Some insiders have described the atmosphere in the courthouse as a “breath of fresh air” and others have said “there is cooperation around here built around doing positive things rather than twisting arms.” For the first time in a very long time Liberty County voters have elected citizens from among us that are in no way connected with the good ole boy system that has been taxing and spending and using political tactics to take what they wanted. The result has been a group of people who have answered the budget crisis we have here in Liberty County with a great deal less controversy and delay than we have seen in Washington D.C.
If voters want to see growth of a continuing cooperative effort to reform our local government in substantive ways, they must hope that our commissioners and county judge use their power and influence to bring in new people with fresh ideas and energy. The next opportunity they have to do this will be the way they handle the replacement of long time county tax collector/assessor Mark McClelland.
Four people have been named as replacements to be considered for replacing McClelland. The four names are JoAnn Smith, Dennis Odell, Ricky Brown, and David Taylor. We have no reason to believe any of these people have not been good parents and good citizens, but in order to continue to build a positive forward marching courthouse without some of the problems of the past, two of these candidates seem to be better than the other two.
First, long time Liberty County employee JoAnn Smith has been part of McClelland’s team for many many years and anyone wanting to see change and a fresh approach will by definition wish Mrs. Smith the best but hope she is not the choice of commissioners court. Despite the well known fact she is within months of her planned retirement, Mrs. Smith is most likely to receive support from long time Democratic officeholders Todd Fontenot and Melvin Hunt. Both of these men may still be having trouble digesting the decisions voters made in the last election and they may ignore any message voters have sent and support Mrs. Smith.
Second, former County Judge Phil Fitzgerald’s personally appointed assistant to help with FEMA, Dennis Odell has several problems that don’t eliminate him, but would make many voters wonder why commissioners and the county judge would choose anyone like Mr. Odell with a cloud over their selection. The first cloud is Odell’s connection to Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald has been indicted for serious crimes and Odell was in a position to see discrepancies that would have caught him much earlier. Instead, Odell publicly brags that the records he was paid to keep will prove Fitzgerald is a criminal. Can we afford Odell in another position where he can just file away crimes like he did in the FEMA scandal? We need public officials to take responsibility and stop allowing people around them to rip off us taxpayers. Odell may somehow think opening his files when federal officials demand his cooperation proves he is ready for higher office, but should we agree with him?
Choosing either of the other two gentlemen reported to be in the hunt for this office would signal to voters that the commissioners and the county judge understand their desire for fresh faces with professional approaches to public service. Ricky Brown is well respected by those who know him in the Dayton area and he is known as a very capable, community-minded asset to this community. David Taylor is also known to possess many of the attributes we look for in public servants and most of those who have worked for him say he is the best boss ever. Though all four of the candidates may do a good job if selected, considering the shift toward positive change in the courthouse, these two gentlemen have distinct advantages over the other two.
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Friday, July 29, 2011
Court date set for "Motion to Disqualify" Liberty County ADA Joe Warren.
Liberty County First Assistant District Attorney Joe Warren has had a "Motion to Disqualify" filed against him in the 75th Judicial District Court of Liberty County. The motion stems from Joe Warren's recent arrest for one felony charge of "Tampering with a Witness" - Misdemeanor "Deadly Conduct" and Misdemeanor "Terroristic Threats".
Local Attorney James D. Evans III will have his "Motion to Disqualify" Joe Warren heard in the 75th Judicial District Court on August 12, 2011 at 10:30am.
Evans represents two of the nationally known alleged Cleveland Rape Case Defendants where Joe Warren is the ADA in the case. Joe Warren's boss Liberty County DA Mike Little - has refused to dismiss or remove Warren from this case or any other criminal cases now pending in Liberty County, Texas.
LINK: Attorney Evans' Motion to Disqualify Joe Warren from the Liberty County Courts
Local Attorney James D. Evans III will have his "Motion to Disqualify" Joe Warren heard in the 75th Judicial District Court on August 12, 2011 at 10:30am.
Evans represents two of the nationally known alleged Cleveland Rape Case Defendants where Joe Warren is the ADA in the case. Joe Warren's boss Liberty County DA Mike Little - has refused to dismiss or remove Warren from this case or any other criminal cases now pending in Liberty County, Texas.
