INTELLIGENT and POSITIVE
An intelligent and postitive post that deserves to be repeated:
Anonymous said...
Once again, some of the citizens that bother to post comments on this site are not concerned with the real issues facing Combine.There seems to be a great deal of concern that the police department makes a lot of traffic stops. I was in Kaufman County a few weeks ago and heard numerous traffic stops by your officers and it sounded an awful lot like police officers doing their job. Ask any officer that has been on patrol for a while and he or she will tell you that most of the drugs, weapons, felons, and burglars are caught by making numerous traffic stops. If the police are making a number of traffic stops where I live, and they do, I feel much more secure. Eventually, the word gets out that if you drive through this town you are going to be stopped. It has been my experience that people who reside in small towns want the “criminals” stopped but not themselves. This is counter productive in terms of preventing crime and it is not the way a police officer is trained and goes against the fair expectation that you demand of your officers.
There was also a comment relating to “rent-a-cops.” This comment only shows your lack of knowledge and understanding of the laws regulating peace officers in the State of Texas. All peace officers have the same license regardless of where they work. That’s right; a police officer in Combine has the same license as a police officer in Plano. Then to say other police officers that have worked in Combine were “ticket happy Nazi’s" is just a stupid comment. What that says is I received a citation I probably deserved but since I live here I should be able to drive any way I want to. As far as tickets go, the police department does not get all of the ticket revenues that are generated by writing citations. The police department gets a small percentage and if the citation revenue goes over the projection for the year it is lost.
This is just another example of the lack of knowledge by some of the people who write comments on this site.Remember; thieves do not call the police when they are stealing or burglarizing your residence. However, they usually drive vehicles and often that is how they are caught.
6/11/08 12:20 AM
posted by Know Combine @ 9:21 AM
190 Comments
190 Comments:
Amen.
Just FYI...While the Combine police were at an accident scene at 1389 and 3039 during the middle of the day a utility trailer was stolen from a residence about 250 yards down 3039 from the accident...Combine police dont work accidents on either one of those roads that would be the responsiblity of the Highway Patrol...Therefore while they were in a hurry to get to an accident they could do nothing about and stand around and block traffic someone had there property taken from under there noses...Vehicle stops recover drugs and put people with warrants behind bars...I dont buy into your silly sob story or sermon or whatever you call it...Yes police have a job to do and yes that does constitute upholding traffic laws but there also there to "serve" meaning serve the citizens, they should serve them by patrolling more and being seen and getting out and talking to people...."serve" does not mean serving up tickets left and right, hey if someone is doing 60 or 70 or driving with complete disregard for the law then I think they should be stopped but to sit and wait for people is ridiculous we dont need that here that kind of stuff works in other places but not here these cops havent been here long enough to know who is who or who drives what or who doesnt belong so there not gonna know that trailer doenst belong to that truck, or that vehicle isnt supposed to be parked at that house...They teach patrol tactics in basic police academy but with snot nosed bratty cops like the one we have they dont want to patrol because thats no fun they want to stop people, operate the lights, talk down to people and degrade them for breaking the law to make there own selves feel better...Besides this guy is a loose cannon its only a matter of time before the city finds itself in a very serious lawsuit because of this person...I am not against cops in Combine but I am against people who defend a department which is only filling a void and not filling a need...We are not any safer by any means, after 5 or 6 there all gone anyways so then what? Hey its not hard to figure out if your a criminal night times a good time to come to Combine and go shopping...Cops who work only 7 or 8 in the morning to 5 or 6 in the afternoon in a town of less than 2000 people and make 300 traffic stops in a month (Yes, just go file a public records request for the police statistics for last month) does not constitute a police department. It constitutes a playground for officers who cant get jobs in other cities because there attitudes are poor or there in the job for all the wrong reasons. Im not against police in Combine, Im against poor policing in Combine
It’s amazing that some people are still writing about law enforcement responsibilities and duties on this site and have no idea what they are talking about. It is not the responsibility of the Texas Highway Patrol to investigate accidents on public roadways inside the city limits of Combine or any other incorporated city within the State of Texas. Once a city is incorporated, accident investigation duties reside with the municipal police agency in that city. The Texas Highway Patrol is responsible for investigating accidents outside of the city limits in unincorporated areas of the county and on controlled access toll roads.
If you leave the peaceful town of Combine, and drive into another city, take note of what agencies are responding to and investigating accidents on public roadways in Dallas, Mesquite, Garland, Seagoville, Kaufman, Kemp, Crandall, Terrell….. I think you get the point. There is a chance that you will see a trooper “working” the accident inside the city limits; this is called an agency assist and they are there to assist the municipal agency.
The reason you see such a dedication by police agencies with traffic control is because of secondary accidents. I thought you would know that because of your extensive knowledge of police work. I am not familiar with the specific accident you are talking about, but I assume there were other first responders present such as fire and EMS personnel. Furthermore, there were the people involved in the accident along with witnesses. With multiple individuals working and standing around the scene nobody wants a vehicle driving through and striking one of them. By the way, statistically most police officers are killed on the roadway whether they are inside or outside of their patrol vehicle working accidents and making traffic stops.
My previous comment was not a “sob story or sermon or whatever you call it,” it was the truth. Furthermore, do you have proof that a theft occurred at the exact time the police were working the accident? That seems far fetched that someone knows the exact time, down to the few minutes, their trailer was stolen. If I knew the precise time my property was stolen it tells me I was watching it happen (or somebody else was) and I would have prevented the theft myself while calling the police. If the police would have received a theft in progress call, and the accident scene was secure and care had been rendered to the injured, I suspect that they would have responded to the call.
I do agree that an agency needs to patrol and talk to people and that is a valid point; however, they must respond to and investigate accidents inside their city limits and occasionally will assist other agencies outside of the city limits. This is because ultimately rendering aid to the injured is the most important aspect of a peace officer’s duties.
Some of what you said seems very personal and sounds like you are one of the residents who think they should be able to drive any way they want. You have a couple of good arguments in your post, but they are lost in your attacks on the police officers. If I lived in a town with, I think, two paid officers and they made 300 traffic stops I would give them a community service award not cry about getting stopped (that’s what some of your post sounds like). Moreover, to say that Combine is a “playground for officers that can’t gat jobs in other cities” is a stupid comment. How on earth could possible know if your officers could be hired at “other” agencies. Have you seen their personnel files? Do you have any evidence to support this claim? If it is true that the chief of police retired from Dallas I am sure he could get hired by any number of “other” agencies throughout the state. I certainly agree that the police force needs to be a twenty-four hour operation; however, that requires more than two paid officers and a couple of reserves.
By the way, one the most important aspects of catching criminals (thieves) in the act is the time it takes a witness to call the police. How many times have you seen something that you thought was suspicious and actually picked up the phone and called 911 or the police department? I bet there was no time delay when you called to complain when you were stopped for a traffic violation.
Apparently you dont live in Combine because if an accident report is needed on FM 1389 or FM 3039 then the Highway Patrol has to investigate the accident...If the vehicles drivers decide to exchange information then no officers from any agency are needed...1389 and 3039 are state maintained roadways, meaning they belong to the state, meaning DPS investigates the accidents...I have a copy of the police report that states the approximate time the offense occured which was the time of the accident that the police were on...a minor accident by the way with no injuries and no need for the police...Yes im a citizen and actually I have never been stopped by any of our officers because I obey the law...and Police officers personnel files are public record, so are there statistics
This was pulled from the Texas Department of Public Safety’s web site. As you can plainly see the responsibility of investigating accidents within the city limits is the municipal agency not DPS. I would be great if you would do some legal research before you come on here and give out false information. It took me ten minutes to find in writing what I already knew.
(a) Responsibility. The Texas Highway Patrol[traffic law enforcement] division of the
department is assigned the responsibility of investigating and properly reporting
crashes[accidents] involving motor vehicles which occur outside the city limits of an
incorporated city upon a public road, highway, or other way or place open to the use of the public.
(1) The department will not investigate motor vehicle crashes[accidents] which occur in cities except in emergencies or where prior arrangements have been approved.
(2) Any commissioned member of the department who witnesses or comes upon a motor vehicle traffic crash[accident] within the city limits will notify local officers and turn all information and control of the investigation over to them as soon as possible. Pending the arrival of the local officers, such department members will seek to protect the scene, render first aid or summon medical aid, detain involved drivers when necessary, and take any other action immediately needed for the public safety for which he has been trained and is equipped to perform.
It sounds an awful lot like what I wrote before doesn’t it.
Somebody has done there reasearch LOL...However I have to say every accident we have ever been to on FM 1389 or FM 3039 has been worked by DPS as a matter of fact every accident we have ever been to even on Lanier or Harlan has been worked by DPS maybe they have an arrangement with Combine to do that...I dont know just my two cents
Unless it is a new agreement that nobody is aware of the ultimate responsibility to investigate accidents still lies with the municipal agency. Maybe the Combine officers were not on duty or DPS’s assistance was requested. Maybe the accident was not actually inside the city limits. More of the area than people think is not actually inside the city limits. For instance, the intersection of 1389 and Lanier is not in the city limits and county jurisdiction extends along the roadway to the North West to about Beasley Road (according to the maps).
