Kendall County News Editorial

A Message from Editor, Ron Gordon

I am announcing my resignation as an Ambassador with the Boerne Texas Chamber of Commerce and do so with great sadness and disappointment.

I have been an active member of the Boerne Chamber of Commerce for approximately one year. During that time, I have photographed, advertised, and promoted many events for our community businesses, non-profit organizations, and charities on KendallCountyNews.com

KendallCountyNews.com first began in the Spring of 2006. Kendall County News has provided and will continue to provide:

· An alternative diversified news site for Kendall County

· A forum in which citizens can freely express their opinions and concerns without censorship

· Education on a variety of subjects, political platforms, and legislation

· An opportunity to challenge, encourage free thinking, and learn from others

Until recently, Kendall County News was embraced by the Chamber of Commerce and initially received enormous support from local area business owners.

This past month, however, I was informed by a fellow Boerne Chamber of Commerce Ambassador, my internet news site was too controversial for the people of Kendall County. I was further informed that members of the Chamber did not approve of Kendall County News providing a forum for Tracy Shue to challenge issues relating to her husband’s death investigation. According to the Chamber Ambassador, because of these issues, many Chamber Businesses have selected to not continue advertising on my news site.

I believe I am correct in stating Kendall County resides within the United States of America and as such should be expected to honor the freedoms of our country. As stated, my news site provides a forum for every member of our community to render an opinion and tell their side of the story. Tracy Shue was denied that opportunity by the Boerne Star and the Hill Country View, who refused to print her response to a media conference held by Justice of the Peace Nancy White relating to the death of her late husband, Colonel Philip Shue. Kendall County News chose to allow her to have a voice and will continue to encourage other citizens to speak out and be heard.

I greatly appreciate those members of the community who have continued to provide me their support and friendship and can only express my great disappointment in the actions and conduct displayed by the Boerne Chamber of Commerce. For the Chamber to support censorship, threaten those who have the courage to challenge, and deny a citizen’s right to freedom of speech, is wrong. I can not, in good faith, continue to be a part of an organization which condones such actions.

This is a new time and a new day in reporting the news. Please feel free to forward any and all comments to kendallcountynews@gvtc.com, Positive or Negative, your comments will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your continued support and God Bless.

Ron Gordon

Editor, KendallCountyNews.com

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

ACTS OF PREJUDICE AND RACIALLY MOTIVATED CRIMES IN

KENDALL COUNTY

After reading the most recent Letter to the Editor on Kendall County News, describing a racially motivated assault on a member of our community, I feel the need to express my outrage and concern. According to the article, the incident, describing racially threatening behavior, was reported to the Kendall County Sheriff’s Department over three months ago and, to date, no action has been taken against this individual. The assault, as described, can only be categorized as a Hate Crime. For our Sheriff’s Department to do nothing, serves as a poor example for what should be a Kendall County Policy of Zero Tolerance. By not addressing such behavior, we condone it, empower the criminal, and potentially incite acts of further violence.

The Letter to the Editor questions prejudice in Kendall County and, after reading the letter, so do I?

It is difficult to accept that our beautiful community, which professes to be enlightened, educated, and focused on their youth, would condone an act of such ignorance and violence, but recent newsworthy events are beginning to paint an interesting picture that not all men are created equal.

I have followed the case of Jesse Salazar, a young Hispanic male who was stated to have committed suicide. Accusations of an inadequate death investigation and an immediate jump to a conclusion of suicide, have led to a many questions and a request for an Inquest by members of the Salazar family. I question, if the death was a young White Male, instead of a young Hispanic Male, would the scenario have been handled differently? Was a young Hispanic Male just not worth the cost of a proper investigation and autopsy to Kendall County?

I further read Kendall County News articles on Sheriff, Henry Hodge, who seemed to also be a target of enormous constant criticism and controversy during his term as Sheriff. Would a White Sheriff in Kendall County have received such scrutiny and criticism?

The challenge of overcoming and addressing prejudice and associated crimes of hate in our society and our community is enormous, but for the sake of our children we must open our eyes and make the effort.

A Concerned Citizen of Kendall County

Prejudice is alive and well in Kendall County.

I have lived in Kendall County for over 20 years. I have always been proud to tell people where I live and how the community is for all people. But I heard something the other day that I found to be absolutely shocking and appalling!! To think that this happens in our Christian –based community sickens me to the core.

The person who I am talking about has lived in Boerne since 2000. And what he told me, I could not believe took place. Had I not known all persons involved in this situation, I would have thought that this was a complete farce. But because I do know both parties, I felt a heaviness in my heart and felt that there was a need to make this atrocity aware to all of us in Kendall County.

This is the incident that took place. I will tell it as it was told to me.

“Several months ago, a not so “gentleman” came to my home and banged on the door. I was preparing dinner for my kids and fiancé when my son actually heard the banging on the door. I went to the door and when I opened the door, the man standing there began the “conversation” with colorful metaphor’s. He told me that ‘this was his damn street and I am tired of yall parking on my street.’ I then asked him who he was and he took that opportunity to use his first of a few racial slurs to call me and my family “a bunch of Niggers”.

