Responses to Troy Austin

Below are Mr. Troy Austin's comments and RNS responses.

Troy Austin:

"I remain open to meeting with anyone in person to discuss these matters rather than just here online."

"Why? It's not about privacy; it's about being human and engaging in a personal interaction with anyone willing to have a civil conversation."

RNS:
"Sir, if this were a private corporation using your personal funds, your point would be valid. However, you're dealing with public money, which makes these public issues. There appears to be a disconnect between you, Mayor Nick Stanley, the City Manager, and your business partners. It's not your money. Why are you deciding what we want and need? Is that not a form of socialism?"

Troy Austin:
"I'll get the conversation going by publicly answering two questions posed directly to me:

1. Have there been any TOMA (Texas Open Meetings Act) violations with council members gathering but disguising it as 'bible study' at your place of business?
NO. And we'd love for you to join us on Tuesday mornings at Cultivate, where we're open and transparent about our personal lives and our community."

RNS:
"So, we have to join your Church Group, Cultivate Aledo, or Further West Church to understand your and the Mayor's business partners' plans for the City of Aledo? Isn't that peculiar, almost like operating as a private organization rather than a public entity? The name 'CULTIVATE' suggests an attempt to shape Aledo's citizens according to your and the Mayor's ideologies. Several years ago, when you were an Aledo Resident and a member of Planning and Zoning, didn't P&Z reject your ideas, leading you to resign from P&Z and move out of the city? It seems like CULTIVATE played a role in placing Nick Stanley to push your agenda."

Troy Austin:
"2. What are you and your friends' ideas for Aledo?"

RNS:
"So, just to clarify, 'your friends' refer to Mayor Nick Stanley and his business partners/associates. 

Troy Austin:
"Well, it's not really a secret or egregious; it was approved by the prior administration a long time ago. We just want to see it carried out by people who live here. That's it!"

RNS:
"This statement prompted a significant amount of research on our part. After speaking to numerous sources, it appears that this plan was never approved. It was a concept for the city's direction, among several concepts introduced. It seems that this is the concept your friends have decided for us to follow. Is that why your group started purchasing all the downtown properties (see attachment - Hunter Peak Partners)? Is this why the City of Aledo is entering the library business? To free up the building and property so that your partners can purchase and develop? Once again, the City of Aledo is spending millions of taxpayer dollars for the Mayor's circle's potential benefit."

Troy Austin:
"Here it is... GO READ IT. I would love for EVERYONE to read it and advocate for its realization! We could have a pretty cool town if we do. Also, read the Velocity Group study referenced here. It forms the foundation for 'my and my friends' plan for Aledo."

RNS:
"As mentioned, the Velocity Group Study was a concept, not akin to the administration and his circle bringing in a group from New Zealand to suggest how to build and 'CULTIVATE' Aledo. People we spoke to remember you and your circle, especially how upset you became when you learned that we couldn't legally keep Taco Bell or Dollar General out of Aledo, as explained repeatedly. This all makes sense now; your circle is deciding who can do business in Aledo and who cannot, which is against state law. You cannot legally tell a private landowner what they can or cannot do with their property. So, you and your partners have purchased most of the property downtown and then placed Nick Stanley as Mayor so that you can have control? You also cannot have the Mayor and City Manager tell a landowner, 'It would be in your best interest to use Jeff Mabee as your developer.' You should not also tell potential developers not to use XYZ Realtors. This is collusion. As demonstrated, the law does not seem to apply to your circle. To say we won't accept Taco Bell but will accept Panera or Chick-Fil-A is discrimination.

Troy Austin:
"This plan is all we want. We believe it will help us become a 'SOMEWHERE' Community rather than an 'ANYWHERE' Community. Join us. The 'Inner Circle' is open."

RNS:
"Aledo is already a 'SOMEWHERE' Community, and approximately 5,600 residents would likely agree. I understand you have a group of about 50 or so who believe they live in 'ELITE-O.' I'd argue that you represent the minority, not the majority of residents. 

Finally, how much is the buy-in for the circle?"