Incompetent / grifter Dallas County elections administrator Toni Pippins-Poole is FINALLY retiring,
nine years after being foisted on the county's voters for political
reasons by Our Man Downtown, John Wiley Price. It's also sad that the
county's elections board never met to oversee her or do a performance
review in her nine years. The link is from a wingnut website, part of the Mucus empire, but it's
the only one I saw mentioning her retirement that also mentioned the
lack of review. Here's more on her incompetence, magnified in this spring's primary.
Having lived in Dallas in the 2000s-oughts, I remember her predecessor, Bruce Sherbet, the acme of professionalism. I had moved away by the time JWP got him fired. But I still blogged about it. Per a Dallas Observer piece linked in that, current, and then newbie and JWP-puppet, County Judge Clay Jenkins was the one who actually swung the axe. I don't know if Jenkins' increasing independence from JWP led him to threaten a similar axe behind the scenes this time or not. Whether he did or not, he could still go further and offer a semi-apology while still walking the necessary political tightrope. Jenkins also convened the election commission that has not met since TPP's appointment to officially convene to whack Sherbet.
Kuff touts the idea of having an appointed elections administrator rather than an elected overseer, as is the case in Harris County. I told him, per my background, that this doesn't necessarily depoliticize the office.
I know Stan Starart was a joke down there before being defeated by Diane Trautman. And, he's running again. But, Toni Pippins-Poole was a joke, too. OTOH, I don't think the Harris County Comn Court has a blatant grifter on it, unlike JWP.
As for who will replace TPP? Jenkins, counting himself, has three Democrat votes on the Dallas County Commissioners Court who are not named JWP, so, it won't be a nutbar. It will still be someone who takes election issues seriously; Pct. 1 Commissioner Theresa Daniel has ties to the NAACP, LULAC and League of Women Voters. She also is a former staffer for former House Majority Leader Martin Frost.
As for JWP? The man's 70 and will have been in office 28 years as of the start of next year. If he doesn't plan on making this term his last, he seriously needs to be primaried. (Just for shits and grins, let's post Laura Miller's long-ago takedown of Our Man Downtown. As part of that, we have a former assistant of his using antisemitic stereotyping language, something JWP never, AFAIK know, reprimanded her for.)
Showing posts with label Dallas County (Texas). Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dallas County (Texas). Show all posts
September 06, 2016
Susan Hawk, a fraud to the end, resigns too late
Hawk finally resigned, after repeatedly being treated with kid gloves by most the Dallas media. She "conveniently" resigned a week too late for a November special election, which means Gov. Greg Abbott will appoint a GOP crony.
I still say that in addition to mental health and prescription drug problems, she may well have an alcohol problem. I've said it here, and before that.
But, per the old GOP mantra, she's no longer wasting taxpayer dollars. I wish her the best, while wondering how likely that is to happen.
As for the GOP? Hawk was the only countywide elected official, and only beat Craig Watkins because he had his own problems.
Abbott's replacement will be purely temporary and will get barbecued in the November 2018 general election.
Let me add that the absence of Jim Schuetze of the Dallas Observer in doing zero investigative work on Hawk after all his bashing of Craig Watkins is shameful. He's written two pieces in the last three-plus months. The more recent one was not much tougher, or more in-depth, than a Snooze column, other than the question of whether all of her leave time was paid or not. The other, saying she should resign because she wasn't tough enough for the job, was little more than a nothingburger from him.
March 15, 2010
John Wiley Price's 'boy' won't talk
Clay Jenkins, the hand-picked candidate of controversial Dallas County Commissioner John Wiley Price to be the Democratic nominee for Dallas County Judge, instead of incumbent JimFoster, who is definitely persona non grata to JWP, apparently doesn't like to talk a lot. So, the Dallas Observer profiled him, before his Democratic runoff against Larry Duncan, without his cooperation. They would have liked to hear from him about:
Anyway, Clay is JWP's boy. Has been ever since JWP tapped him just because "Foster Gump" AND folks like Hutchins mMayor Artis Johnson wouldn't dance when JWP snapped his fingers. Johnson wouldn't employ JWP-connected subcontractors to build a new bridge, and didn't like JWP's standing up of Dallas inland port progress.
And, since Hutchins Mayor Johnson is also African-American, this isn't a racial issue. Rather, it's JWP wanting to take care of his best buds.
