Voters United to Preserve Flower Mound Historical
Chronology
August 1996
Lori DeLuca establishes
Voters United to Preserve Flower Mound.
She unites
with other homeowners in order to counter the political clout of those with
development interests. The constant amendments to the 1994 Master
Plan had begun to significantly increase residential density, without thought
to the long-term effects, especially on the Town’s infrastructure. Members attend Planning & Zoning meetings
and Town Council meetings, and disseminate information to other residents.
May 1997
Voters United supports Bill Carr, Rick
Randall, and Ted Reeves for Town Council after they all indicate on a Voters
United questionnaire that they would not support increased residential density.
The incumbents refused to answer the yes and no questions on the questionnaire.
Although Carr, Randall and Reeves were not members of Voters United, they we're
willing to make a commitment to the citizens of Flower Mound. Even though they turn out to be not all Voters
United hope for, they are still better than candidates who refuse to tell the
voters how they will vote on important issues.
Ted
Reeves wins against Wayne Wilkerson for Place1.
Rick
Randall wins against Chris Miles for Place 3.
Bill
Carr wins against Steve Mossman for Place 5.
September 1997
A Political Action Committee (PAC) called
"Flower Mound’s Future" is formed to oppose Voters United. Carol Kohankie is the Treasurer and Ernie
Isbell is the Chairman. During the next election in May
1998, this PAC attacks all four managed growth candidates -- Lori DeLuca, Tom
Cawthon, Ted Baze, and Cindy Travis. The PAC raises
more than $12,000 from developers and those with land development interests. After the 1998
elections, the PAC is never heard from
again.
November 1997
Council
member Ted Reeves breaks his campaign promise to the citizens of Flower Mound
and votes to approve a request for increased residential density (from campus
commercial to medium residential). The
result is a loss of commercial taxes and an increase in infrastructure
expenses. He receives a real estate license while in office. He does not seek re-election.
January 1998
Roy Marshall is
appointed to replace Rick Randall, who forfeited his office after being
convicted of domestic violence. Roy Marshall does not seek election and Ted
Baze is elected in May to fill the remaining one year of this term.
March 1998
Many residents ask
Ms. DeLuca to run for mayor, citing her success and growing support for preserving
Flower Mound and supporting the Master Plan.
Out-of-town development interests fund
anti-managed growth candidates.
Ms. DeLuca’s mayoral opponent is council
member Pat Moore. Ms. Moore had voted to approve all proposed amendments to the
Master Plan for increased housing density.
She also accepts help and campaign contributions from developers during
her mayoral campaign.
April 1998
Paul Stone and Chris Miles form a PAC called "We Love
Flower Mound", with Connie Clark as Treasurer. It publishes a 6-page color
political mailer attacking mayoral candidate Lori DeLuca and Voters United to
Preserve Flower Mound. It is funded 100%
by Dallas developers and thus earns the
nickname, "We Love to BUILD in Flower Mound.” Against state law, the PAC is not registered with the Town or the
Texas Ethics Commission. Ms. Clark, a neighbor of former council member Chris
Miles, who lost in 1997, is a supporter of mayoral candidate Pat Moore, who
accepts large contributions from land/development interests. Ms. Clark is
unreachable for comment, and the PAC is never heard from again.
Paul Stone:
Supported increased
housing density and apartments at the Town Council meeting on 7/21/97 and
the Planning & Zoning Commission meetings on 9/22/97, 7/14/97, 2/12/96,
2/2/94, 6/28/93, 8/19/92, 4/27/92.
Opposed the SMARTGrowth Program at the Town Council meeting on 1/11/99.
Founded three political action
committees (PACs) that were funded by developers. Source: “Flower Mound 2000” campaign finance reports and appointment of
campaign treasurer report. “We Love Flower Mound” campaign finance reports and Lewisville Leader 5/13/98-edition.
“Flower Mound’s Future”
campaign finance reports and press release.
Runs against SMARTGrowth incumbent Cindy
Travis in 2000 and loses.
Runs against SMARTGrowth candidate
Mike Walker in 2004 and wins.
May 1998
Voters United founder and President Lori
DeLuca becomes Mayor; Ted Baze, Cindy Travis and Tom Cawthon are elected. Mayor
DeLuca’s administration breaks new ground for citizen-friendly and accountable
government, and successfully implements managed growth policies which allow the
community to retain its unique character and quality of life.
Vicki Fulfer becomes the new President of Voters United.
Lori
DeLuca wins against Pat Moore for Mayor
Tom
Cawthon wins against Steve Mossman for Place 2.
Ted
Baze wins against Travis Perkins for Place 3.
Cindy
Travis wins against Tom Thompson for Place 4.
November 1998
Sara Wingard is
appointed by the Town Council to replace Bill Carr after Mayor DeLuca asks for and receives his
resignation. Carr is involved in numerous
controversies over requesting his own police car and pursuit training from the
Police Chief in order to help patrol the town, and his ability to fulfill his
responsibilities while commuting from his new job in Houston.
When
Carr moves back to Flower Mound he actively opposes Mayor DeLuca and Voters
United, and loses twice as a town council candidate in 2003 and 2004.
