UPDATE-Vansyckle On Last Night’s ECO Show

Private investigator Bill Vansyckle has been accused of being the infamous J.W. Dant character on political advertisements.

At 9:30 p.m. last night on The Ellis County Observer Radio Show, Vansyckle will address these allegations and take your calls.

Link: www.blogtalkradio.com/eco
Call-In: 646-478-5811
Live Chat! will be up and running.

Callers and chatters are anonymous unless they reveal their identities, fyi.

Our Readership Needs Firefox

I’ve been looking over reader stats and unfortunately, 80% of you still use the outdated and virus-ridden Internet Explorer.

If I may recommend an easier to use browser, allow me to point everyone to the free Firefox download.

You’ll be able to see the entire site and its wide array of images.

Plus you won’t be bombarded with silly pop-up ads.

Firefox. It’s free. It’s better. It’s what The Ellis County Observer uses.

Documents

Since I’m technologically inept sometimes and don’t know how to upload .pdf documents, I converted the documents to .jpg files. These things are pretty big and readers might need an e-magnifying glass to read the little parts, but this should give you an idea of what the subject matter is about.

Ennis Documents
1) Warrant for Commissioner Byron Walker
2) Warrant for Commissioner Byron Walker 2

Johnny Brown Documents
1) Letter from Nov. 1994 (non-sustained)
2) Letter from Kyle Neal (non-sustained)
3) Letter from then-Chief Roy Vaughn
4) Front page of complainant letter
5) Second page of complainant letter
6) Third page of complainant letter
7) Fourth page of complainant letter
Last page of complainant letter

Read more

Bill Vansyckle Responds to J.W. Dant Allegations

Private investigator Bill Vansyckle, who provided The Ellis County Press with documents Friday pertaining to an open records search he did on sheriff candidate Johnny Brown and other law enforcement candidates, addressed the allegations from two individuals on this site.

In responding directly to user “a.shepard” (that person is Don Wilson, the Precinct 111 chairman and father of assistant prosecutor Patrick M. Wilson) and JamesLedbetterhead, Vansyckle said numerous individuals were linked to a post office box used by the mysterious “J.W. Dant” that a recent Waxahachie Daily Light article highlighted.

Vansyckle also said he would be available for hire if individuals wanted to find the true identity of J.W. Dant.

As to the allegations of an alleged CPS case, Vansyckle said CPS case information is not for public record, and the only way information could be obtained, for example, is if Wilson had a direct (i.e., his son, Patrick) access through the county/district attorney’s office.

Vansyckle said he would be glad to make copies of the documents released and published this morning to anyone who asks for them.

See Also: Documents that Vansyckle provided should be available on the ECP website soon.

MidlothianTexas.net: MISD’s Tainted Beef?

John McClean’s site is pretty informative when it comes to the health and well-being of the young people attending Midlothian schools:

midlothiantexas.net/hallmark-westland_bystate.pdf

Venus: Tornado Spotted

A tornado was reportedly spotted in west Ellis County (extreme east Johnson County) near Venus.

More details TBA.

Mayor ‘Ray Nagin’ of Bardwell

The Ellis County emergency management coordinator – Sharon McKinney – told The Ellis County Press that Bardwell Mayor P.W. Gentry has not sought help or assistance for his citizens in its ongoing water situation (a problem in which there is no water).

Congratulations, Mayor Gentry. You’ve now become the Ray Nagin of Ellis County.

Where are the charities and churches in this crisis? We shouldn’t wait for a request from government to help these people.

Bardwell: Media Blackout

Just wondering why the Bardwell water situation is not being covered by the Ennis Daily News, Ennis Journal or Waxahachie Daily Light.

Also curious to know why the Red Cross and a host of other non-profit and rescue-relief organizations have not saw fit to help the citizens out down there.
To date, (so far) CBS 11 and The Ellis County Press (plus The Ellis County Observer) have reported on the ongoing situation in Bardwell.

If there has been coverage, I haven’t seen it. Those in the know are encouraged to contact the media outlets to figure out what’s going on down there…

CleburnePolitics.com

I know I’ve blogged numerous times on the guys over at CleburnePolitics.com, but there’s an independent paper called the Cleburne Eagle that seems to be stirring up the finances in the local school district.

For those curious, Johnson County is to our west. Have a look-see on that website. Oftentimes the officials in neighboring counties will look to Ellis County for employment. Thanks to blogs and papers that report the truth, there will be mountains of paper trails to make sure the unethical and dishonest are scrutinized more.

Note: If you are an editor or contributor at the Cleburne Eagle/CleburnePolitics.com,  I need  some information. Call: 972-544-2369 or joeydauben@hotmail.com.

Republicans Fight Over Iraq, PATRIOT Act

Republicans on Saturday tussled with apparent Ron Paul supporters over resolutions over the Iraq war and the USA PATRIOT Act, according to multiple sources who were at the county convention.

Not sure how it all ended up, but a little debate is healthy for any party.

