Michael Davis

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Michael Davis

12/01/06

DISD Board Member Engages in Sneaky Tactics

And uses district lawyers and your tax dollars to do it!

As reported in the Dallas Morning News (link), Jerome Garza (Trustee for District 7-picture) had precincts switched on the DISD redistricting map without anyone's consent or knowledge. The precincts were switched from DISD District 6 to District 7. District 6 is Carla Ranger's District.

The paper reports that he also used District Lawyers to make the swap, and never consulted Ms. Ranger about such a move. Equally important, he also never informed the residents of DISD District 6 about such a move.

I have learned that the under-the-table swap involved Precinct 4417, which surrounds Molina High School, and Precinct 4419. Unlike Garza would lead you to believe, Precinct 4417 is a diverse district of many races. Precinct 4419 is overwhelmingly Hispanic. I believe this is all about payback and dilution of the African-American voting bloc. I will back that up with statistics later on in the article.

Here is the exchange, according to the DMN Article:

When trustees reviewed the maps before voting, they noticed the precinct encompassing Molina High School had been moved ? without explanation ? into District 7, which is represented by Trustee Jerome Garza.

Mrs. Ranger was irate. That area had always been included in District 6, her district. She wanted to know why it was removed, who was behind it and why she wasn't consulted.

When she posed the question to the legal team that drew up the maps, she found the response unsatisfactory.

Lawyer Rolando Rios told her he couldn't recall why the switch was made. When asked if it was done at the behest of a trustee, the lawyer claimed attorney-client privilege and wouldn't answer. When she turned to her fellow trustees for help, none offered an explanation.

After unsuccessfully lobbying trustees to switch the precinct back, Mrs. Ranger asked Mr. Garza if he had anything to do with it. After drawing a deep breath, Mr. Garza conceded that he wanted to represent the schools in that district, which include Molina, Quintanilla Middle School and Botello Elementary School.

Those schools, he said, are named after Hispanic activists he has long admired, and he wanted to ensure that the children in those neighborhoods understood who those men were. He did not apologize to Mrs. Ranger for asking for the precinct swap without her knowledge or consent.

Note: Having schools named after "people you admire" is not legal justification for redistricting.

Ms. Ranger's reply said it best:

"I certainly would hope that each trustee would respect me and District 6," she said. "It certainly seems to me to be a racially and politically motivated move."

Precinct 4419 (the precinct that Garza switched OUT of his district) has a much higher percentage and whole number of Hispanic voters than 4417 (which he switched into his district).

Voting records show that in Precinct 4417 (swapped IN by Garza) there are approximately 830 people that voted in at least one general election since 2004. Of that total, approximately 435 voters are non-Hispanic. That's roughly 50 percent.

In Precinct 4419 (swapped OUT by Garza), there are approximately 1270 people that voted in at least one general election since 2004. Of that total, approximately 1030 voters are Hispanic. That's over 80 percent.

The numbers don't lie. Jerome Garza used our political process as an opportunity to exploit procedures for his own gain, nothing more. The redistricting process had nothing to do with the area under discussion.

This was a move to marginalize the residents that have been outspoken against the DISD Spanish-Speaking requirements and policies.

A formal investigation should be called to find out how it was determined that this was a fair an equitable swap.

At the DISD redistricting meeting held Tuesday at Tommie Allen Rec Center in Oak Cliff, this switch was never discussed. Garza didn't even show up, and Board President Jack Lowe left early. Next time, have the courtesy and guts to show up when you're trying to make cheap political moves disguised as representation.

And to boot, we're paying $200,000 to Rolando Rios who claims "attorney-client privilege" when pressed about these underhanded tactics. Newsflash to Rios: you're getting paid by the ENTIRE district, not just Jerome Garza.

From what I've heard about Lowe, it wasn't surprising to see him wimp out and sneak out when the speakers got a little heated. And he's the President of the School Board? Surely he didn't drive 30 miles from North Dallas to stay for 20 minutes. Then again, maybe he did. Good grief.

The swap passed 5-4. The breakdown was as follows.

Voting yes (for the swap): Jack Lowe, Jerome Garza, Edwin Flores, Adam Medrano, Nancy Bingham.

Voting No:(against the swap) Lew Blackburn, Leigh Ann Ellis, Ron Price, Carla Ranger

The vote on the final map adopted (Map K) on Thursday, November 30, 2006 was as follows:

6 For Map K - Jack Lowe, Nancy Bingham, Jerome Garza, Ron Price, Edwin Flores, Adam Medrano

3 Against Map K - Lew Blackburn, Leigh Ann Ellis, Carla Ranger

It may not seem like much to most people, but this move was totally disrespectful of people in that neighborhood who have long fought for civil causes and for the right to be represented.

All this is going to do is open up Pandora's boxes that should remain closed. This may represent a new low in DISD Politics.

Michael Davis, www.dallasprogress.blogspot.com
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Ward politics is the Devil's key to the soul of the city council. It is how some council members got themselves in trouble in the past. It is the bait that will get others in trouble in the future. 4/6/8