The Collin County Observer™

In the arena, the crowd waits nervously. The battle has gone 2 rounds - both inconclusive and neither warrior seems to be giving in.

In one corner, perched on the edge of his seat and weighing in at a solid 220 sits the good ol' boy from East Plano. He's leaning back and flexing his muscles. Good ol' boy is obviously ready for a scrap.

In the opposite corner, leaner, but faster on his feet and warily peering at his opponent sits the colonel from McKinney.

Can either one best the other? Or will this battle end with both warriors bloodied in a double TKO?

Round one was fought to a standstill, yet it still appeared both fighters were willing to shake hands and retreat to their separate corners.

But it was not to be.

At the opening bell of round 2, the good ol' boy landed a few sucker punches that set the tone for the remainder of the round.

It's obvious to all observers that this is one tussle that won't be played by the Marquess of Queensberry rules - it appears to be more of a grudge match.

The crowd waits for the bell - round 3!

==========================

No, I'm not recounting an old Sullivan bare-knuckles fight. This is your commissioners court in action.

Jerry Hoagland has twice used innocuous agenda items as a launching pad for an attack on County Judge Keith Self.

Round 1 was back in April. Under an agenda item on planning for the budget process, Hoagland launched a diatribe at Self, charging that he was not a team player, and that Self was using his blog to try to "out conservative" the rest of the court. Hoagland took particular umbrage at a comment Self had written, stating, "it is no secret I [Self] stand alone on the court fighting against the rapid growth of government."

Hoagland then presented Self with a long list of budget amendment votes showing that Self had voted 105 times to increase the budget and only twice against.

Judge Self defended his votes and stated that the court must focus on the "core functions" of government and planning for the future transportation.

Phyllis Cole entered the fray by stating that Jerry votes "no" on almost everything. "He is the most conservative person on the court", she said.

Joe Jaynes left to fetch more coffee, and tried to stay off the field.

Most observers felt that Jerry Hoagland's attack was nothing more than pent up frustration with Self's opposition to the bond election.

Hoagland asked that Self pledge to be a team player. Self agreed to "continue to work with the court". Cole noted she was anxious to see that cooperation "continue".

So ended Round 1.

Round 2 was at the last meeting two weeks ago.

Jerry started out with a lecture on the chain of command and the role of Bill Bilyeu who is the county administrator.

Jerry's lecture soon became pointed when he accused Self of trying to force a department manager to resign and in interviewing prospective employees without the department manager's knowledge.

(Courthouse rumor has it that Keith Self suggested to Rubin Delgado, the County Engineer, that he might be of the age to consider retiring. The suggestion was taken as a threat.)

Judge Self denied doing anything against policy and noted that this was the second time Hoagland had ambushed him in 3 months.

Again Phyllis Cole took up with Hoagland, Jaynes tried to avoid the nasty stuff, while saying that he had no problem with anything the Judge had done, and Ward mostly defended Self.

Jerry Hoagland's response was that he will continue to bring these issues up and that we didn't need some "maverick" on the court, stating, "we have a person here [Self] who is violating the law".

"Judge, I intend to do this every time you do something I don't like", Hoagland vowed. "Count on the fact that this will happen again."

Self responded with, "I understand".

Round 2 came to a close.

These fights go on for the better part of 30 minutes each in open court.

Keith Self has proven to be a lightening rod. If one listens to courthouse gossip, Self has run off at least a couple of senior staff and more is in his sights. He has made no secret of his desire to reorganize the county administration. He seems to have a talent to create animosity.

Self certainly endeared himself to the court by recruiting primary opposition to both Jaynes and Cole and in opposing the bond package.

Judge Self likes to see himself as a Reagan reformer and defender of the taxpayer's money, Hoagland sees him as a self-serving maverick.

Hoagland sees himself as the real conservative, the defender of the taxpayer's money and seasoned in the functions of the county. Self sees Jerry Hoagland as the old guard he ran against in the 2006 election.

Conflict is bound to happen. However, the citizens loose when so much effort and county time is spent in top officials waging political war.

Each side is recruiting allies among staff members, most who just want to duck and cover. Time and energy is being wasted by two politicians waging a battle over who is the biggest, baddest conservative.

While the Democrat in me gets a certain kick out of watching two Republicans trade punches, the taxpayer in me is getting real impatient.

We, the taxpayers, are paying these guys very good money to run the county, not to try to run over each other.

Bill

==============

For the video of Round 1, got to 2:04:30 into the recording of the April 29th meeting here

Round 2 is at 2:05:15 into the September 9th meeting recording that is here