Tag: business pork

Today Is The Two-Year Anniversary of The Great Valentine’s Day Begging. Talbert Pilfered $971,000 From The City For Business Pork.

Boy does time fly.

Let me take you down memory lane…

Talbert: [24 minute mark] “It has come to my attention that the City is blessed with a significant amount of money in the American recovery funds to the tune of 1.978 million dollars, I believe….and the water/wastewater portion of this project will run $971,000 and the funds can be used for this project...I’m quite certain there’s not another project you can put these funds into that….are gonna bring you the potential ROI that this project is gonna bring you…“

ROI? Less than two years ago, former concilman Mike White admitted THIS about the goat pasture business park project: “I don’t love it, just from a return on investment standpoint, it’s never…never going to be anywhere close…”  [5/26/20 Council meeting at the 10:08 and 19:30 minute mark].

LEDC President Misti Talbert got her way and nearly a million bucks was handed over by the City for Talbert’s ill-fated corpse repository.

But you’d never know two years had passed from looking at the Business Pork project out there on 183. It looks exactly the same as it did 24 months ago: empty.

I’m sure a big business will move in any minute now and offer $30/hr wages to dozens and dozens of people! Any minute now.

Today Is The One-Year Anniversary Of The Ybarra/Ward Verbal Diarrhea Word Salad Radio Show – Biz Pork Still Empty.

Exactly one year ago, then-newly-hired Economic Development director Stacey Ybarra and Ryan “Gump” Ward went on the radio to blather some feel-good nonsense about the $7.3 million dollar “Business” Pork project.

For the first time in her miserable life, radio host Rhonda Witcher actually asked piercing questions and held Ward/Ybarra’s feet to the fire over what a complete joke the entire project has been for nearly TWENTY YEARS now. Here are some excerpts:

Rhonda Witcher: “Well, the can of worms you get when you come here to Lampasas is the Business Park out on 183…the City has had that a long time…put a lot of money into it…it’s been built – has anybody come yet? Are there any renters?“

Ryan Ward: “That’s a great question! I can give you an update on that! Mandy did a great job…it is about 99% complete…the legwork that Mandy had done…there are several businesses that were waiting on the City of Lampasas to complete that… so once the electric is complete, we hope to get folks, uh, moving in as soon as possible, you know, some of these businesses that are really interested in being out there”

[Great non-answer! A lot of blabbering and zero information actually given. Shockingly, Rhonda didn’t accept that bullshit word salad and pressed on]

Rhonda Witcher: “But SPECIFICALLY, are any tire-kickers, ha-ha-ha, or anyone out there looking??”

Ryan Ward: “You know, uh, that would be a good question for, uh, our manager, Finley deGraffenreid….he worked real close with Mandy…that piece of it I didn’t work on it with Mandy…the interested parties…and…a lot of those things are kinda kept, nondisclosure…until they make their mind up…but yeah, I don’t have any of that information, I wish I did, to share”

Rhonda STILL didn’t accept that. He asks Ybarra: “what do you think of that?”

Stacey Ybarra: “I think it’s a great opportunity…at this moment in time…to be able to attract businesses, you need shovel-ready sites…you need those types of sites to be able to bring big businesses…it’s just about getting it completed and doing the legwork to bring them here, they will come…it just may take a tiny bit of time…but that’s what I’m here for….and making sure the money was worth the while. It is my number-one priority.…

Well, it has been a year for Ybarra making it her “number one priority” and cashing about $125,000 worth of paychecks and benefits from the citizens of Lampasas. Let’s see how the Business Pork looked today around noon:

Impressive!

Of course, it was a clusterf*ck long before Ybarra got here. A bunch of dummies declared it SHOVEL READY back in the fourth quarter of 2015 – a mere 100 months ago.

The ridiculous predictions go back even further than that….

