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This blog was the first in the nation created by an editorial board to give readers a behind-the-scenes view of the discussion that goes into crafting the newspaper’s daily editorials. It includes updates on the work of the editorial staff and debates on general news issues. We welcome and read all letters from readers. Letters are selected for publication based on their clarity and brevity. They also are chosen to represent a diverse set of views on as many issues as possible. February 2010
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Letters to the Editor - City of Dallas
February 13, 2010
I've lived in Lake Highlands for more than 30 years and have followed all of the many changing rules regarding trash pickup. My alley has easy access for garbage pickup, but now I have to figure out a way to get it to the front. Our garages have easy access in back for everyone on this alley, making it easy to get the garbage cans out on pickup day. My elderly neighbor across from me will not be able to manage the incline to get her can to the front, so I will help her. When did taxpaying homeowners lose our right to put out the trash in the back where it belongs? Sherry Hopkins, Dallas
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The entry "Why trash pickup in front?" is tagged: Dallas February 6, 2010
We just received notices in our neighborhood that trash cans have to be set out at the front curb instead of the alley. First, we have to haul the darn things around the block -- none of our fencing was built to admit those monster bins. Then we have to find a new space to stash them. This will make our neighborhood look like a ghetto. Also, our many elderly citizens won't be able to haul those bins around. Dallas spends money on high-profile items, but they don't spend money on the everyday things. Norman Howden, Dallas
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The entry "About those trash rules" is tagged: Dallas January 10, 2010
Re: "Building inventories don't add up for city," by James Ragland, Wednesday Metro column. James Ragland recently wrote that the city of Dallas didn't know how many buildings it owned. This being the case, the citizens should ask their council member exactly what it is that the city does know. Did we get duped into building a convention center hotel? Maybe we already have one! Garrett Vogel, Dallas
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The entry "Missing buildings" is tagged: convention center hotel , Dallas January 5, 2010
Re: "At Cotton Bowl, a hollow feeling -- With game gone to Arlington, businesses near stadium sigh," Sunday news story. After attending college football games at the Cotton Bowl and Cowboys Stadium, I am convinced the Cotton Bowl is the best location. The Cowboys Stadium is too big, has too many distractions and was not designed for the average fan. Because the Cotton Bowl is more compact, more fans are much closer to the field, giving a better game experience. Also, I am beginning to see a backlash for Jerry Jones' attempts to undermine efforts to get more games at the Cotton Bowl and to siphon other events from Dallas. Yes, I went to see Jerry World or Death Star, as some call it, but I will not go back. The same can be said for many of my friends and associates. Al Taylor, Dallas
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The entry "Longing for Cotton Bowl locale" is tagged: Cotton Bowl , Dallas December 19, 2009
Re: "Dallas assault statistics play down violence -- By deviating from FBI guidelines, police create an 'artificial image,' experts say," Tuesday news story. Tracy Curts, Dallas
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The entry "Assault's still a crime" is tagged: Dallas , David Kunkle , DPD December 11, 2009
I am proud to be a member of the Dallas City Council and to work with colleagues who handle the citizens' business with dignity and professionalism. Mutual respect is an expected component of that working relationship. Over the past several years, council members' standard procedure has been to notify each other about projects or meetings that affect their respective districts. Neither the mayor nor most of the council members will call community meetings in a council member's district without notice to the council member in whose district the meeting is to be held and without invitation to that council member. I am disappointed that your editorial chose to use "fiefdom" and "border fence," implying territorialism, rather than recognizing the duties of responsibility and accountability owed by each district representative to his or her electorate. Your readers would have benefited from an assessment based on facts instead of editorial assumptions. I respect the structure of our city government and the individuals elected to serve within that structure. I hope that your news organization will, at some point, come to share and exhibit that same respect. Vonciel Jones Hill, Dallas City Council member, District 5
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The entry "A climate of mutual respect" is tagged: Dallas , Dallas City Council November 28, 2009
When is the last time any member of the Dallas City Council has strolled along the street across from the new $18 million Main Street Garden by the old Dallas Hotel? Couldn't any of the money earmarked for the new lovely garden be spent to clean up the foul odor of human waste that surrounds the old hotel? This is not a new problem, but one I've noticed for the last 10 years. Way before work began on the Merc Building, I walked past that area from my parking garage, and daily there were signs of human waste if you didn't actually witness it happening before your very eyes. I hope all those who have bought or leased the high-dollar units in the Merc Building were provided gas masks, so that they could enjoy the lovely Main Street Garden. Kim Wood, Cedar Hill
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The entry "Downtown odors" is tagged: Dallas November 22, 2009
Congratulations to Chief David Kunkle on his outstanding leadership of the Dallas Police Department for the past five years. Falling crime rates, more officers on the streets and enhanced public and staff confidence in the department are all a part of his legacy. Kunkle will leave Dallas a better place than he inherited in 2004. Bill Melton, Dallas
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The entry "Kudos to Chief Kunkle" is tagged: Dallas , David Kunkle November 19, 2009
Re: "Unexcused Absence -- Council should back plan for derelict properties," Monday Editorials. It alarms me that any council member could be so uninformed about the problems of absentee property owners in Dallas. I've visited southern Dallas neighborhoods and have seen the effects of the north-south gap. Isn't it reasonable to expect all of our elected officials to be similarly in touch? Single-member council districts were created to achieve minority representation. Some council members focus solely on their districts, oblivious to some important issues because they are not seen as relevant. We all pay the price for this insulated approach. All council members should be aware of issues that may technically be outside of their districts yet impact the fiscal and social health of the entire city. As a community of many districts, our boats rise or sink together. Council members are elected to do a job. It is reasonable that we expect them to do it well. David Robison, Dallas
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The entry "Gap should concern everyone" is tagged: Dallas , Southern Dallas November 17, 2009
Re: "Leppert: I'd consider a run -- He would have to quit as mayor, catch up to other GOP hopefuls," Saturday news story. Mayor Tom Leppert would be the most qualified candidate to run for the U.S. Senate from Texas. However, the last time a Dallas mayor, Ron Kirk, ran for the U.S. Senate, we ended up with Laura Miller as mayor. Leppert should finish his first term and run for a second term. Dallas needs his integrity and leadership to complete important unfinished projects. After his second term as mayor, I am confident Tom Leppert would make an excellent candidate for any state or national office. Alfred L. Taylor, Dallas
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The entry "Leppert should stay as mayor" is tagged: Kay Bailey Hutchison , Ron Kirk , Tom Leppert November 11, 2009
Re: "Dallas faces lawsuit over strict sign ordinance -- Group says business owners hurt; city leaders cite cleanup," Wednesday news story. Most cities wouldn't dream of prohibiting advertisements in the top two-thirds of a newspaper page or restricting TV advertisements to only 15 percent of the screen. Yet, Dallas now demands that no commercial message be carried in the top two-thirds of any window and that such messages may not cover more than 15 percent of any window. Essentially, Dallas now permits only those signs that are small enough and low enough to render them completely ineffective. Records show that Dallas is using this law to target small businesses, while large chains violate it in plain sight. The city needs to understand that commercial speech deserves every bit as much constitutional protection as political speech. Instead, Dallas would have you believe a city bureaucrat's subjective impression of the beauty of a particular sign is more important than a small business's First Amendment right to convey important, truthful information to potential customers. When the government is given the power to choose who can speak and who cannot, that power will inevitably be used to target the underprivileged, the powerless and the unpopular. We need a First Amendment jurisprudence that protects speech regardless of who the speaker is and whether the government likes what he or she has to say. Matt Miller, executive director of the Institute for Justice Texas Chapter, Austin
