After former council member Tracie Reveal Shipman stepped up to the Citizens Input podium to publicly scold two sitting council members over their campaign finance reports, we figured it was a good time to do what Frisco Chronicles does best: pull the thread and see what unravels.
If we’re going to talk aboutethical leadership and transparencywith a straight face, then the microscope shouldn’t only hover over political opponents or convenient targets. Transparency, after all, is not a karaoke song—you don’t get to sing only the parts you like.
So, in the spirit of civic duty, ethical leadership, and good old-fashioned dumpster diving, we decided to take a look at campaign finance compliance across both Frisco ISD trustees and City Council candidates.
Spoiler alert: this trash pile has layers.
The Rules (Because Facts Are Stubborn Things)
Under Texas Election Law, the rules are not optional, vibes-based, or enforced only when politically convenient. Here’s the short version:
Anyone who files a Campaign Treasurer Appointment (Form CTA) must file semiannual campaign finance reports.
This requirement continues even after the election ends, even if the candidate:
Lost
Raised $0
Spent $0
Retired emotionally from politics
The only way out? Cease campaign activity and file a FINAL report.
Straight from Texas Election Code §254.063:
July 15 report (covering Jan 1 – June 30)
January 15 report (covering July 1 – Dec 31)
No report. No “oops.” No “but I meant to.” The law does not care.
Frisco ISD Trustees: Let’s Start There
Public disclosures and election records can be found here:
Mark Hill Frisco ISD Board of Trustees – Now Running for Mayor
Not in Compliance
Filed a campaign finance report in January 2024
That report was NOT marked “Final”
Meaning… the reporting requirement continues
Missing Reports:
❌ July 2024
❌ January 2025
❌ July 2025
Even $0 activity requires a filing. The form literally allows you to write “$0” repeatedly. Democracy loves paperwork.
Question for voters: If a candidate can’t follow the most basic campaign finance rules, should they be trusted with the mayor’s office? Asking for a city.
Dynette Davis Frisco ISD Trustee
In Compliance
Filed her July 2025 report which shows $0 contributions and $0 expenditures
Boring? Yes.
Correct? Also yes.
Gold star. No sarcasm required.
Sherrie Salas Frisco ISD Board of Trustees
Not in Compliance
Missing required reports:
❌ January 2025
❌ July 2025
Again, silence is not a filing strategy.
Keith Maddox Frisco ISD Board of Trustees
Not in Compliance
❌ Missing July 2025 report
One report doesn’t sound like much—until you remember compliance isn’t optional.
City Council: Same Rules, Same Problems
Now let’s shift from the school board to City Hall.
Mark Piland Candidate in the January 31 Special Election
In Compliance
Filed correctly. Reports accounted for. No notes.
Ann Anderson Candidate – City Council
Major Compliance Issues
Filed a Campaign Treasurer Appointment on November 17, 2023
Has filed ZERO campaign finance reports since
That means we’re missing:
❌ June 2024
❌ July 2024
❌ January 2025
❌ July 2025
Per state law, once a treasurer is on file, reports are mandatory until a FINAL report is filed. No reports = not compliant. Full stop.
So… About That Podium Speech
When someone publicly calls out others for ethical lapses, it’s fair to ask:
Has this same scrutiny been applied consistently?
Has the speaker reviewed all campaign finance reports with equal vigor?
Or is ethics enforcement selective—like a traffic cop who only pulls over certain cars?
Transparency is not a weapon. It’s a standard. And standards only work when they apply to everyone.
Final Thought
Campaign finance compliance isn’t complicated. It’s tedious. It’s boring. It’s paperwork-heavy. And that’s exactly why it matters.
Because if a candidate can’t handle the boring rules when no one’s watching, how exactly are they going to handle power when everyone is?
We’ll keep digging. Because someone has to.
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.
Sec. 254.063. SEMIANNUAL REPORTING SCHEDULE FOR CANDIDATE. (a) A candidate shall file two reports for each year as provided by this section.
(b) The first report shall be filed not later than July 15. The report covers the period beginning January 1, the day the candidate’s campaign treasurer appointment is filed, or the first day after the period covered by the last report required to be filed under this subchapter, as applicable, and continuing through June 30.
