You know, I've never really loved trees. I mean they are expensive when you're landscaping, never seem to prune the way you really intended, and in most cases they leave a mess of leaves, sap, and so on in your yard and on your car. That being said, if I were a Lancaster city representative I would certainly overlook those issues and consider becoming a Druid. Yes, a tree hugging, weird robe wearing, chant loving Druid! "Why" you may ask? Because under consideration of Lancaster's current tree ordinances there is some ambiguity associated with the Eastern Red Cedar. A local TREE that grows almost wildly throughout the area. Confused with regular cedar trees, the Eastern Red is actually considered by some to be a scrub instead of a tree. At least, that's what the builders and especially the developers want you to think. The reason? Tree mitigation as it relates to heavily wooded areas that require clearing for development. Not only does the developer have to encumber the expense of clearing such growth but if a city holds its ground and proclaims that the Eastern Red is indeed a tree and not a scrub, the developer is forced to PAY the city based on the total diameter volume of the intended trees to be cleared. Imagine, the city being paid (per lot) for the open space requirements (usually 500.00 per lot/ approx. 300 in Lancaster), they'd have to pay for impact fees per lot ( usually 1500.00/ approx 1200 in Lancaster ), and now with tree mitigation off the table ( untold $ based on the volume of Easter Reds on the property )
Of course, it's important that the city pay close attention to those that may cut and clear before presenting a preliminary plat. Scum that would do such a thing behind the vail of a large development are clearly deserving of aggressive enforcement and a careful eye. After all, we have to save our trees.
Saturday, December 30, 2006
Friday, December 29, 2006
Yeah it's me...so what?
As most of you that have been awake in Lancaster for the past two years know, this is the token Black guy that Tommy brought to Lancaster to " help folks appreciate that developers are not bad guys." After all, as he told me once,"Nobody thanks developers for helping to build homes for them to raise their families..." ( In case you're wondering, I quote because I have some of this nonsense corroborated by others that were present when it was said )
What a jacka$$! Nobody thanks you because you're a scumbag! Raping the land and leaving cookie cutter homes littered among the countryside. Hiring untrained salespeople that present payments based on unimproved property standards knowing full damn well that the payment will go up in a year and the new owners may not be able to afford it! It's people like you and your "boy" Steve that give good developers a bad name. Your half baked scams and used car salesman tactics (no offense to used car salesmen by associating them with this goat) are the cornerstone to the hatred people feel for you and your whole genre. Try building something like Lantana, without fine tuning it to pad your pockets more than you already do...and speaking of padding...
I bet most don't realize the general economics behind a snake like you, so here goes a small lesson. remember this North Texas land owners when your approached by this clown. Land is purchased (as cheap as possible) and cut up into the coveted 11-12 lots per acre. the motto being, if you can touch your neighbor's home with a mop handle it's just right! Anyway, after stealing the land these guys chop it up to the tune of 12-$16,000.00 per lot development expense ( that's presumably moving dirt, contractors stealing materials, rain delays and so on.)
Take the above expense and add the cost of each lot (divide acreage cost by lots proposed) example 4,000 per acre? Divided by 12 is...uh...$333.33 so now you're at $16,333.00 now here is where it gets interesting. The per lot sales value to the builder is determined well in advance in accordance to the area and price of homes proposed for that area, so in an area with such small lots we'd expext smaller, less expensive homes. Since the property for a home in a tract neighborhood rarely costs more that 20% of the home value we'll assume that to build a $100,000 home the lot would bring a maximum of $25,000. Take out the average gross profit percentage of 20% and you get a lot with a builder's value of $20,000. Profit is a paltry $3667 per lot! Take that times 12, and then imaging a 200 acre development! Granted some homes will be on larger lots and others on smaller lots but even if you reduce your per acre take to 9 homes you're still talking about a boat load of money.
Now it's more involved than that and there are other factors to consider but the base factors are pretty close to what you just learned. Here's the catch... The lot value can't and won't go up because the builders are just as cheap and greedy as the developers. Therefor when a guy like Jim Landon comes in and costs a developer $100,000 on permitting delays, it comes from the bottom line. When code enforcement comes a calling for trash to be handled ( hint hint Meadowview look to the North ), it comes from the bottom line. My favorite, impact fees and tree mitigation denials are the best, they really hit em' in the wallet! in short, any delays, public work sessions, complaints about trash or mowing needs, etc. all cost the developer so much that in some cases (The Preserve) the developer just gives up.
More later...my wife is looking at me like I spilled something.
But before I go, Happy New Year to all but Tommy and Steve, I hope you're struck by lightning.
What a jacka$$! Nobody thanks you because you're a scumbag! Raping the land and leaving cookie cutter homes littered among the countryside. Hiring untrained salespeople that present payments based on unimproved property standards knowing full damn well that the payment will go up in a year and the new owners may not be able to afford it! It's people like you and your "boy" Steve that give good developers a bad name. Your half baked scams and used car salesman tactics (no offense to used car salesmen by associating them with this goat) are the cornerstone to the hatred people feel for you and your whole genre. Try building something like Lantana, without fine tuning it to pad your pockets more than you already do...and speaking of padding...
