Here is the column I submitted for publication for the Oct. 9, 2008 issue of The Ellis County Press:
CPS scrutiny, new Web site, Washington, D.C.Lawyers involved in Child Protective Services cases and our county/district attorney’s office are feeling a little apprehensive about what The Ellis County Press posted on its popular YouTube channel two weeks ago, so much so that several have asked to be removed from a particular case involving evidence that CPS tried to withhold from Court at Law No. 1 Judge Greg Wilhelm.
In our widely read Aug. 28 issue about commissioner’s court pay raises, I penned a story about Natasha Bryant being threatened, bullied, sometimes coerced and accused without evidence of allowing her premature son, Landon, to (a) sleep in her bed; (b) using the wrong baby formula; (c) trying to fight CPS through the press. That was the minor part. The major part? CPS – without Wilhelm present – quashed (motion in limine) evidence about the father’s escapades with a 15-year-old girl – a photo of which was put on the front page – and drug use. In all, 1,000 court documents were turned over to this paper, eight of which were linked online.
Per a request by not only Bryant, but other parents involved with CPS abuses, reporter Megan Gray and I attended a CPS hearing about this particular case and monitored assistant district attorney Sara Spector, who handles CPS cases. Afterward, Spector and another lawyer involved in the case both walked outside (Gray and I were about to get in the car when I saw the two come outside), and at that point, I instructed a video camera be pointed and boom, we were in business. Hours later, the video is on YouTube and within no time, 200 views. Only one video exists, but Spector and others who approached Wilhelm earlier this week (Monday) for a follow-up hearing made it sound as if there were camera crews following the DA’s office (there should be, but there aren’t.)
Meanwhile, Bryant still has to cope with her baby’s father being awarded custody despite the fact he had only seen the boy two hours in his whole life. It’s a sad case, but even worse, people in charge of “protecting children” are not doing their jobs. The link to our video channel, by the way, is: www.youtube.com/user/elliscountypress.
A New Web Site Coming
Those that have followed this paper since its inception in 1992 or even at all will be glad to know that the new media revolution will soon bestow its best product: Republic Modern Media and this paper have teamed up with a concept design of a new Web site that will obliterate our local media brethren, not just the community papers, but The Dallas Morning News. I liken this to the “Politico of regional newspapers.”
The Ellis County Press, already a force in this county, is branching back into southwestern Dallas County; our coverage and award-winning investigative stories are having a spill-over effect in neighboring counties, with activists and readers in other towns wanting our paper in their communities. Texas’ only independent/conservative weekly is about to launch the most beautifully crafted Web site that I have seen – and that’s just from the sketch.
However, we’re taking a big hit in making this venture a reality. Please consider helping support our efforts with a generous sponsorship. Those who advertise on the new site will get a box ad in the paper free of charge.
It’s a win-win, and soon, we will again be the envy of the local media.Trip to Washington, D.C.
I’ll be flying out Friday for the Americans For Prosperity taxpayer summit in our nation’s capital; for three days, I’ll network, interview and meet members of the grassroots taxpayer organizations fighting for free markets, free minds and freedom, as well as discuss ways that this paper can become a national force. We’ll of course be talking bailouts (really should be “sellouts”), the Nov. 4 election and oh, I get in free with my press credentials. Stay tuned for an interview with Dr. Ron Paul. There’s hope in America after all…
