The Midlothian Observer

Was Hunter Moore Acting in Self-Defense on Halloween?

November 21, 2009 · Leave a Comment

This is the second time that two different sources — the one below is from my main law enforcement source I’ve been getting “fed” from — mentioned physical activity occurred by Hunter Moore, a football player whose dad Tom Moore is a MISD school board trustee.

This begs the question: Did Hunter Moore act in self defense? By all accounts he was. But that’s strictly an observational standpoint right now…

(and if he did act in self defense, there is no punishment – or shouldn’t be)

 

I am just shocked at reading the comments from other parent and students concerning this. It surprises me that no one is upset at the fact that the parent(s) are knowingly supplying or contributing to minors alcohol. It is not against the law for parents in the State of Texas to allow their child(ren) to drink at home, however, it is against the law for parent(s) to supply other children and/or minors with alcohol. It does not matter what that they provided a place for them to stay.

It also surprises me that they do not see that this whole incident may have been prevented if the Halloween party was not a BYOB or parent(s) providing and supplying the alcohol in the first place. We all know that alcohol in excess is dangerous. We all know that alcohol lowers our inhibitions.

It suprises me that no one has actually read the article to know that NO ONE is excusing the choice that Promise Jackson made by re-entering the party after leaving with a group of friends with baseball bats and that no one is saying that he is innocent or should NOT be held accountable for his choice and behaviors. However, could this whole incident have been prevented in the first place? Was Promise Jackson a victim of assault in the first place when he had a beer poured on/over him and then how he and other football player had a little scuffle which was broken up, and then allegedly Hunter Moore hit Promise about 4 or 5 times with his fist– could that be classified as an assault and should Hunter Moore and the other football player be in the DAEP for safety concerns for the public and the students? Just a question….

Your job is not to investigate the incident or alledge offense, but rather report the news and make the public aware of certain situations. It is the law enforcement agencies job to investigate and then the DA/ADA to prove that the offender is guilty and the jurors job to find the offender guilty beyond a reasonable doubt and the judical system to prevail with justice.

Will justice be done if questions are not asked? If we continue to wear our rose colored glasses instead of seeing the truth in this. The truth is that the parent(s) knowingly knew that the kids at the party on their residence had been drinking whether or not it was a BYOB or the parent(s) supplying the alcohol at this time does not matter considering a minor who was at the party stated that it was a BYOB and the mother came to check on them before taking her son to the party– she knowingly knew that there was alcohol on her property and that the children were all minors and she did NOTHING to stop it, and would have been responsible if anyone left her home and got in a car accident or killed someone. What is the difference here– that their were kids injured after consuming alcohol on her property? Not that I think the parents should be responsible for the choices that Promise Jackson and his friends made by coming back to the party after leaving, but let’s ask the real questions and start seeing that something does not add up….

→ Leave a CommentCategories: Midlothian High School · Midlothian ISD School Board

ECP Nov. 19, 2009 | Freedom of the Press Column

November 21, 2009 · Leave a Comment

Midlothian Still Doesn't Get It

→ Leave a CommentCategories: Midlothian ISD Alumni · Midlothian ISD School Board · The Ellis County Press

The Real Reason I’m Being Attacked for Exposing Corruption

November 19, 2009 · Leave a Comment

Come on, guys, are you sure there’s not some deep-seated hatred towards me personally because of certain political campaigns I’ve helped organize?

 

You know, a lot of people blame me for the few bond election defeats the past few years…

 

*shrugs*

Here went your second high school (that proposition lost, as did the “land purchase” one):

What’s with school board trustees and beer?

Keep reading →

→ Leave a CommentCategories: Midlothian High School · Midlothian ISD Alumni · Midlothian ISD School Board

MHS Band Student Who Exposed Himself is Son of Mt. Peak Elementary Teacher

November 19, 2009 · Leave a Comment

One of the Midlothian High School band  students (Cain Miller) who was suspended for exposing himself on a school bus is the son of a Mt. Peak Elementary teacher and a Waxahachie 9th Grade football coach & science teacher (Damon Miller.)

 

There’s a story on the sidebar of The Ellis County Press about this incident as well. It reportedly occurred the same week as the Halloween brawl that took place off-campus.