I bet most don't realize the general economics behind a snake like you, so here goes a small lesson. remember this North Texas land owners when your approached by this clown. Land is purchased (as cheap as possible) and cut up into the coveted 11-12 lots per acre. the motto being, if you can touch your neighbor's home with a mop handle it's just right! Anyway, after stealing the land these guys chop it up to the tune of 12-$16,000.00 per lot development expense ( that's presumably moving dirt, contractors stealing materials, rain delays and so on.)
Take the above expense and add the cost of each lot (divide acreage cost by lots proposed) example 4,000 per acre? Divided by 12 is...uh...$333.33 so now you're at $16,333.00 now here is where it gets interesting. The per lot sales value to the builder is determined well in advance in accordance to the area and price of homes proposed for that area, so in an area with such small lots we'd expext smaller, less expensive homes. Since the property for a home in a tract neighborhood rarely costs more that 20% of the home value we'll assume that to build a $100,000 home the lot would bring a maximum of $25,000. Take out the average gross profit percentage of 20% and you get a lot with a builder's value of $20,000. Profit is a paltry $3667 per lot! Take that times 12, and then imaging a 200 acre development! Granted some homes will be on larger lots and others on smaller lots but even if you reduce your per acre take to 9 homes you're still talking about a boat load of money.
Now it's more involved than that and there are other factors to consider but the base factors are pretty close to what you just learned. Here's the catch... The lot value can't and won't go up because the builders are just as cheap and greedy as the developers. Therefor when a guy like Jim Landon comes in and costs a developer $100,000 on permitting delays, it comes from the bottom line. When code enforcement comes a calling for trash to be handled ( hint hint Meadowview look to the North ), it comes from the bottom line. My favorite, impact fees and tree mitigation denials are the best, they really hit em' in the wallet! in short, any delays, public work sessions, complaints about trash or mowing needs, etc. all cost the developer so much that in some cases (The Preserve) the developer just gives up.
More later...my wife is looking at me like I spilled something.
But before I go, Happy New Year to all but Tommy and Steve, I hope you're struck by lightning.
Thursday, December 28, 2006
My Randomness knows no bounds...Oh and Hi Pegasus
Yes, that's right, the Pegasus News network online has picked me up. They'll probably be sorry, but hey, we'll see. So I guess you all are expecting me to clean up, offer a more accommodating points of view, and paint Lancaster and those that do business there in a better light... Sorry. I once told a Lancaster resident (in response to a rude comment that I didn't care about Lancaster) " I most assuredly do not, Furthermore, if you lit a match on the east side of town and it burned everything up to Desoto's edge, it would only mean I'd have to get off I20 two exits earlier!" Of course I didn't mean it, I could take I35 straight to Pleasant Run also. In any case, my point was that no one doing business in Lancaster has an unfaltering love of the city. For that matter, not very many that live there do! Why would they? The city couldn't attract a grocery store if they carried them in on a golden cart like Elizabeth Taylor in Cleopatra (great movie by the way). The schools are, well... we'll leave that one alone for now (Merry Christmas Larry). The city leadership, COME ON! There's one...maybe two people on counsel that have any foresight whatsoever beyond their own personal ambitions or agendas. One in particular has no idea what she's... (oops did I say she?) doing. Winning (if you can call it that) her last election by 100 votes or so...against nobody. I would think that working on ones approachability and accessibility would be the first move of a counsel person with such dismal response to an unchallenged election. This would build respect without placing a barrier between the constituents and their representative. (By the way, I got more than 100 votes for "Most Artistic in High School and I wasn't that good.) Yet I digress, I guess you're right Mrs. Lankford, correcting those that neglect to add "-berly" to your name may just be the answer after all.
I forgot to add a person to look for in the future of Lancaster politics;
Jeff Morgan in District 6, This guy is very similar to Marcus Knight in many ways but lacks the support of the city's "who's who" crowd. Trust me, this guy would go a long way to creating a young and intelligent counsel of the future. The great thing about it is that he's in Kimberly's district so it'll cost about as much as a Sonic "Cherry Lime-Aid" to get him elected next term!
Now, before anyone gets their feathers ruffled...keep in mind that I'm just a poor share cropper from the back woods of Georgia and these are only my observations. Albeit qualified truthful observations, still just observations.
I forgot to add a person to look for in the future of Lancaster politics;
Jeff Morgan in District 6, This guy is very similar to Marcus Knight in many ways but lacks the support of the city's "who's who" crowd. Trust me, this guy would go a long way to creating a young and intelligent counsel of the future. The great thing about it is that he's in Kimberly's district so it'll cost about as much as a Sonic "Cherry Lime-Aid" to get him elected next term!
Now, before anyone gets their feathers ruffled...keep in mind that I'm just a poor share cropper from the back woods of Georgia and these are only my observations. Albeit qualified truthful observations, still just observations.
Pig in a suit Part I
I guess using the word suit is a stretch because he never dresses to the occasion but anyway... It was just before the Tillotson campaign and a few invited guest were asked to have a nice lunch in Desoto to support Joe in a much anticipated ( and begged for ) race for Mayor. For reasons that still perplex me today, Tommy received an invite, and therefor me (because he was subject to piss someone off and I needed to be there to "smooth his rough edges." Oh yeah, his son also came. Why you ask? Me too!
