Anyone who regularly watches Frisco City Council meetings knows there is choreography involved. Speaker order matters. And more often than not, the Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Laura Rummel saves the most politically charged speaker for last—the closer meant to leave the final impression on viewers and those sitting in the chamber.
Next up came Tracie Reveal Shipman, who delivered her remarks with the intensity of someone who still has a campaign yard sign in her garage “just in case.” On December 2nd, she stepped to the podium to speak, in her words, “in the spirit of transparency and ethical leadership.” What followed deserves a closer look—because when someone invokes ethics, the facts and consistency matter.
The Résumé as Credibility Shield
Tracie opened with a detailed recount of her credentials:
A 30-year Frisco resident. Two terms on City Council. Selected twice as Mayor Pro Tem by her peers. Appointments to the Comprehensive Advisory Committee, Charter Review Commission, Citizen’s Bond Committee, Visit Frisco, and the Community Development Corporation.
She listed volunteer roles with PTAs, the Heritage Association, Frisco Education Foundation, Scooter Bowl, the Miracle League Turkey Trot, and Leadership Frisco. None of this is in dispute. But credentials are not a substitute for accuracy—and they don’t immunize statements from scrutiny.
An Accidental Admission of Bias
Tracie then made one of the most revealing statements of the night. She acknowledged that she has been involved in at least one local political campaign every year since 1996, and that—upon reflection—she had been on the opposite side of every race run by the current council members.
That matters. It establishes not just experience, but persistent political opposition. And when criticism follows, that context cannot be ignored.
The Cease-and-Desist Narrative
Tracie recounted receiving a Cease & Desist letter dated May 30, 2025, from attorney Steven Noskin, on behalf of council candidates Jared Elad and Burt Thakur, relating to alleged false and misleading campaign advertising connected to the Frisco Firefighters Association.
She stated the allegations were untrue and described engaging in a week-long dispute while out of state, asserting she was prepared to seek sanctions against Mr. Noskin and his clients. According to her remarks, the correspondence ceased the day before the runoff election.
These are her claims, delivered publicly.
Frisco Chronicles has confirmed she was sent a cease and desist which was published on a social media page. Allegedly it is related to the Frisco Porch Pirate who was pushing out information for a PAC that Shipman admits involvement in. Read more about here: Porch Pirates. As for the council meeting roadshow, we have no documentation beyond the letter itself was presented to substantiate the broader allegations made at the podium.
Where the Argument Breaks Down: Campaign Finance Law
The core of Tracie’s speech centered on campaign finance reporting. She asserted that because Mr. Noskin provided legal services related to the cease-and-desist letter, those services “technically should be reflected” in Elad and Thakur’s campaign finance reports—either as legal expenses or in-kind contributions—and she publicly urged them to amend their filings. This is where her argument collapses.
Under Texas campaign finance law, legal services paid personally by a candidate—using non-campaign funds—are not reportable. Likewise, legal services provided independently and not as a political contribution do not automatically constitute an in-kind contribution. Consultation alone does not trigger a reporting requirement. Timing alone does not create a disclosure obligation. And legal representation is not presumed to be a campaign expense absent campaign funds being used.
Transparency does not mean inventing reporting requirements that do not exist.
Free Speech—But Selectively Applied
Tracie framed the cease-and-desist letter as an attempt to “quash” her rights. Yet this framing is difficult to reconcile with her broader political posture. Shipman has openly posted on her social media that she supports the efforts to silence Frisco Chronicles speech.
Free speech cannot be situational. You don’t get to invoke it when convenient and oppose it when critical voices are involved.
A Pattern Worth Questioning
It is also worth noting that Tracie—and others aligned with her—continue to serve on Frisco boards and commissions, roles intended to advise and support city governance. Using Citizen Input to attack sitting council members, question their integrity, and relitigating campaign grievances raises legitimate concerns about conflicts between civic service and political warfare.
That is not transparency. That is not ethical leadership. That is political grievance dressed in ethical language.
A Familiar Warning
Ironically, the most fitting response to Tracie Reveal Shipman’s remarks comes from her closest political ally, Bill Woodard, who recently cautioned others: “Don’t speak of things to which you have no knowledge.”
That advice applies here. Statements made from the podium don’t become facts by repetition. Credentials don’t convert assumptions into law. And transparency demands accuracy—not implication.
But the public record is clear. And selective ethics rarely survive sustained scrutiny.
Let’s Call This What It Was: A Revenge Roadshow
Bill and Tracie’s little duet had all the subtlety of a drunk uncle at Thanksgiving trying to reenact the moon landing.
This wasn’t about City business. This wasn’t about procedures, decorum, or government transparency. This was personal. A double-shot of bitterness served neat.
They’re still mad they lost:
Their preferred candidate, Tammy Meinershagen
Their dream of a taxpayer-funded Performing Arts Center
Their long-held grip on the establishment seat warmers
And—let’s be honest—the fact that Burt and Jared, two unapologetic Republicans, won decisively
They are, in medical terms, butt-hurt. A condition known to flare up when the voters say, “Thanks, but no thanks.”
And now they’re online celebrating their citizens-input rant like it was the Gettysburg Address. Their crowd is cheering them on as if “scold two people publicly” is a constitutional achievement. Please.
The Bottom Line
Frisco deserves grown-ups at the podium. We deserve commentary that cares about the city—not ex-officials turning citizen input into therapy hour. What we saw December 2nd wasn’t courage. It wasn’t leadership. It wasn’t accountability. It was the political equivalent of a participation ribbon taped to a midlife crisis.