Let's remember that, even before Foster opposed JWP on this, as the Dallas Observer first reported, JWP reportedly tried to "shake down" The Allen Group and CEO Richard Allen over the inland port and contractors and subcontractors.
For people who want more information on that, just click the "Price" tag (heh, heh) in the tags below. You'll learn more about the history of JWP with the Dallas Inland Port, etc.
Where did he live before his current residence in Highland Park? Why didn't he vote in Dallas County until 2006? Why did he vote in Ellis County in 2007? None of which, obviously, were deemed worthy of a response from Jenkins or his campaign.All good questions. I'm not claiming Larry Duncan is the bees' knees, but he's not a JWP hack. Or a Royce West hack. (Royce, put more daylight between yourself and JWP, eh?)
Anyway, Clay is JWP's boy. Has been ever since JWP tapped him just because "Foster Gump" AND folks like Hutchins mMayor Artis Johnson wouldn't dance when JWP snapped his fingers. Johnson wouldn't employ JWP-connected subcontractors to build a new bridge, and didn't like JWP's standing up of Dallas inland port progress.
And, since Hutchins Mayor Johnson is also African-American, this isn't a racial issue. Rather, it's JWP wanting to take care of his best buds.
Let's remember that, even before Foster opposed JWP on this, as the Dallas Observer first reported, JWP reportedly tried to "shake down" The Allen Group and CEO Richard Allen over the inland port and contractors and subcontractors.
For people who want more information on that, just click the "Price" tag (heh, heh) in the tags below. You'll learn more about the history of JWP with the Dallas Inland Port, etc.
August 16, 2009
Are Dallas constables doing a car shakedown?
Combine the latest news, about Dallas Constable Jaime Cortes and several of his deputies driving cars month after month on temporary tags, a high rate of towing vehicles, and a cozy relationship Cortes and fellow constable Derick Evans have with towing and impound company Dowdy Ferry Auto Services, which has contributed to both their campaigns, and this smells to high heaven.
August 04, 2009
Dallas constable hired double-dipping clerk
Thumbs down to Dallas County Constable Derick Evans of Lancaster (whom I know personally). He hired a clerk from Dowdy Ferry Auto Services, an iffy towing and impound company now under state investigation.
Worse? Margarita Trevino still works at her old place, too.
So, why is this so problematic? Evans and one other constable have a contract-free relationship with Dowdy, whose owner has given them multiple campaign contributions.
Worse? Margarita Trevino still works at her old place, too.
So, why is this so problematic? Evans and one other constable have a contract-free relationship with Dowdy, whose owner has given them multiple campaign contributions.
July 24, 2009
More Dallas County constable shenanigans
Serving civil court papers outside your precinct? Again, let’s get rid of the office entirely. Abolish it and roll its duties into sheriff’s offices.
May 20, 2009
Emmert throws hat in ring for DalCo judge race
Cedar Hill City Councilman Wade Emmert told me, at a Cedar Hill Chamber of Commerce event yesterday, he's official about seeking the Republican nomination for the Dallas County Judge race next year, and that he'll have an official announcement party June 4.
Emmert says state Sen. John Corona and former Dallas County Judge Margaret Keliher are both suposed to be in attendance.
Mike Pappas and Ebby Halliday are among the heavy hitters on his steering committee.
Emmert says state Sen. John Corona and former Dallas County Judge Margaret Keliher are both suposed to be in attendance.
Mike Pappas and Ebby Halliday are among the heavy hitters on his steering committee.
May 03, 2009
Cedar Hill councilman nearer to DalCo judge run?
Cedar Hill (Texas) City Councilman Wade Emmert told me recently he’s getting closer to making a decision on whether or not to run in the Republican primary for Dallas County Judge next year.
He added that, while State Rep. Helen Giddings would be a formidable general election opponent should she enter the Democratic primary and get the nomination, that wouldn’t sway his decision.
He added that, while State Rep. Helen Giddings would be a formidable general election opponent should she enter the Democratic primary and get the nomination, that wouldn’t sway his decision.
April 28, 2009
Swine flu update – cases grow in NYC; new Mexican measures
New York City is now up to 45 confirmed cases, with many, many more suspected.
Mexico City has banned sit-down restaurant dining; only take-out sales are now allowed.