 

The District is also aware of an incident that occurred on a school bus
involving several MHS band students. The District has investigated this
matter and has taken corrective action in compliance with the MISD code of
conduct. Due to state and federal laws concerning student privacy, the
District can’t release any further information regarding this matter.

Respectfully,

Jana Hathorne
Public Relations Coordinator
Midlothian ISD
100 Walter Stephenson Rd.
Midlothian, TX 76065
972.775.8296, ext. 1037
www.midlothian-isd.net

→ Leave a CommentCategories: Midlothian High School · Midlothian ISD School Board

Trustee’s Sister Wore Pirate Costume, Gave Halloween Partyers the Beer

November 19, 2009 · 6 Comments

Mindy Moody, the mother of Midlothian High School varsity cheerleader Tawni Reynolds, provided students at an off-campus Halloween party beer and appeared in a pirate costume drunk, according to a law enforcement investigator close to the case.

(All I have to say is, Moody has got to be your stereotypical “hot” mom. I bet she is. No mother would wear a pirate costume around high school students if she wasn’t hot. And not that this means anything at all…or that it relates to the case at all…but Midlothian does in fact produce the most polluted air and the hottest women. It’s a scientific fact.)


The law enforcement investigator alleged:

Mindy was dressed in pirate costume DRUNK and met all the kids and supplied the alcohol and then they left to go to an “adult” party and then came back…she left the party and then came back at 12:30 to UNLOCK the gate to let this guy take Promise Jackson home after the [beer pouring incident that ultimately led to Promise bringing back a gang of baseball bat-wielding friends.]

The investigator, who I am not disclosing the identity of or of the agency involved, also alleged:

They [students] were there– all [students] who were there– saw her…. She was dressed as a pirate.

This law enforcement investigator also told me that Mindy Moody — who is related to Midlothian ISD school board trustee Tom Moore — has thrown several parties at this field on North Mockingbird Lane before.

Basically she and Tom Moore are the Who’s Who of the high school — you mess with them then apparently you’re life is ruined.

She didn’t have money until she married INTO money with “H.B. Moody.”

Courtney Mach and her friend, Caleigh (Callie?) Danner were both at the party — drunk off the shots that were lined up for all to take!

Apparently, Mindy has HOSTED several parties out on this field before, and one that included CareFlite coming out (not sure of details about whether or not alcohol was involved).

Whew.

This keeps getting deeper and deeper.

→ 6 CommentsCategories: Midlothian High School

ECSO Issues Statement Re: MHS Football Brawl

November 19, 2009 · 2 Comments

Shortly after CBS 11 requested from The Ellis County Press photos and images of Midlothian High School football players, the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office issued the following release:

(I’m issuing this release verbatim)

 

For those needing to contact the ECSO, please do so at: johnny.brown@co.ellis.tx.us or by visiting this Web page: www.co.ellis.tx.us

Press Release

11-18-09

Re: Midlothian Assault

On November 2, 2009, the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office received a call from the parents of a 17 year old complainant stating he had been assaulted by an individual while at a party on 10-31-09 in the 1300 block of N. Mockingbird Lane, in the City of Midlothian.

On November 7, 2009, the Sheriff’s Office received a call from the parents of a 16 year old who reported her son had been assaulted while at a Halloween party on Mockingbird Lane in Midlothian.

Both complainants report there had been an altercation at the party at which time at least one of the people left only to come back later with several additional males, some of which had ball bats.

At this time the Sheriff’s Office is attempting to identify and interview witnesses to find out what all happened and who the assailants are.

→ 2 CommentsCategories: Midlothian High School

Loop 9 Will Wipe Out N. Midlothian Streets, Homes

November 18, 2009 · Leave a Comment

Join Us On Facebook!

Pic-SocialNetworking_Facebook

[Updates: Meeting Times, Dates, Events on the Facebook Group]

Pic-Loop9AprilTownHall_CH
This was April 2009 in Cedar Hill. Organized solely by grassroots activists.

Pic-Loop9Hwy67MidlothianLakeRidge
Those streets and homes are on the northwest side of Highway 67 in Midlothian, just south of Lake Ridge Parkway.

