JOURNALISTIC INCOMPETENCE?

TIME FOR THE TRUTH

By J.B. Blocker

Journalistic Incompetence

   I received a phone call from a friend and respected journalist Karen Brown. She had read a story in the Dallas Morning News about animal cruelty at Storybook Ranch in McKinney. Knowing that I am an avid horse lover living in McKinney she commented that the story smelled of one-sided reporting.

  When I read the article, I was appalled at the total lack of investigation and yes, her instincts were right! It didn’t smell one-sided. It stunk of bias or incompetence.

  Here is the link if you want to read it first. Then, I am going to tear it up for the hogwash that it is! http://www.dallasnews.com/news/community-news/best-southwest/headlines/20131130-animal-cruelty-inquiry-may-figure-in-dallas-review-of-texas-horse-park-deal.ece

What gives me the right?

  You see, I happen to ride at Storybook and it has been my equestrian home for over 5 years. I am often there several times a week. I have taken my grandchildren there since they were located at Frisco Horse Park.

Lila at Horse Camp

 

My now 10 year old Lila walks among the many horses fearlessly and I have taught her horsemanship since she was 5. She has attended summer horse camps there and spends nearly every weekend with her Popeye (that’s me!). 

Lila on one of my favorites, Santana

Some of that is because she is just like me. She always wants to be around the horses. She loves to feed, groom, and she is learning to work the round pen. Lila roams the properties like she owns the place!

  During this period I have become close friends with owner Wayne Kirk, the General Manager Vanessa Fry, the ranch manager Howard Rust, and all the management staff throughout the years. I would safely call myself a fixture.

  After their cautious and careful vetting at the beginning, Vanessa and Wayne gained confidence in my responsible capabilities and I quickly earned their trust and even the code to the gate locks! The first time I met her, I told Vanessa (who is an incurable animal advocate) that I was so tuned to nature that butterflies land on me and wild birds eat out of my hands. The next time I showed up and shared some BBQ on a picnic table, Vanessa was slightly shocked and pleased to see that a butterfly had landed on my sleeve! “I told you so!”

  That’s not surprising since I grew up in Sunray, an agricultural community in the panhandle of Texas. I had a tractor driving license before my TDL. My first time card job was during the summer of my Jr. Year as a hand at the Sunray Feed Yard. I am so tuned to animals that I often surprise people when their dogs, cats, and even horses seek me out.

Would I lie to you?

Ruggeri's brings Classic Italian to McKinney Square

By J.B. BLOCKER

I’ve known Tom Ruggeri for nearly 20 years now, and I have chased his Cioppino (fisherman's stew) from Addison down to Dallas and up to Plano. Even though I’ve ordered his Veal Oscar and grilled Lamb Chops for a review assignment, when it comes to spending my own money, it’s the Cioppino for me. I’ll tell you why.

MEET THE COOPERS

Meet the Coopers: A Prosper Family

Darren and Kelly had two little girls ready to enter the public school system. It was time to find a community that fit their plans for establishing their own family roots. They looked around Carrollton and North Plano. They looked at Frisco, McKinney, and Little Elm. They found what they were looking for and chose to make Prosper their home!

by jb blocker

 

  Prosper: With the appeal that likely brought your family too, its large lots and blossoming family friendly developments. It was already developing a reputation of high median income and housing that beckoned families just like them. Great schools and small town connectivity would prove to be a drawing card for many who wanted to feel like they were home.

   I’ve heard it said that people do not move to Prosper to leave. They move to Prosper to stay!

  You can go out of town to get away and you stay home to be a part of something bigger. A family!

  Prosper is basically at the crossroads of Highway 380 and Preston Road centered between Denton (I-35) and  McKinney (I-75). Preston Road leads to Celina and beyond to the north and Frisco, Plano, and Dallas to the south. Just to the west is the North Dallas Toll way and just south are Loops 121 to DFW and George Bush.

  This location is, shall we say, ideally situated to access many jobs and big city attractions for a broad range of the professional market. From doctors, lawyers, and officials, to service and product professionals, to retirees and empty nesters, and to all the entrepreneurial souls who want to get away and then go home.

