A Little "War and Peace"

Well, I know how verbose I can be, but I think more is better right? (or is that about butter?). Anyway, after reading the Burleson Star's reporting of the last candidate forum, I feel that everyone deserved to know exactly what happened at the Hill College Forum this past Thursday night. So, as a public service, I have provided you with a blow by blow of what I considered the best moments of the evening.  I know that it's long, hence "War and Peace", but you just have to keep reading as it gets more interesting near the end because that is where the Mayor and his opponent get into the  action. So, here goes!

Reporting from Burleson campus of Hill College:
April 26, 2012

I was one of the maybe 75 people that attended the Hill College Forum last night (Thrusday) to hear the City Council and Mayor candidates answer questions posed to them by Hill students and  members of the audience. I was left a bit under-whelmed. (ump)

While I am very thankful that the students and faculty took the time and effort to put it on, and it was very well organized,  some of the questions were not applicable to the questions facing Burleson council members in the coming years. Questions about Crowley-Rendon Rd status, sprinkler systems for historical buildings (eh, maybe), left me a bit needy for more. I did think the "Heart of Burleson" question was a good one and I liked the answers given by council candidates for the most part. I think "Old Town" was really the "right" answer in my opinion.

It was actually a bit humorous that all the candidates talked about the "Old Town" revitalization until they were almost giddy. For candidates, save one (That's you, Ronnie), that want to "change" how Burleson does things, they sure seemed to like what has been done over the last 8 years.

Oh, and one of the lighter moments for me was when the question was asked about what type of business would you like to see in Burleson that would attract 18-23 year olds? Well, one candidate was really stoked about bringing a Theatre to town (can you guess which candidate?). No, not to watch the "Hunger Games" or anything like that, but for live performances. She even indicated that it was apparently second rate to have to make use of the two perfectly good theater auditoriums that were build at the two high schools with tax paid bond money . If we can only find another Bass Brother.  Oh, and I'm sure it would bring in some highly paid jobs that theatre always brings. (Exactly what did you do with that Theatre Arts degree specializing in Stage Design? Oh, yeah, you worked at Macy's.)  

OK, Im getting on with it.

Matt Aiken gave a good videoed "vision statement" and introduction. He wasn't there due to a previous engagement, but his video with scrolling words was effective, I thought. I think that he certainly put to rest who has a better grasp of the job that needs to be done. Experience certainly speaks volumes. (The only problem I had with it was Matt like to say the word "Transparency" a lot. Come on now. Don't be so greedy, the city has already won that award how many years in a row now?) Just kidding, Matt. I'm still voting for you.

There were two subjects brought up -most likely as a queston from the audience - that sparked a little spit fire to the  evening. One was about public housing and the other was about the Opportunity Fund. First the council candidates were given a shot at the questions and then the Mayoral candidates had a go. Actually, the Mayor started with a "shot across the bow" when he took the podium for his opening statement. Afterwards,  the moderator asked  the Mayor's opponent to give his views on the question. (that made him actually have more time to speak, but that could be a good thing).

Back to the council candidates.

 Regarding the federal housing issue. It appeared that the candidates that had bees in their bonnets about the possiblity of five proposed housing developments  coming to Burleson all at one time (never happen), appeared to have gotten the message* that had been spreading around town that these candidates were painting themselves into a corner should they actually win election and then have to serve on the council and live with their prior statements.  However, I knew a few of them couldn't help themselves as I remember some of the candidates expressed flashes of anger while speaking at the Tea Party Forum. Apparently they wee indignant that the Mayor and current council members would not pledge to disapprove all additional federal housing requests for support. There was a lot of "humming and hawing" but even with guarded speech, it was clear who were saying,  "NIMBY" (not in my backyard) to Federal housing.

One candidate added to her opening statement that all our elementaries were "busting at the seams" from all the students they had, citing the busing of students to her children's elementary from other schools due to "over-crowding". I am pretty sure that the busing is going on to keep from adding classes in the other schools to reduce the number of waivers necessary to maintain the 22:1 ratio. It really has nothing to do with space in the elementaries. Now, the middle schools, that's a different matter.

