TrinityVote = On!

As you may have heard, we got our signatures. We needed 48,000 and got 80,000! That's not a typo. Apparently, most all of the sigs have been verified before being turned in to City Hall.

It's tough, because in this process I disagree with some people that I really like and hold a high level of regard. But this is about safety and carrying out the will of the people.

Angela is amazing. And so are all of the people that volunteered and did way more than me in this effort to bring the matter in front of the voters. Once again, she stated the voting for TrinityVote would not endanger any of the plans for the Trinity River Project.

Again, I am not opposed to the project but I am opposed to a high-speed tollroad going through the middle of the park. I am more worried about people that live in South Dallas, Cadillac Heights, Oak Cliff, West Dallas, and Pleasant Grove being losing their homes and dying. If we have 80,000 then hopefully we'll have 80,000 people show up at the polls in November.

New Councilmembers Get Down to Business

To me, today was the first real council meeting of this session since Monday's was solely to vote on the Mayor Pro Tem and Deputy Mayor Pro Tem.

I watched the first half of the today's council meeting and listened to the rest on the radio. I came away impressed...and I told y'all that the meeting would start on time, contrary to a former mayor's doubts.

Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Dwaine Caraway put City Hall on notice, letting them know that he is about "moving the clock forward" and being no-nonsense when it comes to neighborhoods with no sidewalks, public safety, and other issues.

Carolyn Davis made great statements regarding the South Dallas/Fair Park Trust Fund, the minor home repair program, and job opportunities in the southern sector. Mitch Rasansky and others thanked her for her statements.

Dave Neumann asked pointed budget questions and spoke up for West Dallas and Oak Cliff, particularly in the areas of crime and equity of public libraries. To some the questions seemed basic but it's better to ask and vote properly than not. That's why the City Manager and staff are at the meeting.

I was troubled by the comments on another blog by a defeated council candidate, which stated that the new councilmember in his/her district wasn't up to par and "probably didn't read the council packet." Rather than fan the flames I'll just say that we don't need that kind of hating on the first day. It comes off like sour grapes for a person that couldn't muster enough votes to make the runoff.

This day was about progress. I saw a lot of north-south partnering and collaborative support for everyone's goals. I liked what I saw.

The Inauguration Recap

It was a great day.

First, my wife and I hit the Meyerson for the inauguration breakfast. There, former (!) Mayor Laura Miller read proclamations to the outgoing council members and presented plaques to the new members as well.

After breakfast, we went into the main auditorium for the official inauguration ceremony. Dr. Sheron Patterson emceed the festivities, and the one and only Bishop Larry McGriff of the Church of the Living God closed out the ceremony. From North Dallas to South Oak Cliff, the festivities were truly diverse.

I'm really excited about this new council. I think the combination of a Mayor like Tom Leppert with folks like Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Dwaine Caraway, Angela Hunt, Dave Neumann, Carolyn Davis, Steve Salazar and others will signal a new era of cooperation and progress.

I bumped into Tom in the Mayor/Pro tem suite yesterday and one of the things he said was "I'm coachable." I think that's one of the qualities that was missing from the other candidate and the former Mayor. Nobody has all of the answers, but I think he is a person that will give the council members the opportunity to succeed.

Although the month-long council break starts after Wednesday's council meeting, you can rest assured that many council members will be hard at work in their communities.

Some pics from inauguration day...

Mike D & Deputy Pro Tem Dwaine Caraway (District 4)




MD & Angela Hunt (District 14)



Mike D & Mayor Tom Leppert





MD and Dave Neumann (District 3)



Bishop McGriff giving the benediction - Dallas Inauguration 2007






The full slideshow

Thoughts from Yesterday

It was a great day, ushering a new era of leadership and potential progress at City Hall. I'll have more to say later in the day.

Congresswoman Johnson Congratulates District 30's Latest Grant Winners

District groups won grants for scientific research and community policing

Washington, DC (June 22, 2007) - Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson extended congratulations this week to several recipients of federal grants.



Two researchers at University of Texas Southwestern and the Pleasant Grove Weed and Seed's Mission Possible program were selected to receive grants from the departments of health and justice respectively.

"I am delighted that the research money keeps flowing to worthy projects from UT Southwestern and that programs such as Weed and Seed will have the funds to make our communities safer," said Congresswoman Johnson.

The first UT Southwestern Medical Center grant provides more than $1 million over five years for the continuation of a postdoctoral training program in kidney research. Under the leadership of Dr. Peter Igarashi, the program trains physician-scientists who investigate kidney biology and disease and translate this knowledge into improvements in patient care.