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The entry "Speech rights for business" is tagged: City Council , Dallas November 10, 2009
Re: "Legitimacy? CityDesign Studio aims to transform riverfront -- It will pick up where sleek Arts District buildings left off, says Lee Cullum," Friday Viewpoints. Likewise, Industrial Boulevard is going to be Industrial Boulevard to most people, no matter what it is named. Besides, you can call it Rodeo Drive, and it is still the location of the county jail. So, start taking the people of Dallas into account. Quit trying to impress a lot of critics who will go on thinking of us as the city that shot President John F. Kennedy. Start building family-friendly, Texas-type things, places to shop, places to play, and let the people make downtown Dallas live. Donna Kennedy, Mesquite
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The entry "People build a city, not names" is tagged: arts , Dallas November 6, 2009
As usual, Cullum has written a thoughtful and well-informed article. Her praise of the progress Dallas has made culturally is entirely justified, and her praise of Deedie Rose and Gail Thomas was well deserved. I can't help but remember that it has most often been the ladies of Dallas, many of them, who have pushed forward the wonderful projects that we all see coming to fruition. I can't help but remember that Mr. Catalyst, Stanley Marcus, encouraged and stimulated many of our great ladies, including Margaret McDermott and Nancy Hamon, to become involved and initiate financially the projects Dallas citizens will be enjoying for many decades to come. I, for one, thank and salute each of Dallas' Great Ladies. Frank Ribelin, Dallas
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The entry "Great Ladies of Dallas" is tagged: Dallas November 3, 2009
Re: "News to close southern Dallas plant," Saturday Business. For at least a year now, The Dallas Morning News has printed a steady stream of editorials regarding the progress -- or lack thereof -- in the southern sector of Dallas. I have been impressed with the consistent focus in this arena. Given that A.H. Belo is closing its southern Dallas packaging plant, will The News now be printing an editorial expressing its displeasure and disappointment with the closure of this southern Dallas plant in favor of A.H. Belo's Plano facility? I realize the Internet and general state of the economy have wreaked havoc on the business plan of old-fashioned newspapers everywhere and that difficult decisions like this must be made every day. However, given all the preaching The News has been doing all year about propping up the southern sector, I was mildly surprised to hear that you are not walking the walk. Barbara Dornak Christian, Carrollton
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The entry "Look in the mirror" is tagged: southern Dallas November 1, 2009
Once again, Dallas has missed an opportunity to do something right and instead flubbed it up. If one wishes to experience a beautiful, elegant and functional opera house, one needs only to drive 32 miles west to Fort Worth's Bass Hall. You'll be delighted and come away with an extremely pleasant experience. Jim Madewell, Dallas
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The entry "For a great opera house, go west" is tagged: Dallas , Winspear October 30, 2009
Re: "Board: Staff handled Texas-OU crowds well -- Members suggest changes but aren't sure agency could ever meet full fan demand," Wednesday news story. James Reid, Dallas
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The entry "Praise for DART misplaced" is tagged: dart October 29, 2009
Re: "Leppert's Gamble -- We hope move pays off on council ethics reform," Wednesday Editorials. Your editorial is a short and quick assessment of what is needed at City Hall. If ethics reform is feared and opposed by one group or another, there is the problem. Hats off to Mayor Tom Leppert and the job he is doing for all of Dallas. Yvonne Crum, Dallas
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The entry "A salute to Tom Leppert" is tagged: City Hall , Dallas , Tom Leppert October 28, 2009
My husband and I suffered a burglary in 2008. It was, by the definition of the Dallas Police Department, a real burglary. A coin collection, gun, ammunition and jewelry were stolen, a custom patio door was shattered, and the house trashed. The thief put two of our elderly cats, who had never been outdoors, out of the house and so injured and frightened one of them that he is still traumatized. My anger about the burglary and vandalism was nothing compared to the fury I felt and still feel because of the injury to our beloved old cats. It doesn't really matter what Chief David Kunkle and the Dallas Police Department want to call crimes. They are just doing what Mayor Tom Leppert and the Dallas Citizens Council tell them to do in order to lure businesses to Dallas. Those of us who have been victims of crimes know the kinds of damage and loss and outrage they cause, and that vandalism can often cause more damage than burglary, both to the property and to the victim. Ellen Childress, Dallas
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The entry "Crime has consequences" is tagged: Dallas , Dallas Police , David Kunkle
Re: "Do police count all burglaries? Kunkle says intent must be clear in break-ins as some fault classification system," Sunday news story. I used to respect Dallas Police Chief David Kunkle and his adherence to the rules. Now I read that our crime reports are still slanted to make Dallas and criminals feel safer. A burglar will feel more emboldened knowing that if he tries and fails, he is only looking at a vandalism misdemeanor. Chief Kunkle states that his officers have to report obvious burglary attempts (such as doors forcibly kicked in) as vandalism if nothing is taken. He states that his officers cannot assume what was in the mind of the crook unless it is backed by solid evidence. A question, chief: If your officer sees a person pull a firearm, is that officer "allowed" to assume the man is going to use that weapon, and respond with deadly force, or must he wait until the evidence supports his defending himself? This is not a position that I can respect. I am happy to live in Collin County. Bob Thickman, Richardson
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The entry "Do you feel safer?" is tagged: Dallas , Dallas Police , David Kunkle October 26, 2009
Re: "Do police count all burglaries? Kunkle says intent must be clear in break-ins as some fault classification system," Sunday news story. I had great respect for Police Chief David Kunkle until I read the articles describing obvious crimes being reclassified to improve our crime statistics. Kunkle says, "Officers cannot assume what the criminal intent of the person was." Yet they do that every day when they stop people suspected of prostitution, drug dealing, drunken driving, etc. Or when they ask to search someone's car or home. If someone kicks my door in, any reasonable person will assume he or she intended to steal from me, because in the vast majority of cases where someone got caught, the intent was burglary. The police, with all their training and experience, know this all the more. The citizens of Dallas should be outraged about this attempt to manipulate our crime statistics. We should be treated as adults by our city leadership. Susan Sanders Wansbrough, Dallas
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The entry "Intent is clear in these cases" is tagged: Dallas , Dallas Police October 25, 2009
Re: "A star is born: Dallas City comes of age culturally as it gives residents a sneak peek of its snazzy performance spaces," Tuesday Business. To everyone who had a part in bringing us the AT&T Performing Arts Center and all its venues: Bravo! Elizabeth K. Cook, Dallas
For more than 40 years, I have waited for the new Dallas Opera house with great anticipation, and I must say it is an impressive building from a distance. But upon close inspection, I was shocked at the tackiness. From the interior red walls covered with scuff marks to the cheap half-dead landscape that looked better suited to the mobile home exhibit at the state fair, it was a big disappointment. The grand entrance was nothing more than concrete. The overall feel was that the venue was thrown together. Have too many casual Fridays stripped us of our sense of style? If the critics think this is a stunning facility, an appropriate opening production for this place would have been "The Emperor's New Clothes."
