser: No commitment on defense shield

(CNN) -- U.S. President-elect Barack Obama has made "no commitment" to plans for a missile defense program in eastern Europe, despite a report on the Polish president's Web site, an Obama adviser said Saturday.

Obama spoke to President Lech Kaczynki over the phone about continuing military and political cooperation between the two countries and possibly meeting in person soon, both sides said.

Obama "had a good conversation with the Polish president and the Polish prime minister about the important U.S.-Poland alliance," said Denis McDonough, Obama's senior foreign policy adviser.

However, Kaczynski's office says on its Web site that during the same conversation, Obama told Kaczynski that he intends to continue plans for a missile shield in eastern Europe.

Obama's adviser denied the report.

"President Kaczynski raised missile defense, but President-elect Obama made no commitment on it. His position is as it was throughout the campaign: that he supports deploying a missile defense system when the technology is proved to be workable," McDonough said.

Russia is infuriated by U.S. plans for the missile-defense installation, which includes basing missile interceptors in Poland. The interceptor rockets would be linked to an air-defense radar system in the Czech Republic.

The United States has tried to mollify Russia by stressing that the missile defense is directed at rogue states, such as Iran, and that the number of interceptors in the shield would be "easily overwhelmed" by Russian forces.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, in his first state-of-the-nation speech since taking office this year, warned this week that Russian missiles will be deployed against the planned system. Video Watch more about the Kremlin attack on U.S. policy »

"The Iskander missile system will be deployed in Kaliningrad region to neutralize, when necessary, the missile shield," Medvedev said. "We are also planning to use the resources of the Russian naval fleet for these purposes."

State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said Medvedev's announcement that Russia would deploy missiles in response to the shield is "disappointing."

Russian officials have warned that deploying the missile shield would open Poland up to an attack in the event of conflict.

Russia fears that the missile shield would blunt its nuclear deterrent.

Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman reiterated Wednesday that the missiles are not aimed at Russia and are designed as a defensive shield for U.S. allies in Europe. He said the shield is designed with the possibility of Iranian ballistic missiles in mind.

Oama Declines GOP Request to Redistribute Votes

2008-11-09T06:12:00.000-08:00

In the Sarcasosphere

(2008-11-05) — President-elect Barack Obama today politely declined a request from the Republican National Committee to “redistribute the votes” from yesterday’s Congressional contests in order to “spread the power around.”

“It’s not that we want to punish your success,” wrote RNC chairman Mike Duncan. “We just want to make sure that everybody who is behind you has a chance for success too. Our attitude is that if the election’s good for folks from the bottom up, it’s gonna be good for everybody … when you spread the power around, it’s good for everybody.”

In a brief written reply to the GOP, Mr. Obama said, “Our Democrat candidates worked hard for those votes, and it would be a gross injustice to take what they earned by the sweat of their brows and to give it to others who, for whatever reason, did not succeed.”

“The electoral process,” wrote Mr. Obama, “allows a person from any background to work hard, to build a strong organization, to raise investment capital and to take the personal risk that is the necessary precursor to any successful venture. When they do that well, and they win, the benefits ripple outward to many others.”

The 44th president of the United States added, “If you redistribute their hard-earned votes to those less capable, to those who played it safe or who turned in a half-hearted performance, then you remove incentive from the system. In the end, when you aim for equality of outcomes in a particular arena, you inevitably wind up with mediocrity, because men of excellence and ambition will go elsewhere to satisfy their longing for dignity, self-sacrifice and honor.”

Come on Mr. President-Bring on da' Jubilee!

2008-11-07T18:29:00.000-08:00

The Flim Flam Man won! We've elected ourselves the ultimate empty suit.

I watched NBC reporters cry with joy like the Hebrews must have done when they got the news that Pharoah was cutting them loose to roam the desert.

I watched Fox News get completely "dissed" at the Prez' first news conference that had nothing of substance to it....a hint of the next four years.

Superbama will attempt to send all of us a "stimulus check" (like it is HIS damned money in the first place to give back to me-a taxpayer that pays HIS freekin' salary). Everyone will hail this as a genius move to kick start the economy.

Superbama has his hands full and the public only has an inkling' about a small piece of it. The economy is just one ball for him to juggle. He got his first security briefing today as Prez-elect. If that didn't "man him up" to the real world, we're all in la munda de caca!

Hopefully he will bring on the Jubilee! He's the Prez-elect now but I do not trust, believe in nor do I support his Sol Linsky plan to change America. Maybe he will prove to be JFKII. I doubt it.

I voted for the other ticket...I can bitch and moan for the NEXT FOUR YEARS! I definitely will start working in the local Republican Party apparatus. Sure they got their arses handed to them, but after four years of Pelosi-Reed-Prezident O, the Republicans can pull a Ronny Ray-Gun again and ride in on the white horse. God knows what shape the country will be in then. Can't be any worse than the Carter years or could it!

Bring on the Jubliee...I ain't believin and "yes we can-si se puede"? Nope it won't happen unless it happens on the backs of normal folks like us that pay the bills, our taxes on time, get up and WORK, and do our "drone" things on a daily basis.

Last three days before the Obamanation!

2008-11-01T09:09:00.000-07:00

The Messiah Guy is Here!
Three days before the election and the slop just keeps getting richer. It definitely looks as if we'll be electing a committed true, dyed in wool Marxist. This is going to be the most pivotal election since Carter-Reagan and it's based upon the "big lie". We really can't be that stupid or are we truly as an old Bircher book my dad had ARE "A Nation of Sheep"?

Dick Morris and the "Undecided Voter"
Where does Fox News "political expert" Dick Morris get his insider "undecided voter" information? It sounds good and keeps the spirits up but methinks I'm stepping in BS when I hear him go on and on that McCain will win because of some mythical undecided voters. If they're anything like Luntz' crew, they're way not undecided. It's difficult enough to swallow Obama's hypocritical line of cock&bull, but Morris continues to paint a different picture. He's praying for a Dewey vs. Truman and folks I just don't see it happening.

Silver Lining With an Obamayomama Victory
There's a silver lining in all this, I can GRITCH and MOAN about the Obamanation for the NEXT 4 years if he wins. I voted early and I damn sure WASN'T undecided...but "everyone knows that Obama doesn't need my state-Texas to win" according to Karl Rove. So what was my vote? Chopped liver?

Give 'em hell McCain...I'm not looking forward to being "re-educated" that my income is Obama's income and if I disagree or endorse McCain, I'll get thrown off the plane too or accosted by some "civilian security force that's as good as our military" (yeah...Ass-clown said that too!) That's getting positively Orwellian in my book. Don't believe me? Google the phrase, read it and take a second look while your jaw is on the floor.

A Civilian Security Force: Click Here if you Don't believe me
Obama is obliquely proposing a civilian security force in addition to our military. I'm no believer in the black helicopter theory but this guy's In-freekin'-sane. But you know...I'll be one of the first ones in the "re-education camps" since I'm in the edu-business. Gotta' "get my mind right teachin' those chilren". I've never advocated civil unrest but; if Obama puts his complete Weather Underground, Black Liberation, "spread the wealth around a little" agenda, I might just be so inclined. As one of our founding fathers said (highly paraphrased here-disclaimer), "a little revolution is good once in a while." Read William Ayers' book from my high school years and you'll see the plan. It's all the "Big Lie" done over in 21st century media candy coating!

It's gonna' be a bumpy night Tuesday

The Obama Temptation or...The Big Lie?

2008-10-26T07:31:00.000-07:00

I am not usually a fan of talk radio but Mark Levin is an exception. He was part of the Justice Department and a well known Constitutional lawyer and instructor. Take a minute to read his thoughts; they're not as "beyond the pale" as talk radio hosts usually are. This is quite interesting and echoes one of my previous postings..."Nation of Sheep"

"The Obama Temptation" [Mark R. Levin]-taken from the National Review, October 25, 2008

"I've been thinking this for a while so I might as well air it here. I honestly never thought we'd see such a thing in our country - not yet anyway - but I sense what's occurring in this election is a recklessness and abandonment of rationality that has preceded the voluntary surrender of liberty and security in other places. I can't help but observe that even some conservatives are caught in the moment as their attempts at explaining their support for Barack Obama are unpersuasive and even illogical. And the pull appears to be rather strong. Ken Adelman, Doug Kmiec, and others, reach for the usual platitudes in explaining themselves but are utterly incoherent. Even non-conservatives with significant public policy and real world experiences, such as Colin Powell and Charles Fried, find Obama alluring but can't explain themselves in an intelligent way.

There is a cult-like atmosphere around Barack Obama, which his campaign has carefully and successfully fabricated, which concerns me. The messiah complex. Fainting audience members at rallies. Special Obama flags and an Obama presidential seal. A graphic with the portrayal of the globe and Obama's name on it, which adorns everything from Obama's plane to his street literature. Young school children singing songs praising Obama. Teenagers wearing camouflage outfits and marching in military order chanting Obama's name and the professions he is going to open to them. An Obama world tour, culminating in a speech in Berlin where Obama proclaims we are all citizens of the world. I dare say, this is ominous stuff.

Even the media are drawn to the allure that is Obama. Yes, the media are liberal. Even so, it is obvious that this election is different. The media are open and brazen in their attempts to influence the outcome of this election. I've never seen anything like it. Virtually all evidence of Obama's past influences and radicalism — from Jeremiah Wright to William Ayers — have been raised by non-traditional news sources. The media's role has been to ignore it as long as possible, then mention it if they must, and finally dismiss it and those who raise it in the first place. It's as if the media use the Obama campaign's talking points — its preposterous assertions that Obama didn't hear Wright from the pulpit railing about black liberation, whites, Jews, etc., that Obama had no idea Ayers was a domestic terrorist despite their close political, social, and working relationship, etc. — to protect Obama from legitimate and routine scrutiny. And because journalists have also become commentators, it is hard to miss their almost uniform admiration for Obama and excitement about an Obama presidency. So in the tank are the media for Obama that for months we've read news stories and opinion pieces insisting that if Obama is not elected president it will be due to white racism. And, of course, while experience is crucial in assessing Sarah Palin's qualifications for vice president, no such standard is applied to Obama's qualifications for president. (No longer is it acceptable to minimize the work of a community organizer.) Charles Gibson and Katie Couric sought to humiliate Palin. They would never and have never tried such an approach with Obama.

But beyond the elites and the media, my greatest concern is whether this election will show a majority of the voters susceptible to the appeal of a charismatic demagogue. This may seem a harsh term to some, and no doubt will to Obama supporters, but it is a perfectly appropriate characterization. Obama's entire campaign is built on class warfare and human envy. The "change" he peddles is not new. We've seen it before. It is change that diminishes individual liberty for the soft authoritarianism of socialism. It is a populist appeal that disguises government mandated wealth redistribution as tax cuts for the middle class, falsely blames capitalism for the social policies and government corruption (Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac) that led to the current turmoil in our financial markets, fuels contempt for commerce and trade by stigmatizing those who run successful small and large businesses, and exploits human imperfection as a justification for a massive expansion of centralized government. Obama's appeal to the middle class is an appeal to the "the proletariat," as an infamous philosopher once described it, about which a mythology has been created. Rather than pursue the American Dream, he insists that the American Dream has arbitrary limits, limits Obama would set for the rest of us — today it's $250,000 for businesses and even less for individuals. If the individual dares to succeed beyond the limits set by Obama, he is punished for he's now officially "rich." The value of his physical and intellectual labor must be confiscated in greater amounts for the good of the proletariat (the middle class). And so it is that the middle class, the birth-child of capitalism, is both celebrated and enslaved — for its own good and the greater good. The "hope" Obama represents, therefore, is not hope at all. It is the misery of his utopianism imposed on the individual.

Unlike past Democrat presidential candidates, Obama is a hardened ideologue. He's not interested in playing around the edges. He seeks "fundamental change," i.e., to remake society. And if the Democrats control Congress with super-majorities led by Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid, he will get much of what he demands.

The question is whether enough Americans understand what's at stake in this election and, if they do, whether they care. Is the allure of a charismatic demagogue so strong that the usually sober American people are willing to risk an Obama presidency? After all, it ensnared Adelman, Kmiec, Powell, Fried, and numerous others. And while America will certainly survive, it will do so, in many respects, as a different place."

Obama is a Liar-Can You Speak Opposite Speak?

2008-10-24T09:13:00.000-07:00

Obama is the classic pathological liar. If you take him at his word, he can and WILL walk on water, turn water into wine and is equivalent to the second coming of the Messiah.

Here's just 3 of his lies. I'm tired of interpreting his lies. It's come to the point if this clown opens his mouth, I expect him to do the opposite. Here goes...I gotta' vent...oh I forgot, that's what this blog is for!

Obama Lie No. 1 — I will tax just the rich.
There is no such thing as a tax on just the rich. Taxes on wealthy people affect everyone. Remember, Obama defines anyone making over $90,000 a year as "rich." Joe the plumber discovered that Obama thinks Joe's rich too. Under Obama, he won't be able to hire new employees and grow his business. Joe's not alone. Obama says he'll strip away the FICA cap at $90,000 for every worker. That means every dollar you earn over that amount, you'll pay 7 percent! This is absurd in a recessionary and "bear" economy!

Obama Lie No. 2 — I want to give a tax cut to the middle class.
I'm calling BS on this! Obama says he will let the Bush tax cuts expire. That's an automatic 5 percent (maximum) tax increase on almost all taxpayers.
Plus middle class folks pay capital gains taxes. Obama has said he wants to almost double them from a low of 15 percent to almost 30 percent.
He wants to hike the dividend tax, and he also has promised taxes on gas and energy. Obama also wants to dramatically increase the estate tax, which had almost disappeared. There goes your idea of sharing your wealth with your kids in the future.

Obama Lie No. 3 — I want to make America more secure.
Another outright lie. In an age when crazies like Iran 's Ahmadinejad are building ballistic missiles and promise to "destroy" the United States and Israel , Obama has promised to gut the missile defense program created by President Reagan. "I will cut investments in unproven missile defense systems," Obama said. He has promised to cut "tens of billions" of dollars from the Defense Department. In an effort to make us more "secure," Obama plans to disarm us. It's "opposite speak" to the fullest!

In the age of 9/11 can we afford such a radical Leftist in the White House?
No, we can't. Obama is not just a danger to our economy, with his plans to raise taxes and spend over $800 billion in new programs. Obama is a radical out to reshape America beyond recognition. He is so radical he backs driver's licenses for illegal aliens — even though such a move would help future terrorists move freely in the United States . Even Hillary Clinton opposed his radical plan. Obama not only touted such a plan running for president, he pushed for giving illegals driver's licenses as a state senator in Illinois .

Obama is a walking lie!
He is also the most pro-abortion candidate in the history of the country. In 2001, as a state legislator in Illinois , he opposed a bill to protect live-born children — children actually born alive! He was the only Illinois senator to speak out against the bill.

He opposes gun rights. He has long history of trying to deny ordinary citizens access to guns. He originally backed Washington D.C. 's total ban on private handguns — a ban that was overturned. The NRA rated him an "F" on gun positions and says he is one of the most dangerous anti-gun politicians in the nation.

Who is this guy?
Obama is a Harvard-educated elitist. Even his education was funded by radicals and possibly by the taxpayer through William Ayers. To him, we Americans are simply "bitter" and he has mocked us saying "[they] cling to their guns and their religion."

Why am I writing this?
I've just had enough of Obamayomama and Obamarama for the past 2 years. He is NOT the Messiah, NOT going to do ANYTHING for any class, WILL give "bread" to the masses to ensure he's elected. All he will do is spend trillions, put our health care system into a fatal spin and neuter our nation in time of crisis both economically and militarily.

It's up to us to say NO to Obama, NO to Socialism and NO to the largest spending spree since the New Deal. I've had enough. Have you?

McCain Lost The Election Tonight!

2008-10-15T20:30:00.000-07:00

McCain lost the election tonight. I swear he really doesn't want to be president. I wonder if this is an internal character flaw that allows him to lead to a certain point and then hits him in the head saying "yeah...you're OK as a Senator but I really don't know if you want to go the entire mile with this process, Senator. You'll have to deal with Obama on a daily basis anyway in the Senate if you lose".

This was typical McCain. He's not Bush nor is he as forthcoming as his father-Admiral McCain. His father's shadow was on his shoulder tonight and he just couldn't bring himself to be "better than ole' Dad". It was crystal (not Kristol) clear throughout the discussions.

I'm pissed off at the opportunities missed, the genteelness of McCain when Obama laughs at him and his lack of killer strokes on the abortion issue, Ayers, health care, all that crap trying to illustrate Obama's lack of foreign affairs/world economic experience by pulling the Colombia card, and never...never giving us the 'straight talk" that Obama WILL increase our taxes, impose a Socialist's dream-federally run health care, education directly mandated by and assessed by the Federal government and spreading the wealth.

Why didn't McCain ever ask him why Obama took his entire playbook straight from Sol Linsky's book as Mark Levin opined? I don't think Mc Cain WANTS to be president. I think he's got some deeper issues that relate to his father.

