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“Power of Two”?
Dear David Lowell,
What’s this “Power of Two” stuff I keep hearing about? “Two” what? Television stations? If so, how can that be? Everyone knows you’ve done your level-headed best to gut KBTV of damned near all its resources. You know what I’m talking about. Little things like firing what may well be the most popular News Director (Angel San Juan) in the area; even though it was contrary to what your parent owner (Sinclair Broadcast Group) told the employees of KBTV. That move was a “Boo-Boo” of major proportions, and I can tell you word on the street is that KFDM lost an awful lot of credibility when you pulled that stunt off.
What still hasn’t been proven, though, is why you got rid of San Juan? You tried blaming it on Sinclair, but there is reason to think something else was involved. The Jefferson County Beer Party is pretty well convinced your decision to rid the media of Angel San Juan may well have been due to influence applied onto you by Larry and/or Nancy Beaulieu. More specifically, Nancy Beaulieu. But a question remains as to why, if this is true, would someone who had literally washed their hands of participation in the news media would go so far as to insist someone else in the news media be removed? David, there isn’t something going on between you and Nancy Beaulieu, is there? After all, it wouldn’t be the first time someone from KFDM was found to be involved in an extra-marital activity, would it? The Jefferson County Beer Party can name those who are or were working for KFDM that were parties to such activities, but I don’t think that’s really necessary right now; do you? It is too bad, though, that one of those incidents cost KFDM most of its credibility with a certain Jefferson County agency; and, the end result was that KFDM ceased being the primary news media resource used for announcements by Jefferson County.
A few more questions, David, about this alleged “merger” of KBTV and KFDM. How come so many KFDM personnel are now regulars appearing on KBTV? How many of the original KBTV reports are still working for the station? What about cameramen and other technical support personnel? Now, please understand we aren’t including Dana Melancon in this group because we’re all too aware he has managed to brown-nose his way into James Brown’s spot in the KFDM Weather Department, so he doesn’t count. And by the way, Dana was so busy vying for that position that he neglected his responsibilities to posting weather forecasts into a special Facebook page created and dedicated to the Fox 4 Weather Department. It was entitled, “Fox 4 WeatherWatch”; but, the Facebook page has now been closed because of his unwillingness to produce anything for Fox 4 and indeed identified his content in the new KBTV Fox 4 website as “KFDM 6 Weather”. So I have to assume you DO understand why I closed the Fox 4 WeatherWatch page, don’t you? Maybe next Christmas you ought to give Dana a gift of toilet paper to wipe his nose off following all his brown-nosing.
The Jefferson County Beer Party has also become aware of some comments you’ve been making chiding Angel San Juan as some sort of a “wanna-be” news reporter. Awful smug especially coming from someone with a reputation like you have, don’t you think? What I hear from people working with you, you seem to have an attitude almost as big as the head upon your shoulders. In fact, word we get is that you really think yourself some kind of something special for having literally destroyed KBTV Fox 4 and making it merely an extension of KFDM. Jeez, David, even watching the local news (what little there is of it) on KBTV is just like watching a rerun of the same KFDM news. How boring! Just ask any of what few viewers either station has left. They’ll tell you just like they have me. Most of the viewership from KBTV and KFDM has already migrated over to KBMT, some to follow Angel, and others because they don’t need two television station broadcasting the same thing. In fact, according to what I’ve been told, the only reason some people continue watching either KBTV or KFDM is for the regular programming. Even they switch channels for the local stuff.
And by the way, David, for the record, I just want you to know most of the information I’ve managed to acquire about the goings-on at KBTV and KFDM originated from your own staff. It’s where I gained my insights into the dirty little stunts you were pulling, and even some of the snide little remarks you’ve made about me. I could learn to live with your comments and opinions you have about me or the Jefferson County Beer Party were you to have enough backbone to present them to me personally, but to refuse to speak to me or answer my questions, and then ban me from your websites and such, is pure unadulterated cowardice. So I have to ask, when you get up every morning, do you try to look at your back in the mirror to see if that yellow streak has expanded any more than the day before?
