10/06/2006
10/05/2006
Does PBS&J Fraud Extend to City of Austin?
A federal grand jury is looking into PBS&J for reimbursing it's employees for political contributions.
City of Austin Councilman Brewster McCracken's 30th Day before election (2006) report includes contributions from at least three PBS&J employees. Brewster is planning to run for Mayor. Brewster voted for tolls on roads we've already paid for in 2004 & 2005.
Two of them actually use PBS&J's address. Here are the names and addresses.
Keith and Joyce Jackson
6504 Bridge Point Parkway, Suite 200
Austin, Tx. 78730
Robert McCarty
6504 Bridge Point Parkway, Suite 200
Austin, Tx. 78730
Paul Jensen
8600 Bell Mountain Road
Austin, Tx. 78730
Fort Bend, TX could be getting money back, as TxDOT is. A source has told me they would not be surprised if the City of Austin is due 2 million in refunds from PBS&J, who has been involved in at least 36 million in Fraud.
Is anyone at the City of Austin looking into PBS&J Fraud?
Strayhorn on the Rise...The Big Mo? (Not MoFo)
BurkBlog goes into more details about the latest poll that shows Perry moving down and Strayhorn making headway:
Here are the results, with the August numbers in parentheses:
Perry 33% (41%)
Strayhorn 20% (14%)
Friedman 14% (13%)
Bell 13% (13%)
Undecided 19% (20%)
The poll shows an 8-point drop by Perry and a 6-point rise by Strayhorn. The results could be interpreted to validate pre-Labor Day assertions by the Strayhorn campaign that the inability of the Bell and Friedman camps to raise enough money to go up on TV and stay on for nine weeks would transform a four-way race into a head-to-head race by early October. If that occurs, an interesting cross-tab in the poll involves this question: "There is no runoff in the Governor's race--whoever gets the most votes wins. But, suppose there were a runoff and the candidates were Republican Rick Perry and independent Carole Strayhorn. Which would you probably vote for?" The result:
Strayhorn 42.9%
Perry 41.7%
The key to the election right now is Democratic voters. Bell's 13% represents about half of the Democratic base vote. If the missing half cares more about beating Perry than about party loyalty, the race could get very interesting....
10/04/2006
This just posted at Quorumreport.com
October 4, 2006 2:09 PM
NEW PAC SPONSORED POLL SHOWS GOVERNOR VULNERABLE SHOULD ANTI-PERRY VOTE COALESCE
Strayhorn shows the most movement in ballot test question
While all polls have shown incumbent Governor Rick Perry holding solidly ahead of his three challengers with numbers from the low to high 30% range.
The only polling that has been generally available have been from out of state operations like Zogby and Rasmussen, both of which have their own idiosyncracies.
So far, no poll has seriously tested second choices which could be decisive if the so-called "anybody but Perry" vote were to solidify behind one of the three most prominent challengers.
Texans for Insurance Reform PAC (which is largely funded by individual trial lawyers) has just posted poll results testing 603 voters using the same methodology utilized for decades. The posting is not a simple executive summary with bullet points. Instead TIR has posted the questions and cross tabs giving the most complete picture to date of the race. They have also posted the results of previous polls in order to establish trend lines
Most importantly, they have explored the all-important "second choice" question.
The rest of the story, subscribers only
A few more letters from Texans to Gov. Perry about the TTC from yesterday:
I'm sorry I ever voted for a SOB like you.
– Robert of COLLINSVILLE, TX
How can you say you represent the people of Texas? Shame, shame, shame on you Gov. Perry!
– Margie of Waco, TX
I guess you think all texas people follow the republican party and the bush family blindly!!! We are watching in more & more places ; stop this land grab for a foreign country ( mexico ) we do not owe then a living and there is no reason for us to sell the rights to a toll road to a foreign power.
– Jerry of Sweetwater, TX
– Jerry of Sweetwater, TX
I am simply horrified at this TOLL ROAD RIP-OFF! The voters in Texas --especially those whose farms will be affected by this proposal should have been advised and had a chance to VOTE for changes THIS drastic to their --make that OUR way of life!
– Helene of Elgin, TX
NO TTC GET PERRY OUT!!! HE HAS A PROBLEM TELLING ALL OF THE TRUTH ABOUT THE TTC AS WELL AS THE SCHOOL SYSTEM AND TAXES....GET HIM OUT ,,, GET HIM OUT....... VOTE STRAYHORN.....
– Edmund of Bartlett, TX
You should be spending our money on finding ways to help our poor and keeping those poeple from crossing our borders and stealing all our jobs and making us poor. My Father-in law has always said that the hispanics would take Texas back without a shot ringing out.....well sir, just look around you.........stop waisting the money we pay you ......
– Carol of Boerne, TX
This blatant disregard for our state is shameful. As an Aggie I ask you quit calling yourself one. No true Aggie would be handing over control of any roads in this state to foreign interests nor ignoring the land rights of its citizens.
– Julie of Cedar Park, TX
Since there is no logical reason to build such transportation corridor--other than to make it a part of a continent spanning highway to erase borders and the sovrenity of the United States, I object. To have started it with out public knowledge is treasonous. You should be impeached.
– Albert of Burleson, TX
I THINK THIS IS A HORRIBLE IDEA FOR THE GREAT STATE OF TEXAS. SECURE OUR BORDERS!
