Indians Wig Wom
We have been getting a bunch of calls asking for an update on the Port Neches ISD fiasco, where it is alleged that there was a panty-dropping incident involving two of the higher-ups. Well, we filed a §552 request and got back a scathing letter from Attorney Geneva Jones, a well-known attorney and speaker in Texas and California. In fact, some of us around here have seen her speak, and she is dynamic.
She blasted us and lectured us on some misspellings (no surprise there) and dates (no surprise there) and other issues. Then she provided some receipts, but no records on phones, as we have requested.
Now, why do we want phones?
First, the law says we can have them. Second, we have evidence that what we want to ensure is correct in text messages. And last, did we say that the law says we can have them? And why ignore our §552 and only give us what they want to give us? Is PNISD ignoring us? And why hide text messages? In fact, counsel is saying that neither person has ever texted the other?
Now, if you believe that????
Next, our bet is they come back and say there is nothing they can do. And our response to the Reservation will be: give us ALL your text messages (like we have done twice now) between the outgoing and incoming. And we want the records downloaded by the cell phone company. They have the records already!
You woke us up; now we want it all.
Why cannot life be simpler? We either get the records we know are there, or we file suit.
Whomp ‘em! Like PNISD cares about what looks like an open secret?
The Disappointment Of The DOJ
There are so many ways we want to tell this story. It is one of the most gut-wrenching stories in Politics in Jefferson County. And as we have said thousands of times, there is a difference between running a government and running for the government.
The DOJ in Nederland represented change. Many in the community wanted change. Big change. They didn’t like the good old boy ways. Confusion about who was going to do what, and what that would look like.
To say it plainly, the DOJ is a complete and total failure.
They promised to change the EDC. They have done nothing. Even the EDC director is still in place after over a year of controversy and allegations of using a company credit card for personal use. And all the citizens got back was “she paid it back.” Failure after failure of businesses in Nederland because of the outrageous taxes supported by the EDC. Stupid programs that wasted thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of dollars of your money. And of course, the silly reasoning by a dysfunctional board.
Then you roll into the board. One of the councilmembers is Jeff Ortiz. And he is doing the same thing again that he did the first time. He is acting arrogant; he is not listening, and we think it is because he just doesn’t know what he is doing. Now we learn he is out of his home and living on church property with no taxes being paid. Anger once again erupted as some in the city have said he is a freeloader.
Then we have the mayor, who is going through a tough time at home, has sold his house, and many do not know where he lives. Some call him brash with the citizens, and he now has at least three people who are going to run him. His friends say he is in a bad place. Politicos say he is just being Jeff Darby, who was a long-time union member and sees things in black and white.
Then, you have Councilman Britton. Nobody can figure this guy out. One day he is Mr. Change; the next day he is a dead man walking and confused. Anyway you put it, leadership and independent thinking are not in his wheelhouse.
And of course, the newbie on the block is Curtis Stratton, who we like here at the Review, who showed balls in voting against the budget. Why? Because they did not do what they said they would do, which is cut spending and give the overtaxed citizens a break. Home costs went up, and the tax base went up. Add in values and school district tax increases, Nederland is now the most taxed city in East Texas. The average citizen will pay around $1,000 a year more in taxes. As businesses continue to close in the city, and salaries in the city increase, and this crazy ass plan that downtown will be the godsend to the problems in Nederland by the city council, when the real estate crash comes, Nederland will certainly fall bankrupt. There is only so much money. Jefferson County is dying. The schools are losing families because they cannot pay the taxes, and clueless leaders think tax and spend is the way out of the problems.
What are we saying? The crash is coming. And Nederland is not prepared.
Names of people have begun to line up. DOJ has ZERO base of support. Why? The people are angry. What was once a bastion of faith and solace for Republicans is now an angry group of people that want change. And that change is coming, as it is so crazy; crime is through the roof, and the angry people want to get rid of the FLOCK system that is fighting crime. You cannot make it up.
Violent crime is on the uptick, but not as much as you would think. But it is coming. Clowns are running Port Arthur. The bad people are moving north into Port Neches and Nederland. There is no way out now. So, the white flight and conservatives are now moving to Chambers and Hardin County. Just ask the cops.
What are we trying to say? Again, the crash is coming. DOJ is a failure. They now cannot make it up. They have failed. They cannot even keep their resident status up. It is time for another change with a new group.
It is nothing personal. It is just fact. We will be the first to call for a change. At least the good old boys were conservative.
###