From Bankruptcy to Bougie – The Pelham Power Trip

When I was a young boy, my favorite thing was riding shotgun in the old truck with my dad through the grapevines on our farm. Harvest time was a marvel. I’d watch the workers move row by row, their hands stained purple, their rhythm steady, their laughter honest. One day, watching it all unfold, I looked at my father and said, “You must be the King Grape.”

He chuckled, looked me square in the eye, and said:

“Boy, no kings live here. Only hard-working hands.”

“But you’re important,” I replied. Dad just shook his head.

“If I teach you anything, it’s this — don’t get too big for your britches. Or you’ll find yourself alone.”

Later, Mom explained the phrase. “Too big for your britches” meant someone full of themselves — bloated with self-importance, an exalted ego, floating above the rest of us like a parade balloon.

And when I look at our current Frisco City Council? Let’s just say we’re one helium tank away from liftoff.

The Pelham Pattern

It is time to remind Angelia Pelham where she came from!  In our blog In Debt We Trust, we told you back in 1996, she and her husband Dono filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Florida under the name “Just for You Cosmetics.” According to the Orlando Sentinel (April 1, 1996), their reported assets totaled $1,245, while their debts? A staggering $343,466. Major creditors included:

  • Community First Bank (Jacksonville) – $140,000
  • Eric Stern (Carrollton, TX) – $35,000
  • Schroder Center Management (Dallas, TX) – $35,000

A “learning experience,” Angelia later called it in the Dallas Morning News. Fair enough — who hasn’t fallen and gotten back up? Most of the time, you learn your lesson, but the Pelhams the pattern didn’t stop there. Since then, her Frisco HOA has filed multiple liens:

  • Nov 2006 – $2,088.90
  • Oct 2011 – $956.80
  • June 2013 – $1,335.65
  • July 2020 – $1,233.70

Wells Fargo filed a civil judgment against Dono in 2014–2015 for $10,375. In 2016, a local business owner placed a lien for unpaid landscaping work: $4,039. Then came a Notice of Lis Pendens in 2020 — the county warned the Pelhams that a lawsuit had been filed over delinquent property taxes. That one appears to have been settled in 2022. (Wait, a city councilwoman, not paying property tax?)

Life has changed for the Pelham Power Couple these days. Angelia is draped in designer threads, seen at every gala and brunch in town, flanked by her friends in the gated communities across Frisco like the Stonebriar elite. Her husband’s church is growing, her influence expanding.

None of that is inherently wrong — if you rise and remember the folks who helped you climb. The issue is when you forget those who supported you and start swinging that shiny new status around like a scepter.

The Luncheon Debacle

Then came the text. A whistleblower sent us a screenshot of Councilwoman Pelham sending a text about a luncheon she coordinated for Frisco Lakes residents during Black History Month. A noble cause — supporting Black-owned businesses — and it took place at Earnest B’s, a public restaurant.

Angelia starts the text message with taking credit for coordinating the luncheon and specifically noted it was not a campaign rally.  When Angelia arrived, she was surprised to see a candidate running for office there “campaigning” at an event they were not invited to!

First, this was not a private event!  Angelia did not rent out Earnest B’s place of business for this luncheon.  Other customers were coming and going because it is A PUBLIC BUSINESS!   Angelia lives on MARS if she thinks she can tell any customer in a public business how and what they should do!

Angelia continues, if you were there to get some lunch, you should have done so without campaigning with a group that you were not invited to attend.

Second, how did Angelia know the candidate was “campaigning?”  Earnest B’s is not a huge restaurant, so what if they were stopping by for lunch and knew someone there and started talking (like we all do across Frisco) and Angelia happened to walk in on it, now she accuses the candidate of campaigning.  Even if they were campaigning, it is a PUBLIC BUSINESS that you have no say over.  If the restaurant had an issue with someone “campaigning” on their property then they should have said something – not Angelia a patron of the business who is there to SUPPORT BLACK BUSINESSES.

Angelia continues, “Yes, I called Gopal since you decided to HIJACK MY EVENT and make it into a campaign event.  Gopal is MY CANDIDATE, so I absolutely felt that he needed to be there since YOU made it a campaign event.”