In my part of Texas, after a Mexico City has press release yesterday (PDF), Dallas County Health and Human Services is distributing a “tips” letter for parents via all county school districts.
Mexico City has banned sit-down restaurant dining; only take-out sales are now allowed.
In my part of Texas, after a Mexico City has press release yesterday (PDF), Dallas County Health and Human Services is distributing a “tips” letter for parents via all county school districts.
March 18, 2009
Helen Giddings for Dallas County Judge?
She says she’s interested. And, more interestingly, she says she’s been approached.
Assuming that was by Dallas County Democratic leaders, it would mean that they’re worried about incumbent Jim Foster’s ability, as well as the possibility that a John Wiley Price-controlled sockpuppet could win the nomination but lose the general election.
Giddings, who has a reputation for bipartisanship in the Lege down in Austin, would be tough for the GOP to defeat. She’s never given any indication of being under the control of Price. And, with 16 years, now, in the Lege, she has plenty of experience.
Sounds like a winner to me, if her interest translates into a run.
Assuming that was by Dallas County Democratic leaders, it would mean that they’re worried about incumbent Jim Foster’s ability, as well as the possibility that a John Wiley Price-controlled sockpuppet could win the nomination but lose the general election.
Giddings, who has a reputation for bipartisanship in the Lege down in Austin, would be tough for the GOP to defeat. She’s never given any indication of being under the control of Price. And, with 16 years, now, in the Lege, she has plenty of experience.
Sounds like a winner to me, if her interest translates into a run.
February 08, 2009
‘Foster Gump’ or Price-West hack to run Dallas County?
I know my choice
The Dallas Morning News has done some early handicapping on the 2010 Dallas County Judge’s race.
Frankly, assuming there’s no Green candidate, I’d take Democratic incumbent Jim Foster over Clay Jenkins or anybody else on the D party line buried in the combined pockets of Dallas County Commissioner John Wiley Price and state Sen. Royce West.
The dynamic duo tried to shake down would-be south Dallas/Dallas County/south suburbs inland port developer Richard Allen two years ago, before Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson put a stop to it.
Then, Price attempted to get the Dallas County Commissioners’ Court to require Allen to have a full-blown development plan, apparently taking his cue there from Ross Perot Jr. and Dallas May Tom Leppert. Foster voted against that, which is when Price started calling him “Foster Gump.”
Especially if Elba Garcia knocked off Ken Mayfield to give Democrats a majority on the Dallas County Commissioners’ Court, Jenkins or anybody else in their pockets two years in advance of the election would be a hack job par excellence.
I’d consider voting for a Republican in the general election in that case, especially somebody I know like Cedar Hill City Councilman Wade Emmert.
The Dallas Morning News has done some early handicapping on the 2010 Dallas County Judge’s race.
Frankly, assuming there’s no Green candidate, I’d take Democratic incumbent Jim Foster over Clay Jenkins or anybody else on the D party line buried in the combined pockets of Dallas County Commissioner John Wiley Price and state Sen. Royce West.
The dynamic duo tried to shake down would-be south Dallas/Dallas County/south suburbs inland port developer Richard Allen two years ago, before Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson put a stop to it.
Then, Price attempted to get the Dallas County Commissioners’ Court to require Allen to have a full-blown development plan, apparently taking his cue there from Ross Perot Jr. and Dallas May Tom Leppert. Foster voted against that, which is when Price started calling him “Foster Gump.”
Especially if Elba Garcia knocked off Ken Mayfield to give Democrats a majority on the Dallas County Commissioners’ Court, Jenkins or anybody else in their pockets two years in advance of the election would be a hack job par excellence.
I’d consider voting for a Republican in the general election in that case, especially somebody I know like Cedar Hill City Councilman Wade Emmert.
December 09, 2008
Is Lancaster mayor in Perot family pocket?
It’s hard to find another explanation, unless it involves John Wiley Price
Lancaster, Texas Mayor Marcus Knight appears to continue to be fighting his city’s best interest by stubbornly supporting (along with John Wiley Price) the alleged “need” for Lancaster to join Dallas County and the North Central Texas Council of Governments in an 18-month master plan study for the Dallas Logistics Hub site, which covers Dallas, Lancaster, Wilmer, Hutchins and unincorporated Dallas County.
