The Honorable W. Robert Eissler, Texas State Representative, Under Investigation by Texas Ethics Commission.
September 19, 2007
Woodlands Resident, Mike Donnelly, filed a complaint with the Texas Ethics Commission (TEC) against Texas State Representative Robert Eissler.
The alleged violations include: Claims that Eissler purchased, payed interest, or principal of a note on real property. Claims include that Eissler made payments form political contributions fore personal services rendered by the officeholder to "Eissler & Associates". Claims also include that Eissler made payments from political contributions to his spouse, Linda Eissler.
The TEC has determined that the complaint meets the technical form requirements for a complaint filed with the TEC. Sworn complaint SC-2709200 will be processed as a category two violation.
Eissler's campaign treasurer, Bruce Tough, also has a pending complaint with the TEC regarding Conroe Independent School District.
Detailed TEC Complaint and TEC Response can be found HERE.
Community Activists of The Woodlands can be reached at CAofTW@gmail.com
COMMUNITY ACTIVISTS OF THE WOODLANDS (CATW) AND THE WOODLANDS JOINT POWERS AGENCY WORK HAND IN HAND TO CONSERVE WATER AND MAKE THE WOODLANDS A SAFER PLACE TO LIVE.
August 19, 2007
Hydrant cleared of vegetation on Lake Woodlands Drive
Early June of 2007 CATW seeked assistance from The Woodlands Community Service Corporaton (WCSC) to make The Woodlands safer for all residents. The WCSC is the company hired by the Home Owners Associatons (HOA) to manage the day to day operations of The Woodlands. CATW noticed that a large percentage of fire huydrants in The Woodlands were covered with vegetation so it was only natural to contact the WCSC. After going back and forth with the WCSC the best CATW got from the WCSC General Manager, Mr Don Norrell, was "Our firefighter and WFD (Woodlands Fire Department) staff do an exceptional job serving the needs of this communtiy". Mr Norrell simply ignored the issue and tried to make it seem as CATW was questioning the WFD abilities. The WCSC and WFD never did correct the issue with the fire hydrants and overgrown vegetation. CATW asked the WJPA for assistance and they immediately assisted with hydrants CATW identified and hydrants that they found on their own. It appears that Brickman (The overpaid - developer owned landscape company) was not meeting their contracted obligation of clearing the vegetation from the fire hydrants. Mr Mike Mooney, with the WJPA, said: "Those entities responsible for mowing and maintaining the right of ways (Brickman) are checking for hydrants that may be encumbered by vegetation". Founder of CATW, Joe Merrill, said: "A lot of time and energy could have been saved if the WCSC would have managed Brickman like I believe the residents of The Woodlands pay them to do."
Site of Leak on Gosling
Mr Mooney was all so instrumental in correcting an outstanding leak on Gosling near Lake Woodlands Drive. Joe Merrill said in regards to the leak: "It's amazing how accustomed we get to certain situtations and water running down the drain on Gosling for years almost seemed normal". Two weeks after asking for Mr Mooney's assistance, the leak was fixed.
Community Activists of The Woodlands can be reached at CAofTW@gmail.com
COMMUNITY ACTIVISTS OF THE WOODLANDS HELPING TO KEEP THE WOODLANDS BEAUTIFUL.
August 10, 2007
Community Activists of The Woodlands (CATW) was notified of obscene graffiti at the Bear Branch Reservoir on August 5th. The graffiti had not been removed by August 6th so Joe Merrill, CATW Founder, submitted an online request to have the griffiti removed. An email was also sent to Don Norrell, Woodlands Community Service Corporation (WCSC) General Manager, asking for his personal assistance to ensure the graffiti was removed as soon as possible. Don Norrell and the WCSC had the graffiti removed that very day. Joe Merrill said "I encourage all residents to utilize the online tool to report issues. I am pleased with how fast the WCSC acted on this issue."
Through further investigation it has been found that the property in question is owned and maintained by the San Jacinto River Authority (SJRA). Chris Nunes, Director of Parks and Recreation for the WCSC, said "when graffiti is placed on the structure we remove it as a good neighbor to our residents and the SJRA." and "as a good neighbor we do not bill for the removal."