January 1999
Jim Cook is
appointed by the Town Council to replace Tom Cawthon, who moves because of job promotion and relocation.
January 1999
The Town Council unanimously adopts a
temporary moratorium on new residential development applications in order to give the Town
time to thoroughly evaluate the Town’s infrastructure needs and explore the
possibility of enacting a growth management plan.
Spring 1999
Lawyer /developer Donna Morris begins
publishing a political tabloid/ advertising circular, The Messenger.The unsolicited circular is sent every other week to
all households. It promotes development interests’ candidates and the Chamber
of Commerce. Town news events and
policies are regularly misreported and Mayor DeLuca’s administration and Voters
United are routinely attacked. The Messenger refuses to publish corrections and opposing viewpoints or letters
to the editor. Because of the nature
and tone of the publication, it becomes referred to as The MessANGER.
April 1999
The April 12 edition of The Home
Builder Magazine
states that the Government Relations Division ofthe
Home and Apartment
Builders Association (HAB) requested $30,000 to fight Flower Mound’s
moratorium, and that their PAC- HOMEPAC, has $12,000 to spend on its own
candidates for the upcoming
area elections. This fund excludes donations from other developers and
investors who oppose managed growth. HAB
is also known as the Homebuilders Association of Greater Dallas.
During her campaign for Town Council, Angie Cox
refers to herself as the "SMART" candidate, which causes intentional
confusion with her opponent -- incumbent SMARTGrowth candidate Sara Wingard. Ms. Cox also uses an Austin-based political
consulting company to conduct "push polling", which manipulates
questions in order to create a negative impression of her opponent and to get a
desired response from potential voters.
May 1999
Ted Baze is
re-elected; Sara Wingard and Stephani Spruill are elected.
For the first and only time, Voters
United endorses a school board candidate who is running against Flower Mound Chamber of
Commerce President Lori Moseley Fickling.
Members feel that an employee of the chamber should not be making
decisions about possible school district financial incentives that benefit
those she is paid to represent.
Stephani
Spruill wins against Kim Phillips for Place 1.
Ted
Baze wins against Travis Perkins for Place 3.
Sara
Wingard wins against Angie Cox for Place 5.
Carol
Kyer wins against Lori Fickling for LISD School Board Place 7.
November 1999
Lawyer/developer/The
Messenger publisher Donna
Morris sues Voters United -- a Voters
United member -- Steve Webb, acting alone, speaks with an advertiser in The Messenger and threatens to
boycott all businesses who advertise in it.
He states that advertisers should be aware of the biased and non-factual
nature of the publication.
Also sued
is Flower Mound resident Sherillyn Magee for criticizing The Messenger during the citizen comments portion of a Town Council
meeting.
Court proceedings include handwriting
analysis experts called by Ms. Morris’ team to suggest that The Mayor and
Voters United "conspired to cause interference with The Messenger advertising
contracts.” Mayor DeLuca, Voters United President Vicki Fulfer, and several Voters
United members are cross-examined at length.
Morris also subpoenas Voters United
supporters standing outside the courtroom, those who wrote letters to the
editor, and those who spoke against The Messenger at a Town Council
meeting.
Both the Messenger and Voters United argue
for free speech rights.
Morris demands access to the private
membership list of Voters United.Judge Don Windle denies her request because such lists are protected.
Morris requests a court delay until March
2000. This is one of several tactics
used in order to increase court costs for Voters United. The case languishes in
court and is finally dismissed.
Morris, on behalf of Gottsacker Brothers (Steve
Gottsacker & TJG Family Partnership) sues the Town to use the flood plain for apartment density calculations, in an attempt to build many
more apartments than legally allowed.
January 6, 2000
Donna Morris’ lawsuit against the Town on behalf of
Steve Gottsacker & TJG Family Partnership is dismissed. Gottsacker's wanted to substantially
increase apartment density.
February 17, 2000
The SMARTGrowth Plan is unanimously adopted
after receiving support from thousands of residents following months of public
hearings. The only two people who
speak out opposed to it during the public hearing are Paul Caduro, a
representative of the Home and Apartment Builder’s Association, and Flower
Mound resident and land investor Joe Freeman, who later runs unsuccessfully for
Town Council in 2000.
March 24, 2000
Schultz Management, LTD’s lawsuit against the Town
disputing the Town’s annexation and land use designation is dismissed. Schultz wanted to substantially increase
residential density.
March 31, 2000
Judge Don Windle dismisses the Donna
Morris/The Messenger’s lawsuit against Voters United as without merit. He states
there is "not one scintilla of evidence to support her claims.” He also states, "Mayor DeLuca’s
integrity has not been impeached.”
Voters United asserts that they were sued
only because Ms. Morris opposes their political philosophy and that Morris had
abused the legal system in order to conduct a personal vendetta, intimidate
residents, and bankrupt Voters United. Flower Mound residents offer generous
donations to help pay the high legal costs.
Boycotts,
whether by an individual or group, are one of the many freedoms of speech
enjoyed by all United States citizens.
