Transparency Failures

Wouldn’t the world be such a simple place if someone’s nose really grew when they told a lie?  Think about it for a moment, we wouldn’t have to spend so much time trying to determine if someone is telling the truth or a lie.  It is much easier in person through verbal and non-verbal ques to tell if someone is lying or withholding the truth from you than it is through filing a Public Information Request.  However, PIR’s are all we have here at Frisco Chronicles to get to the truth.

Recently we filed several PIR’s based on leads we received from “whistleblowers” to see if the city would disclose “The Truth” to us through PIR requests.  One of the PIR requests read, We would like the list of the complaints made about political signs to code enforcement or the city secretary for the period of 1/1/2024 to present.  We would like a copy of any complaint made about electioneering at the election polls from April 20th to May 5th.”  It is a very simple request and after we paid the $6.30 we thought we would get a handful of responses.  Instead, we found that the city left a lot of complaints out of our request.  We know this because many folks sent us copies of their complaints to the city and they are not in the disclosed information given to us even though it fits the criteria of the request.

The first email we received a copy of was from Councilman John Keating, sent to Kristi Morrow on May 4th, Election Day.  It states “poll greeters are playing loud music at FS 8 (they turn it down, then turn it back up).  Also, this truck passed through the parking lot several times.  Within 30 minutes of receiving the email Kristi Morrow forwarded it to Amy Moore in Code Enforcement who made her way out to Fire Station 8.  This is the incident we reported about in our blog Election Playbook: Code Enforcement

The interesting thing about this email is that John Keating failed to mention to the City Secretary his own team including himself, The Cheney’s, and his friends were electioneering in the parking lot for almost four hours that morning.  It is documented with pictures in our blog and proves our point that it is okay for John Keating to break the rules, but others can’t.  Just “PAR FOR THE COURSE” in the city council world.

The next email we received in our PIR was about “Illegal Signs” that was sent by Judy Adams on May 3 to City Secretary, Kristi Morrow.  It states, “These signs are placed by polling stations all over the city.  It is in violation since there are no disclaimers.  Very sad that ‘these people’ are claiming to uphold the law and order but are breaking the law by doing the things they accuse others of.  I believe they should be removed immediately.”  The picture just barely shows the corner of a sign, but we did recognize it.

Why did we recognize the sign?  It is a Frisco Chronicles sign!  Now to be clear we did not buy these signs, we did not put them out, and we have no clue who did.  With that said we do love them, and they gave us a good laugh!  We received an anonymous email from a whistleblower that they put them out to spread the word of our site.  They did confirm they were all placed on private property and none of them were placed on city property or at any fire station.  Lastly, it is not a political action committee, it does not support a candidate, so it does not need a disclaimer. 

Judy, think about carpet cleaner signs or we buy ugly houses signs, do they need disclaimers?  We suggest Judy Adams focus on what she does best which is blowing people aka blo me!  Now get your mind out of the gutter! We are referring to her focusing on her new Blo Bar she just opened for those who need a good blow, or maybe her real estate career, or her closed coffee bar instead of silly illegal signs on private property. Better yet maybe she should make her own BLO ME signs with a phone number to make an appointment, if she does, we will make sure to have readers call them in for being illegal signs.

The third email we received was from April 22 from Jeff Cheney to City Secretary, Kristi Morrow.  It is important to note the email was sent from JCheney@friscotexas.gov so clearly, he wrote this as the “Mayor of Frisco” and not as an individual resident.  It states, “Pretty clear this is not in compliance with the maximum size of 10×10” referring to the Firefighters tent at Station 7.   Kristi Morrow sent the email to Amy Moore in Code Enforcement and Amy replied Justin was on his way to the station.  Then Kristi Morrow replied and asked Amy to call her when she gets a chance.  Wonder what they talked about?

The next email we received was on April 25th, from Councilman John Keating (JKeating@friscotexas.gov) to City Secretary Kristi Morrow and Assistant City Manager, Henry Hill. He questions if “these are allowed as they are showing up at polling stations.  He specifically notes the one at Fire Station 7 in the picture he submitted.  He is referring to a Voter Guide Stand that is put out at every election by a political conservative group called Red Wave.  You can see at the bottom of the voter guide it says Pol Ad Paid For Red Wave Texas. 

