Recently, the City of Frisco announced the retirement of Fire Chief Lee Glover, bringing an end to a 35-year career with the Frisco Fire Department.
According to the City, Glover joined the department in 1991, when Frisco had just seven paid firefighters. He worked his way through the ranks before becoming Interim Fire Chief in September 2022 and being appointed Fire Chief on June 19, 2023. The City of Frisco announced his retirement on April 7, 2026, with his final day scheduled for August 3, 2026.
On the surface, it is the familiar story of a longtime public servant riding off into retirement. But there is considerably more history here. And after more than three decades inside one of Frisco’s most important public-safety departments, there are questions that deserve answers.
Lee Glover Timeline
1991: Joined the Frisco Fire Department.
2011: Frisco conducted an Employee Climate Survey examining conditions within the Fire Department and its leadership.
January 2012: The climate report documented serious concerns regarding morale, trust, intimidation, retaliation and fear within the department. The report also identified concerns involving senior leadership, including then-Assistant Chief Lee Glover.
September 2022: Glover became Interim Fire Chief.
June 19, 2023: City Manager Wes Pierson appointed Glover Fire Chief after a selection process involving five finalists.
April 7, 2026: The City announced Glover’s retirement.
August 3, 2026: Glover’s final day with the City of Frisco
Turn Back Time: The 2011 Climate Report
We have written extensively about the history of the Frisco Fire Department and the concerns raised about its leadership. The 2011 Employee Climate Survey remains particularly important because it was not simply a disgruntled employee complaining about a supervisor. It was a formal examination of the department’s workplace environment.
The report described serious problems involving trust, respect, morale and the relationship between firefighters and department leadership. It characterized the culture as one involving intimidation, retaliation and fear. It also reported that a significant percentage of respondents said they would leave the department if they could.
Our previous reporting noted the report identified Lee Glover as part of the senior leadership structure under then-Chief Mack Borchardt. The question that naturally follows is simple: What changed between 2011 and 2023 that convinced city management that Lee Glover was the right person to lead the department?
That question became particularly relevant when Glover was named Interim Fire Chief in 2022.
The 92.5% Question
When Glover became a finalist for the permanent Fire Chief position in 2023, the Frisco Fire Fighters Association conducted a survey of its membership.
According to the survey previously reported by Frisco Chronicles, 220 of 233 firefighters responded, and 92.5% said they did not want Glover to become the next Fire Chief. The survey also reported that 91.4% did not believe Glover had improved morale or restored trust during his time as Interim Chief.
Despite those numbers, City Manager Wes Pierson selected Glover. At the time, Pierson said Glover’s experience, knowledge and leadership made him the best fit for the department. That decision deserves scrutiny, not because an employee association should automatically determine who runs a municipal department, but because a 92.5% vote against a leadership candidate is an extraordinary number.
So the questions remain:
What did City Manager Wes Pierson know about the survey before selecting Glover?
Why did City Manager Wes Pierson believe the concerns expressed by the firefighters were not sufficient to disqualify Glover?
Did the City conduct any independent investigation into the concerns raised by the firefighters before making the appointment?
Did City Council members know about the survey results before Glover was appointed?
And perhaps most importantly: What did the City of Frisco do to determine whether the problems identified in the 2011 climate report had actually been resolved before putting Glover into the leadership role as Fire Chief?
Fast Forward: May 18, 2026
The City announced Glover’s retirement on April 7, 2026. Approximately six weeks later, on May 18, Frisco Police responded to Glover’s residence following a 911 call. We filed a Public Information Request seeking the police records associated with that call and incident.
The records we received were heavily redacted. The Case Report Summary identifies Alvin Glover Jr. as a subject and Jamie Glover as the reporting person.
The report states that Frisco police responded to Glover’s residence at approximately 7:41 p.m. on May 18, 2026. According to the report, Jamie Glover identified herself as Alvin Glover Jr.’s wife and told officers that he had recently become increasingly aggressive following a change that is redacted from the report.
The report also states that Jamie reported that Alvin had been displaying certain signs since “recently retiring,” although the specific information is redacted. Officers subsequently made contact with Alvin Glover inside the residence. The remainder of the report contains additional redactions.
A supplemental report was also included in the records provided to us. There is an important distinction here.
We know a police response occurred. We know the City’s records identify the individuals involved. We know portions of the report describe concerns involving Glover’s behavior.
We do not know everything that happened because significant portions of the records were withheld or redacted. That leaves questions.
What Happened After the 911 Call?
According to sources familiar with the incident, Glover was experiencing a serious personal crisis and was transported to a hospital following the police response.
