The Italy Informer

Italy ISD to Release 3,000 Sex E-Mails

2011-04-01T15:03:00.000-07:00

The money order for $33.30 has been bought, I'm taking it to Italy next week to pick up the CD-ROM of the 3,000 e-mails that show former coaches Kyle Holley and Dana Hamby engaging in a sordid affair that reveals graphic and salacious details of their sexual "positions" on school grounds, among other things. There's not much of a story here other than the fact that these two were caught on campus and in front of students and staff sexing each other up.

Letter from Italy ISD to Joey G. Dauben | Re: 3,000 E-Mails

Have a great weekend, everyone...

See Also: The Italy Informer Facebook profile:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Italy-Informer/137600332955090

Legal Questions Surround 'Bid Package' to Demolish Downtown Building

2010-11-24T12:48:00.000-08:00

The Italy Informer (sister publication to The Ellis County Observer) requested Italy City Hall clarify some legal questions I had regarding an Italy Neo Tribune story about the Italy Economic Development Corp. voting to hire an engineer to have a downtown building demolished. The IEDC then voted to have this engineer come back with a "bid package."

My e-mail to City Administrator Teri Murdock is below, but I had at least three red flags perk up while reading this story:

The engineer that IEDC board members voted to hire works for the City of Italy's engineering firm. This might not be "illegal," but perception-wise, this doesn't look right;
The engineer was voted to come in and demolish the building, then told to bring in a bid package;
The bid package for demolition was requested after the engineer was hired. Shouldn't this be the other way around? Shouldn't the IEDC have put this demolition out for bid first before hiring an engineer? What if another, separate firm would have done this job cheaper? The marketplace didn't have a shot because the IEDC already had their guy --- who just so happens to work for the city's engineering firm.

Below is the e-mail I sent to Italy City Hall:

From: The Italy Informer [publisher@theitalyinformer.com]
To: Italy City Hall

Teri,

I'm reading this EDC story on the Neo Tribune, and perhaps you or the city attorney could clarify for the media how the process described below is legal:

City Attorney Ed Voss told IEDC members that they could move forward with the proposal but could not spend money to proceed without city council approval.

The IEDC eventually voted for Burton to bring a bid package for demolition.

The IEDC voted to make Burton the engineer, but yet they voted for him to bring in a bid package.

Shouldn't the demolition project have already been put out for bid? If the IEDC is already voting on people to come demolish buildings, that's one thing, but to then vote to make the firm or individual bring back a bid package seems a bit reversed doesn't it?

I know the demolition was discussed before, at least in conversation, not necessarily in an official act of a governing body, but I'm just having red flags going up in my head thinking that maybe the IEDC and/or City should be putting the property out for demolition bids before they vote to hire a guy/firm to come in and do it, then make him turn in a bid package.

Correct me if I'm wrong in this thinking, but some clarification would be appreciated.

The Italy Informer | Revised November 2010 Issue

2010-11-18T10:07:00.000-08:00

The November issue of The Italy Informer was intentionally delayed from being shipped to the printer for a couple of reasons, and if readers remember the first issue posted online, you'll see the difference:

Click Here to Read The Italy Informer | Revised November 2010 Issue

Mayor Pro-Tem Rodney Guthrie Fired for DWI Arrest

2010-11-17T11:50:00.000-08:00

Waxahachie Police Sgt. Rodney Guthrie was fired yesterday several months after being arrested for driving while intoxicated. Guthrie, who also serves as an Italy City Council member (and is the mayor pro-tem), can still appeal the firing to the three-member Waxahachie Civil Service Commission. The Civil Service Commission has upheld a Chief Chuck Edge firing once before, so this time it might be different.

And, it might be hypocritical not to reverse the firing decision. The Ellis County Observer will torch the Italy City Council from time to time on votes, decisions, etc., and Guthrie is definitely right in the cross-hairs of some of those votes.

Since Waxahachie Councilman (and 2006 Democratic nominee for Ellis County Judge) Chuck Beatty was arrested last year in Hutchins for DWI and having drug/narcotic equipment (in essence a "crack pipe") in his car and not even a hand slap was given to him, it's highly suspect that WPD would fire Guthrie for this. Guthrie, as The Ellis County Observer first broke the story, was arrested in September in Glenn Heights. Interestingly, Italy's NeoTribune Web site has not run so much as a word about the Guthrie arrest. Wonder if they'll cover at least his firing?

The Italy Informer | Nov. 5, 2010 Issue

2010-11-10T09:05:00.001-08:00

This is the Nov. 5, 2010 issue of The Italy Informer that has generated hundreds of comments (and the print issue hasn't even hit stands yet.)

[Click Here to Read The Nov. 5, 2010 Issue of The Italy Informer]

Readers: Permission allowed to print the entire paper from the link and distribute

Italy, Texas Newspaper: The Italy Informer | Oct. 1, 2010 Issue

2010-09-30T08:53:00.000-07:00

The first-ever issue of The Italy Informer: http://www.elliscountyobserver.com/?p=15707

The Heather Styles story will be going in the Maypearl paper as well.

Italy, Texas TCLEOSE Police Database

2010-07-14T13:07:00.003-07:00

Italy PD:
http://eco2.files.wordpress.com/2010/07/italy-pd-full-dept-status-report.pdf

May 8, 2010 Election Results

2010-07-01T18:07:00.000-07:00

There was not an Italy City Council election this year, but Bruce Utley was appointed to fill the vacancy left by John Droll.

There was, however, an Italy school board election and incumbent Cindy Carter lost. Here are the election results from May 8, 2010, in case anyone was wondering or wanted historical background information:

Election Results: May 8, 2010
by Kelly Lewis May 08, 10:45 p.m. Politics

The Election results are in.
Italy School Board: (three seats)
Cindy Carter – 152 votes
Danny Day – 88 votes
Larry Eubank – 244 votes
Jon Mathers – 206 votes
Curtis Riddle – 197 votes

Milford Mayoral Race:
John Knight (incumbent) – 55 votes
William Powell – 50 votes

Milford City Council: (three seats)
Ty Evans (incumbent) – 68 votes
Lora Sue Lauhoff (incumbent) – 64 votes
P.J. Leible – 32 votes
Bruce Perryman – 74 votes

Milford School Board: (two seats)
Kimberly K. Cook – 73 votes
Fadys Gates (incumbent) – 39 votes
Shanette “Pooh” Johnson – 46 votes
Russell Slaton (incumbent) – 53 votes
Direct Link: http://www.italyneotribune.com/stories/election-results-may-8-2010

500-bed 'FEMA Camp' Proposed for Italy, Texas

2010-05-26T15:40:00.000-07:00

The Italy, Texas City Council is considering a proposal to build a detainment facility on 50 acres south of Waxahachie, according to Italy-based NeoTrib.com's article here: http://www.italyneotribune.com/stories/italy-city-council-hears-proposal-for-commercial-development

Advertisement: CampFEMA.com

From the NeoTrib.com article:
James Parkey along with associates Kent Bratcher and Gary McKibben of James Parkey Associates presented their proposal of a detention center for illegal immigrants for all nationalities to be built in Italy. They would like to put it on fifty acres. He stated the building would look like a school. There would be no guard houses, no guard dogs, but would be a gorilla proof facility with a fence. The facility would only be used as a processing center and would be designed to current building codes.

Parkey explained it would be a five hundred bed facility and would provide approximately one hundred and fifty jobs.
Emphasis in red/black bold mine.

