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Columnist Steve Blow wrote an article for Sunday's Dallas Morning News that looked at Garland's animal euthanasia issue that made the news several times over the last few months. His column was very similar to my first post on the subject: euthanasia is the sad result when pet owners are irresponsible. Unlike his "investigative reporter" colleague, he witnessed a carbon monoxide euthanasia and concluded that we are "switching from one approved method of euthanasia to another approved method of euthanasia."
 
The city's pending switch was first detailed in a memo to the Council and city manager by Richard Briley, Managing Director of Health & Code Compliance, on Sept 30. Glancing at the comments appended to the online version of the story (as linked above), there is a persistent assertion that our Animal Shelter had some how been operating improperly. Mr Blow's colleague had claimed that there there were a number of illegal violations, which she never in fact investigated. She did contact the shelter with a list of supposed violations but did not wait for a response before publishing her claims. As Mr Briley's memo states, only one incident from her list appears to have been a violation, and that one by an employee that had been terminated for other reasons. In separate conversations with Mr Briley, I learned that most of the supposed violations were for incidents where no age was entered for the animal because the officer couldn't tell. The animal may have been four-years-old or eight years, as an example. The reporter and her source inferred that no age entered meant "really young" or something equivalent.
 
Sadly, for the many inches of newsprint and several television stories, the focus has been on what method that unclaimed, unadopted animals were killed. Mr Blow estimates that as many as 100,000 animals are euthanized in North Texas each year. For all the postulating and pontificating that we have seen previously (and documented on this blog), over population will continue, the same number will continue to die because nothing was done to report on the behavior that was the source of the problem. So much more could have been accomplished educating the public to have their pets spayed or neutered and to have encouraged more adoptions.
 
With respect, Mr Blow has finally made the correct observations and stated the greater good for North Texas pets.
 

From the Dallas Morning News:

Euthanasia uproar in Garland obscured real issue of animal overpopulation

09:39 AM CST on Sunday, December 27, 2009
By Steve Blow
 
What a lousy victory.
 

Starting Friday, lethal injection will replace carbon-monoxide gas as the city's primary method of euthanasia. Photo: KYE R. LEE/DMN

Yes, a passionate group succeeded in forcing Garland to change its animal-euthanasia policy. A new death chamber is taking shape at the Garland Animal Shelter.
 
Starting Friday, lethal injection will replace carbon- monoxide gas as the primary method of animal euthanasia at the Garland Animal Shelter.
 
But what a lousy victory. Because either way, almost 6,000 dogs and cats, puppies and kittens will still end up dead and in the city's garbage dump this year.
 
Forgive me if I don't break out the champagne to toast this triumph.
 
During the extensive news coverage of the euthanasia controversy, I kept wishing that just a smidgen of that attention could be focused on the real problem – the extreme overpopulation of dogs and cats in our area.
 
In fact, the only news I heard related to that real problem was bad news – a program to provide free spaying and neutering in low-income areas is flat broke and turning away pet owners.
 
That's the story that should have been in headlines, not this Pyrrhic victory of switching from one approved method of euthanasia to another approved method of euthanasia.
 
That's right. Contrary to misimpressions you may have gotten, Garland has always been using a euthanasia method fully endorsed and approved as humane by the American Veterinary Medical Association.
 
In fact, as I talked to Garland city officials about this situation, they seemed eager for me to actually witness the gas-euthanasia process. And so I did.
 
Mention of carbon-monoxide euthanasia creates images of a crude hose-and-tailpipe contraption. In fact, the city uses a commercially built system – a stainless-steel box about five feet on each side, attached to industrial-type bottles of CO.
 
Animals are placed in separate cages (up to four at a time) and rolled into the box. I watched as a single animal – a 55-pound pit bull – was rolled in.
 
A glass door makes the whole process highly visible. And it doesn't take long.
 
The dog sat docilely, looking back at me looking at him. The gas quietly hissed. And in about a minute, the dog suddenly wobbled, his eyes lost focus and he toppled over.
 
It was sad, quick work. And I wished that this dog's lousy owner could have been forced to watch.
 
The pit was picked up running loose. Animal Services Manager Diana Oats said he wore a harness and was well-fed. But no one appeared at the shelter to claim him.
 
No surprise there. She said such owners often prefer to get another puppy rather than claim an animal from the shelter.
 
And, of course, the dog wasn't neutered. A fresh litter of unwanted puppies may be on the way right now.
 
It's nice that there are people vigilant about humane euthanasia.
 
And rescue groups do a wonderful job of saving some animals and getting them into good homes.
 
But let's not delude ourselves. For all their effort, the underlying problem gets no better at all.
 
Almost 6,000 animals will die in Garland. And that's just the start. About 30,000 will be put down in Dallas. Some say the total for North Texas could be as high as 100,000 a year.
 
We've got to find a way to wake up irresponsible pet owners. Sentencing them to a day of death-chamber duty might be a start.
 
And we've got to be as passionate about stopping the flood of unwanted dogs and cats as we are about plucking a lucky few from the river.
 
Garland begins a new policy on Friday, but it's no victory.
 

I know there is a cost element in this decision to not "overly decorate" the new Eastern Extension that starts at Firewheel Town Center. However, I've been thinking for a while that some of the "embellishments" along our newer highways were over done. I like the articulation and the embedded Texas stars but I haven't warmed to the colored columns at Central and LBJ, even though I've tried. I have also been struck by the constant maintenance that will be required. Even now, when something wears out or starts to look bad, it is so noticeable. I'm not for "noticeable" when people are driving near me because I want them to be aware of my presence to the safest level possible.
 
I have noticed that the concrete work has been underway along the Extension for several weeks and I've not inspected it closely but this new policy might work well. There is a lot to be said for simpler.
 

NTTA News Release:

Eastern Extension Features Natural Concrete

Retaining walls and bridge columns, caps, beams and decking are going up all along the President George Bush Turnpike (PGBT) Eastern Extension, giving residents in eastern Dallas County an idea of how the roadway will look when it opens in late 2011.
 
The goal of the NTTA and its contractors, however, is for these features to blend in so well they are hardly noticeable.
 
In 2003, the NTTA established System-Wide Design Guidelines, which require concrete elements to be consistent in appearance and to have minimal embellishments in order to blend in with the surroundings and reduce the need for maintenance, among other benefits.
 
Concrete features constructed before creation of these guidelines tend not to be uniform in appearance, so they have to be painted, or coated, and require periodic sandblasting and resurfacing. This process not only can be costly, but it can disburse volatile organic compounds into the air and cause traffic interruptions during the restoration. Also, before the work is done, the coated surfaces can peel and become unsightly.
 
The Eastern Extension, from Firewheel Town Center in Garland south to the north shore of Lake Ray Hubbard in Rowlett, is the first NTTA project that will be constructed entirely under the guideline's concrete requirements, referred to as the “850 specification” or “850 spec.”
 
The intent of the 850 spec is to ensure that the roadway’s concrete elements – whether precast or cast in place – are high quality enough to be attractive in their natural state.
 
To do that, the 850 spec was included in the Eastern Extension’s construction contracts, making the contractors aware that they won’t get paid if the appearance doesn’t meet expectations. Retaining wall panel mockups have been built to serve as examples, and products that are the wrong color, have pockmarks or have other undesirable components are rejected. In addition, visual quality inspectors are on hand at the plant where precast retaining wall panels are being made, and a team regularly visits the construction site to monitor the cast-in-place elements.
 
The System-Wide Design Guidelines are an example of the NTTA's commitment to the community it serves through strong visual guidelines that fuel growth and development.
 
The Eastern Extension will add 9.9 miles to the PGBT, traverse Lake Ray Hubbard via a bridge under construction by the Texas Department of Transportation and then connect with Interstate Highway 30.
 

Please note that garbage, recycling, and brush collection will continue but Friday collections will be on Saturday!
 

City of Garland Press Release:

City Government Holiday Schedule

City of Garland offices, libraries, recreation centers and Utility Customer Service offices will be closed Thursday and Friday, December 24 and 25, and Friday, January 1.
 
Regular collection of garbage, recycling, and brush is scheduled for Thursday, December 24 and Thursday, December 31. No collections will occur on Friday, December 25 or Friday, January 1. Friday collection routes will be picked up on Saturday, December 26 and Saturday, January 2.
 
For more details as well as Recycling Center, Transfer Station and Landfill hours, visit the City of Garland website at www.GarlandTX.gov.
 

We have plenty of good neighbors in District 1. There are probably one or two very near you. Won't you let Mayor Jones know who you think he should recognize?
 

City of Garland Press Release:

Mayor’s Good Neighbor Award: Accepting Nominations

Mayor Ronald Jones’ office is accepting nominations for the next Mayor’s Good Neighbor Award.
 
The award is given quarterly to residents or property owners in Garland that have demonstrated significant improvements or upgrades to their property that will provide a positive physical impact to their neighborhood. The award will be granted based on project innovation, potential for replication, mitigation of unsightly conditions, collaboration or partnership, volunteer contributions, and increased property value.
 
Residents and property owners are encouraged to nominate their neighbors for this award. Nomination packets are available on the City’s website, www.GarlandTx.gov, or at the Mayor’s Office, City Hall, 200 N. Fifth Street in Downtown Garland. Call 972-205-2400 for more information. The deadline for 4th Quarter 2009 nominations is January 31, 2010.
 
The winner will be announced at the February 16, 2010 Regular Meeting of the Garland City Council.
 

More information on the recent TMPA and member cities' lawsuit settlement was published in an article in Saturday's Metro section of the Dallas Morning News. In a previous post, I took a look at the Garland individuals most involved in the settlement.
 