If you don’t bother responding to this editorial, David, the Jefferson County Beer Party will understand. After all, it would take someone with a certain degree of moral fiber to do so, and that almost inevitably leaves you out, doesn’t it?
Sincerely,
MJ Ponsegrau (aka, “Inquisitor)
Business as Usual
The Jefferson County Beer Party supposes it is fitting to congratulate Bobbie Prince for having been re-elected as Mayor in the City of Port Arthur, and to Robert Troy in his successful bid to be elected to City Council. But that’s about as far as we’re willing to go because Port Arthur is most likely now going to return to “business as usual” in the manner it was prior to this last election season. Heaven knows the only time anything constructive gets done around Port Arthur is when important city officials are up for re-election. The rest of the time the personal and political special interests of our elected and appointed city officials are far more important than such trivial things as meeting the needs of the community.
During the election campaign season, a remark was made that Port Arthur is “becoming a joke in Jefferson County and much of Southeast Texas”. The sad truth is that Port Arthur has been a long-standing joke not only in Jefferson County and throughout much of Southeast Texas, it’s also a standing joke throughout much of the State of Texas. And, even in a few places outside the State of Texas, too. That’s because the community is recognized as a center for corruption, cronyism and nepotism. It’s widely known and recognized that more than three-quarters of Port Arthur residents exist day-to-day on government handouts. We’re seen as following in the footsteps of other communities like Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and Detroit, Michigan where little or no effort is being made to control overhead and reduce expenses. Port Arthur is following a trend that is sweeping any number of other communities nationwide that is leading them toward a path of destruction; most of it from within. Around here, the phrase most commonly used is that Port Arthur is slowly sinking into the marsh muck. It’s small wonder why so many people question how Port Arthur, a community surrounded and embedded by the petro-chemical industry, can be so blighted and dilapidated?
When the Jefferson County Beer Party first came into being, we touted looking to the future and trying to make this community a better place to be; somewhere people and businesses would like to be. That soon changed, though, as more and more it was realized far too many have their heads firmly buried in the past. Some with regard to atrocities that took place in the nation hundreds of years ago, and others with an ideal that the city could be taken back several decades to a time better than now. The past can no more be erased than can the cost of living in another day gone by restored. And quite contrary to the belief around this town, neither the government nor the people of this nation owe anyone anything.
The Jefferson County Beer Party thinks Bobbie Prince, as the Mayor of Port Arthur, is pretty much a lost cause. She will do whatever she has to do in order to accomplish her personal agenda no matter what. And we would like to wish new City Council member Robert Troy the very best in his attempt to serve our community. Mr. Troy is a very intelligent and well-rounded individual who has some very good ideas for getting our community back on track. Unfortunately, he is facing an uphill battle in his attempt to bring about the necessary changes in Port Arthur. He is facing opposition from more than half of the existing City Council that is comprised of Prince sympathizers. This includes Council members Freeman, Williamson and Segler. The others are either too wishy-washy or gutless to stand against Prince and her cronies. Until the people of Port Arthur can get these people out of office, and effect the changes in the other facets of government, administration and management within the community, the city will continue down its path toward self-destruction. Unfortunately, many of us will see it within our current lifetimes.
Ah! The Merry, Merry Month of May
And with the merry month of May comes elections in Port Arthur, Texas. So what makes this election any different from those in the past? Not much at least according to a report published by KBMT 12 News. Barely more than a thousand of the 38,000 registered Port Arthur voters took advantage of Early Voting. Based on this information, there may be a great deal of truth in KBMT’s comment that “If the low voter turnout trend continues, only four percent of registered voters will have cast ballots by the end of the day Tuesday.“
Few vote early in Port Arthur city and school elections
The stage is once again being set for what was previously estimated to be more than 90% of the registered Port Arthur voters will cast ballots in this election. That figure, in the estimation of the Jefferson County Beer Party, is now considered a little too low. It may well be as much as 95% or more. Indicative of a community that either no longer cares how the community or its schools are governed, administered and managed; or, realizes their votes mean absolutely nothing other than to allow a different set of people to live high off the hog on taxpayer dollars.
