Council Member Makes Sure Tom Leppert Will Win At Least One Trinity Toll Road Debate

Last month rookie city council member Dave Neumann invited Mayor Tom Leppert and council member Angela Hunt to debate the Trinity River toll road before a couple of his neighborhood groups. Neumann, naturally, is very gung-ho on the side of the mayor and the Vote No! team: He's Leppert's appointee as chair of the Trinity River Project Committee.

Well, after a couple of debates during which audiences laughed derisively at the mayor and cheered Hunt, Neumann disinvited Hunt from the “debate.” Now the “debate” is going to be Mayor Tom Leppert vs. Mayor Tom Leppert. Fortunately, they agree and even love each other.

Somebody -- and we gotta think it’s Leppert -- is now actually afraid of Hunt … and doesn’t quite get the concept of “debate,” eh? Just look at the e-mail exchange that follows, in which Neumann comes across like Douchebag of the Year.

Neumann's first e-mail to Hunt

From: Dave Neumann [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Saturday, September 29, 2007 10:42 AM To: [email protected]; [email protected] Cc: Dave Neumann Subject: Public Forum on Trinity Parkway

Angela and Tom:

This email confirms our conversations concerning a Public Forum on the Trinity River Corridor Project (TRCP).

Thank you for agreeing to attend and participate in this Public Forum for the residents of Mountain Creek and The Woods.

Date: Monday, October 29

Time: 7 to 9 p.m.

Location: Park in the Woods Rec Center - 6801 Mountain Creek Parkway

Format: * Host - Councilman Dave Neumann * Staff presentation on TRCP * Vote Yes - Councilmember Angela Hunt * Vote No - Mayor Tom Leppert * Question and Answers

We will begin advertising for this event within the next week.

Thanks-Dave

David A. Neumann 214-670-xxxx

From: Dave Neumann [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Saturday, October 06, 2007 11:17 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Change in plans-Meeting on October 29th - Trinity River Corridor Project

Angela:

I have not heard back from you in over a week and since have changed our plans for a community event on October 29th at the Park in the Woods Rec Center.

We will NOT need a Vote Yes speaker afterall.

Thanks-Dave

David A. Neumann 214-670-xxxx

From: Angela Hunt [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Saturday, October 06, 2007 11:23 AM To: 'Dave Neumann' Subject: RE: Change in plans-Meeting on October 29th - Trinity River Corridor Project

Dave, I had already committed to you that I or someone else would be there. Why are you changing plans now after I had confirmed with you on the phone (as stated in your email below)?

From: Angela Hunt To: Dave Neumann Sent: Wed Oct 10 17:42:12 2007 Subject: RE: Change in plans-Meeting on October 29th - Trinity River Corridor Project

You still have not paid me the courtesy of answering my email. I would appreciate a response.

Angela Hunt

From: Dave Neumann [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Wednesday, October 10, 2007 5:47 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: Change in plans-Meeting on October 29th - Trinity River Corridor Project

Angela:

As I stated before, our plans have changed and therefore we are no longer in need of a speaker.

Thanks-Dave

David A. Neumann 214-670-xxxx

From: Angela Hunt [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Wednesday, October 10, 2007 5:51 PM To: 'Dave Neumann' Subject: RE: Change in plans-Meeting on October 29th - Trinity River Corridor Project

What does that mean exactly? I’m sure you can imagine how curious it is to be uninvited after having accepted an invitation to speak. Was the opposition uninvited as well? Is Rebecca Dugger making a presentation? Have you called off having a meeting about the Trinity referendum? A little clarity would be much appreciated.

Angela Hunt