I heard informally the other day that the City of Glen Rose was never able to recover the $80,000 that the Glen Rose Economic Development Board recommended they invest in Land of the Dinosaurs. This despite NO CONTRACT being written before okaying the money and a check being written, and despite the auditor telling the 4b board that this should be a promissory note and NOT an  investment. Going to look into original documents about this over the next few weeks to determine what actually happened and whether this amount was somehow written off. 

Timeline Recap, with video

Sept 14 2009- Jay Clayton goes to Somervell County Commissioners Court to do pitch for Land of the Dinosaurs. Says at that point he wants NO FUNDING. Listen to audio on this link  Says he is developing private funding and only wants blessing- MP3  He says he is president of Land of the Dinosaurs and a Hood County news article from Feb 13 2010 says 

The show is the brainchild of Granbury's Jay Clayton, a regular on the local theater/entertainment circuit for years. He is billing the show as an original PG-rated production which will feature some of the biggest stars on the planet. "Our talented case of live actors and our animatronic animals interact in a fast-paced family friendly show written to take advantage of the great performance space at the Texas amphitheatre" said Clayton. 

Feb 4, 2010- 4b board discusses $80,000 after pitch by Mike Dooley. (See Video from Feb 4 at that link, also audio of the entire presentation of Mike Dooley here.)

Feb 10 2010- Jay Clayton makes his pitch for $80,000 to city council. Video Part 1   Video Part 2 The City voted BEFORE ANY CONTRACT to give $80,000 to the Land of the Dinosaurs.  

July 14 2010-Land of the Dinosaurs cutting back as losing money. 

The Auditor came in 2010 and said that in her reading they could NOT do an investment but only a promissory note. 

After the meeting, when I went up to Mike Jones to get a copy of the document the auditor referenced, Darrell Best yelled out from the other side of the room and told Dr Mike not to give it to me. I then on a different day did an open records request asking for that document. 

While looking back at all of this, I found a number of email exchanges between me and Darrell Best. Have put them all into this PDF (with my personal information redacted) and also posting the text below. 

FROM August 10 2010

Darrell

I know I heard you have an email for this, but I can’t remember what it was beside being on gmail. If you want to answer me back on gmail, that’s fine.

I want to request that the agendas, audio and minutes from the 4b meeting be posted on the city website. Right now, and you probably know this, legally, 4b meetings are supposed to be posted on the website. http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/sotwdocs/gv/htm/gv.551.htm - look at 551.056. There’s a section on the city of glen rose site for 4b/gredc info, but it’s completely not updated. What I would like is for 4b to post notices of meetings on the website, before of course, and after, post the minutes and (preferably) audio of the meetings. (While I’m at it might as well ask for a cookie with the milk for board packets) I don’t have any idea which computer entity maintains the site/training, etc, but seems like there ought to be at least one person, better two in case of illness, etc, who could make sure that that type of info is on the site.

As an example, GRISD is excellent. They post their notices, agendas, board packets, check registers and audio on the website. So does the Somervell County Water District, to include audio, minutes, agendas, and check registers.

Related to this is the audio file. Currently, and you may know this, I make digital audio tapes either by taking my digital recorder down to the city and running the tape (which takes as long as the meeting) into that to make a file. Or I just export the audio from the video recording on a separate track. I have asked for the city to please include a digital recorder in their budget but I don’t know that they have. Meanwhile, any way that somebody on the 4b could bring their own digital recorder and record it so that a quick file could be made and posted?

Thanks for listening and I’d appreciate your thoughts on this.

D** H***** 

From: ****************On Behalf Of George Best
Sent: Tuesday, August 10, 2010 1:02 PM
To:*****************
Subject: RE: 4b Question for you regarding Posting Notices, etc

 

D**,
Actually what it says according to the 4B rules is that IF the GREDC had a website, that the notices MUST be put on its website,  there is nothing that requires the GREDC to have a website so....
 
With all that being said, one of the things I will be working on this year is to make the Corporation's Secretary responsible for all the posting/communication, rather than Peggy...she has enough to do running the city and shouldn't be burdened with our stuff too.
 
I'm not sure who does the City's website, but would have to admit it is woefully inadequate/poorly supported, but then the Chamber's website is lacking as well, so you won't catch the pot calling the kettle's website woeful...lol.
 
Long and short of it, will work on this to bring us closer to your request.
 
Darrell

Darrell

Right. I just looked and the agenda IS posted on the city website under the agenda section, just under the date posted instead of the meeting date. So that’s all good.

