Polk County Enterprise (Livingston, Tex.), Vol. 122, No. 82, Ed. 1 Sunday, October 10, 2004 Page: 1 of 44
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Brenham............
.........14 Waller..............
...............35 Kirbyville.............
..........35 Corrigan......
............14 Silsbee............
.......18 Grrison.............
.22
Livingston.........
...........7 W/7//S................
...............29 Coldspring...........
............6 Woodville....
.......81 OT) Shepherd........
.........2 West Sabine....
16
Polk County
ENTERPr.:::
Volume 122 Number 82
The Dominant News and Advertising Souicc in Polk County
ITS 4 17-340 Price: 50 cents
Investigation reaching high levels
Big bucks help bring down casino
By EMILY BANKS
News Editor
LIVINGSTON - Recent findings
of a high dollar-infused grassroots
campaign that helped lead to the
closure of the Alabama-Coushatta
Tribe of Texas's entertainment
center in 2002 are currently under
investigation and portend the end
result will have far-reaching ef-
fects.
The Alabama-Coushattas re-
cently learned thut they were one of
aeveral tribes who were victims of
a rival tribe that paid hundreds of
thousands of dollars for the surveil-
lance of the tribe's efforts to reopen
its entertainment center.
“I was appalled by what was go-
ing on." Alabama-Coushatta Tribal
Council Chairman Ronnie Thomas
said Friday.
Thomas said he could offer no
comment at this time, when asked
if the tribe plans to pursue legal
recourse.
“We’re basically paying attention
to what’s going on,” he said
At the heart of the investigation
are Public Relations Consultant
Michael Scanlon, a former aide to
House Majority Leader Tom De-
Lay (R-Texas), and Washington,
DC. lobbyist Jack Abramoff, a
Bush "Pioneer,"
The American Press In Lake
Churles, La. ulleged in September
that Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana
officials paid $525,000 over three
years for surveillance of tribal
members and officials, other Indian
County to consider
election judge picks
LIVINGSTON - The appoint-
ment of election judges and alter-
nates for a two-year election cycle
beginning November 2004, as
submitted by the county clerk, will
be considered for approval by the
Polk County commissioners’ Court
during its regular meeting at 10
a.m. Tuesday.
A request from the Precinct 2
constable to approve the appoint
ment and bond of Mitch Newman
as a reserve deputy constable for
Precinct 2 will be considered.
Commissioners will consider ac-
tion regarding bids for the annual
purchases of oil, gas and diesel;
road materials; tires and tubes; and
the bulk purchase of limestone road
base.
An update to the master street
address guide will be considered
for approval.
Commissioners will also con-
sider approval to reinstate county
job descriptions tor kitchen helper
and head cook, as amended.
Offers to purchase the following
county tax foreclosure properties
will be considered; Lot IA of
Block 3 of Corrigan Original
Townsite in Precinct 3: Lots 11,12
and 13 of Holly Hills No. 7 in Pre
cinct 4; and Lot 25 of Sunset Shad-
ows No. 2 in Precinct 1
Commissioners will consider ap
proval of budget revisions as pre
sented by the county auditor and
budget amendments as submitted
and reviewed by the court-
appointed committee.
Other items on the agenda in
elude approval of the personnel
action forms, schedule of bills and
minutes of the Sept. 28 meeting.
The meeting will begin at 10 a.m.
in the commissioners’ courtroom
on the third floor of the Polk
County Courthouse.
Trial begins Tuesday
LIVINGSTON - Testimony be-
gins Tuesday in the capital murder
trial of Donnie Lee Roberts Jr., 33,
of Livingston.
Roberts was charged with capital
murder for the Oct. 15, 2003 death
of Vickie Ann Bowen, 44, of
Livingston, who was killed by a
gunshot wound during the commis-
sion of a robbery.
The Polk County Sheriff s De-
partment received a 911 call the
morning of Oct. 16 from a resi-
dence in Lake Livingston Village.
Roberts was arrested later that
day by Polk County Sheriffs de-
tectives at a residence in the 1000
block of Champ Street in
Livingston.