April 7, 2000
The Homebuilders Association of greater Dallas’
lawsuit against the Town disputing the Town’s ability to enact a growth
management plan and regulate the number of residential building permits issued
is dismissed.
April 2000
The Lewisville News refuses to print letters to the editor in support of
Voters United’s candidates -- Mayor DeLuca, Jim Cook, and Cindy Travis. Yet it prints out-of-state letters in support of
challengers Bob Weir, Joe Freeman, and Paul Stone, even printing some of the
letters twice.
The Dallas Morning News forces its subsidiary, The
Lewisville News,
to release 6 weeks worth of withheld letters supporting Voters United
candidates.A few
months later, The Lewisville News closes, and becomes the section of the
Dallas Morning News known as The Denton County Morning
News.
A PAC, "Citizens United for Smart Growth"
(a name intended to cause confusion with Voters United and SMARTGrowth) mails a
flier attacking Mayor DeLuca. It quotes The
Messenger
as its "legitimate" news source and uses an email fabricated by The
Messenger. The flier does not list a Treasurer, but an address
of 2201 Long Prairie Road, Suite 107-113, Permit number 4002. It is a private mailbox located inside the
retail suite of Mail Boxes, Etc. Campaign
finance reports show that the PAC is 100% funded by the Home and Apartment Builders (Homebuilders
Association of Greater Dallas). After the
election, this PAC is not heard from again.
Angie Cox, who lost her 1999 challenge for a Town
Council seat, forms a group called "Voters United to Protect and Unify
Flower Mound" -- a name intended to cause confusion with Voters United to
Preserve Flower Mound.Voters
United files a complaint with the Texas Ethics Commission, alleging that the
name is deliberately misleading.
Ms.
Cox had attempted a similar tactic in April 1999 identifying herself as the
"SMART" candidate, in order to confuse voters with the SMARTGrowth
candidate, Sara Wingard.
A few days
before the election, Angie Cox files a
false police report on behalf of her group (Voters United to Protect and Unify
Flower Mound) against Mayor DeLuca regarding open meetings. Ms. Cox claims that the highly publicized luncheon
Mayor DeLuca hosted for former Flower Mound mayors was illegal, and violated
the Open Meetings Act, even though no Town Council members were in attendance
at the luncheon. When
Ms. Cox herself is
investigated for filing a false police report, she withdraws her accusations. Ms.
Cox’s group (Voters United to Protect and Unify Flower Mound) is not heard from
again.
In 2002, Mayoral challenger Craig Bradshaw utilizes
the newspaper headline announcing Ms. Cox’s charges against Mayor DeLuca, knowing it was a false charge that had been
rescinded by Ms. Cox.
Twice
unsuccessful Town Council candidate Travis Perkins hosts a candidate forum at
Parker Square, even thought he never showed up at any of the forums held when
he ran for office.
May 2000
Mayoral
challenger Bob Weir and Town Council challengers Joe Freeman and Paul Stone
falsely claim endorsements from both the Police and Fire Departments. The Police Department Association issues a statement
that they do not endorse candidates.
Mayor Lori
DeLuca and Cindy Travis are re-elected; Jim Cook is elected. They are all
referred to as "SMARTGrowth candidates", since they helped implement
and support the Town’s SMARTGrowth Plan.
Lori
DeLuca wins against Bob Weir for Mayor
Jim
Cook wins against Joe Freeman for Place 2.
Cindy
Travis wins against Paul Stone for Place 4.
Sam Maddox, critical of Mayor DeLuca and Voters
United, creates a parody of Voters United with a new website,
"www.flower-mound-online.com’’ an address almost identical to the official website
of the Town of Flower Mound -- www.flower-mound.com.
Mr.
Maddox eventually sends an email to Voters United saying his site was "B.S.
intended to get a response.” The site later
closes and Mr. Maddox is not heard from again.
October 2000
"Conservative Texans" is a
land/development interest-funded PAC created to oppose managed growth. Its President is Chrisy Long who becomes an
unsuccessful candidate for Town Council in 2001. The PAC’s other unsuccessful 2001 candidate is Roger Whitney. Both Long and Whitney falsely deny accepting
land/development interest funding.
This group later becomes known as
"Citizens Coalition for Responsible Government", supporting anti-SMARTGrowth candidates in the
2002 election.
March 19, 2001
After two years and more than 150 public
meeting, the 2001 Master Plan is unanimously adopted with the support of
thousands of citizens.
May 2001
SMARTGrowth
candidates Stephani Spruill, Ted Baze, and Sara Wingard are re-elected.
Stephani
Spruill wins without an opponent for Place 1.
Ted
Baze wins against Roger Whitney for Place 3.
Sara
Wingard wins against Chrisy Long for Place 5.
July 2001
Ewing Investments, L.P.’s lawsuit against the Town
disputing the town’s annexation and land use designation is dismissed. Ewing wanted to substantially increase
residential density.
August 2001
Bob Smith Management Company d/b/a Smith Associates,
LTD’s lawsuit against the Town disputing the Town’s land use designation is
dismissed. This lawsuit was filed on
behalf of land investor Bob (Doc) Smith and supported by fellow land investors
Sam Wilson and Janet Bunn who wanted to change the land use on their property
in order to substantially increase residential density.