Home: 

   Darren never really had that. He travelled with his father’s work in the oil fields. During his youth he lived in 22 different Texas towns, attended 3 different high schools, and couldn’t really claim a home town. Darren is clearly a proud Texan, he just hadn’t had any chance to set his roots.. He had achieved a respected position with his company that had him as a key onsite adviser in the operating room for surgical implants of the medical devices he represented.  

  Life was good and it gave Darren the chance to actually establish those roots. He could do his job, leave it behind to enjoy daughters Mia learning the drums and Sawyer learning the trumpet, cheering, serving in Girl Scouts, and able to be part of a school system that they could grow up with. They would be able to have life time friends and a place to call home.

  Besides having a gym membership to burn off the tension of a high pressure job, the only other thing he needed, he had. He had a wife who was a best friend, and a warrior for their family’s well being, at home and in the community.

  His income was strong, and he and Kelly were able find a community in which they could enjoy and nurture their family. Everything they wanted pointed to Prosper. And that is where they built the home just the way they wanted it, to last them a life time.  The Cooper family is blessed, and they know it.

  Kelly came from a very different back ground. Her family of six children have always been close and her parents were rocks of their community, where they still reside after more than 50 years. Everyone knew the Sibley family. And they certainly knew the twins Kelly and Katie. If you know Kelly, think stereo.

  Their hometown of Rochester is a town of about 100K between Austin and Winona, in Southeast Minnesota! It’s very close to nowhere, but close enough to everywhere, a little like Prosper. 
  Kelly’s father John Sibley served his way up the ranks of the Rochester PD from walking a beat at age 19, to retiring as the Deputy Chief of Police in their home town. He has won Minnesota State Pistol Shooting Championships and many other marksman competitions, which have repeatedly forced multiple trophy case expansions. 
  Her mother Lois was a career nurse until the twins (kids # 5 & 6) were born. It was then that she started a home daycare.  Lois often won the women’s pistol shooting competitions as well, shooting in the Police wives “Powder Puff” League.

The family camped, gardened, traveled the country by road, and enjoyed the outdoors whenever possible. “When Katie and I were little, we had a big old circus tent. Then later we got a pop-up camper, and then a very nice camper/trailer and fishing boat."

  We went to all kinds of shooting events around the state and everyone knew and respected my dad. When I got my CHL (concealed handgun license) , my parents were the first people I called!  My Dad laughed with pride and called me ‘Annie Oakley’.”

  Family friend and lifelong law enforcement officer Buck Kraeger watched the girls grow up and still keeps up with the whole family. “The Sibley family are well respected in the community. They were concerned and active citizens who were always involved in school and local activities. John and Lois raised great kids. I really enjoyed seeing the twins’ antics as they grew in to lovely well adjusted ladies.

  Kelly and Kate are identical twins who have always been driven, genuine, and vivacious. I can tell you this says Buck, “If either of them took an interest in something, they took it serious. They got that from both their parents. They have good heads on their shoulders and they didn’t go running around half-cocked! There’s a life lesson for you. A good marksman knows that!”

  Aunt Janie Hass goes on to say, “Kelly especially didn’t really care whether her opinions were popular. When she sets her mind, she is true to her convictions. She still has that leadership ability to step back, take a look from others perspective, and rethink her options. That’s a great trait to have!”

A Family Tradition

  It’s not hard to see why Kelly immediately became active in her community. She grew up with that example her whole life. She knew the importance of community leadership. She had learned from parents who were leaders and supporters and most of all, actively informed. Half truths or hidden agendas would never set with her.

  Darren supports his wife in her active community involvement. “My wife is not an Activist, she is Active! I am so proud of how she handles everything she does. She supports me, the girls, our home, our church, our schools, and the community with grace and passion. She gives Cooper a very good name.”

Lay-offs happen. It can happen to you. It happened to Darren.

   "One day, I was out of town on business when I was notified that I was being laid off. My mind raced. We’ve got this great home with a healthy mortgage, centrally located 15 miles from anywhere and nowhere. I felt blindsided! My kind of job is not easy to come by. I called Kelly right away.”

   So what does Kelly do besides reassure her hubby? Darren continues, “Kelly did what she does, she made me feel secure and confident. And within two weeks, she had gone out and gotten a job! I picked up the slack around the house with the girls school activities and Kelly went to work. Even so, she would come home with her positive attitude and help me prepare resumes and talk over job opportunities and options..”