The second research grant was awarded to Dr. Estelle Sontag. Dr. Sontag's one-year grant of more than $400,000 will allow her to study the effects of certain brain chemicals in causing Alzheimer's disease.

Finally, the Pleasant Grove Weed and Seed group of Dallas received nearly $200,000 to focus on reducing the number of firearms, establishing after school programs, providing job training and engaging in neighborhood revitalization projects. The bulk of the money will go to community policing efforts.

"I'm very pleased to see Dallas communities forming partnerships with law enforcement to improve the quality of life around our city," said Congresswoman Johnson.

Plea for Help after Random Gunfire Kills Unborn Child

I often talk about crime, prostitution, murders, and the like. This act in particular, has been very hard for me to shake. Maybe it's because my sister was killed in the crossfire of a gang shootout.

I can't believe that someone would just ride down the highway and fire randomly into someone's apartment for their own amusement. Read this news story and watch the video clip as well.

I second the thought of the Dad whose unborn son died in this shooting.

"I hope this is eating away at their soul," Dexter said. "I really do."

Rewards totaling at least $20,000 have been offered for information leading to the arrest and indictment of whoever is responsible. Anyone with information can call 214-671-3611, 214-671-3693 or 214-965-9000.

My Take on the Mayoral Election

I planned to move on and not weigh in on the Mayor's race at all, since it became so nasty that I just wanted to win and be done with it. It's going to take a lot to heal this city but after the council break next month we can get down to business and move forward.

More after the jump.



The most important issue: Tom's status as the front-runner hurt, allowing Tom to focus on the south in Ed's backyard and making Ed go negative.

I personally was offended that Oakley's camp felt it was OK to target senior citizens and minorities with ugly mailers that were full of outright lies that twisted the facts.

The last mailer, which tried to make Laura Miller and Tom Leppert look like best buddies, was flat-out dumb. At the NAACP meeting (which I attended), Tom never said he supported strong Mayor...he said in so many words that "Dallas doesn't need another city manager, we need a leader." The video's been on this site - Tom has said that many times and people knew it. It was quoted as "Dallas doesn't need a manager" on the flyer...How third-grade class president is that? Also, Ed's signing the Black Agenda at that meeting looked fake since some of the items are on the Black agenda because Ed killed certain plans and programs at City Hall.

Tom had done a lot of work before the May election, so when he made the run-off and Don Hill came in third much of the foundation was already laid.

In the south, the dirty mailers and the demolition of apartments plan really hurt more than helped. It looked hypocritical that Price backed Max Wells (R) and then tried to make the Mayor's race Dem vs Republican. His "Ed has been with us for years" radio commercial made no sense. People also have long memories about votes that went against the wishes of the Black community (South Dallas Trust Fund, Block Grant project funding, redistricting).

The support of Dwaine Caraway, Barbara Mallory Caraway, Don Hill, and many well-known community figures gave Tom an additional ground team and presence. Like it or not, it can't be disputed.

In the end, the partisan mailers made people stay home in the south instead of vote for Oakley. Ed spent more money saying that Tom's bad than he did promoting his own message. Ed's finger-pointing never registered because many people had already met Tom in the first go-round. They believed their own eyes instead of fear-mongering commercials.

His orientation hurt him with Blacks that are somewhat conservative in their beliefs, but not as much as the issues. Each time Tom got hit, he hit back but he did it with class.

A lot of people that I know that voted for Coats, Jordan, and Griffith in the north went Leppert because of the land ownership issues around the Trinity, too many tax abatements, and the Hollywood Doors situation. Ed's conduct and nasty mailers in the last few weeks also hurt him in the north. But Tom's staying on message and enhancing positivity and civility helped a ton.

The Blaydes & Oakley mailer that got mailed to Lakewood as well was a bad move. Blaydes doesn't have pull in Lakewood. There also might be the matter of that forever burning LH-Lakewood rivalry, which I know about but can be explained better by my friends that live there.

Even though they both support the Trinity, Ed rubbed a lot of people the wrong way by appearing to not want to deviate at all from the Trinity Plan. At every debate, Ed acted like he knew-it-all and 'how dare you question my super plans that I've put in place.' Even if you do know all the numbers, people like to feel included.

Deciding to abandon debates in the last few days was the final self-inflicted blow. You never blow off the Ernie & Jay show if you want to get your message out and give your opponent a free ride.

