Breaking Dallas News – Page 62 – The Other Side Dallas

September 30, 2020September 30, 2020

Stay On Guard

The City of Dallas is launching Stay On Guard – a public awareness campaign – designed to slow spread of COVID19 through personal testimonials from residents, community leaders and organizations.

“We know this year has been very difficult for many of us and we’re all tired of staying at home, wearing masks, and seeing our friends and loved ones through screens; but now is not the time to let our guard down,” said Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson. “We must continue to encourage each resident to stay on guard as businesses reopen, students return to school, and families participate in fall sporting events and holiday celebrations.”

Stay On Guard

The Stay On Guard campaign focuses on four priorities: home, work, school and health — shining a light on essential workers who live in high density, multigenerational households, those who can’t work from home or may not have the option to maintain social distance from co-workers; children and college students returning to in-person learning and the school staff who are supporting them. The campaign encourages all Dallas residents to Stay on Guard by keeping their health a priority and get a free test when in doubt of their COVID19 status.

“Some of us are already planning holiday celebrations and visits with family and friends, but I want to remind everyone that our fight against the deadly coronavirus is far from over,” said Council Member Thomas. “As a nation we have surpassed a grim milestone of 200,000 thousand deaths due to COVID19 and here in Dallas County, we’ve lost more than 1,000 residents.”

Stay On Guard Dallas is a bilingual campaign that engages residents to become advocates within their communities to slow the spread of COVID19. Dallas residents may creating PSAs and promote them on social media with the tags #StayOnGuard or #EnGuardiaDallas.

Residents and business leaders can find a complete social media strategy in English and Spanish, including sample posts, downloadable logos, social media graphics and more to promote the campaign at DallasCityHall.com/StayOnGuard. Dallas has been described as a hot zone for COVID19 this summer.

“These months will be a very critical for our City, so we ask all Dallas residents to stay safe at home, work, school and take every precaution to stay healthy as we approach cold and flu season,” said Dr. Baggett. “Get tested before you go back to school and work, wear a mask, wash your hands and avoid large crowds.”

The Stay On Guard campaign kicks off at noon Sept. 30 with a virtual proclamation featuring Mayor Johnson, Council Member Thomas, and Dr. Baggett. Watch live on Facebook, YouTube, City of Dallas Cable Channel and Spectrum Ch. 95.

For more information, please visit dallascityhall.com /COVID19 or call 214-670-INFO (4636).

September 30, 2020September 30, 2020

Willis Winters Blues

Willis Winters Park must be experiencing some winter blues after Dallas Morning News writer Sharon Grigsby described the park as a “zombie football stadium” risen again from the dead in her East Dallas neighborhood.

Grigsby described local Facebook pages exploding and indeed they are of late. One error may prove fatal to the project: blocking Avi S Adelman from commenting.

The new stadium plan would include 4000 seats, but does not address the lack of parking in the immediate area surrounding Willis Winters Park currently which is used for baseball, football, soccer, and softball.

Adelman, famous for a lawsuit against Dallas Area Rapid Transit for wrongful arrest has been active in the Dallas community for decades. Administrators of one Facebook group thought silencing him would stop his questions.

Willis Winters Park v Avi S Adelman

Adelman has been blocked from the Randall/Winters Park Improvement Project News Facebook group discussing the Willis Winters Park project immediately following the post below.

Willis Winters Park Discussion by Avi S Adelman

Avi S Adelman has been down this road before and is going directly after questions about who is funding what. As local political pages go the language is not over the top.

An important point made by both Adelman and Grigsby is the upcoming Dallas ISD Bond 2020 vote. Currently Dallas ISD has no funds programmed for a new stadium for Woodrow Wilson High School in its $3.7B bond package, bnut numerous bonds have passed and then funds were reprogrammed.

The Park Board is holding a meeting Thursday, October 1. Interested parties can sign up to speak to the board via Webex.

September 28, 2020September 28, 2020

Traffic Advisory: Preston Road

Preston Road motorists are advised that on Thursday, October 1, 2020, between 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., southbound lanes of Preston Road (SH 289) will be reduced to one lane of traffic for utility construction in the pavement. The lane reduction will be along Preston Road from Walnut Hill Lane to Joyce Way.