Keep reading →

→ Leave a CommentCategories: Loop 9 Midlothian

[MHS Football Player Brawl] Did Eagle’s Nest Security Cameras Catch the Event on Tape?

November 18, 2009 · Leave a Comment

I was driving around Midlothian Monday night with a digital camera and found the field where the major Halloween brawl/gang hit-job occurred (1310 N. Mockingbird Lane), but noticed something interestingly random: surveillance camera signs in people’s front yards and along the side of Mockingbird (which borders the Eagle’s Nest house-airport community.)

If no one has asked the neighbors yet about whether their security cameras caught this event – before, during or after – on tape, now would be a good time to do so.

I’ve had every major TV station in Dallas contact me today over this story…

[Pics: 1310 N. Mockingbird Lane & Eagle's Nest]

I know the night-time photography and the lack of lighting turned these photos all Red Oak-fied, but I thought they were kinda cool…

1310NorthMockingbirdLane_1

Pic-1310NMockingbirdLane_1

Pic-1310NMockingbirdLane_2

Copies of the Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009 issue of The Ellis County Press can be found at these Midlothian locations:

[Click Here For a Map of The Ellis County Press Newsstand Locations]

EllisCountyPressFrontPage_Nov192009

Cont’d on Page 2:

V18n32-02 Community

→ Leave a CommentCategories: Midlothian High School

Coach Robby Clark Resigns | Criminal Charges Likely in Halloween Party Fight

November 18, 2009 · 13 Comments

[Updated: Nov. 18, 2009 | 10:54 a.m.]


Copies of the Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009 issue of The Ellis County Press can be found in locations all across Midlothian…

 

[Click Here for a Map of the ECP News Stand Locations]

 

————————————————————————————–

Midlothian High School head football coach Robby Clark has resigned, according to MISD.

[Superintendent] Dr. [J.D.] Kennedy received and accepted Coach Robby Clark's
resignation on Friday, November 13, 2009.  His resignation will be presented to the
School Board at tonight's meeting for their information.

Note: The Ellis County Press sent an e-mail Friday – the same day of the resignation – seeking comment on the Halloween fight.

Also…check out the new column for this week’s paper titled, “Midlothian Still Doesn’t Get It” below.

So far, one MHS football player has been serving a 90-day suspension in the alternative education program (AEP) for his role in allegedly assaulting others at an off-campus party at 1310 N. Mockingbird Lane on the outskirts of Midlothian.

However, the son (Hunter) of MISD trustee Tom Moore has not been punished yet. Neither has the son (Austin) of MHS assistant principal Rebecca Blackburn been punished. Both were not only drinking, but witnesses, parents, players, students and law enforcement officials allege Moore’s son was one of the two (the other is a varsity cheerleader – Tawni Reynolds – who is also Moore’s niece) who organized the party.

Still running down details on who the parents were that provided the alcohol. Law enforcement officials both in Midlothian and the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office say those parents retained lawyers within the past week.


Clark, Blackburn and Moore all declined to comment, referring me to Hathorne, by the way.

Time to play the race card?

What I find popping up in all of my interviews with law enforcement, parents, students is that there currently is a football player (the one accused of getting his baseball bat-wielding friends) serving a 90-day suspension for his role in this, yet none of the players he’s accused of assaulting have been punished except to sit out the last football game of the year.

Did I mention this suspended student/player is black?
Won’t Be the First Time…
I’ve also been told that the parents who supplied the alcohol are “billionaires” and they won’t be getting punished for providing the alcohol. Well, hell, how can you punish Midlothian parents for throwing keg parties for minors when then-school board president Cindy Williams‘ daughter threw a graduation keg party in 2000. Nothing was ever done about that.

But this all harkens back to 2004 when The Ellis County Press launched a media onslaught of MISD after several players allegedly walked into a math teacher’s classroom and began threatening her and all sorts of stuff. It later came out (only in the ECP, by the way) that MHS dean of students’ Harriet Fowler and this math teacher virtually conspired with a yearbook to pinpoint select players in hopes of turning the entire case against them.

Oh, and ironically: every player except Bob Jackson got off scot-free for that incident. Jackson, by the way…is related to Promise Jackson, the current MHS student now serving a suspension in AEP.