The opposition in Italy is already going berserk: http://www.italyneotribune.com/stories/italy-city-council-hears-proposal-for-commercial-development

Advertisement: CampFEMA.com

Coming Soon: The Italy (TX) Informer Newspaper

2010-04-13T11:03:00.001-07:00

Freedom of the Press Group, which includes The Ellis County Observer and The Palmer Post, will announce plans in the coming months for newspapers in "small towns the local newspapers have neglected or ignored," said publisher Joey G. Dauben.

More information will be provided later. For more information about the expansion plans, or to become an integral part of the new publications, e-mail Dauben at joey@thepalmerpost.com or call 972-891-2135.

Mayor Frank Jackson's $1,200 Salary Illegal?

2009-04-14T17:41:00.001-07:00

Ellis County's highest-taxed city, Italy, located south of Waxahachie on Interstate Highway 35, might have granted Mayor Frank Jackson's salary illegally, if state laws have anything to say about it.

If Italy, which voted in Jackson's $1,200 salary on April 13, is a Local Government Code-defined Type-A General Law city, then this statute should apply:

LGC, Sec. 141.001. ELECTED AND APPOINTED OFFICERS IN TYPE A GENERAL-LAW MUNICIPALITIES. (a) On or before January 1 preceding a regular municipal election, the governing body of a Type A general-law municipality shall set:

(1) the salary and any fees of office of the mayor to be elected at that election, if the office of mayor is to be filled at the election;

(2) the compensation of each other elected officer to be elected at that election; and

(3) the compensation of each officer appointed by the governing body.

(b) An officer's compensation set under this section may not be changed during the term for which the officer is elected or appointed.

Larry Burns vs. Becky Ramsey | Part 1.0

2009-03-11T21:34:00.000-07:00

Someone who did not have my permission (Joey speaking here) deleted a post titled Larry Burns vs. Becky Ramsey | Part 1.

I have changed passwords - again - and have granted administrator access to only two other people - Megan Gray and my webmaster.

The original contents of that blog post were located in a Cache file on Google, so the original contents are below.

[UPDATE]However, someone has deleted the original comments on the Chad Adams Resigns post. Those were some pretty controversial comments that were damaging to local real estate developer Larry Burns. Ironically, those were the only ones deleted, along with the blog post below.

However, if I find the person or persons involved in this, I have plenty of legal help to get even.

[[[Original Post: Larry Burns vs. Becky Ramsey | Part 1]]]

When The Ellis County Observer launched in October 2005, it was fueled in a large part by real estate investor/auto dealer Larry Burns and Rodney Pat Ramsey going at it over a few controversial issues pertaining to downtown Waxahachie’s location for the new justice center, jail and parking garage.

[Click Here to Read the 2005 Archives]

Now Ramsey’s wife, Becky, is at it with Burns over some reportedly disparaging remarks made in some facilities subcommittee meetings (this was stirred by me reporting rumors on a Burns for County Judge campaign.) The claims are that Burns more or less said voters in Ellis County are too “stupid” to make decisions on certain county issues and that he referred to people of Middle Eastern heritage as (a) “towel-heads” or (b) “sand-niggers” or (c) wait until we release the written recorded meeting minutes to find out for sure.

It should be noted that: Ramsey ran for county/district attorney against Burns’ “boy,” Joe Grubbs. The Waxahachie Daily Light stabbed Ramsey in the back, the heart, the sides, the face, the legs, and probably beat up his wife in the process multiple times, which is why Ramsey no longer speaks with the WDL. (or writes for them)

This is classic Establishment vs. Non-Establishment.

I’ll let the readers judge - and post responses unedited - for themselves:

[Original Blog Post: http://www.elliscountyobserver.com/?p=5159&cpage=1#comment-16284]
From: Becky Ramsey
Would that be the same larry burns who insinuated that the citizens of ellis county were too dumb to make their own decisions?…the same one who used racially insensitive remarks in a public forum (which were recorded in the minutes)?…the same one who served on a facilities committee for a year, helped waste a few thousand tax dollars and then admitted they had accomplished nothing during their tenure?…the same one who swallowed any pride he may have had to kiss up to Judge Adams for board appointments?..is it the same one who attempted to get me fired for a letter to the editor written by my husband?…that guy? yeah, thats what we need..another completely unqualified candidate short on brains and quick to anger…but then again, he probably doesn’t have anything better to do and that seems to be a qualification around here lately…lets elect the guy with the least experience and ability…that always a good idea…jeesh.

More responses:

[Original Post: http://www.elliscountyobserver.com/?p=5159&cpage=1#comment-16284]
From: Larry Burns
Becky,
I think that most Ellis County citizens realize that my service on three different facilities commitees as well as service with The Friends of Ellis County, who were instrumental in the passing of the bond, has been to assure that what happened in the past would not happen again. The person that made the racially insensitive remarks you reffered to was not me and was not invited back to serve on subsiquent commitees at my suggestion, perhaps you need to read the transcript again. I think you failed to mention that you and your husband Rodney Ramsey were speculating on property accross the street from the Justice Center at the time the original facilities group met, and we were’nt moving fast enough to suit you, resulting in much discourse. Chad Adams was never pleased at seeing me serve in any capacity and never appointed me to anything. Becky you took information meant for your employer, who’s property was later purchased by the county and shared it to your husband who used that information in a letter to the editor. I informed your employer that we would no longer be allowed to meet informally because of this breech and what your employer did after that is none of my concern. I have never announced my intention of running for County Judge and have no intention to do so. I have however, been asked to consider filling the un-expired term and I said I would consider it. If your intent is to help Bob Carroll get elected I think you should tell Bob in advance that you intend to use inflamatory remarks on his behalf and let him decide if he needs your help. Bob Carroll is an honorable man and a friend and I doubt he approves of such behavior on his behalf.

Larry Burns

[UPDATE] Unfortunately, again, certain comments originally posted detailing the back-and-forth exchange between Burns and Ramsey are gone. Totally. Someone who did not have my permission deleted the content.

IISD Superintendent Makes $91,400 Annually

2009-01-15T13:46:00.000-08:00

For some reason, tiny Italy ISD (student population: 629) paying Superintendent Jimmy Malone $91,400 annually just seems a bit high.

Am I the only one who thinks that?

Photos of the Italy City Council

2009-01-13T13:34:00.000-08:00

Photos by Nicole Monk/The Ellis County Press

Nicole has joined the staff of The Ellis County Observer (assistant editor) and eventually, the Press.

Her photos from last night's Italy City Council meeting:

Mayor Frank Jackson

Councilman Mark Souder Sr.

More photos by clicking below:

Mayor Pro-Tem Rodney Guthrie

Councilman John Droll

Councilman Greg Richards

Councilman Dennis Perkins Jr.

Documents | EDC Checks & Italy Employees

2009-01-09T10:26:00.000-08:00

Here are documents showing the checks written from the Italy Economic Development Corp. account to date, plus a list of the city employees and how much they make in annual salary.

Research compiled by Megan Gray/The Ellis County Press

[[[[Click Here for Italy Municipal Employees' Pay Scale]]]]

[[[[Click Here for Page 1 of the EDC Check Register]]]]
[[[[Click Here for Page 2 of the EDC Check Register]]]]
[[[[Click Here for Page 3 of the EDC Check Register]]]]
[[[[Click Here for Page 4 of the EDC Check Register]]]]
[[[[Click Here for Page 5 of the EDC Check Register]]]]
[[[[Click Here for Page 6 of the EDC Check Register]]]]
[[[[Click Here for Page 7 of the EDC Check Register]]]]

Note: the EDC was found to not even have proper paperwork showing its legal existence; the Italy EDC must be "reinstated" with the State of Texas and pay a substantial penalty because of this.