“Ms. Toups said she wants to continue to provide infrastructure to develop the business park — which she said Harrison spoke against publicly. Ms. Toups said through the Lampasas Economic Development Corp.’s hard work, “we are on the verge of seeing large corporations come in [to the business park].” – April 21, 2017

“DeGraffenried said the LEDC was bold in its decisions to purchase the business park property and extend utilities to it. The city manager predicted Lampasas will enjoy many “spin-off benefits” throughout the city because of the utility work. ” – Oct 23, 2015

“Recent land clearing and development of a road at the business park, Mrs. Masonheimer added, have made the site more attractive to prospective businesses and U.S. 183 passersby.” – Oct 23, 2015

“Projects like this send a message that the city will provide the infrastructure needed for job growth,” [letter written by crusty, big-spending RINO fossil-dummy Roger Williams, U.S. Congressman] – Oct 23, 2015

“An economic study in 2001, [Neal] Leavell said, concluded a business park was the main item Lampasas needed to attract development.” – Oct 23, 2015

“We look forward to working with you and working to fill this business park with good jobs,” she said [Carol Faulkenberry, Texas Dept Agriculture] – Oct 23, 2015

“Mrs. Monroe noted the Lampasas Economic Development Corp. is working with the business park south of town on U.S. Highway 183, and she said she hopes the site will attract good employers to Lampasas. [Council member TJ Monroe] – April 14, 2015

“The incumbent said the city acquired the business park property several years ago but has lacked the infrastructure needed at the site. Soon, she said, the business park will be developed enough to be inviting to businesses. [Then-council-member Wanda Bierschwale] – April 10, 2015

“Grayson said he hopes to develop the business park and attract companies to the site.” [Then-mayor Grayson running for re-election] – April 3, 2015

“I feel like we’re getting somewhere,” board president Dr. Neal Leavell added. “I think we’ve really accomplished something. It’s taken a lot of patience, but we’re here.” – September 23, 2014

“Advocates of utility extensions have said entities compete vigorously for new jobs and that cities with ready-to-build sites have an advantage as they try to attract new businesses.” – August 8, 2014

“Economic development officials have said utilities for the business park are essential to make the 165-acre area attractive to companies.” – July 22, 2014

The LEDC was “proactive,” deGraffenried said, in acquiring the U.S. 183 property several years ago for a business park. The goal of utility extensions, the city manager said, is to develop the land into a site that can promote economic growth. – June 17, 2014

Biz Pork Implosion Begins. Finley Singing a Different Tune As Political Wind Changes. Hangs Ybarra Out To Dry Like The Weasel He Is.

First the Radiogram and now the FRONT PAGE of the local newspaper. Ouch. I never thought I’d see them turn on the Business Park like this.

Funny how things change in just a few years. Previously, Finley deGraffenreid was one of the biggest cheerleaders of the Business Pork project. Here’s what he had to say – these are quotes from the Lampasas Dispatch:

“DeGraffenried said the LEDC was bold in its decisions to purchase the business park property and extend utilities to it. The city manager predicted Lampasas will enjoy many “spin-off benefits” throughout the city because of the utility work. ” – Oct 23, 2015

The LEDC was “proactive,” deGraffenried said, in acquiring the U.S. 183 property several years ago for a business park. The goal of utility extensions, the city manager said, is to develop the land into a site that can promote economic growth. – June 17, 2014

But now that hard questions are being asked about this disaster, Finley is quickly scurrying to the other side of the boat. Like a rat:

Oh. So NOW Finley admits we CANNOT “compete with neighboring communities in attracting new businesses and offering incentives“! My goodness, Finley! Now is a hell of a time to admit that – now that over $7 million has been incinerated by your goat pasture!

You didn’t have a million dollars in your pocket? You sure did. The City actually had almost TWO million in their pocket. A gift from Uncle Sugar for the “hardships” of Covid. The LEDC immediately pilfered $971,000 of that for the Business Pork Project (another $800k or so went for a new fire engine). Here is a picture of that night – and there’s Finley sitting about 5 feet to the left of LEDC president Misti Talbert as she begs for the money in February of 2022:

As I recall, Finley didn’t jump up at the time and talk about how we couldn’t compete and that this was a very stupid idea. No – as I recall, he sat there and parroted Misti’s bullshit story about how this was a great investment and how they were “the only game in town.”