The road closures are required for construction work on a Dallas Water Utilities (DWU) pipe replacement project. Construction work at Joyce Way began in June 2020 and is anticipated to be complete by November 2020.

Preston Road Project

Motorists are urged to follow signage in the construction zone. During the road closures, construction crews will be connecting new underground water pipes to the existing water system. The construction will require water service to be temporarily shut-off to some customers in the area to allow crews to make the connections. Water service to impacted customers will be interrupted for about four to six hours, beginning at 10 a.m. DWU staff will go door-to-door to alert impacted customers and will also leave written notification. DWU staff will wear masks and practice social-distancing when going door-to-door.

For questions or concerns about the project, please contact Construction Superintendent, Mike Warren, at his office number (214) 670-8082 or cell number (214) 243-4292.

September 28, 2020September 28, 2020

Colin Allred Facing Ethics Investigation?

Is Colin Allred facing a House Ethics Committee investigation? Two sources say the answer to that quesiton is yes and that a complaint has been filed related to workplace behavior and harassment by the freshman Member of Congress.

There has been no response to requests for comment at either his Congressional or campaign office, but one person says this is typical of Allred who says one thing and does another. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee also declined to respond or deny the allegations.

Another national campaign staffer says his office environment is “hard to work in” because of how he acts. They continue, “It’s why so many people move from his campaign to others quickly. He thinks he is still the high school jock who can skip the classwork.”

Colin Allred

Colin Allred is an alumni of Hillcrest High School. He is currently serving as the U.S. Representative from Texas’s 32nd congressional district. He defeated Rep. Pete Sessions in 2018. He has also worked as a lawyer and former professional football player.

September 24, 2020September 24, 2020

City Budget Choices Leaves Everybody Unhappy

The Dallas City Council budget choices appear to have everyone mad after a 9-6 vote which cuts $7M from the police overtime budget, but adds another $8M in year over year spending.

The council passed the new budget late Wednesday that increases overall police funding despite promises from progressive members of the council to to slash it. In the backdrop were a crowd of marchers who assembled outside City Hall to protest police violence.

Budget Choices

The budget places an emphasis on ending historical inequities by injecting more money into disadvantaged southern Dallas neighborhoods. There are millions of dollars in federal coronavirus relief for programs like rental assistance filling some of those gaps, but Dallas’ own program ended up sending money to North Dallas.

Local activists did try to cut nearly forty percent from the Dallas Police Department budget – but their proposal for a $200M cut – won no votes. The $200M cut is well over the $77M cut previously rumored for Defund DPD 2.0.

City Council members also did not support Mayor Eric Johnson’s plan to defund the bureaucracy or mention the pending departure of the City’s Economic Development Director Courtney Pogue.

September 23, 2020June 12, 2021

VOLY Time

Dallas ISD‘s VOLY Volunteer system is waiting for your volunteer application to help fill needs on the Dallas ISD Calendar.

Many local schools in the area can use your support despite students not being on campus yet. Please complete the application linked above.

What is VOLY?

VOLY is a candidate tracking system which pairs volunteers with schools or missions they choose. It also provides background information on standards and practices expected of volunteers and performs a background check on prospective volunteers to keep our students safe.

Dallas ISD does regularly need volunteers and many Parent Teacher Associations require their volunteer members to use the school’s volunteer system for approval. It takes just a few minutes to complete your identification information and check off which schools, subjects, and areas of interest you would like to participate.

September 23, 2020September 23, 2020

Rickie Rush of IBOC Accused of Rape

Rickie Rush was accused of multiple offenses against women on Sunday. The Dallas Morning News reported a detailed investigation into reports of sexual and physical assault allegations against DFW’s Inspiring Body of Christ (IBOC) evangelist Rush. IBOC is one of the largest churches in both Texas and the nation.

Rush is currently not facing any criminal charges, but in an NBC interview Moffeit said he did not deny the charges but said through a statement from his lawyer the claims appear to be specious and without evidence.

“Pastor Rush vehemently denies these accusations and humbly requests all to resist a rush to judgment until his due process rights our constitution guarantees has taking effect,” said Rush’s attorney Michael P. Heiskell.

There is a connection to Dallas Independent School District when he taught at Skyline High School that is being pursued also.