From the Dallas Morning News:

Garland residents avoid electric rate increase

12:00 AM CST on Saturday, December 19, 2009
By RAY LESZCYNSKI / The Dallas Morning News
rleszcynski@dallasnews.com
 
The member cities of the Texas Municipal Power Agency were bogged down in debt, feuding, litigation and an uncertain future.
 
Twenty lawsuits over the course of a dozen years had sidetracked the cities – Bryan, Denton, Garland and Greenville – from their calling to provide consistent, stable rates to customers. And when the attention was refocused this week, the city that owns 47 percent of the agency and its debt celebrated.
 
Ray Schwertner, director of Garland Power & Light, called a settlement agreement among the partners a great deal Wednesday night as Garland became the last city to accept the terms. Garland ratepayers will avoid a spike of about 2 cents per kilowatt-hour between fiscal 2010 and 2012, and as a result, the residential rate will stay at 11.13 cents per kilowatt-hour.
 
"We're not incurring new debt. We're taking it upon the city to take that debt and restructure that debt so that it's beneficial to us and our ratepayers," Schwertner said. "That ability to restructure this creates about $135 million of rate savings between now and 2018."
 
Garland will extend debt that was to be paid by 2018 to fit the projected life cycle of the agency's Gibbons Creek coal plant in Grimes County, which in the most recent study, was to 2035. Cities are no longer tied to each other's debt and can get lower interest rates than could the power agency.
 
Each city maintains an equal share of the TMPA voting powers. That board is led by former Garland City Council member Tom Jefferies, who has been involved in the city's complex utility dealings for more than 20 years.
 
The settling of the litigation also takes future attorney fees out of the picture. But because Garland was represented by City Attorney Brad Neighbor and assistant Michael Betz, the city had kept those fees somewhat in check.
 
"It was certainly a great team effort," Jefferies said, crediting Schwertner and the city attorneys. "It was one of those things we were optimistic that we were going to get, but never quite sure."
 
Among the disputes, Bryan had argued that because it is closer to the Grimes County plant, it should pay a lower transmission cost than the other member cities. The agreement instead continues to provide for a bundled contract in which the cost of delivering electricity for all cities is included in the price charged to the each member until 2018.
 
Another point agreed upon was to share the costs of refurbishing a scrubber device to control emissions at the Gibbons Creek plant.
 

 
Just 18 months ago when natural gas rates were high, GP&L rates were the lowest in the region because we had the benefit of power from the TMPA coal-powered generation plant at Gibbons Creek. Since then, gas has dropped to lows not seen for many years, which made our coal-generated power less competitive, and—even though rates have not changed—GP&L rates became among the highest in the region. Fortunately, the GP&L rate has more recently been somewhat more competitive. However, looking long-range there was no little possible relief in sight because TMPA rates were expected to rise significantly to cover the higher payments that come with short-term debt as necessitated by the short life of the power sales agreement that expires in 2018.
 
Much of the reason behind the plethora of lawsuits that have arisen over the last dozen years have stemmed from that shrinking window for debt repayment and the more business-like case of not front-loading debt payments but extending it over a more prudent period beyond 2018.
 
As referenced in the story above, the settlement agreement allows all parties to continue by the terms of the current power sales agreement, which also serves to keep the TMPA rates we pay down because TMPA is not forced to encumber additional short-term debt. The cities can each handle their share of additional debt in whatever manner is to the best interest of their ratepayers.
 
If TMPA rates were to rise as appeared necessary, the rates for GP&L customers would have similarly been forced to rise. The agreement removes that upward pressure. Garland and GP&L can more successfully handle the additional debt through longer debt terms, lower interest rates, and access to the Rate Mitigation Fund that was established for debt relief and rate protection than would have been the case under the restrictions in place before the settlement.
 
Under the new agreement, there is no pressure to raise rates for many years. The opportunities to lower rates may be limited but at least there is some prospect now.
 
UPDATE: A couple paragraphs above, I reference the rates we the citizens and city, as owners of GP&L, pay to TMPA. I live in the 15% of the city not served by GP&L. I do not have access to GP&L and usually get to pay a higher rate to some outside utility. Those of us on the fence between being owners of GP&L but not directly paying the debt sometimes sit in a confusing position.
 

Ray Schwertner, GP&L Director, recommends approval of compromise TMPA agreement.

As described in the press release below, the Council met in a special meeting last night to consider approval of a global compromise agreement. It was unanimously approved by all Council members present. I was the only one not there because I couldn't get back across the Metroplex by the 6 pm starting time, but I would have voted the same. I have since viewed the replay and invite everyone to watch electric utility director Ray Schwertner's presentation explaining the basics of the agreement (Item 1).
 
The agreement itself is relatively simple but it ends years of complex litigation and dysfunction. Even getting to the point of being able to agree was a complex process, involving many meetings and many people.
 
I was disappointed that I was caught in traffic and couldn't be at the meeting because I would like to have expressed my appreciation to all those that helped secure this agreement, including many that were not mentioned by name last night or in today's press release, many at GP&L. However, three individuals did more than anyone else.
 
Doing the most to secure this $200 million benefit for Garland residents and ratepayers was Ray Schwertner. While there were congratulations and self-congratulations extended all around, the one that did the most was mentioned least. Council members past and present, other city employees, consultants, and lawyers have for years failed to make any progress resolving these suits and addressing the operating issues that exposed ratepayers to higher electric costs.
 
As you can witness at the link above, Mr Schwertner was effluent in his recognition of others but dwelled not at all on his own extensive role. He is a gentleman with great class. As assistant city attorney Mike Betz, one of the other two most-important persons in this accomplishment, told me—I'm paraphrasing—Mr Schwertner skillfully guided the parties toward the issues that should have been their primary interest and away from the red herrings and petty personality squabbles that had stalled previous efforts. He stressed making sound business decisions, which I absolutely couldn't agree more. Very few will be able to look between the lines of the public record and witness the real story of how all this was accomplished.
 
The other person that filled the trio was Tom Jefferies, past Council member and the current chairman of the Texas Municipal Power Agency board, serving as one of Garland's two representatives. Mr Jefferies was critical to negotiations because he constantly stayed above the emotions that were often rampant, he represented the fifth essential element of the agreement, TMPA, and, I'm told, he was often the shepherd that kept the players moving in the right direction.
 
Mr Betz has been immersed in the hurricane of litigation for some time, probably understanding the intricacies of the cases better than anyone else involved. He has constantly kept Garland in a favorable position throughout his involvement. When others were about to crack under the strains, Mike always looked like the marathoner ready for another 26 miles. The fact that Garland was represented by Mr Betz and Brad Neighbor, our city attorney, has saved Garland hundreds of thousands of dollars that the other cities were losing, especially Bryan because they were paying, in addition to their own attorney's office, outside counsel and a portion of TMPA's legal costs.
 
Even my singling this individuals out for praise falls short of the tremendous contributions each has given on behalf of the city. They each did much more than I can recount.
 
I presume there is an aire of jubilation in all the TMPA member cities now that the agreement has been ratified in each city. There are major and minor players on behalf of each city that deserve credit for their roles. I want to be sure that the three from Garland that were most instrumental receive a degree of the recognition they are due. I fully recognize that many others also played major roles and many gave tremendous time to the effort. One more individual that I would like to mention is city manager Bill Dollar. Mr Schwertner gave Bill credit for authorizing him to negotiate on behalf of Garland and that is extremely important. Mr Dollar could have any number of times been afraid to take the big steps that were necessary to reach a compromise, he could have resisted authorizing his staff to negotiate, and he could have hampered progress by inserting his ego but he did none of those. He did what a good leader does: he supported his team and gave them permission to win.
 
Like in the Wizard of Oz, those were the real wizards behind the curtain, Dorothy.
 

Garland Power and Light News Release:

Garland City Council Approves TMPA Settlement Agreement

At a special session, the Garland City Council unanimously approved a global compromise settlement agreement with the Texas Municipal Power Agency (TMPA) and member cities that will ensure steady electric rates for Garland Power & Light customers until 2018.
 
This settlement agreement resolves at least 12 years and 20 pieces of litigation involving the Texas Municipal Power Agency and its member cities which include the cities of Garland, Bryan, Denton and Greenville. With the Garland Council’s approval, the agreement has been approved by all member cities and the TMPA Board and is in effect until September 1, 2018.
 
"This is a great day for Garland," said Electric Utility Director Ray Schwertner. "We will avoid projected rate increases and have stable rates for our customers for many years to come."
 
This was accomplished by restructuring the debt to extend it to fit with the projected life cycle of TMPA’s Gibbon’s Creek coal power plant, which provides power to the member cities. The agreement also provides for a bundled contract in which the cost of delivering electricity is included in the price of the energy charged to the member cities until 2018.
 
Another result of the agreement will be cleaner air. A scrubber, a device designed to control emissions, will be refurbished and put back into service at the Gibbons Creek plant. "In a good faith effort to stay ahead of any regulations and to help protect the environment, the cities have agreed to fund the scrubber upgrade," said Schwertner.
 
Recognition to the TMPA Board and the member cities for their efforts in arriving at this landmark agreement was extended at the Council meeting. Former Garland Mayor James Ratliff and former Garland Council Member Tom Jefferies, who represent the City of the Garland on the Board, were cited for their perseverance in working with fellow board members to end the litigation and come to this agreement. The Garland City Council and staff were also praised for their diligent efforts, with special recognition for Mayor Pro Tem Laura Perkins Cox, City Attorney Brad Neighbor, Senior Assistant City Attorney Mike Betz, and Electric Utility Director Ray Schwertner.
 