And if this is the new standard for public discourse, buckle up, Frisco. The circus is back in town—and the clowns are fighting over who gets to hold the microphone.
Disclaimer: This blog includes satire, parody, and comic relief. It contains summarized accounts created solely for humor and commentary. Any resemblance to real events is either coincidental or intentionally satirical. Reader discretion — and a sense of humor — are advised.
There are nights in Frisco where City Hall hums with civic purpose—budget talks and zoning plans along with the occasional citizen input regarding traffic lights, speeding issues, or the raccoon has taken a liking to someone’s yard and gives them the side-eye. December 2nd was not that night.
In a developing story that has left political scientists, veterinarians, and three confused squirrels scratching their heads, two former council members marched into Frisco City Council Meeting on December 2nd to take on the mic at Citizens Input. They delivered what experts are calling “the strongest recorded case of post-election butthurt in city history.”
That’s right it was open mic night for sore losers, who still think their name plates are waiting for them like a forgotten pair of sunglasses at Lost & Found.
Eyewitnesses tell us Bill Woodard and Tracie Reveal Shipman, strutted into the chamber like they were about to perform a cover of “Glory Days.” When Bobblehead Bill’s name was called for Citizens Input he approached the podium like he was a man who just discovered someone else parked in his old council seat and that lead to him having a full-blown emotional support tantrum disguised as “citizen input.”
Frisco Chronicles took the time to break down Bill at the Mic:
Act 1: Bobblehead Bill may have gained a new nickname “Patron Saint of Selective Outrage”
Bill took over that podium with the confidence of a man who still introduces himself as “Former Council Member” at dinner parties. And boy did he come ready to lecture like a college professor. He launched into a monologue so dramatic; I checked my phone twice to make sure Netflix hadn’t started auto playing a reboot of The West Wing.
He reminded us—several times—of his 20+ years of service in his neighborhood scouts, various non-profits and clubs and course his 17 years of volunteer work for the city. Of course, he started off talking about himself because he thought that was impressive kind of like your uncle at Thanksgiving who recounts his high school athletic stats.
Bill Woodard: “In all my years on that dais one of the things I was most proud of was the professionalism the various board and council members exhibited. No matter what our personal relationships were, positive or strained, whether we all agreed on a topic or had differing opinions, when it came time to step foot on the dais everyone was professional.
Frisco Chronicles: What does Bill mean by “when it came time to step on the dais everyone was professional?” Is he referring to how they had all the discussions in executive session, so they had a united front on the dais in order to make it look professional?
Bill Woodard: When traveling to represent the city, everyone was professional. Certainly, there have been times for levity and to show a more relaxed side, but when it matters, everyone was professional.
Frisco Chronicles: Would Bill testify under oath that the behavior of Jake Petras in Colorado was appropriate, professional and represented the city well?
Bill Woodard: In the last 6 months, however, I have observed or been made aware of the following which concern me for the reputation of the city and more specifically this council.
Frisco Chronicles: In the last 6 months? You only became concerned about the citys reputation and the council’s reputation in the last 6 months? Mr. Woodard – why were you not concerned when the following events happened (source local news reports):
In 2017, Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Tim Nelson was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated after a traffic stop where police alleged, he was swerving across lanes on a highway. Allegedly the incident occurred shortly after his wife was arrested for allegedly for assault bodily injury family violence.
In 2021, when Current Revolt published photos of John Keating Place 1 who allegedly got caught over the July 4th holiday weekend in a community public pool with a woman who was not his wife.
In 2021, when Councilman John Keating, Place 1 (now mayoral candidate) held up a sign during a Rail District Scavenger Hunt with the words “GET NAKED” covering his genital area creating the appearance he was naked (luckily, he had boxer shorts on). Wasn’t that you Mr. Woodard, the Mayor and the Mayor’s wife snickering in the picture?
Back to our point and question, you only became concerned about the city’s reputation and the council’s reputation in the last 6 months?
Act II – Woodard’s Scroll of Sins
Woodard began listing out a scroll of sins he was concerned about seeing over the last 6 months which in our opinion should have their own zip code:
Bill Woodard – Sin # 1: A wildly inappropriate, if not racist, joke told on the dais.
Frisco Chronicles: Was it appropriate? We don’t know and we don’t care. It was a joke that no one has talked about since. If it made the city look so bad, why would you come to citizens’ input to bring it up again?
Bill Woodard – Sin # 2: A council member on an exchange trip was wearing shorts as an official representative of the city, when clearly this was not appropriate attire for the meeting.
Frisco Chronicles: Picture #1 of Jared Elad in shorts on a city trip standing two people down from another man in a pair of shorts. Where was your disdain for this man wearing shorts? Picture #2 another trip where Jason Young is wearing shorts, is this inappropriate for man who uses his voice to represent our city so much? Picture # 3 – What about you at Didi’s wearing you City of Frisco polo in shorts holding what appears to be libations?
Frisco Chronicles: Ah yes, Bill Woodard, Frisco’s self-appointed Hall Monitor-in-Chief, called out Burt Thakur for a critical infraction: post-meeting bunny ears. Arrest Him Now! According to Bill, Thakur’s two-finger salute to whimsy has single-handedly “damaged the professionalism of the council.”