I'll still vote for him but dammit...he had it all to gain and lost it all trying to be all things to all people.

What a pity!

Is McCain Throwing ths Election?

2008-10-12T10:23:00.000-07:00

I heard an incredible clip from McCain over the weekend saying that "Obama is not a scary person and he would make a good president." McCain did follow up by saying HE would be the BETTER candidate. I'm getting really antsy about McCain. He was not my candidate of choice and frankly, I am resigned he is the much better choice between a strange modern Republican party and a throwback to the Great Society and New Deal of the past.

Is McCain actually throwing this election? I'll share a "moment of clarity in the fog" I had last night while steamed about McCain's comments...

Are the Republicans employing a longer-term strategy that involves the economic meltdown and quite probable recession/minor depression? Are the Republicans passing on this election cycle, giving the economy's meltdown to the Democrats to repair, having to deal with a resurgent Russia, intransigent Iran and social issues such as government health care with a corresponding multiple Trillion dollar expenditure of taxpayer monies in a shrinking economy?

It seems this may just be the case. Let's apply a little recent history to this issue....

President Carter defeats Ford and the economy begins to stagnate, foreign affairs begin to simmer and OPEC causes the "energy crisis".
Ronald Reagan begins to ramp up conservative anger over the economy and appeals to nationalism. He wins by tapping into the poor economic situation, "the years of economic malaise" and a Soviet Union that could have conquered most of Western Europe in the 1980s.
The Soviet Union dissolves in 1990, the U.S. economy begins to heat up during the '90s and US consumers begin the spending sprees of the 90s extending to the mid 2000s.

What do we have now?

Our economic malaise is real. We are looking at a major recessionary period with a possible depression if not handled correctly
Energy Crisis-if you aren't economically "pinched", you're doing a hellva' lot better than most of us
Resurgent Russia and Iran that are influencing energy markets either by outright intimidation or by support of terrorist destabilization cells

It seems quite plausible that the Republican Party would be glad to allow the Democrats to control the Legislative and Executive Branches to give them all the rope they would need to hang themselves in the short-term. The Republicans could then ride in Ala "Reagan's White Horse" and "fix the country". Palin would then be the first female President in U.S. history while Conservatives would literally own the wheels of ramping up the economy-trust me-Fortune 500 companies are NOT owned by liberal democrats with the exception of GE, the legislative ability to put their agenda into place and the Executive office to ensure their agenda would be not be vetoed.

If this is the case, it's time to start buying gold or other hard currency. The Republicans could be playing with the world's most dynamic economy and most prosperous population for longer-term political goals of establishing conservatism as the dominant political view and crushing liberal or "centrist" politics for the foreseeable future. I smell a Depression and hopefully we can weather it. We cannot weather it with an Obama-Biden-Democratically controlled Congress.

I don't wear an aluminum hat with antenna to detect government signals, don't believe in the Trilateral Commission nor the "shadow government". I do believe in the lessons of history and that politics is a cynical business. We'll see on November 4th. Hopefully, reason will overcome emotion and the voter's heads will overrule their hearts or we're in a world of @#$t for the next four years.

Nation of Sheep

2008-10-11T05:58:00.000-07:00

Did you know that there is now an OBAMA channel on our DishTV satellite system? DishTV has a 24/7 video channel dedicated to the life and times of Farrakhan's new "messiah". I don't know if this is nation-wide but it certainly is in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

Where's the MCCAIN-PALIN channel?

I know that fee based television can be moderated by the owners of the network and it is not like the public airwaves. This still stinks and is yet another way our media is in the tank for the "anointed community leader" that has funneled huge amounts of public monies into a bogus education business, is a receiver of bogus loans, has no record, is an empty suit politically and wants to raise my taxes in a recession!

These guys (Obama and Biden) represent all that is wrong with politics and yet are perceived as all that is right. Everything they do is opposite of what they say. I've really grown weary of listening to these guys spout one thing and lie to me at the same time.

I feel like a citizen of Weimar in the the 1920s. The citizens of the Weimar Republic didn't wake up...and look at the result. I'm not advocating violent revolution-yet and am not some freaky militia guy sitting around in my underwear, drinking a beer and plotting the violent overthrow of the US government. It IS time for the folks that pay the bills to get up off their complacent arses and throw the rascals out of ALL branches of federal, state and local governments.

I'm not going to start a 3rd party, that is a colossal waste of time nor am I going to run for office for several years. I'll do what needs to be done, pay my dues/taxes/fees and then run. We need to get moving before our country becomes yet another European Union nation; mired in social programs, taxed to the hilt, its people unable to say NO!

Y'all ready? Let's start by voting on November 4th!

What a Crock!

Have YOU Heard From ROISD Regarding Construction in YOUR Backyard?

2008-05-25T12:03:00.000-07:00

Scattershooting....while wondering about the ROISD starting excavation for the new high school before the Red Oak P & Z Board even takes a look at their planning? Don't think anyone in the neighboring housing developments have been contacted about this construction project other than a form letter announcing a P&Z meeting in June. I certainly haven't. Have YOU?

Has the ROISD done its homework as far as noise abatement, light abatement, environmental impact open hearings/studies of construction upon the neighbors on three sides of the new school? I've not seen anything to date and I DO have a dog in THIS hunt.

What about campus security issues? students can leave campus via properties on three sides of the campus as desired. Another larger issue is intruders getting ONTO the campus via three sides of this construction. Students can walk off the campus down my driveway and intruders can walk onto the campus from multiple properties adjacent to my driveway. Other than internal security, has any type of separating wall or steel fence going to be installed? This would be not only address security concerns but would be aesthetically appealing as well to support the property values of communities that border the school? No information on this has been provided to residents to date.

I'm sure the ROISD will give the excuse that "no money has been allocated for this fencing". I'll call BS on this now after being intimately involved in construction of 3 new schools this year; one of which comprises 11 individual buildings on an 18 acre campus. We HAD to fence the property (steel barred fencing) to ensure safety of students. I'm also sure that the "we've got a high tech camera system solution" will be used as well. Been there...done that 3 times last year too. No camera will keep intruders out and students from leaving campus. I won't hold my breath but definitely will voice an opinion at the P&Z, ROISD (if any are held), and Council meetings.

We gave a 95Million dollar "carte blanche" to ROISD. They can afford to build whatever they want...been there done that too!

It seems as if all the ROISD really wanted was our tax money...they have not communicated with the people living adjacent to the new school. It's just bond money, and "won't affect my taxes"(BS x2). A little consideration for the people footing this bill would be appreciated but won't be forthcoming. I guess we're just to roll over like we did for the bond issue.

I guess I shouldn't gritch because "it's for the kids" right?

'Tis the Season for ROISD Board Election Sleazin'

2008-04-14T19:40:00.000-07:00

Just In! Links to Questionable Flier Below

You certainly can tell it's spring in Red Oak. The trees are greening, we get busy and hit that yardwork, and yeah, it's sleazin' time in the board election.

I went to a Red Oak High School function last evening and was greeted on the way out by a friendly supporter of an incumbent board member. He was passing out "vote for me" handouts as we walked out of the function. The incumbent was unable to be present due to a "called board meeting". Ok, I understand being the incumbent gives them all the cards in an election. I did not see Steve Prowell, the challenger at this meeting. Certainly it was an option for the incumbent's supporters; but, I wonder if Mr. Prowell knew about the function and knew that the High School PTA meeting could and would be used as a campaign venue in this case. Somehow I doubt it. I also think Steve would use better discretion as well.

This same tactic was used during the "95 Million Dollar Bond Hype" except this time it's not "for the kids". The question is not what am I complaining about but why did the incumbent who actually didn't need to do this do it? It just didn't pass the "stupid test". I detest sleazy; and this tactic, albeit smooth, WAS sleazy. It was like getting a pamphlet when getting off the airplane at the airport except the guy giving it to you had a nice demeanor and didn't ask for a "donation".

I went out to The Texas State Ethics Board Site and pulled a .pdf document on proper political advertising. The flier I received from the incumbent was obviously a self developed MSWord or MSPublisher document that had no disclosure statements, any origination statements, nor did it follow proper advertising format according to the ethics download. That may seem a little geeky or cantankerous to some readers but dang-it, it's the LAW and all parties must/should adhere to it.
As expected, the incumbent is resting on her education laurels plus is touting her experience in getting the bond past the voters. Mr. Prowell needs to move quickly and get his message out.
I'm supporting Steve and Brandi Prowell plus Elaine Holliday for ROISD School Board. I'm frankly tired of the same junk time in and time out. It's time for some changes and new faces on the board. . I told Steve that I liked the incumbent and frankly thought she did a good job. She or someone representing her just "put out the lights, the party's over" song on for me as to honorable or ethical behavior in a silly school board election. Enough of the way things have been. Hopefully my support won't be a kiss of death for these candidates.

Got any bumper stickers or leave behinds? I'm ready to start knocking on doors in my neighborhood! I'll follow up with a copy of the flier and hopefully a link to the .pdf file from the Ethics Commission.

Folks, this stinks and if is representative of the election rhetoric to come, it will be a bumpy ride.

Flier Front Side

Flier Back Side

Corn Cobs Are Tools of Choice In Sheriff's Election

2008-04-01T09:35:00.000-07:00

I wonder if Ellis County’s corn cob availability levels are on the decline after reading all this crap in the local muckraking media outlets about the Ellis County Sheriff's election ?

It seems as if a lot of folks have cornered the corn cob market with their arses about these two candidates! Man, so much rhetoric-such a little election!

Oh well…April 8th isn’t so far away, this is good for an unpleasant diversion and makes for an alternative to either the “body language segment” on O’Reilly or Dick Morris and Carl Rove nailing the Dem’s coffins shut on a nightly basis. THAT too is getting old or perchance I'm just being a curmudgeon (I'm due...I'm getting AARP letters now)

Jeez…once this is over, what WILL the Presidential race look like here since this Sheriff race is SO damnably important apparently to Ellis County’s continued growth.

Anyone got some fast and sure mud cleaner? Hope y'all have some tall mud proof/BS proof boots. It’s gonna’ be a bumpy election season in Ellis County!

ROISD School Board Election..Who Are the Candidates?

2008-03-28T19:28:00.000-07:00

It's election time and there are several contested School Board contests. We've been scratching around and would like to know a little about the opponents to the incumbents.

I know and have worked with Elaine Holliday. She's one of the "good ones" in our community. I support her candidacy. I'm quite curious on what her thinking and reason for running for the Board. I hope she will respond and let us know how she is different than the incumbent, what she brings to the table and her plan for change-if this is what she is planning.

I have met both Brandi and Steve Prowell. No, they're not married...they're brother and sister. They're square business folks with business backgrounds that would be an asset to the school district. I would like to know more about their thinking and why they're running for School Board.

Believe me, all the candidates have a hard row to hoe. The incumbents have a tremendous amount of name recognition, all the free advertising they need on the ROISD web site and the ability to "be seen" at ROISD functions at will. The incumbents have a newspaper available to them as well-The Red Oak Record should be called the ROISD Weekly Reader.

I'm concerned that these candidates won't differentiate themselves from the incumbents. It's time for new faces on the board. The incumbents have been on the board way too long. School boards should not be a long term avocation. The incumbents have done a good job overall. Ms. Vogler is an experienced educator and Mr. Lozano is a hard working citizen and parent. Both incumbents are kid-centered. Yes, folks...hold on...this is gonna' be a bumpy campaign for the new candidates.

Kicking Off The School Board Game

2008-03-26T03:28:00.000-07:00

Scatter shooting while musing about the big game in ROISD... It's that time again...time for one of the big games in town. Several Red Oak ISD board positions are up for grabs and the stakes are getting higher to attract and motivate our community to put the best persons into board positions.

The traditional campaign "season" is usually quite sedate in Red Oak ISD. This year is proving to be yet another volume in the same series.

Campaign issues usually revolve around improving student performance, improving and expanding district facilities and infrastructure, and playing down some of the more potentially volatile issues such as a huge amount of bonded indebtedness, reduction in force (layoffs), and a lack of public knowledge about the actions of and stance on these issues by current and potential board members. I find this lack of public knowledge a little strange in lieu of the recent personnel issues (firings in the police and technology instruction areas), multiple sets of personnel layoffs, the sudden and not so public decision to purchase land for the new high school, and a very recent public posting of a huge request for proposal for technology purchases utilizing bond money.

I'm not complaining about these issues but am wondering where and why the candidates are not talking about them either in the newspapers, letters to the editor, in the "blogosphere"?

I read Ms. Lozano's letter to the Waxahachie Daily Light with interest since she is related to the incumbent board member by marriage. She touts the giving away of $40,000 in Educational Foundation "grants". Congratulations to the winners. They deserved every penny. It's a pity that they didn't receive the funds to be innovative as a part of their regular school's budget and money had to be "found" through the Foundation to promote instructional innovation. Again, hats off to the Foundation for busting a gut to raise the money and hats off to the teachers that earned the funding. Ms. Lozano exalts us to take another look at ROISD. I wonder if that letter represents actually the campaign foundation for Mr. Lozano instead and perchance the bedrocks of the other campaigns as well? It doesn't take a rocket scientist or Dick Morris, conservative political talking head on Fox News Network, to see that the main issues for any non-incumbent candidate in this election will be a perceived lack of experience in board functions, a lack of a record to fall back upon and a public perception that our money is being well spent. As you know, it's for the kids right?

I'm going to call it like I see it....this letter to the editor was a "homer letter", a nice, non threatening way to get the word out to vote for the folks that brought you that 30 year- 95million dollar bonded indebtedness, reductions in force (layoffs), and a revolving door administration.

I'll be taking a closer look at all the candidates and asking the harder questions here and in the news "rags". This is going to be a fun ride for the next few weeks.

Texas Public School Accountability System Directly Contributes to Lower Graduation Rates

2008-02-19T10:58:00.000-08:00

Since I'm on a education tack today....

Texas Public School Accountability System Directly Contributes to Lower Graduation Rates

Source: http://tinyurl.com/23dfwq

A study by Rice University and the University of Texas at Austin shows that Texas' public school accountability system, the model for the national No Child Left Behind Act, directly contributes to lower graduation rates.

By analyzing data from more than 271,000 students, the study found that 60 percent of African-American students, 75 percent of Latino students and 80 percent of English-as-a-second language students did not graduate within five years.

Each year, Texas public high schools lose at least 135,000 youth prior to graduation. Researchers found an overall graduation rate of only 33 percent.

The exit of low-achieving students created the appearance of rising test scores and of a narrowing of the achievement gap between white and minority students, thus increasing the schools' ratings, the study showed.

What's more, the study indicated that the higher the stakes and the longer such an accountability system governs schools, the more school personnel view students not as children to educate but as potential liabilities or assets for their school's performance indicators, their own careers or their school's funding.

Among other findings, the study showed a relationship between the increasing number of dropouts and schools' rising accountability ratings, finding that the accountability system allows principals to hold back students who are deemed at risk of reducing school scores -- but a high proportion of students retained this way end up dropping out.

To Be Or Not To Be Red Oak ISD?

2008-02-18T01:15:00.000-08:00

I received this from Chris Moses a day or so ago. Seems as if a little fire is smoldering about residents de-annexing from Ferris and attaching to Red Oak ISD. I personally have not seen this work in the past simply because tax money lost by one district is going to be picked up by another. Small districts are in financial straits as it is. I think Chris has a great point but will be politely told to "hang it up" based upon property tax revenue.

Looking at the numbers, it falls out to approximately the SAME percentage of YES respondents that turned out for the ridiculous 95 Million Dollar Bond. Hopefully the ROISD Board will view this request as "for the kids" as well. Somehow, I doubt it!

Anyway I told him I'd publish the petitions...here goes...

Petition

Dear: Ferris ISD school board

We the residents of the city of Red Oak, Crump Country Estates which is located in the city limits of Red Oak, TX beg of you to please allow us to de-annex out of the Ferris school district the remainder of the city of Red Oak from 1616 Stainback Rd going east to Nokomis (Red Oak city limit line) to include the 1200 block of Batchlor Road just north of FM 664 and all of Stainback Court, Crump Circle, and Tom Driver Road.

This would allow children to get a better education then they would in Ferris ISD. The graduation rate, TAKS scores and teacher experience are much higher in Red Oak ISD. The Teachers in Red Oak have an average of 3 or more years experience than that of a Teacher in Ferris. The graduation rate in Red Oak is 4% or better than that of Ferris ISD. In 2007 Red Oak ISD was rated as Recognized. In 2007 Ferris ISD was rated as lower with Acceptable.

Parent concerns tend to fall on deaf ears within the Ferris ISD administration.

This would also allow are children to attend school within their own community where they live. It would allow our children to attend school with the kids that our children associate with on a daily bases while attending church and play sports and other activities in their community. We live in Red Oak and feel our children should have the same opportunity as the rest of the children in Red Oak by being able to attend the excellent schools Red Oak has to offer.

The voters in this area of Red Oak feel they are disenfranchised because anytime the City and School has anything on the election ballot the voters have to drive to two different city’s / Locations to vote. During the election in 2007 some voters from this area were turned away at the election poles. This fact was reported in the ECP newspaper in 2007.

