Clock tower "for sale"

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Posted: 1:06 PM Oct 12, 2007
Last Updated: 6:32 PM Oct 12, 2007
Reporter: Mystic Matthews
Email Address: mystic.matthews@kxii.com

38 comments

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DENISON, Tex. -- The old Denison High School clock tower is on the ground, but now it has "for sale" sign on it, according to the contractor who brought it down.

Contractor Tommy Franklin says the city hasn't paid him for it yet, so he put the signs up because he needs to collect the money.

"I’m not like these other people. Every week they get a paycheck. It don't matter whether they do anything or not. If I don't get something done, I get no paycheck. That's how I make a living and pay bills. I'm not different from you people," Franklin said.

City manager Larry Cruise said the city received the invoice for the clock, and that they have plans to pay Franklin, but that it takes more than a day to cut a check.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: Dr. Jim Location: Denison on Oct 21, 2007 at 12:48 AM
(continued from below) The anger displayed in the comments posted here are not consistent with the reported news. These few authors certainly could use a stiff refresher course in basic spelling, grammar and punctuation. The consistent misspellings and total disregard for the English language is appalling. This leads me to believe, and maybe you should too, that these entries are bogus. Sorry Denison, you’ve been duped.

Posted by: Dr. Jim Location: Denison on Oct 21, 2007 at 12:45 AM
A MESSAGE TO ALL READERS: This is AMAZING. I am a clinical psychologist and speech pathologist. I have extensive experience in speech patterns and speech perceptual development. I also lecture on neurological, developmental and behavioral disorders. The posts to this board show an abundance of evidence that they have been written by only a few individuals. The aggression and inflammatory remarks are consistent throughout these postings. The pattern of sentence structure is obvious, even to a layperson. This interaction is a phenomenon relatively new to society. The instantaneous mass publication and manipulation of thought, in this case slander and out-right vengeance, is clearly visible. Another thing that is crystal clear, and here images speak louder than an anonymous keyboard, is that 99% of the video content posted is in favor of saving the structure, a community coming together and taking positive action. (continued below)

Posted by: Jane Location: Denison on Oct 17, 2007 at 11:26 AM
I just viewed KTEN and didn't realize that, as they claim, the city wouldn't pay him unless Tommy dropped the law suit against Joe Pollaro. I guess I am confused, but I thought it was Joe who filed the law suit against the city? If Tommy did file, then I say, Go Tommy, Go Tommy, Go Tommy. Need any witnesses? Hit me up. I saw the interaction that day. You deserve way more than 38k anyway. The highest bidder should win the clock, put it somewhere far away from Denison. I wander if we could fit Joe Pollaro's family inside of it and ride it out of town, or maybe his brother can make a bunker out of it? It was all about getting on TV anyway, so get that clock out of here NOW! I'm tired of seeing Joe Pollaro on TV and Michelle Castle. Tommy, I could watch all day, he cracks me up.

Posted by: TeamSpirit Location: Sherman on Oct 17, 2007 at 11:17 AM
I say we put the clock tower in the middle of the field during the battle of the axes, put in on one of those stupid floats that they parade around duing football season and Denison's fall festivals. You would sure draw a bigger crowd then, at least 3000 more I would guess. Yeah...that sounds like the best bet to me, maybe set up tin cans on the side that say, donate to Joe Pollaro's SavingDenisonHistory foundation. I've got a lot of extra change(s) to throw his way. We then can have a float for the city counsil. This could really draw the crowds. KTEN will finally have something to cover in their little town that is somewhat newsworthy. KXII...you can do a recap for those who want the real story.

Posted by: Jane Location: Denison on Oct 16, 2007 at 11:26 AM
No Ralph, I was one of the few unfortunate ones who did not end up in divorce court. How many wives has he had anyway? Does he think he is King A or something?

Posted by: Denisonian Location: Denison on Oct 16, 2007 at 11:14 AM
I don't see any of the complainers "really" getting involved and trying to make a difference. Cussing and calling names is not going to make anything better. If you don't like what the Council has done (made tough decisions, past Councilmen would not touch), then run for office and see if you can do better. No matter what decisions are made, there will always be a group (like SaveDenisonHistory) with the wrong facts and BIG mouths. The Council has done the best they could as well as the SaveDenisonHistory group. In all, the SaveDenisonHistory fell short to "really make a difference" and the City Council made the best decision for the community as a whole (not 3,000 BIG mouths). Move on and accept the fact it is over. Find another project, put the money that was raised to save a building before it gets to the point it needs to be torn down to. Try to be a little proactive this time instead of always reactive (only then will you make a difference).