He taunted me several times to come off my porch and get closer to him. He was saying this while having one hand behind his back, so I felt that he had weapon on him. The “gentleman” reeked of alcohol and because of that feeling of danger, I decided to not allow his taunting and ignorance make me stoop to his level. This verbal altercation continued for another 5 mins. As he was leaving, he threatened me, my property and my family with more racial undertones. After that my kids were extremely upset which only got me and my fiancé upset for the intrusion.

About 10 minutes after that, the Kendall County Sheriff was called. When he arrived he was told of the incident and went to the “gentleman’s” home, with no answer. The sheriff then drove up and down the road to see if there were any signs stating “NO PARKING”, but there weren’t any. The Deputy Sheriff told me that this case would be filed as a TERRORIST THREAT.

3 months later, nothing has been filed by the Sheriff’s department. I have to look at this guy every single day riding up and down the road. “

After hearing this story, I had to ask myself, “WHERE IS THE JUSTICE IN KENDALL COUNTY??” If this was a real terrorist threat, would they sit on that like they are sitting on this? This man has to wake up every morning hoping and praying that THAT “gentleman” doesn’t do anything harmful to him or his family. Is that anyway for anyone to live in Kendall County?? I THINK NOT!!

Signed,

A very frightened citizen of Kendall County.

By the way, I have elected to keep mine and this man’s identity anonymous for I too have a family and I worry that negative repercussions could happen to me and my family. And / or worse could occur for this man.

FORENSIC EVIDENCE DOESN’T LIE

“Letter to the Editor”

After reviewing the recent article in the Boerne Star, I am concerned that the newspaper and their writer, Dave Pasely, remain confused about the serious issues pertaining to the case of Jesse Salazar.

One would hope, in the new millennium, antiquated procedures, once used by law enforcement in conducting death investigations, would now be replaced with the use of forensic science. It is no longer acceptable practice to form conclusions relating to cause and manner of death, based upon assumption without science. Forming unfounded conclusions without the use of forensic evidence, is a practice which has, to the detriment of our society, convicted many innocent people and allowed violent criminals to remain free to walk our streets.

Jesse Salazar’s case was a clear deviation from, what is considered, standard acceptable practice in conducting death investigations. The Justice of the Peace clearly failed to adequately support his conclusion of “Suicide” by refusing to use readily available forensic evidence, toxicology, and autopsy findings in formulating his conclusion. An immediate assumption was made by law enforcement that the death was a “suicide” without the scene being properly secured, processed, and analyzed.

In my opinion, this practice should be considered unacceptable in the state of Texas. A Justice of the Peace, possessing the authority to determine cause and manner of death without a medical degree, is, in itself, outrageous. For that same Justice of the Peace to refuse to apply standard death investigation protocols, suggested and made available by the Department of Justice, is inexcusable.

In the case of Jesse Salazar, it is the process, by which the conclusion was formed, which I am questioning. Forensic Evidence in its integrity does not lie, unfortunately many times, people do.

Brian Traylor

FACT OR FICTION: YOU BE THE JUDGE

HILL COUNTRY VIEW SUGGESTS KENDALL COUNTY COURT

VIOLATES FEDERAL LAWS?

The September 7th Hill Country View article, written by Judith Pannebaker, suggested that County Judge Eddie Vogt violated federal laws pertaining to HIPAA, by stating:

“Addressing the salary grievance panel, Vogt said that six people had voiced “the same problems” (to the court) about Crow’s temperament and “during the budget hearing came together. Because we were dealing with an elected official, we kept the problems to ourselves.” Vogt went on, “Ms. Crow has continued to make this situation as contentious as possible,” adding, “She’s under a doctor’s care at this time.”

As spelled out in HIPAA laws, federal laws prohibit public disclosure of private medical information.”

Judith Pannebaker

View Staff Writer

Although KendallCountyNews.com does not, in any way, condone the actions of County Judge Vogt during the Salary Grievance Committee Hearing with Medina Crow, the Hill Country View’s suggestion that the County Judge violated HIPAA is incorrect. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and the associated “Privacy Rule” apply to “Covered Entities.” County Judge Eddie Vogt is not considered a “Covered Entity” and therefore the rules of HIPAA do not apply to him. If a Provider or Medical Facility, who would be considered “Covered Entities” under the law, released Medina Crow’s confidential medical information without authorization, HIPAA Regulations would apply, to them, and they could be considered in violation.

KendallCountyNews.com would request The Hill Country View provide a thorough explanation as to what federal laws, they believe, the County Judge may have violated and apply those laws to this specific case. After the Hill Country View has completed their research on the federal/state laws relating to medical confidentiality/public disclosure, (Texas Public Information Act), they may also want to explore the following questions:

How was the medical information obtained by the third party (County Judge)?
For what purpose was the medical information obtained by the third party (County Judge)?
What authority/responsibility did the third party (County Judge) have for protecting the confidential medical information?
Was the Salary Grievance Hearing an appropriate/legal forum in which to disclose the confidential private medical information?

