RESIDENT EVIL – TOWNSHIP OVERSEERS- NO MORE EMAIL PLEASE!

NEW EMAIL POLICY RAISES IRE OF RESIDENT AND BOARD MEMBERS ALIKE

Adrian Heath | January 17,2010

Reminiscent of the aversion to public scrutiny and accountability typical of WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP previously reported in March 2009 in Transparency Does Not Register With Township Board a new spat over exactly how residents are allowed to communicate electronically with their servant leaders has emerged.

The  controversy first came to light when Mike Donnelly the  independent local government watchdog who runs the Political Corruption Blog broadcast an email admonishment to local authorities on the question of adequate contract law enforcement coverage in the wake of the ongoing crime wave targeting the planned community.

Donnelly, a long time skeptic of  WOODLAND TOWNSHIP sheriffs deputy contracts sent an email to his government  & media distribution list revealing inside information from an unnamed source as follows-

The apparently cryptic short message  alluded to a 2010 contract  between MCSO and the TOWNSHIP that pays $7 million for beefed up deputy coverage.

The response from TOWNSHIP servers notifying Delivery has failed to these recipients or distribution lists: was almost immediate and included numerous community leader email addresses such as

Nelda.Blair@thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov

Donnelly’s  experience was not unique however, as he soon heard from Woodlands resident Paul Lazzaro, former V.P. for the Woodlands Development Company. Lazzaro forwarded an email communication from Mary Connell, Community Relations Manager for the township advising  “Please use the Contact Us form on the new Web site and choose “Board of Directors”.  That way, the message will be sent to all board members.” http://www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/forms.aspx?fid=53

Lazarro responded to the request and expressed dissatisfaction by stating Connell was “assimilated into the Township”  and “acting only under orders from above.” However, the former WDC executive made his true assesment of the new edict clear with  “filling out a form is an unacceptable method of contacting people we have elected or hired to operate The Woodlands Township.”

Lazarro continued hotly

“Although my credentials simply as a resident should suffice, I am also a national award-winning public relations and public affairs specialist and I know this is the wrong way to handle communications with constituents.” and ended with choice the remarks “It is only two weeks into the Township takeover of our community affairs and they are already establishing a bureaucratic fiefdom.”

We say AMEN!

There will soon be vacancies on the board

This was shortly followed by a terse but  unequivocal statement by Board member Peggy Hausman asserting

I DO NOT WANT A FORM THAT RESIDENTS NEED TO FILL OUT TO CONTACT ME. I RECEIVE MORE INFORMATION FROM MIKE THEN I DO FROM THE OFFICE ON CRIME. DO NOT HINDER THIS FORM OF COMMUNICATION IN ANY WAY. MY E-MAIL AND PHONE NUMBER IS AN OPEN DOOR TO ALL RESIDENTS.THANK-YOU,PEGGY

Peggy, we never knew you cared so much but we are glad to know it. Keep it up.

Rumor says Peggy is ready to fight the good fight for the residents and be a lot more outspoken. We need a strong taxpayer advocate on the board and commend Peggy for exhibiting  good courage. We love the words and look forward to more action. We will support you.

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