The following is the approximate meets and bounds description broke up into parcel A and B:

(A small part of Parcel A may already be in Red Oak ISD)

Annexation Parcel “A”

BEING a part of the Robert Crow Survey, Abstract 199 and the William Winniford Survey, Abstract 1145, Red Oak, Ellis County, Texas, and being more particularly described by its metes and bounds as follows;

BEGINNING at a point on the east line of Batchler Road, on the north line of F.M. Highway 664 and at the southwest corner of the tract described in City of Red Oak, Texas Ordinance No. 00-28 recorded in Volume 1751, Page 2103, Official Public Records, Ellis County, Texas;

THENCE southwesterly with the north line of said Highway the following: S 84°34’01”W, 258.58 feet, N 84°07’24” W, 101.98 feet, S 84°34’01” W, 60.07 feet to a point on the centerline of Bear Creek

THENCE with the centerline of Bear Creek the following: N 22°41’18” W, 320.15 feet, N 52°55’18” W, 271.40 feet, S 77°15’42”W, 505.15 feet, N 55°42’48”W, 327.30 feet, S 89°54’42”W, 484.54 feet, N 77°45’40”W, 300.33 feet to a point on the north line of the H.P. Crum Survey, Abstract 208, and the south line of the William Winniford Survey, Abstract 1145,

THENCE N 89°27’17”W, with the common line of said H.P. Crum Survey and said William Winniford Survey, 633.86 feet to a point on a curve with a radius of 2640.00 feet;

THENCE Northeasterly with the arc of said curve to the right through a central angle of 45°33’39”, a chord bearing and distance of N 16°54’18” E, 2044.42 feet, arc length of 2099.29 feet;

THENCE N 33°23’10”W, 1008.03 feet;

THENCE N 76°24’30”W, 1006.49 feet to a point on the west line on said William Winniford Survey and the east line of the William Morgan Survey, Abstract 701;

THENCE N 0°10’55” E, with the common line of said William Winniford Survey and said William Morgan Survey, 2336.46 feet to a point at their common north corner and a south corner of the John Evans Survey, Abstract 1344;

THENCE N 61°15’00” E, with the common line of said William Winniford Survey and said John Evans Survey, 620.72 feet to a point on the common Ellis County and Dallas County line;

THENCE with the common Ellis County and Dallas County line, N 89°56’00” E 1792.31 feet to a point;

THENCE S 16°54’00” E, 541.17 feet;

THENCE S 19°25’34” W, 271.09 feet;

THENCE S 30°12’39” E, 697.52 feet;

THENCE S 16°54’00” E, 469.72 feet;

THENCE S 38°17’06” E, 769.71 feet;

THENCE S 30°12’39” E, 324.34 feet;

THENCE N 79°44’17” E, 448.32 feet to a point on a curve with a radius 2640.00 feet;

THENCE Southeasterly, with the arc of said curve to the right through a central angle of 51°21’53”, a chord bearing and distance of S 74°26’27” E, 2288.26 feet, arc length of 2366.72 feet to a point in the center of Tom Driver Road;

THENCE with the center of Tom Driver Road, S 29°41’25” E, 1822.94 feet, to a point at the northeast corner of Harrison Estates, a record subdivision;

THENCE S 59°33’12” W, with the northwest line of said Harrison Estates, 1337.83 feet;

THENCE N 30°20’09” W, 571.15 feet;

THENCE S 79°32’04” W, 2123.79 feet to a point on the east line of Batchler Road;

THENCE S 19°30’53” E, with the east line of Batchler Road, 454.72 feet

THENCE N 71°51’54” E, leaving Batchler Road, 538.39 feet;

THENCE S 18°02’13” E, 227.09 feet;

THENCE S 71°57’13” W, 535.48 feet to a point on the east line of Batchler Road;

THENCE S 18°07’20” E, with the east line of Batchler Road, 141.79 feet to a point on the north line of said Highway;

THENCE with the north line of said highway the following; N 71°44’17” E, 20.35 feet and S 18°23’11” E, 87.29 feet to the point of beginning and containing approximately 523.84 acres of land.

Annexation Parcel “B”

BEING a part of the Robert Crow Survey, Abstract 199 and the William Winniford Survey, Abstract 1145, the John Evans Survey, Abstract 1344 and the N.R. Winniford Survey, Abstract 1140, Ellis County, Texas, and being more particularly described by its metes and bounds as follows;

BEGINNING at a point in the center of Tom Driver Road, on the east line Harrison Estates a record subdivision, at a point that is N 84°34’01” E, 3857.18 feet and 30°11’32” W, 573.07 feet from the southwest corner of the tract described in City of Red Oak, Texas Ordinance No. 00-26 recorded in Volume 1751, Page 2103, Official Public Records, Ellis County, Texas;

THENCE N 30°51’05”W, with the center of said Tom Driver Road, 657.28 feet;

THENCE N 29°41’25” W, with the center of said Road, 1822.94 feet to a point on the curve having radius of 2640.00 feet;

THENCE Northwesterly, with the arc of said curve to the left through a central angle of 51°21’53”, a chord bearing and distance of N 74°26’27” W 2288.26 feet, an arc length of 2366.72 feet to the end of said curve;

THENCE S 79°44’17” W, 448.32 feet;

THENCE N 30°12’39” W, 324.34 feet;

THENCE N 38°17’06” W, 769.71 feet;

THENCE N 16°51’00” W, 469.72 feet;

THENCE N 30°12’39” W, 697.52 feet;

THENCE N 19°25’34” E, 271.09 feet;

THENCE N 16°54’00” W, 541.17 feet;

THENCE N 89°56’00” E, 4690.44 feet to the center of Nokomas Road and common line of said Crow Survey and the Rail Morgan Survey, Abstract 694;

THENCE S 31°04’39” E, with the said Nokomas Road and common line of said Surveys, 1999.77 feet to the south line of Stainback Road;

THENCE S 89°15’00” W, with the south line of said Stainback Road, 125.89 feet;

THENCE S 41°38’00” E, 287.78 feet;

THENCE S 30°14’00” E, 1244.35 feet;

THENCE S 59°46’00” W, 624.43 feet;

THENCE S 30°14’00” E, 667.00 feet;

THENCE N 59°46’00” E, 708.52 feet;

THENCE S 31°04’39” E, 730.55 feet;

THENCE S 59°49’00” W, 2452.90 feet to the point of beginning and containing approximately 435.85 acres of land.

SAVE AND EXCEPT
BEING a part Crump County Estates and being a part of the Robert Crow Survey, Abstract 199, Ellis County, Texas, and being more particularly described by its metes and bounds as follows;

BEGINNING at a point at the southeast corner of said Crump County Estates;

THENCE S 59°46’00” W, with the southeast line of said Estates, 658.35 feet;

THENCE N 30°19’00” W, 1397.42 feet;

THENCE S 59°41’00” W, 28.00 feet;

THENCE N 30°19’00” W, 217.80 feet to the southeast line of Stainback Road and northwest line of said Estates;

THENCE N 59°41’00” E, with the common line of said Road and Estates, 665.17 feet;

THENCE N 68°27’00.0” E, 23.80 feet to the northeast corner of said Estates;

THENCE S 30°14’00.0” E, with the northeast line of said Estates, 1612.55 feet to the point of beginning and containing approximately 24.60 acres of land.

Petition to annex into Red Oak ISD Totals

Yes to annex into Red Oak ISD=109 Reg. Voters

No to Annex into Red Oak ISD= 26 Reg. Voters
Voters No longer lives at address= 34
Voters Unavailable to sign= 4 (Did get at least 1 or more voters from these homes to sign)
Voter passed away= 1
Vacant home= 1
No home at location= 1

Ron Paul-A Lost Cause for the GOP

2008-01-20T05:10:00.000-08:00

Ron Paul is a lost cause. He’s not electable nor does he have any chance of competing against ANY front running Dem candidate. He may espouse some of the “I wish it could be like this” thinking but reality wins out in this GOP voter’s opinon. I won’t waste my vote on Paul.

There’s actually NO GOP candidate that I feel is adequate enough to run against the Dems in 08. None of them with possibly the exception of McCain could motivate GOP voters. I puke (figratively of course) thinking about a HRC presidency. Four more years of Clintonian democracy leaves this voter cold. Obama reminds me a lot of JFK but I also think he’s watched the game films and is coached to “be like JFK”. I like Obama. He is what the Dems need at this time. Would I vote for him? No. His politics and record along with HRC’s is as left-wing as it comes.

This is the age of “media bits and bytes” and how candidates “look and feel” to voters. It really is style over substance IMHO. All the present candidates have taken lessons from ole’ Dick Nixon in 1960. Don’t look bad, keep to the platitudes and talk about “change”. What the hell is the mantra “change” all about? If asked, the Dems talk about tax increases, programs for every single group in the US and “cleaning up Washington”, plus demonizing ‘big business”. The GOP offers nothing better. They have offered the same old party line. Ron Paul may make more sense but guaranteed he will not be nominated nor could he bring GOP voters to the polls. He is not electable. He is like a mini-Ross Perot.

Paul is unelectable, and the rest of the GOP candidates must know they’ll come in a long second next year. Do I like it? h$%% no! Will I live with the GOP’s choice and support it? H$%% yes. The Democratic alternative is no alternative at all IMHO.

Scattershooting About Public Works Projects

2008-01-17T21:36:00.000-08:00

Scatter shooting while Musing about some large public works projects and those dang Cowboys...

I drive east and west on Red Oak Road daily en route to and from my job. I've seen more and more survey, gas, water and fiber optic paths getting ready to widen Red Oak Road. It's moving forward steadily and should be a boon to the community. We also have city water and sewer and frankly the water tastes like dung on a good day and another adjective on a bad day. We are supposed to see a large water main that brings "Dallas water" to Red Oak. Don't know if the costs will go down (I doubt it since we have to pay for the main construction through user taxes) but anything that reduces our purchase of bottled watter would be welcome.

The raison d' etre of this posting is wondering where the progress reports actually reside? The Red Oak Record is "the official newspaper of the city" but a monthly/quarterly synopsis of public works project performance is not there. The city website is pretty but current information on these projects just isn't there.

The Council and mayor were elected to improve communication. Communication is easily accomplished via the website, email broadcasts, RSS feeds, podcast by the City Manager, etc. I don't know what the issue is but we need a better venue to receive news. I thought there was a communications director but communication with the constituents are late 20th century at best.

I'm not complaining about the lack of action but the Council, Mayor and City Manager are missing some great opportunities to put "coming together" into action by not touting these and other city projects at every opportunity. Perhaps the City needs an informal RSS site or a blog by the City Manager? I welcome and would host the blog if the City Manager would be amenable.

Ok...I'm done....here's something else....all the Republicans running for President sound like Democrats and all the Democrats sound like Lenin before the 1917 Revolution. It's a pretty lame year for statesmen in our country. I've not seen any. Hillary Clinton in consultation with ANY Middle Eastern "impotentate"? What a joke! John McCain citing policy with ANY world leader. What a squish! Where are the statesmen? They're certainly not here this election year!

Well...I'm Back after a Hiatus

2008-01-11T04:54:00.000-08:00

Took a blogging break after my spouse started her IV chemotherapy.

It's been a rough Christmas break but we'll waddle through. She's lost about 20+lbs. Hell of a way to lose weight however. "Chemotherapy" is an oxymoron. We treat cancer like the 16Th century philoso-physicians treated the common cold or pneumonia. We don't know what causes the problem so we depress the immune system, make the person physically brittle, hold our breath and cross our fingers that all the "bad vapors" are gone from the body. I understand the theory behind this-used to sell oncology drugs for a major pharmaceutical house. I'm just bitter that my wife is fading in front of my son. She's a shell of whom she was a year ago. Folks this is bad stuff (I'd use an harder metaphor but am assuming that young people may read here).

The political season is heating up a bit. I watched a Republican "debate" last night and will post my reaction to it later. It was good for some comedic relief. There are some local issues that are moving forward. I'm on the Planning and Zoning Commission so my comments will be guarded at this point. School board seats become "open" (that's an oxymoron too) this spring. Any rumors on who's running yet? I'll blog on that too later.

Anyway, please keep checking in and contributing if you're so inclined. If not, don't forget this is my own personal view and I'll write from my perspective.

Adios mis amigos!

Ben Goodwyn Got Married

2007-11-08T21:32:00.001-08:00

Congrats Ben!

Finished With Jury Duty-No Speeding In RO

2007-11-08T21:20:00.000-08:00

Finished my jury duty tonight. Lessons learned?
1. Don't speed in Red Oak...especially in the I35 construction area
2. Don't EVER...EVER...EVER represent yourself in Red Oak Municipal Court. It was like watching my Giant Schnauzer learn to sit, down and stay. Amateurs need not apply!!! The court will chew you up, spit you out and TAKE YOUR MONEY all with a smile! I feel a whole lot better MY traffic ticket was deferred adjudicated. Cost me about $300 but my insurance won't go up nor did I have to deal with the Municipal Court system.

We whacked a guy tonight for 75mph in a 55mph construction zone. He told the officer he "was late for court" (was a lawyer) and that the whole thing was "bullshit". We whacked him for $400.00 plus court costs (the maximum). People need to slow down around construction areas. We sent a message to STOP.

SLOW DOWN FOLKS...

Not in MY Backyard-OOPS-It IS in my Backyard

2007-11-06T22:06:00.000-08:00

Just found out tonight that ROISD is making an offer for the 100+ acres behind our place near the existing high school. The borders of the new school will be Hwy 342 on the west, Lowrance to the east and butt up to the additions to the south and to our addition (Goodloe Acres) to the north.

The district had not made any neighborhood inquiries to property owners as to the impact upon lifestyle, property values, environmental concerns such as noise, ambient light, or the need for improved security if this complex was built.

It's right square in the middle of three existing home additions. It's all about getting property cheap rather than being a good neighbor, asking for input before closing on the property.

I'm going to have to disagree with Mayor Alan Hugley on this one and ask him would HE be OK with a high school in HIS backyard on Stainback? I don't think the "Stainback folks" would tolerate this very well. That's not why folks live in that neighborhood. The question put to me tonight was "if not a school then what would go there?" I'm leaning toward more residential properties to shore up my property values. ROISD should go ahead and purchase all the properties on Pierce and expand the campus to the larger (improved) outlet to 342. Pierce will BE the outlet anyway.

We'll see how this pans out and how folks on the west side react to the news...the high school was to be built to answer some of the current transportation issues. There was a vocal group that backed the bond to the hilt. I guess they're breathing a little easier; the new construction could have been in THEIR backyard.

The property in question is less expensive than the property on the west side that was being considered. Also the housing market in Red Oak has gone south and it was probably past time for the developer to unload the project and cut his losses.

I'm thinking this may be a hot tamale pretty soon as the district had not discussed, sent any announcements or made light to the area residents that this was to be done in their backyards.

This is business as usual for ROISD. Hopefully neighborhood leadership will come together and let's take a balanced look at this proposal. It's going to happen. It's way out of our hands as taxpayers. The press release has been sent to the print rags. I'm getting my property ready by planting lots of rose bushes, large evergreens and a privacy fence along the back end of my property. I moved to Red Oak to get away from this in Dallas... But you know...it's for the kids. We just have to pay the freaking' tax bill right? For the next 30 years!

Get ready. The next school may be in YOUR backyard and you'll hear nothing about it except after the deal has been made, the property closed on and construction begun.

It's time for some fresh blood on the ROISD School Board to start asking hard questions from the Superintendent and his leadership team. Apparently the Board didn't see the forest for the trees AGAIN. They failed miserably to poll their constituents before acting. It's time that the Board represented a cross section of the stakeholders instead of the multi-term members that have raised taxes, brought another 95 million dollars of long term debt and didn't have the courtesy to inform the very people that fund these boondoggles. And we're expected to LIKE it right because it's for the kids?

Time for some changes folks....anyone ready to throw their hat into the ring?

Hugley Wins!

2007-10-17T05:22:00.000-07:00

It's official! Alan Hugley is the new mayor of Red Oak. Congrats to Alan, his family and the super-hard work done "in the trenches" by Chris Moses and others to bring this election home.

The campaigns were run on the high side with mutual respect being the fresh exception in local city politics. This cooperative spirit should carry over into city business as Alan takes the reins. He'll work just fine with the new city manager and Police Chief.

Good Race and Well Done! We'll be watching to see that positive things get done!

The vote count:

Hugley: 221 votes

Hodson: 120 votes

Smiley: 12 votes

Where's the Disconnect?

2007-10-16T08:48:00.000-07:00

I received this answer to my questions to the other candidate. (THANKS for the response) There seems to be a HUGE disconnect between what TAGG was purported to have done, the Ellis County Observer posting, and the other candidate's response. I'm still a little altruistic as an old teacher and tend to see the good in people. I'm believing the other candidate on this one until I hear differently from both TAGG (doubtful) and Joey Dauben (semi-doubtful).

