Mr. Thomas took a big breath and said, "My name is Kenneth Richard Thomas, and I want to thank the Commissioners for inviting me to speak here today. When I was invited here today, I understood it was supposed to be an exploratory meeting to hear what I have to propose, and get some feedback from the Commissioners and, of course, the public.
"A little history, first," began Mr. Ken. And, Mr. Ken proceeded to tell the commissioners and the assembled audience about his recent purchase of Crystal Lake Amusement Park and what his long-range plans were.
The new owner explained one of the reasons he bought the amusement park was because of the proposed five-lane divided highway and the proximity to the lake. The man added he also saw the potential for high-end vacation homes being built along the lake and possibly a new community being established.
Mr. Ken continued and told the assembled group he was taken by surprise when he saw a large number of For Sale signs amongst the few old motels situated along the highway, as he drove to the amusement park the last time he visited his new property. The park's new owner told them it was then he learned the five-lane divided highway might not happen.
Ken Thomas further explained how he called and talked to three of the Commissioners and learned that two of the four of the Commissioners opposed to rebuilding the highway were up for reelection and wanted to use the highway money for other issues within the county. Hearing that, the audience began talking amongst themselves.
One of the Commissioners, who was up for reelection, took an exception to what Mr. Ken just revealed and demanded he explain himself by what he meant by his accusation. Mr. Ken told the man it was not an accusation, but it was actually a piece of information he was told by some of the local residents.
That caused some more murmuring from the assembled citizens, who then began to call out and ask if what the invited guest said was true. The Commissioner Pro-tem had to gavel the meeting back into order as it wasn't time yet for questions, and, or, the 'Citizens to be Heard' portion of every commissioner's meeting.
The commissioner who spoke up earlier, and had essentially stopped the meeting, asked Mr. Thomas why he brought his 'out of the blue' proposal to them. Mr. Ken told the man his whole plan for the amusement park and surrounding area was based on the five-lane divided highway being built and without it, he and the county both lose.
That brought another Commissioner to speak out and accuse Mr. Ken of wanting the county to pay for something that would enhance his properties, but do nothing for the county. More citizens heard the exchange and didn't like what they heard and spoke out. But, this time they told the Commissioners to, "Let the man speak," and to 'Stop interrupting."
The Pro-tem asked Mr. Thomas to continue and explain his proposal. But, the Board President and the other Commissioner chose that time to arrive back at the meeting and that caused another delay. Mr. Ken was happy for the delays as that gave Jules and Bill time to do what he asked them to do for him.
The Board President asked to be told what had happened, while he was otherwise engaged, and that added time to the meeting. And, now, after hearing what had transpired, while he was gone, the man indicated it was getting close to lunchtime. So, the president gaveled the meeting into recess to resume at 1 p.m.
The three commissioners, who Mr. Ken talked with previously, came to him and apologized for the actions of their colleagues. Mr. Ken thanked them for coming to him, but he told them he was happy with the delays as it gave his research team time to get back to him with some much needed information.
At lunch, at the high school, word had gotten around that another student was after Billy. Sawyer, the senior Billy met on his first day at the high school, heard about it and went looking for Billy, at lunch. When he, and his fellow seniors, found him they asked who the stupid kid was who wanted to cause trouble.
Billy looked around the lunchroom and then spotted the teen. The Cover pointed him out to the seniors, who walked over to the boy and had a few words with him. The underclassman tried to stand up, but one senior pushed him back into his seat.
When the seniors walked away, there was some light applause in the area. The student, who tried to make trouble for Billy, stood up, looked around and then stormed out of the lunchroom. More applause was heard as he left the large room. None of his friends, this time, followed him out the door.
"Thanks, Sawyer," offered Billy, when the senior and his friends came back to him. "You and your friends know you didn't need to do that. I can take care of myself."
"Yes, we all know you can, but this close, you know, to what happened two weeks ago doesn't ... ahhh, need to be followed so quickly with another altercation," cautioned the senior. "But, I don't think he will be a problem, at least not here at school. As for outside, he may still try something, so watch your back."