'09 Elections: Kinze to Challenge Mayor

2008-12-09T07:05:00.000-08:00

I still haven't seen whether Mayor Frank Jackson is up for re-election next year, but I'm told he is.

And that's good news for the anti-corruption constituency, as they now have a candidate who will face Jackson head-to-head: Xpress Electronics owner (or co-owner?) Conrad Kinze.

Kinze recently stepped down from the city's economic development corporation because of some now-public controversies. (I won't make mention of who did the expose of the EDC until I have expressed permission to do so)

The only drawback to the candidacy is Kinze looks so much like Knize*. ;)

*As in the Bully on the Bench Knize

Italy's Council Meeting Last Night...

2008-12-09T06:49:00.001-08:00

Megan Gray and I are working late on videos from tonight's Italy City Council meeting.

Until those are uploaded, I won't go into details, but I will say this:

1) The Italy City Council mocked, made fun of and laughed at me, The Ellis County Press and the "Italian Mafia" quote that I used in reference to the city council. This was done after our cameras had stopped recording and after the meeting had adjourned.

2) As a result of No. 1, the Italy City Council - and once-praiseworthy Councilman John Droll unfortunately being one of them - will go down in 2008 as making the biggest mistake of their political careers.

I laughed it off a bit, but the city council and the mayor in Italy will stand for re-election next year and the year after and have to explain their corruption. Laughing at the biggest newspaper, biggest blogger, the most influential news team/department in Ellis County in a public meeting was not only stupid, it was the worst thing you could do.

Megan and I will bury each and every one of the city council members who mocked at us, laughed at us and ridiculed us. Not because we're vengeful, but because they're corrupt, and corruption will cease.

We'll have the last laugh, folks. The corrupt can laugh all they want...but when we bury them all in an avalanche of expose articles...they will really think about what they did tonight.

I stood up in the citizen's comments section to put on the record the situation involving the Farmer house and the fact that city officials - the mayor mainly - not only knew about corruption, helped prolong it - and mentioned on the record the past two issues of the ECP and then reiterated what I had wrote last week in calling for the mayor's resignation.

Just wait until May 9, 2009 mayor. I might be in another state, but the ECO playbook will be in full force when your ass is going to be defeated.

Some videos from tonight's meeting:

Below: Susan Delephimne, the municipal court clerk under the Texas Rangers investigation, was brought back to work recently. To see what she's been involved with, click here.

Below: Mayor Frank Jackson praises his municipal court clerk:

Below: Shaky crowd shot of city officials. This was right before the mocking began.

Mayor Jackson is the shadow with a cane. It took quite a few minutes after the meeting had adjourned before members of the city council left the building.

See Also: NeoTrib.com (Neotrib was there as well. Yes, media was out in full force tonight. Make sure to visit their link to last night's coverage: Neotrib.com and read their report from tonight's meeting.

Ellis County's Italian Mafia

2008-11-30T17:57:00.000-08:00

Freedom of the Press
Joey Dauben

Ellis County’s Italian mafia

Little Italy, a town of about 2,000+ south of Waxahachie, has some big corruption.

With all due respect to the more professional, hard-working Italian mob bosses in Europe and New York City, our little Italy can’t go a week without some sort of allegation creeping up involving city officials, both former and current.

The latest, a Texas Rangers investigation into municipal court clerk Susan Delaphimine, is just the tip of the iceberg. An economic development corporation that spends taxpayer dollars to entice businesses and promote tourism doesn’t have state-mandated articles of incorporation to exist, let alone splash funds around town in hopes people will stay beyond the Monolithic Dome museum.

Sure, every little town has its own way of doing things, and Italy isn’t different. However, the thing that sticks out to me about Italy is the willingness of not just one person, but several people fighting to rid that town of the wrongs.

And it’s paying off. First the Texas Rangers investigation. Next a city council re-appointment. John Droll stepped down from his city council position this summer to focus on work-related things, but he’s back on after a 3-2 council decision made the vote to do so (that meeting of the re-appointment was held on a Saturday morning at 8 a.m. Someone tell me that wasn’t designed somehow to keep the public from knowing about certain city dealings?)

Droll is known as the questioner. He questions all sorts of things, according to Italy readers who are tired of the corruption. He’s what one would call, a thorn in the side of those who get by with nepotism (it’s rampant in that town) or giving friends and select church members city contracts.

Italy’s city council has a Waxahachie police officer in Rodney Guthrie serving. He knows full well what’s going on, but has he tried stopping public corruption? No. I wonder what his job is like at the Waxahachie Police Department. If it’s anything like the mayor and city council there, not very good either.

It’s beginning to get old griping against our county/district attorney’s office for not prosecuting these people and throwing them behind bars. I’ve learned to temper my impatience for putting corrupt officials behind bars so as to allow our prosecutors to do their investigations thoroughly. But after 20+ years, Joe Grubbs should have put someone on trial or in jail for public corruption.

I save the last bit of heat for the city’s black mayor, Frank Jackson. He not only serves as the figurehead for the “organized crime family” that is the Italy City Council, but he’s been in meetings in which certain actions were committed by the very people who are under investigation.

Jackson would serve the city well by resigning his position. Silence is an indictment as they say, and Jackson is at the forefront of all of this mess. He could have put a stop to people going into Italy City Hall after hours (late at night, really) and deleting files from city computers, or having a municipal court clerk rummaging through a dead woman’s house and taking and selling items from that house.

Jackson and others who know what’s going on and do nothing are just as bad as those who are committing the crimes.

Sure, Italy’s European mob bosses are a little more infamous and notorious, but I would trust 100 mob bosses before I would trust a corrupt little town in Ellis County.

Thankfully, the public is getting to know about all of this because their Gladiators high school football team is in a rebuilding phase. When towns aren’t swarming their football players and games, nobody pays attention to the important things, like 8 a.m. city council meetings, nepotism and city staff-controlled bank accounts.

Somewhere down in the “Littlest Big Town in Texas,” a group of angry residents will finally demand that accountability and responsibility be returned and corrupt people will be driven away or jailed. One can only hope.

Does First Baptist Run Italy?

2008-11-14T07:58:00.000-08:00

[Original Post: Click Here]

Since my outspoken diatribes about certain actions and decisions by Italy's city council and city leaders yesterday -- scroll down to see the blog posts -- my Inbox has been pumped full of e-mails and comments from people who keep telling me to keep this stuff going.

From [E-Mail Address Removed]

Joey, check into this:

[An employee] is on temporary loan from [Justice of the Peace] Jackie Miller's Waxahachie office because Susan Delephimne, Italy's Court Clerk, is on administrative leave and under investigation by the Texas Rangers.

The new Public Works Director, Chris Metz, has his step-father-in-law working for him in he the water dept., but that's o.k. because what's good for the Chambers Family is good for everyone else. Former Public Works Director Mark Souder hired Brad Chambers knowing papa Donald is second in command of the water dept. Nepotism isn't a problem when most of the water department, city employees and the council attend the First Baptist Church of Italy. Father and Son are often seen riding around town together in city vehicles.

The Cate's will usually get a contract in Italy. Jackie Cate's Sr. has always be awarded contracts with the city too (water tower, water storage tank and any other welding projects) and when Brad Chambers worked for him so it's was only fair that Donald award Cates contracts. Remember, First Baptist Church rules.

Ronda Cockerham was hired as asst. City Secretary/Finance with no accounting background or even the slighest knowledge of governmental accouning, but she's responsible for the city's finances. Oh yeah, she's the daughter of Pastor Dabney - guessed it, First Baptist Church.

Footage from September of some of the corrupt individuals in action...

The safest thing for everyone involved in Italy's corruption is to just resign.