"found out yesterday (10/15/07) that I had been endorsed by TAGG. The Red Oak Record received my answers to their questions a week earlier on Monday October 8, 2007 (I pasted the dated and time stamped header from the email that I sent to Melanie at the Red Oak Record below). To my knowledge, I don't know anyone involved with TAGG, nor have I been contacted by anyone from TAGG. What I can tell you is that I have read their web site and will do my best to attend the next meeting so I can see for myself the good that TAGG does in our community.

Thanks again for your questions. Just to let you know, I will be posting this on my website later today. If you have any objections, please contact me as soon as possible.

Dan Hodson
www.danhodsonformayor.com

-----Original Message-----From: Dan Hodson Sent: Monday, October 08, 2007 11:38 AMTo: 'melanie.rorecord@yahoo.com'Subject: Answers for News Article
Melanie,
Please respond so that I know you received my answers.
Talk to you soon,

Dan Hodson"

Today is Election Day! Your Vote Counts! Vote Alan Hugley For Mayor and KNOW that he's endorsed by ALL 5 members of the Red Oak City Council. He'll bring Red Oak Together!

Same Song-Same Verse

2007-10-16T05:41:00.000-07:00

Well..it's election day and the other candidate has not responded to my questions either by email, phone, or posting on this or my blog. It figures. It's another verse of BS walks.

Vote for Alan Hugley Today! I'm on my way to the polls now!

Alan Hugley for Mayor

Who's Endorsing Whom?

2007-10-15T15:29:00.000-07:00

I received a mailer from the other candidate for Mayor of Red Oak. Here's the gist...I took him up on asking him a set of questions.

"Your mailer to me said to drop you a line if I had a question. I've got several I'd like to ask you.With one day left until the election, the Ellis County Observer blog edited by Joey Dauben, has run a story that you were endorsed by TAGG for mayor. Is that true? Did you formally accept their endorsement? How do you reconcile this endorsement with your original statement of not being endorsed by anyone?
Thanks! Steve Miller"

I wonder if I'll receive a response....seriously doubt it.

VOTE ALAN HUGLEY FOR MAYOR-OCTOBER 16TH

Politics as Usual-Red Oak Style-Allegations Unfounded

2007-10-05T05:04:00.000-07:00

I won't blog on several unfounded rumors recently started about the relationship between the other mayoral candidate and Todd Little.

These are unfounded and not corroborated in any way:

The other mayoral candidate being seen campaigning with Todd Little in the Bluebird/Pansy neighborhood is unfounded and not corroborated.
The other mayoral candidate being seen in Todd's SUV in front of Todd's office recently is unfounded and not corroborated.
The other mayoral candidate receiving mailing list support from Todd Little is unfounded and not corroborated.

If you have definitive proof either in a photo, etc. , please put it on the table. If not, this is it...no more will be posted about this.

Here We Go Again...You've Got Mail!

2007-10-03T20:29:00.000-07:00

Well, the 18 month Mayoral campaign took a different turn today. I received a mailer from Alan's opponent. I felt special, it was signed with a website URL and a personal phone number. I guess the opponent needed to counter Alan's major endorsements from Red Oak City Council and community leaders. It's rather funny that my spouse did not receive a mailer. She's a registered voter and voted in the council races. We went through this with the council run-off recently. The same mailing, the same way-again. The same mailing list. This smells like Little Toddie is back behind the marionette stage pulling strings again after the opponent went to all the trouble to distance himself from Todd Little publicly, on his web site, in the newspaper, and in conversations with several councilpersons. Hey voters, it's "politics as usual-Red Oak Style" if what I heard tonight is true and can be validated. I'll have more on this in the next few days. This is no rumor, no innuendo, no BS, just facts corroborated by at least two other persons. I am not calling anyone a liar YET but I am thinking hard in that direction unless a couple of things happen....the story is just that...a story....I'll post my results and a retraction if I'm wrong....or will Blog the facts as I know them and how the other candidate may not be as credible as we would have hoped. I am hoping this is not the case. We've had quite enough of BS government in our recent past. Nothing has changed, only one candidate is actually telling the truth when he wants to "Bring Red Oak Together"

What is the other candidate about? You'll read and hear about Mom, apple pie, outdoorsman, ad nauseum. I'm sure the other candidate is all those things but here's the real deal:
The other candidate works for a multi-million dollar construction company, is from Florida only living here 12 months, has never served a day on any city boards or interacted with Council in any way other than attending a couple of meetings, and just "wants to be mayor". That's not enough in my book. Pay your dues sir, then run for office after you know how the bread is buttered in this little Tejas town.

Check back in a couple of days....this will get either very interesting or get nipped in the bud. Either way, it will get blogged. Bet it will never make the print rags around here, that's for sure!

Alan Hugley Endorsed By All Red Oak Council Members

2007-09-20T22:17:00.000-07:00

Congratulations Alan and THANKS to the Red Oak City Council on endorsing the BEST candidate for mayor of Red Oak!

Alan truly embodies the idea of bringing Red Oak together!

Hodson's Q&A Page?

2007-09-19T05:49:00.000-07:00

I went to one of the mayoral candidate's sites and found an "ask a question" form. That's pretty cool on first blush but I have some questions...

Why is it not in a blog format? Opening comments to the public gives credibility to the questions being asked.

How do we know that all questions are being answered? We don't. We just have to trust the candidate to print all questions being answered. Right?

How do we know that questions are being answered within context? We don't again. Again, are the readers in the candidate's circle of trust or not?

No barbs, flames, cuts intended on this candidate's use of an interesting and innovative way of getting info out to voters. Just simple questions that may or may not get addressed

Tax Reduction-It's About Time

2007-09-19T05:40:00.000-07:00

The Red Oak Council reduced the tax rate a whopping 1/2 cent this week.

According to Casey Hargrove, the budget is balanced as well. These are some positive steps in getting city government moving in a positive direction. Funny how Ken Pfiefer said the same thing but we found out we were 600K in the hole. I'm not beating that horse but wasn't he working with the same budgetary figures or was he just confused/covering his backside?

Good Job Council! Now reduce our taxes in a more significant way by bringing in real business to offset the huge tax burden shouldered by homeowners in this town. That's the task of the new mayor...to marshall the forces necessary to get this done. My question is still who is the person to get this done? Guess we'll find out in a month right?

Game On!

2007-09-17T05:19:00.000-07:00

The filing date for the mayoral election has come and gone. No other candidates have filed at the very last minute. I was sorta' expecting a "late bird". It looks like an interesting race as previously posted.

What do we know about the candidates for mayor? What makes them different from one another? What will they bring to the city that is positive? We all have warts...what warts will show up on these candidates?

I know nothing about the other two candidates other than one is an ex-city employee and one is a neighbor of Todd Little.

Anyone want to fill in the blanks?

Ongoing Drama at ROISD...Keep Checking Back

2007-09-12T21:35:00.001-07:00

I received an interesting call from a ROISD employee this evening describing an instructional technology and teacher morale meltdown since the new Supt. has come on board. Couple this with a Finance person that laughs at the prospect of firings during an administrative retreat and you've got either a recipe for disaster AGAIN or the foundation for a total makeover of the district in the Board's/Superintendent's images. I'm leaning toward the latter. This person promised to follow up with some facts and issues. I'll pursue them as/if they appear.

Hopefully, Mr. Niven isn't as full of himself all the time as he was on Saturday at Founder's Day. Our conversation was interesting in the extreme but was a veiled posturing match. Don't understand why he felt the need to exercise the art of sarcasm but frankly he got as good as he gave. If this is the way he treats employees, no wonder folks are leaving the district. That's OK in the present situation, I'll paraphrase but I do believe the budget crisis may be attrited somewhat by voluntary employee separations.

More on the ongoing drama at ROISD as it comes in...if it comes in. I've got a report about the current state of technology in the high school but will sit on it until I have more information. Keep checking back...your tax money's at work! Oh...I forgot...it's for the kids right?

Alan Hugley For Mayor-Website is Up-It's a Race Now!

2007-09-07T21:00:00.000-07:00

Alan Hugley For Mayor! His site is up and running...here's the address...
http://www.hugleyformayor.com/
Good Luck Alan! You're the best guy for the job.

*Filing Day Update: 9/14/2007*
There's another candidate in the race from the west side of Red Oak. Dan Hodson, Todd Little's neighbor has now filed. I revised this part of the post because I received the wrong information after speaking to several persons about it. Retraction noted.
A person named Smiley also filed. I've heard some very disparaging comments about the person and his conduct as a former city employee. I won't blog them. If he wants to refute this, he is more than welcome to post here. If anyone thinks they know of what I write, please feel free to blog it as well.

This race is getting interesting already...don't forget OCTOBER 16TH is ELECTION DAY!

We've kicked this horse to death. I'm closing the thread.

(photo from HugleyForMayor.com-political advertising)

Tax Roll Back Election for ROISD? Not in Your Lifetime!

2007-09-06T04:49:00.000-07:00

Two larger school districts (San Antonio ISD and Ysleta ISD) and several smaller ones around the state will hold rollback elections this fall. That will give a district’s voters the opportunity either to accept or to roll back the tax rate the board of trustees sets for maintenance and operations.

This is a provision of House Bill 1, which the 79th Texas Legislature adopted during its 2006 special session as a key part of changes in how the state funds public schools. The rollback mechanism is intended to boost voter control over how much school boards can increase the M&O tax rate.

A district can raise its tax rate for M&O by 4 cents per $100 assessed valuation without seeking voter approval. Anything more than that requires an election. (Prior to HB 1, a school board could raise the M&O rate by up to 8 cents without voter approval.)

But HB 1 limits how much more voters can approve increasing the tax rate for this purpose, to no more than 17 cents in any given election. Prior to HB 1, the state did not impose a cap on how much voters could approve boosting an M&O rate, so long as the total did not exceed $1.50 per $100 valuation, except in districts that were able to obtain special state approval for higher rates.

The rollback provision is coupled with HB 1’s property tax reduction, from the $1.50 state law previously allowed to $1, over two years. The 79th Legislature committed the state to funding that difference, which boosts the state’s share of the total cost of public schools.

Districts that previously had state approval for rates higher than $1.50 are required to reduce that by one-third over the same two years. The end result in those districts will be lower M&O rates but ones that are somewhat higher than the $1 to $1.17 per $100 valuation that will be typical across the state.

The rollback provisions do not affect the tax rate a district sets for bonded indebtedness. “The portion of the overall rate used to retire debt may rise as high as necessary without triggering the threat of a rollback,” according to the Texas comptroller’s office.

The state will increase funding to school districts as enrollment grows – and cut funding if enrollment decreases. The state will not give additional money to districts to meet higher expenses for fuel, employee health care, etc.

Districts will have to meet these needs, to the extent they can, by raising their tax rates for M&O. Districts, however, will not benefit much from increases in property valuations. The state will siphon off much of that revenue stream.

Whether or to what extent the state will fund future pay raises and how much of that will fall to local districts is unknown now.

The state will provide some additional money in matching funds to “property-poor” districts that raise their tax rates for M&O. “Property-rich” districts will have to send part of the money they raise from M&O rate changes of more than 4 cents to help pay for funding equalization. HB 1 re-packaged but did not eliminate “Robin Hood.”

Should we start asking questions about having a roll back? Sure...questions are great and keeps the powers that be on their toes. An informed electorate is always more effective. Can ROISD afford a successful roll back election? That's another question I am leaving to y'all. Just remember that the district has terminated 43 persons so far to balance their books versus a huge bonded indebtedness formula. I believe a roll back election might be good for the district simply to get a "finger in the wind". Doubt it will pass...it's not a tax and spend program and would actually benefit property owners.

Let's see what pans out. I just bet that this never sees the light of day....care to publish my post WDL, ECP, Red Oak Record, Ellis County Chronicle?

Alan Hugley First Mayoral Election Candidate

2007-09-03T07:33:00.000-07:00

It's official...Alan Hugley is the first Red Oak mayoral candidate at the starting line.

Who is this guy? Here's what I know so far:

Very upfront-Has no axes to grind nor secretive political agenda
Doesn't live in the past-Wants Red Oak to move forward rather than stagnate
Will work with all-Doesn't play "them versus us" game we've seen for years in Red Oak politics
He's refreshing after the last set of mayoral candidates-No BS, WYSIWYG, and frankly is what is needed to move Council off-center, move forward with progressive City Staff and kick-start the dead Economic Development Board for Red Oak.

Alan's going to get some flack about being a lackey for this or that person but I guarantee you'll not find a more honest and forthright person to oversee city affairs.

I challenge all to come and meet Alan Hugley on Founder's Day....you'll be surprised with the candidate. He's a breath of fresh air in Red Oak politics

ROISD Bloodletting Continues And We're Paying For IT!

2007-08-25T04:23:00.001-07:00

Yep...my source was right, Dr. Broughton, Sarah Litrell-La Puma-whatever (Tech Director-jeez...I got out of ROISD just in time-my old job), four contractors (figure the contracted tech staff) and 12 vacant positions (just not staffed) were axed. The district's hatchet guys went to a short term line of credit to not put a hit on the fund balance. It needs to be approximately 12.5% of overall budget to stay within state requirements. Great gnashing of teeth was reported about not being able to raise taxes. That's patently bull crap. The board ok'd, supported and hyped a 95Million dollar guaranteed tax increase via property valuation increases/school taxes. Don't get snookered on this one folks. Here's the real deal...instructional services and infusion of technology in your child's classes are being shortchanged by a budget shortfall caused by a previous finance assistant superintendent. Your taxes WILL go up to cover the costs of construction but there's a catch....positions will not be filled to cover classes in that construction (go figure-edu-economics at work), the new superintendent brings in his own technology staff and we get tapped on the shoulder again for more money to "support technology" Oh, I forgot, funds for hardware, infrastructure improvements are being paid over the 30 year life of the bond. Hopefully the infrastructure will not age, be obsoleted, still work, be maintained over this life span. I'm illustrating the obvious but you're getting exactly what you asked for when people quit asking questions at ROISD years ago. No accountability nor adequate communication=fiscal chaos.
It's ok however...it's for the kids right?

As the Hatchet Swings, the Spending Bird Sings

2007-08-22T15:56:00.000-07:00

Red Oak I.S.D. finally put out a listing for both the "Growth Management Committee" and the "Bond Oversight Committee". On the site, a statement regarding the membership of the Growth Management Committee purports that 'The public was invited to be part of this committee and our records indicate that the following people attended most or all of the meetings." I've never seen a public request for interested persons to ever be a part of this committee. Someone please correct me if I am wrong with an archive record, date, URL or whatever. I don't think it's there...I would have been there with "bells on".

Here's the list of the "Growth Management Committee". It reads like a who's-who of Bond proponents. Duh...that's what it was supposed to be right? I don't have a beef with the proponents, they won. I do have a beef with how this committee was selected and the lack of transparency (no records, no agendas, no meeting minutes, no nuttin' honey) in how business was transacted.

Ken Temple
Jon Hooper
Dawn Cronkright
Jackie Marcus
Sherry Doty
Nanette Paghi (the reference on the "for the kids" sign)
Bill Belote
B.J. Tucker
Michael Elrod
Ernie Martinek
Stephen Pape
John Keane
Michael Scott
Johnny Knight
Donna Knight
Ken Pfeifer (who dat?)
Charlie Morton
Ron Brown
Russ Schupmann-Operations Asst. Supt
Bobby Stults-Principal
John Anderson-Board VP
Dr. Mark Stanfill-Board member (his wife was in the picture in the newspaper)
John Hawkins-Board President

Now let's take a look at the Oversight Committee...see any familiar names?
Michael Scott
Johnny Knight
Jon Hooper
Ken Temple
Don Shields
Johnny Pearson
Wedsel Groom-lives down the street from me I think...
Joe Pitts
Renee Chase
Richard Lynch-isn't his wife on the Education Foundation?

It's sorta' like the fox watching the hen-house. It is also way too late to change any of the outcome but we now know who's accountable for the spending of our tax money for the next 30 years. Have you asked any of these people if they're really comfortable trying to provide oversight to a 95 Million dollar tax bill? I certainly wouldn't be and I'm in the edu-business. One should ask these folks if they really understand what it takes to build schools, build internal infrastructure and what they expect their role in the construction/bond oversight to be over time. These committees should be revolving so a larger cross-section of Red Oak taxpayers can lend their voice, their expertise and experience.

How 'bout it ROISD? I won't hold my breath to see any action other than to see more personnel cuts as you try to fund this expansion without raising taxes in the near term. Is this board actually going to listen to their voters and open up the process or remain a little town school district in which a select few make policy, spend massive sums and commit taxpayers to a 30 year tax and spend program. Make the decision and let me know....

Red Oak ISD's R.I.F.-Reduction in Force-You're Outa' Here

2007-08-22T13:20:00.000-07:00

Just heard from a friend of mine that long time Assistant Superintendent Miles Broughton has been "riff'd" because of continuing budgetary isssues in the ROISD. This is the first I have heard of this and cannot confirm it. Dr. Broughton was my immediate supervisor for the four years I was at ROISD and is a prime example of a good educator caught up in a change of command structure.