The seniors shook Billy's hand and then they all walked away. The freshman's friends were impressed and kiddingly told him that, "It must be nice to have friends in high places." Everyone laughed. They all went back to eating their lunch.
Outside the lunchroom, Billy and his friends had a few admirers stop by and tell him how much a jerk that student was. They told the Cover some stories about the kid, from back in middle school, and stressed he was all bark and no bite. Billy thanked them for the information.
Ken Thomas told the three men he needed to make some calls to be ready for the afternoon's session. The owner of Crystal Lake Amusement Park quickly found a quiet corner and called Jules Diamond to see what he may have found out.
The owner of the Diamond Security, Jules Diamond, got right down to business knowing his client didn't have a lot of time to waste chitchatting. The security man had found out some very interesting material, on a few of the commissioners, in the two hours he had. When the two men finished talking, about what Jules had found, the two said they'd talk again, and soon.
Mr. Ken immediately called Bill Jackson, his lawyer. Bill told his friend, Ken, that a lawyer, Amelia 'Amy' Ozarker, would meet up with him before the 1 p.m. meeting start time. The two men talked about what had transpired at the meeting, so far, which made Bill laugh.
Amelia 'Amy' Ozarker met up with Ken Thomas about 30 minutes before the resumption of the Commissioners Board meeting. They talked about the 'politics' of the county and why Mr. Ken was there. Ms. Ozarker told her new client he should have had representation before going into the meeting, but that was 'water under the bridge for now'.
Mr. Ken explained his proposal to his lawyer and that he was invited to speak there today about the proposal, and he wanted to present it before he left for the day. The man further told the woman he wanted the people to hear it, understand it and ask questions about it. The two then discussed strategy.
The meeting was called to order exactly at 1 p.m. that afternoon. The Board President reviewed what he knew of the reason Mr. Thomas was there, and then he asked the man to continue with his explanation of his proposal to the people of their county.
"Commissioners and ladies and gentlemen of this great county ... when I learned of the potential for the cancellation of the five-lane divided highway," was as far as Mr. Ken got before being interrupted by another Commissioner who was opposed to building the highway.
"I don't know where you got your information from, Mr. Thomas, but, there never was a vote to cancel that highway," said the man who was opposed to building the highway in question. "Explain yourself!"
"Sir, as I told you before the recess ... residents of this county ... they approached me and told me that there was some talk about you, the Commissioners, may not vote to build the highway that goes out to my amusement park and the lake, and instead would rather use that large amount of money within your own districts," replied Mr. Ken.
Nothing else was said, but a few of the commissioners did talk amongst themselves. Then, since no one told him not to continue Mr. Ken began stating his case.
"As I was saying, I was told, by some county residents, the commissioners may not vote to spend the $10.5 million on their portion of the already state approved and funded five-lane divided highway. This greatly concerned me as I had major plans for the park and other properties for which I have submitted contracts to buy.
"When I visited my property a few weeks ago, I noticed a large number of properties For Sale along the road leading to the amusement park, and that caused me to ask the question, why. When I heard that the highway might not be built that caused me to wonder why the roadway wouldn't be built after it was on the books for many years and finally received state approval.
"I also learned that the previous owners of the amusement park rescinded their bid on the lake property that I also had placed a bid on, in the hopes that once I bought the amusement park, I could develop that portion of the lake to expand Crystal Lake and also develop high-end vacation properties," said Ken Thomas, before he was again interrupted.
"I don't know where you got your information, sir, but I can assure you, you are mistaken," announced the man who wanted Mr. Ken to explain himself.
"Then, I suggest, sir, you talk to the residents who have a vested interest in ensuring that the divided highway is built," countered Ken Thomas, before continuing to explain his proposal.
"When I heard the rumors that the five-lane divided highway more than likely wouldn't be approved for funding by this group, I talked to three of your members. They told me as much that four of you Commissioners were against the new roadway, and were more interested in being reelected than furthering the interests of the county and its residents," got out Mr. Ken, before he was again interrupted.
