Sunday, September 30, 2007
Rufus Shaw Talks to James Fantroy
Rufus Shaw of Dallas Blog sat down and talked with former Councilman James Fantroy for two hours this weekend. Read his article here. I can't wait to see the list of "material witnesses." It will tell the community a lot.
Friday, September 28, 2007
American Inn in South Dallas is Finally being Demolished
I know a lot of people that work for the City and County read this blog. I thank you as always for the well wishes and words of encouragement. Your mentorship and time you've spent with me will always be valued.
I wanted to take this time to say thank you to the City employees that helped show Dwaine Caraway and me the way when we were trying to close motels back in 2005. Dwaine started it with the Interstate Motel (still holding on because of legal appeals and delays) - on that one I came in on the late end. Seeing Dwaine work on that motel really opened my eyes with respect to what he was trying to accomplish. The American Inn got closed, and the Townview Motel and Sunset are trying to abuse the legal system to hang on.
Also thanks to Scott Goldstein of the Dallas Morning News and Brad Watson of Channel 8, who covered our motel stories when no one else would touch us.
But the American Inn is the motel that put our efforts on the map. It's now been closed for more than a year.
I want to thank Chris Bowers, Shareen El-Domeiri, and Chris Caso as I have previously on this blog for sticking by us and making sure Dwaine and I understood the process of closing motels. I wouldn't have even known how to fill out the forms for the American Inn hearings if it wasn't for you all.
But there is one unsung person in this whole process, and you know who you are.
You shall remain nameless because I want you to stay employed (lol). But to that special City employee that came from behind the scenes and showed us the ropes and where to go and what to avoid, you are an angel.
I've seen you around City Hall and personally thanked you. As I've mentioned before, there is a whole neighborhood and City that owes you a debt of gratitude.
When that ungodly motel falls on Sunday, I will think of you.
I wanted to take this time to say thank you to the City employees that helped show Dwaine Caraway and me the way when we were trying to close motels back in 2005. Dwaine started it with the Interstate Motel (still holding on because of legal appeals and delays) - on that one I came in on the late end. Seeing Dwaine work on that motel really opened my eyes with respect to what he was trying to accomplish. The American Inn got closed, and the Townview Motel and Sunset are trying to abuse the legal system to hang on.
Also thanks to Scott Goldstein of the Dallas Morning News and Brad Watson of Channel 8, who covered our motel stories when no one else would touch us.
But the American Inn is the motel that put our efforts on the map. It's now been closed for more than a year.
I want to thank Chris Bowers, Shareen El-Domeiri, and Chris Caso as I have previously on this blog for sticking by us and making sure Dwaine and I understood the process of closing motels. I wouldn't have even known how to fill out the forms for the American Inn hearings if it wasn't for you all.
But there is one unsung person in this whole process, and you know who you are.
You shall remain nameless because I want you to stay employed (lol). But to that special City employee that came from behind the scenes and showed us the ropes and where to go and what to avoid, you are an angel.
I've seen you around City Hall and personally thanked you. As I've mentioned before, there is a whole neighborhood and City that owes you a debt of gratitude.
When that ungodly motel falls on Sunday, I will think of you.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Sheriff Candidate needs a Mapsco
Charlie Richmond, a candidate for Dallas County Sheriff, is having his first fund raiser. Except it's not in Dallas County. It's here, in Plano.
Richmond has enlisted Tim O'Hare from Farmers Branch to run this shindig. See for yourself. Is that the way you want to run a campaign?
I didn't know that "family values" was a campaign strategy for a county sheriff's race, but Richmond thinks so. Time will tell if he ends up being the Dan Wyde of this election, and we all know how that turned out.
Richmond has enlisted Tim O'Hare from Farmers Branch to run this shindig. See for yourself. Is that the way you want to run a campaign?
I didn't know that "family values" was a campaign strategy for a county sheriff's race, but Richmond thinks so. Time will tell if he ends up being the Dan Wyde of this election, and we all know how that turned out.
Monday, September 24, 2007
Missing Woman in Chicago: Nailah Franklin
Some things are more important than politics. Like life.
This story really hit me hard and bothers me to my core, so I wanted to write about it even though it's not based in Dallas.
