Did the “Excellence in Education for Everyone” committee really purchase their Vote YES for Fort Bend ISD Proposition 1 bond signs from the TexasGOPStore.com?
Dude.
Here’s a close-up of the TexasGOPStore.com logo from the lower right corner of the sign:
According to Texas Secretary of State filings, the entity “Texas GOP Store Inc.” is owned by Michael Franks, the former Republican candidate for HD132.
The same Michael Franks who, as George Scott reported at the time, at the request of the Texas Ethic Commission, had an $11,000 judgment filed against him by the Texas Attorney General’s office, from campaign activities prior to the race for HD132, in part:
“to recover $11,000.00 for administrative penalties assessed by the TEC relating to his failure to file a Personal Financial Statement that was due on February 13, 2006, an 8 Day Pre-Election Report that was due on February 27, 2006, and a 30 Day Pre-Election Report that was due on February 6, 2006”
The same Michael Franks who, as George reported, the public records “and interviews with the Executive Director of the Texas Ethics Commission and a director of communications with the Attorney General’s office of Texas” reflect:
“did NOT check a box on the appropriate TEC report indicating that he had actually deposited $50,000 into his campaign fund which is necessary, according to the Executive Director of the TEC, in order to report an actual loan of $50,000.”
Oh, and in the ultimate of ironies is the same Michael Franks who is voting NO on the Katy ISD bond.
Who is the certain vendor “cashing in on this part of the country” on the Vote for the FBISD Proposition 1 campaign, Mr. Franks?
Seems like Ft. Bend County is home to the “multi faceted” fruitcakes of local politicts. Bert Levine, Michael Franks, Ron Reynolds and the list grows every election. Those mentioned seem to have a problem with laws, rules or loyalty.
I’m assuming that his company was the low bidder.
I am having a hard time to see what the problem is here. Are you saying that Mr. Franks can only do business with those who he politically agrees with? If Mr. Franks can deliver a product or service that is of better quality and/or price than his competitors why should someone with different politics not chose to contract out work to him?
It is kind of sad as a society that we are debating these issues.
A GOP reference on a sign for a non-partisan school bond election?
I’m sure no one thought anyone would pay attention to a little bitsy logo on a campaign sign.
Oh, and decrying the vendors “cashing in” over in Katy ISD while you are a vendor benefiting from the Fort Bend ISD bond campaign?
Heh.
There’s a big difference between someone making, at most, a few thousand dollars making signs and “highly qualified consultants” making hundreds of thousands or millions doing work the district ought to be doing or for bids that are written in such a way only one vendor qualifies.
I did not support Michael in the HD 132 race, but have bought campaign signs from him and recommended him to others. He provides good quality work to GOP candidates at competitive prices and with a fast turnaround, which is especially of value to financially limited grassroots campaigns. Among the handful of competitive media vendors in the local marketplace (radio, print, signs, T-shirts, etc.) it is common for them to sell their products to a broad base of campaigns. There is big difference betwen the for profit voter guides that sell endorsements, or paid advocates, vs. vendors who simply sell materials, free of any of their own political interests or advocacy.
Activist—you mean the profit voter guide that endorsed Franks back in 2006 for the District 28 primary? By all means Texas Republicans should keep putting forth candidates that follow the State Rep. Ron Reynolds school of not paying their bills until they’ve been sued and had a judgment issued against them. In Franks case, the Office of the Attorney General at the request of the Texas Ethics Commission.
http://katydispatch.com/letter-concerned-district-132-voter/
He probably offered them a discount. I hear he has some bills to pay. . .