The

Southeast Texas Political Review 

2010

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Klein and Associates Political Relations

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"The Story Behind The Story In East Texas Politics"

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If everyone is thinking alike, then someone isn't thinking..

General George S. Patton, Jr.

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SET POLITICAL Review

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Last Publish : Thursday, September 02, 2010 09:25:12 AM

Media Free Pass

    So you are sitting in the newsroom - and you start thinking - Hamm....who would be a good source to interview regarding the budget mess at Jefferson County? Let's see - Walker? No...he "doesn't want to get into that mess." Uh....Dominguez......uh.......we know where he stands. Political vengeance and he has a job. Okay...maybe Branick...uh.....he went to Hawaii or Alaska or somewhere with Domiingue and they are now political butt buddies.

Oh...wait? There is a source - it is Brent Weaver. He is the incoming commissioner and he is a cop as well as a spokesperson for the cop shop in Jefferson County? Right?

Uh no.

The media has given a HUGE political pass to Brent Weaver? Why the hell?

We dug around a little and found that there are simple issues. That is issues for Weaver. He has been politically neutered by the Sheriff - which is a politically good move by the Sheriff. He is still an employee of the Sheriffs Department. And anything he may or may not say might give him grief in his job - however temporary that job is (3 months). We have also found that Weaver - is mastering the art of duck and cover. Meaning? Rope a dope. He is good at deflection and refuses to be pulled into a political fight that he really has no say so about. And we have learned that Weaver has some...let's say novice thoughts about the big game - which is a good thing. He is scared to come out and play with the big boys in the big boy sand box - but he is getting ready by studying and looking at the issues.

The problem? Someone needs to talk to Weaver and tell him that he needs to start opening back channel discussions with the power players. And we don't mean Weaver.

Weaver has some political problems. First, he does not understand business. He has never run a business. Never met a payroll. And most of all has only worked for government. That is a huge strike against him going into office which has plant managers very nervous about him. He is just like his predecessor, Mark Domingue and his lack of basic business understanding. Second, Weaver has not really reached out to the business community. There have been no round table discussions with chambers on the issues that face business (like taxes, high crime and citizen flight out of Jefferson County). And third, he has stuck his political head in the dirt and stayed out of the fray - which again has business asking the question if he really understands what is going on.

Weaver has some political pluses. He understands the mind thought of those in politics who have sucked the taxpayer tit dry. He understands that there is a crime problem. He understands that the airport is dead and the reason for the airport being dead is that Jefferson County IS NOT business friendly. And he gets the unions are dead. They hold no political power.

But we ask again? Where is the media? If we get this - why doesn't the media? Where are the stories? Where are the comments? Where is the......

When you have a one party system - you have no political debate. You get the opportunity to sit on your hands and say nothing and get ready for your nipple on the taxpayer tit. We would hate to think that Brent Weaver is doing just that. We would hate to think that - but again - who knows? Only Weaver knows.

Frankly, we here at the Review expect more out of Weaver and the damn media. And if this low tech, bad spelling and dumb editorial blog gets it.....well?

Jefferson County Navy Gets # 1 Over Fire Department

    All Hail The Navy! Or at least that is what the Jefferson County Regional Commission feels.

The Southeast Texas Political Review has learned that the Port Arthur Fire Department got stiffed by the SETRP after soliciting funds for grants for two new pumper trucks that were desperately needed inside the city of Port Arthur. According to three sources inside the command structure of the City of Port Arthur - the grants were approved - however - when it came time to give the money out - the Jefferson County Navy got the money - which has infuriated both rank and file of the Port Arthur Fire Department and the command.

"We applied for the money. We got the grants and Jefferson County went to #1 for the money. Leaving us nothing. They are going to build a boat station in Sabine Pass Texas and the planning commission felt the money should go to the building of the boat station rather than two fire trucks. We will try and go into budget or try and fix what we have," a city official told the Review this morning.

"It is very disappointing - but we do not control the planning commission. They will do what they do," said the source.

The Review contacted another source inside the PAFD for comment.

"What can we say. Boats on the Neches are more important than fire trucks. We will be sure to tell that to the next person that we are trying to make feel better post losing a loved one. Hey - the ships are more important," the Fire Fighter said.

Our take?

Once again folks - this is another crazy move by government. We get that the Sheriffs Department now has its own taxing entity. And it doesn't cost you a dime? Right Ron Hobbs (Wink Wink)? We get when we talk about it we are going to get flack about it...right? But think about it? Just for a minute? Is having police officers riding up and down the Neches River really more important than patrol officers or fire departments that protect our citizens at a moments notice? Really?

If all the facts are correct - this was a bad move. A really really bad move.

But this is Jefferson County - where the corruption is so deep that the lines have become blurred of what is right and what is wrong. And we have to tell you folks - this story does not even scrap the surface of the corruption at the Southeast Texas Regional Planning Commission.