Anyway, Tommy (true to form) proceeds to make irrelevant comments, make an embarrassingly unnecessary offer to give 20K to Joe's campaign, and complains about Lancaster, the city manager, and anything else he could think of all during the lunch. Hoping for a fire that would facilitate our expedient exit, I sat and smiled while he threw out promises like they were candy. All the while knowing he had no intention to make good. In fact, the next time you see Joe, ask him how much Tommy gave to his last campaign? You know what he'll say? He won't answer, because Joe unlike Tommy has class. I'll tell you though, (cause I don't) Nothing, Nada, Zero "zilch". Just goes to show you can't trust a Pig in a Suit...
Anyway, Tommy (true to form) proceeds to make irrelevant comments, make an embarrassingly unnecessary offer to give 20K to Joe's campaign, and complains about Lancaster, the city manager, and anything else he could think of all during the lunch. Hoping for a fire that would facilitate our expedient exit, I sat and smiled while he threw out promises like they were candy. All the while knowing he had no intention to make good. In fact, the next time you see Joe, ask him how much Tommy gave to his last campaign? You know what he'll say? He won't answer, because Joe unlike Tommy has class. I'll tell you though, (cause I don't) Nothing, Nada, Zero "zilch". Just goes to show you can't trust a Pig in a Suit...
Even I make mistakes...
Yes folks, even I make boo boo's. The last post was about another, yes another Tommy Tompkins all together! I should have known by the fact that this developer wasn't guilty.
Look what I found kids!
Could it be? That was the first thought I had when this link was sent to me from someone that wishes to remain "Deep Throat"ish. A "Tommy" Tompkins cleared of contempt charges in a case involving potential theft and misdealing? They mention local landmarks and people that have historically done business with him. I wonder, could it be that he's always been a crook?
Check it out Tommy's Tompkins
Check it out Tommy's Tompkins
To Anonymous with love...
Although I'm fairly sure that the comment on the last post was made by Topletz, I also feel that it has a point or two that need to be addressed. First of all, to all that were confused about the Tompkins/Topletz connection to Ten Mile or the post's address at TenMileCrook , the name was selected for its "catchiness" not their involvement in the Ten Mile Creek subdivision. I'm pretty sure they were screwing someone else when that was built. However, in answer to your question pertaining to the way it should have been done...
The developer would have submitted a preliminary plat for city review in an open meeting called a DRC. DRC's being a very serious time for plat review, the city would have reviewed various aspects of the plat to insure compliance to the existing city ordinances of that day. Depending on comments made by several experts in varied fields of engineering, the developer would modify the plat to conform then move for approval. The city then makes recommendations to the planning and zoning board which votes the development in or out. ( Keeping in mind that ANY plat submitted within conformity without waivers HAS to be approved for plat. However, if the project doesn't conform to the city's Master Plan for zoning it can be turned down on that alone. Think... The Preserve.
Now, how did Lancaster find itself swimming in their own living rooms a few years back? Well..that one was the city's fault as far as I can see. The developer of that project must have needed waivers to build off the creek in what's considered "property subject to 100-year flood." In fact, any land which in its natural state is subject to that 100 year flood potential or cannot be properly drained usually isn't subject to proper subdivision without such waivers. The storm drainage plan for the city was all but obsolete if it even existed, and the developer probably knew it but what do you expect. If you think one of these guys is going to do the right thing you're already in trouble! The short answer is that the city wasn't prepared for the flood because the past city ordinances and subdivision design guidelines weren't sufficient. I think, in a city that had gone without development for so long, the idea of these great homes on Ten Mile Creek sounded good and that's as far as the review went...
The developer would have submitted a preliminary plat for city review in an open meeting called a DRC. DRC's being a very serious time for plat review, the city would have reviewed various aspects of the plat to insure compliance to the existing city ordinances of that day. Depending on comments made by several experts in varied fields of engineering, the developer would modify the plat to conform then move for approval. The city then makes recommendations to the planning and zoning board which votes the development in or out. ( Keeping in mind that ANY plat submitted within conformity without waivers HAS to be approved for plat. However, if the project doesn't conform to the city's Master Plan for zoning it can be turned down on that alone. Think... The Preserve.
Now, how did Lancaster find itself swimming in their own living rooms a few years back? Well..that one was the city's fault as far as I can see. The developer of that project must have needed waivers to build off the creek in what's considered "property subject to 100-year flood." In fact, any land which in its natural state is subject to that 100 year flood potential or cannot be properly drained usually isn't subject to proper subdivision without such waivers. The storm drainage plan for the city was all but obsolete if it even existed, and the developer probably knew it but what do you expect. If you think one of these guys is going to do the right thing you're already in trouble! The short answer is that the city wasn't prepared for the flood because the past city ordinances and subdivision design guidelines weren't sufficient. I think, in a city that had gone without development for so long, the idea of these great homes on Ten Mile Creek sounded good and that's as far as the review went...
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
In it for the money?
I was recently told that if Steve and Tommy had paid me what I felt was fair, I would have faded into the sunset without a peep... Sure I would have! Instead, I'll spend every working moment second guessing what their next potential move will be and doing everything in my power to shine the light of truth on it. Scamper roaches, scamper! It's Lancaster's good fortune that this is how angry I am because nothing is off limits to me. What I know, I'll tell and what I don't I can still venture an opinion on. Here's some food for the hungry...
