16-Layer Cake

by | May 26, 2026 | Agendas, Meetings & Ordinances, Angelia Pelham, Ann Anderson, Brittany Colberg, Burt Thakur Place 2, City of Frisco, Current City Council, Jake Petras, Jared Elad, Laura Rummel, Mayor Jeff Cheney, Politics, Residents, Sean Merrell, Tammy Meinershagen

  • See Disclaimer at the end of this article

“Wag the dog” is an idiom describing the act of using a secondary, minor issue or diversion to distract attention from a larger, often damaging crisis. It is most often used in political and media contexts, where leaders allegedly fabricate, amplify, or emphasize a dramatic situation to steer public focus away from bigger scandals.

The Frisco City Council meeting on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, was, in my opinion, one of the biggest political messes in this city’s history. And my mission at Frisco Chronicles is to expose the shady stuff. So, let’s begin.

The Frosting

The public comments portion of the evening reached an all-time high. Everyone was talking about line item #25. The passion in the room was palpable. There were extra police, yelling, swearing, reporters, escorts out, and social media influencers. The tension was raw.

But like many others, I believe most people missed what was sitting in plain sight.

In case you missed it, or are still confused, allegedly this was really about Mayor Jeff Cheney’s Legacy Line Item. In my opinion, he will go down in the history books to save his best work for last. Perfect timing before his pending exit. Played and executed like a true maestro.

Remember this time last year, when the mayor’s cherry-tomato head almost blew right off his shoulders after that horrendous $340 million Performing Arts Center deal failed by voters, along with his cohort Tammy Meinershagen’s re-election? There were too many alleged questions about that deal and who may have benefited from it. In my opinion, Frisco was smart about that one and dodged a bullet.

Well, friends, the deals that allegedly moved forward Tuesday night make last year look like a cheap appetizer. That may also explain Mayor Cheney’s DEFCON 3 behaviors at recent Frisco City Council meetings, when he started getting pushbacks from other council members. More on that soon.

In my opinion, the best way to describe what happened is by comparing the consent agenda to a triple-layer chocolate cake. Everyone got fooled because they were only paying attention to the three visible layers: the Jain temple, the Hindu temple, and the mosque. What I believe many people missed was the ooey-gooey, ever-so-sweet, rich chocolate frosting on top, hiding the rest. That, in my opinion, was the real story.

Before we once again deep-dive into the alleged cabal rabbit hole, let’s not kid ourselves. Open your eyes wide. It is election time, and in my opinion, it is the perfect time to wag the dog and play on voters’ fears while the recipe for the sweet frosting goes unnoticed.

How does an alleged political machine best distract voters? Well, while people were fighting over Islam, Sharia Law, temples, and fear, here is what I believe was really going on underneath the pretty frosting.

The 16 Layers

You missed the other 13 of the 16 development projects. Based on my best guess, this may have represented a development package that roughly ranges between a $750 million to $1 billion dollars.  

The Planning and Zoning Commission consent agenda included 16 separate cases totaling more than 300 acres of development across Frisco, which were then sent to Frisco City Council for a vote. Here is a brief overview of what I call the full boxed-up cake deal:

  • Railhead Phase 1: 8.8 acres with 3 office buildings, 2 retail buildings, and 2 parking garages.
  • Best Brains Addition Lot 3: 1.7 acres for a childcare center.
  • Park 25 Block C: 15.6 acres with 2 offices, warehouse, and distribution centers.
  • Centennial Pediatrics/Islamic Center: 5.8 acres with a place of worship.
  • Coit & 3537 Addition: 4.4 acres with 3 retail buildings.
  • FM 423 Lonestar: 14.8 acres with a temple, medical offices, restaurants, a convenience store, and drive-throughs.
  • Point East Industrial: 44.1 acres with 6 warehouses and distribution buildings.
  • Lebanon South: 5.7 acres with a temple and community center.
  • Park 25 Block C: 15.6 acres with 2 offices, warehouse, and distribution centers.
  • Four Corners Shopping Center: 4.4 acres with 2 hotels.
  • Grand Park Canal South: 4.8 acres with a childcare facility and restaurant/office space.
  • Frisco Fire Station No. 8: 4.3 acres with a City of Frisco stealth antenna.
  • Northeast Community Park: 70.7 acres with a City of Frisco stealth antenna.
  • Firefly Park Lot 4: 10.9 acres with a parking garage and professional office.
  • Prosper High School #2: 98.3 acres for a public school, Prosper ISD.
  • Best Brains Addition Lot 8: 2.3 acres with retail, restaurant, and office uses.