Sources have also alleged that the incident involved suicidal behavior and that Glover may have had a weapon in his possession before officers arrived. Those allegations have not been independently verified by Frisco Chronicles and should not be treated as established fact without supporting documentation.
We are also told that Glover did not return to his normal duties following the May 18 incident and that his next public appearance connected to the department was associated with his retirement in August.
If that account is accurate, it raises some obvious questions:
What happened between May 18 and August 3? Was Glover placed on leave?
Was he using accrued sick leave, vacation, administrative leave or another form of paid leave?
Was he still designated as Fire Chief during that period? Was he performing any official duties? Was he receiving his regular salary? Who was running the Fire Department during Glover’s absence?
Did the City conduct any internal review? These are not questions about someone’s private medical history. They are questions about the administration of a taxpayer-funded public agency and the use of taxpayer-funded compensation.
Was Glover Treated Differently?
This may be the most important question of all. Firefighters work in an extraordinarily stressful profession. Mental health, trauma, substance abuse, family crises and other personal struggles can affect first responders just as they can affect anyone else.
The City should have policies governing how employees, including department leadership, are treated when they experience a personal or medical crisis.
So we have to ask: Are those policies applied equally to everyone? No. The proof is in the previous pudding.
Are rank-and-file firefighters given the same flexibility, leave options and confidentiality that are available to department leadership? No. The proof is in the previous pudding.
Has the City ever placed another firefighter or senior officer in a similar situation on paid leave while maintaining their position?
What are the City’s policies when a department head is unable to perform the duties of the position? Well history shows they terminated the Assistant Fire Chief Cameron Kraemer who was out on medical leave for PTSD and mental health issues.
Who had authority to designate an acting chief and did they formally appoint an acting Chief after May 18, 2026?
If not, why not? Those questions can and should be answered without disclosing someone’s private medical information.
The Mack Borchardt Connection
There is another piece of this history that cannot simply be ignored. Mack Borchardt served as Frisco’s Fire Chief for decades and later became Special Assistant to the City Manager. The City’s current staff directory still lists Borchardt as Special Assistant to the City Manager and states that he served as Fire Chief from 1981 to 2012.
Borchardt’s transition out of the Fire Chief position has been discussed extensively in connection with the 2011 climate report. He was terminated by the city then rehired by then City Manager George Purefoy (long time good ole boy friendship) who made him a “Fire Consultant Liaison within the City Manager’s office. He received a hefty salary and city vehicle. The 2011 report raised significant concerns about the department’s leadership culture at the time. It also identified concerns regarding the senior leadership structure surrounding Borchardt.
Glover was part of that senior leadership structure. Yet years later, Glover ultimately became the Fire Chief. That creates a legitimate question about whether the City actually addressed the problems identified in 2011 or simply changed the name on the office door.
City Management’s Role
There is another issue that deserves examination. The City knew about the 2011 climate report, knew about the concerns surrounding the department’s previous leadership structure, and knew that 92.5% of responding firefighters surveyed did not want Glover to become Fire Chief. With all that knowledge and information what led City Manager Wes Pierson to reach the opposite conclusion?
The City has said Glover was the best fit for the job. Fine. Then show taxpayers the work. What criteria were used? Who conducted the interviews? Who evaluated the finalists? What were the scoring criteria? What concerns were raised about each finalist?
Who recommended Glover? Were references checked? Were prior complaints or investigations reviewed? Was the Fire Fighters Association survey discussed during the selection process? And did Pierson or anyone else in city management conduct an independent assessment of the concerns raised by members of the department?
These are reasonable questions when the person being selected is going to oversee one of the City’s largest and most important public-safety organizations.
Retirement or Something More?
Now we come back to the original question. Why did Lee Glover retire?
The city announced his retirement on April 7, 2026, nearly four months before his final day. The official announcement described it as the conclusion of a 35-year career and praised the department’s accomplishments during his tenure.
That may be exactly what happened. But the timing of the May 18 police response, followed by questions about Glover’s absence from the department, makes it reasonable for taxpayers to ask whether there was more to the story.
Was the retirement entirely voluntary? Was Glover ever asked to retire?
Was he facing an internal investigation? Was he placed on leave?
Was he medically unable to return to duty? Did he decide that retirement was the best option?
Did city management encourage or negotiate his departure? And were any agreements, benefits, payouts, leave balances or other financial arrangements associated with his retirement?