   It might be noted that Darren found a better job in the same field after 4 very anxious months. He is now back inside the O.R. for critical spinal surgeries. “I’ve got to brag some more on Kelly, adds Darren, She still kept up her commitments to the community and especially the school board, city, county, state, and national policies that effect the home and life style that we envisioned when we chose to make Prosper our home for life…and we have no doubt it will be.”  

Collin County Sheriff Terry Box had this to say. “Kelly Cooper is a hands on kind of person.  She gets involved to find out how things work and why.  She is not only very involved, but she is also very informed in every level of government.  She recently participated in the citizens Sheriff's Academy for 14 weeks spending her time learning about every division of the Office. Thanks for participating.

Terry G. Box.  
 

  I met Kelly though a mutual friend who was actively involved in the Prosper Tea party.   Later, she joined the Prosper Rotary Club and we served our community as Rotarians.   The Coopers are neighbors of mine in the Lakes of La Cima sub-division.   

  I am supporting Kelly in the upcoming run-off election because she is a person of high integrity, she is honest, believes in (and knows well) the Constitution and will always put the best interests of Prosper Residents in first place.

Todd Baker, Service First Mortgage

Ann Lieber, an active Prosperite and friend adds, 

"I logged onto the Dallas Tea Party in the summer of 2009...When I added my zip code as instructed a name popped on the screen "Kelly Cooper, Coordinator for zip code 75078." We were both relatively new to the Town of Prosper.  I had also moved to the town of approx 5,500 a mere 3 years ago.

  Once the first Prosper Tea Party was scheduled by Kelly in Prosper it became clear that this Kelly Cooper was someone special. She came with a "friendly, open, bigger than life" energy--- that I was absolutely meant to meet.

  I have great appreciation for people of honor.  People who are genuine, approachable, unpretentious, forthright, grounded, fun loving, adventurous, and brave with rock solid values and convictions. Kelly is all these things. I love to call her "Minnesota nice" because that's exactly what she is... Nice! Perhaps "Texas Friendly" relates well to "Minnesota Nice!" ---It translates!

  For more on Kelly Coopers local activities go to:
northtexasreporter.blogspot.com/2012/10/kelly-cooper-i-am-prepared.html?spref=fb  

- J.B. Blocker is a media consultant based in Collin County in North Texas. Advertise with J.B. by calling 469-334-9962. Email: jbnorthtexas@gmail.com or jbblocker@hotmail.com.

Collin County’s Sheriff Terry Box: 'I'm not Retiring!'

By J.B. Blocker

Sheriff Terry Box is not retiring! On a recent Facebook announcement, Terry let all his friends know before he made the public announcement. This sheriff is socially interactive! He has nothing to hide and regularly post food for thought, warm wishes, and local events. His passion for antique autos keeps him in the mix locally. You might see him on any given weekend showing his Purple ’55 Chevy.

You can count the current Texas sheriffs who have served as long as Terry on one hand. In the world of Sheriff’s, he is a respected role model who embraces the ever changing world of technology while respecting the human factor of his staff and the counties revolving door of inmates.

“I truly enjoy my work. As long as my health permits, I feel I can continue to contribute to a better Collin County.”

I would be amazed if anyone dared to challenge the popular local boy who is considered a role model for Law Enforcement leadership. With an easy going management style and firmly engrained work ethics, his staff and the departments reputation for courteous humanitarian handling of its responsibilities is well documented. He truly leads by example.

Collin County Sheriff Terry Box has held his elected office since February 1985, and he has served with distinction. This sheriff does not look like the typical Texas lawman. While many wear their Stetsons and side arms and are usually dressed in a white pressed shirt, blue jeans, and boots, this gentle and unassuming lawman dresses casually and unadorned.

“Heck, I showed up in baggy shorts and a golf shirt to the Sheriff’s Convention. Some might call it travel wear!” recalls the seasoned lawman. “You can spot the new Sheriff’s pretty easily.” Normally, Sheriff Box wears dress slacks and a polo type shirt. He could more easily pass as a history teacher at the high school.

Sheriff Terry Box, A Badge With Honor

Collin County Sheriff Terry Box has held his elected office since February 1985. He has served the county and the state with distinction.

