09
Dec
TEC opts not to follow up ethics charges against Alamo Heights
The Texas Ethics Commission has opted not to pursue allegations made by a neighborhood group, which claimed Alamo Heights city officials overstepped their bounds by promoting new facilities construction through a bond package.
The complaint was one of several legal salvos fired between opponents and supporters of an ultimately doomed bond referendum to build new facilities. In their quest to inform residents on the state of existing facilities – inferring the need for a new complex – city officials created a virtual tour of city grounds and distributed an election primer to residents. (read more).
The complaint was one of several legal salvos fired between opponents and supporters of an ultimately doomed bond referendum to build new facilities. In their quest to inform residents on the state of existing facilities – inferring the need for a new complex – city officials created a virtual tour of city grounds and distributed an election primer to residents. (read more).
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written by BUD , December 15, 2009
written by BUD , December 15, 2009
Norm, well you make my second vote of confidence. If I add Mama and my mother (and myself ) I'm up to 5. I'm on a roll.
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written by Just a taxpayer , December 15, 2009
written by Just a taxpayer , December 15, 2009
Common sense, I have no criticism of Bud. I do not understand how you got the idea I want or claim any say. If Bud wants to serve, kudos to him.
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written by Common Sense , December 15, 2009
written by Common Sense , December 15, 2009
From what I have seen written, Bud is a person of few words but doesn't seem like a bad sort. It is, after all, hard to complain about someone you don't know.
Just a taxpayer do you think this should be your choice? The formal election is this coming May and you can decide then unless you are willing to pick up the tab for the cost of a special election - which most of us are Not willing to do. We only have 5 months to go and currently have a quorum, so where is the harm?.
Just a taxpayer do you think this should be your choice? The formal election is this coming May and you can decide then unless you are willing to pick up the tab for the cost of a special election - which most of us are Not willing to do. We only have 5 months to go and currently have a quorum, so where is the harm?.
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written by Just a taxpayer , December 15, 2009
written by Just a taxpayer , December 15, 2009
Bud, I am sure the City Council would be interested in your application. We have no say on this.
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written by BUD , December 15, 2009
written by BUD , December 15, 2009
Where did everybody go? I've been waiting for a smart remark about my taking over of Council.
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written by Norm de Plume , December 15, 2009
written by Norm de Plume , December 15, 2009
Why I'm not trying to denigrate AHNA at all, I don't even know who they are.
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written by SAR , December 14, 2009
written by SAR , December 14, 2009
I'm not interested in winners and losers - just a well informed public.
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written by jaded , December 14, 2009
written by jaded , December 14, 2009
Sorry SAR, I was referring to
"As for denigrate and "Nom de Plume", those verbose words give you away John." My name is not John, I meant to say Mr. Joseph but since I do know him, I said Johnson instead of Joseph.
You win, you are smarter than me because you have all the answers. Nuf Said
"As for denigrate and "Nom de Plume", those verbose words give you away John." My name is not John, I meant to say Mr. Joseph but since I do know him, I said Johnson instead of Joseph.
You win, you are smarter than me because you have all the answers. Nuf Said
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written by SAR , December 14, 2009
written by SAR , December 14, 2009
Jaded, please. I do believe you are becoming paranoid.
What facts? What sarcasm? What innuendo? You read far too deeply into my post.
I saw no facts in your post other than being a Council member is a thankless job. I think we will all agree with that statement. Legalisms do matter in a democratic society. The right to obtain public information to become a better informed citizen is a right we all should all exercise. It is our duty to making a better community to be the most informed person you can be. Sometimes that means we must do our own research and not just pa*s around what we heard on the grapevine.
My post on the other hand told people where to obtain the information/ facts they need to make reasonable judgment of the situation. I am constantly amazed that citizens do not know how/where to obtain the information they need or are too timid to ask for it.
As for Council speaking to all of us - yes, they should, would and do when they knew who we are. I saw one at a meeting just this morning. Have you picked up the phone to let them know who you are and the issues you have or are they supposed to call all 7,300+ of us until they find you?