The Bigger Issue
This story is not really about whether Lee Glover had a personal crisis. If the allegations about the May 18 incident are true, that is a deeply personal matter, and nobody should use another person’s crisis as entertainment. The issue is whether the City of Frisco has one set of rules for ordinary firefighters and another for those occupying the corner office.
That is the issue taxpayers should care about. The Frisco Fire Department has grown enormously since Lee Glover joined in 1991. The city now describes the department as having 265 sworn personnel and 34 civilian employees. That is a massive public-safety operation.
The person sitting in the Fire Chief’s office has enormous responsibility. The public therefore has a legitimate interest in how that position is filled, how leadership problems are handled, how employee complaints are investigated, how leave policies are applied and how taxpayer dollars are spent.
The questions surrounding Lee Glover do not begin with the May 18, 2026 police call. They go back more than a decade. The 2011 climate report raised questions about culture and leadership.
The 2022 appointment of Glover as Interim Chief raised questions about whether those problems had really been resolved. The 2023 appointment of Glover as permanent Chief raised even more questions after the Fire Fighters Association survey reportedly showed overwhelming opposition. And now the circumstances surrounding his final months with the City raise another set of questions.
Maybe there are perfectly reasonable answers to all of them. If there are, the City should provide them. Because transparency should not depend on whether the person involved is a firefighter, a department head, a city manager or anyone else on the public payroll.
Frisco taxpayers deserve to know whether the rules are actually applied equally. And after years of controversy surrounding the Fire Department’s leadership culture, that is not an unreasonable thing to ask. It is the minimum.
What Is Next Next we will address the issues with hiring the new Chief of the Frisco Fire Department. We will examine some relationships and ask why the city is using a new company to do the search. Is Wes Pierson looking for the best candidate or the best candidate who agrees with him on the operations of the department.
This is Pierson’s first time working in a major city. He previously worked in Addison, which is 4 square miles and before that Corpus Christi before their growth boom. The leads us to ask does he have the background to make such a large decision. Sources inside say there is a lot of doubt when it comes to his decision-making process with the Fire Department. Stay Tuned for part two!
Disclaimer: This article is intended to report on matters of public record and public interest. If additional information becomes available this article may be updated accordingly.
This article is written as opinion, commentary, and personal interpretation based on publicly available records, meeting observations, agenda materials, and information we received from community sources. Nothing in this article should be interpreted as a final statement of fact about any person’s legal conduct, criminal behavior, or ethical violations.
Tonight is the Frisco Chamber Mayoral Runoff Election Candidate Forum at Grace Church located at 5901 Page St near city hall. The Chamber stage lights will glow, the handshakes will flow, and the carefully polished talking points will land right on cue. But longtime Frisco residents have seen this movie before — and unlike Hollywood, the ending is usually written before the curtain rises. Year after year, the Chamber wraps itself in the banner of “community leadership” while quietly signaling which candidate belongs in the club and which one gets left standing outside the velvet rope.
Every year we listen to these debates and every year we have the same feedback sent to us by email.
The Cage Match Smackdown
Instead of a debate most of the time the Chamber Forums feel like a coordinated WWE RAW match. If you come expecting civic engagement and balanced moderation, you are about to get body slammed by reality.
Question Controversy
After the last forum we got several emails from residents, and they had strong feelings about the forum’s questions. The complaints included:
Questions are too long.
Not enough time for a candidate to answer the question.
Questions are biased to help the “preferred candidate”
Not clear how to use the challenge
Chamber of Complicity
Most residents want to believe the Chamber is an independent organization and the questions will be fair and balanced, but that is far from reality. In 2024, we wrote about the Election Fix related to the Fire Fighters Association propositions on the ballot. The Chamber allowed Councilman Bill Woodard and representative for the Safety First Frisco PAC ten minutes to speak to residents on why they should VOTE NO to the propositions on the ballot. However, they did not allow the Frisco Firefighters Association to speak, refute, or reply to the statements made by Woodard. This is a forum that goes out residents online via YouTube and the Chambers social media platforms, yet they did not let us hear both sides of an issue. The Frisco Chamber also sent out two email blasts, one in March, and one April of that year before the election to local business and members advocating, they Vote No!
The action they took effectively removed the Chamber as an independent voice on local issues. The bias was clear and showed the Chamber “FIX” was in!
Then in 2025, after the Tammy Tapes were released and made headline news across the DMN, CBS11, WFAA, Fox4 and NBCDFW, one would expect the Chamber to ask Tammy Meinershagen a question about the tapes, but no. While everyone waited on pins and needles for the Chamber Team to ask the big question, they never did. Silence like it never happened.
