LlanoWatch

Introduction to the Llano Citizens' Bill of Rights (LCBoR)

LlanoWatch began when a Planning & Zoning Commissioner asked the City Manager and City Attorney whether a zoning change for an RV park was a spot zoning violation. The answer they gave was that it is not a violation unless someone sued the City, which was unlikely. Further investigation determined that it was a spot zoning violation but the City went on to do the rezoning anyway. It was also discovered that there had been secret dealings regarding city water and sewer access to the RV park.

LlanoWatch believes that city government should represent and be accountable to the citizens of Llano. Citizens should control the city government not the other way around. Texas law says so:

Texas Government Code Sec 552.001 … government is the servant and not the master of the people. The people insist on remaining informed so that they may retain control over the instruments they have created.

This is not true in Llano. From our experience with LlanoWatch, mayors, city managers, city councils, some planning & zoning commissioners, the city attorney, and some local and state judicial officers believe the city is of more importance than the citizens and the law. They believe they know what is best for us and our property.

This leaves citizens and their property unprotected by the laws and judicial system one which they depend.

LlanoWatch and letters to the editor in local newspapers have exposed the lawlessness and disdain Llano government has for citizens and the futility of state government and the judicial system to enforce laws governing city government behavior.

Now we citizens must take back our rights. We propose the Llano Citizens' Bill of Rights (LCBoR).

For examples of how LCBoR can help, please see the article on Lawlessness & Disdain and the article on the Llano's Elective Dictatorship.

We will ask the next city council to establish a workshop to develop the details of the Llano Citizens' Bill of Rights. LCBoR does no harm and will insulate Llano citizens from swings in ethical conduct from city manager to city manager, city attorney to city attorney, and council to council. If you are not sure, start with the abridged version and find an objection. Then move to the the formal statement of LCBoR. Next, look at the problems from the past that could have been solved by LCBoR. Finally, join the workshop to ensure that the final ordinance implementing LCBoR is not harmful to citizens.

Send your comments and recommendations here.

Llano Citizens’ Bill of Rights

Preamble
Following Texas Government Code Title 5: Open Government & Ethics; Section 552.001:
Government is the servant and not the master of the people.
We the citizens of Llano affirm the following minimum rights:

I. respectful Treatment
Every citizen and city employee will be treated with utmost respect and dignity in all city interactions.

II. TRUTHFUL ANSWERS AND EXPLANATIONS
Every citizen has the right to straightforward and honest information. No city official or employee will knowingly furnish false information on any public matter, or knowingly omit significant facts when giving information to members of the public.

III. TIMELY & SUFFICIENT NOTICE
Every citizen has the right to advance notice of new or changed ordinances, projects, contracts, and proposals being initiated by city government or city employees.

IV. RIGHT TO BE HEARD
Every citizen has the right to appear before the City for the presentation, adjustment, or determination of an issue, request, or controversy at a time and with sufficient time as determined by the citizen.

V. RIGHT TO INFORMATION
Every citizen will have access to all information available to city officials and employees when making judgments and decisions on city matters - in sufficient time for review, research, and analysis - prior to any decisions made based on that information. Reasons and business cases behind decisions on all significant matters will be provided.

VI. INCLUSIVE AND TRANSPARENT PROCESS
Every citizen has the right to be involved in government and have complete visibility of
city operations and management.

VII. RESPECT PROPERTY RIGHTS
Property ownership is sacrosanct and all zoning and trespassing laws will be obeyed. No eminent domain.

VIII. REMEDIES FOR VIOLATIONS
Any public official or employee who is found by the court to have willfully violated this ordinance will forthwith forfeit his office or employment. An ombudsman will assist in any city dispute.

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