The point is that there are people who presumably live in the city that find any reason they can to undermine the police department and do not base there attacks on facts. They can not even do some simple research before they post comments that would prevent them from looking like they don’t know what they are talking about.
So, last posting was that the local police was told to stop harassing folks at Matlocks. But not they have gone and stop a woman without appropriate papers in his opinion and impounded her car! And stop and harassing a long time fireman that he is not properly burning in his own yard. I do feel safe!
I have lost track now, how many police do we have in Combine now?
Question - Was it determined what caused the accident at 1389 and 3039? Were the driver's citizens of Combine? Very rarely are accidents truly accidents, usually it is caused by some one speeding, or disobeying a traffic law. If this was the case, don't you think it is a good idea that the Combine police continue to enforce traffic laws to help prevent future accidents? Then in the case of an accident occuring, even if it is not their responsiblity, don't you thing it is nice that the local police arrive on the scene to assist if needed, instead of just sitting back and placing the resonsibily on someone else?
When the police are out enforing traffic laws, they are being seen. There really aren't that many streets here to be "patrolled". I like the idea that they are enforcing the law, be it traffic laws, instead of just continously driving around. They are being seen by potential criminals in both cases.
What in the world is all this griping/ defending of the combine police? It just goes on & on.
Isn't there anything else to talk about?
How about the idea of banning fireworks in Combine?
They are a huge fire hazard. Many people who use them, particularly the fireworks that travel, do not pay attention to where they land. Like in a neighbor's pasture where there is dry hay, or someone's yard.
They are sold at the hottest and driest times of the year. They are shot off till one or two in the morning, and if you are one of the people who have to get up at 6:00 am to go to work, you're kept awake till then.
Children can and do get burned by them.
They scare horses so much that they hurt themselves or Colic.
People leave the mess (including beer bottles, coke bottles, trash, cigarette butts) they create wherever they gather.
There are plenty of public fireworks shows that are beautiful and fun to attend.
Neighborhoods are not the place to set off loud, potential fire hazards.
The sign at Davis and 1389 says "Fireworks are fun, be safe" which I believe is put up by someone from the Combine Fire Department. Seems a better message would be "Fireworks are dangerous, be safe"
I wonder if someone from the FD sells them and doesn't want people to think too hard about the dangers.
Nearly all cities ban them.
I know a lot of people will disagree, but really if it's your home that catches fire, or your animals that burn, you might feel a little differently.
That's all.
don't like fireworks and benefits of not living in the city, move back to the city!
Love the benefits of not living in the city. Love Combine.
That has nothing to do with the dangers of fireworks.
Why is it when someone brings up something as basic as safety and consideration of others, the response is if you don't like it, move?
Is that always the answer?
Does that kind of response and thinking add any value to the community or does it say no one is welcomed in Combine except people who only care about themselves?
Has consideration of others completely disappeared?
Fireworks are dangerous. That's not just a made-up statement to prove a point. Ask anyone who works in an emergency room. Ask anyone who has lost their home because fireworks landed on their roof or on their dry lawn.
But I think you already know that.
It's not like someone can't enjoy the Fourth of July without them. Folks enjoy other holidays without them all the time.
If a family, or individuals, likes the colors and displays (which can be beautiful) then have a family outing where everyone can enjoy them in a festive, safe, and fireworks controlled environment.
Ban fireworks in Combine...your and idiot...have the decency to post your name on here so the rest of the community knows who you are and we can all stay away from you...the nice thing about living out here is the freedom to do things you cant do in the city...of course I guess if you complain about the noise and dangers of fireworks you would proably complain about your neighbors being to loud or something like that if you lived in the city...theres just no pleasing some people...and as far as the fire department selling fireworks we dont, although it would be a great fundraiser we would never do it because we would not want to compete with the Matlock's they were here first...we do all we can to protect the citizens of Combine but banning fireworks is not gonna make you safer or keep your pasture from burning up...how dare you try to drag the fire department down with you we have a dedicated group of people who volunteer everyday all hours of the day to be there when you need them and we do a hell of a job...I think you owe the fire department an apology.
You wonder why someone wouldn't post their name? With that kind of reply?
I pretty much expected that kind of over-reaction.
I apologize to you and the rest of the firefighters, I think you do a great job and I value your volunteerism.
I thought I would suggest banning fireworks because I honestly believe they are dangerous and a public nuisance. No hidden agenda.
I'm not the only person who thinks so, but if you want to stay away from everyone who disagrees with you, so be it.
I suspect the poster that said "move back to the city" was implying that it seems like we get allot of folks that move to the country and want to bring city attributes with them when they realize it does not work that way. But that is not the point. Look, I agree fireworks have their negative points. I am not happy when my neighbors close or not so close choose to use them at times that I am concerned about my house catching on fire. Nor am I happy that they choose to use them after I have gone to bed. Problem here is that we have to be careful with what we legislate. Fireworks are an easy target for sure, but not something that can not be addressed. We get too carried away with "outlawing" or "banning" this and that we run the risk of being "Home Owner Association like" and that would NOT be a good thing. And we have seen the dangers in our laws of how we ban 1 thing that seems harmless and easy to do then the next one is not so harmless and much more restrictive in our freedom. I would ask that we try to be more tolerant, speak nicely to your neighbors, buy another water hose and hang out in the yard when they burn firework. You know we just might get to know each other a little better and this stuff would be not such an issue.
And I agree with Cody, it is not friendly or right to pull folks like the fire department into this any more than it is to fuss about the police when not justified.
So what do you say.....let's enjoy our holiday as tolerant and peaceful as possible.
I couldn't agree more with you and I appreciate your positive comments.
I am very tolerant. I have to be because my neighbors are not as considerate.
I don't berate them or yell at them. I simply put up with the noise, watch for fires and try to keep my horses from getting overheated and sick from fear.
My concerns are for my animals and my property, and my neighbor's property and their animal.
I honestly care about the people in this city and elsewhere. I'm not the only person impacted by other's carelessness.
I'll enjoy the holiday, you do the same, and maybe one day we all can discuss banning fireworks without such fear and animosity.
Get involved in a positive way. There will be a Town Hall meeting with the Police Chief at the Fire Department where you can talk with him about any issues you have and the City Council will be there on July 10th at 7 or 7:30(check at city hall). Get the scoop from the Chief's mouth instead of gossiping.
Cody,
You sound a little defensive. Lighten up, (no pun intended)
Ban Fireworks!! They are dangerous and loud. It only takes one boob to a mistake or is to drunk to light the match correctly to cause problems for others. Frankly, I can think of better things to do with my time and money than to strick a match and wait for the boom. Grow Up!!
Just FYI...Ban Fireworks in Combine...your still a idiot...!! you must of not had any fun when you was a kid or money to buy them with or kids of your own to have fun with maybe your parents did not teach you to be careful with Fireworks. Banning Fireworks in Combine... this just takes you freedom away ,what if somebody wanted too ban horses in Combine
because you can get hurt by them
Well, I think you stated your position well and coming from a kid I have high hopes for you!
I would like to know why our GUNG HO officers feel that they are legally entitled to use excessive speed when they are not even within the city of Combine, not to mention even in Kaufman county.... Kaufman street at Combine Rd. is Seagoville and is also Dallas county. Zack passed me in excess of 70 mph on Kaufman st. earlier this week. As far as for the accidents being the reponsibility of city officers, it is true that they are to investigate accidents in CITY LIMITS. Unless, there is a commercial vehicle involved in the accident. Then, and only then is the State Patrol to get involved. But if it is a minor accident it is at the officers discretion. But come on, just have them move the vehicles off the roadway and continue to patrol. PATROL is what we need. We need a police presence on all streets in Combine, County and city. I have never even seen the Chief go past Winding Trail on Eubanks. He will stop and turn around. Zack will from time to time, but once or twice a day does not cut it. Zack will pull over motorist that do live in Combine and he knows they live here, for minor violations that other agencies do not bother to enforce, because they are MINOR. I do believe that Zack is a loose cannon that probably has had problems in the past at other agencies. Why else would he be here.
Do we really need two officers on duty at the same time. If only one officer is on duty, Crandall can be called for assistance. It has been done in the past. If the chief works a 12 hour shift and Zack works a 12 hour shift then we have 24 hour coverage. But, this will not make a difference unless they patrol more often. This crap of them having to be directed to do so by the sheriffs department may be true, but a peace officer is a peace officer no matter where they are at. If a peace officer witnesses a crime taking place in another jurisdiction they are entitled to get involved. But how can this happen when the Chief will not go past the city limits. If he does, he is not on Eubanks. I have had it with the sorry excuse for officers we have had in Combine in the last 8-9 years since CW was assaulted. Every officer we have had since has a chip on there shoulder.
Also, is it professional for a peace officer to SMOKE while interacting with citizens or motorist ? Look at Zack next time you pass him with someone stopped. 75% of the time he is smoking. Personally myself I do not think that is acceptable for someone who THINKS they are suppose to stand for something in this LITTLE CITY OF COMBINE.