I don't want to be accused of "ruining" lives when I head to Italy and start stirring stuff up ...because when I bring the arsenal with me of open records requests, Megan Gray and my video camera, that town will be turned upside down...

The Crap Keeps Coming in Italy

2008-11-14T07:55:00.000-08:00

[Original Post: Click Here]

Aside from public MidlothianTexas Yahoo! Discussion Group e-mails that say this guy right here is coming to town - or at least is planning to - there are updates to my electrified Italy blog posts from yesterday.

Note: Italy is south of Waxahachie

Remember this? [[[[Click Here: Why is Italy Meeting on a Saturday?]]]]

Or this? [[[[Click Here: What the Heck is Going On (in Italy)?]]]]

Well, now we have this:

From: [E-Mail Address Taken Out] While you are there don't forget what I told you....AND how did Michelle Munoz get that job? It was never posted..........and the Ken Cate thing.....it's a 'deal'. Ken's brother was on City [Council] a few years ago.....That brother's father in law is Donald Chamber, fire chief. The boys dad also bought stuff real cheap at at auction no one knew about until it was over....ask Karen - she wrote that article year or so ago.

Since Italy doesn't respond to my e-mails seeking comment on allegations brought up via e-mails sent to me - they'll respond to open records requests, though - I'll just leave that there so the corrupt people in Italy and their highest-taxed-in-Ellis-County ranking can wallow in their own political filth.

Why is Italy's City Council Meeting on Saturday?

2008-11-14T07:54:00.000-08:00

[Original Post: Click Here]

What the hell is this?

A meeting on a Saturday at 8 a.m.?

Click this link - it's the NeoTrib.com Web site - and tell me something isn't going on here. Regardless if the agenda was light...having meetings on Saturday morning is open to speculation that a governmental entity is hiding something...

Ladies and gentlemen, you're about to see the City of Italy become Exhibit A of the Art of War in blogger form.

Note: Waxahachie ISD held Saturday morning meetings back when I was pulverizing them on the front pages with stories detailing their corruption. Ultimately, that coverage for The Ellis County Press resulted in numerous top administration officials losing their jobs either to an "early retirement" or resignations. Ironic, too, that Waxahachie Police Department Officer Rodney Guthrie is the mayor pro-tem in Italy.

What the Heck is Going On in Italy?

2008-11-14T07:47:00.000-08:00

[Original Post: Here]

The stuff coming out of Italy -- posted on the NeoTrib.com Web site -- makes me sick to my stomach. Someone please tell me that there is not widespread unethical, breaking-of-laws going on down there...

The story is below, but I will pick out the stuff that makes my head hurt:

“It had to be fixed.” He [Mayor Frank Jackson] said they tried to get a second bid but did not have the time to wait.

Emergency situation with a roof leak. I understand that. "...but did not have time to wait." Someone tell me where the city attorney was/is on this one. Show the public where it is authorized that (if there was a law to begin with) Italy can do a project without getting a "second bid."

My first thoughts on this one here: Lost out to the good 'ol boy network:

Albert Garcia and Josh Trees addressed the council about losing a recent bid with the city even though their bid was $109,000 less than the winning bid.

At least there was some semblance of an honest councilman:

Council member John Droll said the council should make sure something like this never happens again. He did suggest that they, as bidders, always show up for council meetings when they discuss contracts.

I've always wondered why Droll's re-appointment to the Italy City Council was a divided affair. On a 3-2 vote no less. Hmm. Could it be that Droll might be just too honest for these good 'ol boys on the Italy City Council?

The city's economic development corporation was found to be in violation of various state laws, or at least there is no paper record of that existing. Ok, so someone please tell me why, why, why they still decided to do this:

The City recently increased members on the board from seven to nine. Teri Murdock, city administrator, said the state does not allow more than seven on a board. She explained that two could be ex-officio members.

Sigh. I don't think I can handle this anymore. I'm getting sick. Literally sick.

City of Italy, you're about to get a visit from your soon-to-be pain-in-the-ass blogger. I will rip that city into open records shreds digging up whatever I can find on this cockroach-infested corrupt cesspool.

How's that for poetry?

And then all of you can go back into the private sector, because I'm sorry, I just don't trust a single person in that town save for maybe NeoTrib.com and John Droll (for now.)

<-----------NeoTribune.com's Original Story:--------------------------->

Council extends contract 90 days for public works director
by Alysa Kirton Yesterday, 9:00 a.m. City Hall

The Italy City Council extended the contract for its interim public works director for 90 days with a review to follow at the end of that period. Council members approved the motion unanimously following a lengthy executive session held during a council meeting Monday evening.

In other business, Mayor Frank Jackson said an ambulance from East Texas Emergency Medical Service will be stationed in Italy beginning Nov. 23. He said the East Texas has been installing a work area/living quarters in the upper floor of the fire department.

He said they discovered a leak in the roof and the city has hired Ken Cate to repair the roof. “We didn’t have a choice,” he explained. “It had to be fixed.” He said they tried to get a second bid but did not have the time to wait.

From the public

Albert Garcia and Josh Trees addressed the council about losing a recent bid with the city even though their bid was $109,000 less than the winning bid.

Garcia told the council that he has been a strong supporter of the school and city for many years. He said that he believes in the future of Italy.

He said they lost a contract, according to the engineer, due to “inconsistencies” with their bid. He pointed out that they were cheaper because they had their own gravel pits and they were familiar with the area.

“We passed every saving we could on to the city,” Garcia said. “We could have saved the city a lot of money. The thing is we never got a phone call from the engineer asking us to explain any inconsistencies.”

Trees reiterated his concern about the lack of a phone call from the engineer.

Trees said he was told someone with the city did not want his company doing business with the city due to inadequate work done several years ago. Trees said he did just what the public works director, at that time, told him to do. He said his crew worked on a portion of South Ward Street. Trees said he was not allowed to compact the road material as it should have been due to the utilities underneath the road. He also pointed out that it rained the day he poured the concrete near Main and South Ward streets. The public works director told him to get it done although rain was predicted that day.

“I don’t mind losing a job once in a while,” Trees explained, “but I want to lose it for the right reasons.”

“We would like everyone to know that we’re here and we’re local,” Garcia added.
Council member John Droll said the council should make sure something like this never happens again. He did suggest that they, as bidders, always show up for council meetings when they discuss contracts.

In other business, Javier Gonzalez was not present at the meeting to discuss abandoning a street going through his property at 108 W. Dilworth Street.

Don Chambers, fire chief, said the original plat from Walter Upchurch had several streets going through a proposed subdivision. He said they built ballparks instead of the subdivision. He explained that a water line did go through the easement in question. They tabled the item until the council had further information.
Water Line Grant Project

Chris Metz, current public works director, told the council that the new grant project for 2009-2010 must be turned in to the engineers by mid-November. He said the city had planned on replacing the water line and adding fire hydrants down FM 667. However, there is only enough funding available for 1,300 linear feet of line. He requested, and the council approved, putting in new lines beginning at Venice and College streets. The line will run down Venice with two fire hydrants along the line.

Economic Development Corporation

The City recently increased members on the board from seven to nine. Teri Murdock, city administrator, said the state does not allow more than seven on a board. She explained that two could be ex-officio members.

Murdock said she received a letter of resignation from Nick Kinze who was recently been appointed to the board. With that resignation, only one member would be removed, she pointed out.

Council member Mark Souder Sr., also a member of the EDC, said the board was unaware of the state law when they increased the number from seven to nine.

“My suggestion,” he said, “is to take off one of the last folks that we recently added.”

