Look for the link on the top-left hand sidebar!
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Our commissioners court voted to create an oversight committee last night to check on the status of our newly-approved facilities bonds. The membership will consist of 15 people. To lobby your commissioner and county judge to be included on this important committee, use the following contact information:
Commissioner Dennis Robinson – Precinct 1
dennis.robinson@co.ellis.tx.us
972-449-3260
Commissioner Bill Dodson – Precinct 2
bill.dodson@co.ellis.tx.us
972-875-3241
Commissioner Heath Sims – Precinct 3
heath.sims@co.ellis.tx.us
972-483-7477
Commissioner Ron Brown – Precinct 4
ron.brown@co.ellis.tx.us
972-723-8017
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The site is graphic, informative and very controversial. But it’s worth a good read-through.
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And no, not talking about the current one, but a hero of mine, the late Penn Jones, Jr. In TIME’s recent “JFK” issue, the author of the pro-conspiracy article mentions that the former Midlothian Mirror editor (back when the Mirror was worth reading) appeared in Bobby Kennedy’s office to discuss the paper’s coverage of the Jim Garrison-led trial in New Orleans. Wow, what I’d give for archives of those papers…
A good case study would also be to check with Robert Groden, who lives in Midlothian as well, and who is considered the world’s leading expert on the evidence pointing to a plot to kill JFK by the CIA.
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Remember that illegal contract Waxahachie and Midlothian approved late last year involving a Mid-Way Airport hangar – the one contractor Ken Halverson sued the city over?
Well that hangar, built by the good ‘ol boys over at the Nay Company, is in such disrepair that pilots are calling airport management griping about massive flooding and issues regarding entrance-exit “bumps” that prevent pilots’ planes from going too far.
That new hangar, built after a temporary restraining order in then-Judge Bob Carroll’s courtroom was denied, is now in risk of joining the other project that the Nay Company half-way constructed: a paint hangar and another plane hangar (oh, and those flood too).
Aside from the haphazard construction, pilots are complaining of six-inch flood waters in their hangars. The contract for Nay to build the new hangar (photos and more YouTube video to come…) was approaching $1 million. Midlothian’s city council has also refused nearly $75,000 in change orders on the hangar projects.
There are also reports of massive mildew damage in the original structure that the Nay Company built (the one Halverson complained about having faulty drainage); Midlothian’s fire marshal was also reported as having been denied by Airport Manager Cam Fearis to update structures on necessary fire-safety measures; the Mid-Way Airport Board – which consists of members of both cities – bypassed Fearis and adopted the fire marshal’s standards.
Waxahachie Finance Director Carl Wessels and Fearis should resign immediately; the two city councils in both cities should halt all construction and contracting at the airport and allow an independent investigation into how to go about repairing the damages. Not just that, but every dime of taxpayer funds should be stopped if any is still going to this boondoggle; quick, someone get me the laws regarding filing against a contractor’s bond – is that the city’s role, or can a concerned taxpayer “have standing” on an issue like this? The city councils that voted to approve this contract were unanimous. It’s time to start firing some people over this…because it’s not looking good for anyone in this county, especially after dealing with the Justice Center fiasco.
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What’s it like being related to someone who was wrongfully accused?
Ellis County will find out – from their own words: tomorrow night at 6 p.m. Sharon Allen will be on The Ellis County Observer Radio Show to discuss not only her getting-updated book exposing Ellis County corruption (read: County Attorney Joe Grubbs & Judge Gene Knize), but her fight to have her wrongfully accused brother released from prison.
Then, the major news: Olga Trevino (now Dixon), the sister of the Robert Trevino (as in the 2004 Ellis County Press series of columns that now appear on JoeGrubbs.com) will be our guest live next week to discuss her family’s ongoing fight to see her brother released.
Last week’s show was downloaded 65 times. Let’s push the number to 100-plus. Those who want to call in to ask our guests (or me) anything related to Ellis County politics and/or the current events of the show, please call: (646) 478-5811
Note: Unfortunately, callers cannot be screened. It’s a live-fire radio broadcast, so if someone calls in, we wont know the identity of that person unless they state their name on air.
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-Joey
elliscountyobserver@hotmail.com
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More information on last week’s arrest of Leslie Davis keeps coming in, this time from even more sources. Friends of Davis, who was picked up by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms last week on weapons charges at his Midlothian-area home, had a friend-person-roommate by the name of Branda Houlk living with him; she worked at the coffee shop at Southwestern Assemblies of God University and reportedly came to work numerous times strung out on loads of medicine. Former co-workers told this blog she had an “overnight case” full of prescription drugs. This could explain why a Sandra Sanford was taken into custody for possession and a weapon charge (she was booked in the Ellis County jail, where she remains on $80,000 bail); not sure where Sanford fits in to this story, perhaps a friend of Davis’.
The Ellis County Sheriff’s Office reportedly came in to the coffee shop at SAGU one day because Davis reported stolen property that he believed Houlk took from him; deputies wisked Houlk into an unmarked car and drove her to the Davis “compound.” (sorry, couldn’t resist that word in an ATF-related story.) Co-workers say that Houlk was “out of there [Davis' house]” quickly, mainly because of the reported struggles between the two.