I hear you. But lets give them a little more time to get accustomed to our small town. I have had a couple of conversations with the chief myself and I can tell he is a good man but he just seems to be trying to find his rythem. Give them a little more time. I have always thought that its much easier to tear someone down down than to bring someone up. Give them a chance.
I agree, most everyone doesn't even know the city limits around here so go to the Town Hall meeting, stop gossiping, talk to the Chief himself. If you have a problem with him or his officer speak to the Chief. Stop letting it brew. The Chief is a very good man with exceptional experience who wants to make a difference and who cares. Believe it or not there are people in this world like that!
I actually am happy to see some folks get speeding tickets in our little communitty. I wish the Combine police had been out this morning. A dark blue Huyandai Santa Fe SUV passed me exactly at the intersection of FM1389 & FM3039. And it was not like I was running well below the speed limit.So they were certainly speeding. They had NO business doing that and to make it worse, they had a firemans sticker in their back window. I guess the fireman forgot about all those fatal accidents he was must see while on duty. But then no one thinks it will happen to me. Maybe we should petition for stop signs and make us a 3-way stop right there, then maybe folks would appreciate just slowing down! So bring out the police and write those tickets!!!!!!!!!
Hear Hear!!!
So what was the agenda at the city council meeting, for us that could not attend?
Go by city hall and ask for a copy of the minutes. That way you get it from the appropriate source and there is no mistakes.
Therefore no gossip!
I have read and heard all the stuff being said, some funny some sad. but i just want to tell about an incident that happened to me this morning. i was pulled over by an officer on 1389 because my trailer had no tags on it. the tag had been stolen or knocked off last month so i went to get a new one at the county but couldn't mount it because the brace was broken off. at any rate the officer pulled me over to check it out and i explained to him what had happened and showed him the new plate that i was taking to have mounted today, so he wanted to check it out. he wrote me a warning so that if i was pulled over again i wouldn't be hassled. i just want to thank him for keeping an eye out for our community and having an eye to make sure that it WAS my trailer and wasn't being stolen. just goes to show you that they are watching our stuff and not just writing tickets. he was a very nice officer and i wanted to thank him publicy.
mike wood
Congrats to the Combine Chief and his officers! Two days in a row Combine has made the Channel 8 news. Chief O'Pry spoke very eloquently and professionally (that comes from his 25 years with the DPD and being on The First 48 hours many times!) with Macey Jebsen the top anchor with Channel 8 regarding the cut backs with the Dallas County Sheriff Officers Combine is facing and how it will affect Combine and then the very next day two drug houses were taken down by the Combine Police Department and the news covered that. Thank you Mr. Wood, I enjoyed reading the very intelligent and understanding common sense explaination you gave of the very worthy stop the officer did for you. It has really been nice seeing this blog be quiet except for good things being said. I praise the citizens for that. I think people are giving the Chief and the officers a chance now. They really are trying to TAKE BACK COMBINE for the citizens. There are a lot of drugs and thugs in this city and I think a blind eye has been turned for a long time. Combine has a good and Godly man as a Chief and he is there for a purpose. Good and greater things are coming.
To the GOOD citizens of this city. BEWARE. There are certain city council people, and I'm certain you know who they are, who are already conspiring to get rid of our chief. Plenty of gossip is going on about this city that they are already talking about replacing him because he wanted to talk to County Commissioner John Wiley Price regarding the deannexed streets in Combine and they feel they weren't told about it first. Fact is all the Chief was doing was going on a fact finding mission with the Mayor which he has every right to do. Why would the city council feel they need to have their nose in this? It is the Chief's job to bring the facts to them. The other fact is it is because as usual it is these certain city council people that have a power problem with their positions. Please citizens get involved. Stand up for your Chief. Go to the meetings and watch these two and three council persons in action and get involved in your city government. Combine is finally getting some decent police protection and the council is wanting to do away with the Chief who is in my opinion already over qualified for this little city as it is. We are very fortunate to have him. Speak up. This is ridiculous.
Afer reading the latest blog I would have to say it was equivalent to drinking a full glass of corn syrup!
Yes truth is a little thick to swallow for those who aren't use to hearing it saying as usual, it wasn't full of degradation of the police as the "average" reader of these blogs prefer it to be. I enjoy occasionally checking out the meager mind set of this community. It is entertaining.
Oh and let me clarify I do not point the finger to all of this community. I believe the majority is not meager minded as you sir or lady. Only those who make such belittling comments as you did regarding the comment above yours. You don't have to agree, but you don't have to be sarcastic.
I bet the guard will change by October.
I find it appalling that the citizens of Combine feel they should be exempt from receiving citations for traffic violations... Where I come from if you do wrong you suffer the consequences. Folks can say what they want to, but there are problems in Combine and we are very fortunante to have a person like Chief Opry to provide protection to our citizens... I just pray that satan's people don't run him out.
Amen! If you dont want a ticket, dont speed. Duh!!!
This chief is probably one of the best ones we will ever have.Let the poor guy do his job, and quit being a bunch of whiners.
I think the problem could be you.
Gee, I guess everone in Combine is guilty. You remind me of my mother in-law, everytime she gets in a corner like you she pulls out statements such as yours. Everybody is guilty. Hey- stick to what you know! If you can.
if we loose this chief we will all be sorry and have a VERY HARD time replacing him !!!!!!!!!!
Not sure why it is we put the police under such scrutiny. They are indeed supposed to our "Finest" Strangely enough they are also human and prone to mistakes, errors, poor judgment etc. I would hate to think that each of us was fired from our jobs each and every time we did something someone did not like. I am thinking there would be a much higher unemployment rate.
It is good to hear that there is real police work going on. It is good to hear that there is some proactive police work going on.
I personally have not been stopped by the new police officers, nor have I even spoken to one. However, I am one of those folks that do not think you need to be in such a hurry that you race down my road or pass me in such a hurry at school bus time that you endanger others.
I do not know if some of the other stories are true I have heard that are not so favorable about our officers, but I would hope that like most "stories" there is some shred of truth to them, but they are blown out of proportion.
I am still of the opinion that some police presence is better than no police presence.
The scripture "judge not, lest ye also be judged" comes to mind.
So maybe we can be a bit more supportive and a bit less critical of the folks we pay to protect us.
And........I get lost in all the "anonymous" folks on here, sure seems to be a popular name. So I will be sure and not use it. Have a great day.
Harley,
I think you said a lot when you stated " I have never met the officers nor have I been stopped by them". So what do you really know?
I would like to address the issue of some council members wanting to "get rid of the chief" I can only hope that is just another rumor. I know that some people do not understand the concept of finding the right person for the job, then providing what the council should provide, I.E. oversight.
The council has 364 days from his date of hire to decide if he is the man for the job. If the answer turns out to be no, then hen can be released "without cause". I would ask that the council take full advantage of that year. Give the man a chance to prove himself. But remember that he deserves th chance to do that job without 6 amateurs trying to tell him how.
Now let me go on record as saying that I like what I have seen so far. But I also Know that people dont call me with a complaint, they call those 6 amateurs. So if the complaints are real, and your tired of hearing them, then fire him. Just please do it in the correct fashion. And be prepared to explain it clearly and reasonably to the rest of us.
WHAT HAPPENED ON THE SEPT 18TH COMMUNITY WATCH MEETING...HAVENT HEARD ANYTHING ???? CAN YOU START A THREAD ABOUT IT ????
Paul,
The way you handle yourselve kinda makes you look like an amateur.
this site has gotten old and stagnant....no news to report ??? how was the f.d.'s fundraiser ??? whats up with the police...etc ???
This blog is old and doesn't serve its purpose anymore.
Why in the world is the Police Department having an auction? They are paid by our tax dollars. I understand why the VOLUNTEER fire department might need to raise money but the police??? Gimme a break!!!!
Besides, running two radar traps at the same time isn't likely to get very many people to give items or to buy items at your auction!
They need more money so that they can either do the traps 24/7 or set up a 3rd location!
As usual this blog is only used to "START" something as exemplified by the last two comments. You both must have gotten rightfully stopped by the police or you wouldn't be complaining. For your information... you really could care less or you would be inquiring in the right places about the police auction... it is to get rid of seized property which the law states must be done by an auction to the citizens...duhhhh if not used directly by the department. For your "other" information, a lot of the items being auctioned have been stored in a trailer that is useless to the core and were seizures dating back to 2001 which should have been done years ago but obviously Combine hasn't had a police chief worth anything to take care of things like they are supposed to be! You sound like you resent police presence in the city. You have verbalized no legitamite complaint. It is akin to baby complaining...whaaa, whaaa. Do other cities have 24/7 patrol? Do other cities run radar? OF COURSE, SO...what else do you want to complain about? You want this site to be useful?? Do something about it. Get involved in your city government and post it on here objectivly. And if you will do some checking, "YOUR" tax dollars do not pay our police budget well enough. Check with other cities such as Kemp which is about the same size and see what their police budget is. Combine doesn't even pay a fraction of needed budget for police. And believe me, if you get to know the officers Combine has now, you would understand how blessed this city is. This cheif has 25 years experience with Dallas PD. That is not a little city for your information. If you aren't willing to do that you have no right to complain. And just repeating rumors doesn't count. This cheif has an open door policy. Go meet him and his officers. Oh and P.S. he HAS had a large response from this community in donated items and THEY are very pleased with what this department is doing including myself!!