Community Activists of The Woodlands can be reached at CAofTW@gmail.com
COMMUNITY ACTIVISTS OF THE WOODLANDS TO GET INFORMATION DUE TO AN ATTORNEY GENERAL COMPLAINT
July 24, 2007
Community Activists of The Woodlands (CATW) continues to work hard for residents of The Woodlands.
Read this letter from Michael Beller, Attorney for the Woodlands Community Service Corporation (WCSC).
Notice that the letter from Beller to the Attornery General reads: Attention: Ms. Claire V. Morris Sloan and also reads Dear Mr. Simpson?
Either Beller doesn't know what he is doing or he is excited about the Simpson's movie opening this Friday.
Even though the WCSC previously chose to only supply information for 2007, they have since promised to do an "additional search".
Community Activists of The Woodlands Purchases Domain Names to Help Residents of The Woodlands.
July 17, 2007
Community Activists of The Woodlands (CATW) recently purchased seven domain names: TheWoodlandsVoice.com, TheWoodlandsVoice.org, The WoodlandsVoicePAC.info, BruceTough.info, JoelDeretchin.info, ClaudeHunter.info and LloydMatthews.info. CATW currently has the domain names pointed to their home page at www.catw.info.
A source close to CATW advised that the plan is to create separate sites as needed as the elections draw near.
Community Activists of The Woodlands can be reached at CAofTW@gmail.com
The Woodlands Design Standards Committee Stops Business Owner, Jeff Early, From Cutting Corners.
July 11, 2007
Community Activists of The Woodlands (CATW) recently discovered why the Woodlands Community Association (WCA) Board of Directors almost sued hometown hero and business owner, Mr Jeff Early.
An anonymous source close to the Design Standards Committee (DSC) outlined the events leading up to the threat of legal action from the WCA. Mr Early purchased the Jiffy Lube on the frontage road of I45 and went against standards by clear cutting the vegetation. The Woodlands Community Service Corporation (WCSC) followed their normal protocol through the DSC with no cooperation from Mr Early. As time passed Mr Early eventually submitted a hand drawn plan to landscape his business to meet the standards. The DSC advised Mr Early that an architect needed to approve any plans that are submitted to their committee. Mr Early reached out to Mr John Powers, Assistant General Manager of the WCSC and retired Architect, to approve the plans. Mr Powers approved the hand drawn plans and Mr Early submitted the plans to the DSC. The DSC was not pleased with Earlys' arrogance and voted to recommend legal action to the WCA Board of Directors against Early. Proper architect approved plans have since been submitted to reforest the property and no legal action is expected.
CATW Founder, Joe Merrill, says "You would think that a Hometown Hero and General Manager of The Woodlands Associations would have respected the rules that make The Woodlands beautiful... A lot of time and money has been wasted thanks to Mr Powers and Mr Early."
Merrill also advised that CATW is actively working with the WCSC, since 2005, regarding 2 Drivers Auto shops that have removed vegetation from their property and haven't replanted as required.
Community Activists of The Woodlands can be reached at CAofTW@gmail.com
Major Inconsistencies at The Woodlands Community Service Corporation
July 1, 2007
Community Activists of The Woodlands (CATW) investigators recently uncovered major inconsistencies with service issues reported to The Woodlands Community Service Corporation (WCSC).
One of the services offered by CATW is to help residents in Montgomery County. CATW's free services range from giving residents direction on how to handle an issue to handling issues on their behalf.
On February 15th of this year, the eve of the biggest election The Woodlands has seen, the WCSC was called to action by a Woodlands Association Director Mr Claude Hunter. In the dark of night Mr Hunter and fellow Director, Mr Bruce Tough, confiscated signs owned by 3 candidates. One of the candidates, Joe Merrill, said "My signs were clearly marked with my name, phone number and proper political lingo and nobody has contacted me to date, nor have my signs been returned to me."
CATW investigators learned that Mr Hunter was an Election Judge for The Woodlands Community Association. An eye witness spotted Mr Hunter propping a Walter Cooke, one of the candidates, sign on a stop sign the morning of the elections. Investigators also learned that Mr Tough, who was a candidate, is the WCSC Board Chairman. The WCSC organized and ran The Woodlands 2007 elections. Merrill said: "this is obviously a conflict of interest and these two men should not have been out confiscating signs late at night."