August 2001
Wellington Land Development’s lawsuit against the
Town disputing the Town’s platting and tree preservation requirements is
dismissed.
November 2001
The developer funded PAC called
"Conservative Texans" becomes "Citizens for Responsible
Government.” Its Treasurer is Marc Maraccini. Its
spokesperson is Bob Weir, the unsuccessful 2000 mayoral challenger to Mayor
DeLuca. Mr. Weir is on the editorial
board and a columnist for the developer-owned political tabloid/advertising
circular, The Messenger.
Mr.
Weir becomes spokesperson for Mayor DeLuca’s challenger in 2002- Craig
Bradshaw, who calls developers the Town’s "most important customers.”
October 2001
Craig
Bradshaw is introduced by lawyer/developer/The Messenger owner Donna Morris at the monthly Chamber of Commerce luncheon and
at “home coffees” as a 2002 Mayoral candidate.
January 2002
Anti-SMARTGrowth
lawyer/developer/The Messenger
publisher Donna Morris becomes Chairman of the Flower Mound Chamber of
Commerce. The Messenger editor and unsuccessful 2000 Mayoral candidate Bob
Weir becomes the Bradshaw campaign spokesperson.
Mayoral candidate Craig
Bradshaw’s brother, NFL Football Hall-of-Famer
and FOX-TV Sportscaster Terry Bradshaw, promotes candidate Bradshaw at the televised
Super Bowl Game and at local events.
February 2002
Marsha Gavitt becomes Director of Voters
United -- a title that reflects her duties of several years.
March 2002
Craig Bradshaw and Jack Stufflebam file for
Mayor against Voters United candidate and incumbent Lori DeLuca.
Darrin Petersen files for Town Council Place
2 against Voters United candidate Jim Cook.
Jason Lewis and Renee Stoltenberg file for
Place 4 against Voters United candidate Cindy Travis.
At the Home and Apartment Builders candidate forum, Craig Bradshaw tells the audience that
developers “are the Town’s most important customers.” Bradshaw publicly opposes SMARTGrowth. Jason
Lewis opposes the efforts of organized homeowners, such as Voters United. Throughout
their campaigns, Bradshaw, Stufflebam, and Lewis each indicate that they would
accept donations from developers and those with development interests.
The Messenger heavily promotes Voters United opponents Bradshaw,
Petersen, and Lewis.
April 2002
DeLuca/Voters United opponent
and twice unsuccessful Town Council candidate Travis Perkins hosts the second outdoor
forum at Parker Square in a mayoral election year. There is no decorum and the
Voters United candidates are constantly heckled and interrupted.
Republicans of Flower Mound forms. Charter
members include developers and real estate agents such as: developer Mark Glover, The Messenger owner/developer/lawyer/unsuccessful state
representative candidate/Chamber of Commerce Chairman Donna Morris (who unsuccessfully
sued the Town and Voters United), anti-SMARTGrowth mayoral candidate Craig
Bradshaw, and Angie Cox (unsuccessful anti-SMARTGrowth Town Council candidate
who filed a false police report against Mayor DeLuca, and tried to form a group
that was named deceptively similar to Voters United). The group displays a membership booth, distributes
fliers at the polls on Election Day, and supports opponents Bradshaw, Petersen, and Lewis.
In 2004, this group, along with Flower
Mound Voters for Conservative Spending, try to cancel the Town Hall reservations
of Voters United and the Flower Mound Republican Club (FMGOP) for their
respective candidate reception and candidate forum, which were dates that were booked several months in advance. Sherillyn
Flick is the FMGOP president and has conducted bipartisan State, County, and Town
candidate forums for many years. Voters United and FMGOP offer to give up two
other dates, but their offers are refused by both groups, who then complain to
local newspapers.
May 2002
Concerned
Citizens for Responsible Government hires out-of town public relations
professionals; uses out-of town
residents to campaign at the polls; and raises more than $20,000 for the Bradshaw
mayoral campaign. Donations are raised
using celebrities and out-of-town donors, including developers and their
associations.
Union
organizers from Lewisville and Carrollton campaign for Craig Bradshaw at the
polls, and pass out false and misleading fliers. Some voters believe they are Flower Mound firefighters.
False
and misleading fliers supporting Craig Bradshaw are distributed about the
Flower Mound Fire Department. Flower Mound Fire Chief Eric Metzger and
Town Manager Van James issue a document disproving all claims, which is made
available to voters at the polls.
False
information supporting Craig Bradshaw is also distributed regarding the Flower
Mound Police Department. Flower Mound Police Chief Kenneth Brooker and
Town Manager Van James issue a document disproving all claims, which is made
available to voters at the polls.
Information about Bradshaw’s three jail
sentences for failing to pay child support; being sued by the Town and LISD for
failure to pay taxes; two bankruptcies; and never having voted in a Town
Council election is noted in the Voters United election guide, newspaper
articles, and other political fliers. At
the polls, Bradshaw claims the information is not true and threatens a lawsuit
against Voters United and its candidates. However, the information
is accurate and is never contested by Bradshaw after the election.