Well said! We are real lucky to have the police dept that we do now.The new chief is a great man. Stop by and have a talk, or maybe even a prayer with him, you will see for yourselves!
The only thing close to the same between Kemp and Combine is the population, with Combine having about 300 more people. What Kemp has that Combine doesn't is ........wait for it.....BUSINESSES!!! Until we get businesses inside the city limits, we will always have issues with our tax funds. This is not a municipality with a large tax base, we are a RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITY. We will never have a sewer system, we will never have trash pick- up and we will never have well maintained roads. If those that are so wont to preach to the rest of us would like to move their business to the city of Combine so that we can keep our "ohsowonderfulpolicedepartment" and get all these wonderful “big city” things, then bring it on. I challenge you to put your money where your mouth is.
By the way, I work from home for a solid 10 hours a day where I have a view to my street every single day. I can count on one hand how many times I’ve seen a patrol car come down the road in the last month. Would you care to guess the number? Zero….not once!!! I don’t want speed traps. I want more patrols. I want to see a benefit from my tax dollars. Right now I don’t see any…..at all!
Then get up from your chair, man up, and go tell the chief your problems with them.Until then, you have no leg to stand on.
Has the chief fired one of the officiers?
Well said Anonymous from 11/24 to anonymous 11/23.
I think it says a lot about Combine when our police have more traffic stops then Crandall does.
Man you guys are so ANTI-POLICE it isn't even funny. You make comments like it is YOUR JOB to count every little difference you THINK you find. I've got it figured out. Every complainer on this blog regarding the police must have been RIGHTFULLY stopped for some reason, otherwise you wouldn't have a thing to gripe about. You are pathetic. Shame on you. You would gripe if they weren't making stops and say they weren't doing their job. Go back to school,get an education, do something useful with your time. It's obvious you don't have anything better to do. Take some of that time and go back and reread the 6/13/08 at 12:57AM post. Thanks Chief and to your officers for your sacrifice and hard work. There ARE those of us who are thankful for what you do!
AMEN!!! Well said. One thing I have learned about this place,is there sure are a bunch of whiners around here, and most seem to appear here!
The Chief and his men are doing an excellent job, and we are lucky to have them.You whiney suckers need a life.
It's really very simple, if the people who are so opposed to the traffic stops would obey the traffic laws, and stop jeopardizing the lives of my children, grandchildren, and their fellow citizens by speeding up and down a farm to market road, passing school buses, etc...they would find that they do not have a problem.
I have no issues with traffic stops.....it's when the officers get touchy-feely that causes the problem.....and that's not a rumor.
Well, Combine made the news again today. It seems the city secretary has been spending time with the City credit card at Wal-Mart and other important spots (bowling!!!) to the tune of $10K. I suggest an immediate audit of the city's books. Doesn't anyone around city hall watch the checkbook?
Oooo, did Combine police catch her or did we have to get some help on the investigation? Unless they used a radar detector on her, probably not!!!!
It's really very simple, if the people who are so opposed to the traffic stops would obey the traffic laws, and stop jeopardizing the lives of my children, grandchildren, and their fellow citizens by speeding up and down a farm to market road, passing school buses, etc...they would find that they do not have a problem.
-----------------------------------
Perhaps you are one of the ones who persist in driving less than 45mph from one end of 1389 to the other with your nose pointing every which way but towards the windshield. Do you know how I can tell? I can see the bill of your cap when I'm behind you! Slowpokes and Sunday drivers are just as hazardous as those who speed.
i for one not only think the police and the chief are doing a good job, but i know they are. every interaction i have had with them has been both positive and informative. i suggest you all who have a problem with the chief do a little research on him and the record he had at the dallas p.d.(unlike what the council did on the last chief) he was a decorated detective who was not only thouroughly respected in the department but also in the courts in which he testified. i for one feel much safer for myself and my family for him being here. i suggest you do as i did, dont hide in here calling someone out...take the time go meet him and his officers, let them get to know you and you them. they are here to serve and protect us. crime is everywhere even our little bubble, but chief o'pry is doing more with less than any other agency i can think of.
Man you guys are so ANTI-POLICE it isn't even funny. You make comments like it is YOUR JOB to count every little difference you THINK you find. I've got it figured out. Every complainer on this blog regarding the police must have been RIGHTFULLY stopped for some reason, otherwise you wouldn't have a thing to gripe about. You are pathetic. Shame on you. You would gripe if they weren't making stops and say they weren't doing their job. Go back to school,get an education, do something useful with your time. It's obvious you don't have anything better to do. Take some of that time and go back and reread the 6/13/08 at 12:57AM post. Thanks Chief and to your officers for your sacrifice and hard work. There ARE those of us who are thankful for what you do!
Man you guys are so ANTI-POLICE it isn't even funny. You make comments like it is YOUR JOB to count every little difference you THINK you find. I've got it figured out. Every complainer on this blog regarding the police must have been RIGHTFULLY stopped for some reason, otherwise you wouldn't have a thing to gripe about. You are pathetic. Shame on you. You would gripe if they weren't making stops and say they weren't doing their job. Go back to school,get an education, do something useful with your time. It's obvious you don't have anything better to do. Take some of that time and go back and reread the 6/13/08 at 12:57AM post. Thanks Chief and to your officers for your sacrifice and hard work. There ARE those of us who are thankful for what you do!
-----------------------------------
Umm, we got your point the first time you posted this on 12/1. Is there really a need to repost it again on 12/5? Repeating yourself while questioning the education levels of other posters certainly says a lot about you.
Man you guys are so ANTI-POLICE it isn't even funny. You make comments like it is YOUR JOB to count every little difference you THINK you find. I've got it figured out. Every complainer on this blog regarding the police must have been RIGHTFULLY stopped for some reason, otherwise you wouldn't have a thing to gripe about. You are pathetic. Shame on you. You would gripe if they weren't making stops and say they weren't doing their job. Go back to school,get an education, do something useful with your time. It's obvious you don't have anything better to do. Take some of that time and go back and reread the 6/13/08 at 12:57AM post. Thanks Chief and to your officers for your sacrifice and hard work. There ARE those of us who are thankful for what you do!
Oh, I can play the game too...........
Umm, we got your point the first time you posted this on 12/1. Is there really a need to reposting it twiceon 12/5? Repeating yourself while questioning the education levels of other posters certainly says a lot about you.
And you are playing the game well because YOU are causing it to be repeated. I haven't even looked at this site since 12/1. Educate yourself on posting. Everytime you post to the URL it repeats the message. Duh.
And you are playing the game well because YOU are causing it to be repeated. I haven't even looked at this site since 12/1. Educate yourself on posting. Everytime you post to the URL it repeats the message. Duh.
___________________________________
Huh? Posting anonymously is not like using the name/url choice which leads to a blogger's identity page or a website. There is no reply/quote funtion in this blog to make a post copy in it's entirety. Have you considered that someone else is copying & pasting your original post in an attempt to troll this blog?
They need more money so that they can either do the traps 24/7 or set up a 3rd location!
This is a test. It is only a test. Had this been a real emergency, no one would have read this.
Taken from the 1/12/2009 agenda for the Combine City Council -
"11. Discussion & Action – Receive information from Chief O’Pry concerning the possibility of the City of Combine employing the use of Executive Technology by investigating the feasibility of installing cameras at selected intersections within the City."
Dallas is pulling back the use of red-light cameras as they are not as cost effective as expected.
We all know how many red-lights Combine has, don't we? Let me see... NONE!! So now, our wonderfully lauded Chief of Police thinks it's a good idea for Combine to have lights at "selected intersections"???
We really need cameras at stop signs to catch all those California stops the criminally minded citizens of Combine do on such a regular basis. Our tax dollars at work, huh?
Kids bashing mailboxes with baseball bats on a Saturday night will be nothing compared to shotgun-blasted vandalized cameras the city will have to pay for if this goes through. Then there are the start up costs....computers, solar systems to run the cameras, personnel to watch the resulting pictures.
We'll be the laughing stock of every city around here. Way to go Combine!!!!
Check out the city council meeting on 2/16/09. Item of discussion #8 -
Discussion & Action – Review employment duties, evaluation, discipline, or discharge of Chief O’Pry.
This should be a good meeting....LOL
Well, did the chief keep his job?
Chief lost his job on Monday, March 9th. Heard he go so upset that he had a heart attack & had to be taken away in an ambulance.
Chief didn't loose it, he resigned. Smart man. Sick city council. Did you know the city secretary is the new "Chief"? Council did a $5.00 on line background check and now she runs the entire place. A regular little "Hitler". She thinks she is a lawyer, because she is married to one and that she is a police officer because someone in her family is in the police dept. somewhere. As usual this city can't keep a police dept. The interim chief is one of the "reserves" the chief wanted to get rid of. Talk with the man 2 minutes, you will wonder what planet he came from. Ok, lets see what the next saga holds for this so called city.
The new city secretary can't even do the basics in MS Word. How hard is it to create a document so that it is easily understood? She is incapable of producing a simple formatted agenda.