– Rogene of North Richland Hills, TX
Governor Perry has completely lost sight of his fiduciary responsibility to act on the behalf of his constituencies. He has failed us, the voters of Texas, in many ways during his tenure in office. The thought of privatizing and tolling of Texas freeways is repulsive, and unnecessary. I
don't know what kind of kick-backs the governor is receiving from this, or what "buddly-list" he is playing for, but his actions most certainly do not represent the voting majority of Texans. We will refuse to be double-taxed (the public is NOT a corporate entity), and "our" land is not for-sale for the ridiculous Trans-Texas Corridor, for which our leader is pushing his own political propoganda. We, the voter's of Texas will take a firm stand againt Perry to ensure the future viability and prosperity of this great state.
– With much disgust, Matt of Lubbock, TX
I've already written to you once before regarding the highway 121 toll project that I disagree with. Here you are again, trying to take more of our money. I remeber when the national gas tax went up 5 cents to take care of our roads and highways. Where did it go?...Boston's Big Dig. And you wonder why so many people are fed up with you and the other republicans?
– Steven of McKInney, TX
I think the 90 day notice to vacate scheme is really clever and would only come from our Texas Legislature. I am promoting no incumbents this election.
– Walter of Plano, TX
I'm a rancher and rather lay my life on the line then let anyone steal my land and that what it is stealing.
– Erika of san benito, TX
Political theives like you should be rode hard, horsewiped, and put up wet before all the people of this great state. We all know that polliticians rake money off the people, but you give politicians a bad name.
– Ed of Lufkin, TX
9/30/2006
9/26/2006
Citizens react to GOV. PERRY LAND GRAB VIRAL VIDEO at StopPerry.com
If you, Governor Perry, do not reject the TTC project before election day, this lifelong Republican and his family will be voting for whichever of your opponents is polling the strongest on election day. You are a disgrace to Texas and A&M for trying to give away land belonging to decendents of those who fought for Texas independence.
From David in Louise, TX
9/23/2006
Chris Bell: Failed Candidate Abandoned by his Own.
I met with Chris Bell about a year and a half ago.
Bell’s campaign advisor Jason Stanford asked me to have a meeting with them at the Capitol, to give them insight on Gov. Rick Perry’s Trans Texas Corridor (TTC) and tolling of roads we’ve already paid for. They asked me to this meeting because I’m the founder of People for Efficient Transportation PAC.
It’s important to say that our grassroots organization has endorsed good Republicans and Democrats over the last 2 years. We’ve never endorsed an independent candidate. We endorse great candidates who will ignore the party machine and vote for the people.
Frankly, I never thought I’d write about his meeting, but Chris Bell has crossed the line one two many times, and it’s time someone set the record straight.
CHRIS BELL: ALOOF AND ARROGANT
Back to the meeting...I was not impressed with Bell, as he spent more time looking at his laptop screen than joining the conversation at our cafeteria capital small table. I remember how shocked I was when our meeting ended - that I'd wished Jason Stanford was the candidate. Chris Bell was aloof, arrogant and far from the friendly Stanford who simply asked questions and actually listened.
My opinion of Chris Bell hasn’t improved over the last year in a half.
He’s failed to show up, after being invited, to any of our important anti-TTC events across the state. Most of these events, especially our largest one, Tunes not Tolls, took place before we made any endorsement decisions. He’s also failed to show up at dozens of TTC hearings that Strayhorn has taken the time to attend across Texas, along with thousand of Texans who fear loosing their homes to Perry’s TTC foreign profit making scheme.
Why has Chris Bell failed to say he’ll stop the TTC?
The democrat party machine will most probably want to move into Perry’s TTC territory and sell Texas for their own gain. This opinion is simply based on what the two parties have been doing since they were born.
Strayhorn will stop Gov. Perry's TTC.
Strayhorn has presented a no land grab alternative to the TTC, using existing right of way. Bell has proposed nothing. Nothing for transportation, or education, or any other issue in Texas. Bell has been too busy scrambling to raise a real campaign war chest over the last many months. And, he has failed at that as well.
CHRIS BELL: SPINNING LIES
Recently Chris Bell has tried telling Texans that Strayhorn was pro-TTC. An outright lie.
Strayhorn has already taken real action while Chris Bell has done nothing. Chris Bell is actually known for nothing.
While Bell has been attacking Strayhorn over the past many months, and ignoring Perry (who has lead in 100% of all the polls), Strayhorn has received the support of 100% of the anti TTC and all “no tolls on roads we’ve already paid for” groups throughout Texas.
Chris Bell’s desperation, fabrications, SMOKE AND MIRRORS become more clear as the election gets closer.
This week he’s beating his chest about being 5 points away from Perry, and claiming Strayhorn’s campaign is dead. The Chris Bell spin fails to be honest with Texans - The poll they brag about is an online interactive poll!
The vast majority of the respondents from online polls are from a "database of individuals who have registered to take part in online polls through solicitations on the company's Web site as well as other Web sites that span the political spectrum". Such online polls work for counting college students who all have access to the internet and check e-mail regularly, but I think I can trust your intelligence to realize the flaws when using such methods on the general population.
And some candidates have actually altered this feeble poll by telling their supporters to go to the poll to deliberately skew the data. Shame on Chris Bell, for desperately trying to trick Texans.
CHRIS BELL: ABANDONED BY HIS OWN
The usual crucial Texas Democratic supporters have abandoned Chris Bell for INDEPENDENT Carole Keeton Strayhorn.
Two of the largest voting blocks in Texas have abandoned Chris Bell, the Texas State Teachers Association & Texas Federation of Teachers. And just as important, the usual big dollar Democrat donors have sent all their millions to Strayhorn.
Why have the usual supporters abandoned Chris Bell? Because they know he just can’t win.
CHRIS BELL: UNFUNDED
The facts is Benjamin Franklin could run for governor and loose, if he didn’t have the millions of needed dollars to communicate with millions of Texans via TV.