Ennis: Commissioner Candidate Dead

This is bizarre for 2008 local elections:

Jim Bob Wilson is dead

Brown Pulls ECP Ads Re: ‘94 Incident

The Ellis County Press learned today that GOP sheriff candidate Johnny Brown pulled his planned advertisements for this week due to an effort to give him ample opportunity to respond to documents from a 1994 incident that were given to the newspaper Friday and that are planned for publication this Thursday.

Though the findings of a Midlothian Police Department internal investigation found that terroristic threat allegations were “not sustained” (the complainant dropped charges), Brown was found to be in violation of Midlothian PD’s code of conduct policy when he reportedly told then-Capt. Kyle Neal “I’m tired of you blowing smoke up my ass.”

Private investigator Bill Vansyckle submitted requests on all law enforcement candidates (constable, sheriff, etc.) in the 2008 primaries and submitted the MPD open records requests to The Ellis County Press.

According to a Nov. 18, 1994 “statement of facts” issued by an unidentified complainant, Brown was escorted from an auto dealership by Dallas police after he allegedly threatened the property and physical harm to the complainant.

“I will get even with you, even if I have to burn down every [expletive] thing on this lot,” the complainant (his/her name blacked out in the reports) alleged in a one-page report.

The Ellis County Press sent an e-mail to Brown’s campaign Saturday afternoon seeking comment on the documents and when contacted by an ECP ad salesman, Brown reportedly said he would not be running the ads due to the upcoming story.

ECSO: Looking into Official Oppression Matters

Capt. Danny Williams sent this along to The Ellis County Press regarding supporters of both James Ledbetter and Johnny Brown allegedly threatening co-workers about written editorials, blog comments, etc.

At this time I have not actually recieved a complaint IN WRITTING… However.. I am checking into the matter.

Does Jim Pitts Live in District 10?

This all but settles the rumors.

Does Jim Pitts live in District 10?

MEGAN GRAY
The Ellis County Press
WAXAHACHIE – Jim Pitts said rumors circulating Ellis County about him not living in Waxahachie can now be safely put to rest.
A fellow state representative, who asked that her name not be used, alleged to The Ellis County Press that Pitts, who was first elected in 1992, lives in Highland Park.
Pitts, R-Waxahachie, said he resides at his home in Waxahachie on Sycamore, and only lives away when he’s in Austin during legislative sessions.
“I’m an Ellis County man all the way,” he said.
The state representative, who was the state budget chairman two sessions ago and who is waging a campaign for speaker of the house, has a Libertarian opponent in the fall. Aside from Austin duties, Pitts said he vacations at a nearby lake and visits his children “from time to time.”

Property Tax Arbitration

People can avoid going to district court over their property valuations if they read this very informative piece by Salli Smith:

Read more

Russell Johnson LISD update

Incumbent Withdraws from School Board
Megan Gray
Ellis County Press
Lancaster- School board member R.E.”Russ” Johnson of District 7 for Lancaster ISD has withdrawn from the race. When contacting fellow opponent Cheryl Wright she had no comment on this at the time being. Now, un-opposed this pretty much just gives her the spot. A spot, Mr.Johnson thinks will suit her very well. “She is an outstanding lady who share’s the same philosophy about education as I do. She will be an asset to the board.” I was assured there was no other story to him leaving than just personal reasons. He plans to retire in a few years and has other things he would like to do. ” I think after serving the last 5 years it’s time to move on and give someone else the chance who’s as concerned as I am to take on the board.”

Ennis: Official Indictment From Clay County

Someone sent me via postal mail the copy of the indictment issued out of Clay County, Texas for Ennis Commissioner Byron Walker’s arrest for fraudulent use of identifying information – a state jail felony.

There are three pages to this series of documents (No. 2008-0000027C-CR). Check The Ellis County Press this week for more information.

Official Oppression at the ECSO

If found to be true, Sgt. Phil Slaughter and anyone else at the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office who have been using their official status with the department to silence political criticism should resign.

Just in case you folks in either the Ledbetter or Brown camps think I’m joking, brush up on the “official oppression” statute that my webmaster brought to my attention:

Read more

Op-Ed: Thompson Strikes Again

To be fair, if any campaign supporter wants to have their editorials published, send them to info@elliscountyobserver.com.

Mendy Thompson is alleging that her husband, Brian, an Ellis County Sheriff’s Office deputy and recent candidate for Precinct 3 commissioner, was told by a Sgt. Slaughter (can’t remember the first name) that he needed to shut his wife up (that would be Mendy).

I’m hearing more and more stories of supporters of certain candidates being threatened and bullied down there. The Ellis County Press news team is looking into this. Should have something this week about it.

Read more

Open Thread – Bardwell, Run-Off

Serious health problems associated with Bardwell’s water supply.

More details available here.
Keep the sheriff run-off debate civil, people. I’ll be back Monday to get back into things.
See Also: The Ellis County Press

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