Lau...John and Jevon, Do a search. You'll find that these folks are developers somewhere in Denton, Anna and other places. NOT Lancaster. So why then was most of my funding coming from the Lau's bankroll? You guessed it, Tommy and Steve. In previous posts I've explained that Tommy, otherwise known as "The Goat" never spends his own money. It appears that Steve decided that spending someone else's money might be a plan for him also. Lau was, as best as I can figure, a partner in projects having to do with Anna, Texas. Because these projects were fairly worry free, Tommy or Steve or both came up with the idea to lead Mr. Lau to believe that zoning was an expensive business requiring at least $100,000.00 to get it off the ground. These funds were deposited into (presumably Steve's accounts since he paid me ) and then disbursed in accordance to Tommy's instructions.
Of course, in the beginning things were great. There was more money than you could shake a stick at! Then Mr. Lau caught on, or backed out, or both leaving Tommy and Steve to bankroll their own projects. All of a sudden, my "staff" became just me, my pay was "renegotiated to 2/3rds of what was agreed, and public donations came to a halt. Does this sound like the actions of professional developers that have, in Tommy's words," Plenty of money." I think not. It sounds more like two A$$holes that have land they need to develop themselves but can't make it happen. Somewhat like a used car salesman that decides to buy a customer's trade in order to sell it themselves. Having no real knowledge of what it costs to do so.
So when someone asks if I was in it for the money, Of course I was! I have a family to feed just like anyone else. Why am I in it now? I guess I'm just bored... I really like these three dots, sort of adds a continuance to our conversations here. Although technically it's not a conversation because you're not responding in kind. Told you I was bored!
Lau...John and Jevon, Do a search. You'll find that these folks are developers somewhere in Denton, Anna and other places. NOT Lancaster. So why then was most of my funding coming from the Lau's bankroll? You guessed it, Tommy and Steve. In previous posts I've explained that Tommy, otherwise known as "The Goat" never spends his own money. It appears that Steve decided that spending someone else's money might be a plan for him also. Lau was, as best as I can figure, a partner in projects having to do with Anna, Texas. Because these projects were fairly worry free, Tommy or Steve or both came up with the idea to lead Mr. Lau to believe that zoning was an expensive business requiring at least $100,000.00 to get it off the ground. These funds were deposited into (presumably Steve's accounts since he paid me ) and then disbursed in accordance to Tommy's instructions.
Of course, in the beginning things were great. There was more money than you could shake a stick at! Then Mr. Lau caught on, or backed out, or both leaving Tommy and Steve to bankroll their own projects. All of a sudden, my "staff" became just me, my pay was "renegotiated to 2/3rds of what was agreed, and public donations came to a halt. Does this sound like the actions of professional developers that have, in Tommy's words," Plenty of money." I think not. It sounds more like two A$$holes that have land they need to develop themselves but can't make it happen. Somewhat like a used car salesman that decides to buy a customer's trade in order to sell it themselves. Having no real knowledge of what it costs to do so.
So when someone asks if I was in it for the money, Of course I was! I have a family to feed just like anyone else. Why am I in it now? I guess I'm just bored... I really like these three dots, sort of adds a continuance to our conversations here. Although technically it's not a conversation because you're not responding in kind. Told you I was bored!
Counsel Impressions in a nutshell...
Joe; Sorry to see you go. Although too often you've allowed things to go by that you knew you should have voted against, you've been great for Lancaster in that you have been consistent and fair.
Susan; Glad to see some initiative, I know it's cold when you're not under the warm cover of Carol's opinion but you'll be better off in the long run if you continue to vote for your district rather than hers.
Clyde; You have serious PR problems and should take more time to get to know your constituents, and not just the ones on your street!
Dick; I'm impressed with what you did on The Preserve. First time I've seen a counsel person actually take the lead in expressing their district's sentiments.
James; Nice guy but you've got to make better decisions in the future. It was way too easy for me to get to know you and way too easy for developers to blur the line between support and control. Fortunately you cut off their advances but I'm here to tell you, it was going to get worse!
Kimberly; Give me a break! Do you really thing people respect you because you add berly to your name? YOU WON YOUR LAST ELECTION BY A LITTLE OVER 100 VOTES AND YOU HAD NO, I REPEAT NO OPPONENT! Only 100 votes? You've got problems... I hear the fat lady singing on your seat.
Carol; You've had the most individual control over counsel agenda but according to many in Lancaster, you can't be trusted with the wheel when it comes to driving the city into the future. Some think there'll be Klan rallies at town square if you get in, others just think you'll build a moat around the historic district and attack anyone that tries to enter your kingdom. By the way I loved the cartoon of me in your last election ( standing on the city with the puppet strings...have it on my desk in a nice frame)
now for potentials...
Vic; gotta turn down the racial volume when you're running for office in Lancaster. The FACT of the matter is that the overwhelming majority of minorities living in Lancaster still aren't voting. The ones that are voting are...well... a little pigment challenged?!
Marcus Knight; I put this guy's last name because he's one to watch! The city loves him, the established voter base will follow him. The only problem is youth. Grow a beard and act old Marcus, you'll be the next mayor if some of the talk I've heard comes to pass.