Total: 16 cases and more than 312 acres of Frisco development.

Only 3 of the 16 developments involved religious institutions. The rest included warehouses, hotels, offices, a 98-acre public school, City of Frisco infrastructure, retail, and childcare. In my opinion, this was a treasure chest of Frisco development, not merely a vote on three rubber-banded religious institutions.

That is the cake. Sixteen layers. But the public was only staring at the frosting.

The P&Z Questions

Back when this was approved by P&Z, Chairwoman Brittney Colberg was absent for the vote, and Sean Merrell recused himself. Why? Election-time strategy? A conflict of interest? Something else?

New council member and former P&Z Chairwoman Brittney Colberg currently operate a Title Company.  According to publicly available information, the business appears to cater to luxury real estate agents and top producers.  Their goal, to help growth-focused real estate professionals’ level up their businesses, strengthen brand reputations, increase market knowledge, become industry leaders, and increase revenue.

Frisco Chronicles must ask, is there a potential down the road for conflict here?  If Colberg’s business benefits, directly or indirectly, from any of these deals then the answer could be yes.  We have not discovered anything as of now, but we will keep our eyes peeled now that she is elected. 

Current P&Z member Sean Merrell, is listed as a licensed professional engineer in Texas for BGE, Inc.  He is also the past president of the American Society of Civil Engineers. Frisco Chronicles wondered, does BGE, Inc., have any active applications in Frisco?  What about previous contracts with the City of Frisco? 

Surprise, surprise … well not really, Frisco Chronicles found what appears to be a warehouse project involving BGE, Inc. This may explain why Sean Merrell recused himself. 

The agenda stated: “Consider and act upon adoption of an Ordinance to repeal Ordinance No. 2025-03-16 and grant a Specific Use Permit for an Office/Warehouse/Distribution Center on one lot on 98.1± acres on the north side of SH 121, 1,015± feet west of Independence Parkway. Zoned Highway with a Specific Use Permit for an Office/Warehouse/Distribution Center and Commercial-2. Neighborhood #26. Zoning Case No. SUP25-0009. Applicant: BGE, Inc. (Development Services/JH)”  Ordinance 2026-04-34.

Did I mention this was the same warehouse project that Richwoods and Lexington residents were concerned about backing up to their community?  That’s right the one that filled Frisco Chambers just a few weeks ago with our Indian neighbors who spoke against the development while our council listened on deaf ears. 

The Planning and Zoning Commission reviews and advances development items long before they ever reach City Council.  Frisco Chronicles is wondering why were three completely separate projects, at three different locations, with different ownership groups and three different religions, allegedly bundled together under a single consent agenda line item?

I suspect a Christian church would not have been bundled in the same way.  Could those projects have been separated and voted on individually? Probably.  Was it poor organization? Doubtful, in my opinion. Political strategy? More likely, in my opinion.  The epic wag the dog.

Create a distraction while other major development items quietly move forward.

The Council Meeting Moment

Who could see the forest through the trees, when the consent agenda came up?  The only questions or pushback appeared to come from Councilmen Burt Thakur and Jared Elad. Both tried to bring up the many other items on the consent agenda that the public was clearly not focused on. 

A motion to appeal was made by Councilman Burt Thakur and appeared to be ignored. There was no second motion. Instead, Mayor Cheney appeared to move the discussion into immediate executive session to consult with the city attorney. But why?

There does not appear to be a law requiring consultation with the city attorney to happen in private, away from the eyes and ears of voters and taxpayers.  This proves Frisco Chronicles point that there is zero transparency, folks.