I can hear my mom now from the window of our house, “Mannaggia Angelia, Mannaggia!”  That is our “Damn” as you Americans would say, and used to express utter frustration with someone, something or a situation.  Accusing someone of HIJACKING YOUR EVENT?  Newsflash, this was not a private facility or shut down for just you and your glorious presence, Ms. Pelham, it is a PUBLIC BUSINESS!  Second to accuse someone of that you better have proof and DAMN good proof!  Next, you call Gopal “MY CANDIDATE” – do you own him?  Is he your property?  That is how you made it sound!   

Lastly Angelia says, “it is that kind of self-seeking behavior that you display (meaning the candidate) that causes me concern about you on council.  I want to be very clear about my thoughts on your actions yesterday”

Angelia – we want to be very clear on our thoughts as well!  You come across as an entitled SELF-SEAKING witch who is “TOO BIG FOR HER OWN BRITCHES.”  My Event, My Candidate, My Luncheon! What’s next? My Oxygen? How dare you come into a public business and say hi to anyone at my table – this is my table!  Take your food and go, peasant! 

Queen of the Dias

It’s campaign season, so is it plausible to say the candidate was out and about wearing a vote for me shirt, stopped in to get lunch from a popular Frisco place, happen to know someone at the table and said hello when you walked in.  Last year when you were running Angelia, we saw your shirts all over the city on folks and we also know “your people” attempted to attend an event paid for by a private citizen at the country club until they were asked to leave.  The difference in the space, it was rented and paid for by a private citizen who had every right to determine who they wanted at their event vs your public space luncheon.  Guess it was okay then when they were supporting you.

Oh, how the mighty Queen of the Dias, Angelia Pelham sees herself today.  Gone are the bankruptcy days, today she can cast stones, throw accusations anywhere and everywhere, send demeaning and rude texts to other candidates, and then expect “healing sessions” to fix it when it’s all over.  How did that work out with the Fire Department? 

Newsflash: You’re not the queen of Earnest B’s. Or Frisco, for that matter. Now it appears Pelham is more concerned with control than compassion. More interested in ownership than stewardship. More inclined to protect her own than to empower others.

Mannaggia Angelia!

Well, Mannaggia, Angelia.

Don’t forget the vineyard.
Don’t forget the struggle.
And don’t mistake a city council seat for a throne.

Because when you get too big for your britches —
Frisco Whistleblower knows how to hem you back down to size.

Investigative Feature: Gopal Ponangi and the Global Hindu Heritage Foundation

With local election season in full swing, we examine recent claims about Gopal Ponaji (aka Ponangi) and his ties to the Global Hindu Heritage Foundation (GHHF). When we initially heard these accusations, we thought they were farfetched. As we started to investigate, we found out it is something voters should be aware of and have a general pause of concern or questions about. Our goal: to lay out the facts and context so readers can judge for themselves.

Ponangi’s Links to GHHF

Public records and event reports indicate Ponangi has been associated with GHHF for years. For example, a 2016 Dallas news article on a GHHF-sponsored event explicitly names “Gopal Ponangi, [an] active volunteer who served as Master of Ceremony for the evening”​. This gathering was organized by GHHF founder Dr. V.V. Prakasarao Velagapudi. Moreover, internal GHHF documents list Gopal Ponangi among the group’s “core group” members. ​ Ponangi’s name appears alongside Velagapudi’s and other GHHF officers, suggesting he held an ongoing role. We have found no official record of Ponangi renouncing or distancing himself from GHHF over the years.

These references show Ponangi’s involvement goes beyond the current campaign. They do not prove wrongdoing, but they do confirm he has been publicly connected to GHHF activities. Whether this connection should concern voters depends on GHHF’s character and aims – which is why we now turn to that broader context.

Hindutva Ideology and the RSS

Understanding GHHF requires knowing about Hindutva and the ideology that motivates it. Hindutva (literally “Hindu-ness”) is a political-cultural movement formulated in the 1920s that promotes Hindu cultural dominance in India. According to Wikipedia, it “encompasses the cultural justification of Hindu nationalism and the belief in establishing Hindu hegemony within India”.