Bill Woodard – Sin # 3: “Bunny ears” behind people on camera after a council meeting
Frisco Chronicles: Bill, what about the time (during a meeting) when Councilman Keating held up a big picture on a stick of his face – you didn’t seem outraged then by the whimsy fun? What happens after a meeting is over offends you?
Relax, Bill. The meeting was already adjourned, democracy survived, and no one mistook the gesture for official city business. If a harmless photo gag rattles the watchdog kennel this much, maybe the real problem isn’t professionalism… it’s a tragic shortage of humor vitamins.
Bill Woodard – Sin #4: Use of Chatgpt to figure out what questions to ask during a work session (yes, people can see what you are doing). It shows an utter lack of preparedness.
Frisco Chronicles: First, who knew this event even happened? No one! At least not until you felt the need to come to council to point it out like a bully in a roid rage. Many industries use ChatGPT today, including government. Isn’t this the city leadership who continues to talk about INNOVATION, using TECHNOLOGY to make our city better?
Bill, if I recall, you were accused once of scrolling Facebook during a work session? Two new council members who are trying to learn the ropes, one or both may use AI for assistance and that is bad? I commend them for the innovation to use it.
Bill Woodard – Sin #5: Absences and Tardiness. I’ve counted more meetings in the last 6 months where members were noticeably late, wholly absent from, or left early, from meetings than I can remember in years. Personally, I missed 3 meetings in 9 years, and less than that in the 6 years prior on P&Z.
While I understand work commitments the citizens of Frisco expect and deserve representatives show up to do the work. On time and prepared. It’s not only disrespectful to the citizens, but to colleagues and the staff who tirelessly work for everyone.
Frisco Chronicles: We agree! Shocked? Unlike Bill Woodard here we don’t sit and count every meeting because who has the time to do that? Maybe someone who wishes they were still sitting on the council? We don’t know who has been absent or tardy, but they should be on time, and they should respect that seat that citizens voted them to sit in. However just because you had near perfect attendance that does not set the precedent for what others must do. You are not the judge and jury of that and again the public probably would not have even noticed until you came to the podium to embarrass our council.
Act III – The Public Scolding Continues
Bill Woodard: The train was not out of steam and Bill Woodard kept on going. He continued, Jared and Burt, in the last couple of meetings the two of you look like elementary school kids, at times poking each other and joking around during meetings. It’s one thing to have a side bar for purpose, it is another to act the way you do in front of the public during a meeting. Your actions have an unprofessional appearance.”
Frisco Chronicles: Mr. Woodard do you think your behavior at citizen’s input was professional? Scolding sitting members of our council as a former councilman? Did you ever reach out to them privately to see if you could help them with the transition to their new seats? What about going past the clock (timer), was that professional? You used to cut people off when they did that but again this is about rules, and those rules apply to thee not me! Have you always felt the rules don’t apply to you? Ignoring the Mayor the one-time he said softly “okay bill, that’s enough” to lift your head and look at him “I have two more sentences” then I will be done in a scoffing tone, was that professional? Nothing you did in those 6 minutes was professional sir!
Bill Woodard: He continued calling out Thakur for mentioning his name at the November 4th meeting. He said, you were nowhere when that vote was taken in 2024. While it may have been my last term and I may have requested to serve in the position, it was my colleagues that I had earned the respect of that allowed me to represent the city for my last year. It was an honor and privilege, and it was never about “me”.
Frisco Chronciles: Well, Bill that is not true, it is always about you! Even these six minutes at the pulpit – were about you. You being heard, you being the bully, you appearing to be the man who was judge and jury of every person sitting on that council because you served. I don’t see other previous council members and mayors coming out to the pulpit to scandalize the city. No, it was and always is about YOU!
Bill Woodard: It was always about serving the city and the citizens. These positions should be earned through respect, knowledge and an ability to professionally represent the city in the absence of the Mayor.
Frisco Chronciles: Correct, and nothing you displayed at citizens input was about serving the city or the citizens. Nothing you did that night at the pulpit was about respect, knowledge or showed any professional ability. Clearly, you are never fit to be our Mayor so thank you for that recorded meltdown which can be aired on Reloop when and if you try to run in the future by your opponents.
Act IV – The Ending, Thank God!
Bill Woodard saved his best comments for the end. He went on to say while some of my comments have been pointed, I do hope they are taken in the spirit they are intended to make our city better. I’m not trying to be a referee blowing a whistle to call someone out. Our reputation in the region, the state, and nationally matter.
Frisco Chronicles Conclusion: Taking the time out of your day to come to a city council meeting with your best friend was not done with the emphasis to being a good steward. It was done out of retaliation and anger. The people of this city spoke and they selected new leadership fair and square. You may not like that leadership and that is fine, but they better uphold the values they ran on to be transparent and bring change. Why? That is what THE RESIDENTS WANT!
What we learned from this display was your outrage was very selective towards two council members Jared Elad, our openly Jewish Council Member and Burt Thakur our first South Asian councilmember. You never stood up on the pulpit when these other incidents happened demanding the same professionalism from your counterparts. DWI – no problem! Cheating – no problem! Appearing to be naked – no problem! Shorts BAD! Bunny Ears BAD!
Good heavens—Bill, my man—if we’re handing out lessons on professionalism, maybe start with the candidate who allegedly turned Family Swim Time into “Fifty Shades of Chlorine” or stood in the Rail District wearing nothing but boxers and a sign over his nether-regions encouraging the public to “get naked.”