Voters United candidates Mayor Lori DeLuca,
Jim Cook and Cindy Travis are re-elected with approximately 65% of the vote.
Lori
DeLuca wins against Craig Bradshaw and Jack Stufflebam for Mayor
Jim Cook wins against Darrin Peterson for Place 2.
Cindy Travis wins against Jason
Lewis & Renee Stoltenberg for Place 4.
In an unprecedented move by
a defeated candidate, Mr. Bradshaw reads a lengthy and angry statement at the
May 20 Town Council meeting. He claims
to be a victim of lies and distortions and states that he will keep an eye on
the new council. After his statement,
he and the two supporters with him abruptly leave. He is not heard from again until 2004.
Bradshaw’s campaign finance reports are
investigated by the Texas Ethics Commission for a number of discrepancies. A hearing
was held in Austin on March 16, 2005.
As of April 2005,
the matter is still pending.
March
2003
Councilman Jim Cook’s neighbor and friend Chris Torley
offers Mayor DeLuca a $5,000 campaign contribution to run for any office other
than Mayor in 2004. Jim Cook had stated on numerous occasions that he
himself wanted to run for Mayor and Chris Torley wanted to run for Town
Council. Mayor DeLuca declines the offer.
Jim Cook then threatens to “divide and conquer” Voters United.
Stephani Spruill and Bill
Carr file for Place 1. Carr originally
filed for Place 3 but later switches saying he “has a better chance” at Place
1.
Ted Baze announces that he will
not be seeking re-election for Place 3.
Tim Trotter and Chris Torley file for Place 3. Ted Baze supports
Tim Trotter.
Sydney Bentz and Sara Wingard file for Place 5.
Jim Cook, whom Mayor DeLuca
previously supported to fill a vacated Town Council seat, and whom Voters
United endorsed and supported for two subsequent town council elections, now
takes on an adversarial role against Mayor DeLuca and Voters United.
He and friend John Harrison form the PAC “We’re Voters United, Too.” The
PAC copies the Voters United logo, colors, election guide, and brochures, and
endorses its own candidates -- Chris Torley and Sara Wingard.
Mr. Harrison is the copycat PAC’s Treasurer.
Voters United is inundated with emails and phone
calls about the intentional confusion. Wingard and Carr were endorsed by Voters United in
previous elections, but not chosen for re-endorsement due to their
disappointing performance in office.
Ms. Wingard came unprepared for many council sessions and failed to
respond to constituent emails. Mr. Carr, whom
Voters United endorsed in 1997, was asked by Mayor DeLuca to resign in 1998
(which he did), because he had asked for his own police car and pursuit training
to “help patrol the town”, and because he was unable to fulfill his duties after
accepting a new job in Houston.
Residents John Harrison, John Parkinson, Sharon
Orthwein, and Bill Beaver send letters to Voters United members disparaging
Voters United, Mayor and Voters United founder Lori DeLuca, President Vicki
Fulfer, and Director Marsha Gavitt.
Harrison asks members to stop donating to Voters United. All but Beaver admit that Jim Cook actually wrote
the letters. Cook and Harrison demand that Voters United
not endorse candidates. Both were
previously supportive of Voters United’s endorsing candidates, even one Voters
United member over another, and not re-endorsing incumbents because of poor
performance in office. In fact, Cook had
previously benefited from that exact policy.
Although it is not required of PACs, Voters United decides
to hold its first caucus. Members who
prefer Voters United’s method of thoroughly evaluating and endorsing candidates
were given the option of mailing in proxy cards. The nominating committee is the same as the
original evaluating/endorsing committee -- VU founder Lori DeLuca, President
Vicki Fulfer and Director Marsha Gavitt. Those who want to vote in person may
do so. Most members feel the caucus is
unnecessary and choose not to participate or attend. All candidates who
file for office participate in the forum/caucus -- Bill Carr, Stephani Spruill,
Chris Torley, Tim Trotter, Sydney Bentz and Sara Wingard.
Following the forum, a vote
is taken and counted twice, in full view and with the press in attendance. All proxy votes go to Stephani Spruill, Tim
Trotter, and Sydney Bentz. All three also win the caucus in-person
voting by a 2-to-1 margin, and therefore receive the official endorsement from
Voters United.
Cook and Harrison disparage the caucus. After its
candidates lose the election, “We’re
Voters United, Too” closes it website and disbands. The Texas Ethics Commission investigates the PAC for
numerous financial discrepancies and for attempting to deliberately mislead
voters.
May
2003
Stephani Spruill is re-elected, Tim Trotter and Sydney
Bentz are elected town-wide by the same 2-to-1 margin as the caucus.
Stephani Spruill wins against Bill Carr for Place
1.
Tim Trotter wins against Chris Torley for Place
3.
Sydney Bentz wins against Sara
Wingard for Place 5.