Bringing a gang of people with baseball bats and assaulting people is definitely wrong, but I’m not going to let a bunch of rich, white prominent families and relatives of school officials scapegoat the black kid in this mess and then get away with other obvious crimes…

Keep reading →

→ 13 CommentsCategories: Midlothian High School
Tagged: ,

Candidates to take oath

May 12, 2009 · Leave a Comment

Tonight at 6 p.m. the canvassing and swearing in of the newly elected candidates from Saturday’s election will be on Midlothian’s agenda.

View the entire agenda here : May 12 city council meeting

Dr. Hank Miller ousted incumbent Wayne Sibley in a very closely contested race.

Establishment type Steve Massey defeated anti-annexation candidate Bill Redding.

Thankfully the people at least had a choice. I personally would have liked for both incumbents to be replaced.

Here’s to the new council!

→ Leave a CommentCategories: Midlothian · Midlothian Elections · Western Ellis County

Elections | Miller

May 6, 2009 · Leave a Comment

Hank Miller sent this on over to us:

“Report Card” on Midlothian’s Financial Strength

Now is the time to vote on who you want to watch over your tax dollars. Before you make that decision, please take a second to rate your current city council’s way of watching your money:

* During the 4/28/2009 city council meeting, Dan Almon (Southwest Securities), Midlothian’s financial advisor, stated that the debt ratio was high for a city of this size.
* The city currently has 90 credit cards in use and has charges ranging from $42,600 to $78,000 per month for the past 6 billing months.
* The city park’s annual bill was over $700,000 last year.
* The city’s tax rate jumped over 3 ½ times in 10 years from 17.4 cents to 65.0 cents.
* The debt service rate of the city is up 5 ¾ times from 6.8 cents to 39.45 cents.
* Each Midlothian resident has a current debt from the city of $8,551. (In 1999, it was $3,492.)
* Over 60 percent of your taxes goes just to pay the city’s debt?
* Our city has a NEW $30,000,000.00 water project in the works

Sit back and think for a second. Is your city better off than it was 5 to 10 years ago? Are you better off today than you were 5 or 10 years ago? Are you happy with the progress that the city has had in that time?

Changes can happen, but it will take you getting out voting. If you are tired of the spending and want change, Vote for Bill Redding and Hank K. “Doc” Miller.

→ Leave a CommentCategories: Midlothian · Midlothian City Council · Midlothian Elections

Mid-Way Regional Airplanes to ‘Shoot Out’ Materials?

May 5, 2009 · Leave a Comment

[[[UPDATE]]] Airport manager Andy Biery’s job is being “evaluated” in executive session today. Look for copies of this blog to circulate at the meeting today…

What the hell is going on at Mid-Way Regional Airport?

[Click Here to Read the Mid-Way Regional Airport Agenda]

Today at 4 p.m., there’s a Mid-Way Regional Airport meeting and one of the agenda items, according to calls The Ellis County Observer has been getting today, is one that will allow a local pilot to drop material out from his plane.

There’s also some commotion about spending $20,000 on poison to keep wild boars and pigs from entering the airport property.

[Click Here to Read the Mid-Way Regional Airport Agenda]

There’s even more: we’ve got two competing agendas for the meeting today. According to pilots who plan to attend the meeting at 4 p.m., one agenda set by airport manager Andy Biery is different from one posted by Midlothian.

[Click Here to Read the Mid-Way Regional Airport Agenda]

See Also: The Ellis County Observer

→ Leave a CommentCategories: Mid-Way Regional Airport

Texas Senate Guts Property Rights Bill

May 5, 2009 · 2 Comments

For those who don’t remember, The Ellis County Press was the only – still the only – paper to have reported on Southwestern Bell’s eminent domain of the old Midlothian post office. We plastered that on the front page of our paper…and to this day, SBC still hasn’t done crap to that land over on Avenue F.