Nailah Franklin is a Chicago resident and is now missing. Three days after she was reported missing, her car was found on September 22nd in Hammond, Indiana (20 miles south of her Chicago home). Nailah Franklin is 5′2″ and weighs about 115 lbs. Pictures of her can be found at crimeblog.us, which is linked below.
Various news outlets have stated that Nailah was threatened by an acquaintance before she disappeared. Computers were also taken from her residence.
If you have any information about the case, police ask that you call Chicago Police at (312) 746-9259.
CNN coverage: link
Continuous Updates from Crimeblog.us: link
UPDATE: On Friday, September 29th, a body found in Calumet City, IL was positively identified to be Nailah's. We pray that the family can get closure by having the killer be arrested and prosecuted.
This story really hit me hard and bothers me to my core, so I wanted to write about it even though it's not based in Dallas.
Nailah Franklin is a Chicago resident and is now missing. Three days after she was reported missing, her car was found on September 22nd in Hammond, Indiana (20 miles south of her Chicago home). Nailah Franklin is 5′2″ and weighs about 115 lbs. Pictures of her can be found at crimeblog.us, which is linked below.
Various news outlets have stated that Nailah was threatened by an acquaintance before she disappeared. Computers were also taken from her residence.
If you have any information about the case, police ask that you call Chicago Police at (312) 746-9259.
CNN coverage: link
Continuous Updates from Crimeblog.us: link
UPDATE: On Friday, September 29th, a body found in Calumet City, IL was positively identified to be Nailah's. We pray that the family can get closure by having the killer be arrested and prosecuted.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Apartment Safety in Dallas
Now that the City Council Committees are underway, I've been checking out the briefings with a particular focus on those related to Public Safety.
Apartment complex crime is a major issue. To me, it's the number one reason our crime rate is so high. In many cases, out-of-state (and out-of-country) landlords are to blame.
The DPD gets blamed for having a high crime rate and for not being everywhere all of the time, but there's a flip side to that coin. The other side of that argument, which to me is more relevant, is that large apartment operators are making "grand theft money" by not hiring real security patrols.
Shocking stats after the jump.
Owners of large complexes need to step it up with respect to their security. Many of the apartment developers, especially in the southern sector, are getting by using something called a "courtesy officer." A courtesy officer is someone that is usually in their own apartment and comes out only if someone makes a phone call.
Most of these courtesy officers don't drive around and they don't walk and patrol the property. It's a marketing tool to make potential renters feel safe while providing zilch in the process. When you need a place to stay and you hear the words "we have courtesy officers on the property," it gives you a warm fuzzy feeling as you commit the next 12+ months of your life to a complex while unwittingly putting your family's safety in jeopardy.
According to the most recent briefings, an astonishing 41% of Dallas' auto thefts occur in apartment complexes. Compare that to 16% at residences and 17% on public streets. When you have the third highest auto theft rate among major cities (population of 1 million+) that's a major factor (link).
Apartments also make up 31% of the BMV (Burglary of Motor Vehicle) numbers. Compare that to 1% for shopping malls, 12% for residences, and 17% for public streets (link).
If the City requires clubs to hire x amount of security guards per x hundred square feet of space when they get specific use permits (SUPs), then large apartment operators should be held to the same standard. It's only fair.
Most apartment crime can be prevented by having a visible security patrol. A lot of crimes in complexes are attributed to hanging out in breezeways and parking lots for hours on end; this is explicitly prohibited in most standard apartment leases. Such minor things go unchecked and it becomes dangerous over time.
People may get mad for me telling it like it is but know I'm telling the truth. This is how it goes down:
A lot of times a group of thugs knows one person in a complex and he/she brings a bunch of friends to turn your parking lot into a party zone. People hang out (usually 25 or under). They often drink and some use drugs. They block traffic and throw footballs around in the street. They all hang around while one of them fixes a car.
They clog up breezeways and turn up their car stereos to 10 and sit around with their cars idling and headlights on so they can keep the party going past dark. One of these degenerates objects to having to move so people that pay rent to live there can get to their home. A fight jumps off which often results in the person who pays rent to live there getting hurt. Another statistic. Or this group hits somebody's car with a football and dents the hood, but when the person who pays rent to live there comes out to find the culprit nobody knows what happened.