Mayor Cheney’s motion immediately received a second, and off they went behind closed doors. Just a guess but what followed behind closed doors may have been a heated discussion about the audacity of a couple of councilmen asking questions and suggesting an appeal. My guess is that the executive session was more of an attitude-adjustment session, the kind your mom gives you when you act up in a store and she walks you outside to the car for an understanding.

Mayor Cheney, in my opinion, was not about to let his alleged Legacy Line Item slip out of his sweaty red hands.  Back at the dais, the consent agenda passed 6-0, despite Councilman Burt Thakur appearing not to have agreed with the direction things had gone. Yes, folks, this is what you voted for.

A city council can vote no on almost anything before it. Its primary responsibility is to protect the residents. In my opinion, threats of lawsuits over religious freedom became the wag-the-dog moment, conveniently burrito-wrapped into mega projects most residents were not paying attention to.

It is the opinion of Frisco Chronicles that the PANIC was not only about getting sued over the denial of a mosque but also may have been over the other 13 development deals not going through.  Wake up, Frisco … You are being used!

Mayor Cheney does not care about mosques and temples. His track record shows he cares about cash, the deal, the development, and the legacy.  This whole situation could not have been more perfectly orchestrated.

Do you really think it was just coincidental that the alleged Legacy Line Item was pushed through during one of Mayor Monopoly Cheney’s final city meetings?

The mayor yelled from the dais, “Stop making this political.”   The audience pushed back, “No, you are!”

Councilwoman Angelia Pelham also appeared to join in with similar comments from the dais while defending Mayor Cheney.  Ultimately, they were right about one thing: it was not just political. It was about development. The money. The deals. The legacy. The generational wealth. The frosting.

The frosting, folks, is the perfect camouflage for any cake. You really do not know what you are getting until you cut into it. Anything could be lurking under there: cheap angel food cake or the most luxurious and decadent dessert you have ever placed on your taste buds.

In this case, it was a 16-layer cake with top-shelf premier frosting used to camouflage the layers hiding underneath.

The Timing Questions

Conveniently and coincidentally, the appointment of the Mayor Pro Tem and Deputy Mayor Pro Tem was moved until after the elections. Additionally, the replacement of the open P&Z position was also delayed. With a contentious mayoral election happening, I believe they were not going to rock any of those boats until after the election.   Just a guess but this was a political move.

Community Chatter Rumor Mill

This section includes rumors, community chatter, and allegations and Frisco Chronicles is not presenting these as proven facts. The reason for including them is because it helps explain the larger pattern that may deserve public scrutiny.

One source told Frisco Chronicles they have heard rumors that Jason Young, who recently won the Universal Liquor business, allegedly is a contender for the open P&Z spot.  

Another source told Frisco Chronicles that allegedly, Lori Medina, may become Mark Hill’s new “Chief of Staff” if he wins the election.  You may be asking, “Who is Lori Medina and why is she important?”  Let’s look at Lori’s resume:

  • Lobbyist for Wilks Brothers who is building the billion-dollar Fire Fly Development near 380 and DNT
  • Former Chief of Staff for Mayor Jeff Cheney
  • Former Business Partner of former Councilwoman Tammy Meinershagen (star of the Tammy Tapes)
  • Current Campaign Manager or leader in the Mark Hill Campaign
  • Lori was also allegedly involved in a physical altercation with then-candidate, veteran, and South Asian candidate Burt Thakur

Lastly, Frisco Chronicles heard rumors that Jason Ford, current President of Frisco Economic Development Corporation, may allegedly step down or be forced out.  His alleged replacement … Jeff Cheney.  

Let’s face it, while all of this is alleged and rumors it does make sense.  Greed is never satisfied and everyone knows Cheney does not want to let go of control on the development in Frisco.  It is an addiction.  Cake is good, and there is never enough cake.

Final Question

So, what was this about?  Was it three religious institutions? Was it religious freedom? Was it fear? Was it development? Was it timing? Was it legacy? Was it money?

In my opinion, it was all the above. But the cake metaphor still says it best.  The public saw three layers. I believe the real cake was sixteen.  And the frosting was the distraction.

