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Todd Bensman & Robert Riggs
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07/15/05 Maxine
Thornton-Reese is an idiot.
You know I would have never have been tuned in to
these tax credit funded multi-family projects had it not been for Maxine T-Reese
making such a fool of herself last Fall regarding a Provident Realty project
in Councilman Fantroy's district. The councilman had a conflict of
interest and had asked T-Reese to move the case.
Although the councilman was only supposed to advise her he had a conflict of
interest and not indicate whether he wanted the project approved or denied, it
was obvious from her comments that Councilman Fantroy had advised T-Reese to get
the project approved. A transcript from that meeting regarding this case
is part of
Crooks in Low Places.
If you think Brain Dead T-Reese has one ounce of embarrassment from that lapse
of ethics, you would be giving her credit for some cerebral activity. As someone said in an old movie, "If she ever had a thought, it died of
loneliness."
So, now with this horrible FBI investigation that probably relates back to her
championing Provident Realty's tax-credit project last September, you might hope T-Reese would have the good sense to keep a low profile.
But, "T-Reese and good sense" is an oxymoron.
T-Reese does not have good sense. She has no sense. What else could
explain her challenging the Mayor's prohibition on processing any more of the
tax-credit scams until the FBI concludes its investigation?
Here's what T-Reese sent to the Mayor to protest:
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DATE
July 13, 2005
TO
The
Honorable Mayor Laura Miller
SUBJECT
Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs
The Honorable Mayor Laura Miller,
I have reviewed the memo you addressed to
the Councilmembers dated
July 12,
2005, which instructed City personnel to submit in writing to the Texas
Department of Housing and Community Affairs the City of
Dallas?
unwillingness to receive, review or endorse any new applications for
tax-credits until the Federal Bureau of Investigation?s work is completed.
I question this directive to city staff as to its appropriateness for the
following reasons:
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As you
are aware, the Council is on recess and will not convene until August;
therefore, the decision to place a moratorium on new applications for
tax-credits should have been postponed until the entire Council had an
opportunity to openly discuss the issue;
-
You
did not give the City Council an opportunity to discuss your
recommendation before you instructed staff to submit your recommendation
in writing to the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs;
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A
decision of this magnitude should not be a unilateral decision made by one
person only; it should reflect the consensus of the full Council duly
recorded as an action item by majority vote;
-
Such
decision will affect the continued revitalization of the neighborhoods,
especially new developments in the southern sector. As you know, the
southern sector has a great opportunity to contribute more to the City?s
tax base;
-
One of
the Council?s major priorities is to incent development in the southern
sector as a way to continue to balance the City?s tax base.
Although, the Federal Bureau of
Investigations is presently investigating certain entities involved in
previous tax-credit awards, new applicants who are not involved and\or
associated with the ongoing investigations should not be penalized. It
is my firm conviction that we have a fiduciary duty to grow the tax base.
The City Council can continue to achieve this most fundamental goal by
providing incentives to revitalize the southern sector, especially by
encouraging homeownership and retail. This belief is based on the 3R?s,
Rooftops, Retail and Revitalization, which I have continuously advocated
since my election to the council.
I am seeking the advice of the City
Attorney to determine if the Dallas City Charter gives you the unilateral
authority to make such a major decision without due process, which includes
the deliberation and action by the duly elected city council ? all fifteen
members.
Dallas,
like our Nation, operates under rules of law. For our Nation, it is the
United States Constitution. For our City, it is the City Charter. As the
duly elected representative for City Council District 4, I trust that you
can understand and appreciate this request for clarification from the City
Attorney.
Let?s continue to work together as the
City Council to make sound decisions that will positively impact our City to
the benefit of our citizens. Together, we can continue to make a difference
for all our citizens.
Looking forward to discussing this issue
when the Council reconvenes in August.
Dr. Maxine Thornton ? Reese
Councilmember
District 4
C:
Honorable Members of the City Council
Mary K. Suhm, City Manager
Tom Perkins, City Attorney
Shirley Acy, City Secretary
Paul Garner, Assistant City Auditor
Jerry Killingsworth, Director, Housing Department
Karl Zavitkovsky, Director, Office of Economic Development
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"It
is my firm conviction that we have a fiduciary duty to grow the tax base."
Can you imagine a
more unfortunate choice of words than for T-Reese to mention "firm conviction" considering what may lie ahead for a
couple of her colleagues? Don't forget her malfeasance and betrayal of her
fiduciary duties as a trustee in the Tri-Cities
Hospital disaster.
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I am seeking the advice of the City
Attorney to determine if the Dallas City Charter gives you the unilateral
authority to make such a major decision without due process, which includes
the deliberation and action by the duly elected city council ? all fifteen
members. |
Most of the council members who
spoke with the press agreed with the Mayor's decision, including Shakedown Leo
Chaney.
Here's what Mayor sent back to
T-Reese:
Dear Maxine,
Thanks so much for your thoughtful memo today re: tax credit project
moratorium. I tried to call you last night
to discuss this with you, but you weren't at home, and I left a message
asking you to call.
The majority of the City Council believes that it is prudent to wait until
the FBI investigation is completed before we entertain more tax-credit,
low-income, multi-family apartment projects for our city. Asking
staff to review and recommend (or not) dozens of
these applications - which have traditionally been submitted by two or three
developers, several of whom are currently under investigation by the FBI -
is onerous and unfair at this time.
It is equally difficult for council members to be
asked to cast their votes for these projects when there is a serious
question about how these deals were struck and whether anything untoward may
have happened behind the scenes.
Both City Manager Mary Suhm and Housing Department Director Jerry
Killingsworth agree that a temporary moratorium is prudent at this time, and
that it will not hurt the availability of low-income apartments in Dallas if
we take a temporary pass on upcoming applications.
It is clear to everyone that we have yet to absorb the many apartment
complexes we have already approved in the last two years.
If there is a tax credit project that is proposed for your district during
this period when the FBI is investigating how these deals get approved, and
you feel strongly that it should be built despite the criminal
investigation, all you need to do is gather five council signatures and I
promise you it will be promptly placed on a council agenda for
consideration.
Please call me if you'd like to discuss this further. You know what is best
for your district, and that is why I specifically asked for feedback from
the council about my letter to the state asking them to withhold upcoming
tax-credit applications.
My primary goal at this moment is to assure the public, and ourselves, that
we are cooperating fully with the FBI and to suspend programs and processes
that may have invited corruption.
I'm sure you would agree.
Sincerely,
LM |
This is new "kinder, gentler"
Laura Miller -- speak with a soft voice and carry a big stick.
sb
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