Or, people who hang out are watching your every move so they can break into your car or outright steal your vehicle.
Violence also occurs because your complex having the rep as being "the spot to hang out" or a place to score drugs will attract rival groups of thugs which will turn your complex into a free-fire zone or a multifamily fight-fest on the regular. Through August 2007, 31 murders have occurred in apartments and 23 have occurred in their parking lots (38% of the total). More info on murders is here.
There are lots of easy targets because apartments are often populated by single females and young families. And the thugs know it. Now how in the world is any of this the fault of the Dallas Police Department?
The crime rate will remain steady unless the City starts to require large apartment complexes to have visible, active, on-the-ground patrols (not "courtesy patrols") in their complexes and enforces that requirement. If not, expect more of the same.
Apartment complex crime is a major issue. To me, it's the number one reason our crime rate is so high. In many cases, out-of-state (and out-of-country) landlords are to blame.
The DPD gets blamed for having a high crime rate and for not being everywhere all of the time, but there's a flip side to that coin. The other side of that argument, which to me is more relevant, is that large apartment operators are making "grand theft money" by not hiring real security patrols.
Shocking stats after the jump.
Owners of large complexes need to step it up with respect to their security. Many of the apartment developers, especially in the southern sector, are getting by using something called a "courtesy officer." A courtesy officer is someone that is usually in their own apartment and comes out only if someone makes a phone call.
Most of these courtesy officers don't drive around and they don't walk and patrol the property. It's a marketing tool to make potential renters feel safe while providing zilch in the process. When you need a place to stay and you hear the words "we have courtesy officers on the property," it gives you a warm fuzzy feeling as you commit the next 12+ months of your life to a complex while unwittingly putting your family's safety in jeopardy.
According to the most recent briefings, an astonishing 41% of Dallas' auto thefts occur in apartment complexes. Compare that to 16% at residences and 17% on public streets. When you have the third highest auto theft rate among major cities (population of 1 million+) that's a major factor (link).
Apartments also make up 31% of the BMV (Burglary of Motor Vehicle) numbers. Compare that to 1% for shopping malls, 12% for residences, and 17% for public streets (link).
If the City requires clubs to hire x amount of security guards per x hundred square feet of space when they get specific use permits (SUPs), then large apartment operators should be held to the same standard. It's only fair.
Most apartment crime can be prevented by having a visible security patrol. A lot of crimes in complexes are attributed to hanging out in breezeways and parking lots for hours on end; this is explicitly prohibited in most standard apartment leases. Such minor things go unchecked and it becomes dangerous over time.
People may get mad for me telling it like it is but know I'm telling the truth. This is how it goes down:
A lot of times a group of thugs knows one person in a complex and he/she brings a bunch of friends to turn your parking lot into a party zone. People hang out (usually 25 or under). They often drink and some use drugs. They block traffic and throw footballs around in the street. They all hang around while one of them fixes a car.
They clog up breezeways and turn up their car stereos to 10 and sit around with their cars idling and headlights on so they can keep the party going past dark. One of these degenerates objects to having to move so people that pay rent to live there can get to their home. A fight jumps off which often results in the person who pays rent to live there getting hurt. Another statistic. Or this group hits somebody's car with a football and dents the hood, but when the person who pays rent to live there comes out to find the culprit nobody knows what happened.
Or, people who hang out are watching your every move so they can break into your car or outright steal your vehicle.
Violence also occurs because your complex having the rep as being "the spot to hang out" or a place to score drugs will attract rival groups of thugs which will turn your complex into a free-fire zone or a multifamily fight-fest on the regular. Through August 2007, 31 murders have occurred in apartments and 23 have occurred in their parking lots (38% of the total). More info on murders is here.
There are lots of easy targets because apartments are often populated by single females and young families. And the thugs know it. Now how in the world is any of this the fault of the Dallas Police Department?
The crime rate will remain steady unless the City starts to require large apartment complexes to have visible, active, on-the-ground patrols (not "courtesy patrols") in their complexes and enforces that requirement. If not, expect more of the same.