Why does Keating not like the voter guide stand?  Oh, that is because it has listed for Place 1 Mark Piland and for Place 3 John Redmond.  We want to know how often John Keating votes in elections.  These have been at polling sites during several election cycles.  If he is just now seeing it, then we are curious if he has been doing his civic duty to vote?  Maybe he just didn’t like it because it was not his name on the guide!

Lastly, we received an excel spreadsheet of complaints.  Not sure what to make of it!

Here is the problem, our request was very simple and straightforward which states, “We would like the list of the complaints made about political signs to code enforcement or the city secretary for the period of 1/1/2024 to present.  We would like a copy of any complaint made about electioneering at the election polls from April 20th to May 5th.”  We have several emails sent to us which reported about in our blog, Breaking All The Rules related to John Keating, Angelia Pelham and the Safety-First Frisco PAC putting up signs at 9am on Sunday April 21st which was 6 to 9+ hours earlier than they were allowed.   We have several emails about the 4 x 4 political signs at Station 7 and questioning if they are on city property that were sent to us.

We also have several emails sent to the city secretary regarding electioneering occurring at the polls, some even documented with videos and pictures.

Yet none of these emails and others we have were given to us in our Public Information Request.  They fit the issue, time frame and criteria of the request we made so why don’t we have them from the city.  What other emails have they withheld that we don’t know about?  Readers and have sent them in but our own city will not be forthcoming and turn them over in a Public Information Request.  We have proof the city HAS WITHELD PUBLIC RECORDS…AGAIN!   The city claims TRANSPARENCY, yet they can’t even be honest with a public information request and fulfill it as they should.  WHY DOES THE CITY LIE AND HIDE INFORMATION FROM TAXPAYERS? 

We have a PIR out right now for the body cam footage from the Code Enforcement cameras worn during the election, but they have sent that to the Attorney General.  Why do they not want us to hear the conversations they had at the polls with the political candidates or the firefighters regarding code enforcement complaints called in? 

Most concerning is how our Mayor and Councilman Keating act like winey children when it is something they don’t like so they use their city emails and position to make complaints which are acted upon immediately by the city.  However, the numerous complaints about the signs being put out early at the fire stations by these same folks had no action or fines taken against them for clearly violating the rules.  Rules that they should know as they are sitting active council members.  Remember John Keating has 16 years on council so if he does not know the rules by now, then he truly is dumber than a bag of rocks.  In fact, those complaints are not even documented apparently, or they would have been in our public information request.   This is Frisco folks!  Rules for thee but not for me! 

Election Playbook: Code Enforcement

Do you know what the “Golden Rule” is in politics? It is rules for thee but not for me, which we have told you about many times. Common folks are expected to abide by the laws and ordinances like obedient little sheep. In the meantime, our politicians roam the pasture of power with the freedom of a rebellious teenager. They preach about transparency while hiding behind closed doors in executive session like hermits guarding their precious secrets. The concept of accountability is elusive like a mirage in the desert and the tragic outcome is voters losing faith in the system. In politics, only one thing is consistent and that is the double standard.

Ordinance No. 2020-10-69 which goes along with the Texas Election Code authorizes the City Council to enact reasonable regulations concerning the time, place, and manner of electioneering on a public premises used as a polling location. In the ordinance it states a “voting period” shall mean the period beginning the hour the polls open for early voting and ending when the polls close or the last voter has voted on election day (whichever is later).

The voting period is important because the ordinance states it is an “OFFENSE” for any person to leave electioneering signs on City-owned or controlled property that is used as a polling location before 6:00 p.m. before the “voting period” begins and to have them up (24) hours after the voting period ends. According to the ordinance any person, firm, corporation, or business entity violating this Ordinance, could be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and possibly face a fine not exceeding Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00).

The first email we received said that they knew of several people who made complaints to the City Secretary or Code Enforcement about signs being put out on April 21st, at least 6 hours before the allowed time frame. Who was the offender in this case? Glad you asked, it was John Keating, Angelia Pelham and Safety-First Frisco Vote No PAC who violated the rules. Did the city send out someone to confirm the violation? No. Did the city fine someone for the indisputable violation? No!