From an issue standpoint, these were things that people really cared about...whether Ed's supporters refuse to face it or not is up to them. Even in his last interview, Ed only mentioned his orientation as a factor and nothing else. That sounds like sour grapes.

Oakley's campaign consultants continually misfired, they were his own worst enemy. I hope our opponents continue to hire MurphyTurner in the future!

Early on, I said I would work with whomever became Mayor for the good of the City. Let's see if the other side shares that same feeling. Right now, most of them seem bitter and unwilling to face facts.

OK, got that out. Now let's move forward.

Potential Zoning Change troubles The Girl Scouts of North Texas

Allen Gwinn of Dallas.org reports that The City of Dallas is considering a zoning change that may put a facility for up to 100 men with "life controlling issues" next door to Dallas' oldest Girl Scout camp, and a neighboring Boy Scout camp.

Click here to read the full article.

7/11 Needs to Get it Together

Shawn Williams of Dallas South reports on the ridiculous store conditions at Kiest & Polk. Quick question, does your 7/11 look like this?

If anyone from 7-Eleven Stores Inc. reads this blog, contact me so we can get this fixed. It's store #27646 at 1102 W. Kiest.

Tom Leppert Acceptance Speech





Video from the DMN

We Won

Thanks to the voters of Dallas, Tom Leppert is your next Mayor.

Now, we have work to do.

Congrats to Dave Neumann and Carolyn Davis, as as they move into their new positions at City Council.

One Last Word before Tomorrow's Election

You know I never steer you wrong. Even before I had this blog, I've been reaching out to let people know which candidates to support and why.

I'll give you Tom in his own words (link). You can view my articles and various interviews and debates (link). And then go vote tomorrow. It's that simple.

If you're sick of the bickering at City Hall, candidates that send out nasty mailers that are full of lies and don't focus on the issues...and you want someone to lead the City instead of micro-manage things to their own benefit, then vote for Tom Leppert. A vote for Tom is a vote for a fresh start at City Hall.

Here's all the info you need to vote in Dallas:

*Check on your registration - You can view your ballot ahead of time (link)

*Check your registration by address - You can view your ballot ahead of time (link)

*Demonstration of Touch Screen Voting Machine (Flash player required) (link)

*Services Available to Voters with Special Needs in Texas (link)

*League of Women Voters' Online Voters Guide - runoff edition (link)

Ed Oakley Doesn't Care about Poor People

Yesterday, Oakley voted to allow Trammell Crow (big donors to his campaign) to tear down TimberCreek which is at the intersection of Northwest Highway and Skillman (map).

(note: be sure to read the readers' comments at the end of this post)

Jim Schutze wrote an article for the Dallas Observer (link), which talks about Oakley's apartment plan. It's a telling read.

The EPA's study said such an approval to rip out the trees and fill in the creek would ruin one of the most beautiful riparian areas in Dallas. But I guess that wasn't enough for him to vote against it. Also, there are about 2,000 residents that would be displaced.

While Oakley claims he is pro-environment, yesterday he voted to let Trammell Crow take out more than 1,000 large trees and a creek and fill it with a 25-foot layer of fill sand so they can make more money. This is not surprising, since Oakley gets most of his campaign money from big developers that stand to profit from his teardown plan.

Oakley always talks big about relocation packages for displaced tenants. He let Trammell Crow get away with a measly $150-225 per apartment moving allowance. Anyone who's moved in the past 5 years knows that $200 barely covers the deposit and a two-bedroom move costs $500. These folks now have to move in a couple of months and scramble to find schools for their kids.

As Rasansky spoke to this heinous development, people from Trammell Crow were laughing and he called them out for it. I guess it's funny to kick people out of their homes with no money.

Rasansky said that developers have the right to build, but there is a moral compass that should guide everyone's life.

Ed Oakley sat silent. And voted to kick these people out of their homes with spare change to move and filled in one of the most beautiful areas in Dallas with a 25-feet deep layer of sand. He wouldn't even consider a plan for Crow to build around the trees. I guess he was busy looking at his screensaver, which is a picture of himself (does anybody else do that? It weirded me out).

This is what I've told you about Oakley the whole time. Even if you can stomach the nasty mailers, WATCH THE VOTES! That's when the real Oakley shows.

Jim's article has a couple of interesting quotes, here's one of them.

Then I talked to another lifelong Democrat who is a serious environmentalist. She said, "Oakley is the worst disaster for the environment who has ever served on the city council."

Oakley proved true on this assessment yesterday at Council.

