Under our corporate farm operation, Darrell took out three credit cards with Brownfield Farmers Co-op ( a co-op that sells fuel and other supplies) several years back. These cards were for the use of Darrell and two employees. Gas prices at the Co-op are not any better than anywhere else has, so I am curious how the Co-op manages to get people to apply for them. I wish that we hadn't, because a former employee stole one of the cards, then sold it to a fellow druggie. Within six weeks of that sale, the thieves charged over $15,000 in gas to that account. Brownfield Farmers Co-op noticed that extremely large amounts of gas were flowing through those pumps in Plains, but instead of shutting off the account or inquiring, they started making calls to our neighbors to ask what Darrell was doing with all that fuel and showing that they thought he was up to some kind of shenanigans. The first we knew about it, we had a call from a lawyer! Darrell met with Co-op officials and told them to immediately cut off the pumps, that we were not using that gas and that a fraud was occuring. In a climate of escalating gas prices, you would think they would recognize this was a theft because there were up to 30!!! "fill-ups" a day on that card that was stolen. We have never had anywhere near that level of activity in the over ten years we traded with the Co-op, and it would make absolutely no sense for us to pump this gas $40 at a time that many times a day.
Long story short, after a torturously slow legal process, three people were convicted of the theft of both the card and the gas, which was sold or traded for their profit. All three convicted felons confessed. All three got light sentences and were sentenced to restitution of $100 a month. So far, we've received very little in the way of restitution (none in recent months). The workings of the legal system didn't impress us very much in this case.
Brownfield Farmers Co-op then sued us (we're MEMBERS of this coop). They took us to court, and convinced a judge that because of the contract we signed, they have absolutely no responsibility in monitoring gas use or warning us if unusual activity is going on. They argued in court that their customers assume all the risk associated with the credit cards, and that the Co-op has no risk! Can you imagine American Express doing that? If they did, everyone who holds an American Express card would be cutting it up with no delay. At least with AMEX or VISA, you can contest unauthorized charges, and they recognize that it is fair to do so. The judge is making us pay for all the gas the thiefs stole, plus 18% interest, plus the attorney fees for the Co-op to which we belong, some of its members being "friends" on the board.
WARNING!!!!!! Do not ever get a credit card or any other credit transaction from this Co-op because they
1. Do not have modern programs associated with the gas program that will automatically alert to unusual activity. I am an accountant and I know full well that such programs exist and that the employees just don't want to be bothered, and the Board doesn't care.
2. They word the contract that card holders sign in such a way that the Co-op has NO risk if theft occurs and will charge 18% on balances people steal and you don't pay so they actually profit from your misfortune. Talk about a disincentive to prevent thefts! In the two years since this theft occured, the management of this Co-op has done nothing to try to change how they do things in order to prevent future such occurences. I think that says a lot.
3. They do not treat Co-op members as honest members but as criminals (when criminals prey on the members). I am outraged with the way the Co-op conducted itself against us. I would expect better behavior out of a bunch of pigs.
4. The management of the Co-op is incompetent, and have no incentive to protect their card holders (unless the card holder is a member of the Board). I repeat, you are AT RISK if you hold a credit card with the Brownfield Farmers Co-op. I am ashamed that they use the word " farmers "in the title, I have never seen fellow farmers behave so reprehensibly in my life. I remember the days when if a fellow farmer could not gather a crop, my husband would pitch in and help out his neighbors. I guess those days of helping your neighbor are gone, and there is nothing but an adversarial relationship existing with Farmer Co-ops.
The entire sequence of events has resulted in our using what remaining retirement funds we have so that Brownfield Farmers Coop can make it's 18% interest. Hope they enjoy it, but folks, what goes around comes around. If the same thing happens to one of the members of the Co-op Board, what do you think will happen?
Monday, November 17, 2008
Sunday, July 1, 2007
My little companions
My little pugs are great companions. Any time I want to take a nap they are right beside me snoring more loudly than I do. Pow has become expert at catching flies and birds and sometimes a bee will zap her when she tries to eat it. See how her nose has swelled from the bee yesterday? Ling just wants her food to be in the dish. And lots of it. Actually, they mind better than my kids and grandkids. When I tell Ling to hush she stops barking. Go figure.
"TEXAS!"
Tommy and I travelled to Palo Duro Canyon yesterday. The drive was enjoyable as always, and I encourage you to make the same trip! I did not make any pictures because my new Canon was hiding from me. I found it this morning.
Here is my review of the "Texas!" 2007 production:
In its 42nd Anniversary season, the play has an expected maturity and polish lacking in its early years. As usual, the play begins with a lone rider spotlighted at the top of the canyon carrying a Texas flag, a stirring sight indeed to all us native Texans. The script has settled back into the basic story that depicts the settlement of the Panhandle and conflict between "sodbusters" and cattlemen. While making the obligatory tip of the hat to the Comanches who were uprooted by the settlers, it largely ignores the cruelty that the Indians endured to ensure the "peaceful" possession of the High Plains. I find the brushing over of those historical facts to be a less than honest presentation of our history. The raid by Colonel McKenzie into the Canyon that ended the Comanche freedom did not result in wholesale slaughter of the Indians, but rather in the capture of their horses which ensured the death by starvation or capture of the people . As I sat in the beauty of the canyon, I could understand their reluctance to give up their home to the better-armed Texans.