Bill defended that, but suddenly shorts are the downfall of civilization. Buddy… If pants length is where you finally draw the moral line, we need to schedule a wellness check.
Disclaimer: This blog includes satire, parody, and comic relief. It contains summarized accounts created solely for humor and commentary. Any resemblance to real events is either coincidental or intentionally satirical. Reader discretion — and a sense of humor — are advised.
It’s a new dawn It’s a new day It’s a new life for Frisco Taxpayers Woo-woo-woo-woo-woo And they’re feeling good
Today I was thinking, it is the start of a new beginning and soon two new city council members will join the Dias. Burt Thakur and Jared Elad will be sworn into office at the July 1st City Council Meeting. We hope their supporters come out and support them during the swearing in at the start of the meeting.
But what is happening before the meeting? Well, apparently there is a City Council Work Session on June 26th. They just posted the agenda and it appears under the Regular Agenda they are going to do a traditional welcome, agenda overview and set the theme for the session. Then they are going to discuss a book called Great by Choice. Lastly they will talk about the traits of successful teams.
Then they will convene back into the “Regular Agenda” and finish with a Review of Councils 2025 Progress Goals, have a discussion regarding the FY2025-26 Initial Budget Considerations and closed with a “Ted Talk” regarding 5 Bold Steps to a Bright Future. Interesting! This is where we have questions.
Outgoing council members Tammy Meinershagen and Bill Woodard will be there as they still hold the seats for city council until July 1st. and then Burt Thakur and Jared Elad are sworn in. Because of the runoff Thakur and Elad’s swearing falls after the meeting, but “THE BUDGET” is a big discussion that the new council members may have questions or input on. Here is what we are interested in;
1. Did the city extend an invitation to the two newest council members to participate and learn at this work session like they have done in the past.
2. Will they host the meeting live on Frisco TV so residents can watch and learn and be more transparent for Frisco Residents?
3. What is the social event they are going to afterwords at Perry’s Steakhouse and is that on taxpayer dollars?
Now many may say, they are not sworn in yet so they can’t participate but exceptions have been made in the past. In our article No Business Like Show Business we told you about how in March of 2022, our newly “APPOINTED” council woman Tammy Meinershagen went on the Frisco Chamber of Commerce Leadership Exchange Trip to Cary, North Carolina. Why was that interesting to us at the time? Well, Tammy Meinershagen had NOT YET BEEN SWORN IN as a council member yet.
In that article, we asked the question of how Meinershagens’ trip was paid for. Did she pay for it – remember she was not a SWORN IN council member or did TAXPAYERS pay for it? Then we laid out the emails showing that on March 3, 2022, Mayor Jeff Cheney sent an email to Holly McCall, and said Tammy has expressed an interest in going on the LEX trip. Cheney thinks it would be good for her to join to get a head start on her development and start building relationships. He specifically notes, I know she will still be a council member elect as the time so not sure what hoops we need to jump through. McCall, the Sr. Administrative Asst. to the Mayor & Council responds, “I’m sure it will be fine to pay for Tammy. We’re just waiting on confirmation/advisement from the attorney’s office before proceeding.”
Then on March 7, 2022, in an email from Tammy Meinershagen to Tony Felker, President/CEO for the Frisco Chamber she states it looks like she will be able to join “representing the city council” so can you let me know what you need from me.
Tony responded with an email asking Jeff Cheney what the best way for her is to register and then Jeff responds Holly McCall, the Sr. Administrative Assistant to the Mayor & Council, can book it.
McCall responds again that she believes it will be fine to pay for her to go but she is waiting for the official city approval. Fast forward to the April 19th, council meeting, Item #20 under the Consent Agenda (remember that is where they hide things) there is an action to consider and act upon approval of the attached reimbursement request presented to the Mayor and Council. The memo reads that the $3000 request was the cost for Tammy Meinershagen to travel to Cary, North Carolina for the LEX trip hosted by the Frisco Chamber. It states she is a ‘CANDIDATE FOR CITY COUNCIL RUNNING UNOPPOSED.” It then reads, Minershagen will begin her term in May, but members of the council believe the trip provided knowledge and experience that serves the public purpose of the city and was beneficial to the duties of a city council member.
Guess what, THE COST WAS APPROVED!
At the time we wrote this article in October of 2023, we said we were alarmed that she would be going representing herself as a councilmember – when she had NOT YET BEEN SWORN IN and taken her OFFICIAL OATH. We were adamant that running unopposed or not should not matter – what should matter is she was not sworn in to uphold her official duties as a city council woman. We still believe that today! However, what we think about the situation and what happened back in 2022/23, is irrelevant! The City of Frisco, The Chamber of Commerce and our City Council “SET A PRESCENDENT” that you do not have to be SWORN IN to present yourself as a council member and have the bills paid for by the city if you are appointed to your seat.
Fast Forward to 2025
How does that change when two council members, who have officially been ELECTED, and are less than 7 days away from being sworn in, when it comes to them participating in the Summer Work session, in meetings that affect their upcoming term, etc.? The session clearly says it is Councils Goals for the remaining time of 2025 and the future Budget for 2025-26! I am guessing if you ask the two future elected council members what they think, they will agree with us!
That is the problem when you set a PRESCENDENT like they did in 2022 with Meinershagen, because now to be fair to the newly ELECTED COUNCIL MEMBERS – the city needs to invite them, allows them to participate, talk to leaders and city management, for the “experience it gives them, for educational reasons and benefits it presents them,” as it will help them grow in their council positions the same way they did for Meinershagen in 2022.