Strayhorn, the only woman in the race, has raised over 8 million dollars, Perry has 10 million dollar, Bell has zero million dollars, Kinky has zero million dollars. Oh, and I have the answer to Kinky’s question, “Why the hell not?”. Answer: Kinky is irresponsible.
Tony Sanchez was the last Dem to run 4 years ago. He had 40 million dollars and he still lost.
It’s simple, Chris Bell, one of the four white guys in this Gov. Race, was destined to loose in Texas, and the lack of proper campaign funding gives this old and tired candidate the political dirt nap.
Strayhorn’s TV ads began running a couple weeks ago. The ads were pulled out of respect when Ann Richards passed away. In a few weeks, the real polls, with real numbers will prove that Chris Bell (and his desperate attempt to be a whole candidate) if full of hot air.
CHRIS BELL: DESPERATE
Sure the 10% of hardcore Texas Dems (some of which are my friends) will be stubborn, and vote for Chris Bell while he’s in forth place a month from now, allowing more of a chance of Perry being the longest serving Governor in Texas history.
But the majority of Texans who want to remove Gov. Perry, along with his corporate welfare schemes, will vote for who is number two (2) in the polls October 23rd, when early voting starts.
Common sense says that’ll be Carole Keeton Strayhorn, as she is the only candidate with the millions to compete with Perry via the TV commercial wars taking place now across Texas.
9/22/2006
9/21/2006
Gov. Perry gave me a heart attack in 2003.
Rick Perry makes me sick. I am a Native Texan and for the first time in my 64 years, I have considered moving out of state. He's gone crazy! He gave me a heart attack in 2003 from worry for my home, my escrow went up $2,000.00 a year to cover property taxes and insurance. I almost lost my home of 16 years.
An email today from Richard in Cedar Hill, TX
Taylor Anti-Corridor Meeting Tonight
Taylor Anti-Corridor Meeting Tonight!
Thursday, September 21, 6 p.m.
Taylor, Knights of Columbus Hall
Scheduled to speak are David Stall, co-founder of Corridor Watch and Carole Keeton Strayhorn, "One Tough Grandma."
9/20/2006
9/16/2006
Compare This Tollers!
I've been busy with the launch of our new “Perry Gone Wild - Eminent Domain 4 foreign profits” Movie, but here’s a thought about a recent toll article in the Austin Statesman this week.
I’d like to say I enjoyed Ben Wear’s article comparing the gas tax to the toll tax, but I didn’t.
Why? Because he didn’t do the job.
1) The article failed to mention that tolling freeways creates a whole new tax, not to mention the bureaucracy that comes with it. Tolls are a whole new unaccountable double tax, when we already have one form of accountable taxation - the gas tax. We should have and still can index our gas tax, as other states have done.
2) The article also failed to compare the real cost of tolls compared to the additional 5 to 17 cent gas tax needed to replace the tolls. If you pay 20 cents per mile for a toll road x 20 mpg for the average car, you'll pay the equivalent of $4.00 per gallon more for the tolls! Compare that to the 5 to 17 cents per gallon for the additional gas tax.
Which one do you choose?
$4.00 Toll Tax per mile or .05 to .17 cents Gas Tax per mile?
It's simple. Bureaucracy ALWAYS costs more.
TAKE ACTION NOW! Share this funny and informative "Perry's Eminent Domain" video with the people you know ALL ACROSS TEXAS. Nothing else can tell the whole TTC story in only 2 minutes! Use this page to send an automatic message to them now.
9/15/2006
Selling the Publics Property! Everything must go!
Public Private Partnership
North American PPP 2006: The Infrastructure Finance Conference
September 19th and 20th. Waldorf Astoria
conference fee: US $1999.00 Per Delegate
READ THE ACTUAL SALES FLYER!
See how Perry's TxDOT sells our Texas Roads,
Land and Water to the special interests! (Copy and paste):
http://www.euromoneyseminars.com/pdfs/ELE795.pdf
North American PPP 2006: The Infrastructure Finance Conference
September 19th and 20th. Waldorf Astoria
conference fee: US $1999.00 Per Delegate
READ THE ACTUAL SALES FLYER!
See how Perry's TxDOT sells our Texas Roads,
Land and Water to the special interests! (Copy and paste):
http://www.euromoneyseminars.com/pdfs/ELE795.pdf
9/14/2006
Gov. Rick Perry 500,000+ acre TTC Land Grab Upsets Texans!
Make sure you see Gov. Rick Perry's "JibJab" style animated cartoon at www.DumpPerry.com...and pass it on to everyone you know in Texas.I’ve been reading the emails that go from www.DumpPerry.com to Rick Perry and other Reps. for over 2 years now. It’s never boring.
I thought you’d be interested in what a couple of folks have sent via email to Gov. Perry in just the last hour:
From Tracey in Houston, TX -
My vote coming the Novembers elections will not be for Perry. This will be the 1st year I will not vote for a Republican. My father is probably rolling over in his grave (which you will probably dig up to get your road).From Bill in Allen, TX -
Of all the eminent domain abominations that have occured across the country, this would be the worst of them all. And ceding control of any US soil to a foreign company in this day is just insanity.Joe in Austin, TX -
Privatization of toll roads is a very bad idea. Any candidate supporting toll roads will not get my vote.Doris from Irving, TX -
I am NOT voting for YOU and a lot of other people that are turning America over to FOREIGNERS.