Of course, a couple nights ago, he was STILL spinning bullshit to try and cover for this disaster:

[Belton, Belton, Belton! Finley sure does have a hard-on for Belton. He mentioned it multiple times Monday night. Does he realize that Belton is part of the Killeen-Temple metro area – which is home to 250,000 people? Quite a difference from Lampasas: population 7,200]

First of all, why is being far away from competing parks not an advantage NOW but will be “in the coming years”? That makes zero sense at all. That is pure Finley Bullshit being spun by the ton, right there. It reminds me of the time he admitted the City recycling program loses $10,000 per year but still “provides tremendous value to the community in terms of providing a recycling service.” – LOL. Only in the mind of an idiot bureaucrat does that make any sense.

Secondly, we are NOT far away from a competing park. Burnet has their own albatross in THEIR City. I’ve talked about it repeatedly. Surely Finley is fully aware that Burnet has a competing business park. So he’s lying his ass off here – as usual…

Hey! Burnet Has an Economic Development Corp Too! And Land!

Then we get some more bullshit from Ybarra

“We don’t have a site that meets their requirements”? BAHAHAHAHAHA. The LEDC has stood up in front of council THREE times now begging for more stuff – more water pipes, more electrical hookups, more roads. Council has given them everything they asked for – to the tune of $7.2 million dollars. But NOW Ybarra says we STILL didn’t get it right? Holy shit.

Larger acreage sites? You have over 150 acres there, sugar. That’s not enough?!?

Please.

Well, the die is truly cast on this dumpster fire. The time to bail was five years ago. That’s when the LEDC and council foolishly decided to throw good money after bad. Hell, they could have just sold all that land at a pretty decent profit 18 months ago. But no. Misti Talbert and the LEDC thought they knew best.

There is much more pain to come on this thing. Wait and see.

City “Still Reviewing” My Request For Biz Park Impact Study

I made an Open Records Request for a copy of the impact study that the City paid for as part of their Business Pork vetting process. The idea is that this study will “prove” mathematically ALL the many, many benefits that this secret prospect will bring. That in turn will allow the LEDC to hand them a big chunk of money or free stuff and tell us how we are all coming out ahead on the deal.

It only seems fair to me that we taxpaying peons be allowed to see the claims of benefits being made by the LEDC if they are going through with the handouts.

Keep in mind, the LEDC is desperate to get a deal done and get someone, ANYONE, in there to justify the last 20 years and over $7 million tax dollars being wasted.

Also keep in mind their track record sucks. Besides being conned by Mike Cour the first time around, they ALSO handed $20,000 to Heritage Funeral Home back in 2021 [see page 5].

That would be the same Heritage Funeral Home that (1) was to be a direct competitor with an established funeral home in town who DIDN’T get $20,000 handed to them by the City and (2) is owned by a guy who hobnobs with Hollywood douchebags and drives around in a Bentley. In other words, a guy who sure as shit doesn’t need $20,000 in taxpayer funds.

Second biggest douchebag on Hollywood D-List
“How to bilk a small town out of $20,000…plus some skin-care tips!!”

Well, he might now, if the rumors of legal troubles are to be believed.

LEDC Requested Impact Study For Secret Biz Pork Prospect. Study Is Completed. Will They Allow Taxpayer Peons To See Results?

So the LEDC requested a study on the economic impact of their secret Business Park prospect (very likely Eco-Strong or Eco-Flex – depending on how they have structured themselves after the last fiasco).

They must have done this a while ago because the study is apparently complete. They went back to Impact Data Source. Remember them?

November 2020: City REFUSES Transparency on LEDC Economic Impact Study Paid For With City Funds

They are essentially a company that takes City money and then goal-seeks an outcome, in my opinion. A rubber stamp. I have requested a copy of this “impact study” to see what ludicrous assumptions it makes. I can all but guarantee you that JC Brown will deny me this information and it will ONCE AGAIN be up to the Texas Attorney General to decide if I get it.

What was all that crap Talbert blabbered about “transparency” before? Oh yeah…

“I feel like (City) staff and Council oughta be tasked with being accountable to answer on the spot…and…uh…I would be comfortable doing that….that’s transparency at its finest…is…you know…we don’t put off a question, we answer it on the spot” – current LEDC President Misti Talbert as mayor in 2020

Sure you do!