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The entry "Bravo to arts center" is tagged: arts , Dallas
Re: "After-school programs' ripple effects -- They save our children and protect our streets, says Police Chief David Kunkle," last Monday Viewpoints. A few years ago, AT&T chose to sponsor several Teen Centers at the Dallas Public Libraries. They proved so successful that the AT&T Foundation donated $500,000 to the Friends of the Dallas Public Library to fund Teen Centers and new programs at 20 additional library locations. Teen Centers provide at-risk youth with exposure to positive role models in the community and offer special programs on career planning, college admission and homework help via the Internet. Teen Center activities include interview training, job fairs, computer training, help with college and scholarship applications, creative writing, public speaking, Web design, and arts and crafts. Library staff, as well as academic and professional community residents, guide and advise teens throughout these activities. AT&T is to be congratulated that they have chosen to invest in the youth in our community. The programs are as close as your nearest branch library. Deborah Brown, executive director, Friends of the Dallas Public Library, Dallas
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The entry "Teens can gather at libraries" is tagged: Dallas , David Kunkle October 14, 2009
If you want a great perspective on southern Dallas, and not the high crime, beaten-down area generally portrayed by the media, take a Sunday bike ride through the area. I was one of the participants in the Toyota U.S. Open Triathlon -- I use the term participant, as my time could hardly support the idea I was racing. The bike portion went from Joe Pool Lake to the American Airlines Center by way of many of the roads I hear of only on traffic reports or incident reports. Rather than a run-down area of town with people huddled behind their doors, I saw hundreds of residents who braved nasty weather to cheer on the competitors. Neighborhood leaders were assisting the seemingly hundreds of law enforcement officers. The hours-long procession of bikes made their way through areas with manicured lawns and bustling businesses that were not at all what I expected. Although I live in another area of town, I look forward to going out of my way to support them as they did me. Lorin Subar, Dallas
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The entry "Southern Dallas surprise" is tagged: Southern Dallas October 12, 2009
Re: " 'Resounding decision' -- Hill, cohorts guilty on most counts in bribery, extortion," and, "Once-rising star's historic fall stuns friends, supporters," last Tuesday news story. It is amazing but predictable that Don Hill would seek to appeal the verdict of guilty. Hill lamented that the verdict left a dark cloud lingering over City Hall. He might have added that it was a roadblock to the redevelopment of South Dallas and eroded the value of single-member districts. Hill was quoted as saying, "God's got something in store for us other than the result we wanted." Perhaps it may have been incarceration. This was such a waste of leadership to a segment of Dallas that so cries for true leadership. Jeanette Evans, Richardson
Hill: Operating in the wrong city Dallas is nothing but a microcosm of Washington, D.C. Some of our corrupt members of the U.S. Congress collect more in one day than former Mayor Pro Tem Don Hill and his cohorts could illegally collect in a lifetime. That is not an excuse for Hill but a slimy indictment of many of our corrupt politicians and their bureaucrats, appointees and volunteers. The only difference is that the former mayor pro tem got caught. Washington actually has a license to do it. Hill lives in the wrong city. The Dallas Morning News is to be congratulated for exposing much of the corruption over the years -- another good reason for the paper to survive and thrive. The populace needs you. John P. Chaney, Denton
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The entry "On Don Hill's trial: Appeal amazes me" is tagged: Dallas , Don Hill trial October 11, 2009
Re: "The Right Fit -- City should rename part of Central for Chávez," Wednesday Editorials. Renaming Central Expressway in honor of César Chávez will create the only downtown Dallas street named after a leader also honored with a Texas state holiday. However, we lose critical connections to Dallas Hispanic history by stopping the renaming at Pacific Avenue. The new name should continue north up Pearl Street and include Moody Street. The Dallas city archivist can find no documented sources for either the Pearl or Moody name. This addition would connect César Chávez Avenue with many parts of Dallas Hispanic history. An acknowledgement of Hispanic history in Dallas benefits everyone, especially the 66 percent of DISD students who are Hispanic. The focus on a student's own history is proven to lower dropout rates. Our city's improvement must continue. Bill Betzen, Dallas
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The entry "Don't stop Chávez at Pacific" is tagged: Cesar Chavez October 7, 2009
The real heroes in the Don Hill trial are the minority jurors, who took their judicial vows seriously, gave their full attention to the facts and rendered their decision without regard to other pressures. Did the Hills count on at least one of them to give him a hung jury? The black community should be proud of these fine citizens. I know I am. Marty Daneman, Plano
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The entry "Hill trial heroes" is tagged: Dallas , Don Hill trial October 6, 2009
I am an African American reared in the African American Church, and I am appalled at the attitude of our community when elected leaders are caught doing wrong. We as a community detract from the truth by screaming racism each time evidence clearly shows our elected officials wrong. As a community, we have accept the wrongs of our leaders and not blame racism for their insidious actions. Jonathan Green, Rowlett
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The entry "Too quick to blame 'racism'" is tagged: Don Hill trial
Re: ".'Resounding decision -- Hill, cohorts guilty on most counts in bribery, extortion," Tuesday news story. Justice was not served today," said Sheila Farrington Hill, the wife of former Mayor Pro Tem Don Hill. Really? If justice wasn't served, the Rev. Al Sharpton and the Rev. Jesse Jackson would have been waiting on the steps of the courthouse for a photo-op. Mike Davis, Dallas
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The entry "Yes, verdict was just" is tagged: Dallas , Don Hill trial October 4, 2009
Re: "Central eyed for Chávez -- Council members propose downtown street for renaming," Wednesday news story. I have no knowledge of what César Chávez has done for the city of Dallas, or for the state of Texas for that matter. So why is the City Council even considering this issue? If the Dallas City Council wants to start renaming streets, then let's rename them for people who have sacrificed everything for the city of Dallas: the Dallas police officers who have died in the line of duty. Until every Dallas police officer who has been killed in the line of duty has a street, city park or city building named after him or her, the City Council should not be considering any other people for these honors. Kevin Dodds, Rowlett
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The entry "Name streets for fallen police" is tagged: Cesar Chavez , Dallas September 30, 2009
Ah, the great State Fair of Texas: rides aplenty, good (and not so good) food, and -- horrors -- beer! Remembering the outpouring of anger directed at Six Flags over Texas when the decision to serve beer was made, I'm wondering: What's the difference? Thomas Oglin, Rockwall
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The entry "Cold brew, rides -- at the fair" is tagged: state fair
When we were making plans to visit the State Fair of Texas, we thought using the DART Green Line made a lot of sense. Until we actually took it. Mark Pierson, Arlington
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The entry "A rough ride on the Green Line" is tagged: DART , Fair Park
I am disappointed that the city would move so slowly in tearing down a burned apartment building that has a huge hole in the roof at Chariot Drive and Rothingham Road. Tony Rios, Dallas
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The entry "Burned apartment eyesore" is tagged: Dallas September 24, 2009
Re: "After 3 months, jury receives case -- Panel will have to decide whether Hill, others took bribes," Thursday news story. After three months, the trial has gone to the jury. I wonder if it is all down Hill from here? Charles Cashion, Plano
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The entry "What's your verdict?" is tagged: Dallas , Don Hill trial September 22, 2009
How can Dallas have the innovators to imagine and fund the Woodall Rodgers deck park, but not to find a creative use for the old Dallas High School/Crozier Tech derelict at the DART Pearl Station? This eyesore gives city visitors the impression that Dallas is a can't-do place, no matter which color rail line they ride. Nancy Ruder, Plano
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The entry "Big D: Can't-do place?" is tagged: Dallas , dart September 21, 2009
Re: "A look at the landscape two years into our project, Bridging Dallas' North-South Gap," Sunday Points. About 25 years ago, a produce company moved into the Graves Heights area south of Interstate 30 where my late wife's family had owned a homestead since 1895. By the 1980s, all that was left were three vacant lots that we rented for a nominal amount to the produce company. Family members drifted off, which persuaded us to sell the lots to the produce company for less than the appraised value of $30,000. Half of the proceeds was spent on title insurance and a fiercely negotiated sale contract with indemnities to protect the sellers against pollution liability. We were glad to be free of responsibility for the lots. It was a hard sell to the buyers, who wished that they hadn't located their business there 25 years ago and didn't want to buy more property. Fred Fraley, Dallas
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The entry "Crimes hold area back" is tagged: Southern Dallas September 19, 2009
Re: "New arts center to bear AT&T name -- Donation amount not disclosed; Wi-Fi promised for complex," Tuesday news story. Robert Henderson, Dallas
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The entry "An arts center by any name?" has no entry tags. September 16, 2009
Re: "Crime counts to change -- Procedural move, review planned after car break-ins underreported," Friday news story. Temple V. Nash Jr., Dallas
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The entry "Locking out thieves is key" is tagged: crime September 15, 2009
Re: "Crime counts to change -- Procedural move, review planned after car break-ins underreported," Friday news story.