This from David in Adkins, TX:and this from Jack from Dallas, TX -
Perry you should be ashamed to have a commercial on home land
security. You now want to open a gate to terrorist to just drive into our state
as free as a jay bird can fly into our Texas skies. Terrorism will
drive to the nuclear plants, electrical plants, Dams, Aquifers,and any
city that they want to reek havoc on. Perry and all others that are for
the TTC you are taking away our freedom. I will vote against you all come
election day, this may be the last free speech that I will probably be
able to express with as long as you money, land grabbers are in our
government. Perry you dont have enough National Guardsmen to secure a
highway this large. You can't even secure our borders now you want to build
a highway and gate to have easier access into our country. I heard
people talk about the clowns that are in the office, now you proved it.
FUCK RICK PERRY! Tired of hearing about all these complaints and nothing getting done. The only thing the politicians in Austin care about are there fucking bank accounts and not what is right for The Lone Star State. I'm fucking tired of people looking out for themselves when they are supposed to be doing something positive for the state. Someone needs to go in there and regulate (i.e. fire the turds who are fucking everything up).
9/13/2006
9/12/2006
Gov. Perry stars in animated cartoon!
Citizen Group Adds to Eminent Domain
Debate in Texas Governor Race with
Online Video Campaign
Debate in Texas Governor Race with
Online Video Campaign
Austin, Texas -- The Trans-Texas Corridor (TTC) project championed by Gov. Rick Perry will bring about mass evictions of Texans from their homes, farms, and ranches, according to an online video released by a citizen group.
An official web site promoting the TTC project confirms plans for use of eminent domain to evict families from their homes in record numbers.
"This is the largest land-grab in Texas history. Perry plans to force Texas families from their homes, kicking and screaming, so a foreign company can profit for the next 50 years. And, the details of the land grab are still being withheld from the public, for more than a year." said Sal Costello, founder of People for Efficient Transportation PAC.
A new video has been created by the group to help inform more Texans of the more than half a million acre Perry TTC plan, and it is easily available for viewing online at StopPerryLandGrab.com. The video was also created to shine a light on the secret deal made between Gov. Perry and Cintra behind closed doors that will result in the start of the massive evictions in order to begin construction the TTC, according to Costello.
In an effort to help the public visualize the impact of the TTC, the video shows a cartoon of Perry literally kicking families out of their homes and off their farms and ranches all across Texas.
"Texas families getting kicked out of their homes to benefit foreign construction companies is a horrific lottery with scary odds," said Costello. "They are forcing the TTC on Texans, and depending where they draw the line on the map will determine who gets booted from their homes."
The Texas Dept. of Transportation (TxDOT) has confirmed the plans in the "Myth vs. Reality" section of a web site created to promote the TTC plans (see http://www.keeptexasmoving.org/faqs/myth_vs_reality.aspx).
"The video also focuses on the TTC contract that has been kept a secret for over a year. A lawsuit was filed in June of 2005 to keep the details from being made public. The attorney general ruled the contract must be made public over a year ago. Why is the deal still a secret after a whole year?" asked Costello.
(Cintra Zachry, LP and the TxDOT vs Greg Abbott, District Court of Travis County, GN502207.)
The site does not deny the concerns expressed by the opposition of thousands of angry Texans who have appeared at recent hearings. Instead it provides excuses and justifications for the actions that are planned, and actually confirms those plans.
"Their own web site clearly states that property will be taken through eminent domain, and that they plan to use ‘Quick Take' authorized by HB 3588 to force homeowners out in just 91 days. They even state that they plan to do this just as soon as the environmental process and public hearings are completed," explained Costello.
"They admit that large amounts of farm land will be divided by the TTC, but they excuse it away by saying they will build cross over roads and places for livestock to cross under. They also admit that hundreds of thousands of acres of properties will be taken off the tax roles, costing local governments in lost taxes," he added.
The TTC site responds to concerns that the right of "quick-take" will be used to take private property for the TTC project by explaining how quick-take works. It does not, however, deny that quick-take will be used.
"The state has attempted to create an illusion that there is nothing to worry about and the fears that have been expressed at hearings all over the state are unfounded. In reality a careful reading of their own web site reveals that the state has confirmed all those fears," said Costello.
Contact:
Sal Costello
People for Efficient Transportation PAC
Sal@TexasTollParty.com
9/07/2006
PERRY TTC WATER GRAB SCHEME...
Gov. Perry and his special interests Trans Texas Corridor pals are now in the process of privatizing our water. They will use the TTC’s mega pipelines to siphon the water, sell it to the highest bidder while Perry’s special interest pals profit.
Like the Regional Mobility Authorities who privatize and toll our local public highways (that have already been paid for) Perry’s unaccountable water bureaucracies siphon, privatize and profit from our water.
Some of the SAME local special interests that have been trying to profit from the Freeway Toll plan in Central Texas are deeply involved in the buying and selling our water for profit scheme, such as Winstead Consulting (Pete Winstead), Bury + Partners and Martin & Salinas Public Affairs.
9/06/2006
9/05/2006
"THIS IS A SHAM" From Statesman Letters to Editor Today
Red-light cameras bad idea
Re: Aug. 28 column by Austin City Council Member Jennifer Kim, "Let's test red-light cameras":
With all due respect to Kim, her elected position and her research, the red-light cameras plan is the dumbest idea I've heard since Gov. Rick Perry's toll-road boondoggle.
The citizens and environment of Austin would be infinitely better served if the city adjusted the lights to correspond with traffic flow instead of using dubious means to fill its coffers.
I cannot disagree more with Kim. Rather than promote safer streets, an increase in idling cars will result in further road rage and reckless driving in an already too-crowded metropolis. Don't we spend enough time in Austin stuck at red lights wasting precious oil and waiting on no one while the ineffective light system keeps us hampered from getting from point A to point B? This is a sham that I'm not buying.