LINK: Attorney Evans' Motion to Disqualify Joe Warren from the Liberty County Courts
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Liberty County Sheriff's Department Big Bust, Large Criminal Operation Closed Down
In the late evening hours of yesterday, July 27, 2011, Deputies from the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office, operating on a crime stopper tip which was received via the Department’s Web Site went to a location on County Road 389 near the Pebble Creek area of Liberty County.
Upon arrival, Deputies located numerous firearms, including, but not limited to shotguns, semi-automatic shotguns, rifles, handguns and even a L.A.W. (laws) rocket launcher. Also located at this crime scene was an undisclosed amount of methamphetamine, narcotics paraphernalia, undisclosed amount of U.S. currency and a “growing operation” for marijuana.
Sheriff’s Deputies have remained on the scene all night preserving this large scale crime scene. Sheriff’s Office Investigators have returned to the location this morning to continue the processing of evidence and recovery of numerous stolen items, including, but not limited to , four wheelers, motor vehicle parts and other mechanical devices.
At this time those arrested in the course of this incident are not being released pending further additional arrests directly related to this Investigation. Should the booking photos be authorized for release later today by Investigators, those will also be forwarded.
Please note, this is a large scale operation, whereby the investigative process will be labor intensive and time consuming. Due to the high temperatures expected today, Sheriff’s Office personnel will be working in rotating shifts, processing the crime scene.
It should also be noted, the original tip, which came through our Web Site, was handed to a new specialized unit here at the LCSO. This unit, comprised of 5 Deputies, including a K-9 unit, work together by responding to reported high crime locations and follow up on crime stopper tips as they are received. This unit has been specifically designed as a “pro-active” unit and lieu of being a “re-active” response to Law Enforcement. This unit was authorized by Sheriff Patterson and has been in operation for the last month. These dedicated professionals, in a very short time, have already made a tremendous impact in Liberty County. Their efforts have netted numerous major arrests (including the capture of several wanted fugitives), recovered numerous stolen firearms, illegal firearms, large amounts of methamphetamine, methamphetamine related apparatus and products, cocaine, marijuana and approximately $25,000.00 in U.S. currency, which is being processed for asset forfeiture through the Judicial System.
Upon arrival, Deputies located numerous firearms, including, but not limited to shotguns, semi-automatic shotguns, rifles, handguns and even a L.A.W. (laws) rocket launcher. Also located at this crime scene was an undisclosed amount of methamphetamine, narcotics paraphernalia, undisclosed amount of U.S. currency and a “growing operation” for marijuana.
Sheriff’s Deputies have remained on the scene all night preserving this large scale crime scene. Sheriff’s Office Investigators have returned to the location this morning to continue the processing of evidence and recovery of numerous stolen items, including, but not limited to , four wheelers, motor vehicle parts and other mechanical devices.
At this time those arrested in the course of this incident are not being released pending further additional arrests directly related to this Investigation. Should the booking photos be authorized for release later today by Investigators, those will also be forwarded.
Please note, this is a large scale operation, whereby the investigative process will be labor intensive and time consuming. Due to the high temperatures expected today, Sheriff’s Office personnel will be working in rotating shifts, processing the crime scene.
It should also be noted, the original tip, which came through our Web Site, was handed to a new specialized unit here at the LCSO. This unit, comprised of 5 Deputies, including a K-9 unit, work together by responding to reported high crime locations and follow up on crime stopper tips as they are received. This unit has been specifically designed as a “pro-active” unit and lieu of being a “re-active” response to Law Enforcement. This unit was authorized by Sheriff Patterson and has been in operation for the last month. These dedicated professionals, in a very short time, have already made a tremendous impact in Liberty County. Their efforts have netted numerous major arrests (including the capture of several wanted fugitives), recovered numerous stolen firearms, illegal firearms, large amounts of methamphetamine, methamphetamine related apparatus and products, cocaine, marijuana and approximately $25,000.00 in U.S. currency, which is being processed for asset forfeiture through the Judicial System.
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Three months till sign-up to run for Liberty County DA.
Liberty Dispatch "prospective" Liberty County District Attorney Candidates.