"What you said sir was a bald-faced lie, and I expect an apology to this Board and the residents of this county," loudly spoke the third commissioner against the new roadway. That brought about a loud disagreement from the assembled residents at the meeting
"I owe no one an apology for my remarks!" proclaimed Mr. Ken. ... "What I said was what I was told, period. You can argue with those residents with whom I talked. Now, to continue talking about my proposal, before I was again so rudely interrupted, I told three of your body how I would pay that $10.5 million, out of my own pocket, to ensure the highway would be completed."
"But, what is in it for you?" asked the Board President.
"If we came to an agreement, I would want a return on my investment of 25% that would be paid back to me via 50% reduction on all my county business taxes, and on all my properties located within the county, until the agreed-upon amount was repaid," answered Ken Thomas.
"That is outrageous!" called out one Commissioner.
Another commissioner said, "You have got to be kidding that we'd give you, what, 25% back on your so-called investment."
"Gentlemen ... if you would let me finish," spoke out Mr. Ken. "You've all identified that highway as a prime area for development and when it is, the taxes generated will far outpace your giving me the return on my money. Keep in mind ... that $10.5 million you have set aside for the project would be immediately available for you to use wherever needed in the county.
"It could take over 10 and maybe as long as 15 years for me to recoup my investment in helping build that highway with a 50% reduction of my county property taxes. Will, I personally benefit from this proposal, you may ask? And, that answer is ... not directly. My properties would have a reduced tax burden that we could use to reinvest back into the property," declared Mr. Ken.
One of the commissioners, who wanted the road to be built asked, "Mr. Thomas ... have you ever done this anywhere else?"
Mr. Ken explained, what the asking commissioner already knew, for the benefit of the remaining commissioners, and the attending public, what he and his local Commissioners Court had agreed to. He described to them how he paid for the Water Park and built the Four Corners area and had his county taxes reduced until his investment and interest were repaid.
Mr. Thomas also told the Board how he was in the process of building a hotel, an office building and a 400-unit apartment complex, because the commissioners saw how the development would bring in additional business that would expand their tax base and they wouldn't have to outlay any of the county's monies to build the infrastructure for it to happen, as he was footing the upfront costs that would be returned to him over a period of time.
Some of the commissioners couldn't understand why anyone would use his own money to further the interests of the county. So, they asked Mr. Thomas why he did it.
"Gentlemen, I did it because I could and the benefit would be mutual. What the county received was a large undeveloped area being placed on its tax rolls. What I received was my properties now had access and I could now fully develop them.
"And, even though I paid for all of the infrastructure, I will recoup my outlay with the county, by them reducing my county tax burden until my investment, plus an agreed upon simple interest rate, is fully returned to me. It may take ten to twelve years, but we both win," explained Ken Thomas.
The residents in attendance began to call out asking for more information, but the Board President gaveled them to be quiet. He told them they would get their chance when the Commissioners were finished with the speaker.
"Mr. Thomas ... I did the math. You want us to give you back ... $2.62 million plus the $10.5 million you propose to 'donate' to the highway project? That seems a bit much, don't you think?" asked the Board President.
"NO, sir, I do not! If I were to use my own money ... then shouldn't I expect to receive a suitable return on that investment? And remember, you would be returning it a little at a time that could take up to fifteen years, or longer," replied Ken Thomas.
"When you made the same proposal to your local Commissioners Court, what interest rate did you charge them?" asked the Board President.
"It was negotiated. Besides the interest rate we agreed upon, they also gave me some zoning changes that allowed me to build what I wanted to do with my properties," answered Mr. Ken.
"So ... you got what you wanted plus you also got, what, a large amount of money from them?" asked the Board's President.
"That agreement was good for both of us. The county now has a section of land that has the infrastructure needed to support further development. And that happened over a short amount of time. As for me ... I received some zoning variances and I was now able to build on my properties that fronted the new road the agreement built.
"With that agreement, the county is now receiving taxes they wouldn't have otherwise, because the area is being developed, not only by me, but by other interests who have seen that it is where the next growth spurt would be," described Ken Thomas.
"So, again, Mr. Thomas, I ask ... what percentage did you get from the county? A simple question, with ... a simple answer," persisted the Board's President.
"The county and I agreed upon the zoning variances and a 15% return on my investment," answered Mr. Ken.