I also stated that it is the right of all of us - even Hawkeye- to disagree from time to time on a variety of issues. It is how we disagree that has become so contentious.
By the way, I did not refer to a Mr. Johnson but rather John J.
Why should I care if the voters ignore me? I do not think I am special, am not running for any elected position and I have nothing to prove to you or the other 7,300+ well educated people in this city. I am just one of many - as are you.
What facts? What sarcasm? What innuendo? You read far too deeply into my post.
I saw no facts in your post other than being a Council member is a thankless job. I think we will all agree with that statement. Legalisms do matter in a democratic society. The right to obtain public information to become a better informed citizen is a right we all should all exercise. It is our duty to making a better community to be the most informed person you can be. Sometimes that means we must do our own research and not just pa*s around what we heard on the grapevine.
My post on the other hand told people where to obtain the information/ facts they need to make reasonable judgment of the situation. I am constantly amazed that citizens do not know how/where to obtain the information they need or are too timid to ask for it.
As for Council speaking to all of us - yes, they should, would and do when they knew who we are. I saw one at a meeting just this morning. Have you picked up the phone to let them know who you are and the issues you have or are they supposed to call all 7,300+ of us until they find you?
I also stated that it is the right of all of us - even Hawkeye- to disagree from time to time on a variety of issues. It is how we disagree that has become so contentious.
By the way, I did not refer to a Mr. Johnson but rather John J.
Why should I care if the voters ignore me? I do not think I am special, am not running for any elected position and I have nothing to prove to you or the other 7,300+ well educated people in this city. I am just one of many - as are you.
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written by Jaded , December 14, 2009
written by Jaded , December 14, 2009
SAR, ROFL, you just proved my point. Facts are Facts. I don't care about the legalisms. It is the is the sarcasm and innuendo that bother me. The more you and others waste your time attacking AHNA, the more likely the voters will ignore you. BTW, Mr. Johnson is not the only educated citizen in AH.
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written by BUD , December 13, 2009
written by BUD , December 13, 2009
Get out the dictionary, Maw. We are going to be learning some new words.
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written by SAR , December 13, 2009
written by SAR , December 13, 2009
I don't see any posts here that imply an deep knowledge of what is going on. All documents relating to the TEC charge and dismissal are open for the public through a Public Information Act Request and are easily obtained by every citizen - including AHNA members if they want to see them. The city does not discriminate based on a membership affiliation.
I also fail to see where AHNA is denigrated. Some people are point out the inconsistencies of the AHNA position as presented in the newspaper. Perhaps Mr. Joseph should cease giving interviews if he wants to have a civil discourse?
Certainly the members of AHNA I know do not carry such bitterness as Hawkeye below nor do they know what is going on with their organization. There are many unanswered questions that are not even asked in the report by Cantu.
Hawkeye seems to be an AHNA member who has a deep insider knowledge about what is happening at AHNA. He is clearly conveying his contempt for those who disagree with him, to the point of sounding like a cult member. However, it is his right to do so.
As for denigrate and "Nom de Plume", those verbose words give you away John.
I also fail to see where AHNA is denigrated. Some people are point out the inconsistencies of the AHNA position as presented in the newspaper. Perhaps Mr. Joseph should cease giving interviews if he wants to have a civil discourse?
Certainly the members of AHNA I know do not carry such bitterness as Hawkeye below nor do they know what is going on with their organization. There are many unanswered questions that are not even asked in the report by Cantu.
Hawkeye seems to be an AHNA member who has a deep insider knowledge about what is happening at AHNA. He is clearly conveying his contempt for those who disagree with him, to the point of sounding like a cult member. However, it is his right to do so.
As for denigrate and "Nom de Plume", those verbose words give you away John.
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written by Jaded , December 13, 2009
written by Jaded , December 13, 2009
Some of the messages in here imply deep knowledge of the workings of city govt. Perhaps. The general impression is that the City Manager and a few others not only propose but dispose. City Council is pretty much a volunteer, thankless job but council persons still must communicate to all citizens. For those of you who choose to denigrate AHNA under 'nom de plume', perhaps the members see things differently. Our right to disagree is as protected as your right. BTW, I wish I felt comfortable using my real name.
