WISDBlog.com | Exposing Waxahachie ISD

Photos | Parents Picket Waxahachie Jr. High

2011-11-26T09:24:00.000-08:00

Original Post: http://www.elliscountyobserver.com/?p=35106

WAXAHACHIE -- Remember when parents picketed in front of the junior high on those blistery cold days in 2003? Linda Gallegos organized a protest attended by just a few people -- four tops maybe -- two straight days I believe -- in front of the junior high, handing out fliers and copies of The Ellis County Press articles when I covered the "undercover drug sweep" incident. What happened was a little snitch inside WJH (probably a teacher or an assistant) pinpointed several students as having drugs. One of those suspected seventh graders loaned his jacket to Linda's daughter to wear. Then she became implicated by association. After being hauled into the principal's office, assistant Larry Sutton and Kay Timmerman both threatened her with suspension if she did not (a) remove the jacket and (b) lift up her blouse so that they could search for the non-existent drugs. In fact, of the 10 or 12 students originally implicated, when searched, they, too, had no drugs on them.

[See Also: WISDBlog.com | The Waxahachie Watch: Facebook.com/WaxWatch]

Click on each image for a larger view
Photos: Joey G. Dauben/Circa 2003

What does re-posting these protest photos have to do with anything? Well, it shows just how one or two persons can truly affect change in our local governments. Those principals were reassigned or resigned to take positions elsewhere. The Waxahachie Daily Lieght did not cover one sentence of any of this back then. Also, there could be some school district wanting to check out the background on several administrators, so at least we can provide the "electronic paper trail" for researchers to accidentally stumble upon...

[See Also: WISDBlog.com | The Waxahachie Watch: Facebook.com/WaxWatch]

These are more recent photos (a year ago) of Highway 77 protests in Waxahachie. The point being, there are only a few people at these protests, but the direct effects of them are much more powerful than the scoffers, critics and malcontents lash on them for.

[See Also: WISDBlog.com | The Waxahachie Watch: Facebook.com/WaxWatch]

Waxahachie High School Principal Has Fake Degree

2011-07-13T08:44:00.000-07:00

David Nix, the high school principal, is using a fake degree, and yet, that's not been worthy enough to put on the radar for the local media -- except for mine. Click here for the fake-degree story: http://www.elliscountyobserver.com/2011/04/20/waxahachie-isd-principal-david-nix-resume-released/

No Theft Charges Against Ex-Principal John Aune for Theft

2011-07-13T08:42:00.000-07:00

The Waxahachie ISD will not pursue theft-by-public-servant charges against former Ninth Grade Academy principal John Aune. The Ellis County Observer -- and only this Web site -- first reported about Aune stealing students, teachers and parents blind, thousands upon thousands of dollars. This would be a felony, but it looks like Aune, who was forced to resign, gets to walk away --- but, a good thing, anyone in education in Texas will have only a Google search's worth of the truth about him. Aune's a super-nice guy, but he's also a crook, a crook that needs to go to jail. So far, the media blackout on this story is not surprising: the Waxahachie Daily Light hasn't written one word; The Ellis County Press hasn't written one word. They are just as guilty of stealing from the public as Aune was, except they steal people's trust.

And, David Nix, the high school superintendent, is using a fake degree, and yet, that's not been worthy enough to put on the radar for the local media -- except for mine. Click here for the fake-degree story: http://www.elliscountyobserver.com/2011/04/20/waxahachie-isd-principal-david-nix-resume-released/

See Also: The Ellis County Observer's John Aune coverage: http://www.elliscountyobserver.com/index.php?s=john+aune

Waxahachie Cheerleader Arrested for Shoplifting

2010-07-01T23:52:00.000-07:00

WISDBlog.com and The Ellis County Observer readers alleged that a Waxahachie High School varsity cheerleader was arrested in February for shoplifting at the Parks Mall in Arlington.

These readers requested an incident/police report and when they obtain it, WISDBlog.com will publish it.

The cheerleader is alleged to have been Cheyanne Oliver.

Developing...

Watch Your (Ballot) Language | Waxahachie ISD Edition

2010-03-25T07:23:00.000-07:00

I have the bond ballot language that voters in Waxahachie ISD will see on Saturday, May 8. There are two propositions -- one for $22,750,000 - and one for $6 million. Both of these propositions have broad language. So broad that if the WISD school board wanted to make "campus renovations" mean "a luxury latte bar with valet parking," they could legally do so. If you think that's far-fetched, ask your WISD school board why they voted to switch a campus several years ago from what was on the ballot as a multi-grade campus to an 8th grade-only campus. They did this even after the voters approved the school proposition for a multi-grade campus (that vote was 6-1, with Mark Price dissenting.)

Really Quick Side Notes:

1. We still haven't forgotten about the whole WISD Mike Wright/German vacation that this athletic improvements guru took last fall have we? Wouldn't want a conflict-of-interest that WISD lawyers said was legit cloud a little bond election would we? Then again, we wouldn't want news of a Waxahachie High School coach-student sex relationship to break before graduation either, right?

2. Here's an entire list of .PDF images that show what those "athletic improvements" and "campus renovations" are. THOSE ARE SEPARATE FROM WHAT CAN ACTUALLY BE APPROVED ON MAY 8. Do not forget that. Please do not forget that important matter. Save, keep those lists, because if a mosque goes up inside the cafeteria at one of the "campuses" to be "renovated," you'll understand how it came about.

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Those who will remember my Midlothian "Watch Your (Ballot) Language" will see just how particular I am with lawyer-drafted words. Their words and our words are TOTALLY DIFFERENT WORDS. They mean TOTALLY DIFFERENT THINGS.

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[Read How I Helped Defeat the Midlothian ISD Bond W/Their Own Bond Ballot Language]

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Now read for yourselves what these bond propositions say explicitly, and note how the bond ballot language is so broad, that those words can mean anything.

PROPOSITION NO. 1
THE ISSUANCE OF $22,175,000 OF SCHOOL BUILDING BONDS FOR ATHLETIC FACILITIES AND LEVYING THE TAX IN PAYMENT THEREOF.

PROPOSITION NO. 2
THE ISSUANCE OF $5,945,000 OF SCHOOL BUILDING BONDS FOR CAMPUS RENOVATIONS AND LEVYING THE TAX IN PAYMENT THEREOF.

Look at "athletic facilities." What the hell are "athletic facilities?" Your glossy promotional fliers and your WISD bond propaganda give you a list of what they want to do with that money, but OF A VOTE OF A MAJORITY OF WISD SCHOOL BOARD TRUSTEES, those lists don't mean jack shit. Do you people not remember the last bond that passed? A 6-1 vote changed --- COMPLETELY --- a campus that voters had thought was going to be a multi-grade campus. The WISD board VOTED TO CHANGE IT.

[Read How I Helped Defeat the Midlothian ISD Bond W/Their Own Bond Ballot Language]

"Athletic facilities" could include anything a lawyer says is "legal" to do. Ask Midlothian ISD how they got a damn basketball arena. That sure as hell wasn't mass-promoted in the last bond election or two.

What about "campus renovations?" What in the world are "campus renovations?" Sure, you've been given a list and glossy promo items showing you what they plan to do with the money, but that doesn't mean jack shit.

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[Read How I Helped Defeat the Midlothian ISD Bond W/Their Own Bond Ballot Language]

In a horrible economy such as this, I don't see how the taxpayers can shoulder MORE AND MORE AND MORE DEBT. Those are what bonds are. DEBT. Those bonds are debt to be paid off by the Interest & Sinking (I&S) portion of the school tax rate. If you hear that your taxes will not go up to pay off this debt, THEY ARE LYING TO YOU. Debt payments always increase, either by inflation or other factors.

Plus, what bond market on Wall Street seriously gives one crap about Waxahachie ISD?

What? Wall Street? What do you mean, Joey?

Bonds are approved at the local level. They are SOLD in municipal bond markets on Wall Street or other exchanges, but usually on Wall Street. Investors "invest" in getting the schools built and receive sometimes-stable returns on their investments, paid for by DEBT PAYMENTS AT THE LOCAL LEVEL.

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[Read How I Helped Defeat the Midlothian ISD Bond W/Their Own Bond Ballot Language]

Does this not sound like the governmental version of a credit-default swap? You're bundling a bunch of debt and bonds together, packaging them as "governmental debt," or "campus renovations" or "athletic improvements" with a TAX TO PAY FOR IT (note that it doesn't say what RATE of a tax rate...WATCH THE KEY WORDS, SHEEPLE!), and then securitizing them.

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It's not a "credit-default swap" because this is governmental debt. Those bonds would never, ever, ever be used to hide, conceal things, oh no, not at all. Campus renovations can include anything they want. If WISD were to go bankrupt tomorrow with unemployment, riots, societal collapse, lack of property tax collections, those Wall Street boys would be calling in their friends in the Federal Government to rescue them and say, "hey, bail out the bond markets, WAXAHACHIE ISD JUST DEFAULTED."

[Read How I Helped Defeat the Midlothian ISD Bond W/Their Own Bond Ballot Language]

THIS is stuff you won't read in the Waxahachie Daily Light, and it sure as hell isn't stuff you'll read in WISD brochures or the pro-deception marketing campaigns that sold WISD voters a multi-grade campus in 2007 only to have a 6-1 school board vote change it to a single-grade campus.

Updates: Ex-Coach Arrested on 2 Felonies

2009-08-10T14:57:00.000-07:00

Sunday's Waxahachie Daily Light (Aug 9), it was reported that coach Chris Cameron was arrested on two felonies. Here are a few updates:

According to Megan Gray at The Ellis County Press, she has just obtained the arrest warrant and a mug shot of Chris Cameron.

I am not going to allow the Waxahachie Daily Light to run this guy’s life through the mud. Yes, what occurred between he and the 18-year-old drill team captain was against a bad law. BUT…

According to the story hitting the front page tomorrow in the ECP, the warrant reports that Cameron and Heather Styles engaged in sexual activity “2 to 3 times a week” for over a month.

This girl and her family and the local media will NOT get away with driving a coach’s reputation and life into the hole. If anything at all, BOTH should go down. Equally.

Some might wonder why I’m so ardent in my defense of Cameron. I say this:

Had this been CHRISTINA Cameron, a female coach, and a male student, there would not be a crucify mentality.

Heather Styles is not a victim. She was a willing participant.

Plus, no one seems to advocate for people. I figure since no one else will stake out a claim to defend people (minus a few people, but it’s still rare), I’m going to make sure that at least if anything, the public will get a FULL and FAIR balance, not just a “male-coach-on-female-student-oh-then-he-must-be-sent-away.”

Nope.

If anything, this case has only begun…

I can’t wait to see the story on the front page of the ECP this week.

Those “rumors” weren’t false after all. But I know that any cry for rape or whatever will be met with an immense amount of judgment. So as the guy who broke the original story two days before graduation, I’m going to stick this one out, popular or unpopular as it may be.

-Joey

WISD/WDL Suppression is Harming 'The Children'

2009-06-06T09:27:00.000-07:00

The students, staff and others at Waxahachie High School knew about, talked about and covered up for the alleged sexual relationship between Cherokee Charmer drill team captain, Heather Styles, and coach Christopher Cameron are jeopardizing and putting "the children" in harm's way.

The suppression by the Waxahachie Daily Light is also troubling.

Personal opinions aside, these allegations were made known to Waxahachie ISD on May 22. The Ellis County Observer posted the allegations for the first time publicly on June 3.

Why the need to suppress this information from the public? Even if it wasn't true, accusations this serious should have been met with a full-court press by the coach and district to clear the coach or staff member's name.

And of all places, the father of the alleged co-participant has to find out about it on a blog? Published by a guy who lives 2,500 miles away at that?

There is a lot of firepower being directed towards me personally for putting this stuff out there. That is totally a misdirection of built-up anger. You people should be directing your sights on the flipping WISD for covering this shit up, and to JoAnn Livingston, who had this information but decided to keep it under wraps.

WISDBlog.com has a lot of archives of The Ellis County Press articles that I wrote from 2002-2004 when I covered WISD. There are things in those articles that prompted indictments on the people bringing the issues out in the public. Totally misdirected and corrupt. But that stuff was critical in defeating a few trustees, running off a superintendent and a business-finance director and altering - slightly - the makeup of the WISD administration building.

Someone over at WISD needs to apologize to the parents of every single one of those WHS s tudents for keeping this crap suppressed.

When you make the uncomfortable something public, and start a dialogue on problems instead of suppressing them, then we can truly move forward.

But I see a good 'old boy network within every inch and level of Waxahachie, from city hall to WHS. And it will be exposed until every ounce of corruption is rooted out and exposed.

Coach-Student Sexual Relationship Alleged

2009-06-06T07:21:00.000-07:00

The original blog post at The Ellis County Observer was June 3, 2009. In a mad scramble for damage control, the Waxahachie Daily Light published a story (below) about Waxahachie ISD's comments on the allegations.

Original Post | June 3, 2009

Coach-Student Sexual Relationship Alleged

Students at Waxahachie High School have alleged that the captain of the Cherokee Charmers drill team, Heather Styles, and a coach at the school, Christopher Cameron, had engaged in a sexual relationship but that an "agreement" was made with local media to hold off on the story until after this weekend's graduation.

Personal views aside here (which are, students 18 or older are adults regardless of where they attend school), if true, this would completely turn WHS and WISD's relationship with the Waxahachie Daily Light upside down.

Again, these are the allegations, and according to athletes at the school, they were made aware of the situation this week.
According to sources at WHS, the story was to come out after graduation.

(That was, until it came to me)

Now, I'll say this about my views. One, had it been a male student and female coach or teacher (assuming she was hot), there wouldn't be much to this.

But, with this being a reversed situation, if she's 18, she's an adult. There are laws against student-teacher relationships already, regardless of age, but this thing happens more than one might think.

Here's the follow-up on the Observer that ignited a firestorm, as the allegations were made known to WISD and Waxahachie High School on May 22. It was kept hush-hush until the Observer published the allegations on June 3.

WISDBlog.com was launched to remind Dr. Joe Langley of his record on the school board for this year's re-election race. I have a history of writing articles for The Ellis County Press that nailed WISD on issues that would have never, ever, ever seen the light of day at the mis-named Daily "Light."

And, here's a post on June 4 the day of the WDL article that hit:

Coach-Student Allegations Known Since May 22

This is exactly what I've been waiting for, and confirmed yesterday: there was an agreement in place with the Waxahachie Daily Light and Waxahachie ISD (either spoken, which is usually the case, or otherwise, there was still an agreement) to hold back the story that a coach, Christopher Cameron, and a student, Heather Styles (also the drill team captain), engaged in a sexual relationship.

The WDL reported as such late yesterday after the ECO broke the story wide open:

[Original Post on the ECO: http://www.elliscountyobserver.com/?p=7134]

WISD allegation under investigation
By JOANN LIVINGSTON
Daily Light Managing Editor
Published: Wednesday, June 3, 2009 8:52 PM CDT
Waxahachie ISD officials have issued the following statement relating to allegations of potential misconduct involving a teacher and a student.

In a statement released to the Daily Light on Wednesday, officials said the district was given information May 22 pertaining to the allegations, at which time the employee was immediately suspended with pay pending an investigation.

So, this is not new news obviously. The students who came forward yesterday should all be commended.

Regardless of the investigation results, my stance does not change: let adults make adult decisions as we do already. It really shouldn't be a felony to do something that most every male reader this blog has would do to their "hot" teacher. Just because the roles are reversed shouldn't be cause to create a double standard.

That was my personal view. Now comes the hard part: finding spies inside our local schools to release information and leak it before the establishment paper(s) have any knowledge and/or agreement not to publish anything.

Why Ellis County, Texas?

2009-05-02T17:28:00.001-07:00

Waxahachie School Board Approves Stadium Turf Repairs

2009-04-28T12:44:00.000-07:00

How flipping hard is it to do a vote count? Waxahachie Daily Light reporters are either doing this on purpose or JoAnn Livingston doesn't want people to know who the taxpayer advocates are when she's editing stories.

On a 4-2 vote, the Waxahachie school board opted to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on a football field turf in the worst economy in years. I'm guessing the no votes came from Lorinda Yates and Mark Price.

There's a surplus in bond revenues in Waxahachie? Those ought to be turned into rebate checks and sent out to the taxpayers, not kept accruing in an account somewhere as the school board's personal slush fund.

Stadium turf repairs OK'd
By MIKE SACKETT
Daily Light correspondent
Published: Tuesday, April 28, 2009 12:58 PM CDT
During a special called meeting Monday, Waxahachie ISD board members approved a $655,828 renovation to the turf at Lumpkin’s Stadium.
With both coach David Ream and architect Richard McDonald citing safety concerns if nothing was done, the district’s director of support services, Mike Wright, gave a presentation illustrating drainage problems with the stadium floor.
McDonald, who was hired by the district to study the drainage problem and recommend renovations, told trustees the drainage problems are more present on the home sidelines.
“There should be no water ever standing there after even a moderate rain,” McDonald said.
Wright’s photographs showed water standing along the sidelines after a recent rain. He also showed photos of a water test on the subsurface and drainage pipe.
“There is 6 inches of water that is discolored, meaning it has been there awhile,” Wright said, while showing photographs indicating the current drainage system is failing.
Trustee Jim Phillips asked what would happen to the adjacent track if the drainage is not corrected.
“The track subsurface will swell and heave, causing at first a wave effect on the track and ultimately causing the track surface to crack,” McDonald said, with Ream noting that would create a very unsafe condition.
McDonald discussed his recommendations for repairs.
“As a part of our evaluation, we did soil samples on the subsurface and dirt below the floor covering,” he said. “At this time it is stable and will not need additional work. If the drainage conditions remain as they are, damage to this will happen and result in the ground requiring restabilization.”
Answering questions from the trustees, McDonald and Wayne Pohe of Ponder Corporation, which sells turf, said the product has a life span of about eight years. The subsurface materials and drainage should last from 16 to 24 years, it was noted.
The best way to ensure good drainage that will protect both the track and football field would be to install a trench drain along the track edge that would also provide a smooth transition between the edge and the sideline.
McDonalds also recommended a product called Liga Turf with an E-layer below the turf. “The E-layer is an extra cushioning material that adds to the safety factor, providing a cushioned playing surface,” he said.
Pohe said he has seen turf made from the material last up to 12 years.
Trustee Max Simpson turned the discussion to financing.
“How are we going to pay for this and where is the money coming from?” Simpson asked, with Phillips responding there is surplus bond monies from 1999, 2001 and 2005. Simpson noted that the balance of those bond accounts is $3,829,313.
Teresa Thomas, assistant superintendent of finance, said the older bond monies need to be spent and that surplus bond monies are earned after the original funded project is completed.
Trustee Lorinda Yates said she felt this is a bad time to spend money on the stadium.
“There are other needs of the district that need addressing. I am frequently asked when something is going to be repaired or replaced or a program funded,” she said.
Thomas reminded Yates and the trustees, “We cannot spend bond money on salaries or move it into the general fund.”
“We have the funds. We currently have a $3.3 million surplus,” Phillips said, making a motion to approve the turf project and pay for it from the bond money, leaving a remaining balance of $2,018,744.
Phillips’ motion detailed accepting a bid from Universal Construction for $230,128 for base work, turf alternative No. 5 Liga Turf with an E-layer and a trench drain adding $65,800 to the project.
The motion was accepted by a 4-2 vote.
McDonald said construction would begin May 18, with completion set for the second week in August.

Teacher Says Contract Was Renewed. WISD Says it Wasn't.

2009-04-10T18:47:00.001-07:00

The Monday Waxahachie school board meeting could be good.

An unidentified teacher will make his/her case in open session before the Waxahachie school board that his contract was renewed. One trustee said it was renewed, but the district's administration said it was never renewed.

There have been previous conflicts between what WISD administration has said and what the school board has been made aware of.

Visit WISDBlog.com to find out the scoop on the things you won't read in the Waxahachie Daily Light.

View WISD's Monday agenda here...

Dr. Joe Has Got to Go

2009-03-09T19:42:00.001-07:00

Dr. Joe has got to go

Six candidates are running for Waxahachie school board, one the target of my new Web site, WISDBlog.com.

Dr. Joe Langley, pastor at Park Meadows Baptist Church in our county seat of 30,000, has been on the school board since my devastating news articles in this paper several years ago that exposed numerous allegations of corruption.

Those articles, while in 2003 and 2004, are still relevant today because Langley has not been held accountable for his service on the school board when this corruption was being ignored and covered up his school board and the Waxahachie Daily Light.

Langley, trustees Mark Price and John Colwell each face each other, as well as Kevin Crouch, Gary Fox and Velmea Wisdom in the May 9 election. Price was Ellis County's former treasurer, serving from 1992 to 2002, and has voted against every tax increase to come before the Waxahachie school board when he was elected in 2003.

Colwell got elected as a reform-type trustee but he's slid into the Langley mold on a few votes, but recently, he's found his conscience and voted against a proposal to hire an architect to design the Waxahachie Indians' new football turf and field.

That football turf cost WISD taxpayers $800,000 to replace. Langley voted in favor of spending almost $1 million - along with three other trustees - in the worst economy since the Great Depression - when the WISD's own statistics showed that the Indians could still play risk-free for another year. Price voted against spending that money, along with Evelyn Coleman and Jim Phillips. Colwell sided with Langley, Lorinda Yates and Max Simpson.

It didn't help that WISD's biggest cheerleader and establishment figure Ken Roberts of KBEC Radio went on a "the-sky-is-falling" rant in the WDL about how horrible it would be for Indian fans to play in neighboring stadiums.