Another of the Commissioners, who was against the building of the road, so he could use some of that road construction money in his district, asked, "So, you want us ... to give you ... 25% when you only got 15% from the other Commissioners? Do you think we're stupid? Well ... as for me, I am against your proposal, even at zero percent!"
That little speech caused the audience to talk amongst themselves and their murmurings caused the gavel to be used once again. When the Board President put the gavel down, he smiled at the invited guest and then continuing to smile, he looked over at the other Commissioners. Three of whom smiled back at him.
"Mr. Thomas, you want this Board to give you ... 25% ... when you only got 15% the other time you made the same offer? It would appear that what you are asking for is a bit much. Don't you think?" asked the Board President.
"No, I do not! The other county gave me concessions that were worth the extra percentage points. I do live there, by the way, and that counted for something, as I now have a track record with them. They know my word is my bond with them and we know we can work together in the future when necessary," responded Ken Thomas.
"And what does that mean?" asked another of the commissioners, who wanted to cancel the five-lane divided highway.
"What it means is this. Together, we have a good working relationship, the county and I. I do NOT have that here, as of yet. I am only a business owner here who wants what is best for my business, the Crystal Lake Amusement Park, and the residents of this county. And, maybe in the future, if my Park is successful, I will decide to pursue other business ventures.
"Remember, I am using my own money, NOT ... the counties. That means you will still have your $10.5 million to do with as you wish. All I am asking for, here, is a simple interest return on my investment that is returned to me over a long period of time, in the form of reduced taxes on my properties. There is nothing else there?" finished Mr. Ken.
"And, you think ... your proposal is worth a 25% on your so-called investment? I don't think so!" stated another of the commissioners, who wanted to use the highway money in order to be reelected.
"Sir, that is my proposal. And, as such, there can be negotiations between us to ensure the highway is built and you can spread the county's highway money wherever you see fit. I am making this proposal for the benefit of both of us. I hope you can see that!" replied Mr. Ken.
The Commissioners decided to go into Executive Session, to discuss what they heard in that meeting. They asked Mr. Thomas to bear with them and they would hopefully be out in a short time. The Board's President asked Ken Thomas if he would be available to speak with them tomorrow. Mr. Ken told them he had a previous engagement on his calendar for tomorrow, Friday, and that it could not be changed. He added that he would have to leave later that evening at some point.
The seven Commissioners headed into their Executive Secession, which left Mr. Ken out in the meeting room with the residents who came to listen to what the owner of the amusement park had to say. They took advantage of the recess.
The residents quickly asked Mr. Ken if what he said about the commissioners wanting to be reelected was true. All Mr. Ken could tell them was what he was told and that the commissioners may have an alternative motive, other than wanting to spread that highway money around their districts.
Some residents asked him more specific questions about how he knew the area would grow and how he knew. Mr. Ken told them the properties along the road to Crystal Lake were waiting to be built on, when the road was rebuilt into the five-lane divided highway, but all of a sudden the majority are now up For Sale.
Mr. Ken told the residents that something else had to be going on when, all of a sudden, a large number of properties, leading to his amusement park, and the lake, would be up for sale. Mr. Ken told them four of the seven commissioners were against rebuilding the road into that five-lane divided highway. He added, to him, it sounded like they want to use the $10.5 million as a sort of 'bribe', somehow, in order to be reelected.
The residents asked him if he knew what the commissioner's ulterior motive might be. Mr. Ken told them he had his opinions, from what Jules Diamond gave him, but being relative newcomer to the county he had no way to confirm what he thought.
That caused some of the residents to talk amongst themselves, and now they wanted to know what they weren't being told by the people they elected to represent them.
Mr. Ken asked them what they thought about the road project. The majority of them said they wanted the new highway. They offered the current road was a hazard waiting to happen as it was in disrepair and was so well traveled that accidents often happened along the road leading to and from the amusement park or the lake.
Mr. Ken also asked them what they thought about his proposal. Many quickly told him they thought his interest rate was out of line, while others said that they'd want to know if there were some zoning variances that could be offered to reduce that interest rate. Mr. Ken inwardly smiled at hearing that.