(c) The second report shall be filed not later than January 15. The report covers the period beginning July 1, the day the candidate’s campaign treasurer appointment is filed, or the first day after the period covered by the last report required to be filed under this subchapter, as applicable, and continuing through December 31.
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.
Politics is nasty. No surprise there. It attracts the best and the worst in people—but mostly the worst when election season heats up like a June sidewalk in Texas. And while anonymous commentary has long been a staple of free speech (hey, Frisco Whistleblower isn’t exactly sending selfies), there’s a wide, dusty canyon between anonymity and outright impersonation.
Let’s make this clear: creating an anonymous account to voice your opinion is one thing. Creating a fake account using someone else’s real photo, name, and identity? That’s a whole other universe of dirty. And in that universe, you’re not just trolling your political enemies—you’re potentially slandering innocent people and opening them up to have their reputational ruined, legal jeopardy, or worse.
Case in point: a local keyboard warrior operating under the name Bryan Bridges III (sometimes known as Ezra Bridges) has been bouncing around social media like a pinball, slapping his name on some big accusations and slinging insults like confetti at a cheap parade. The problem? The smiling face on Bryan’s profile pic? That’s not Bryan. That’s James Bridges—a real man who lives near the Oklahoma border, works with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and whose wife of 36 years is a Texas schoolteacher. He is a father of two sons and a grandfather of four grandchildren. He leads Bible studies and hosts weekly FCA huddles.
We are guessing James Bridges is not the Frisco flamethrower or political hatchet man. We are guessing he is just a man, living his life, who probably has no idea his photo is being used to publicly drag elected officials, political candidates, and constituents through the digital mud.
We like to fact check, so we have reached out to James Bridges via email and will be reaching out to his wife as well. We will of course let you know how he responds. If he responds the way we think he might, it’s going to be a doozy. We’ve taken all the screenshots sent to us of Bryan Bridges III comments and archived them as evidence. And if Mr. Bridges didn’t give consent for his image to be used in this toxic identity-theft theater, then “Bryan Bridges III” might be facing more than a few angry replies. He might be facing a libel suit.
Let’s stop and think about this: what if James’s employer stumbles across these posts and assumes he’s the one spouting off? What if someone at his wife’s school district mistakes him for the venomous ghostwriter behind the name? This is the sort of stunt that doesn’t just smear political opponents—it scorches innocent bystanders, too.
There’s a word for people who do this kind of thing: cowards. Cowards with no moral compass, hiding behind stolen faces because they know that if they showed their own, they’d have to answer for the mess they’re making. Maybe if they showed their face then we would know if they were the spouse of a council member, or a town bully, or maybe the sister of a political candidate.
Frisco deserves better than this kind of clown show. Say what you want, stand for what you believe—but do it under your own name or be completely anonymous. But don’t put real people on the line who don’t even live in our town to carry out your devious acts. Frisco Whistleblower has never claimed to be anyone but a resident of Frisco. We are not portraying ourselves as anyone we are not, we are just not disclosing who we are. Very different!
Because when you steal someone else’s identity just to hurl insults in a local election? That’s not speech. That’s sabotage. And we’re not letting it slide.
Let us know what you think:
Should the Frisco Police investigate this?
Should our city council members demand an investigation into this, the same way they did into the so-called “illegal recordings per Laura Woodward and Bryan Bridges III?” If they would like James Bridges information, we are happy to supply it to them.
Well Frisco, you might want to set down that Yeti tumbler and grab a porcelain teacup, because in this episode we’re not sipping sweet tea — we’re serving it scalding.
On today’s episode of “Who’s Mic Is It Anyway?” Tammy Meinershagen — our poised, polished, picture-perfect council darling — trades in her charm-school pearls for brass knuckles and pours out the kind of hot gossip that makes Bravo executives weep with envy.
You know Tammy: the one with the Barbie-blonde poise, high-heeled grace, and the kind of curated Instagram aesthetic that screams “I’m just like you but with better lighting.” For years, she’s been Frisco’s go-to for classy civic engagement and picture-perfect smiles. But as that hot mic keeps rolling, so does a side of Tammy that’s less Pageant Queen and more Petty Queen.