FLETCHER LENZ
9/02/2006
9/01/2006
8/29/2006
8/24/2006
10 of 12: How Krusee Cohort, John Langmore, syphons tax dollars for special interests.
This is Attorney John H. Langmore, one of the key confidence tricksters behind the Krusee & Perry TTC Land Grab and Freeway Double Tax Tolls. Langmore is a key player for the Special Interests.Attorney John Henley Langmore (DOB 11/30/1962) was the Policy Director for the Texas House Transportation Committee during the 78th Legislative Session in 2003. Langmore played a principal role in formulating and drafting State Rep. Mike Krusse’s HB 3588, one of the most comprehensive transportation bills ever passed in the state of Texas, it completely altered the accountability of transportation projects. New powers were given as unelected bureaucratic mini-TxDOTs were created to toll already funded freeways. This “Frankenstein” law also allowed the TTC to take private land for foreign profits.
Many elected officials had no idea that 3588 was a Trojan horse. Most only skim the summary of a bill and use trust as a barometer.
Today, John Langmore continues the confidence game as he impersonates a Transportation Planning Expert to continue to bilk taxpayers for his special interest pals as well as get insider contracts for himself.
But, shockingly, Attorney Langmore has NO education in transportation planning, not even an online college course.
The snakelike Langmore has gone beyond the call of special interest duty. Since creating HB 3588, he’s slithered his way into the deep nooks and crannies of the unaccountable deals his legal language helped to create.
Langmore's SafeRail PAC Opens the Door for Looters.
Langmore was the one man band for SafeRail PAC. He was the campaign treasurer, campaign manager and PR contact for SafeRail PAC, a political action committee that had success in altering our Texas Constitution in 2005. Prop 1 in 2005 allowed unlimited tax dollars and debt to be syphon for new corporate rail in the TTC.
A quick glimpse of state records show Zachry Construction (of Cintra Zachry) gave SafeRail PAC $10,000, Herzog Construction gave $10,000, HNTB gave $6,000, PBS&J, Carter Burgess, Pate Engineer folks each gave $5,000 each.
TateAustin received over $12,000 for PR and Langmore’s SafeRail PAC spent over $32,000 on a radio buy in Houston to trick voters. Langmore contributed $471.31 in cash and $10,000 of campaign management and public relations services, sure to be repaid with thank you contracts.
The Proposition 1 constitutional amendment that Langmore helped to secure (53% to 47%) is a simple open-ended corporate subsidy scheme --- literally a blank check. Taxpayers will pay unlimited tax dollars (and generations of debt) to move private corporation rail lines into Gov. Perry's Trans Texas Corridor (and this after the governor had promised Texans that no public funds would be used for the TTC). Unaccountable people will decide how the taxpayer based rail fund will be spent, as corporations profit.
Langmore registered as a Texas lobbyist in 2005 representing Toll & Road Lobby companies such as Pate Engineering and Infrastructure Corporation of America. Pate and Langmore contributed to Krusee in 2005. Some say “that’s how the wheels stay greased”. Langmore has contributed to other politicos like Gonzalo Barrientos and Kirk Watson as well.
Is the system built for corruption and incestuous deals?
AND, how does Langmore get himself placed on every committee Krusee is not already on? He's also on the CAMPO Growth Subcommittee.
The address that Langmore submitted to the State for lobbying is interestingly the same address as Mike Weaver’s Prime Strategies, 1508 S. Lamar Blvd. Mike Weaver helped to create the local freeway tolling authority (CTRMA) and gave his own company, Prime Strategies, the first Toll Authority NO BID contract. Comptroller Strayhorn’s report shows Weaver's company billed the CTRMA for well over $600,000 from 2002 to 2005. The NO BID contract was paid for with tax dollars.
In 2006, I witnessed the special interest trio, Mike Weaver, John Langmore and Bill Burnett (former CAMPO board member who voted to toll roads we’ve already paid for) as they told Travis County Commissioners that Hays, Williamson County and two dozen other local governments across Texas are moving forward with a common sense NO TOLL option (pass through financing) while Travis must tolls on roads we’ve already paid for. The Commissioners bought it hook line and sinker.
As a very close associate of Mike Krusee, like Melinda Wheatley, Langmore cleans up on "Good Old Boy" transportation contracts. So many transportation contracts came his way, including Zachry, in 2004 that he needed to create a new business as a Transportation Consultant. He calls it “John Langmore Consulting” and it to offices out of 1508 S. Lamar Blvd. Langmore has also received toll road related marketing contracts through TateAustin, paid for with our tax dollars.
Having NO education in Transportation doesn’t stop Langmore. Hey, Mike Krusee has NO college degree, and that doesn’t stop him. Langmore is a Co-Chair of Envision Central Texas Transportation and Land Use Committee, which is now focused on planning the details of the primer for the TTC, the $1.5 Billion dollar SH 130. Mike Heiligenstein joins Langmore as a board member of ECT.
After graduating from UT’s School of Law and Graduate School of Business in 1989, John began his career working in Akin Gump’s Washington D.C. office. Langmore was Licensed in Texas in 1991 (State Bar Card Number 11922650), but, as of this year his license is inactive. Langmore had an executive role with Caterpillar in Tennessee for 11 years and a short stint as a photographer in San Antonio.
Langmore’s past also includes two (2) DRIVING WHILE INTOXICATED (DWI) CONVICTIONS, at least 24 months of probation and hundreds of dollars in fines.Public records show Langmore and his wife Catherine Langmore owning 1408 Preston Ave. Austin TX 78703-1902, with an assessed value of about $500.000.