The other question that added a bit of excitement was the question about the Opportunity Fund, its original funding mechanism and whether it was legal. Wow! What if it had not been legal??

 As luck would have it, Ronnie Johnson was there as he is running for the council and he just happened to have been president of the BISD Trustees when the Opportunity Fund was proposed and approved. Ronnie was Vice- President of the Opportunity Fund Board. Wow! Straight from the horse's mouth!! (Sorry Ronnie). He said unequivocally, "No, it (is) was not illegal". Stating there were more lawyers than .... I couldn't hear his comparison, but I got the message. It's not illegal. You would have thought that would have put it to rest, but no. With the two other candidates "passing" Ms. Gammon, gave a somewhat disbelieving sigh and said, "I'd like to know if it IS legal". She either can't hear or she believes she is the appeals courts and Ronnie was over-turned!

However, when the Mayor gave his opening speech, he was less than demure when he said he wanted to lay to rest this question. The Opportunity Fund is NOT illegal. It began as a method to develop a workforce to prepare for and entice industry to Burleson. There was always the intent to use economic development funds for it and they dedicate 1/50th of the fund to the Opportunity Fund. Then, taking a final swing, he added that businesses and individuals did contribute to it and yes, those funds have waned somewhat but the City of Burleson always planned to provided some of the funding. There! (Editorial comment here. I think that business gifts have waned because of who is in control of the Chamber of Commerce now.. Just sayin')

But wait. The moderator decided that since this was such an interesting topic, the Mayor's opposition needed to address the subject. The opponent began, "Well, I can't speak to the legality of it...."  "What?" The Mayor said. "Yes you can. "You voted to fund it" just a short time ago.

 Yes!!!!

Of course, the moderator called for decorum; the candidates aren't supposed to address each other but to addressed the student panel. The opponent didn't turn his head; just stared straight ahead. I did detect a bit of a twinkle in the Mayor's eye, however. I was high fiving in my mind!!

The discussion of the housing issue was much more mundane with the Mayor  and the opponent. There really wasn't much left for the opponent to say other than, if the developer follows the rules, there really isn't much that can be done. I was sitting in the back by this time, observing one of the council candidate hacking 'poo" out of her mouth. There was obviously disagreement. Darn, it's maddening when you can't get your way, right?" The Mayor had already prepared a position statement on this issue and it was distributed at the Forum to the few people there. If you want to see it  go to www.kenshetter.com and look for "housing".  There were so many untruths, half truths and mis-understanding that have been given out, it is really hard to make the issue clear without a long two page article. So read his so I don't have to type it here.

One interesting thing that came up was the Mayor's opponent kept hammering on the his assertation that many industries have wanted to locate in Burleson but have not done so due to to many regulations. He added one other reason... they were not sufficiently "wined and dined". The opponent said that these people (industrialist)  are "enterpreneurs" and they need to be handled "with kid gloves". Well, my husband has 30+ years in corporate manufacturing and that is code for "Wine, Women and Song". So, does that mean that Mayor Shetter and the city staff haven't been spending enough city money on big expense accounts and wild parties? I know where they can find some "Cowtown Hotties".  You might even ask the opponent.

In regards to the burdensome regulations on building design, etc... Well, I agree that you probably don't have to have the same building design requirements in an industrial park as you do on Main Street, but it seems a little pre-mature to have those ready to go since they just turned dirt on the Highpoint Industrial Park not long ago. I also am sure that the Planning and Zoning Committee hasn't brought that before the council yet. I could be wrong, but I think I remember something about that. I wonder why the Mayor's opponent hasn't asked his friend Ms. Gammon about that since she is on that City Board and enjoys the job so much she wants to stay on it. Since that is a citizen group, maybe the "people" will have an opinion on what those requirments should be to house "widget" manufacturing.

I had a questions I was eager to ask the Mayor's opponent, but it didn't make the list.  So, I was happy when the Mayor alluded to my question when he asked how it was possible to lower the debt, reduce taxes, reduce the budget, build infra-structure and pay police and firemen more. I agree with the Mayor, it sounds like a fairly tale.