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The entry "Reports won't keep us safe" has no entry tags. September 12, 2009
Re: "Fee increases would spare some cuts -- Amendment calls for restoring rec hours, library purchases," last Sunday news story. As a professional working with low-income senior citizens, I see on a daily basis how much programs such as Grandparents Raising Grandchildren, the Office of Senior Affairs and the MLK Senior Center mean to this community and its seniors. These should remain. The difference they have made in the lives of many of my patients can not be measured in dollars. Too many grandparents are left to take care of grandchildren. They are often totally ill-prepared to raise a child in today's times -- socially, physically or economically. The commitment is there, but the reality is that support is often necessary to make it a win-win for grandparent, child and community. Beth S. Goad, Dallas
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The entry "Senior programs need funds" is tagged: Dallas September 11, 2009
How ironic that Dallas, home of former President George W. Bush and Laura Bush, has had to make such deep cuts in its public services. Terri Bradshaw O'Neill, Colleyville
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The entry "Local library cuts are ironic" is tagged: Colleyville , Dallas September 8, 2009
Re: "Formula could refine picture of poverty -- New rules would almost double rate for seniors, measure medical, housing and other expenses," Saturday news story. This report should let the Dallas City Council know how much they need to keep the Office of Senior Affairs and other senior assistance such as employment initiatives and dental health services. As the number of seniors living in poverty continues to grow, seniors will need more assistance. Frances Grimes, Dallas
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The entry "Dallas needs senior services" is tagged: Dallas September 1, 2009
Re: "Council's attendance rules become stricter -- Members will have to be at half a meeting to be counted present, get pay," Thursday news story. Carolyn Davis says "there could be many reasons why she could not attend a full meeting," and, "I believe this rule is more punitive than productive." She was "hired" to do a job at a nice salary. She knew the requirements. The council conducts important business and attendance is imperative to insure that the best interests of the city are maintained. Without a quorum, business cannot be conducted. Maybe this job is too much for her, and she needs to get another one. I have a job, and if I am not at work, I don't get paid. Emma Petty, Irving
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The entry "Davis knew job requirements" is tagged: Dallas , Dallas City Council August 31, 2009
In the town hall meeting I attended last week, the question was asked, "Would you approve a small tax hike?" The answer was a unanimous "Yes!" We don't live in an affluent neighborhood. Many people are without jobs. There are a lot of retirees living here on fixed incomes. Yet to a man, to a woman, we said we would vote for a tax hike. We would prefer a small tax hike to the growing potholes and broken surfaces of our streets. We would prefer a small tax hike to having our neighborhood park disappear under a sea of weeds and an ocean of paper plates, cups, beer cans and less palatable items after every Sunday's revelry. We would prefer a small tax hike to losing subscription resources, new books and evening hours at our libraries. We would prefer a small tax hike to losing hours and programs at our recreation centers. We would prefer a small tax hike to losing every resource for the elderly in the city of Dallas and the Senior Affairs Commission as well. We would prefer a small tax hike to losing after-school programs for our children. We would prefer a small tax hike to losing the 311 service on the weekends. My thanks to Vonciel Jones Hill, Tennell Atkins, and Carolyn Davis for speaking up for the tax hike we need. The city of Dallas has a history of balancing its budgets on the backs of the most vulnerable among us: the elderly, the children, the disabled and the poor. Surely we can do better than this. Ellen Childress, Dallas
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The entry "Why we need higher taxes" is tagged: Dallas , Taxes August 28, 2009
Is this a joke or what? Some Dallas City Council members object to being required to be present for at least half of a council meeting in order to be paid. Wow. Cindy Burr, Dallas
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The entry "On your own time, please" is tagged: Dallas August 17, 2009
Re: "Home turf in dispute -- Man loves artificial lawn, but city, neighborhood association want it gone," Sunday news story. Robert C. Tillman, Heath
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The entry "Modern lawn is good and green" has no entry tags. August 15, 2009
It seems strange that we have to add more police officers and cut other city services when there is so much waste in how Dallas city resources are being used. A prime example is the two Dallas police officers who were protecting stop signs in and around White Rock Lake between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. on a recent morning. If they don't have more important work to do than to stop a few cyclists from running stop signs, then may be we should put them to work in the library where they can truly serve the public. Chris Arends, Dallas
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The entry "Cut waste, not budget" is tagged: Dallas , Dallas Police
Re: "Ramped up on Wright," by David Dillon, Wednesday GuideDaily review. Dillon's review of the Frank Lloyd Wright exhibit at the Guggenheim Museum is a reminder that once someone had a vision for a landmark hotel in Dallas. With the recent discussion of the planned convention center hotel, it's too bad there is no one in a leadership position in Dallas who has a similar vision. We have a great arts district on one end of downtown and Victory Plaza on the other and will have a bland, boring hotel in between? Come, on movers and shakers, get with it! Randy Lawhon, Forney
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The entry "Ramp up hotel design" is tagged: Dallas August 13, 2009
Re: "Easing of job losses a sign recession may be lifting," Saturday news story. Tell that to the 800-plus Dallas city workers who will lose their jobs, as listed in the article below that one. I'm sure it will make them feel better. Debbie Gallagher, Cedar Hill
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The entry "Small comfort to jobless" is tagged: Dallas , jobs
I applaud the city's efforts to bring the College Football Hall of Fame to Dallas from South Bend, Ind. The logical place for the new museum is Fair Park. Fair Park now attracts more than 6 million visitors annually, and with DART coming next month, that will only increase. Bringing six million people to the new museum's front door without lifting a finger should be a plus. Fair Park can lease land to the museum for $1 a year, so the cost of a new facility will be much less than any alternative site. Fair Park now has the nation's premier State Fair, the finest musical theater in the Southwest, an extraordinary Women's Museum, an IMAX theater, the Museum of Nature & Science and planetarium, the Aquarium at Fair Park, the African American Museum, Texas Discovery Gardens and a new Summer Place Park featuring Midway rides and games, just to highlight a few attractions. Fair Park is one mile from the Central Business District. So yes, let's bring the College Football Hall of Fame to downtown Dallas and make Fair Park the museum's new home. Gary Griffith, Dallas
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The entry "Hall of Fame for Fair Park" is tagged: Dallas , Fair Park
Re: "Informant: I was forced to 'pay to play' -- Defense says developer isn't trustworthy," Wednesday news story. This story is totally infuriating. Here was Don Hill, who was elected to represent a portion of this city that could have used a shot in the arm of new construction and instead we have an elected official accused of having front guys blackmailing contractors. It's disgusting to think people put down Oak Cliff and other parts of southern Dallas as trash and the very people they elect to represent them are part of the problem. And there sits Hill, all cocky, still in denial, with lawyers saying their client is still not connected. There was a time when Dallas politics were clean. Donna Lackey, Dallas