Rickie Rush

Rickie G. Rush is the Senior Pastor of the Inspiring Body of Christ Church. An internationally acclaimed speaker, teacher, and master illustrator, he is known for the engaging and humorous ways in which he simplifies the Word of God. Born to a single mother, he experienced tragedy and change early in life. The death of his mother, subsequent adoption, and calling to the ministry at 10 years old all combined to transform him from a devastated young boy in despair to a triumphant man of God filled with unlimited compassion.

Pastor Rush earned a secondary teaching degree from the University of Texas at Arlington, which led him to teach theatre arts for seventeen years at Skyline High School in Dallas, TX. Later, he obtained a Doctor of Divinity degree from Rialto Bible College, which afforded him the opportunity to instruct adults and pastors at the collegiate level. Among his major educational influences were debate, oratory, and music. His love for music led to the organization of several gospel choirs. During his school and teaching years, he also maintained a rigorous preaching schedule. This was the beginning of what would lead to one of God’s greatest assignments in Pastor Rush’s life.

September 18, 2020September 18, 2020

Economic Development Exit

An exit may be coming for Courtney Pogue, Director for the City of Dallas Office of Economic Development. Anonymous city hall staff say Mr. Pogue is leaving his post by end of year.

Pogue has served in his current capacity for nearly three years. Prior to that he was in positions for just over two years in Clayton County (Atlanta area) and Cook County (Chicago area).

If Mr. Pogue leaves it is not clear if this is a new opportunity or in reaction to Mayor Johnson’s attempt to lower top executive salaries.

Courtney Pogue

Per a social media profile, Mr. Pogue led the City of Dallas Office of Economic Development with an operating budget of approximately $8.5MM and a capital budget of $100MM annually via 19 Tax Increment Financing Districts and 14 Public Improvement Districts. Managed a staff of 35 within four (4) divisions: area redevelopment, business development, community development, and finance/administration. Initiated the 1st economic development plan in 15 years for the City of Dallas.

Secured approximately $3.0 billion in private investment and approximately 16,000 job commitments since November 2017.

September 17, 2020September 17, 2020

Sick Football Forces Highland Park ISD Cancellations

Highland Park ISD learned late Wednesday evening they had eleven varsity football players test positive for COVID19 “over the last couple weeks.”

Scrimmages vs. Trinity High School are canceled and the district is consulting with Dallas County Health and Human Services about next week’s opener against Austin Westlake.

Throughout the summer there have been multiple warning signs for organized team sports. Dallas has been a hot zone for COVID19 most of the summer until recently and reports show children can transmit COVID19 to their parents.

Highland Park ISD High School Football and COVID19

Just two weeks ago a team physician for the Penn State Nittany Lions stated that thirty to thirty-five percent of his COVID19 positive players showed symptoms of myocarditis – an inflammation of the heart muscle

September 16, 2020September 16, 2020

Trust Missing Still From South Dallas-Fair Park Opportunity Fund

Some things don’t change. Trust missing from South Dallas-Fair Park Opportunity Fund it seems.

As the Mayor and City Council debate today the Defund DPD or pay cuts to top level employees the economic development staff issued a Notice of Funding Availability that side stepped normal city procurement policy despite a long history of South Dallas-Fair Park Opportunity Fund being poor accountants of the public’s tax dollars.

Trust Missing Still From South Dallas Fair Park Opportunity Fund

Staff for the South Dallas-Fair Park Opportunity Fund also extended the deadline for applications. An anonymous city staff member noted the advisory board mostly applauded, but who and what is being funded is still up in the air. Previously the fund has mostly been a cash cow for certain connected individuals who use the fund as a low cost loan provider at taxpayer expense.

The advisory board has previously avoided a majore reform proposed by City Manager TC Broadnax – axing the ongoing social-services grants and focusing on loans.

It isn’t clear what actions the advisory board is taking to improve the outlook for the Fair Park area, but to date, it appears they are only providing acquiesence and not advice.

Trust Missing…Still and Forever?

Decades’ of city audits reveal the fund is broken and almost broke, after dispensing some $7 million of taxpayer money. The results? There is little to show for it except unpaid-loan lawsuits and just a handful of success stories fueled with forgivable loans.