Marvin Earl; Learn how to spell and keep your mouth shut. No...Not really, You don't have a snowball's chance in "L", I just put you here so I could show off how stupid you are...
Advise for free...
Margi, when Tommy comes by to get you caught up in another one of his "ideas", lock the door and pretend to be gone ( even if he can see you are there.)
Ellen; KNOW what's in the Educational Foundation's Accounts, after all, you ARE the treasurer not Larry.
Larry; There's no such thing as a purple alligator. Please refrain from wearing purple alligator shoes! It's just not right.
Lancaster Code Enforcement; Steve and Tommy have NO support for property clean up or maintenance so the trash is piling up. Need addresses? Start at Bear Creek and Blue Grove. I'm sure the kind folks down there can help you find it.
Marvin Taylor; Read your agreement to lease the Bear Creek property. You'll notice that there's plenty of latitude for the Leaser and none for you. Don't believe me? Have you noticed that wrecked boat Tommy left behind your house without so much as a phone call?
Linda ( At the Business Center ); Continue to pray and stay away from people that make empty promises. Find the dollar that Tommy has contributed toward the promotion of Lancaster youth services and I'll show you a dollar with attachments.
Nancy Moffet; Realize that your power comes from your ability to provide others with the correct information to effectively appeal to counsel. The general speak is that they ignore you when you speak no matter how right you are.
Oh yeah, For Heaven's sake if I hadn't mentioned it already, Larry please stop wearing 3/4 length suits and odd colored shoes. Is that how you dress when you're meeting other educators around the country? If you need him, I've got a guy... Al Gaunquinn. Privately tailored shirts, 1/8th inch reduced cuff on the watch wrist, 7 collar choices, and custom ties. Best money you'll ever spend. Natural leather shoes with a three layer tanning processes in natural hide colors...
Susan; Glad to see some initiative, I know it's cold when you're not under the warm cover of Carol's opinion but you'll be better off in the long run if you continue to vote for your district rather than hers.
Clyde; You have serious PR problems and should take more time to get to know your constituents, and not just the ones on your street!
Dick; I'm impressed with what you did on The Preserve. First time I've seen a counsel person actually take the lead in expressing their district's sentiments.
James; Nice guy but you've got to make better decisions in the future. It was way too easy for me to get to know you and way too easy for developers to blur the line between support and control. Fortunately you cut off their advances but I'm here to tell you, it was going to get worse!
Kimberly; Give me a break! Do you really thing people respect you because you add berly to your name? YOU WON YOUR LAST ELECTION BY A LITTLE OVER 100 VOTES AND YOU HAD NO, I REPEAT NO OPPONENT! Only 100 votes? You've got problems... I hear the fat lady singing on your seat.
Carol; You've had the most individual control over counsel agenda but according to many in Lancaster, you can't be trusted with the wheel when it comes to driving the city into the future. Some think there'll be Klan rallies at town square if you get in, others just think you'll build a moat around the historic district and attack anyone that tries to enter your kingdom. By the way I loved the cartoon of me in your last election ( standing on the city with the puppet strings...have it on my desk in a nice frame)
now for potentials...
Vic; gotta turn down the racial volume when you're running for office in Lancaster. The FACT of the matter is that the overwhelming majority of minorities living in Lancaster still aren't voting. The ones that are voting are...well... a little pigment challenged?!
Marcus Knight; I put this guy's last name because he's one to watch! The city loves him, the established voter base will follow him. The only problem is youth. Grow a beard and act old Marcus, you'll be the next mayor if some of the talk I've heard comes to pass.
Marvin Earl; Learn how to spell and keep your mouth shut. No...Not really, You don't have a snowball's chance in "L", I just put you here so I could show off how stupid you are...
Advise for free...
Margi, when Tommy comes by to get you caught up in another one of his "ideas", lock the door and pretend to be gone ( even if he can see you are there.)
Ellen; KNOW what's in the Educational Foundation's Accounts, after all, you ARE the treasurer not Larry.
Larry; There's no such thing as a purple alligator. Please refrain from wearing purple alligator shoes! It's just not right.
Lancaster Code Enforcement; Steve and Tommy have NO support for property clean up or maintenance so the trash is piling up. Need addresses? Start at Bear Creek and Blue Grove. I'm sure the kind folks down there can help you find it.
Marvin Taylor; Read your agreement to lease the Bear Creek property. You'll notice that there's plenty of latitude for the Leaser and none for you. Don't believe me? Have you noticed that wrecked boat Tommy left behind your house without so much as a phone call?
Linda ( At the Business Center ); Continue to pray and stay away from people that make empty promises. Find the dollar that Tommy has contributed toward the promotion of Lancaster youth services and I'll show you a dollar with attachments.
Nancy Moffet; Realize that your power comes from your ability to provide others with the correct information to effectively appeal to counsel. The general speak is that they ignore you when you speak no matter how right you are.
Oh yeah, For Heaven's sake if I hadn't mentioned it already, Larry please stop wearing 3/4 length suits and odd colored shoes. Is that how you dress when you're meeting other educators around the country? If you need him, I've got a guy... Al Gaunquinn. Privately tailored shirts, 1/8th inch reduced cuff on the watch wrist, 7 collar choices, and custom ties. Best money you'll ever spend. Natural leather shoes with a three layer tanning processes in natural hide colors...