October 2003
Voters United to Preserve
Flower Mound sponsors its first Community Sale to benefit several local non-profit
organizations: Keep Flower Mound
Beautiful, PediPlace, Christian Community Action, and Voters United to Preserve
Flower Mound. Many community donors and
volunteers, and buyers from around the Metroplex help make the community sale a
great success. Pedi-Place receives a
donation of children’s books and items and Christian Community Action receives
approximately $1,000.00 worth of furniture, clothes, appliances, and toys. In January 2004, Voters United presents a
$250.00 check to the Town’s newly created Keep Flower Mound Beautiful. It is the first donation received by the new organization.
December 2003
CNN/Money Magazine
rates Flower Mound “The Best Place to Live in Texas and the Second Best Place
to Live in the Western U.S.” according to its population category.
January
2004
Citing numerous possible violations, a Flower Mound
resident files a complaint with the Texas Ethics Commission against “We’re Voters
United, Too” and its Treasurer, John
Harrison. The PAC had intentionally
confused voters by copying Voters United’s name, logo, colors, election guide,
and brochures. Although Jim Cook was
the main spokesperson and most visible member, only Mr. Harrison, as Treasurer
is investigated. Shortly thereafter, Jim Cook announces his intention to not seek re-election.
March
2004
Jody Smith asks Mayor DeLuca for an appointment to
Planning and Zoning. When an
appointment isn’t made by Smith’s self-imposed deadline, Smith files to run for
Mayor.
Smith has a history of supporting increased
residential density. She voted to approve at least 8 Master Plan
Amendments increasing residential density when she was a Planning & Zoning
Commissioner. She publicly supported a
residential density increase for Immel Estates. The Immel Estates case resulted in the founding of Voters United,
which ultimately defeated this proposed Master Plan amendment. Smith’s campaign signs were displayed on the
property of land investors (mostly out-of-town) who sued the Town unsuccessfully
in order to increase residential density on their property.
Laurie Long, who had never voted in a Town Council
election in 5 years as a resident, announces her candidacy for Town Council
Place 4, with a platform based on her falsified charge against Mayor Lori
DeLuca of “illegally altering” the August 2003 Town Council minutes. Ms. Long
rejected both a public apology by the Town and a correction of the minutes made
in November 2003, shortly after actual discovery of what was a simple
misunderstanding. Town Council
minutes are not verbatim and the Mayor does not vote to change, approve, or deny
the minutes.
Previously, Long had
orchestrated a lengthy August 2003 presentation using young students promoting
a need for performing arts, and emphasizing Long’s friend JoAnn Brooks’ skill
and popularity as a theater instructor.
Brooks had previously sent an email expressing her desire to fill a
similar open town staff position. The
mayor, council, and town staff assumed the presentation was in support of Ms.
Brooks. Long reviews the minutes
several months later; declares the minutes were an intentional and malicious
act to discredit her, and uses this as the reason to run for Town Council.
When Mayor DeLuca was out of town, outgoing
councilman and opponent Jim Cook suggests that DeLuca made the “illegal change”
to the minutes even though he knows that the mayor does not vote to change,
approve, or deny approval of the minutes. In April 2004 Town Secretary
Paula Lawrence writes that there is no evidence or proof that Mayor DeLuca
changed the minutes. However, Ms. Long
continues to publicize this false allegation against Mayor DeLuca.
Mayor DeLuca announces that she will not seek re-election
as Mayor due to chronic laryngitis (abductor spasmodic dysphonia).
Stephani Spruill, who still has one year left on her Place
1 term, files to run for Mayor.
Financial investment Manager, Community Planner, and
Planning & Zoning Commissioner Mike Walker files for Place 2.
Paul Stone files for Place 2.
Cindy Travis announces that
she will not seek re-election for Place 4.
Lori DeLuca files to run for Place 4.
Former councilman Bill Carr
files for Mayor. When he discovers
that Mayor DeLuca will not be seeking re-election, but is running for Town
Council Place 4 instead, he switches his application to Place 4.
In 2003, Carr also switched his
application from Place 3 to Place 1, stating that he “has a better chance” for
Place 1, but lost anyway.
Voters United endorses Stephani Spruill, Mike Walker, and
Lori DeLuca.
Outgoing councilman Jim Cook becomes involved in the
Jody Smith and Laurie Long campaigns.
Lori DeLuca’s voice disorder (abductor spasmodic
dysphonia) which results in chronic laryngitis is frequently ridiculed by
opponents as a disqualifier for her
candidacy. Mayoral candidate Jody Smith’s campaign slogan and signs promote “A New
Voice for Flower Mound.”
Previous opponents unite against Voters United and
its candidates. This includes outgoing councilman Jim Cook (previously
twice endorsed by Voters United); the anti-SMARTGrowth tabloid
The Messenger;
anti-SMARTGrowth developers and landowners; previously unsuccessful mayoral and
town council candidates; members of the disbanded 2003 copycat PAC “We’re Voters
United, Too”; Flower Mound Voters for Conservative Spending (Patsy Mizeur,
President and Treasurer); plus a new group, “Concerned Citizens for Ethical
Government”, founded by DeLuca opponents.
April
2004
Attorney/developer/former Chamber of Commerce
Chairman Donna Morris, who unsuccessfully sued Voters United and the Town of
Flower Mound, sells the anti-SMARTGrowth/Voters United political tabloid, The
Messenger, to Chamber of Commerce
President Lori Fickling, and her husband The Messenger editor Mike Fickling.