Appendix: For Reference Only

Frisco City Council Regular Meeting – Consent Agenda Items 19-25 on Tuesday, 5/19/26

19. Consider and act upon the approval of minutes. (CSO/KM)

A. Consider and act upon the approval of the May 5, 2026, City Council Work Session meeting minutes. (CSO/KM)

B. Consider and act upon the approval of the May 5, 2026, Regular City Council meeting minutes. (CSO/KM)

C. Consider and act upon the approval of the May 12, 2026, Special-Called City Council meeting minutes. (CSO/KM)

20. Consider and act upon authorizing the City Manager to execute an Interlocal Agreement by and between Collin County and the City of Frisco to provide funding for the construction of Dallas Parkway PH5. (Engineering/WJ)

21. Consider and act upon accepting private donations raised by the Leadership Frisco Class XXIX toward the installation of shade structures at Hope Park at Frisco Commons Park. (Play Frisco/JC)

22. Consider and act upon adoption of a Resolution authorizing submittal of a Metropolitan Transportation Plan Policy Bundle, Round 6 application, to the North Central Texas Council of Governments for Transportation Development Credits. (Engineering/MD)

23. Consider and act upon adoption of a Resolution authorizing the submission of the FY25 Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Use grant application through the Bureau of Justice Assistance by the City Manager or his designee. (Police/LT)

24. Consider and act upon award of Best Value Bid #2603-050, Downtown Garage and Plaza Cleaning Services, to Ambassador Services. (Administrative Services/DF)

25. Consider and act upon whether to direct Staff to submit a written notice of appeal on behalf of the City Council to Development Services, pursuant to Subsection 6.19 of the Zoning Ordinance and/or Section 4.02 of the Subdivision Ordinance, regarding action taken by the Planning and Zoning Commission on any site plan or plat. Any written notice of appeal must be submitted to Development Services. (Development Services)

Disclaimer This article is written as opinion, commentary, and personal interpretation based on publicly available records, meeting observations, agenda materials, and information I have heard from community sources. Any statements involving motives, intent, conflicts of interest, contracts, relationships, or behind-the-scenes activity should be understood as alleged, suspected, or opinion unless directly supported by cited public records. Readers are encouraged to review the linked materials, attend public meetings, request records, and form their own conclusions. Nothing in this article should be interpreted as a final statement of fact about any person’s legal conduct, criminal behavior, or ethical violations.

A Little Spin Reveals a Bigger Problem

by | Apr 16, 2026 | Brittany Colberg, Candidates, Current City Council, Elections, Politics

Frisco Chronicles Response – April 2026

There’s an old saying: if you don’t have the timeline on your side, you better have a good story. And if you don’t have either… well, you write a blog post like the one we just read. Let’s walk through what’s being sold versus what actually holds water.

The Timeline Problem They Hope You Ignore

A recent post by a lame blog, leans heavily on the idea that a so-called “bombshell” text ties the Colberg’s to some grand political scheme involving secret recordings used to influence the May 2025 election.

Sounds dramatic. There’s just one problem—it doesn’t line up with reality.

The recordings in question (the now-infamous “Tammy Tapes”) were released on May 3, 2025.

The “smoking gun” text? Dated June 2–4, 2025.

That’s not a minor detail. That’s the entire case falling apart.

You can’t “weaponize” something a month after it’s already been released to the public. That’s not strategy—that’s hindsight dressed up as conspiracy. So right out of the gate, the central premise collapses under its own timeline.

The “Colbergs” Narrative – Built on Sand

The blog tries to create intrigue by emphasizing the message came from “The Colbergs”—plural. A household. A unit. A dramatic flourish meant to imply coordinated action.

But here’s what gets conveniently glossed over: Even by their own referenced commentary, the message traces back to Erich Colberg, not Brittany. No joint plotting. No evidence of collaboration. Just a stretch—one of those reach-across-the-table, nearly-fall-out-of-your-chair stretches—to tie a candidate into something for maximum political effect.

And let’s be honest: if the evidence were that strong, there wouldn’t be a need to play grammatical gymnastics with the word “Colbergs.”

The Court Filing Argument – A Leap Too Far

Another pillar of the dog’s argument is that legal filings to suppress the text somehow equal guilt.