"I congratulate everyone involved with this accomplishment, and I know we all look forward to working together in a new spirit of harmony," said Schwertner.

From the Dallas Morning News

In Season: Four Seasons European-style market at Firewheel

12:00 AM CST on Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Kim Pierce
 
If you're still looking for Christmas gifts, check out the Four Seasons European-style market Saturday at Firewheel Town Center in Garland.

• One of the most original stocking stuffers is from Sharla's Sweets: Sharla Perry calls it her peanut-butter pyramid, a single confection boxed inside a colorful pyramid that she makes; it's $3. The Garland confectioner also sells two- and four-piece boxes of her handmade truffles ($3 and $5 respectively), and bags of saltine almond toffee ($8). • For the committed foodie, there are jams, relishes, pickles and more from Robert's Relish Barn, made by Robert Byler in Maypearl. His most popular item is pickled beets, and apple butter is a close second. All come in 16-ounce jars that are $6 apiece or three for $15.   • Dread Head Chef Michael Weinstein has put together a gift crate (he made the crates himself) that contains his sweet and chocolate-dusted corn chips and 16-ounce jars of his sweet salsas: strawberry-mango and pineapple-banana- macadamia nut. It's $20.   At Four Seasons, you also can expect tempting cookies and baked goods, local honey and other foodstuffs. In addition, find handcrafted jewelry, gifts made with locally grown lavender from Purple Ranch Lavender Farm, special dog treats from two dog-biscuit bakers and eco-friendly gifts for babies at Green Baby Diaper Service. If you arrive hungry, Brisket Heaven makes excellent tacos.   411: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Firewheel Town Center, 245 Cedar Sage Road (George Bush Turnpike at U.S. 78), Garland. www.fourseasonsmarkets.com. In the event of inclement weather, the market will move inside the building north of the fountain.   Look for similar local-food finds at the Dallas Farmers Market and McKinney market on Saturday too; details below.

Stuff stockings with peanut-butter pyramids from Sharla's Sweets, available at the Four Seasons Market at Firewheel Town Center. Photos by BEN TORRES/Special Contributor

 
The Four Seasons Market has been realizing outstanding success with many positive reports from shoppers and other merchants at Firewheel Town Center since its opening. A note in D-Magazine indicates the market may be moving indoors for the season.
 

NOTICE OF A SPECIAL MEETING
OF THE CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF GARLAND, TEXAS
CHAPTER 551, TEX. GOV'T CODE
Council Chambers
City Hall
200 N. Fifth St., Garland, Texas

NOTICE is hereby given that the City Council of the City of Garland, Texas will hold a special meeting at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 16, 2009 to deliberate the following:
 

Consider the adoption of a resolution authorizing the execution of a global compromise settlement agreement regarding certain litigation, administrative proceedings, and other disputes among and between the City of Bryan, Texas, the City of Denton, Texas, the City of Garland, Texas, the City of Greenville, Texas and the Texas Municipal Power Agency.

 

Most Garland resident's know that we own 47% of the Texas Municipal Power Agency, along with Bryan, Denton, and Greenville. It is the source of most of our power but we also own other generating facilities. For our power needs beyond those resources, we buy on the open power market.
 
The partnership has worked well for its member cities but there have been conflicts, especially with Bryan, which has sued us, the other member cities, and TMPA several times. At each decision point, the courts have almost always ruled against Bryan. We haven't lost on any points but we haven't been able to close all points either.
 
Representatives from the cities have been meeting to explore if there was common ground that would enable a settlement of the pending law suits and other issues related to the operation of TMPA. Progress has been reported but any settlement must receive approval from all the member cities, which means approval by the city councils in each of the cities.
 
The Council will receive an update tonight in a special meeting. I have no idea how the meeting tonight will go but it is encouraging that there has been some progress after so many years of just the opposite.
 
I expect the meeting will be broadcast and can be viewed live on CGTV (Cable channels 14 or 44, Time Warner and Verizon FIOS, respectively), during replays also on the cable stations, streaming at the city's website, or from the broadcast archives also at the city's website. Using older technology, anyone interested could also attend the meeting at City Hall!
 

Reported crime incidents dropped in November, making it the second-lowest month since November last year. However, neighborhoods, which see less crime than the retail and commercial areas, were harder hit.
 
Thefts were lower than last month, always the highest-incident category, but still very near the twelve-month average (60.3). However, two-thirds of those incidents were for shoplifting, which means someone was apprehended.
 
Quite often commercial areas see other types of theft besides shoplifting. This month was similar but more thefts were in neighborhood areas than we usually see. The incident may be something stolen for a garage, carport, back of vehicle, or an incident other than burglary. On the counter side, residential burglaries were actually down lower than any point for more than a year.
 
There was a rise in the number of non-residential burglaries but all were confined to three properties. The apartments at Campbell and SH-190 accounted for 75% of those crimes. Incidents at District 1 apartments are rare so for one complex to be hit several times, almost all reported on the same day, is very unusual and very unfortunate for the residents there.
 
Violent crime was limited to only one incident, a business robbery.
 
On a related note, the Dallas Morning News yesterday reported that the Dallas Police Dept was not properly reporting crimes as set by the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program. In Garland, Police Chief Mitch Bates has reviewed our reporting methods with the Council several times and has always indicated that we make every attempt to follow the FBI guidelines precisely. We did discover last year that we were not accurately reporting our numbers to the FBI but the mistake was caused by a software bug. That was corrected soon after it was discovered. We had accurate data but it wasn't being reported accurately. The data used for this monthly report comes directly from the officers' data, not through the FBI UCR numbers.
 
If you want to review the areas that have reported incidents over the last month, download the complete report here for address-by-address information that includes your neighborhood.
 

Last Tuesday the Council renewed the city's contract with the Garland Chamber of Commerce to provide economic development assistance. Fifteen years ago the Garland Economic Development Partnership was created between the city, the Chamber, and the school district. I know of no other city that has a similar partnership and I'm often asked about it when talking to officials from other cities.
 
In 1994, the city was funding it's own economic development efforts to the tune of $800,000. Member cities of DART, like Garland, don't have the same ability to levy a sales tax within their boundaries to finance economic development as do other cities. DART cities pay to DART the collections of a one-percent sales tax. Non-member cities can assess that same rate but use it for economic development. That ability has been a watershed for cities like Mesquite, Allen, McKinney, and Frisco. Those cities that levy the tax for economic development must also use it for economic development.
 
For Garland and other DART cities that cannot levy a similar tax, we must use other sources to fund any economic development activities. For us, money for economic development comes much harder and is much more precious. Whatever we spend, we can only get it by taxing the citizens. If we had continued to fund our own efforts, it is estimated that we would spend over $1.2 million this year, using 3% as an inflation factor. The new contract has a base amount of $465,397, a savings of over $700,000 this year.
 
When he was elected in 1994, Mayor Jamie Ratliff did not see a reciprocal result for what we were spending for economic development and what we were getting. He sought another method that could be more efficient and effective. He envisioned today's Partnership and proceeded to organize it. In the fifteen years since, it is estimated that the Partnership has added $1.5 billion to the tax base and been responsible for creating or keeping over 16,000 jobs in Garland.
 
The new contract approved has several modifications. Many of those are the result of citizen comments and the efforts of Mayor Ron Jones and the city staff. Details from the meeting and the new contract are covered in an article in the today's Metro section of the Dallas Morning News:
 

From the Dallas Morning News:

Garland renews deal after Chamber of Commerce makes audits public

12:00 AM CST on Sunday, December 13, 2009
By RAY LESZCYNSKI / The Dallas Morning News
rleszcynski@dallasnews.com / The Dallas Morning News
Karel Holloway contributed to this report.
 
After releasing years-old audits at the final hour, the Garland Chamber of Commerce secured enough confidence to extend its 15-year economic development partnership with the city this week.
 
Garland residents and the City Council have taken it upon themselves to better track the chamber's public funds. The city's stake has increased from $250,000, when the partnership was established in 1994, to more than $465,000 last year. The Garland school district contributes $50,000 annually.
 
But when residents wanted a look at where the money was going, the chamber stated that its financial information was private.
 
Former mayoral candidate Mike Rose obtained a favorable ruling from the Texas attorney general's office to make the records public. At Tuesday's council meeting, he got an apology from Paul Mayer, the chamber's longtime chief executive officer.
 
"I'm learning the intricacies of working with a partnership with a public entity," Mayer told the council. "If it's your intent that we share that information as public information, that's exactly what we'll do."
 
Mayor Ron Jones emphasized that point, stating that under the new 10-year contract, annual audit information must be given out upon request as public information. The chamber will also present an annual plan to the council, starting in late January or early February.
 
"Everything we do is open as far as I'm concerned," Mayer said Friday. "The work plan is really going to give the council what they're looking for."
 
Questions asked
 
Rose credited former mayoral candidate Dino Quintanilla as being the first to ask the state for access to the annual audits, an effort dating to mid-2008. Former council member Jean McNeal has also been outspoken about the availability of the audits on her Web site.
 
"I thought it was important to put them on record that you're dealing with taxpayer money, you must account for it," Rose said.
 
For the last two years, the city's Audit Committee has stepped up its reviews, checking out the monthly statements provided by the chamber. The city auditor, the council members on the committee and Rose himself agree that everything appears to be on the up-and-up.
 
"As the city auditor said, all 10 of the audits he looked at are all quote-unquote clean," said council member Rick Williams, who chairs the audit committee. "There has never been even a hint of a scandal. The only reason we looked at the monthlies is that it was in the original contract."
 