At the Chamber Forum in 2023, where Mark Piland ran against Mayor Jeff Cheney, the Chamber team specifically asked Mark Piland about a false story that was planted in the DMN by the city to destroy his character just before early voting again. They went as far as asking Piland about a direct quote in the article. The point of this question was to push votes towards Mayor, Jeff Cheney! In fact, the audience booed that night at the question, letting the Chamber know they felt it was unfair and biased.
Again, this is proof the Chamber “FIX” is in, and they are lean towards a preferred candidate. It has happened year after year so if residents are expecting anything different this year, it won’t.
Closing Thoughts
The Chamber stage lights will glow, the handshakes will flow, and the carefully polished talking points will land right on cue. But longtime Frisco residents have seen this movie before — and unlike Hollywood, the ending is usually written before the curtain rises. Year after year, the Chamber wraps itself in the banner of “community leadership” while quietly signaling which candidate belongs in the club and which one gets left standing outside the velvet rope.
By the time the night is over, voters won’t just hear answers from candidates — they’ll see where loyalty truly lies. Watch it closely. Pay attention to who gets protected, who gets interrupted, who gets the softball questions, and who suddenly finds themselves walking into an ambush disguised as “civic engagement.” In Frisco politics, the fix is rarely announced out loud. It’s orchestrated through subtle nods, selective outrage, and a well-connected machine that has perfected the art of appearing neutral while picking favorites behind the curtain.
And if history tells us anything, we should expect at least one underhanded surprise before the final applause. In Frisco, political theaters don’t happen by accident, they are calculated and planned – you’ll see!
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.
There is a difference between political disagreement and online obsession. In the age of Facebook gladiators, neighborhood watchdog pages, and keyboard constitutional scholars armed with Canva graphics, the line can get blurry fast. But lately, several Frisco residents have been asking a serious question about local physician Dr. Matt Rostami and his increasingly aggressive online commentary aimed at Frisco mayoral candidate Rod Vilhauer.
The concern is not simply that a doctor has political opinions. Doctors are citizens. They vote. They argue. They post memes just like everyone else. Some even discover Facebook Live and suddenly believe they are one podcast microphone away from becoming the next Joe Rogan.
Rostami’s online political presence is not new. Here are just a few posts sent to us by readers.
Video of Dr. Matt Rostami mocking the need to stop Sharia Law and making Christian woman to wear a Hijab. He specifically points out a woman named “Mary” who is holding a baby a reference to the bible. He goes on to say in our country Freedom is showing your butthole and cleavage because sharing is caring.
Current Revolt called out Dr. Matt Rostami for being a Democrat in disguise. He claims to be a Republican, but his voting Record says otherwise from what we can tell and Current Revolt called him out about it. We also noticed that he supported the vaccines during Covid which is odd for a Republican.
Then there is a post showing Dr. Matt Rostami dressed up in cosplay as a Jewish Nazi Officer. After it was posted he later mocked it, and in the words of Shaggy allegedly said, “it wasn’t me.”
In another post, Rostami holds up a Muslim Medical Alliance folder and mocks obese woman saying “I am here to get my CME credits as a doctor at this Muslim American Medical Society. We are discussing how to help Americans lose weight so they can fit in Hijab, Abayas and Burqas when we implement Sharia law. Yes, I was also surprised that we didn’t just have them in larger sizes (clown face emoji).
The Concern
The concern being raised by residents is whether Dr. Rostami’s online behavior has crossed from political speech into something more concerning: harassment, intimidation, or conduct unbecoming of a licensed physician.
And perhaps the biggest mystery of all: why did it take nearly an entire day to even locate his Texas medical license?
The Name Game
Here is where the story starts feeling less like a medical directory and more like a witness protection subplot from a late-night cable drama.
Most Texans searching the Texas Medical Board database would naturally type in “Matt Rostami.” That search does not easily lead to his medical credentials because “Matt Rostami” is not his legal name.
According to Texas Medical Board records, Dr. Matt Rostami’s legal name is Dr. Mahdi Rostamizaden, and his Texas medical license is listed as #R2723.
To be clear, physicians are not generally required to publicly advertise their license numbers on websites or social media. Texas law typically allows doctors to practice and advertise under a professional name, practice name, DBA, or commonly used name. Nothing illegal there.
Still, some residents found it odd that locating the license information required what felt like a forensic accounting team, three cups of coffee, and the determination of a true-crime podcast listener.
What Does the Texas Medical Board Actually Regulate?
This is where things become important — and nuanced.
The Texas Medical Board does not regulate political beliefs. A physician can support a candidate, oppose a candidate, criticize policy, or post unpopular opinions online. The First Amendment protects a tremendous amount of speech, including speech many people dislike.