The council voted to table the issue until after the EDC meeting later this month.
Other business

Murdock requested the city adopt the use of purchase orders. She explained that often time department heads do not know what they have spent until they come to the council meetings. The council approved the proposal, effective immediately.

The council tabled a review of compensatory time until Murdock received overtime for all employees.

The council set a called meeting for Tuesday, Nov. 18, at 6:30 p.m. to discuss the various city ordinances, with four in particular to discuss.
Department reports

Police Chief C.V. Johns said the department received 133 calls during October. He said animal control worked 38 hours and officers worked a total of 1,058 hours. Johns also noted that Vectron Energy Corp donated $1,671 for laptop computers for police vehicles.

Metz said things are going well with the water treatment plant. He said there were two minor problems that were still under warranty. He stressed the importance of a grease ordinance for restaurants in the city.

He explained that he had been in contact with David Bailey who is in charge of the City of Waxahachie water project. He said the City of Waxahachie is expected to increase water rates about eight cents higher than originally projected with a purchase of approximately 300,000 gallons of water a day minimum. He said they need a strip map of the right-of-way easement owned by the City of Italy along Hwy. 77 and an approximately value for that easement.

He also explained that water projects along Park Street and Poplar Street are near completion. Road construction to repair the roads should begin soon He said a site assessment is planned soon for Ridge Street.

Chambers said the fire department responded to 34 calls in October. Firefighters worked 91 hours during the month. He also pointed out that East Texas EMS should have their ambulance stationed in Italy sometime on Nov. 23.

Murdock said this has been a busy two weeks for her and complimented the office staff for the assistance. She has done some reorganization in city hall. She reported that Michelle Munoz has started working 32 hours a week helping the court get caught back up.

The city administrator also said she is taking applications for anyone wishing to serve on the Park Board. Contact Murdock at city hall for further information.

2007-07-22T23:17:00.001-07:00

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

A Running Count...

2007-07-19T11:55:00.000-07:00

Well, since I've designated myself as the news agenda-establishing blogger in this county, I'd like to point to a running count of the stories that no one has covered - the Waxahachie Daily Light, The Ellis County Press - this really isn't fair to subscribers or longtime, loyal readers, it's really not. But it is my hope that this short list will spur someone to start covering this...

(or, if people aren't careful, this blog will launch a print edition** and smoke all of the newspapers anyway)

Story 1: Navarro College officials admitting to breaking open meetings laws in discussions on giving Ellis County taxpayers a property tax. Isn't this illegal?

Story 2: Navarro College's efforts at getting the state Legislature - i.e., Rep. Byron Cook, R-Corsicana & Rep. Jim Pitts, R-Waxahachie - to tweak state law allowing for the passage of a property tax without a referendum (or at least the petitions);

Story 2A: The 92% conservative-ranked Cook and Pitts taking the "hell no" stance at Navarro's efforts (Cook isn't even our representative, but he fights for us anyway!)

Story 3: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms arrest of Midlothian "right-wing" activist Leslie Davis; the warrant originally stated the ATF and DEA, as well as Ellis County Sheriff deputies were searching for an inert rocket launcher (possession of this is not illegal, supposedly), but all that was found was a .22-caliber rifle in Davis' closet that he got when he was 14. To be fair, it's still illegal for felons to possess guns (which is a stupid law, in the first place, but hey, it's the law). Reports said that there were about 100 agents in Midlothian the day Davis was arrested;

Story 4: Mid-Way Regional Airport Construction Defects (allegations) + Video. I won't spend too much time on this, but you can Google Mid-Way Regional Airport Disaster and have a blast.

Story 5: Campaign contributions in the May 12 county facilities bond election. It's just interesting to know, that's all. Not a single newspaper has published the list. This blog has though.

Story 6: The stiff-armed lobbying supporters of Judge Gene Knize made to get their friend, Carol Bush, nominated to the open county court-at-law bench (when Bob Carroll retired suddenly), and the ensuing criticism of new-Judge Greg Wilhelm (elected last year as our county treasurer) from the same forces;

Story 7: The county treasurer appointment of Judy Burden over that of GOP county chair Rusty Ballard being a complete (personal opinion of the publisher, no one else) slap in the face; nothing against Burden, but Ballard would have been a great treasurer.

Story 8: Construction defects and ensuing lawsuit over the Midlothian Conference/Senior center;

Story 9: County Attorney Joe Grubbs' lawsuit and efforts to keep victims of Dr. Chitale of obtaining documents related to the case, despite the state Attorney General ruling requiring their release;

The BIG ONE: The 50+ aggravated sexual assault cases that have gone before Grubbs and his pedophile-protecting assistant Patrick M. Wilson, only to be plea-bargained for a quick conviction and in turn, probation. Resumes get padded while child molesters run the streets of Ellis County in droves.

Did I miss anything? Just for the sake of honesty and fairness, Wilson wasn't the prosecutor on all of the cases, but he was on most of them. The signatures of both Wilson and Grubbs, however, appear on the court documents and paperwork filed at the district clerk's office.

To send questions and comments to this blog, do so at: elliscountyobserver@gmail.com

To send questions and comments as to why our newspapers aren't covering these issues, use the following:

Editor@WaxahachieDailyLight.com
Editor@EllisCountyPress.com

**What would Ellis County politics look like if an infusion of one payment of $50,000 were to find itself under the management of The Ellis County Observer? Well, for a quick look at what the ideas are in driving such a print edition of this blog, visit www.ThePolitico.com.

Prepare for war, Ellis County. That $50,000 just hit the market. And I've got the team in place to make this a very interesting little county...

No Room for School Choice?

2007-07-18T13:15:00.001-07:00

According to today's Waxahachie Daily Light, the Italy school board was presented with a video from former Free PAC (Heritage Alliance)-maligned Lt. Gov Bill Ratliff about his organization that praises and lobbies for more funding for public schools. Question: would the same school board be allowed a video presentation on the advocacy of a school choice and/or voucher pilot program?

I wonder how long I'd be allowed to give a presentation on what organizations like Americans For Prosperity have to say about increasing school district-issued debt...

Latest Heath Sims Editorial

2007-07-16T16:57:00.000-07:00

It’s budget time in Ellis County again and we still do not have any budget priorities established that I’m aware of. This will be my third county budget to consider and the commissioners’ court still has not established a plan of action -- by this I mean a priority list.

I do not understand how a department head can plan and submit a budget without any specific guidelines or expectations from the commissioners’ court or budget officer. I also find it strange that no one wants to talk about setting guidelines, expectations and benchmarks to help determine need and demand. Each time I have brought this up in court it has been shot down with the excuse that planning would be premature.

“Baloney.”

We must plan, we must set expectations and priorities and we must be good stewards of the people’s money in all departments.

As the commissioner of precinct 3, I have witnessed first hand that this year has been particularly tough on our county roads, not just because of the rains (42.5-inches in Five Points), not just because of the drought we’ve had over the past several years, but primarily because of poor planning.

I have mentioned before that the roads in Ellis County where built to handle a John Deere Model 60 tractor, a two-row plow, an Oldsmobile and a half ton pickup. When they were built they worked great and served their purpose.

Momma went to town on a gravel road once maybe twice a week not two to four times a day. Dad drove down the gravel road to the field and the only other car on the road was the postal carrier, who always waved, even if he did not know you. Very few had air conditioning and even fewer had a television but they all worked hard, helped their neighbor and only wanted their government to arrest the criminals.

As we all know, things have changed.