Langley's Record
Langley allowed for a male principal at the junior high school to sit in an office while a female assistant principal searched up the blouse of a girl who had been threatened with suspension if she didn't allow the two school administrators to search her for drugs.

WJH had just conducted an undercover "drug sweep" and implicated 12 students for possession of drugs; the then-14-year-old Tarah Gallegos had worn a jacket worn by one of the 12 and was called into the principal's office where the search took place.

Langley allowed for it because he - and others on the school board - did not push for an investigation, or a firing, or any retribution for the actions of the school administrators. Gallegos' mom, Linda, organized a series of WJH protests the following weeks.

Armed with signs, posters, banners and other parents, Gallegos' message that those actions were not right got through: two front-page photos in this paper showing the protest were plastered into our news stands and the principals later left the district or were reassigned.

Financial Corruption
Those two front-page stories about the drug searches led the way for more dirt to be uncovered, this time at the very top levels of WISD leadership.

Aside from a school board meeting to discuss financial mismanagement at 8 a.m. on a cold Saturday morning that only one media outlet attended (me), Langley helped cover up for Superintendent Bobby Parker Jr.'s financial issues; Parker later retired, but the business finance director, Dan Davis, who had been accused of overbilling NASA for Space Shuttle Columbia wreckage recovery among other things, resigned. Around that time, two trustees seeking re-election - Linda Alvarez and David Walker - lost. Other employment among WISD officials altered as well.

Langley, as a pastor of a large church in Waxahachie, has not so much as questioned anyone involved in the financial mismanagement of the district. Ever. I've covered WISD school board meetings in the past, and not one single time has this wishy-washy trustee ever spoken up in favor of accountability and responsibility.

He has always voted with the WISD. Every. Single. Time. He was Parker's biggest supporter and he refused to take a stand against the myriad issues of corruption.

The WISD school board even voted to seek a forensic audit with the state because of massive allegations of financial corruption. The forensic audit's sole goal and purpose, despite Parker's then-damage control to the WDL, was to look for criminal violations.

When WISD Administration couldn't answer questions about where money was being stashed away, the school board voted - Langley supported this - taking out a tax anticipation note to pay for payroll expenses.

Bait-and-Switch
Back in 2006, WISD taxpayers approved $59 million in bond debt to pay for brand-new campuses, among other things. What happened the next year was outright fraud and should have resulted in the firing of WISD's bond attorneys.

Langley helped a 6-1 vote (Price voted against this) with changing one of the district's intermediate schools to an eighth grade center. The bond proposition that taxpayers adopted called for an intermediate school, but by a vote of the WISD, it was switched to Howard Eighth Grade Center.

This is and was misleading to the voters. Speaking of Howard, construction delays this school year forced some students to be bused to across-town campuses. And the biggest issue of all: despite being told by WISD Administration last budget year that new campuses had electric bills paid for, the WISD school board voted 4-3 to dip into their savings account (called a reserve fund) and shell out $500,000 to pay the bills.

Langley then went around on a public crusade to dismiss the whole "deficit budget" allegations. He lied. And he continues to lie to the taxpayers in WISD because he has helped cover up for the worst financial mismanagement and corruption south of Lancaster ISD.

Then there's the massive construction defects on WISD schools (Shackelford, WJH) that resulted in two whistleblower employees being indicted for government records tampering. That indictment came after this paper plastered photos and documents showing lead containmination at the water fountains of Marvin Elementary and the massive water leaks and rodent problems at other schools those two brave employees released records on.

This May 9 election is going to be intriguing and exciting, and it will have my name all over it. I haven't forgotten what happened years ago. This year, the taxpayers won't either.

May 9 Election | 6 Candidates for 3 Seats

2009-03-09T18:10:00.000-07:00

WISD | Elections 2009

Candidates that filed for the school board positions are as follows :

Incumbents:

Joe Langley - Pastor, Park Meadows Baptist Church

John Colwell - Colwell Oil and Fuel Distributor

Mark Price - Denton County Assistant County Treasurer

Additional candidates running:

Kevin Crouch - Student

Gary Fox - Retired Teacher / Singer

Velmea Wisdom - Housewife

Waxahachie ISD Inflated Attendance Figures

2009-03-09T17:35:00.000-07:00

Dr. Joe Langley was on the school board for this one too.

TEA: Waxahachie ISD inflated attendance figures, ordered to pay back funds

MEGAN GRAY
The Ellis County Press
WAXAHACHIE - Waxahachie ISD was found to have inflated the average daily attendance (ADA) figures used to collect state aid, according to a Texas Education Agency audit.

TEA’s financial audit division found the errors in a demand for total repayment of $107,699, according to statistics recently released in past TEA audits and a 2007 report from the Legislative Budget Board, a state body that conducts performance reviews on school districts.

According to the June 06 TEA audit, when WISD was ordered to repay the TEA $43,808. The following year ( March 07), auditors told WISD to pay $63,891 for the inflated attendance records.

Some of the findings from the Legislative Budget Board, a 323-page performance review, include:

• WISD lacks the appropriate segregation of duties to provide internal controls over payroll

• The WISD does not effectively use its automated work order system to manage the district’s maintenance operations.

• WISD has not conducted a physical inventory of assets since April 2003 and is not following the internal control process documented in the district’s administrative regulations to manage its assets. The 2003 fixed assets records showed the district had more than $17 million of capital and controlled assets, but an inventory conducted in the same year found $3.2 million of these assets were missing.

From January to May 2004, according to the report, the district researched the missing items and located $900,000 of the assets and determined $2.1 million of the assets had been disposed of, and more than $114,000 of the assets were still missing.

In 2002 and 2003, The Ellis County Press utilized reams of public documents and helped uncover financial mismanagement in the WISD that ultimately resulted in the resignations and retirements of the business finance director (Bobby Parker and Dan Davis), two school trustees losing re-election races (David Walker, Linda Alvarez) and a tampering with government charges on former WISD maintenance employees who released the public documents.

They later alleged Davis of possibly overbilling NASA during the Columbia space shuttle disaster in 2003, when debris landed on district-owned property and buildings.

In addition, school board trustees met at 8 a.m. on Saturday mornings to discuss financial problems with the district, a move critics said was an attempt to cover up problems.

Then-school board president Marylou Patterson, after the ECP reported on various financial issues, resigned and moved to Montana.

WISD officials could not be reached for comment as of press time for this article.

The following issue of the ECP had WISD's response.

Dr. Joe Langley Allowed Male Principal to Watch Girl Getting Fondled

2009-03-09T17:28:00.000-07:00

Dr. Joe Langley was on the WISD school board when then-14-year-old Tarah Gallegos was searched up her blouse after Waxahachie Jr. High used undercover drug snitches to bust 12 students...

Tarah's only guilt was wearing one of the jackets that one of the infamous 12 gave her.

Drugs were not found on any student in this undercover drug sweep, according to WISD.

[Click Here to See the Front Page Story About the Drug Sweep]

Langley was on the school board when it came out that both a male and female principal had carted Tarah into the principal's office and threatened her with suspension if she did not allow for them to search up her blouse.

Langley covered up for the district by not speaking out against this heinous crime.

Had this been anyone else, those people would be in jail.

[Click Here to See the Follow-Up Front Page Story About the Drug Sweep]

WISD's Taxpayer Debt Load Just Got Larger

2009-03-09T17:20:00.000-07:00

Dr. Joe Langley has voted for tax increases and more debt during his tenure on the WISD school board.

Taxpayers owe $154 million+ in debt, thanks to some of what Langley has done.

$500,000 of that debt came from the WISD's reserve funds because WISD Administration lied and said they had budgeted funds for new campuses' electric bills. Langley then went around lying to people in public and said it wasn't really deficit budget.

$800,000 of money WISD really can't afford to spend has just gone to the Lumpkins Stadium football field. The Indians can still utilize the field for one more year, but during this piss-poor economy, Dr. Joe votes to squander more money. For football.

Dr. Joe Langley Lies About $500,000, then Votes for $800,000 Mistake

2009-03-09T17:17:00.000-07:00

Dr. Joe Langley needs to be defeated for re-election in May.

There are some major problems going on financially with the Waxahachie ISD, and one has to do with the football field at Lumpkins Stadium being in such derelict (like Dr. Joe’s tenure on the school board) condition that the Indians might have to play home games at such places as Midlothian.

It’ll cost the WISD $800k.

What about the issue that only The Ellis County Press put out about the $500,000 that was spent from the WISD reserve funds when the administration said they didn’t budget for new campus electric bills?

It’s about time the Waxahachie Daily Light stop covering up for their handlers in the WISD.

And let’s not forget the Superintendent Bobby Parker Jr. administration of which Dr. Joe was on the board helping cover up for that financial corruption. There are links to articles and stories that I wrote a few years ago that exposed all of this, and Dr. Joe is the last holdout.

It’s time for him to go. And it’s time for another spring cleaning in the WISD Admin Building.

See, even from 2,000 miles away, I have some unfinished business to take care of …

Even one of Langley's challengers, Kevin Crouch, had this to say about Dr. Langley's deception:

I was very shocked to see the fiscal irresponsibility that continues to come from President Dr. Langley’s votes. He voted not only for the deficit budget, but also pushed an immediate vote for spending the $800K for the replacement of the Lumpkins Stadium turf and substructure repair, and to mention the possibility of the Indians playing at other fields. This would significantly hurt the budget of the WHS Band, which is already struggling with funding that is substantially less than that of other area programs, considering the fact that the band gets the grand majority of its money from sales in the concession stand at Indian home games.

Langley Lies About Deficit Budget

2009-03-09T17:16:00.000-07:00

WISD also passed a deficit budget this year after having to dip into their reserve funds (savings account) to shell out $500,000 in electric bill expenditures on new campuses.

This was after WISD trustees asked, asked, asked (and received lies) from WISD Administration that money had already been budgeted for new campus electricity bills.

That vote passed 4-3, with Langley voting for it and then outright lying later on.

Dr. Joe Langley's Bait and Switch Mislead Voters

2009-03-09T17:15:00.001-07:00

There are more 4-3 votes coming out of the Waxahachie school board meetings. We’ll post details and the latest news from last night’s board meeting in which ironically, the WISD can’t seem to spend enough money before the May 10 election.

That’s bad news for board president Dr. Joe Langley, who is seeking another three-year term. Trustees Mark Price and John Colwell are expected to file again as well.

Some flashback news is warranted in this run-up to the local city/school elections. Back in 200? (’04 or ‘06?), WISD taxpayers were blinded by the colorful marketing that passed several propositions in a bond election.

After all of the signs, brochures and BS subsided, the WISD school board voted 6-1 to switch/change/alter/go-against-the-voter-initiative a campus that was going to be an intermediate school into an 8th grade center.

Some might say that’s not a big deal. However, I say it’s a huge deal. It was advertised and billed to the public as an intermediate school, but by one vote of the WISD school board, that campus changed. In other words, WISD and their biggest bond backers used a bait-and-switch.

It’s not only misleading, it’s unethical, it’s dishonest, and I plan to 100% take full advantage of it during this election. Mark Price, Ellis County’s former treasurer and last remaining countywide Democrat, voted against that switch.

Langley voted for it and I believe Colwell did as well (record keepers, correct me if I’m wrong please.)

This is going to be the most explosive local election ever. I can feel it. All we need now are candidates willing to call a spade a spade and stop this hemorrhaging of tax dollars.

Waxahachie Elementary School Had Lead in Water Fountains

2009-03-09T17:07:00.000-07:00

The documents prove it, but Dr. Joe Langley was on the school board when this came to light.

His response? Nothing. Absolutely nothing.

Marvin Elementary had lead contamination in its drinking fountains. Did that ever get published in the Waxahachie Daily Light? Nope, but I made sure the ECP had it (back page)

Dr. Joe Langley Covered Up for Supt. Bobby Parker

2009-03-09T17:03:00.000-07:00

Dr. Joe Langley will have to answer for all of what The Ellis County Press exposed several years ago:

Keep in mind that these articles were done during Parker's reign in office - he left the district in 2004. When it was all written and done, Parker was gone. His business finance director (Dan Davis) was gone. Two school board trustees lost re-election. There were major shake-ups in the administration building after The Ellis County Press ripped WISD officials a new one.

Langley will have to answer for an 8 a.m. Saturday meeting to keep controversial and embarrassing budget information from public inspection (I attended that meeting, by the way.)

[[[[Click Here to View Bobby Parker's WISD Past]]]]
[[[[Click Here to View Bobby Parker's WISD Past]]]]
[[[[Click Here to View Bobby Parker's WISD Past]]]]

Parker responded to The Ellis County Press via the Waxahachie Daily Cover-Up over the forensic audit that the school board pursued due to the financial corruption in the administration. Dr. Joe Langley voted against pursuing a forensic audit. Who's he covering for?

[[[[Click Here to View Bobby Parker's WISD Past]]]]

WISD had to borrow funds (via a tax note) to make payroll...Dr. Joe Langley voted for this.
[[[[Click Here to View Bobby Parker's WISD Past]]]]

The forensic audit that was requested to seek out possible criminal actions. Dr. Joe Langley supported and still supports the corruption at WISD. If this were different, he would have said something publicly against it. He wouldn't be voting for it.

[[[[Click Here to View Bobby Parker's WISD Past]]]]
[[[[Click Here to View Bobby Parker's WISD Past]]]]

These, too, are grouped together:
[[[[Click Here to View Bobby Parker's WISD Past]]]]
[[[[Click Here to View Bobby Parker's WISD Past]]]]

The front-page photos of the Waxahachie Jr. High protests:
[[[[Click Here to View Bobby Parker's WISD Past - 8]]]]
[[[[Click Here to View Bobby Parker's WISD Past - 9]]]]

Parker's administration covered up for water fountains that had lead in the water and massive construction defaults at campuses. The photo of the thick notebook was filled with receipts and change orders and all the nuts and bolts of what the public never knew - that was, until I got my hands on it. Unfortunately, the next week our district attorney filed tampering with government records charges on the two whistle-blowers.
[[[[Click Here to View Bobby Parker's WISD Past - 11A]]]]
[[[[Click Here to View Bobby Parker's WISD Past - 11]]]]

Parker's school board - with Joe Langley covering for him - "not getting answers"
[[[[Click Here to View Bobby Parker's WISD Past - 10A]]]]
[[[[Click Here to View Bobby Parker's WISD Past - 10]]]]

Readers, do YOU have a story to tell? Post it on our comments.

Howard Eighth Grade Center's Delays.

2009-03-09T16:59:00.000-07:00

Waxahachie ISD trustee (and board president) Dr. Joe Langley will have to answer for all of this, as he was not only on the school board during these controversies, but he had a hand in covering up for all of it:

(side note: Langley is the pastor at Park Meadows Baptist Church in Waxahachie, yet he helped cover up for the worst financial corruption south of Wilmer-Hutchins ISD)

I received a newsletter from the Waxahachie ISD in the mail and in an interesting note, the newsletter carried this:
[spoken in context: sic]
Due to construction delays, the Howard Eighth Grade Center will not open when school resumes in August. Eighth grade students will attend the Finley Seventh Grade Center (2401 Brown Street) until the building is complete. At this time, the target move in date is October 6th. (Finley 7th Grade Center is the former Waxahachie Junior High).

Facts About Howard Eighth Grade Center That Taxpayers Might Not Know (The Ellis County Press made this an issue in the recent school board campaign. Guess nobody cared.)

+ Howard Eighth Grade Center was plastered in the most recent WISD school bond package campaign as an “intermediate school.” Taxpayers were told that over and over by the WISD and the WISD’s “official” newsletter, the Waxahachie Daily Light.
+ The school board, on a 6-1 vote (Trustee Mark Price, ever the opponent of doing things in the dark, voted against it), decided to “switch” the intermediate school that was paraded by bond backers to an eighth grade center.

That would be Howard Eighth Grade Center.

+ Copy of the April 2008 minutes describing the construction delays
+ Copy of the April 2008 minutes highlighting the fact that dissenting voice Mark Price was not present during the meeting

I figure that had he been at this meeting, there would have been real questions asked about this stuff. The question then becomes, if there was a construction delay at Howard due to rain last year (let’s face it, very little rain fell this summer), why weren’t the other campuses affected?

Lancaster ISD: Don't Hire Waxahachie's Ex-Superintendent

2008-12-08T10:09:00.001-08:00

Taxpayers are almost in the clear on bad superintendents. With the Lancaster ISD school board close to finalizing their ouster of Larry Lewis, one rumor being tossed around LISD administration headquarters, according to The Ellis County Press' Megan Gray, is that former Waxahachie ISD superintendent Bobby Parker Jr. could be hired.

As these documents, news articles and photos will show, LISD needs to steer way clear of hiring Parker. We have the dirt on this guy. So here's hoping the LISD school board takes the time to really check into Parker's background.

Keep in mind that these articles were done during Parker's reign in office - he left the district in 2004. When it was all written and done, Parker was gone. His business finance director was gone. Two school board trustees lost re-election. There were major shake-ups in the administration building after The Ellis County Press ripped WISD officials a new one.

Parker will have to answer for an 8 a.m. Saturday meeting to keep controversial and embarassing budget information from public inspection (I attended that meeting, by the way.)

[[[[Click Here to View Bobby Parker's WISD Past]]]]
[[[[Click Here to View Bobby Parker's WISD Past]]]]
[[[[Click Here to View Bobby Parker's WISD Past]]]]

Parker responded to The Ellis County Press via the Waxahachie Daily Cover-Up over the forensic audit that the school board pursued due to the financial corruption in the administration.
[[[[Click Here to View Bobby Parker's WISD Past]]]]

WISD had to borrow funds (via a tax note) to make payroll...
[[[[Click Here to View Bobby Parker's WISD Past]]]]

The forensic audit that was requested to seek out possible criminal actions:
[[[[Click Here to View Bobby Parker's WISD Past]]]]
[[[[Click Here to View Bobby Parker's WISD Past]]]]

These, too, are grouped together:
[[[[Click Here to View Bobby Parker's WISD Past]]]]
[[[[Click Here to View Bobby Parker's WISD Past]]]]

The front-page photos of the Waxahachie Jr. High protests:
[[[[Click Here to View Bobby Parker's WISD Past - 8]]]]
[[[[Click Here to View Bobby Parker's WISD Past - 9]]]]

Parker's administration covered up for water fountains that had lead in the water and massive construction defaults at campuses. The photo of the thick notebook was filled with receipts and change orders and all the nuts and bolts of what the public never knew - that was, until I got my hands on it. Unfortunately, the next week our district attorney filed tampering with government records charges on the two whistle-blowers.
[[[[Click Here to View Bobby Parker's WISD Past - 11A]]]]
[[[[Click Here to View Bobby Parker's WISD Past - 11]]]]

Parker's school board "not getting answers"
[[[[Click Here to View Bobby Parker's WISD Past - 10A]]]]
[[[[Click Here to View Bobby Parker's WISD Past - 10]]]]

2007-07-22T23:16:00.001-07:00

Readers, please refer to http://www.elliscountyobserver.com for the new Observer site.

The features are being added from this blog to the main site daily, and we welcome your patience during this transition. Keep sending your comments and news tips, though, to elliscountyobserver@hotmail.com!

Joey Dauben
Publisher

Letter from Sharon Allen

2007-07-19T18:52:00.000-07:00

Regarding my brother, I have had some personal problems, but I shall finish this and hopefully, get to the good stuff. I must be very discreet as to not tip my hand. I ask for your indulgence for a time.

Pavoldi tried to starve him out and almost did. That's when Boaz changed his mind and allowed Steve to go back on the road. YES, this man that was such a threat, now being allowed to roam the lower forty-eight and into Canada! Did Boaz trust him, or did he just want his money? By this time Steve was so far behind he could barely see the light at the end of the tunnel. By the way, when this first began back in 1989, there were not fifty sex counselors in the area. Now you will find at least 500. Yes, it is a business and do they want their money! Yes, unfortunately, I do believe molestation happens and it breaks my heart! I do believe it a worse than horrible crime, and the guilty should be punished and helped, if possible. Our worst fear is that his son, his child was abused, as it runs so rampant in her family, but all we are positive of, is that Steve didn't do it. We need to be absolutely sure the accused are guilty. I do not think there should be any form of a "Plea." If accused, then I think they should have to fight it out in a Court of Law! However, if you bother to do your research, the percentage of falsely accused will chill you to the bone. This case is text-Book. The child will be age 4 or 5 with the mother or father speaking for them, until they have time to program the poor little child. Being told, "Say what I tell you and daddy can come home."

I ask you, if my brother was so dangerous and refused to obey the rules, why on page 36, of the Transctipt, when Fred said, "There's never been a motion to revoke his probation, except this one? Pavoldi; "Well, if it came earlier than the violation report, but it appears this has been - - this appears to be the only petition in the defendant's file."

Now, let me inform you of a letter I got from the accuser in Dec. 1989. First, she really chewed me out for calling her when we were running late. "You are to call the Kids Exchange, not me." I was not aware of that. To me, it was common curtesy to inform one of not being punctual. At times we couldn't make it and didn't want her to make that long drive, but fine, I apologize for being considerate. I never wanted to make her mad, for she would take it out on the children, so suffice it to say, I didn't call her again. But, what angered me so was later on in the letter, she boasted about her $150,000.00 Grant, because my brother molested all of her children! Are you kidding me?