Texas law does not create one single “social media behavior statute” for physicians. Instead, physician conduct is regulated through broader standards found in the Texas Occupations Code and Texas Administrative Code involving:
Professional ethics
Dishonorable conduct
Conduct likely to deceive, defraud, or injure the public
Impairment issues
Harassment or threatening behavior
Professional character requirements
The board has previously disciplined physicians over online conduct, including inappropriate Facebook activity and harassment-related behavior. The key legal question is not whether someone is rude, loud, politically charged, or unpopular, but the threshold is evidence.
Not gossip. Not rumors. Not “he seems weird online.” Evidence.
When Does Free Speech Become Harassment?
That is the million-dollar constitutional question.
A physician posting criticism about a political candidate is protected speech. Even harsh criticism usually remains protected. At Frisco Chronicles we know where that line is and we do stand to protect it. The question is should those rules be different for licensed professionals in some categories.
If conduct escalates into targeted harassment, threats, stalking behavior, intimidation, discriminatory conduct, or actions suggesting impaired judgment that could affect patient safety, the equation changes dramatically.
Several Frisco residents who contacted Frisco Chronicles expressed concern that Dr. Rostami’s posts have become increasingly inflammatory and intensely focused on Vilhauer.
One resident wrote:
“The public rhetoric has become increasingly inflammatory.”
Another questioned whether the fixation had crossed into “stalking territory.”
To be very clear, those are serious accusations. We want to make sure folks understand these are opinions — not legal findings.
A skeptical observer might reasonably ask whether the behavior reflects the professional judgment expected from someone entrusted with patient care. But legally speaking, “poor judgment” and “disciplinable impairment” are not the same thing.
That distinction matters.
Because the law does not punish someone simply for acting eccentric online. If it did, half of Facebook would be under federal supervision and Nextdoor would require adult probation officers.
The “Good Professional Character” Standard
Under Texas Occupations Code Chapter 155, physicians are expected to maintain “good professional character.”
Chapter 164 goes further, allowing disciplinary action when a physician is unable to practice medicine safely because of:
illness
drunkenness
excessive use of drugs or chemicals
mental or physical conditions affecting safe practice
Recently, several residents emailed Frisco Chronicles asking whether Dr. Rostami’s online conduct raises concerns about impairment or mental fitness.
To be absolutely clear: there is currently no public evidence proving impairment, substance abuse, or mental incapacity.
However, Texas law does provide mechanisms for investigation if legitimate complaints and probable cause exist.
Under Section 164.053 of the Texas Occupations Code, the Texas Medical Board may request a physician submit to mental or physical examinations if there is probable cause involving professional behavior concerns, substance abuse issues, or mental health conditions affecting safe practice.
If a physician refuses, hearings may follow, during which the physician can present evidence and legal defense.
Again, the standard is not “people on Facebook think he’s acting strange.”
The standard is probable cause backed by evidence.
That is a very high bar — and intentionally so.
Targeting Rod Vilhauer
Perhaps the most comical part of this entire saga is that Dr. Rostami appears to be attacking Rod Vilhauer for a comment made during a podcast that he has later clarified, while Rostami engages in the very same style of online political commentary daily in his regular posts. One day it is “dangerous rhetoric” when Vilhauer speaks bluntly about controversial issues; the next day Rostami is unloading multi-post tirades, inflammatory accusations, taking out political hit pieces in magazines, putting up defamatory road signs, and posting political attacks with the enthusiasm of a late-night cable news host who just discovered espresso. Residents watching this unfold believe Rostami has gone over the line of two people arguing over who is being too loud… through bullhorns. If harsh political speech suddenly qualifies someone as unstable, offensive, or unfit for public discourse, then critics might reasonably ask whether Dr. Rostami’s own Facebook timeline should be entered into evidence as Exhibit A.
Politics, Medicine, and Public Trust
This entire situation raises broader questions that extend beyond one physician or one mayoral race. How much online behavior is too much for professionals entrusted with public safety and public health? Should physicians be held to higher standards in public discourse? At what point does political activism begin damaging public confidence in the medical profession? And perhaps most importantly: in an era where outrage drives clicks, likes, and engagement, are some people simply losing the ability to log off?
The internet has transformed ordinary citizens into full-time broadcasters. Every grievance becomes a livestream. Every disagreement becomes a crusade. Every Facebook thread becomes Gettysburg with emojis. But physicians occupy a unique place in society. Patients trust them with life-altering decisions. That trust depends not only on medical competence, but also on public confidence in their judgment.