That’s a bold claim—and a dangerous one.

By that logic, anyone who files a motion to limit or challenge evidence in court is automatically admitting wrongdoing. That’s not how the legal system works. Not in Texas. Not anywhere. People file motions for all kinds of reasons: privacy concerns, relevance disputes, procedural issues. It’s called due process, not confession.

Turning routine legal maneuvering into a smoking gun isn’t analysis—it’s narrative-building.

The Missing Connection No One Can Find

Let’s address the elephant in the room: Frisco Chronicles.

Despite the repeated attempts to connect dots, draw lines, and build a web of intrigue, here are the facts:

  • Frisco Chronicles has never met the Colbergs.
  • Frisco Chronicles has never communicated with the Colbergs.
  • The Colbergs had no involvement in the recordings.
  • Frisco Chronicles operates independently—period.

No shadow network. No backroom coordination. No secret alliance. Just a stubborn refusal to fit into someone else’s storyline.

What This Really Looks Like

When you strip away the dramatic tone, the selective framing, and the carefully chosen wording, what’s left? A post built on:

  • A timeline that doesn’t work
  • An association that isn’t proven
  • A legal argument that overreaches
  • And a narrative that fills in gaps with assumption

In other words, not a revelation—an attempt.

The Real “Big Truth”

The blog titled their piece “A Little Lie Reveals a Big Truth.” On that, we actually agree—just not in the way they intended.

The “big truth” isn’t about a coordinated political scheme. It’s about how quickly speculation can be dressed up as certainty when there’s an election around the corner. It’s about how a single text—taken out of context, stripped of timing, and stretched to its limits—can be turned into a headline. And maybe most importantly, it’s about relevance.

Because when you can’t match the impact, the reach, or the receipts… sometimes the next best move is to manufacture a moment.

Final Thought

If this is what passes for a “bombshell,” then the bar has dropped somewhere near the basement. Frisco voters deserve facts, not stitched-together narratives that fall apart under basic scrutiny. And if this is the best attempt at keeping up? Well… let’s just say the gap isn’t closing anytime soon.

Lastly, we are still shocked how the dog’s side is more concerned about the exposure of wrongdoing versus if Tammy Meinershagen had done nothing – nothing would have been revealed. She is directly responsible for her actions.

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.

Follow The $100,000

by | Jan 22, 2026 | Ann Anderson, Brittany Colberg, Campaign Donations, Campaign Finance Reports, Candidates, Current City Council, Developements, Elections, Elections & Campaigns, Ethics Complaints, Frisco City Council Place 2, Frisco City Council Place 4, Gopal Ponangi, Jerry Spencer, John Keating, John Redmond, Josh Meek, Mark Piland, Politics, Sai Krishnarajanagar, Sangita Datta

For some time now we have questioned the campaign finance reports of local leaders.  Back in February of 2023 we wrote about Dark Money where we laid out how individuals associated with the PGA, The Link, or Fields projects donated to our current sitting city council members.  If you haven’t read it, you should because it is alarming.  Then we asked the question, did Keating and Pelham accept “DIRTY FUNDS?”  We are talking about the $10,000 Keating took and $5000 Pelham took in 2021 from Veton Krasniqi, a man who appears to owe the school district $24,093.47 in back taxes.  How did we learn about this, a campaign finance report.  As we said they can be Shakespearean sonnets of bureaucratic paperwork.

Well Friends, we have hit that moment in every local election where you stop arguing about yard signs and start arguing about spreadsheets.  Campaign finance reports are in, the ink is dry, and the numbers are… well… robust. The kind of robust you usually only see in luxury hotel valuations and developer prospectuses.  

Let’s do what Frisco Chronicles does best: open the books, raise an eyebrow, crack a joke, and ask the questions everyone else is politely avoiding. Because when the money talks this loud, voters deserve to listen carefully.

Exhibit A: John Keating — “Show Me the Money” Edition

Mayor John Keating filed his January 12, 2026, campaign finance report covering 7/1/25 through 12/31/25, reporting $142,909.24 in Total Political Contributions.  That’s not couch-cushion money. That’s “somebody expects a return on investment” money.