What a message this sends Re: "Miller a solid witness; Nealy a bit more colorful," by James Ragland, Saturday Metro column. So Al Lipscomb (and others) do not appreciate "veteran black political consultant Kathy Nealy" testifying under oath about alleged criminal wrongdoing or even -- as Lipscomb puts it -- "no more than potential ethical issues." Lipscomb then is quoted with "I'm here to watch the BSC ... The black snitches choir." Good job, and a wonderful message there. In other words, blacks who testify against other blacks are nothing more than snitches. Now that's the way to encourage people to come forward with information or testimony about wrongdoing. The only thing he left out was the Uncle Tom accusation, but there is no doubt that Lipscomb simply forgot to throw that one in. Bill Adams, Sachse
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The entry "Oak Cliff deserved better" is tagged: Dallas , Don Hill trial August 12, 2009
Re: "Once a week for garbage pickup? Citywide plan includes recycling on same day," Friday news story. I certainly hope the once-a-week trash pickup is approved by the City Council. The only problem I have is deciding if I will buy a new Lexus or plan an around-the-world cruise with the 64-cent monthly reduction in my sanitation bill. Jerold Prager, Dallas
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The entry "Spending that garbage windfall" is tagged: Dallas August 9, 2009
Re: "Once a week for garbage pickup? Citywide plan includes recycling on same day," Friday news story. Picking up trash one day a week is a plan long overdue. By scheduling it on the same day as the recycling pickup, maybe people will put more in the recycle bin for a change. Now it is time for DART to take out every other bus stop. I see DART buses stopping to pick up one or two people at each bus stop. These stops are close together. It would save a lot of time and gas, and cut down on pollution if they just combined bus stops. Bennie Haynes, Dallas
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The entry "It's time for once-weekly pickup" is tagged: Dallas , DART , Trash pickup August 6, 2009
Re: "Taking apart Reunion," Wednesday photo. We can be thankful we live in a city that removes its old landmarks. In Memphis the first thing you see as you cross the Mississippi River is their pyramid sports arena, which is as dead as the pyramids of Giza and has been for years. Bill Hogue, Dallas
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The entry "Thanks for civic house-cleaning" is tagged: Dallas July 30, 2009
Re: "Get DART out of HOV," by J. Bruce Collier Jr., Wednesday Letters Dennis J. Frailey, Fairview
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The entry "HOV's not a license to speed" is tagged: Fairview
Re: "Cut out this DPD job," by Don Skaggs, Tuesday Letters.
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The entry "Letters can include good tips" is tagged: Dallas July 27, 2009
Re: "Baring their souls to Kunkle -- Letters to police chief filled with emotions, advice, praise, folly," Monday news story. A police officer trained to fight crime opens letters for the chief to read rather than fighting crime. It makes one appreciate that crime is so low in Dallas. It appears that there is some budget-cutting room in the Dallas Police Deparment. Don Skaggs, Garland
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The entry "Cut out this DPD job" is tagged: Dallas Police July 25, 2009
Re: "Pete Oppel: Dallas City Council needs to expand cellphone ban," Dallas City Hall blog, dallasnews.com. Oppel is right in declaring that cellphones should be banned citywide. I don't understand how the level of concern can depend on the speed the person is driving. Is it really more dangerous to text and drive at 20 mph than it is at 60 mph? If speed were to even come into question, it should be the other way around. Sure, school zones should have more restrictions and the law should be enforced with greater strength there, but cellphone use behind the wheel can hurt anyone, anywhere. The worst accidents have been seen on highways and busier streets, where people are driving faster. Although it is not always the case, a great deal of these accidents involved a hand-held device. The use of hand-held devices (most important, for texting) should be banned for the safety of the entire community. Betzy Gonzalez, Dallas
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The entry "Ban cellphones citywide" is tagged: cellphones , Dallas July 24, 2009
Re: "Hunt is again passed over in panel picks -- Leppert declines to tap her to lead any standing committee," Thursday news story. Once again, Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert has slapped the residents of District 14 through its elected representative, council member Angela Hunt. By not appointing her to a chair or vice chair of a council committee, he has shown himself to be a ward politician of the worst kind. The story quoted the mayor as saying that he tried to look at the council as a whole. That one will not hold water. It is a strong-arm tactic that attempts to punish Hunt for her independence. Where is The Dallas Morning News editorial standing up for the residents of District 14? Where is your backbone? Gay Hopkins, Dallas
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The entry "Leppert slighting District 14" is tagged: Angela Hunt , Dallas , Tom Leppart July 17, 2009
Two water department employees were recently in our front yard bleeding out the fire hydrant. Instead of the Tahoe they were driving, would it be possible to have all the employees who are in charge of this service drive trucks with water tanks and capture the thousands of gallons that go washing down our city streets? That water could be used to irrigate city-owned parkways, parks and library grounds, all of which seem to be suffering. The triangular parkway at Abrams and Gaston lost many large trees last year due to lack of water. The water department and the parks department blamed each other. That same parkway is suffering this year. This seems like an easy solution to one of the many problems Dallas has in balancing the budget. Shirley Orman, Dallas
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The entry "Save water, money" is tagged: Dallas July 13, 2009
Re: "Senior services office may close -- Meals served 5 days a week at the MLK Center could also fall prey to budget shortfall," Sunday news story. But Medicaid is paid by federal and state dollars. The MLK center is funded by the city with many other services available at the center through collaborations with the county, the Dallas Area Agency on Aging and other social-service organizations. In our shortsighted way of funding services for people, the big picture is rarely taken into consideration. Do we really want to trade on seniors' lives in this way? Linda M. Ross, Dallas County Adult Protective Services Community board member, Dallas
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The entry "Center's services valuable" is tagged: City of Dallas , Mary Suhm July 12, 2009
Re: "Police cut back on Bush security -- Officers will respond only as needed at Preston Hollow home," Thursday news story. Dallas is almost $190 million in the hole. Our city government had a furlough day last week to save money. The Police Department's civilian workforce may be cut by 25 percent. Now, our city managers have proposed cutting three of the city's four health clinics that provide immunizations for the poor. Thank goodness we are now going to save some of what it cost us to protect former President George W. Bush. That's the first sane step toward getting Dallas' priorities straight. Linda Marie Ford England, Dallas
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The entry "Finally, a sane cutback" is tagged: City of Dallas , George W. Bush July 8, 2009
Re: "Frustrated by furloughs -- Unpaid day off irks visitors, some city workers," Tuesday news story. For years, people have questioned why government can't be run more like a fiscally responsible business. The city of Dallas is trying to do just that. It seems the process needs some adjustment, but rolling furloughs is a better alternative to cutting services altogether. City Manager Mary Suhm should be applauded for making a tough business decision. Del Ruiz, Dallas
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The entry "City furloughs make sense" is tagged: City of Dallas , Mary Suhm July 4, 2009