ALL of the five children! What woman or mother would not live to be sure he never saw the light of day again? Why did she only go for Steve's only son, then refuse to testify, just wanting him to get help? I still have the letter, but have never recovered from it. She should be prosecuted for allowing a man, husband or not, my brother or not, to molest, not one, but ALL her children and she only files on one! Mothers and grandmothers, how many of you would have done things this way? Going after a man that molested one or all of your children, and only file on one and want him to get help? Anyone that sick, I do not believe anyone could help! She is a natural born liar, but I still feel sorry for her. I have never told my brother about her letter. I think he has had enough to deal with. God only knows what she has told her attorney, Human Services and CPS, aside from Grubbs, Shipley, Rucker and Avery. I told you about the Notarized letter Steve's first wife had written, after the accuser attempted to get her to go along with the lies she told her divorce attorney. And, I still have to wonder why, after seven years of Steve sending his son Birthday cards, suddenly, she fears for their lives and calls Pavoldi! And, why Pavoldi? Maybe those rumors were true.

I feel like I can talk about the children now, since they are all grown and the youngest one is seventeen years old now. I had to be so careful in the book. I have no desire to hurt them, I wanted to protect them. It's their mother no matter what and I just felt I did the right thing and protected them. I do wonder if she has ever told the youngest one who his daddy really is? That's for her to work out. I'm sure she has moved away by now and I feel her mother passed also. I know when we had the Hearing, she was trying to go to the South Pacific. Why? I know why. So, we have a Grant for $150,000.00, food stamps, a free divorce, free schooling for the accuser and all the trimmings. But guess what, none of it was free. You, the taxpayers paid the entire bill, compliments of our Government. Why don't you all send them a Thank You card?

In the meantime, I suggest you demand that Knize not be allowed to even approve a "Plea," from good old Grubbs old Company. Do you want your children facing harm daily, so Knize & Grubbs can get another notch on their belts? Parents, you are to guard and protect your children!

The next part will pretty much close out the Transcript.

Bless All in Christ,

Sharon Southers-Allen

RAllen2777@aol.com

Letter from Sharon Allen

2007-07-16T20:17:00.001-07:00

Readers, due to bad weather, I wasn't able to continue the story.

Still in the Transcript; 07/08/98

It was the P that iced it. P is doing sex offender treatment and that was not in the original Conditions. The P means, " Participate in sex offender counseling, at your own expense until successfully discharged by the treatment team in charge of your case." Then you have the gall to include R, for "Register or show proof of registration with the Sex Offenders Registration program within 7 days of arrival," yada crap. And let's not leave out Q. "Do not supervise, officiate over, or otherwise participate in any program that includes anyone 17 and under, or be within 300 feet of premises where children gather." You ALL knew he lived less than a block from a park when he was checking on Bev. And, Pavoldi made sure he knew as a trucker, he couldn't even go through a school zone!

And last but not least, the Q, Which says, " Upon successful completion of sex offender counseling, submit annually at your own expense to a psychological or psychiatric evaluation to for the purpose of determining the need for continued sex offender program recommended by said evaluation."

Pavoldi, you asked Steve, (after he signed the Motion for Amended Conditions)"You know what this means don't you?" Steve said he wasn't sure, but, you had all the answers for a frightened, innocent man. You said, "This means I own you now!" "No Hotel or Motel rooms," and I can make you report daily. if I choose to, and that would make it very hard for you to keep any job, wouldn't it?" With a big smile on your face, hands behind your head and your feet on the desk, basking in your glory, like the evil man you are. God forgive me, but you are a sorry SOB. I sent Steve a copy of that document, (forgive me if I am repeating) and he was LIVID), swearing that was not the paper he signed! I would love to know how you pulled that one off.

Steve was a very hard worker, respected, loved and admired. The type of guy that would stop and help anyone, in fact, CFI, (his Company) received many letters of good things Steve did for others. It was just his nature to do these things. Perfect, No, he was not perfect. I has a real problem with the woman he was to marry. She had a good heart and knew all about Steve and never believed a word of it. She became his team driver and they fell in love. She was from a broken family and had been abused herself. My biggest problem with her, was the jealousy she had for our family's closeness. She had never seen a family so close, with genuine love and concern for one another. She felt left out and God knows how hard we tried to let her in. She was wonderful with our parents, but her worst problem was with the closeness between Steve and I. She became very ill and had to stop driving. This really was a hardship for Steve and that's about the time Pavoldi took him off the road and made him work local, for $7.00 an hour. This cost him at least $17,000.00 a year. Bev had Cobra Insurance for a while, and that's about the time that it ran out. Steve was trying to take care of her, pay child support for two boys, (one was not his) and insure them too, aside from paying his fees, the sex offender counseling etc. Bev did get her settlement, but went through most of it before Steve returned. They were to move it here in Cass, County and she changed her mind. This really put Steve in a very bad light, because of his promises to Gary Clayton, his Probation Officer here.

Pavoldi tried to starve him out and almost did. That's when Boaz changed his mind and allowed Steve to go back on the road. YES, this man that was such a threat, now being allowed to roam the lower forty-eight and into Canada! Did Boaz trust him, or did he just want his money? By this time Steve was so far behind he could barely see the light at the end of the tunnel. By the way, when this first began back in 1989, there were not fifty sex counselors in the area. Now you will find at least 500. Yes, it is a business and do they want their money! Yes, unfortunately, I do believe molestation happens and it breaks my heart! I do believe it a worse than horrible crime and the guilty should be punished and helped, if possible. Our worst fear is that the child was abused, as it runs so rampant in her family, but all we are positive of, is that Steve didn't do it. We need to be absolutely sure they are guilty. I do not think there should be any form of a "Plea." If accused, then I think they should have to fight it out in a Court of Law! However, if you bother to do your research, the percentage of falsely accused will chill you to the bone. This case is text-Book. The child will be age 4 or 5 with the mother or father speaking for them, until they have time to program the poor little child. Being told, "Say what I tell you and daddy can come home." Mothers and fathers, just think about it.

Sharon
RAllen2777@aol.com

2007-07-04T13:31:00.001-07:00

So apparently there's a letter circulating from a recent Mid-Way Airport Board meeting discussing what has been posted on this blog (and once we get it, that letter will be posted). Well, for those who are new to this situation and new to this blog, it's really quite simple:

The first video shows Waxahachie Finance Director Carl Wessels making a presentation to the Midlothian City Council about the need to approve a contract with the Nay Company; this was the same contract that contractor Ken Halverson and I sued Waxahachie over last year. Waxahachie's attorneys said regardless of the decision in then-Judge Bob Carroll's court, they were going to appeal. The case was thrown out on a single word ("resident") not being included near one of the other taxpayers to have brought forth the suit. Back to the video: turn up your speakers real, real loud, but you can faintly make out what Mayor Boyce Whatley and another councilman said about how Midlothian doesn't normally approve contracts like that, and that this would be the last time one like it would be approved. Thanks go to the Rural Citizens Against Annexation for this video footage.

This video shows the "after" part of the contract being awarded to the Nay Company. A number of pilots allowed The Ellis County Observer access to the hangars that are reportedly in such shoddy condition that it's hard for planes to navigate in and out of them; problems that have pilots buzzing at our airport include: major flooding, less-than-adequate drainage pipes and systems; the concrete "humps" the planes are having trouble crossing...those are just the major ones. One pilot reportedly swept six inches of water out of his hangar.

And I got word that there are a few "allies" not so happy with me on this. Allow me to explain something: what you people (critics of this blog and of what I do) need to realize is that my role in this county is not to make friends with anyone in public office. My role is not to go along to get along. It's not to compromise and turn a blind eye to crooked and unethical actions and decisions. No, my role is to do exactly this. And if you don't like it, that's just too damn bad.

I'll admit where I'm wrong, and if I've come out too harshly against someone, I'll admit to it. And if public officials do good, they will be praised.

But I'm done caring about how many "friends" I have politically. Just remember one thing: if you take a dime of taxpayer money, you're my property. And you become my business. And you become scrutinized. Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. If the newspapers in this county won't do their job, I'll have to do it for them...and yes, that includes all of them.

-Joey Dauben
elliscountyobserver@hotmail.com

2nd Letter from Sharon Allen

2007-06-28T17:53:00.000-07:00

Dear Citizens of Ellis, County;

I, Sharon Southers-Allen, have never said or written a word that I was not confident of, or have the evidence. Before I go off again, and I will, because I have been forced to read the Transcript again. For very important reasons, and naturally, I am forced to relive the nightmare. After all these years, the pain is still ever present. But, I must first confess to a mistake I made regarding Tom Pavoldi. Pavoldi, you did not force my brother to register through Austin, and now I have learned DeSoto also. The Dallas County Probation Dept.. are those responsible for that, not you. Therefore, I humbly apologize for my mistake and ask for your forgiveness. I only wish I could apologize for so much more, but I cannot, and you know exactly why!

And KNIZE, I cannot and do not blame you for the attorneys failures! I'm sure it's not your responsibility to see that Fred did his job. I do, however, feel you knew he did a lousy job defending Steve in the "Revocation Hearing." I am aware that some of my remarks, reflects blame towards you, when it is actually intended for almost everyone involved in this case, and that's a lot of people. I do view Fred with great anger and his incompetence, and see him completely void of knowledge, the expertise he said he had, his tactics, and with great concern of his constant remarks of YOU being his buddy. Plus, I have so many questions regarding why you thought my brother was guilty. I wonder just what information you had, I know it was far more than we ever had from Fred.

I recently sent my brother a large envelope for $16.00 plus in postage, with many papers and documents that I felt were suspect. Now, I had already sent him the forgeries, and received his letters of verifications of Forgery, involving the two legal documents, the, "Request for Probation," dated first, Feb, then altered to March 1, 1990. It begins with, To The Honorable Judge of Said Court: "Comes now, (my brother's name) defendant in the above-styled and numbered cause," and so on. It was Cause # 17, 331 on March 1, 1990. I stress this because the next forgery, "The Waiver," April 11, 1990 is under Cause # 17, 684. So, somewhere between March 1 to April 11, 1990, the case was dropped and picked up again, which again, we were never privy to this either. We had planned to be in Court each day, but Fred always told us "The DA canceled it."

Joey has copies of the forgeries and I have told you, a child could detect the difference in the signatures, when compared to Steve's original signature. Steve is a lefty or southpaw, and this gives his writing a severe slant and more like circles, not sharp and pointed! And he never writes his entire name, let alone his middle initial. Upon showing Joey the two forgeries, compared to his signature on his divorce and other papers, Joey laughed at the blatant attempt at something, not even close. It truly is that obvious! Now, what angers me is that I have pages 1 and 2 of a 3 page document, for the "Request For Probation." So, all I can say is that I have no idea what is on page 3. I will tell you that Talkington's signature is on it along with his common-law-wife's name, the Notary. Gene Knize's name is not on the two pages I have, but as I said, I am missing page three. This is very common in my paperwork and documents, all in parts!

KNIZE, I have a letter from Talkington to YOU, dated April 5, 1990. Re: State of Texas Vs Steve K. Steffey. State, because the mother either refused or no one couldn't depend on her testimony. I am going to print the letter exactly as it was written;

Sir:

The defendant's Motion to Determine Competency of Child Complainant to Testify has been filed with the Clerk of Ellis County. MR. Steffey's arraignment is set for April 11, 1990, at 2: 00 p.m. We ask the Court to conduct Competency hearing at this time too. (he asked more than one time) Your consideration is greatly appreciated.

Respectfully Yours,

Fred M. Talkington.

As I said, we knew of this date, but were told it was canceled again. We didn't go but, Fred sure did with the forged "Waiver," business. However, in the letter to YOU, KNIZE, why did you circle from, "We ask the Court to conduct a Competency hearing at this time too," and draw a line down--------------------and wrote largely, DENIED. With you pitiful initials. KNIZE, why didn't you ever respond to the written Motion, but YOU waited until a week prior to Court, and handled it that way? It's yet, another reason I call you unprofessional!

Then you just sent the letter back to Fred, with your answer. It's yet, another reason why I call you so unprofessional!

Didn't you ever wonder about Fred's handling of this case? Every person in your courtroom, could see just how inept he was from the first minute. Recall the question of True or not true to the charges, and Fred told Steve to say, "True." I still wonder if he heard my gasp and then leaned over to my brother and whispered, and Steve had to say, "No Sir, Your Honor, Not True." Maybe you were too busy on your PC to have noticed. Then MS Avery went into her spew about Steve's refusal to report for two years and Fred never opened his mouth, when he knew the truth. Maybe he was up all night, fighting again with Linda and most likely with a hangover. I saw my brother totally give up as he dropped his head and leaned back. He always told me you all were out to get him and suffice it to say, he was right. I watched him surrender.

Unlike the first forgery, the "Waiver of Arraignment, Service and Reading of Indictment in Cause." Dated April 11, 1990. From what I can glean, this had to be done in a court of law, with Steve present. We knew of this date and was informed by Talkington, again! "The DA canceled it." Obviously it was not canceled and Fred was there with this form, Forged. How? I have no idea. Only Talkington, Knize and Steve's forged, name is on it. It may be possible that this could be done outside the Courts, but it reads that, "I, the undersigned yada, yada, Hereby in open Court waive the following." I do promise you, we were not there and never saw the document until after Steve's sentencing, July 8, 1998. Nine years later! Just like the ESCO, Police Report from March and August of 1989. I will say, above Gene Knize's name is, APPROVED: Under the signature of Knize, it says, Judge presiding. So, I don't know, can you tell me? There was no Notary on it. Is it normal procedure for a Police Report to run that long? Then arrest the guy and keep him in jail for twenty-four days, and not charge him until the next month?

Now, in reading the Transcript from July 8, 1998, I am in awe of many things, and I was present during this hearing. I paid about $486.00 for the Transcript, but that was that same year. I had so much to deal with, especially with telling our very ill mother, her son was sent to prison for twenty years, and attempting to recover myself, of the gross miscarriage of justice I had just witnessed. Yes, there are things my brother could have done better, but in God's name, nothing to amount to twenty years in prison. In retrospect, I can easily see that Steve was indeed in the middle of a Circus, with supposed professionals involved, that looks like Moronic, Idiots.

And, what is the "State's Notice of Intent To Use Hearsay Statement of Child Abuse Victim." Filed on Oct 11, 1990 under the old Cause # 17, 331, scratched through with the new one 17,684? I know for sure, you all never got a thing straight. Seven months later and you still had the wrong Cause number.Does anyone in that County know what they are doing? I feel with all my heart, my brother is the victim of all the massive errors made in the nine years. My brother is paying the price for all of this and "I am expected to just live with it, or just get over it?" My answer to you and the others is simple, "I promise you, that will never happen, so just get used to it, all of you!"

KNIZE, There may well have been child abuse, (we fear there was, knowing her family) but you know damn well, it was not by my brother, as much as we know it! YOU ARE A COWARD, CRUEL, UNETHICAL, COLD, with A GOD LIKE PERSONA and BULLHEADED and I've already covered your lack of Professionalism. All you care about is winning a case, be they guilty or innocent, you couldn't care less about them anymore than your so-called Prosecutors do. When D. Avery opened with lies! She wanted all to know that my brother refused to report to his Probation Officer for two years! Well, she is right, because he didn't have one! I was there and saw and heard a man tell Steve, "Take these forms and be sure to send them in every month, until you have an Officer and pay your fees." Months later Steve called me, from the East coast, I think. He was very upset because he was down to one form. He asked if I had heard anything. I had not. I suggested that he make copies of the forms and just keep sending them in with his fees. Everything went to the same address. In truth, I think he fell through the cracks and when someone found out, all hell broke loose.

In the Transcript, Avery has Tom Pavoldi on the stand and he admits he has not had Steve all seven years. On page 8, Avery asks Pavoldi, "And these logs and those records go back to the date he was initially placed on probation? Pavoldi replies, "Yes." Avery, "Now, you were not supervising him that entire 7 years; is that correct? Again, Pavoldi, "That's correct." Avery skips right over the part where Steve had NO probation officer and goes right to, "Lets first start with the conditions that were placed on MR. Steffey when he was placed on Community supervision. Avery refers him to condition N on Steve's Conditions of Probation, N is to avoid all contact with his son and wife. The contact she refers to is, Steve sent his son a Birthday card every year, from day one and Fred knew it. To Steve, living on the road, that was not contact and I am sure many fathers will agree with that. (17) Avery, "Was he also ordered to attend and pay for psychological counseling for himself and the victim? Pavoldi replies, He was amended at a later time for Condition Q. For those not knowing, Q Reads; Upon successful completion of sex offender counseling, submit annually at your own expense to a psychological or psychiatric evaluation to for the purpose of determining the need for continued sex offender counseling and participate in any treatment program recommended by said evaluation.

Yes Pavoldi, he was amended on April 2, 1996, but not just to Q, oh no, you throw in O, P and R, by you forcing him too, unlawfully! You and your boss told Steve that you all had spoken to Fred twice that day and Fred said to sign it. Still Steve refused and took the copy with him for Fred to see. Steve said it was so much mumbo jumbo he couldn't understand it. When Steve showed Fred, He said, "No way in hell, I'll meet you there in the morning. Steve arrived with you and Fred having coffee and laughing. Fred then glanced at the form and told Steve, "Just sign the damn thing," and Fred left. However, I sent a copy of those amended conditions to my brother and Steve is livid! He swore that form was not what he had taken home, and furthermore, he asks, "Who on earth would sign a form that says you waive your right to an attorney, (with his attorney sitting there in your office) and waive his rights to a formal hearing?" He says he doesn't know how you did it, but you did! By law, you treated him as a Convicted Felon and he was non-convicted. Do your homework! If I have a copy of his original "Conditions of Probation," then you should too. The conditions stopped at N. You even broke the law when you forced him to see the Sex Counselor, Ben Boaz!

Now, as Steve says, there were a lot of changes within the law at that time, but none of them applied to him!

If you would go over the original records, instead of creating your own, you will see how badly you screwed up! And on page 9, (12) Avery asks; "Are the conditions of probation- - do they have a block where the defendant signs them on the original?" You said YES, Pavoldi! Go back and look again and tell me where he would even initial one of them, from A to M. All he did was sign his name at the bottom, above Defendant. I have the original with the perforated seal. And better yet, the State of Texas, Ellis County, reads; I Billie Fuller Clerk of the District Court in and for Ellis County Texas, do hereby certify that above and foregoing is a true and correct copy of the (hand written) Conditions of Probation as the same appears from the original now, (hand written) filed in my office. TO CERTIFY Which witness my official Seal and Signature at office in Waxahachie, Texas. This 6/7/1991. Signed by Billie A. Fuller, below it says, Clerk District Court Ellis County, Texas and below that is a By Sue Chiles, (possibly, very hard to read) Deputy. Now, I suggest you go find that original copy and read it! And, don't give me any crap about the date 6/28/91, that didn't change anything but getting KNIZE off for not Admonishing Steve.

Now, When Steve accepted that damn Plea, he signed the Conditions of Probation. The Conditions ran from A to N, which by law means NO Sex Counseling required. Steve did counseling in Texarkana for two years, until you got involved, Pavoldi! I assume after the error on the Plea Bargain Agreement, where GUILTY was checked, scratched through and checked Non-Convicted Deferred Probation. You can read can't you? If you can, pull his files and read them and then take notice of what you did to his life and in doing so, you violated his Constitutional Rights, State and Federal Laws too.

You know, I am feeling much too angry to finish this tonight. It is very lengthy, over 100 pages and folks, I have to relive it each and every page. So, before I lose my Christianity, I think I will bring this part to a close.

This letter, not the case. Let's just call this Part one. I began this very concerned that I had made that mistake regarding Tom Pavoldi. When I am wrong, I will be the first to admit it. I even tried to cut Knize some slack. Then, as I went through my papers and into the Transcript, I could feel the rage building and I don't like that, so I will say, later all and God Bless.

Love in Christ,

Sharon Southers-Allen

RAllen2777@aol.com

2007-06-28T13:49:00.000-07:00

Reader-submitted, public approved.

elliscountyobserver@hotmail.com
waxahachieobserver@gmail.com

2007-06-26T13:41:00.000-07:00

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Mid-Way Airport Update

2007-06-26T10:26:00.001-07:00

Reports coming from Mid-Way Airport now are that scores of contractors, employees and other officials are busy making repairs and fixing the problems that this blog exposed yesterday. Here's what is being done as we speak (I rode out there with a camera the other day and will have those photos online ASAP.)

Pilots were seen sweeping large quantities of water from a hangar; the doors that allow for access to the airport hangars were in disarray, according to one source
The 27-inch (required) drainage pipe that contractor Ken Halverson was accused of not having any experience installing -- yeah, well, supposedly the Nay Company or their hired contractors went with a "makeshift drainage pipe," in the words of one pilot
There are problems with entrance and exit "bumps" as well, but it looks like The Ellis County Observer has kinda kicked some butts into gear in getting these problems fixed

Oh, wait, there's still that whole thing about firing Airport Manager Cam Fearis and Waxahachie Finance Director Carl Wessels for even allowing the Nay contract to go forward. If Fearis would pay more attention to managing the airport instead of running an appraisal business, there might be some good to come out of this; but, The Ellis County Observer has heard from many pilots and taxpayers: Fearis and Wessels need to go.

Taxpayers from both Midlothian and Waxahachie are subsidizing failure if those two aren't dealt with appropriately. And word out of Mid-Way is that Fearis didn't show up to work this morning.

Comments? Suggestions? News tips? elliscountyobserver@hotmail.com

Navarro Eyes Tuition, Tax Hikes

2007-06-25T12:55:00.001-07:00

Some of the stuff coming out of Corsicana is absolutely ridiculous, but then there's the real-life budget move from Gov. Rick Perry that Navarro College -- together with their two campuses in Ellis County -- will ultimately have to make up. President "Tricky" Dick Sanchez has indicated to Navarro's school board (college districts have elected trustees much like ISDs) that a tax increase to make up for Perry's recent veto of millions in community college funds would be on the table, but cautioned and said that it would only be "minimal." Next target: college students in the form of higher tuition (and rightfully so, they use it, they should pay for it -- and I'm a former student saying** that.) Included in that hiring freeze will/would be a new assistant dean for the Ellis County center in Waxahachie.