She needs to go to admin school. I'm sure the city has the funds to send her to a top flight center of education. Now where is that city credit card??
two previous posts.
1. Hateful
2. Not-true
3. Typical of previous posts by the same people.
Not true? Hey, I'm sorry if the TRUTH hurts but I give as evidence any of the agendas posted on the city website since January - http://www.combinetx.com/Docs/
Are any two alike? No.... Are there glaring errors in each of them? Yes....
Maybe you don't like the truth or refuse to see the obvious but facts are facts. Believe in rumor or fallacies if you want to, I get my information from written documentation. Not gossip from the store or other people's hidden agendas. Good luck with turning a blind eye to the truth.
the fact that we have lost the chief we had (o'pry) is a disgrace. he was a good man and a great chief for us. i swear i am really lost about the direction of or community (we are not a city). he was always available to any citizen who hada question or concern. he and the officers were polite and genuine in their roles for us. a loss for combine and a victory for the bugtussle regime !!!!!
While the former Chief of Police might have been a nice man, he wasn't a very good administrator. You folks do realize that he blew through his entire annual budget in six months and was going back to the city council for more $$$. Did you know he wanted to have the city erect a building strictly for the police departments use? And that he wanted to have stop sign cameras installed? Yes, STOP SIGN CAMERAS!!! I don't know about you but I would prefer that my tax dollars be spent on maintaining our road or other pressing needs.
While I appreciate the police cruising down my street, must they do it at twice the posted speed limit? I hardly think they have time to spot any suspicious activity if they blow by my house at 40+ mph.
well he was better than anything we have had here, and was doing a lot with very little. i agree the stop sihn cameras were a bad idea, but they were just an idea. we will have hard time replacing him and for all the good he did for our community i appreciate him. he worked tirelessly trying to rid our town of crime and drugs....what other police have tired to organize crime watches and etc ???
For the post of 3/17 at 9:58pm: The stop sign camera idea was never proposed with the city council. It was an idea due to the fact the city can't afford 24/7 police protection. There are only a few ways in and out of the city. The camera's cost was way less than a police officer's salary and would be used for criminal activity, not speeding, running signs etc. You are little city minded. And your "blow by my house at 40 mph" comment, unless you know the kind of call they were on, you can't judge. You can also check the city council minutes on the building he had proposed not too long after he came. It included "city hall" not just the PD and all but about $80 thousand he had "donated" but your city council as usual couldn't afford it. He had a shoestring budget that the council promised would be increased and he was told to do what he needed. It is just not right to be critical when you don't know all the facts. Read the minutes, attend the meetings.
amen to that comment....he did more with less than anything i can think of !!!!!!!!!
To the poster on 4/3 at 2am - Wasn't mentioned to the city council re: stop sign cameras? So you're saying they don't read their own agenda?
Quote below taken from the agenda posted on the city website for the city council meeting of 1/12/09 -
"11. Discussion & Action – Receive information from Chief O’Pry concerning the possibility of the City of Combine employing the use of Executive Technology by investigating the feasibility of installing cameras at selected intersections within the City."
And as far as blowing by my house at 40 mph? I live on a dead end road. The officer drove up the road & then back down the road in just a few minutes. In addition, he didn't have any lights or sirens on. If he was on a call, then he must work amazingly fast. Plus it's happened precisely the same way more than once in the last few months.
And unless you are the Chief himself, how do YOU know what O'Pry was promised by the city council? Nice try, Mr. O'Pry!
How do you know that I don't attend meetings? I've taken off my rose-colored glasses when it comes to community politics. You might try a dose of reality as well.
Combine certainly isn't Dallas and it's not Seagoville or Crandall either. Combine is a very small community with a diverse population who have vastly different education levels, household incomes and expectations of what a "city" should be. Expecting THIS city to afford police or other expensive services backed by what is virtually a personal property tax base is beyond ridiculous. Until Combine can get businesses that provide more sales tax revenue than a convenience store & feed store, we will never be able supply a police department that keeps criminal activity down to a minimum or maintain our roads in safe condition.
well perhaps we should start taxing the meth labs ??? if you want police it costs money !!!!!!!! geez people ya'll are spoiled damn brats...you want all these services but dont wat to pay. you want the cops there, but dont write me, him or her a ticket or "those people" perhaps a miltia should be formed to protect us and our property, but then who will regulate the drugs and lawlessness ???? oooh i know we can hire the trash hawgs !!!!!!
To the post on 4/6/09 at 7:45 you are a laugh. Like I said attend the meetings not look at the website!!!IF you had been there you would have known it was passed over and never discussed. As usual you are one of "those" citizens who love stirring up trouble about nothing you know! You are one of those police haters, your comments are obvious. I know Mr. O'Pry personally he will not browse this website. He was told about it early in his career and stated he would never get involved in gossip with the city. I for one have a great curiosity and try to watch for people like you who don't get their facts straight. That is how I know you didn't attend the city council meeting, YOUR SO CALLED FACTS and your admission that you looked at the website! You dislike the man because he is "police" without knowing him personally and knowing the good man he is. As far as an administrator, you couldn't have had a better one on for the mere $28 thousand a year budget they gave him. You try that!
4/9 7:51 a.m. post........perfect, couldnt have said it better myself
To poster at 4/9/09 7:51 AM -
Again you have missed the obvious in your zeal to defend the former chief. The stop sign camera issue was still on the AGENDA that the city council and the community got TO READ! Whether the item was discussed is moot and whether I attended that particular meeting or any other is not important. The idea was proposed by the former chief whether he or YOU like to admit it. And the idea is idiotic, in my opinion, and gigantic WASTE of my tax dollars whether the city council discussed it or not.
If you have any reading comprehension at all, I stated I don't believe he was a good administrator. Spending his entire "shoestring budget that the council promised would be increased and he was told to do what he needed." in six months is not good administration, period. If he's so smart and so experienced, how can he run his department based on the "promises" of the city council? If he was such a brilliant administrator, he might realize that the economy is in the toilet so sales tax revenues would be down & maybe, just maybe, the council couldn't keep their promise? To be a good administrator, you have to have a basic understanding of finance with an eye to the future.You think the rest of us run their households & businesses based on "promises"? So if I promised you that you would win the lottery tonight, you would go out and buy a new home and a garage full of sports cars? The "fact" is that he had a $28k budget and that's all he had to spend.
I don't believe I have ever said I liked or disliked the former chief or any chief Combine has ever had. Me liking or disliking the man has no bearing on his job performance. If you feel the need to bow at his feet for all the wonderful deeds he has done for you and sing his undying praise....well, feel free to be as weird as you want to be. You just want to blast anyone who has anything less than positive to say about the chief. How about we discuss issues? Try a little problem solving? Move on, maybe?
Where did Zack go? Surely if he has gone to another police department they need to be WARNED!
I also saw him driving like he was a stuntman in an action movie. And I heard many stories of him harassing the women he stopped, myself included. I did come to appreciate Chief O'Pry, though couldn't understand his tolerance of Mazri's actions. Also, I must say I was robbed the other day and the new officer's did a GREAT job of helping me. They were prompt, very courteous, and professional.
Zach had an IQ of 81 and also had a complex about his height....
What's the deal with the Mayor and the city council meeting on Monday?
i heard there is a big brew haha brewing ???
Actually it's Tuesday at 4:00 PM, not Monday.
Why 4:00 PM? Do they not want the citizens to be able to attend? Usually these meetings happen around 6:30-7:00, so folks can come after work. Something doesn't seem right about this.
Anyone know what this is all about, besides the vague description on the posted agenda??
The city council goes into "executive" session at 4 p.m. which means John Q Public isn't going to be privy to their discussion. I find it doubtful that they would rehash their private discussion when they reconvene in front of the public after their session.
I'm sure rumor and innuendo will be going full blast soon. The actual truth might be in there somewhere.
anybody hear what happened? what the word?
If the city of Combine is so broke, according to channel 4, how do they have so many officers and broken down cars? It appears the car the chief drives is only a year old. Cars usually last longer than that. Also that new sign in front of Matlocks, what happened to the money from the grant. I heard it was $25,000. Supposedly all the work was donated, so where is the money?????? Even if they paid to have it built, it sure wouldnt cost 25 grand. This city is the biggest joke I have ever seen. We need a complete changing of the guard. Do any of the city leaders even have a brain?
Move away.
well well!! I have a idea for all you people who live in Combine and like to post your little comments on this site, how about make sure all of you are tax payers in our dear little broke ass city before you open your mouths. There are to many comments by to many people who dont have any say in anything around here. why dont all you people on crestman, oak hollow add. and all the other places in this town that have to pay city taxes go down and man up and pay taxes like just a handfull of us that do. that is what the city runs on so if you dont pay up, shut up. you sure dont complain when you are in need and the police and fire depts. come to your aide do you? there are to many old timers around here that get away with anything they want and it is very stupid , they get away with no city taxes on any of their rental properties or the ones they live in. maybee if the city could get all of you to pay for your fair share then we wouldnt have this stupid website to bitch and complain about how this city sucks and how everyone that works for it are idiots. there are alot of dedicated ,very well qualified people that give their time to be there for everybody in and around this city no mater where or when or how bad the situation that dont get the right equipment to do the job safely but they do it anyway, so lets all go to city hall and get on the tax role and this city wont have a money or safety problem anymore.
