#SaveMain – Cheney’s Words in 2024

Plans to redevelop the historic downtown have been two decades in the making!  In 2017, a downtown master plan was developed and later approved to help move the $70 million project forward. In the last few years, city leaders spent resident tax dollars traveling to Colorado and North Carolina to draw inspiration for the project. 

Mayor Cheney: In His Own Words

While things are moving forward (not as fast, as the speed of light), we want to go back in time and revisit some of Cheney’s statements regarding the “historic downtown.”

A year ago, Mayor Cheney told NBC 5 DFW that he hopes the historic district can be a place where residents can slow down and reconnect with their roots.  Well, Mayor … things are slow, very slow, down there!  Slow Traffic, Slow Construction, and Slow-Moving Progress!  In a straightforward physical sense, “going back to your roots” means returning to the place of your origin – meaning hometown.  If someone were to return to Frisco today, would they recognize the downtown area of their hometown?

Cheney continued, “You want to be able to tell your story and have a sense of identity and just always remember where you came from, and how the community started,” he said.   I am sure many Frisconian’s stories include going to Randy’s Steakhouse for dinner before the high school prom or sitting on the deck at Didi’s on any given night where you can see birthday celebrations, baby showers and more.  Lastly, our story, our sense of identity is intertwined with the small businesses who have been vital to our downtown over time.  

Cheney continued, “A tremendous amount of investment is going in from the city and people are just really excited.”    After two decades, why is the city “JUST NOW” making an investment into the historic downtown area?  What is driving that decision?  Is it to help the locals who live in the area?  Is it to help the businesses in the area?  Is it because the infrastructure demands it? 

Why now?  Why The Rush?  After two decades, why is there a rush now to get downtown done?  Is it because they want it done in time to celebrate Frisco’s 125th Birthday?  Nope.  Is it because our residents need it and want it right now?  Nope.  The answer is in 4 LETTERS … FIFA which will drive TOURISM which has been the priority of this council under Cheney’s reign.

Mayor Cheney said to NBC 5 DFW, “The city hopes to finish construction just in time for the FIFA World Cup in 2026.”  That’s right, the placement of the downtown district is just half a mile away from Toyota Stadium, the home of FC Dallas will be hosting some events around the FIFA World Cup 2026. 

According to Local Profile, at the groundbreaking ceremony Mayor Jeff Cheney highlighted the significance of revitalizing the downtown area. “Every world-class city has a great downtown,” said Cheney.   In 2024, Conde Nast Traveler ranked the top 10 best world-class cities in the US.  They include Chicago, San Diego, New Orleans, San Franciso, Boston, New York, and Nashville.  Mr. Cheney, Frisco did not make the list.  People are not traveling to Frisco, Texas as their primary destination; it is a side-stop in their travel to somewhere else!  When elections come around, remember, this current council put TOURISM before residents … every single time!

Frisco Enterprises covered the groundbreaking and wrote, Frisco Mayor Jeff Cheney spoke about how the redevelopment and revitalization of the city’s downtown district has been a personal passion of his since joining the city council.   Mayor Cheney has had a lot of personal passions, like Fields, a performing arts center, and he has never shied away from the fact that he wants more amenities.  News flash, we want to get home faster and not be stuck in traffic for an hour and a half!  We want to exit the highways and not wait 30 minutes to get through the nearest intersection. Residents would like an animal shelter, roads with no potholes, and basic essential services.    

Cheney also said, “We want to make sure that our downtown Rail District is the heartbeat and soul of Frisco.  No great world-class city in the country does not have a great downtown — so (the Rail District Redevelopment project) is the beginning of that.” Next newsflash Mayor, our local businesses are the heartbeat and soul of Frisco!  Our small locally owned businesses on the east and west side of the city, which is connected by our downtown, add to the flavor, flare and heartbeat of our city!  You have already removed the soul from our city years ago.

Cheney emphasized the project’s commitment to preserving the historical essence of the Rail District while infusing it with modern amenities and attractions.  I guess we need to shout it from a ROOFTOP for our city council to understand … THE LOCAL BUSINESSES ADD TO THE HISTORICAL ESSENCE OF THE RAIL DISTRICT.  Why is the city turning a blind eye to that! 