April 2004
Opponents of Voters United wage an angry, personal,
and physically threatening campaign. In
fact, opponents become so aggressive that police presence is required at
several events. Director Marsha Gavitt asks for police
escort to her car at Town Hall due to an encounter with an angry former
resident who had already harassed and shoved another Voters United supporter
and his wife. Inside Town Hall,
heckling and other disruptions by opponents are difficult to manage. In the parking lot, another opponent -- the wife
of a previously unsuccessful mayoral candidate, threatens a Voters United
member who is walking with two little girls.
Opponents prefer to engage Voters United supporters outside Town Hall,
away from the eyes and ears of police.
The Flower Mound Republican Club (FMGOP) is forced to hire an off-duty
policeman for the club’s annual candidate forum.
Members of Flower Mound Voters for Conservative
Spending and Republicans of Flower Mound (opponents of Voters United and the
Flower Mound Republican Club, or “FMGOP”), try to cancel the Town Hall
reservations of Voters United and FMGOP, arguing that Voters United’s and FMGOP’s longstanding reservation
arrangement approved by Town Secretary Paula Lawrence should be invalidated. However, as a goodwill gesture, both FMGOP
and Voters United agree to give up two reserved days to the other groups, who
reject their offers and complain to area newspapers.
Members of Flower Mound Voters for
Conservative Spending and Republicans of Flower Mound attend the FMGOP
candidate forum; prevent forum workers from sitting in the reserved front row
where they are needed, “Reserved” signs are torn and removed, and the forum is frequently
disrupted. However, all candidates state the forum is professional and
fair.
On April 24 at the 7th Annual Voters
United to Preserve Flower Mound Convention at Circle R Ranch, employees report
that an opponent and her daughter approached them at the back door and offered
$20.00 for the employees to spy on the convention by telling them how many people were in attendance
and how many silent auction items there were.
Stephani Spruill’s 1987 deferred adjudication case --
not a “conviction” for pleading guilty to theft of less than $5,000 is reported
in newspapers, even though the case was almost 20 years old and Spruill had
made full restitution. Spruill was legally eligible to hold public
office in 1999 when she was first elected and was not in violation of the Town
Charter. However, it wasn’t until February 2004 that Voters United knew anything of Ms. Spruill’s past
problems. Several facts of
Spruill’s background are misrepresented in the media and by opponents.
Opponents claim there is a “vast conspiracy to hide the facts.”
Area newspapers print corrections when provided with
correct information. This includes a
correction to a libelous error in Bob Weir’s column in the Flower Mound Leader in which he calls Ms. Spruill a “convicted
felon.” Weir is a long time opponent of Voters United and
Lori DeLuca, a former editor and columnist with The Messenger, an
unsuccessful mayoral candidate, and a former New York City police
officer.
Weir becomes editor of the News Connection
later in 2004.
The Messenger, which is
now owned by Mike and Lori Fickling (Chamber of Commerce president and
unsuccessful school board candidate), refuses to print an apology and
correction for calling Spruill a “convicted felon.” The Messenger also refuses to print letters to the
editor supporting Spruill, DeLuca, or Walker.
April
2004
The PAC “Citizens for Ethical Government” is founded
by Jan Balekian, Shirley Voirin, and Sylvia Inboden -- supporters of Jody Smith for Mayor and Laurie Long
for Town Council. Balekian had
previously asked Mayor DeLuca to help her eliminate competition to her “Pumpkin
Patch” business by shutting down the “Pumpkin Village” owned by adjacent property
owner Dr. Wes Stucki. Unlike Balekian’s
enterprise, Stucki’s profits are donated to charity. Balekian became
angry when Mayor DeLuca would not help her close down the competition.
Inboden and Voirin previously
tried to cancel reservations made by Voters United and the Flower Mound
Republican Club for Town Hall for their respective candidate reception and
forum.
Inboden
and Voirin later falsely claim election violations by Mayor DeLuca, who is
found innocent. See May 2004 and
March 2005 for more information.
May
2004
Voters United hosts their endorsed candidates’
reception at Town Hall. Opponents Bill
Carr and Paul Stone occupy the parking lot, displaying their own campaign signs. Voters United candidates have never
interfered with opponents’
events.
Sylvia Inboden, Mike McCurdy, Ron Caron, Shirley
Voirin, and others (all campaign workers and supporters of Jody Smith and
Laurie Long) request an election inspector for the May 15 election. The request
states the reason is to “secure the vote”, but Inboden is quoted in the newspaper as stating that they requested an inspector because
“they expected problems with DeLuca.”
Flower Mound Voters for Conservative Spending (Patsy Mizeur
and Marsha Casteen) aggressively campaign against Voters United candidates and
mail a flier with false information about Mayor DeLuca and Voters
United.
Jody Smith wins against Stephani
Spruill for Mayor.
Paul Stone wins against Mike Walker for Place
2.
Lori DeLuca
and Laurie Long are in a runoff election for Place 4.
Bill Carr comes in third place
for Place 4 and is eliminated.
