08/25/03  Al Lipscomb Should Not Be on the Police Review Board

Next Wednesday is when our City Council representatives will vote for or against Al Lipscomb for the Police Review Board.  They should vote NO.

Appointing a convicted felon is an affront to all decent Dallas citizens. Having Lipscomb on any city board is unacceptable, particularly the Police Board.  People who serve on such boards must have a track record of being fair and decent.  

As far as I am concerned, Al Lipscomb does nothing but hide himself behind what he claims to have done for the African-American community as though he is the only person who ever did anything.   He may have done some good things, but so did others who were less flamboyant and self-promoting.

Many people have forgotten that Paul Fielding went to jail for an illegal business deal, that involved Lipscomb.  Funny how Fielding, who is white went to jail, served his time and has not been heard, but Lipscomb got off (as he usually does) without any punishment.  Typical Lipscomb double standard that he loves to live by. 

The thing that stands out is Lipscomb's selfish arrogance, expecting others to forget his crimes because of past good deeds.  Al Lipscomb accepted a bribe of $7,000 to keep the Police from going into Caliqula XXX, a topless bar Caligula owned by Nick Rizzo (who paid him the Lipscomb the bribe).   Lipscomb then pressured a "high-ranking police officer" (who someone has blocked being identified) at the Northwest Police substation to keep officers out of Rizzo's club.  

When we found about this wrong to my community (during his Federal trial), it convinced me that Lipscomb has no ethics and may not know what the word means.  He sees nothing wrong getting a bribe. 

Why does Lipscomb want on this board?  Especially since it is one that only people above reproach should be appointed to.  

Have our City Council members forgotten that Lipsomb's lack of integrity caused our city much pain and money?  

It angers me that he is such a selfish fool, only thinking of what's best for him.  Do you want that type of person overseeing complaints about the police? 

Lipscomb has a history of being in trouble with the police.  Should he get on this board, we can be sure that as long as he is a member he will be nothing but trouble.  His desire to be in the spotlight will cause more problems for the Dallas Police Department.  Our officers are already suffering so much under an unqualified chief.  

Lipscomb is arrogant and selfish.

To make a difference, Lipscomb should concentrate on helping others not promoting himself.  He could start a mentoring program for young people in South Dallas.  He has the connections to get things done to make their young lives better.  That would show he is sincere about wanting to help others. 

All I see now is that he wants to help himself by holding court every time he feels a need to do so.  He may even want one day to have a statue of him built so that we never forget him.

As time grows near for the vote, I urge you to call your City Council member and tell them you do not want them to vote for him.  This will send a message that Dallas will no longer tolerate crooks in office, in city government or on city boards.  PLEASE be at City Hall when they take the vote.  Let those representatives who are to vote see your face.  This appointment is too important for citizens to do nothing.

Remember, what we do shows our future generation who we are.  

As Dr. Martin Luther King said so beautifully, "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy." 

Mary Lou Montes Zijderveld