HOW DOES CHENEY BENEFIT FROM THIS?

Well in 2022, Jeff Cheney posted to Facebook, “Now that we are the Official Realtor of the Rail District it’s only fitting that we share this City of Frisco video about the Downtown Redevelopment Project!” 

How did the mayor become the “OFFICIAL REALTOR” of the Rail District?  What does it mean to be the “OFFICIAL REALTOR” for the Rail District?  Did the city hold a contest that named him the “OFFICIAL REALTOR?”  We searched high and low and could not find anything about the city, naming him the Official Realtor for a city run an operated area.  This is not private like the PGA.    

Surely the mayor can understand the concern of his Real Estate colleagues who question the fact that he uses city videos (paid for by city tax dollars) on his personal business page claiming to be the “OFFICIAL REALTOR” for the Rail District and how that is problematic? 

HOW DOES THE CITY BENEFIT FROM THIS?

According to a February 2024 article in Frisco Enterprises, the City of Frisco is looking at how city-owned property on Main Street could be redeveloped to support the plaza.  The city put out an RFQ for development of downtown property located on a half block between Third and Fourth streets.  It entails 39,875 square-feet of property that is owned by the City of Frisco, Frisco EDC, and Frisco CDC.  The RFQ states the developers will act as partners with the city to achieve the city’s vision of a walkable downtown. The RFQ has a list of factors but two stood out being a boutique hotel and Destination entertainment and dining. 

CLOSING THOUGHTS

Strategic Planning:  If better strategic planning had been put into this project, the city could have done the revitalization construction during the COVID shutdown when businesses were already suffering a tremendous impact.  The small business administration said the pandemic’s effects were severe in the restaurant industry with nearly 16,000 restaurants permanently closing.  Restaurant sales and small business sales did not recover to pre-covid levels until sometime in 2023. Just as businesses locally are starting to recover and get back to business, now the city shuts down roadways and parking lots which are affecting our downtown merchants all over again.  Do they expect them to survive twice?   

Why the rush to finish by FIFA World Cup?  Why not stagger out the construction so it could have had less of an impact on local businesses?  Why is it every day this week that I drove down Main Street, there were less than 5 people working?  Where are the crews?  Where is the progress?

#SAVEMAIN: Fast forward twelve months—and you can practically hear the collective groan of shop owners, restaurant staff, residents, and customers dodging construction cones like it’s an Olympic sport.

And when this all started, what exactly was the expectation? Was there a plan for protecting the very businesses that are downtown Frisco? Because if they fail, what’s the point of shiny new sidewalks and pretty streetlamps?

Here’s the uncomfortable question: Who’s knocking on their doors now? Not to shop. Not to support. But to buy them out, flip their property, and cash in on a “revitalized” downtown without the very heartbeat that made it worth saving in the first place.

We will answer that question in SAVEMAIN – Part 3 (stay tuned)!

City of Frisco Official Rail District Open House: Click Here

City of Frisco’s Official Downtown Development Page: Click Here

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.

THOUGHTS FROM A RESIDENT

At Frisco Chronicles, we’ve never pretended to be anything but what we are: a voice for the people. Not the polished PR spin. Not the sanitized city hall version. The real voices—the ones too nervous to post on their own pages because in Frisco, speaking your mind can still get you whispered about, iced out, or flat-out retaliated against.

That’s why we’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: if you’ve got something to say, a question to ask, or facts to back up your concerns, we’ll give you the microphone—anonymously, if needed. All it takes is writing it down (be your own journalist for a day) and send it our way at friscowhistleblower@protonmail.com.

Today, one resident did exactly that. They sent us a letter about #SAVEMAIN, and asked us to share it with you. So… here it is.


Frisco’s Downtown Disaster: Where’s the Money? Where’s the Timeline?

This is not about politics. This is about survival.

Our downtown merchants are suffocating under a project that seems endless. Blocked streets, sidewalks, and driveways have cut them off from their customers. Owners are going broke — draining savings, maxing out credit cards, borrowing from family, and closing their doors forever. And what’s the response from City Hall? A flimsy half-million dollars, spread so thin it’s practically meaningless.

