05/01/05 Would be Strong-Arm Mayor a No-Show in South Dallas

On Thursday, a debate on the Blackwood proposal was held at Friendship West Baptist Church.  The gym had standing room only, and the overflow of people were in the chapel. 

Mayor Miller was suppose to attend this debate, but, on the day of the debate, she informed Willis Johnson that she would not be able to attend because she had to attend her son's game. 

The panel consisted of Betty Culbreath, Laney and Beth Blackwood for strong mayor, with Lynn Shaw, Don Hill and Don Hicks against the proposal.  There was press from most of the stations, yet there was nothing on the news about this debate, probably because most of the people attending did not buy off on this proposition.

Beth Blackwood told the audience of Blacks and Hispanics that we should embrace this proposition because it would help our neighborhoods the most.  She stated that the city manager has more power than the mayor and city council.  She also told us that most of us probably didn't even know who the city manager was, which was quite offensive to us.  She tried to make us believe that it is the exact same system that Houston has in place.  When questioned by the audience about her sitting at home watching the council meeting on television and deciding that the charter needed to be rewritten, her answers didn't add up. 

Blackwood stated she had never attended a council meeting, and had never served on a city board or commission and became somewhat agitated when people questioned why if she felt there was a problem she never appeared before council.  When pressed about her involvement in city government, she stated that she had to work like most of us do.  I guess that has changed since she appears to have enough time to attend all these debates.

Even though I have been the target of your writing, I am in total agreement with you on this one. 

I appreciate the fact that you are uncovering those who are suppose to be activists for the African American community but who are actually role playing to help get this proposition passed by inflaming the White voters of North Dallas.  I only regret that people who look like me aren't doing it, too. 

Mary Hasan