Show me da money! Or can you?!
I know most are wondering what in the "L" that means. Well, it means that I've never seen any money come from Tommy of any real significance in Lancaster or anywhere else. Sure there's alot of property jockeying and plenty of meetings with home builders and property scouts but where's the money? I often wondered why we had to constantly wait for this or that person to "cut a check" but now wonder if it wasn't because the guy isn't what he seems in more ways than we know. Try looking up Tommy Tompkins via Google. You'll find very little that can actually be attributed to the man and conversations with people in the business reveal an almost comical cheapness that leads one to question just how "liquid" this guy really is.
I think that the killing of two consecutive projects on his land at Bear Creek is rendering this old fart broke as a three wheeled wagon. Furthermore he can't sell it! You see, Tommy has put so much poison out there about Lancaster that commercial and residential developers alike are weary of what might be a long process of delays in building anything there. Need proof? Okay, take our preelection meeting held before the 2005 elections. Marc Audet, Prince McDowell, and Ben Barnes were all asked to meet at Sullivan's Steak House to discuss potential funding for the up and coming elections at that time. They literally gave speeches and answered questions before a table of top developers and builders so that funding determinations could be made. Granted, many of the people in attendance that day never gave a penny toward the "cause" because they were too cheap or too scared, but many did. Oh, and as for the proof, the receipt for their meals is among the paperwork copied and turned over to the IRS.
Also take into consideration that Marc Audet didn't KNOW any of his campaign staff! I hired them all from people that I met while in Lancaster. The most common problem during the election? The folks on the street didn't know who they were talking up for election. Most had never even seen him. I recall asking a gentleman ( Sammy ) to help out with putting out signs. A job he did very well and without hesitation. Upon seeing him after having received payment for the job from Marc, this young man commented," I didn't know this cat was white!?" Imagine that, three hours of sign posting, talking up the guy as the next hope of Lancaster, and he didn't even know the guy's face. Now, Ben stayed out of the fray. I applaud him greatly for that. He simply told them what they wanted to hear, took his check, and away he went! LOL
Prince was a different story, he needed some guidance and who better to offer it than a RV salesperson, a dubious preacher with legal issues, and a womanizing head of the Black Chamber of Commerce that incidentally was extorting money from local banks in an elaborate scheme to "hold them hostage" to their community obligations vs a threatened federal review process. Yet of them all, Prince was the brightest when finally left to his own.
Yes Lancaster, I do believe that the tide has changed and the stench of Tommy is beginning to fade. But he still has close to 800 acres of useless ( in his eyes ) land strapped to him. Be aware that he WILL bring another pitiful plan to Lancaster and I'm willing to bet someone else will be writing the checks. Remember who said it and when but you'll hear these words from some young sharp business type soon, "Tommy? Oh he's gone on to other things. I own the land now and here's what I want to bring to Lancaster..." Meanwhile Tommy will sit in his disgusting car bathed in second hand smoke while he waits for his second rate cell phone to wail out that God awful guitar rift from the 70's. As if he ever was young or good looking enough to have taken advantage of that decade! As usual I'll sign off with a consistent wish that Lancaster thrives in the new year and that Tommy chokes on a chicken bone.
I think that the killing of two consecutive projects on his land at Bear Creek is rendering this old fart broke as a three wheeled wagon. Furthermore he can't sell it! You see, Tommy has put so much poison out there about Lancaster that commercial and residential developers alike are weary of what might be a long process of delays in building anything there. Need proof? Okay, take our preelection meeting held before the 2005 elections. Marc Audet, Prince McDowell, and Ben Barnes were all asked to meet at Sullivan's Steak House to discuss potential funding for the up and coming elections at that time. They literally gave speeches and answered questions before a table of top developers and builders so that funding determinations could be made. Granted, many of the people in attendance that day never gave a penny toward the "cause" because they were too cheap or too scared, but many did. Oh, and as for the proof, the receipt for their meals is among the paperwork copied and turned over to the IRS.
Also take into consideration that Marc Audet didn't KNOW any of his campaign staff! I hired them all from people that I met while in Lancaster. The most common problem during the election? The folks on the street didn't know who they were talking up for election. Most had never even seen him. I recall asking a gentleman ( Sammy ) to help out with putting out signs. A job he did very well and without hesitation. Upon seeing him after having received payment for the job from Marc, this young man commented," I didn't know this cat was white!?" Imagine that, three hours of sign posting, talking up the guy as the next hope of Lancaster, and he didn't even know the guy's face. Now, Ben stayed out of the fray. I applaud him greatly for that. He simply told them what they wanted to hear, took his check, and away he went! LOL
Prince was a different story, he needed some guidance and who better to offer it than a RV salesperson, a dubious preacher with legal issues, and a womanizing head of the Black Chamber of Commerce that incidentally was extorting money from local banks in an elaborate scheme to "hold them hostage" to their community obligations vs a threatened federal review process. Yet of them all, Prince was the brightest when finally left to his own.