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written by Common Sense , December 12, 2009
written by Common Sense , December 12, 2009
Once again the Council is being painted with a broad, tainted brush as being inept, supercilious, unresponsive, and deceiving persons currently on the dais.
The consistent writing style of the author gives him away and thus diminishes the accusations.
Cite a specific example or stop with the derogatory comments.
The consistent writing style of the author gives him away and thus diminishes the accusations.
Cite a specific example or stop with the derogatory comments.
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written by Isosceles , December 12, 2009
written by Isosceles , December 12, 2009
Thank you Susan, it was written by Haweye on this thread on December the 10th. I am a mathematician, not an attorney, but I have read all of the previous discussions here pertaining to the issue. Your input would be very much appreciated.
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written by Susan (Sue) Happy , December 12, 2009
written by Susan (Sue) Happy , December 12, 2009
Isosceles, I don't know what email you are referring to but those descriptive words seem like someone is stating an opinion. That is my professional opinion.
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written by Isosceles , December 12, 2009
written by Isosceles , December 12, 2009
"inept, supercilious, unresponsive, and deceiving persons currently on the dais".....one would think the List Administrator would delete that email upon request, it smacks of slander.
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written by ah dude , December 10, 2009
written by ah dude , December 10, 2009
Hawkeye/AHNA man - you could not have represented the attitude and tone of the AHNA any better. Good job describing your interaction with the city officials (nuclear missile, corruption, getting better of officials, inept) it is laughable how serious you take interacting with your neighbors up at the city in our small town. You know this is Alamo Heights not Washington DC right?
AHNA does have something to prove. You put yourself on the dais as the watchdog that has all the answers and you use the media and legal means to lash out at anyone who disagrees with you. AHNA doesn’t come close to accomplishing is mission statement yet your keep saying that it does. Really AHNA is solely fueled by controversy and hatred of government officials. We on the outside laugh because no one elected will be liked by AHNA unless they kowtow down and take directions from AHNA. They cannot do that for many reasons, most of them state and city rules, and so AHNA takes off on a rampage like little children and the hatred begins. AHNA evens hate its old members and board members who disagree with them. They loved Ann McGlone when she came to work at the city and now they are after her hide. Alas AHNA is consistent and a known annoyance within our city that is now becoming a source of amusement.
AHNA does have something to prove. You put yourself on the dais as the watchdog that has all the answers and you use the media and legal means to lash out at anyone who disagrees with you. AHNA doesn’t come close to accomplishing is mission statement yet your keep saying that it does. Really AHNA is solely fueled by controversy and hatred of government officials. We on the outside laugh because no one elected will be liked by AHNA unless they kowtow down and take directions from AHNA. They cannot do that for many reasons, most of them state and city rules, and so AHNA takes off on a rampage like little children and the hatred begins. AHNA evens hate its old members and board members who disagree with them. They loved Ann McGlone when she came to work at the city and now they are after her hide. Alas AHNA is consistent and a known annoyance within our city that is now becoming a source of amusement.
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written by BUD , December 10, 2009
written by BUD , December 10, 2009
Anyone else notice that Hawkeye and Joseph have the exact writing style - right down to including the repeated use of the word impotent?
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written by Houlihan , December 10, 2009
written by Houlihan , December 10, 2009
You do look a little like Hawkeye, now that you mention it. I am having a vision of you striving mightily....
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written by Bubba , December 10, 2009
written by Bubba , December 10, 2009
If I were a sitting city councilman, mayor, or manager with an ethics complaint like the one JJ sent floating about and incomplete, old news that just made the papers, I would doze off.
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written by Hawkeye , December 10, 2009
written by Hawkeye , December 10, 2009
If I were a sitting city councilman, mayor, or manager with an ethics complaint sitting in a silo like a nuclear missile aimed at me, I'd be spinning this garbage, too.
The $10K fine is a fantasy. If Kiel can complain about a change of address, an allegation of misuse of tax dollars is not a frivolous complaint. That's just McGlone's bluster. She's getting her courage back with the help of these public expressions of bravado that make her look silly.