Today, people are still working hard but it’s not on the farm anymore, it is 20 to 70 miles from home. The postal carrier cannot wave anymore because they must stop every 150 feet due to the number of homes and dangerous brick mailboxes. And instead of that John Deere tractor that weighs 2.5 tons, we now have a trash truck that weighs around 32.5 tons and we’re now averaging over 2,200 vehicles per day, per road in Precinct 3.

So times are changing and we must change and refocus our efforts with wise planning.

Our planning must consist of prioritizing, setting benchmarks and creating countywide road and bridge policies that will enable more efficient use of your money. The solution is not in simply creating new funding mechanisms such as Shadow Tolls, Pass Through Financing and/or Road Districts. All these will simply come at a higher cost to the Ellis County taxpayer. And while I admit, some of these solutions may be needed, they will not solve the problem. We must start refocusing on the importance of maintenance and operations as well as capitol improvements.

We’ve seen in our county facilities as well as our county roads what poor M&O will do.

The rains of this spring have shed even more light on what poor M&O will do to the roads.

Sure, planning ahead costs money, as does M&O, but under the circumstances the roads must become a high priority and so other departments may need to wait. As a court, we must slow down a little and take a closer look at what our priorities should be countywide rather than wait till our hands are tied and there is no other option than coming to the taxpayers again requesting a multi-million bond election.

GOD Bless and Peace,

Heath Sims
heath.sims@co.ellis.tx.us

2007-07-08T14:50:00.001-07:00

An Italy-area resident who made headlines (The Ellis County Press) several years ago for wearing a sheet to then-Judge Bob Carroll's court at law is now attempting to move a property-rights dispute from Justice of the Peace Bill Woody's precinct 1 courtroom to a "sovereign" court in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. This sovereign court is a "common law" court. Fred Van Horn is the Ellis County resident who has attempted to take his land - and in turn, not pay taxes on it - out from "under the system," so to speak.

This is the second attempt in the past month to have a "change of venue" from an Ellis County cort to this "sovereign court." The first attempt was to get a recently-arrested Midlothian man (Leslie Davis) on federal weapons charges to have his case transferred to the PA court. Supporters are still trying to go forward with that effort.

And now there's word that rather than PA, an effort to get a "common law" court established in Ellis County is taking place.

This almost smacks of a separatist Republic of Texas-type of deal.

More information: www.countynotary.org

2007-06-26T13:37:00.001-07:00

The Ellis County Observer Forum
Debate & Discuss all things Italy:
http://eco.informe.com/forum/

Look for the link on the top-left hand sidebar!

2007-06-26T11:29:00.001-07:00

Our commissioners court voted to create an oversight committee last night to check on the status of our newly-approved facilities bonds. The membership will consist of 15 people. To lobby your commissioner and county judge to be included on this important committee, use the following contact information:

County Judge Chad Adams
chad.adams@co.ellis.tx.us
972-825-5011

Commissioner Dennis Robinson - Precinct 1
dennis.robinson@co.ellis.tx.us
972-449-3260

Commissioner Bill Dodson - Precinct 2
bill.dodson@co.ellis.tx.us
972-875-3241

Commissioner Heath Sims - Precinct 3
heath.sims@co.ellis.tx.us
972-483-7477

Commissioner Ron Brown - Precinct 4
ron.brown@co.ellis.tx.us
972-723-8017

Italy Preacher a Dallas City Councilwoman

2007-06-26T10:56:00.000-07:00

Vonciel Jones Hill is now a Dallas City Council member. She preaches at Italy's African Methodist Episcopal church.

New Marketing Campaign

2007-06-21T16:18:00.001-07:00

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

Paul Perry

2007-06-21T15:48:00.001-07:00

Former Midlothian Justice of the Peace and county judge candidate (GOP) Paul Perry is a contributing writer to DallasBlog.com. His latest column is right on. The idiots who buy (i.e., use capitalism) the Communist Che crap are so misguided -- kinda like the guy who wrote in to the Dallas Observer after the big Gene Knize feature and called me and my supporters "anarchist brownshirts."

Speaking of communists, I'll be working with a team of free-market Bureaucrash "crashers" at the July 14 Warped Tour concert in Dallas. Communism reigns at these mostly-punk concerts. So having the "alternative" will be fun.

2007-06-18T14:35:00.000-07:00

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?)

2007-06-15T17:17:00.001-07:00

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

2007-06-13T17:05:00.001-07:00

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

2007-06-12T14:29:00.000-07:00

Agenda: Farewell for Hugghins; Curfew for Juveniles; Coffey Termination Appeal
Thursday, June 07 @ 10:00:00 CDT by DJ (198 reads)by David South Jr

Italy citizens are invited to a reception for former councilwoman, Wanda Hugghins to be held Monday night at 5:30 PM. Afterwards, the Italy City Council will hold their regular meeting. A public hearing will be held regarding a proposed juvenile curfew. Former Italy police officer is appealing his termination. The council will also consider and act on the appointment for Mayor Pro Tem, juvenile curfew ordinance, sale of surplus equipment, budget amendments, reinstatement of the Park Board, management review scheduled for December. The council meeting begins at 6:30 PM on Monday, June 11, 2007. It is open to the public and everyone is invited to attend.