Posted by: Ralph Location: Denison on Oct 16, 2007 at 09:30 AM
Dear Jane...Are you an ex-wife of Joe's or are you just a close friend of one of them? You seem so obsessed with him. Joe may have been among the most vocal of those who were trying to save the building, but he was not the only one. I've never been introduced to Joe, nor have I had any conversation with him, so I cannot speak with the authority that you apparently have. However, I did believe a restored building would have been preferable to having yet another vacant lot. Of course, we don't have a vacant lot, really. For the next couple of years or so we'll have a lot with a clock tower covered with a tarp behind a security fence, not to mention the inevitable weed colony that will thrive in and around the fenced in area. Perhaps the tower will eventually be placed atop the "historic" bridge the city bought last year that still sets unused behind yellow ribbon down at Waterloo Park. By the way, the Mayor receives no salary for his services as Mayor, but we do pay for his decisions.

Posted by: Jerry Location: Denison on Oct 15, 2007 at 09:25 PM
1 eyesore down, 10,000 more to go! Not to mention all the vehicles still parked on lawns. This town's a filthy, not funny joke.

Posted by: Wow!!!! Location: Not Denison on Oct 15, 2007 at 04:59 PM
All I haft to say is Wow to all of this! I have sat and read all of this for awile now. Being apart of the HH for the past years I got to know the old building very well and we took care of her everyyear until they said it was being tore down. What everyone DOES NOT UNDERSTAND was that old building was in bad shape!!!!!The only good part is what we was useing plus DHS/CITY workers were going in there and taking all the copper pipes,plumbing,and anything worth any $ out that last year. these people that wanted the old building saved had no clue what it would have taken to fix her.So lets just get over it,pay everyone and be done with this!!!!!!

Posted by: Simply Amazed Location: Denison on Oct 15, 2007 at 03:43 PM
Way to go Tommy. I applaud you. But you really should take some of that money and buy these whiners some kleenexes.

Posted by: Neil Bloyd Location: Sherman on Oct 15, 2007 at 11:49 AM
EBAY BABY. That's where I sold my knife.

Posted by: C Location: Gordonville on Oct 15, 2007 at 10:21 AM
I bet Franklin cant wait to get out of Denison. The buildings been sitting there for years. Get on with it.

Posted by: Jane Location: Denison on Oct 15, 2007 at 10:04 AM
It appears that the person commenting on this chain about the worth of the red tiles is a part of the SavingDenisonHistory, thus proving they had their own agenda. Again I ask: What is your next project? What building is in the midst of being saved? I mean this is Jerry Springerish. Tommy can bid on the demolition, Joe Pollaro can get his ego fed even more by getting himself and his family on TV and in the newspapers once more without it involving a crime and before we know it Jerry Springer will call and invite him on the show. Goodie, goodie, goodie. Maybe some of the ex wives will show up? They can call it the SavingDenisonEXwivesofJoePollaro vs. Joe Pollaro and his enormous ego, and a spin off with WhoReallyGivesACrap vs Joe Pollaro and his enormous ego. I can see it now, brick flying instead of chairs. Now that is news worthy. But we have to invite KXII to get the real story. They seem to be the only ones who tell it like it really is. Thank God for integrity in a news station.

Posted by: Sean Location: away farrrr on Oct 15, 2007 at 09:34 AM
tommy,i will give ya 38,500,today!!!hie me up on my email.

Posted by: Sick of It All Location: Denison on Oct 14, 2007 at 11:16 PM
Big Tommy Franklin came to town, Swinging his crane and ball, The protestors arrived with all their jive, So he said "Go to Hell ya'll!! The poor little city went back and forth, Placing blame on the man that was hired, So Pollaro stepped in and cried foul play, And revealed he's no more than a liar! But in the end, with the job near finish, And the cameras nowhere to be found, All that is left is a beautiful clock, And large piece of empty ground! So, who is the winner in this city dispute, That seemes to have no end, No one I say, but I certainly hope, It's not the beginning of a Denison trend! Big Tommy now will soon be gone, His memories here as well, With money in pocket and grin on his face, His last words surely, all go to Hell!

Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 14, 2007 at 10:58 PM
Hickory Dickory Dock, Franklin removed the clock, Denison said "go to hell", Franklin posted For Sale, Now everyone's still in shock!?

Posted by: brittany Location: denison on Oct 14, 2007 at 09:03 PM
what a joke the city of denison has become.it's a shame how the city has done the contractor.there are alot of people who are ashame of all of the city leaders ,I know I am .joe pollaro should be ashame of hisself,too?????

Posted by: Jane Location: Denison on Oct 14, 2007 at 06:37 PM
So Brady makes 180K? He deserves more for having to put up with all the harrassment from the all those who brought strife into his life and into this small town that once was not divided. I will not only vote for him, but I propose a pay raise. Hey Joe Pollaro,Tommy is selling the clock tower for 50K! Since it was so important to you. why not purchase it and stick it on top of your house you moved out of town? And again I ask: What is your next project? I know you check this chain and comment on it, so give us some answers, or can we just all have our money back since it "appears" that SavingDenisonHistory was only set up when you wanted the building for your own personal use? There was no viable working plan for that building & you did not have(in the bank)what it would have cost to renovate the entire building. I don't know about you, but whenever I have hired a contractor, it always seems to cost me more than what was originally quoted, not less??? Am I the only one this happens to?

Posted by: m Location: tx on Oct 14, 2007 at 05:01 PM
this is stupid and makes Denison look even stupider . Pay the man he did the work write the check . he has every right to sue I can say I would be ashamed to say I am from Denison after all this mess

Posted by: Lyn Location: Denison on Oct 14, 2007 at 02:55 PM
Yep....all of you that think that Tommy Franklin is some poor working guy that has been treated badly.... INVESTIGATE what that red tile roof was worth! Consider that is is worth upwards of 3/4 to 1 million as salvage materials. Then, tack on the $50,000 clock tower, other materials he has sold or will sell as salvageable materials (Lord only knows how much!), $500,000 from the "foundations," and pending lawsuits. He's gonna be one rich hillbilly. The sad thing is....he is more intelligent that our mentally challenged mayor and city council. They are the ones that created and signed the contract giving him EVERYTHING! They are the ones that arrogantly snubbed 2.5 million dollars and many, many, many wanting to save it. The City of Denison could have had a beautiful, historic, restored gem...through private donations and fund-raising...NO TAX DOLLARS! Now, Denison will remain history's graveyard...at big $. Way to go Brady, Council and Smith/Munson Foundations!

Posted by: LeRoy Location: Denison on Oct 14, 2007 at 10:54 AM
Maybe Shelly or Joe will buy it. . .As for Tommy, as soon as get your money - cut and run from this entire mess!

Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 13, 2007 at 10:19 PM
Put it on ebay!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: Billy Joe Jim Bob Location: Texas on Oct 13, 2007 at 07:11 PM
Is this like the movie Back to the Future "Save the Clock Tower".

Posted by: former soon to be future denison resident Location: plano on Oct 13, 2007 at 03:16 AM
u know...i was glad to leave denison ten years ago..due to the politics ....or lack of ...now while contemplating return after retirement...i wonder if they havent lost more that a drop of ten thousand people in their census...maybe they've lost the rest of what they might have had left in their minds, souls, and spirit. God have mercy and bring many blessings on the good people of Denison and drop the rest in the red river.

Posted by: Franklin Location: Denison on Oct 13, 2007 at 02:46 AM
LB...if you're coming from Fannin County.....we don't want you anyway. My prays are with the less unfortunate.

Posted by: A Tommy Franklin Fan Location: Denison on Oct 13, 2007 at 01:59 AM
A letter to Tommy, Thank God for the blue collar workers. You work hard for your money and you are passionate about what you do. You were mocked and set on display for the world to see. Put a camera on me and I freak out. Put a camera on Joe Pollaro and he cusses you out. Put a camera on Tommy Franklin and he defends himself and he is crusified and put in jail. Is that what an honest days work gets you? A night in jail? If so, I wont be at work come Monday. I feel for you man. Wasn't there something about Joe Pollaro and Insurance Fraud? Didn't he defraud an insurance company and get put on probation recently? To Someone who cared: I agree with you, with the exception that not one person is worth once cent, instead of a dime. No ONE PERSON is worth more that that. 38k for a clock tower is a little steep. You should stick around Denison Tommy, there are so many old buildings, you could make a killing!!