As with any new commander, the new superintendent wants his "own people" in key positions. I bet Dr. B is a little torn up but probably a little relieved to know his professional status. Again, I chide the ROISD board and administration for some particularly CRAPPY timing in this RIF. As was previously posted, school jobs are normally posted in the late spring with summers being utilized for hiring. This superintendent and board made it very difficult for all those "riff-raffees" to be hired by other districts at this late date. Non renewed teachers are told approximately 45 days before the end of school that their services are no longer needed. This superintendent came in to a mess, and started swinging the hatchet.

Please post other central office personnel that will be "RIF'd" if you know them. I'll drop Dr. B a note and see if he will speak with me on this. I doubt it but what's the worst he could possibly tell me. No worse than ANY student has in the past that's for sure

Dr. Broughton did have his faults but was definitely all about positive student performance. He was last of the "Old Regime" at the administrative level that occupied the central office posts since Kay Waggoner was Superintendent.

It's fruit-basket turnover time in ROISD and frankly I'm glad I'm working somewhere else! The true results of poor financial management for years have come home to roost What a "CHARLIE-FOXTROT 101".

Good luck Dr. B in your future endevours

2007-08-17T20:18:00.000-07:00

Scattershooting while watching Manchester United self destruct against Portsmouth(English Premier League for non football devotees)

I listened to Kelli Robinson speak tonight on the Ellis County Observer audio blog. Don't usually listen but wanted to hear her speak. It's a damn shame she was let go. She was a bright spot in a very droll print media scene. Hopefully she will keep her fingers in the local political pie by working for one of the candidates in the upcoming mayoral election. How 'bout it Kelly? Times' a wastin...October will be here before you know it!

On a second note, the audio blog was pretty cool. Wonder if it would go over as a part of the Red Oak Window Seat? I know...I know...I just like to hear the sound of my own voice. Nope, I don't have a Maudi Gras head. Just think it is a pretty cool adjunct for talk show wannabes and amateur bloggers like me.

Would it work? Would it suck? Inquirin' minds wanna' know. (most likely suck right?)

Scattershooting while thinking about Hillary Clinton's claim of being a Kulak and "of the people".

2007-08-14T20:49:00.000-07:00

Scattershooting while thinking about Hillary Clinton's claim to be a "person of the people"(Iowa farmer). A portrait of Josef Stalin "working with the kulaks" in the 30's comes to mind. Whew...interesting mental vision and disturbing comparison.

Heres the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQ2_eoL3TPo

The discussion of the tax increase was interesting at the Council meeting last night. Every councilperson came out as anti-increase. We should wear flip-flops to the next Council meeting in which a tax increase is discussed in protest of the flip-flopping by council members.

Don't think an increase is coming...the 600K budget deficit was trimmed to almost a break even point according to staff and a couple of councilpersons. Geez...I hope this isn't more "vapor-budget numbers" as was posted by previous administrators. If so, the Interim City Manager will be the Ex-City Manager "with a quickness". :<)

We had a medium-sized "oops moment" last night....not a big one but about mid-sized....

...On the publishing of the tax rate, the council found out from their attorneys that effective in 2001 every city is required to post the maximum tax rate without a roll back every year even if they keep the same rate. So while this is new to us, we have been posting this illegally for the last 5 years.

Yep, one "woulda' thunk" that the previous city attorneys would have picked up on that one. Not a big deal but another example of slip-shod management. The new city attorney, HR Director and Interim City Manager are picking up the pieces and making the machine work again. My hat's off to all of them! Great Job...THANKS! Our little city needs quality management and is getting it now.

It's nice to see the Council working together, city staff unafraid to speak their minds and some transparency in how things are done at City Hall. Maybe this would translate into the mayor's race too. Anyone know who's gonna' run? I've heard about a couple of possible candidates but nothing solid at this point. The election is to be in October, 2007. That doesn't leave a lot of time to organize and run a traditional campaign. We'll see...keep checking back and don't quit sending those "flowers and darts" my way.

ROISD Knee Jerk

2007-08-11T10:20:00.000-07:00

I recently sent an email to Superintendent Nevins and to John Anderson-School Board Vice President asking to see a list of the Bond Oversight Committee. Never received a reply back but....The Ellis County Observer sent an Open Records Request asking for the same information recently and here's what's happened in response.

News just in...the "newest" ROISD website has links to the 2007 bond and....wait for it....Bond Oversight Committee.

Funny how an Open Records Request causes a knee jerk reaction. ROISD should be obligated to publish minutes and agendas if school district employees or board members are part of this committee to comply with Open Meetings Act (for the board members only)

We'll keep an eye on this and see if the new administration is really OK or just dazzling us with their mastery of smoke and mirrors as Craig Stockstill's krew did for their tenure.

Show Me The Money-How Much Can Your Governing Body Afford?

2007-08-10T18:56:00.000-07:00

One of my pet peeves is politicos, school superintendents, school board members and folks that like to hype HUGE Multi-Million dollar "Ponzi Schemes" tout how "little impact" these long term debts will have on we uneducated masses.

How much debt can YOUR city, county, school district carry and it NOT impact your tax bill? Do your own homework and make up your own mind the next time the folks come by with those open hands "for the kids", or "everyone in the community supports this bond"....watch your wallet....it will be empty at the end of the day.

Here's the link(yep...it's an official State O' Texas link...not some wacko link)

http://www.brb.state.tx.us/lgs/lgsdbsearch.html

Thanks to the Ellis County Observer for the original link.

From Suggestion to Discussion-It's TAX RATE INCREASE TIME

2007-08-08T19:02:00.000-07:00

Here's a nugget from the preliminary Council agenda. I don't think it will make it to the full Council. We'll see. Oh by the way, our current rate is .64 cents per $100 of assessed valuation. You do the math.

There better be some pre-meeting acrobatics on this because there will be hell to pay if it gets passed. Who was the ass-clown that put this on the preliminary agenda? Was it the same councilperson that "mentioned" it in the budget meeting? Hopefully Scott Lindsey has better sense than to put yet ANOTHER tax increase on the citizens after the County Bond (53 Million), ROISD Bond (95 Million). How much is enough? When will the Council cut staff, double up on job responsibilities and get rid of the useless Economic Development Committee and bring some business revenues to Red Oak. This is absurd...and you know...it's not for the kids this time! :<)

Read it and call your councilperson NOW

A. Discussion and consideration of approving the Public Hearing dates, times, and place to consider a proposed tax rate of .667 cents per $100 of assessed valuation and increase tax revenues, for the proposed Fiscal Year 2008 Budget."

Here's a Little Ditty....Who IS the new Police Chief?

2007-08-08T18:50:00.000-07:00

Here's a little ditty on the new Police Chief in case you weren't at National Night Out at City Park...

Craig Rudolph will be the new Police Chief. He was with the Waxahachie PD several years ago and two chiefs ago he was one of the leading candidates for the job but lost out to someone else and he went into the Navy NCIS for the last 4 or 5 years. He is taking a considerable pay cut but he wants to turn the ROPD around, has a masters in HR or something similar and is incredibly qualified and is trying to make his own career now.

...Just for your Little Toddie or "I hate Ben and Casey" club members..nowhere in his name is "Tom Coppock". Uh, sorry to burst your bubble on that one.....which of course Todd Little and his clan was promising everyone the "packed Council" would do.

Change is in the air folks. Now read the above post about the tax increase on the next Council agenda...and you just thought it was a "discussion". Better start those calls, cards, and letters folks...

The Axeman Cometh...

2007-08-05T19:33:00.000-07:00

I read the Ellis County Observer and the question was raised of the legality of cutting 41 people off the District payroll. Sure it's legal (these were "at will" employees-sucks to be them) and it WILL save money.

Where will this money go? It won't go to teacher pay increases or supplies to offset the average $1500/yr that dedicated teachers spend on their students/classrooms that's "not in the budget". It won't improve instruction, will reduce administrative efficiency unless they axed some of the deadwood in the Ed. Foundation or the numerous admin assistants to high dollar administrative personnel. We'll never know. The district won't publish their names. Don't think they can legally. The district won't even publish the names of the Bond Oversight Committee...who died and made THEM the end all be all of the edu-business in Red Oak anyway? I'll ask around and find out ASAP. Hopefully someone would file an open records request to get this info.

I really would not like to be in the shoes of the OTHER % of persons that will work this school year in fear of losing their positions. What a crappy time to be told "your services will not be required". I wonder if any of these employees received an pay rate equivalent of the $50K "Golden Parachute" that ex-Superintendent Craig Stockstill received? Nah, I bet not. At least the district "hooked them up" with the state unemployment folks and told them they could reapply for other opportunities in the district. What dummies would even go down THAT road after the district told them that they were expendable.

See how the district repays loyal employees that lobbied for the bond and worked their kiesters off for years? Oh I forgot....all this is for the kids right? If you believe that, I bet you voted FOR that ridiculous bond issue-CHUMP!

It's all about the bottom line and paying the debt service on the bond. This action certainly does not say much about doing this through attrition and over time. That would have been people friendly and still cost effective.

It's for the Kids...Remember That!

2007-08-04T15:58:00.000-07:00

Red Oak ISD brought the headsman's axe to a personnel party on August 3, 2007. 41 "non-contract personnel" were told to pack their stuff, get their resumes ready and hit the trail. The timing was pretty interesting since most districts do their hiring in the Spring for teachers, aides and support personnel. Administrative support personnel have it a little easier; but the Texas Legislature really didn't fix school funding, so jobs may be a little harder for them to find as well.

Letting people go anytime is tough for all concerned but VERY tough in a town where the school district is the largest employer. August 3, also conincides with the beginning of the final budget process in the school business. If the district was this fat in the personnel area, what other cuts could be made in highly paid administrative areas to help reduce costs. I don't think I'd venture a guess on how many high-five and six-figure administrators even worried about their jobs. Absolutely NONE.

It's a hellava time to do this to people Lucille...this reduction in force should have been done in May or June giving these employees the same amount of time to find school jobs as teachers that are not renewed by the district. Oh well, whomever said life was actually fair right? It's for the kids if I recall clearly? It saves about 1Million per year! I wonder if this savings will be put on debt service on the outrageous 95 Million dollar bond? That would be a major bee-atch if this was actually so but I am reaching to Pluto on this point. How can kids be served if aides are taken out of the classroom. It is a major disconnect. I'd like to see some of the administrators teach classes in this case to reduce pressure on overloaded teachers. Like that will EVER happen...BS

Classes in Red Oak ISD are packed, just ask the Superintendent or someone on the Bond Oversight Committee if you can find out who the heck they actually are. That list is unavailable. I've asked the Superintendent and Vice President of the School board electronically but they've declined to respond to date. I'm assuming it's the same cast of characters that were hyping the bond. That's how things are done right? That's why we "needed this bond-for the kids" right?

Uh-huh, sure. Now, the very personnel that allow teachers to give more time for individualized instruction are axed from the schools. If you've not been in the school business or are a anti-public education wacko, you'll snicker at that statement. If you're a bean-counter, you'll smile that only 41 persons were axed and not more to achieve better balance and less dependence upon existing fund balances. If you're a parent, you might start scratching your head and ask the question if reduction in force actually equals reduction in services to your kids? All this and the district is asking for a tax increase through the 95 Million dollar bond? Yes sir, this is school business at its best. Been there, done that, have the T-Shirt!

The press release cites the quick response of the Texas Workforce Commission. Yepper...I bet they find a whole lot of hamburger flippin' jobs for these ex-employees and yeah, the district is still 2% above the average in the numbers of auxiliary personnel. We're supposed to think that is a GOOD thing? Just ask the OTHER 2% if they see the writing on the wall. Those jobs will be lost to attrition (folks quitting before they're not renewed) so the District won't look so badly in the public eye.

I'd be way more impressed if I saw a reduction in high salaried administrators, reduction in frivolous spending on extra-curricular activities, getting the Technology Department under fiscal control and putting off bonded expansion plans until the budget is relatively stable.

These are just symptoms of a problem that was here for years and not handled by ANY Superintendent or School Board member until John Hawkins came on board. Kudos to John...he knows exactly of what I write. That problem has since retired but the present administration is scrambling to get the balance sheet to zero.

Good luck to the first 41 ex-employees. Just remember as you try to find a new position that all this was "for the kids". What a crock!

Here's the link to the official release, read it and make your own judgements:

Red Oak ISD Press Release-Personnel Cuts

New Taxes for Red Oak? Yeah...Just What We Need!

2007-08-04T12:32:00.000-07:00

I read in the Red Oak Record that Scott Lindsey proposed RAISING TAXES as a possible solution for the deficit facing the City. That's just what we need after getting hit for 148 Million dollars in bonds (County and Red Oak ISD...oops...that's for the kids right? BS). WRONG!

Let's look at cutting staff (the Tourism Director comes to mind...what attractions do we have other than the Boxcar Willie Memorial Overpass or a couple of BBQ resturants to entice those tourism dollars? How about cutting some services or trimming/combining some roles in Staff? Geez....how about this one....let's dump the current Economic Development Board and put people in that KNOW business, how to bring business TO Red Oak and alleviate some of the tax burden placed upon residents/taxpayers.

Raising taxes will happen because it is the easiest thing to do even over the objections of the voters. Several council members are term limited so it's no big deal to pass the tax increase since they'll not be in office anyway. Woe unto a new mayor that has to have this monkey on his/her back. Even if they weren't around to manage the vote, they would be associated WITH the increase.

The only viable solution for the longer term is bringing business to Red Oak. Waxahachie and Lancaster are growing concerns. Why haven't the voters experienced the same growth since we're supposedly the fastest growing city in Ellis County. I really would like to see the numbers on that. There's a disconnect somewhere.

Start asking your Councilperson what their thinking is to shore up the sucking chest wound that is the City Budget. Thanks Pfiefer for the gift that keeps on giving!

Mayoral Race? Who's Da' Daddy?

2007-08-01T20:23:00.000-07:00

Scattershooting while thinking about the trade of Texiera to Atlanta....

Any rumors about who wants to run for mayor? I've heard absolutely nothing...sure it's in the fall sometime (no official date yet either) I think Chris Reeder is considering the race. Are we going to be blessed by a Little again? Probably...some rendition....those folks just can't stay out of local politics.

Oh well...it's an open question...

"Here's the New Boss-Same as the Old Boss"

2007-08-01T05:21:00.000-07:00

I recently made e-comments to the new Superintendent and to John Anderson, ROISD Board Vice President asking about the format of the ROISD web site. It is in shambles. I've found that the district is revamping its site and a new site is "coming soon". ROISD's Echalk (interactive web content) contract was not renewed but the district is still using the Echalk pages served locally. The district may want to take the references to Echalk down since they are proprietary. Am waiting to see how long EChalk waits to send them a cease and desist letter. Did ROISD think that the vendor would not know? I would think the Echalk folks would have discussed this with Ms. La Puma but as usual, the district won't respond to questions from their patrons other than a bland set of generic platitudes. Mr. Humphries is a former CIO and has been cited as saying he doesn't care for outsourced solutions. That's interesting in its merits considering ROISD (as many other districts) runs on a very lean/very effective budget since Joe Miguel "retired". Outsourcing provides Service Level Agreements and objective economies of scale by not fattening up the internal departments. That's just a difference in philosophy however and really is a sidebar. Just watch the size of the employee base grow...willing to bet a beer it doesn't? Has this question been asked in open board meetings?

I didn't get much response on another issue as well...I asked
"Would you please send me a list of the Bond Oversight Committee members or point me to an electronic copy of those members? Midlothian ISD has posted their committee membership and ROISD should do the same since we passed 95 million for the district." I've seen nothing in the papers, on the ROISD Web Site (like I could anyway...what a piece of work), or through any mailers from the "Yes for our Children" group. Guess they don't have to do anything now they've got the bond package done and put away... :<) They've got our moolah....for the next 30 years!

Hopefully, this is not what the district's communities will see when issues are brought to the highly paid, highly credentialed administrative staff. And...you know we (YOU) actually were dupes for that 95 Million dollar bond. Yeah...I'm still bitter about it and will stay bitter when I get my tax bill from Ellis County Appraisal District too. We all got snookered....and smiled all the way to the polls.

When will the Council get off it's collective butt, ditch the current Economic Development Board and put in people that CAN, WILL and KNOW how to bring business to Red Oak? I'm not talking about more Whataburgers, phantom Wal-Marts but actual "bidness". It's time to move some of the tax burden from homeowners to business or find a group of council members willing and able to make those hard choices. How 'bout it Casey? Ben? Eric? Scott? Andy? You ready to get moving? Summer vacation and the honeymoon's over guys!

Not in MY Neighborhood!

2007-07-23T17:07:00.000-07:00

Had a conversation over the weekend about a half-way house for drug offenders in a quiet neighborhood in Ovilla. This house is zoned residential, single family. There's some very upset residents and they've put a petition drive together. I've got some initial information on this issue but will continue to gather a bit more before putting it on this blog. There's definitely more to this story...I'll post it as it grows.