Monday, September 17, 2007
Reward for Slain Grocer
The DMN reports that the family of Alemu Abebe, a convenience store owner killed by three men in a fatal robbery at 825 S. Carroll Ave in September 2004, is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and indictment in the case.
The paper says that anyone with information can call Crime Stoppers at 214-373-8477 or the Dallas police homicide unit at 214-671-3661.
Many of these grocery store murders go unsolved due to the lack of witnesses, clear videotapes, and information.
None of these three stores mentioned have reopened, which hurts the community in multiple ways. I've written about this several times in the past.
There are many others which I cannot recall, and the sheer number is disheartening. However, we must continue to fight in our communities the best we can.
The paper says that anyone with information can call Crime Stoppers at 214-373-8477 or the Dallas police homicide unit at 214-671-3661.
Many of these grocery store murders go unsolved due to the lack of witnesses, clear videotapes, and information.
- The murder of the grocer at Samuell & Hunnicut in Buckner Terrace from last summer is still unsolved.
- The murder of the grocer on Hall Street near Roseland Homes this past July is still unsolved.
- The murder of the grocer across from Chi's Grocery at Denley & Morrell in Oak Cliff from June 2006 is still unsolved.
None of these three stores mentioned have reopened, which hurts the community in multiple ways. I've written about this several times in the past.
There are many others which I cannot recall, and the sheer number is disheartening. However, we must continue to fight in our communities the best we can.
New Blood on the Way
I wanted to say congratulations to my buddy Tiffinni Young who will be representing District Four on the Park Board. She's under 30 years old. Also, I will be representing District Four on the City Plan Commission. Mentorship and opening up opportunities is very important if this City is to grow and develop; thanks to Dwaine Caraway for seeing the value in such a practice. Former Councilman James Fantroy and Council Assistant Mary Hasan gave me my first shot at Dallas board leadership years ago, and I will always appreciate that.
Thank you to all of the City of Dallas employees and City Council members that have wished me well and offered advice and encouragement.
You see, a lot of the people that you see hating in Black Dallas have no youth in their corner. I may be in my 30s but in the political arena I am one of the younger active people on the scene.
They are more interested in doing what I call "passing the torch sideways" to each other instead of mentoring and training new leaders and exposing them to what really happens in the political and business worlds. They have found themselves on the outside looking in, so they have no choice but to throw stones hoping that someone hears their catcalls. They don't represent the Black community they represent their little clique, and with the progress going on (without them) people are becoming wiser. The clique cannot control the message that comes out of the community anymore, for there are now multiple voices with theirs taking a backseat. Maybe they should grab the key of the torch they've had handcuffed to their arm for decades, and pass that torch to someone else.
I have also talked to some elected officials and other leaders that are trying to find some young people to groom. That is commendable as well. Lead by actions, and let the chips fall where they may. If it doesn't go your way, remain classy.
The world is turning, and people are seeing what's going on. They don't believe you anymore.
Thank you to all of the City of Dallas employees and City Council members that have wished me well and offered advice and encouragement.
You see, a lot of the people that you see hating in Black Dallas have no youth in their corner. I may be in my 30s but in the political arena I am one of the younger active people on the scene.
They are more interested in doing what I call "passing the torch sideways" to each other instead of mentoring and training new leaders and exposing them to what really happens in the political and business worlds. They have found themselves on the outside looking in, so they have no choice but to throw stones hoping that someone hears their catcalls. They don't represent the Black community they represent their little clique, and with the progress going on (without them) people are becoming wiser. The clique cannot control the message that comes out of the community anymore, for there are now multiple voices with theirs taking a backseat. Maybe they should grab the key of the torch they've had handcuffed to their arm for decades, and pass that torch to someone else.
I have also talked to some elected officials and other leaders that are trying to find some young people to groom. That is commendable as well. Lead by actions, and let the chips fall where they may. If it doesn't go your way, remain classy.
The world is turning, and people are seeing what's going on. They don't believe you anymore.
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Daiquiri Dump Closing
I got an e-mail from my people at PartyChaser saying that the Daiquiri Dump is closing. They've been open about a year and a half and it has been a great spot. You never heard about any crime coming out of there and it was owned and frequented by young Black & Hispanic professionals. And yes, they played hip-hip music too (take that, Steve Blow).