The Texas Medical Board understands that balance. That is why it generally avoids policing mere political opinions while still maintaining authority to investigate conduct that may genuinely endanger the public or reflect professional impairment.
For now, Dr. Rostami’s conduct remains largely a matter of public debate — not public discipline.
But one thing is certain: when residents begin asking whether a Doctor’s Facebook feed belongs in a campaign office, a courtroom, or a psychiatric evaluation request, the conversation has already moved far beyond ordinary politics.
For legal purposes we must post this 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.
Frisco Chronicles has no issue questioning city leadership and department leadership because I believe someone must speak for the front-line employees. Why? It is the front-line employees in each department that do the day-to-day work which keeps our city great. Every time I hear from an “insider” it is the same story, different department.
We have heard about nepotism running rampant, leadership involved in sexual affairs, toxic work environments, and much more. The truth is our city needs a good “SPRING CLENAING” in top management and department leaders. Why? To protect our front-line workers who feel the brunt of their failed leadership.
The last two weeks we have received several emails related to City Manager, Wes Pierson. The emails talk about how Pierson leads with hostile and condescending behavior. One email noted he consistently speaks down to staff, direct reports, and his executive team. It went on to say his condescending behavior and communication style undermines the morale across all city departments. Residents have seen this behavior up front and center at city council meetings.
The emails also talk about how employees feared professional retaliation if they file a complaint with HR against department or city leadership. The minute a complaint is filed the city begins actions to end that employee’s employment through any means necessary. That includes making up issues or actions to use against the employee.
We know in a recent meeting with public safety officials he questioned if the Fire Department really needed “ladder trucks” which shows his operational ignorance. Clearly his questioning shows a lack of operational infrastructure needed for basic emergency response. His dismissive attitude towards critical public safety equipment poses a direct threat to our communities welfare.
One email talked about staff development and how Pierson actively blocks the implementation of employee progression and career development. The city constantly changes care development plans to hold employees back.
This kind of behavior from one of the highest paid city managers in the nation is unacceptable. There is a severe contrast between his massive compensation package and his refusal to invest in staff progression which behind closed doors is crippling city operations. One email said a third-party investigation into management practices is needed to protect city employees and residents. It is the only way to ensure responsible governance.
When I receive one email I take it as employee frustration, but when I receive 3 in one week from different employees, different departments then it tells me there is an issue at city hall. That issue starts at the top with Wes Pierson as he sets the tone that flows downhill.
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 City of Frisco loves to talk about transparency. Council members regularly tell residents they are committed to openness, accountability, and public engagement. But the city’s actions tell a very different story.
Today, there are at least nine active Public Information Requests (PIRs) tied to major public issues that have either been sent to the Texas Attorney General for a ruling or met with significant resistance, delays, clarifications, or excessive cost estimates.
That should concern every taxpayer in Frisco. Anyone has the right to request to see these documents. Below is a list of PIR’s we are currently waiting on because they have been sent to the Texas Attorney General.
04/10/26 PIR Request: I am requesting access to and copies of the following public information:
Communications Between Brian Livingston and David Ovard All communications, including but not limited to text messages, emails, and messages sent via any messaging applications (including but not limited to WhatsApp, Signal, iMessage, or similar platforms), conducted on both city-issued devices and personal devices, related to: • City business • Frisco Whistleblower • Frisco Chronicles • Frisco Elections
Communications Between Brian Livingston and Matt Sapp All communications, including text messages, emails, and messages sent via any messaging applications, conducted on both city-issued devices and personal devices, related to: • City business • The fire association Timeframe: Last four (4) months from the date of this request
Communications Between Brian Livingston and Sean Merrell All communications, including text messages, emails, and messages sent via any messaging applications, conducted on both city-issued devices and personal devices, related to: • City business • Frisco Whistleblower • Frisco Chronicles
Communications Between Brian Livingston and Jake Petras All communications, including text messages, emails, and messages sent via any messaging applications, conducted on both city-issued devices and personal devices, related to: • City business • Frisco Whistleblower • Frisco Chronicles
Communications Between Brian Livingston and Laura Rummell All communications, including text messages, emails, and messages sent via any messaging applications, conducted on both city-issued devices and personal devices, related to: • City business • Frisco Whistleblower • Frisco Chronicles • Frisco Elections Timeframe: Last three (3) months from the date of this request
04/25/26 PIR Request: Records related to the Utility Billing Department and Revenue Collections Division: Customer Account Policies & Enforcement Policies and procedures governing utility disconnections, payment plans, and account adjustments. Any internal audits, reviews, or reports evaluating how these policies are applied. Aggregate data (no personal identifiers needed) showing approval/denial rates for payment plans or disconnection decisions over the past 3 years.