TOTAL TIME FOR THE WCSC TO ACT - 2 hours or less.
CATW opened service request 6754 with the WCSC on March 23, 2007. Service request 6754 was opened to repair a severely damaged portion of pathway on Kuykendahl. It took nearly 2 months for the issue to get resolved. CATW has learned that the portion of trail in question is still owned by The Woodlands Development Company. The pathway was finally repaired after CATW aggressively pursued the issue and held everyone accountable. Joe Merrill, CATW Founder, said "Why should the developer be held to a different standard? An unsafe pathway is an unsafe pathway, no matter who owns it."
TOTAL TIME FOR THE WCSC TO ACT - 2 months.
CATW sent the WCSC an email in late April, 2007 to report graffiti (The graffiti had been on the box for over a month.) on a Montgomery County owned signal box at the intersection of Shadowbend and Gosling. The graffiti was removed by the WCSC and not Montgomery County. Recent record requests show that the WCSC did not contact Montgomery County for assistance. Mr Don Norrell, WCSC General Manager, advised that The Woodlands has much better service than Montgomer County. CATW was told that the WCSC does not keep track of time spent on Montgomery County issues. The residents of The Woodlands are paying the WCSC and Montgomery County to do the same tasks.
TOTAL TIME FOR THE WCSC TO ACT - 4 hours or less.
Community Activists of The Woodlands can be reached at CAofTW@gmail.com
The Woodlands Community Service Corporation (WCSC) Helps Long Time Woodlands Resident.
June 28, 2007
On 6/25/07 a resident of The Woodlands, Texas reached out to Community Activists of The Woodlands (CATW) for help. The resident, who wishes to remain anonymous, has been battling a drainage and odor issue in her yard / neighborhood for months, if not years. The resident has solicited help from The Commissioners Office, A Woodlands Joint Powers Director, Area Representatives from The Woodlands and A Woodlands Board of Director. Unfortunately, nobody was willing to take the lead with a hands on approach.
Joe Merrill, CATW Founder, Said "This resident has been distraught about issues in her neighborhood for quite some time. It's only natural that CATW help."
CATW sent an online service request to the WCSC and followed up with emails and a personal conversations with Mr Don Norrell, WCSC General Manager. Mr Norrell advised "I will have staff follow up on the drainage concern..." and "I will also ask that they address your questions about storm drains on the property and in the adjacent area." Mr Norrell would like to remind residents that "with the recent rain a lot of properties are dealing with drainage issues."
CATW can be reached at CAofTW@gmail.com
The Texas Ethics Commission (TEC) Received a Complaint Against The Woodlands Joint Powers (WJPA) Trustee and Determined it has Jurisdiction Over Allegations.
June 20, 2007
Woodlends Resident, Mike Donnelly, Sent a sworn complaint to the TEC against Ms Rosemary Roe, a WJPA Trustee. The complaint alleges that Ms Roe failed to file pre-election and semiannual campaign finance reports in violation of sections 254.063, 254.064, and 254.093 of the Election Code. Ms Roe has 10 business days from receipt of notice to respond to the TEC or a separate civil penalty may be assessed.
Office of The Texas Attorney General (OAG) Asks The Woodlands Community Service Corporation (WCSC) Also known as Community Associations of The Woodlands (CATW) to Release Information.
June 13, 2007
Mr. Joe Merrill, Founder of Community Activists of The Woodlands and resident of The Woodlands, recently filed two Open Records Request complaints with the OAG.
The complaints outlined in detail how Ms. Lisa Morris, Records Manager with the WCSC, did not release information as requested and did not seek an opinion with the OAG. One request asked for the fines issued and collected by the "WCSC (on behalf of any entity)... for right-of-way issues, including signage". You can see from the response that Ms. Morris did not provide the information as requested. The other request asked for "a copy of the check register for the 2005 operating expenses of the General Manager's Office for the Woodlands Community Association (WCA)". Again, Ms. Morris did not provide the information as requested.