They may have been a victim of the SUP mess in Deep Ellum. It seems like they are looking to relocate.
I look for my people Rob & Ron at PartyChaser to figure out a way to keep the parties going on Friday nights. When I hear about their next move, I'll let you know.
They may have been a victim of the SUP mess in Deep Ellum. It seems like they are looking to relocate.
I look for my people Rob & Ron at PartyChaser to figure out a way to keep the parties going on Friday nights. When I hear about their next move, I'll let you know.
Friday, September 14, 2007
South Dallas Cultural Center Reopening
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Slumlords
The City is working on an ordinance to have single-family rent houses inspected and registered with the City.
I sympathize with the landlords that are doing the best the can with limited resources. Good landlords have nothing to worry about. But slumlords best get ready for a day of reckoning. We have long seen these property owners take advantage of the poor while they live in multi-million dollar mansions. People like the Topletz family and George Works (aka G.W. Works) come to mind.
I sympathize with the landlords that are doing the best the can with limited resources. Good landlords have nothing to worry about. But slumlords best get ready for a day of reckoning. We have long seen these property owners take advantage of the poor while they live in multi-million dollar mansions. People like the Topletz family and George Works (aka G.W. Works) come to mind.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Dallas City Council Committees Announced
Officially, the City Council Committees are as follows. The committees are where most of the work gets done, since the new ideas are often introduced via committee and then moved for discussion and vote amongst the entire City Council. Sam Merten from DallasBlog was the first to publicly provide the info.
The committees are as follows:
Finance, Audit & Accounting Committee:
Mitchell Rasansky (chair), Jerry Allen (vice-chair), Dr. Elba Garcia, Vonciel Hill, Angela Hunt, Ron Natinsky, Dave Neumann
Public Safety Committee:
Dr. Elba Garcia (chair), Dwaine Caraway (vice-chair), Jerry Allen, Tennell Atkins, Sheffie Kadane, Ron Natinsky, Dave Neumann, Mitchell Rasansky
Transportation and Environment Committee:
Linda Koop (chair), Sheffie Kadane (vice-chair), Jerry Allen, Carolyn Davis, Vonciel Hill, Angela Hunt, Pauline Medrano, Ron Natinsky
Economic Development Committee:
Ron Natinsky (chair), Tennell Atkins (vice-chair), Jerry Allen, Dwaine Caraway, Sheffie Kadane, Linda Koop, Mitchell Rasansky, Steve Salazar
Housing Committee:
Steve Salazar (chair), Carolyn Davis (vice-chair), Tennell Atkins, Dr. Elba Garcia, Vonciel Hill, Angela Hunt, Linda Koop, Pauline Medrano
Quality of Life and Government Services Committee:
Pauline Medrano (chair), Vonciel Hill (vice-chair), Carolyn Davis, Angela Hunt, Sheffie Kadane, Dave Neumann, Steve Salazar
Trinity River Project Committee:
Dave Neumann (chair), Dr. Elba Garcia (vice-chair), Dwaine Caraway, Carolyn Davis, Linda Koop, Pauline Medrano, Mitchell Rasansky, Steve Salazar
Mayor’s Task Force on Southern Sector Economic Opportunities:
Tennell Atkins (chair), Ron Natinsky (vice-chair), additional members from other governmental entities and the private sector
Marketing Task Force:
Dwaine Caraway (chair), additional members from the council and the community
The committees are as follows:
Finance, Audit & Accounting Committee:
Mitchell Rasansky (chair), Jerry Allen (vice-chair), Dr. Elba Garcia, Vonciel Hill, Angela Hunt, Ron Natinsky, Dave Neumann
Public Safety Committee:
Dr. Elba Garcia (chair), Dwaine Caraway (vice-chair), Jerry Allen, Tennell Atkins, Sheffie Kadane, Ron Natinsky, Dave Neumann, Mitchell Rasansky
Transportation and Environment Committee:
Linda Koop (chair), Sheffie Kadane (vice-chair), Jerry Allen, Carolyn Davis, Vonciel Hill, Angela Hunt, Pauline Medrano, Ron Natinsky
Economic Development Committee:
Ron Natinsky (chair), Tennell Atkins (vice-chair), Jerry Allen, Dwaine Caraway, Sheffie Kadane, Linda Koop, Mitchell Rasansky, Steve Salazar
Housing Committee:
Steve Salazar (chair), Carolyn Davis (vice-chair), Tennell Atkins, Dr. Elba Garcia, Vonciel Hill, Angela Hunt, Linda Koop, Pauline Medrano