Source: NeoTrib.com

2007-06-10T13:23:00.001-07:00

MAY 2007 BLOTTER
May 1
Green Industries; Investigated a report of a strong ammonia smell around the fertilizer plant. No problems were found.
Hwy 77 @ Dale Acres; Assisted a stranded motorist.
700 block Waco Street; Received a 911 hang-up call from a residence. No problem was found at the residence.
101 L.R. Campbell Road; Motor vehicle accident involving 2 18-wheelers. No injuries were reported.
May 2
Italy Police Department; Met with a complainant regarding a civil matter.
May 3
200 block Dunlap Street; Investigated a verbal disturbance at a residence. No charges were filed.
May 4
IH-35 Southbound @ 384; Investigated a motor vehicle accident in which an 18-wheeler rolled over. The driver sustained minor injuries in this incident. No other vehicles were involved.
IH-35 Northbound @ 389; Assisted DPS with a fatality accident investigation.
Tiger Mart; Spoke with a peddler in the parking lot and advised him that the Tiger Mart did not want him peddling merchandise in the parking lot.
300 block College Street; Found a cell phone on the side of the road. The owner was later located and the cell phone was returned.
May 5
Hwy 77 between Italy and Forreston; Assisted the Ellis County Sheriff’s Department with a vehicle pursuit which ended when the suspect wrecked his vehicle in Forreston. There were no injuries and the suspect was apprehended.
IH-35 Northbound @ 389; Dispatched to look for a reckless driver. Was unable to locate the reckless driver.
500 block Hwy 34; Responded to a 911 hang-up call from a residence. No problem was found at the residence.
Trinity Mission; A smoke alarm at this location resulted in the evacuation of the building while the Italy Fire Department checked the problem. A minor electrical problem was found. There was no longer any smoke and the problem was isolated. The residents were then assisted back into the building.
IH-35 Northbound @ 380; Assisted Milford Police with a major accident investigation by providing traffic control.
IH-35 Southbound @ 392; Assisted DPS with a major accident investigation.
200 block Davenport; Assisted EMS and First Responders with a medical call.
200 block East Main Street; Found a case of beer near a number of underage kids hanging out in a vacant lot. As ownership of the beer could not be determined, no one was charged. The kids were checked for signs of intoxication then told to go home. The beer was poured out.
IH-35 Southbound @ 386; Dispatched to look for a possible drunk driver. Was unable to locate the driver.
Tiger Mart; Assisted a motorist who locked her keys in her car.
May 6
Shell Station; Checked a suspicious vehicle in the parking lot. No problem found.
1400 block hwy 77; Met with a complainant about a civil matter.
IH-35 Northbound @ 386; Dispatched to a possible disturbance between two vehicle drivers. Was unable to locate a problem.
IH-35 Southbound @ 385; Investigated a minor accident in which a wheel came off of one car and struck another. There were no injuries.
Hwy 77 @ Sparkman Road; A traffic stop led to the arrest of Terrance Fennell, a 25 year old man with an address in Hillsboro, for Driving While Intoxicated.
May 7
500 block East Highway 34; Investigated a minor motor vehicle accident involving 2 cars. There were no injuries.
300 block Morgan Road; Dispatched to a residence for 2 missing children. The children returned home while officer was gathering information.
May 8
700 block Hwy 77; Investigated a 2 car minor accident. There were no injuries.
Dairy Queen; Assisted Italy Fire Department with a fuel spill in the parking lot.
300 block Clark Street; A Stihl weedeater and a Stihl leaf blower were stolen from the back of a pickup truck parked in a driveway at a residence.
May 9
500 block Venice Street; After answering a 911 hang-up call it was discovered there was a small fire in a residential kitchen. Fire Department was called and the fire was quickly contained.
200 block Davenport; An elderly resident requested a ride to a place of safety due to an approaching storm. The resident was delivered safely to the place requested.
500 block Waco; Called out for a possible prowler at a residence. A check of the area revealed nothing out of the ordinary.
May 10
Stafford Elementary School; Met with school officials along with CPS to investigate the possible child abuse (off campus) of a student.
IH-35 Northbound; Assisted Milford Police with a vehicle pursuit which went Northbound through Italy. The vehicle wrecked at IH-35 Northbound @ 394 and the driver was taken into custody.
Italy Police Station; Met with a complainant about a missing person. The missing person (an adult with mental problems) was entered into the TCIC-NCIC computer system as a missing person/endangered.
May 11
Carter Road; Assisted the Ellis County Sheriff’s Department with a multi vehicle stop and the checking of several suspects.
May 12
Italy Museum; called out for possible criminal mischief. It was found that a youth accidentally broke a window while playing baseball. No charges filed.
Ellis County Election Office; Escorted officials to the election office to retrieve forms.
IH-35 Northbound @ 390; A traffic stop for speeding led to the arrest of Adam Glick, a 36 year old man with an address in Austin, for outstanding traffic warrants through Dallas PD.
200 block East Main Street; Police were called to break up a fight between two young men. Both were subsequently arrested. Jase Rudd, a 20-year-old man with an Italy address and Matt McCreary, a 21-year-old man with an Italy address were both charged with being drunk and disorderly in a public place.
May 13
IH-35 Northbound @ 392; Assisted DPS with a motor vehicle accident investigation.
May 14
Italy High School; A teacher at the Italy High School reported that a tire on his pickup truck had been slashed sometime during the day. No suspects were identified.
100 block Harpold Street; Spoke with a resident about problems with an ex-spouse. No charges were filed.
IH-35 Southbound @ 386; A traffic stop resulted in 2 arrests. The driver,
Jermile Williams, a 22-year-old man with an address in Waco, was arrested for driving with a suspended drivers license. A passenger, Korey Moore, a 23-year-old man with an address in Waco was arrested for an outstanding warrant for failure to pay child support.
May 15
400 block East Hwy 34; A piece of lawn equipment was stolen from a residence. An investigation revealed that a family member had stolen the equipment. Charges are pending with the Ellis County District Attorney’s Office.
IH-35 Northbound @ 386; Investigated a complaint regarding road construction crews.

2007-06-08T13:57:00.001-07:00

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

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.

Salaries - Commissioners, Judges

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

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

2007-05-27T11:36:00.001-07:00

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

Ellis County District Attorney Salaries

2007-05-11T14:27:00.001-07:00

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

Italy Debt

2007-05-09T10:42:00.000-07:00

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?

Paul Perry Editorial Re: County Bond Election

2007-05-06T10:48:00.000-07:00

Note: This editorial originally appeared in the Sunday, May 6 issue of the Waxahachie Daily Light

Where I stand on county bond issue
Several friends have asked me about where I stand on the county bond issue. The $54 million issue — over $80 million, I believe, with interest — is the most important financial issue before our county on the May 12 ballot. The money is to be used to build a new government complex and a jail.

We have real issues when it comes to county facilities. A few of our county offices are borderline dangerous. At their best, many are what I would call rustic. Some county offices are housed in older buildings that would be very difficult and very expensive to remodel in order to pass Americans with Disabilities Act requirements. Several county residents have threatened lawsuits utilizing this act but thus far have withheld suit (perhaps some have settled privately), and this layman believes the law is on their side. Given the state of the law, these folks have been patient. We face additional problems with the state jail standards committee if we do not have sufficient jail space. Unlike Arizona, intervening court rulings regarding Texas inmate treatment prevent us from housing prisoners in tents.

We do have needs. Now what to do? In this decade we have built a government building that had to be torn down before it was occupied. I personally was able to tour the former court’s pride and joy, before the building was scrapped for salvage. Many voters refer to the former structure as the “pink elephant.” That building featured re-bar that popped out of walls and roof water drainage ports that flooded water into electrical closets, not to mention toilets with no plumbing in front of windows. There were water stains several feet high on the wall in one electrical closet. I saw it. This was a building the voters never approved. It was financed and built with chicanery and arrogance worthy of legend. One commissioner who is still on the court did not support the building and its unusual financing; however, he has never been forthcoming about what really did happen behind the scenes.

Understandably some of the discussions he was in on may be privileged by law; however, this taxpayer will always wonder who was the genius behind flooding the electrical closet. I can build a chicken coop that drains better than that.
Needless to say, many taxpayers do not have a lot of faith in county construction projects. Due to rumored material shortages in the previous building and botched construction, many folks suspect pilferage at the very least. A critical illness to a key person affected county oversight. After a lawsuit, a settlement was negotiated resulting in a cash payment to the county.

I am a cautious taxpayer. That does not change the fact that we need new facilities. Interestingly enough the current county court has been at best tepid in their support for this particular bond issue. They seem to be relying on the study made at considerable taxpayer expense by The Staubach Group. The solution presented by Staubach and, I guess, endorsed by your commissioners court, resulted in the $54 million bond issue on the May 12 ballot. Interestingly enough the “quarterback” behind The Staubach Group is doing radio advertising opposing a half-cent sales tax increase to fight crime in his home city of Dallas, but he is all for a stiff property tax increase in Ellis County that will validate his company’s proposal. Pretty interesting irony for old “Roger Dodger.” He can still scramble when it comes to his own money.

Give this much credit to the current commissioners court; they have put this issue before the voters. Of course the previous court put the now razed pink elephant building before the voters as well. They were rejected. They then built their building using very creative financing and very original use of law.

The necessary demolition of the pink elephant has also made many of us suspicious of county building projects. I believe we have an opportunity to move forward, but maybe not this spring. I believe there is another sanctioned election date this fall. That is enough time for the current court to make up for a cardinal mistake This mistake is one that the voters may find unforgivable on May12. This court did not ask the voters what they wanted in a new county building. To my knowledge there were no town hall type meetings in different areas of the county before this issue was placed on the ballot. I am not talking about appointing “select” committees to do site selection. I am not talking about private discussions with other elected officials. I am not talking about an overly structured (for this purpose) standard commissioners court meeting. I am talking about facing the people who elected the county court and seeking their input, in their communities, before placing this initiative on the ballot. Some of the members of our commissioners court seem to fear a frank discussion of this issue with the very people who will pay for it.