Let’s stroll through a few highlights:

  • Myles Freeman, President of Wiley X Inc – $1,000
  • Joe Hickman, Blue Star Land – $1,000
  • Jordan Wallace, Wallace Ventures – $1,000
    • (Appears to be invested in a $130 million luxury hotel… casual.)
  • Gerrit Parker – $2,500
  • Ryan Griffin, Rockhill Investments – $5,000
  • James Webb – $5,000
  • James Webb (again) – $10,000

James Webb’s name kept nagging at us.  Turns out, we’d written about him before in “Election Fix: Developer Dreams & Dollars.” According to the DMN, Preferred Imaging LLC, headed by James H. Webb of Frisco, allegedly performed services requiring a supervising physician without one on-site. The company did not admit wrongdoing but still paid a $3.5 million settlement following investigations by federal and state authorities, including the Civil Medicaid Fraud Division.  So, here’s the uncomfortable question no one else is asking out loud: When Keating accepted Webb’s donation in 2017, should he have known about Webb’s past?  And knowing what’s publicly available now, why keep accepting the money? Did he have any concerns in 2026 taking two donations that totaled $15000?

Asking questions is not an accusation. It’s civic hygiene.

Then …the Real Jaw-Dropper

Frisco 380 Partners made two donations of $50,000 each. That’s $100,000. From a developer.  Let that marinate.

Who is Frisco 380 Partners? Great question. We tried to find them. Information is… sparse. Very sparse. Which only adds to the mystery.  Because when a developer writes a six-figure check in a local mayoral race, voters are allowed—no, obligated—to ask: What do they want?  What do they expect?  And will Frisco residents be paying the bill later?

Oh, and let’s not forget: HillCo PAC – $5,000

Exhibit B: Mark Hill — LLC Palooza 🎪

Mark Hill’s report shows: Total Political Contributions: $110,434.25

And this one read less like a donor list and more like a Chamber of Commerce speed-dating event for LLCs.  A sampling:

  • ARKONS Ventures LLC (Irving) – $15,000
  • Yash Vasti (Irving) – $10,000
  • Atchuta Rao Roppana (Frisco) – $10,000
  • CMSW Realty LLC – $5,000
  • Orange Roofing & Construction – $5,000
  • Lone Star Food Plano LLC – $5,000
  • Bawarchi Holdings LLC – $2,500
  • Trilock Foods, LLC (McKinney) – $2,500

Plus a long list of donors from Irving, Richardson, Southlake, McKinney, The Colony, San Antonio—which raises another question: Why does so much outside money care deeply about who runs Frisco?

Jennifer Luney donated $2,000 and we are curious if this is the same JL connected to the Visual Arts Guild of Frisco? We’re genuinely curious.

Now, Let’s Talk Law (Because This Part Matters)

Straight from the Texas Ethics Commission FAQ: Corporations (including nonprofit corporations) and labor organizations may not make political contributions in connection with Texas and local elections.

While the word “LLC” isn’t explicitly shouted from the rooftops, the practical effect under Texas law is clear: Individuals may donate personally.  Corporations and most LLCs may NOT donate directly to a candidate. 

LLCs with only individual members may donate if the contribution is properly attributed to those individuals—not the company.  Business entities can donate to ballot-measure-only PACs, not candidates.  So, the million-dollar (or $15,000) question becomes: Were these LLC donations properly attributed to individual members? Or were businesses writing checks directly to candidates?

Because that distinction isn’t trivia—it’s the law.

Final Thought: Residents Should Be Concerned

This isn’t Republican vs Democrat. This isn’t pro-growth vs anti-growth. This is about who gets heard in Frisco—and who gets drowned out by money. Residents should be asking loudly $100,000 grand from one developer. When developers, PACs, and LLCs dominate campaign finance reports, regular residents are left wondering whether their $25 donation, no donation—or their vote—still matters. For years you have heard voters in Frisco have voter apathy but maybe they just don’t think it will matter because our elections are bought and paid for. Voters are wondering if Frisco’s elections are bought, or merely… heavily leased?  And when City Hall opens for business, who exactly is the biggest client?  Next up, the other two mayoral candidates.