Gift cards and flags don’t save businesses. T-shirt sales won’t stop the hemorrhaging.

Meanwhile, speculation is running wild. Residents are asking why construction drags on for months with little activity. Why are there days with just one or two workers downtown when this project should have round-the-clock crews? Why do we see contractors working on other projects around town while Main Street sits unfinished?

These are not rumors to laugh off. They are questions that demand answers.


We Demand Transparency

Here’s what we, the people of Frisco, have the right to see:

  • The Contract – What was promised regarding scope, deadlines, and penalties for delays?
  • Change Orders – Every single adjustment approved that raised costs or extended timelines.
  • Budget & Expenditures – How much was allocated, how much has been spent, and where exactly the money went.
  • The Timeline – When this project was supposed to end and when it will actually end.

These are not “nice-to-haves.” These are public records. Taxpayer records. Our records.

Under the Texas Public Information Act, every resident has the right to request these documents. But we shouldn’t have to file paperwork and wait weeks. If the city has nothing to hide, they should post it all online — today.


No More Excuses

Merchants begged. They cried. They pleaded for help. And City Hall responded with pep talks about “communication” and “brainstorming,” as if it were the responsibility of small businesses to solve a crisis created by city mismanagement.

Enough.

We don’t want slogans. We don’t want t-shirts. We don’t want hollow promises.

We want the documents.

  • Post the contracts.
  • Post the budgets.
  • Post the timelines.

Show us where our money is going. Show us when this will end. Show us the truth.

Anything less is an insult to every merchant, every taxpayer, and every resident who believes downtown still matters.

Disclaimer

Frisco Chronicles is a community-driven blog. The views, opinions, and allegations expressed in guest submissions or reader letters are solely those of the original author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Frisco Chronicles, its editors, or contributors.

We provide a platform for residents to raise questions, share concerns, and present information. While we encourage fact-based submissions, we cannot and do not independently verify every detail provided by contributors. Readers are encouraged to form their own opinions and, when necessary, seek additional information from public records or official sources.

Frisco Chronicles shall not be held responsible or liable for any errors, omissions, or the outcomes resulting from the use of this information. If you have concerns about specific content, please contact us directly.

#SAVEMAIN – Part 1

Frisco is one of the oldest cities in the metroplex and over the years we have not stopped growing!  Every day you see more modern buildings going up and more new developments along the Tollway.  From the PGA to The Star there is always something to do!  BUT, WHAT ABOUT MAIN?  WHAT ABOUT THE HEART OF OUR CITY?

Just beyond the glamour and stadium lights of Toyota Stadium sits a unique and historic downtown.  The downtown Rail District is home to an eclectic group of independent, locally owned restaurants and businesses. The district boasts unique street murals and one-of-a-kind shops.  This historically preserved area offers visitors a glimpse into the “Real Frisco,” not the Touristy Frisco.  The Rail district is surrounded by residents who enjoy living in the area and is home to locally owned small-town businesses that have invested in our community for YEARS.  Now, they need the CITY TO INVEST IN THEM! 

Yes, downtown needed to be REVITALIZED, that we can all agree on.  It has taken the city DECADES to come up with a plan, and now they are moving right along!  HOWEVER, residents and local business owners are asking COULD THE CITY HAVE GONE ABOUT IT A DIFFERENT WAY?  The impact on these small businesses has been devastating!  These are locals who have invested in Frisco for years, paid taxes, and now they are in trouble because of REVITALIZATION. It is time for them to realize the impact on downtown businesses and that it is NOT NATURAL. It HAS BEEN CREATED by OUR CITY!  KEY POINT: The trouble they are in is not because of the economy; it is the IMPACT OF THE CONSTRUCTION that is #DestoryingMain!   

The people finally had enough. And no, not the “enough” where you write a passive-aggressive Facebook comment while sipping your venti latte—this was real, in-the-flesh frustration.  Residents and small business owners lined up one after another at Tuesday night’s City Council meeting.  Stepping up to the microphone, voices cracking between anger and heartbreak, to say what everyone driving down Main Street already knows: Main is broken, Businesses are broken, and it is time for the Council to stop pretending it’s fine.

Citizens Input: Main Street, or Main Mess?