The email continued and said since it happened on a Sunday when Code Enforcement is off duty, they were not able to confirm or prove the violation. Why didn’t Code Enforcement ask the city to pull the security footage at each fire station, as they are surrounded by cameras? Did they receive time stamped photos with any of the complaints? This is how they “brush it under the rug.”

Even if they had been working, would you want to write a ticket or citation to a sitting council member? How could a code enforcement officer be comfortable with that? The CE Officer knows the council members could make one phone call, that will go down the chains of command, leaving the CE officer vulnerable. If they had been caught, Keating, Pelham, and the Safety-First Frisco PAC would have just blamed it on the “contractor” who put out the signs. Fred Lusk is the contractor, and he has done if for years, just look at the campaign finance reports. Mr. Lusk knows the rules! How about we call it what it is, Special Treatment! It goes directly to rules for thee but not for me!

This year the battle for the ballot votes was a heated one. So much so, that the following weekend after the original sign violation Code Enforcement was on the clock. Did they approve overtime for Code Enforcement for Saturday and Sunday April 27th and 28th? According to witnesses they did make an appearance at the open polling stations over the weekend. Based on conversations with some regular poll greeters who work every election, they have never seen code enforcement, especially not on weekends. What was special about his election, that code enforcement needed to work weekends?

Code Enforcement played a critical role in this election. In fact, we received another email that stated Code Enforcement showed up wearing “Body Cameras” like a police officer. Now according to the election code, Section 61.014 election officials recommend police officers turn off body cameras when within 100 feet of a voting station. That applies to officers on or off duty. The reason, it helps to maintain voter privacy while voters are voting at polling stations, standing in line to vote, or walking in and out of voting stations. Why did Code Enforcement need body cameras? Did they turn their body cameras off or violate someone’s privacy near the polls? Have they ever had to wear body cams before?

Another email stated it felt like Code Enforcement was hassling or targeting the Frisco Firefighters. For example, the ordinance states you are allowed to have a tent, canopy or similar covering that does not exceed 10 feet by 10 feet in size. The firefighters were not aware of the size restriction and had a 10 x 20 tent at Station 7. They were told the tent was in violation and had to come down immediately. The firefighters complied without issue.

Then the code enforcement officer pointed out that it was also an offense for them to attach, place or otherwise affix any electioneering sign, literature, material, tent or other device to any building, tree, shrub, pole or other improvement on City-owned or controlled property used as a polling location. He told them the new vinyl banner made for the propositions had to come down from the tent. The firefighters complied without issue.

The firefighters got created and used their vehicle at another polling site and again they were told they could not affix signs to their truck that was outside the 100ft electioneering marker. Based on the verbiage above we would argue the truck which is owned by a firefighter is not a building, tree, shrub pole or other improvement on city-owned property. If that is electioneering, then why were candidates allowed to put signs in the windows of their cars at stations all over the city that were parked on city-owned property?

Next, he pointed out that any sign on the premises could not exceed four (4) square feet and could not exceed more than (4) feet in height including any supporting poles. The firefighter’s response was to cut up the banner to meet the guidelines. If felt like the next day, we saw new signs and confirmed they had printed new signs that were 2 x 2 and 4 x 1. According to the email, Code Enforcement was not amused by the new signs when they returned and apparently measured each one of them at each station to make sure they were within ordinance size requirements.

Now, we know Code Enforcement is just doing their job, but we were curious were their actions based on a complaint called in or were they simply doing a polling site inspection when they noticed these violations? Did everyone at the polls receive the same attention as the firefighters? We will know as soon as we get the PIR back from the city.