Kudos to Mitch Rasansky and Angela Hunt for doing the right thing and voting no.

Nastiest Race Ever

A lot of things have made me really angry about this Mayoral race. I'll have much more to say on this topic after the election.

Eminent Domain Encounters of the Worst Kind

Jack Pierce, Owner of Hollywood Overhead Doors, talks about how Ed Oakley tried to use City Council power to take his land and business. He was compelled to cut an audio ad warning you about what could happen to your business or personal property if Oakley is elected Mayor.

This story was chronicled in the Dallas Observer, DallasArena, and many other places.

Click link to listen to Jack Pierce (may take a few seconds to load).

Jody Dean on Tom Leppert

From the blog of Jody Dean, former Dallas news anchor:

One of the nicest things about no longer being a "news anchor" is that I'm free to wantonly impose my opinion regarding any subject I choose. That, and I no longer have to wear a tie.

Of course, all "journalists" have opinions about everything. It's just that they have to pretend they don't while you're watching. The best journalists actually manage to put those views aside in the interest of facts and information.

Being no longer encumbered by those restrictions, we frequently get into all kinds of subjects each morning.

Well, here's an opinion I hadn't counted on giving: the next mayor of Dallas needs to be Tom Leppert.

Ed Oakley doesn't deserve your vote. Why?

Well for one, Oakley's new TV commercial is one of the nastiest things I've ever seen. The guy is widely regarded as a sleazeball.



Here's but one example of that view:

http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/unfairpark/2007/05/the_truth_about_the_truth_abou.php

And here's another:

http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/unfairpark/2007/06/just_got_back_from_a.php

Beyond an apparent disregard for the facts on the part of the Oakley campaign, here are some other reasons:

1. If ever a city needed a mindset geared toward planned, vigorous development, it's Dallas. Leppert represents a good opportunity to establish some real, job-attracting ideas and initiatives for south Dallas. Oakley doesn't.

2. Dallas needs a leader who can rally the troops and think big. It doesn't need another petty politician who thinks only of how to get votes - honestly or otherwise.

3. I can envision Leppert sitting across from a Boeing or a Comerica and talking his peers into making Dallas their new corporate home. I can't say the same thing for Oakley.

4. I believe Leppert remembers his roots, and that empathy for others of similar station will make him work for those citizens just as hard as he might for those of influence - regardless of whether they support him or not. Oakley seems interested only in that which make his opponents look worse.

Look - I don't live in Dallas, and I don't vote there. But I do work there, and I'm proud of the city. I've lived next to it for half a century, been working in it now for a quarter of a century, and I've seen politicians of every type come and go. I could care less about party affiliation, especially when it comes to City Hall. The question for me is always "what will you do if you get elected?" Not - as seems to be the case with Oakley - "to what lengths will you go to get elected?"

And by the way - if Oakley wants to selectively recount the record on Leppert's Turner Construction, he might want to pause for a moment. Guilt by association is a two-edged sword.

Using that thinking, one could easily say that because Oakley was present downtown when Dallas blew its chance to land the Cowboys, he shares blame for the team's flight to Arlington.

And for the city's explosive crime rate.

And for a southern sector economy too beholden to bars and pawn shops rather than industry and housing.

And for city leadership unable or unwilling to hold fast to a Trinity River Project as approved by voters.

And years of languishing inaction over a homeless center.

And on and on.

Just a thought.

Of course, that would take a television commercial that (slightly) mischaracterizes Oakley's record - something that Leppert has resisted, at least thus far.

Pity. I might like to see Oakley's reaction to such an ad.

6 Percent of You Care About Your Own City

According to the Dallas county elections office, only 6 percent of Dallas residents will vote in the upcoming runoff. That's about 70,000 people out of 1 million registered voters. (Shout to People News for the article).

That's downright sad. I wonder if only 6 percent of Dallas voters will complain 6 months from now about our government leadership. No, that number will be much higher.

Working in various campaigns, I have to look at voting records from time to time. A lot of the people that you think vote, do not.

Negative campaigns sure don't encourage turnout, so I fear that it might be less. Making it all the more important for those of us that care about democracy.

Lynn Flint-Shaw sent me a media advisory regarding the Super Sunday Voting Event. The info follows after the jump. There are no excuses. VOTE!



SUPER SUNDAY EFFORT PLANNED TO ENCOURAGE CHURCHGOERS TO VOTE IN DALLAS MAYORAL ELECTION African-American pastors to lead ‘get out the vote’ effort for last weekend of early vote

WHAT:

Some of Dallas’ most prominent African-American pastors are leading a Super Sunday “get out the vote” effort to encourage their congregations to vote in the Dallas mayoral election.