The city was spending $800,000 on its own economic development team when it entered the agreement. Through the partnership, the city's investment in economic development is far less than Irving, Plano and Richardson – cities Garland sees as its competitors.
 
On Tuesday, Chamber Chairman Mark King pointed to $1.5 billion in tax base additions, 16,650 jobs created and more than 60 companies landed as results of the partnership.
 
"Those represent the intended consequences of the partnership," King said. "I think we can all agree that based on what we wanted to do from the start, the benefits of working together are clearly there."
 
Unanimous approval
 
Nobody seems to be debating that fact. The council approved continuing the relationship by a unanimous vote.
 
Still, the information was not immediately released to Rose. The state ruled Nov. 2 that the annual audits should be released to him within 10 days.
 
Records for 2005-09 were in his hands within a week, but those from 2000-04 were not turned over until Monday – the day before the contract was to be renewed.
 
Staff writer Karel Holloway contributed to this report.
 

 
I keep a running list of items I intend to cover in posts. Information on the Partnership and the new contract was one but I haven't had time to write a comprehensive post. Good things come to those who wait. Ray Leszcynski has done much of my work for me as he so often does. Writing this blog and its effectiveness is very much a direct relationship to how well others write. I am very thankful to be able to draw on the work of people like Ray and so many others.
 

City of Garland Press Release:

Garland Launches Scofflaw Pilot Program

Dallas County has launched a new collection tool that impacts those who have failed to pay fines owed to a city or county. The City of Garland is the pilot city for this new program. The county implemented this collection tool for county fines and fees in February 2009 and has been pleased with its success.
 
Texas law allows counties and cities to block vehicle registration for those who owe fines for traffic tickets and other citations. Dallas County is coordinating implementation of this program and selected Garland to be its first participating city. Garland was chosen because its Municipal Court is a court of record with a proven history of successfully implementing new and innovative programs.
 
The program will apply to all traffic violations and red light camera violations. Any fine that is more than 60 days past due will be flagged and forwarded to Dallas County. When the vehicle owner attempts to renew registration for that vehicle with the Dallas County Tax office, registration will be blocked until the owner pays the outstanding fines, and obtains a release form from the City of Garland.
 
The purpose behind this program is to create compliance with the laws that help create a safe, attractive environment for all our citizens. For more information about the Dallas County Scofflaw program, call the Dallas County Tax Office Customer Care Center at 214-653-7811 or visit www.dallascounty.org.
 

City of Garland Press Release:

 

Recycling Message Rolls Through Garland

Just as winter weather blanketed Garland, the Environmental Waste Services Department rolled out its new winter recycling message, “Keep Winter a Wonderland—Recycle” by installing striking and highly visible message panels on the sides of its collection vehicles that roll through the city daily collecting residential waste.
 
"We want our recycling message to be clear, concise and visually appealing," said Glenna Brown, Waste Minimization Coordinator. "Our new truck panels are a reminder that recycling every day is important and is one way everyone can help save our natural resources. We want the rolling billboards to enhance our recycling efforts and energize our residents about recycling."
 
A team of EWS employees suggested the idea of installing truck panels on the sides of its collection vehicles in order to drive up the recycling rate in a cost effective way. They developed a panel design for each season of the year, and the department will change the panels throughout the year to keep the recycling message fresh and focused.
 

 
As typified in this new marketing program, our city employees continually contribute to the betterment of our community, and most often do so with less than many surrounding cities. My hat is off to the EWS employees for an excellent marketing program for an excellent cause.

 
UPDATE: Comments closed to block spam hits.
 

City of Garland Press Release:

Pancakes with Santa

	When:	Saturday, December 12, 2009
		7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
	Where:	Central Fire Station
		1019 Austin Street
		Garland, Texas
	Cost:	$5 per person

 
Santa will make a quick visit to a Garland’s Central Fire Station on Saturday, December 12 as the Kiwanis Club of Garland and the Citizens Firefighters Club of Garland host their 15th annual Pancakes with Santa event. Tickets are $5 per person and are available at the door. The price includes all the pancakes you can eat, along with sausage, milk or coffee and one complimentary photo with Santa per child.
 
Proceeds from this event go toward scholarships and other community needs. For more information contact Jeff Tokar with the Garland Fire Department at 972-781-7111.
 

 
Even if you over-fill on pancakes on Dec 12, you should have plenty of room by Jan 6 for more:
 

5th Annual
Troop 57 Pancake Supper
January 6, 2010
5:30 PM to 7:00 PM
First United Methodist Church
Schreiber Hall
801 W. Ave B
Garland, TX 75040
 
All you can Eat Pancakes
 
Other items:
Sausage, Coffee, Milk, and Orange Juice
 
Adults $6.00
Child $3.50
Family $15.00

 

Tickets will be available at the door or from any Scout from Troop 57! If you want to get tickets early and want a Scout to contact you, drop me an e-mail and I'll have someone contact you.
 

 
Pass the syrup, please!
 

 

Shantrelle Osborne, 21, was struck by a hit and run driver in the 3300-block of Naaman School Rd Thursday night. She lay injured near the road until a passing driver noticed a purse in the roadway and stopped to investigate. The driver heard Shantelle's moans and called 9-1-1 about 10 pm.   Shantrelle had received severe injuries and was transported to Baylor Hospital in Dallas in critical condition. She died the next afternoon.   Investigators believe she was walking west and was struck by an east-bound vehicle. Although there was some evidence at the scene, investigators do not currently know the make or model of the vehicle.   Garland Police are asking that anyone with information about the incident, the driver, or the vehicle to call Garland Crime Stoppers. Information can be given anonymously. A cash reward is also being offered for information that leads to the an arrest. Call (972) 272-8477.

Area close to scene of hit and run

 

Shantrelle Osborne

Purse on roadway

Scene on Naaman School Rd by day

 
I do hope there is someone that can help solve this horrible crime. If you have any information, please call Crime Stoppers.
 

If you missed the following DMN story, you may have seen the GREAT Homes cover story in the latest Garland City Press . Through the program, Garland is seeking to simultaneously tackle several challenges: foreclosures, neighborhood decline, need for greater energy efficiency, and affordable housing.
 
Council received an update on the program recently from Becky King, director of organization development, and Martin Glenn, assistant city manager. That presentation can be viewed online (Item 2b) at the city's streaming video site. For those interested in the program, I strongly encourage you to watch the presentation.
 

GREAT Homes program is directed toward the "middle market."

The program originally sprang from the availability of federal grants and a spike in foreclosures. The vacated properties were often growing nuisances, suffering from poor maintenance and crime, which impacted surrounding owners and devalued their property. GREAT Homes is designed to increase the city's long-term competitiveness by addressing aging housing stock, energy conservation needs, enhancing catalyst areas, and protecting prior city investments in neighborhoods. The program will help stabilize neighborhoods and promote re-investment by homeowners and developers.
 
The program uses several criteria to determine which and where houses will be purchased and rehabilitated. The object is to maximize impact and success by targeting the "middle market."
 
The program was initially set toward four neighborhoods but the drop in available foreclosed homes as noted in the DMN article has broadened the focus some. The plan is to refurbish 40 to 50 homes. Criteria includes homes near the median price in the area, at least 20 years old, and would have a high visual impact. One desired change would be to add central heating and air conditioning and other efficiency upgrades for purchased homes that are without.
 
The District 1 neighborhood identified for initial participation in the program is the greater Carriagehouse area.
 
Although not outlined, program funds could be used to remove a nuisance and "land bank" the property. One possibility once the property is city owned is to use the lot for a community garden, another program started this last summer that allows the use of city-owned property for gardens maintained by a neighborhood. (Community gardens will be the subject of a future post.)
 
For more information, contact Scott Bollinger at 972-205-3868 or sbolling@ci.garland.tx.us.
 

From the Dallas Morning News:

Garland encouraged by foreclosure program

12:00 AM CST on Thursday, December 3, 2009
By RAY LESZCYNSKI / The Dallas Morning News
rleszcynski@dallasnews.com
 
Garland has a $3.3 million program to buy, renew and help secure ownership of foreclosed houses in eight targeted neighborhoods in its GREAT Homes Program.
 
Revitalizing homes revitalizes neighborhoods, as a foreclosure devalues every house within one-eighth of a mile by $5,000, according to the Center for Housing Policy.
 
But state and federal Neighborhood Stabilization Program grants in the program are restrictive, and city officials have learned the bank foreclosure market to be less dreary than you might think.
 
"What has happened since the beginning of the year is that banks have been encouraged to slow the foreclosure process down," said Becky King, city director of organizational development, the person most closely connected to the program.
 
Until the last couple months, fewer foreclosures were hitting the market as banks worked to keep owners in their mortgages. And when they do hit the market, private investors seeing a profit in the foreclosure game are often outbidding the city.
 
To this point, the city has acquired three homes and has rejected five other prospects mostly because of funding restrictions.
 
Council member Larry Jeffus sees the slow pace as good news.
 
"I'm encouraged by the fact that the houses are being picked up and not being left vacant, whether it's an investor or the city coming in," he said. "The fact that we're being outbid simply means that private money is beating out government money, and I don't see that as a problem."
 
Offers on six other homes are pending, and the city team, including two real estate agents, is active every day, Assistant City Manager Martin Glenn told the City Council.
 
"We're attempting to utilize the funds that are available because there is a timeline here," Glenn said.
 
The state money has to be earmarked by April, Glenn said, and federal Neighborhood Stabilization Program grants by December 2010.
 
Two of the city's three buys are 47-year-old homes valued at about $100,000 in the Walnut neighborhood. Council member Barbara Chick pointed also to ground broken on a recreation center there and renovated business sites to show the home renovation within a larger scope of neighborhood redevelopment.
 