Republicans:
1. Wes Hinch
2. Karen McNair
3. James Evans
4. Julie Cain Halstead
5. Steve Green
6. Michelle Merendino
7. Rick McGuire
8. Jerry Andress
9. Jay Arnold
10. Jamie Carter
11. Jim Farmer
Democrats:
1. Wes Hinch
2. Mark Beausoliel
3. Zack Zbranek
4. Regis Fontenot
5. Logan Picket
6. Bruce Stratton
7. Bruce Mintz
8. Gary Dennison
9. John Archer
10. Barbara Norwood
11. Michael "Blue" Little
Republicans:
1. Wes Hinch
2. Karen McNair
3. James Evans
4. Julie Cain Halstead
5. Steve Green
6. Michelle Merendino
7. Rick McGuire
8. Jerry Andress
9. Jay Arnold
10. Jamie Carter
11. Jim Farmer
Democrats:
1. Wes Hinch
2. Mark Beausoliel
3. Zack Zbranek
4. Regis Fontenot
5. Logan Picket
6. Bruce Stratton
7. Bruce Mintz
8. Gary Dennison
9. John Archer
10. Barbara Norwood
11. Michael "Blue" Little
Dear Liberty Dispatch,
I told you several weeks ago about observing some strange behavior outside of one of the houses of a local Republican activist. I hope you listened and have been acting on my tip.
The recent international phone-hacking scandal controversy involving British tabloid newspapers has really waked me up as to how invasive someone can be if they are there is enough at stake. Employees of some of the British media were accused of engaging in phone hacking and obtaining illicit information by bribing police officers and exercising improper influence on politicians and the police.
It is the stories surrounding this scandal that really should alert anyone who is questioning or in opposition to people in power in Liberty County. Reports have talked about all kinds of surveillance equipment. It would not be unusual for instance, for some of the enemies of LD to have access to equipment that would allow them to sit in a vehicle around the corner and monitor telephone calls and computer activity. It would be illegal to do without a search warrant but when you’re dealing with criminals, I doubt that would shock anyone.
Also, have you all considered that your telephones or you computers may have been compromised? The reports I saw indicated this could be checked out. I don’t want to be conspiracy theorists that are alarmists, but I really would like corruption in this county to come to an end and for the messengers to be vindicated.
The recent international phone-hacking scandal controversy involving British tabloid newspapers has really waked me up as to how invasive someone can be if they are there is enough at stake. Employees of some of the British media were accused of engaging in phone hacking and obtaining illicit information by bribing police officers and exercising improper influence on politicians and the police.
It is the stories surrounding this scandal that really should alert anyone who is questioning or in opposition to people in power in Liberty County. Reports have talked about all kinds of surveillance equipment. It would not be unusual for instance, for some of the enemies of LD to have access to equipment that would allow them to sit in a vehicle around the corner and monitor telephone calls and computer activity. It would be illegal to do without a search warrant but when you’re dealing with criminals, I doubt that would shock anyone.
Also, have you all considered that your telephones or you computers may have been compromised? The reports I saw indicated this could be checked out. I don’t want to be conspiracy theorists that are alarmists, but I really would like corruption in this county to come to an end and for the messengers to be vindicated.
Friday, July 22, 2011
JUDGE RADER INTERVIEW: JUVENILES AND JOE WARREN
Today I wanted to gather information from the energetic, innovative Justice of the Peace for precinct #1 Bobby Rader that might would shed light for us all on the path forward for Liberty County. Judge Rader is unquestionably one of the hardest working public officials in this community and one of the most well liked, but as an occassional contributor to Liberty Dispatch, I wanted to hear a little more about his view of public service and get a hint as to his political future.
As I knocked and entered the room with Judge Rader’s invitation, he welcomed me warmly and invited me to sit down. “I was just trying to put something down on paper to help you with whatever your going to write about today”, Judge Rader said. He stopped typing and turned around and later handed me the paper he had just started.
“A friend once told me that if you worked somewhere and were not part of the solution then you were part of the problem.”
That single comment should be music to the ears of anyone who has endured the last twenty years or so of scandalous behavior in and around our courthouse. That attitude, if carried out aggressively, is what solves budget problems, what constantly and consistently sets high standards and helps to achieve ever expanding goals. But is that just some kind of platitude or an Obama-like sound byte, or is it what we have seen, and can expect to continue to see from Judge Rader?