This time her tea kettle is pointed directly at fellow councilman John Keating — and boy, she doesn’t just spill the tea, she upends the entire teapot: ☕ John’s engagement disaster? Tammy’s got the play-by-play. ☕ His leadership skills? According to Tammy, “dumb and weak” might be putting it politely. ☕ Veterans backing him for mayor? Not according to Tammy’s version of events ☕ His girlfriend/fiancée/wife-to-be (we lost track)? Tammy claims she’s got the inside scoop on how that relationship’s less of a fairy tale and more of a soap opera. ☕ Talks to his ex-wife all the time? Tammy says yes. John’s privacy? Not so much.
At this point, the only thing hotter than Tammy’s tea is a July afternoon on the Star’s turf field.
So here’s the question we have to ask, Frisco: Is Tammy the well-spoken, community-loving stateswoman we all thought? Or is she Two-Faced Tammy — the master puppeteer sipping tea while setting matches? Better yet… which Tammy is running the show today?
Lastly, if John Keating is telling people he is running for Mayor, then doesn’t that mean he has to step down if he has started campaigning? 🫖🔥
One thing’s clear: In Frisco, trust might be harder to come by than a Legacy West parking spot on Saturday night.
👂 Stay tuned, because the tape keeps rolling… Who needs Ketchup Caddy when you have Two-Faced Tammy. Bring on the drama.
It’s campaign season in Frisco, and you know what that means: political signs are vanishing, alliances are shifting, and hypocrisy is doing cartwheels down Main Street. We have heard from a few citizens asking us why we have a “Double Standard” when it comes to calling out current city leaders who support Smart Frisco while we have said nothing about Brian Livingston who is supporting the Citizens For A Smarter Frisco PAC. We have been asked why we have not disclosed how the Vote No PAC – Citizens For A Smarter Frisco is funded? Honesty matters so here you go!
Let’s rewind the tape.
Let’s talk about the political elephant in the room—Smart Frisco, the feel-good PAC with a slick name, big-dollar backing, and conveniently aligned with current city leaders. Councilmembers Bill Woodard, Jeff Cheney, and Tammy Meinershagen have all publicly supported this PAC as well as previous PACs in the past while claiming to be wearing their “private citizen” hats on. We cannot pretend their alignment with Smart Frisco doesn’t carry political weight. Ah yes—the magical invisible hat that somehow lets you hold public office and advocate for propositions without consequences or accountability. It’s like Clark Kent glasses for ethics.
In the previous election Brian Livingston took no position and clearly said it is up to voters to decide and this time around he dared to speak up about his own concerns regarding the Frisco Center For The Arts during council meetings. It was not until the current city council members came out for a second time advocating for a PAC trying to influence the vote that Livingston clearly had enough and said what is good for the goose is good for the …..
Now critics cry foul and the pearly clutching begins! The cabal acting as if he had crossed a line even though they set the precedent crossing the sacred boundary. Livingston dared to voice his concerns and support for the Citizens for a Smarter Frisco PAC, which is advocating against the current Performing Arts Center deal and now critics cry foul, as though he’s crossed some sacred boundary, they themselves trampled over a year ago.
Behind Citizens For A Smarter Frisco PAC
Based on records filed with the city the PAC started a few weeks after Smart Frisco. The treasurer is listed at Chris Fields and from what we can tell he has no criminal record, does some political consulting and works in the IT Field. We pulled their campaign finance report, and they have $0 listed, $0 donations and until the next report is out, we will not know who funded the PAC. We messaged Chris Fields and asked why the PAC developed and he responded, “out of citizen concern.”
Livingston has been front and center for the PAC at forums and reposting their content but nowhere near the extent of the city leaders on the side of Smart Frisco. Do you feel that as a representative for the city council you should be representing a pack against the performing arts center?
Livingston: Honest, Direct, and—Let’s Face It—Right
We sent Mr. Livingston an email and asked him Do you feel that as a representative for the city council you should be representing a pack against the performing arts center and why he has chosen to support Citizens For A Smarter Frisco and this was his response.
Livingston wrote, “I want to be clear—I never wanted to represent a political action committee in this way. However, a precedent was set last year when other members of this council chose to publicly support a PAC while claiming to do so as private citizens. That action opened the door for elected officials to engage in public advocacy while still holding office, and I believe it’s important to be honest about that reality.
