January 30, 2005
Getting Muddy in Colleyville a column by Nelson Thibodeaux
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The concept there could be a
divergence of views in Colleyville has continued to obviously
"chap the butt" of The
Colleyville Comics (Courier). Each week a new personal
attack on me, but no mention of Local News Only where
information can be found that backs up views with facts.
LNO, a media that allows all sides to express their views.
To The
Colleyville Comics (Courier) ,allow me to offer some of
Uncle Boudreaux's Butt Paste and a handy device to apply firmly
in an area reflective of your journalistic integrity.
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The
Colleyville Comics (Courier) headlines blared out in three
inch letters.
Bond Issue
Muddied by
Thibodeaux
CCAN Founder
Pressures
City Manager
More headlines for LNO's editor
but no substance in its article. Folks might wonder
where they are getting their material. My recommendation to
those guys, READ LNO more carefully, maybe you'll learn
something.
The editors of the old Soviet
Union's Pravda must be proudly watching from below!
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From the January 28, 2005 pages of The
Colleyville Comics, ..."we learned from city sources that
Nelson Thibodeaux and his political action committee have actively
been pressuring city officials into remaining silent on this issue (burying
the power lines).
The City Manager of Colleyville Bill
Lindley did not have to be pressured. He already had a clear
understanding concerning the state mandated guidelines in matters of
bond elections and public employees. The Colleyville Comics continues its slanted
crusade about the bond issues, even as it holds itself above others for their alleged biases.
The Comics would have the public believe somehow Mr. Lindley was
"pressured" not to reveal certain facts about burying the
power lines issue. When in fact, as noted in the Lieber column in
October 2004 below, Lindley was simply adhering to the
guidelines.
The only contact in regards to "this issue" was I, in the
capacity as Editor of LNO, contacted Lindley about alleged quotes in The
Comics. The finding was, first Lindley is misquoted, then the
January 21st issue continued to attribute other quotes to "City
Officials" without identification, which was obviously meant to
infer the "official" was Lindley.
The Comics has removed balance and fairness out of the debate, in
favor of made up quotes by "higher" authorities. What credible
newspaper would begin a paragraph that states, "Because we do
live in a democracy, fortunately, we called the experts
ourselves.."
This is not even a good opening for a column, but if The Colleyville Comics wants
to pretend it has any journalistic pride, AT LEAST refer these articles
as columns, therefore personal opinions. Please discontinue
insulting the public trying to slop this by as factual news articles.
Their misguided efforts could have an adverse impact on Lindley's role
as City Manager. It is not fair and damn sure not balanced.
For those that may not know, apparently like the Editor of The Colleyville Comics, Texas
Ethics guidelines preclude using any public funds to promote a bond
issue (only the facts are allowed to be distributed with public funds)
and caution any city employee not to engage in comments or actions in
support of a bond issue. Colleyville's City Manager is well founded in
his decision to demand he not be misquoted. Lindley's cautious refusal
to comment on the bond issue, less his statement be interpreted as a
"favorable" position, is the exact role he must play in this
matter.
For example, the case of the Decatur School District was included in a
column by Star-Telegram, Dave Lieber on posted on Sun, Oct. 17, 2004
Click
Here to read the entire column.
The
following are excerpts from the column titled:.Rules change for promoting Texas school bond elections,
... the Decatur school district promoted the bond election as the "best solution" for the children.
The commission ruled that the district stepped over the line and presented more than the facts about its $32 million bond issue.
After learning about the Decatur case during the summer,
Veitenheimer, the new Keller superintendent, ordered a pro-bond video prepared by the district for last month's bond election pulled from the district's Web site. He also ordered that it not be shown at bond presentation meetings in the community.
After Keller's bond proposals lost, Veitenheimer asked the district's bond counsel to prepare a memo showing how future bond elections should be conducted in light of the Decatur ruling.
The memo recommends no longer following traditional bond election campaign techniques.
According to the memo by the McCall, Parkhurst and Horton law firm of Dallas, only factual statements about bond proposals may be offered by school district officials.
"The following types of terms and phrases are also considered advocating a position and should not be used," the memo says.
They are: best solution, fantastic, state-of-the-art, countless benefits, horrible shape, need and we must do something.
The following types of motivational slogans and calls to action are also violations:
Good schools are the foundation of a good community.
Every child deserves a good education.
Put children first.
Show that you care about our community.