Joel Lindsey is appointed by the Town Council to the Place
1 seat vacated by Stephani
Spruill.
After
the May 15 election, Inboden, McCurdy, Voirin, and Caron file a police report
falsely accusing Lori DeLuca of election code violations -- essentially for
using the restroom in Town Hall.
The Director of Elections for the Texas Secretary of
State’s Office sends a supportive letter to Lori DeLuca stating that the election
inspector incorrectly reported actions she did not personally witness, misinterpreted
election law, and acted inappropriately. The letter also states that the
Presiding Election Judge has the final authority to determine if candidates may
use the restroom during an election. In
fact, candidates have been allowed to use the restroom for many years.
The
Presiding Election Judge signs a supportive affidavit stating that no election
laws were violated and that the opponent’s claims appear to be politically
motivated.
Inboden, McCurdy, Voirin, Caron and others again
request an election inspector for the June 26 runoff election stating that they
“expect problems with DeLuca.” Their request is denied by the Secretary of State’s
Office.
The Town Prosecutor investigates the complaints and
determines that they are without merit.
In
spite of legal documentation supporting DeLuca, eventually one charge --
“unlawful presence of a candidate” for using the restroom at Town Hall, is
pursued against DeLuca by the District Attorney’s Office.
DeLuca’s
trial is eventually scheduled for March 16, 2005. DeLuca is found innocent.
See March 2005 for
more information.
Newspapers are inundated with the allegations made by
DeLuca opponents.
June 26,
2004
Lori
DeLuca loses the runoff to Laurie Long.
Voters United loses the first election since 1997,
having won 23 of the last 26 Town Council seats. The loss is attributed to Spruill’s previous
legal problems and the false election violation complaint against
DeLuca.
August
2004
The Messenger, started up
by an anti-SMARTGrowth developer shortly after Lori DeLuca became Mayor,
is bought by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, which converts it into a non-political local
newspaper.
Fall
2004
Opponent Bob Weir, unsuccessful 2000 mayoral
candidate, former editor of The Messenger, and former columnist with the
Flower Mound Leader, becomes editor of the
News Connection.
January 2005
Lori DeLuca becomes Treasurer of Voters
United. Marsha Gavitt remains
Director.
February
2005
Mayor Jody Smith
asks Voters United for assistance in disseminating information to residents
about the proposal for Lake Ralph Hall.
The Lake is not needed, is too expensive, would not yield sufficient drinking
water, and would be especially unfair and costly for Flower Mound water
customers. Voters United agrees to assist the Town and
sends information to its members.
March
2005
Incumbent Joel Lindsey and
Robin Hyman file for Place 1.
Incumbent Tim Trotter and J.
Hand file for Place 3.
Mike Walker and Jeff Tasker file for Place 5.
March 16,
2005
Although Lori DeLuca could have paid a $500 fine or
accepted deferred adjudication, she pleads not guilty to the unlawful presence
of a candidate charge for using the restroom in Town Hall on Election Day - May
15, 2004. She hires Henry S.
Paine, Jr. with the Hammerle Finley law firm to defend her.
On March 16 in Justice of
the Peace Precinct 4 Willard French’s court in Roanoke, the Denton County
District Attorney’s office presents its case against Lori DeLuca for allegedly
illegally using the bathroom and campaigning at a polling location.
The DA’s office had been contacted by DeLuca opponents Sylvia Inboden, Michael
McCurdy, Ron Caron, and Shirley Voirin -- who are the State’s star witnesses,
but all 4 admit on the stand that they did not actually witness any violations.
The Defense presents two years worth of newspaper
interviews, emails, letters to the editor, and campaign finance reports which
show all four individuals’ long-term opposition to and animosity against
DeLuca. The Defense also presents
documentation from the Secretary of State’s Office and the Presiding Election
Judge supporting DeLuca. In fact, the Presiding Election Judge testifies that
the only election violations she witnessed were by one of the accusers, Sylvia
Inboden and also by John Todd (both Jody Smith and Laurie Long supporters) who
illegally entered the actual polling area and distracted poll workers as well
as voters.
After the State rests its
case and before the Defense presents its case, Judge French acts on defense motion that the Judge rule in favor
of the defense since the State was unable to produce any evidence whatsoever
against DeLuca. Defense evidence produces a timeline of events, relationships and correspondence that the
complaints were most likely planned in advance and were politically motivated
to damage DeLuca’s reputation and to prevent DeLuca from seeking any future
elected office.
DeLuca is found innocent by Judge French. DeLuca announces that she will seek an
expunction and that she will also pursue her legal options against her
accusers.
April
2005
Although Voters United to
Preserve Flower Mound does not endorse candidates for the 2005 Town Council
elections, the annual candidate questionnaire is mailed to all the candidates. On the survey are 26 questions about issues
that are important to Flower Mound citizens, such as the Master Plan,
SMARTGrowth, economic development, oil and gas drilling, Lake Ralph Hall,
and more. On some questions, candidates
may elaborate if they choose. There is also space for personal and contact
information. The results are posted on the
website. Attending or watching forums
is difficult for busy families, so a questionnaire with the results available
online is convenient and useful for both candidates and voters.
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