Just sayin'

Ann

* For info on the "message" please read the previous post, "What Would Jesus Do?"
Also, if you haven't already, read the other two prior posts as well.

What Would Jesus Do?

This is a copy of a Letter to the Editor of the Burleson Star that I know won't be published as they refuse to take political letters after April 24, 2012. However, this is important information that is not available to everyone. While some may feel that "Not in my backyard" is a good defense for homeowners, if elected officials bow to that pressure due to discriminatory reason (which NIMBYis) then they can be sued as well as the city. The officials are put in a terrible position by those who would quote Bible verses on one hand and claim the poor and disabled are the curse of the devil. Do not let yourself be a part of this movement. P.S. After you finish reading, don't forget to read the two previous posts, "Larry Pool and Silver Star" and "The Truth is Free".

To the Editor:

Below is a copy of aletter being sent to members of the Wakefield Home Owner Association in Burleson, and probably others, by Shelly Grant, a Burleson Community member who it is rumored to go by a Face book alias of "Praise Jesus". Unfortunately, the rhetoric used in her letter has nothing to do with "Jesus"; the words he taught or the behavior he championed. In fact, He had a lot to say about our relationship to the poor. I guess Ms. Grant missed those red lettered words. There is even a quote of John 3:16 at the end of the letter. (It kinda sounds like someone thinks that low income people don't know Jesus).

BTW, she was assisted in distributing this letter by the HOM’s management group, DentonCMG. (Who won't return phone calls).

The basis of the letter is that according to her, some elected city officials (the mayor and two city council members) have committed themselves publically to supporting the import of additional HUD housing, mainly in the form of Section 8 apartment housing for low income. She makes no distinction as to whether the purpose of the housing is for the elderly, families, or disabled.

It is important to note that her statement is NOT TRUE. Officials have gone on record saying that no commitment of any kind has been nor can be made as decisions such as, setting housing development policy, accepting zoning requests, giving abatements, and providing letters of support, cannot be made prior to the presentation of facts and due consideration. While there may be reasons to deny requests for zoning changes, letters of support for this and other types of development, it can only to be based on non-discriminatory factors.

Ms. Grant may write letters make inflammatory statements and unfounded assumptions about her beliefs regarding low income housing as it is her First Amendment right. Elected official are not free to act on threats made by people such as Ms. Grant and her organization. They must adhere to the Fair Housing law and do nothing to illegally impede the provision of low income housing of protected classes. By the way, this month is "Fair Housing Month" as declared by Governor Perry. What a coincident that Ms. Grant would decide to begin her crusade on this topic.

If you would like to read a brief synopsis of a public official’s duty to give equal access to HUD housing applications, you can do so by going to:

http://www.tdhca.state.tx.us/program-services/fair-housing/docs/SupportiveHousingGuide.pdf

Should Ms. Grant succeed in her efforts and a future official that she endorsed has embraced her rhetoric in writing or in public; they will have left the city unable to ever deny housing applications that were designated low income without putting the city in a vulnerable legal position.

Is that where you want your tax money to go? Is that what Jesus would do?

 Just sayin'

Ann

This is Mayor Shetters most recent answer to these accusations:

http://www.kenshetter.com/fact-check/1316-affordable-housing

Text of letter below: I received this copy on 4-25-2012

From: "Carter Low" <Carter.Low@DentonCMG.com>
To: " Carter.Low@DentonCMG.com" <Carter.Low@DentonCMG.com>
Subject: FW: Section 8 (low income housing) Location Listings on TDHCA Applications Near Wakefield Estates/Burleson/TX

This email is being sent to all members of the Wakefield HOA who have provided their email address:

The following information is provided by Shelley Grant from the Burleson Citizens Against Section 8 Housing. If you have any questions, please contact Shelley directly at

shelley@burlesonstars.com<mailto:shelley@burlesonstars.com > (817) 919-4982

Also, according to Ken Davis (Pastor, Calvary Chapel Southwest Metro), there is a City Council Candidate Forum this Thursday, at Hill College (130 E. Renfro) starting at 6:45PM. Please plan to attend the forum and find out where each candidate stands on section 8 housing near Wakefield HOA and other issues.