Quality of Life and Government Services Committee:
Pauline Medrano (chair), Vonciel Hill (vice-chair), Carolyn Davis, Angela Hunt, Sheffie Kadane, Dave Neumann, Steve Salazar
Trinity River Project Committee:
Dave Neumann (chair), Dr. Elba Garcia (vice-chair), Dwaine Caraway, Carolyn Davis, Linda Koop, Pauline Medrano, Mitchell Rasansky, Steve Salazar
Mayor’s Task Force on Southern Sector Economic Opportunities:
Tennell Atkins (chair), Ron Natinsky (vice-chair), additional members from other governmental entities and the private sector
Marketing Task Force:
Dwaine Caraway (chair), additional members from the council and the community
Being in the Trenches
Janet Morrison. You must meet her. And you must meet her "kids."
Do you know where Turner Courts is located? Do you? No? It's here. Have you ever been there? You should go to witness what I've seen.
Janet runs an after-school academy with the kids in Turner Courts with the help of some of the parents in that area. She is performing small miracles everyday in South Dallas.
While most pander to the kids in her area, Janet shows that she loves those kids by doing real work. And before you think she is someone who just drives from the burbs to help the disadvantaged, she lives in southern Dallas also.
Recently, Janet has been focusing on the plight of her students that have made it to college. She's had some successes, and she's lost some kids as well.
During the summer, Janet focused on nutrition and even took the kids to Central Market to experience a different environment. It may seem basic to you, but to these kids it was an eye-opening experience. Fresh food and opportunities for healthy-food choices are a luxury.You see, there are no full-service grocery stores within several miles. The closest one is the raggedy Minyard's near Fair Park and the under-construction DART line.
I often read Janet's blog and that of her "kids" to keep perspective in what it is we're trying to do in this City.
Check out her blog here, and check out the blog of her After School Academy here.
I feel privileged to have her helping the children of District Four.
Do you know where Turner Courts is located? Do you? No? It's here. Have you ever been there? You should go to witness what I've seen.
Janet runs an after-school academy with the kids in Turner Courts with the help of some of the parents in that area. She is performing small miracles everyday in South Dallas.
While most pander to the kids in her area, Janet shows that she loves those kids by doing real work. And before you think she is someone who just drives from the burbs to help the disadvantaged, she lives in southern Dallas also.
Recently, Janet has been focusing on the plight of her students that have made it to college. She's had some successes, and she's lost some kids as well.
During the summer, Janet focused on nutrition and even took the kids to Central Market to experience a different environment. It may seem basic to you, but to these kids it was an eye-opening experience. Fresh food and opportunities for healthy-food choices are a luxury.You see, there are no full-service grocery stores within several miles. The closest one is the raggedy Minyard's near Fair Park and the under-construction DART line.
I often read Janet's blog and that of her "kids" to keep perspective in what it is we're trying to do in this City.
Check out her blog here, and check out the blog of her After School Academy here.
I feel privileged to have her helping the children of District Four.
Sunday, September 9, 2007
Development Updates
The Tom Thumb on Cedar Springs near Douglas is finally coming down. It will be replaced by (what else)... a mixed-use development with retail on the first floor and apartments above. There must be quite an appetite for high-end apartments in this area.
The apartments on the Northeast Corner of Oak Lawn and Douglas are also coming down. In their place will be 240 new apartments. Most reviews indicate that this place won't be missed.
The apartments on the Northeast Corner of Oak Lawn and Douglas are also coming down. In their place will be 240 new apartments. Most reviews indicate that this place won't be missed.