 I don’t really care who maintains it, but would like to see the minutes and audio up there, too.

Thanks for looking into this, I really appreciate it.

 

D**

******************************* 

 From August 13 2010

From:***********
To: darrell.gredc@gmail.com
Subject: Open Records Request- August 13 2010
Date: Fri, 13 Aug 2010 13:39:28 -0500

To: Public Information Officer

Darrell Best

Hi, Darrell

I would like to request a copy of the proposed 4b budget when you have it ready. I would prefer to get this in electronic format sent back through email.

 

Thank you

D***** H*******

From: gdbest@msn.com [mailto:gdbest@msn.com] On Behalf Of George Best
Sent: Friday, August 13, 2010 2:58 PM
To:****************
Subject: RE: Open Records Request- August 13 2010

 

The final budget won't be finalized until the September meeting, you want me to wait until the budget has been finalized?
Darrell

From:********
To: darrell.gredc@gmail.com
Subject: RE: Open Records Request- August 13 2010
Date: Fri, 13 Aug 2010 15:37:52 -0500

Hi Darrell

I thought I understood you to have a proposed budget ready, not adopted yet as final. Yes? No?

 

D**

From: gdbest@msn.com [mailto:gdbest@msn.com] On Behalf Of George Best
Sent: Friday, August 13, 2010 4:01 PM
To: *****************
Subject: RE: Open Records Request- August 13 2010

 

right I have a proposed budget, but it won't be approved by city council until next meeting and finalized by the 4B board until Sept, so do you want a copy of where we are now with the budget (the city did redo the bonds) or when everything is approved??

From: D** H*******
Sent: Friday, August 13, 2010 4:10 PM
To: 'George Best'
Subject: RE: Open Records Request- August 13 2010

 

The proposed budget, with the understanding that it is not final. For example, Somevell County Commissioners Court just put up, yesterday, the proposed budget. It’s not approved yet, but it does give people a chance to look at it and make comments. 

From:*******************
To: darrell.gredc@gmail.com
Subject: RE: Open Records Request- August 13 2010
Date: Wed, 18 Aug 2010 11:38:33 -0500

Just making sure you got this. Stating again the open records request.

 

I would like to request a copy of the proposed 4b budget when you have it ready. I would prefer to get this in electronic format sent back through email.

***********************

From: gdbest@msn.com [mailto:gdbest@msn.com] On Behalf Of George Best
Sent: Wednesday, August 18, 2010 9:27 PM
To: ********
Subject: RE: Open Records Request- August 13 2010

 

D**,
I need to get the new Certificate of Obligation numbers from Peggy before I can put the budget together, hope to get them from Peggy (its my fault not hers...film festival is occupying mytime) tomorrow.  From what I heard will save us some $65k per year, but need to see the numbers first. 
On a personal note, hope you and P*** can make the Film Fest, some really interesting movies.
Darrell

************************

That’ll be fine, Darrell

I’d like to go to the film festival-it sounds great! 

******************

From: gdbest@msn.com [mailto:gdbest@msn.com] On Behalf Of George Best
Sent: Friday, August 20, 2010 12:58 AM
To: *******
Subject: MSN Attachment

 Hey D**, Could you ask P*** to give me a call when he gets back in town?  I have MSN and for some resaon I am no longer able to attach file to outgoing emails.  I've tried to use MSN forum, but quite frankly get lost in a maze of threads and god-forbid that you actually get to talk to an actual person about a problem.
Thanks,
Darrell

Hi, Darrell

Am forwarding this to P***! 

******

From: gdbest@msn.com [mailto:gdbest@msn.com] On Behalf Of George Best
Sent: Saturday, August 21, 2010 12:10 AM
To: *********
Subject: RE: MSN Attachment

 

If you haven't seen it already, go to the Reporter website, very disappointing news, we need a clean sweep at town hall the incompetence is amazing, i wonder if any back ground checks are ever made, they don't track inspections, hire friends and family on whims, and lord knows what else..just what in the heck do they do...this is poor, poor city administration and I place it firmly at the feet of the mayor, it's camp runamuck....

*******

********************

From August 20 2014

To: Public Information Officer

Darrell Best

Hi, Darrell

I would like to have a copy of the agreement between the Land of the Dinosaurs company that received 4b/GREDC money to put on the musical at the amphitheater. I assume said agreement would have terms of the loan, including dates to be paid back, any interest, etc, and have signatures from both main parties, as well as dates to pay back, etc. I would like this in electronic format.