Dear Wakefield Home Owner Association Member:

The purpose of this letter is to send you the TDHCA log information which illustrates the Section 8 applications for the state of Texas which include Burleson locations located on Hwy 731, John Jones Road, Hwy 174, Summercrest and Alsbury Blvd.

In regard specifically to Wakefield Estates, located in Burleson, TX, 76028 the TDHCA log illustrates there are five locations listed for Section 8 application. The five Section 8 locations near Wakefield Estates are:

The 1701 Wilshire (Hwy 174) location application includes 175 Section 8 units.

The John Jones Road (FM 731) location application includes 160 Section 8 units

1300 Alsbury location application includes 120 Section 8 units

1300 Summercrest location application includes 120 Section 8 units

Alsbury at Ridgehill location application includes 84 Section 8 units

In 2007, our current Mayor, Ken Shetter, and the 2007 city council enticed a Section 8 apartment complex to Burleson by offereing the developer a $400,000.00 tax abatement. This Section 8 unit, the Alsbury Villas, is located at 755 Alsbury. As a result of the tax abatement, our city has been qualified for federal grant money from hud.gov< http://hud.gov> that stimulated the five applications currently filed with TDHCA for Burleson, TX.

The mayor and council have gone on record endorsing the Section 8 Multi-Family additions to our city. As a result, the citizens of Burleson have formed a political group seeking to seat a new mayor and 3 new council members in the May 12, 2012 municipal election. A new mayor and council will give the citizens of Burleson a window of opportunity to protect their home values from being jeopardized.

It is our hope that you will notify the members of the Wakefield Home Owners Association in order that they will have the opportunity to examine the city and TDHCA documentation, create their own opinion and have the opportunity to vote, if they so choose to, in the municipal election for the candidate of their choice.


Respectfully,

Shelley Grant
Burleson Citizens Against Section 8 Housing


Regards,

Carter Low, CMCA, AMS
Community Management Group
P.O. Box 104
Argyle, Texas 76226
(940) 464-1107 Phone
(940) 464-4502 Fax
Carter.Low@DentonCMG.com
The views expressed below are that of Community Management Group and do not necessarily reflect those of the HOA Board of Directors or the Homeowners' Association.
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. ~John 3:16

The Truth is Free

"All too often in politics today, elections are marred by negative advertising and innuendo about candidates. During my 2010 race for Congress, my opponent spent millions of dollars on negative advertising; and, as a result, I have a firsthand view of what it is like to be on the ‘receiving end’ of this type of behavior. Unfortunately, some of this behavior has arisen in this race and I am disappointed by the allegations being made about Larry. I want the citizens of Burleson to know that I think that Larry is a fine man, who has run his businesses properly and I consider the negative comments about him to be unfair and inappropriate.” Quote from U.S. Representative Bill Flores in the Cleburne Times Review -

Perhaps when the next financial reports are due, we can look to see how much Larry Pool paid for that endorsement. I post this here to make a point. No money has been spent to tell the truth about Larry Pool. Ken Shetter hasn't paid one dime to me or Susan Cloud to tell the truth about Larry Pool and the Silver Star Bar. Citizens in the Burleson Community learned of Pool ownership of Silver Star and  made it public. He tried to disassociate himself from it by posting a useless document that meant nothing in regards to who owned and operated the bar. Mr. Pool is the sole Director and member of Silver Star Event Hall, LLC. The business that had the entertainment shown in Ms. Cloud's Facebook post and her Video took place in Silver Star bar. He cannot run away from it. If I have to take an ad out myself in the paper to publish this information, I will do so.

I want to make it clear that I believe that Pool attempted to hide his ownership of the bar because he wanted to get into politics in a conservative city. If he wants to disprove that, then he needs to show a bill of sale for his business to the people that bought it and then show why he is still the Director and only member of the enitity that he formed. He filed the documents saying he was Director - twice. If it is not true, then he is guilty of a misdomeaner for filing a false report. If he filed the report or caused it to be filed and knew that it was false information, then he is guilty of a state jail felony. 