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Love for the People
I talked to several people that are in the vicinity of where Dwaine lead the charge to take down the drug houses a few weeks ago. They told me that the neighborhood has changed for the better. There are still some issues, for the simple reason that you can't change a neighborhood overnight. But the "crackhead stroll" in their neighborhood is now non-existent, because there's no where to buy it.
I LOVE my seniors. When I say my seniors, I mean those folks in the District that held in down in their neighborhoods the best they could. They either can't move or won't move, remaining hopeful and prayerful that a change will come to their area. I haven't known them as long as most, but I've grown attached to some of them because they pray for us and support us as we fight these battles.
This movement is about those seniors that live behind bars and can't afford an ADT system to protect them. They're trying to figure out whether to pay TXU or to buy some groceries. As we speak, one of my seniors has a big hole in her roof and ceiling and I'm trying to figure out if we can get her a grant of some sort.
This is about kids who deserve a shot at making it, and about parents that shouldn't have to drive 30 minutes to go to the movies or to get a decent bag of groceries.
It's about all of the great City staff and volunteers that put on the Community Teen Summit Forums and never ask for credit or recognition, but really make it happen for the kids that come down to City Hall. I can't thank those volunteers enough.
When we say "A Block at a Time" it's in our hearts, and if you can't see that you have your own internal issues that you need to resolve. Growing up in the 80s, most of my friends are dead or in jail. They had no shot at making it, little support, and never grew strong enough to handle the pressure of growing up in the 'hood. That's why my fight will never stop.
I appreciate all of the neighborhood residents, city officials, pastors, community leaders and everyone else for their support in what we are trying to do. With your help and prayers, we will continue this journey.
I LOVE my seniors. When I say my seniors, I mean those folks in the District that held in down in their neighborhoods the best they could. They either can't move or won't move, remaining hopeful and prayerful that a change will come to their area. I haven't known them as long as most, but I've grown attached to some of them because they pray for us and support us as we fight these battles.
This movement is about those seniors that live behind bars and can't afford an ADT system to protect them. They're trying to figure out whether to pay TXU or to buy some groceries. As we speak, one of my seniors has a big hole in her roof and ceiling and I'm trying to figure out if we can get her a grant of some sort.
This is about kids who deserve a shot at making it, and about parents that shouldn't have to drive 30 minutes to go to the movies or to get a decent bag of groceries.
It's about all of the great City staff and volunteers that put on the Community Teen Summit Forums and never ask for credit or recognition, but really make it happen for the kids that come down to City Hall. I can't thank those volunteers enough.
When we say "A Block at a Time" it's in our hearts, and if you can't see that you have your own internal issues that you need to resolve. Growing up in the 80s, most of my friends are dead or in jail. They had no shot at making it, little support, and never grew strong enough to handle the pressure of growing up in the 'hood. That's why my fight will never stop.
I appreciate all of the neighborhood residents, city officials, pastors, community leaders and everyone else for their support in what we are trying to do. With your help and prayers, we will continue this journey.
Dogfighting DVDs being Sold in Stores
Channel 8 ran an interesting story on pit bull DVDs being sold in local Exxon gas stations. Apparently, they are being sold in many stations across DFW. It was a lot more interesting and meaningful than the story they led with on Tuesday.
I know that convenience stores have different little kiosks to make a few extra bucks. There's nothing wrong with such a practice, but I'm sure they can find something better to sell than dogfighting DVDs.
What the news story didn't mention is that some of the groups behind those videos is being sued by the Humane Society along with Amazon.com for selling such DVDs.
Between the selling of this garbage and selling of single blunts and cigars which are typically used to smoke drugs (is this legal?), some of these stores need to clean up their act.
I know that convenience stores have different little kiosks to make a few extra bucks. There's nothing wrong with such a practice, but I'm sure they can find something better to sell than dogfighting DVDs.
What the news story didn't mention is that some of the groups behind those videos is being sued by the Humane Society along with Amazon.com for selling such DVDs.
Between the selling of this garbage and selling of single blunts and cigars which are typically used to smoke drugs (is this legal?), some of these stores need to clean up their act.
Monday, September 3, 2007
Neighborhood Pastors are Robbery Targets
In the past few weeks, several ministers in southern Dallas have been the targets of burglaries and aggravated robberies.