Judge Rader appears to be the type of public official who runs into the fires rather than away from them. He has made his JP office the most productive office in the county and has set up routines that are time consuming and sometimes controversial, but always true to the comment above. He exposes himself to questions from people who do not understand the law by taking on some roles that he could avoid.
Always at the jail at 5:00 AM and highly accessible to magistrate cases when the District Judges are elsewhere, he carefully follows the guidelines given to him by the Judge Cain and Judge Morefield. If there is a controversy about bail or any other decision involved in this volunteer duty, Judge Rader may take the heat of differing opinions without the benefit of an opportunity to rebutt his critics because he is simply trying to make the system work better. He has learned cooperation among public officials can make the system work better for the entire community. He does his part. He considers himself part of “the solution”.
But Judge Rader will tell you his aggressive active role as JP does not make him infallible nor does it solve all of the problems and challenges of the county. Justices of the Peace are not attorneys and they are not law enforcement. What this Judge has done is to uses the resources available to him, including the valuable experience of Darla Diaz, a good working relationship with both District Judges and the County Court at Law Judge, and knowledge and experience in law enforcement and a good relationship with them.
Four questions Judge Rader was asked that our readers may like to know the answers from:
1) After years of working to improve JP precinct #1, name something you are still working on
Judge Rader said, “The juvenile problem”. Of course we can always say there is a lack of funds, but saying that does not help solve the fact that the more we overlook and give a pass to juveniles committing their first crimes, the more it encourages some of them to commit worse and worse crimes.” Judge Rader has indicated in the past that if all of our public officials including judges, the County Attorney and District Attorney, and the Probation department would work together to solve this growing problem, some things could be done even without more funding.
2) When you point out the quote from your friend about being a problem solver, are you concerned you set yourself up to be criticized by those who are complaining about the corruption in and around our courthouse?
Because the state of Texas requires that a public official step down as soon as they announce their candidacy for another office, Judge Rader’s answer will remain off of the record so as not to be misconstrued to step into the realm of that law. Judge Rader obviously feels that from his job as JP and his office in the annex, he can not be aware of or solve all of the county’s problems.
3) On the subject of corruption, Judge Rader was asked about the case of Assistant District Attorney Joe Warren. Specifically he was asked with Warren being accused of, and arrested for witness tampering and threatening his next door neighbor with a gun, did he believe Warren should be allowed to continue to handle cases as ADA?
“In cases where someone has felt I was not going to be fair, I have recused myself,“ Judge Rader said as he want on to talk about how the importance of even the appearance of anything unfair should be a top consideration in our courts.
So if you were Joe Warren you would recuse yourself?
“Well, I am not sure he can do that. As a judge I certainly have done that a number of times” Judge Rader responded (Pointing out specific times he had done that - even one case where it was really questionable how anyone would consider it necessary for another judge to be called). “The justice system needs to be above reproach”, Rader continued (he went on to talk about how all judges, including himself may make a mistake, but they need to all go the extra mile to even make the appearance of impartiality a priority).
4) So what do you think District Attorney Mike Little should do about Joe Warren in light of his arrest and pending trial?
(Judge Rader indicated that only the District Attorney or others prescribed by law could address this problem. When reminded he was an elected public official that was known for being a problem solver and that readers wanted to know how this case was being viewed by someone other than media, he did continue to respond to this area of questions). Judge Rader answered, “I would think that the law addresses this kind of situation. I am not an attorney but it seems like there would be laws that told a District Attorney what he had to do in a case like this.”
As a side note, for years it is a known fact among some of the most active local Republicans that Democrats have given Bobby unmitigated hell because he ran on the Republican ticket. We should all appreciate that he continues to be the most open politician in the county. If you want to know why he has done something or exactly how he justifies a ruling etc. All you have to do is ask Judge Rader. Unlike, our District Attorney, Judge Rader will initiate conversations about anything said about him or his office, even if it was said in the media. He addresses matters because he thinks the public deserves an explanation for actions public officials take. Undoubtedly, the few remaining Democrats who have participated in this ritual of trying to ostracize Bobby Rader will now do it more carefully than in the past.
Story and Editorial by LD Contributor
As I knocked and entered the room with Judge Rader’s invitation, he welcomed me warmly and invited me to sit down. “I was just trying to put something down on paper to help you with whatever your going to write about today”, Judge Rader said. He stopped typing and turned around and later handed me the paper he had just started.