Reminder: the LAST time around, Eco-Flex Alan Champagne told two massive lies. One about when his fake press release was written and another about not using any government funds:

“The press release was issued late February, I  don’t feel I have to explain myself. With the boarder closure which was supposed to be temporary and now  will probably be closed to the end of this year. This is a private company which is not using any government funds or such.”

He then asked for $1.850 MILLION from the City of Lampasas.

He was denied, of course. I wonder what they’ll get THIS time around!

LEDC, Talbert, Monroe and City Attorney JC Brown All Playing Games To Avoid Releasing Name of Business Pork Prospect.

What a joke.

Remember when former-mayor Talbert (now the President of the Lampasas Economic Dunces Club and pilferer of $971,000 in City funds for her Business Pork) blabbered on about how “transparent” her administration was?

“I feel like (City) staff and Council oughta be tasked with being accountable to answer on the spot…and..uh…I would be comfortable doing that….that’s transparency at its finest…is…you know…we don’t put off a question, we answer it on the spot”

Yeah. That was all a lie. It was a lie when she was mayor and it’s a lie now that she is in charge of the Keystone Kop organization known as the LEDC. The same LEDC that has squandered over $7 million tax dollars on a “Business Park” that has sat empty for nearly twenty years.

Austin attorney JC Brown has decided to waste another month by refusing my request and sending it all to the Texas AG to see what he says about it. Last time they played this idiot game, I was vindicated. This is just a big stalling tactic.

Among JC’s more ridiculous arguments:

“The City notes that the Requestor does not request or identify and [sic] document or material he desires the City to produce. Thus, the City has no material or document to provide in response to the Requestor’s ORR”

Ho ho ho. Get it? I didn’t request a SPECIFIC document. I just asked for a name. Of course, I CAN’T request a specific document because it is all secret and hidden away in “executive session.” See how that works? So clever. A nice Catch-22 for me.

Then she goes on to argue that releasing the name of the prospect would cause a “bidding war” with other cities, as they also tried to lure the prospect to THEIR business parks.

Hey! Burnet Has an Economic Development Corp Too! And Land!

I’ve got news for you. Any “prospect” worth their salt is going to look at Burnet (and other nearby cities) and THEIR big, empty business porks as well – and play you against each other. There are big empty business porks all over the place – because most City governments are populated by morons at the top.

Also, our EDD Stacy Ybarra told us back in a January 25th radio interview that all the cities “work together” and tell each other about business prospects – and that some cities will “let other cities know, hey this business wants to expand.” She said [9:40 mark] “if we all grow, we all benefit…so it’s about…building those relationships in the central Texas region“

Huh. So you’re telling me it’s NOT all one big happy family and that if we all grow, we all benefit? Sounds like you are jealously hoarding your possible prospects and fucking over those “other cities” you claim to have relationships with. No? So who is the liar? Ybarra or JC Brown?

Oh well. While we wait weeks and weeks for this nonsense, it may be time to be a dick right back to them. Maybe it’s time to really dig into the members of the LEDC and make sure none of them have any personal bankruptcies or things of that nature in their past.

After all, if you are in charge of millions of tax dollars, I think the taxpayers have a right to know if you can’t even handle your own personal finances. Bankruptcy records are deemed public records by federal law and, thus, accessible to any member of the public who makes a request to the clerk’s office or through PACER.

Or maybe it’s time to get my lawyer involved again by requesting the emails of certain newer (and maybe less intelligent) City employees who don’t realize that everything they have been emailing on the government servers for the last four months is fair game for me and my lawyer. Perhaps a few keyword searches like “Business Park” or “prospect” or something like that would turn up some tasty nuggets!

It sure worked last time!

I am also placing a $300 bounty on information about the Business Pork prospect – prospect name, industry, incentives, etc. I know that at least three dozen people in the City must know who it is. Probably a lot more, given this is a small town and people talk. Email me at lampasshole@protonmail.com. Your anonymity is assured. Feel free to make a burner account if you wish. I’ll figure out a way to get you your $300.

Eco-Turd Owner Raising Cash?