Another email stated, Code Enforcement came out to check the roadway political signs at polling stations. Apparently at Station 7 a “John Keating” 4 x 6 roadway sign popped up before early voting began. Code Enforcement arrived with two officers who walked over to the roadway signs at the edge of city property. The email stated they glanced at the Keating sign then walked right past it to 2 other signs that belong to John Redmond and Mark Piland. The officers talked and looked at the iPad they were carrying. That is when they noticed a person walking towards them who appeared to be from one of the campaign teams. When the campaign rep returned, they asked them was going on now? The campaign person replied, “I guess there was a sign complaint.” She said she was just checking to make sure there were no issues with her candidate’s signs because she was concerned with how they were looking at them. She said then they pointed out to her where the city property line was, and the Keating roadway sign was right on the line.

The email stated they were concerned by what they heard because just weeks before her brother (a sign contractor) had several roadway political signs go missing from the same spot. He thought it was because they were on city property, but it turns out it was private property and the landlord from the shopping center had taken them down. At that time code enforcement pointed to the Angelia Pelham and John Keating signs located next to the sidewalk (which you can see in the picture right next to the Vote NO sign). The Code Enforcement officer them at that time those signs were right on the city property line which lines up with the bush on the opposite side facing the private property. Keatings new sign was at least 2 ft in from the back side of the bush so it should have been on city property. So, where is the city property line? Maybe the city should disclose that so people can follow the rules better.

The last email we received referred to the violations happening at Station 8 on Election Day by none other than John Keating, his poll greeters, and the Cheney’s. The email stated that for several of the morning hours Keating’s poll greeters were walking into the parking lot to greet people exiting from their cars. They would talk to them about how they need to go in and vote for Keating and against the propositions then come outside and take a picture “with the candidate or Mayor.”

Unsure if that was allowed, a poll greeter emailed Collin County Elections to ask the rules about being in the parking lot outside of the 100 ft marker point. Elections emailed back it was okay, so a poll greeter for another candidate went out to the parking lot stood on the grassy median and did the same thing Keatings poll greeters had done all morning. It was at that moment, when Jeff and Dana Cheney yelled out, “you can’t do that, you can’t do that!” Then she said a voice from the side said, “well you have been doing it all morning and told them elections confirmed they can do it.” That is when Mayor Cheney said Frisco has an ordinance against doing that and Dana Cheney yells out, I can just file a complaint; I will call right now and file a complaint.

Next, they saw the poll greeter come back up to the sidewalk and one of the poll greeters emailed the City of Frisco to file a complaint against Keating and his poll greeters, and Cheney’s. The email included videos and pictures of the violations (which we received also). Within 20 minutes, Code Enforcement showed up at Fire Station 8 and told everyone they had a complaint with pictures of poll greeters electioneering in the parking lots and reminded them they cannot enter the parking lots or driveways. They told the poll greeters if they had to come back, they would be writing tickets.

Mayor Jeff Cheney was referring to Section 54-213 of Ordinance No. 2020-10-69 which states, “It is an offense for any person to engage in electioneering on driveways or parking areas on the premises of a polling location or in such areas that the fire chief or his/her designee determines to be unsafe for electioneering or determines will interfere with patrons or city employees and staff who use the areas other than for election purposes. This restriction shall not apply to electioneering signs, literature or materials that are attached to vehicles lawfully parked at the premises of a polling location.”

In closing, say it with us, “Rules For Thee But Not For Me!” Clearly the Cheney’s and Keating know the ordinances so why did their own team break them all morning long? Keating stood on the sidewalk and watched his poll greeters go after car after car in the parking lot all morning. Why didn’t Keating or the Cheney’s correct the electioneering offense happening then by his own poll greeters? Dana said she could go in the parking lot because she did not have any clothes on supporting a candidate, but that is not true because before she stepped into the parking lot, she was holding a candidates sign on the nearby sidewalk, so it was clear she was poll greeting regardless of what she was wearing. It is just another example of how the rules don’t apply to the Elite who sit on our council. We can understand giving a warning for violations but not when it’s the City Council and the Mayor whose signatures is on the ordinance. Maybe Cinderella Cheney needs to hold herself, her husband, her adult son, and their friends on council accountable for their actions.

Stolen Voices: The Political Sign Snatcher

Ah, the scenic drive through Frisco during election season, where the streets are a colorful mosaic of political fervor. Each corner proudly displays a candidate’s political sign, as if competing for the most eye-catching display of democracy in action. You can’t help but marvel at the sheer dedication to plastering every available inch of space with campaign paraphernalia. And just when you think you’ve had your fill, you reach the sanctuary of your neighborhood, only to find it transformed into a battleground of conflicting endorsements.