“A friend once told me that if you worked somewhere and were not part of the solution then you were part of the problem.”
That single comment should be music to the ears of anyone who has endured the last twenty years or so of scandalous behavior in and around our courthouse. That attitude, if carried out aggressively, is what solves budget problems, what constantly and consistently sets high standards and helps to achieve ever expanding goals. But is that just some kind of platitude or an Obama-like sound byte, or is it what we have seen, and can expect to continue to see from Judge Rader?
Judge Rader appears to be the type of public official who runs into the fires rather than away from them. He has made his JP office the most productive office in the county and has set up routines that are time consuming and sometimes controversial, but always true to the comment above. He exposes himself to questions from people who do not understand the law by taking on some roles that he could avoid.
Always at the jail at 5:00 AM and highly accessible to magistrate cases when the District Judges are elsewhere, he carefully follows the guidelines given to him by the Judge Cain and Judge Morefield. If there is a controversy about bail or any other decision involved in this volunteer duty, Judge Rader may take the heat of differing opinions without the benefit of an opportunity to rebutt his critics because he is simply trying to make the system work better. He has learned cooperation among public officials can make the system work better for the entire community. He does his part. He considers himself part of “the solution”.
But Judge Rader will tell you his aggressive active role as JP does not make him infallible nor does it solve all of the problems and challenges of the county. Justices of the Peace are not attorneys and they are not law enforcement. What this Judge has done is to uses the resources available to him, including the valuable experience of Darla Diaz, a good working relationship with both District Judges and the County Court at Law Judge, and knowledge and experience in law enforcement and a good relationship with them.
Four questions Judge Rader was asked that our readers may like to know the answers from:
1) After years of working to improve JP precinct #1, name something you are still working on
Judge Rader said, “The juvenile problem”. Of course we can always say there is a lack of funds, but saying that does not help solve the fact that the more we overlook and give a pass to juveniles committing their first crimes, the more it encourages some of them to commit worse and worse crimes.” Judge Rader has indicated in the past that if all of our public officials including judges, the County Attorney and District Attorney, and the Probation department would work together to solve this growing problem, some things could be done even without more funding.
2) When you point out the quote from your friend about being a problem solver, are you concerned you set yourself up to be criticized by those who are complaining about the corruption in and around our courthouse?
Because the state of Texas requires that a public official step down as soon as they announce their candidacy for another office, Judge Rader’s answer will remain off of the record so as not to be misconstrued to step into the realm of that law. Judge Rader obviously feels that from his job as JP and his office in the annex, he can not be aware of or solve all of the county’s problems.
3) On the subject of corruption, Judge Rader was asked about the case of Assistant District Attorney Joe Warren. Specifically he was asked with Warren being accused of, and arrested for witness tampering and threatening his next door neighbor with a gun, did he believe Warren should be allowed to continue to handle cases as ADA?
“In cases where someone has felt I was not going to be fair, I have recused myself,“ Judge Rader said as he want on to talk about how the importance of even the appearance of anything unfair should be a top consideration in our courts.
So if you were Joe Warren you would recuse yourself?
“Well, I am not sure he can do that. As a judge I certainly have done that a number of times” Judge Rader responded (Pointing out specific times he had done that - even one case where it was really questionable how anyone would consider it necessary for another judge to be called). “The justice system needs to be above reproach”, Rader continued (he went on to talk about how all judges, including himself may make a mistake, but they need to all go the extra mile to even make the appearance of impartiality a priority).
4) So what do you think District Attorney Mike Little should do about Joe Warren in light of his arrest and pending trial?
(Judge Rader indicated that only the District Attorney or others prescribed by law could address this problem. When reminded he was an elected public official that was known for being a problem solver and that readers wanted to know how this case was being viewed by someone other than media, he did continue to respond to this area of questions). Judge Rader answered, “I would think that the law addresses this kind of situation. I am not an attorney but it seems like there would be laws that told a District Attorney what he had to do in a case like this.”
As a side note, for years it is a known fact among some of the most active local Republicans that Democrats have given Bobby unmitigated hell because he ran on the Republican ticket. We should all appreciate that he continues to be the most open politician in the county. If you want to know why he has done something or exactly how he justifies a ruling etc. All you have to do is ask Judge Rader. Unlike, our District Attorney, Judge Rader will initiate conversations about anything said about him or his office, even if it was said in the media. He addresses matters because he thinks the public deserves an explanation for actions public officials take. Undoubtedly, the few remaining Democrats who have participated in this ritual of trying to ostracize Bobby Rader will now do it more carefully than in the past.