You’ll recall that last year, Eco-Strong owner Mike Cour was THIS/CLOSE to dumping his entire 199-acre property for around $6 million – or roughly $30,000 per acre.

This is the SAME guy who wanted some free stuff from the LEDC for this Eco-Turd company. I asked him at the time why he needed free land from the taxpayers if he had 200 acres himself?

He didn’t like me asking those questions.

Anyway, the deal fell through and I hear the would-be buyer walked away from a $100k deposit on the place (this is just what I heard – I have not seen any documentation). THEN, the property was re-listed almost immediately at $5 million. Ouch. Immediate 17% haircut!

So close!

Well, looks like Mike is trying to shave off chunks of the property to raise some cash. Not only do you get 11 whole acres, but you get the apparently-failing “Equicare” business and the included buildings with it…

Trying to keep the Eco-Turd afloat until the LEDC throws some free stuff their way? Guess we’ll soon find out!

Same Company That Appraised Business Pork at Ludicrous Valuation Was Previously Sued For….Inflating Land Values (Among Other Scumbaggery)!

I recently wrote about the ludicrous land valuations assigned to the Business Pork’s three tracts under development. The LEDC hired CBRE to do the appraisals and the price per acre they came up with was about 5x higher than anything in the surrounding area.

I have been digging around trying to find out who the hell CBRE is – I had never heard of them. I was thinking maybe it was a small company run by Misti Talbert’s brother-in-law or Mandy Walsh’s uncle or something.

Then I found this:

Credit Suisse nears $360 million deadline in fraud suit built on a hunch

I’ll let you go ahead and read it, but here is a nugget:

As a first step, the law firm filed a lawsuitaccusing the appraiser, CBRE, of artificially inflating land valuesand sales projections. In discovery, the firm obtained Credit Suisse’s communications about those appraisals.

Highland settled its lawsuit against CBRE, which did not admit liability, in 2013, but materials obtained during discovery emboldened the company to also sue Credit Suisse.

An original, lower appraisal by CBRE had been changed after pressure from Credit Suisse, Highland alleged.

The assertion was based in part on communication between CBRE appraiser William Acton and Credit Suisse’s Arik Prawer, one of the Credit Suisse bankers involved with the deal.

Wow.

Oh, and they were also sued for bid rigging in another case!

CBRE rigged bidding for a bank branch, fraud lawsuit alleges

I wondered why the LEDC used this CBRE company to appraise the land, when they had PREVIOUSLY used Herbst Real Estate to appraise this EXACT SAME LAND back in 2012.

I still don’t know why. Perhaps the LEDC can explain it to us someday.

LEDC Apparently Smoking Weed Now. Values “Business Pork” Land at $130,000 Per Acre.

I’m thinking that maybe the Business Park has been transformed into a Trailer Park and Bubbles is now in charge of everything…

That’s the only conclusion I can draw when the LEDC claims their land is now worth $130,000 per acre.

$520,000 divided by 4 give us $130,000.

I guess that means the Industrial Park over on 580 is worth over $700,000! That would be the Industrial Park that STILL sits empty despite us being told almost a year ago that Martin Custom & Rod was about to move in there and build a distillery and barber shop.

LOL. I’m sorry. I can never type those words without laughing my balls off. Maybe they were smoking the same shit last year when they came up with that one.

Just to give you an idea how ludicrous that valuation is, Mike Cour (Eco-Strong scumbag) tried to sell HIS 199 acres just a spit down the street from the Business Pork. He listed it at $6 million ($30k per acre), a pending sale fell through, he re-listed it at $5 million ($25k per acre) and it still sits there unsold.

That was about six months ago. Interest rates have done nothing but go up since then and land prices have cooled considerably. Forget about $130,000 per acre.

Now, land is eventually worth exactly what someone will pay for it – not a penny more. Perhaps some incredibly stupid Arab or Chinaman will come along and pay those prices, but I wouldn’t bet on it.

At those prices, the entire Business Pork is now worth between $19 million and $21 million, depending on who you believe when it comes to the actual acreage out there.

To which I say, it’s the weekend! Save me a toke!!

Hey, save me a toke!