He can put this to rest by showing the documents that actually show the sale and then explaining why he filed documents with the Secretary of State stating otherwise. If he doesn't want to do that, then I will file a complaint with the Secretary of State's office and he can explain it to them.

Mr. Pool is the one that has been telling untruths to the community about himself. Representative Orr and Flores just bought in and lied to you as well. There is no evidence of any kind that Pool has been successful at "balancing budgets and controlling debt." He has not released any information about his private business dealings. He has numerous corporations. Who knows how much debt he has as a real estate speculator? He has had one corporation suspended twice for not paying Franchise tax and for not having a registered agent on file. What do we really know about Mr. Pool's ability to be successful?

We can look at his one year on the City Council. Mr. Pool was elected with the idea or controlling debt and managing the budget. I don't recall any news reporting that described Mr. Pool asking to put debt on the agenda to discuss reducing it. In fact, I think he voted to increase it.  I don't recall anytime that he pounded the table with his shoe insisting that debt be reduced. I don't even recall him voting "no" on the budget that he likes to complain about. If he didn't have it in him to vote against the budget then exactly why would you expect that he would do so any other time. No, this is about control and getting credit for things done by others.

At the Tea Party Forum in March, Pool stated without any hesitation, that "The Brick should never have been built". Yet, as Susan Cloud so aply showed in her last video, there was Pool holding ballons at the grand opening of the Brick supporting Mayor Shetter. I would have thought that a man as "principled" as Pool would have gone on record as opposing the opening of the Brick; maybe even not being present to "make a point". That would have been a man of integrity; showing consistency. That, however, is not the man that we see opposing the current Mayor.

It's a good thing that Bill Flores will not be representing Burleson in the next election, due to re-districting. I would have to campaign against him if he had opposition. If he doesn't, I could wait.

Just Sayin'

Ann

Larry Pool and Silver Star Redux

There has been a lot of talk about the "outing" of Larry Pool's involvement in the Silver Star bar in Alvarado and the entertainment by the Cowtown Hotties and the "midget wrestlers". The latter exhibition attended by children as young as 12 as documented in pictures taken by the Hottie’s own scheduler.

Susan Cloud, a Burleson resident and producer of the morning talk show at WBAP, asked Mr. Pool to respond to some information that she had been given about his involvement in the Silver Star bar. She gave him nearly two weeks and he didn't respond so she posted her information with pictures and supporting documentation on her Face book page. This is her post – pictures are for mature audiences.
http://www.facebook.com/notes/susan-cloud/hows-this-for-traditional-family-values/10150634835026430

Mr. Pool cried foul and accused her of slander and demanded that she apologize. I re-posted her story as did others. I also looked deeper into the situation and found that everything she said was true.

 Mr. Pool posted as a defense  two documents that were supposed to "prove" her wrong.
http://larrypool.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/ChangeofOwnership-2010.pdf  

However, one his documents was just a change in Registered Agent and the other a copy of the tax statement showing the property was owned by Homes-N-Land, LLC, which is Larry's Pool's corporation. The other  document showed the business entity was owned by "Silver Star". He says that mean he doesn’t own the business. However, you will see that the Secretary of State will disagree with him; he is the only Director and Member of Silver Star.


While Mr. Pool apparently submitted documents on two occasions showing a change in Governing Person, he or his agent (Rogers Law Firm) later submitted Public Information Reports (PIR) showing that he and he alone remains the Director and only member of Silver Star Click here.  Whether the PIR was filed out correctly or not, one thing is certain:   he was attempting to prove a change of ownership with a document that did not carry that meaning. That is dishonest, deceptive and just plain wrong.  It means that he thinks people are too stupid to know the difference.

Now, Mr. Pool has been attempting to dismiss Ms. Cloud's information. He doesn't think that he has to answer any questions asked by anyone. Apparently, he has made sure that the Burleson Star doesn't ask him any questions.  The Texas Patriot Tea Party that is backing him doesn't want to ask any questions. Two elected representatives, Rob Orr a State Representative and Bill Flores, a U.S. Senator both are apparently ignoring this information. Everyone seems to be happy with Mr. Pool’s dishonesty. What does that say about their character?  