Story and Editorial by LD Contributor
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Difficult Day for LCSO Deputies turns worse....
Update:
Deceased-
1st call – Jack Couch 58 w/m
2nd call – Dale Peavy 37 w/m
3rd call – Lewis Boatman 64 w/mLD NOTE:
No word yet on who the deceased were. There have been many people writing and contacting LD asking if some of these people are related to the corruption probe and/or arrest. We will post the names when they become available.
As released yesterday afternoon at approximately 2:45 p.m. two tragic incidents involving firearms were responded to and handled by Deputies from the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office. However, at approximately 4:25p.m. a third serious incident occurred off of Highway 146 near C.R. 2125 in Liberty County where two Liberty County Sheriff’s Deputies were at an undisclosed location attempting to serve a warrant on a wanted individual.
Unfortunately, a series of events occurred and the person whom Deputies were there to place into custody fled from the residence armed with a firearm. This individual proceeded to flee from the Deputy Sheriff’s and took cover behind a small structure located on the property. As Deputies attempted to negotiate with him, a single gunshot was heard.
One male, positively identified as the person whom Deputies were there to arrest and had witnessed run from the residence with a firearm was in fact found deceased with a single gunshot wound behind the structure where he had taken cover.
No Deputies were injured as a result of this incident and no shots were fired by any of the Sheriff’s Deputies. At this time the identity of the deceased is not released for notification and investigation of the incident. This incident brought the total Deaths, caused by gunfire in Liberty County in one day to three, an unprecedented series of tragic events for Liberty County.
Yesterday, July 20th, 2011, shall be a day where the Dispatchers, Deputies and their Supervisors are all reminded just how difficult, trying and often times demanding their jobs really are. So much tragedy and trauma consumed in one day is extremely difficult for anyone to bear. However, working together, supporting each other through difficult days or a series of serious incidents such as these often brings out the very best in the dedicated men and women of the LCSO.
When you see these folks on the street, please try to remember, whether it’s the Dispatcher on the other side of the 9-1-1 line or a Deputy out on Patrol, their job is a difficult one and very often with nothing but criticism in return. However, a simple “thank you” goes a very long way in making their job just a bit easier and lets each one of them know, though not often said, they are truly appreciated.
Sheriff Patterson and the members of the LCSO would like to take just a moment to say “thank you” to the citizens who called the Sheriff’s Office late yesterday, thanking the LCSO for doing a good job and asking if our Deputies were o.k. Your calls and kind words were greatly appreciated. The support we here at the LCSO receive from our community only encourages us in our endeavor to make Liberty County a safe community for us all.
Prior days story:
Today, Monday, July 20, 2011, Deputy Sheriff’s from the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office responded to two separate self-inflicted gunshot scenes. Both incidents resulted in the death of each individual who was shot. The first incident was located on the north side of Liberty County while the second, unrelated incident was located on the south side of Liberty County. Each incident occurred during the morning hours before the noon hour.
While miles apart, each incident sounds as a profound warning to everyone, please, take care of each other. Watch out for friends or family members who may be exhibiting any signs of serious depression, anxiety or expressing suicidal thoughts or tendencies. Anyone who believes they know of another who may in trouble please seek help from Mental Health Authorities or your local Law Enforcement Agency.
Deputy Sheriff’s with the LCSO respond to numerous calls for service from citizens throughout Liberty County every day. Today, however, was an especially difficult and tragic day for all involved. The loss of life, the loss of a loved one to a family and the traumatic effects on Deputies who respond to these calls are all evidence of the toll these incidents bring to bear.
Additionally, the Sheriff’s Office wants to remind citizens, when a major incident occurs, more especially, when multiple major incidents occur, please understand, the hold time on the telephone lines and the response time of a Deputy Sheriff to a non-emergency call can be extended to longer times than normal. Members of the LCSO strive to respond to all calls as quickly as possible, however, with the resources, assets and personnel available some delays can be experienced and expected.
No information as to the location or persons involved in these two tragic incidents shall be released, citing notification to next of kin.
