Town Board Report
8/13/1 Frank Hogg

What I write on this web site is my opinion and you, the reader have the option of ignoring me. But when the Town Board speaks it becomes a law that YOU have to obey.

That is a profound difference.

The Town Board ripped me a new one tonight. Actually it was just the three women on the Town Board. The two men, John Steger and Peter Knapp were strangely silent. Hiding behind the womens skirts I guess.

The Town Board doesn't like it when I write about their actions, they don't like my opinion, yet they read it and respond to it. They don't like the lawsuits that they get into and do not think it is right. Is this America, is there justice for all. If a government body does something illegal do we, as citizens have the right to justice in a court of law? Not according to our Town Board. Is the right of free speech guaranteed by the constitution of the United States? Not according to our Town Board. They don't like what I write and think it is one sided but when I twice offered last night to put their comments here for you to read they refused. They ripped me a new one as the saying goes but you will not be able to verify that for yourself because they want to keep it secret. That was their choice.

They blame me for what has happened these last few years. Did I make any decision, cast any vote, or make any backroom deal that affected anybody? No of course not. The Town Board has instigated everything that has happened. From their decision to force an illegal well near our lake to encouraging Flying J to ignore our laws. Now they are trying to ignore the laws again with this rezone and it is in court again. We did not start this fight; we don't have you taxpayers footing the legal bills like they do. We're doing this on our own and we're winning. How could we be winning when we have the deck stacked against us? Because in America even the Town Board of Preble has to obey the laws, and when they don't, they lose in court.

I'll say one thing for the Town Board, they are getting really good at losing. Sad thing is it is costing all of us. Last year they were $40,000 over budget, I guess it was for all their legal foolishness.

What power do I have? None! I write, you read. That's it! They say I lie but when I gave them the chance to put their proof here they refused. . . Why?

They think that because I write about them that it reflects badly on Preble. Perhaps if they gave me nothing to write about it would make more sense.

These people are not my friends, they never will be. When I started this fight three years ago I knew I was going to be making lifelong enemies. I saw injustice and I had within me the power to fight it. I couldn't walk away. I knew with what little talent I had I could make a difference, I could make it better. I knew that the entrenched power base would be against me and would do everything in their power to stop me. But I like a challenge. Two years ago at the fiasco of the Republican caucus Max Stoker talked at the end. He looked straight at me the whole time. For me that was the start of it. I knew he was behind everything and that he was one, if not 'the' main part of the entrenched power. While he talked I thought to myself, "OK if it's a fight you want then it is a fight you'll get." I know that I have more power than all of them combined because I am not fighting for myself, not fighting for greed or money nor power. I am fighting for what is right, what this country is all about. The right for everybody to have a fair say, and fair treatment from their government.

I own and built my home. I ran the chainsaw and cut the trees, the bulldozer to clear the land, the pick, the shovel the hammer and saw. I am not a rich man and I have worked hard and earned everything I have. I have taken nothing that doesn't belong to me. Can the entrenched power say that? I am proud to say that I will never be their friend and they will never be mine. We just don't exist in the same plain, sometimes not even on the same planet.

They don't like what I write. . . well get used to it because I'm not stopping. As long as they keep doing what they do I will have lots to write about.

For example tonight they had a chance to dispel when I wrote about them kicking Barb Frier off the ZBA. They had to appoint someone to fill in when Cathy Kinney resigned from the ZBA, a term that ends in December. Did they appoint Barb; no of course not, they appointed someone else. They didn't even discuss the issue about her five years of experience that she brings to the table. After all it is just for 4 months, why not use someone that knows the ropes? It is that type of thing that makes me write about them. Their actions are transparent for all to see and they don't want you looking at them.

Yeah they ripped me a new one and at the end they even got a standing ovation from the crowd. Congratulations Town Board. However, the only ones who will know about what they said and what their arguments were are the people who were there. That number pales in comparison the all of you on the web. I offered to post their comments here for all to read and they refused so you must ask the obvious question… why? What do they have to hide, why don't they want you to read what they had to say?

Two years ago Anne Brennan wrote a letter that was posted in the town hall. It is the only thing I have of hers that I can share with you. I suggest you read that one letter of hers and then the hundreds of things I've written and make the decision for yourself. (Her letter refers to these brochures. PPRC #1 PPRC #2)

They ripped me a new one last night but it was only a scratch and it's healed up already. I can take it much better than they can dish it out.

And

I have you, my loyal and faithful readers who support me and encourage me to continue. There are just five of them and they are no match for you. Thank you very much. I know you are behind me and I know that what I am doing is the right thing to do. As long as I know that I can take whatever they dish out and I won't quit. As a matter of fact tonight was more of a slap with a white glove than Max Stokers two years ago. Their hate of me gives me strength; their frustration at what I write gives me the power to go on. They seem incapable of doing the right thing and it is only the right thing that will silence me. As long as they continue on the path they are on, the wrong path, I will be here to inform you.

Again these are just my words, my opinion, and my thoughts. Their words turn into laws, laws that hurt the poor and weak and enrich the wealthy. I just talk, just words. Ask yourself why are my words such a threat to them?

The free exchange of opinions and ideas is what makes this country great. If you silence one side then you give control to the other. America does not exist when a government, no matter how small, tries to silence their critics. I am a critic of the Town Board and they want to silence me. What does that say about them?

Frank Hogg
American and damn proud of it!

The Republican caucus will be next Wednesday the 22^nd and that will be a defining moment. It will be the time when the people of our town determine our future. I will abide by whatever the majority decides. I learned two years ago that it is the caucus, not the election in November that determines it all. Sad to say that but it's true. If you are Republican then this is your one and only chance to vote for the future. This is important. Make sure you come and cast your vote.