More to come! Keep checking back....if you have any information, please drop me a line.

Red Oak Wi-Fi?

2007-07-12T19:55:00.000-07:00

One of the agenda items during the last RO City Council meeting was a contract termination for Zyterra re: City Wifi. Whatever happened to that idea and why are we just now terminating that contract? How long was the contract for services? What did it actually entail other than renting "space" on a city water tower for wifi infrastructure.

The whole Zyterra deal in Red Oak has a very interesting history beginning with the company being outsourced by ROISD for technology/network services, becoming a sole service contractor for ROISD , renewal of contract for several years, and finally a deal between the police and city for wifi system that was questionable and not utilized by the city according to statements made in response to the termination of contract agenda discussion.

The last time I checked, former Zyterra employees still could be found in the current organizational chart at ROISD. Just can't seem to get their faces out of the public trough. Hopefully the new "Tech Czar" will re-org the ENTIRE tech department and get our schools back on a road to the 20th century technology wise.

I hope Zyterra had a good run...they took enough of our tax money and are smiling all the way to the bank...also heard their company had been bought out from a council member. (According to a poster...they just changed names...bet I know why) Good for them and good for we taxpayers.

The Coppock File

2007-07-12T19:40:00.000-07:00

I bumped into Tom Coppock and his wife yesterday at a local restaurant. We had a passing conversation and he dropped the hint that he was going to "go with his story". I'm sure there's more to come and more to this story than was ever in the news.

Lazy, Hazy but not so Crazy Days of Summer

2007-07-12T04:42:00.000-07:00

Scattershooting....while wondering what ever happened to the ROISD Bond Oversight Committee? This was a highly touted organization of "experienced and Red Oak elite (an oxymoron)". Its job, to make the 95 Million dollar bill you and I are paying on palatable for the general populace. Haven't heard anything about the who, what, when about the committee. Lord knows, I certainly was not invited although my professional credentials beg the discussion. Must have been my open, loud and persistent opposition to the the bond offering? Nah...that would have been in a normal time. This is the Lazy, Hazy but not so Crazy Days of Summer in Red Oak.

Midlothian's Bond Oversight Committee membership and organization has been published and is a matter of public record. Curiously, I've not seen anything in the local print rags that resembles an org. chart nor even a hen-scratched list on the back of a napkin from Bubba's BBQ. Nope, I can't find it on the ROISD web site either. The old homepage is there but they've changed vendors again so if things work according to plan, we should be able to access the site in about six months after everyone "learns the system"-AGAIN. Another confirmation that letting sleeping dogs lie after a successful election will lull the voters into a stupor. My eyes are getting heavy right now.... :<)

Don't forget folks....it's only YOUR money. Don't whine here when you get your tax valuation and your school taxes are more than 3-4 month's mortgage. Ready to see what that does to your escrow requirements as it is tacked on with the new county assessment? I'll hear all sorts of garbage about my lack of knowledge of the issue, layman's understanding of the mortgage industry, ad-nauseum. That's all true....all I do is work my butt off and deposit the check. It's OK, "It's for the Kids" right? Sucker...

I do believe we all were played on this one. After all the money that was spent, noise that was made, backs slapped, hand shakes, and miscellaneous "zippitteedoodahs", ROISD has gone back into it's classic "no information is all the information we give the voters" What a thank you note for passing the bond.

No conspiracy search on my part, just a simple question about the who, what, when, where in the Lazy, Hazy and not so Crazy Days of Summer in Red Oak.

What's Wrong With This Picture?

2007-07-02T14:15:00.000-07:00

What's wrong with this picture? Where are ANY of the Red Oak Council members and why are they not there?

I read an article today in the electronic version of the Waxahachie Daily Light that discussed Midlothian receiving over $900,000 in grant funding The money will be used for infrastructure and road improvements at Railport Business Park to finalize the economic development package for Burlingame Industries.

The Texas Capital Fund, part of the federal Community Development Block Grant program, was the source of the fund. The fund provides about $10.5 million in competitive awards each year to boost the economic development of small Texas cities and counties (according to the WDL).

Some have called this "corporate welfare. I'm calling it like I see it. The City of Red Oak had a lonely single...that's right...ONE commercial permit last year. We have very little in the way of light business and our Economic Development Board has brought little but restaurants, and service oriented businesses.

What has our city government done to pursue this type of block grant funding to facilitate some light industry in Red Oak. Obviously, they have done little or we would have seen more non residential permits pass through the city offices.

Perhaps our new councilpersons will take a harder look at what our neighbors are doing to bring businesses into Red Oak. It's time to increase the tax base and take a little pressure off the residents. It's also time for the Economic Development Board to be a little more forthcoming and give the public a little more than a brief PowerPoint presentation that repeats the same tired platitudes...Wal Mart, Applebee's, etc.

Did Red Oak pursue this block grant? If not, why not?

It's time to shed little town thinking folks and start asking the hard questions of the council and Economic Development Board members. Where are we going and how are we going to get there? Show us the money and let's see some development and a little less talk about developing a plan for development.

Oh..I forgot...Congratulations Midlothian!

Wachovia Bank Robbery-The "Real Deal"

2007-06-30T08:34:00.000-07:00

I received a copy of the official media release about the Wachovia Bank Robbery. There's more to this incident than you received via the local media sources-print, voice or video/voice. You won't get this on any other blog or on the "tele"!!

Red Oak Police Department
547 North Methodist St.
Red Oak Texas 75154
972/617-7632 Fax 972/617-8239

To All Media, June 29, 2007

On June 21, 2007, the Red Oak Police Department received information from Wachovia Bank of a suspicious person inside their Bank. The subject was described as a black male wearing sunglasses and a ball cap. When asked if he needed assistance, he stated no. The subject exited the bank. A Wachovia employee attempted to get his license plate number. The subject was driving a late model Chevy Impala with no licenses plates on the front or rear of the vehicle. He left Wachovia headed west bound on Ovilla Road. A short time later, the Red Oak Police Department received information from Prosperity Bank that the same subject had just left their Bank.

The Red Oak Police Department then issued a BOLO to surrounding Police Agencies detailing the listed events at both Bank locations. Officers from the Red Oak Police Department met with all Bank Officials in Red Oak explaining the potential of a future Bank Robbery. It was decided by Bank Officials and Red Oak Officers that a Red Oak Police Officer would be placed at each Bank location the next day, Friday, June 22nd. Bank Officials were then given the option to place Security at their location to prevent any future problems.

On June28, 2007 at approximately 1455 hours, the Red Oak Police Department received a call from the Wachovia Bank Branch Manager who stated the same subject was inside his Bank. Officers were then dispatched to Wachovia Bank. While heading east bound on Ovilla Road, Officers from the Red Oak Police Department observed the suspect’s vehicle, (a maroon late model Chevy Impala), heading west bound on Ovilla Road. Red Oak Officers turned around on the suspect’s vehicle and attempted to initiate a traffic stop. The suspect refused to stop and a pursuit ensued. The suspect continued west on Ovilla Road then turning north on Houston School Road. The suspect then turned west on Cedar Ridge continuing around several corners then coming to a stop after crashing into a fence at 415 Oak Dell. The black male suspect was taken into custody without incident. The suspect advised Red Oak Officers that a Wachovia Employee was involved. He further stated that a second suspect may still be at Wachovia Bank. When asked where they were supposed to meet, the suspect stated they were going to meet a Wal-Mart in Lancaster and would be meeting with a third suspect. The suspect gave a description of all suspects including the name of a Wachovia employee. The suspect information along with the car he was driving was given to Lancaster PD. A few minutes later, Lancaster PD located a subject and vehicle fitting the description given. The subject was taken into custody and later transported to the Red Oak Police Department. During an interview conducted by the FBI, it was determined that this subject was not involved in this Incident and was later released.

At approximately 1500, the Red Oak Police Department received a 911 call from Wachovia Bank in Red Oak. The caller advised that Wachovia Bank had just been robbed. Several Red Oak Officers at 415 Oak Dell left this location and proceeded to Wachovia Bank. Three Officers remained at 415 Oak Dell with the suspect.

Once Red Oak Officers arrived at Wachovia Bank, a perimeter was set in place. The information given by the suspect in custody, lead Officers to believe that there could possibly be other suspects still in the Bank. For the safety of the Citizens in the Bank, entry was not made at that time until further information could be ascertained. The FBI was then contacted by the Red Oak Police Department and all information was given to the FBI Agent in charge. Red Oak Police Officers along with assisting Agencies were instructed to maintain the perimeter until the arrival of the FBI. Red Oak Police Officers along with the help of the Lancaster Police Department, Ellis County Sheriff’s Office, Ellis County Constable’s Office, and Department of Public Safety maintained this task.

While en-route, FBI agents were briefed on the situation. Phone contact was then made with the occupants of Wachovia Bank. A Red Oak Officer maintained contact with Bank Personnel until the arrival of the FBI. Once on scene, they were briefed by the Red Oak Officer having phone contact with Bank Personnel.

At this point, the Incident was turned over to FBI. The Red Oak Police Department along with several other Agencies assisted the FBI with operations. FBI Crisis Negotiation members then made phone contact with Bank Personnel and agreed on a surrender and exit plan. FBI SWAT Team members assisted all persons from the bank. They were then transported to the Red Oak Police Department. FBI interviewed all Bank employees. It was determined by the FBI that a Bank employee was a possible suspect in the Robbery. She was then placed into custody. All other Bank employees were released by the FBI. Both suspects remain in FBI custody. The Red Oak Police Department along with other Agencies continued to assist the FBI until the situation was resolved.

Red Oak Police Department would like to express out gratitude to Red Oak Fire Personnel, Ovilla Fire Personnel, DeSoto Fire Personnel, Lancaster Police Dept, Ellis County Sheriffs Dept, Ellis County Constables, Texas Department of Public Safety, Dallas Police Dept, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation for their assistance in this incident. We would also like to thank all of the citizens that were affected by this for their patience and cooperation.

Whining About My Stupid Post-Anonymous Poster Said...

2007-06-30T04:30:00.000-07:00

Thought I'd post an anonymous poster's response to my having a little fun on my own blog...geez...what an original thought....having fun on the Internet. One knows the Internet is a serious place right? Additionally, blogs aren't for personal use, personal expression and personal views, correct?...I'll wait to flame it below....

Anonymous said:
Was that suppose to be funny? And you spelled Kris Reeder's name wrong. Hey don't quit your day job. Just wondering, but have you noticed that most of your comments on your pages lately are coming from you? I was just wondering...I read your page everyday, but it's not as good as some of your early blogs, maybe you are just putting too much BEN and CASEY crap and it's getting old. One more question, how old are you? Some of your comments sound like your kids are writing " chump a$$ punk" for example

Steve Yawns, drinks a little coffee and types:
Anon...I couldn't care less. This blog IS for me....in case you haven't figured out the purpose of a blog. It's not a newspaper for you nor anything more than a personal take on how I view things. Frankly...if you don't like it, don't read it. I'm not paid for this, I have a GREAT day job and do this because I choose to.

Let me illustrate the obvious for you...if all there is to comment on right now is a choice between stupid references to a bank robbery and how high the grass grows in Red Oak or something really stupid like Paris Hilton....I'll choose the former. I'm not Joey Dauben and don't have the professional time to devote to a multi-site, multi-editor system of blogs. If you want to be the local wag and dig up some stuff, please feel free to put it here in the comments section or go to http://www.blogger.com/ and start your own blog.

As far as me being piqued that I'm the only one reading it, do you think I live on the blog? Give me a break. You don't need to worry at all that I'm remotely concerned. I have far too much to do in "real life" (this IS the Internet you know)to give much more than a tinker's dam about it.

Oh, by the way, who died and made you my online spelling teacher anyway? It's "supposed", not "suppose". Which one are you in this case...the pot or the kettle calling each other black?

Thanks for the good post Anon...keep those virtual cards and letters coming.... :<)

Breaking News.....BEN, Casey and Chris Reeder Did It...But we all knew that anyway right? :<)

2007-06-29T11:45:00.000-07:00

I can see Ben, Casey and Chris Reeder...they're running out of the back of the bank chasing Ken Pfiefer and the Littles! Who's got the money? Where's the L-T/Acting Chief? Where's the beef?

See, I KNEW it was all their fault! :<)

Check out the HD "on the scene chopper" video clip:

http://www.wfaa.com/video/?nvid=155244&she=1

Way too much time on my hands today...all in jest folks...all in jest! :<)

What if the Bank Gave a Party and Everybody Came

2007-06-28T18:51:00.000-07:00

My spouse, the effervescent Ms. Miller, called me today during a planning meeting (yeah...just like Office Space...meeting to plan...planning to meet) in a snit about a bank robbery in progress at the Wachovia Bank down the street. I heard via KRLD 1080 on the way home from work that the hostages had been released and and a "subject" nabbed about 1/2 mile away from the bank. I went home via Highway 342 about 5:30 PM and the intersection at 342 and Ovilla was blocked. There were more news reporters than there were peace officers. It was like the shark aquarium at Sea World. I'm glad no one was injured and that the authorities treated the entire situation as if it was serious-I definitely would want them to treat things as serious if I, a member of my family or anyone actually...were in the bank or being held hostage.

Other blogs/bloggers/blog posters have tried to kick the Red Oak Police Department in the shins for their actions. I just disagree with that angle. It's easy to ridicule the Police for the ticket "scam" and get mad for being cited on Lowrance recently(Tuesday)..hell it was MY stupidity that got me that citation...what am I droning on about? It's walking a thin line between whining/griping for no reason and just plain ole' BS to whack the Police for over or under-reacting. It's also easy to put a "Keystone Cops by-line or something similar but dead wrong in this case.

We don't know ANYTHING about the facts, the tone of the people making the call and the initial situation. We do know that the system works, we saw a great example of inter agency cooperation and had a ringside seat to how an operation was supposed to happen.

I'd much rather see 100 police protecting our community than see the alternative....a bank robbery gone bad, hostages shot and/or people killed. Anyone that chides the ROPD in this case is either short-sighted, delusional or just not thinking through the situation.

Here's what Fox had to say about this weird deal...snipped from the Fox news story...you make the call...

"RED OAK --
Call it the hostage situation that wasn't. A three-hour ordeal ended on a strange note in Red Oak Thursday evening shortly after FBI SWAT team
members stormed the Wachovia bank on S. Ovilla Road, shortly after seven people who they believed were hostages were cleared from the
building.But those seven weren't hostages, because there
was no hostage-taker."The original call came in
as a bank robbery and hostage situation, and we treated it as such,"
said FBI Special Agent Lori Bailey on FOX 4's 6:00pm newscast.The
whole thing started around 1:30pm when someone allegedly tried to
hold up the bank. Someone sounded the bank alarm, and the suspect
tried to run away. He was captured a short distance away.As this was
happening, an alleged accomplice was being questioned nearby by Red
Oak Police. That person led them on a short chase before being captured. But the people inside the bank, whether employees or customers,apparently went into lock down mode-- and no one was sure who was in or out of the building.The FBI, along with about a half-dozen other agencies, treated the situation as if the people inside were in imminent danger. For all they knew, a third suspect could have
been hiding somewhere in the building.At 5:30pm, FOX 4 viewers
watched live as five women and two men exited the building one
at a time under heavy guard by FBI agents. Each was led to an unmarked
federal car and taken away. They were the supposed hostages, either bank employees or customers.Moments after the last person left, the FBI agents dressed in SWAT team gear entered the bank on South Ovilla Road in a tight block formation, with guns drawn. They quickly determined the building was indeed empty."

Time for an Audit?

2007-06-27T13:41:00.001-07:00

If we're short $600K and we're running a budget shortfall, hopefully the councilpersons will ask for an independent audit. Sure the amount really isn't that large in the broad scope; but, is this all the problems or areas in which shortfalls will lead to a lack of city services for taxpayers or an increase in taxes/fees for services rendered?

When was the last time RO had an independent audit of all City Departments? It might be an eye opener to staffers that may not have had complete insight to their own department's budget process during the period of "centralized information...just come by my office and I'll tell ya' what you need to know" in the past.

We'll see. It certainly would be money well spent and should be done periodically anyway. I'm sure an audit is done but an independent audit will shed fresh eyes on the shortfall issue IMHO.

Behind the Budget Eight Ball

2007-06-27T08:46:00.000-07:00

Sorry not to have posted sooner. Real-life (work) has raised its head. I was late to the Council meeting on Monday. The meeting was posted for 7:00 PM but started at 6:30 PM. Oh well, I should have gone early. :<(

Let's take up a bit of bandwidth and look at a couple of things:

We found the city was short $600 K on the Dallas Water Line project, not the General Fund. Nevertheless the new City Engineer got up and apologized for not being upfront with the Council until the meeting....taking a shot at the dearly departed ex-City Manager. I guess we really DID need the ticket "scam" didn't we? The interchange between the engineer and council really drove home why Mr. Pfiefer was terminated. There was apparently a serious lack of "upfront" communication between the City Manager, Staff and the Council. This lack of meaningful communication festered into a very unfortunate situation (ultimately) for Mr. Pfiefer.

