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Land Sale
Up and down Highway 69 - land owners are
furious with the Jefferson County Commissioners Court. Why? Well it seems
friends of the Jefferson County Commissioners Court cut a deal. And it was a
great deal. They sold acres off of Highway 69 between Beaumont and Nederland for
cheap.
Like how cheap? Well around $15,000 an acre. Not bad huh?
Prime Highway 69 property for $15,000. Right?
Well, it seemingly is gong to come back and screw the
county (imagine that) as the appraisal district has property up and down highway
69 on the books for around $60,000. This has created a bunch of phone calls
between land owners saying it is time to lower the price of their property.
After all - the county sells theirs for cheap - why can't they price their
property for the same amount?
Giggle.
And we like this. Why? Well who in the hell put it on the
auction or sale for that cheap? We like the idea of getting property back on the
books. But we sure don't like screwing the county? Right? Giggle.
And on the serious side - landowners use their appraisal
for loans and building. The lower the....well you get it.
Here is our point - when you have people running a place
that has no idea how to run a business - and they do bone headed things like cut
deals with politicos to .... well....give them a good deal. You have to expect
that the real thing guys will go after the same kind of deals.
We are told that you the taxpayer that may own property on
Highway 69 need to file your appeal as soon as possible. And we mean as soon as
possible.
And when they turn you down - which they will - you have
case law on your side. After all if the government that taxes you sells land for
about a third of what they say the value is - well the value is what the value
is? Right?
And it is just another day....
Shattered
There is only one word to describe Lamar
University right now - and that is "Shattered" as two major investigations begin
as president Jimmy Simmons now leaves Lamar University under a cloud of
suspicion.
Sources close to the Texas State University System and a
source close to the Attorney Generals office confirm that emails, financial
statements and "other communications" are being "reviewed and obtained"
regarding Simmons and a false scholarship fund that is being called by
investigators as a "slush fund." As well, two other sets of allegations by both
current and past students regarding a cover up of crimes that were committed on
campus and were shut down by the administration for fear of "bad press" leaving
the victims without recourse.
Further, the Review has learned of some financial questions
regarding funds that were dedicated for projects on the campus - but then not
used for the projects they were intended as directed by Simmons.
In a lawsuit filed two weeks ago - a story was told of
corruption and cover ups that has garnered the attention of the Texas State
University Officials - and as well an offer to the former employee for her job
back - after Simmons leaves the campus in six days.
"I think they are waiting till Simmons leaves campus and
then they will be able to speak with those on campus freely. If it is what we
think it is - it will be up to the Attorney General if he wants to pursue a
criminal probe. Right now it is internal with help from investigators from the
Attorney General. We are not ruling out asking for help from the Texas Rangers,"
said the source very close to the investigation.
Simmons, who has been touted as the president that brought
back the University from near closure, announced his retirement from the
University this past year. Saying he wanted to spend more time with family.
However, in a lawsuit filed this past week by civil rights lawyer Larry Watts,
it tells the story of the Chancellor of the Texas State University System and
Simmons in a closed door meeting over possible misappropriation of funds, coming
out of the meeting and Simmons leaving the University.
After the story broke, the Chancellor made the strange
gesture of saying that Simmons was leaving in good standing and his departure
was a result of a mutual agreement. This garnered the attention of the AG's
office which wondered why they were even called if everything is okay?
"It is typical of that place where you live down there. Bad
things happen and then all of a sudden they are exposed and everything is back
to good. It is a very strange place you folks have down there," said our source
with the AG's office in Austin.
Our take?
Okay - Simmons did a bunch of good. But it seems to us he
got the OPM syndrome. Being the Other Peoples Money Syndrome. You know - big dog
on campus and nobody can touch and forgetting where you come from. The power
scoops you up and you are bullet proof. You blur the lines between right and
wrong to benefit you or the project you want.
We have also been leaked that there is another
investigation that may be launched regarding a food service contract that
Simmons oversaw in which elegant dinners were prepared for Simmons while
president and a food budget scam for free dinner and expense groceries being
delivered to the presidents residence. Again - more living like a king on the
taxpayers dime.
And we want to know a couple of things - being why did the
TSUS Chancellor do the shuffle and we want to see Simmons deposition. Our guess
is Watts' client is getting her job back with big time pay and bonus. And that
will drift that lawsuit to sleep.
In the end - Simmons leaves with the scarlet letter on his
red jacket. All the good that may have been done is now overshadowed
by....greed, corruption, cover ups and employees that have simply had enough and
are willing to tell all. They have nothing to loose now. The hammer over their
heads is gone.....or is it?
As sad as it is - maybe it is really good at the same time.
If these allegations are true - Simmons needed to go.
So - there it is. Another day in Jefferson County Texas.
Where......(tune up and here we go and let's sing it together) we all live in
the most corrupt county in Texas.
End of story.
