Flower Mound Leader / April 28, 2000 / Ray Khirallah
Organizations bicker over similar name
Angie Cox drops complaint against Mayor DeLuca
Voters United to Preserve Flower Mound filed a complaint with the Texas Ethics Commission this week in regard to a new political action group, which recently formed in town.
The group is Voters United to Protect and Unify Flower Mound, and the complaint filed with the TEC states the name is intended to confuse and mislead people.
The complaint is based on Chapter 252.003(c) of the Election Code, which states: “The name of a general-purpose committee may not be the same as or deceptively similar to the name of any other general-purpose committee whose campaign treasurer appointment is filed with the Texas Ethics Commission.”
A general-purpose committee must be registered with the Texas Ethics Commission if it receives or spends more than $500.
Voters United to Preserve Flower Mound's registration with the Texas Ethics Commission began on May 8, 1997. Angie Cox, president of Voters United to Protect and Unify Flower Mound, said her group does not intend to file with the TEC.
“We’re not planning on spending more than $500,” Cox said. “We're not planning on developing material or anything like that. It is like a focus group.”
As long as the group stays under the $500 limit, it can keep the name voters United to Protect and Unify Flower Mound. Cox said the group is gaining interest and the purpose is to provide information to residents.
“It’s a group of neighbors that basically are getting together who want to keep people informed about Flower Mound,” she said. “I’m getting more interest. People are talking to other people and neighbors are talking to neighbors. The group is growing.”
The two groups currently are butting heads over accusations Cox made against Mayor Lori DeLuca this week. Cox filed an incident report Tuesday, claiming DeLuca violated the Open Meetings Act in January 1999. She, however, rescinded the complaint Wednesday in a witness statement filled out at the Flower Mound Police Department.
“I rescind the complaint filed on April 24 in regards to the Open Meetings Act, Texas Government Code 551.001,” Cox's statement read. “It has been noted in the code that it is acceptable to hold private meetings prior to council meetings as long as a quorum is not present and there was only the Mayor present and no other council members at the January 9 luncheon.”
Under the Texas Penal Code, it is a Class B misdemeanor to knowingly make a false report or statement to a peace officer or law-enforcement employee, which is punishable by fine not to exceed $2,000 and confinement in jail not to exceed 180 days, or both.
In a press release issued by the town Wednesday, the town and police officials indicated they do not believe sufficient cause exists to pursue criminal action against Cox. DeLuca said she is disappointed in the accusations, but also won't pursue any legal action against Cox.
“I think that once she found out that it was actually a criminal offense to file a false police report, she quickly rescinded her accusations,” DeLuca said. “I am very familiar with the law and am real careful. She seems to think that if I have lunch with somebody and discuss town business that that's an official meeting, and that's wrong.”
Vicki Fulfer, president of Voters United to Preserve Flower Mound, has real problems with the intent of Cox's group, even if they don't make the group official.
“You don't just form group at start spreading out information.” She said. “That’s one thing that Voters United (to Preserve Flower Mound) has always taken very seriously. Information we put out, we can back up with sources.”
“She went out on a political lark and when it was explained to her about the Police Department that false accusations are a crime, she withdrew her accusations. She ought to be ashamed of herself for behaving in such a childish way.”
Contact staff writer Ray Khirallah at 972-436-8014, Ext. 122, or Holguinr@dfwcn.com.