Rex Evans, Captain
Liberty County Sheriff’s Office
2400 Beaumont Ave.
Liberty, Texas 77575
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Texas State Rep. John Otto Brags About Sending Us More Taxes, Again...
State Representative John Otto is at it again. First he and Liberty County Attorney Wes Hinch try to start a multi-county water district to meter and tax our water wells, now he is trying to tax our internet purchases. He comes home to Dayton and gives us eyewitness accounts of what conservatives led on like the recent pro life legislation and then later we find out what he led on while in Austin. John Otto once again led on trying to raise new taxes.
Otto called it the “Nexus” bill, but no matter what you call it, it is Otto’s newest scheme to raise taxes. When reading Otto’s bill it is difficult to not be reminded of when he and County Attorney Wes Hinch promoted a scheme to tax us on our water wells. That effort was defeated and Otto and Hinch were forever branded as politicians who tried to associate with conservatives while acting like tax and spend Democrats.
Eventually the fiscal matters bill had this added as an amendment, John Otto said he originally authored the tax as a bill to redefine what it means to be a retailer doing business in Texas. Taxpayers will see Otto’s efforts as an effort to redefine what it is to be a Republican. Otto continues to try and hide the thrust of his work as our representative. He continues to find ways to take money out of taxpayers’ pockets and send it up to Austin for politicians to play with and call it something other than a tax.
The good news is that online retail giant Amazon.com’s is taking legal action to remain sales tax exempt for internet sales. Additional good news is that recent redistricting of the area John Otto runs for office in may turn up a real conservative to run for this position.
Otto called it the “Nexus” bill, but no matter what you call it, it is Otto’s newest scheme to raise taxes. When reading Otto’s bill it is difficult to not be reminded of when he and County Attorney Wes Hinch promoted a scheme to tax us on our water wells. That effort was defeated and Otto and Hinch were forever branded as politicians who tried to associate with conservatives while acting like tax and spend Democrats.
Eventually the fiscal matters bill had this added as an amendment, John Otto said he originally authored the tax as a bill to redefine what it means to be a retailer doing business in Texas. Taxpayers will see Otto’s efforts as an effort to redefine what it is to be a Republican. Otto continues to try and hide the thrust of his work as our representative. He continues to find ways to take money out of taxpayers’ pockets and send it up to Austin for politicians to play with and call it something other than a tax.
The good news is that online retail giant Amazon.com’s is taking legal action to remain sales tax exempt for internet sales. Additional good news is that recent redistricting of the area John Otto runs for office in may turn up a real conservative to run for this position.
Letter to LD
YOU AREN’T FROM AROUND HERE ARE YOU BOY?
A combination of hurricanes and floods and the Houston media has sometimes painted a picture of Liberty County citizens as dumb toothless hicks who have all built our houses in a flood plane. It is a misconception that is reinforced ever so often when during an emergency in Liberty County the bright lights of the TV cameras find someone coming out of a non air conditioned house that has had little sleep and no bath or hot food. Most of us laugh at how wrong the picture is that is implied by these reports.
The image District Attorney Mike Little is giving Liberty County is not near as funny however. Little’s lack of action in the Joe Warren case will cast a shadow on the way Liberty County is viewed that has long lasting and serious consequences.
Little’s decision to not only keep Joe Warren on the clock and pay him while he prepares to answer charges of tampering with a witness and threatening someone with a deadly weapon makes Liberty County look like a town some people may choose to find an alternate route around. But his decision to allow Joe Warren to actually handle prosecutions may make us a county where criminals end up getting to drive right out of the jail parking lot and rejoin our community.
Little seems to be saying to anyone who questions why he is protecting Joe Warren at the expense of protecting justice, “You aren’t from around here are you boy?”
His glib attitude about such a serious matter really reflects on us all. Accepting a justice system that does not require people to at least be on administrative leave that have been arrested and are charged with such serious crimes, will speak volumes to those who watch Houston channels and local news.
People hearing about Joe Warren and his continued work with the D.A.’s office while under the cloud of investigation himself might wonder who else in the courtroom is charged with criminal behavior. The bailiff maybe? The Judge? They could even imagine a circumstance where Warren is prosecuting someone charged with the same thing he is charged with, or maybe something much less serious.