The Polk County Sheriff’s De-
partment investigated the case and
was assisted by the Polk County
District Attorney’s Office, the
Livingston Police Department and
the Texas Ranger.
tribes and competiiois auoss the
country
Records obtained by that news
paper indicate the Cousluitas paid
$150,000 to monitor Coushatta
members and officials. $250,000 to
monitor the Jena Band of Choc-
taws, $100,000 to monitor the Ala-
bama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas and
$25,000 to monitor former Delta
Downs Racetrack owner Shawn
Scott
According to the American
Press, the lube paid Scanlon's
Capitol Campaign Strategics be-
tween $18 million and $21 million
over a three-year period for obser-
vation and surveillance
The newspaper further alleges
that Kevin Battise, forrrfer Ala-
bama-Coushatta tribal council
chairman, was among those on
which Scanlon was paid to keep
tabs.
The American Press also re-
ported that Ralph Reed Jr, foimer
Christian Coalition director and
current campaign strategist foi
President George W. Bush, was
hired by the Coushatta Tribe of
Louisiana through Scanlon to work
against both the. Alabama-
Coushatta entertainment center and
the Jena Band of Choctaws' at-
tempts to open casinos in Vinton
and Logansjlprt
Reed was allegedly paid over
$1.2 million by the Coushattas of
Louisiana to work against competi-
tors and $4 million by Scanlon for
“gaming related services for
tribes.”
The U S. Senate’s Committee on
Indian Affairs conducted an over-
sight hearing on Sept. 29 on lobby-
ing practices involving Indian
tribes, specifically, allegations of
improprieties L. Ahrumntf and
Scanlon
A subsequent oversight hearing
by that same committee is slated
for Nov. 17.
Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell
(R-Colorado), committee chairman,
said a series of newspaper articles
earlier this year touched off the
committee investigation
“While our investigation is con-
tinuing, we have come to some
very disturbing conclusions. Our
investigation shows that these press
allegations are not eniuely accu-
rate. The truth is worse - much
worse,” Campbell said, adding that
the newspaper articles “vastly un-
derstated” the amounts the tribes
paid Scanlon and the amounts he
gave Abramoff.
“In fact, all told, six tribes paid
more than $66 million to Mr. Scan-
lon, and Mr. Abramoff received
more than $21 million from Mr.
Scanlon for his share of the
scheme.” Campbell said, referring
to the events ,i> a story ot gieed
i un amuck "
According to the El Paso Times.
in addition to the committee, the
Justice Department and several
other federal agencies are jointly
investigating large payments to
Abramoff by the Mississippi Choc-
taw, the Louisiana Coushatta, the
Aeua Caliente in California and the
See TASK pg. 8A
Onalaska
to celebrate
ONALASKA - The City of Ona-
laska will celebrate its centennial
Friday, Satuiday and Sunday.
A carnival will be available on
Friday, Sat a day and Sunday at the
Onalaska F i ; t itioa.
Carnival , cv ts may be pur-
chased in a L jure at the Onalaska
locations of ti e 1 irst National Bank
and the Fi st State Bank and at
Onalaska City Hall
Arts and crafts and food vendors
will have booths available on Sat-
urday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the
fire station.
Booths are available lor $30 by
contacting Pobla Gallier at
(936)328-5469.
Local singer Jody Booth will
play from 10 a.m to 2 p.m. at the
file station. Anoihei singer, Mi-
chael Quentin, will perform from 2-
5 p m.
FUTURE TV STAR'1 - Roxie, a 2-year-old rottweiler, shown
here with owner Billie Nailer, is reportedly an expert fisherdog.
Nailer sent a video of Roxie catching catlish to the America's
Funniest Home Videos television show. The video was ac-
cepted for showing and entrance into the 1V show compelitio-.,
in the near future.
Chamber report on city agenda
LIVINGSTON A report on the
Livingston/Polk County Chamber
of Commerce, to be presented by
President Rod Zeigler, tops the
agenda for Tuesday's regular meet-
ing of the Livingston City Council.