This saddens me as it means there is no outlet for the average voter to learn that a candidate has represented himself to be one thing and apparently is something else.

In my opinion, I think Mr. Pool bought a building and some land in 2009. The filing of a Certificate of Formation  10-27-2009 with the State of Texas and in the  name Silver Star Event Hall, LLC stated the purpose was a "nightclub" (bottom of page 3) There is no question; this is a fact.  Mr. Pool registered the name Silver Star for a web address on 1-9-2010. He filed a franchise tax report on 5-11-2010. This report listed him and another name on the original formation documents as Director and Member.

 Then for some reason, he decided that it was something he didn't” have time for” so he supposedly”sold” it to his attorney, Calvin Rogers. Could this have been when he decided to become President of the Burleson Chamber of Commerce? Could it be co-incidental that his political ambition in a conservative city was born at the same time that he was opening a bar?

 Mr. Pool’s attorney took over as Registered Agent on 8-3-2010 and two days later became the only Governing Person.  It was only a matter of a few months before the attorney found two other people to take over as Governing Person effective December 1, 2010.  

However, why on 12-31 2010 did he file a Public Information Report (PIR) with the Secretary of State stating an effective date of 2-11-2011?  This report showed Mr. Pool again as the sole Director and Member. Because he bought it back? The others didn't pay? He really never changed the ownership but wanted it to look like he did for a while?? To make it more astounding and less likely that this was the result of a mistake is the fact that another Franchise Tax filing was made on 5-5-2011, again showing Mr. Pool as sole Director and Member. This was followed by the filing of another PIR on 12-31-2011. Again Pool was listed  as the sole Director and Member. This time the effective date was listed as 8-22-2011. That is the last document that has been filed. Click Here. . Another Franchise tax filing is due early in May, 2012. Whose name will be on this one? I guess we will see.

Now, some may feel that this is a non-issue. After posting Ms. Cloud’s post exposing his ownership, I was blasted by some of the Cowtown Hottie’s fan club.  They didn’t see anything wrong with the entertainment and defended Mr. Pool. But, how can misrepresentation of your character be a non issue? Mr. Pool has made much out of being a "conservative". He brags about his belief in “traditional family values” as well as Judeo-Christian values. Yet, prior to his stint as President of the Burleson Chamber and his current campaign, he decided to open a bar. I personally don’t see that choice lining up with his value system. Not that I think you can’t drink or dance, but I can’t believe that Mr. Pool having had his values for so long and practicing them so ardently, didn’t have a good understanding of what kind of  activity traditionally goes on in a bar. 

Could Mr. Pool be so innocent that he doesn't know about wet tee shirt parties, 2 for 1 drinks, dancing girls, bikini contests, etc..?   I would think that he would knows that bars over serve people all the time and those people get into cars and drive home. Morally, how does he think that it is Christian to be a part of enabling that kind of activity? He may not have known that the Silver Star allowed children to attend events at the bar even though the website states they have to be 18 or over. He may not have known that the Cowtown Hotties were dancing during their bikini contest or that they were making it easy for audience members to "touch them on their buttocks", but then again, should he have known? Is that really responsible ownership as a lease holder as he purports to be?  

 He says that when he became aware of the behavior that “went against his family values that [he] stands for” he took action and closed the bar. Now, am I the only one that can’t understand how he can shut down a bar that he doesn’t own? So, is he saying that as the owner of the property, he maintained control over activity that went on there? Is he saying that had he known that there was such activity, he would have done something about it? The bar is in Alvarado. This was six months ago. How hard would it have been to know what was going on? You are running for Mayor and you don’t even wonder what is happening on your property? 

Maybe he doesn't wear women's clothes, but he might as well have, as he is not who he portrays himself to be.

Just sayin'

Ann


P.S. This was Susan's response to Larry's call for an apology:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34d9gEyi3G8&sns=fb
This video has very risqué and adult content with all activity taking place at the Silver Star Bar.

 Susan’s second video about Mr. Pool’s flip flops on his positions:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Ashq4KuZQU&feature=youtu.be