The residents asked Mr. Thomas more and more about what he planned to do at his Crystal Lake Amusement Park. Mr. Ken told them he couldn't speculate on what he would do at the Park, other than what he told the Commissioners, now that the highway was in question. They also asked him what he meant by his building high-end vacation homes along the lake and that a community could possibly be formed.
Mr. Ken told them the previous owners of the amusement park had the first option on a portion of the lake property, but had given up that option. He added he had the second option on the same property and was still intent on following through.
The residents asked him why he'd do that if the new divided highway wasn't going to be built. Mr. Thomas told them he figured that eventually the road would be built, his property would rise in value, and people would look to build there because of the easy access.
It was getting late in the day, and Ken Thomas needed to leave soon, so he wouldn't arrive home too late. He kept looking at his watch and then he called the pilot. He wanted to know the latest time they could leave that would allow him to make it home, but not too late.
The residents and Mr. Ken talked as they all waited for the Commissioners to come out of their Executive Secession. But, at 6 p.m., Mr. Ken told everyone he needed to leave, so he could get home to his six 'boys'. That caused the people to ask him if he had sextuplets. The man told them they weren't, and added they were one adopted teen and five foster sons. Hearing that caused the citizens to applaud the man as he walked out the door.
The Commissioners returned to the meeting room about the same time Mr. Ken departed. The Board's President asked where their guest was. The lawyer, Amelia 'Amy' Ozarker, told the man, and thus the other commissioners, that her client had other engagements and had to leave. She said her client offered his regrets, and would be available to discuss his proposal any time they were ready, given proper notice.
The six Cover boys ate their afterschool snack as a group. They were all still bummed out about their 'dad' being gone. They knew he would be home later that night, but they didn't know when. After their snack, they sought out Mr. Wayne and they asked him if he had heard from their 'dad'.
Mr. Wayne told them Mr. Ken had planned to begin his return home at about 5 p.m., their time, but he hadn't heard from him since that call earlier that afternoon. The Estate Master then asked the boys if they were still interested in attending the School Board Meeting later that night. They all answered they were.
It was close to 7 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) when Mr. Ken's private plane took off. It would take around three hours to fly back to either San Antonio's, or Austin's airport and then there would be the drive to The Cove. The owner of The Cove figured he wouldn't get home until close to 11.
Momma Maria had dinner ready for the Covers at 5:45 that evening. They all thanked her for doing that for them and then they sat and ate their spaghetti and meatballs. The woman did offer a side salad with a choice of dressings along with toasted garlic bread. The Covers were very happy with Momma's choice of meal.
The Covers arrived at the School Board Meeting and they were lucky to get a seat. That evening's meeting was well attended due to what the School Board announced the previous week. Everyone was there to learn what the Board intended to do with Principal Mark Stanley, the IT Administrator, Ms. Stella Paulley, and the three students who attacked Billy Dirketson.
People were also interested in hearing what, if anything, the School Board did with Patrick Browner, one of the School Board Members. It was Mr. Browner, who tried to steer the previous meeting and have William 'Billy" Dirketson found guilty, and sent to the alternative high school.
Mr. John Henry Ostrowski called the School Board Meeting to order, with only four Board members present, and the room quieted down. The School Board President had the minutes from their previous meeting read and when that was complete a vote was taken to accept them. Then, the School Board Secretary read the Meeting's Agenda. When all the administrative procedures were dealt with, the Meeting moved onto the first agenda item, Principal Mark Stanley.
School Board President Ostrowski asked Alvin York High School Principal Mark Stanley to come forward. When the principal was standing in front of the entire School Board, President Ostrowski read what the Board had decided.
"Principal Mark Stanley, at our previous meeting it was learned that you deliberately had CCTV video footage altered, which you ultimately used to justify your suspension of one William Dirketson. And, that you ultimately lied to this Board when you testified at last week's special meeting.
"And, with your previous run-ins with Mister Dirketson's foster dad, we believe you perpetrated this hoax in order to get back at the man. So, with that all said, the School Board voted 4 to 1 to suspend you for the remainder of the school term, and we decided we will not renew your contract for next year, or any subsequent years. You can appeal our decision according to state law."
School Board President John Henry Ostrowski then asked for Ms. Stella Paulley, Alvin York High School's IT Administrator, to come before the Board.