Now, we wait and see – what happens? Better get the city attorney on the phone and make allowances for the same concessions –
at least allowing them to attend s work session, doesn’t cost taxpayers $3000 this time!
Since the release of the now-infamous Toxic Tammy Tapes, we’ve seen just about every excuse imaginable tossed into the public arena to discredit them:
They’re fake.
They’re deepfakes.
They’re AI-generated.
They’re illegally recorded.
They’ve been “heavily edited.”
There’s an “ongoing investigation” into them by Frisco PD
But here’s the thing: in Frisco, when someone’s caught saying the quiet parts in a safe space out loud, suddenly the how/why/when it was recorded becomes more important than what was actually said.
Even spouses of current Frisco City Council members have taken to social media soapboxes, proclaiming—without evidence—that some shadow investigation is under way. “Illegally recorded tapes!” they cry. Well, we filed a Public Information Request (PIR) with the Frisco Police Department over 10 days ago asking if there was any investigation into the origin, legality, or content of the recordings.
So far? Crickets.
How Did We Get The Tapes
How did we get the tapes? Simple. An insider—tired of the two-faced politics, of the backroom manipulation, of the fake smiles and public gaslighting—decided the people of Frisco deserved better. They handed us the recording because they trusted us to tell the truth, and that’s exactly what we did. Again, we want to make it clear that it was not a candidate for Place 4, but it was someone within the person’s circle and from what we understand that could be a lot of people.
We made a few promises when we were approached about the tapes. The first was to remove the voice of the second person, we did! We did not know at the time how difficult that would be and time consuming because we did not want to alter the message communicated. The second request was to remove the identifiable background music we did! The third request was from the source who delivered the tapes to protect them, we did! We will say the source proved to us how they received the tape and the conversation they had about the tape being released to Whistleblower. We can say nothing illegal was done, how it was obtained was not illegal and it was not recorded in any way that was illegal.
With that mutual agreement … We had the tape. It is very real. It is raw. And now, they have been fully transcribed, verified, and timestamped throughout.
How Were The Tapes Transcribed:
We ran the recordings through Otter.ai, which created the first draft of the transcript. Then we did what no AI or spin machine can do: we sat down, put on the headphones, and listened very closely to every inch of the conversation again. All of it. Start to finish. We painstakingly cross-checked each statement, verified speaker identities, and confirmed the accuracy of every quote.
In places where the background noise (music, clinking water glasses, running water or fountain sound) made things tough to hear, we noted it. We didn’t guess. We didn’t fill in blanks. We kept it honest—because the truth doesn’t need editing.
Why We’re Releasing It:
After much debate with our team, we have decided to release the transcript of the whole recording because it does not violate any of the three things we promised. We also feel the reputation of FriscoChronicles was put on the line and we have always been above board. We understand from the public perspective it appears the recording was released with selective leaks which could appear to have been a politically motivated spin, and we can assure you that was not the case. We release things when we get them and after we confirm the info to be factual. We released the tapes less than 2 days after we received them and after we confirmed them – business as usual.
Truthfully, citizens deserve to know what was said, who said it, and the context in which it happened. Tammy Meinershagen claims to represent our values on the City Council.
And Now… The Backstory We Received
Everything has a backstory, and we are going to share what we were told as it adds to the context in our opinion. The meeting occurred sometime in January of 2025, and it was Tammy Meinershagen who reached out to Voice #2 asking for the meeting. After offering to meet at a local restaurant it was Tammy Meinershagen who insisted on coming to the home of Voice #2.
The context given for the meeting was that Tammy was hoping to advise her on her campaign and help answer any questions (good or bad) the candidate may have. At this point several “cabal leaders” had already reached out to this candidate and told them not to run. Why? It would hurt Gopal who was running for the same seat. The candidate had already made the decision to run and was not going to change their mind or back down and when Tammy reached out the candidate was excited that someone actually wanted to give campaign advice and offer clarification on things they may not understand about the process.
The day Meinershagen came over, the candidate took notes with a note pad and had the phone on the table recording it so they could fill in the blanks later of anything they missed. No evil intent behind it!
A few sources have told us (we have not had this confirmed by the candidate) that it was the direction the conversation went that first upset the candidate and while she didn’t tell Tammy at the time, she felt when it was over that Tammy had been very derogatory to her people, and others and that she had never seen Tammy wish such venom. The candidate felt this was another attempt to for someone to come over and to tell her not to run because it was constantly about “splitting the votes” and that would hurt Gopal. Things progressed in the election cycle and the candidate moved forward running for office and that was the end of it.
Now that is all we were given as backstory, we don’t know more than that but it does align with what we heard in the conversation.
Diving Into The Transcript
Part 1: Small Talk about Place 4
Part 2: Talk about Place 2
After talking about who may or may not be running in Place 4, Tammy stated she believes she will have some opponents, too. The candidate, surprised, asked who? Tammy says, well, first of Sai “Idiot Sia” … she was not prompted to say that. She was not lured into calling Mr. Krishna an idiot. She said what she believed! Why? Because she thought she was in a safe space to speak the TRUTH! Up to this point, there had been no name-calling of any candidates or potential candidates – Tammy threw the first flame! Oh, and Tammy continued to throw the flames without any leading questions or being tricked into saying anything.