The OAG explains that the two requests do not fall under Open Records Letter 2006-13748(2006), where the OAG determined that the CATW is not a governmental body. The OAG also explains that association directors have a right to view the information. Mr. Merrill said "It's obvious the AG understands that if our directors have access to information then the residents also have access". The OAG tells Ms. Morris "The easiest way to resolve this open records complaint is to release the information that was requested. . . " Ms. Morris has 10 business days to submit written comments explaining the reasoning for her belief that the association does not have right of access to the requested information.
Mr. Merrill advised that $10 was spent to mail the two complaints, "We are trying to make The Woodlands a better place. I wonder how much the WCSC is spending to block our efforts?"
The Woodlands Fire Department's Vehicle Policy.
June 6, 2007
Through a public information request, CATW learned that The Woodlands Fire Department (WFD) does not keep any records regarding usage or mileage on a publicly funded van. According to Don Norrell, General Manager of the Woodlands Community Service Corporation, the Fire & Life Safety Educator does not get compensated for after hours work so she is allowed to use van as a take home vehicle. CATW asked an unnamed source within the WFD regarding this policy and their first response was "It's compensation, the IRS needs to know about it or the WFD or F&LSE is in trouble".
HISD - Bracewell & Giuliani
Houston ISD pays Bracewell and Giuliani $225,000.00 over 5 day period prior to the close of 80th Legislative Session. Another $88,000.00 if you include the last 10 days of April. This is highly inconsistent with their payment history during non Legislative periods
BRACEWELL & GIULIANI, LLP (33535) 5/22/2007 $80,395.66
BRACEWELL & GIULIANI, LLP (33535) 5/21/2007 $100,083.22
BRACEWELL & GIULIANI, LLP (33535) 5/18/2007 $44,597.61
BRACEWELL & GIULIANI, LLP (33535) 4/30/2007 $44,000.00
BRACEWELL & GIULIANI, LLP (33535) 4/20/2007 $44,000.00
BRACEWELL & GIULIANI, LLP (33535) 1/5/2007 $105,300.89
BRACEWELL & GIULIANI, LLP (33535) 12/18/2006 $44,613.55
BRACEWELL & GIULIANI, LLP (33535) 10/27/2006 $13,329.57
BRACEWELL & GIULIANI, LLP (33535) 10/27/2006 $48,556.66
BRACEWELL & GIULIANI, LLP (33535) 10/26/2006 $111,132.77
BRACEWELL & GIULIANI, LLP (33535) 10/17/2006 $75.00
BRACEWELL & GIULIANI, LLP (33535) 6/29/2006 $1,200.50
BRACEWELL & GIULIANI, LLP (33535) 6/22/2006 $24,548.99
BRACEWELL & GIULIANI, LLP (33535) 6/22/2006 $29,880.45
BRACEWELL & GIULIANI, LLP (33535) 6/22/2006 $32,817.13
BRACEWELL & GIULIANI, LLP (33535) 6/22/2006 $46,024.41
BRACEWELL & GIULIANI, LLP (33535) 5/2/2006 $20,406.12
BRACEWELL & GIULIANI, LLP (33535) 3/28/2006 $11,000.00
BRACEWELL & GIULIANI, LLP (33535) 2/6/2006 $13,100.00
BRACEWELL & GIULIANI, LLP (33535) 1/20/2006 $5,500.00
BRACEWELL & GIULIANI, LLP (33535) 12/19/2005 $70,652.47
BRACEWELL & GIULIANI, LLP (33535) 12/19/2005 $78,650.29
BRACEWELL & GIULIANI, LLP (33535) 12/14/2005 $5,500.00
BRACEWELL & GIULIANI, LLP (33535) 11/18/2005 $5,500.00
BRACEWELL & GIULIANI, LLP (33535) 11/10/2005 $13,050.00
BRACEWELL & GIULIANI, LLP (33535) 11/9/2005 $36,906.96
BRACEWELL & GIULIANI, LLP (33535) 11/9/2005 $48,390.55
BRACEWELL & GIULIANI, LLP (33535) 11/9/2005 $61,686.16
BRACEWELL & GIULIANI, LLP (33535) 11/8/2005 $73,983.15
BRACEWELL & GIULIANI, LLP (33535) 11/1/2005 $5,500.00
BRACEWELL & GIULIANI, LLP (33535) 10/24/2005 $795.00
BRACEWELL & GIULIANI, LLP (33535) 9/27/2005 $10,200.00
BRACEWELL & GIULIANI, LLP (33535) 9/16/2005 $5,500.00
BRACEWELL & GIULIANI, LLP (33535) 9/8/2005 $18,000.00
BRACEWELL & GIULIANI, LLP (33535) 8/29/2005 $7,750.00
BRACEWELL & GIULIANI, LLP (33535) 8/25/2005 $9,000.00