John Langmore has altered our Texas Laws and our State Constitution to where it is now legal to steal our roads, our land, our tax's and even generations of debt for the Toll Road Mafia's Personal Enrichment Program.
To this day Langmore, continues to influence where and how our tax dollars are spent, as he skims a bit for himself and impersonates a Transportation Planning Expert.
This article is part 10 of a 10 part series called “Circle of Parasites”. Freeways have never been tolled in the history of the U.S., but that doesn’t stop a close circle of self serving individuals with a long history of looking out for themselves at the expense of others.
Read the other “Circle of Parasites” articles (just click below):
1 of 10: Deadbeat Mike Heiligenstein Runs Freeway Tolling Authority
2 of 10: Two Toll Authority Board Members Refuse to Resign
3 of 10: Austin American Snakesman
4 of 10: Convicted CRIMINAL, Pete Peters, Connected to Freeway Tolls
5 of 10: Rep. Mike Krusee and Lobbyist Melinda Wheatley.
6 of 10: Ghost Organization Voted to Toll Austin Freeways
7 of 10: State Rep. Dawnna Dukes Payolla Toll Vote Ignores Constituents and Federal Law
8 of 10: County Commissioner Limmer and Convicted Criminal formally do business.
9 of 10: TxDOT Engineer, Bob Daigh: Secret Deals, Lies and a Convicted Criminal
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8/23/2006
8/22/2006
NO NEED FOR TOLLS, TEXAS AWASH IN ROAD MONEY, HIGHWAY BUDGET MORE THAN DOUBLED UNDER PERRY
Strayhorn Camp Says Texas
Needs Leadership And New Direction
Needs Leadership And New Direction
(
8/18/2006
PERRY AIDE WORKING FOR TTC's CINTRA and More
MORE NEWS ARTICLES: PERRY AIDE WORKING FOR CINTRA BELOW:
8/17/2006
9 of 12: TxDOT Engineer, Bob Daigh: Secret Deals, Lies and a Convicted Criminal
TxDOT District Engineer Bob Daigh, to the left, arrived at the CAMPOmeeting with Richard Ridings of HNTB (183A contractor) seen at right.
I went to TxDOT this week (8/14/06) to pick up documents I asked for via a public information request. I requested cell phone records of TxDOT District Engineer Bob Daigh (more about what I found in the next paragraphs).
While I was at the I 35 and 183 TxDOT campus Monday, I was asked to sign in. I noticed that CRA International, who was hired to do the Independent Review of the Double Tax toll roads, had signed in at least two people to meet with TxDOT District Engineer Bob Daigh. At the same time, at 1pm, the toll authorities executive director (CTRMA), Mike Heiligenstein also signed in to meet with Bob Daigh and CRA. I assume CRA was meeting with TxDOT and CTRMA to gather information for the City of Austin Independent Review. Both CRA and Heiligenstein signed out at 4pm. I was shocked to see that no neutral party joined this meeting.
Three hours is plenty of time alone to discuss Phase II (Double Tax Toll) details and maybe even cut a deal. It would give the public a little confidence if these meetings were either made public, or at least had some neutral person, or a reporter attending.
I emailed Councilmember Brewster McCracken this information and my opinion, since he spearheaded the Independent Study, and he sent me this response,
“Thanks for letting me know, Sal. This stuff needs to be done in public, in my opinion.”And, the beat goes on.
Back to that pile of 450 pages of Bob Daigh’s (567-1059) cell phone records.
Get this. Convicted criminal Amos “Pete” Peters cell phone number, 415-6037, shows up over and over on Bob Daigh’s cell phone records. These records show the two actually spoke numerous times a day, right up until the comptrollers report came out in early 2005. Then the calls became less frequent. But, as the months have passed, calls between the two have picked up again to a rate of many times a month, at times, more than a dozen times a week. Bob Daigh’s appointment calendars also reflect many face to face meetings with this convicted criminal.
20 year Convicted Criminal Amos "Pete" PetersWhy is this important? When folks are trying to toll roads we’ve already paid for, and a convicted criminal is at the heart of it, something stinks like month old fish.
Pete Peter’s numerous contacts Daigh could represent communications directly with a member of the executive branch to influence administrative action. It is a violation of Texas Law to do so, without registering as a lobbyist.
Peters is not registered as a lobbyist. It is illegal for a convicted criminal to lobby in the state of Texas. But that never stopped ol Pete, as he’s been seen over past years hanging out at the capital, only to tell those who know better that, “I’m not lobbying here” while in the capital.
Page 45 of State Comptroller report on Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority: A Need for a Higher Standard, March 2005 states this about a Peters communication that points to his lobbying:
“HNTB subcontractor Amos “Pete” Peters stated that “elected officials have been shored-up and alliances have been formed to see the HWY 183-A through to completion.” "Peters, as per the Comptroller’s investigative report, has received numerous NO BID toll road contracts from Mike Heiligenstein’s unaccountable freeway tolling authority.
You would think stealing tax funded public highways and shifting them to tollways would be enough to make the freeway toll plan make good business sense, but it’s not. To sell this pig in a poke, you need to LIE BIG as well.
CTRMA's Mike HeiligensteinIn March of 2004, Bob Daigh and the toll authorities Mike Heiligenstein LIED to the public and CAMPO when they went to dozens of neighborhoods with a scare tactic (as well as included the LIE in a press release) about the alternative to double tax tolls, "...the alternative of paying a two-to-three-dollar per-gallon gas tax would never be accepted." In 2005 CAMPO Executive Director, Michael Aulick, estimated it would cost only an additional 2 cents per-gallon gas tax for the same plan without tolls.