"I would think the updates and renovations that are going on would make this area more attractive to those that want an affordable home," she said. "For tract homes, these are really well built."
 
GREAT stands for green, revitalized, energy-efficient, affordable and tailored for ownership. Another $561,000 in grants is available to owner-occupants of single-family homes connected to energy-efficiency upgrades.
 
"We looked at various things from predicted foreclosure activity in a neighborhood to the price," King said. "We wanted to make sure the homes are homes that will be options for the targeted buyers with the financing."
 
Potential buyers must be approved for creditworthiness, and their household income must not exceed 120 percent of Dallas-Fort Worth area median income.
 
The city plans to have the first of the renovated homes ready for sale in April. At its open houses, the city will invite neighbors to demonstrate how similar tract homes in the areas can be renovated.
 

The Dallas Morning News Metro Section carries an update on changes at the animal shelter. Shelter staff have been making changes for some time and some of those have been as a result of attention raised by individuals opposed to the city's use of carbon monoxide euthanasia.
 
The American Veterinary Medical Association and the Humane Society of the United States recognize two forms of euthanasia as humane: sodium pentobarbital injection and carbon monoxide inhalation. Both groups recognize the latter method conditionally because of past abuses, the greater chance of mistakes, and its use being limited to animals without respiratory difficulties. The Garland shelter uses both methods and operates strictly within the recommended and legal conditions.
 
One line from the article has been oft repeated by the News but I know of no evidence to support the claim originally made by DMN Problem Solver Katie Fairbank: "[A] Dallas Morning News investigation revealed that young, sick or elderly cats and dogs had been gassed in violation of state law." She delivered a list of claims to shelter staff but never sought their answers, proceeding to publication right away. Had she checked, she would have learned that department staff members were only able to find one instance of improper euthanasia, which was documented in a memo to Council and the city manager: "After reviewing the records from 2007 provided by the media, there does appear to be one instance of an animal younger than four months of age that was euthanized by respiration of carbon monoxide. It was euthanized by a Shelter Attendant who is no longer employed by the City of Garland."
 
I commented earlier that I understood that the shelter would transition to injection-only euthanasia very early next year based on comments by others in authority. I misunderstood and the policy is as documented in the memo linked above and as covered in the article below.
 
In negotiations, both parties seek to reach a resolution upon which both can agree. To successfully reach an agreement, both sides usually have to move toward common ground. If either or both parties refuse or cannot reach that common ground a stalemate results. These issues surrounding the animal shelter seem to have settled to where there is insufficient common ground. The shelter uses euthanasia because there is not enough room or resources to hold all animals indefinitely or until they are adopted. The same is true for all shelters, especially now. The major organizations that set the standards agree that the two methods used are humane. Protesters, some local and others not, claim that one of the methods is inhumane and needs to be abandoned.
 
I don't see any common ground so I expect the stalemate to continue for the foreseeable future.
 

From the Dallas Morning News:

Shift to lethal injections for animals on target

12:00 AM CST on Sunday, December 6, 2009
By RAY LESZCYNSKI / The Dallas Morning News
rleszcynski@dallasnews.com
 
Garland Animal Services officials say they're on target to meet a goal of shifting the euthanization of 3,000 animals from gas to lethal injection next year.
 
But the gas chamber will still be the final destination for about 1,000 animals at the Garland animal shelter.
 
In an Oct. 1 memorandum, city health director Richard Briley said that by 2010, only vicious dogs, feral cats, wild animals or other animals that present a significant danger to shelter staff would be gassed. Two days later, Mayor Ron Jones said he envisioned "in the near future to be euthanizing by injection only."
 
To date, there is no directive to further limit a process that is legal but has nonetheless brought controversy upon the city.
 
Jason Chessher, the city's environmental health administrator, predicts that carbon monoxide gas will be used on fewer than 20 percent of the animals euthanized at the shelter beginning Jan. 1. The decision will be made on an individual basis, rather than by breed.
 
"The driving factor there is whether staff can handle that animal," said Chessher, who oversees the shelter.
 
From the start, that plan has not satisfied those who oppose the gassing of animals.
 
Council meetings have been picketed outside City Hall and met with spoken and written criticism of euthanasia policy inside council chambers. Scrutiny on the shelter increased dramatically in September, after a Dallas Morning News investigation revealed that young, sick or elderly cats and dogs had been gassed in violation of state law.
 
Jones said in September that method of euthanasia was the lone unsettled issue between the city and the opponents. But clearly, a deeper rift now exists – evidenced by the forming of the group Garland Citizens for the Reform of the Animal Shelter.
 
"Frankly, we don't trust the shelter staff to make the right decisions," said Dr. John Pippin, a Dallas cardiologist and group spokesman.
 
Garland is by far the largest Texas city that still uses a gas chamber. The method is state-approved and, the city believes, no less humane than lethal injection.
 
"I will not allow anything inhumane to be done in my watch," Briley said. "We do not in any way feel the use of carbon monoxide is inhumane."
 
The city has seen a 50 percent spike in the number of dogs it takes in since 2002. Most of the change is an influx of breeds that by city ordinance can only be released back to the owner, like pit bulls.
 
Chessher said in the months since converting to injection-only, two Richardson shelter staffers had been hospitalized because of animal attacks during the euthanasia process and that Garland staff would not be subjected to similar hazards.
 
Briley said that a transition period was needed to renovate the euthanasia area because two-thirds of the condemned animals are presently gassed. Lighting, plumbing, flooring and cages were updated, he said, to meet state standards. The city's bid process also factored into the timetable.
 
"It would have been a lot easier on us if we would have said 'we'll start tomorrow,' " Briley said.
 
The expanded Animal Services Advisory Committee met Nov. 20 and elected former Garland Health Director and 35-year health professional Pat Fowler as its chairman.
 
Fowler points to Garland's 1960s animal facility as the "oldest shelter anywhere." He envisions Garland following the lead of Irving, which is building a $7 million shelter, and other cities that have either built or renovated recently, including Dallas, Plano and Richardson.
 
"They've really made a commitment to the animals and animal owners," Fowler said. "I think the time has come for Garland to make a commitment for a new shelter."
 
Chessher agrees: "It's a dog pound. We need a shelter."
 
Council members say the city will not consider another bond project until at least 2013. Opponents say that's too long to wait for reforms, in euthanasia and elsewhere.
 
Garland resident Michelle Ferrer testified at a recent city council meeting that the return rate of the 438 animals the center released to rescue groups is zero, but that staff does not work with volunteer and rescue groups as actively as do other cities.
 
Lee Lutz of Garland testified before council that the city has yet to follow up on an ASPCA offer of free training in safe animal handling, compassion fatigue, stress management and networking.
 
"The things that need to be done could be done with the shelter where it is now and how it is now with some policy adjustments," Pippin said.
 
Briley said a new shelter would present more areas for open viewing and adoptions and more opportunities for volunteers. But it wouldn't be a cure-all.
 
"Our largest issue in Garland is irresponsible pet ownership. We can never keep up with that," Briley said.
 
Fowler said his committee's role is to advise the council and to make sure Animal Services is operating within state law. He sees the euthanasia and adoption policies as being within the committee's advisory scope, perhaps as early as its Jan. 15 meeting.
 
About a dozen residents attended the first posted public meeting of the Animal Services Advisory Committee. State law requires the board to meet three times a year, but Ferrer told the council more needs to be done.
 
"Quarterly for one hour is not a resource for us to address all these animal issues," she said.
 

This site has been blasted by a spam generator for a couple days, which is why it was down most of yesterday and may be down a few more times over the near future. Hopefully not.   The spammer is being partially blocked, enough to defeat his message but enough is left to just post random-worded messages. It's an irritant mostly in that it takes valuable time to deal with it at a time of year none of us have extra time.   I hope you'll shoulder through any ups and downs and keep visiting. Thanks for your readership!   UPDATE: Allowing comments is the attraction for spammers, even posts that are months or years old. Very few people are ever likely to discover a valid new comment that is that old. There is no real service to readers to leave posts open for extended periods. Anyone whose sole purpose is to leave me a note can do so by e-mail much more effectively.   It will be my practice in the future to leave comments open only for a relatively brief period. Once a post rolls off the opening page (currently set to 10 posts), chances are that comments will be disabled soon after that. Depending on the topic and whether a post has been hit by spammers, it could be sooner.   I encourage anyone wishing to comment on a post to do so early. I simply don't have time to always be monitoring comments and I would be mortified if a totally inappropriate comment was left in place for an extended time (read: something we wouldn't want our children to see). I appreciate everyone's understanding.

This huge ice sculpture was in the middle of Sixth St and took most of the evening to complete. iPhone photo by Kevin Dunham.

 
It was a wonderful evening tonight at Christmas on the Square in Downtown Garland. The temperature was crisp and wonderful. Let's just say the ice sculpture shown above and the snow slides were hardly melting.
 
A number of choirs performed, there were sleigh rides, vendors with foods and wearables, and, maybe best of all, pictures with Santa.
 
I enjoyed seeing so many people I know and meeting quite a few more. Most of the restaurants were open, including the Corner Pocket, Paw Paws, the Generator, and Dos Banderas.
 
If you were there, I hope you were able to bring a toy to donate to MotorCops for Kids!
 
If you weren't there, I hope to see you next year.
 

City of Garland Press Release:

Garland Health Department Hosts H1N1 Vaccination Clinic

The City of Garland Health Department will host a vaccination clinic to administer the H1N1 vaccine. These vaccines are available to anyone, regardless of risk group status.
 