Mitch's Big Decision
There are a bunch of people
watching this one. And the spin that might come out of it. So let's get you the
base line facts first - then give you the political implications.
Jefferson County Sherriff Mitch Woods is making a decision
today. As many of you know - he is not running again for sheriff (wink wink) and
many are lining up already to take his place in four years. In fact, if Woods
does a mea culpa and runs again, the GOP has a candidate already in the can and
ready to run with state and federal experience to take over the top cop job in
Jefferson County.
So - Woods has an assistant deputy. Her name is Zena
Stephens. Some like her. Some don't. But everyone agrees that Zena's current
woes are unfounded. Those woe's come from Judge Layne Walker.
According to sources in the courthouse that works in
non-law enforcement, tell us that Walker hates Zena Stephens. Walker, who has
gone through six deputies over the last however many years, wanted a new deputy
to be a bailiff. As the story goes, Stephens told the deputy to be careful and
to watch their back according to one court coordinator with knowledge to what is
going on. Well, Walker pulls in the newbie into his court and corners her. She
tells what Stephen's says and he goes off and runs down to Woods. And guess
what? Woods gives Stephens time to...well...go on a little vacation while he
"thinks" about the situation.
Rumors are running wild this morning that a commander named
Miller will take over for Stephens and Stephens will be moved to the jail. Why?
Well because that is what Judge Layne Walker wants. And what Layne Walker wants
- he gets. As we asked the question why Layne Walker has such a hold over Woods.
Well, the black community is not real happy with Woods this
morning - as once again, Woods has made himself a part of the Walker family who
the political black community hates. According to sources very close to law
enforcement, Woods thinks that the Review is talking to Stephens. And of course
we laugh because Stephens is loyal to Woods and does not talk to the Review.
However, others do in the courthouse as the talk is there could be a revolt of
the officers making Woods job even harder.
So again - like last week we ask - what in the hell is
going on? We like Mitch Woods. Really - we do. He is good at his job, he has
done some things like the navy we think is silly and we think that there needs
to be many more street cops on midnights. But who are we? Like we know how to
run a cop shop? Further, the courthouse security is a joke, and political
headstringing is about as silly as it comes. But that is Jefferson County.
Woods, however, has kept himself away from the fry by just
being a cop. Yes - there are very serious questions about the jail and the
continued issues with rumors of problems coming out of the place - including an
inmate that hung himself last Friday and the media missed it - or was not told -
or maybe just didn't do their job (sigh), but overall the question is could it
get worse. And if the employees revolt - or in cop talk make the big dogs job
harder, then what does Woods win?
So again - all eyes on Woods this week.
Ya know - and this is us girls talking here to all of you
that read the Review. It is amazing for us to see good politicos self-destruct.
It is like a dream sometimes for us - we just get more and more hits - but for
the politicos it is like it is the same thing over and over and over again.
The question? Why?
We don't think we will ever know the answer. Never.....
We will let you know what happens...gezzzz are we really
talking about this?
GOP Eyes District Clerks Office
There is only six months left until
filing begins for the mid term races in Jefferson County. One that is being
already watched by the GOP and being recruited for is the District Clerks office
in Jefferson County.
Now many of you are wondering why this is such a big
office. And there is one real reason - it is the gateway to the district courts
and the jury pool. In the old days (wink wink) attorneys who knew the district
clerk and were friends could get a good jury and even get a lawsuit in their
favorite judges bench. The GOP seemingly has figured out that the keys to the
courthouse might just be in the district clerks office - as some have suggested
that this office might be right behind two of the district courts seat that is
being eyed by the GOP this fall.
According to sources close to the GOP - there is a list of
names being "visited" with - and those names will get serious financial backing.
Further, the democrats have begun their quest in the progressive democrats are
putting up a candidate to insure their stake into the district courts.
Our take?
We think two things.
First, we would dream to have the district clerks office in
the hands of the GOP. Could you imagine the inlay to the courts in the GOP's
control. Then it would be the tax assessor, the treasure and the courts. Slowly
drifting the county into transparency.
Second, we think the democrats and the lawyers will throw
thousands of dollars into the pot to get their person in. Could you imagine
again what would happen with a loss of control of the district courts?
Oh hearts be still.
But we have some advice to those of you out there in the
GOP - get started NOW. Get your game faces on - get your money together. If you
are really serious to take over this county - you are going to have to have a
great candidate with some good pockets and some backing.
Oh.....and let's not forget - the hat trick. Rumors run
around that current District Clerk Lolita Ramos might step down early so that
commissioners court can put in their hand picked person and seize the office?
Na - we don't think Ramos would do that. We like her - we
know her - we respect her - and ya we get that she is democrat as they come -
but we think that to her the office is more important than politics.
We might be wrong - but we doubt it.
So summer is going to warm Jefferson County UP UP UP!
Let's get it on!
We for one are ready!
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