The Frisco Lake Files

Frisco Lakes held their candidate meet and greet on January 8th for residents who lived in the community.  The day after we received an email from an anonymous Frisco Lakes Resident giving us a summary of the recent Candidate Forum featuring Ann Anderson and Mark Piland, both of whom are running for Place 1.   According to our insider, Ann Anderson came out of the gate attacking her opponent at the Forum. Did we expect anything different?  No.  Why?  Because those running the Forum were Frisco Insiders aligned with the Mayor and Frisco Elite!  

Our Frisco Lakes insider sent us a transcript of her voice recording, and a few things stood out to us.   Ann Anderson starts out “We have been tricked in this city to believe everything is peachy keen and everything is great.”   She continues, But Mark I read that report and it makes me angry that we had a hostile work environment in our Fire Service.  I don’t think they want you there!  I don’t think they want you leading them.  I don’t think it is right for you to stand here and say you want to help them.  I have the report on my table for anyone who wants to see it.  It makes me angry and as a corporate executive if I see a hostile work environment on an email it is my job to do something about it.

Ann, who has given you approval to speak on behalf of the leadership and staff of the Fire Department?  Mark Piland has been endorsed in this election by both Public Safety Department Associations: Frisco Police Officer’s Association and the Frisco Firefighters Association.   Their choice is clear, and you Ann … are not it! 

Based on the transcript we received, Mark Piland chose to use his rebuttal and said page 20 of the report states that he did nothing wrong.  Best part was when Ann rebutted him again and said you are right Mark (wait, what?)   Ann Anderson admitted at the Frisco Lakes Forum that page 20 said he did nothing wrong, yet she still had concerns about other issues within the report – okay fine!    

I am curious if Ann is so upset and angry over this report then how would she have felt if she read the 2011 Climate Report based on Mack Borchardt’s leadership and his Assistant Fire Chief Lee Glover.   It was done by a third party that reads “After reading the surveys and conducting over 140 hours of meetings with firefighters and officers, it is clear there is a SIGNIFICANT EMPLOYEE RELATIONS ISSUE in the department.  The report continues “it appears there is a lack of trust, respect, and dignity” within the department.  “The CULTURE is VERY NEGATIVE and one of INTIMNDATION, RETALIATION AND FEAR.”  At the time the survey showed 76.3% of the respondents indicated they would LEAVE THE DEPARTMENT if they could.  The report summary notes that this is the “fourth study done in the past ten years” and the management style will need to change moving forward DRAMATICALLY.   Can you guess the outcome of that report?

Mack Borchardt was terminated as the Fire Chief and then George Purefoy hired him to work in the City Manager’s office reporting directly to his best friend – George, the City Manager!  The hunt for a new Fire Chief began and that is when Mark Piland was offered the job and came to Frisco.  In essence Piland’s job was to right a wrong ship! 

Ann, where was your outrage and anger in 2011?  Let’s give Ann the benefit of the doubt she didn’t know in 2011 about this report.  However, Frisco Chronicles reported it in our blog The Valve Report in December 2023.  We also reported about it again and provided a full link to the 50+ page report in March 2025 in our blog Weasel Wes & The LetterWhere was Ann Anderson’s anger then?  What was her outrage then?  Fact is she didn’t have any anger or outrage until she decided to run for office and needed a talking point to help boost her up.

Ann also lists Public Safety as her #1 priority on her new mailer, which is funny when her whole mailer attacks those who have served or currently serve in public safety positions.   She didn’t get any endorsement from a public safety official in any capacity.  

Other interesting points from the Frisco Lakes debate include Ann Anderson saying she was in support of the Frisco Performing Arts Center, then she said she made a mistake, and then she learned she shouldn’t have been?  I am curious, how did you learn that you shouldn’t have been in support of it?  Clearly voters spoke when 65% said no at the ballot box.  She continued, do we need a Performing Arts Center?  The citizens voted on it, and there is money set aside in a bond.  Frisco Chronicles would like to know how much of that bond money is left after the city has done 5 to 7 studies for a PAC? 