FACT: Main is supposed to be the beating heart of Frisco. Instead, it’s looking more like endless traffic, crumbling infrastructure, and the ever-growing list of businesses just barely hanging on. Main isn’t thriving—it’s BARELY surviving.

The people who spoke didn’t come armed with consultants, shiny renderings, or buzzwords like “synergy corridors.” They came with lived experience: the store owner whose sales have dropped because customers don’t want to fight the chaos to park or try to cross the street without a Frogger-level survival plan. Main used to be a place you wanted to stroll on a Friday night.

LIMIT THE TIME

It started with Jeff Cheney looking for a motion to limit the time to speak from 5 minutes to 3 minutes (because there were more than 10 people).    Keating, who hopes to be your next Mayor (remember that) was the first to motion toCUT THE TIME,” which was seconded by Livingston.  These are local businesses, and you can’t take 5 minutes to hear each one of them?

Next, Mayor Jeff Cheney did exactly what Mayor Jeff Cheney always does (side note: we are reaching out to the Texas Municipal League to see if our mayor may have violated the open meetings act), talking before anyone had taken the microphone to discuss an item NOT ON THE AGENDA! Why? He announced the city planned to allocate $500,000 towards Main, and they will hold a public discussion sometime around October 7th

The Voices of Frisco Business Owners & Residents:

First Up: Erik Colberg spoke as a resident who lives in the Rail District

Lee Gonzales – Owner of La Finca Coffee & Bakery located at 7511 Main Street #150

Randy Burks – Randy’s Steakhouse located at 7026 Main Street

Randy’s plea brought tears to the eyes of many sitting in the council chambers. Randy’s started his businesses here in 1993 and today Randy’s Steakhouse sits in the Old Victorian Style Home along Main Street that used to belong to Frisco native Vivian McCallum. The impact has devastated his business.

Steve Anderson – Music Services located at 6726 West Main St

John Taylor – PC Geeks Computer Repair located at 7272 Main St, Ste 200

Owners of Simply Thai Bistro located at 6842 West Main St, Ste 101

Jason Taylor – Owner of Endur3Bikes located at 6699 Main St

Rich Vana– Chef/Owner of Heritage Table located at 7110 Main St

Samar & Luna Binat – Owner of La Suprema Market located at 6726 Main St, Ste 100

Taylor Lattery: Frisco Music Store

Scott Hoffner – Owner of Didi’s Downtown located at 7210 W. Main St

Local Frisco Resident: Paul Jessen


Local Rail District Resident: Brittnay Colberg

Council’s Response: Insert Shrug Emoji

Mayor Cheney (as usual) took his time to respond.  The Texas Open Meetings Act states: The city council shall not deliberate on any item that is not on the agenda, and for such an item, members of council may either: (1) make a statement of fact regarding the item; (2) make a statement concerning the policy regarding the item; or (3) propose that the item be placed on a future agenda.   As we have said before, we believe Cheney continually violates this during citizen input because he is not making a statement of fact, he is not talking about a policy he is pontificating his opinion.

As for the rest of the council, well, Keating wants a T-shirt!  That will be good clickbait for his Mayoral Campaign website (once he announces his BIG secret)! As for the rest, the reaction was predictable. Council sat nodding politely, practicing their best “I’m listening” faces while probably drafting their next campaign slogans in their heads. Because what’s the use of listening if it is not a billion-dollar developer!

The Hashtag Heard Around Frisco

The people weren’t asking for magic. They weren’t asking for a monorail or a Disneyland Main Street redo. They were asking for action—basic, common-sense fixes, leadership, and accountability.  Instead, what they’ve gotten so far is a year of excuses, construction delays, and much of the time businesses have been non-accessible. 

#SAVEMAIN is more than a social media slogan—it’s a rallying cry. It’s the people saying: stop patting yourselves on the back for “economic development wins” when you can’t fix the most visible, most essential street in the city. If the Council won’t act now, when?

Frisco, the people have spoken. They showed up. They demanded better. Now the ball’s in Council’s court. They can either lead—or they can keep ignoring the obvious while the rest of us tweet #SAVEMAIN until our thumbs cramp.  Because here’s the truth: the citizens already told you the answer. You just must stop pretending not to hear it.