In the summer of 2004, Bob Daigh and Mike Heiligenstein LIED again as they claimed it would cost 12 to 15 cents a mile to drive on the freeway toll roads (the national average is 9 cents a mile). Confidential CTRMA documents show the actual cost at 44 to 64 cents a mile.
I’m sure Dob Daigh will be rewarded well. History has shown the revolving door swings best for those who lie, cheat and steal from the public.
This article is part 9 of a 12 part series called “Circle of Parasites”. Freeways have never been tolled in the history of the U.S., but that doesn’t stop a close circle of self serving individuals with a long history of looking out for themselves at the expense of others.
Read the other “Circle of Parasites” articles (just click below):
1 of 12: Deadbeat Mike Heiligenstein Runs Freeway Tolling Authority
2 of 12: Two Toll Authority Board Members Refuse to Resign
3 of 12: Austin American Snakesman
4 of 12: Convicted Criminal Connected to Freeway Tolls
5 of 12: Rep. Mike Krusee and Lobbyist Melinda Wheatley.
6 of 12: Ghost Organization Voted to Toll Austin Freeways
7 of 12: State Rep. Dawnna Dukes Payolla Toll Vote Ignores Constituents and Federal Law
8 of 12: County Commissioner Limmer and Convicted Criminal formally do business.
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8/16/2006
8/15/2006
PODER speaks: Tolls are Economic Racism!
PODER and LULAC gave a fantastic presence last night, before and during CAMPO's hearing. They held a press conference with 3-4 news outlets at 5:30. Here is the text of the Fox news report that was broadcast last night.
PODER's Co-Director, Susana Almanza, directed her comments to CAMPO (full speech here):
"PODER is here today to state for the public record that we oppose toll roads for East Austin. The Current Phase II Toll Road plans calls for 6 times as many freeway toll lanes miles in East Austin, than West Austin. This is a clear case of environmental and economic racism!
Rep. Eddie Rodriguez voted to NOT toll roads we've already paid for, while Rep. Dawnna Dukes (payolla documented here) and others voted to toll tax funded freeways.According to President Clinton’s Executive Order 12898: Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations, Public agencies such as the Transportation Department must identify and avoid “disproportionately high and adverse” effects on minority and low-income populations. Keeping tolls roads for US 290 East, US 183 and SH 71 will impact low-income and people of color communities. Again, removing proposed toll roads for west Austin and shifting the burden to East Austin roads violates Executive Order 12898 and Title VI of the 1964 Rights Act."
DALLAS NEWS: Mayor's company has $2.6 million contract with TOLL Authority
Texas Toll Roads are just too UNaccountable for the crooks to resist.
Unaccountable tolls provides a feeding ground for political snakes looking to take advantage of the taxpayer.
The central Texas Toll Authority, under the leadership of Mike Heiligenstein as Executive Director, gave out NO BID contracts to themselves and thier friends.
Now a longtime Richardson mayor has two separate conflicts involving his software company, CapitalSoft, Inc., which has a $2.6 million contract with the North Texas Tollway Authority as well as his firm is housed in a business incubator owned by the city of Richardson since 1999.
From the Dallas News article today:At a recent coalition meeting, Mr. Slagel apologized to members who were unaware of his private dealings with the authority. But he said he didn’t use his position to lobby for his client. “I pushed for a system solution,” he said Monday.
Statesman Letter to Editor today
Just a way to get money
I wish the Austin City Council could be honest with us at least one time.
The red light cameras are NOT going to prevent accidents — all they are going to do is hand out tickets. It's about money, nothing more. Where did the U.S. Constitution go? Seems to me that when one is accused of a crime, prosecutors need to prove who did the deed, not who owns the car caught on camera. Unless they can prove who was driving, how can they charge someone with a crime?
CARL SWANSON
8/14/2006
Can you say PODER?
PODER is a powerful East Austin group of citizens that has a history of success. PODER has been activated on the double tax toll issue and will hold a press conference today at 5:30, just before the CAMPO meeting tonight.
There are 6 times as many FREEWAY toll lane miles in East Austin, than West Austin to date with the Phase II toll plan.
Federal law, Title VI (Environmental Justice): We must avoid disproportionately high economic effects on low-income populations. Freeways have never been shifted to tollways in the history of our country.
The "business plan" to toll Austin is so extremely unviable that TxDOT and the toll authority need to steal our public highways, and lie to the public about the low cost of tolls - and the plan still won't work.
CAMPO Meeting, Monday, August 14, 2006, 6:00 p.m.
Room 2.102, Joe C. Thompson Center, UT
Dean Keeton (26th Street) and Red River Streets
8/11/2006
8/10/2006
8/09/2006
Tolling roads we’ve already paid for - In Afghanistan!
The guys in the photo must be the "Mike Heiligenstein","Pete Peters" and "Mike Krusee" of Kabul.
As usual, it looks like they are doing a dance
to gin up more unaccountable toll taxes.
Our Tax dollars paid for a road in Afghanistan.
Yup. Apparently we don’t have any money for roads here at home, but we can sure destroy, build and buy roads for other countries.
But, the authorities are having a problem with collection of the tolls on the Kabul-Kandahar toll road.
This NPR Report says that most Afgans don’t want to pay the toll because they associate tolls with corruption. Corruption? No Way!
Here’s the Afgan toll collection “problem”: There is only one shift of toll collectors at the toll plaza south of Kabul. So in the mid- afternoons drivers sleep, and wait for the toll collectors shift to end. And come 15:30 each day and the end of the toll collectors shift, scores of white-robed drivers stir, diesel engines rumble, and the trucks begin to roll, to drive free to Kandahar.