Anderson also said she is not for autonomous vehicles and does not like drones to help with traffic flow. Yet her mailer I got today says under her “Priorities” was that she is for smart mobility and infrastructure that keeps Frisco moving. What type of smart mobility is she referring to then? That is interesting comment considering many state and federal programs are leaning towards that technology to help mobility. Just look at that number of grant programs available to help fund smart mobility technology that she said she was against.

And with that, we’ll put a pin in it—for now. But don’t get too comfortable.

Next up: a closer look at Ann Anderson’s political mailer—where facts appear to have taken a scenic detour—and a breakdown of the Frisco Chamber Candidate Debate Monday night.

Keep your reading glasses handy and your skepticism well-fed. As always, Frisco Chronicles will be here asking uncomfortable questions, double-checking the receipts, and shining a flashlight where others prefer mood lighting.

Stay tuned—this show’s just hitting intermission.

Who FAILED the Campaign Finance Reality Check

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 about ethical leadership and transparency with 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:

Which brings us to…

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.

SOURCES:

https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/EL/htm/EL.254.htm:

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.

DMN “Special Election” Hit Piece

Angela Mathew over at the Dallas Morning News just dropped her article on Frisco’s special election — and folks, it reads like someone jogging behind the Cheney Cabal holding an umbrella. The headline tries to throw one candidate under the bus, but it’s so weak it couldn’t dent a cardboard cutout. Creativity? Original thought? Not today, apparently.

And where is the performance art outrage from Dana Cheney and her loyal Cabal Squad? Why are they not calling foul that the DMN like they did the Denton GOP? These are the people who usually set Facebook on fire for far less. Yet DMN posts a pre-filing article — before the deadline even closes, shutting out anyone who might file by Dec. 1 — and suddenly the theatrics vanish. No outrage from the peanut gallery instead you can hear a pin drop, in a pillow factory.

Mathew starts by polishing up John Keating, mentioning his mayoral announcement… but she avoids the messy parts like a teenager hiding report cards. Not a word about the cheating scandal while he was a public figure. Not a peep about the cringe-worthy social media pics he’s been serving up for years. Not calling out that he was lying about running in order to delay his time on the council. Nope — she airbrushes him into the role of Frisco’s next provincial mayor.

She addresses Mark Piland as the “former Frisco fire chief accused of malfeasance.” Cute. Very cute.

Especially when you compare it with the mountain of context she chose not to include:

🔥 40+ years in local government
🔥 18+ years in executive leadership
🔥 10 years of stellar performance reviews as Frisco’s Fire Chief
🔥 16 years with FEMA Urban Search & Rescue, deployed to:
 – The Pentagon on 9/11
 – Hurricane Katrina
 – The 2010 Haiti earthquake

🔥and much more Mathew could say.

Mathew doesn’t focus on questions related to current city issues such as Save Main, aging infrastructure issues, Animal Facility or a Performing Arts Center (that Cheney is secretly trying to push right now). Instead, she spends her time trying to question Piland about the past. Piland responds, “That’s in the past, we’re moving on, and I’m committed to being accountable to the public.” No questions about the HR Director recently released from her position after an investigation, the same HR Director who falsified Mark Piland’s signature and started the so-called investigation into him to cover her tracks. Funny how Keating’s past gets a velvet rope while Mathew’s tries to slap Piland like a rollercoaster of negativity.

But sure — let’s pretend none of that exists. Wouldn’t fit the vibe, right Angela?

Meanwhile, Ann Anderson — proudly backed by the Cheney faction — gets the marshmallow-soft treatment. She’s introduced as a financial services professional, PTA volunteer, Hobby Lobby shopper, and all-around everyday gal. The article practically ties a bow on her. She talks about helping place underemployed adults in Frisco, inspired by her son — noble mission, genuinely. But the way Mathew frames it? To readers it appears as pure campaign brochure energy.

Let’s call it what it is:
The DMN has a long, proud tradition of circling the wagons around the Cheney faction, and this article was so slanted it could’ve doubled as a ski slope. This wasn’t journalism — it was an endorsement wearing a trench coat.

And if this is the best hit job DMN can produce, the Cabal should ask for a refund.

Frisco sees through it.
We’re not buying it.
And we’re not afraid to say it louder than the DMN’s whisper campaign.

Stay tuned, Frisco. The truth has a longer shelf life than DMN spin — and we’re just getting started.

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.