AHNA is being villainized for what? Leading the charge against the defeated Prop 1? Exposing corruption at city hall? Getting the better of the elected officials?
Even if there is no forthcoming, renewed ethics complaint, and even if the city spins its tall tale about legal fees from now until doomsday, the fact remains that the bond issue is dead. The rest is the city's assault on a group of citizens. And if AHNA, or Joseph, chooses never to refile, as is their right, so be it. They have nothing to prove.
I will strive mightily this spring to see all three open seats replaced with good citizens, and get rid of the inept, supercilious, unresponsive, and deceiving persons currently on the dais.
As for legal fees for AHNA, if you dont' know where they came from, you didn't pay them, so you can rest easy about that. It wasn't your money, or you'd know about it. We paid a good lawyer who took a case to the courts and the public and brought corruption to light. We're mighty proud of our effort.
As for the city's legal fees, let them bring it, or keep spinning it. It's their impotent response to getting whipped.
The $10K fine is a fantasy. If Kiel can complain about a change of address, an allegation of misuse of tax dollars is not a frivolous complaint. That's just McGlone's bluster. She's getting her courage back with the help of these public expressions of bravado that make her look silly.
AHNA is being villainized for what? Leading the charge against the defeated Prop 1? Exposing corruption at city hall? Getting the better of the elected officials?
Even if there is no forthcoming, renewed ethics complaint, and even if the city spins its tall tale about legal fees from now until doomsday, the fact remains that the bond issue is dead. The rest is the city's assault on a group of citizens. And if AHNA, or Joseph, chooses never to refile, as is their right, so be it. They have nothing to prove.
I will strive mightily this spring to see all three open seats replaced with good citizens, and get rid of the inept, supercilious, unresponsive, and deceiving persons currently on the dais.
As for legal fees for AHNA, if you dont' know where they came from, you didn't pay them, so you can rest easy about that. It wasn't your money, or you'd know about it. We paid a good lawyer who took a case to the courts and the public and brought corruption to light. We're mighty proud of our effort.
As for the city's legal fees, let them bring it, or keep spinning it. It's their impotent response to getting whipped.
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written by BUD , December 09, 2009
written by BUD , December 09, 2009
To PBR, you are so last month. Stop living in the past. The world has moved on.
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written by JAK44 , December 09, 2009
written by JAK44 , December 09, 2009
AHNA Loser you do have a good point about the fees and how ill informed the AHNA members must be.
Clark Kent wrote on the EN site: The article says, "Joseph said AHNA has the option of resubmitting the complaint and even expanding on it".
AHNA NEVER submitted the complaint to TEC in the first place - Joseph did all on his own. Is he trying to pass his legal fees off to his membership?
What has he been telling his members? Is he using his philosophy: "Practice dissimulation and you will succeed" - unless the TEC fines you for making things up.
Before refiling it in the name of his group, he might want to do a poll and see if they are willing to roll the dice on the 10K fine in case this is just a snit fit on the part of Mr. Joseph.
Brenda Starr, I hope I don't attend your church. Maybe you should spend more time listening to your pastor rather than having ugly thoughts about your fellow parishioners.
Clark Kent wrote on the EN site: The article says, "Joseph said AHNA has the option of resubmitting the complaint and even expanding on it".
AHNA NEVER submitted the complaint to TEC in the first place - Joseph did all on his own. Is he trying to pass his legal fees off to his membership?
What has he been telling his members? Is he using his philosophy: "Practice dissimulation and you will succeed" - unless the TEC fines you for making things up.
Before refiling it in the name of his group, he might want to do a poll and see if they are willing to roll the dice on the 10K fine in case this is just a snit fit on the part of Mr. Joseph.
Brenda Starr, I hope I don't attend your church. Maybe you should spend more time listening to your pastor rather than having ugly thoughts about your fellow parishioners.
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written by Bubba , December 09, 2009
written by Bubba , December 09, 2009
AHNA Loser, fear not. Bud, dude, and I are all very close to completing our legal degrees at the University of Wikipedia, and plan to offer our services Cher Bono to the AHNA, in anticipation of the next round of mental lapses without prejudice.