Hold your breath - it is going to be a wild ride.

FLASHBACK : Unit Roads

    We just love Commissioners Court. They are very good at having you look the other way. And now we will Flashback to a mere four years ago when commissioners balked at having a UNIT ROAD SYSTEM that would have now saved the county taxpayers over $3 million.

If you don't believe us - FLASHBACK :

What a minute? Doing the math?????

Maybe we could keep some....police officers? And the county baulked at this because of political control? Mismanagement? Now it has come home to face people in their face? Like some certain county commissioners?

Now let's do some more math.

We know now that Jefferson County in all Pct's added in 10 more positions over four years and only added on two more miles of roads in the County. If we had cut the 13 and then not added in 10 more we would have saved over 23 positions? On the county payroll? To the tune of over $3 million a year? Over four years? Meaning over $12 million back in the taxpayers pocket? Really?

What we are trying to point out to you taxpayers and media is that Jefferson County is bloated. And it is NOT BLOATED BY COPS. It is bloated by employees that simply are not needed. From an employee health clinic to over staffing in Road and Bridge departments.

But who are we? Nobody - but a group of taxpayers that.....do the math.

Cable?

    This is one of those that you just cannot pass up in the political world.

This afternoon - commissioners in their tight budgets voted on establishing cable? Yes - cable TV for the county courthouse. And the cost is not what is so bothering - it is the fact that the amount is going to be just over $1,200 a year to taxpayers - but the fact as people are losing jobs - because of mismanagement - the mismanagement continues.

"I cannot believe this. It is a slap in our face," said one county constable.

"It is crazy. Just damn crazy that these guys are simply doing everything they can to fire us and now slap us in the face," said the officer.

And we agree. There are some times that you simply just stop. And what we mean by this is stop the madness. And the madness is wild right now. Spending and spending every dime they can while calling a crisis?

In other news with the commissioners - seemingly there is rumors flying that there will be a "MARCH ON THE COURTHOUSE" coming up in the next two weeks. Apparently the goal from some of the sponsors is to attempt to shut down the street in front of the courthouse and make so much noise that commissioners cannot hear or at least hear them. And the interesting point? That both parties and the tea party will participate. Meaning that it will cross all political spectrums.

Our take?

Maybe the clinic kids can come out and give free flu shots for the citizens as they march around screaming at a group that simply is so far out of touch with commissioners they cannot even see straight.

News at 6? Oh never mind. We have killed that big old cow.

Just An Excitable Boy

    As you look around Southeast Texas and those that have fallen from grace in the political world - there are a few that stick out. Some more than others. And Brent Coon is one that sticks out more than any.

As a young lawyer he showed promise - but as some say the attorney world - illusions of grand strength that simply was not there has torn a once powerful lawyer almost to his knees.

The Review has learned that Coon has come to a settlement with mega attorney Walter Umphrey - who did everything he could to bring the young lawyer up through the ranks of his firm only to bit him in a play for tobacco money. Coon - who many still hold grudges against for his treatment and lawsuit against Umphrey is attempting a come back in trying to sue BP once again and in some cases being called the expert on who to win against BP. For many however, Coon just cannot be trusted.

As well, Coon has irritated Democrats by giving money to some in the GOP. Coons contribution record reflects so :

Of late however, Coon this year has showed little or no interest in politics or the ability to give money - as Coon has a huge judgment looming over him that has been sealed in an agreement with Umphrey. To hear some of the rumors that run around town - the settlement is just over $7 million that Coon has to come up with to make things right against Umphrey.

As with many of the attorney's - in Southeast Texas - Coon has tried to leave his mark in the purchase of businesses, a country club and buildings around the Southeast Texas area. As well, his former well known parties with his semi-embarrassing trounce of young woman Coon hooks up with and post his picture all over the internet in some type of claim to fame.

And not to mention the heartbreaking suicide of a young woman in Coons front yard this past year.

Coon, who is no friend to the Review, and continues to take shots at the Review, has a bigger problem - that is gaining his credibility.

As he is politically neutered with every politico running from him rather to him - he is attempting to make a come  back again this time through some cases filed on the BP explosion and has many interviews that he himself has posted. However, the internet is a big place. And some of the folks in the media who have contacted the review have asked the question "who is Brent Coon?"

Our take - he is an excitable boy that seemingly continues to have illusions of grandeur that may owe big money and picks fights where he just doesn't need to. All drawing attention to his negatives. One of which is simply this - himself.

At the end of the day - and with media looming - and Coon nurtured in politics. This is Coons time. To either shine or die.. But as many say - Coon is just an excitable boy with one last chance. Let's all see if he gets it - or if he simply hangs out in the garage pretending he is some kind of rock star with nothing to lose - in his excitable boy world.

We are all watching.

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