What does that mean in practice, Hindutva thinkers argue India is fundamentally a Hindu nation. This worldview is closely associated with India’s RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) and the ruling BJP party. ​

Scholars note that Hindutva goes beyond religious devotion and often rejects India’s secular ideals. According to media and researchers, GHHF explicitly supports this Hindutva vision. Bridge Initiative (a Georgetown University research group) reports that GHHF “supports Hindu nationalist ideology and regularly publishes discriminatory, inflammatory, and intolerant content about Islam and Christianity.”  In fact, the organization has even “raised funds to aid the demolition of churches in India and supports the mission of making India a Hindu-only nation.”  Bridge further notes that GHHF leaders have advocated India declaring itself a Hindu state.

By contrast, GHHF’s own website frames its mission more benignly. It states the group exists “to protect, preserve, promote, and maintain Hindu culture, Hindu temples”. GiveFreely.com (a nonprofit data site) similarly summarizes GHHF’s focus on temple preservation, but critics point out that these activities overlap with Hindutva goals. The Christian Post notes GHHF “advocates an ideology known as Hindutva, or extremist Hindu supremacism, which holds that India belongs solely to Hindus”​. In short, Hindutva is not merely cultural pride – it’s a doctrine that often paints religious minorities as outsiders. That background helps explain why GHHF’s statements and events have become controversial.

The 2022 Frisco Fundraiser Controversy

In November 2022, GHHF held a gala fundraiser in Frisco that drew national attention. Reports revealed the event flyer listed items like “Demolition of Illegal Churches in Tirupati” (a major Hindu pilgrimage site) and “ghar wapsi” (efforts to reconvert Muslims/Christians to Hinduism) as part of the GHHF agenda​. These revelations alarmed many local Indian-American Christians and Muslims.

Community members did not remain silent. After learning of the flyer, concerned citizens staged protests in Frisco.   By early December, local groups organized formal opposition.

Key Points from the Fundraiser:

  • The GHHF event was hosted at a Dallas-area venue on Nov 27, 2022. Its public agenda (as shown on Eventbrite) included Hindutva objectives: “Ghar Wapsi – reconversion of Muslims and Christians back to Hinduism” and “Demolition of Illegal Churches in Tirupati”
  • News reports emphasized these items. The Dallas Morning News wrote: “The dinner’s agenda items included… demolition of ‘illegal’ churches in India and the conversion of Indian Christians and Muslims to Hinduism.”​ (Both reports cited the actual flyer as evidence.)

These concrete facts – printed and posted online – were the spark for the backlash. Event organizers declined to publicly comment on these agenda items, and no evidence has appeared that the church demolition was ever actually funded. But the documentation of the flyer itself is clear. In response, faith leaders began sounding the alarm.

December 2022: Frisco City Hall Protests

On Dec. 6, 2022, dozens of residents packed a Frisco City Council meeting to air their concerns about GHHF. Local pastors and activists spoke out, warning that what they saw as extremist Hindutva aims had crossed into Frisco. 

Local faith leaders and Indian-American residents gathered outside Frisco City Hall to condemn GHHF’s agenda. The Christian Post reported that “several pastors and other Christian leaders joined members of the local Indian Christian community to call for lawmakers to take a closer look at the activities of GHHF.”  Independent journalist Pieter Friedrich, contributor to Christian news outlets, addressed the Council directly. He said, “Just last week, right here in Frisco, Texas, we had an American nonprofit organization fundraising to support the demolition of churches in India…Friedrich urged the city to speak out: “I urge the Frisco City Council to have the courage to proclaim that the GHHF’s hateful agenda has no place in Frisco…or in America.”

Of course, GHHF and its supporters dispute this narrative. They argued at the City Council meeting (via emails to local media) that “we have not raised funds to demolish churches” and that the matter involved legal questions of Indian church permits, not GHHF incitement​.  While GHHF has not been accused of any illegal act in the U.S., but the documented language of its flyer – and its promotion of ghar wapsi – had already concerned many.

Given these divergent accounts, it’s important for readers to weigh the information critically. Voters should look at the actual references.