The latest victim was Bishop McGriff; he was held up at gunpoint of his offering in his driveway after leaving Church. Bishop is the pastor of the Church of The Living God in South Oak Cliff. If you read this blog, you know that Bishop McGriff is a local pastor that helps a countless amount of people in southern Dallas.
I take this one personally. Bishop McGriff has been really supportive in the cleaning up of his neighborhood and helping people. The zip code in which his Church resides is one of the most crime ridden and dangerous in the City. It's right around the corner from the Sunset and Southern Comfort Motels. Too many crack houses, too much violence and a sense that the criminals own the streets is contributing to this trend. When you're dealing with people that would stoop so low as to rob a preacher of his offering, you're dealing with terrorists that respect nothing.
Help is on the way. Dwaine Caraway is talking about addressing this issue at a City level. My hope is that this post contributes to a higher level of awareness about this issue. Watch out for your minister. Especially in our small churches, make sure that when the pastor closes down for the day there is someone closeby looking out for him or her.
Here is the news clip from Channel 8. Thanks to Brett Shipp for covering an crime wave that sometimes gets overlooked.
The latest victim was Bishop McGriff; he was held up at gunpoint of his offering in his driveway after leaving Church. Bishop is the pastor of the Church of The Living God in South Oak Cliff. If you read this blog, you know that Bishop McGriff is a local pastor that helps a countless amount of people in southern Dallas.
I take this one personally. Bishop McGriff has been really supportive in the cleaning up of his neighborhood and helping people. The zip code in which his Church resides is one of the most crime ridden and dangerous in the City. It's right around the corner from the Sunset and Southern Comfort Motels. Too many crack houses, too much violence and a sense that the criminals own the streets is contributing to this trend. When you're dealing with people that would stoop so low as to rob a preacher of his offering, you're dealing with terrorists that respect nothing.
Help is on the way. Dwaine Caraway is talking about addressing this issue at a City level. My hope is that this post contributes to a higher level of awareness about this issue. Watch out for your minister. Especially in our small churches, make sure that when the pastor closes down for the day there is someone closeby looking out for him or her.
Here is the news clip from Channel 8. Thanks to Brett Shipp for covering an crime wave that sometimes gets overlooked.
The Dream Starts Today
The Labor Day weekend is the unofficial kickoff time for the next year's elections. Already, several people have announced their intentions to run for office.
Here is the official calendar from the State. Primary Election Day is March 4, 2008; it will be here before you know it.
Here are some challengers we already know about:
*Bill Keffer is trying to unseat Allen Vaught for State Rep in District 107. Vaught is in his first term, and I haven't heard any complaints. You may remember that Vaught beat Keffer last year. HD 107 covers parts of Lakewood, Northeast Dallas, Lake Highlands, and East Dallas. They wouldn't meet until the November election.
*Pete Schulte is Challenging Lupe Valdez for Sheriff in the Democratic Primary. Several republican hopefuls are lined up for the right to face the winner in November.
*Former Fort Worth City Councilwoman Wendy Davis is challenging Kim Brimer in Texas Senate District 10. She's running as a democrat, and wouldn't face Brimer until the November 2008 election.
There are various rumblings, but I haven't heard of any other major announcements - drop me a line if you hear anything.
Here is the official calendar from the State. Primary Election Day is March 4, 2008; it will be here before you know it.
Here are some challengers we already know about:
*Bill Keffer is trying to unseat Allen Vaught for State Rep in District 107. Vaught is in his first term, and I haven't heard any complaints. You may remember that Vaught beat Keffer last year. HD 107 covers parts of Lakewood, Northeast Dallas, Lake Highlands, and East Dallas. They wouldn't meet until the November election.
*Pete Schulte is Challenging Lupe Valdez for Sheriff in the Democratic Primary. Several republican hopefuls are lined up for the right to face the winner in November.
*Former Fort Worth City Councilwoman Wendy Davis is challenging Kim Brimer in Texas Senate District 10. She's running as a democrat, and wouldn't face Brimer until the November 2008 election.
There are various rumblings, but I haven't heard of any other major announcements - drop me a line if you hear anything.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