Re: "Put street name in perspective," by Bill Spotts, Thursday Letters, and, "There's a central option in Chávez debate," by Steve Blow, last Sunday Metro. Along with several original streets in Oak Cliff, Jefferson Boulevard was named in honor of President Thomas Jefferson. After the Dallas annexation, some of the names had to be changed. Naturally, Oak Cliff had to relinquish their claim to the duplicate presidential names. At that time, Jefferson actually continued over the river and into downtown Dallas. Jefferson Boulevard is the historic main thoroughfare for Oak Cliff -- the main artery into its heart. From the main business district, Jefferson continues west through the Winnetka Heights Historic District and is mentioned several times in the National Register of Historic Places. If there is to be a street renamed in honor of César Chávez, I can't imagine one more fitting and visible than Blow's suggestion of the former Central Expressway into the Farmer's Market area. Carla Boss, Dallas
Suggestions from outsiders Re: "Renaming Illinois offers option," by Kay Parsons, and, "Put street name in perspective," by Bill Spotts, Thursday Letters. Not everyone who lives in Oak Cliff is Hispanic. I have lived here about 65 years and I love it. I am not Hispanic, but if someone feels the need to name something after Chávez, let DeSoto or Carrollton do it. Leave Oak Cliff out of it. Ann Purdy, Dallas
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The entry "On César Chávez Street: Market option is best" is tagged: Cesar Chavez , Oak Lawn July 1, 2009
Renaming Illinois offers option Kay Parsons, DeSoto
Put street name in perspective Bill Spotts, Carrollton
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The entry "On naming a street for Cesar Chavez" is tagged: Cesar Chavez June 29, 2009
Re: "Resuscitation, Stat -- Help for dying Southwest Center Mall can't wait," Sunday Editorials. When I read Sunday's editorial regarding the land study on Southwest Center Mall, I had a sense of déjà vu. The Urban Land Institute suggested that the center undergo major demolition to result in an open-air commercial-residential venue and that TIF financial programs would help spur the development. It suggested a mix of stores, restaurants, theater and residential spaces would create a miniature village. On the other hand, Wynnewood Village does not need major demolition. It has all the access roads. It already has open areas for shops or condominiums. It sits near the already-begun Fort Worth Avenue and Davis Street projects. It sits in the heart of Oak Cliff, not its outermost fringe. The Southwest Center parcel is an eyesore and a drain on the local economy. But this situation is akin to putting a tourniquet on a patient with no chance of survival. The city should not throw money into this bottomless pit but spend far less money and focus on Wynnewood Village. Southwest Center should be closed, bulldozed and turned into a green field for a developer to purchase, with zoning laws that require what the Urban Land Institute recommended. Raymond Crawford, Dallas
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The entry "Why not revive Wynnewood?" is tagged: Dallas , Southwest Center Mall June 28, 2009
The city of Dallas and Mayor Tom Leppert are doing a great job of hitting the city budget issue head-on. They realized early on that tax revenues would fall and the budget would have a deficit, so they did what most politicians wouldn't do. They went public. They released a detailed proposed budget and then asked for input. Dallas is a good city, but to become a great city, it needs a public school system that works. Frankly, I am hoping beyond hope that Leppert's budget initiatives become a model for the DISD trustees to follow. Michael MacNaughton, Dallas
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The entry "DISD trustees, take notice" is tagged: Dallas , DISD June 27, 2009
Re: "Chávez renaming plan has a new address: Young Street -- Salazar says effort to honor leader now centered on downtown road, but council support uncertain," Wednesday news story. Why can't those streets be renamed in honor of César Chávez and maybe another Hispanic leader? Is it really this hard to find an area that would welcome the renaming? Mark Miniatas, Plano
I nominate a Farmers Market street I suggest that the street around the Farmers Market be renamed for César Chávez. It is appropriate, as these hard-working people exemplify what he was all about. It would be an honor for the farmers and Chávez to have his name in place there. Nancy Harrington, Duncanville
A new street would please all With Dallas experiencing a deficit approaching $200 million, wouldn't it be prudent to avoid the cost of replacing street signs, reprinting maps, changing city stationery, etc.? Can't we placate everyone by naming a new street after César Chávez? There must be a street being built somewhere in Dallas right now that we can name after him. Brian Kosley, Farmers Branch
Rename Pearl instead Completing the process of renaming Pearl after Chávez would not dislocate the name of a Dallas pioneer, as does renaming Young Street. Instead, it would connect the heart of what used to be Little Mexico, at the north end of what is now Pearl, with César Chávez Plaza. It would also pass the cathedral named after Our Lady of Guadalupe, to whom Chávez had a very special devotion. Bill Betzen, Dallas
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The entry "Renaming Young Street: Why not an Oak Cliff address?" is tagged: Cesar Chavez , Dallas June 20, 2009
Dallas can make a dent in the budget shortfall by simply enforcing the traffic laws. I see drivers speeding tailgating and running red lights and stop signs with no sign of a police car. If there were an actual police presence that enforced the traffic laws, there would be no shortfall. Steven Gauss, Dallas
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The entry "Traffic tickets a gold mine" is tagged: Dallas
Re: "Teen centers open at Dallas branch libraries," Wednesday news story. College admission and homework help are clearly the duty of the schools. Poor money management at the district level has created the need for facilities such as the teen centers. Fortunately, we have a private company to cover the shortcomings of the local public school system. The AT&T Foundation was wise to give the $500,000 to the public library system and not DISD. Abigail Becker, 10th grade, The Hockaday School, Dallas
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The entry "Why are teen centers needed?" is tagged: Dallas
Re: "100 turn out to back lights at White Rock -- Few concerns aired at meeting on plan going to Park Board this week," Tuesday news story. All the runners and bikers who want to run at night can go somewhere else, and Dallas Running Club can run during the day. Natalie Lahutsky, 10th-grader from Plano, The Hockaday School, Dallas
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The entry "Lights will ruin White Rock" is tagged: White Rock Lake
Re: "More home sales prices kept secret -- Dallas trend makes it hard to set accurate values, experts say," Thursday news story, and, "City library cutbacks untimely," by Susan Tinkle, Thursday Letters. Deep cuts in needed and appreciated services will be cut from the city budget because of a revenue shortfall. This will be borne on the backs of the average citizen, as illustrated by Tinkle's letter. The story about home sales prices explains the reason for the shortfall. What is happening is that the majority of the citizens of Dallas are subsidizing with curtailed services the tax avoidance of the owners of these undervalued properties. Dorothy Genszler, Dallas
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The entry "Reason for city budget-slashing" is tagged: Taxes
Re: "Bring back the Hop-a-Bus," by Susan Chizeck, Wednesday Letters. Why spend $80 million on streetcars that only tourists and retirees will ride (even when it's free -- see McKinney Avenue Trolley) when we have perfectly fine buses? What is it about a streetcar that people find acceptable to ride when a bus is essentially the same thing? If we're adding streetcars for sentimental reasons, why not add horse-drawn carriages? Downtown will remain dead until the freeways that besiege it are dismantled, and downtown becomes a pedestrian-accommodating destination. Dallas lacks leadership with the vision and courage to take such bold steps away from continual road-building. Cars and trucks circling downtown add no economic value, but they increase the environmental costs and reduce quality of life. Steve Monserrate, Dallas