Terry and Purplelicious

  This sheriff does not look like the typical Texas lawman. While many wear their Stetsons and side arms and are usually dressed in a white pressed shirt, blue jeans, and boots, this gentle and unassuming lawman dresses casually and unadorned.
 “Heck, I have shown up in baggy shorts and a golf shirt to the conventions. Travel wear!” recalls the seasoned lawman. While most wear their boots and white stetsons, very few dress like civilians.
   Normally, Sheriff Box wears dress slacks and a polo type shirt. He could more easily pass as a history teacher at the local high school.
  When Terry Box took office, Collin County’s population was around 200,000. Now with the tremendous growth of Plano, Frisco, Allen, Celina, Fairview, Anna, Melissa, Princeton, Farmersville, and McKinney, the count is closing in on a million. It won’t be long! 
  The southern border catches a bit of Carrollton, Dallas, and Garland as well as parts of Richardson. In all, 31 cities and towns are inside the county’s border. An incredible blend of the newest urban developments and rural historic Texas can be experienced in Collin County.
   Box’s Upholstery in McKinney was Terry’s fathers business. The one time president of the Sheriff’s Association of Texas was born and raised in McKinney.    
   After graduating from McKinney High, he began his career as a 19-year-old police dispatcher. He has dated his wife Rendy since he was a junior in high school, and they are still dating after 40 years. 
  “My wife is the kindest, most caring person I know," beams the sheriff. "I am sure she gets me more votes at election time than I do! When she goes shopping, she ends up buying things for others as much as for herself."
  “When I was 21, I became a peace officer in Plano. I took the job because I just couldn’t see arresting people I grew up with and knew so well.”                                   
  Ten years later Terry was lured to the sheriffs’ office with a rank of Lieutenant and was the Deputy Chief three years later. After the death of close friend Sheriff Joe Steenbergen in 1985, Box was appointed by the Commissioners Court to complete the term and has been Sheriff Box ever since.
  After a special election in ’86 where he faced four opponents, the Republican Party candidate has basically run unopposed ever since. It’s is no wonder! 
  Collin County’s sheriff has maintained an impeccable reputation that has led to special FBI training at Quantico and an appointment by Governor Bush for the Texas Commission on Jail Standards, where he became the chairman in 2000.
 

“Collin County is very fortunate to have a man like Terry Box as their sheriff”, claims Randall County Sheriff Joel Richardson. 
  “When Randall County built their new county jail, we decided to model it after Collin County. "Theirs was one of only two jails to successfully integrate a state of the art Direct Supervision Facility," he said. "His progressive style of management and his kindness, courtesy, and respect for human rights has helped me to see a different side of law enforcement and jail operations.   We sent our staff down to McKinney to train at their facility. Sheriff Box and his staff were so accommodating, and all of us were grateful and impressed with the leadership and their management style. When I started in law enforcement, I was part of the bag 'em and cage 'em mentality. Now, I see my job in a more humanistic light of protecting the rights of every individual.”
  The Collin County staff takes in account that 'not all who are held in a county jail have been found guilty of their charges'. Many awaiting trial and held in custody are later found to be innocent. This facility and its staff helps maintain that consideration.
  “The sheriffs’ senior staff views Sheriff Box as an inspiration with great ethics, and an approachable style of leadership that makes everyone strive to be a kinder, better person.” this from long-time friend Major Mike Anderson.
  There isn’t enough space to list his resume of boards, directorship, accreditation's, and community service involvement. The modest sheriff doesn’t even list them on the county Web site like many others do. 
  Always early to work, he disdains being lazy or late but forgives others just as easily as he leads by his example. If you want to talk to the sheriff, just call early and he will most likely answer the phone himself.
  
  His humanity showed itself in spades when he discussed the challenges of his border county brethren.   
  “They live a totally different life than I do! They have to fear for their staff, their families, and even their own safety every day. Not me!” In Lou Gehrig-type style he closed our interview with his appreciation for his family and his home.
  “I am always aware that I am one of the truly lucky people to have a job I love, in a great county, and in my home town.”                 

- J.B. Blocker is a media consultant based in Collin County in North Texas. Advertise with J.B. by calling 469-334-9962. Email: jbnorthtexas@gmail.com