Key Issues at a Glance:

  1. Gopal Ponaji/Ponangi is explicitly identified as a GHHF volunteer and organizer in official materials​.
  2. GHHF professes a mission of temple preservation, but critics document that it endorses Hindutva goals like church demolition and religious conversion​.
  3. The leaked fundraiser flyer for Nov 2022 listed “Demolition of Illegal Churches in Tirupati” and “Ghar Wapsi (reconversion)” among its agenda items​. This fact was confirmed by multiple news reports.
  4. Bridge Initiative and others urge caution: “The group has raised funds to aid the demolition of Churches in India”​

Conclusion: Do Your Research Before Voting

The facts above show that Ponangi has long-standing ties to GHHF and that GHHF has an explicitly Hindutva agenda. Whether one finds that alarming is a matter of judgment. We have provided documentation from multiple sources so readers can decide for themselves: every key claim comes with a link at the end of our blog. Frisco voters should carefully review these materials. In this race, as in all elections, misinformation can spread easily. We urge you to check out our verified sources. FriscoChronicles will continue to follow this story. We hope readers with the published record: examine it, question it, and then cast your vote with confidence.

  • First day of early voting—April 22
  • Last day of early voting—April 29
  • Election day—May 3

Reference Links:

indiapost.com

savetemples.org

en.wikipedia.org

bridge.georgetown.edu

givefreely.com

christianpost.com

hindutvawatch.org

christianpost.comcbn.com

Double Standards or Honesty Matters

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 loudIt 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.

“Political Sign Wars in Frisco”

While the world tackles climate change, AI ethics, and the moral collapse of TikTok, Frisco is dealing with… loss of our children’s innocence, assaults and stolen/vandalized political signs. That’s right, political signs!  Welcome to the great political crime spree of 2025 in what our Mayor and Council claim is one of the safest cities in America, or is something else going on?

If you’ve driven down Preston, Legacy, Main Street, or Eldorado lately, you may have noticed something peculiar: political signs popping up like spring weeds, then suddenly poof—gone. Others are bent, knocked over, or tossed into ditches like yesterday’s Whataburger cup. Some have been found face-down in drainage ditches, others mysteriously sliced like a scene from a low-budget political thriller.

On March 30th, we had a candidate reach out to us letting us know that 15 of her political signs were stolen and several more intentionally damaged.  She also stated that zip ties were cut, poles were pushed over, and some poles were completely missing.  She documented the damage with pictures to us and said she would be filing a police report.  We decided to pull a PIR and research the issue because last year we got the same complaints from candidates. 

Now, don’t get us wrong, sign fatigue is real. By week three, those smiling headshots and bold promises start to blur together. But here’s the twist: it’s not just Mother Nature or rogue sprinklers. Nope.  It seems there’s something more coordinated—and sneakier—going on.

Reporting Political Signs

First step, we indexed the reports in order.  What we found or should we say who we found reporting them – was quite interesting!

1/26/25: Email to City Secretary from Mel M (kookykate) asking how she would make a report for political signage being out more than 90 days before the election.

1/26/25: Email to City Secretary from Councilman John Keating, yes, he used his official city email to report a Elad sign at Legacy & Eldorado.  He wanted to know when signs can go up and reported that it does not have Place 4 on the sign.  Kristi Morrow replied to him they can go up 90 days prior to an election and nothing in the state code says it has to have a place number on it.

Side Note: Keating has endorsed Elad’s opponent, he is one of the longest councilman in the history of Frisco, he has run several times – so shouldn’t he know the rules by now?  Nope. He has to email the City Secretary to ask which shows off his complete incompetent nature.

2/25/25  Case 25023400: Reporting Party said a political sign struck a water line for the HOA water which has now been turned off and they wanted to file a vandalism complaint and complained to be with the HOA.  The reporter was unsure if it was a city pipe or commercial pipe and he was told to contact the city water department.

2/25/25 Service Request 4914712: Ann Anderson reported a political sign at the corner of Preston / Warren and wanted to know if it was allowed to be there because she has never seen signage in Stonebriar area of the city.

2/27/25:  Email to City Secretary from John Lettelleir, Director of Development Services for the City of Frisco.  He was concerned about a sign located on the west side of Independence Pkwy, just north of SH 121 (in front of Race Trac) and was concerned if that was city property.  Kristi Morrow, City Secretary responded she also noticed there are signs in the right-of-way along Dallas Parkway / Cotton Gin, and Dallas Parkway / Main.  She went on to say some seem to be running down Dallas Parkway by the hospital but not necessarily at an intersection but placed close to the road. 

