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: The Infiltrator

In the intricate dance of politics, strategic maneuvering often extends beyond conventional means. Employing a political infiltrator to gain an advantage over opponents is akin to deploying a subtle, yet potent weapon in the arena of power.  You are maybe thinking this does not happen in Frisco, right? We received several emails from readers and insiders saying it did.  The Infiltrator Playbook can unearth secrets about your opponent’s campaign.  The result can make a candidate alter their political narrative and potentially shape the very fabric of political dynamics.

We received an email about how the Frisco Safety First PAC (aka the city) sent insiders to a private event held by a Stonebriar resident for John Redmond, Mark Piland, and the Frisco Firefighters Association.  It was like a meet and greet but at the country club open to residents who lived within the community interested in meeting the candidates.  According to the sender, former Frisco Mayor Michael Simpson and former Frisco City Manager, George Purefoy showed up.  Other guests included Dick Peasley whose name appears on the PAC paperwork and represents the city on the North Texas Municipal Water District for the last 10 years.  Steve Trent attended who serves on the Visit Frisco Board. Next, you had representatives from the Pelham campaign including Linda & Ed Kelley and Ann Harris.  Linda serves as Angelia Pelham’s current campaign manager and Ann served as her campaign manager in 2021.   That is quite a list of the Who’s Who of Frisco! 

Simpson, Harris, and the Kellys, qualified per the invite we received a copy of because they reside in the community.  We were puzzled, why would they want to go to a meet and greet when they support Keating, Pelham, and Safety Frisco First PAC?  Then you have Peasley and Trent who live in Frisco Lakes, and Purefoy who lives across the tollway who did not qualify per the invite.  Peasley is on the Safety-First Frisco PAC paperwork and that is why we are confused.  Call me stupid, but WHY WOULD YOU GO TO AN EVENT FOR CANDIDATES THAT YOU DON’T SUPPORT AND COULD CARE LESS TO GET TO KNOW?

According to the email someone from the club asked Purefoy, Peasley, and Trent to leave because it was a private event.  The person close by heard one of them say, “We are with Mike Simpson and want to offer an opposing view.”  I asked my wife if she would want to sit through a meet and greet for candidates, she had no intention of voting for?  Her answer was short and to the point, “hell no!”  Then she asked me if the party crashers invited the opposing FOR view to their meet and greets.  She has a valid point. 

We keep going back to WHY DID THEY COME?  The only clear answer is to spy with their own little eyes, cause trouble, or infiltrate the event to hear what the other candidates had to say and to disrupt it with the opposing view which we find to be rude and classless. If they felt strongly about hearing the opposing view on the propositions, why didn’t the same people insist that the Frisco Chamber of Commerce invite the Frisco Firefighters Association to the Chamber community forum?

Next up we heard about the Frisco Firefighters Association holding an event at a local restaurant and they invited the community to come out and talk to them.  My wife and I went to eat and check things out.  As we sat there, I said to my wife, don’t those guys look familiar?  We pulled up the email sent to us, and there were some familiar faces, Dick Peasley and his Vote No Friends. 

We thought it was so nice of them to show up and offer so much support for the Frisco Firefighters (just kidding), but they were there to watch and listen to what was happening at the FFFA Meet and Greet.  We are guessing they paid close attention so they could report back to Frisco Star Enterprise.  Now it is a public restaurant, but it was no accident Dick Peasley and his friends showed up and kept trying to engage with firefighters.  If we had to guess, they probably were recording them and everything they said to try and use against them later in the campaign. 

If we were to ask Dick, why are you here?  My guess is we would be told to make sure the “opposing” side was represented.  How many times do you think the Frisco Firefighters, Piland, or Redmond showed up at their private events?  Just a guess, but we would say zero!  It was clear they would attend every event they could based on their orders from Frisco Star Enterprise.  WHY WOULD YOU GO TO AN EVENT FOR CANDIDATES THAT YOU DON’T SUPPORT AND COULD CARE LESS TO GET TO KNOW?

