Let's Make Some Changes

Let's Get Away from Conflicts of Interest and Vested Interests

Let's Make Some Changes

In both the city election and the school board election, we have a real opportunity to make a change for the better. With the exploding potential for growth, we need a fresh approach, not the same old vested interests politics as usual.

The establishment, the good-ole-boy club, the powers that be - whatever you want to call them - need to be replaced by people with fresh ideas, people who can think outside the box, people who will represent the voters rather than the vested interests of their own little circle. I would like to share with you my pick of people who I think can make the needed changes.

The school board election WILL result in a new school board because none of the three rotating board members are seeking reelection. However, to make a change, we need to elect independent people, not ones picked by the CISD administration and the present school board.

For CISD Board Place 5, Teresa Blackwell is by far the best pick. Her only vested interest is the best possible education for her two children (first and third graders at Adams) at the least cost to the taxpayers. I have known Teresa a few years but got to know her better after the CISD Board called the do-over bond election. Teresa Blackwell is a conservative who does not believe in handing the CISD administration a blank check. She has studied the three proposed new schools and has visited the old schools. I trust her reasoning and her judgement. To learn more about Teresa, visit www.TeresaBlackwell.com

Both the opponents of Teresa Blackwell have conflict of interest issues.

Teddy Martyniuk is the manager of Wal-Mart in Cleburne. According to Open Records requests, CISD bought $90,737.05 from Wal-Mart in the 2005 fiscal year. If Teddy Martyniuk served on the CISD school board, he would be in the position of selling wares to the school while approving payment for his own sales. That is not a good idea. His salary and promotion opportunities with Wal-Mart depend in part on his sales. The more he sells to the school the better off he is. Also, if the CISD administration chose, they could threaten to take their purchases elsewhere if Teddy Martyniuk didn't go along with their wishes. Even if they only moved their purchases to another Wal-Mart store, Teddy's employment performance record would suffer. Nearly $100,000 a year in sales to the school creates a huge conflict of interest.

Mike Brand is the CISD elected representative on the Central Appraisal District (CAD) Board. As a tax man, he helps set the property tax values, which, factored with the rate set by the CISD Board, determines the amount of money CISD gets. CISD is at the maximum rate allowed by law ($1.50 per $100.00 evaluation). One way for the CISD to get more money is for Mr. Brand and other CAD Board members to raise property values, which they do regularly. This places Mr. Brand in a huge conflict-of-interest position. I cannot imagine why he would do that to himself or the community.

The company owned by Kenny Haferkamp, candidate for CISD Board Place 3, provides services for CISD. Mr. Haferkamp has said he will cease his services for pay to CISD if he is elected.

In Place 4 the best choice is W. G. (Wendell) Dempsey. Mr. Dempsey will bring to the Board his many years of experience in business. He has visited the schools and he knows what is needed. To cast your vote for him, you must write in W. G. Dempsey on the blank line for Place 4 and check the box at the write-in space.

In Place 3, the best choice is Brad Parsons. I have known Brad for many years. He has 18 years experience in law enforcement and is a certified paralegal. His thoroughness will be an asset to the Board.

These three will help the Board meet the challenges of changing times. Please join me in voting for Brad Parsons, W. G. Dempsey and Teresa Blackwell for the CISD Board of Trustees.

At City Hall, Mayor Ted Reynolds has tried to bring many changes, only to run into the logjam created by three good ole boys on the council. Mayor Reynolds wanted to use some of the windfall gas money to give taxpayers a break, but the three pushed through an unnecessary tax increase.

I will be voting for the re-election of Ted Reynolds and hope he gets a new council to work with. Ted Reynolds is the best choice for mayor.

Two of the three obstructionist councilmen are running for re-election. Replacing both of them will give Mayor Reynolds a chance to move Cleburne forward.

I hope the voters of Single Member District 1 will elect Sonny Russell as their councilman. Mr. Russell's opponent is Councilman Wes Nelson. Mr. Nelson has stood solidly in the way of many of Mayor Reynolds' attempts to move Cleburne forward. Mr. Nelson also has a tie to Cleburne ISD which has caused him to have to sign a conflict of interest statement to allow him to vote on issues that relate to CISD. His wife Helen (Salary $53,095.00) is employed by CISD.

I hope the voters of SMD4 will elect Betty Zuspann. Mrs. Zuspann's opponent is Councilman John Warren, who, like Mr. Nelson, has stood with the good ole boys against Mayor Ted Reynolds. Mr. Warren has even closer ties to Cleburne ISD. He gets paid $30,000 per year plus $200 per month by CISD. He too has had to sign a conflict of interest statement to vote on CISD matters.

I am sure that Sonny Russell and Betty Zuspann will not walk in lock-step with Mayor Reynolds but they will listen and reason and not oppose a measure just because it was Mayor Reynolds' idea. Sonny Russell and Betty Zuspann offer the most hope to move Cleburne forward.

The only way to bring about the needed changes is to get out the vote. Go vote. Drag your friends and neighbors along. We can make the change for a better Cleburne, but it will take a little effort. That effort is voting. Early voting is May 1-9. Election day is May 13.

Alden Nellis