They tore down the old post office that was once housed to a business owned by a prominent Midlothian family, but those who do not learn from the past are doomed to repeat it…read the horrors below:

[Direct Link: http://www.ij.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2681&Itemid=165]

Texas Senate Guts Property Rights Legislation

Key Provisions Stripped from Eminent Domain Bill Prior to Passage; Meanwhile, Strong Bills Languish in the House

Austin, Tx.—The Institute for Justice Texas Chapter issued a warning today to property owners across Texas: despite politicians’ claims to the contrary, Senate Bill 18, which passed through the Texas Senate yesterday, will not end eminent domain abuse in Texas. The Institute litigated the infamous Kelo eminent domain case before the U.S. Supreme Court, and its Austin-based Texas Chapter has led the way to eminent domain reform in the Lone Star State.

“As it stands, SB 18 represents a bait and switch on Texas property owners,” said Matt Miller, executive director of the Institute for Justice Texas Chapter (IJ-TX). “This bill helps protect rural property owners but leaves urban and suburban property owners exposed to private development schemes.” The definition of “public use”—which was the entire focus of the Kelo litigation—was stripped from the bill in committee. All that’s left is a collection of procedural safeguards. Although helpful, those provisions do not address the central problem of Kelo.

Property owners across Texas should be worried about SB 18’s momentum because more meaningful bills are now being stalled by legislative leaders. Property owners from Houston, El Paso and San Antonio, all of whom are today being threatened by eminent domain abuse, rallied at the Capitol in March. They were met with assurances that this session Texas would finally address Kelo once and for all.

“The Governor opened this session saying he wanted a constitutional amendment to address Kelo,” said IJ-TX Staff Attorney Wesley Hottot. “Now, with mere weeks left in the session, time is running out for the legislature and Governor Perry to make good on their promises.”

With SB 18 gutted, Texas property owners must pin their hopes on two bills in the House. The first is a strong constitutional amendment, House Joint Resolution 14, by Frank Corte (R-San Antonio), which offers Texans the strongest protection for their homes and businesses. The second is House Bill 417, by Bill Callegari (R-Katy), a bill that would address the problem of cities using bogus “blight” designations to justify eminent domain for private development. Both bills are out of committee, but have not yet been scheduled for a vote.

“Texas property owners should have the opportunity to curb eminent domain abuse through their Bill of Rights, and Rep. Corte’s constitutional amendment does just that,” said Miller. “Combined with HB 417, HJR 14 would give Texans some of the strongest property rights in the nation. Chairman Dennis Bonnen did what he said he would and got those bills out of his House committee. Now it is up to the Calendars Committee, the Senate and Governor Perry to follow through.”

“If SB18 passes but HJR 14 and HB 417 do not pass, this legislative session will be a failure for anyone who owns a piece of property in Texas,” said Hottot. “People need to pay attention right now and demand passage of the real reform measures, otherwise we will once again have been denied the protection we were promised. This legislative session is starting to look like a repeat of 2005 and 2007 when genuine property rights protection was promised by Texas political leaders, but never delivered.”

# # #

Source:

Institute for Justice Texas Chapter

816 Congress Ave, Suite 960  Austin, TX 78701

(512) 480-5936 Fax(512) 480-5937

www.ij.org

→ 2 CommentsCategories: Midlothian · Midlothian City Council
Tagged: , ,

Councilman Wayne Sibley’s Direct-Mail Piece

May 4, 2009 · Leave a Comment

These are very nice.

For those who don’t already know, I’m a political junkie and I collect campaign and election materials, including yard signs. It’s for a makeshift political history museum I’m constructing.

[Click Here to Read Page 1 of the Wayne Sibley Mail Piece]

[Click Here to Read Page 2 of the Wayne Sibley Mail Piece]

→ Leave a CommentCategories: Midlothian Elections

Boards & Commissions: Political Food Chain

May 4, 2009 · 2 Comments

Readers, let’s start combing through this list of boards and commissions and partition the members into camps: Citizens National Bank/Danny Rodgers allies; Mayor Boyce Whatley allies; Paula Baucum allies; TXI/Cement Industry allies, etc.

Some can overlap, but tracking Midlothian’s boards, commissions and appointed officials will help us better understand the differing agendas in play.
Remember, we can predict future council/mayoral/school board races based on the appointments to city boards and commissions. We can also track voting records on zoning issues in a property rights-and-liberty bias — and should one of those zoning commissioners seek elected office, we’ll have their records.