The best one, we saved for last!  We received an email tip that Keating may have put a plant into the firefighter’s campaign station at the polls.  At first, this was a stretch even for us, but we kept reading.  The email stated they had been at the Fire Station to do a few hours of poll greeting and noticed an older lady sitting with the firefighters.  They stopped to say hi to them and asked if the stranger was one of their mothers out to help for the day.  They responded no, she just came over and sat down with them and said something about she would not hold a Vote No sign and wanted to support the firefighters. 

When their time was done, they went about the day when she realized one of her earrings was missing.  She wanted to backtrack her steps and ended up going back to the fire station.  She pulled into the parking lot and noticed it was empty except for two cars across the way from her.  She recognized the “older woman” from earlier that day sitting with the firefighters and already knew who the man was from seeing him at the polls. 

Well, who was it?  Jason Zelovics, owner of Mustang Strategies LLC, a political consultant and guess who he represents, John Keating!  In fact, Keating has paid Mustang Strategies over $85,446.50 from October 2023 to April 2024 for political consulting, mailers, signs, digital media, flyers, and polling expenses.  Why was this woman talking and being so friendly with Zelovics, who DOES NOT support the firefighters?  The email said, something felt off, so she started taking pictures and videos of them in the parking lot.  She saw them exchange a little “black thing” and then after about 30 minutes they said goodbye and drove out of the parking lot. 

Flustered, she forgot about her earring and drove home.  Later that evening her husband shows her the new Safety-First Frisco post which talks about yellow firefighter shirts, and it has a close-up photo of the so called “union” logo.  The next day when she went to complete her two hours at the polls and noticed the same woman wearing a “KEATING T-SHIRT” and holding a Re-Elect Keating sign.  As she walked by the firefighters, she said hi and stopped to tell them what she saw, and they said they knew something was off by the questions she asked and because she wanted a shirt so badly.  They seemed to blow it off, the writer said. 

After reading her email and looking at the pics we thought, this woman was not crazy.  That leaves us with one very important question.  Did Keatings “political consultant” put a mole in with the firefighters to try to get a shirt, take pictures and record them?  Did they use the little bit of info they obtained to adjust their communication talk track?  The lady came back every day until election day, never talked to the firefighters again and held a Keating sign every time.   

In closing, it was clear the Safety-First Frisco PAC, Keating and Pelham’s people were going to go to any lengths to win.  There was a lot of “Fields Developer Money” at stake and expectations to pull off a win.  We should all be asking the following questions:  Why did Dick Peasley and his buddies show up over and over at both private and public events held by the “other side?”  Why did Dick Peasley feel the need to berate the firefighters at the polls telling them they are overpaid and under worked?  What level of desperation did you feel that you had to send a 70-year-old mole into sitting with the FFFA at the polls to gain intel?  Is Keating proud of his Cheating (in many ways apparently)?  We would also like to know if Keating will release the itemized bill from Mustang Strategies. Why, well something does not add up that he spent $85,446.50 more than any other recent local and even some state-run elections.

The coward must abandon his dignity before he abandons the field of battle – James B. Donovan

Influencing the Desi Vote

Diversity refers to the presence of a variety of people, cultures, races, religions, and more that make up a local community. Growing up in another country we traveled to many destinations and that allowed us to learn about diversity and different cultures in our early developmental years. It was eye-opening and breathtaking, and little did we know it was exposing us to the diversity in those local communities.  My dad loved talking to the locals, eating local foods, and doing what the locals did.  Those are some of the best memories that I carry with me today.

Now as a dad and granddad, I try to expose them to the same blessings bestowed upon me by my father.  A few years ago, my grandkids said, Papa can we go to the event where they throw colors all around and get dirty?  I explained to them that Holi or the Festival of Colors, was a religious Hindu event to mark spring’s arrival and the triumph of good over evil.  I explained to them it was rooted in ancient traditions, and that it is one of the most prominent Hindu celebrations next to Diwali, the Festival of Lights.  The kids were excited to learn more and understand it better and now we take them every year.  By attending the event they had fun, made new friends, and learned that diversity in a community is a great thing.  

Frisco is growing so much that in 2017, Mayor Cheney created an ad hoc committee on fostering communication between the city’s Asian Indian community and city leadership.  The Frisco Indian Affairs Committee defined its mission through four pillars: community outreach, civic engagement, philanthropy, and events.  At the time it was created, the Indian community was made up of about 35,000 residents and that has only increased with rapid growth in our region. With the rapid growth of the Indian American community comes a significant political constituency.  An online survey conducted in September 2020 showed that while holding relatively liberal views when it comes to US politics, Indian Americans are conservative when it comes to issues back in India. 