Waa waa waa! Answer the question, if you are so in the know about everything around here. Where is the money?????????
wheres the money? look in your and everyone elses bank accounts that dont pay city taxes and pay the city about $700.00 a year in city taxes(yes that is all it is )and we wouldnt even be talking about it. if you were really a smart person you would look for a way to fix the problem not make it worse by going up to matlocks with all the rest of the gossipers in the lovely city of combine that dont know what the hell they are talking about.
all you have to do is go to city hall and ask to see the records of where the grant money was spent! it is a public record. but you already knew that since you talk with the rest of the smart people at matlocks or should i say the real city hall of combine.
It sure is great to see the fine citizens of Combine posting their opinions and complaints on this blog. If memory serves me, the council (with at least one member that does not live in the city) passed a city tax several years ago. The problem is the rate of the tax was not comparable to other Texas cities. The rate was about half of the usual rate a city would pass and due to this fact the city does not have the money to provide expected services a typical city would provide; however, it did succeed in making the average resident angry, and with good reason. The council passed a useless tax that only provides a salary to the usual suspects; municipal judge, city secretary (we know how the last one turned out) police chief (that did not last either), and one or two police officers.
As far the grant, I assume ya’ll are talking about the COPS grant for police officers. The grant pays for a police officer for three years and then the city has to start paying for the officer. If the contract is broken and the city does not start picking up the tab, the city is supposed to pay back the money. Of course, we may not be talking about the same grant money. By the way, President Bush eliminated the COPS grants but President Obama has reinstated the program. Maybe the city could apply for another one.
The comment about people complaining and they don’t live in the city is right on target. If you look at a map with the actual city limits on it, you can see you did not want to be inside the city limits. These people have a lot to say about what the city does and they have no dog in the fight because they live in the county.
so whats the deal with the goofy city party planned for this weekend? i saw a sign at the corner of 1389 & 3039 where it said "donations for the police department are EXCEPTED"...HAHAHA was this illiterate spelling and supposed to say ACCEPTED or worse a freudian slip and supposed to say EXPECTED....please i would imagine that they are the latter.
i see our city council is raising taxes by the MAXIMUM OF 10PERCENT for next year....wow !!!!!!
Doesn't 10% come out to 2 cents per 100 dollars?
Where do you think the money will come from to take care of the city's needs?
It's a problem when the mayor & three of the city council persons were elected based on their support of "no new taxes" and "all the roads in the city will be fixed, not just Davis". Seems that the worm(s) is doing more than just a bit of turning.
Things change. Recessions take away from the tax base. Roads have been repaired, but some of them were done incorrectly by the Kaufman road department, and they refuse to make good on their mistakes. By the way, when election time rolls around for county roads commissioner - don't re-elect the same person.
No one likes taxes, especially those folks who were elected. But you have to live in the real world, and take care of the business of running a city. Once someone is in office they get all the information about running a city. Many times they just didn't know how difficult and costly it is.
I think it's a good lesson for everyone. Don't make a promise you don't know if you can keep.
And stop playing the political card of "no taxes" to get people to vote for you. It's simply not doable. When a city has so little commercial tax base, it stands to reason that money to run things will have to come from somewhere.
Would be lovely if this community could pull together and raise money independently (as in the recent police auction) ... but too many folks prefer to rage against everything instead of offering solutions.
dont know who the math genius is who think that 10 percent tax is only .02 cents on $100.00....but let me give you a quick math lesson you can "cypher" here....10 percent is 1/10th of whatever the amount you are paying...i am not sure how much they have your trailer valued at so i cant tell you what amount it is. roads look great we should be proud of the way the city used our money....oh yes and the way they let the city secretary squander thousands at wal mart for personal use.....perhaps the city got some wal mart stock back in return....she spent as much as the taxes are to increase...did they go after her ?!?!?!?!?!?! this town is a pathetic joke. you are driving out the good working people who made this community what it ONCE was
Public records & the internet are a beautiful thing -
The State of Texas Vs. Pamela Lynn Stone - Case No. 27702-86
Case Type: Adult- Felony
Date Filed: 04/16/2009
Location: Kaufman 86th District Court
MISAPP FIDUCIARY/FINANCE PROPERTY >=$1,500<$20K
CSCD 5 Years with Community Service of 120 Hours
$0.00 Fine,$327.00 Crt Cost,$16000.00 Restitution(victim)
CSCD = Adult Probation
Hmmmmm.....
well that is good didnt realize they got her convicted....the deal is though that they didnt have safe guards in place that PREVENTED that from happening in the 1st place. just another example of how this city's leaders cant handle the responsibility of running a city and its money...their solution is just get more money???
Have you checked out the new budget proposal on the city's website yet?
http://www.combinetx.com/Docs/Budget10.pdf
Current year budget shows $12K revenue for court fines. Proposed budget shows revenue of $36K for fines. That's a 300% freaking increase!!!!!
So the city council plans to raise our taxes and fine it's citizens to near bankruptcy? I have no doubt the increased monies are expected from our police department by issuing speeding & other infraction citations once FM 1389's resurfacing is complete.
Public hearing on the budget and tax rate increase is September 8th at 7:30 in City Hall & September 9th is the special meeting to approve and pass the tax rate & budget.
very interesting the new budget!!!!! i guess they are going to use the new shoulder to write more tickets? why dont they do like all of us have to and figure out a way to cut costs and be frugle insted of just raising taxes even more in hard times?
What trailer I live in?
Is that supposed to be an insult? Plenty of people in Combine and surrounding areas live in mobile homes. So what??
What an elitist.
There's nothing wrong with this town or the people who serve on the city council. Everybody is trying to do the best they can with increased costs, and a lower tax base.
The ranting about paying taxes for the services that are expected and needed is ridiculous. Taxes are a necessity. It's how a city government pays the bills.
Every city in the country is having to raise taxes right now. Our city is no different. The city council is doing their best to keep it at a minimum.
Combine has grown and will continue to grow. It cost money to run it.
If you're concerned about being ticketed, obey the law. Court costs come from many sources, not just traffic fines.
There is a segment of society right now that is feeding on anger and fear. It fuels their every thought. They promote anger against the government every chance they get. Then it turns into anger against their neighbors, and in some instances, anger against anyone in their family with a different opinion.
When times are difficult some people wallow in how bad they think things are. They only listen to opinions that are the same as theirs. Their fear turns them into mad men. They lose all perspective. They think the "Anti-Christ" is here, that their guns are going to be taken away, their neighbors are idiots, the police are out to get them, socialism is right around the corner, the country (or city) is crumbling. In other words... they are clinically paranoid.
Other people pull together, support each other, recognize the God fragment in each person, work on solutions, deal with each day in a positive way- even when their day is filled with unpleasant or unexpected obstacles. Respect their neighbors (even if they live in a trailer) and seek realistic solutions.
There are people who are just angry about everything. It's how they get their kicks.
May I suggest anger management counseling and meditation classes? Then sit in silence and thank God for the blessings in your life.
It will do you a world of good.
not an elitist at all...just that trailers taxes go down every year and houses go up in value. the economy is hurting us all and you'd think the city would tighten there purse strings like the rest of us have had to. there is a lot of waste in ANT & ALL gov't. entity and this one is no different. sorry if i touched a sore nerve, but we get NO real tangible services from this city we didnt already recieve....cops only write tickets, fire dept is and has been volunteer, sewer...nope, trash...nope, and the roads pleeeeease, that has been a joke. what do you get from the city you didnt already get ??????? please do answer....also you should be paranoid unless you are a welfare recipient, a liberal know it all, a socialist, a marxist, or a drain on taxpayers...i have a gun and will carry it until our new communist gov't. prys it from my cold dead hands !!!!!!!
I see you've bought into the "communist" government junk. Relax, nobody is trying to take your guns away.
Were you at the tax hearing meeting last night at city hall?
There's a full reveal of where the city taxes go listed on the city website.
All the name calling in the world doesn't make this a better city to live in.
This comment has been removed by the author.
It is unfortunate the person that started this blog has chosen not to keep it up. Let's give it another try, please check out the new blog for combine at http://thecombiner.blogspot.com
By CYNTHIA VEGA / WFAA-TV
Gypsy Cop
•
ARLINGTON — He's known as a "gypsy cop" — traveling from town to town taking jobs with law enforcement.
Now, Michael Meissner has been arrested in Arlington, charged with seven felony counts, including possession or promotion of child pornography; promotion of prostitution; and engaging in organized crime in Dallas and Tarrant counties, authorities said.
After search warrants were issued, police investigators intercepted electronic messages that were part of the evidence.
"These were very sexually graphic messages, including information regarding a pornography operation that he was engaging in as well as the aggravated promotion of prostitution," said Combine police detective J. Hoskins.
Meissner, 39, had most recently been a police officer in Little River-Academy, Texas, about 150 miles south of Dallas. He was featured in a series of News 8 Investigates reports in 2007. At the time, he was police chief in Caney City, a small town in Henderson County.
