03/28/05 - Why is Senator Royce blocking a good project for Northwest Dallas?

(This is a continuation of Mary Lou's report on the strange team effort of State Senator Royce West and City Councilman John Loza to block a very good multi-family residential complex in a former hotel that is standing empty and attracting street bums.)

Several people have made calls to State Senator Royce West and Councilman John Loza regarding the Provident Project (1893 Harry Hines/Mockingbird).  Below is an account of what John Loza's aide told one of those people.  Please do not be fooled in thinking that we are being told the truth. 

I want to set the record straight because both times that it was pulled from the agenda I was at City Council. 

1.  First time-February 23.  The previous night Senator West called Councilman John Loza and asked him to defer it, which he did.  (Wilma and I called Roger Jones, Senator West's Legislative Aide at (214) 467-0123.  We were both told West did not want this project because it would be the first in Texas and he did not think it was a good idea. What arrogance!

2.  Second time - March 9.  I was at the City Council meeting and Loza asked it be deferred a second time.  All of us who have been working on this became extremely concerned because an item can be deferred ONLY 3 times.  If it's deferred again, the project is dead.  We are worried about what will go in its place.  Last time it comes up for a vote is April 6. 

When I spoke with Rosa (Loza's aide) on Friday, I said Loza had already pulled this from the agenda twice.  She corrected me, saying he'd only pulled it once.  Reading Wilma's GREAT e-mail, I see that he has, in fact, pulled it twice, so Rosa was wrong.  I don't think she was intentionally wrong, but if she's mistakenly telling callers that it's only been pulled once, that takes away from the fact that next week is the last chance.

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WHAT gives a State Senator the power to stop a City Councilman from voting on a project in Northwest Dallas?  A $20 million project that would jump start an area that has been in decline for years.  Why?

1893 West Mockingbird is the Proposed site that would be an Intergenerational Facility for seniors and families with children.  This "Intergenerational Shared Site Program" is a new form of living concept that several states are currently have.  It helps all involved because they help each other.  Senior citizens serve as role models for many kids who never see their grandparents.  And young families help senior citizens by interacting with them.

There are several Intergenerational Site Programs, in other states:  Mechanisburg PA, Miami, FL, Rantoll, IL, Van Nuys, CA., Seattle, WA, to Name a few.  So it is not something that has never been tried before.

Why Shared Sites, such as this one. Young and old people walk down the same street together, but routinely find themselves on opposite sides of the.  A continually changing economy, increased work hours, and the weakened role of a family's elder's, all further an already age -- stratified society.  Children often spend their days in school and/or child care centers, while many elder's live and socialize in age isolated facilities.  This would benefit all concerned, senior citizens, families with children and the surrounding neighborhoods.

ADULTS- 80% of older Americans do not plan to retire, in a traditional manner.  Many retirees volunteer now that they are not working.  There is a strong need for tutors, role models and mentors.  What better way can the elderly live?  Children would benefit from having senior citizens who live close by passing along history, family values and giving kids self confidence.  

YOUTH - Younger volunteers are able to provide companionship to older people and participate in service projects to assist older adults and other community members. There would be a sense of community and belonging that many children in this day and time never get.

This type of development brings people together.  Our schools are asking for tutors, role models and mentors.  Why would anybody object to having families living close to senior citizens?  Is this not the way it was before crime got so out of hand? 

Let Dallas be the first in Texas to have an Intergenerational project.  Time will show this type of project is a positive thing for the elderly and our youths.

For more Information on this type of project contact:

Generations United 1333 H St. NW #500W Washington  DC  2005-4752

E-mail: gu@gu.org  Webb Site: www.gu.org

Phone:  202.289.3978 Fax: 202.289.3952

We need this development for community and the City Of Dallas.  Please write or call:

Senator Royce West 5787 S Hampton Rd #385 Dallas  TX  75232 214.467.0123; fax 214.467.0050	P.O. Box 12068 Capitol Rm #3E.10 Austin  TX  78711 512.463.0123; fax 512.463.0299
Councilman John Loza Dallas City Hall 1500 Marilla, 5E N Dallas  TX  75201

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                                       WHAT CAN YOU DO?

1.  We need to press the media to ask Senator West and Councilman Loza why they do not want this project.  This needs to be exposed.  If Dallas is to go forward, backroom deals that hurt citizens must be stopped.

2.  Call Senator West and Councilman John Loza's office regardless if you live in their district. They need to hear from ALL of us.  These men need to be removed from holding a public office if they defy what their constituents want.  We do not need their type of arrogance and indifference to people who will be affected if they get their way.  Our city needs leaders who will work for what is best for ALL people.

3.  On Thursday, March 31, 2005 @ 6:30 pm in the Grauwyler Recreation Center, 7780 Harry Hines, the Provident group will give a presentation of this $20 million project which is being done in other states.  Please attend and ask questions.  See for yourself what a beautiful project it would be and why we think it will help revitalize Harry Hines. 

This monthly crime watch meeting will also have the 3 candidates who are running for City Council District 2.  They need to be asked where they stand on keeping the Homeless Shelter off Harry Hines.  Dallas Police will also be there to answer questions.