As a councilman, my first responsibility is to be transparent with the residents of Frisco. I have taken this position with the “Vote No” PAC because I firmly believe the current Performing Arts Center deal, as written, is not in the best interest of our city. I also strongly disagree with the proposed change in use of EDC funds, which were never intended to support projects of this nature.
This isn’t about opposing the arts—it’s about fiscal responsibility, honoring the original intent of our economic development tools, and making sure every deal we enter into reflects the long-term needs and values of the Frisco community.”
That’s what you call “owning” the situation. No spin. No double talk. Just a clear admission that if we’re going to play by these new rules, let’s at least acknowledge them out loud. Whether you agree with him or not, you can’t deny that what he’s offering is rare: a transparent position, rooted in fiscal concern, with zero political waffling.
What’s Good for the Goose…
Here’s the core issue: you can’t praise transparency when it suits your narrative and then screams “conflict of interest” when someone else plays by the rules you created. If it’s okay for Cheney, Meinershagen, and Woodard to champion a PAC two years in a row while in office, then say Brian Livingston’s advocacy for fiscal responsibility and public transparency is not appropriate and unnecessary. This isn’t about theater. It’s about trust. And whether you support the Performing Arts Center or not, you should support honest governance over political theater.
The Bottom Line
Frisco deserves better than this convenient amnesia and selective outrage. If elected officials want to play the PAC game, they should at least have the decency to stop pretending they’re playing as “private citizens.” And if a councilman speaks up about a shady deal and does so publicly, let’s not crucify him for being the only one saying the quiet part out loud. It would be totally disingenuous to pretend this isn’t political coordination masquerading as “just a concerned citizen.” The real issue isn’t who’s supporting which PAC—it’s why some voices are allowed a microphone, while others get handed a muzzle. Frisco voters are smarter than that. Let’s act like it.
There are several important dates to know when it comes to the ballot propositions:
First day of early voting—April 22
Last day of early voting—April 29
Election day—May 3
Want to weigh in? Got receipts or screenshots? You know the drill. 📩 FriscoWhistleblower@protonmail.com – Anonymity is our love language.
If transparency were a magic act, Frisco City Hall would be pulling rabbits out of hats while the real answers disappear up their sleeves. Welcome back to our ongoing tale of smoke, mirrors, and municipal mystery, The Phantom of Frisco saga. Now, in Part 2, we go deeper into the back corridors, where the stage props and “public meetings” feel more like rehearsed performances for an audience of none. Enjoy our final blog that expresses the last of concerns we have and we hope it lifts the curtains so you can see who’s really pulling the strings.
Community Arts vs Broadway:
For years, the Frisco Arts community was pushing the need for a community theater where residents could perform musicals, art shows and more. How did that turn into bringing Broadway to Frisco? Do we NEED Broadway – No! Do we NEED a COMMUNITY THEATRE EVENT SPACE – Yes! We have a lot of local groups who could benefit from it. A community theater event space would have a much smaller price tag than what the city is pitching today. The city and Tammy Meinershagen, the leader of Frisco Arts, are no longer thinking about the needs of Frisco residents or the Frisco Arts Community.
Backstage Pass to PAC Mentality
Smart Frisco is a local political action committee that supports Proposition A & B. We were open to learning more but then they did a post with the caption It’s Free! Immediately we wondered who is behind Smart Frisco? Who is running Smart Frisco? Who is funding Smart Frisco? NOTHING IS FREE!
The first report filed for the PAC is the Treasure Report which lists the name Heather Eastburn. We simply googled her name at that point to find out she was arrested in April 2023 for “Assault Causes Bodily Injury of a Family Member” and thought is this someone we should trust to tell us it’s free! Then we found out Eastburn used the excuse of being INDIGENT to bond out. That means the party of the original action is unable to afford the costs of paying or giving security costs (bond). Eastburn’s credibility was in question simply because she claims indigency to get free bond/lawyer all while telling Frisco Residents that the $340 million performing arts center IS FREE and WON’T COST US A CENT! Eastburn has a layer of problems we won’t expose here but, in the future, maybe fix your home before trying to take money from our pockets through sales tax.