Leading the effort are Rev. Freddie Haynes III, senior pastor of Friendship West Baptist Church, and Rev. Rickie Rush, senior pastor of Inspiring Body of Christ Church. The two churches predict that anywhere from 500 to 1,000 members from each of their churches will caravan to various early vote locations in Dallas’ southern sector, including the Oak Cliff Sub-Courthouse, Martin Luther King, Jr. Recreation Center and Samuell Grand Recreation Center.

Others participating in the GOTV activities include Reverend Brian Carter and his congregation at Concord Missionary Baptist Church; Reverend Jerry Christian, chairman of the African-American Pastors Coalition; St. Luke “Community” United Methodist Church and dozens of other churches (FYI – St. Luke’s and other East Dallas churches will vote at Samuell Grand Rec Center, located at 6200 E. Grand).

Also supporting the effort will be the NAACP; Dallas Urban League; members from the black sororities and fraternities; and CAAPCO, the Metroplex’s largest coalition of black professional and community organizations.

Early vote continues today through Tuesday (June 12). Election Day is Sat., June 16.

WHY:
The early voting drive was started seven years ago by the African American Pastors Coalition (AAPC) in collaboration with other community and advocacy groups.

SPOKESPERSONS:
Rev. Haynes, Rev. Rush and Rev. Christian will be available for comment anytime between 12:30 – 4 p.m.

WHEN:
Sunday, June 10, from 12:30 – 4 p.m. Here is a detailed schedule:
12:30 p.m. Rev. Freddie Haynes III leads caravan from Friendship West Baptist Church (2020 W Wheatland Rd.) to Oak Cliff Sub-Courthouse
1 – 4 p.m. Rev. Haynes and church members arrive at Sub-Courthouse; Rev. Haynes greets voters throughout the afternoon
1:30 p.m. Rev. Rush leads a caravan from The Inspiring Body of Christ (7710 S Westmoreland Rd.)
2 – 4 p.m. Rev. Rush and church members arrive at Sub-Courthouse; Rev.
Haynes greets voters throughout the afternoon

Dallas Early Voting Locations

Early Voting is from Monday, June 4th to Tuesday, June 12th.

Locations are here.

Be sure to vote for Tom Leppert for Mayor all over Dallas, Betty Culbreath if you live in District 5 (Betty's website and blog), and Dave Neumann (website) if you live in District 3.

There are also runoffs in District 7 between Carolyn Davis and Rev. Donald Parish (website), and in District 8 between Charles Rose (website) and Tennell Atkins.

And make sure you sign the TrinityVote petition (link)!

WFAA Mayoral Debate

I already have the entire mayoral debate that was on wfaa.com on Friday night. I figured I'd take it easy on them until they can air it on Sunday.

I'll just leave you with this one clip for now:

Leppert responds to Oakley being happy that they almost have enough officers...

Oakley Lies about Tom Leppert Hit Job Website

Avi at Barkingdogs.org quoted Ed Oakley's interview with Chris Heinbaugh, when Oakley was asked if he knew about the Truth about tom website:

Oakley denied any knowledge of the details about the website or the television commercial tied to it. In a News8 interview with Chris Heinbaugh (Gloves come off in Dallas mayoral race), Oakley tried to pass the commercial off as not that big a deal...

Oakley was asked whether his commercial hits below the belt. "You know what? I didn't put the ad together, and... I don't know, Chris," Oakley said. "That's an issue... it's one of... I don't know."

HOWEVER, during his online webchat (link) at the DMN editors' blog on Thursday Oakley suggests people check out his new website. The quotes:

The advertising I have emphasizes issues are completely properly part of the discussion...For more information go to TruthaboutTom.com.

Look at the end of the blog post...who wrote it?

May 31, 2007 2:26 PM | Ed Oakley (More) | Respond | Permalink

He also claimed that the Trinity tollroad shouldn't go down Industrial because of the "landowners than have been down there for 30 years." Aka the ones who donated a ton of money to his campaign and who's number one goal according to their website is:

The (Trinity) Association is now poised to take action with regards to three new targets: 1. The election of Councilman Ed Oakley to be Mayor of Dallas.

This week, he wants to fight for the "landowners that have been down there for 30 years." Last week, he wanted to take the land of a family that had been there for 50 years (link).

Now who's the liar?