Kathleen Matsumara

Today, I saw quite a few people I know as citizens joined elected officials at Dallas City Hall to officially begin the Coalition for Open Government campaign vs. the Blackwood charter change. The media was on hand in great numbers. Food was served. Each person who came in the Flag Room was given a tag dominated with patches of yellow and black demanding "Vote NO on Proposition 1 Blackwood Charter." Very eye catching. The excitement in the air was palpable as one speaker after another got up to say a few words. Applause was frequent. At one point, the city council gathered on the raised platform and took turns to offer their viewpoints....all unified vs. Proposition 1. It was refreshing to see.

BUT....I have a memory. I remember that the council hasn't always been as unified as they wanted to appear today. They don't always listen to their constituents. They often are the constituents' worst enemies. And I don't know if they would be so excited about working to get a revision to the charter on the ballot later this year if they hadn't been forced to do so.

That said, I do believe that the Blackwood petition has presented all who want what's good for Dallas a great opportunity. All in this camp can truly work together, cross ethnic lines, erase district boundaries and formulate an alternative that would result in a more efficiently run city with adequate checks and balances...BUT can this be done by April when early voting begins? Will there really be an election in November when this alternative can be voted on? Without an alternative, there are those who will vote for Prop 1 just because they want change, any change.

I hope that the meetings held at city hall on Tuesday evenings that began last week will continue and will lead to the alternative being formulated, as promised. I understand that the various chambers of commerce and other business groups will be meeting tomorrow to talk about their approach to the campaign. Watch the news to see what is decided.

We in the crowd today were asked to get yard signs. (That's great, but I kept asking where the bumper stickers were...to me, they are a most cost effective way to get the word out.) We were also asked to give money. Write letters to the editor. Participate in radio talk show interchanges. Talk to friends. Go to http://keepitopen.org to find out more.

The most important exhortation uttered today in my estimation is that Dallas citizens should not just say NO, they must Vote NO. I asked after the event why there were no voter registration forms handy to ensure that all applauding today were actually able to cast a vote in May. Does anyone else think this is a good idea? I got no enthusiastic responses when I suggested it today.

NOTE: April 7 is last day to register to vote for May 7 elections, according to Secretary of State site.

http://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/laws/advisory2005-01.shtml