Who is funding Smart Frisco?
The answer, Smart Frisco has been flushed with $20,000 in cash by Frisco North Development LLC, which is owned by the Wilks Brothers, who are building Firefly Park in Frisco. Firefly is slated to be a $2.5 to $4 BILLION dollar project located next to what could be the home of the future FCFA. Clearly having a Frisco Arts Center next to their billion-dollar development would benefit them greatly.
Then you have Councilman Bicycle Bill Woodard who donated to the PAC. He has done this before when he ran the PAC against the Frisco Firefighters in 2024. Why does his involvement make us cautious? Our city is constantly in the news, and every picture taken has our council front and center at events. When you want to use the excuse “I am doing this as a private citizen not a council member” we don’t buy it! We have proven that the PAC last year used city resources which Bill could have only had access to as a councilman and to us you can’t play both sides. Residents give more credibility to what he says because he is in a position of leadership versus another PAC run by regular ole joes! When a PAC is funded 99% by a developer, and the voice for the PAC is a city council member – that concerns us!
Letter of Intent (LOI) – Language Semantics at play!
How does semantics play into an LOI? Semantics is the meaning or interpretation of a word or sentence. A letter of intent (LOI) is a formal written document expressing a party’s intention to enter into a contract or agreement. It outlines the main terms of the future agreementand shows a serious commitment to a deal. LOIs are preliminary to any formal dealsor terms and are designed to be general and non-legally binding.
Pay attention to the key words in the definition which are intention, agreement, commitment, preliminary, and non-legally binding. The City Council wants us to vote on changing the use of funds in our EDC based on a commitment, preliminary, non-legally binding agreement. Some would say it is filled with semantical words, depending on how you interpret them.
On April 1st, the city council authorized a LOI with Frisco Live for them to be the operator-at-risk for the new FCFA. We reviewed the 8-page Venue Operator Letter of Intent and the first thing to catch our eye was the following which states, “Frisco Live is a Texas non-profit corporation formed by Broadway Dallas and Broadway Across America.” Then it goes on to say they will make the best effort to obtain tax-exempt status, however if they don’t the parties will still move forward.
Why does this matter? The non-profit with a tax-exempt status is to help them with FUNDING! Remember, the last $100 million must come from donors or heavy hitter sponsors. This is the biggest piece of “the unknown” pie that residents should be concerned with. According to the IRS website, “Until a nonprofit receives that status—even if it operates as a nonprofit in good faith—donations to it are not deductible. Just calling yourself a nonprofit or even being registered as a nonprofit corporation with your state is not enough for federal tax purposes.” Why would you donate when it is not tax right off? If they did not achieve tax-exempt status and the city moves forward anyways, then how will they cover the $100 million they are supposed to be raising from donors?
They also stated at the meeting they had done two funding studies and had a target list so why not share the studies. As of now we can only assume there are no donors who have signed a commitment to fill this gap. Project Theatres has stated numerous times that most donations don’t come in an upfront lump sum – they are given over years. The city needs to state before we vote to change the use of EDC funds what will happen if they don’t get that status and where will the money come from? Why would you vote so they can continue to move forward, spend more money on a very expensive project with so many unanswered risks. How much do we spend without knowing the facts? Again, residents need to ask themselves, are they willing to take a $100 million dollar risk?
Next the LOI talks about how Frisco Live will contribute $4 Million to the FCFA Capital Campaign Fund as part of the 2025 “silent capital campaign” effort. It goes on to say the delivery of that money is contingent upon the following and is fully refundable if not meet.
1. In the event the project is canceled before completion or fails to be completed.
2. If The City of Frisco and PISD fail to get the bond issuances necessary to design and construct the project.
3. The City’s authorization and funding of the one-time maximum $8 million reserve balance split between three City administered funds. First $6 Million for the startup “Operational Support Fund,” plus $1 Million for the “Facility Maintenance Fund” and $1Million for the “Major Capital Expense Restricted Fund.”
What caused us to be concerned? The number $8 million because every time this slide comes up in their presentations, they say $6 Million. They have failed to highlight the two $1 Million contributions, aka they just put that in the small print.
