Lock Step Criticism

by Ron West

    What else would be expected from Ken Sapp, David Nelson and Jennifer LaPla?  Their most recent attack articles were directed at Nick Bielik, a 17 year old son of Nancy Bielik.  One must assume that their hatred of any type of criticism of their beloved rubber stamp council was the basis for this rather senseless attack.  It certainly was not based on any merit from their expositions.

    Sapp promulgates the lie that the article from Nick was "ghost written" - as usual false and baseless.  Nick wrote the article himself - without help from anyone.  Then Sapp blows off the effect of pole sign regulations on NRH business and the effect of higher taxes on businesses. 

    Nelson gives Nick credit for some "in depth" research and then accuses him of "spinning" and "distorting" the facts.  He goes on to brag about his expertise since he owns an unidentified business in NRH and then claims to know what a "majority" of business owners think about the current sign regulations.  (Please don't question where he gets his data from.)

    LaPla - a Hometown resident - who claims ownership of another unidentified local business, also claims that city sign policy is a non-issue for local business because it isn't an issue for her.

    Missing is any compliment to Nick, who did his own research based on information provided by our city government.  He became concerned about the number of businesses lost in the first quarter of this year based on actual facts.  If anyone has read Nick's article, I would think that loud applause is more important than such blathering by the spokesmen for the incumbents on the council.  Our city would be a better place to live if such interest and participation in local government was encouraged rather than blasted.

    North Richland Hills has become a city where opposition is not to be tolerated.  Don't dare to disagree with the powers that be or expect to be castigated by lies unsupported by facts.  This is a city where the local political campaigns are based on character assassination rather than issues.  It is a city where the elected officials deliberately violate laws for their personal benefit.  It is also a city with current ordinances that are not in compliance with State law and very  business unfriendly policies. 

    Nick Bielik is a real credit to our city and we need more young people to observe, research and become active in our local government.  With new inquisitive minds examining the actions of our Council, I expect you would see even more articles questioning their decisions.  How many other 17 year old citizens have taken the time to comment?  Is it any wonder, seeing the attack articles against him, that other young people would want to stay as far as possible away from any type of active participation in our government?  Don't you wonder what glory Sapp, Nelson and LaPla got from their attacks on this young man?  Since all of them are apparently fairly "well off", does this qualify their opinions as more important than Nick Bielik's?

    Nick's letter was supported by referenced facts.  Have you ever seen Sapp reference any facts at all?  Perhaps we should demand that Sapp, Nelson and LaPla provide supporting documentation for any of their "facts".

    The negative venom that spewed forth from the incumbents and their spokesmen in the recent election has created an atmosphere of hostility that will not soon dissipate - especially not with the continued spewing from Sapp and others. 

    There must be a design in the continuing attacks to distract all of us from the problems with closed government, runaway spending, illegal ordinances and now the added reluctance to account for the "non-departmental" slush funds.  Please don't forget that if you live in NRH, your elected officials don't think enough of your opinion to even tell you what new ordinances that they plan to impose upon you prior to them becoming law.  Agenda's continue to be cryptic and lacking in detail to discourage your interest or participation.

    No, Nick was thinking - in a city that seems to be trying to discourage independent thought process.  I know Nick and I believe that he will not be discouraged by these valueless attacks by people who should really know better.  Nick is the "better man".