It should be noted, meanwhile, that Navarro College - Dick included - has openly admitted to breaking open meetings laws in discussions about passing off one of their tax increases on Ellis County citizens. Now, here's the interesting part of this whole thing: the lovey-dovey relationship that Navarro has with the Waxahachie Daily Light has resulted in absolutely zero coverage of this highly important bit of news.

The WDL owns papers in Midlothian (Mirror), Ennis (Journal), Red Oak (Chronicle) and Italy (News-Herald.)

Two of those towns listed either have a Navarro campus (Midlothian) or discussions are in place to put one there (Red Oak). Wouldn't it be pertinent for the taxpayers in those communities to learn about how Navarro College has openly admitted to breaking the open meetings laws?

It's in direct relation to Navarro wanting to pass a "maintenance tax" for Ellis County to foot the bill for Navarro taxpayers' willingness to fund facilities over here. One can only wonder what will happen in future phases of the Midlothian campus when it becomes apparent that Navarro has spent themselves into oblivion and therefore, must renege on the pledge to Midlothian taxpayers that funded revenue bonds for their campus and must in turn, hike taxes -- and/or get Midlothian taxpayers to fund a Navarro tax altogether.

Reps. Jim Pitts, R-Waxahachie, and Byron Cook, R-Corsicana have both objected strongly to Navarro's push for a tax on Ellis County citizens. If I were a prosecuting county attorney in Navarro or Ellis County, I would go after Dick and Navarro's board of trustees. But alas, we don't have one of those in either county apparently, so it's up to bloggers like me to keep the issue fresh in Google searches.

**Should be noted that while at Navarro, I openly argued against a property tax for Ellis County citizens; and the argument was simple economics: a county of 140,000 should not adopt a tax to pay for 3,000 - 4,000 students. It simply isn't worth it.

Mid-Way Airport Illegal Contract Update

2007-06-24T18:50:00.000-07:00

Remember that illegal contract Waxahachie and Midlothian approved late last year involving a Mid-Way Airport hangar - the one contractor Ken Halverson sued the city over?

Well that hangar, built by the good 'ol boys over at the Nay Company, is in such disrepair that pilots are calling airport management griping about massive flooding and issues regarding entrance-exit "bumps" that prevent pilots' planes from going too far. That new hangar, built after a temporary restraining order in then-Judge Bob Carroll's courtroom was denied, is now in risk of joining the other project that the Nay Company half-way constructed: a paint hangar and another plane hangar (oh, and those flood too). Aside from the haphazard construction, pilots are complaining of six-inch flood waters in their hangars. The contract for Nay to build the new hangar (photos and more YouTube video to come...) was approaching $1 million. Midlothian's city council has also refused nearly $75,000 in change orders on the hangar projects.

There are also reports of massive mildew damage in the original structure that the Nay Company built (the one Halverson complained about having faulty drainage); Midlothian's fire marshal was also reported as having been denied by Mid-Way Airport Manager Cam Fearis to update structures on necessary fire-safety measures; the Mid-Way Airport Board - which consists of members of both cities - bypassed Fearis and adopted the fire marshal's standards.

Waxahachie Finance Director Carl Wessels and Fearis should resign immediately; the two city councils in both cities should halt all construction and contracting at the airport and allow an independent investigation into how to go about repairing the damages.

Not just that, but every dime of taxpayer funds should be stopped if any is still going to this boondoggle; quick, someone get me the laws regarding filing against a contractor's bond - is that the city's role, or can a concerned taxpayer "have standing" on an issue like this? The city councils that voted to approve this contract were unanimous. It's time to start firing some people over this...because it's not looking good for anyone in this county, especially after dealing with the Justice Center fiasco.

Waxahachie Violates Open Records Act
The hits keep on comin' in this city. Back in October, the Waxahachie Daily Cover Up ran a Sunday story about a Waxahachie police officer sending out e-mails bashing homosexuals and making anti-gay remarks; I submitted an open records request seeking those e-mails; the city used an outside firm [Lynn Pham & Ross LLP] to handle this request - and asked the state Attorney General for an opinion on whether the e-mails were available for public release (the WDL did not - and still has not - published what was in the e-mails); the AG ruled in my favor in December, even going so far as sending me a letter [OR2006-15102 & ID# 267845] stating that the City of Waxahachie, by law, had to release the records. Months and months later, I asked city officials on the status of those e-mails; they claimed they never received communication from the AG's office.

So now I have a letter dated Dec. 27, 2006 addressed to the city's outside law firm and myself stating that the records are to be released "immediately."

City Official UPDATE: I am including ORL #2006-14805 dated 12-15-06 that is referenced in your letter on which the AG states that “the city must continue to rely on our decision in ORL # 2006-14805.” As you can see, on page 3, 2^nd paragraph, last sentence of ORL# 2006-14805 the AG has concluded that the information is confidential and should not be released. As stated in your letter from the AG, the information you were requesting was the same information that was requested by another.

Open Letter from Sharon Allen

2007-06-22T13:29:00.000-07:00

Open Letter:

To the Ellis County Observer and the Citizens of Waxahachie

Texas pumps out corruption, like it once pumped oil!
Harsh? Yes. But, sadly so true and I am really getting fed up with what I am seeing. I have been silent, but not because I am afraid. I've had a brother-in-law on life-support for 15 days and my daughter has been very, very ill, needing major surgery. I just returned from your area. The major surgery was a success, but she has a long way to go. I too have health issues, I'm dealing with those. I just want all to know, I am not finished, nor will I be silent until this gross miscarriage of injustice comes to an end. I am still here, and plan to continue my mission, for my brother and all the others. I have a few more things to say about these "Cowboys" in office. Especially, reading the last week of the Ellis County Observer, and the new article on the many sex offenders walking the streets! By the way, I love that cartoon! Suitable for framing. Again, I will also bring up the usual suspects; Gene Knize Joe Grubbs, Tom Pavoldi, and others, involved in my brother's case.

I have come across more evidence that makes me burn. Yes, I confess that these "Elite," are very crafty and smart enough to attempt to cover their trail of lies, forgeries and such. But you are not good enough to wash it all away. Unlike the many that see me as, a troubled sister on a quest to get her innocent brother out of prison, this is real, too real of a Railroad job! But, yes, that is my goal, to see my brother receive his due process, but please keep in mind, I have the papers and documents to back me up. I have no need to embellish or lie, it's all in my paperwork and documents. It's taken years, to get what I have, and allow me to see the picture with some clarity. I am not out for revenge. Believe it or not, I pray for all the guilty parties that put my brother away. "Revenge is mine," says the Lord, but there are times I would really like to go about my Father's business. (a bit of humor) I truly believe, what I am doing is not only for my brother but, for all the others that have had to endure such a gross miscarriage of injustice. The God I serve, wants requires me to forgive my enemies. But, this same God is also, the Judge, the true lawgiver and hates injustice too. ISA 35. I will now share my thoughts and feelings about news and events in your town. I care not if you agree. I wish to address each by name and unfortunately, I fear this will hurt their families, but, when you consider what they have done to our family, all I can say is, "I apologize to all the innocent parties and the good citizens of Waxahachie and Ellis, County, that have no part of this ordeal." I care not, if you agree, as I said, But, I do care, if you care enough to think about it and face the harsh realities of what and how your Criminal Judge, Gene Knize and DA Joe Grubbs & company, are abusing their power, and breaking State and Federal Laws, because certain people pose a threat of revealing and exposing them for what they are and what they do. Remember, you are paying your hard earned money for their salaries. We should not have to beg for justice, we should expect and demand justice! It matters not to me what you think of me. What matters to me is what you think of your neighbors and your Community.

What I am realizing is, In Ellis County, the only ones that go to prison, are the innocent. The guilty and or privileged, get a free pass or maybe a slap on the wrist. I think that point has already been covered well, by the Paper! I want each and every pervert and pedophile in prison and never be able to hurt another child, but, let's make certain they are indeed, guilty! No matter who they are! I have tried to stay away from the Trevino Case, (for personal reasons), but I have come to the point, after much research and conversations with Fred Shannon, I truly feel this man may be as innocent as my brother is. I've always known, if they could do this to us, then they have done it to others. I know how they work down there and I pray that this man gets a new trial. I do not believe he got a fair trial! Plus, I pray Shannon keeps the fire going, for I know he truly believes Trevino is innocent. It takes people like Fred Shannon and Joey Daubin to give hope and inspire those suffering from "Wrongful accusations." Knowing they care enough to make a huge effort to help them, defies words!

First, Kevin Haynes being arrested. I watched it on National Fox News. I was embarrassed for you and your City. I applaud the courage of the Officers. They did their job! I read a blog saying, "But, he was so close to home, why didn't the Officers just take him there? And how we all make mistakes. Geez, what idiot would think that way? Unless they drink and drive too and have no loved ones to care about. For God's sake, no one was harmed, but can you not imagine the destruction he could have caused, had a caring citizen not called the Police, due to his radical driving. I try so hard to think how so many of you think. I cannot. In my life, there is right and wrong, fair and unfair. We are all His creations and if He is no respecter of persons, then how do we justify holding anyone above the law? I am all for LAWS, but that means they should apply to all, no matter who you are! Have you ever considered that the Appointed or Elected, should be held to a higher standard in abiding the laws, and be a role models to those that elected them? When is the last time you checked the statistics on drunken drivers and the deaths and injuries? We lose more lives in this Nation, by drunken drivers, than Troops we have lost in Iraq! No, statistics show what the loved ones are forced to go through. The trail of broken lives and familles and you want this man, to not be held accountable or even be responsible for his decision in breaking the law? Personally, I hope they throw the book at him, but I know that will never happen with Knize and Grubbs in office. I have a brother-in-law that was a Policeman for years and my father-in-law was the Justice of the Peace and a Deputy Sheriff. I have had some horrible encounters with the "boys in blue," many times. At one time I felt nothing but contempt for all Policemen, but the last ten years my heart has softened to a great degree. I know there are some that should never be allowed to carry a gun or a badge, or even run loose on the streets but, I have also become aware of the dangers of their careers. It's such a shame that so many harness such disdain for them, because of the bad cops. I realize they put their own lives on the line for us each and every day and get very little respect for it. In everything, there are good and bad and it takes so little to ruin the crate of apples. Let us attempt to show more respect for those that are called to watch over us. Not for those that called themselves, seeking power and greed, never hesitating to usurp their authority and abuse their position. May God have mercy on your souls.

As for DR Chitale. Ladies, my heart breaks for you. I pray that you will not let this go. Ride it out, make it news again! Maybe consider Civil Court. But, please, just check out all of your recourses. Hold the hospital responsible too. They knew, and I feel Knize and Grubbs were aware of what was going on, but that almighty dollar speaks so loudly! I know your lives will never be the same, but do whatever you have to do to bring some form of closure. Yes, Knize really came down on him........Six months in County Jail and ten years probation. He is now home with his family, but you are still trying to deal with the real crime of being violated and trying to put your lives back together again. Just remember, you are the Victim, not the Criminal! He cannot do it to another, but I know that is a small consolation. Our so-called attorney, Fred M. Talkington is no longer eligible to practice law in Texas either, and I take heart in knowing he cannot destroy another family. But, again, it is small consolation. In fact, shortly after my brother's sentencing, said attorney moved from Lancaster or Duncanville, (I cannot recall, because he had been working from his home for years and not at the address stated on the Transcript, The Brewery in Dallas.) I have been informed, shortly after the sentencing, that Fred moved to Ennis, and I verified his address. I am told he lives just a few blocks from Knize, but, I know not where Knize lives. I can't even find out what said attorney is doing for a living either.

Something more, has to be done for these women that were violated! Another bolg that set me on fire was obviously written by a man. Not the exact quote, but the message was, "I wonder how many more women will come out of the woodwork and jump onto the bandwagon against the DR." You gutless wonder. How dare you speak of something you know nothing about. I hope that you are not married. If you are, then you are a poor, lousy excuse of a husband. I pity her, if she exists, since you place about as much importance on a woman's life as does Knize and Grubbs. I would expect this from those too, but pray tell, how many more of you are out there, sharing this attitude? I never wish anything harmful to another, but I often
wonder how you and others, would feel if one of them was your wife? I always ask myself, what if I had to walk in their shoes? I challenge you to attempt this and see how you would feel. Ladies, all of you that have come forth, I admire and respect you greatly, and I will continue to pray for you and, those that have not come forth, for their own reasons. It is not for me to ask why. We all deal with tragedy the best way we know how. I will never condemn you if you don't come forth. Many men just don't have a clue as to what these women are going through. Me? I am so blessed with a Godly husband, that not only loves me, but supports me in everything. I shudder to think what my husband would have done to DR Chitale, had I been a victim. Believe it or not, I feel for DR Chitale's family and what he has subjected them to. I have taken the liberty of informing Fox News of DR. Chitale and his crime and punishment!

To Allen Nelms and Josie Edwards. Yes, the tasering incident! I extend my heartfelt regret for what you must have endured. I am so sorry. Josie suffers with Lou Gehrig's disease and Allen is a Diabetic. It seems they live in a certain area where the Cops already have an attitude. And, apparently, you are black which doesn't help at all. (How pathetic). In three business days, after the complaint, a complete investigation was done and the finding was; "We have found that the Officers were within our departmental polices," in the subduing of the ever dangerous MR. Nelms. They didn't need the Police? Okay, then call for back-up. Back-up for what? The man was having a diabetic seizure, and I have to wonder, if in Josie's condition, she might have laid the phone down to check on Allen and the Police that showed up wanted some action. Obviously, you can't have a dry run in that neighborhood! I have found in traumatic situations, people do erratic things. Allen and Josie, you did a good thing contacting Rodney Ramsey. If anyone knows the workings of WPD, he does. I know Rodney's story well, and though I have not met him yet, I respect and adore him. I have had the pleasure of meeting his lovely wife. I find them to be strong Christians with high morals, ethics and values. I know these qualities are not common, nor highly regarded in this day and age, but they exist in this couple. Rodney has been such a tower of strength for me for a couple of years, and I treasure his friendship and the compassion he has for all. Rest assured, you are in good hands! I recall a blog remark regarding Rodney, "Why isn't Rodney still a Policeman?" Mercy, I am 200 miles away and I understand and know why! Why, can people not do their homework before shooting their mouths off? All I can say is, "Duh."

To Judge Knize. I will never say, "Honorable," Because you are not worthy or honorable. I'm sure you are aware that I filed two Complaints against you, with the State Commission on Judicial Conduct. I expected nothing, and I got nothing. Yes, you are a powerful man that has fooled the masses for years, but I know what you are. The citizens and many attorneys may fear you, but I do not! You are an evil, dishonest, unprofessional man, that should never be allowed on the bench! As Glenna's Expose' put it so well, "You are a Bully on the bench and more!" I have some questions for you. I don't expect any answers, but I assure you, I will eventually get them. Why do you think you are above the law? How much more time do you think you have on the bench? Where did you get your, GOD like persona? Are you an Atheist? You must be, for I detect no fear of the day when you must stand before the Lord, and be held accountable for your dirty deeds. Let's face it, as much as I can tell, you have had only one Opponent in about twenty years. I think you should give this some deep thought. But, know this, I do not hate you! I honestly pray for you and each and everyone I rail on, even the accuser. I do not do anything in revenge. Proof, I have not, openly, come after you and your Cronies until three years ago, when out of desperation, I wrote the book. On that subject, I paid to have it published, so as not to appear I wanted to make money off this nightmare. That is why I have had such a difficult time with distribution. I had paid $400.00 for the News Wire Plus, but the Publisher, (having the legal department approve it), suddenly got cold feet and feared "Libel." Since then, the Publisher informed me, they were wrong and refunded my money. Thus, the book can only be purchased online. I have spent my time in prayer, writing the book, "A Judicial Terror in Texas." And even then, I used fictional names, for the most part, because I truly had no desire to hurt the innocent ones. I even won twice, for my Poetry. I have spent a fortune on my brother, in mailings to every Politician, State Bar and such, having spent in excess of $70,000.00 now. Visitations are the most costly, but I had prayed for the Lord to place Steve where He wanted Him to be, therefore, I cannot complain about that. I am blessed on my visits, not just seeing my brother, but seeing how the Guards show him respect. He is a gentleman and does get upset at how so many inmates speak to the Guards, with such disrespect, and usually to their backs. I asked Steve, "Do you ever get angry and do that?" He quickly replied, "Sis, it's not their fault that I am here, how can I take it out on them?" He says many of them are very nice. He also added, "Sis, don't believe it when you hear that everybody in here is innocent, because I assure you, the guilty boast about their crimes, but I do believe that I am not the only innocent one here either." Then he laughed and said, "Sis, this is the place to come to, to learn how to be a criminal!" He keeps to himself, but why not? He has nothing in common with 99% of them.

Knize, Why did you deny our motion for a "Child Competency Test," of a four year old? I am sure I know why. You knew an unstable/histionic, woman, (with a history of false allegations) and a wife of three months, was pointing a crooked finger, in order to get a free divorce, free food stamps and a Grant of $150,000.00 the taxpayers paid for. And she could go back to school. Why a wife of three months, when they had been together for nine years? Because, when Steve went to the hospital to get them, She told him they would not release the baby until they got married! Christmas week, and Steve asks how do we do that? Oh, she told him she had it all worked out and took him to a Funeral Home, a few blocks from Parkland, and Steve said all he did was sign a piece of paper, then went and got the baby. She did indeed, have it all worked out!

KNIZE. Why would you not read the Notarized letter Steve's first wife drew up to protect my brother from this woman? The accuser drove to Houston to try to enlist my brother's first wife to back up the lies the accuser had told her Attorney. His first wife, (Rita) refused to take part in the scam! Telling her, the man she was accusing, she never knew. "Yes, he always had an eye for a pretty woman, but children, NO!" Rita told the accuser) "If what you are trying to tell me is true, you don't need me for a thing. You will have all the evidence you need. But, the man I was married to is not capable of such a crime, so don't expect me to lie for you. If you lied to your attorney, then that is your problem, and where you ever got the idea of me not wanting Steve to see his daughters, you couldn't be more wrong, I wanted him to spend more time with them." After the accuser left Houston, Rita began to worry and couldn't sleep. She tried to call me, but I had remarried, so after explaining to Steve's daughter, that NO, she would never believe her daddy was capable of doing such as that, saying, that she would have to see it to believe it. Wanting to protect Steve, the next morning she went out and had a letter Notarized, so if things did get out of control, she thought the letter would help, but you refused to even look at it! WHY? Because you had already made your decision. You had to put him away!

Knize, What made you think he was guilty? And, God forbid, if he was, then why did you all allow this man to walk out of your court and climb into an eighteen wheeler, to drive the lower forty-eight and into Canada for the next seven years? Did it ever cross your mind that you had possibly placed every child in the nation in harms way? Our family didn't have to worry, (praise God) we knew of his innocence, but you said, "But, I think you are guilty," both times! 06/07/91 Steve, for the first time, walked into your court and agreed, upon his Attorney's demands and threats, saying how the prisons were full of innocent people, and of course his demand for another $50,000.00 if Steve wanted his trial. That went from $8,000.00 to $50,000.00 and we had already given you more than your original fees. So, Steve agreed to accept the Plea, because you told him it was no admission of guilt and that Steve could still be a part of his son's life. You are such a liar! Recall that day, when I had to stand between you and Steve, because he was so furious at you for all the lies you told him? All you said was, "Well, at least I kept you out of prison." NO, you did not Fred. There are many forms of prisons and thanks to you, nine years later he is literally in prison, all because of you and the "Cowboys," and you failing to appear in Court! And, I have learned, you, Fred M. Talkington, was on probation in the very midst of his hearing. And NO, you did not have to inform us of this.
So the Texas State Bar says. This stinks!

KNIZE, Why did Steve have to return to your courtroom three weeks later? Fred said, "It's just paperwork, it happens all the time, but we went over everything and it was all in order, but the DA, Grubbs, says there is a problem." No, I don't believe that. I have found, what I think you failed to do and still didn't do. It was the "Admonishment to the Defendant," dated 06/28/91. The original papers were all the same, save for that one. Steve was furious, saying "I did the same exact things I did the first time, step by step and word for word." All the other documents are dated 06/07/91, then scratched through and 06/28/91 is written above the original date. I was in your Court twice and I saw your so-called court, which, in reality, is better called "A Circus."