And to clarify some things said about Davis’ anti-annexation stances, it should be noted that officials with the Rural Citizens Against Annexation say they know of no known connection between their group and Davis.
One RCAA member says with almost near-certainty that the ATF found (his words) “two fully-automatic weapons” and a missile launcher “that could take out an aircraft.” We’ll see if that’s true…
Note: The Ellis County Observer & sister blog Midlothian Observer have been the only media sources where the ATF arrest information is found on this case. The Midlothian Mirror has been silent. The Waxahachie Daily Blight has been silent. The Ellis County Press has been silent. Dallas TV stations aren’t even covering this. So stay tuned to this blog for continuing coverage of the ATF’s arrest of Davis and his associates.
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You know it’s getting bad when critics of the Midlothian Mirror (and more importantly, the Waxahachie Daily Light organization as a whole) create a Facebook group about it.
It’s a legitimate Facebook group. With lots of people. Editor Floyd Ingram – or whoever they have over there now – better shape up.
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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?)
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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
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UPDATE: Re: ATF Arrests Midlothian Man
Some information was reported to us at an earlier date, and it was found to be incorrect. The changes have been made. More details continue to trickle in about Midlothian resident Leslie Davis, who was arrested two days ago by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms; Midlothian police and Ellis County Sheriff’s Office officials, when contacted, supposedly had no clue as to what happened. Really? So a federal law enforcement agency can just swoop right in to a county and arrest whoever the hell they want? Quick, someone e-mail me the ATF’s jurisdiction:
elliscountyobserver@hotmail.com
Davis, active in many right-wing causes and most recently, the anti-annexation activities in Midlothian, was supposedly ratted out by a chic who had been living with him; she also worked at the campus-public coffee shop at Southwestern Assemblies of God University. That’s at least what the family of Davis is alleging; he had served time several years ago for something relating to “explosives” and “weapons.” Must be a member of a “right-wing militia.”
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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
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The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) reportedly arrested Leslie Davis in Midlothian yesterday on a weapons violation. Davis, who supposedly knows quite a bit of dirt on some Ellis County pols, was taken into custody at about 7:15 a.m. for having in his possession a “22-caliber rifle.” He’s considered extreme right-wing, but that’s not likely to be a cause of why the ATF would go and arrest someone…
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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
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Incidents
May 26 to June 1
Accident/minor 4
Assault 2
Credit/debit card abuse 2
Criminal mischief 1
Disturbance – civil 1
Disturbance – noise 1
Found/lost property 1
Fraud 1
Missing person 1
Prisoner transport 1
Runaway 1
Suspicious person 1
Theft 7
Traffic with arrest 4
Unknown call type 3Arrests
May 26 to June 1
Christian L. Smith, w/m, 27, DeSoto warrants
Fedrico Montero, w/m, 23, no driver’s license, failure to maintain financial responsibility
Dallas K. Phillips, w/m, 41, Tarrant County warrants
Juan J. Villarreal, Jr., w/m, 26, MPD warrants
Leroy Ragland, b/m, 62, MPD warrants
Nicholas A. Everhart, w/m, 20, evading arrest, Henderson County warrants
Jake A. Justus, w/m, 18, theft
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I’ll just go right out and say it: Midlothian could use this vital product. Of course, most of my more-conservative friends have said they would fight this in November, but hell, I’m a college student — this makes sense.
What’s interesting though is if Exxon is frothing at the mouth as the article seems to indicate, where does County Judge Chad Adams stand? Or for that matter, any politician in Ellis County who has received campaign donations from local oilman Ali Sharaf. Hmm. Take a Google search for campaign contributions to Adams and other Republicans — those who own the gas stations are expecting something in return perhaps? We’ll see…
And the Republicans shouldn’t say crap about this vote. They did, after all, have a Cathy Beer run for district clerk last year…
County clears way for beer vote this fall
By FLOYD INGRAM Midlothian Mirror Managing Editor
During its meeting May 29, the Ellis County Commissioners’ Court accepted two petitions as certified by elections administrator Jane Anderson and set the election for Tuesday, Nov. 6.
The ballot propositions will be to “legalize the sale of beer and wine for off-premise consumption” and to “legalize the sale of mixed beverages in restaurants by food and beverage certificate holders.”
Anderson said Monday the petition, filed by Sissy Day of Texas Petition Strategies, saw 1,040 names submitted for the sale of alcohol at restaurants and 1,059 names submitted for the sale of beer and wine at local stores.
“They only needed the names of 926 qualified voters for the petition to be accepted,” said Anderson. “We stopped when we reached that point.
Anderson said this is the first formal petition she has seen filed with the county seeking a referendum on alcohol in Midlothian. Anderson has been election administrator in Ellis County since 1993.
“Only voters living in the city limits of Midlothian will be voting on this referendum,” said Anderson.
Signatures were solicited at Midlothian businesses in April for the petition that has put the sale of alcohol before voters.
Pitts would not say who hired Day and Associates and repeatedly said he worked for Sissy Day and Associates.
