Tim Dickey
                             

04/17/03  Oh! No!  The DMN Doesn't Like Me!!

Sometimes, a girl has to do what needs to be done -- even if the big shots disapprove.

A few months later, we were in another battle over the Trinity River Project.  Once again, the ODB, the DMN and that Former Mayor were out there with hundreds of thousands of dollars and deceptive brochures and bought just enough votes to get what they wanted.  I did not lead that opposition campaign, but I agreed with the Aginners because the project sold in the campaign was not possible and would likely cause more flooding.   The current proposal making the rounds of civic groups is much more logical and closer to what was sold in the bond campaign.   In a perfect world, we would just let our river be a river.

An interesting and disparate group coalesced to oppose the Trinity River Bond Project, including former and then current council members.  Some opposed the project just because it was another boondoggle, others opposed it over environmental reasons.  They were right.  They told the truth.

We have only had a few forums in the District 6 Council race.  I tell the audiences I will be the one on the council to tell you when "the Emperor has no clothes."  I say it is time for us to stop making Happy Talk and start admitting we have problems -- big and little problems.

I believe the big problems will get resolved if we tend to the little problems first.  If we really pay attention to Code Enforcement in this city, we can retain some of our businesses who are ready to start packing.  They are trying to operate in areas where new massage parlors, bath houses and saunas open up every day in violation of zoning laws, and probably a myriad of health code regulations.

If we clean up our modest and middle class neighborhoods, young men and women who are starting new families might be willing to invest here rather than the suburbs.

It's easy to talk about big ticket and big vision ideas and the arts and sports venues, but I am much more concerned about the people who live here and businesses that are already here.  

The DMN's endorsements this council election go round have been typical.  They say they want new people to run, but only endorse incumbents.  Getting elected the first time pretty much guarantees a 4-term run.  That's why I specifically say I'm only running for 2 terms.  I want to open up City Hall to new people who have already shown a willingness to improve their community.  Four years is enough time to get some new people ready to run for council.  That's important to me.

Here is the DMN endorsement in the District 6 race.

 

Give Spiller a Chance: City Council District 6 04/17/2003

Our recommendation for District 6 has as much to do with our concerns about the leading candidates for this West Oak Cliff/West Dallas/Bachman Lake district as why we prefer newcomer Linus Spiller for the City Council.   The main competitors, Steve Salazar and Sharon Boyd, are familiar. But each comes with baggage. So much of a load, we don't think they can shirk it.    Mr. Salazar is an amiable lawyer. But if Texas Monthly gave "furniture" awards for City Council members the way it does for underperforming state legislators, Mr. Salazar, a former council member, would have earned the title going away. He was little more than a footstool in a crowded living room. Nothing in his record since then, his online questionnaire answers or his interview with us indicates he has changed. Why isn't he still on the council, having served for six years in the 1990s? His constituents threw him out. A district as needy as this one requires dynamic leadership. It is a risk to assume Mr. Salazar would provide it.    Unfortunately, Ms. Boyd doesn't offer more hope. She has lived in the district less than a year. Over the years, Ms. Boyd has spoken out against the American Airlines Arena, the Trinity River project, the current bond package and just about every other recent major project. Big cities need critics, but Ms. Boyd turns issues into class warfare. Big Bad Developers vs. The Little People. After a while, it gets tiresome. Like the little boy who cried wolf, she loses credibility.    That leads us to Linus Spiller, a veteran of the district but a political newcomer. The University of Texas at Arlington graduate is well spoken and active in neighborhood and civic organizations. The 38-year-old computer worker could bring a fresh perspective to the council. He comes with none of his competitors' history. That could help District 6 residents. He is sharp on the issues and a clear thinker. The other two candidates are more tested than Mr. Spiller. But they have failed their tests. District 6 voters would be wise to select Linus Spiller.

Living in a house does not make you active in neighborhood and civic organizations.  As I responded to that group who criticized Mayor Miller for endorsing me in a district they expected to be Hispanic, nothing else matters if  I am the choice of the voters, whether Anglo or Hispanic or African-American or Asian-American.

Community leaders asked me to run for council because they want someone to fight for their concerns and not pretend our problems don't exist.  Mr. Spiller and I live on the same street.  My yard signs are all over the neighborhood.  The head of our neighborhood crime watch group supports me.  Crime watch leaders throughout the Bachman/Walnut Hill area are endorsing me.  Precinct chairs, too.  I have more signs in Arcadia Park and the Bataan/Sylvan area than anyone else, and have many community leaders supporting me in that part of the district.

I will not apologize for being honest and straight forward.  If there is no hanky-panky at the polls or by the vote harvesters, I expect to win this election.  If I don't win, it will not be because I did not work hard.

When I ran against Craig McDaniel and Ed Oakley back in 1993, I went into the election with preconceived ideas about my opponents.  I wound up becoming close friends with Ed Oakley.  This campaign has given me a chance to know Steve Salazar better.  He has been a gentleman throughout the process.  

I did not expect a glowing DMN endorsement -- at best, a "reluctant nod" like they did for Maxine Thornton-Reese.  

You know what?  It probably doesn't make a lot of difference in District 6 one way or the other whether the DMN endorses any of us.  If Spiller forces a runoff, he is not likely to be in it.  

The DMN has never shown any concern for the plight of businesses on Regal Row.  The DMN has not raised one word of concern about the proliferation of massage parlors and bathhouses and saunas plaguing our business areas near Royal Lane.  The DMN has never demonstrated any concern for the people of Arcadia Park who can't get abandoned houses removed from their neighborhoods, even after the roofs have collapsed.

If I win, I have a lot to do in 48 months.  If Steve Salazar wins, I have a lot to do in 48 months.  Both of us know there is work to be done.   I told a reporter yesterday that I intend to keep Mr. Salazar involved in district matters.  

I told the review panel for the Dallas Gay and Lesbian Alliance that I am running as the "first openly straight spinster" on the city council.  They laughed.   There are many gay men and lesbian residents in District 6, so that endorsement is important and will certainly generate votes.

Mayor Miller has endorsed Roxan Staff and me in our respective races.  Mayor Miller is very popular in District 6, so that endorsement is important and will definitely generate votes.

After all, the voters' endorsement ultimately counts the most.