 

Thank you

D***** H*******

From: Darrell Best [mailto:darrell.gredc@gmail.com]
Sent: Sunday, August 22, 2010 11:23 PM
To: D** H******
Subject: Re: Open Records Request- August 20 2010

Hey D**, Attaching an electronic copy, will be making this available at the City Council meeting tomorrow night.  I have a copy of the LOD contract, but not in electronic form, you can pick up at City Council meeting tomorrow night?? Also the money wasn't a loan.  It was an investment.  For the $80,000 investment the GREDC owns 8% of the show.  Our investment will be returned in 5 years and we will retain 8% of the show in perpituity.

Darrell

From: *********
To: darrell.gredc@gmail.com
Subject: RE: Open Records Request- August 20 2010
Date: Sun, 22 Aug 2010 23:31:20 -0500

Thanks, Darrell.

Yes, I’d like a copy and to know, then, what happens if LOD loses money, is that just a loss on the ROI?

I definitely will be at the city meeting tomorrow night. 

From: gdbest@msn.com [mailto:gdbest@msn.com] On Behalf Of George Best
Sent: Tuesday, August 24, 2010 12:48 AM
To: *******
Subject: RE: Open Records Request- August 20 2010

 

Their loss is there loss, its not a loss to GREDC unless they go bankrupt and fold and then we would own 8% of a defunct operation, but I don't think that will happen.  

From: D** H*****
Sent: Tuesday, August 24, 2010 2:41 PM
To: 'George Best'
Subject: RE: Open Records Request- August 20 2010

 

I completely forgot last night to get the copy of the LOD contract from you. Wonder if you will be around tomorrow or if you could leave the copy at the desk at the chamber for me?

9/2/2010

Darrell

 

Trying again, re: Open Records request of August 20, asking you for a copy of the LOD contract that 4b/GREDC has with the Land of the Dinosaurs company. You said you do not have it in electronic format but that you could get me a copy in paper. I would be happy to come by the Chamber to get the copy but need to confirm with you that it will be there if you are not there.

 

Thanks

D***** H******

************

**************************

From September 10, 2010

To: Public Information Officer

Darrell Best

 

Hi, Darrell

I am requesting the following:

1.    The date, check number and amount of money for Land of the Dinosaurs production given from 4b/GREDC, as well as the date cashed by Land of the Dinosaurs.

2.    Report on how much money the Land of the Dinosaurs production brought in, total, how many days the production ran, how many people in the production itself,  how many shows, what was the total count of attendance, what were the expenses, including monies owed to what entities, and what was the net profit or loss.

I would like this in electronic format, if possible sent back to this email. If the cost of providing this is over $20.00 please contact me first.

 

Thank you

D***** H******

From: gdbest@msn.com [mailto:gdbest@msn.com] On Behalf Of George Best
Sent: Saturday, September 11, 2010 12:08 AM
To: **************
Subject: RE: Open Records Request- September 10, 2010

 

D**,
I can get the first piece of information from Peggy (or you can).  As far as the second piece of information, you'll have to contact Mike Dooley.  As far as I am aware LOD is a private corporation and not subject to Open Records requests, if I am wrong about that let me know.
Darrell

Darrell

I am going to you for the open records request, as you are the public information officer that was part of giving public money to a private entity.

On the second, you also would be the one to go to Mike Dooley, since the 4b corporation uses public money for a private entity. That makes its records open to the public.

 

D**

From: gdbest@msn.com [mailto:gdbest@msn.com] On Behalf Of George Best
Sent: Monday, September 13, 2010 8:36 AM
To: *******
Subject: RE: Open Records Request- September 10, 2010

 

You are correct on the first part and I will get that from Peggy.  on the second part I don't think that is correct.  As LOD is a private corporation they have the right not to share their information publically.  Their only obligation is to the EDC and they can share that in executive session, without public disclosure.  I'll check with the Attorney General to make sure that is correct, if you wuld feel more comfortable with me doing so.
Thanks,
Darrell

 

Darrell

Thanks on the first. On the second, asking the AG or not is not a matter of my comfort, but of you supplying the info as requested. I will say that if you decide to contest the request to the AG, I will add my own opinion that if public money is going to invest in a private company, that makes information about the status of the investment open to scrutiny by the public.

 

D**

 Here is what I wrote about that last open records request, as *salon*.

P.S. Interesting to me that the auditor also put in her report how poor the minutes reporting was

She also told the board they were needed better oversight of their finances