Posted by: Anna Location: Denison on Oct 12, 2007 at 09:39 PM
I'am all for Tommy Franklin, he seems like a good man, just trying to do an honest days work. Sell that darn clock for the highest price you can get, heck double the price, so you can re-coup some of the time you have lost with all their fussing back and forth, you have been thru enough. My prays are with you.

Posted by: midniteryder Location: Sherman on Oct 12, 2007 at 07:36 PM
This has becime out-and-out silly. All this over one lousy decrepit building. Were I this contractor, I would avoid any and all future demolition projects in this town.

Posted by: Someone who cared Location: Denison on Oct 12, 2007 at 06:51 PM
When is all this going to end? What the heck is the city going to do with an old clock that doesn't work? Will it be on Joe Pollaro's roof top? Will he buy it back from the city? I wonder if the building would still be standing if Mr. Pollaro would have just kept his mouth shut. Just food for thought. The fact that the city is paying 38k for something that doesn't even work and there are homeless and possibly be elderly people that will go without heat this winter in our town makes me shiver to even think out such things. Does the city or Mr. Pollaro know how much food 38k would buy for the less unfortunate. It all seems like a waste to me. I've said it before and I will say it again, "Not one dime is worth more than one single person in this town".

Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 12, 2007 at 06:07 PM
I was standing right next to the news crew when they shot this footage. Why don't you ever put up the entire story? Stop cutting so much of it out. You make it look like the city officials are good guys. Ha,ha,ha! I'm sure the town would love to hear the entire story.

Posted by: LB Location: fannin county on Oct 12, 2007 at 04:08 PM
I was planning on moving to denison in the near future but now since all of this is going on, Im gonna move to sherman. This is stupid, I agree with jrod, sell it to the sherman bearcats, That would be great setting on top of a bonfire.... Tommy i feel sorry for you. I dont blame you for what you are doing. God bless you!!

Posted by: jrod Location: SOUTH GRAYSON on Oct 12, 2007 at 03:54 PM
SELL IT TO THE SHERMAN BEARCATS.

Posted by: susie Location: denison on Oct 12, 2007 at 02:59 PM
I bet Mr. Franklin wishes he never came to Denison,the protestors and then they threw him in jail,hes been through alot for trying to do a job!!He can charge whatever he wants and I dont blame him for anything!!!

Posted by: Sue Location: Durant on Oct 12, 2007 at 02:40 PM
Okay, let me get this straight...Denison owned the lot and the old High School. They pay Franklin to tear down the building. Now they are buying BACK part of the building they had torn down??? City officials need to remove their heads from their backsides and see what a joke this has become!!!!!!

Posted by: Mork Location: Ork on Oct 12, 2007 at 02:13 PM
This is the story that just won't go away!!! Here's your chance to have a piece of the old high school. Where are all the members of the "save the highschool" club? Highest bidder takes home the prize!!!!

Posted by: That Girl Location: Bryan County on Oct 12, 2007 at 02:11 PM
Is this story ever going to go away? Just pay the man and get on with life and forget about the school and the clock tower.

Posted by: bubba redneck Location: sherman on Oct 12, 2007 at 02:10 PM
hey tommy you seem like a good ole boy i tell ya what i'll give ya a 1983 chevy pick-up with gun rack and a 12 pack of your choice..i think you may get the better part of the bargin..if not i'm sure those "save the school" people will buy it for what it cost to bring it down in one piece since they are the ones that made it cost more..

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Denison on Oct 12, 2007 at 02:02 PM
Tommy, like any other business transaction, why not take the highest bidder? If someone offered me 20k for my car and then someone came up to me a day later and offered 40k, I think I would take the 40k hands down. I think just your little stay in jail was worth way more than 38k, what do you think? I say get as much as you can, otherwise it will end up on top of a pink house on a hill after the city has discarded it into dump and Joe Pollaro will go dumpster diving and have the city pick up the tab to place it on his rooftop. Yeah, that sounds about right.

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