The 6,000-acre development, proposed by The Allen Group, a major developer of intermodal transportation sites, and partially falling in a proposed federal free trade zone/inland port area, would bring thousands of jobs and millions of tax dollars to the area.
That is, if an 18-month “study,” which appears to be heavily pushed by Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert on behalf of his Perot family buddies.
So, why is Knight so in favor of the study, to the degree that, after a Dec. 8 Lancaster City Council public hearing on the matter got about two dozen comments against the proposed study, and none in favor, is keeping the public hearing “open” until a later date, presumably to get somebody, if anybody, to talk about how good the study is?
I even Googled the name of Knight’s company, “ARC Waste Hauling” + “Perot” and got no hits, thinking there has to be a connection somewhere.
Per the Observer story, we KNOW why JWP is apparently in the Perot’s back pocket. The old political phrases about “it’s all about the money” and “follow the money trail” probably could have a picture of JWP next to them for illustrative purposes.
We know that, in other cases, such as a bridge in Hutchins related to Union Pacific’s intermodal hub, JWP doesn’t like it if other political leaders won’t play ball with him, whether it’s hiring the right subcontractors, stroking him the right way or whatever.
Maybe that’s it with Knight. John Wiley Price has co-opted him in some way and gotten him to play ball, where Hutchins Mayor Artis Johnson never would.
Rather than fling around well-poisoning “carpetbagger” epithets, JWP needs to give a more convincing explanation of why he’s shooting his own constituents in the foot.
And, to avoid further speculation about his motives, Marcus Knight probably needs to do the same.
Lancaster, Texas Mayor Marcus Knight appears to continue to be fighting his city’s best interest by stubbornly supporting (along with John Wiley Price) the alleged “need” for Lancaster to join Dallas County and the North Central Texas Council of Governments in an 18-month master plan study for the Dallas Logistics Hub site, which covers Dallas, Lancaster, Wilmer, Hutchins and unincorporated Dallas County.
The 6,000-acre development, proposed by The Allen Group, a major developer of intermodal transportation sites, and partially falling in a proposed federal free trade zone/inland port area, would bring thousands of jobs and millions of tax dollars to the area.
That is, if an 18-month “study,” which appears to be heavily pushed by Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert on behalf of his Perot family buddies.
So, why is Knight so in favor of the study, to the degree that, after a Dec. 8 Lancaster City Council public hearing on the matter got about two dozen comments against the proposed study, and none in favor, is keeping the public hearing “open” until a later date, presumably to get somebody, if anybody, to talk about how good the study is?
I even Googled the name of Knight’s company, “ARC Waste Hauling” + “Perot” and got no hits, thinking there has to be a connection somewhere.
Per the Observer story, we KNOW why JWP is apparently in the Perot’s back pocket. The old political phrases about “it’s all about the money” and “follow the money trail” probably could have a picture of JWP next to them for illustrative purposes.
We know that, in other cases, such as a bridge in Hutchins related to Union Pacific’s intermodal hub, JWP doesn’t like it if other political leaders won’t play ball with him, whether it’s hiring the right subcontractors, stroking him the right way or whatever.
Maybe that’s it with Knight. John Wiley Price has co-opted him in some way and gotten him to play ball, where Hutchins Mayor Artis Johnson never would.
Rather than fling around well-poisoning “carpetbagger” epithets, JWP needs to give a more convincing explanation of why he’s shooting his own constituents in the foot.
And, to avoid further speculation about his motives, Marcus Knight probably needs to do the same.
November 18, 2008
Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert on Perot dime? What about Royce West and JWP?
Over at the Dallas Observer, Jim Schutze has the goods to expose has Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert is essentially the Perot family’s whipping boy and stalking horse to do about anything he can to stall, delay or damage the prospects of the Dallas Logistics Hub, the centerpiec of trying to get a federal government-sanctioned “inland port,” with trade advantages, established in southeast Dallas, Lancaster, Wilmer and Hutchins.
That includes Leppert’s latest idea, a “master plan” covering the entire area and cutting across government boundaries.
But, why now, Tom? Because your other efforts on behalf of the Perots (who own Alliance Airport and control all the logistics ventures facilities there), have failed? The Logistics Hub has been in the air for a few years by now. You could have proposed a master plan three or more years ago. Instead, Perot tools went to the Lege instead, and lost.