04/05/26 PIR Request: Records related to the Utility Billing Department and Revenue Collections Division: Internal Investigations Any and all records, reports, findings, summaries, or communications related to investigations conducted within the Utility Billing / Revenue Collections Division within the past 3 years. This includes complaints, interview notes, conclusions, and any disciplinary recommendations or actions taken. Personnel Actions Records reflecting terminations, resignations, retirements, or reassignments of employees within the Utility Billing / Revenue Collections Division during the past 3 years, including but not limited to supervisors and management-level staff. Documents explaining the reasons for such personnel actions, where available.
02/25/26 Request: I respectfully request access to and copies of the following records: Feb 17th City Council Work session Agenda Item A complete copy of Ordinance No. 19-10-86, including all attachments, exhibits, amendments, and related backup materials.
All documents, memoranda, draft ordinances, redlines, agenda packets, briefing materials, notes, and internal communications relating to the adoption, interpretation, amendment, or enforcement of Ordinance No. 19-10-86.
All emails, text messages, correspondence, and communications between members of the City Council and City staff—including but not limited to the City Manager, Mayor, and administrative staff—regarding: Any changes, proposed changes, or discussions about procedures for public testimony, citizen input, or public comment at City Council meetings.
Any discussion of modifying time limits, speaker rules, sign-up procedures, decorum rules, or restrictions on topics during citizen input. Any policies, internal guidelines, or training materials concerning procedures for public testimony or citizen participation at City Council meetings. The time frame for this request is January 1, 2025, through the present.
02/25/26 PIR Request: Specifically, this request concerns the executive session held on February 17, 2026, as reflected on the published agenda.
Attendance & Authority Documentation Please provide: Any sign-in sheets, attendance logs, notes, security logs, or internal records reflecting who attended the executive session. Any documentation reflecting the authority for attendance by any individual who was not formally sworn in as a member of the City Council at the time of the meeting. Any legal opinions, memoranda, emails, or communications discussing whether attendance by Ann Anderson—who had not yet been formally sworn in due to a pending election contest and recount—was permissible under the Texas Open Meetings Act. Any communication between City staff, the City Attorney, Council members, or outside counsel regarding her participation or presence in the closed session.
Executive Session Materials Because a private citizen (i.e., an individual not yet sworn into office) was reportedly permitted to attend the executive session, we request: The certified agenda or recording of the executive session as required by Texas Government Code §551.103. All briefing materials, packets, memoranda, presentations, or documents provided to any attendee for use during executive session. Any communications summarizing, describing, or recapping what was discussed in executive session. Any communications following the meeting that reference what occurred during the closed session.
Waiver / Public Disclosure Issue This request includes all communications discussing whether the presence of a non-sworn individual in executive session: Constituted a waiver of confidentiality; Converted discussions into public information; Triggered potential Texas Open Meetings Act implications; Required disclosure obligations under Chapter 552 or 551 of the Texas Government Code. Please provide any internal analysis or discussion regarding these issues.
02/25/26 PIR Request: During discussions surrounding the new animal shelter and the Collin County Animal Services ILA, council member Laura Rummel publicly promised residents there would be full transparency throughout the process. Residents were told the public would be informed and included. So two months ago, I filed a PIR for the following which the city submitted to the Texas Attorney General claiming “Attorney-Client Privilege” that is confidential.