Residents Should Be Asking…

Why now?  For years, the councils have gone back and forth about the redevelopment of downtown Frisco.  Why not do this during the Covid shutdown so businesses did not suffer twice?

When this started in June 2024 – what was the expectation for the future?

The businesses who are struggling from this construction – who is knocking on their door to “Buy or Save” their business? 

What is a revitalized downtown without the heart of downtown – the businesses?

Stay Tuned for Part 2

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.

The $3,000 Question: What’s the Price of Consistency?

It’s a new dawn
It’s a new day
It’s a new life for Frisco Taxpayers
Woo-woo-woo-woo-woo
And they’re feeling good

Today I was thinking, it is the start of a new beginning and soon two new city council members will join the Dias.  Burt Thakur and Jared Elad will be sworn into office at the July 1st City Council Meeting.  We hope their supporters come out and support them during the swearing in at the start of the meeting.

But what is happening before the meeting?  Well, apparently there is a City Council Work Session on June 26th.  They just posted the agenda and it appears under the Regular Agenda they are going to do a traditional welcome, agenda overview and set the theme for the session.  Then they are going to discuss a book called Great by Choice.  Lastly they will talk about the traits of successful teams. 

After that they will break into “Closed Session” where they will “have a deliberation, regarding commercial or financial information that the City has received from a business prospect or to deliberate the offer of a financial or other incentive to a business prospect.”   What could that mean?  We have no idea!

Then they will convene back into the “Regular Agenda” and finish with a Review of Councils 2025 Progress Goals, have a discussion regarding the FY2025-26 Initial Budget Considerations and closed with a “Ted Talk” regarding 5 Bold Steps to a Bright Future.   Interesting!  This is where we have questions.

Outgoing council members Tammy Meinershagen and Bill Woodard will be there as they still hold the seats for city council until July 1st. and then Burt Thakur and Jared Elad are sworn in.   Because of the runoff Thakur and Elad’s swearing falls after the meeting, but “THE BUDGET” is a big discussion that the new council members may have questions or input on.  Here is what we are interested in;

1. Did the city extend an invitation to the two newest council members to participate and learn at this work session like they have done in the past.

2. Will they host the meeting live on Frisco TV so residents can watch and learn and be more transparent for Frisco Residents?

3. What is the social event they are going to afterwords at Perry’s Steakhouse and is that on taxpayer dollars?

Now many may say, they are not sworn in yet so they can’t participate but exceptions have been made in the past.  In our article No Business Like Show Business we told you about how in March of 2022, our newly “APPOINTED” council woman Tammy Meinershagen went on the Frisco Chamber of Commerce Leadership Exchange Trip to Cary, North Carolina.  Why was that interesting to us at the time?  Well, Tammy Meinershagen had NOT YET BEEN SWORN IN as a council member yet. 

In that article, we asked the question of how Meinershagens’ trip was paid for.  Did she pay for it – remember she was not a SWORN IN council member or did TAXPAYERS pay for it?   Then we laid out the emails showing that on March 3, 2022, Mayor Jeff Cheney sent an email to Holly McCall, and said Tammy has expressed an interest in going on the LEX trip.  Cheney thinks it would be good for her to join to get a head start on her development and start building relationships.  He specifically notes, I know she will still be a council member elect as the time so not sure what hoops we need to jump through.  McCall, the Sr. Administrative Asst. to the Mayor & Council responds, “I’m sure it will be fine to pay for Tammy.  We’re just waiting on confirmation/advisement from the attorney’s office before proceeding.”

Then on March 7, 2022, in an email from Tammy Meinershagen to Tony Felker, President/CEO for the Frisco Chamber she states it looks like she will be able to join “representing the city council” so can you let me know what you need from me. 

Tony responded with an email asking Jeff Cheney what the best way for her is to register and then Jeff responds Holly McCall, the Sr. Administrative Assistant to the Mayor & Council, can book it. 