Even if the words used and slogans uttered are purely factual, the memo warns that "the tone and emphasis" could still get a district in trouble. "Bold or italicized print in a written communication or voice inflection during an oral presentation could be viewed as advocacy even if the information presented is strictly
factual" |
Once the public understands the strict
requirements concerning comments attributed to elected officials or
public employees, they will understand that the pressure not to comment
comes from a much higher source than the Editor of LNO!
If the Comics has proof of "city sources" that have
been pressured not to reveal facts about the bond issue, lets HAVE
NAMES, DATES AND PLACES!
Finally, concerning bury the power lines. Here are two facts to
consider, a.) the power lines will ONLY be buried between Little
Bear Creek and Big Bear Creek. All others will still be in the
second class overhead territory. b.) there has been NO argument
that to bury the lines would be cheaper when the Hwy 26 is widened; the
point is taxpayers should not be asked to bury private company utilities
at all.
Wouldn't a simpler solution just be placing power lines BEHIND the
businesses, while still overhead they would be out of sight?
For clarification, I am NOT the Founder
of Colleyville CAN. As a private citizen, I am a charter supporter of
Colleyville CAN in both its civic activities and political positions to
date. I have never held myself out as the spokesman for CAN, never
made cash contributions (except we purchased Support our Troop Ribbons),
never chaired a meeting or moderated a forum.
However, if it takes having The
Colleyville Comics muddy my name weekly, in order for the public to
know the facts, then so be it.
Mayor Joe Hocutt.
The Mayor has stated he felt the public should have a right to
vote on the issue he supports. |
I would point to the
conduct of Mayor Joe Hocutt in this bond election to date by
referring to his published comments. Mayor Hocutt has
stated that he personally believes the citizens may want to
"invest" in their community, for example, bury
the power lines. Mayor Hocutt has been a supporter of this
proposition in workshops and when the council voted to put
Proposition 6 on the ballot. The Mayor has stated he felt
the public should have a right to vote on the issue he
supports. Mayor Hocutt has a right to his position and to
passionately encourage others to agree with his views. However,
Mayor Hocutt has not lashed out at those who may oppose
Proposition 6 or any other ballot proposition. Councilman
Mark Skinner should go to school on the Mayor's conduct during
this election period. |
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Bitter Skinner
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The
Mayor's conduct is in stark contrast to the published comments
and underground attacks of Councilman Mark Skinner. Skinner has
drug up his old VETO philosophy of last year. He believes that
anyone who may once lost an election are not worthy and
obviously any opinion must stem from some sort of deep seated
bitterness.
Apparently, Skinner is of the opinion that his one election win,
with a 52% margin, makes him a political dynasty icon in
Colleyville. |
I must admit I was initially bitter in
2000 when I lost an election that was awash with lies about me and my
positions, I got over it. I got over it because the citizens were
able to witness my replacement in action, Dennis Marlin. You may
remember Marlin, he resigned after failing to pay his city taxes.
After suffering less than a full term of Marlin, the seat I once held,
Place 4, was captured by Richard Newton and now is occupied by Mayor Pro
Tem Jon Ayers. These gentlemen have provided leadership and
guidance from Place 4, so all is well! According to The
Colleyville Comics (see cartoon below from May 2004), all of the
candidates I supported were elected in May 2004. So Mark, could
you explain your email again when you say, "So
they keep hanging around pitifully hoping someone, somewhere, will hear
their rueful “Chicken Little” cries."
Folks, I have to tell you, I have watched and participated in local
politics for 20 years, and do not believe I have ever read anything
quite as schizo as Skinner's email that was posted on LNO yesterday, Click
Here.
Taking in account Skinner's anger and bitterness toward others, that he
considers his opposition, now WHILE he is still in office. Can you
imagine the major psychological trauma he is in for when he is defeated
for re-election in May?
Oh well Mark, you can come over and visit with me, after all, I will
tell you how it really feels to be "Muddied in Colleyville.
Wait, Mayor Thibodeaux, yeah I like
the sound. Of course, King Thibodeaux does have a certain ring to
it as well. HMMM, folks if you have any ideas send your emails to
me personally. Click
Here.
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February 2005 Bond Election
"ITS ABOUT HIGH TAXES STUPID!"
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columns posted on Local News Only.com (LNO) are noted as "a
column by." The opinions expressed are that of the
author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial opinion of
LNO or of any advertiser. LNO does not warrant, confirm or endorse any facts
that may be referenced in the column. |
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