During the "Revocation Hearing," I heard your tasteless remark about, "I guess your mother came in and paid your fees." I wanted to stand up and say, " I am his sister and I am the one that paid his fees, only to realize, you beat me out of close to one hundred dollars, that I suspect is possibly in your pocket." "As for his mother, she is too ill, with a large aneurysm in her aorta, high BP, and trying to take care of her stroke victim husband, that cannot speak, and neither one could make the trip.
But, my husband held me down. You have no idea how deeply that hurt. Nor, do you know the pain I had to endure in coming home, and telling his mother, that her innocent son was sentenced to twenty years in prison. I do not think you are capable of any human compassion. Pain and hurt roll off your back like a duck. Then I heard and saw the accuser, (sitting behind me with her friend) running her fingers through her hair and say, "Oh, forty years is so long, but I just want him out of my life." Where did she get forty years, when the DA asked for ten? I almost lost my Christianity, in wanting to jump the pew and choke her until she told the truth. I did have some satisfaction at the elevator, with Pavoldi and others I cannot recall. I told her it was not over, that "I just fired the lawyer and I am taking over, so you best look over your back. This is not a threat, it's a promise." Also, I wanted to her to know, I thought she did an Oscar winning performance on the stand. Playing the timid, frightened little helpless woman. I love the part about her fear of my brother, being near and maybe having a gun! He hated guns, never owned one, but did carry a small pocket knife. She owned the gun and held it to his temple one night, on an Interstate, because he was running late from work! He would come to visit the folks and we would all show up and often have target practice. Finally, one weekend we got him to shoot a rifle and a hand gun. It was so hilarious we started calling him, Jane Wayne, because he was no John Wayne and so gun-shy. But, she is the one with the gun and held it to my brother's head on the Freeway, because he was running late getting home.

Knize, Every living father and mother should want your head on a platter! Have you no children or grandchildren of your own? Are you so cold and completely uncaring that you would take it upon yourself to allow a man, that you said, you thought guilty, to run loose? God help me, I cannot imagine the trail of helpless little victims lives. The devastation and broken lives of the many families that could be on your head, had he been guilty! You did not have to allow the Plea that was offered by Grubbs. I will give Grubbs one point, again, the DA only asked for ten years in prison, for the "Revocation Hearing," but, you thought twenty would be better. You didn't fight the "Plea Offer," so, why did you on the sentencing? You had the authority to refuse it, so why didn't you, if you were so sure he was guilty nine years earlier? You must have felt the need for safety. Have we something to hide?

Joe Grubbs, Shipley and Robert Rucker and D. Avery, Why would you make that excellent Offer again? And, why did we learn nine years later the case had been dropped and picked up again? You worked so hard to put the fear of God in us, vowing to make an example of Steve. I can still hear Knize say, "But, I think you are guilty." Talkington said he had never known you to make such an "Excellent Offer" before. I asked Fred if he didn't think the case was falling apart? Oh, no, said Fred. Steve turned it down flat the first time and he and Fred had words over it. Fred was mad as hell when Steve refused to even discuss any form of a Plea. My brother wanted his day in Court! I reminded Fred of that daily. We thought we made it clear, "We want our day in Court!" Then Fred informs us, you renewed the "Excellent offer of the Plea. Again, Steve said NO! Again, I asked Fred if the case wasn't falling apart and he said, "No, they are just tired of dealing with him." We were so naive back then, we believed in the System and that it would work. So, what was there for us to fear? Being raised to tell the truth and nothing but the truth, so help us God, and nothing can go bad. Steve couldn't stand Fred, therefore I was with Steve and Fred at least 95% of all meetings. I was the buffer, I guess. Fred seemed to love me, or shall I say, he hit on me all the time. He would call me instead of Steve. He was overweight, belligerent, obnoxious and down right mean, with a filthy mouth and always drinking. I felt we needed someone mean and he claimed Knize was his buddy. And, how no other attorney would go into that County. (The one truth he told us, I learned that from The "Bully On The Bench," by Glenna Whitley.) I tolerated his sexual harassment and his foul mouth, to a degree. I would not tolerate his taking my Lord's name in vain. I would leave the room or if on the phone, I would hang up on him. He would call back and apologize. He finally learned and tried to not spew those GD's and JC's, in my presence. But, he never quit hitting on me and I never let my brother know. He is very protective of his three sisters and would never stand for that. He had enough on his shoulders and I couldn't add to his burden, besides, I'm a big girl. Actually, because of his advances and the offer to move me into his home, to live. after the car accident. I was doing therapy five days a week and couldn't drive unless it was an emergency, but it was very painful. I recalled Fred's invitation to move me in, as he had a whirlpool and that was a huge part of my therapy. One day I asked him, "And just what would you do with your wife?" He replied, "I am not married and I would just throw Linda out." That bit of information actually helped me to find the first forgery! I recall reading a shocker when I saw the "Application for Probation," form. I knew Steve did not want any "Plea," and never a word regarding Probation. Then, I noticed the signature and knew it was forged! When the Amarillo Attorney passed away in November 2004, after the Writ failed, our only option left was to go Federal, but this was during the "Sleeping Lawyer," business going on and he thought it best to wait and see if it held up. In case you didn't know, lawyers could sleep through a Capitol Murder Case, as long as they didn't bring a pillow and a blanket! It was up to the Defendant to keep him awake. Thank God, it no longer exists. Lawyers able to sleep through any trial is absurd, but a Capitol Murder Case, well, they did it and got away with it. But, Knize sleeps often in court too. But, this is Texas! And this is Knize!

So the attorney sent me all the files. I was overwhelmed with all I got and no knowledge of the law. I had my hands full for a year. Finally, I gave up and asked the Lord to help me and He did. Now, going through the files was far less confusing and my eyes were open. The first thing I noticed was that "Application for Probation," and read it. It's a three page document, (I have 2 of the 3 pages, but that's how I have most of them are, in parts.) I saw my brother's name and knew instantly, it was a forgery and a very bad forgery at that. I know my brother's signature well. He is a lefty and does not use his middle initial. Upon closer inspection, I noted that the date had been altered also. The Notary was Linda Henderson. Feb. was altered to March 1st 1990. That name drove me nuts. I prayed about it and the next day, it hit me. Fred would throw Linda out, if I would move in. I went through the State Notary and in two days, it was confirmed and her address was Fred's address. A beginning. Then I found the forged "Waiver of Arraignment, Service, and Reading of Indictment," dated April, 11, 1990, with the lawyer's name, Steve's forged signature, along with none other than Gene Knize's signature. The way it reads, Steve had to be present in the Courtroom for both of the forgeries. It may be possible that he didn't have to regarding, the Probation. I am not sure about this, other than it is a forgery! Now, what is so hard to understand is, Steve was never in a Courtroom, nor did we know who the Judge was prior to June 6, 1991! Furthermore, Steve never met Linda prior to 1993! Fred told us that the DA canceled the March 1, 1990, pretrial, so we didn't go, but Fred sure did, with the forgery. Same with April 11, 1990, again told it was canceled. But, Fred was there, with another forgery on the "Waiver." And, what really makes me sick is that April the 13th, I met Fred at a Bank and gave him another $2,000.00 for the second Private Investigator, I got nothing for or from either P. I. When I jumped Fred, demanding to know what they found, his reply was, "Hell, it don't matter, she's not on trial, your brother is." So, why did I pay for two Private Investigators?

Let all that will listen, hear this, the Prosecution couldn't care less if you are guilty or innocent! All they want is a Plea, conviction or Probation. Just run them through like a cattle drive and to hell with the charges, as long as you get another notch. I bet you would rather just lynch them all, like in the old days.

Now is a good time to inform you of what I have learned. An Attorney has two steps he must do, according to Texas Law, hired or appointed. (1) The must interview all parties and or witnesses. Fred only talked to me and called my other sisters asking for money, not a word about our brother, his client! We even had some of her family asking to help, saying she is crazy. Fred interviewed none other than me! (2) He has to investigate and if the Defendant cannot afford one, one will be appointed. I paid $2,500.00 for two and never got a word back. Fred M. Talkington didn't do one step! But, the State Bar of Texas couldn't care less. They are there to collect fees and cover butts! Oh yes, they finally told me twice in 2003, that, The evidence I provided, alleges professional misconduct on the part of the lawyer. I began filing a Grievance in July 1998 and finally got their attention in 2003, only to learn, "No finding of guilt, because the statue of limitations had expired!" They jerked me around until the statue of limitations had expired!
Furthermore, I thought all in Court are to be under Oath, even the Prosecutor. Well, D. Avery began the hearing with a lie! And lawyer Fred was too stupid to catch it.

The Board of Pardons and Paroles. You are just as corrupt as I the others. You can't get a thing straight anymore that you can tell the truth! You added to my brother's file, a weapon. For God's sake, if this is true, then someone got a really bad paper-cut. It was a Birthday card you fools. His DWI (1985) and fully served his probation and it was not on his record when CFI hired him. His record was spotless, but you had to have more in his files, to make him appear more dangerous. I sent you all the evidence I had and I was told ALL the members would see the files when his next date came up. What deceit, there were three members, tops! Mr. McElyea out of Austin, finally confessed that , "NO, there was no weapon."

My brother explained to me how the system works. Prison is a revolving door. The only ones released are those they are positive will return. For instance, two just left my brother's Unit. One was doing 25 years for mostly drugs, but it was his seventh trip and he left after doing 6 years. The other got 19 years for assault on a Police Officer and walked out in 5 years. Texas prison system is an Enterprise. Check the Nation's Industries through the nineties and know, they led the Nation!

Knize and all, I am a mother and a grandmother and against any form of abuse! But, what if he had been guilty and you released him? I just can't get over this and think it bears repeating. Can you imagine the trail of destruction and the potential little victims, that you placed in danger? How could you have lived with that possibility coming to fruition? Well, I do not believe you thought he was guilty, because I have two Offense Reports. One dated 3- 21-1989 and the other dated 8/1/89. There are three in particular sections I want point out. There is M/O, Security Check and the Physical Evidence, and not one was marked! There was NO EVIDENCE? Only a crazy woman speaking for a four year old. Text Book. The child will always be four or five. It's becoming the National Pastime. I may blame you for some things the lawyer did or didn't do, so in this regard, I will apologize. Knize, I don't blame you for the fact that we never even saw the Police Report until May, 1998, at the Polygraph's Examiner's office of Eric Holden's. Also Fred told me to give Eric $100.00. I asked why? He said Steve may be pulling the wool over his eyes, and I added, "Oh, I see, this money will correct his vision, right? Also, When Steve told Eric Holden that he only accepted the damn Plea because Fred told him too, Fred was furious! Why Freddy boy? Does the truth hurt or is it more a matter of State Law or State Bar rules? I also had to write a check for $150.00, during his "Revocation Hearing," and was to send another one-hundred dollars when I got home, to Chester A. Grounds, who offered to testify for Steve, but he was now losing money.

At this time I must confess, I do not think the Accuser, thought it would ever go this far. For the first time, things got out of her control and she is not accustomed to that! I know this woman, well. She boasted how much smarter she was than the Government, (I guess that's a moot point now). She is good, very devious, evil and she rules. She was good enough to con Lee Iaacocca out of three free car payments. She swore she could make anybody believe anything she said. When little Steve was born, in the hospital, she told my
brother, "If anything ever happens to us, you will never see your son again." Steve was shocked and told me about it. I said that couldn't be. My brother asked, "Have you ever seen the other children's fathers?" NO, I had not.....not one of three...hmmmm, something to think about. I thought, he may be right, from what I noticed, when she is finished with a man, she casts them out and the fathers never get to see their children, again. With one exception, I will explain later.

Her only daughter had been molested by either her oldest son or her brother, both called Michael. When she confided this to mother and I, we were devastated. We always thought her brother was gay, and aside of being AWOL and behind on child support, she had an anti room off the kitchen, where she hid him whenever the law came looking for him. Plus, he slept with the two youngest ones, the daughter and her young son. The oldest slept with his grandmother. Steve was always concerned with their sleeping arraignments, as he had learned that incest and molestation ran in her family. This is why Steve demanded that his son sleep between he and the wife, for protection. And, under these circumstances, she accused my brother of abusing his own son, the apple of his eye. She tried to convince Steve that he was doing it in his sleep. He went out the next day and bought a Polaroid, placed it over the bed and said, "Next time, get a picture." When Steve left for work on a Monday morning, he asked her, "What are you going to do today?" She replied, "I will call a Counselor and make an appointment." Steve had spent the weekend at home, trying to convince her the whole family needed professional help. Steve never spent another night there. Within an hour of arriving at his office, her brother showed up with all Steve's personal belongings and a message from Sally, "If you come to the house, CPS will remove all the children."

Richard Doss and Parker, On page 1 of the "Offense/Incident Report," the accuser refuses to press charges, and only wants him to get help. (You saw no flags there?) I am a mother and if that happened to my child I would make sure he never saw daylight again! Page 2, "Richard Doss has spoken to Patti Stovall of the Dept. of H/S and accuser has agreed to go to Judge Sue Schmidt's Office to sign Complaint Issuance of Warrant on Steve Steffey is anticipated." She will sign on behalf of her four year old son, 08/02/89. James Spivey and Patti Stovall has to be very gullible, or just right down stupid. You believed every word she spoke without ever investigating her. You ate her lies like a meal. You even believed that ridiculous story about Steve going to the house, and how they all had to protect yourselves. I will tell you the same truth Steve told, when he was able to come to see you. He was at his shop late, working on a vehicle, with a very large screwdriver, when he saw them pull onto his lot. Three of them, her, her brother and the dealer and he knew there was going to be trouble, so he tossed the screwdriver across the shop. The accuser, I think grabbed the fan belt and beat him from head to toe, and Michael and the dealer got their punches in real good and they left. Steve was laid up for days with ribs and other wounds, but in spite of sis and my requests, he came to see you, to tell you what had happened. But, damn it all, she beat him to it and you believed her story. Steve took that beating because she found out he had been to your office that day, demanding tests, and she was livid. That's what happened and she made you both look the fools you are!

In May, she had filed for divorce, but visited Steve at his shop daily. (when I wasn't there) Steve knew I not only didn't like her, but I didn't trust her either. He would beg me to try to get along with her, so for his sake,
I tried. She liked drugs and alcohol. Steve stopped drinking in Nov. 1985. He was opposed to her doing drugs and drinking, especially in front of the children. She was very abusive to the children, verbal, physical and emotional. Mother and I both witnessed her throw her daughter from the kitchen to the back door, because one time she asked for a drink of water and the other was because she told her mother she was hungry! We both threw a fit over the abuse and she went into one of her personalities, screaming, "I hate every mother F-ing child in the world." Right in front of them. Mother took them outside to play. I became enraged I yelled back, "Well woman, there are ways to prevent that and why did you have so many anyway?" I got a go-to-hell look and a response of, "Well, they come in pretty handy too." Her facial expression was one of pure evil. I have yet to find her first marriage and/or divorce, but I was able to find that her second husband filed for divorce while she was pregnant with her daughter.

Steve is very passive, always striving for peace and tranquility, wherein the accuser was the exact opposite. I recall Steve putting his foot down twice. One was she was not allowed to abuse the children and the other when he found out that the # 1 drug dealer and a lesbian that was coming around the house. Again, he knew his wife's background and women were also involved. She and Steve had been together for about nine years. This dealer was now her best friend and Steve forbade her to come around the house and children. Well, nobody tells this accuser to do anything and that was the last straw for her.

She was in trouble. A few nights earlier, Steve caught her in the kitchen staring at the cabinets. He walked behind her and put his arms around her and asked, "What's wrong honey?" She never blinked or moved, but uttered, "Steve, I've done something and I am sorry, but either you or mother are going to have to take the fall for it." What in the world? She wouldn't talk to Steve anymore and went to take a bath. Steve really thought she was having what he thought was after Baby Blues and called me constantly for advise, since I went through it with my first born. I'll never forget his words, "Sis, She is really acting strange, even for her."

I am speculating here, but I think the daughter told someone at school, about her molestation and the school upon contacting her mother, went ballistic. Immediately she called their father and offered him a weekend with his two children. Monday morning she had H/S or Human Services out to the house and announced her daughter's father molested her! I love this part, (being sarcastic) they told her not to file charges, that because of the child's speech impediment, they couldn't win in Court! Can you believe this? In other words, to hell with the child if we can't get a conviction. Gotta get dem convictions or at least a Plea, no matter what, or just forget it?

My brother was already in prison when I told him the entire story. He thought the child had been molested, from what he could gather. He told me, he thought their dad was a pretty good guy. It broke his heart, he loved every one of those children and that was why he stayed, even after I told him to run for his life. I had a vision two years earlier, with the most ominous dark cloud right over his head. I warned him, when it breaks, your life will never be the same brother, you won't know what hit you! About the time he was serious about taking his son and leaving, (over a year and a half later) surprise, she is pregnant again!

Another surprise, the baby boy is not his! It took me two years to speak up and confront him about it. It was when she used a Palmer Judge Sue Schmidt, writing Steve, demanding that he had 10 days to pay two checks for the boys medical bills. I was on his account and paid the bills, because he lived on the road. I told him, "Steve, I have the copies of the checks, the Insurance paid and they were deposited by the Clinic in Austin and a closer DR." Steve told me to send the money anyway, that if not, she would take it out on the children, so it's not worth it. He was right about that, as his son came up with a badly broken arm, at 2:00 am, on some ranch, soon after Steve went out to visit Human Services. But, That is a Felony and a Federal crime, ( for us) to use the mail and extort money. I filed charges through the White Collar Group. Another waste of time. This woman can and does get away with any and everything. When he came home I was so frustrated, I heard myself say, "But brother, the youngest one isn't even yours, yet you still pay his insurance and child support." He softly spoke, "Sis, I know that, but my Lord, the child is innocent, it's not his fault." That's my brother, and yet another reason why he is my Hero!

James Spivey, Steve asked you, "If I am that sick of an sob, why wouldn't I abuse her children?" You said, "Well, Steve, we wondered the same thing, but in fact, all the children speak very highly of you." Well, duh, of course they did, they loved him and saw him as their protector. That rivals with our trips to Dallas Kids Exchange to see the boys, under supervision. The first time there, I could hear a baby screaming and it was the youngest, (the staff was frantic). When I took him in my arms, he immediately became silent. Much to the staff's relief, until we had to leave and he started screaming again. As I held him in my arms, I was stunned. I knew he was not my brother's baby, but I loved him just the same and didn't tell my brother of this until after he was revoked. Little Steve was on the floor with some toys and just went nuts upon seeing his daddy. They were so close and little Steve was the apple of his eye. He had always wanted a son and Sally was very jealous of this. The second time we saw them we were early and waited for them. Little Steve immediately, as he was walking toward his daddy, asked, "Daddy, why did you put sugar in momma's gas tank?" (The accuser was still sitting on the lot). My brother just dropped his head and before he could answer a word, his son placed his little hands on his daddy's face, leaned forward, eye to eye and said, "Daddy, I know you never hurt me, but mamma says if you get well, you can come home." If he says what his mother wants him to say, the child thinks he is helping his daddy to come home. Out of the mouths of babes. The staff went nuts, yelling how we could not discuss the case in any way. I finally got enough and stood to my feet and said, "You all know that we never spoke one word to this child, but I will wager my bank account, that in a court of law, none of you would ever remember what you just heard and saw." They gave no reply, but found many things to get busy with. The next time we saw the children, we had to go to Waxahachie, not Dallas.................WHY? I did meet a young lady there that I became very comfortable with, enough to share the last experience with. I was so pleased that she actually agreed with me and detected "Child Programming." It was so obvious, but sadly enough, I never found anyone, anywhere that had her intelligence. It appeared that all the adults were programmed, or right down stupid.

Knize and Grubbs, Why after I came to town about three weeks later, with the Attorney from Annapolis, MD. Demanding Steve's files and hearing all sorts of excuses about remodeling and such. Why did you find him so threatening that you sent him, by private van, in the middle of the night, with the taxpayers money, to the Gurney Unit, before the Amarillo Attorney could even get to him? Well, I know!

We went to Grubbs Office, but he wasn't there and my Attorney had given the Courts one hour to come up with the files. Saturday, I flew another Attorney in from Amarillo. The Attorney came in to get records and help find a new Attorney. We walked the streets and visited a few. After about three hours Tom, (the MD. Attorney) turned to me and said, "Oh my God, you are right, there is no one here I would trust with a traffic ticket!" I told him before he came, there was not an option, in finding another Attorney in Waxahachie and why I had sent for the one in Amarillo, arriving the next morning.

The next day, I sat at Love Field for hours listening to these men with over fifty-six years experience between them say, "All cases will have an error or two, but we have never seen such crap, with error after error after error, this has got to be the sloppiest mess we've ever seen" But, Gerald McDougall from Amarillo, (an Esquire that held a license in Texas, Colorado, France and Germany.) Before he could get to Steve, Who had Steve transferred, by private van to the Gurney Unit, leaving behind many that had been waiting for months to be transferred? Again, why was it so important that the taxpayers had to spend money to get my brother out of town? You had already sentenced him to twenty years. So why the two Detectives telling Steve, "We will not leave until you confess." Steve's reply was, "Then I hope you packed well, because you will be here as long as I am." You sent him off for twenty years, why do you still have the need for his confession? You never got it and you never will! Nor will he make Parole on the third attempt, because he will not confess to something he never did! In his own words, "Sis, I would rather die here in prison than to confess to a crime I am not guilty of and give my son any reason to believe any of the lies his mother has told him. I know I am innocent and so does she, but I will not allow her to beat me again!" Some of you know Steve did die in 2002, upon reading of his niece's death in a tragic five car accident. As I have told you, we are a very close family and the loss of his sister's 24 year old child was more than he could endure, knowing he couldn't be there for her. We didn't think about it being in the Dallas Newspaper, for it happened near Austin. It was in the paper, but alas, On the way to the Morgue, God saw fit to bring him back. Our Lord is not finished with my brother, so I guess if you want him dead, you will have to do it yourselves!

Tom Pavoldi. Why were you and Ben Boaz so determined to send my brother to prison? Is it because of the error in 1993, where the "Plea Bargain Agreement," was checked Guilty, instead of non-conviction deferred probation. And someone found the "Plea Bargain Agreement," in July 93 and called CFI to ask if they were aware they had a Felon working there. I don't blame her, she was doing her job. It's just another of the vast amount of errors. Ellis, CO. had to apologize to Steve's Company, CFI. After Fred wrote them a letter of correction. A woman forced Steve to register here in my home town as a sex offender on 07/06/93, stating Steve was a Convicted Felon, charged 08/04/1989! Gary Clayton, Steve's Probation Officer in my town, told him not to sign it, that it didn't apply to Steve. Enters Tom Pavoldi! The date of 08/04/89 was the day he was arrested and out on bond before any charges were ever brought, in September.