The veteran of 17 small-town law enforcement jobs in the past 18 years seemed to operate under his own rules, spending much of his time working off-duty security jobs 60 miles away in Dallas.
The News 8 report found that Meissner had used a phony college diploma for certification and failed to let his employers know that he had been arrested twice.
Investigators say Meissner is an embarrassment to law enforcement. They say they found evidence that he e-mailed information about a person who had wronged him to a blogger in New Hampshire. That person then wrote inflammatory remarks about that man.
Hoskins is accused of intending to harm that man.
"This all started as one investigation into the misuse of official information, but we got other evidence of other crimes in multiple jurisdictions as a result of our search warrants," Detective Hoskins said.
Meissner is accused of engaging in organized criminal activity and retaliation
Meissner is accused of engaging in organized criminal activity and retaliation, and as a result of examining phone records and e-mail messages additional felony cases were developed related to pornography and solicitation of minors.
Bond is set at $1.5 million, and officials believe they have only scratched the surface in this case.
Meissner could face 110 years in prison and a $70,000 fine, according to police in Combine, which secured and executed the arrest warrants. Combine straddles Dallas and Kaufman counties. It's about 25 miles southeast of Dallas.
Dallas Morning News staff writers Jordan Hofeditz and Sarah Acosta contributed to this report.
You're not like to get too many people over to the new website. If they can't post anonymously, then they are not likely to post at all. The idiots don't like to expose their lack of sense.
Me? I have a reputation to uphold thus the pseudonym.
Signed,
Black
New blog,,http://thecombiner.blogspot.com has been adjusted to allow for anonymous postings.
I missed that in the setup, thanks for the heads up.
So, tell me your thoughts. You like the road work? You think we will really get shoulders? I personally thing a couple of turn lanes would work out better than shoulders. We have a deadly history of turning off of FM1389, so a turn lane at FM3039 and another at Davis would be really nice.
And your thoughts?
I don't think the state would be interested enough in our little Farm to Market roads to buy up the rights of way necessary to make turn lanes possible on either 1389 or 3039.
As a parent, I am much more interested in getting 3039 fixed. Driving below the speed limit on #5 is hazardous. Speeding or on days when it is raining...well..somebody is going to end up in the river someday. God forbid that it's a school bus.
And as a city tax payer, I am beyond ticked off that Davis Road gets fixed over any other road in the city. It's been fixed multiple times plus the city still owes money on the last fix. When is our council going to take the bull by the horns to get Davis fixed properly once and for all? We need a general road contractor to tear the road down to the base, dig ditches to fix drainage problems and build a decent long- wearing road surface. Hiring "Bubba the fly by night" asphalt dude or our worthless County Commissioner to do anything is a waste of time and tax dollars.
And Harlan & Loren Boyd Roads are not the only city streets with problems. Tried driving down Beasley or York Circle lately?
i agree totally with the above post...#5 is horrible...and turn lanes wont happen in our life time...soulders would be nice though
Anyone happen to remember when the annual community clean happens?
Usually happens sometime in mid-May
Ok, that is weird someone is cutting and pasting all the post from the new combine blog into this one? good grief let this thing die.....that is just creepy
I agree some other roads need a great of work. I guess I don't understand what the deal is with turn lanes. I agree they would be good. It seems like less pavement than shoulders and we are only talking about 2 small pieces of road and a few paint stripes. What don't I understand?
3039 needs resurfacing more than 1389. I fear the rainy day that one of the high school kids hydros, and kills someone. It needs to go on the priority list now.
Don't fear that 3039 needs resurfacing more than 1389. Because somebody kid has already killed somebody by a high shcool kid going to school one morning about 10 years ago on 3039 he hit him in the rear end because he was driving to fast.The better the road the faster they drive
Check out the new blog for combine at http://thecombiner.blogspot.com
FYI The Seagoville Minyard was sold to Brookshires hope they can stay in business
Good luck in getting the Pharmacy up & going
I went to the Pharmacy on Tuesday and all was working how
Subject: Voters Guide for November 3 Constitutional Amendment Election
Following is a link to the League of Women Voters Web Site and their "Voters Guide". The guide explains the Propositions on the November 3 Constitutional Amendment Election, and also gives Arguments For and Against each proposal..
http://www.lwvtexas.org/2009VG/2009CAVG[FINAL].pdf
**********************************************************************************************
Those of you eligible for "Voting by Mail" need to sharpen your #2 pencils as that is required for marking the ballots.
If interested but have not yet applied for "Ballot by Mail", deadline for them to receive the application is October 27.
Other deadlines are October 30 for Early Voting and November 3 (Election Day) for their receipt of completed "Ballots by Mail".
*************************************************************************************************
If you opt to vote by mail, you will receive an application in the mail, for which you must pay return postage. They then will send your ballot, and they pay return postage. The completed ballot goes into the white "Ballot Envelope" which is returned in the brown "Carrier Envelope".
Do NOT put more than one ballot in the brown envelope, which has a label affixed for you and is the only identifier for that ballot. They have instructions printed within the packet you will receive, including the phone number for additional questions (214-819-6359).
This is a great way to vote and is applicable in all Texas general elections.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rush_Limbaugh
1. Discussion & Action- Police Department request to move Daven Chapa from Reserve officer to Paid position and Dennis Gotcher from Reserve officer to paid position.
2. Discussion & Action- Police Chief request to add Reserve officer to cover shifts so the City is getting 24 hr 7 day police coverage.
Does anybody know how this came out or the results?
both actions we passed. the two new paid officers and 6 more reserve officers.
Why is it that if you stand a broom up it will stay there without falling down?
When the planets are aligned this happens
It’s true. The gravitational pull from the sun's gravity lines with earth on the fall equinox. Try doing it with an egg. It’s funny!
Happy Halloween
The Combine Volunteer Firefighters would like to invite YOU, the Combine Community to attend dinner and participate in the auction following a great meal. This annual event helps to raise money for your fire department. With your help through donations, grants and tax revenue, we have made dramatic strides in improving this department.
We have some of the best equipment in the county. Four of our six trucks are now new enough to run efficiently and be safe for your firefighters to operate. We still have two trucks that need replacing.
Unfortunately, they are the most important. Our engine is a 1984 year model and the back-up engine is a 1981 year model. Both are operating, and hopefully,will answer the call for house fires. Replacing these 2 trucks is this department’s main focus for the next few years. It is imperative to replace them, so that your firefighters can safely and efficiently respond when you need them the most.Remember, all of these firefighters volunteer. They do not get paid to train or respond to calls. The State requires that your firefighters do everything that is required of the paid professional firefighter like those in the Dallas Fire Deparment,but for free. Your firefighters actually risk their lives for this communityand again, for free. Show your support for them, like they do for you, by attending this event.
Dinner from 5-7pm The BBQ supper is $10.00 a plate all you can eat. We will also have a band playing.
Live auction starts at 7pm
Don’t miss this opportunity for fun and entertainment. Help us Help you. Items
for the auction may be dropped off at the Fire Station or City Hall. You can call Carolyn Smith (214-957-4288) or Renee Roysdon (972-533-0921) and they will meet you to pick up your auction item or let you know how you can help.
CFD BBQ Supper Date November 14 2009 hope to see y'all there
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Does anybody know if our Police Chief rescind ?
[url=http://sunkomutors.net/][img]http://sunkomutors.net/img-add/euro2.jpg[/img][/url]
[b]nero 9 key generator, [url=http://sunkomutors.net/]i buy software to[/url]
[url=http://sunkomutors.net/][/url] microsoft software to buy microsoft software products
history educational software [url=http://sunkomutors.net/]software price comparison[/url] buying photoshop software
[url=http://sunkomutors.net/]shop savvy software[/url] buy cheap software online
[url=http://sunkomutors.net/]educational discounts on software[/url] disable nero 9 registration
hacking software for sale [url=http://sunkomutors.net/]wisconsin student discount software[/b]
Have a Happy Thanksgiving Day
A guy in a hot air balloon realized he was lost. He lowered his altitude and spotted a man in a boat below. He shouted to him, "Excuse me, can you help me? I promised a friend I would meet him an hour ago, but I don't know where I am."
The man in the boat consulted his portable GPS and replied, "You're in a hot air balloon, approximately 30 feet above ground elevation of 2,346 feet above sea level. You are at 31 degrees, 14.97 minutes north latitude and 100 degrees, 49.09 minutes west longitude.
"The guy in the balloon rolled his eyes and said, "You must be an Republican."
"I am,"replied the man in the boat. "How did you know"
"Well," answered the balloonist, "everything you told me is technically correct. But I have no idea what to do with your information, and I'm still lost. Frankly, you've not been much help to me."
The man in the boat smiled and responded, "You must be a Obama Democrat."
"I am," replied the balloonist. "How did you know?"
"Well," he said , "you don't know where you are or where you are going. You've risen to where you are due to a large quantity of hot air. You made a promise you have no idea how to keep, and you expect me to solve your problem. You're in exactly the same position you were in before we met, but somehow, now it's my fault."
A guy in a hot air balloon realized he was lost. He lowered his altitude and spotted a man in a boat below. He shouted to him, "Excuse me, can you help me? I promised a friend I would meet him an hour ago, but I don't know where I am."
