 |
Miller
endorsement disturbs some
02/11/2003
GROMER JEFFERS /
The Dallas Morning News |
When
District 6 was redrawn in 2001, many hoped the new boundaries
would result in greater Hispanic representation on the Dallas City
Council.
... That's why some are bewildered by Mayor Laura
Miller's endorsement of Sharon Boyd, an Anglo woman, in the May 3
council race.
"It's
disturbing and perturbing that someone like the mayor would step
out and do something like that without seeking guidance and
advice," said former Dallas school trustee Jos?Plata.
"One would think that Madame Mayor would have been cognizant
of what went into the redrawing of District 6 and sought to build
strong credentials and stand up for what's right for human
relations."
Ms. Miller said that she understands why
her endorsement of Ms. Boyd is unpopular in Hispanic circles and
that she would not "belittle" those concerns. She first
became allied with Ms. Boyd during the campaign opposing public
support of the American Airlines Center project.
"Sharon and I go way back to the
anti-arena campaign," Ms. Miller said. "We are friends,
and I think she will be a good council member. She's working hard
and knocking on doors throughout the district."
. . . District 6, with 82,000 people, is about 77 percent
Hispanic, 11 percent Anglo and 10 percent black. Situated almost
entirely north of Interstate 30, it stretches from northwest to
West Dallas.
Ms. Boyd is expected to run against
Hispanic candidates Julia Cabrera . . . and former council
member Steve Salazar.
. . . Ms. Boyd is well-known for her Web site that takes
public officials and the mainstream news media to task.
. . . A group of Hispanics recently met with Ms. Miller to
voice their concerns about the Boyd endorsement, including Mr.
Plata and Diana Flores, a trustee of the Dallas County Community
College District.
... Ms. Flores added that Ms. Miller's candor about the
endorsement of Ms. Boyd was refreshing.
"She's responding to her loyalty to a
longtime friend, and that's kind of admirable,"
...
Dallas
Independent School District trustee Joe May said Ms. Miller's
endorsement was a political risk but would not prevent Ms. Cabrera
or Mr. Salazar from winning.
... "It's not going to amount to anything," he
said of the endorsement. "The only way Sharon Boyd will win
is if she has the support of the Hispanic community."
Mr. May said Ms. Miller's endorsement could
damage her reputation with Hispanics. ... "It could be her
Waterloo in terms of her Hispanic popularity."
... She says she meant no disrespect to potential Hispanic
candidates when she quickly endorsed Ms. Boyd.
"I did it early when Ms. Boyd first announced
that she was interested in the seat," Ms. Miller said...
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Boyd Response
Not one person in
the 2/11/03 Jeffers column lives in District 6.
It is very PATRONizing of Joe May, Jos?Plata or anyone else who does
not live in District 6 to tell us how to vote or who is even allowed
to run for our council seat.
Joe May is accustomed to coercing old people to give him their mail-in
ballots so he can control their votes, but that's
District 2.
Voters who live in precincts that make up the new District 6 supported
Mayor Miller over Domingo Garcia last January.
I am walking door-to-door and have had wonderful responses from Hispanic
voters. Not one person commented about my blue eyes or
last name.
In the past, when Joe May and others made homophobic remarks about
Jos?Plata, a gay man running for School Board, my
letter in Plata's support was the only one printed in the DMN. As a former school teacher, Plata had the credentials and experience
to best serve the school children of Dallas. That was my sole
criteria for supporting Plata, who would now try to deny me my right to
represent my own neighborhood and the rest of District 6 because I
have blue eyes.
As I walk District 6 neighborhoods, I tell voters who I am
running against. Voters in the NW part of District 6 remember
Steve Salazar's support for topless bars and other
non-complying business in our area and his overall opposition to code
enforcement.
Oak Cliff voters remember Salazar for doing
nothing. Voters in precincts near his home tell me "Dr.
Elba" (as they fondly call her) has done more for them in 2 years
than did Salazar in 6. They only ask me if I will work
"as hard as Dr. Elba".
Arcadia Park voters adore Mayor Miller and credit her
for their new streets and drainage pipes replacing ditches.
Last Saturday, they were very emphatic they would vote for me.
I am excited about representing District 6 and serving with Mayor
Miller. District 6 voters will decide who represents us on
the city council, not power brokers who live in other districts.
The days of the "patron" system in the Dallas Hispanic
community are over. Many young Hispanic men and women want a
place at the decision-making table and the old so-called Hispanic
leadership shut them out. I will open the door of
Dallas leadership to those young people and mentor them for
future council races of their own.
My race is to open the door to City Hall.
Hispanic voters in District 6 want what Anglo voters want
and what African-American voters want and what
Asian-American voters want -- honest, efficient government that fixes what needs repair and
maintains our city in a business-like way, fairly and equitably.
That's why Hispanic voters in District 6 support me,
blue eyes
and all.
Sharon Boyd
Candidate for City Council District 6
|
Raquel:
Go Sharon! I'm so PROUD of you! -
________
Frank:
Wish I could vote for you, Sharon.
It would be wonderful to feel like my vote wasn't wasted. Even
though she seems to be doing better,
V is still a disappointment.
Good luck, Blue Eyed Lady? |
