The Maypearl Memo

Maypearl Police Database

2010-07-14T13:13:00.000-07:00

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

Coming Soon: The Maypearl Memo Newspaper

2010-04-13T11:02:00.000-07:00

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.

Chief Lester Taylor's Questionable Assault & No-Knock Search Warrant

2009-10-10T15:32:00.000-07:00

Keeping this issue alive in Maypearl: Questions Surrounding the Alleged Assault on Maypearl Police Chief Lester Taylor and Mayor Kelly Jacobson's re-election Loss

This act right here should be grounds for Taylor's firing and subsequent peace officer license revocation: Chief Taylor uses the Waxahachie SWAT Team for a "No-Knock" search warrant based on a friend's allegation of a "network intrusion"

Introducing Naypearl.com | The Maypearl Observer

2009-10-10T15:05:00.000-07:00

The Ellis County Observer's new sister blog, The Maypearl Observer, has a unique domain name for readers to access news and information about western Ellis County: Naypearl.com.

Bookmark Naypearl.com for the latest news, info, campaign adn election information about this small FM 66 town south of Midlothian!

"My goal in creating Naypearl.com was to give a voice to those in Maypearl and
western Ellis County in general by devising a URL that reflected our mission,
which is anti-establishment, anti-status quo and pro-Constitution, pro-property
rights," said publisher Joey G. Dauben, who first launched The Ellis County
Observer in 2005. "This fast-growing community near the Superconducting
SuperCollider needed their own identity, and with Naypearl.com, I believe we've
provided one."

2008-01-21T21:48:00.001-08:00

About the poll: One vote per IP address every 30 days.

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...

2007-07-19T11:55:00.001-07:00

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...

2007-06-26T13:44:00.000-07:00

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

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

Navarro Eyes Tuition, Tax Hikes

2007-06-25T12:56:00.001-07:00

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

New Marketing Campaign

2007-06-21T16:19:00.001-07:00

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2007-06-11T16:25:00.001-07:00

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

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

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

-- Joey

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

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

2007-05-28T15:04:00.000-07:00

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

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

Commissioner - Precinct 1 (Palmer, Ferris, Ennis)

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

Commissioner Pct. 2 (Ennis, Waxahachie, Bardwell)

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

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

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

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

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

County Judge

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

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

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

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

Open Letter to Ellis County, Texas

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

Open Letter to Ellis County, Texas

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ellis County District Attorney Salaries

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

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

[Source: Ellis County Observer Open Records results]

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

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

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

Smoking Ban in Midlothian

2007-05-02T16:25:00.001-07:00

Smoking Ban in Midlothian
The sheer outrage over the Midlothian Mirror article this week regarding a smoking ban ordinance the Midlothian (liberal) City Council plans to foist on that city has gotten numerous voters, residents - and bloggers - ticked. On the surface, this is a "public health" issue; but in reality, the conservative voting bloc that comprises Midlothian, Ovilla, Red Oak and northern Ellis County is showing their muscle at the public hearings and citizen comment forums on this ordinance -- so much so that the city council, according to the Mirror, has tabled the issue three times. Here's the "compromise" ban so far:

Smoking would be banned in city parks
Smoking would not be allowed within 25-feet of the door of a city building
Smoking would be banned in "pool cars" owned by the city
Smoking would be banned in lobbies and conference areas
Smoking would be allowed in private offices
Smoking would be allowed in private homes
Smoking would be allowed in designated hotel rooms, private clubs and private vehicles

Just the mere fact that smoking "would be allowed" is scary; because what government can "grant," government can take away. (it would be a good time to go gun store shopping, folks, just in case; we might have ourselves a revolution soon)

Every single one of the 6-0 votes on the Midlothian City Council need to be thrown out of office; two such candidates -- Ken Chambers & Sam Hartson -- are running and are opposed to the ordinance.

This is quite simply the most liberal position a taxing entity could take outside of eminent domain. Private property rights of individuals far outweigh "public health," and the council members in Midlothian who support - and vote for - this ordinance need to be sent back to the private sector.

Chambers' opponent, incumbent Jimmy Beaudoin, first proposed banning smoking in all public places. Voters in Midlothian would be better served if they voted this borderline communist out of office; if government can force an issue like this onto public space, it's only a short matter of time before they do it on private space.

Conservative, free-market minds are still on the city council, however in a very symbolic way. If this quote from Mayor Boyce Whatley is anything, then the future political aspirations of this mayor will be severely hampered by the re-publishing of it:

"I would like to see us give up to five years to allow businesses to put money back to pay for new air conditioning and any renovations," said Whatley. "I don't know how expensive it would be to make these changes but five years would give time to put back $10,000, $15,000 or the $20,000 necessary to make these changes."

We personally like Mayor Whatley, but we're really starting to wonder where his 2004 opponent, ex-Councilwoman Paula Baucum, stands on this ordinance. Beaudoin said the Midlothian Chamber of Commerce supports a smoking ban. That's easy for the Chamber to say; that's easy for any chamber to say: they're subsidized by the very taxpayers this private-property-rights-raping ordinance would screw.

Dusty Fryer, a councilman who opposes the ban but still needs to be defeated for re-election the next time he's up (for another issue altogether), had a pretty good stance:

"There is something about this that is a little too much 'big brother,'" said Fryer. "I go where I feel comfortable going and I believe we ought to allow businesses to regulate their own establishments."

Councilman Wayne Sibley definitely needs to go. The Mirror reported him as saying, "Sibley said he favored an outright ban but would agree to a compromise that would be phased in quickly."

Richard Reno needs to consider running for city council next year. Here's what he had to say:

"I moved to Midlothian 11 years ago because of the sense of community and degree of independence I found here," said Reno, a downtown business owner. "I don't smoke and it is not the role of government to tell me how to run my business or my life."

Councilman Tommy Mitchell is sending mixed signals; on one hand, the Mirror says he doesn't want government telling businesses what to do; on the other, any ordinance the city passes, Mitchell said it should specify how to "guide and regulate" smoking and non-smoking areas.

"I don't want anyting that says at the Fire Chief's or City Engineer's discretion," said Mitchell. "We need clear rules and clear ways to measure and enforce those rules."

The chambers in every Ellis County city -- including Waxahachie -- will be watching this ordinance very closely. And when those taxpayer-funded organizations begin to see the council-led opinions sway the debate, start watching for Ennis and Waxahachie and Red Oak; they just might be dumb enough to push a ban in those areas. And The Ellis County Observer has news for any candidate or elected official who tries pushing a smoking ban in their towns: the barrage of blogging will not stop. And we will make life a very living hell for those who support and vote for a ban.

(note: keep in mind that a majority of Ellis County Observer bloggers do not smoke)

Taxpayers Alliance for Good Government

2007-04-27T10:22:00.001-07:00

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

2007-04-25T15:37:00.001-07:00

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.

Column from Columnissioner Heath Sims

2007-04-22T11:30:00.000-07:00

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.

Maypearl Observer

2007-03-31T14:29:00.001-07:00

Welcome to the only media outlet devoted to Maypearl 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 Maypearl politics, send those in too.

Precinct 3 Commissioner Primary - GOP:
	Heath Sims - Incumbent
	Brian Thompson

Taxpayers Alliance for Good Government Poll