When:	Monday, December 7
	1:30-5:30 p.m.
Where:	GISD Special Events Center
	4999 Naaman Forest Blvd
	Garland, Texas 75040

 
All vaccines are administered free of charge. The intent of the clinic is to provide the H1N1 vaccine for those without medical insurance, under-insured (insurance does not cover vaccine or has a high deductible) or whose health care provider does not have the H1N1 vaccine or does not plan on offering this vaccine.
For more information, please call 972-205-3370.
 

Garland Launches Prescription Drug Discount Card Program

The City of Garland has launched a program to help provide residents with some relief from the high cost of prescription drugs. The city is making free prescription drug discount cards available to city residents through a program sponsored by the National League of Cities (NLC). The discount cards offer city residents an average savings of 20 percent off the retail price of commonly prescribed drugs.
 
The discount cards may be used by all residents of the City of Garland and has no restrictions based on the resident’s age, income level, or existing health coverage. The NLC card can be used when purchasing prescription drugs at approximately 30 pharmacies around the city, as well as at more than 59,000 participating retail pharmacies across the country.
 
"In the current economic climate, where many people are watching what they spend, the City of Garland is happy to partner with the National League of Cities to make this prescription discount card available for our residents," said City Manager Bill Dollar. "Whether or not an individual has prescription coverage, this program can make it easier for our residents to afford the drugs they need to deal with a short-term illness or stay healthy by managing a chronic condition."
 
Cards are available in select areas throughout the city, including recreational facilities, libraries, the City Secretary’s office, Public Health facilities, GP&L Customer Service office, and the City’s Human Resources Department at no cost to city residents. City residents can call toll-free 1-888-620-1749 or visit www.caremark.com/nlc for assistance with the program.
 
“Not only does the NLC prescription discount card help residents save money on their medications, it is easy to use,” said Dollar. “City of Garland residents only have to show their card when purchasing medication at one of the many participating pharmacies. No enrollment or membership fee is required and city residents and their family members can use the card any time their prescriptions are not covered by insurance.”
 
The discount card program is administered by CVS Caremark. For more information, contact Brenda Vega, 972-205-2836.
 
About The National League of Cities
 
The National League of Cities (NLC) is the nation’s oldest and largest organization devoted to strengthening and promoting cities as centers of opportunity, leadership, and governance. NLC is a resource and advocate for 19,000 cities, towns and villages, representing more than 218 million Americans. To learn more about NLC, go to www.nlc.org.
 

 
There is no cost to taxpayers for this program except some expense for printing. It is otherwise fully funded through CVS Caremark and industry participants. An introduction to the program was presented to the Council at a recent work session (Item 2).
 

UPDATE: Comments closed to block spam hits.
 

City of Garland News Release:

Christmas on the Square – December 3, 2009

Santa’s elves are getting ready for a busy night in Downtown Garland. Garland’s annual Christmas on the Square celebration is scheduled for Thursday, December 3, from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. This year’s event features the traditional tree lighting ceremony at 7 p.m. complete with a spectacular fireworks and light display.
 
Santa Claus will be on hand to hear Christmas wishes from the children of Garland immediately following the tree lighting ceremony. Children may also have the opportunity to have their picture taken with Santa and receive a free commemorative photo button and candy cane.
 
You can also get into the spirit of giving by bringing a new, unwrapped toy to the MotorCops for Kids booth on Main Street at Sixth Street. The booth is sponsored by the Garland Police Department in partnership with Harley Davidson of Dallas, who will distribute them to several local charitable organizations to give to children in need. Harley will also have motorcycles on display, including one for family photo opportunities.
 
Choirs and bands from Garland Independent School District schools and area churches will perform throughout the event both on the Downtown Square stage and throughout the event, which includes areas immediately surrounding the Downtown Square and City Hall.
 
In addition to holiday music and lights, patrons will enjoy shopping for unique holiday gifts offered at the numerous arts and crafts booths in our Christmas Bazaar. And what would a holiday festival be without delicious treats? Enjoy hot chocolate, popcorn, caramel apples, and many more festive foods. Downtown Garland restaurants will also be open, offering delectable dishes for festival patrons.
 
Christmas on the Square offers free family activities including horse drawn carriage rides through Garland Power & Light’s Avenue of Lights and two snow sledding hills. Yes, there will be real snow on the streets of Downtown Garland! Other children’s activities include writing letters to Santa; making Christmas ornaments and puppets; face painting and faux tattoos; and balloon makers.
 
For additional information, visit www.ChristmasontheSquare.com or call 972-205-2633.
 

• I know these are tough times for many. I hope that pausing to give thanks and spending time with family was a respite for all. It was a good time for my family and me. Things should be a little more normal this week and I should be able to get several posts online.
   
• The police chase and shooting incident involving Garland police officers was national news. I was in New Braunfels when I received the first report.
   
• The work session that would normally be the Monday before our regular Tuesday Council meeting has been moved to Tuesday also. It's always strange meeting on the last day of the month anyway.
   
• I owe a number of e-mails and phone calls. The holiday slowed my efforts but I plan to catch up before the next couple holidays hit.
   

City of Garland News Release:

Christmas on the Square – December 3, 2009

Santa’s elves are getting ready for a busy night in Downtown Garland. Garland’s annual Christmas on the Square celebration is scheduled for Thursday, December 3, from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. This year’s event features the traditional tree lighting ceremony at 7 p.m. complete with a spectacular fireworks and light display.
 
Santa Claus will be on hand to hear Christmas wishes from the children of Garland immediately following the tree lighting ceremony. Children may also have the opportunity to have their picture taken with Santa and receive a free commemorative photo button and candy cane.
 
You can also get into the spirit of giving by bringing a new, unwrapped toy to the MotorCops for Kids booth on Main Street at Sixth Street. The booth is sponsored by the Garland Police Department in partnership with Harley Davidson of Dallas, who will distribute them to several local charitable organizations to give to children in need. Harley will also have motorcycles on display, including one for family photo opportunities.
 
Choirs and bands from Garland Independent School District schools and area churches will perform throughout the event both on the Downtown Square stage and throughout the event, which includes areas immediately surrounding the Downtown Square and City Hall.
 
In addition to holiday music and lights, patrons will enjoy shopping for unique holiday gifts offered at the numerous arts and crafts booths in our Christmas Bazaar. And what would a holiday festival be without delicious treats? Enjoy hot chocolate, popcorn, caramel apples, and many more festive foods. Downtown Garland restaurants will also be open, offering delectable dishes for festival patrons.
 
Christmas on the Square offers free family activities including horse drawn carriage rides through Garland Power & Light’s Avenue of Lights and two snow sledding hills. Yes, there will be real snow on the streets of Downtown Garland! Other children’s activities include writing letters to Santa; making Christmas ornaments and puppets; face painting and faux tattoos; and balloon makers.
 
For additional information, visit www.ChristmasontheSquare.com or call 972-205-2633.
 

Windows 7 and blogging go together fine. However, not all versions of Windows migrate easily to Windows 7. Most versions of Vista install to Win 7 with relative ease. In my case, I've been migrating from Vista Ultimate to Win 7 Professional, a step down the consumer chain. You can do it but it requires installing from scratch. Stepping down a level isn't so simple. Still not a huge undertaking but it does take some time. ALL apps have to be reinstalled.
 
Actually, with any version of Windows it's preferable to do a clean install if possible because it does get rid of a lot of junk. Call it computer house cleaning.
 
I know, for most people, their eyes are starting to haze over and they're suddenly wondering if they got enough sleep last night.
 
This post and the connection to blogging: I've been doing that clean install instead of writing (and instead of several other things). I should be blogging more regularly soon (tomorrow?). I've got a lot of subjects to cover and I'm looking forward to sharing.
 

Saturday was the debut of the outdoor Four Seasons Market at Firewheel Town Center in the park area near the fountain. I couldn't be there because of other commitments but I've heard nothing but positive reports, both by e-mail and by ear. Next Saturday will be even bigger, with more vendors.
 

Article from Pegasus News:

Farmers market at Firewheel Town Center in Garland has promising opening day

By Teresa Gubbins
 

Everyone loved the free samples of pumpkin bread from Rosey Ridge Farm.

The Four Seasons Market, a new farmers/craft market at Firewheel Town Center in Garland, had a promising launch on Saturday with 38 brand-name vendors and a promise from organizers of more to come.
 
Farmers market staples such as Lucky Layla Farms, Chapman Chile Kitchen, and Round Rock Honey all appeared at the behest of Brian Cummings, of EatGreenDFW.com, who helped organize the market, along with Vincent Hirth and Florine Bowman, owners of Florine Bowman Pastries, who'd run similar events in France.
 
To give the opening the proper fanfare, they drafted chef David Gilbert, who made a show of strolling through the market to acquire items which he then used in an on-site demonstration.
 
There certainly seemed to be a good sprinkling of customers for vendors such as Sachse Heritage Farm, The Bee Charmer from Wylie, and Grandview-based Rosey Ridge Farm, who sold loaf after loaf of their Pumpkin Bread and Luscious Lemon Bread with icing. Garland-based Sharla's Sweets, a new chocolatier founded by Sharla Perry selling chocolate truffles and confections, made its debut.
 
"I do marketing for a telecom company but I started taking chocolate classes and it became my passion," Perry said.
 
Cummings said he felt optimistic about the prospects of the market, which will take up residence every Saturday in the center concourse of Firewheel, because its location in the far northeast suburbs fills a niche not previously filled.
 
"We have another dozen that weren't able to get their paperwork done in time, but there'll be more," he said.
 