8/08/2006
8/05/2006
Who Said Crime Doesn’t Pay?
Convicted Criminal connected to TxDOT Freeway Tolling Scheme, Amos “Pete” Peters, is selling his 3,000 sq foot downtown home on 1309 MARSHALL LANE, Austin 78703 this week.
$1.2 Million Dollar Home
The home is under contract, pending, for $1.2 Million after 7 days on the market.
In 2002 Peters received a City of Austin building permit to upgrade 1309 Marshall Ln with a little Kitchen and Bath remodeling. City records show it was a $93,000 value.
Peters has a 20-year criminal record, including charges for check fraud/swindling, fraud/illegal use of credit cards, larceny and DUI. He was convicted of three felonies and three misdemeanors.
Pete Peters is one of the key players in the freeway tolling boondoggle. Peters was considered so close to Williamson County officials that the state Attorney General’s Office joined a recent investigation of him. According to one report, “Peters has handled campaign work for almost every major office holder in the county.” The investigation focused on several meetings related to the Williamson County Road Bonds Program for which Williamson County paid Peters; some persons who were supposed to be at these meetings allege that they never took place.
I’ve been told by numerous reliable sources that the toll authority's Mike Heiligenstein (Peters ran his campaign as county commisioner) and other Wilco tollers make sure “Pete Gets Paid” with the plan to toll roads we’ve already paid for. Thanks to Heiligenstein, Mike Weaver and others, Peters has already received NO BID contracts, which were paid for with our tax dollars.
If you have additional information
email me at Sal@TexasTollParty.com
Sources are kept confidential. I verify and confirm all leads.
email me at Sal@TexasTollParty.com
Sources are kept confidential. I verify and confirm all leads.
8/03/2006
"PBS&J had done nothing but spend millions of taxpayer dollars to 'study' the problem"
After you read the story in the link above, note: Everett Owen of Owen Consulting received a NO BID contract with the toll authority. Owen threatened to sue me months ago. He's part of the toller "circle".
8/02/2006
County Commissioner Limmer and Convicted Criminal formally do business.
Williamson County Precinct 4Commissioner Frankie Limmer
Williamson County Commissioner Frankie Limmer pushes the “Williamson County Mafia” envelope, and the arrogance, as he formally creates business partnerships with convicted criminal Pete Peters.
Convicted criminal Amos “Pete” PetersAs a CAMPO board member, Commissioner Frankie Limmer, voted to toll roads we’ve already paid for. Convicted criminal Amos “Pete” Peters, as per the Comptroller’s investigative report, has received NO BID toll road contracts from the toll authority, the unaccountable bureaucracy Frankie Limmer helped to create.
As brazen as it may sound, Texas Secretary of State records show both Commissioner Frankie Limmer and Amos “Pete” Peters as board members and managers of Round Rock Mallardwest, LLC and Taylor Mallardwest, LLC. Round Rock Mallardwest lists Providence Funeral Home as an associated entity.
Hey, what mafia would be complete without a funeral home under their control? Forgetaboutit!
Ted W Hejl (Taylor city attorney), Rodney L Hortenstine, Paul S Bennett, Gilbert Repa, John Nelson, Charlotte Albert are also listed as managers or board members of the above corporations.
County records also show Limmer as President of Limmer Construction and numerous properties being owned by Frankie Limmer and his wife Judy Limmer.
Back in 2003, the Austin Chronicle’s article “Commissioner Limmer's Private Business” focused on the ethics of Limmer being in a position to use privileged county information for profit:
“Williamson County Precinct 4 Commissioner Frankie Limmer assumed office in 1999. Since then he has expanded his real estate development activities in eastern Williamson County -- the area he represents on the court -- to include several major development companies currently building large housing subdivisions.According to the Comptroller's investigation, Round Rock city attorney Charles Crossfield's Sheets & Crossfield received a NO BID contract for well over half a million dollars ($588,332.01) from the corrupt toll authority (CTRMA).
Several of Limmer's business associates are also doing business with the county: Charles Crossfield, the Round Rock city attorney who has been negotiating many of the rights-of-way acquisitions for the county's $350 million road-bond projects; Dan Hejl, of the consulting firm Hejl, Lee & Associates, has done engineering work for at least one of the county's road-bond projects within Limmer's precinct; and Ted Hejl, the Taylor city attorney, who has also recently been cut a host of county checks for road-related bond work.”
The article also states:
“In July 2002, Limmer formed Magellan Water LLC. According to an Oct. 28 article in the Austin Business Journal, Limmer founded Magellan in an effort to bring a $30 million water pipeline to Precinct 4 from the relatively untapped, 48,000-square-mile Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer. "Right now we don't have enough water to sustain economic development in eastern Williamson County," Limmer told ABJ. The article said that by that time, Magellan had raised more than $5 million in funding from investors and had secured three additional letters of intent from potential customers -- yet to date, Limmer has declined to name any of his partners or investors.”Also, from the Chronicle article:
"My problem with Limmer," said one observer of the Commissioners Court, "is that he is in a position to use privileged county information to line his own pockets."Also read the Statesman 2002 investigative article (pre Ben Wear) “In Williamson, politics, roads and money mix”.
Read the Muckraker's “Convicted Criminal Connected to Freeway Tolls” (about Pete Peters).
Read the Muckraker's “Austin Toll Roads to fund Williamson County Freeways”.
email me at Sal@TexasTollParty.com
Sources are kept confidential. I verify and confirm all leads.
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