Ride with a Pegasus theme Trolleys are an impediment to serious traffic, and the tracks are a land mine for pedestrians and cyclists. If the bunny ears on the Hop-a-Bus aren't cool enough for Dallas, put wings and a horse's head on them, and call them a "Peg-a-Bus." Robert J. Taylor, Dallas
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The entry "On downtown transit: Streetcars better than buses?" is tagged: Dallas , transit June 19, 2009
In these days and times, can't the City Council budget retreat be at the Dallas Conference Center at City Hall? By the way, we own it. Edwin Blair, Dallas
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The entry "Plan city retreat in Dallas" is tagged: Dallas June 17, 2009
I was stunned that all branch libraries are to be limited to 23 hours per week. Many rely on their library as a source of Internet connection, social connection and research aimed at finding employment. These services, along with the obvious value of learning materials as well as pure enjoyment of reading matter, make the library even more important in these tenuous times. I, for one, would be willing to take a property tax increase to keep some of these vital services alive. Susan Tinkle, Dallas
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The entry "City library cutbacks untimely" is tagged: budget , Dallas , Dallas City Council June 16, 2009
Re: "City seeks $80M for streetcars -- Project to proceed even if federal funds don't," Saturday news story. Streetcars are inflexible and take a huge capital expenditure for tracks. We used to have the Hop-a-Bus, but apparently it wasn't sufficiently trendy for the City Council. It's time to bring it back rather than wasting huge amounts of money in yet another civic renewal scheme. Susan Chizeck, Dallas
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The entry "Bring back the Hop-a-Bus" has no entry tags.
Real change comes from the condition of the heart, which governs external behavior. This certainly is not a new idea. Those folks in South Dallas have simply seized on the truth that belief in Jesus Christ and following him changes behavior. Prison Fellowship Ministries also has a long track record of using the Lord to change men and women from the inside out. As we in America have amply demonstrated in the last 40 or 50 years, all the social programs designed by man and funded with incredible amounts of money ultimately will fail. You don't suppose that is true because all of these efforts disregard the condition of the soul, do you? Thomas Sandlin, Krum
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The entry "Social programs need God's help" is tagged: Religion , South Dallas
Re: "Davis retains S. Dallas seat; Jasso wins vote in Oak Cliff -- Incumbent, newcomer handily overcome challengers in runoff," Sunday news story. Last week, my niece, visiting from out of town, witnessed an attempted robbery of a beauty salon in broad daylight. There are still a lot of home and car break-ins. There is the constant issue of drug houses. They are visible because of the constant visitors and their fancy cars. All this activity occurs in the late evening hours and weekends, so no one can blame high school kids. Passing a daytime curfew was not the answer. All these issues were addressed by all District 1 candidates. Obviously Delia Jasso and Justin Epker made a significant impact on voter turnout. I hope status-quo elected officials observed what happened. Voters get tired of being lied to and start looking at the issues rather than how status-quo candidates are financed and endorsed. Julia Soto Cabrera, Dallas
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The entry "District 1 struggles" is tagged: Dallas , Dallas City Council June 12, 2009
If the city knew that this area was in danger of being flooded, why did they give permission for companies to build there? I live in West Dallas, just two streets from the road they are rebuilding, Canada Drive. When my parents bought this house, they were told that there was no way for these houses to flood. Just a few years ago, all the streets around my neighborhood were flooded and all the drains were not working. The city should at least help people living in these areas with the insurance. Juan F. Barrera, Dallas
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The entry "City should help with insurance" is tagged: Dallas , West Dallas June 9, 2009
Southeast Dallas is proud of our diversity, of our police and firefighters, and of our city leaders. I venture to say that in no other part of the city are city workers and leaders as involved on a daily basis. Gilliland makes an excellent point about Pleasant Grove being all stigma and no recognition. By the way, the southeast part of Dallas no longer deserves the stigma -- it now has a lower crime rate than many North Dallas areas, like the one next to University Park around Greenville and Park Lane. The point is that Southeast Dallas is experiencing some great growth and improvement. Let's not diminish that by labeling all of the area with a moniker that, rightly or wrongly, comes with baggage. Carl Rich, Dallas
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The entry "My Southeast Dallas pride" is tagged: Dallas June 7, 2009
It would seem that with all the ink, paper and blog time The Dallas Morning News has expended trying to bridge the North/South gap, it is time to acknowledge the positive things that have happened in City Council District 7 in the past two years. Ann C. Bagley, Dallas
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The entry "Progress in District 7" is tagged: Dallas May 29, 2009
Now that the referendum on the convention center hotel has been decided, it is time we get creative. We need to think outside the box. Brookings Institution data show 44 new or expanded taxpayer convention centers were new or under construction in 2005, while convention traffic peaked in 1993. We will need a game changer. Las Vegas is the No. 1 convention destination on the planet for a reason. The adult entertainment industry brought in an estimated $1 billion in taxable revenue in 2007 and has its own chamber of commerce. We should allow galaxy-class topless nightclubs to enter the downtown market, as well as permitting places like the House of Blues and Gilley's Dallas book Las Vegas-style adult entertainment shows and reviews. Edward Holman, Dallas
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The entry "Adult entertainment the ticket" is tagged: convention center hotel , Dallas May 28, 2009
Re: "There are no good options in City Council runoff," by Steve Blow, Sunday Metro. Ronald Larsen, Plano
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The entry "Voters get just deserts" is tagged: Dallas , Plano May 27, 2009
Philanthropy abounds these days when it comes to performing arts venues or science museums. But what about more public venues, such as the Dallas Zoo or other public parks, that have been neglected for years due to lack of funding from the private sector? Can you imagine what the zoo would be like if the private sector were to pour $50 million or $100 million into new and renovated exhibits? It would easily be one of the best zoos in the world, much less the nation, and would set attendance records for years to come. Let's take these aristocrats to task in regard to funding these more public venues where real education takes place. Alan Hurst, Plano
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The entry "Why not gifts for the zoo?" is tagged: Dallas May 26, 2009
Re: "The Bridge to better lives -- Center measures first year's success in jobs, housing found," Friday news story. I strongly encourage Gov. Rick Perry to approve these funds. Investing $20 million in reducing homelessness will avoid the far greater expense of managing homelessness. Providing permanent, supportive housing to the chronically homeless costs only a fraction as much as incarcerating those same people or treating them in local emergency rooms. Unlike some other forms of government assistance, funds directed at preventing homelessness yield returns that benefit all of us: safer streets, cleaner communities and stronger state coffers. Jeremy Gregg, Dallas
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The entry "Fighting homelessness saves" is tagged: Dallas , Homeless May 21, 2009
The top-flight leadership in the Dallas Police Department must feel that Dallas needs to add the new officers. Why put both the veteran officers and the city at risk? It is very irresponsible for The Dallas Morning News to recommend that Dallas not hire more officers. Hiring more officers educates more people, provides jobs and, most important, keeps you and me safe. Jan Golden, Dallas