Steve told Gary, "Tom Pavoldi is out to get me and I will sign it." How right he was. Pavoldi, you
then forced him to sign, "Sex Offender Registration Notification Form," that goes to Austin on Dec. 21, 1995, and on the same form, not one Penal Code applied to Steve! Also, you have his offense date in 1984, before his son was born!. Oh yes, you all really have it together. I look at all I have and it seems as though I am watching an episode of "The Three Stooges." But, there are far more than three. You forced him to do sex counseling with Ben Boaz, knowing he could never pass it. His problem is that he could not relate to the homework, because he was not guilty and couldn't relate to something he wasn't capable of doing. My question is, "How do you rehabilitate a non-offender?"

Ben Boaz, what an idiot and puppet! Then you forced him to sign your new "Conditions of Probation," on April, 2, 1996 and signed by Knize April, 25, 1996. You forced him with threats of losing his job, and that you could have him report to you daily, if you so chose to do so. When He signed that, he had to "waive his rights to an attorney and to a formal hearing." One, that by law, must be in a Court of Law. How long did it take to find all the shortcuts?

By the way, I heard a rumor, that at the time, you were dating the accuser. Is there any truth to it? Did the relationship encourage you to go after Steve? I really do not know, that's why I am asking you. I was merely told you had been seen with her, at a couple of stores. Again, I do not know!

Ben Bozo Boaz, Why did you first tell Steve to give you 3 or 4 months and you would get him out of it? Because in the beginning you believed in him, until Pavoldi got to you just like he did to Gary Clayton here in Linden! Then you told him you would see to it, that he goes to prison? Because of Pavoldi! He even jumped Gary about the type of Counseling Steve was getting in Texarkana, that it was the wrong kind! Well, MR. know it all and do it all, according to his Conditions of Probation he signed June 6, 1991, in a Court of law, he was required to seek and pay for psychological counseling for he and his son, which he did. You didn't even have the proper dates either! 1994? What is that and why did you & Pavoldi allow him back on the road, this dangerous, Sexual Predator? You say because Steve was so angry at being falsely accused, he was in denial. And better yet, how about him being deceitful for not saying, basically that he would not cheat on his wife! Ben Boaz, you need more help than my brother does!

This enabled you to force the sex counseling on him, which led to your ability to Revoke his probation,
without following procedure and having it done in a Court of Law? A perfect setup. It took you years to finally arrange it, but you did it. All of Pavoldi and Ben's hard work finally paid off, I must confess, but I don't like the way you work! KNIZE had to be in on it too. Most likely Grubbs also. Boaz, you were angry that Steve owed you money! You cared more about your fees, than my brother. You even had the gall to bill me for $900.00 after Steve was sentenced. You are a lowlife! You are all snakes, poisonous snakes.

Attorney Fred M.Talkington, You are the most inept, incompetent, alcoholic, greedy, foul mouth man I have ever known. You lied about your experience and expertise in this type of case. You said you were the Chief Prosecuting Attorney for Henry S. Wade for 17 years and had the experience needed for this case. I finally found where you did fight one case of this type and lost, appealed and lost again. I have never found where you ever worked for Wade. He actually told Steve to say, "True," to the charges. I gasped and suddenly he told Steve, NO, "say "Not true." The only thing he did right was getting them to admit, "NO, Steve never confessed, nor did he testify." However, Fred didn't have the God given sense that a first year law student would have done; APPEAL-None. That tied the new attorneys hands and especially with your complete refusal of releasing his files. Lawyer Fred refused my request, (I have POA) Steve's also, and the new attorney's calls, faxes, mail Certified or Registered. He refused to hand over the files. I got him on the phone two days after Steve's Revocation Hearing, demanding the files and he told me, "My God Sharon, they are in my archives." I froze, this man just represented my brother in a court of law, for his life and he had no files? I asked Fred, "Did I just call BR-549?" "You are the reason my brother was arrested, you ordered him not to turn himself, that it is your job, and then you failed to show up for the Hearing!" Be honest for once in your sorry life, you never had Steve's files or they were so incriminating you couldn't afford for them to be seen, by anyone! And I have learned how P.I.'s work, and you never hired them, but pocketed my money and that doesn't account for all the money you extorted from me. And you knew Steve would never allow our elderly parents to mortgage their land! You are obese, an alcoholic and your time is short. I suggest you better seek the Lord for forgiveness for what you did to us and God only knows how many more exists!

The Arresting Cops, How dare you stand and yell at a very ill woman that my brother was going to marry.
I heard you on the phone yelling at her, "Don't you know this man molested his own son?" Remember, he was still not CONVICTED by law, but by all involved in his case. I wasn't able to hear it all, but you made me sick to my stomach as I tried to hear you over her sobbing, and attempting to calm her. She knew the whole sordid story, but believed in Steve. It was years before he even looked at a woman as it was all he could do to live anything close to a real life. When you first went to the house, she did what lawyer Fred always told us to do. He had two rules, if anyone called or came looking for him, we were to say, "He is with his attorney." The other rule was, if and when we got to the Courthouse and didn't see him or his car, we were not to enter!

When you COPS left and went to Fred's house, he told you he was most likely packing to go out on the road or was already gone, but Steve had changed his mind and couldn't put his Company at such a high risk. He was not going out on the road and I thank God he didn't. Fred had him doing that since the middle of March, when I got word there was a Warrant out for him. Steve came right back to town to turn himself in and Fred threatened to drop him if he did, saying, "That's my job, you keep your ass on the road to make money to pay me." So, he would call the Dallas Sheriff's Office, or have me or Bev and no Warrant ever came up.

On the night prior to the Hearing, Fred was drunk and at Steve's. I was present and he seemed more upset that I got married than about Steve's case. He wanted more money and all Steve had was $90.00 and gave it to him along with his prized min-pin dog, that Fred wanted from the first minute he saw it. We were to meet at Denny's on I-35 at 7:15 or 30. I began calling Fred at 7:45 am and continued until 8:30. We hoped he was just running late, the norm for him, so we decided to go on and meet him there, but he nor his car was there. I parked two or three blocks away and Bev and I entered the Courthouse and heard Knize say that was it, no more continuances, get out a Warrant. Steve was arrested because Fred failed to show for Court. It was after ten before I got him on the phone screaming at him. He told me, "I'm sorry, Linda and I were up all night fighting, but it's okay, I'll just call Knize and get it fixed." I told him to forget that, I related Knize's comments and informed him who all was there. It was like an ambush. He was shocked at those I named and said, "Well, then this is good, now I know what I am up against, so I can be prepared, I've got an idea and I'll call you back."

He did call back and had another buddy Chester A. Grounds that would see Steve that night at 6:00. I stayed over and went with brother and I confess, I did fell better, based on what Fred told me after the meeting. He told me to go on home, that he had it under control. I did leave that night, but had a gut feeling to go back, but due to my precious husband's loving support, I chose to return to him. I was awakened the next morning to all the hell and brother's arrest and Bev was so hysterical, I went back there to be with her. So, in essence, my brother was arrested because his highly paid lawyer failed to show for the Hearing. Yes, in retrospect, Steve should have turned himself in and planned to, until Fred got involved. But, I still want to know why they waited so long, believing him so dangerous that they went from Jan. 14.1998 to June 17th, I think, before they bothered to send the Warrant outside of Waxahachie, if they did. Actually Ben Boaz had already sent Pavoldi a letter recommending his Revocation in Nov. 1997! And Steve had met with Tom in Nov. Tom and acted like he didn't care at all about the Birthday card. Jan.14, 98 Knize gets involved and in March, we got word of it. Mid June he was arrested. Citizens of Waxahachie, does this not scare you? Well, it should. If this man was such a threat, why did they drag their feet, when if in truth, he was guilty, why was he left to roam free for so long? Remember, were he guilty, every child in the country was at risk, with Knize offering NO protection at all. In truth and reality, Knize placed all children in harm's way! I hope you give this much thought. There is a very easy answer to it all, THEY KNEW HE WAS NOT GUILTY, THAT THEY WERE AND ARE THE TRUE CRIMINALS HERE! They are the ones that belong behind bars, not Steve. They can't even keep their own records straight, if they even have them, and with all the repeated, erroneous errors and criminal actions, our family has endured nothing less than a nightmare, and I am being kind!

In closing, I will say one thing, "Does the term, "COMEUPPANCE" mean anything, to any of you?" Well, let me inform you, you will soon learn it's true meaning. To all those that have contacted me in Confidence, I shall never violate it, and I appreciate the faith and trust you have bestowed upon me, but hurry up please. The clock is ticking and I have plans too. The Bible says, "I am my brothers keeper." This fight will never end as long as I have breath. Not because he is my brother, but he is my innocent brother. I will be glad to take a Polygraph anytime, are any of you willing to do that? In my heart, I want to believe that Knize was simply depending on the DA's office, but I know better. I have to face the facts, this is a Railroad job on Steve in order to cover up all the errors and violations, made by those we should be able to depend on. You are to have elections next year and I pray you take it dead serious. You created the Monsters, but it's not too late to speak your feelings at the Polls. But, sorry to say, I don't even trust the Ballot counting. I recall reading the Rodney Ramsey didn't stand a chance and I find that so disheartening. God's will be done! I would walk the streets, even clean them if it would help this truly, honorable man. From where I sit, his goodness and respect for the law, mixed with his faith, are strikes against him and that is really an abomination for your community. You know the old saying, "You make your bed, then you sleep in it." WAKE UP before it's too late. I don't know if I have shared this, but I am not a Republican nor a Democrat. I am Independent. I vote for the man or woman best suited for the job. I am sick to death of Party lines!

At this time, I wish to thank the Ellis County Observer and the Press for their kindness and dedication to TRUTH and JUSTICE, and most of all, for allowing me to share my story, to those that live in the real world. And, I would be remiss to omit Joey Daubin and Rodney Ramsey for their never ending love and support in keeping me going, often!

Love in Christ,
Sharon Southers-Allen
RAllen2777@aol.com

It's Not Who You Are...

2007-06-21T19:24:00.001-07:00

I had this story relayed to me by a good friend, and because of the nature of political dealings in Waxahachie, I'm not going to use any names except the one I was given permission to use. So, it was real late at night, and a certain daily newspaper publisher by the name of Neal White strolled into one of my favorite bars in downtown Waxahachie - won't say which one - thinking that, since he was the publisher of the local daily newspaper, he could get in a quick beer. It was getting late, the bar was already closed, and apparently, the bar owner was quick to tell White something along the lines of, "look, we're closed, and we don't care who you are."

Apparently this didn't sit well with the WDL publisher, who then got furious and -- oh, did I mention it was during a very big festive event that the entire community was looking forward to? -- well, refused to help this certain business out in coverage of the upcoming event.

Well, little did White or the WDL know, but this bar owner calls the brand new company that bought out the WDL and complains over the actions of said publisher; within one day, not only was there coverage of the important event, but the bar in question was featured quite prominently.

All that talk about "it's all who you know" doesn't equal jack-crap sometimes...

Why Didn't the WDL Run With This?
I'm going through some archived e-mails from avid Observer readers and, as it relates to this blog's continuous crusade to expose the confusing actions of our district judge and county attorney's office, I'm starting to wonder out loud why our local daily newspaper isn't doing its job informing folks of what's going on. Then again, maybe part of me wants to think that due to the tight-knit relationship the newspaper and our above-mentioned county entities hold, the reason for holding off on such information (below) is apparent:

Hi Joann [Livingston, Editor @ the WDL],

This is [Name Removed]. I had a face to face meeting with [Asst. Prosecutor] Patrick Wilson about his decision not to take Aniruddha Chitale (former doctor) to trial. He sat across a table from me and swore that he told me and [Name Removed] (the other felony sexual assault victim) that we would absolutely win if we proceeded to trial. That is utterly and completely untrue. I was shocked to find out that the unsealed files reveal that over 20 women had come forward and filed complaints with the DA's office. He had told us that we were alone and there was no evidence that represented a pattern of behavior. I approached the probation officer, Mr. Albert Mims, about the fact that Chitale is required to have absolutely NO internet access and yet he owns and is operating an Internet business from his home. Chitale is still not registered as an offender. This system is broken. Mr. Mims says they currently monitor 60 offenders and they do not have the resources to monitor all these persons on a timely basis. I just thought you might want to hear this information. What if you or someone you worked with or loved had this happen to them? How would you want the situation to be handled? I asked Patrick Wilson if he had any intention to make the situation right by filing charges against Maria Ballard for perjury. He said he is done with this matter. I asked him if he intended to file charges on behalf of any of the other victims(20) that were assaulted by Chitale. He replied with disdain and extreme irritation in his voice, "I am done with the matter!" as he walked out of the room. I told him that if they thought for a moment that the way they handled this was justice they were wrong and that I would be reporting them to the State Bar. I've downloaded the forms and have been told by the State Bar that this is an option for me. Once again if you have any questions or just anything you would like to talk about concerning this matter please call me @ [Number Removed].

Sincerely,

[Name Removed]

And people really need to start saving these blog posts, because the more I go through the archives, the more I'm going to be publishing stuff.

And why hasn't the WDL reported on the lawsuit that Joe Grubbs has filed against the AG's office to keep from releasing any of the pertinent documents in the Chitale case? Does anybody even give a care about this? Do I have to set the news agenda for every media outlet in this county? I mean, it seems as if nobody seems to care about victims' rights in this county...it's sickening.

Mr. [County Attorney Joe] Grubbs,

I am writing you concerning the matter of convicted sex offender Chitale. Last week I was contacted by Sargent Guthry who stated that he was in the process of correcting all information posted on the sex offender registry. As of this date no changes have been made. Yesterday I was interviewed by three investigators with the Board of Nurses of the State of Texas. They had been led to believe that the former doctor had only plead guilty to ONE felony charge. These circumstances lead me and others to believe that someone with the county is covering over Chitale's crimes. I truly hope that you see the need to correct this matter. I want this to be easy but I am willing to push equally as hard to accomplish my goal in this matter as I did to get Chitale investigated in the first place. "I didn't want to have anything to do with this matter." Patrick Wilson, assistant District Attorney for Ellis County. Maybe you are not completely aware of how all cases are handled within your office. I am informing you now! As I told Patrick I will speak with EVERY AGENCY in the state of Texas and if I have to the federal government in order to get this situation taken care of properly. I feel that if your wife had been assaulted you would feel exactly the same way.

[Name Removed]

New Marketing Campaign

2007-06-21T16:10:00.000-07:00

We hope to have t-shirts made (white lettering, black t-shirt) depicting a "brazen" brand of activism.

The Ellis County Observer takes its idea off this image.

And I'll figure out a way to work in the syringe. It was kind of unique...

This one is reader-submitted and goes along with the "editorial" posted here.

-Joey
elliscountyobserver@hotmail.com

Local Democrats Meet Each Week

2007-06-20T14:07:00.001-07:00

The Ellis County Democratic Men’s Coffee Club meets from 9 a.m.-noon every Friday at 215 E. Main St. in Waxahachie. Everyone is welcome, and newcomers especially are invited to drop in for coffee and doughnuts, not to mention lively and informal conversation. There is no charge, and no reservation is required.

For more information, call Larry Harris at (972) 938-3090.

2007-06-18T14:37:00.001-07:00

287(g)
Should the Ellis County Sheriff's Office or individual Ellis County cities' police departments help the problem of illegal immigration? The issue is getting serious up in Dallas County, specifically the Republican Party primary for Sheriff.

The title of the program is called 287(g). Irving's city council shot themselves in the foot; only two council members voted for it. First Farmers Branch. Then Irving (sorta). What is going on up there most certainly should be coming down - south to Ellis County that is.

The Detention Model under 287(g) keeps illegals from being released back into the community after being arrested. The problem is, however, we also want to catch them before they commit a crime and that is the Task Force Model. The Criminal Alien Program is just one program that ICE operates under 287(g). We want them all...Research it at ice.gov and Mechlenberg, N.C. police department website

Thank You, Joe Barton!
Finally, finally, finally a vote by Congressman Joe Barton, R-Ennis, that I can be proud of: he actually voted against a spending bill! And get this: for the Department of Homeland Security at that (probably depended on the amendments the Democrats tacked on to it). But still, this is cause to celebrate. Congressman Barton has been in office since 1984. I was three. If someone gave me $4,000, I'd throw my hat in the primary just to teach him a lesson. But today, I'll give him credit. He voted like a conservative.

Homeland Security Appropriations, FY2008 - Vote Passed (268-150, 14 Not Voting)
The House passed this $37.4 billion bill that would fund the Department of Homeland Security for the 2008 fiscal year.
Rep. Joe Barton voted NO......send e-mail or see bio

(wonder if all of those hits from the House of Representatives in Washington were a result of this blog - and only this media outlet - publishing his Congress.org voting record?)

2007-06-15T17:16:00.001-07:00

Readers who weren't able to catch The Ellis County Observer radio show today can download the podcast by clicking here...

Still not sure when the next ECO Show will be, but rest assured, I'll let people know about it...

http://boss.streamos.com/download/blogtalkradio/show_30539.wma

2007-06-13T17:04:00.000-07:00

Comment Policy Reversal
Readers can now post comments anonymously again. I missed the arguing.

Send news tips to elliscountyobserver@hotmail.com or contact me directly at 972-891-2135

Ellis County Justice Center Photos

2007-06-12T18:53:00.001-07:00

Exclusive Photos By Joey Dauben

Probably won't find any like these anywhere...

Note: Joey Dauben was the first reporter to have exclusive photos of the inside of the Justice Center; upon noticing an unlocked door in 2003, Joey snuck in with a digital camera and documented the mold and water damage that plagued the government facility, which was razed in January of 2006; it was financed by a tax anticipation note even after voters rejected it at the polls.

2007-06-11T16:24:00.000-07:00

The Ellis County Observer Policy Comment Changes
Effective immediately, if you don't have a registered username with Blogger.com, then you will not be able to post comments. Hundreds and hundreds of comments are posted weekly on all of our blogs, but 97% of them are anonymous.

When you go to register a username, you don't have to actually "blog" to post comments. This is simply a way for the editors - and me - to moderate comment-posters better. This might cut the number of active-posters, but with a 2-minute registration, readers can post comments on any of our blogs. The identity of the comment-posters will still not be known unless a specific username is registered with a real name.

Sorry we had to do this. I encourage all participants to register at www.blogger.com and continue posting, but now you'll need a username to do it.