The choreography of the play was outstanding. We are still chuckling in our house at the efforts of a New York choreographer brought in several years ago who made the cowboys look much to effeminate to be believed. Get Allyson and Andrea to do an imitation for you of those poor girly cowboys. Sitting next to me was a fellow from up north who is a professional entertainer who commented that he would like to see some of the footwork the cowboys did this year put into the show he travels with, it was vital and reminded me of the boisterous steps to be found in the movie, "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" in its athleticism and vigor.
The music was great!! There was no canned accompaniment there but well-amplified accoustical guitar, violin, harmonica, and other instruments the settlers used. The simple old hymn book songs took on a special beauty when sung acapello or accompanied by a sweet violin with the red walls of the canyon as a backdrop.
Of course, one of the highlights was the end of first act thunderstorm (the only use of canned music, which was fine since it was Beethovens "Joyful, Joyful, we adore you" chorus ) in which Calvin Armstrong convinces the lovely Elsie McLean that the Texas thunderstorm is a scene of beauty and awesome power. The trademark bolt of lightning once again brought the audience to its feet, especially the children who were transfixed with the technical display.
The background of the canyon continues to be better utilized every time I see the play. As the play progresses, we see cowboys at work, horses and buggies, and in the second act even a real fire that simulates the huge prairie fires formerly hinted at. Real smoke, real fire, with three or four levels of what I presume to be gas burners was so real it was discomfiting.
The end of the play was stirring with a beautiful fireworks display and riders on horseback carrying the six flags of Texas across the landscape one at a time. And then the final United States flag--if you weren't on your feet before then, it will surely get you there.
As you walk out of the amphitheatre into the night, the horseback riders with flags line the walkway bringing the play right to you. Great theatre, folks, come see us in Lubbock and we'll take you there!!
Here is my review of the "Texas!" 2007 production:
In its 42nd Anniversary season, the play has an expected maturity and polish lacking in its early years. As usual, the play begins with a lone rider spotlighted at the top of the canyon carrying a Texas flag, a stirring sight indeed to all us native Texans. The script has settled back into the basic story that depicts the settlement of the Panhandle and conflict between "sodbusters" and cattlemen. While making the obligatory tip of the hat to the Comanches who were uprooted by the settlers, it largely ignores the cruelty that the Indians endured to ensure the "peaceful" possession of the High Plains. I find the brushing over of those historical facts to be a less than honest presentation of our history. The raid by Colonel McKenzie into the Canyon that ended the Comanche freedom did not result in wholesale slaughter of the Indians, but rather in the capture of their horses which ensured the death by starvation or capture of the people . As I sat in the beauty of the canyon, I could understand their reluctance to give up their home to the better-armed Texans.
The choreography of the play was outstanding. We are still chuckling in our house at the efforts of a New York choreographer brought in several years ago who made the cowboys look much to effeminate to be believed. Get Allyson and Andrea to do an imitation for you of those poor girly cowboys. Sitting next to me was a fellow from up north who is a professional entertainer who commented that he would like to see some of the footwork the cowboys did this year put into the show he travels with, it was vital and reminded me of the boisterous steps to be found in the movie, "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" in its athleticism and vigor.
The music was great!! There was no canned accompaniment there but well-amplified accoustical guitar, violin, harmonica, and other instruments the settlers used. The simple old hymn book songs took on a special beauty when sung acapello or accompanied by a sweet violin with the red walls of the canyon as a backdrop.
Of course, one of the highlights was the end of first act thunderstorm (the only use of canned music, which was fine since it was Beethovens "Joyful, Joyful, we adore you" chorus ) in which Calvin Armstrong convinces the lovely Elsie McLean that the Texas thunderstorm is a scene of beauty and awesome power. The trademark bolt of lightning once again brought the audience to its feet, especially the children who were transfixed with the technical display.
The background of the canyon continues to be better utilized every time I see the play. As the play progresses, we see cowboys at work, horses and buggies, and in the second act even a real fire that simulates the huge prairie fires formerly hinted at. Real smoke, real fire, with three or four levels of what I presume to be gas burners was so real it was discomfiting.
The end of the play was stirring with a beautiful fireworks display and riders on horseback carrying the six flags of Texas across the landscape one at a time. And then the final United States flag--if you weren't on your feet before then, it will surely get you there.
As you walk out of the amphitheatre into the night, the horseback riders with flags line the walkway bringing the play right to you. Great theatre, folks, come see us in Lubbock and we'll take you there!!
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