05/28/02  Palladium Vote

It was though I felt a body blow when the tax abatement was passed this week for Palladium.  

I was optimistic when Laura was elected this year because I had such high hopes that she would be able to stop this insanity!  Mike Moses apparently has been able to do this for the school board.  Perhaps, Laura will eventually be able to do it for the city.  I know she did her best but was unable to compete with what I am sure was "under the table" dealing with the "yes" voters.  In addition, she doesn't have the legal administrative power that Dr. Moses has to turn around a listing ship.

Do I have any proof of under the table influence?  No!  However, in the  history of most votes in this city except the last mayoral election, money or favors has passed to the folks who influenced the vote so why should this time be any different?  It is partially an issue of trust that electees in this city will behave ethically. 

Remember Kirk's wife and the Hicks stock, the previous city manager and the switching to working for Hicks, the "paid for", write in votes in the Southern sector and money made by the business community.  I'm sure in the next year there will be an article published somewhere about what went on under the table for this one. There has already been some discussion of this.

We are in the process of buying a new house for early retirement since we downsized too much when we moved from Plano to Dallas years ago.  I love living almost downtown but between the high cost of land and new houses in Dallas and the sinking feeling I have about the future of Dallas, we may pull the plug and leave the city in the next year.  Too bad.  

I'd rather stay but I want my city government working for the citizens and the city, not special interests.  I wonder how many other people are beginning to feel the same way as we are?  

Barbara Mathews Blanton