BRACEWELL & GIULIANI, LLP (33535) 8/23/2005 $17,600.00
BRACEWELL & GIULIANI, LLP (33535) 8/18/2005 $5,500.00
BRACEWELL & GIULIANI, LLP (33535) 8/10/2005 $7,750.00
BRACEWELL & GIULIANI, LLP (33535) 7/22/2005 $5,500.00
BRACEWELL & GIULIANI, LLP (33535) 7/18/2005 $42,952.25
BRACEWELL & GIULIANI, LLP (33535) 7/14/2005 $33,479.37
BRACEWELL & GIULIANI, LLP (33535) 7/14/2005 $48,622.06
BRACEWELL & GIULIANI, LLP (33535) 7/12/2005 $8,000.00
BRACEWELL & GIULIANI, LLP (33535) 6/29/2005 $16,750.00
BRACEWELL & GIULIANI, LLP (33535) 6/15/2005 $8,511.92
BRACEWELL & GIULIANI, LLP (33535) 6/13/2005 $1,534.50
BRACEWELL & GIULIANI, LLP (33535) 6/10/2005 $127.50
BRACEWELL & GIULIANI, LLP (33535) 6/2/2005 $7,750.00
BRACEWELL & GIULIANI, LLP (33535) 6/2/2005 $9,000.00
Safety or Camouflage?
May 30, 2007
An unidentified source from the Community Associations of The Woodlands advised “The hydrants have a white bonnet (the top). The white paint is a special reflective paint which makes it easier to see at night. We also provide a blue reflective marker in the street which helps with locating the hydrant. In addition, all our apparatus are equipped with books noting where each hydrant is located.”
CATW’s investigators found the hydrants are not reflective unless a light is shining straight at the bonnet. The investigators also noted multiple hydrants without a blue reflective marker in the street. The hydrants without the blue markers in the street were seen on Cochran’s
Joe Merrill, Founder of CATW, says “While CATW appreciates the beauty of The Woodlands, we are more concerned with safety. Why should our firefighters have to search for small reflective bonnets, rely on blue reflective markers in the street that are not there, or flip through a book? If a residents home is on fire and lives are in danger, there is no time to waste” Merrill stated that he will personally contact the Community Associations of The Woodlands to ask that all the missing blue reflective markers are replaced.
The Texas Attorney General (AG) and The Texas Ethics Commission (TEC) Busy with North Harris Montgomery Community College District (NHMCCD).
May 25, 2007
The Texas Attorney General has made two (AG NHMCCD Ruling & AG NHMCCD Ruling) important rulings over the last week in regards to NHMCCD.
Mr. Fred Blanton, an Humble resident, reached out to the Texas Attorney Generals office regarding the NHMCCD Foundation(Foundation). The Foundation's website states "The Foundation was created to support the goals and values of the North Harris Montgomery Community College District. We are located in the northern region of Houston, Texas. The Foundation looks to you, our community, to help provide scholarships and specialized college resources to improve educational opportunities for the people in our area."
Community Activists of The Woodlands contacted NHMCCD for comment, but NHMCCD could not locate anyone for comment.
Blanton says "The purpose of the inquiries were prompted by the list of continuous credit card charges shown paid by the Foundation and their unwillingness to be frank and open with what they were spending, taking in and why the funds were not going to the students". He also states "There are many accusations about the Foundation of which I do not wish to discuss until I have all of the facts and documents to support or dispel what could very well be downright disturbing facts. We shall proceed with a thorough examination of the Foundation's records, policies and practices to assure that students are being placed first"
Woodlands Resident & Founder of Community Activists of The Woodlands, Joe Merrill, made the Texas Ethics Commission aware of Mary Tollett's, Treasurer for Citizens to keep the NHMCCD Trustees, errors in campaign finance reports.