2/27/25: Email to City Secretary from Cindy Hons asking for the city to check the placement of the following signs below. 

Muni Sign: NE corner of 121/Preston

Sangita Sign: SE corner of Gaylord/Preston

Sangita Sign: SW corner of Warren/Preston

Sangita Sign: SE corner of Eldorado and Dallas Parkway (alongside Eldorado)

Side Note: We can only assume Cindy Hons makes her away around the city often to see all these signs in one day. 

2/27/25  Case# CE25-00618: Randy Archambualt called code enforcement to make a complaint related to “incorrect sign placement” regarding a Burt Thakur political sign on teal parkway.  It is interesting that Randy was once married to Rene (Frisco ISD BOT) and is a known supporter for the opposite side of the isle.

2/28/25 Email to City Secretary: Ginni Scott emailed the city secretary regarding the political sign she felt was a “safety concern” at the intersection of Teel Pkwy / The Trails Pkwy.

2/28/25  Email to City Secretary from Ben Brezina Assistant City Manager regarding a “big giant political sign” for Burt Thakur at Teel / The Trails Parkway and he is concerned that is hard to see oncoming south bound traffic when trying to turn south on to Teel. 

Amy Moore, Code Enforcement Supervisor immediately sends it to Amy Smith telling her to have it checked TODAY and if this is VISION CLIP to remove it.  She specifically notes “THIS IS FROM 5TH FLOOR AND BEN LIVES OVER THERE”

Side Note: Why does it matter that it came in from the 5th FLOOR?  The fact that Amy Moore wrote that in her email, clearly shows a bias.  Ben Brezina works for the City Manager’s Office, who clearly supports the encumbant and the FCFA. If it is not a targeted attack by all of these folks – it sure looks like it.

3/4/25 Case# CE25-00681: Reporter listed as ADMIN sent an email (which the city did not provide us) lodging a complaint for “Incorrect Sign Placement” at the NE Corner State Hwy 121 and Preston for a MUNI sign.  It was determined by code enforcement that the sign as NOT in violation.  Who is the ADMIN that reported it?

3/4/25  Case# CE25-00695: Email complaint received by Caleb Davis for a Burt Thakur sign located at the NE Corner of Preston / Lebanon and it was later determined it was NOT in violation. 

3/4/25  Case# CE25-00697: Email complaint received by Caleb Davis for a Burt Thakur sign at the SW Corner of Preston / Lebanon and it was later determined it was NOT in violation. 

Side Note: We researched the number on the report for Caleb Davis and funny thing – the number did not come back to a Caleb Davis nor anyone that lives in Frisco.

Is This the Pettiest Political Season Yet?  Yes!  City officials and supporters of specific candidates are now going around documenting and reporting their opponents’ signs to the City—for being too close to the curb, for not having the right permit, or just for existing in the wrong median. It’s like Mean Girls but with clipboards and zoning codes.

Sign Stealer in our Midst?  Multiple candidates have emailed us that their signs have been damaged or stollen.  Removing your opponent’s signs doesn’t make your message stronger, it makes you look desperate. It’s political sabotage with the maturity level of a middle schooler sneaking gum into detention.

For those thinking of tampering with a campaign political sign – don’t!  In Texas, tampering with campaign signs is a crime and is a Class C misdemeanor.  That’s the same category as public intoxication and fireworks violations—basically, it’s for people who lack impulse control and creativity.

Why the Drama Over Corrugated Plastic? Is it just ego? Control issues? The thrill of a late-night mission to liberate signs from a busy intersection?  Maybe. But more likely, it’s a symptom of something deeper, a political culture that’s forgotten how to win people over with ideas and instead relies on eliminating competition by any means necessary. Including sign sabotage.

What does this say about us as voters, as neighbors, as a city? Maybe it says we need to start demanding more maturity from the people asking for our votes. Or maybe it just says that campaign season turns otherwise reasonable adults into territorial raccoons with a hammer and a clipboard. Either way, the message is clear: Frisco deserves better. We can disagree on policy without disappearing each other’s signs in the dead of night. Let’s raise the bar, not just the yard signs.

We want to hear from you: Do you think Burt Thakur, Muni, Jared Elad and Sangita Datta are being targeted?