In all fairness a few members of the court appear to have been worn down by the process thus far. Maybe the memory of the $10,000 pay raise they have given themselves will perk them up. Perhaps they owe the voters some overtime on this issue? Nevertheless, we voters should be given the opportunity at some convenience, to our working selves, to offer input in open meetings, before being forced to vote on a tax proposal. We should have already been given the chance to help shape this proposal.

The commissioners court and the Staubach Group own this proposal not the taxpayers, though the taxpayers will pay for it if passed. We the people have been given no opportunity for ownership. Regardless of the outcome May 12 our community will be no less divided. Unwisely, the voters were not offered an opportunity to voice their concerns and offer suggestions in an open forum before the May12 proposal was fashioned.

Paul D. Perry is a local businessman and mediator.

Taxpayers Alliance for Good Government

2007-04-27T10:21:00.000-07:00

Taxpayers Alliance for Good Government (TAGG)
The countywide citizen group will meet Tuesday, May 8 at 7 p.m. at the Waxahachie Civic Center to discuss - among other things - the $53 million county facilities bond package. Speakers are being lined up; at least one representative from the Friends of Ellis County PAC, the pro-bond group, has said they will be there to answer questions about the election.

TAGG
Tuesday, May 8
7 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Waxahachie Civic Center
http://tagg.4t.com
469-337-0405

Invitations have also been sent to Texas Eagle Forum's Cathie Adams and Americans For Prosperity's Peggy Venable.

County Facilities Bond Campaign Updates
Exclusive: Waxahachie police were called to investigate the numerous vote "Yes" signs that have been disappearing from business owners' property. The story goes, and reportedly, the Waxahachie Daily Light is about to run with something on this, that members of TAGG have been successful in getting business owners and managers to take their Yes signs down due to the "$53 million tax increase" that those signs "support." As it turns out, permission was given for the signs to be taken down, but that didn't stop attempts to get this practice stopped (even the Texas Ethics Commission said it was a property rights issue).

And if anyone is curious to know where the city council candidate directly affected by this bond package stands, here's a quote you folks can use: "We can ask a bank to finance our new house, but the bank would want every shred of documentation before handing out that kinda money; why should government be any different?" Note that I don't oppose the facilities, I really and honestly have major issues with how this is being presented to the public. Before our county asks for a cent, we should at least know what the buildings will look like, and where the location of said buildings will be constructed. "And when I am on the city council, I will fight every attempt to use eminent domain on any property owner in the area our county and city wants to construct these buildings."

TAGG
Tuesday, May 8
7 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Waxahachie Civic Center
http://tagg.4t.com
469-337-0405

Ellis County History Lessons

2007-04-25T15:38:00.001-07:00

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.

Columnist Heath Sims

2007-04-22T11:28:00.000-07:00

One of our favorite commissioners is an avid writer. Here is his new column:

Building on solid rock

An interesting story surrounding our historic Ellis County Courthouse has been passed down over the years.

On one corner sits a cornerstone, laid to recognize the county commissioners of 1895 who began the construction process.

On the opposite corner sits a second cornerstone, laid by the newly elected county commissioners court in 1897, when the building neared completion.

There is not a single name that appears on both cornerstones.

When the original court saw the need to build a new county courthouse, they proposed a 2-cent increase in the county’s property tax rate.

According to the Ellis County Museum, all but one of the commissioners was on board.

The one commissioner who stood against the idea was removed from office by the county judge.

While all the elected officials got on board and tried to sell the idea to the people, the citizens of Ellis County wanted no part in it.

Despite the public outcry, the court decided to push forward and passed the tax increase to build the new courthouse.

People were outraged and yet the commissioners pushed on, believing people would start to see the bigger picture once construction began.

Whether the voters ever saw the bigger picture or not mattered little in terms of the court’s public service careers.

Over the next two elections, every elected official in the county was voted out of office and the one commissioner removed from office was re-elected by the people of Ellis County.

The new commissioners’ court placed the two cornerstones on opposing sides of the courthouse showing the two courts’ opposing viewpoints.

Many say the court wanted to warn future generations and drive home the point that no matter how good the intention, if you raise the taxes on the people of Ellis County you will not be re-elected.

In the late 1980’s the county fathers once again attempted to solve the county’s facility needs and they faced many of the same issues we’re facing today.

Questions were raised about the county farm and other locations along the way.

Ultimately, the first phase of our current jail was constructed, but in the end the public reminded the court of the courthouse cornerstones and the court was replaced during the next election cycles.

Again in the late ‘90s, Judge Al Cornelius and the commissioners court went against the public’s wishes and began construction on new facilities that would later be coined “The Pink Elephant.”

The court of the late ‘90s was also reminded of the cornerstones as all but Commissioner Ron Brown, Pct. 4, who voted against the construction of the new facility, was replaced.

After years of neglect and a lack of forward planning we’ve come to our current facility crisis in the county.

As a commissioner in Ellis County, I take my position seriously. There are those who would say we should never spend anything and save money away for a rainy day.

I do agree that we must be forward thinking and saving where we can - but we’ve saved our money for a rainy day and now our home is sinking fast into the sand.

We’ve built our current facilities around buildings with weak foundations and promises of short term leases.

We’re reminded in Scripture that the wise man builds his house upon the rock. The foolish man builds his house on the sand.

For the past 20 years the county has been building on sand.

It’s time we step out and build our foundation on solid rock.

I know people have fears that this will be the same fiasco we had in the ‘90s with the Pink Elephant but that is why I’ve encouraged the court to appoint a citizen’s oversight committee to hold the court accountable to the public.

The court agrees with the need and has asked myself, County Engineer Joe White and representatives from the Staubach Company to draft formal guidelines for the committee.

Ultimately though, it will be up to the voters to hold us accountable when each of us returns to run again in the next two to four years.

It will be up to you to decide if we’ve properly represented you as a resident of the county. It’s you we work for and you who hold us accountable.

My goal is to see the oversight committee become a group of citizens who can help keep the voters in Ellis County informed and raise questions anytime a red flag appears.

The easy thing for this court to do would be to remember the cornerstones at the courthouse and simply wait this issue out so the next court can tackle it in 10 to 15 years.

The easy thing would be to continue letting our county employees work in buildings that are falling apart from years of poor maintenance and upkeep.

The easy thing to do would be to promise the voters we’ll never raise taxes and enjoy being re-elected time and time again.

I believe however that this court has stepped up to the challenge.

They see the urgent need and that is why the court unanimously approved calling for a May 12 bond election, worth $53.875 million.

By passing the bond on May 12, the cost to the county is estimated at $81.201 million over the next 20 years, or an annual average of $4.06 million.

To fund the bond issue, the county’s property tax rate will likely increase between 3.5 and 4.5 cents per $100 valuation. On a $100,000 home, that’s equivalent to the cost of a one value meal a month at McDonald’s.

If the bond fails and the county must continue to lease facilities and ship the county’s prisoners to other counties, the estimated cost to the county is $142.161 million over the next 20 years, or an annual average of $7.1 million. Yes, these are just numbers but they are what we have today because of the lack of leadership in the past.

I believe that by acting now, we will save the county millions of dollars down the road by avoiding the cost of leasing more space, rehabilitating crumbling buildings and leasing jail space from other counties.

The 1895 court saw a need for new facilities and over 100 years later we’re still benefiting from their decision.

The decision of the 1895 court proved to be an unpopular one and our current decision may not be the most popular one either but the current court has stepped forward and answered the call for future generations.

And as a voter in Ellis County, I hope you will too.

Italy Observer Welcomes You

2007-03-31T14:36:00.001-07:00

Welcome to the only media outlet devoted to Italy politics. We're currently looking for 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 Italy politics, send those in too.