Midlothian, Texas Boards & Commissions
Citizen’s Capital Improvement Commission

Reviews and prioritizes community needs for capital facilities
Citizen’s Capital Improvement Commission

Community Development Corporation

Focuses on the maintenance and operating costs of publicly-owned and operated projects
Community Development Corporation

Corporation for Economic Development

Attracts new and retains existing business and industry and encourage economic development
Corporation for Economic Development

Historic Advisory Board
Considers all issues involving historic preservation in the City
Historic Advisory Board
Housing Authority

Promotes, develops and finances public housing in the City
Housing Authority

Industrial Development Corporation

Promotes and develops commercial and industrial manufacturing
Industrial Development Corporation

Joint Midlothian/ Waxahachie Airport Board

Advisory to both Midlothian and Waxahachie Councils and oversees daily airport operations
Joint Midlothian/ Waxahachie Airport Board

Milothian Development Authority (MDA)

Promotes, develops, encourages and maintains employment, commerce, economic development and public facility development
Milothian Development Authority (MDA)

Park Board
Improves and manages City parks
Park Board
Planning & Zoning Commission
Considers all planning issues, and advices on ordinance amendments and zoning issues
Planning & Zoning Commission
School & City Library Board
Establishes library policies and hours
School & City Library Board
Utility Advisory Board

Makes recommendations to City Council regarding the City’s water and sewer operations
Utility Advisory Board

Zoning Board of Adjustments
A quasi-judicial body that determines variances to the zoning ordinances
Zoning Board of Adjustments
Board and Commisssion Application

Board and Commission Application

→ 2 CommentsCategories: Midlothian · Midlothian Boards & Commissions

On Facebook? Become a ‘Fan’

May 4, 2009 · Leave a Comment

Readers on Facebook can now become “fans” of The Ellis County Observer/Midlothian Observer:

[Click Here to Become a Facebook Fan of The Ellis County Observer]

→ Leave a CommentCategories: ECO MO

Sec. of State Monitor to Oversee City Election

May 4, 2009 · 4 Comments

The Secretary of State’s office is sending an election monitor to Midlothian for Saturday’s election, according to Kim Thole of the SOS office in Austin.

This will make the second Ellis County city to request and obtain SOS election monitors. Ennis was approved for one last week.

In both cities, concerns over the handling of ballot boxes and the integrity of the election day votes were brought forth to Ennis city marshal candidate Daryl Spence and Midlothian Councilman Ken Chambers, who specifically requested the monitor on behalf of two council challengers he has endorsed.

Both cities use paper ballots. Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. Saturday.

→ 4 CommentsCategories: Midlothian City Council · Midlothian Elections

Update: Cop’s Dog Euthanized by Midlothian Police

May 4, 2009 · 3 Comments

A police officer who lives in Midlothian had his dog euthanized by Midlothian animal control — the very agency that both city council incumbents running in the May 9 election tout as having launched — and today, this officer had to break the tragic news to his children.

Kelli Jackson is the animal control officer who carried out this “punishment” and according to the officer, Midlothian PD’s Don Cole contacted him to inquire about the situation.

This is definitely a huge PR problem on Midlothian’s hands.

I have contacted my friend at the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, the Virginia-based organization that got involved in the recent Ferris Police Department dog-shooting policy story.

See Also: MidlothianObserver.com | The Midlothian Observer


Joey,
Sorry to bother you on a Sunday, but I wanted you to know that me and my wife just told our children about the assassination of our dog Hunter. As I expected and told you, my 12 year old, as I send you this email, is crying hysterically, and has been for about an hour. My wife has already called and left KELLI JACKSON a voicemail at work and informed her of the atrosity of her actions. I was also contacted by Cpt. Don Cole of the Midlothian Police Department on Thursday May 1. I chose not to contact him back as I did not want stir up a “honets nest” as I was still very angered.

My neighbor, who was involved in the whole situation, and the one who paid the $20.00 murder fee to the inconsolable KELLI JACKSON for transport fee, has also sent a letter to the Midlothian Mirror in reference to the whole situation.

I just want you to assist in letting people know to make sure there animals are kept and/or “beware of dogs” signs are posted on or about their households so as to stop this inhumane activity to occur again.