Where then does long-time Dallas County Commissioner John Wiley Price come in?
Well, his past head-butting with Hutchins Mayor Artis Johnson over bridge-building money says that with JWP, it can at times, many times, be about access, friends and money. An off-the-cuff guess would be that the Perots might be throwing some friends of his some construction work bones. Just a guess. If that's not the correct guess, let's just say that JWP isn't all hot about a master plan because he's got a sudden worry about uncontrolled development.
Besides, like Leppart, where was he four years ago? Butting heads with Artis Johnson, but not talking about a master plan for the logistics hub, that's where.
And what about state Sen. Royce West, who is now also reportedly pushing harder for a master plan for the Dallas inland port area? If he were involved …
Well, we know that Royce’s baby is UNT-Dallas. Maybe a Perot-endowed chair of business management? Hmm, just a guess. Or, maybe he's looking at a run for higher office in two years. But…
Marcus Knight? The Lancaster mayor may just have some sincere concerns. Or, he may be under JWP’s spell, wing or tutelage. Or, maybe his family’s business gets some Perot bones. A Google search on his name + Perot didn't turn up any links, but you never know what can fly beneath the radar.
That includes Leppert’s latest idea, a “master plan” covering the entire area and cutting across government boundaries.
But, why now, Tom? Because your other efforts on behalf of the Perots (who own Alliance Airport and control all the logistics ventures facilities there), have failed? The Logistics Hub has been in the air for a few years by now. You could have proposed a master plan three or more years ago. Instead, Perot tools went to the Lege instead, and lost.
Where then does long-time Dallas County Commissioner John Wiley Price come in?
Well, his past head-butting with Hutchins Mayor Artis Johnson over bridge-building money says that with JWP, it can at times, many times, be about access, friends and money. An off-the-cuff guess would be that the Perots might be throwing some friends of his some construction work bones. Just a guess. If that's not the correct guess, let's just say that JWP isn't all hot about a master plan because he's got a sudden worry about uncontrolled development.
Besides, like Leppart, where was he four years ago? Butting heads with Artis Johnson, but not talking about a master plan for the logistics hub, that's where.
And what about state Sen. Royce West, who is now also reportedly pushing harder for a master plan for the Dallas inland port area? If he were involved …
Well, we know that Royce’s baby is UNT-Dallas. Maybe a Perot-endowed chair of business management? Hmm, just a guess. Or, maybe he's looking at a run for higher office in two years. But…
Marcus Knight? The Lancaster mayor may just have some sincere concerns. Or, he may be under JWP’s spell, wing or tutelage. Or, maybe his family’s business gets some Perot bones. A Google search on his name + Perot didn't turn up any links, but you never know what can fly beneath the radar.
November 06, 2008
Elba Garcia vs Ken Mayfield
I would love to see Garcia challenge Mayfield for his District 4 Dallas County Commissioners Court seat in 2010 elections. If Ken only beat Rose “Rosita” (Puhleeze) Renfroe by709 votes in 2006, he’ll be vulnerable in 2010.
Here in the south suburbs, much of Grand Prairie, most of Duncanville and the east side of Cedar Hill all voted Democratic this year, showing the county’s shift.
In Mayfield’s district, Garcia would run well in west Dallas. Mayfield would do well in northwest suburbs, leaving Irving and Grand Prairie as keys.
Here in the south suburbs, much of Grand Prairie, most of Duncanville and the east side of Cedar Hill all voted Democratic this year, showing the county’s shift.
In Mayfield’s district, Garcia would run well in west Dallas. Mayfield would do well in northwest suburbs, leaving Irving and Grand Prairie as keys.
June 08, 2008
Dallas County being sued for false imprisonment
Specifically, the Dallas County Sheriff’s Department and Sheriff Lupe Valdez, for false imprisonment issues.
The plaintiff? Lancaster ISD orchestra director Theresa Dobbs, who made national news headlines two years ago after being “forgotten” in Dallas County’s Lew Sterrett Justice Center, aka the Dallas County Jail, for three days before finally bonding out.