Defendants in cases might workout a legal angle and try and get their case turned over on the basis of Joe Warren’s participation. Many of us have to wonder about the expense in dollars and the cost in justice Mike Little is exposing us all to. And for what? Is Little trying to influence Joe Warren’s jury by openly supporting him to such an extent?
Next flood when a camera is stuck in front of one of Liberty County’s finest, maybe it will capture someone who is dressed nicely and who is well spoken. But even if one of the Houston channels does focus in on someone like that, the reporter could harden back to this time and ask about when Joe Warren was allowed to investigate and prosecute people while he himself was under investigation. And that person will be left with Little’s defense, “You aren’t from around here are you boy?”
The damage from storms and floods can be unavoidable. So can the damage caused by troubled employees. We are asking you again Mr. Little; please sideline Mr. Warren until he has faced a jury of his peers. Please do your job.
A combination of hurricanes and floods and the Houston media has sometimes painted a picture of Liberty County citizens as dumb toothless hicks who have all built our houses in a flood plane. It is a misconception that is reinforced ever so often when during an emergency in Liberty County the bright lights of the TV cameras find someone coming out of a non air conditioned house that has had little sleep and no bath or hot food. Most of us laugh at how wrong the picture is that is implied by these reports.
The image District Attorney Mike Little is giving Liberty County is not near as funny however. Little’s lack of action in the Joe Warren case will cast a shadow on the way Liberty County is viewed that has long lasting and serious consequences.
Little’s decision to not only keep Joe Warren on the clock and pay him while he prepares to answer charges of tampering with a witness and threatening someone with a deadly weapon makes Liberty County look like a town some people may choose to find an alternate route around. But his decision to allow Joe Warren to actually handle prosecutions may make us a county where criminals end up getting to drive right out of the jail parking lot and rejoin our community.
Little seems to be saying to anyone who questions why he is protecting Joe Warren at the expense of protecting justice, “You aren’t from around here are you boy?”
His glib attitude about such a serious matter really reflects on us all. Accepting a justice system that does not require people to at least be on administrative leave that have been arrested and are charged with such serious crimes, will speak volumes to those who watch Houston channels and local news.
People hearing about Joe Warren and his continued work with the D.A.’s office while under the cloud of investigation himself might wonder who else in the courtroom is charged with criminal behavior. The bailiff maybe? The Judge? They could even imagine a circumstance where Warren is prosecuting someone charged with the same thing he is charged with, or maybe something much less serious.
Defendants in cases might workout a legal angle and try and get their case turned over on the basis of Joe Warren’s participation. Many of us have to wonder about the expense in dollars and the cost in justice Mike Little is exposing us all to. And for what? Is Little trying to influence Joe Warren’s jury by openly supporting him to such an extent?
Next flood when a camera is stuck in front of one of Liberty County’s finest, maybe it will capture someone who is dressed nicely and who is well spoken. But even if one of the Houston channels does focus in on someone like that, the reporter could harden back to this time and ask about when Joe Warren was allowed to investigate and prosecute people while he himself was under investigation. And that person will be left with Little’s defense, “You aren’t from around here are you boy?”
The damage from storms and floods can be unavoidable. So can the damage caused by troubled employees. We are asking you again Mr. Little; please sideline Mr. Warren until he has faced a jury of his peers. Please do your job.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Dear LD,
I enjoyed your recent story regarding the actions of Constable Pct. 6 Royce Wheeler and his deputies in how they took $10,000 from two black men traveling through Liberty County. It just proved one more time how the Mike Little cartel can ruin the lives of innocent people who in this case their only crime was being black and traveling through Liberty County at night.
There was one ray of hope in this story and that was the action of 75th District Court Judge Mark Morefield when he stood up to the Little cartel and gave the Lawson brothers their money back. We all know that if Judge Rusty Hight would have still been Judge these men from Ohio would have never got their money back.
My family and I are proud to have voted for Judge Morefield .and we pray that he will continue his good work.
Proud Republican Voter
There was one ray of hope in this story and that was the action of 75th District Court Judge Mark Morefield when he stood up to the Little cartel and gave the Lawson brothers their money back. We all know that if Judge Rusty Hight would have still been Judge these men from Ohio would have never got their money back.
My family and I are proud to have voted for Judge Morefield .and we pray that he will continue his good work.
Proud Republican Voter
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