The man in the boat consulted his portable GPS and replied, "You're in a hot air balloon, approximately 30 feet above ground elevation of 2,346 feet above sea level. You are at 31 degrees, 14.97 minutes north latitude and 100 degrees, 49.09 minutes west longitude.
"The guy in the balloon rolled his eyes and said, "You must be an Republican."
"I am,"replied the man in the boat. "How did you know"
"Well," answered the balloonist, "everything you told me is technically correct. But I have no idea what to do with your information, and I'm still lost. Frankly, you've not been much help to me."
The man in the boat smiled and responded, "You must be a Obama Democrat."
"I am," replied the balloonist. "How did you know?"
"Well," he said , "you don't know where you are or where you are going. You've risen to where you are due to a large quantity of hot air. You made a promise you have no idea how to keep, and you expect me to solve your problem. You're in exactly the same position you were in before we met, but somehow, now it's my fault."
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Waddell’s counselor hit Time’s sweet spot: “We get all excited when Johnny goes marching off to war, and then we forget about him a few days later when our favorite football team loses a game.”
Time only forgets about our fighting men when they’re dragged into court for capturing a terrorist.
It’s not like the Abed story is unconfirmed. Kate Wiltrout had the story for the Norfolk Virginian-Pilot last week: “The military confirmed Wednesday that Petty Officer 2nd Class Matthew McCabe, 24, was charged last month with assaulting a detainee, dereliction of duty for failing to protect a detainee and making a false statement. Petty Officer 1st Class Julio Huertas and Petty Officer 2nd Class Jonathan Keefe are accused of failing to protect the man, whose identity is classified, said Lt. Col. Holly Silkman, a spokeswoman for the military’s special operations command.”
The New York Post wasn’t shy about this outrage. “And so the SEALs will be arraigned on Dec. 7 -- another reason for the date to live in infamy,” it stated. “Ironically, if the three had treated Abed like Al-Qaeda-in-Iraq has routinely treated American soldiers it captures, his bloody, mutilated corpse would’ve turned up floating in a river. (For the record, the number of US combat troops captured in Iraq and Afghanistan who have been recovered alive is approximately zero.)”
The national media don’t want to touch this story, such is their hostility to the United States military, no matter how much they profess to the contrary. You’ve heard the Obama White House insist that Fox News is not a “legitimate news organization.” This story demonstrates, yet again, that Fox often is just about the only legitimate news organization.
It’s high time the American people started getting very vocal in their outrage.
The Combine Volunteer Fire Department would like to take this time to thank the Community of Combine for the over whelming success of our fund raising Dinner & Auction, that took place on November 14th at the Fire Station.
The turnout of people in the community was tremendous. Nearly everyone that attended sat down to a dinner of Brisket, Beans, Potato Salad, Bread, and Tea. One of the great benefits of having this event was the number of people that told us that this is the only time they get to sit and visit with most of the community.
During dinner, the Acoustic Sound Hounds played music for everyone’s enjoyment.
We had a very large number of items to auction. Everything from a Flat Screen TV to the American Flag flown over Iraq. Too many desserts & calories to count helped to make up our auction items. We can’t thank people enough for donating items and services to the auction.
We cannot thank everyone by name. There were so many people that helped us. Some mailed in donations if they could not attend. Others made donations at the event, purchased items during the auction, donated items and services to auction, made phone calls to the community, helped set up dinner, set up the auction items, cleaned up, and more.
All the firefighter’s hope that the entire community knows how much we appreciate the donations and also how much we depend on them. We could not do without your support at this event and during the year.
From this Fund Raiser, the Department had $1,082 in expenses. After deducting the expenses, the Department put a check in the bank for $10,543.81. Each of you should be very proud of what you help to raise. You can rest assured, that all of it goes right back into the Combine Community.
All our thanks, The Combine Volunteer Fire Department.
The residents of a small Kaufman County community are keeping an eye on a levee that has eroded to a potentially dangerous level. Many say they are worried about possible flooding.
The residents of Combine are watching and waiting after learning the Bois d'arc Island levee has eroded down to only five feet.
"If it's not fixed, no telling what would happen" says resident Floy Ballantine.
The levee sits on private ranch land, but if there's heavy rain some adjacent homes could flood.
Many like Billy Walker say they're prepared to evacuate. "I'm ready to go. I've got all my valuables packed."
The town's small volunteer fire department warned residents about the danger and told them to sign up for phone alerts in case.
But, residents here also want answers as to how the levee got to this stage. "I don't understand it getting in that kind of condition" says Ballantine.
Kaufman County officials tell CBS 11 the group in charge of maintaining the levee left because there was no money to fix the levee.
City officials say board members who left put nobody in charge.
Now, the town is scrambling to get help from the county and the Army Corps of Engineers.
In the meantime, Ballantine and other residents hope the levee holds. "I'm not prepared, but I'd just get in my car and go. I hope I don't have to do that. I'm hoping it'll get fixed, whatever it takes"
The City of Combine will hold another meeting next week to try and get the levee repaired.
Kaufman County officials say state engineers have determined, if there is a flood, it would be a slow release and residents would have time to leave.
AT&T DSL internet service is now available for more residents in Combine. Go check out your address at www.att.com under Internet to see if DSL is at your house now.
Hmmm, got a postcard today. Seems our City Secretary is starting her own accounting business. Will there be a job opening at city hall soon?
It agree, it is the remarkable information
Rather amusing message
Happy New Year to you and your families during this time that Christ was born and may your families be blessed through out this year 2010.
Our fair city made the news again. And again we looked like total idiots. I give you this link to an article in the DMN -
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/010110dnmetmeissner.3f4c714.html
Your blog keeps getting better and better! Your older articles are not as good as newer ones you have a lot more creativity and originality now keep it up!
You people do realize this blog is dead,,,,right? All the postings in the last few months have been copied from the new blog. http://thecombiner.blogspot.com/
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Evidently there is a Town Hall meeting scheduled for Thursday evening, January 28th at the church. There is a link on the city's website to the agenda but it leads to the agenda for the January 11th council meeting. Umm, hello? Person in charge of city's website posting, ever heard of checking links??
Did anybody go to the Town Hall meeting?
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Dont forget to vote on May 8th 2010for the city council, also Combine summerfest is on May 15th.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Dave's is open in Cradall
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Take a moment to read this poem… I’m sure most of you have seen it before, but it’s still a great reminder the impact you can have on one’s life! Are you going to look the other way??
I could have saved a life today
I could have saved a life today,
But I chose to look the other way.
It wasn’t that I didn’t care,
I had the time, and I was there.
But I didn’t want to seem a fool,
Or argue over a safety rule.
I knew he’d done the job before,
If I called it wrong, he might get sore.
The chances didn’t seem that bad,
I’ve done the same, he knew I had.
So I shook my head and walked on by,
He knew the risks as well as I.
He took the chance, I closed an eye,
And with that act, I let him die.
I could have saved a life today,
But I chose to look the other way.
Now every time I see his wife,
I’ll know I should have saved his life.
That guilt is something I must bear,
But it isn’t something you need to share.
If you see a risk that others take,
That puts their health or life at stake.
The question asked, or thing you say,
Could help them live another day.
If you see a risk and walk away,
Then hope you never have to say,
I could have saved a life today,
But I chose to look the other way.
Happy New year 2011
We accommodate all kinds of high property s that come in a variety of styles,[url=http://www.safeandsoon.com/]cheap wedding dress[/url]
colors and sizes at wholesale price.All are second-rate with up to the minute styles compound apparels including artist wedding adorn, strand coalescence dresses, bridal gowns, bridesmaids dresses, prom outfits, flower young lady dresses & nourisher dresses.Even we can stock the services of open weight customization and manumitted plus scope Shop affordable amazing joining dresses now!make use of hot shopping, array marvellously for the whacking big nuptials with the labourers of G-marry bridal.
http://www.safeandsoon.com/
top [url=http://www.001casino.com/]001casino.com[/url] hinder the latest [url=http://www.realcazinoz.com/]online casino[/url] manumitted no deposit bonus at the chief [url=http://www.baywatchcasino.com/]baywatch casino
[/url].
[url=http://www.pakcerscheapjersey.com/packers-by-player-vic-sooto-jersey-c-1_94.html][b]Vic So'oto Jersey[/b][/url]
[url=http://www.pakcerscheapjersey.com/packers-by-player-tom-crabtree-jersey-c-1_79.html][b]Tom Crabtree Jersey[/b][/url]
[url=http://www.pakcerscheapjersey.com/packers-by-player-charles-woodson-jersey-c-1_20.html][b]Charles Woodson Jersey[/b][/url]
I think this is among the most important information
for me. And i am glad reading your article. But want to remark on some general things, The website
style is ideal, the articles is really great : D.
Good job, cheers
Have a look at my web site ... the porn
I'll right away seize your rss as I can't in finding your email subscription hyperlink or newsletter service.
Do you've any? Kindly permit me understand so that I may subscribe. Thanks.
Also visit my web-site; expand
Thank you for the good writeup. It if truth be told used to be a leisure account it.
Glance complicated to more
introduced agreeable from you! However, how can we communicate?
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home