The truth is Voice #2 – The Candidate, got quiet when the conversation turned, which matches what we were told, that she was surprised at where the conversation went.
We invite you to read the transcript for yourself. Don’t let someone else think for you – find the link at the end of the blog.
You Decide
It goes on, and on, and on! In our opinion, Tammy was not led into any of her statements. They were said of her own free will, they are her thoughts and she made the choice to say it! I think the candidate whom she was speaking to that day learned some things about her Friend that she didn’t like. Tammy’s true colors began to show and anyone would wonder – what does she say about me when I am not around?
Personally, while everyone is condemning “the recorder” or the person who transferred it to us, we think they deserve a community applause. As voters we have the right to hold our city leaders accountable and to a certain level of professionalism. We also have the right to know what they truly think of the population they represent.
What the South Asian or Desi community needs to understand is that their VOTE for Tammy Meinershagen contributes to this continued behavior. They have only shown up to get your donations or your vote – where are they the rest of the time? Are they attending your HOA meetings, are they showing up late to the festivals, just have to have their picture taken at the end to say “we were here!”
That is how it appears to most of us and honestly if the South Asian community is not offended by that – then let us know so we are not offended for you. We are going to let you decide! The full transcript is just as bad as the shortened portions we published earlier. In fact, we think its worse because you clearly see this is who Tammy Meinershagen is.
We could call out her supporters and their attempt to discredit, hurt, and attack Burt Thakur, another South Asian, and Jared Elad to help you forget about the tapes, but we won’t!
Before you believe the latest PR PUSH to blame AI, or that she was tricked into her comments read it and come to your own conclusions. At Frisco Chronicles, we believe sunlight is the best disinfectant. And this, dear readers, is one hell of a toxic spill.
Please excuse any typos or grammatical errors on the transcript, we did not want to change what was transcribed. We only made sure it matched the recording and that the statements were assigned to the right person.
Frisco, Texas has been the poster child for suburban prosperity, but according to our Mayor it is now experiencing a notable shift as residents pack up and head elsewhere. Just days before the May 3rd election, an article stated that said “Cheney is drawing attention to a surprising trend: Frisco residents are leaving the city in search of more vibrant arts and entertainment options.
Shocking! Right? After all, when they wanted to approve all of these “GRAND DEVELOPMENTS” the last ten years all we heard from Cheney and the council was that these would create a “HALO EFFECT” that would bring more to Frisco. In fact, Community Impact did an article on the 2 year mark of the PGA in 2024 titled “HALO EFFECT” from PGA touches north Frisco development, provides boost to local economy.
In the article they quote Mayor Cheney as saying, “Because of this halo effect and the investments, … this region is going to be second to none for destination retail, dining, shopping, all the office parks, and likely that part of our city will develop 20 years faster than it otherwise would have,” Cheney said. The article went on to say, “Multiple large developments and projects coming to Frisco are a result of the PGA’s success, Cheney said. This includes the Universal Kids Resort theme park, Fields West mixed-use development, and the Firefly Park mixed-use development.” Then the article quoted our own Frisco Chamber CEO, Christal Howard, “The halo effect is not just for multimillion-dollar developments. We talk a lot about all the new businesses that come as a result of a relocation, like the PGA headquarters, but the effect on the current businesses is important too,” Howard said.
Can you imagine our surprise then to residents when all of the sudden we hear they are leaving Frisco, sound the “ALARM BELLS” to voters! On April 25th, The Local Profile released an article titled “Why Frisco Keeps Losing Big Business Deals To Nashville” and after reading it we thought, what happened to that Halo Effect you were talking about Mr. Cheney?
The article quotes Mayor Cheney as saying, “The story nobody ever hears are the deals we have lost, there have been some painful Fortune 500 losses we thought we had. It seems the last few years every major deal comes down to Frisco and Nashville, and unfortunately, Nashville has been beating us out on these deals.” It goes on to say, “The reason is strikingly consistent. The common thread is companies that want their employees to have access to arts and culture. The exit interviews all sound the same… Frisco has it all… except for that.”
Then just days later on April 29th, The Local Profile produces another story title, “The Biggest Reason People Leave Frisco, According To Mayor Jeff Cheney” and the article mentions a study that confirms what residents already know! The article states, “A key part of the city’s case is backed by a detailed analysis commissioned by Visit Frisco and conducted by consumer analytics firm Buxton.” Apparently, Frisco commissioned the study to better understand what draws people to — and away from — the city. Cheney believes this data backs up what many have felt for years. “The Center for the Arts solves this by retaining and attracting visitors, whose spending will strengthen our tax base and support our public services. It’s a win-win for residents, whether you’re an arts enthusiast or not.”
OH MY GAWD – SOUND THE ALARM! THE SKY IS FALING THE, THE SKY IS FALLING ACCORDING TO CHICKEN LITTLE! Media outlets started to pick up the story and it was featured on the news! Businesses are leaving Frisco!
We immediately wanted to see this study, so we started looking at the City’s Website for the Performing Arts Center, the hub for residents to find out the latest information. Nope, not there! Then we checked the Frisco EDC and found a study in 2024, but it was not the one quoted by Cheney in the article. We forgot all about it after the resounding VOTE NO election until we were flipping through the City Facebook page the other night, watching some of the Frisco City Council “Council Recap” videos. We came across a recap video from February 4th that includes Mayor Jeff Cheney, Tammy Meinershagen, and Bill Woodard.