McCall responds again that she believes it will be fine to pay for her to go but she is waiting for the official city approval.  Fast forward to the April 19th, council meeting, Item #20 under the Consent Agenda (remember that is where they hide things) there is an action to consider and act upon approval of the attached reimbursement request presented to the Mayor and Council.   The memo reads that the $3000 request was the cost for Tammy Meinershagen to travel to Cary, North Carolina for the LEX trip hosted by the Frisco Chamber. It states she is a ‘CANDIDATE FOR CITY COUNCIL RUNNING UNOPPOSED.”    It then reads, Minershagen will begin her term in May, but members of the council believe the trip provided knowledge and experience that serves the public purpose of the city and was beneficial to the duties of a city council member. 

Guess what, THE COST WAS APPROVED!

At the time we wrote this article in October of 2023, we said we were alarmed that she would be going representing herself as a councilmember – when she had NOT YET BEEN SWORN IN and taken her OFFICIAL OATH.  We were adamant that running unopposed or not should not matter – what should matter is she was not sworn in to uphold her official duties as a city council woman.  We still believe that today!   However, what we think about the situation and what happened back in 2022/23, is irrelevant! The City of Frisco, The Chamber of Commerce and our City Council “SET A PRESCENDENT” that you do not have to be SWORN IN to present yourself as a council member and have the bills paid for by the city if you are appointed to your seat. 

Fast Forward to 2025

How does that change when two council members, who have officially been ELECTED, and are less than 7 days away from being sworn in, when it comes to them participating in the Summer Work session, in meetings that affect their upcoming term, etc.?  The session clearly says it is Councils Goals for the remaining time of 2025 and the future Budget for 2025-26!  I am guessing if you ask the two future elected council members what they think, they will agree with us!

That is the problem when you set a PRESCENDENT like they did in 2022 with Meinershagen, because now to be fair to the newly ELECTED COUNCIL MEMBERS – the city needs to invite them, allows them to participate, talk to leaders and city management, for the “experience it gives them, for educational reasons and benefits it presents them,” as it will help them grow in their council positions the same way they did for Meinershagen in 2022. 

Now, we wait and see – what happens?  Better get the city attorney on the phone and make allowances for the same concessions –

at least allowing them to attend s work session, doesn’t cost taxpayers $3000 this time!

Mental Health Check

In April of 2021 you would have thought an El Paso dust storm full of tumbleweeds came through Frisco and upset the equilibrium of our city.  As we discussed in our earlier blogs Where There Is Smoke PT 1 and There is Fire PT 2, there has been a long standing point of contention between the Frisco Firefighters Association and the city in regards to workers compensation. 

In 2021 the city opposed House Bill 2242 brought forward by Jared Patterson, Texas State House Rep for Frisco.  In 2023 the FFA and Patterson brought HB 471, and they have been working extremely hard to get it or similar legislation passed in Austin that would protect first responders across Texas.  The fight for more protection by the FFA and Jared Paterson has continued into our 2025 Texas Legislative Session.

Even though we knew about the El Paso dust storm, my wife and I were still shocked on May 16, 2023, after tuning into the city council meeting online, like we have done every other Tuesday for years. Mayor Cheney presented a proclamation to Denton County MGMR, for all the work they do each day relating to mental health.  Mental Health Awareness Month aims to increase awareness about the vital role mental health plays in our overall health and well-being and provide resources and information to support individuals and communities in need of mental health support.  

At that same meeting, during Citizen Input (23:00 minute mark), Frisco Firefighters Association President, Matt Sapp, along with Retired Frisco Fire Chief Mark Piland, and Assistant Fire Chief Cameron Kraemer to address the termination of Kraemer, a 27-year Veteran of the Frisco Fire Department. 

What?  After 27-years serving our city and its residents without hesitation, Kraemer was terminated BY EMAIL while on medical leave and under medical supervision for PTSD which we go into more detail about in our blog Backdraft which we really encourage you to read.   

By the end of the meeting, I wanted to scream like Alanis Morrissette…

Isn’t it ironic?
Don’t you think?
A little too ironic

Where are we two years later? It is Mental Health Awareness Month again, and the second anniversary of Kraemer’s termination BY EMAIL while on medical leave.  The fight is not over, not even close!  It’s time to peel back the curtain on a firehouse-sized problem simmering here in Frisco? Buckle up, this one’s got smoke, politics, and no small dose of Texas-sized irony.