"Ms. Paulley, this School Board learned last week that you deliberately altered the CCTV footage of the fight from the previous Thursday in order for Principal Mark Stanley to justify his suspension of William Dirketson. We also learned the reason you did that was because the principal told you he would support you in getting updated IT equipment at the next budget meeting.
"Your actions to deliberately alter CCTV footage, in an exchange for support of your section at the next budget meeting, resulted in a student being falsely accused of an attack on three fellow students. And, that action also caused this School Board to hold a special meeting to handle said attack.
"So, with all that revealed, the School Board voted 4 to 1 to suspend you for the remainder of this school year. In addition to the suspension, you will be relieved as IT administrator for Alvin York High School and will be sent to work as a middle school IT at the beginning of the next school year.
"As you know, you can appeal these actions according to state law, or you can decide not to accept the move to a middle school and decide to apply at another school district. That choice, of course, is yours," finished John Henry Ostrowski, School Board President.
John Henry Ostrowski, the School Board President, then asked the three students, who caused all of the commotion over the schoolyard attack two weeks ago, to come forward. Timothy Simmons, Chance Jamesly, Louis Woodster slowly approached the School Board members.
"Gentlemen, it was shown on the actual CCTV video footage of the fight that it was you three who were the instigators of the attack on a fellow student, William Dirketson. You allowed and supported Principal Stanley to use that attack as a means to get back at a parent with whom he had some differences.
"You all lied to this Board last week about your involvement in the attack that was supposedly on yourselves by a fellow student. You all knew the attack was perpetrated by yourselves, but yet you allowed this travesty to continue until it was brought to light last week.
"You are all guilty of falsely accusing William Dirketson of attacking you, and as such, the School Board voted 4 to 1 to send you to the alternative high school for the remainder of the school term. You will be allowed to return to Alvin York at the start of next school year, but ... you will all be on probation.
"Also, as part of our ruling, if any of you ... cause trouble next year ... you will be suspended. Upon doing so, you will undoubtedly lose any chances for a college scholarship. I recommend you talk to your parents and possibly a lawyer to decide if you want to appeal this decision."
As the three high school students walked back to their seats, School Board President Ostrowski asked the audience to settle down as they had one more issue to handle.
"Ladies and gentlemen, if you attended last week's School Board Meeting you saw how one of our members tried to steer the meeting into a quick decision. It was ultimately learned, last week, that a fellow Board Member, Patrick Browner, tried to railroad a student by openly supporting the accusers who were really the attackers.
"During last week's School Board's Meeting after hearing testimony and watching video footage it appeared that Patrick Browner had helped coach the architects of the fight in what to say at last week's School Board Meeting.
"That same School Board member, not only coached the instigators of the fight, he seemed to have collaborated with two former School Board members in order to steer this School Board Meeting into a travesty of justice for one student, William Dirketson.
As you can see, that School Board Member is not present at this Meeting. During an Executive Session, last week, this School Board voted to censure Mr. Browner. It was he who chose not to attend tonight's Meeting, not this Board restricting his attendance.
"As a side note from me, not this Board, I feel ... I feel it is a sad day when that a person in a position of authority and in the decision-making hierarchy, uses their position to attempt to change the outcome of a hearing, before all of the testimony could be heard and the evidence presented. I wish that none of this had happened. ... Do any of the remaining Board members wish to make a statement?"
When none of the three remaining School Board members decided to speak, John Henry Ostrowski gaveled the School Board Meeting as being concluded. The four Board members walked off the dais to a waiting crowd of residents and a large media presence wanting a sound bite and quote.
The Covers talked to some of the people they knew at the Meeting and seeing it was still somewhat early, Mr. Wayne made an executive decision to visit their favorite ice cream store before heading home.
As the Covers gave Chief her cold treat after they returned home, the younger boys lamented that their 'dad' wasn't there to hear what the School Board had decided. Ms. Judy heard them and asked the boys what decisions the School Board made and that caused the boys to forget, for at least a few minutes, that their 'dad' wasn't there.
Comments are encouraged and appreciated. Just use the email address listed at the top of the page.