“We have done this for a number of communities around the state,” said Pitts. “An individual tried to do this here in Midlothian a couple of years ago and didn’t get enough signatures.”
Pitts said he would have to get 10 percent of the city’s eligible voters – or about 920 valid signatures – to take the petition to the Midlothian City Council and call for a vote.
“Midlothian has about 9,200 of graduation ceremonies and each is different, exciting and full of special memories.
“All graduations are special and something teachers and administrators take very personally as we watch students walk across that stage to pick up their diploma,” Smith said. “High school graduation is a defining moment in the life of every young person and one the community needs to celebrate with pride.”
The doors to the Potter’s House open to the public at 7 p.m., but graduates must check in by 6:30. Graduation ceremonies will begin sharply at 8 p.m., with graduates entering the auditorium to the music of “Pomp and Circumstance.”
The auditorium is air-conditioned and has the seating capacity to hold the more than 1,000 students, teachers, parents, family and dignitaries, who are expected to attend Thursday’s ceremony. Since graduation will be inside, it will be held rain or shine. Seating is first-come, first-served.
The order of service will see Salutatorian Stephen Nabinger speak and honor graduates will be recognized. Students to be graduated will then march across the stage to accept their diploma as major accomplishments are read about each senior. Valedictorian Michael Gummelt will then speak and be followed by the Midlothian High School Song that formally ends graduation.
The ceremony is expected to last about two hours.
Direction to The Potter’s House
To get to the Potter’s House, follow U.S. Highway 67 north out of Midlothian. Take the Kiest Boulevard exit and turn west onto Kiest Boulevard. The Potter’s House will be on the north or right side of the highway and will be marked with signs. If you go to Texas Highway 360 you have gone too far.
registered voters and we will probably try see 11,000 signatures to make sure we have enough.” Pitts said. “I had hoped to do this in a week but it looks like it will take me two weeks.”
“They get to vote ‘yes’ or ‘no,’” said Pitts. “We just want people to have a choice in this matter. There is nothing wrong with that. All I ask is are they a registered voter in Midlothian.”
Anderson pointed out the different colored signature cards each called for a different ordinance and referendum.
While Ellis County is dry, Texas law allows a city or precinct to vote itself wet. Beer can be purchased in Ellis County at Reagor Springs west of Ennis. Garrett passed a referendum in May to allow all alcoholic beverages to be purchased and consumed off premises.
Waxahachie allows beer and mixed drinks in restaurants where food provides the majority of the restaurant’s income. Waxahachie does not sell beer in convenience stores or grocery stores.
Pitts said he set up his table at Wal-Mart Supercenter and Brookshire’s Grocery Store and also handed out petitions to tobacco shops, check cashing businesses and several local convenience storeowners.
“Exxon (gas stations are) chomping at the bit to sell beer, as are the Smart Stops east of town,” said Pitts. “The kind of person who signs varies. I’ve even had policemen tell me it is a good idea so it will keep kids from driving to other counties to buy beer.”
“I had one lady yell ‘No,’ at me,” said Pitts. “I also had an older lady sign my petition and then take it and another card off with her. That’s just stealing.”
Pitts said he wanted to approach the city “sooner than later, so we have plenty of time to get it on the November ballot.”
City officials said Monday they don’t know if the petition has to be approved or channeled through the Midlothian City Council. The city is required to pay the county to conduct the election.
Pitts also said getting a vote doesn’t guarantee passage of a beer, wine and alcohol ordinance in Midlothian.
“They voted it down in Irvin, but that is the headquarters of M.A.D.D (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) Pitts said.
Pitts also said his company had been hired to work the petition drive and he didn’t know if they would handle publicity supporting the referendum.
Anderson said the state used to allow a 30-day window to seek petitions on alcohol sales but changed the law several years ago. The state now allows 60-days to collect names calling for a referendum on local sale of alcohol.
Anderson said the alcohol referendum in Midlothian will not be a separate vote.
“At this time we would have state amendments on the ballot first, followed by local option elections,” said Anderson. “We have heard that MISD (Midlothian Independent School District) will be holding a bond election, but it has not been decided if they will be on the ballot with us or hold their own election.”
Laws governing the sale of alcohol and elections to allow the sale of alcohol can be found at the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission website: www.tabc.state.tx.us.
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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.
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Thankfully, we can still have fun with Midlothian’s recent ban on smoking. I’m not a smoker, but I am in favor of private property rights. Jimmy Beaudoin lost his re-election bid because he carried the water (they’ll probably ban that too) for the Midlothian Chamber of Commun – er – Commerce on the city council’s smoking ban ordinance.
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Re: www.joegrubbs.com
Aside from me owning the domain to our county attorney — that’s right, I own www.joegrubbs.com — I’ve been busy gobbling up a few others. Not sure what I’ll put on the pages, but I guarantee readers will know the truth about cases that are argued before Judge Gene Knize’s court.
The names now in my possession:
Bookmark those. For now they will be pointing to “blank” screens, but rest assured content will be added when it becomes available. And just in time for high-profile election years 
For now though, readers can access www.joegrubbs.com and read about the Robert Trevino case that The Ellis County Press ran a five-part series on in 2004.
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