-- Joey

2007-06-10T13:24:00.001-07:00

Alma
May 26
Robbery, 100 block FM 1183, suspects assaulted complainants during the commission of a theft $4,000
May 30
Burglary of vehicle, 600 block Blazek Rd., suspect(s) entered complainant’s vehicle to commit theft $500
Burglary of vehicle, 600 block Blazek Rd., suspect(s) entered complainant’s vehicle with intent to commit theft $800
Bardwell
May 26
Theft greater than $50 less than $500, 1600 block FM 984, copper wire taken from vacant home $250
Reckless damage or destruction, 400 block S. Old Walnut, suspects drove vehicles onto complainant’s yard causing ruts
May 29
Recovered stolen vehicle, Sandswitch at Ramons, recovered stolen vehicle
Ennis
May 20
Assault causes bodily injury family violence, 700 block Hornik, complainant assaulted by his 17-year-old daughter
May 24
Aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, 100 block Hoot Ln., suspect threw gas on reporting person and was going to set him on fire
May 25
Duty on striking fixture/highway landscape greater than or equal to $200, 2800 block Hwy 34, suspect(s) struck mailboxes and did not notify owners $150
Burglary of building, 3700 block Hwy 287, suspect(s) forced entry to business to commit theft $2,115
May 27
Fire call, 800 block Valek Rd., lightning struck chimney
May 28
Criminal mischief, 1700 block FM 984, unknown suspect cut complainant’s fuel line $5
May 29
Theft greater than or equal to $1,500 less than $20,000, 4700 block Oak Grove Rd., suspect removed lock from chain securing four-wheeler to complainant’s carport and removed four-wheeler without consent $6010
Violation of protective order, 200 block Church, suspect violated emergency protective order by going within 500 feet of the complainant’s residence
May 30
Theft less than $50, 600 block FM 985, unknown suspect(s) took complainant’s newspaper without consent $.50
Burglary of building, 4900 block Sugar Ridge Ln., suspect(s) entered complainant’s building and committed theft $2,000
Ferris
May 11
Theft greater than $50 less than $500, 900 block Bluff Springs, unknown suspect removed air conditioner from the complainant’s property without consent $500
May 23
Theft greater than $50 less than $500, 100 block Squires Ct., unknown suspect took complainant’s trailer from their property without consent $500
May 25
Fraud use possession of identifying information, 100 block Hurst Cir., suspect used complainant’s personal information to obtain credit
May 28
Theft greater than or equal to $1,500 less than $20,000, 1900 block FM 983, suspect removed trailer containing property from complainant’s yard without consent $6,130
May 29
Deadly conduct, 1700 block FM 780, no description available
Maypearl
May 28
Criminal mischief greater than or equal to $1,500 less than $20,000, FM 308 at Bee Creek, suspect damaged complainant’s vehicle by scratching it and breaking a tail light $2,000
Midlothian
May 23
Reckless damage or destruction, 2800 block Stevie Mike, suspect threw items into complainant’s pool $800
Criminal mischief, 5300 block Moose Dr., unknown suspect caused damage to complainant’s front door $50
May 24
Assault causes bodily injury family violence, 100 block Kirk Rd., suspect assaulted wife by pushing her, dragging her across the yard and choking her
May 25
Criminal mischief greater than or equal to $20 less than $500, 5600 block Beaver Creek, suspect damaged complainant’s property without consent $200
May 26
Theft greater than or equal to $500 less than $1,500, 3400 block Skinner, suspect took property without owner’s consent $1,030
May 27
Fire call, 2100 block FM 1387, residence damaged by fire
May 29
Theft equal to or greater than $500 less than $1,500, 600 block Eastgate, suspects took complainant’s property without consent $805
Deadly conduct discharge firearm, 4600 block Shiloh Rd., complainant found bullet hole in their garage door $350
Milford
May 22
Theft greater than $50 less than $500, 1400 block Cosby Rd., unknown suspect(s) entered complainant’s backyard and removed property $431.92
Oak Leaf
May 30
Burglary of vehicle, 100 block Hackberry, suspect entered complainant’s vehicle without consent $150
Palmer
May 27
Attempted theft greater than or equal to $1,500 less than $20,000, 200 block Eagles View, unknown suspect(s) attempted to steal complainant’s pickup truck from the driveway. Windshield and passenger window were damaged
May 29
Assault causes bodily injury family violence, 800 block Palmyra, suspect hit wife in the face with a closed fist, breaking two of her teeth
Public intoxication, 100 block Parker Rd., suspect was intoxicated and caused a disturbance with a passing motorist and had to be restrained by a friend
Assault public servant, 100 block Parker Rd., suspect was intoxicated and caused a disturbance with a passing motorist and had to be restrained by a friend; when deputy attempted to arrest suspect, suspect shoved deputy in the chest and ran away on foot and disappeared into a wooded area
Evading arrest detention, 100 block Parker Rd., suspect was intoxicated and caused a disturbance with a passing motorist and had to be restrained by a friend; when deputy attempted to arrest suspect, suspect shoved deputy in the chest and ran away on foot and disappeared into a wooded area
Reagor Springs
May 27
Assault by contact, 200 block Corral, suspect slapped complainant on the hand
Resist arrest search or transport, 200 block Corral, suspect pulled away and resisted being handcuffed
Red Oak
May 24
Interfere with emergency communication. 200 block Brushy Creek, suspect pulled phone lines from wall to prevent complainant from making an emergency call
Assault causes bodily injury family violence, 1000 block Glen Brook Dr., suspect shoved victim’s head against a wall until she was unconscious
Reckless damage or destruction, 500 block Pritchett, suspect damaged complainant’s fence without consent $20
May 26
Assault causes bodily injury family violence, 1000 block Batchler Rd., suspect grabbed wife around the throat with his hands, causing her to lose consciousness
Assault causes bodily injury family violence, 200 block Carson, suspect hit complainant numerous times in the face with a closed fist
May 30
Criminal mischief greater than or equal to $50 less than $500, 100 block Hackberry, unknown person spray painted complainant’s signs $100
Rockett
May 26
Assault causes bodily injury family violence, 200 block Sunrise Ct., suspect assaulted complainant, leaving scratches on his head and face
Waxahachie
May 24
Criminal mischief, 8800 block Mary, unknown suspect(s) spray painted complainant’s mailbox $6
May 25
Criminal mischief greater than or equal to $50 less than $500, 300 block Tocca, suspect damaged complainant’s property by toilet papering their home $500
Credit card abuse, 2600 block Rutherford, suspect used complainant’s credit card number to make a purchase over the Internet
May 26
Harassment, 700 block Gibson, suspect called complainant numerous times, making harassing statements
Assault causes bodily injury family violence, 100 block Spider Rd., suspect grabbed complainant’s hair and kicked her
Assault causes bodily injury family violence, 900 block Big Sky, suspect struck complainant several times with a closed fist on the face and chest
Theft less than $50, 900 block Big Sky, suspect took complainant’s purse $10
Assault by contact, 200 block Corral, suspect put open hand over complainant’s face and pushed her back
May 27
Assault causes bodily injury family violence, 100 block Catawba, suspect choked his stepson
Theft greater than $50 less than $500, 900 block El Camino, suspect took complainant’s mini-motorcycle $750
Criminal trespass, 900 block El Camino, suspect came onto complainant’s property with “No Trespassing” signs posted
May 29
Assault causes bodily injury family violence, 10 block Maree Court, suspect yanked complainant’s arm

2007-06-10T13:21:00.001-07:00

Arrests
May 25
Jimmy Lanorris Mc-Cowan, assault causes bodily injury, criminal mischief greater than or equal to $50 less than $500
Lee Ann Powell, expired license tags, no proof of financial responsibility
May 26
Misael Fuerte, drove without lights – when required, no proof of financial responsibility
Lydia Esparza, no driver’s license, fail to signal turn, no proof of financial responsibility, possession of drug paraphernalia
Edward Franklin Keel, display fictitious inspection sticker, possession of drug paraphernalia, open container of an alcoholic beverage in a motor vehicle, no proof of financial responsibility
William Ray Fulks, other 9999
Amanda Nicole Dun-bar, expired operator’s license, defective brakes
May 27
Kristian Tamayo, evading arrest/detention using vehicle
Sherry Evette Artlie, no proof of financial responsibility, expired oper-ator’s license
May 28
Julian Cesar Hernan-dez, driving while license invalid
Dedrick Glenn Williams, theft greater than or equal to $50 less than $500
George McGowan, possession of drug paraphernalia, other 9999
Aliyah Charese Hat-ley, assault by contact – family violence
May 29
Leonard Earl Chandler, criminal trespass, criminal mischief greater than or equal to $50 less than $500
Rodney Jvon Birdow, no proof of financial responsibility, display expired license plates, fail to display driver’s license
Travis Lerome Patterson, theft less than $50
Lonnie Earl Jackson, other 9999
Candise Annette Smith, credit card or debit card abuse
Tabias Lyndreal Lac-ey, no driver’s license
May 30
Kimberly Jane Smith, driving while license invalid
May 31
Sylvia Garza Rodrig-uez, no valid motor vehicle inspection/fictitious
Lawrence Shea Thomas, possession of drug paraphernalia, other 9999
Antonio Isaguirre, driving while license invalid

2007-06-10T09:46:00.000-07:00

The Ellis County Observer Show
"The ECO Show"
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/eco

Listener Call-In Number:
646-478-5811

If you thought the blog was controversial, you haven't seen anything yet. Callers are not screened, guests will receive the itinerary beforehand so as to not feel "ambushed." We'll start this June 15 and continue every Friday at 6 p.m. until/unless the show warrants a daily audience. For now, this will be done on Fridays at 6.

Be sure to bookmark http://www.blogtalkradio.com/eco so as to listen live, or download the podcasts. Suggestions for guests or topics should be sent to: elliscountyobserver@hotmail.com.

Note: I don't check the ECO e-mail account, my webmaster does, so anything that is sent will be forwarded to me.

2007-06-08T13:56:00.001-07:00

The Ellis County Observer Show
"The ECO Show"
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/eco

Friday, June 15 @ 6 p.m.
Guests: TBA

Listener Call-In Number:
646-478-5811

JoeGrubbs.com

2007-06-05T15:40:00.001-07:00

Re: www.joegrubbs.com
Aside from me owning the domain to our county attorney -- that's right, I own www.joegrubbs.com -- I've been busy gobbling up a few others. Not sure what I'll put on the pages, but I guarantee readers will know the truth about cases that are argued before Judge Gene Knize's court.

The names now in my possession:

www.geneknize.com

www.judgeknize.com

www.elliscountyda.com

www.40thdistrictcourt.com

www.waxahachiedailyblight.com

www.knizelovesbabyrapers.com

Bookmark those. For now they will be pointing to "blank" screens, but rest assured content will be added when it becomes available. And just in time for high-profile election years :) For now though, readers can access www.joegrubbs.com and read about the Robert Trevino case that The Ellis County Press ran a five-part series on in 2004.

'It's For The Children'

2007-05-31T14:01:00.000-07:00

Applying the Economic Way of Thinking to Health Policy

Subject:  Covering the Kids

Who could be against health insurance for children?  People who   
want government to run the whole health care system are counting on   
there not being very many.

That's why you see a big push to expand SCHIP, the state-run,   
federally subsidized program to provide health insurance to children   
whose families earn too much to qualify for Medicaid.  Since   
children are the healthiest population age group and child health   
insurance is the cheapest insurance found anywhere, the theory must be   
that SCHIP is a lot less expensive than tackling a really serious   
problem.

One disadvantage of living in a democracy is that people actually get   
to vote on these things.  Fearing something much worse, I joined   
with Gene Steurle (Urban Institute) a few years back with a simple   
proposal.  Parents should show proof they have insured their   
children (by employer plan, Medicaid, direct purchases, etc) before   
claiming the $500 child tax credit (the tax code's reward to the   
middle class for having children).

Now that the credit has climbed to $1,000 per child, the case is   
stronger than ever.  Republican members of Congress who passed on   
our tit-for-tat idea will now have to explain why only they and   
Ebenezer Scrooge want to deny families both a tax credit and free   
health insurance.

In the unlikely event that voters are inclined to listen, the   
arguments against SCHIP are quite strong.  Harvard economist   
David Cutler and MIT economist John Gruber find that for every   
additional $1 spent on Medicaid, private insurance spending contracts   
by 50¢ to 75¢.  For SCHIP expansion, Gruber estimates   
the contraction is 60¢.

If people can get free insurance from the state, they drop their   
private coverage.  Or employers stop offering private coverage as   
a fringe benefit.  The result: a massive shift of the burden from   
the private sector to taxpayers - while making only minor dent in the   
percent of people uninsured.

Also of the 8 million uninsured children in this country, fully 70   
percent already qualify for Medicaid or SCHIP - their parents have   
just not bothered to enroll them!

Sorry if I ruined your day.

Cheers,

John

John C. Goodman  
President  
National Center for Policy Analysis     
972-386-6272  
www.ncpa.org

Salaries - Commissioners, Judges

2007-05-28T15:04:00.001-07:00

Salaries & Pay - Commissioners, Judges
When people have more information, they can make decisions clearly come election time, and even begin to trust those who we put in public service. We'll have these lists on the left-hand sidebar with the other salaries of the probation department and county attorney's office.

Note that former Precinct 2 Commissioner Jerry Holland, D, Ennis, is still employed in our county's "minority" precinct (Pct. 1 was designed to give the county a "minority.") And Commissioner Ron Brown, considered the most conservative of the court, employs David Duke. No, we're not kidding. David Duke works for Commissioner Ron Brown in Precinct 4.

Commissioner - Precinct 1 (Palmer, Ferris, Ennis)

Dennis Robinson		72,381.00
Roy Bobo		19.03 per hour
Carol Haden		16.98 per hour
Gerald Holland, Jr.		19.03 per hour
Charles Jones		15.65 per hour
Sam Knoll		19.03 per hour
Edwin Krajca		15.65 per hour
Lawrence Krajca		13.55 per hour
Cayetano Marin		16.98 per hour
Larry McKenney		15.65 per hour
Roger Melton		19.03 per hour
Guadalupe Nieto, Jr.		15.65 per hour
Thomas Pelzel		15.65 per hour
William Todd Robinson		20.59 per hour
Abel Rodriguez		16.98 per hour
John Williams		12.16 per hour

Commissioner Pct. 2 (Ennis, Waxahachie, Bardwell)

Billy Dodson		72,381.00
Ruben Benavidez		16.98 per hour
Judy Borders		16.98 per hour
Ojimer Cannaday		15.65 per hour
Kenneth Clary		14.32 per hour
Billie Copeland		19.03 per hour
Rodney Dickerson		19.03 per hour
Marvin Dorton		19.03 per hour
Ronald Holubar		15.65 per hour
Patrick Meyer		19.03 per hour
Randy Novak		19.03 per hour
Sammy Pleiner		20.59 per hour
Johnny Rankin		8.68 per hour
Billy Slovak		12.77 per hour
Kelton Spence		16.98 per hour
Robert Wilkinson		15.65 per hour
Tim Zabojnik		16.98 per hour

Commissioner - Pct. 3 (Italy, Maypearl, Midlothian)

Heath Sims		$ 72,381.00
Jonathan Blundell		15.65 per hour
Chad Bradley		13.61 per hour
Kelly Cravens		17.13 per hour
Johnny Hanes		16.98 per hour
Billy Isom		16.98 per hour
Bobby Johnson		19.56 per hour
Charles Johnson		17.13 per hour
Glen Johnson		9.30 per hour
Alysa Kirton		17.50 per hour
Ather Marion		16.65 per hour
Brian Mathiowetz		16.65 per hour
Henry Montez, Jr.		19.56 per hour
Jessie Phillips		16.98 per hour
Lonnie Reavis		19.98 per hour
Dane Southerland		12.77 per hour
Edward Vaughan		19.98 per hour

Commissioner - Pct. 4 (Midlothian, Red Oak, Ovilla)

Ronald Brown		72,381.00
Gregory Butler		13.02 per hour
Gary Davis		17.21 per hour
David Duke		14.32 per hour
Larry Feaster		13.00 per hour
Leobardo Grifaldo		14.32 per hour
Garry Herrell		15.65 per hour
Kenneth Hindman		15.45 per hour
David Hyles		13.02 per hour
Stacey Lee		16.51 per hour
Liborio Luna		15.45 per hour
Julio Perez		15.06 per hour
Thomas Logan		15.75 per hour
David Thompson		20.59 per hour
Rob Yates		11.00 per hour

County Judge

Chad Adams		93,002.00
Dawn Rousseau		16.42 per hour
Nelta Dayton		6.74 per hour

County Treasurer
	Judith Burden	63,469.00
County Auditor
	Michael Navarro	83,733.00
Audit Division	Cheryl Chambers	50,281.00
	Linda Lake	17.67 per hour
MIS Division	Teral Crawford	36.38 per hour
	Mathew Edington	20.72 per hour
	Jocelyn King	20.72 per hour

County Court at Law 1
	Gregory Wilhelm	$129,250.00
	Charletta Middleton	27.94 per hour
	Merced Urias	$ 34,159.00

County Court at Law 2
	Gene Calvert	$129,250.00
	Tierney Ledbetter	27.94 per hour
	Patricia Marshall	16.42 per hour

Open Letter to Ellis County, Texas

2007-05-27T11:37:00.001-07:00

Open Letter to Ellis County, Texas

Citizens of Ellis County, our beautiful county is growing, our children are faced with numerous opportunities and challenges...and just maybe in all of this, the people who read this blog are getting a better account of why this project exists.

I consider our courthouse the most beautiful building I have ever seen. The courthouse photo on The Ellis County Observer banner is the best photograph I've ever taken. However, past the beauty of that building - past the beauty of our family farms, of our scenic county roads and open space...is a disease that infects thousands of counties and cities nationwide.

The disease is corruption. And before I go further, allow me to say that, after watching A Time To Kill, I became convinced of the proper role God has me here for: and that's to tell it like it is. Call a spade a spade, call bad leadership what it is...and expose the "unfruitful works of darkness." You won't get a sugar-coated message from me. You'll get what's happening here and now, in the past, and what could very well happen in the future -- if we don't teach our children, grandchildren and current leadership the right way to do things.

Corruption is moral perversion, or dishonest dealings. It is the disease that has taken its toll on the body of Ellis County taxpayers. When God told me to launch The Ellis County Observer in October of 2005 (I'm not shy about admitting who calls the shots, either), my first focus was to apply the principles I learned from my family (honesty) and the years I spent at The Ellis County Press (honesty in government, an oxymoron at best). I had no idea how much of an impact this blog would be on the political structure in this county: and make no mistake, whether your politics agree with my views or not, no one can afford not to read this blog. It's that simple. Some actually have quit reading due to certain gripes or statements made. That's fine. It's just another statistic of why we have the problems we do.

Because people would rather bury their heads instead of fighting for what's right. Whatever the fear, retaliation of business, home, family...people are too afraid, and just too focused on other things to care about what's right.

My family values (honesty) trump any political persuasion I may hold, or any political party I may become involved with. So allow me to make it simpler: I am an honest young man trying to make a name for doing what's right in politics. That's almost unheard of, but it has been done. (That's why I love Barry Goldwater so much)

Now let's get to the main point of this: we have a disease that has wrapped itself in every body politic in this county; cities are being run by good old boys; school districts tax the fire out of people (still); our county government at times seems to care more about special interests than the people.

And there's a cure: honesty in government. I have struggled and struggled with myself these past six to eight months over just what God wanted me to do, how he wanted me to do it, and where he wants me to go. And I became convinced -- it took a great movie to do it -- that regardless if I ever raise my right hand to swear an Oath to defend the Constitution as an elected or appointed official -- I will be honest, and I will expect the same from public officials everywhere.

And if God allows me the opportunity to serve in some capacity, I'll be excited; but I'm confident now that the proper role for Joey Dauben in all of this is to be the watchdog on Ellis County. Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty. Just because something has existed for so long doesn't make it right. And I'll call people out on it. I'm no longer afraid of what I do. I stopped being afraid about two years ago. It just clicked that if I were doing God's will, I would be protected -- and so would my family.

There will be times when I post things on the blog that won't make sense. There will be times on the blog where people will be offended. There will be times that I even make mistakes (gasp!), but know this: it took a 19-year-old getting his first newspaper job in DeSoto to learn the ropes in how to effectively witness to such a dirty industry as politics. I knew politically that I was a threat when I damn-near won a Midlothian school board seat in 2003 (losing by 19 votes in a four-way race); but my calling was already in the hopper before that time; I had most, if not all, of the front page articles on The Ellis County Press. I was 22. No college education. Just a by-the-ropes from the people I consider a second family to me (and more importantly, Sheila Hatfield, whom I consider a mom).

So why the need for an open letter? Why the need for a movie to finally get me to realize? Because for one thing, attorneys and the legal establishment in this county will not tell you the truth about the power juries really hold. That's not made-up fantasy conspiracy views; our own founding fathers believed strongly in the power of juries.

Some will say my almost-obsession with the Robert Trevino case trumps reasoning; I say if someone is guilty of a crime that heinous, they deserve the maximum punishment; however, if someone is railroaded, like Robert Trevino certainly was, then it's up to people like me to expose it.

Some might argue that I've burnt too many bridges, and recently did I apologize again (I've done it numerous times) to the members of the Catholic community for my long-held spiritual views - that I was open in sharing. But realizing that in certain situations, it's better to have allies on huge issues than enemies on small ones, I cannot apply the same principles to everything. For that I'm sorry.

But make no mistake about it. I will not apologize for what I do. My heart - I believe - is in the right spot. It's still a learning process, though, navigating the dirty politics of this generation. Of many generations.

The Ellis County Observer exists for one sole reason: to expose the people doing wrong, so that solutions can be done right. That's it.

There is plenty of wrong in our county. Plenty to make mayors, council members, judges and attorneys sometimes afraid to have their name bolded.

Not to say I don't have friends who are mayors, councilmen, judges and attorneys. I certainly do have a core group of elected officials that I look up to very much, and short of political strategy or information they might "leak," they will be treated differently (look, politics is politics; if someone wants to be off the record, I value that relationship more than anything). However, if my friends screw up, make a bad vote, or don't listen to the people, I'll call them out on it.

Republican, Democrat, Independent...it doesn't matter. If you do what's right, then there's nothing to be afraid of. If you're doing something that the people don't want you to know about, this blog will expose you.

This letter is an extremely in-depth way of saying that I'm convinced of my role, both present and in the future, and that I will not give up fighting for what is right.

And if that makes me "uneducated," or "extreme" or "radical," so be it. Honesty is a bitch sometimes. It's hard to swallow. Hard to comprehend. But in the course of everything, it's the right thing. If you're not honest, you can't be trusted. And if you can't be trusted, more than likely you'll be blogged about. I promise you.

-Joseph "Joey" Dauben
Publisher, The Ellis County Observer
elliscountyobserver@hotmail.com

Re: Judge Wilhelm

2007-05-25T09:33:00.000-07:00

Discontent with Wilhelm?
Recently appointed-to-fill-the-post-of-the-retired-Bob Carroll Court at Law No. 1 judge Greg Wilhelm...whew...is reportedly causing headaches for a few defense attorneys in the county. Surprise, surprise, none of these attorneys want to go on record, but they say Wilhelm, who won the county treasurer's position over incumbent Ron Langenheder last year, is inexperienced when it comes to handling jury trials.

More than likely, it's the Knize Camp that keeps circulating these "complaints," and if I was given the permission to post the list of who has told me what and why, I would (but I'm not stupid either, if I say someone's name won't be published, it won't be published; hence comment moderation from now on).

So there's all sorts of rumors as to who might commit political suicide and go up against Wilhelm in the primary next year. And all I can say is that if you've got County Judge Chad Adams and more importantly, the Midlothian Bible Church, behind you, it's going to be a hard race.