When we watched the April 7th meeting a resident named Dan Elmer took to the microphone (2:20:00) and explained his background in private equity and how he is in charge of approval authority for loans for a local bank. He said he could not vote yes for the propositions based on what was written in this LOI. He said he was incredibly disappointed to watch the council approve this LOI especially after Councilman Brian Livingston asked the question “who are the parties to the definitive operation agreement” being discussed and no one could answer that.
Elmer went on to say, while the consultants and council expressed Broadway Dallas and Broadway Across America, based on the current LOI that is not true. Elmer then held up the agreement and said Page 1 – “Parties Involved” – City of Frisco and Frisco Live Inc.” Elmer then asked, “Why does that matter?” The structure proposed is a remote bankruptcy structure and there is no recourse to Broadway Dallas or Broadway Across America. That would require a separate agreement.
Elmer then asked, “What’s the role of Broadway Dallas and Broadway Across America as written in the current LOI?” They are CONSULTANTS to Frisco Live! That means they are providing services to Frisco Live, a Non-Profit Bankruptcy Remote Entity. Why is that important?” Let’s say they run out of funding, Elmer said that means they have no assets, andno one is required to step up and fund this entity as the LOI is written today.
Elmer continued, “in order for that to happen you need a keep well agreement which is an agreement that those entities will continue to provide funding in the event of an operational loss which is not in this LOI today.” You don’t have a guarantee of an operating agreement from Broadway Dallas /Broadway Across America. What you do have is “THE PROMISE TO NEGOTIATE THE CONSULTING AGREEMENT AT A LATER DAY UNDER UNSPECIFIED TERMS.” He also stated at the April 1st meeting it was said we are not paying management fees to Broadway Dallas / Broadway Across America. He pointed out that it is not true, we will be paying consulting fees which are stated in the LOI. He said whatever fee arrangements are to be paid should be back end loaded to limit the fees they are paid early before the concept is proven. Again, he stated, none of that is discussed in the LOI. Holding up the agreement he said these are not things to be figured out in the next steps, these are material deal terms that are not in the framework of the deal.
Elmer went on to say that he reached out to the email on the presentation and the phone number to ask what the fees are to be paid in year 1 & 2 and he got no response. He closed by stating he is not against the project, but he is against a bad deal, and this is a bad deal. Sir, you took the words right out of our mouth!
Facility Use
We heard over and over the “Community Hall” will be shared by Prosper ISD and several local community groups. Based on the presentation on 4/7/2025 (slide 7) it stats that Prosper ISD, community non-profit arts organizations, small community events, visual arts exhibits and regional events will occupy the facility 84% of the time. The remaining 16% of the time it will be dark days, meaning no use. A note at the bottom of the slide says, “community use projections INCLUDE PISD NEEDS.”
Former City Manager, George Purefoy, posted on Facebook that he was told at the open house that the local arts groups will have approximately 50% of the use of the small theater. According to the city’s FAQ , “Prosper ISD is anticipated to be the predominant user of the Community Hall.” Funny they don’t have consistent answers to the questions! It must have been a typo when they left off the percentage on the answer in the FAQ. We decided to go directly to the source… Prosper ISD that is!
We emailed the Superintendent for Prosper ISD and one of the questions we asked was what % of the time would the community theater be used by Prosper ISD. The Chief Communication Officer responded to us, Rachel Trotter and said, “AS OF TODAY, THE SMALLER THEATER WILL BE USED 84% OF THE TIME BY PROSPER ISD.”
Question, if Prosper is using it 84% of the time and it’s dark 16% of the time, then when are the community non-profit arts organizations, small community events, visual arts exhibits, or regional events supposed to use the facility? The question of Prospers quantitative use of the community hall was asked this week and Gena with Project Theatres paused and never directly answered, instead she gave generic percentages as we expected. Based on how the Universal Kids vote went down, it is our opinion that the night of the vote many will be shocked to learn some “changes” may take place leaving no availability to other groups. We call it the Bait & Switch!
Well, they can use the large hall right? Yes, but can they afford to rent the large hall? Probably not!
Next, based on the usage chart, Broadway will only be using the Large Hall 15% of the time. A $340 million dollar investment for 15% of the time to be used for Broadway. Does that sound reasonable to you?