We are the humans, dogs are our companions. Who should be euthanized? Maybe KELLI JACKSON should.

Joey, PLEASE post this ASAP on the front page as I want everyone to know the agony of telling children that God didn’t take there dog, but an ignorant human did.

Craig Draxlir

→ 3 CommentsCategories: Midlothian Police Department

Candidate Yard Signs | 2009

May 3, 2009 · Leave a Comment

Anyone with Massey/Sibley sign pics?

Photos Courtesy of MidlothianAgenda.com


→ Leave a CommentCategories: Midlothian City Council

Editorial Warfare

May 3, 2009 · 1 Comment

Some factual and non-misleading information about what’s being spread around among Midlothian voters:

To the editor:

While I’m not a Midlothian voter, I’m being used by a group of malcontents in Midlothian to damage the candidacy of Bill Redding and Dr. Hank Miller.  Their information is an absolute lie, and your dissemination of the truth is appreciated.

They are a registered PAC for the purpose of promoting the candidacy of the two incumbents.  They claim to be for “unity,” but their methods appear hateful and divisive.  Their recent attack is an absolute lie, which demonstrates how desperate they are to maintain their control over the city.

I was a consultant for the RCAA group (www.rcaa.us) in their opposition to forced annexation.  This was the second group with whom I consulted.  The first group was not annexed;  RCAA was.

RCAA internal e-mails were being forwarded to the city manager.  It was difficult for RCAA to believe one of their neighbors was a “mole,” but that was the only explanation.  A Freedom of Information request revealed one of the e-mails was sent to the city manager from an e-mail that appeared to be owned by Jason Kyle, an attorney in your city.  It included a personal comment, “hehehehe.”  It was felt an attorney (a) would not divulge information and sell-out his neighbors, and (b) would never use such a juvenile term as “hehehehe.”  E-mail headers can be forged, so we wanted to know for sure.

I also wanted the city council members to think twice about forced annexation.  I decided to “kill two birds with one stone” by writing a fake e-mail that looked like it was being sent to all RCAA members to see if it would reach the city manager.  It included a “threat” of a lawsuit by a councilman – again, something to give the council members second thoughts.  The e-mail was sent blindly, so the recipients could not determine the distribution list.  It was sent ONLY to Jason@kyle-law.com and me, with a verification copy the communications agent sent to himself.

I knew if it were received by the city manager, it had to come from the e-mail that we sent it to, Jason@kyle-law.com.  Kyle-law.com is registered to “Kyle & Associates, P.C.”  The website indicates their office is at 411 W. 8th Street, # 100, in Midlothian.  Therefore, RCAA’s “mole” has access to an e-mail owned by Mr. Kyle, so assuming it is Mr. Kyle himself is not too much of a stretch of the imagination.  The use of that fake information in a website owned by Mr. Kyle adds more credibility to that assumption.

This e-mail was a trap for the RCAA mole, but a MODIFIED version is now being used for political purposes, indicating Mr. Redding is responsible.  A partial excerpt from Mr. Kyle’s web site follows:

“While Bill was RCAA President, a letter was sent out to their members in which they stated that if they were annexed “ Midlothian will regret ever messing with us.”  The RCAA planned to “easily win any election” and after elected they planned to de-annex the entire city with the exception of the industrial tax base section.  That way they would not have to pay any taxes and they could get rid of the City employees.  A copy of this letter can be seen to the right.  Perhaps we should ask Bill if his campaign is really his way of keeping his promise to the RCAA members.”

Note it says the e-mail was sent to “their members;”  it was not.  It also presents as fact that RCAA planned to “get rid of City employees.”  That statement was not in the “trap” e-mail.  Since they published the e-mail on their own site, one would think they would know the difference.  Additionally, the wording of the e-mail has been modified from its original form.

I wrote the e-mail, and Rob Shields (their communications agent) sent the e-mail to Mr. Kyle and me.  No one in RCAA ever received the e-mail, and the only RCAA person who ever saw the content was Mr. Shields, who sent it at my instruction.

Dr. Miller knew nothing about the e-mail, and was not active in RCAA at the time.  Mr. Redding knew I was sending an e-mail, but was not shown the content.

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