Over the last few months, we have received several emails from different followers living in our Indian American community here in Frisco.  Surprisingly, they shared the same sentiment of concern over whether their community understands the effect of their voting power and how to choose the candidate who will best represent or include their community.  They explained that the “leaders” of the community with a substantial presence generally “guide others” on who to vote for.  They are concerned some leaders have ulterior motives and may not be doing what is best for the community, but what is best for them.  So, we decided to investigate one.

One leader in the Indian American Community is Gopal Ponangi who currently sits on the Frisco Independent School Board.  We pulled up his campaign finance reports for the period covering 01/01/2021 to 06/30/2021, expecting to see lots of donors but there were only three and each one donated $5000.00.  The donors were Venu Bhagyanagar, Anand Chillappa, and Pavan Nellutla. Then one more donation for $500 from Dustin Paschal. 

We pulled up his second campaign finance report from 07/01/2021 to 12/31/2021 and has a $200 donation from Angelia Pelham (current councilwoman), and $1000 from John Keating (current councilman).  Under pledged contributions, you have Venu Bhagyanagar, Anand Chillappa, and Pavan Nellutla for $5000 each.  Then there are several more from other individuals ranging from $50 to $1500.

Then we looked at his more recent campaign finance report for the period 7/1/22 through 12/31/22.  We saw the same three names under pledged contributions: Venu Bhagyanagar, Anand Chillappa, Pavan Nellutla and each gave $5000 dollars.

 At first glance, we notice several of his donations are from current or former members of city boards and commissions including Chinasatyam Veernapu – Parks and Recreation Board, Venu Bhagyanagar – Former Frisco Parks Recreation Board 2021, Pavan Raj Nellutla – Urban Forestry Board, Hitesh Naidu – Board of Adjustments / Construction Board of Appeals, and Venkat Mulukutla – Social Services & Housing Board.  The other concern is the donations from Angelia Pelham and $1000 from John Keating. 

Gopal appears to have a very vested interest in who he supports. Our question is, did Gopal Ponangi encourage his community to vote for the best candidates or the ones who donated to him? It also makes you wonder if his largest contributors sit on City boards and commissions, could that influence who he supports?  Could it be a conflict if he wanted to endorse another candidate instead of the current sitting council members?   Obviously, Gopal is not going to bite the hand that feeds his campaign contributions list.

Gopal was out at the polls on election day with Keating and he kept pulling people over and telling them how to vote.  Then he had them take pictures with Mayor Cheney, which he later posted on his social media pages.  We will talk more about that in another blog.  More importantly, do these leaders show up throughout the year, or only annual events, and during election season? 

WWE Raw – In Their Own Words (Pt. 2)

Oh, isn’t it just delightful how those oh-so-wise words we toss around like confetti have a remarkable talent for circling back and sinking their teeth into our proverbial posteriors?  Leaders must know that every quote and comment can suddenly boomerang back with the precision of a guided missile, leaving them with nothing but a bruised ego and a newfound appreciation for silence. Ah, the sweet symphony of irony, where every syllable becomes a potential landmine in the minefield of conversation.

Over and over in this election, we have heard about the “Turnover Rate” in the Frisco Fire Department.  We wanted to research it but without the data from the city, it is hard to tell how many good men and women have come and gone.  What we do know is what is being told to us by our city leaders, but we were curious why the numbers keep changing.  Angelia likes to throw out percentage rates when she talks, for example, the turnover rate in our FD is only 2%.   

We are curious if that is 2% compared to other departments in the city.  Is that 2% compared to other Fire Departments?  Is that 2% compared to some other data?  We don’t know!  Then we received a text from the Vote No PAC, you know the one that is run by active Councilman Bill Woodard. As we started reading through the text, we saw the words union, union, union which is an obvious attempt to create fear as we said in our last blog.  Then we get to the last sentence which states “Frisco Firefighters have a 1% turnover rate.  Don’t be misled by Union lies and fear tactics!”