For those of you not familiar with the story, in late 2005, Dobbs got a ticket for driving without a seat belt after being busted in a mall parking lot. She intended to fight the ticket, but entered the wrong court date in her day planner. Well, at the end of August, and the start of the Lancaster ISD school year, a zealous Dallas County constable’s officer, Ronald Bostic (perhaps overzealous, to put it mildly), showed up at Lancaster High School with a warrant.
Then, it got Kafkaesque. Due to paperwork mixups, misfilings, a screwy system, etc., she got forgotten about for three days. Basically, a clerk didn't retrieve her paperwork from a tray, and she wasn't placed on the daily municipal court docket. The morning and afternoon “cattle calls” for bail hearings? She never got called.
It gets worse. A friend came by, thinking she was there, to bail her out. The sheriff’s department said she wasn’t there.
Finally, she asked a person in the next holding cell, when that person got out, to contact the “outside world.”
Lupe Valdez has already faced enough problems over Lew Sterrett that I cannot believe she wouldn’t settle this, even if Dallas County District Attorney Craig Watkins is advising otherwise.
Add to that a $17 million county budget shortfall, and I don’t get why the county won’t settle.
But, nooh. (And I’ve heard that Valdez not Watkins, is the holdup on a settlement anyway).
Instead, with general election season just around the corner, this baby’s going to trial in July.
Not being a registered Democrat, AND someone who thinks the idea of electing sheriff’s is stupid, this is all enough to make one seriously consider pulling the level for Lowell Cannady.
As a point of snark, somebody has started a MySpace page for Lew Sterrett.
The plaintiff? Lancaster ISD orchestra director Theresa Dobbs, who made national news headlines two years ago after being “forgotten” in Dallas County’s Lew Sterrett Justice Center, aka the Dallas County Jail, for three days before finally bonding out.For those of you not familiar with the story, in late 2005, Dobbs got a ticket for driving without a seat belt after being busted in a mall parking lot. She intended to fight the ticket, but entered the wrong court date in her day planner. Well, at the end of August, and the start of the Lancaster ISD school year, a zealous Dallas County constable’s officer, Ronald Bostic (perhaps overzealous, to put it mildly), showed up at Lancaster High School with a warrant.
Then, it got Kafkaesque. Due to paperwork mixups, misfilings, a screwy system, etc., she got forgotten about for three days. Basically, a clerk didn't retrieve her paperwork from a tray, and she wasn't placed on the daily municipal court docket. The morning and afternoon “cattle calls” for bail hearings? She never got called.
It gets worse. A friend came by, thinking she was there, to bail her out. The sheriff’s department said she wasn’t there.
Finally, she asked a person in the next holding cell, when that person got out, to contact the “outside world.”
Lupe Valdez has already faced enough problems over Lew Sterrett that I cannot believe she wouldn’t settle this, even if Dallas County District Attorney Craig Watkins is advising otherwise.
Add to that a $17 million county budget shortfall, and I don’t get why the county won’t settle.
But, nooh. (And I’ve heard that Valdez not Watkins, is the holdup on a settlement anyway).
Instead, with general election season just around the corner, this baby’s going to trial in July.
Not being a registered Democrat, AND someone who thinks the idea of electing sheriff’s is stupid, this is all enough to make one seriously consider pulling the level for Lowell Cannady.
As a point of snark, somebody has started a MySpace page for Lew Sterrett.
May 18, 2008
Dallas-area school districts charging kids to ride the bus
At least for extracurricular activities, some Dallas school districts are asking kids to pony up for the trip there.At Richardson ISD, it’s going to be $5 a person for an in-town trip to UTD. Out-of-town trips are out.
Richardson ISD estimates that it will pay $259,000 to fuel its fleet of buses this school year, much higher than the $139,000 paid in 2004-05.
Dallas County Schools, which provides regular bus service to Dallas ISD and Cedar Hill in the Best Southwest, among suburban school districts, is trying to adapt. It’s got some propane buses in its Lancaster yard, but there are drawbacks to it.
Fort Worth ISD is buying more high-aerodynamics buses.
I have a suggestion – start buying hybrid buses.
(Oh, look for school lunch prices to go up, too.)
May 10, 2008
Booze is coming to Hutchins -- and Wilmer!
Voters in the small southern Dallas County suburb appear to have approved an initiative for package sales of beer, wine, and alcohol..
With all five precincts reporting to Dallas County Elections, the measure was up 58-42 percent. If that holds up, Hutchins would be the only place in the county south of the Trinity River to sell spirits as well as beer and wine.