Campania owner Jay Jerrier, who served up slices of pizza, said that the city of Garland made the paperwork process a lot easier "than some other cities that begin with a D."
 

 
The Dallas Morning News Eats Blog also had a detailed report on the offerings by the many vendors.
 
I hope that waiting until my son's soccer game is over doesn't cost me a chance to try the pumpkin cinnamon roll with dried cranberries from Florine Bowman Pastries!
 

I know several people that have received extremely high bills from the North Texas Tollway Authority since they converted to all-electronic tolls. In several cases there were extenuating circumstances and NTTA worked with them to be fair. Then there are the scofflaws.
 
Trying to split the innocent from the scofflaws, NTTA is improving their notices. The easiest and cheapest route is a tolltag for frequent users.
 

NTTA Redesigns Invoices

The North Texas Tollway Authority has revised the ZipCash invoice in an effort to improve how the Authority informs customers of the steps involved in the collection process.
 
The new three-step invoice process, ZipCash, ZipCash Late Notice, and Violation Invoice, has a distinguished look to differentiate steps in the collection process. The ZipCash Late Notice is printed on pink paper, and the Violation Invoice has a bold red bar across the top.
 
“The NTTA encourages all motorists to enjoy the convenience and cost savings associated with a TollTag account for paying tolls,” said Clayton Howe, NTTA assistant executive director of operations. “But for other payment options, the new invoices are much more informative,” he said. “By outlining the repercussions for not paying, we hope to encourage motorists to pay before administrative fees are applied to the transactions.”
 
The process is simple: ZipCash customers receive a bill in the mail for their transactions at the higher ZipCash rate and then have 30 days to pay their invoice(s). Payments are accepted online, over the phone and by mail. A $2.50 late charge is assessed if payment is not received in 30 days of the invoice. If invoices are not paid after another 15 days, a $25 administration fee will be charged for each transaction. After continued nonpayment, accounts are forwarded to a collection agency, and the case eventually will wind up in court if the customer refuses to pay.
 
ZipCash customers can avoid paying 50 percent higher cash rate by getting a TollTag. TollTags also give motorists the freedom to travel on any toll road in Texas. Parking and drive-through fees at DFW International and Dallas Love Field Airports also may be paid with a TollTag. For more information how to sign-up for a TollTag, visit www.ntta.org.
 

There really has to be a story behind this picture, right?

There is. Follow the link to Linda Jaresh's site for the rest of the story and a larger version: Around Garland.

District 1 had the highest number of thefts since March, which was also 70. The number is striking but the vast number is shoplifting cases (read: someone was caught).
 
Car burglaries were also up some. Recently, the east part of the district has been the greater target for car break-ins but the west portion received more this period. It was just the opposite for home burglaries; the east half was harder hit. There was some reprieve in that home burglaries have been lower the last three months.
 
After those three categories, we only had 15 incidents for the month. While that sounds better, I know it wasn't for those affected in those incidents.
 
If you want to review the areas that have reported incidents over the last month, download the complete report here for address-by-address information that includes your neighborhood.
 

Depiction of the final interchange at PGBT and SH-78, south of the Firewheel Town Center.
Graphic: modified version of NTTA art work

 
Anyone turning toward Downtown from PGBT (SH-190) recently has discovered the ramp closed and a detour on the other side of Lavon Ave (SH-78). NTTA says: All eastbound PGBT traffic going north or south onto State Highway SH 78 in Garland are now using the same exit ramp. Northbound traffic will continue to utilize the existing loop ramp. Southbound traffic now utilizes temporary asphalt pavement, where they will be able to turn left (south) onto SH 78 at an intersection where a temporary signal has been installed. This traffic pattern could last through mid-March.
 
Joining the existing turnpike to the new Eastern Extension and constructing the interchange at Lavon Ave will involve grade changes and several new lanes. As depicted above,

• work is currently underway to excavate under the Lavon overpass to allow two new connecting lanes,
• grade changes necessary to connect the old and new sections is forcing modifications to the existing ramps,
• on the northside, two westbound entrances will be constructed, one east of Crist Rd and another west, and
• on the southside, a new eastbound entrance will cross over the frontage road and the exit ramp to Firewheel Pkwy.

It will be nice when the work is completed (and I use that in both contexts).
 

Article from November 2 Issue of Nation's Cities Weekly, Official Publication of the National League of Cities:
 

Retrofitting Suburbia Means Rediscovering the People

Nation's Cities, Nov 2

by Douglas Athas
 
When big cities came to be recognized as congested, dirty and unhealthy, the car came to the rescue. It carried city workers to the real-life scenes of “Leave It to Beaver” in suburban households across the country — and then carried the workers back to the city for their daily jobs. To Frank Lloyd Wright, the vision of the “horizontal city” included freestanding homes on individual plots and taking advantage of new technology — the automobile — to make better use of America’s abundant lands, says Anthony Flint in his new book, “Wrestling with Moses.” It was an attitude and philosophy shared by virtually all the modernist architects and architecture schools of the day.
 
Suburban city planners followed the lead and wrote ordinances that mandated the horizontal city, including: separated uses; height limits; one main structure per lot; separation between structures; and plenty of room for those cars. The shiny new construction in the suburbs was a pleasant contrast to the aging infrastructure in the core city. However, as the cities developed their remaining open areas and developed massive urban renewal projects, they too adapted the suburban modernism.
 
When Jane Jacobs, the journalist and author who questioned the sterile concepts behind the modernist designs, and who is the subject of Flint’s book, visited an early urban renewal project in downtown Philadelphia for “Architectural Forum” magazine, she reported that she was first taken to a street where “loads of people were hanging around on the street, on the stoops, having a good time of it.” She was told, “This is the next street we’re going to get rid of.” Then she saw a street that had been “fixed up,” that had been renewed, with one bored boy kicking a tire in the gutter. She turned to her host and asked, “Where are the people?”
 
Some 50 years later, when gasoline for the cars necessary to live the suburban lifestyle hit $4 per gallon last year, many commuters sitting in congested traffic and families chauffeuring their children to school and soccer practice and the mall felt trapped by the same cars that had once promised freedom. Aging suburban cities, especially first tier cities, are finding it more and more difficult to afford the massive infrastructure and services necessary to accommodate those thinly spread homes and businesses.
 
Ellen Dunham-Jones and June Williamson call this the “suburban form” in their recent book, “Retrofitting Suburbia, Urban Solutions for Redesigning Suburbs.” They partially define the suburban form as isolated buildings, single uses, auto-dependence, low density, and streets and roads that branch out and often end in cul-de-sacs.
 
In an all-morning session in early October, Williamson met with city council members, planning and zoning commissioners, and staff members from Garland, Plano and Richardson — all first-tier suburbs of Dallas — to discuss the lessons learned and the case studies in “Retrofitting Suburbia.” She identified the economic and ecological challenges facing the post-war suburbs, such as the increase in vehicle miles traveled per capita that had been rising steadily for years until that $4 wall.
 
Participants learned that the demographic shift as boomers age will be a nationwide challenge. Households with children are declining. By 2030, 72 to 85 percent of new households will have no children. Further clouding the picture for suburbs, among the younger generations, 77 percent want to live in an urban core while 75 percent of the retiring boomers want mixed-age and mixed-use communities.
 
If it were all in the right place, there is currently enough large-lot, single-family housing to meet demand until 2025. Complicating the picture further, by 2015, there will be 2.8 million acres of greyfields and asphalt in the suburbs.
 

Villa Italia Mall in Lakewood, Colorado, was once described as the largest mall west of the Mississippi. Today it has been razed and has been renamed Belmar, the 23 urban-scaled streets and blocks that are the new downtown that Lakewood never had.

To meet the coming market demands from those empty-nesters and consumers downscaling, we are seeing more investment in places that are walkable and have a mixture of uses. Such locations have less traffic and fewer car trips per capita. They enjoy a healthier lifestyle. Property values are higher, which is good for investors and cities dependent on ad valorem taxes. Potential sites for retrofitting are strip corridors, vacant big box stores, dying regional shopping malls, industrial parks, and office parks. She showed examples from the book of retrofits, including Camino Nuevo Elementary in Los Angeles, MetroWest in Vienna, Va., and Englewood City Center near Denver. In the Denver area, seven of 13 regional malls have been retrofitted in some manner.
 
There will be some social adjustment to these changes though. Suburbanites understand that when they are in an enclosed mall that they are in a private space. However, as new town centers and open air malls are introduced, visitors feel when they are outdoors, that they are in a public place even though legally the space is privately owned. They intuitively feel they have public liberties. Silver Spring, Md., was the scene of a protest when a photographer in an open space was told he could not take pictures, that it violated company policy.
 
Villa Italia in Lakewood, Colo., another Denver suburb, was an enclosed mall on a 104-acre site that was once a thriving mass of stores plopped in the middle of a sea of parking. Its decline followed the same steep path as have so many other enclosed malls across the country. The city chose to forego proposals to build big box stores in favor of a sustainable, new urbanist model. Now named Belmar, the 23 urban-scaled streets and blocks are the new downtown that Lakewood never had. Belmar is a mixed-use, walkable destination with shopping, residences, offices and civic uses. The authors note that new buildings are LEED certified, site drainage is carefully handled, demolition materials are recycled, a 1.8-megawatt rooftop solar array is in construction, and there is even a wind farm in one parking lot.
 
Dunham-Jones is an associate professor and the director of the architecture program at Georgia Institute of Technology and Williamson is an associate professor of architecture at The City College of New York/CUNY.
 