The other day driving home from H-E-B, my wife and I were commenting on all the signs, and she mentioned how we had received emails from several people about a possible “Political Sign Snatcher” among us.  Then she started humming a tune and I silently thought to myself, what song is that?  Then it hit me, talk about a flash back to the past, it was Ace of Base- The Sign.

I saw the sign and it opened up my eyes I saw the sign
Life is demanding without understanding
I saw the sign and it opened up my eyes I saw the sign

Oh, oh, oh, oh.

I saw the sign and it opened up my mind.
And I am happy now.

When we reached home, I raced to the lazy boy, opened the laptop, and started to read our emails.  I was shocked to learn that a “Political Sign Snatcher” had stolen hundreds of signs that were found in a sewer drain.   We received an anonymous tip that hundreds of “Fire Association Signs’ were found in a local sewer drain.  That’s right, stuffed down deep in a city sewer drain off a neighborhood road.  We reached out to a city insider who told us they received a complaint and the next morning both the Fire Fighters Association and the Police or Streets Department went to the location and guess what?  All the signs were gone! 

Hundreds of signs in a drain now missing and we are guessing the value of those signs is easily over $1000.00 and residents should be concerned about it.

We have so many questions and so should you!  If a resident called in a complaint, and the signs went missing by the next morning, who took them?   How would the political sign snatcher know they need to come back and get the signs out of the sewer before getting caught?   Someone would have had to tip them off that someone had filed a complaint which could lead to them getting caught.  Who has access to the complaint made by the citizen?  If someone in the city did “WARN” the sign snatcher that could put the city in very hot water. 

We are curious, did any homes nearby have cameras and did the city streets and sewer team notify the police?  If so, is there now an open investigation?

What do you think?  Tell us in the comments!

Breaking All the Rules

Driving around our city today, we were very upset to find that Angelia Pelham, John Keating and the Vote NO PAC thought it was okay for them to just break all the rules. We passed our first fire station at Cotten Gin to see political signs out at 9am, then around 10:30 we passed our second fire station at the Denton Government Center, to see more signs displayed. Why is this a problem? The signs according to the rules should not be displayed until 6pm the night before the poles open.

Pelham, Keating and Bill Woodard who runs the Vote No Pac know the rules and they JUST DON’T CARE! It is an absolute slap in the face and show of blatant disrespect for the rules. It is a behavior that happens over and over because our council members feel entitled and special and as if the rules were made for the peons not the elite.

Angelia’s campaign slogan is “YOU KNOW ME!” Yes, Angelia we do! You expect us to follow the rules, but you are exempt from them. Neither you or your campaign team are naive campaigning and the rules around it, which means there is no excuse.

Keating claims “Promises Made, Promises Kept!” If that is true, then he read the campaign booklet you get when running for office which states the rules. He also signed off on that he understood those rules and agreed to adhere to them. After 13 years on our council and multiple elections if Keating does not know the rules by now, then he is A) an idiot, or B) entitled and thinks he is exempt from the following the rules because he is THE JOHN CHEATING KEATING! Well, you made a promise when you signed off you understood the rules and guess what, YOU BROKE YOUR PROMISE, AGAIN!

Now, we would bet money their response would be “oh our sign guy didn’t realize the rules and we are so sorry.” We would believe that but, the sign guy is Fred “The Lawbreaker” Lusk, and he has been doing this for years and been through many elections. HE KNOWS THE RULES INSIDE AND OUT but obviously does not care! The worst part is our council approves of “The Lawbreaker Lusks” ways and methods and use him over and over for the elections.

As we go into tomorrow, the first day of early voting, we hope residents realize that these people who claim credibility, integrity, transparency, and accountability yet they are lying to you right to you. The rules apply to you and me, but let’s be clear they do not apply to Jeff Cheney, Angelia Pelham, and John Keating. They are literally showing you they think they are above the law, so open your eyes and realize enough is enough. It is time to change Frisco!