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written by ah dude , December 09, 2009
written by ah dude , December 09, 2009
good point about the legal fees
Ok seriously - is "lapsed without prejudice" another way of saying "didn't finish the application"? If so, why was it not finished? Was J.Joseph scared to put his name signature with the notary? Is he making threats now of completing the application?
If he doesn't want us to laugh he needs to make a clear statement about if he is going to complete the application or drop it. Otherwise the rumor and speculation mill with run wild is filling in the blanks as to why it wasn't completed.
The stronger position is to believe you have a case and complete the application or admit it won't work and drop it. Not to hang in limbo on the deal.
I would have told Tony Cantu "we didn't complete the application, the election is over, and so we are not pursuing it anymore."
Olive branches work best when extended without requirements of a return favor.
I voted against Prop 1 and felt the city pushed right up to the line on this, I didn’t like it, but felt they were playing within the rules and so I would not have pursued a legal course like AHNA. With that said AHNA bent the rules also and so they got called out on it also. You are right we will see what if anything happens from here.
Ok seriously - is "lapsed without prejudice" another way of saying "didn't finish the application"? If so, why was it not finished? Was J.Joseph scared to put his name signature with the notary? Is he making threats now of completing the application?
If he doesn't want us to laugh he needs to make a clear statement about if he is going to complete the application or drop it. Otherwise the rumor and speculation mill with run wild is filling in the blanks as to why it wasn't completed.
The stronger position is to believe you have a case and complete the application or admit it won't work and drop it. Not to hang in limbo on the deal.
I would have told Tony Cantu "we didn't complete the application, the election is over, and so we are not pursuing it anymore."
Olive branches work best when extended without requirements of a return favor.
I voted against Prop 1 and felt the city pushed right up to the line on this, I didn’t like it, but felt they were playing within the rules and so I would not have pursued a legal course like AHNA. With that said AHNA bent the rules also and so they got called out on it also. You are right we will see what if anything happens from here.
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written by AHNA loser , December 09, 2009
written by AHNA loser , December 09, 2009
Sounds to me like the AHNA members are going to be the losers. The AHNA lawyer tells us at the luncheon that the legal fees are still in negotiation, he will drop his if they will drop theirs. The AHNA president thought the City would drop them if he dropped his charges. Cantu sez the city continues efforts to regain legal costs related to the AHNA’s unsuccessful legal action.
When is the AHNA membership going to get the straight story? Exactly how much are the AHNA attorney's legal fees, and where is the money coming from to pay them? How much are the City's legal fees, and how do they make the AHNA pay them, and where will the money come from? Sounds like I am getting stuck with the fees either way, as a taxpayer and as an AHNA member.
When is the AHNA membership going to get the straight story? Exactly how much are the AHNA attorney's legal fees, and where is the money coming from to pay them? How much are the City's legal fees, and how do they make the AHNA pay them, and where will the money come from? Sounds like I am getting stuck with the fees either way, as a taxpayer and as an AHNA member.
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written by PBR , December 09, 2009
written by PBR , December 09, 2009
I've got a score for you: 1200-500. Losers? The city council & manager.
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written by LBJay , December 09, 2009
written by LBJay , December 09, 2009
How about you boys and girls giggle on this board, and we'll worry about the courts and the violations.
See you in the papers.
See you in the papers.
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written by BUD , December 09, 2009
written by BUD , December 09, 2009
dismissed voluntarily? You aren't trying to make us believe that John did this on his own, are you? I'd say the TEC did it for him.
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written by LBJay , December 09, 2009
written by LBJay , December 09, 2009
Dismissed voluntarily. How's that? And it can be voluntarily refiled to actually be considered and have the city officials investigated.
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written by BUD , December 09, 2009
written by BUD , December 09, 2009
I forgot I didn't want to hurt your feelings - dismissed ( I whispered).
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written by BUD , December 09, 2009
written by BUD , December 09, 2009
LB you nailed it. Your opinion is just that - an opinion and mine is mine. Nothing makes you more right than I am.