Smoke, Stigma & Silenced: Mark Piland

Since then, Retired Fire Chief Mark Piland has had his name wrongfully smeared and his 40-year stellar career in public service wrongfully attacked by City of Frisco leaders for speaking out on behalf of Kraemer and the Frisco Firefighters Association when he attempted to run for Frisco City Council.

The Legislative Lifeline

When your city will not support you, what do you do?  The Frisco Firefighters Association has continued the fight and has been in Austin off and on the last several weeks with local State Rep Jared Patterson to fight for more protection for public safety employees in the State of Texas.   Just today, HB331 officially headed to the Governor’s desk to be signed into law!  The bill marks the final piece of legislation language from last session’s HB471 that our Frisco Firefighters have been advocating for the past three legislative sessions.

A Firefighters Fight: Cameron Kraemer

And Cameron Kraemer, where is he? Kraemer, while still under medical supervision, started the fight of his life against our very own City of Frisco.  After a hearing on September 21, 2023, before the Texas Department of Insurance, the DMN reports that the administrative law judge hearing the case ORDERED THE CITY OF FRISCO, which is self-insured, to pay Kraemer benefits and any accrued but unpaid income benefits in a lump sum with interest as provided by law.  According to John Riddle, president of the Texas State Association of Fire Fighters, Kraemer’s case is being watched throughout Texas, and it is important to the state’s 18,000 firefighters in 195 communities.  Riddle said in the DMN, “For now, Frisco is among the most aggressive cities in fighting its injured employees at City Hall and the Legislature — and because of that, employees like Cameron Kraemer pay a high price.”

The battle continued as Kraemer took his case before the DOJ for them to determine if he was able to sue the city for wrongful termination which we wrote about in our blog Big Time Casino Payout. The DOJ ruled Kraemer could move forward with a lawsuit so in August 2024 Cameron Kraemer filed a lawsuit for wrongful termination against the City of Frisco in Collin County.  Based on the research we have done, Kraemer is going to win, and we think he will win big!  You can learn more in our December 2024 blog Kraemer vs City of Frisco that we wrote which lays out the details. 

Final Thoughts from the Hillside Winery Whistleblower

Ask yourself why.  Why is the city spending hundreds of thousands on a private law firm to fight so hard and drag this out for so long, when clearly, they are in the wrong?  Why is the city spending tax dollars fighting our public safety employees instead of protecting them and just doing the right thing?   What will this cost us, the taxpayers, when he wins? Our guess…. MILLIONS! But that is not all. We are hearing rumors of other lawsuits that have been or will be filed by former employees of the FD against the City of Frisco.  We are digging into that now! 

They had all the time in the world to prance around asking us to vote to change the use of EDC funds for a Frisco Center For The Arts but they cannot simply make things right with the firefighters. Instead, we have Councilwoman Meinershagen calling them 300lb bullies and complaining that they are fighting for protections that directly affect their life. We have Bicycle Bill Woodard, who wants you to believe the firefighters are lazy (his words during the May 2024 election), and they want to bankrupt the city.  You can’t get a paycheck from a bankrupt city, so why would they want to do that?   Cheney and Keating want you to believe that our RETIRED Fire Chief was fired after a stellar career with the city and 10 years of perfect performance reviews.  Not to mention, in our PIR requests and federal FOIA’s, we found his entire 40-year career was stellar with not one deficient performance review.  Lastly, no one is paying attention to the fact that in the last 6 to 8 months, several (rumor is 6 to 8) of our firefighters are saying Hasta La Vista Baby either via retirement or quitting their job.  They are going to work for other organizations and cities where they are valued.    

Just hope and pray your house does not catch fire because we were already short staffed and now it is getting worse!  The city loyalists just turn a blind eye as always, and function as if nothing if wrong.  They want you to believe we have nothing to be worried about, but as a taxpayer you can bet, I am worried!  Big Time Payouts, the loss of experienced firefighters from our roster puts citizens and businesses in jeopardy.

Reference Articles:

DMN: Frisco changes workers’ comp policy for first responders            June  1, 2024

DMN: Frisco Firefighter fired while on medical leave wins workers’ comp case     10/12/23