There may well be one difference in this election that may not make any difference at all. I’m seriously considering bowing out of this election process by not casting my ballot. You see, I’m not that all-fired impressed with those who are seeking election any more than I’m impressed by the behavior of those already having been elected. Their faces may be different, just like their personal and political special interests may be different, but the problems facing our community stand little chance of being accordingly addressed under either the current regime, or the new one depending upon who does or does not get elected. Adding to this insult are the numerous reports received from reliable sources about those who are already spouting off how they will now be getting “their share” of the taxpayer dollars. And be sure the intended use of those taxpayer dollars hasn’t a damned thing to do with trying to make Port Arthur a better place to be.
But let’s for a moment imagine I would be willing to cast a ballot in this election. As far as the Mayoral election is concerned, again I have to state that I’m about as impressed with those seeking election as I am the Mayor we have right now; and, that isn’t saying much. For that reason, were I to vote for someone to serve as the Mayor of Port Arthur, I would be strongly tempted to write-in the name of Ernie Sadler, Richard M. Nixon or perhaps Spiro T. Agnew. In the case of City Council, and please remember that no one is seeking election or re-election in my Council district, it would be a toss-up between Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck or Goofy. And as far as the positions on the school board, I would be torn between Amos & Andy, or the Bobsy Twins. Forgive me if I spelled any of these names incorrectly. Although I would never try to tell anyone how to vote, or who to vote for or against, I suggest those few of you who will cast ballots to at least consider writing-in any of the above. Every one of them is about as qualified as are any of our candidates seeking election or re-election.
Nope, Port Arthur, I’m really considering just laying back and watching to see what happens with this citywide election. And be sure that I will be closely watching those who either remain in office, and those who replace them, to see just how well they honor the rhetoric produced during their campaigns. At this point I can only say I agree completely with the findings of that freelance writer from the Washington DC area who recently visited our community. According to what he found, Port Arthur is sliding down a path toward destruction. In local terms, it means the community is slowly sinking into the marsh muck. In his estimation, if drastic and dramatic change isn’t implemented immediately, it’s very likely that Port Arthur could end up like Detroit (MI) or Gary (IN) within the next ten to twenty years. Bankrupt and broke! And if this becomes our reality, then those who will have control over our community will most likely be the criminal element. Port Arthur will no longer be a safe place to live, work or own a business.
This is NOT the future I want to see for the City of Port Arthur, Texas! And I sure the hell ain’t gonna waste my time casting a ballot for anyone who cannot convince me their campaign promises won’t be fulfilled.
KBTV Fox 4
The Jefferson County Beer Party has become aware that KBTV Fox 4 now has a new Internet website. Although we have to commend the website developer for making it far easier to navigate than the precious website, it was quickly noticed something very important apparently isn’t included in this new version: the local news. Take a look at the new website by clicking on the following link and see for yourself:
Yes, there are links to Associated Press news sites relating to regional, national and international news; but nothing in relation to the local news that so many people here in Southeast Texas feel important. If this is an indication of things to come, then the Jefferson County Beer Party wonders if the comments made by KFDM’s News Director, David Lowell, aren’t coming true. Not long after KBTV was acquired by the Sinclair Broadcast Group, and word filtered out that KBTV and KFDM would be merged, Lowell started spouting off about how he was going to rid himself of Angel San Juan and drive KBTV out of the local news market. We all know now he was behind dismissing Angel San Juan successfully, so his efforts to destroy KBTV as a viable local news resource shouldn’t really come as any surprise. Now add that to word recently discussed that eventually no one from what used to be KBTV Fox 4 will be retained by KFDM and you get a pretty good idea of the overall lack of character the Jefferson County Beer Party thinks David Lowell has. We think the only thing lower than this here in Jefferson County is Calvin Walker and his antics, but we aren’t going to get into that again right now.
