9/21/9  What
 

		9/21/9		What is that sound?
David Tuthill

Weeeeeeeee! What is that sound?
Weeeeeeeee! Is it a jet airplane?
Is it a roller coaster full of fun seekers? Weeeeeeeee!

No it is your local government entities with your property tax dollars! Weeeeeeeee!   It is always great fun when you have been misspending other people?s money for a long time. Weeeeeeee!

We have seen  local school districts, community college and counties raise their tax rate in the midst of an economic recession that has cost many their jobs.  People are struggling to keep their homes in a real estate market gone bust that has swelled  home foreclosures in North Texas to alarming proportions.  The Dallas County Appraisal District does not want homeowners to know about property dispute comparables as that would provide ammunition against their overvalued appraisals.

For the last several years, we have seen indications of the present economic problems on the  horizon.   Instead of battening down the hatches in the ship of Dallas, we only hear from the captains of our ship ?it?s not happening here?.  They measure this by the number of construction cranes seen from windows down at City Hall.  Well, it is happening here.  One could see it from miles away if one looked.   ?There are none so blind as those who do not wish to see.?  And, next year-even worse!   Weeeeeeeee.

Here we are in the middle of big budget shortfalls, and what do I see:

Well, in order to augment the libraries and recreation centers (a noble goal), we will raise money by a royalty tax on Atmos Energy for those customers who heat their homes.  This tax will be passed on to Dallas consumers by Atmos at a time when natural gas prices are climbing.  Just in time for winter!  Break out those sweaters and long underwear; your heating bills are going up! Weeeeeeeee!

This against the backdrop of the groundbreaking ceremonies for the covering of Woodall Rodgers Freeway with gardens for the arts district and the ground breaking of the taxpayer-owned Dallas Convention Center Hotel.  Weeeeeeeeee!

Before floodwaters recede from the Trinity River, go and envision what the Trinity Toll Road will look like when it is completed and underwater during flashfloods!   Weeeeeeeee.   While you are down there, peak at the Hunt ?Bridge to No Where? that is mired in design flaws.  Something  those who have open eyes could see coming.   But, not if your eyes are closed and you have been chanting, ?it?s not happening here.?

Contrasted against this fun is the pending bankruptcy of another major retail/residential development at the comer of Walnut Hill and Central Expressway. A testimonial to the down turn in the economy as well as the short sightedness of developers.

Being in denial is easy when you will not accept what should be as plain as the nose on your face.

A moderate restaurant closed down at Victory Plaza, an area developers are just now beginning to figure out only caters to the small elite ? one of many failures that occurred this year.   ?Joe the Plumber? and his friends can?t afford the tab to patronize this development.   What do we see?  The unveiling of plans for the new Science Museum that is moving from what once was the center nexus of museums and culture Fair Park.  Ironic, this week DART Green Line will make that area more accessible to the city and neighboring communities.  No more going down to Fair Park to find a parking place only to have your car towed away.  Fair Park is suffering from decline.  The once fabled West End is suffering, thanks to the City of Dallas and American Airlines Center.   Reunion Arena was a focal point of the city, and is now a gutted arena replaced by a new arena named after an airline that may soon be bankrupt. Weeeeeeeee.

The City Council shows leadership by trimming their staff and budget.   An inept falling down with claims of hardships and inflexibility that is the hallmark of council stewardship.   I am not surprised by this.  In the past year, one council member made news by spending his ?allowance? on pizza cutters and models of mini recycling bins with his name on them.  Another could not stay within his ?allowance? and wanted other council members to make up the short fall.  Another council member treats their position as a blank ticket for vacations to far away places.   Weeeeeeee.

It is just like the Dallas Independent School Board and Superintendent.  Long line of problems, scandals and poor leadership.  Weeeeeeeee.   Remember what one trustee said ?we're not criminal, we're just incompetent?.  Weeeeeeeeeee

Wait!  What?s that other sound?  Sounds like a typewriter.   No, it's the clattering of teeth of residents who can barely afford their property taxes and now are having to turn down the heat for their version of an ?Artic Tuesday? one that lasts all winter long!   Weeeeeeeee.

David W. Tuthill