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The entry "Not hiring cops adds risk" is tagged: Dallas , Dallas City Council , Dallas Police
Re: "City chopping block looks to be crowded -- Unlike other years, officials don't see easy way out of $100 million shortfall," Tuesday news story. If enacted, they will simply accelerate the movement of people and businesses to the suburbs, where the public amenities are already superior to those in the city. A more sensible approach would be to maintain current service levels by imposing 5 percent salary reductions across the board and increasing the property tax rate by 5 percent. Bernard L. Weinstein, Dallas
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The entry "A sensible way to swing the ax" is tagged: Dallas , Dallas City Council May 19, 2009
Re: "Slashed budget still $100M short -- Streets, libraries, zoo face cuts; layoffs planned for 350 workers," Sunday news story. Add the cost of enforcement, while drawing precious resources away from more pressing problems, and the total of lost revenue and increased cost becomes obscene. Maybe the new City Council will have more sense than the old one did. Cliff Hill, Dallas
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The entry "How much does smoke ban cost?" is tagged: Dallas , Dallas City Hall May 18, 2009
Another Bonnie and Clyde remembrance was printed in The Dallas Morning News, and again Bonnie Parker's elementary school was not mentioned as a sight to see. Standing like some gigantic ancient temple to the Cement God out on Chalk Hill Road, it should preserved for its architectural uniqueness, even if it wouldn't make the perfect site for a museum . Built for the children of the company in what was once called Cement City in Far West Dallas, it is one of the most striking buildings to ever house a school. Stephen Boone, Garland
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The entry "See Bonnie Parker's school" is tagged: Dallas May 17, 2009
This is my 42nd year in public education as a teacher/counselor. I have noticed a marked decline in the amount of control that parents have over children. I have also noticed a decline in the amount of support that parents lend the school when we have to step in with discipline. It's obvious that many parents cannot make their children attend school; therefore, the law has had to step in. It all seems very sad, indeed. Glenda Houser, Dallas
Re: "Teens may feel picked on by lawmakers -- Bills target curfews, rodeo helmets, tanning," last Monday news story. The bill about teens tanning is reasonable, but requiring teens to wear helmets in the rodeo seems very discriminatory. And the Dallas daytime curfew for teens is ridiculous. Hannah Bobanna, Ennis
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The entry "On Texas bills targeting teens: Curfew a sad comment" is tagged: Dallas City Council , Texas Legislature May 16, 2009
Re: "Southern Dallas squanders election opportunity," Wednesday Editorials. I live in District 7, but not in South Dallas. Therein lies the problem. Too many districts, too many fiefdoms and District 7 is gerrymandered to the extent that it is "over, under, sideways and down." If there must be this many districts, District 7 should look like what The Dallas Morning News says it is: South Dallas. Mike Rigsby, Dallas
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The entry "District 7 all over the place" is tagged: Dallas
My father is a pilot for Southwest Airlines, and, even as a high school student, I have been able to see the negative impact of the Wright Amendment on Dallas Love Field. For years, a perfectly good airport and a successful, growing company were inhibited. Although they had the capability, they were restricted in their routes and expansion. Finally, Love Field will be getting renovations it deserves. I'm sure that everyone is willing to pay the few extra dollars it will take to give Love Field and Southwest their hard-earned chance at being great. After years of being picked on, it feels good to get a little Love. David Sague, Duncanville
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The entry "Love Field deserves its facelift" is tagged: Dallas May 12, 2009
As much as I have enjoyed the "drops in the bucket" editorial series, The Dallas Morning News has yet to come up with workable solutions for the property owners. Donald N. Wright, Garland
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The entry "Property owners' conundrum" is tagged: southern Dallas May 11, 2009
Wasn't the vote to approve a convention hotel in Dallas a real blow to Harlan Crow? Wonder if he will join in purchasing bonds to build it so he'll have a hand in his own competition? Robert Shields, Dallas
Hotels good business for all ... Lisa Landau Rudner, Dallas
... but voters proved to be sheep Anne Lindsey, Dallas
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The entry "On the convention center hotel: Crow might as well buy bonds" is tagged: convention center hotel
I was very sad to see that, in a city as large as Dallas, so few citizens felt the need to come out and vote during our city elections. During the presidential elections, millions who had never voted registered so they could go out and vote for President Barack Obama, but these same people didn't see the need to vote so that we could have that same change right here in our own city. Susan Scott, Dallas
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The entry "Apathy about city change" is tagged: convention center hotel , Voting May 10, 2009
Re: "A Private-Sector Solution -- Here's a model to tackle blight, nonprofit-style," Thursday Editorials. Susan Hublein, 18, senior from Dallas, Bishop Lynch High School, Dallas
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The entry "Habitat offers fine solution" is tagged: Dallas
I would miss her ... Jenny Green, Kaufman
... but she deserves this move Gloria Schattle, Richardson
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The entry "On Jenny the elephant ..." is tagged: Dallas , Jenny the elephant , Richardson May 9, 2009
I called 911 and reported the theft of a radar detector and money from my truck. When the DPD expediter called back to get all the info, I spent five minutes answering all the questions, but wasn't near my truck so couldn't give her my tag number. She informed me that without my tag number or VIN, she couldn't file the report, and I would have to call back in and go through the entire process again. Jim Rogers, Dallas
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The entry "Red tape at the DPD" is tagged: Dallas Police May 7, 2009
Re: "Don't be fooled - we need this convention hotel," by Steve Blow, Sunday Metro, and, "In hotel vote, Leppert could win and still lose," by James Ragland, Wednesday Metro. J. Bruce Collier Jr., Dallas
Law enforcement with the hotel John Fattaruso, Dallas
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The entry "On the city hotel: The future without the hotel" is tagged: convention center hotel , Dallas
Re: "Freeway park wasteful," by Gus Raymond, Tuesday Letters. Louis D. Beil, Richardson Dallas has other needs While I am a huge fan of parks (I'm a landscape designer), I have never seen such a waste of good money. The Arts District and Uptown are already great spots, and if we had every problem fixed in our city, then gilding this lily would be fine. But what about the south side of downtown? The area that needs connection to downtown is the Cedars, over the Interstate 30 canyon. The money being spent on the Woodall Rodgers Park would go a long way toward helping this area. Patrick L. Boyd-Lloyd, Dallas
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The entry "On Woodall Rodgers Park: Dallas needs an icon" is tagged: woodall rodgers park May 6, 2009
The Dallas Morning News writes that a city-owned hotel would make Dallas a favorite spot for conventions. Even with the hotel, why would anyone want to convention in Dallas? I guess they could go to the Kennedy assassination site or to Jerry Jones Stadium. Chuck Johns, Pittsburg Repeat three times, then vote The best way to ensure that one votes in favor of the convention center hotel is to chant this mantra in the voting booth: "Vote no to Crow." Robert Shields, Dallas
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The entry "On city hotel: Hotel won't make us a hot spot" is tagged: convention center hotel |