Conflict of Interest
Lastly, we point out the conflict of interest starting with Tammy Meinershagen. She claims to be voting yes for this because she believes it is good for the community; the truth is there is no way in hell she would vote against it. Tammy was introduced to music as a young child and plays the Violin and at age 5 she played her first concert at the Rockford Symphony Orchestra in front of 5000 people. Her family moved to Frisco in 2004, and in Voyage Dallas Magazine article in 2018 she said, “As a professional musician and teacher, I felt a bit like a fish out of water in Frisco, and I wanted to help our city become more well-rounded.”
Meinershagen went on to say in the article, “I began serving in many capacities regarding arts and culture, as PR/Marketing Chair of the Texas Music Teachers Association, Diversity Chair for the Frisco Council of PTA, a Board member of Frisco Public Art, and Frisco Association for the Arts. After meeting Councilman Jeff Cheney (now Frisco Mayor) in 2009, I was eventually appointed to the 2015 Citizen Bond Committee to represent the arts. It was there, that I spearheaded a successful bond initiative of $10 million in bonds for a performing arts center in Frisco.”
At the time of the article, she was serving as the Executive Director of Frisco Arts, the city official arts advocacy agency. Our point, even if Tammy Meinershagen thought this was a bad deal – there is NO WAY SHE IS VOTING AGAINST IT. She is blinded by her love and conflict of interest. She knows if this does not pass it could be another 5 to 10 years down the road before another opportunity comes up. Her conflict of interest is glaring when it comes to voting and being involved on this project.
Next up, Cheney! He has been transparent that he wants this to be a destination city. Based on the proposed location it will help Mayor Jeff Cheney, and the Cheney Group sell more houses at the PGA (where he claims to have no exclusive contracts). It will help his friends, the Wilks brothers, and their billion-dollar development. It will help the new PGA Entertainment District being built by Cheney’s friends (remember his former Broker). The potential millions to be made off tourism directly are the real driving force here for Cheney and his developer friends.
Lastly Bicycle Bill – if he wants to donate from his campaign fund to the Smart Frisco PAC and be a voice for the PAC then claim he is doing it as a private citizen – we say NO WAY! You did not donate from your personal funds, he used his campaign money, that was donated to him to help him win his run for the council. In our humble opinion, we would say that is a conflict of interest.
TIME TO VOTE
Where does it end? April 22nd starts early voting, election day is May 3rd, and you are the deciding vote! What we do know is that details are important, and the truth is we don’t have many details at all. City leaders have said this is the most transparent project they have ever worked on, and you’re seeing the whole picture. But as any good illusionist knows: if you’re watching the right hand, you’re missing what the left one’s hiding.
We warned you to buckle up! We told you the sales pitch would be coming from all angles, and it would be Oscar-worthy. We also told you don’t be surprised when the fine print on this production budget reads: No refunds, taxpayers!
Listen to what others are telling you and look at the resume! Former City Manager George Purefoy says this deal is no good. Ron Patterson, who resigned after 21 years with the City of Frisco, where served as an Assistant City Manager, President of the Frisco Economic Development Corporation (EDC), and then became the Deputy City Manager and was one of the top 3 candidates to replace George upon his retirement has also said this is a bad deal. Former City Council member Shona Sowell and current Councilman Brian Livingston are saying – no! Cheney wants you to believe they are all idiots and they just don’t understand this deal.
The mayor and council are banking on residents to fall for the Broadway glam, so they don’t look at the details behind the curtains. Hell, we have not even talked about the parking garage that will be needed for this project yet. Trust me, they say! In the end, if this passes, they hope that by the time the shiny new Performing Arts Center opens, everyone will have forgotten how the money got there in the first place. Maybe they’re right. Or maybe, just maybe, Frisco isn’t as easily distracted or stupid as they think. Know Before You Vote!
As for me? I’m just an old man who’s seen this kind of story before. When you cut corners in winemaking, you don’t get a masterpiece, you get something undrinkable. And when you cut corners in city finances, you don’t get a thriving, well-managed town. You get a mess.
Standing ovation or a total flop? Stay tuned for May 3rd.
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