Communications Between Identified Individuals Please produce any and all communications related City of Frisco Animal Holding Facility, CCAS ILA, CCAS Expansion — including but not limited to emails (including attachments), text messages (SMS, iMessage), encrypted or third-party messaging platforms (Signal, WhatsApp, Teams, Slack, etc.), memoranda, handwritten notes, meeting notes, calendar invitations, call logs, draft documents, correspondence, and internal communications — sent or received: Between any single individual listed below and any other listed individual; Between any combination of the listed individuals; Or between any listed individual and any staff member acting on their behalf. This request applies to communications conducted on official government devices/accounts and personal devices/accounts if used for public business. Collin County Officials & Staff: Chris Hill – County Judge, Susan Fletcher – Commissioner, Precinct 1, Cheryl Williams – Commissioner, Precinct 2, Darrell Hale – Commissioner, Precinct 3, Duncan Webb – Commissioner, Precinct 4 Lacy DeHorney – Animal Services Manager Misty Brown – Animal Services Division Manager Russell Schaffner, Yoon Kim, Bill Bilyeu City of Frisco Officials & Staff: Wes Pierson – City Manager, E.A. Hoppe – Deputy City Manager, Ben Brezina – Assistant City Manager, Henry Hill, Rob Millar – Assistant City Manager, Ken Schmidt – Director of Special Projects, Wes Hicks – Facilities Project Manager, Micki Johnson, Karla Munoz-Horton Elected Officials: Jeff Cheney – Mayor, Angelia Pelham, Laura Rummel, John Keating, Burt Thakur, Jared Elad, Brian Livingston, Ann Anderson
Subject Matter Scope This request specifically includes communications referencing or relating to: Collin County Animal Services (CCAS) The Interlocal Agreement (ILA) between Collin County and the City of Frisco Negotiation, drafting, execution, amendment, or renewal of the CCAS ILA The CCAS expansion project (one-story, ~10,000 square foot addition) The November 2023 voter-approved bond funding for CCAS Any delay in the CCAS expansion project Reasons for the delay, Responsibility for the delay, Any documents or communications related to the cost escalation, change orders, financial impact analyses, or construction cost increases resulting from delay of the ILA or Expansion. Discussions of liability, intergovernmental coordination issues, staffing issues, permitting, procurement, or compliance concerns tied to the project
Project Documentation Please also provide: All versions (final and draft) of the CCAS ILA and related amendments Redlines, negotiation notes, briefing materials, and executive summaries Contracts, RFPs/RFQs, architectural/engineering plans Project schedules and revised schedules Budget projections, cost comparisons, and bond allocation tracking Internal memoranda explaining timeline changes Any document identifying who is responsible for delay and why Date Range Requested: January 1, 2023 – Present (for ILA and communications) November 1, 2023 – Present (for expansion/bond-related records)
02/04/26 PIR Request: Copy of any emails with all attachments or text messages between Collin County and Frisco Management (Ben Brezina, Wes Peirson, City Manager’s Office, Henry Hill) or city council members including Mayor Cheney related to the Collin County ILA for Animal Services. Date: 8/1/2025 to Present 2/5/2026
Inspection Only Results
On top of these PIR’s several others requested were sent to the Texas Attorney General. One was for the copies of the RFP, RFQ, Contracts, Awards and Agreements related to the downtown main street construction. Along with records relating to the Employee Health Clinic. The outcome was “Inspection Only” meaning I have to go to city hall to view the information.
Acceptance of Charges
On 4/5/26 I filed for access to and/or copies of the following records related to the Utility Billing Department and Revenue Collections Division: Employee Complaints / Workplace Environment Records of formal employee complaints, grievances, or HR reports related to workplace conduct, management practices, or department leadership within the Utility Billing / Revenue Collections Division. Any employee climate surveys or internal assessments conducted in the past 3 years. Lastly, the communication emails or internal communications among department leadership, HR, and executive staff referencing: Department performance Employee concerns Investigations or complaints (Limit to the past 2 years to reduce scope if needed.)
How much is the city charging for this? $154.62
On 4/5/25 we filed for records related to the Utility Billing Department and Revenue Collections Division: Organizational Structure & Hiring Current and past organizational charts for the Utility Billing / Revenue Collections Division. Job descriptions, qualifications, and hiring criteria for management positions within the division. Records related to recent hiring decisions for supervisory or management roles (last 3 years).
How much is the city charging for this? $122.58
The Fight For Transparency
When it comes to the animal PIR’s you can bet the city sent it to the AG so they did not have to release the information before the election. Why did the city send it to the Attorney General when Laura Rummel sat on the dais and promised transparency through the whole process (which is on record). I also would like to know why she requested conversations regarding an animal facility be moved to “closed session”, so they remain off the record. That is what Rummel considers transparency.
If the process was truly transparent, why are citizens having to fight for basic records? Residents are repeatedly told public records are available under the Texas Public Information Act. Yet Frisco citizens are now facing charges exceeding $120 to $150 simply to obtain information from their own government.
Citizens should ask themselves: Is the pricing intended to recover reasonable costs — or discourage scrutiny?
Transparency is not a campaign slogan. It is a governing principle. That is a principle our city leadership, city council and mayor fail to uphold. That is why we need change because we “the residents of Frisco” should have the right to review and question decisions being made by with taxpayer dollars.
When elected officials promise openness but residents encounter delays, legal reviews, redactions, and triple-digit invoices for public documents, trust in local government erodes. Then they wonder why every resident calls for change and does not trust them.
Frisco residents deserve answers. More importantly, they deserve a city government willing to practice the transparency it so often preaches.
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