The council is also expected to
consider several items relating to
grant applications, including au-
thorization to apply io the Office of
Rural Community At lairs tor .i
Texas Community Development
Program grant for 2005-2006. A
resolution authorizing a Livingston
Municipal Airport improvement
project through a Texas Depart
ment ol I'lansportation Division ot
Aviation grant will also be consid-
ered The launcil will also consider
..udiou/ation to participate in the
Routine Airport Maintenance Pro-
gram for fiscal year 2005.
\ payment of $220,352 to Pinto
Construction Co. for the ongoing
street and drainage improvement
see COUNCIL pg. 2A
Meth labs out of business
LIVINGSTON - Two metham-
phetamine labs were discovered by
Polk County Sheriffs Department
Narcotics Division officers and
detectives when they went to a
residence on south Loop 115 Mon-
day to investigate possible drug
(meihamphelamine) Bonds lor
KoiIcy totaled $6,000.
\ fourth suspect arrested at ,h".'
location was identified as Icity
John l ight Jr., 19. of Livingston
Light was charged with possession
of a controlled substance (median)
tivitv, deputies have recently inves-
tig it' d seven thefts, four criminal
in' .chief cases, one forgery, one
sexual assault, seven burglaries,
two . ases of possession of con-
n >!Ud substances, three cases of
uiso'dcrly conduct and two as-
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ENTERPRISE PHOTO B\ GORDON ! cHARRON
WE THOUGHT THEY LIKED WATER! - These ducks at Pedigo Park seem to be taking
cover from one of the rainstorms that passed through the area last week.
activity,
Methamphctamincs were actively
cooking in one ot the labs at the
time of the search, according to
Sheriff Billy Ray Nelson. Deputies
located approximately 12 pounds of
liquid methamphetamine, along
with approximately 12 pounds of
crystal methamphetamine. There
were also many ingredients used in
cooking and producing metham-
phetamine.
Deputies were on the scene for
approximately five hours. Nelson
said. Airested in connection with
the labs were Danny Lee Schanfish,
48, and his son, Jared Schanfish,
18, both of Livingston. Both were
charged with manufacture and de-
livery of a controlled substance,
possession of a controlled sub-
stance and possession and transport
of chemicals with intent to manu-
facture a controlled substance.
Their bonds were set at $150,000
each.
Also arrested at the location was
Joshua Tyler Kelley, 19, of
Livingston, who was charged with
possession of marijuana and pos-
session of a controlled substance
phetaminc) and was placed under a saul;-'
$7,500 bond.
In oihci sheriffs department av- See CONSTRUCTION pg. SA
Personnel items dominate
Onalaska council agenda
ONALASKA - Personnel issues
dominate the agenda for the regular
meeting of the Onalaska City
Council at 7 p.m Tuesday.
The termination ol Onalaska Po-
lice Officer Jaini Johns will be con-
sidered loi approval, as will the
resignation of Onalaska Police Of-
ficer Mitchell Newman.
Additionally, the resignation of
Mona Staine from the board of the
City of Onalaska Public Library
will be considered for approval.
The subsequent appointment of
JoAnn Miller to the library board
will also be considered.
Council will consider the issu-
ance of a parade permit for the
Nov. 27 Christmas parade In con-
junction with the parade, council
will also consider approval of the
closing of FM 356 from U.S. Hwy.
190 South and Old Trinity Road
from FM 356 West to Magnolia.
A request from the Lake Living
Mobile Home Park for a variance
of inspection fees will be consid-
ered for action.
Council is slated to enter into an
executive session to consult with an
attorney regarding contemplated or
pending litigation and to deliberate
the purchase of real property. Upon
reconvening in open session, coun-
cil is slated to consider action re-
garding the purchase of real prop-
erty.
Reports will be presented on be-
half of the police department, fire
department, building .inspector,
library and Centennial cortyiittee.
There will be a public forum and
items from council
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White, Barbara. Polk County Enterprise (Livingston, Tex.), Vol. 122, No. 82, Ed. 1 Sunday, October 10, 2004, newspaper, October 10, 2004; Livingston, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth788944/m1/1/: accessed August 15, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Livingston Municipal Library.