In that recap video, Tammy talks about “THE STUDY” done by Buxton … IN 2019! Excuse me, did you say … 2019? Mayor Jeff Cheney used a study that is over 7 years old to go have the local media run a story in 2025. Headlines read, “WE ARE LOSING BIG BUSINESS,” but they failed to mention it was based on a study done in 2019. I would assume any major or reputable outlet would have a copy of the study quoted in their article. Not! Did they knowingly publish the article and withhold how old the study was? Think about it, 7 years ago, the pre-COVID era, and that since then, things may have … CHANGED!
If that is not MISLEADING or MISREPRESENTING the TRUTH DIRECTLY TO VOTERS AND RESIDENTS, then what is? It was the justification they used for all of us as residents to vote and SAVE FRISCO! We found a Buxton PDF online (click here) with the Visit Frisco logo.
The study used GPS data, gathered from mobile devices, and Buxton geo-fenced all hotels and major attractions, tracking over 54.8 million location pings and identifying 2.6 million unique visits within one year. The findings were clear: Frisco residents show high volumes of traffic at nearby lifestyle destinations like Legacy West, and those same residents are also far more likely to visit entertainment venues such as the Toyota Music Factory and Lava Cantina. This pattern signals a strong local appetite for mixed-use developments that include arts and entertainment components. “The data indicates that any complementary entertainment venue(s) in or around such spaces would also have a high rate of utilization among Frisco residents.”
QUESTION: HOW IS A $360 MILLION PERFORMING ARTS CENTER A COMPLEMENTARY VENUE TO LAVA CATINA AND TOYOTA MUSIC FACTORY?
Oh wait, it’s not! They left that part out of the data results, too! This was a clear, concise and manipulated lie to voters to “get what they wanted!” Every single council member supporting the Frisco Arts Center should be held up on ethics charges for misleading and lying to the public. It should also be investigated as voter intimidation because if they influenced anyone’s vote based on a 7-year-old study from 2019, without disclosing that. Residents should be asking “What The Hell Is Going On In Frisco?”
On top of that, Tammy has been spreading rumors that the tapes we released with her own comments were altered; she was lured into making those comments, or they were created by AI. Again, she lies! Soon we will prove that too! Stay tuned for that! How many more times will Tammy Meinershagen and council members LIE TO US?
Tammy Meinershagen speaks of how she loves “governance” and that is her favorite part of the job as a councilwoman. One “best practice” and vital component of good governance is transparency. Why is transparency so important? It boosts public trust, confidence, and citizen participation. Transparency has become a virtue in public management and public policymaking. It is an important democratic value that a trustworthy, high-performing, and responsible government pursues.
WHY IS FRISCO NOT TRANSPARENT?
We have to assume everyone reading our blog is new and may not have read previous blogs. In 2023, when Mayor Cheney was running for re-election against Retired Former Fire Chief, Mark Piland we wrote the blog Tangled Web of Lies (click on the title to read it) which detailed out how acting HR Director Sassy Lauren Safranek set in motion a calculated witch hunt to protect her job and wrongdoing against then Fire Chief, Mark Piland.
Why is that blog so important? In it, we mentioned that on April 4, 2024, the Frisco City Council, after emerging from an executive session, voted on one item from its executive agenda. “In connection with item No. 2A, ii on tonight’s agenda, Bill Woodward made a motion, “I move to authorize the city manager to release the second investigative report, dated Sept. 1, 2022, concerning Mark Piland.” That night, the Frisco City Council, with a 5-0 vote, moved to pass the motion. Mayor Cheney conveniently recused himself. It is important to note that Bill Woodard, Angelia Pelham, John Keating, and Tammy Meinershagen had already endorsed and been helping with Mayor Cheney’s re-election campaign. That night, it was clear the release of this document was designed to be a political hit job. Since that night, Woodard also ran a PAC against our Firefighters and started the Vote Yes for Broadway PAC with Tammy Meinershagen.
CLEARLY, THE COUNCIL MEMBERS WERE COMPROMISED AND SHOULD HAVE ALSO ALL RECUSED THEMSELVES ALONG WITH JEFF CHENEY! BETTER YET, IT SHOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN VOTED ON BY THE COUNCIL MEMBERS – WHY NOT SEND IT TO THE AG INSTEAD?
They didn’t want to wait 45 to 60 days because that would have been “after the election,” and they were worried Mark Piland might win. So, shaking in their boots, they took it upon themselves to vote at the council. The same council that determines ethical complaints against each other!
Fast forward to 2025 and we write our blog City Hall’s Troubled Seas last week that questions why “TOP BRASS” HR Director, Sassy Lauren Safranek and Assistant HR Director, Jacinta Shanks just vanished into the dark night. Missing for weeks, internal sources telling us that they both had been suspended, investigations were ongoing, and their return dates to the office were unknown made us file some PIR’s for more information.
FIRST PIR REQUEST: JACINTA SHANKS
4/1/2025: FWB Filed the Public Information Request
“We would like all documents and information regarding the investigation into, administrative leave of, and outcome of Jacinta Shanks – HR. We would like any and all investigative records, including emails, screenshots, and messages regarding Jacinta Shanks and fellow employees that refer to them making racist remarks/comments to other black subordinates, disparaging employees, and making fun of other employees. We would like to know if Jacinta Shanks received a promotion after this investigation.”