Meanwhile, an identical proposition passed 51-49 in neighboring Wilmer, with one of two precincts reporting.
Well, Lancaster folks, throw in the towel once and for all. Even without beer-store funded opposition from Clyde Hairston and the Gonzales brothers, you'll never get anything passed now.
With all five precincts reporting to Dallas County Elections, the measure was up 58-42 percent. If that holds up, Hutchins would be the only place in the county south of the Trinity River to sell spirits as well as beer and wine.
Meanwhile, an identical proposition passed 51-49 in neighboring Wilmer, with one of two precincts reporting.
Well, Lancaster folks, throw in the towel once and for all. Even without beer-store funded opposition from Clyde Hairston and the Gonzales brothers, you'll never get anything passed now.
Housing rebound still a long ways off
Local economists agree with city of Cedar Hill Finance Director Hardy Browder — housing market recovery here in the Dallas-Fort Worth is a ways off.
How far off? Economists and housing industry leaders meeting in Dallas said very late 2008 or 2009 before the housing market begins to recover.
Nationally, with about $680 billion in ARMs due to reset this year, Texas A&M economist Jim Gaines said recovery might not start until 2010.
How far off? Economists and housing industry leaders meeting in Dallas said very late 2008 or 2009 before the housing market begins to recover.
“I think we are at the bottom but I think the bottom is very rocky and long,” said Robert McLeod, chairman of San Diego-based Newland Communities, which has several housing community projects in Texas. “It’s not going to feel very good until about the third quarter of 2009,” McLeod told members of the Urban Land Institute on Friday. The international real estate
Nationally, with about $680 billion in ARMs due to reset this year, Texas A&M economist Jim Gaines said recovery might not start until 2010.
May 04, 2008
Watkins says lock up rogue DAs
Craig Watkins, the Dallas County district attorney, agrees with me and then some.
I blogged earlier this week that unethical prosecutors ought to have to publicly apologize to wrongfully convicted persons when they are set free. Watkins, the district attorney who is making a name for himself by actively collaborating with Innocence Project of Texas to free a number of wrongfully convicted felons, wants to go much further on prosecutors who deliberately withhold exculpatory evidence from defense attorneys. MUCH further.
Mandatory disbarment. The possibility of criminal sanctions. (Texas, unlike some states, doesn’t have a criminal punishment for “Brady law” violations.)
State Sen. Rodney Ellis of Houston backs him up. Ellis, who proposed the state law to compensate the wrongfully convicted, says the amount of payouts show just how big a problem it is.
Plus, the State Bar of Texas is, to put it politely, a piece of crap. It makes even the Texas Medical Association look tough, and that’s hard to do.
So, for the other DAs across Texas who disagree with Watkins, you’re just wrong. It is NOT an overreaction, which Williamson County DA John Bradley claimed.
Then you have Toby Shook, Watkins’ GOP opponent in 2006, who says Brady violators should be in prison but Brady violations should not be incarcerated.
Thank doorknob you weren’t elected. James Lee Woodard would probably still be in prison.
I blogged earlier this week that unethical prosecutors ought to have to publicly apologize to wrongfully convicted persons when they are set free. Watkins, the district attorney who is making a name for himself by actively collaborating with Innocence Project of Texas to free a number of wrongfully convicted felons, wants to go much further on prosecutors who deliberately withhold exculpatory evidence from defense attorneys. MUCH further.
Mandatory disbarment. The possibility of criminal sanctions. (Texas, unlike some states, doesn’t have a criminal punishment for “Brady law” violations.)
State Sen. Rodney Ellis of Houston backs him up. Ellis, who proposed the state law to compensate the wrongfully convicted, says the amount of payouts show just how big a problem it is.
Plus, the State Bar of Texas is, to put it politely, a piece of crap. It makes even the Texas Medical Association look tough, and that’s hard to do.
So, for the other DAs across Texas who disagree with Watkins, you’re just wrong. It is NOT an overreaction, which Williamson County DA John Bradley claimed.
Then you have Toby Shook, Watkins’ GOP opponent in 2006, who says Brady violators should be in prison but Brady violations should not be incarcerated.
Thank doorknob you weren’t elected. James Lee Woodard would probably still be in prison.
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