Seen any suspicious sign activity?  Know someone with a trunk full of political signage that doesn’t belong to them? Report it to the police or drop us a line—anonymity guaranteed.

Keating Rescinds Endorsement

Currently, our great city of Frisco is facing a lot of pressure from “outside forces” relating to the Anthony / Metcalf case.  Everywhere you turn, from social media posts to the news stations (nationwide), they are talking about this case.  We have a Civil Rights Group meeting with our Police Department, demanding fair justice and asking our Board of Trustees not to expel Anthony when he has one month left in his senior year.

Recently, we saw a post by Councilman, John Keating where he said he recently endorsed a Frisco ISD Trustee candidate, believing we shared a vision for academic excellence, transparency and parental empowerment.  He went on to say he was made aware of several social media posts the candidate made in the past which contradict those values.”  Then he closes with in light of these revelations, I am withdrawing my endorsement for this candidate.

At first, we were confused because Mr. Keating, who has Whistleblower blocked from his Official Councilman page (breaking the law), never saw a post of his “original endorsement.”  We started digging around and realized he had endorsed Stuart Shulman for Frisco ISD BOT Place 3.  We looked through Shulman’s page and didn’t see much that concerned us, which left us more confused.  Then we saw in several different Facebook groups, screenshots of posts from his page that had been shared, and now we understood. 

The first photo is of Shulman with a Beto For Texas sign.  No big deal vote for who you want as that is your constitutional right!  However, Keating claims to be a Republican and he donates to several Republicans and for him to OPENLY ENDORSE a democrat is a BIG Problem because he will lose his claim to be a Republican (to his Republican friends).  He can quietly endorse a democrat and then play stupid but not someone openly posting their political view. As we said to each his own, we are a house divided and it is Shulman’s constitutional right to vote for whoever he wants, and we respect our differences.   

Then we saw the BLM – Black Lives Matter Post!  Here is a man who wants to run for our Board of Trustee’s openly supporting a racially divisive group.  Everyone has a feeling or opinion on BLM and to act as if it is not controversial would-be understatement.  We just had a horrible thing happen here in our district and if Shulman was on the Board of Trustee’s would he be shouting Black Lives Matter?  He should be shouting ALL OUR KIDS LIVES MATTERS!  Would that make an impact on his decisions?  Honestly, I don’t want to find out! 

This is not Frisco!  Frisco is a blended community and that is honestly what makes us great.  We may not all agree politically – that’s okay!  We may not all operate the same – that’s okay!  However, divisive rhetoric based on race or the color of one’s skin tone is simply unacceptable from a Leader in this city.  Our children need real leaders right now!  Our school district has real LIFE AND DEATH issues happening.  Our children deserve to be safe and know that all their lives matter (red, yellow, brown, black, white and blue).   The last thing we need is someone on our Board of Trustees who supports any type of race-driven organization or racially divisive groups.  Just NOT ACCEPTABLE!

The question we have after this tragic event and after all the folks saying we are not a racially divided community – why didn’t the rest of them pull their endorsements?  That’s right, Shulman is endorsed by a lot of our folks in our community and no one else pulled their endorsements.  It begs the question do the following folks support a man who openly supports a racially divisive group to be on our schoolboard?  Do they think this is the kind of leader we need today facing the adversity we are facing?  If yes, then you should question THEIR JUDGEMENT! 

Are we surprised Mayor Jeff Cheney endorsed him?  No, he already took a knee in solidarity!

What about the rest?  At a time when we should be unified for ALL THE CHILDREN IN OUR DISTRICT – do these so-called leaders support this?  The two other candidates (Suresh and Renee) that have been campaigning with him – silent! Angelia Pelham – silent! Rene Archambault – Silent! The list goes on! If these leaders sit in silence at this time, after what has happened then in our opinion, they do support him and what he stands for. They are advocating for him to be on the Board of Trustee’s. Is that what you want for your child? Is that what we want for all the children in the district? I hope not!

So here we are, perched on the edge of civic glory or total chaos, depending on which Facebook group you follow. Early voting begins tomorrow, and I encourage you to participate. Not just because it matters (which it does), but because if you don’t vote, someone with worse judgment than you will.

The Frisco Chronicles
Your Friendly Neighborhood Overthinker