4/16/2025: City of Frisco responds and asks us to “CLAIRFY” our request to the city
4/22/2025: FWB replied to the request
5/7/2025: We assumed in the eye of “GOOD GOVERNANCE” they city would be transparent just like they have been with previous employees, right? No. Absolutely Not!
We received the response that reads, “The City of Frisco has reviewed its files, and has located documents responsive to your request. However, due to issues of confidentiality, the City has chosen to seek a ruling from the Office of the Attorney General regarding the release of the responsive documents. Please see attached for a letter from Abernathy, Roeder, Boyd & Hullett, PC, attorneys for the City of Frisco, informing you of the City’s decision to seek a ruling from the Office of the Attorney General. The Office of the Attorney General has up to 45 business days in which to make a ruling regarding your request.”
SECOND PIR REQUEST INTO JACINTA SHANKS AND JIREH SHOE
4/1/2025: FWB filed a PIR Request
We also filed a second PIR that reads, “Related to the Jacinta Shanks and Jireh Shoe Investigations or any other HR employees. We would like a copy of any NDA signed by a new employee related to their failure during the probation period. We would like to know if any female employee received a payout or payment related to this investigation, was asked to sign an NDA, who was released, terminated, removed, etc for failing their probation period.”
4/11/2025: City of Frisco responds and asks us to “CLAIRFY” our request to the city (sound familiar)
4/22/2025: FWB replied to the request
1. Jacinta Shanks and Jireh Shoe Investigations: We are specifically requesting any investigative reports, findings, HR communications, termination notices, or disciplinary actions related to Jacinta Shanks and Jireh Shoe. If these individuals were involved in internal investigations conducted by HR or Legal, we request all documents reflecting: • The nature of the investigation • Dates of the investigation • Parties interviewed or named • Final outcomes or recommendations • Settlement agreements, if applicable
2. NDAs Signed by New Employees Who Did Not Complete Probation We are requesting copies of any Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) signed between January 1, 2021, and April 1, 2025, by employees of the HR Department who were released, terminated, or resigned before completing their probationary period. If a list of names is required to narrow this down, we ask the City to identify individuals who meet the criteria during that time frame so we can refine accordingly.
3. Female Employees—Payments or NDAs Related to HR Investigations We are seeking records that show whether any female employee involved in an HR investigations between January 1, 2021, and April 1, 2025: • Received a financial payout or settlement (voluntary or involuntary separation) • Was asked or required to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement • Was terminated, released, or otherwise separated during or at the end of probation These may include settlement agreements, NDAs, HR exit memos, or other documents reflecting these outcomes.
We are not asking the City to answer legal questions—only to provide existing documents that meet the above clarified criteria. If there is a more efficient way to identify the documents—such as a keyword search (e.g., “probation,” “settlement,” “NDA,” “termination”) or a specific custodian of records—please advise. We are happy to work with you to facilitate this.
5/7/2025: Guess what, we assumed for a second time that in the eye of “GOOD GOVERNANCE” they city would be transparent. I bet you can guess their response; it was identical to our other PIR. Literally, identical!
We received the exact same response as the first PIR which reads, “The City of Frisco has reviewed its files, and has located documents responsive to your request. However, due to issues of confidentiality, the City has chosen to seek a ruling from the Office of the Attorney General regarding the release of the responsive documents. Please see attached for a letter from Abernathy, Roeder, Boyd & Hullett, PC, attorneys for the City of Frisco, informing you of the City’s decision to seek a ruling from the Office of the Attorney General. The Office of the Attorney General has up to 45 business days in which to make a ruling regarding your request.”
THIRD PIR WE ARE FILING NOW: Lauren Safranek HR
Now we are going to file a PIR for everything related to Sassy Lauren Safranek and what do you want to bet, we are going to get the same response. Using delay tactics to push it out, then send it to the AG to further delay it. Why? What do they not want to come out before you and I vote at the polls? The delay is purposeful and if they truly wanted to show “GOOD GOVERNANCE” – Tammy Meinershagen couldn’t you vote to release the files? Lead the charge for transparency!
GOOD GOVERNANCE: JUST VOTE ON IT!
In our opinion, the city set a precedent with Mark Piland on what is or is not confidential in an employee’s HR file when they went to the council and voted to release his record, especially when that vote was by four members of the council who endorsed and were working on Mayor Cheney’s campaign against that employee. So why can’t they vote again to release the HR file for Safranek, Shanks, and anyone else in the HR investigation? Show the voters you have nothing to hide and that it is consistency of GOOD GOVERNANCE.
WE NEED YOUR HELP!
We think all the citizens of Frisco who want transparent communication should email the city attorney’s office, the entire city council, and the City Manager’s office, demanding the release of all documents from the HR Department investigation, just like they did with Former Fire Chief, Mark Piland. If there is an issue, they should be able to vote on it at a city council meeting. We would expect the same transparency in a 5-0 vote to release it. Because good governance is transparent, right?
To Whom It May Concern:
I am writing as a citizen of Frisco to request full transparency on behalf of the city, to release all HR documents related to the HR investigation into Jacinta Shanks, Lauren Safranek, and any other employee. For us to trust our city government, we need to see transparency, even if that means it has to go to a vote at the city council meeting to be released.
What are they hiding? It should alarm citizens that the city will vote to release one employee’s or a former employee’s records and not release others. One was running against the mayor for office, while the others were not. If you didn’t believe us in 2023 when we called it a political hatchet job, then you should believe us now! Why else would they fight the release of HR records for other employees under investigation?
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