Todd Fuller (see I told you so...no...I don't want an ice cream) is going to get in there and figure out the "real status of the budget" and present it to council. It was indicated to that revenues are going to be down even more than Ken anticipated when he amended the budget. A question that may illustrate the obvious...did the City Manager knowingly mislead the Council about the status of the budget? If so, why? This type of stuff always comes out in the end. Can't hide M&O needs versus revenues. That's pretty black and white. Good Luck Mr. Fuller. I'd be very interested to be a "fly on your wall" while he's doing the digging. Perhaps the end result will be reality rather than smoke and mirrors.
I doubt we civilians will ever know however. We probably don't need to know right?

From where are the revenues going to come to balance this budget? Does the City have the fund balance to kick in and resolve the funding issue with the Dallas Water main project? I smell (pun intended) a Sewer and Water rate increase, perhaps a raise in local taxes, or a raise in licensing fees for City services and permits. Hopefully the rates for permits won't get hiked since we only had one (1) commercial permit all of last year according to a previous staff report to council. We just don't need anymore reasons not to build business in Red Oak.

Ken Pfiefer's final severance pay is $55K. This was negotiated 12 years ago. Not bad...guess he can go to Disneyland now. :<) Wonder if that severance is covered by the Fund Balance too?

Persistent Questions-Will The Good Ole' Boys Do Us Another Favor Again?

2007-06-23T11:41:00.000-07:00

I've read several previous Blog postings and received more than a couple of emails from persons asking if Casey, Ben and Eric are going to reinstate the "good ole' boy system" that was in play previously during Pfieifer's and several other person's tenures?

Are these guys going to put their "good buddies" back into power in the form of Bertrand as PW Director and Coppock as Chief of Police? This is a persistent concern from responders on other Blogs and via several emails to me.

It would be rather interesting to see if the acting City Manager (Todd Fuller) and Lt. Snell hire Coppock back anyway...it would most likely be his old position right? From what I gather from reading other Blogger responders, hiring Bertrand back as PW Director would be political suicide for anyone connected with managing city affairs in Red Oak.

What would be the fallout of this hiring other than proving to the anti-Goodwyn, Hargrove and Smith folks that they were right all along and I among many others was a stupid chump or politically naive?

Does any of this really matter and why should it? What should happen to the persons involved? I "sense" a HUGE recall of the newly re-elected councilpersons. What say you?

Just Some Good Ole' Boys...

Pfiefer's Golden Parachute and Who's On First?

2007-06-23T05:12:00.000-07:00

Reading the Red Oak Observer, several questions were asked about Pfiefer's severance pay, and whom will be named Interim City Manager. I posed the question below about HOW the committee to assist the Council in choosing the next City Manager was defined. Here's how it plays out folks...you be the judge. I'm reserving my opinion at this point (kinda-sorta) because I still want to know the criteria for choosing the committee from the persons that made those choices.

Pfiefer gets a six (6) month pay severance, no matter if he was terminated or resigned or in which month the termination or resignation occurred. You can request or research his annual salary. That should be a matter of public record as is for we edumacation folks. Not bad at all. I don't think your average "working stiff" like us gets that type of financial pad when the boss is contemplating termination. Nicely negotiated Pfiefer...
The Interim City Manager will be Todd Fuller. I don't know him. I'm assuming he has done the detail management while Pfiefer delegated those responsibilities out. Delegation is good. I hope Mr. Fuller has his old waist boots laying around so he doesn't step in the bullcrap. It's gonna' get deep and stank as the search process goes on. Hopefully this Council will allow the HR Director to do his job bringing the best possible candidates without direct "diddlin'". I've been accused of being Ben Goodwyn's lackey; but Ben, Casey and Eric MUST stay out of the process. Anything less won't pass the "smell test".
I know three of the five citizens that will be named to the City Manager search committee. I also understand the process that put them on the committee and it didn't include many of you. Here's my "first blush" on the issue:

I'll say this before it gets said and will suffer the "slings and arrows" from all concerned for saying it...I don't always agree with Casey and Ben and this is one of those times. The firing of the City Manager on Tuesday was an abject example of the "rough and tumble" atmosphere currently prevailing in local politics. I support a transparent process but am uneasy about the outcome longer-term. Will we get the person of vision we desperately need to bring business to Red Oak and relieve some of the tax burden from the individual homeowner; or, will we get an extension of the current power base on the Council; operating in a vacuum because of the events on Tuesday night? Color me naive but it seems as if the "history" been already written...as usual...by the winners. I don't have to like it, that's how it is right? "Reality check Steve"..."Duh....what did you expect? You supported these guys. " Yeah, but I'm definitely not married to any of them politically. I call it like I see it and on this one I'm a little put off. Bottom line, they should have waited, opened the process to citizens to show interest in working on the committee and built a committee that actually represented a good cross-section of our communities. Instead, this decision has continued to exacerbate the major issue of non-transparency in local political processes.

Patronage has its place in the political process and is a longstanding benefit for those that support winning candidates and support positions held by those candidates. I'm concerned that several Council members have already given those positions to those persons that supported them through "thick and thin". One rewards exceptional work performance with bonuses, promotion, titles, and incentives. That is as it should be. I'm a little distressed that the committee positions were not opened to the public. Again, my political naivete is showing...pardon me for having my knickers in a small knot. It is NOT sour grapes on my part. My professional life is extremely hectic. I do not want to serve on the search committee nor have I been asked.

I do want Ben, Casey and Eric to be on notice that exercising patronage is not always the best policy after extolling the virtues of "transparency and fairness in the public process arena". I won't use the word hypocritical yet; but it sorta' smells that way. Again..I'm in Ben's back pocket right? What could I possibly know? What the heck am I whining about? I got everything I wanted...hmmm...I wonder! There...I wrote it! I feel better now!

Your thoughts? Am I full of excrement on this? Possibly...my spouse tends to think so...that's why my eyes are SO brown. :<)

Who Gets To Be On The Search Committee?

2007-06-22T19:01:00.000-07:00

Just musing and was wondering how the Council will build their "citizen's committee" to facilitate the interview process for the new City Manager? I'd sure like to know the criteria of how a citizen is "picked" or "not picked" for this committee. It would be interesting to see how much "politik" is played between the Councilpersons to ensure "their person" is on that committee.

I'll write a letter to the editors of the local print rags and see if they'll print it and perhaps the Councilpersons would respect the electorate that put them in office enough to respond publicly. If not, it sounds like a "Citizens Speak" question at the next Council meeting for me.

Anyone else wanna' jump in on this and see how transparent (OR NOT) our "city fathers" are after the Night of the Butter Knives on Tuesday.

It's about the transparency of the process Virginia!

Movin' On...Cleaning Up After the Bloodletting

2007-06-21T18:38:00.000-07:00

Well...the bloodletting is finally over, the mayor's resigned, City Manager's outa' here, and the City Attorney's un-retained. I thought Pfiefer's arrogance was sometimes comical and baiting; but even to the end, he "stuck it" in the Council's collective eye yet again...what an example of Kabuki Theatre of the Absurd.

Oh...by the way, the Council has to call a special meeting Monday night to name the Acting City Manager because Ken defiantly refused to adhere to his charter obligations under 4.15, another classic example of his leadership. Read it and judge for yourself. Compare this leadership to his public letter in the print media.

City Charter Link:
http://www.redoaktx.org/wp-content/uploads/2006/11/charter1.pdf

If one was gullible and unfamiliar with Red Oak "politiks", they would think this guy actually could walk on water, raise the dead, make the blind see and the deaf hear-hallelujah-thus endeth the lesson! Projects for which he took credit were in actuality State and Federal projects. The City Manager is a local liaison only with State and Federal project managers. You can fool some of the people some of the time...

Enough bustin' his chops... he's gone and we've now got a clean slate. Next question...What is the course of the Council from now on?

The Council better move on a decision about an Acting City Manager and City Attorney. That better happen fast, there's lots of City business to get through

What plans have been put into play for the next 100 days? Forming committees is nice but decisions need to be made quickly to ensure a smooth transition (if that is possible...I doubt it)
What is the REAL condition of the City budget? Council members have no clue about their budgets, where is the money? Why don't they have the info they need?
What is the TRUE status of major projects in the city? Enough of the platitudes....it's time for the real deal!

I'm keeping a "weather eye" open and an ear to the ground during the next few months and will call it like I see it. Everyone "knows" I'm in "Ben's back-pocket", Casey Hargrove's "puppet" (yeah right-whatever), and just their "hack".

Since I'm all those things (and monkeys fly outa' my posterior region too), getting the straight dope shouldn't be hard right?

Mayor Bryce Resigns

2007-06-20T09:38:00.000-07:00

Mayor Bryce resigned today. It was not a surprise to this Blogger. It is clear that he could not be effective after the defeat of the Mayor Pro-Tem nomination and subsequent dismissal of the City Attorney and City Manager.

I'm looking forward to seeing what the next several weeks bring. Hopefully we've turned a corner in Red Oak and the good ole' boy system is dead.

Here's the letter's contents:

Mrs. Judy Grant and City Council Members,

I respectfully submit my resignation as Mayor of Red Oak.

Working for the citizens of Red Oak has been one of the highest honors of my life. But I have no hope of being an effective leader for the remainder of my term in office. I do however want to continue serving the community wherever possible as a private citizen.

Thanks to the city council members and the entire city staff. But most of all I want to thank the people of Red Oak who entrusted me as their mayor for this period of time. My heart's desire continues to be for the people and families that make up our community.

May God richly bless you,
Ron Bryce, M.D.

First Opton for Making Money at the Taxpayer's Expense-Revisited Yet Again

2007-06-20T05:35:00.000-07:00

More On The First Option Agreement Question...

I'm assuming this Anon posting is from Joey Dauben...."Steve, check with former Councilman Danny Douthit on that "agreement." I do recall, if my memory serves me correctly, actually seeing copies of that when I used to write for The Ellis County Press." I will, after keeping my ears open after the bloodletting last night.

Apparently(and please correct me if I'm wrong)this "agreement" was done between the Economic Development Council and Ben Little while Todd was Mayor. It was supposedly for a finite number of years and was a renewable option by vote of the Council. The option was not renewed and as usual, a threat of a suit ensued. The "agreement" such as it was is not in effect today, although it is common knowledge that folks benefited from this agreement with several developments including a strip center on Ovilla Road.

I think the issue isn't the agreement itself. You can't fire a Council for being stupid(but you can fire a complete City Management staff for being unpopular in Red Oak right?). The issue revolves around the "smell test" again. This agreement purposely benefited Todd Little's father while Todd was mayor. This is another notch in the "it's legal but doesn't feel right category". One can't be "almost pregnant" right?

No one begrudges anyone for making money. People DO question others for using political office and political influence to make money. Sure it's legal, done all the time and par for the course in Red Oak.

Several Questions remain however,

Is it right? Uh...you make the call.

Does it smell? Possibly if one is looking for some excrement in how local government is run.

Does it make Red Oak look like a "local-yokel/bubba takes care of their own" type of town. Most definitely.

Perhaps this type of process will either go away or more probably get swept under the rug. I'm hoping it will go away...I'm a a realist/pragmatist however; and will retain my more cynical opinion for now.

Exit....Stage Right-Termination Tuesday Folks-Right Here In Red Oak!

2007-06-19T20:34:00.000-07:00

Exit....Stage Right!

Well folks, it was Termination Tuesday Tonight at 7:00 P.M. at Red Oak Municipal Building.

The meeting was short and sweet and hopefully so will be this blog entry.

The meeting was called to order and your Mayor Bryce laid "da' law down for we common folk". Like it was followed anyway.

The first person on the Red Oak "scaffold" was the ex-City Attorney. She probably read the writing on the wall and was tried and terminated in absentia. Eric Smith proved to the gallery that he was pretty P.O'd about the performance of both the City Attorney and Manager and opened the ball with a forceful motion to terminate.

Scott Lindsay read one of his two prepared "extemporaneous" speeches and tried to appeal to the "hardened hearts" of the other Councilpersons. Eric Smith would have none of it and put the theatrics to bed. The stage was set and the vote was taken...Smith (YES), Goodwyn (YES), Lindsey (NO), Hargrove (YES), Bell (NO...I think...he was nearly invisible during the entire night).

Retraction Notice And Public Apology From Steve Miller

(I received a comment from a blogger that told me using Bert and Ernie graphically was associated with someone being GAY. I did not know about any association like this. I would not EVER associate Scott Lindsey or ANYONE ELSE in this light. He is an honorable, professional person that works hard FOR kids in R.O.I.S.D. I apologize to ALL whom were offended and thank the Anonymous blogger for the information. I have taken the graphic off the original posting.)

Second on the Proscribed List was the City Manager, Ken Pfiefer (see picture left-you choose). The discussion was brief and Scott Lindsey (see previous picture) read another "please keep politics out of an obviously political meeting" (duh...get a clue please and QUIT READING...I'VE HEARD YOU SPEAK FROM THE HEART....YOU CAN DO IT!) The Council was swayed as much as the audience. The motion was made. The vote was...you guessed it....wait for it....

Eric Smith (YES), Ben Goodwyn (YES), Scott Lindsey (NO), Casey Hargrove (YES), Bell (No I think again...he really is a shrinking violet in this group of Council persons)

At the end of the night, the city political structure had totally changed. No longer will the City Manager rule with an iron fist management approach. No longer can Little Toddie influence and motivate/demotivate the Council from afar; although, he was skittering around Council chambers, flashing those pearly whites, shaking even Goodwyn's hand, yukking it up. What a transparent display of "cheesy-ness".

Mayor Bryce was exposed again as a toothless tiger, unable to exert any influence upon the Council. He stands isolated politically and is quite ineffective in a leadership position at this point. That's unfortunate but he made his bed by supporting the opponents of Hargrove and Goodwyn in the election. "Little Brown Bell" campaign slogan now sounds an awful lot like the Monty Python line from "Holy Grail"..."What does a bell made of @#$t sound like? Dung........."

A Great Question That Needs To Be Answered By All Before Tuesday

2007-06-17T18:29:00.000-07:00

Herbert Kornfeld-Accounts Receivable-Midstate Office Supply
R.O.W.S.' Source for ALL things Political in Red Oak

I was perusing Joey Dauben's Red Oak Observer City blog and an anonymous blogger posted the "Million Dollar Question". I'm quoting the blogger directly (cut and paste) and certainly would think this question should be answered by ALL asking to remove the City Manager and City Attorney at Tuesday's Special City Council meeting. The second part of the question is GREAT too and should shed some light (if people reading this Blog are posting legitimately) on the sources of the animosity between Little Toddie, his father and the anti-Little group of citizens of Red Oak. Please take a look at the question and let's see what it generates....given the climate...I expect to see some interesting responses.

Taken from Ellis County Observer/Red Oak Observer City Blog-6/17/2007-8:35 PM:
Anonymous said...
I am serious when I ask exactly how have the Little's and the city manager divided this town. I guess I haven't been in the loop. From what I have heard people were mad that it was Ben
Little who sold the town the property for city hall. I thought that was because he sold it to them for a deal and that you could see it from 35. That is what I've always heard. I'm not trying to make anyone angry. I'm serious when I ask what have the Little's or the city manager done? June 17, 2007 3:05 PM

The Empire Strikes Back!

2007-06-16T15:53:00.000-07:00

Read it and draw your own conclusions. Looks as if the mud buckets are being filled, the brickbats are being stacked and the manure pile is getting turned over. What is the real deal here?

Is it intimidation of the Council persons that want Pfiefer's and the City Attorney's resignation? Possibly...but my money's on pressuring Eric Smith into supporting the addendum and punishing the Council persons for opposing the City Manager, City Attorney and Mayor
Conflict of interest? Who's interest? The public interest?
Inappropriate communications? By whom? How? When?
Code of Ethics violations? That's a stretch if Little Toddie is involved either directly or indirectly in this.
What's the worst that can happen? Someone be censured? Somehow I doubt it
How can this addendum actually be part of the meeting agenda if it was posted after working hours? That's splitting nose hairs but a point (very miniscule in my opinion) of order.

I have a good working knowledge of rules of order so I'm going to keep my fingers off the keys and see for myself if it plays out like I think it will.

Anyone want to start a pool? Will Phiefer and the City Attorney go or stay? I'll put even money on them being terminated on Tuesday. This amended agenda item is smoke without fire IMHO.

It definitely will be fun on Tuesday. Bring your personal recorders and let's compare notes when the dust settles. See you there! Told 'ya to put your seatbelts on, tray tables in their upright position, we're hittin' some rough air! Here ya' go...

===Snipped from City of Red Oak Website===

JUNE 19, 2007 CITY COUNCIL ADDENDUM TO SPECIAL MEETING
ADDENDUM TO SPECIAL MEETING
TUESDAY, JUNE 19, 2007, 7:00 P.M.
RED OAK CITY COUNCIL
Addendum to Special Meeting of the Red Oak City Council to be held on Tuesday, June 19, 2007 at 7:00 P.M., in the Council Chambers of the Red Oak Municipal Center, 200 Lakeview Parkway, Red Oak, Texas.

