On Wednesday, May 7, 2008, I accompanied Steve Prowell, a candidate for the Red Oak ISD school board, as he placed campaign signs at various sites and checked on others he had already staked.

I witnessed a couple of things that deeply disturb me.

The candidate I was with went to a local restaurant to investigate why a sign he had placed earlier at the business was now gone. I witnessed a discussion between Mr. Powell and the business owner. The owner of the business related to Mr. Prowell that he catered an event at the intermediate school, and was approached by the wife of ROISD Board President, John Hawkins. Ms. Hawkins took exception to the sign supporting Mr. Powell outside his business. The business owner was told by Ms. Hawkins that Mr. Prowell wasn't wanted on the board, and said negative things to the business owner about Mr. Prowell. Later, according to the business owner, John Hawkins came into his business and expressed his displeasure with Mr. Prowell's campaign signs outside the man's business. The business owner removed Mr. Powell's sign and took it home.

This man has done business with ROISD catering meals. This school board president and his wife are using their position and influence in the community to caution this business owner against displaying campaign signs they disapprove of. Hawkins as a public official works for this man, this man doesn't work for Hawkins. I thought local politicians leaning on business owners went out in the 1950s. Stunts like this would make an old time Chicago Alderman proud. I'm particularly sensitive to these behind the scenes machinations by the incumbent board members and their spouses. On March 8, 2008 at a volleyball game, ROISD school bard Vice President John Anderson's wife Karen approached a family friend and tried to paint me as some sort of crazed stalker. Anderson told our friend that I've written letters to the board, and she's afraid to be home alone now. (Any letter I've written has been to the board official's ROISD email site, not to their home). Incidents like this are why we call this site corruptredoakisd.com

Around 8:00 PM this same evening, we happened to be going past the 1st Baptist Church in Red Oak. Some event was taking place there. As we drove by, I noticed Sergeant Lori Guarnero, of the Red Oak ISD Police Department in full uniform standing outside the door of the church. Parked in front of the church was an unmarked squad car, with Texas Exempt license plate 234 052. Sgt. Guarnero appeared to be providing security for the church.

As a taxpaying citizen, I resent seeing the Red Oak ISD PD squad car parked at the church. Why should the taxpayers foot the bill to transport Sgt. Guarnero to her part time off duty security gig? The church is not on school property, therefore not in Sgt. Guarnero's jurisdiction. What is the justification here for Sgt. Guarnero to drive a squad car out of her jurisdiction to make extra money for herself? Is this some sort of hook up between the district and the church because her boss Chief Lindsey attends this church? Who would pay if Sgt Guarnero wrecked the car going to or from her security job? Why do these officers even need take home cars? Any emergency that would arise after hours on school property would be handled by the on duty Red Oak police or Ellis County deputies.

Elsewhere on this site is a letter from ROISD Superintendent Scott Niven justifying the issuance of Chief Lindsey's take home car. According to Niven, the car is for official use "unless exceptions are made with consent of chief of police." Obviously, if an off duty ROISD Police Department officer needs some extra change, Lindsey will "consent" to transport that officer on the taxpayer's dime. This is a "police department" that didn't even exist until 2001. Since 2001, this "police department" has been hosing the taxpayers.