First, who is trying to mislead us?  It is the city offering up different numbers to the same argument, not the firefighters.  It is the city offering up a playbook of confusion as they like to call it, not the firefighters.  We ask you, who do you believe?

We continued our journey going through weeks of material online that we could find when we came across this little nugget.  At the SLAN Community Forum, a firefighter asked our current council members, now that the firefighters have asked several times for a “meet & confer” when the last time or how many times have you visited or stopped by a fire station.  According to someone we emailed back and forth with who attended the event, they told us when the question was asked it changed the whole feeling in the ballroom, you heard a few oohs and aahs, and the audience waited on pins and needles for Keating and Pelham’s response.

Before we go any further, remember at the Frisco Chamber Forum Keating said true leaders admit to their mistakes (keep that in your back pocket).  Keating starts to answer the question and he tells a story about the FD saving someone’s life recently, and then he talks about how if they hold events sometimes, they drop off the leftover food at the closest station.   Then he said in the spirit of the question he would say probably…probably…probably (watch the video).  PROBABLY MR. KEATING?

Then he goes on to say what could I do better, and talks about grocery stores, and how we get people from other cities who love to come here and think it’s remarkable the community is behind them.  Keating continued to go on and it was painful for everyone, I am sure.  At some point all we heard was Blah, Blah, Blah, and after it was over realized that was the most painful yet comical 2:15 minutes to listen to.  To say Keating was anything other than a bumbling idiot would be a lie.

Next to the microphone was Angelia Pelham who quickly said she stopped by Station 6 to ask the question why they wanted to unionize.  She said she didn’t get a lot of responses because “PEOPLE WERE NOT VERY COMFORTABLE GIVING DETAILS.”  Well first, that is probably true since they don’t trust the leadership of which she is a part.  Second, THEY CAN’T TALK TO YOU IN UNIFORM MS. PELHAM ABOUT POLITICS, and you as a councilwoman should have known that.  Then her voice goes up a few octaves and in somewhat of a scolding manner she says I have talked to your brothers and sisters at Mochas and Javas or Starbucks across the street asking them when this is over how do we move forward.  Then she threatened to “IF I HAVE TO CALL THEM OUT I WILL” which immediately told me everything.  That is why the firefighters are afraid of retaliation for talking or using it against them when convenient for your political playbook. 

Here is what residents should be concerned about, first her arrogant and cocky attitude.  When you lose on May 4th what happens on May 5th?  Can you foresee the future Ms. Pelham until the polls close and votes are cast for you to assume they are going to lose makes an ass of you.  Then she says, “YOU WANT WHAT YOU WANT” and no one is willing to budge and someone in the room must be the adult to get past this.  Ms. Pelham, it sounds like you want what you want.  Do you even realize it came across as you were scolding a group of 15 to 20 grown men and woman firefighters in the open public of a ballroom shaking your hand or fist?  Lastly, you stated if you want to talk to me, I will meet with you at Mochas and Javas after you just threatened to call them out.  Why would anyone ever want to come to you?  Why would any of our first responders ever think they can trust you? 

In the race between Pelham and Redmond, we believe Redmond won the forum in one statement.

What our leaders need to remember is the practice of the “Golden Rule” which is treating others as you’d like to be treated.  It is a powerful tool for anyone seeking to understand the essence of empathetic and respectful interactions.  When you apply the principle, you pave the way for open, judgment-free communication, fostering a space where everyone feels valued and heard.  Right now, I don’t think the employees or the residents of this city feel they have conversations grounded in mutual understanding and kindness with any of our city leaders.  Now we will see if Pelham’s crystal ball works or if she will need to return it for a new one on Saturday, May 4th.

FRISCO FALLS OFF THE SAFEST CITY CHART

If you attend a council meeting, town hall, or local event all you hear is Frisco is the #1 Safest City.  It is drilled into us over and over that the city spends 50% of the budget on public safety and that is why we have #1 this and #1 that.  The Frisco EDC has an entire list on their website of all the accolades the city has received going back to 2017. 