Yes Lancaster, I do believe that the tide has changed and the stench of Tommy is beginning to fade. But he still has close to 800 acres of useless ( in his eyes ) land strapped to him. Be aware that he WILL bring another pitiful plan to Lancaster and I'm willing to bet someone else will be writing the checks. Remember who said it and when but you'll hear these words from some young sharp business type soon, "Tommy? Oh he's gone on to other things. I own the land now and here's what I want to bring to Lancaster..." Meanwhile Tommy will sit in his disgusting car bathed in second hand smoke while he waits for his second rate cell phone to wail out that God awful guitar rift from the 70's. As if he ever was young or good looking enough to have taken advantage of that decade! As usual I'll sign off with a consistent wish that Lancaster thrives in the new year and that Tommy chokes on a chicken bone.
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
EPAC dies but not without a death bed confession to Texas Ethics...
The truth, for all of those just joining in, is that I was EPAC. That is, I and Tommy Tompkins along with several of his developer buddies that all contributed through the names of wives, sons and anyone else they could think of with a checking account. The PAC took in funds that were negotiated by Tommy with the sole purpose of unseating Carol Strain-Burke. That's right, it had nothing to do with Clyde's seat ( we also supported Ben Barnes in 05' ) or Susan's seat ( supporting her opponent Prince McDowell ), it all had to do with Carol. You see, Tommy hates Carol because she won't give him what he wants...Lancaster! It was my job to prop ANY candidate up against her and with no experience or know-how, get them to win so that they would do what Tommy wanted, namely fire Jim Landon ( or move to do so ) and over turn the impact fees. Both of which are utterly impossible to have done by one counsel member anyway.
Today I filed my last report and dissolution paperwork as well as a four page affidavit describing my role in lobbying, supporting, and undermining the Lancaster political scene for the expressed purpose of supporting developer requests given directly to me by Tommy Tompkins and to a lesser extent Steve Topletz. Just in case there was ANY legal question as to my validity in doing so, I copied the URL and receipt address of several emails supporting my claims, and offered two recordings made with my trusty IPAQ during Tommy's more verbose rants. If I get so much as a phone call from either, I'll release the same information to every local news organization and will make my way to the Dallas County Prosecutor's office to discuss the legality of developer actions in regard to Lancaster and other cities that I've been working in. Although I've been told there hasn't been any illegality, I'm sure it would make for good bathroom reading for many local city officials in Dallas, Collin, Tarrant, and other counties.
I also took great pleasure in turning over all records to the IRS including documents that named Tommy as the originator of North Texas Economic Trust. ( A move he quickly had the attorney reverse but not before they sent out a letter acknowledging their actions in doing so. ) Good thing too! The IRS seemed to be very interested in why a developer would have an RV salesperson with NO prior experience start a "Trust" and a "PAC" all in the same two month period. Definitely one of those times when my youth and inexperience actually helped me! You see, they deduced that Tommy ( unnamed in all financial paperwork except the forming documents ) had unusually high access to me through email, phone, and personal meetings to not be financially tied to me in some way, so where did he make his money? This is a question I'm sure the IRS will pursue although they weren't allowed to discuss the matter with me. In any case, you'll be happy to know that I willingly turned over ALL documents that they requested and a few they didn't even ask for.
Today I filed my last report and dissolution paperwork as well as a four page affidavit describing my role in lobbying, supporting, and undermining the Lancaster political scene for the expressed purpose of supporting developer requests given directly to me by Tommy Tompkins and to a lesser extent Steve Topletz. Just in case there was ANY legal question as to my validity in doing so, I copied the URL and receipt address of several emails supporting my claims, and offered two recordings made with my trusty IPAQ during Tommy's more verbose rants. If I get so much as a phone call from either, I'll release the same information to every local news organization and will make my way to the Dallas County Prosecutor's office to discuss the legality of developer actions in regard to Lancaster and other cities that I've been working in. Although I've been told there hasn't been any illegality, I'm sure it would make for good bathroom reading for many local city officials in Dallas, Collin, Tarrant, and other counties.
I also took great pleasure in turning over all records to the IRS including documents that named Tommy as the originator of North Texas Economic Trust. ( A move he quickly had the attorney reverse but not before they sent out a letter acknowledging their actions in doing so. ) Good thing too! The IRS seemed to be very interested in why a developer would have an RV salesperson with NO prior experience start a "Trust" and a "PAC" all in the same two month period. Definitely one of those times when my youth and inexperience actually helped me! You see, they deduced that Tommy ( unnamed in all financial paperwork except the forming documents ) had unusually high access to me through email, phone, and personal meetings to not be financially tied to me in some way, so where did he make his money? This is a question I'm sure the IRS will pursue although they weren't allowed to discuss the matter with me. In any case, you'll be happy to know that I willingly turned over ALL documents that they requested and a few they didn't even ask for.
Monday, December 25, 2006
Merry Christmas for some.