Merrill said "The complaint sent to the TEC alleges that Tollett failed to properly report the total political contributions maintained, failed to properly report the payee address for political expenditures, failed to notify candidates or officeholders that committee accepted political contributions or made political expenditures for the candidate or officeholder, and failed to identify payments from political contributions made to a business in which a candidate or officeholder has a participating interest of more than 10 percent, holds a position on the governing body of the business, or serves as an officer of the business."
The TEC considers the violations as a category two and Tollett is required to respond to the allegations no later than the 25th business day from receipt of notice.
The Great Wall of The Woodlands
May 24, 2007
Monique Sharp, Assistant General Manager of the Woodlands Community Service Corporation (WCSC), submitted Board Memorandum 07-046 at last nights Woodlands Community Association (WCA) Board of Directors meeting. Sharp is proposing the residents of the WCA pay $3K a year to insure the Sound Wall for the residents of Grogan's Mill who live near the Woodlands Parkway / I45 flyover. Deborah Sargeant, WCA Board of Director Treasurer, said that the insurance on the Sound Wall seemed to be of "minimal cost". There was a lot of confusion amongst Board of Directors and WCSC staff regarding why the insurance was needed, who it protected and what it covered.
The Sound Wall is expected to cost the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) $500K and will be transfered to Montgomery County (County) upon completion. Sharp advised that TxDOT cannot transfer ownership of the Sound Wall to a non-governmental body, like the WCA, so The County Commissioner, Ed Chance, has agreed to be the transferee. WCA Board President, Jeff Long, asked "will the wall be under the County's insurance"? Sharp advised that one of the stipulations with the County was that the WCA is fully responsible for the Sound Wall, including maintenance.
Long and Sharp both noted that the wall has not been built and they don't know when it will be completed. A WCA resident attended the meeting and was concerned with the safety issues of kids climbing on the wall and hurting themselves. The resident noted that he believes the wall will begin construction within the next year.
The Woodlands Fire Department is a Governmental Body.
May 23, 2007
Woodlands Resident, Foster McNair, sought and succeeded in getting the Texas Attorney Generals Office (AG) to declare the Woodlands Fire Department (WFD) a Governmental Body that is subject to the Texas Public Information act.
McNair requested a ruling from the AG after an open records request was denied by Records Manager for the Woodlands Community Service Corporation (WCSC), Lisa Morris.
McNair was unavailable for comment, but says on his website, TheWoodlandsMonitor.com, that The Attorney General letter states, "...the information requested is subject to disclosure under the [Public Information] Act and must be released to the requestor...".
Don Norrell, General Manager of the WCSC, said "The WFD Board is reviewing this matter and will make appropriate determinations within the time lines established by the Attorney Generals Office".
Monique Sharp, Assistant General Manager for the WCSC, and Bruce Tough, WFD Board President, both declined to comment on the AG's ruling.
Community Activists of The Woodlands Founder, Joe Merrill, suggests that all concerned residents should contact the WCSC and voice your opinion before thousands of our assessment dollars are used to fight another AG battle . The WCSC can be reached by calling 281-210-3800 or sending an email to services@catw-tx.org.
Community Activists of The Woodlands Reaches out to Community Leaders.
May 23, 2007
Joe Merrill, Community Activists of The Woodlands (CATW) Founder and Woodlands Resident, asked the current elected and appointed Directors to join the Board of Advisers for CATW. Merrill said "It's important to get input from the current leadership in The Woodlands" He also said that "There is a large voice in The Woodlands that does not feel represented. Launching the CATW site will give the community a place to go and view information they may not see in other places".
Merrill advised that he sent the invitation to the following Boards in The Woodlands: Woodlands Community Service Corporation, Woodlands Fire Department, Woodlands Community Association, The Woodlands Association, and Woodlands Commercial Owners Association.