(MBC has produced county leaders Adams, Wilhelm, Dan Altman, Paula Baucum, Carroll, and probably the entire GOP executive committee)

Ellis County Facilities Bond Vote

2007-05-18T09:38:00.005-07:00

Ellis County Election 2007
County Facilities Bond
Vote Analysis
Compiled By Joey Dauben

Friends of Ellis County PAC
Contributions: $15,625
Expenditures: $13,998.45

Contributors
Larry Burns - $500
Layne Ballard - $200
Joe Gallo - $500
[Mark] Singleton - $5,000
Tom Ed Burleson - $100
John Wray - $75
Danny Humphries - $100
Clay Jenkins - $500
Chuck Beatty - $100
Staubach Company - $5,000
Wayne Boz - $200
Rocky Stones - $500
Gary Stanford - $50
Steve Chapman - $50
Jim Chapman - $50
Craig Anderson - $100
Waxahachie Merchants Assoc - $500
Ellis County Abstract - $1,000
Gary D. Brown - $100
Linebarger, Blair... (city's law firm) - $1,000

Expenditures
Michael Franks Printing - $7,121.77
Postmaster (2 payments @ $3,438.34 each)

Summary: I've highlighted the unique contributors. [Mark] is put in brackets because I assume that's who contributed (Singleton is head of CNB Bank); Ellis County Abstract is state Rep. Jim Pitts' company; the Staubach Company - the consultants commissioners paid $150,000 to study facility needs - pitched in $5,000; the City of Waxahachie's law firm also pitched in $1,000; Danny Humphries is a Red Oak insurance agent - keep your eyes on that guy. I sense a future political office run for Mr. Humphries, who, by the way, has a very, very nice car he takes out to drag race :) Now for the fun part:

Election Day - May 12, 2007
Voting Analysis By Precinct
$53 Million County Facilities Bond

Precinct 101, 102, 107, 108, 142
(Midlothian Conference Center)
FOR: 533
AGAINST: 406

Pct. 103, 137
(Ovilla City Hall)
FOR: 284
AGAINST: 192

Pct. 104, 109, 110, 139, 140
(Red Oak City Hall)
FOR: 405
AGAINST: 359

Pct. 105, 106, 143
(Ferris Jr. High)
FOR: 143
AGAINST: 154

Pct. 111, 134, 136
(Waxahachie Bible Church)
FOR: 197
AGAINST: 87

Pct. 112, 118
(Maypearl ISD Administration)
FOR: 219
AGAINST: 201

Pct. 113, 114, 115, 119
(Waxahachie's Graham Street Church of Christ)
FOR: 218
AGAINST: 109

Pct. 116, 117, 128
(Palmer's Fundamental Baptist Church)
FOR: 208
AGAINST: 243

Pct. 120, 129, 135, 144
(Marvin Elementary)
FOR: 581
AGAINST: 225

Pct. 121
(Ennis' Austin Elementary)
FOR: 107
AGAINST: 178

Pct. 122, 126, 127
(Ennis' San Jacinto Auditorium)
FOR: 205
AGAINST: 339

Pct. 123, 141
(Ennis' Bright Morning Star Baptist Church)
FOR: 49
AGAINST: 52

Pt. 124
(Ennis Community Center)
FOR: 41
AGAINST: 72

Pct. 125
(Ennis' Travis Elementary)
FOR: 102
AGAINST: 298

Pct. 130
(Milford Community Center)
FOR: 43
AGAINST: 56

Pct. 131
(Italy Community Center)
FOR: 194
AGAINST: 161

Pct. 132, 133
(Avalon School)
FOR: 51
AGAINST: 38

Pct. 138
(Oak Leaf City Hall)
FOR: 102
AGAINST: 75

It's interesting to note that the conservative areas in the county are still north - I say this because statistically, the no votes on elections such as this are mainly from conservative or conservative-leaning voters and precincts. It's very, very interesting to see how many of the Ennis precincts were voting no on the facilities bond. And in Palmer, where the people there absolutely love their commissioners named Robinson (the only dissenting vote in putting the facilities downtown), the box pulled in more no votes than yes ones.

The above information is readily available at the Elections Department, 116 Monroe in downtown Waxahachie. Phone: 972-923-5195

Found a copy of this Waxahachie Daily Light - the Sunday issue about (former) Taxpayers Alliance for Good Government chair Marshall Evans taking down vote Yes signs - "touched up" in one of the county offices. Is this what we pay our county workers to do? It's a fuzzy photo because it was taken with my camera phone.

And, while everyone's attention is on this analysis, I want to thank the management at Bent Tree Apartments for "sticking up" for me during the recent city council campaign. They told me that the Waxahachie Daily Light had "ambushed" them with all sorts of questions about who I was living with, for how long, etc., etc. to which Bent Tree replied, "first, pull out your tape recorder and put it on the table," and "...we can't give you any of that information." I didn't want to make an issue at all about it, but the management came to me telling me what had taken place, and even went as far as saying, "they did it just because they don't want new blood on the council."

2007-05-18T09:38:00.001-07:00

Ellis County District Attorney Salaries

2007-05-11T14:28:00.001-07:00

2006-07 District Attorney Salaries
Due to increasing demand that this blog publish - again - the salaries of some of our local government officials, we are doing just that:

[Source: Ellis County Observer Open Records results]

Note: Grubbs is paid by the state ($100,000+) but is paid for specific county attorney duties.
JOE GRUBBS
COUNTY/DISTRICT ATTORNEY
$10,262
DON MAXFIELD
ASST ATTY VI
$95,696
CINDY HELLSTERN
ASST ATTY V
$82,798
PATRICK WILSON
ASST. ATTY V
$82,798
ANN MONTGOMORY
ASST ATTY IV-CIVIL
$66,387
LINDY TOBER
ASST ATTY IV
$65,122
AMY NGUYEN
ASST. ATTY IV
$65,122
JULISSA MARTINEZ
ASST ATTY IV
$65,122
SARA SPECTOR
ASST ATTY IV
$65,122
AUVENSHINE, W. LEE
ASST ATTY IV
$65,122
KIE WATKINS
ASST ATTY III
$55,066
MONICA BISHOP
ASST ATTY II
$52,463
ANDREA KLEMENT
ASST ATTY I
$51,286
SIPES, RICKY D.
ASST ATTY I
$51,286
As of December 8, 2006

Adult Probation Department
Gary Hunter -- $50,232
William Riley -- $51,106
Sonja Butler -- $46,769
Sharon Levingston -- $43,661
Mary Guerra -- $40,367
Frankee Velarde -- $38,814
Jimmy Smith -- $37,231
Justin Bryan -- $35,714
Steve Erickson -- $34,167
Matthew Hanrahan -- $34,167
Jeffrey Roney -- $32,705
Hector Verdin -- $32,705
Leonor Cerda -- $32,705
Kim Satterwhite -- $32,705
Brett Beaman -- $31,147
Garner Brass -- $31,147
Miranda Mercer -- $31,147
Marvine Morrow -- $37,027
Yvette Gallegos -- $31,148
Rita Walker -- $27,824
Sammie Hall -- $33,410
Norma Kennedy -- $27,711
Donalyn Derfer -- $25,116
Johanna Sigala -- $25,116
Richard Rodriguez -- $64,470
Alfred Mims -- $80,018

Juvenile Probation Department
Chris Aldama -- $73,808.73
Darrin Ray -- $52,220.10
Mark Zmolik -- $42,600
Janis Burdett -- $43,757.71
Chatrinia Bank -- $41,789.52
Chad Anderson -- $37,130.33
Matthew Martinez -- $36,913.72
Lola Spuhler -- $35,746.71
Jessica Martinez -- $35,000 (starts Oct. 16)
Ryan Payne -- $32,930.33
Callie Cole -- $31,000
Raquel Piper -- $29,061.64
Ginny Lindsey -- $17,304 (1000 hours)
Intake Officer -- $34,085.70 (to be filled at a later date)
As of Sept. 22, 2006

Waxahachie Debt

2007-05-09T10:41:00.001-07:00

Ellis County Debt
Peggy Venable with Americans For Prosperity told a near-packed crowd at last night's Taxpayers Alliance for Good Government meeting of what to expect with a successful May 12 $53 million bond: an increase in principal of nearly 288% - the county estimates (according to the Ellis County-AFP handouts given last night)

"a nearly 13% increase in property taxes over the 20 years to pay for the bond package. A $100,000 home could see property taxes change from $350 per year to nearly $400 per year." [Source: AFPTX.org]

Ellis County Government Debt
Property Tax (2005): $0.35
M&O: 32.37 cents
I&S: 27.3 cents (aka debt service)
Property Valuation (2005): $7,974,096,259
Total Tax-Supported Debt (as of 2006): $25,906,522
Principal: $18,701,262
Interest: $7,205,259
Debt to Assessed Value: .3248%
Debt per Resident: $194.09

What's more, every resident with a computer and Internet access can obtain the debt information from the Texas Bond Review Board. On. Each. City. And. School District.

http://www.brb.state.tx.us/dbsearch/city.lasso

Put in any Ellis County city and you can find the debt that is still owed, and average it out per homeowner (population stats would be handy).

Then do it for school districts:

http://www.brb.state.tx.us/dbsearch/isd.lasso

Then do it for Navarro College or any other college district:

http://www.brb.state.tx.us/dbsearch/ccd.lasso

Before this week is over, this blog will try to have debt information on every entity in Ellis County posted, linked and readily available for those curious to know how hard the taxes will hit. And don't kid yourselves. The property tax increases on this much debt for any of these entities will be drastic.

So much for our conservative county, ay?

Navarro College Expansion & Dirty Tricks

2007-05-04T20:10:00.001-07:00

Navarro Trying to 'Impose Tax on Ellis County'
The Corsicana Daily Sun, Navarro College's version of the Waxahachie Daily Light, has been publishing some interesting little editorials and stories of late, mainly in regards to Navarro College President Richard "Dick" Sanchez trying to lobby the state Legislature to force Ellis County taxpayers to pay a "maintenance tax." (a nice way of saying "user fee")

“Let me tell you. I don’t represent Ellis County,” [state Representative Byron] Cook told the group. “If somebody tried to impose a tax on people of my district, I’m going to fight them.

“For me to carry legislation that would potentially impose a tax on people I don’t represent is something that I won’t do ‘yesterday, today, or tomorrow,’ and I told them that,” Cook said.

“I also went to (Ellis County) Representative Jim Pitts who informed me that he was asked to carry (legislation) before I was, and he said ‘No, and not only that, if Mr. Cook carries it I’m going to fight it’,” Cook added.

“I love the college, and I’m going to do everything I can to help them, but the college has got to do things right. They have to do things right,” Cook said.

http://www.corsicanadailysun.com/archivesearch/local_story_104214806.html

See? If not for The Ellis County Observer, nobody would know crap in this county...thank God we have Jim Pitts down in Austin. With all the nice buildings that Navarro's revenue bonds are paying for in this county, Ellis County doesn't need a property tax to fund colleges.

As much as the establishment would love to just throw another property tax on us, we'll have a state legislator fighting against it.

Dick (Sanchez) should be careful; the cotton candy he's giving people here in the form of new school buildings is a nice gesture, but we'll fight another property tax - if that's the route he's willing to take, and it looks like Navarro County taxpayers are about to foot the bill for more expansion - in a place not called Navarro County. In fact, Navarro College's problems would be solved if they just chunked half of their board of trustees and Dick himself.

There's more (we're starting to become fans of state Rep. Byron Cook, R-Corsicana):

“I’ve asked them to have transparency in their financial disclosure. Right now they have a consolidated financial statement, which means ... you will not have a clue how the money is being spent.

“It’s not allocated by campus, by community, overheads are not allocated in a way that anybody in this room would be able to understand,” Cook added. “You can never truly look at a business and make a determination when you can’t break those things down.”

Navarro's Board of Trustees will meet May 17 at the Midlothian campus; what the recent Waxahachie Daily Light failed to mention in their little article about Navarro's Waxahachie expansion is that a $3.5 million bond will be floated to pay for the expansion; thank you, Navarro County taxpayers!

This is getting good:

Sanchez said he confirmed with an attorney that such discussions, including at least two recent closed door meetings held by trustees in March, were in fact in violation of the [Open Records] act, something both Sanchez and Wasson said they were not aware of. Trustee meetings held March 3 and March 22 both included closed door sessions they admitted were in violation of open meeting laws; a March 3 meeting with State Rep. Byron Cook where trustees discussed proposed legislation they wished Cook to carry; and a March 22 meeting, when trustees and other college administration officials discussed proposed increases in tuition and fees.

Navarro is trying to slip this tax on us secretively. Well, thanks to the reporters at the Corsicana Daily Sun for shining the light on this stuff.

We're starting to miss Waxahachie resident Fred Weldon. He always had great editorials about what Navarro was up to.

Maybe some citizens should attend the May 17 Navarro board meeting and casually bring up the fact that the violations of the Open Meetings Act to discuss a potential Ellis County property tax will not be tolerated....or a tax on our residents of any kind for that matter.

2007-05-03T12:39:00.001-07:00

Chuck Edge is a Great Chief
Waxahachie's new police chief has already started making waves in this city; first, before he was even hired, the establishment - and their lapdogs in the press - put heat on City Manager Paul Stevens for not tipping the Waxahachie Daily Light off first when the hire was made; that was "strike 1." Strike 2 came just one day after Edge was hired: he demoted Cyndy Wiser, considered by many as one of the problems with WPD's "problems." (Her husband, Joe, is the other; and for good measure, throw in Billie Wiggins Pendleton). You had people from all over this town screaming bloody murder when Wiser was demoted; according to a former WPD cop, Wiser rode in on a previous administration, had an affair with Joe, and those two eventually married.

Anyway, so word comes from the lapdogs that the city's Civil Service Commission voted not to accept the demotion -- unfortunately, Chief Edge only has symbolic powers in certain areas; he can't just fire people or demote them without some outside "commission" agreeing to it; it's hard to get anything done in that regard: hell, the former publisher of the WDL (Williams) sits on the commission.

Civil Service Commission
Chair, Bob Aday
Curtis Williams
Teresa McNiel

We support what Chief Edge and City Manager Stevens are doing; these are slow changes in the right direction for the city, regardless if an establishment-packed board has other ideas.

Ellis County History Lessons

2007-04-25T15:36:00.000-07:00

Ellis County History Lessons
Ever wonder who our past county clerk was? Or what about the previous county commissioners before the hilarious Jerry Holland, D-Ennis? Well, now you know:

County Judge
Bruce Allen (1946)
James Mulkey (1948)
Lem Wray (49 - 54)
Milton Hartsfield (55 - 74)
Joe Grubbs (75 - 82)
Al Scoggins (83 - 84)
Connie McGuire (85 - 86)
Jas. Blakemore (1987)
Penny Redington (88 - 94)
Al Cornelius (95 - 01)
Chad Adams (02 - present)

40th District Judge
A.R. Stout (46 - 68)
Bruce Allen (69 - 74)
Milton Hartsfield (75 - 86)
Gene Knize (87 - present)

378th District Judge
Al Scoggins (95 - present)

County Court-at-Law No. 1
Joe Grubbs (83 - 84)
Al Scoggins (86 - 94)
Carol Bush (95 - 96)
Bob Carroll (97 -present)
*Greg Wilhelm (*begins unexpired term May 1)

County Court-at-Law No. 2
Gene Calvert (2002 - present)

Commissioner Precinct 1
Grover Ranton (1946)
Glynn Luther (49 - 52)
Jack Risinger (53 - 81)
David Jones (82 - 88)
James Harper (89 - 96)
Hallie Joe Robinson (97 - 2001)
Dennis Robinson (2002 - present)

Commissioner - Precinct 2
E.J. Kendall (1946)
W.T. Munn (1948)
E.J. Kendall (49 - 57)
Mrs. E.J. Kendall (58 - 60)
Johnny Evarts (61 - 66)
R.L. Christian (67 - 68)
Johnny Evarts (1969)
Alex Kasper (70 - 74)
Harry Burden (75 - 81)
Don Johnson (82 - 86)
Ron Gillespie (87 - 90)
Jerry Holland (91 - 01)
Larry Jones (2002 - 2005)
Bill Dodson (2006 - present)

Commissioner - Precinct 3
Will Jarrett (1946)
Horace McCain (48 - 49)
Charles McLaughlin (50 - 53)
C.W. Wimbish (54 - 68)
P.L. Rollins (69 - 84)
J.B. Sims (85 - 88)
Del McLane (89 - 92)
Connie Doyle (93 - 96)
Charles Waller (97 - 00)
Jackie Miller (2001 - 2003)
Heath Sims (2004 - present)

Commissioner - Precinct 4
DeWitt McDonald (1946)
Harry Forbes (1948)
DeWitt McDonald (49 - 52)
Roy Cowart (53 - 57)
Mrs. Roy Cowart (1958)
C.W. Ralston (59 - 78)
Albert Baucum (81 - 86)
Cliff Wammack (87 - 90)
Ron Brown (91 - present)

Sheriff
Jess Cariker (46 - 48)
E.B. White (49 - 56)
Wayne McCollum (57 - 76)
Barney Boyd (77 - 88)
John Gage (89 - 96)
Ray Stewart (97 - present)

County Attorney
C.C. Randle (1946)
Stuart Lumpkins (49 - 54)
Bruce Allen (55 - 68)
Ward Casey (69 - 71)
Gene Knize (72 - 86)
Mary Lou Shipley (87 - 94)
Joe Grubbs (95 - present)

Auditor
William Davis (46 -73)
Doris York (74 -76)
Allie Venable (77 - 81)
Yvonne Odom (82 - 97)
Mike Navarro (98 - present)

Treasurer
Brevard Templeton (46 - 62)
Frances Phillips (64 - 90)
Theata White (1991)
Mark Price (92 - 02)
Ron Langenheder (02-06)
Greg Wilhelm (06 - 07)
*Judy Burden (appointed to fill Wilhelm's unexpired term)

Tax Collector
W.A. Lyon (46- 48)
Tom Craig (49 - 52)
W.C. Ralston (53 - 60)
Roger Tate (61 - 68)
Ernest Allen (69 - 70)
Joe Merritt (1971)
Bettye Meador (72 - 90)
Carol Calvert (91 - 97)
John Bridges (98 -present)

County Clerk
Louin Martin (1946)
Joe Thompson (1948)
Charles Huff (49 - 74)
Faye Washington (75 - 90)
Cindy Polley (91 - present)

District Clerk
Jake Talley (46 - 57)
Mrs. Jake Talley (59 - 66)
W.D. Price (67 - 73)
Raymond Oâ€™Daniel (74 - 82)
Gayle Simpson (83 - 86)
Billie Fuller (87 - 2005)
Melanie Price-Reed (2006 - present)

No need to thank me. These records are available at the county clerk's office, but because I'm a local history buff, I had to compile them all in a blog format.

Now if we could just find out who Ellis County's congressional representatives have been before Phil Gramm and Joe Barton. And no, I do not believe it would have been my distant cousin, Leslie Hackler, who ran as a Democrat for Congress in the 50s; his was mostly a Dallas County district (he was on a first-name basis with judges Barefoot Sanders, Sarah T. Hughes, the Hunt - as in oil - family, etc.) Hackler, who was originally from Ovilla actually, lost by a 60-40% margin, if my relatives are correct. (he later ran for district judge)

If anyone has any Justice of the Peace or Constable information from before World War II to now, please send that to: elliscountyobserver@hotmail.com.

Republican or Democrat?
Now if folks know what party those that have been listed were members of, that would be very interesting to know as well.

Welcome!

2007-03-31T14:03:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the only media outlet devoted to Waxahachie politics. We're currently looking for an editor and other contributing bloggers. If you would like to write for us, send us an email at: elliscountyobserver@hotmail.com or call 972-891-2135.

Or if you just want to submit news tips, rumors, or other information regarding Waxahachie politics, send those in too.

WISDBlog.com | Exposing Waxahachie ISD

Photos | Parents Picket Waxahachie Jr. High

Waxahachie High School Principal Has Fake Degree

No Theft Charges Against Ex-Principal John Aune for Theft

Waxahachie Cheerleader Arrested for Shoplifting

Watch Your (Ballot) Language | Waxahachie ISD Edition

Updates: Ex-Coach Arrested on 2 Felonies

WISD/WDL Suppression is Harming 'The Children'

Coach-Student Sexual Relationship Alleged

Why Ellis County, Texas?

Waxahachie School Board Approves Stadium Turf Repairs

Stadium turf repairs OK'd

By MIKE SACKETTDaily Light correspondent

Teacher Says Contract Was Renewed. WISD Says it Wasn't.

Dr. Joe Has Got to Go

May 9 Election | 6 Candidates for 3 Seats

WISD | Elections 2009

Waxahachie ISD Inflated Attendance Figures

Dr. Joe Langley Allowed Male Principal to Watch Girl Getting Fondled

WISD's Taxpayer Debt Load Just Got Larger

Dr. Joe Langley Lies About $500,000, then Votes for $800,000 Mistake

Langley Lies About Deficit Budget

Dr. Joe Langley's Bait and Switch Mislead Voters

Waxahachie Elementary School Had Lead in Water Fountains

Dr. Joe Langley Covered Up for Supt. Bobby Parker

Howard Eighth Grade Center's Delays.

Lancaster ISD: Don't Hire Waxahachie's Ex-Superintendent

Letter from Sharon Allen

Letter from Sharon Allen

2nd Letter from Sharon Allen

Mid-Way Airport Update

Navarro Eyes Tuition, Tax Hikes

Mid-Way Airport Illegal Contract Update

Open Letter from Sharon Allen

It's Not Who You Are...

New Marketing Campaign

Local Democrats Meet Each Week

Ellis County Justice Center Photos

JoeGrubbs.com

'It's For The Children'

Salaries - Commissioners, Judges

Open Letter to Ellis County, Texas

Re: Judge Wilhelm

Ellis County Facilities Bond Vote

Ellis County District Attorney Salaries

Waxahachie Debt

Navarro College Expansion & Dirty Tricks

Ellis County History Lessons

Welcome!

By MIKE SACKETT
Daily Light correspondent