We are curious, IS FRISCO THE SAFEST CITY?  Well, it depends on who you ask!  According to a study done by SmartAsset we were ranked #1 Safest City In America in 2022 and 2023.  Yet the page does not show we are ranked #1 in 2024.  According to Safewise in 2024 we are not the safest city.  We are not even in the top 10, top 20, top 30, and top 40 of Texas Safest Cities.  Drum roll please, according to Safewise, we are NOT IN THE TOP 50 SAFEST CITIES IN TEXAS.  The study said all of the top ten cities reported zero murders.  Eight of the top 10 cities reported zero robberies. 

What North Texas cities made the TOP 50 Safest City List?  Well, #1 is Melissa, #5 is Colleyville followed by Fate, Heath, Sachse, and Trophy Club to finish in the top 10.  Wylie comes in #12, Murphy #13, Flower Mound #15, Prosper #27, and so on.  What you won’t find is Frisco anywhere in that Top 50 list.

Recently we received a campaign mailer by TREPAC for Angelia Pelham and John Keating that states across the top Two No-Nonsense Leaders “Putting Our Safety” First.  It also states they have stood with local law enforcement and firefighters, but the Frisco Police Officers Association and the Frisco Fire Fighters Association have endorsed Mark Piland.

Keating continues to advertise the #1 status of Frisco on his Facebook post which says again #1 Safest City in America.  Another mailer he sent out says #1 Safest City in America right across the top.  Why is the city not publishing our ranking by Safewise?  Maybe BECAUSE WE ARE NOT EVEN THE TOP 50!

The Vote No PAC which is bought and paid for by developers tells you on their mailers public safety is always a top priority.  Fifty percent of your property taxes go to public safety.  If that is true, our city leaders have failed the residents because we are NOT EVEN IN THE TOP 50 SAFEST CITIES IN TEXAS. 

Who do you believe our council, SmartAssest, or Safewise? 

WWE RAW: In Their Own Words

The art of political rhetoric is where promises flow like honey from the lips of our esteemed leaders, only to be swiftly forgotten once the ink dries and the votes are counted on election day.  It is a delightful game of “he said, she said,” politicians masterfully navigate the treacherous waters between sincerity and self-interest, leaving behind a trail of broken vows and conveniently misplaced principles.  We want you to embark on a whimsical journey through the whimsical world of political doublespeak, where words are but mere tools in the grand symphony of deception!

For months now we have heard the political rhetoric about the “Big Bad Unions” coming to town from our city leaders who run the Vote No PAC which is funded by developers of the Fields project.  Keating & Pelham, in their own words, have openly said at forum after forum residents should vote “NO TO UNIONS” and the propositions on the ballot.  

Keating’s political rhetoric via campaign mailers on the other hand has changed and the new approach is to claim he was pro-public safety and that he has been a champion for the police and fire departments.  Was lying to the residents at the forums or is he lying to residents via mailers now?  Now he is trying to change his message at the polls so he has instructed his poll greeters not to hold the “Vote No” signs because he thinks it might be hurting him at the polls.   We think Keating is a typical politician who will spew whatever political rhetoric he wants depending on how the wind blows and that his word is no better than a grain of salt. 

Meanwhile, Matt Sapp, President of the Frisco Firefighters Association, and several Frisco Firemen and women we spoke to told us over and over “Unions are not legal in Texas” and that is by Texas Law called an Association.   If you ask any city leader, they are going to give the big bad union story, but Keating “In His Own Words” admitted that it is regulated by Texas Law and it is an “Association.”  Why are Keating, Pelham, Cheney, Woodard, and Rummel then misleading the people of Frisco with the scary term Union when they know it is an Association?  Well, it better fits their narrative and creates fear in residents which is what they want. 

Pelham has claimed the push for the propositions is because someone wants POWER and CONTROL.  In her own words, she said this is not about the whole fire department, it is about a select few called the Fire Association. 

Well, that “select few” is over 90% of the association made up of 200 or more firefighters according to Matt Sapp.  That leaves us wondering who wants the power and control in question.  At certain times Pelham is about “data” and at other times she is about generalizations which ever best fits the narrative.  Who do you believe?

Why are we sharing this with you?  Voters must realize our elected officials are not being straightforward with us.  That is all we have been trying to show and prove to you since the day we started this journey of Frisco Chronicles.  Voters need to have all the information to be able to make the best decision when they cast a ballot.  Next up more WWE Smackdown of In Their Own Words – Part 2.