The following item is added to Open Session.
III. COUNCIL BUSINESS - OPEN SESSION
C. Discussion of violations concerning the Open Meetings Act, Code of Ethics, investigative powers, conflict of interest, inappropriate communications and consideration of approving any action as a result .
Posted in accordance with the Texas Government Code, Chapter 551, on the 16th day of June, 2007 at 4:45 P.M.
Attested: ____________________________
Judy Grant, City Secretary
ACCESSIBILITY STATEMENTThe City Hall is wheelchair accessible. The entry ramp is located in front of the building. Accessible parking spaces are also available in that area. If you have a disability and need more information, call (972) 617-3638.

Titt for Tatt-Digging in the Manure Pile

2007-06-16T04:16:00.000-07:00

I've noticed either Todd or one of his minions are posting quite a bit going after the Hargroves for some of the projects they have done in Red Oak. I've done some digging and found out some interesting information. Y'all can debate this here all you want. I'm going to continue to dig and ask questions and see what comes up.

There have been allegations that Casey Hargrove's father was involved in some less that upfront projects and indirectly involved the council person on this blog. I checked the records and "Houston, we have a problem".

The funny little catch to that is that all of the projects Casey's father has done in Red Oak were presided over and approved by King Todd I. I just cannot find Casey's name as councilperson while these projects were completed. Please educate me if I'm reading the records incorrectly or not getting it right. I would definitely like to know and will post a retraction if I'm mistaken in reading records. I'm confused by the major disconnect. Sounds like yet more disinformation is being posted "right here in River City" on the blog. One CAN make a classic political connection however; demonize the person personally if you cannot disassemble them politically. A classic Clintonian tactical ploy.....

So far, every project that Ben Little has done in Red Oak during Ken Pfeifer's tenure has received direct City assistance, either in the form of the City extending costly sewer lines to the southwest corner of 35/Ovilla, or on all the frontage on Ovilla around his strip center which was purchased from the City for below market value. I also found that Mr. Little and his father got a first right of refusal on the property (something I have never seen a city do), all of this while Little Toddie was Mayor. That may all be "legal" but it doesn't pass the smell test for this amateur wag.

Circumstantial and anecdotal evidence does not get it done in a court of law. I'm no lawyer but something walks, sounds and acts like a duck, it must BE a duck. Please "unconfuse me".
It personally bothers me to write this because reputations, and personalities are involved , but if posters really want to go there, the facts are not kind to the Littles. I'd like to see some rebuttal in defense of the way these projects were handled. I don't think it will happen. Please prove me wrong....I will post a retraction if I'm OBG on it.

To "Todd's and Dawn's troops"...be certain the wine you make is not crushed from sour grapes. Contrary to popular opinion, people that live in Red Oak are NOT stupid, uneducated, and politically passive. People ARE tired of the way things have been done, have spoken in several recent elections and will speak again at the Tuesday Special Meeting either yea or nay. The people's voice and will must be heard. Business should never be concluded in backroom or lunchtime deals made by the "good ole boys in charge" of managing city services. That's a Huey P. Long mentality and frankly we're way past "The Kingfish" era in Red Oak politics.....or are we? That's a question hopefully Mr. Pfieifer is prepared to answer on Tuesday night. His continued relationship with the City of Red Oak hinges upon his answer. As per Indiana Jones and the Crusader watching "the bad guy" turn to dust...."he chose wrongly."

We'll see you on Tuesday....yea or nay? It's your call....business as usual or significant change/clean up in how business is done in our city?

Dawn Little Part Deux

2007-06-15T19:37:00.000-07:00

Joey Dauben (Ellis County Observer Blog) is reporting that Dawn Little may run for Council again after the two sitting council persons must "retire" due to term limits. This is just Joey's reporting at this point but I really thought we were finally rid of the Little's influence in local politics.

Oh well...they're like the Energizer Bunny...they keep coming back and coming back...sorta' like an STD-a gift that keeps on "giving".

Maybe Ken Pfiefer would run against Sweet Little Dawnie. The election from Hell?

You Don't Say...Who Was it? He didn't say!

2007-06-15T17:48:00.001-07:00

Anonymous said...
based on this posting, is Eric or Scott mayor pro tem

I saw the weirdness on the announcement too. I didn't make it up...just copied and pasted it into A Red Oak Window Seat (AROWS-HA...I did just make THAT up!) Maybe one of the more sage readers can clarify it for us. I left Monday's meeting under the impression that Scott Lindsey was only nominated, not seconded and the vote died. I guess Mayor Bryce took a lesson from Senators Kennedy and McCain and just considered the dead vote a Council member's positive referendum that Scott was elected as Pro Tem... sorta' like the zombified Illegal Alien amnesty bill haunting the halls of Congress again after it died earlier this week. It's all about smoke and mirrors anyway. What a shew tonight folks....what a shew....! :<)

I heard from a reliable source that Eric Smith received four (4) phone calls immediately after the announcement was posted. Two of these calls were from Pfiefer, one call from Mayor Bryce and one call from Little Toddie (still can't get his fingers out of the frosting...geez...what does it take LittleToddie?) I'm going to poke a little fun and just name Todd Little as the defacto Mayor Pro Tem and resident "kingmaker" even though I don't think he could get elected for dog catcher at this point in the game.

Little Toddie...why don't you just go ahead and announce for Mayor and "Great Leader" or "Imperious Diety-Man of Red Oak" two years early so I can ROTFLMAO when the voters reject YOU too.

Put on your seat belts folks...push your tray tables to their upright positions...it's gonna' be a bumpy ride!

June 19th Special Meeting Announcement

2007-06-15T14:25:00.000-07:00

Well folks it's official, there's a Special City Council meeting called for June 19, 2007 at 7:00 PM for the following considerations in:

Open Session:

A. Discussion and evaluation of the employment of the City Attorney and consideration of approving any action as a result.

B. Discussion and evaluation of the employment of the City Manager and consideration of approving any action as a result.

I've copied and pasted the notice in smaller type. It should be on the City website soon. It was posted by the City Secretary today at 3:15 P.M.

I encourage all to pack the Council Chambers on Tuesday night. Pro or Con....this is a curious state of affairs for the City of Red Oak. I truly did not think this would be happening SO quickly. My first blush is that this is not the right time but there is NEVER a right time to consider a person's employment in a public venue.

Hopefully a quorum will be present and you will be present as well to view/judge these proceedings as taxpayers and voters.

Copied and Pasted from Agenda File:

AGENDA

NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING
RED OAK CITY COUNCIL
JUNE 19, 2007

Mayor: Ron Bryce
City Manager: Ken Pfeifer
Councilmembers:Eric Smith Mayor Pro Tem Scott Lindsey City Secretary:
Ben Goodwyn Casey Hargrove Judy Grant
Andy Bell

Notice is hereby given that a Special Meeting of the Red Oak City Council will be held on Tuesday, June 19, 2007, at 7:00 P.M., in the Council Chambers of the Red Oak Municipal Center, 200 Lakeview Parkway, Red Oak, Texas, at which time the following will be discussed and considered:

I. CALL TO ORDER – The Mayor will call the meeting to order, declare a quorum if present, and declare notices legally posted pursuant to Open Meetings Act.

II. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
.
III. COUNCIL BUSINESS – OPEN SESSION

A. Discussion and evaluation of the employment of the City Attorney and consideration of approving any action as a result.

B. Discussion and evaluation of the employment of the City Manager and consideration of approving any action as a result.

IV. ADJOURNMENT

CERTIFICATION

I certify that a copy of this Agenda to be considered by the Red Oak City Council was posted in accordance with the Texas Government Code, Chapter 551, on the 15th day of June, 2007, at 3:15 P.M.

Attested: _______________________________
Judy Grant, City Secretary

ACCESSIBILITY STATEMENT
The City Hall is wheelchair accessible. The entry ramp is located in front of the building. Accessible parking spaces are also available in that area. If you have a disability and need more information, call (972) 617-3638.

Walk Softly and Carry a BIG Economic Stick!

2007-06-14T20:04:00.000-07:00

I received an interesting response to the Monday night "drama-fest" at the Council meeting.

I'm posting my second response to an anonymous (as usual, a Viet Cong blogger) call for me to play fair and not be Ben Goodwyn's and Casey Hargrove's cheerleader, back-pocket liner, hack, Ben-lover, Ben and Casey's bootie-boy?, or whatever folks whose candidate lost the run-off feel they should call me at the moment. Here's what I think and how this blog will get handled. Hopefully, this makes things clear.

Anon...I wanted to break my responses into two parts to make it easier reading for all...

As far as the Little's owning land...I don't care less that they do...I DO care if an elected position is utilized as leverage in development of an area such as the SW quadrant. That goes for the Mayor, Council, or ANY elected position in RO.

If you have specific examples of Casey Hargrove or his father using his council seat as leverage, please post them with your real name or don't post them at all on this blog. Show us the list and I'll roast Casey just as well-done as you claim I should.

The ball's in your court anon...show us whatcha' got...it's crap or get off the pot.

If anyone has specific examples of Red Oak elected officials misusing, abusing, applying inappropriate political pressure or just plain using their elected position for economic gain, please send them to me with your real name. I post under my real name and if you want to roast someone here, you will need to have the cojones to do the same. Sorta' like sending a letter to the editor in any of the local print media...you must include your name and city on the letter to be published. We'll follow that process here too....unlike some other blogs...just to be different and a step above the norm.

If you just can't go this route, you really should get a big dose of "Git over It!", buck up and be an adult and post with your name anyway. :<)

Little Toddie and the Phantom Baylor Red Oak Vote

2007-06-13T17:22:00.000-07:00

Color me a newbie around here but I'll be "dawged" if I can find any references to a Red Oak City Council vote about a possible Baylor Hospital in Red Oak. A blog poster said upfront that councilpersons Ben Goodwyn and Casey Hargrove voted against it because it was on Little Toddie's papa's property.

Folks, I'm callin' BS pure and simple on that one. Maybe one of you more enlightened souls could point me in the right direction (the infernal regions are not an option...I have my get out of hell free card. ...see?)

There is nothing in the minutes about this proposal and its subsequent defeat. We all know the old adage about what walks and what talks...well....on this one there's a WHOLE LOTTA" Walkin' Goin' On!

Sounds like someone from Little Toddie's "Gang of Four" just threw something stinky against the wall to see if it would stick. How 'bout it Little Toddie? Care to post under your own name for a change and let's set the record straight since I'm in Ben Goodwyn's pocket, a Ben Goodwyn "hack" and a "Ben-lover" (definitely not...I'm not THAT kind of duck). Here's your chance...inquirin' minds (mine) wanna' know. :<)

Mayoral Recall? The King is Dead...Long Live the King!

2007-06-13T04:46:00.000-07:00

It didn't take long to read on this blog. A person has written that the mayor should be recalled. They cited 300 votes (approx.) to do this. They didn't waste any time eh?
This writer thinks that recalling the mayor now is the wrong move at the wrong time. The recent council elections were all about the continued reign of the City Manager, not the performance or lack thereof of the mayor.

Recalling the mayor would start a bloody internecine war in the Council chambers. There's way too much to do for a sidebar issue to derail the council's already strained relationship with the City Manager and Mayor.
The Mayor-Pro-Tem nomination fiasco showed the impotentance of Mayor Bryce and defined the current coalitions on the council. Mayor Bryce recalled himself by playing the heavy instead of the peacemaker Monday night.

Let's hold off on calls for the head of the king. He will willingly place his head on the block apparently by backing the wrong move and listening to poor advice. Hopefully he has learned from this one and will be his "own person".

My opinion is to take a good look at the role and function of the current city staff, are they doing their jobs, are we moving forward to expedite public works projects that have languished while the council "fiddles", why do we only have ONE (1) commercial building permit for this year and only 105 housing permits ("that's the economy stupid"-right?), and why our Economic Development Council has not closed on getting some major retail into our city. Those are major issues that impact my tax bill.

Kicking the mayor for being politically naive is a waste of energy. Please allow him to do that to himself or not. Let's see if he'll rise to the challenge. If not, let's take him out and replace him with Eric Smith for the remaining term....then Mr. Smith can run on HIS record. I'm not a betting person but I'd lay odds he'd kick any other potential contenders arse!

Baylor, Little Toddie, Big Little, Baylor, Life and the Universe and all that

2007-06-12T14:27:00.000-07:00

Why would Baylor consider putting a hospital-even a community hospital in Red Oak? They've got a hospital in Waxahachie, there's a community hospital in Lancaster and one of my favorite homes away from home of late-Charlton Methodist Hospital in Duncan-DeSot-Dallas. Methodist just opened a brand spankin' new facility in Mansfield but that probably wouldn't count. That doesn't make good economic sense given that the Waxahachie Baylor is rather small. Any thoughts anyone? Anyone actually know anything more than rumor or BS about this?

An anonymous writer wrote that Todd Little's daddy and Little Toddie hisownsef owned the property that Baylor was interested in looking "at" (poor usage...sorry). That old Southwest quadrant discussion comes up again and again. Guess we oughta' just follow the money right?

What are the real plans for that area around the Oaks "compound"? Anyone that has a clue is invited to "edumacate me" on this one.

I'm curious...what's the straight dope on all this? It's not the answer to the question of life, the universe and all that....that's 42 and already claimed by the dolphins..."thanks for all the fish"

Let's see what pops up...hopefully it will be interesting enough for "prime time".

Show Us The Money!

2007-06-12T06:12:00.000-07:00

Last night's Council meeting was like watching a group of pre-teens in a ballroom dance contest.

Casey Hargrove asked the City Engineer about 1.1 Million Dollars laying in two accounts called Engineering and Professional Services and about the function of this funding in the Red Oak Road Project.

The new City Engineer got caught in the web of BS woven by the City Manager months ago.

Apparently the City Manager was asked twice since November to provide an answer to this question and has never done so. That put the City Engineer in a very untenable position of having to defend the line items without complete knowledge of the "why and wherefore". It was written on her face. She tried to explain that $400K was set aside for "platting fees". Mr. Hargrove shot back that this was a little much for platting. I do believe Mr. Hargrove is quite qualified to make such statements as he is a developer. The CE "called for back-up" and frankly did not receive anything more than a request from Mr. Pfiefer to Mr. Hargrove to "please come by the office and staff would try and assuage Mr. Hargrove's concerns.

The exchange was left dangling at that point. The CE and City Manager were not looking very good at that time. Looking around the room, there was little Council support for the CE on this one. It was not a very good night for City staffers. Staff were caught unprepared. As a technical staffer, I know my budget, how it is to be spent, provide a full disclosure and am able to anticipate and answer questions from my respective boards when making a public report.

My point? Why is this money laying around doing nothing for the project. If it is contingency funding, call it contingency and answer Council questions. It's a very simple process to move funds from one line item to another. If this money could be used to expedite the project, why is it such a contentious issue for the Council and City Manager? That's a managerial disconnect in my book...not a conspiracy.

I'll keep an eye on this one. I'm thinking some of the Council members are starting to build their cases. This is minor; but, a "lack of confidence" and "style differences" have sunk many a professional in the real world.

Fireworks Pro-Tem Style-It Ain't the 4th of July

2007-06-11T21:42:00.000-07:00

The City Council meeting tonight was full of fireworks even before Mayor Bryce pushed his pet fireworks show project to the public. The meeting was primarily to nominate and select a new Mayor Pro-Tempore. It was anything but a traditional formality.

Mayor Bryce nominated Scott Lindsey for the Pro-Tem position and asked for a second. No second was forthcoming. The room was silent. Scott Lindsey read a prepared "statement of outrage" about the lack of a second in the room. It was a hypocritical/cynical attempt by the mayor to push his choice through. Scott looked like a chump reading this prepared statement.

Councilperson Eric Smith would have none of this by the "so called mayor". He called out Mayor Bryce citing a personal phone call regarding the Pro-Tem position. He intimated that it was about the position but would not disclose the subject of the call. The comments between the Mayor, Scott Lindsey and Eric Smith were heated and politically driven. It was almost as good as Dallas City Council shouting matches between Al Lipscomb and Laura Miller "in the day". At the end, the Mayor dropped the subject, no one was nominated again and the entire pro-tempore process has been derailed until the next meeting.

Analysis:

The mayor was KO'd in the second round by a set of council members that would not be cowed. Hope he gets the notice!
The mayor was shown to "have no clothes" in this arena. His leadership was suspect as he watched his crafted performance to achieve his goals of having his people in the power seats of the Council crumble as the Council sat in silence waiting for someone to second the nomination. That silence was deafening for all in chambers.
Mr. Smith is and will be the "kingmaker" for the next several months as both the pro and anti Mayor groups woo him for swing votes. Hopefully Mr. Smith can weather the BS and be his own person-representing the people in HIS place.

Bottom Line:

A big split has opened up between the pro Mayor faction and the anti City Manager faction. This is the opening two rounds. I'm hoping Pfiefer has his resume ready

Score: Anti City Manager folks: 2 Mayor: Nil