03/27/06  Betty Culbreath:  A Soul for the Rising

This is a statement of my profound respect for Betty Culbreath and the fine qualities she brings to the city of Dallas. By chance encounter, I was asked to debate the Blackwood proposition to the Weed & Seed community group in South Dallas last year.

Ms. Culbreath and I drew lots and determined she was to speak first.  Ms. Culbreath took the podium and delivered a flamboyant speech about the deep challenges facing South Dallas. After a few minutes, it was obvious to myself and everyone in the room that Ms. Culbreath carries a deep understanding of citizen complaints about abandoned structures yearning for bulldozers, liquor stores on every street corner and the need for high quality, reasonable housing.

All of Ms. Culbreath’s comments were delivered with a strong heartfelt close. “Why is it still like this”?

Unscripted, I began my comments by agreeing with everything Ms. Culbreath had said.  I argued vigorously about my deep reservations about Blackwood’s potential to turn Dallas into another Daley political machine even though I agreed with the need to strengthen mayoral powers in creating strategy for the city.

After the meeting, Mr. Culbreath waited for me in the foyer, extended her hand and thanked me for speaking.  The gesture itself was warm and welcoming. For a few minutes we talked about how much we wanted things to change. We talked about how meaningful conversations bring people together. We talked about working together sometime in the future.  Ms. Culbreath is a first class citizen above the politically prevalent ego.

As in all campaigns, Ms. Culbreath will have a hard road, fences to mend and alliances to form.  Some might say I support Betty Culbreath because I wear a suit, or because she says what I think, or because the mayor thinks she is a good gal.  None of these things would be true.  

I support Betty Culbreath because I know character when I see it. 

Dallas needs people with fire in their soul for the rising.

Judd Bradbury