South suburban Dallas elections heat up

In Duncanville, which despite claims to the contrary, local elections approach “partisan” status, some candidate surrogates, when they can’t have every printed word go their own way, don’t have a problem media venue shopping, or even, possibly, helping a willing, if possibly naïve, third party, get help setting up an online “media” venue. Not that I’m mentioning any names, like Steve Madison, rather than just speculating into open air.

(Oh, and governments DO “attempt/try” eminent domain, Mr. Madison, because they don’t always succeed. Eminent domain attempts get defeated in court. They get withdrawn by governments as part of settlement processes, as you well know. They get withdrawn because a local government knows it will lose the case in court. Fortunately, Texas law specifies “constitutional manner” for eminent domain.)

As for “evil giants,” IIRC, the city of Duncanville made a lowball offer to the Hodge family, recognized “constitutional manner” wouldn’t fly and backed off.

Plus, there’s the whole controversy over whether Duncanville ramping up its “going Green” drive at just this time has any connection to the re-election bid of David Green. I would say “little,” but, I’m not dumb enough to say “none.” That said, I supposed people can drive Fords when City Councilman Paul Ford runs for re-election.

And, speaking of the mayoral race and partisanship, I’m disappointed “Rose” Renfroe is challenging David Green. Where’s the “Rosita” Renfroe who wanted to challenge Dallas County Commissioner Ken Mayfield two years ago?

I guess Duncanville doesn’t have enough Hispanic voters for “Rosita” to show up. For all I know and some of what I’ve read, Renfroe may actually be a Republican in drag on some of her stances. And, as I’ve said before, Dallas County Democrats have got to still be kicking themselves for not finding a real candidate to run against Mayfield in 2006, given he was about the only county-level Republican to get re-elected in the 2006 Tuesday Night Massacre.

In Lancaster, which I follow less these days, but where I could write a small book about some candidates, I’m sure Morris Mosley is doing plenty of agitating in the mayoral race. That said, it’s interesting that supporters of either Clyde Hairston or Marcus Knight haven’t found any new criminal activity by Mosley.

Speaking of activity that governments frown on, I wonder if any churches have campaign signs up on church property, which the IRS definitely frowns on.

I also wonder how much Larry Lewis is relishing the idea of Joe Kana on the school board. A better-informed, and more level-headed, critic of many of Lewis’ ideas than Carolyn Morris on the Lancaster ISD school board would definitely tip board dynamics.