So, as far as the Jefferson County Beer Party is concerned, KBTV Fox 4 is no longer a viable or reliable source for local news. We also recall the comments made by Nancy Beaulieu in reference to her personal bias against Angel San Juan and Fox 4, as well as her stated desires to see both of them become a part of history. The Jefferson County Beer Party continue to believe tha Nancy Beaulieu has influenced David Lowell to take the steps he has taken, and feel that if he can be so easily intimidated and influenced, then people should wonder if the news KFDM reports is factual, or merely what Nancy Beaulieu and the rest of the Beaumont Mafia wants the public to be aware of?
We aren’t in the habit of telling people what to do, but the people of what used to be the Fox 4 viewing area are now advised to look more toward KBMT 12 News as the best source for local news that is important to us. And furthermore, Angel San Juan is reporting for KBMT! We suggest KFDM and David Lowell enjoy their success in sinking KBTV and that their viewers and advertisers take their interests elsewhere. We sure are …
Is It Just Us?
Is it just the Jefferson County Beer Party, or do you also think there may be some sneakiness in what’s going on over at the Port Arthur Independent School District? First, we learn there are children and teachers being bullied and attacked by students, but none of these incidents ever reach investigators with law enforcement agencies. Then a set of parents come forward to file charges against a student attacker who beat their son and daughter bad enough that bones were fractured and medical attention required, but the son and daughter are the only ones punished by the school system. Soon thereafter comes word of a special needs student falling victim to not one, but two, beatings by as many as seven other students. These altercations were caught on cell phone cameras, but once again only the victim gets punished because he “fought back”.
And now the latest facet of the saga of “As the Port Arthur Independent School District Turns”. System Superintendent Johnny “Downtown” Brown is leaving. Leaving almost a year before his contract with the PAISD expires. And the school district is so anxious to rid themselves of him they are willing to shell out a quarter of a million dollars to buy out that contract. Hey! Wait just a dog-gone diggety minute here. Isn’t this the same school district that begged voters to approve a 13% tax increase because it didn’t have the funds to properly maintain campus buildings? Have the people of Port Arthur forgotten that the PAISD claimed that if the tax increase wasn’t approved, the district would be bankrupt before the end of this December?And wasn’t it the PAISD who based their entire new school system budget on the revenues the tax increase would have brought in even before the election? So if the Port Arthur Independent School District is in such dire need of funds, just where in the hell did it come up with a quarter of a million dollars to buy out Downtown Johnny Brown’s contract? And maybe someone from the PAISD would like to respond to this editorial to explain how all this is “for the children”.
And now the latest news to bring further scorn onto how PAISD Administration personnel handle taxpayer monies. In an editorial in the Southeast Texas Political Review, author Phil Klein goes into detail with regard to the spending habits of Dr. Brown and his accomplices when on out-of-town trips. Tens of thousands of taxpayer dollars used to stay in the finest hotels, eat in the finest restaurants and rent vehicles to go hot-rodding around in all instead of using those funds appropriately “for the children”. Once again, and just like the spendthrifts the people of Port Arthur continue re-electing to city government, the Jefferson County Beer Party has to ask just how long the fiascos like this are going to have to continue before the people of Port Arthur have had enough?
The Port Arthur Independent Schools District is one of the poorest school districts in the State of Texas. It is also one of the most mismanaged districts as well. The Jefferson County Beer Party considers those who perpetually work within the PAISD to be little more than another bunch of people who have found a way to bilk the daylights out of the taxpayers by enjoying a lavish lifestyle on the taxpayer’s dime. Very much like the reported 76% of the city’s population that exists day-to-day on government sponsored “entitlement” programs (welfare) all the while crying there aren’t any jobs when there are plenty of them, but refusing to work.
It is the considered opinion of the Jefferson County Beer Party that the best thing that could possibly happen to not only the City of Port Arthur, but the Port Arthur Independent School District as well, is that they fall into complete bankruptcy. Maybe then, when the taxpayer dollars are shut off, people will start to once again learn to stand on their own two feet and not rely on “government” to pay their way.