By the way, the letter from TEC uses the word DISMISSED four times. Run down to city hall and take a look.
By the way, the letter from TEC uses the word DISMISSED four times. Run down to city hall and take a look.
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written by LBJay , December 09, 2009
written by LBJay , December 09, 2009
Bud,
You obviously haven't seen the letter from TEC, or the complaint. And the complaint is subject to refiling, so nobody should get too comfortable. If you don't think complaining about a change of address (Kiel's complaint) is frivolous, you cannot possibly think a complaint of illegally spent tax dollars is frivolous, unless you are simply a partisan to the debate.
A neutral observer who understands the law and the facts here can tell you that this is hardly some rejection on the merits of the complaint.
Will you favor with me a reply to this question? If I come here with information, or an opinion, is there a particular reason you respond gloatingly, or in big letters, or with exclamation points? I offer opinion, and you scream.
You obviously haven't seen the letter from TEC, or the complaint. And the complaint is subject to refiling, so nobody should get too comfortable. If you don't think complaining about a change of address (Kiel's complaint) is frivolous, you cannot possibly think a complaint of illegally spent tax dollars is frivolous, unless you are simply a partisan to the debate.
A neutral observer who understands the law and the facts here can tell you that this is hardly some rejection on the merits of the complaint.
Will you favor with me a reply to this question? If I come here with information, or an opinion, is there a particular reason you respond gloatingly, or in big letters, or with exclamation points? I offer opinion, and you scream.
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written by ah dude , December 09, 2009
written by ah dude , December 09, 2009
I think it would be easier to say “the TEC was disinclined to acquiesce to reception of said application”
I am having a laugh also, word play is alway good stuff.
I am having a laugh also, word play is alway good stuff.
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written by BUD , December 09, 2009
written by BUD , December 09, 2009
LBJay you are half right, it was not dimissed - it was REJECTED! Make you feel better?
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written by Having a laugh , December 09, 2009
written by Having a laugh , December 09, 2009
J. Joseph is using his puppet again - can you see his mouth moving? All Cantu had to do was ask the city to SEE the letter from the TEC to confirm this story. That must be above his journalistic capabilities.
Instead he took Joseph's word for the turn of events and Joseph blamed the notary.
Truth was, Joseph didn't ever have the affidavit notarized (trouble reading those pesky instructions?) and that was his problem.
The philosophy Joseph follows is: "Practice dissimulation and you will succeed".
Not any more....we all have your number now.
Instead he took Joseph's word for the turn of events and Joseph blamed the notary.
Truth was, Joseph didn't ever have the affidavit notarized (trouble reading those pesky instructions?) and that was his problem.
The philosophy Joseph follows is: "Practice dissimulation and you will succeed".
Not any more....we all have your number now.
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written by Parker , December 09, 2009
written by Parker , December 09, 2009
Cantu can't seem to report a straight news story. He has to add that tabloid spin, getting the parties riled up and responding to each other.
So AHNA let a complaint lapse without refiling. The city thinks it can collect attorney fees. The parties are at a stalemate.
One thing bugs me about this article in particular. Mr. Joseph appears to explain the facts; McGlone appears to be crowing. I would like to see better from the city manager.
So AHNA let a complaint lapse without refiling. The city thinks it can collect attorney fees. The parties are at a stalemate.
One thing bugs me about this article in particular. Mr. Joseph appears to explain the facts; McGlone appears to be crowing. I would like to see better from the city manager.
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written by LBJay , December 09, 2009
written by LBJay , December 09, 2009
It was not dismissed. It was simply not returned to TEC within the 21 days granted to correct a technical error. It can still be refiled. McGlone's a nice lady, but she has no idea what she is talking about.
AHNA ought to refile their complaint. The city broke the law, and that has not been resolved. The courts only denied temporary relief. There has never been a decision on whether the law was broken. Never.
AHNA ought to refile their complaint. The city broke the law, and that has not been resolved. The courts only denied temporary relief. There has never been a decision on whether the law was broken. Never.
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