For further information relating to HIPAA please click on the following:

Privacy Standard/Rule (HIPAA)

Freedom of Information

Karla J. Reynolds

SHUT UP OR ELSE CLUB

“Boerne Star’s Active Membership Drive”

“Throughout history, it has been the violation of those who could have acted; the indifference of those who should have known better; the silence of the voice of justice when it mattered most; that has made it possible for evil to triumph

Haile Selassie

Brian Traylor

Writer, KendallCountyNews.com

The Boerne Star has done a bang up job the past few weeks in discouraging anyone from speaking out about serious issues facing this community. Their final assault, in a series of articles on the “Role of the Justice of the Peace”, was a “cheap shot” at this writer, subtly inferring I had traumatized innocent children by demanding information on the death investigation of Jesse Salazar.

It is concerning that a local newspaper would stoop to such lengths in order to bring in readers. It is also concerning, that these same individuals, sit in the community churches on Sunday and pray for the souls of others. The hypocrisy is bewildering.

Those who have indulged in reading the Boerne Star Series, ask yourself, including Judge Vogt, how you would feel if an act of violence touched your family? What if your child was raped, murdered, or tortured? Would there be any limit to the length you would go in seeking justice?

”County Judge Eddie Vogt, soon to be Ex-President of the “Kendall County Shut Up or Else Club”, voiced outrage that The Roundtable of Kendall County News would dare question a decision to “Suspend” the Beth Hicks Case in June 2006. Defending the county’s position, that all avenues and leads had been exhausted, he stated, “Some murders just don’t get solved” and “what would you have them do … round up the usual suspects and beat a confession out of one of them”?

On August 29, 2006 KSAT News interviewed the Kendall County Sheriff’s Office, who had rethought their original, June 2006, position of “Suspending” the case and informed the public that a full investigation into the death of the Adult Probation Officer was being conducted.

The people of Kendall County had stood up, expressed outrage, and were heard. Possibly, because of the actions of a few, the murder of Beth Hicks may someday be solved.

BOERNE STAR GIVES FREE ADVERTISING TO

ANTI-GOVERNMENT BLOG SITE

“Blog Site Attacks Military Members, Families and Government Officials”

Tracy Shue, Lt Colonel, USAF (Ret), BSN, MS, CLNC

Forensic Legal Nurse Consultant

No one would ever expect a conservative small town newspaper, such as the Boerne Star, to promote readership of a Blog Site as a credible source of information; a site, whose sole purpose is, to victimize and terrorize military members, their families, and government officials.

According to the FBI, a number of complaints have been filed regarding the individual who owns and operates the site, and his site continues to be monitored closely by federal agencies. Although President Bush, has supported passing laws relating to internet slander, execution of those laws have been slow in protecting targeted individuals and their families from the bottom feeders of society.

The Blog Army Reserve Major (Ret), with a history of a problematic military career and civilian employment, has preyed upon and exploited grieving military members and their families for years. Under the guise of promoting justice and helping victims, he attempts to take their money and what’s left of their dignity. The internet scam artist deceives victims and families into believing he has the resources and capability to investigate cases involving military corruption, when in reality, he is no more than an, angry, inadequate, pathetic individual, who is consumed with hate.

One Military Family, whose son tragically died while serving his country stated, “The owner of the Blog tried to get money from me and get a book deal.” Another family stated, “When he found out I couldn’t pay him any more, he refused to help me.” Yet another stated, “When I wouldn’t pay him and provide information for his articles, I became the target of his attacks.”

On August 28, 2006 this writer approached the Editor of the Boerne Star with the above information. The Editor provided little response and no apology for promoting a site which serves to disgrace the United States Military, our Government, and targeted victims; a site which on many U.S. Military Installations has been Blacked Out.

The following article appeared in the Aug 24, 2006 edition of the Hill Country View. “The citizens of Boerne elected the members of this city council to represent them and to make decisions on their behalf. We are elected “at large,” that is, we represent the entire City of Boerne. We don’t represent a district, a ward, or a precinct; nor were we elected to represent a special interest group, or a civic organization, or a developer, or anyone outside the city limits. As public servants, we represent you, the people of Boerne. Making decisions is one of our many responsibilities as council members. Some decisions are harder to make than others are. Each of us must be diligent in our duties. As part of our responsibilities, we must prepare, study, and learn as much as we can on every issue before casting our vote. I’m asking you to help us make good decisions by sharing your opinions, recommendations, and concerns with us. Our decisions must be based on what is best for the entire City of Boerne. If you attend the City Council meetings, please speak up during the Citizen’s Comment portion of the agenda. You may also write a letter to the editor, or contact us individually by telephone, e-mail, or by regular mail. We need your feedback, both good and bad. Tell us if we’re doing the job you elected us to do. We work for you as your representative on the city council. We answer to you, the taxpayer. Please, don’t remain silent and hope that someone else will speak for you.”

Dan Heckler Mayor Pro Tem