Merry Christmas for some but not for others. Yes, it's Christmas morn and the kids are completely oblivious to me as they tear into their gifts and ready themselves for the decadence that their Grandpa and Grandma will surely lay upon them. As I have a minute or two before Misty comes and forces me to clean up and get ready for the day I had a thought. Why is it that Lancaster has so many groups focused on creating separation through race. Not "white" groups but "black" ones. Black Chamber of Commerce, Black Officer's Association, and so on. I find that in a city of just over 40K people where the vast majority is Black, there is an unusual amount of interest in creating these organizations rather than joining the existing ones. After all, if everyone joined the Chamber of Commerce by default the Chamber would become a "Black" chamber! Black officer's association implies something a little different though. It's a serious thing when police officers feel the need to branch out into another representing body within a department. What it means is that there is a division and/or lack of cohesion within the department that certain officers feel require attention. In this case Black officers feel that they are discriminated against by leadership within the force and the city, city managers office, and police chief dismiss their accusations as unwarranted. Maybe there's something to it, maybe not, but you have to wonder," If everything was running as it should, would these men and women feel the need to do this?"
Well, time is up and Misty's calling. Merry Christmas to most, Feliz Navidad to others, Whatever to the atheist, and F%^k you to Tommy and Steve.
Well, time is up and Misty's calling. Merry Christmas to most, Feliz Navidad to others, Whatever to the atheist, and F%^k you to Tommy and Steve.
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
This Scumbag gives Scumbags a bad name!
Pretty Harsh huh? Well after you've met Marvin you'll understand, as many already do, that the statement couldn't be more true. From his failed attempts to leverage funds for and from the Lancaster Black Chamber of Commerce to his legendary demonstrations of ignorance in sending misspelled letters with Chamber letterhead. This is the very definition of stupidity in Lancaster.
Yeah Marvin, I'm still pissed about your comments concerning my wife. More specifically, her race but I'll let it go some day. You, on the other hand, should spend more time tending to your own affairs...Oops, bad choice of words...
Yeah Marvin, I'm still pissed about your comments concerning my wife. More specifically, her race but I'll let it go some day. You, on the other hand, should spend more time tending to your own affairs...Oops, bad choice of words...
Not a penny more...
After two and a half years of total loyalty to "the cause", however misguided it was, I received my final check from "The Developers" today. True to form, there wasn't a penny more than the bare minimum to meet their idea of what was fair. Business to the very end... and that's okay. Sure the use of my skin color for political leverage, the use of my youth to create questionable entities such as a "charitable" trust that does no charities, and a political action committee that only focuses on specific developer interests make me a little bitter. ( And the IRS a little curious ) Yet, there was always that "carrot" out there of learning the development field and one day "Starting my own small development with the backing of friends."
What a liar! Shove that carrot straight up your... Sorry folks, got a little off track there. Anyway, I'm sure that Tommy had good intentions when he found me comfortably selling RV's in Denton, Texas. I'm sure that he had only good intentions...right? After all, he put so much money into... Wait, that's right, he never wrote a check! (Except one to James that was promptly returned in lieu of the timing in which it was written.) He simply had others write checks for him. That being said, at least his name was on the property... Oops, that's not the case either, it was all in cloudy partnerships that eventually led to ...his wife? What's her name doing there? (All Public Information, by the way)
Yet, excepting responsibility for my decision to follow a worm into his hole, I can't be very mad about getting dirty. I can, however, continue to use my spare time to talk about my experiences and opinions as they pertain to Lancaster and those that might endeavor to harm it. After all, it's not like I got paid enough to retain any loyalty to anyone.
What a liar! Shove that carrot straight up your... Sorry folks, got a little off track there. Anyway, I'm sure that Tommy had good intentions when he found me comfortably selling RV's in Denton, Texas. I'm sure that he had only good intentions...right? After all, he put so much money into... Wait, that's right, he never wrote a check! (Except one to James that was promptly returned in lieu of the timing in which it was written.) He simply had others write checks for him. That being said, at least his name was on the property... Oops, that's not the case either, it was all in cloudy partnerships that eventually led to ...his wife? What's her name doing there? (All Public Information, by the way)
Yet, excepting responsibility for my decision to follow a worm into his hole, I can't be very mad about getting dirty. I can, however, continue to use my spare time to talk about my experiences and opinions as they pertain to Lancaster and those that might endeavor to harm it. After all, it's not like I got paid enough to retain any loyalty to anyone.
He's Back.....
After dropping off the face of the earth, or rather pretending to, Tommy is back in Lancaster. Spouting the same bulls&^t he was when he left ( kicked out ) earlier this year. It appears that after a failed attempt at cramming The Preserve (through Steve Topletz) down the throats of Lancaster residents, Tommy has returned to "save" you all from yourselves. He hopes that with the tried and true combination of empty threats and empty promises he can drum up support for a much needed (by him) zoning change in the southern sector. Come on Lancaster, give a Hillbilly Millionaire a break, you know that without the zoning the land is a giant cow tipping field. Why not allow yourselves to be built on. It's just a few (hundred) homes. Spaced far enough for a mop handle to tap on the neighbors window (for convenience) and large enough to have not one but two bathrooms!
Lancaster, you might as well give him what he wants. As any Korean or Vietnam Veteran may know, Tommy is a little like "jungle rot", you can scratch and scratch but he won't go away. Unless you ask for him to pay what he owes, then he seems to hide quit nicely!
Lancaster, you might as well give him what he wants. As any Korean or Vietnam Veteran may know, Tommy is a little like "jungle rot", you can scratch and scratch but he won't go away. Unless you ask for him to pay what he owes, then he seems to hide quit nicely!
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