By Johnnie Belle Reagan
Clearing the air…
Texas Area Fund Foundation has played a big role in the happenings in and around Palestine. It has many prominent members/officers. I am going to name some but not all here for you and you can decide for yourself if they may or may not have something to do with what has happened to Laza:
Jackson Hanks
David Barnard
Jean Mollard – took ownership of Laza’s original property in “old town”.
Steve Presley – Current City Mayor and Council member for over 15 years
Allyson Mitchell – County DA
Phil Fletcher
Ahnise Summers
Cecil Staples
Alex Patel
Alan George
Josh Liles
Greg Laudadio – Palestine Economic Development Corp.
Freta Parkes
Jeffrey Robertson
Jeff Watson
Jo Ellan Walley
Carolyn Booker
It is common knowledge a member of the TAFF and family members of City Staff contacted Jerry Laza, working behind the scenes, to make a deal with him on the 1101 W Oak property one month before the Civil Suit was filed in June 09, 2016. And while they might not have had anything to do with initiating the actual “Suit” they were in a position to make sure it was lawful, just and fair. Doing the right thing is such a struggle.
I definitely see where TAFF receiving thousands and thousands of dollars in grant money awarded by the City of Palestine could be construed as a conflict in some member’s ability to be neutral.