Fifty years ago Jane Jacobs asked, “Where are the people?” Dunham-Jones and Williamson show that a new transformation has started that features designs for people rather than cars. Jacobs would be pleased.
 
Details: Athas is vice chair of NLC's First Tier Suburbs Council and can be reached at DAthas@ci.garland.tx.us. To learn more about NLC’s First Tier Suburbs Council, contact Christiana McFarland at mcfarland@nlc.org or visit http://www.nlc.org/inside_nlc/committees___councils/465.aspx.
 
Douglas Athas is a city council member in Garland, Texas.
 

 
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We learn many lessons in life. When I was a seventh grader, I was in a large PE class of about 70 boys. When we had dressed for class, coach told us to go the football practice field and line up on the goal line. A friend and I ran with the other boys to the field. He and I stood on the goal line and all of the others lined up on the line at the back of the end zone where the goal post was anchored. We tried to get them to move up to the goal line. Coach walked to the field and made all of them run laps for not doing as he had instructed and not knowing the difference.
 
I had been taught in school that the majority ruled but I had evidence that day that the majority, even the mass majority, can be wrong.
 
I'm currently reading about Jane Jacobs, the journalist and author of The Death and Life of Great American Cities (©1961) that I mentioned in this post. The book is Wrestling with Moses by Anthony Flint. The reference is to Robert Moses, who I mentioned here. That post dealt with the massive urban renewal projects that Moses conducted all over New York City, displacing thousands and thousands of businesses and families and whole neighborhoods.
 
Jane Jacobs didn't agree with the architects, planners, and developers like Moses that saw the buildings and roads as the wonderment of the times. She defended neighborhoods and people. She understood community.
 

From Wrestling with Moses, by Anthony Flint:

 

Two years into Jane's tenure [Architectural Forum magazine], she was given an assignment that would be a turning point in her career—an update on urban renewal plans in Philadelphia. Rather than the new suburban development that was attracting attention at the time, Haskell [her editor] wanted to focus on what was happening to cities. By the mid-1950s, cities across the country had fallen in dire straits, losing population and jobs to the booming suburbs. For decades, big cities had been seen as crowded, congested, unhealthy places of slums and tenements. The condition had prompted a prominent succession of planners, architects, and intellectuals to rethink human settlement—to make it more orderly and efficient. The city was a problem to be solved; great thinkers were coming up with modern ideas, and planners and policy makers were implementing what was universally regarded as solutions.
 
The man at the helm in Philadelphia was Edmund Bacon, who held the same czar-like position as Robert Moses in New York. He targeted the run-down neighborhoods in and around the center city for massive redevelopment schemes, with housing towers and commercial centers replacing the dilapidated buildings and scattered vacant lots. Haskell wanted someone to travel to Philadelphia and gauge the success of his grand revitalization plans. Largely because the staff was shorthanded, he chose Jacobs.
 
Going to meet the great Ed Bacon, Jacobs confessed she was "not what you would call a city-planning expert." But she knew Philadelphia was a grand experiment at the time, and Ed Bacon was very fashionable. She took the train from New York and met Bacon, who escorted her to a section of the downtown area that city was working on. "First he took me to a street where loads of people were hanging around on the street, on the stoops, having a good time of it, and he said, well, this is the next street we're going to get rid of. That was the 'before' street," she said.
 
"Then he showed me the 'after' street, all fixed up, and there was just one person on it, a bored little boy kicking a tire in the gutter. It was so grim that I would have been kicking a tire, too. But Mr. Bacon thought it had a beautiful vista."
 
She turned to him and asked, "Where are the people?"
 

 
She had lined up on the goal line, virtually alone. It has taken 50 years for her voice to rise above the modernists.
 

Although this image shows the new traffic signals on SH-78 at SH-190, in the rear-view mirror,
the accident occurred prior to their operation and wasn't related to the detour.

 
As part of the ongoing construction of the Eastern Extension of the President George Bush Turnpike (SH-190), the southbound exit toward Downtown from the turnpike has been closed and traffic is routed to the next exit that previously just handled northbound traffic. A new lane has been added and temporary traffic signals now stop traffic so turnpike drivers can continue south.
 

From NTTA President George Bush Turnpike Eastern Extension Update:
 

President George Bush Turnpike Eastern Extension Click graphic for large version

The Eastern Extension is a portion of the outer loop around Dallas and its suburbs that connects Interstate Highway (IH) 30 to the existing President George Bush Turnpike (PGBT). It is part of the Loop 9/State Highway 190 corridor first envisioned in the 1960s. Construction on the approximately 9.9-mile corridor began in October 2008. The project is expected to open to traffic in fourth quarter 2011.
 
Milestones

• A $160 million toll equity grant from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to the NTTA was approved for right of way (ROW) and other costs on August 23, 2007.
• A three-party agreement among the NTTA, TxDOT and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) was executed in November 2007.
• In addition, a TxDOT/NTTA two-party agreement was executed, allowing eminent domain proceedings for critical ROW acquisition to begin; property acquisitions are ongoing.
• TxDOT approved a revised schematic on March 7, 2008.
• The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Section 404 permit was approved April 25, 2008.
• The City of Dallas (Dallas Water Utilities, or DWU) agreement for the Lake Ray Hubbard bridge was approved by the Dallas City Council and NTTA Board of Directors in May 2008.
• A rail-crossing agreement with Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) was approved by the DART Board and NTTA Board, also in May 2008.
• FHWA approved the Final Environmental Impact Statement Re-evaluation on July 1, 2008.
• A groundbreaking for the first construction contract, Section 30, from north of the future Merritt Road to south of Main Street in Rowlett, took place August 21, 2008. Construction began on October 13, 2008.
• All five sections of the extension were officially under construction by mid-March 2009.

Corridor Updates

• A migratory bird survey found no nesting birds in the remaining ROW of Section 28, which allowed clearing and construction to begin. The contractor’s earthwork subcontractor received a Nationwide Permit 33 from the USACE for the installation of a construction access road across Rowlett Creek. The contractor has constructed ramp detours and installed a temporary traffic signal for the intersection of State Highway 78 and the eastbound frontage road.
• In Section 29, crews began installing front panels for the retaining wall at the Miles Road bridge. Crews also continued installing the retaining walls at Merritt Road. In addition, workers continued installing moisture-treated subgrade at Miles and Merritt roads.
• In Section 30, the contractor continued work on the future Merritt/Liberty Grove connector, a new culvert and the placement of various retaining walls and water lines throughout the project. Placement of the bridge decks at the Liberty Grove bridges has begun, and the Kirby Road detour adjacent to Rowlett High School was constructed.
• The Section 31 contractor continued installing underground utilities and doing earthwork from the southern project limit proceeding north. Crews also continued the moisture-treated subgrade work near the southern project limit and installation of the retaining walls at the south end of the project near Miller Road to Lake Ray Hubbard. In addition, the contractor began working on the southbound frontage road north of Miller Road.
• Section 32 is being constructed by TxDOT.

Next Steps

• Open the service road in front of the Mariners Cove subdivision in Rowlett, Section 30
• Switch DART service to temporary tracks in Section 30
• Continue construction on all sections

Corridor Details

• Project limits: Extends the PGBT from SH 78 to IH 30
• Project length: Approximately 9.9 miles
• Anticipated project cost: Approximately $1 billion
• Anticipated NTTA cost: Approximately $623 million
• Anticipated opening date (all sections): Fourth quarter 2011

Project Partners

  TxDOT, Dallas County, Dallas, Garland, Rowlett, Sachse
 

Deo Sookdeo represents District 1 on the Garland Community Multicultural Commission. The two primary reasons I appointed him, besides the fact that he's a genuinely nice person, are his being truly multicultural at heart and experience and his long history working with law enforcement and helping individuals learn from their mistakes. He's a natural on the former and an expert on the latter.
 
Deo retired from Dallas County after a career of service. Since then, he and Lucy, who is retired from Nortel, have traveled many places, including Antarctica, and plan to travel many more. Yet he has not missed one CMC meeting!
 
Connections, a publication of the Texas County and District Retirement System, recently featured Deo on their cover and in a three-page story. We get a unique opportunity to know another District 1 representative a bit better, thanks to Connections.
 

 

From the Connections Newsletter:   Deo Sookdeo’s life has been a journey. The 69-year-old TCDRS retiree blazed his own path from his birthplace in a small village in Guyana, South America, to Dallas, Texas. In between taking care of work and family, Deo has also taken the opportunity to retrace the paths of famous explorers, crisscrossing the globe and visiting places he only read about as a child.   His adventures in travel culminated with what he calls the trip of a lifetime: a cruise to Antarctica and a visit to the tomb of Antarctic explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton. Deo finds it hard to explain his attraction to travel, but he finds it very satisfying to visit the places where history happened.   "You read about it, you go there and see it," he explained. "It's just a different feeling you get."   Deo was born in a small village called Sofia (pronounced sof-I-ah) on the outskirts of Georgetown, the capital of Guyana. Situated about a mile from the Atlantic Ocean, Deo and his friends spent their childhood days emulating the cowboys they watched on the silver screen. Inspired by the likes of Audie Murphy, Randolph Scott and John Wayne, Deo says they dressed up like cowboys and pretended they were in Texas.   "When I was growing up, I wanted to swim across the Atlantic to be a cowboy," he laughed.   But it was in high school when he really fell in love with the idea of travel. He dreamed of following in the footsteps of the great explorers, such as Shackleton, Christopher Columbus and New World explorer Sir Walter Raleigh.   "I can identify with some of these explorers," he said.   After earning his General Certificate of Education, Deo joined the civil service in 1961, working as a valuation officer with the Ministry of Local Government. It was during his tenure with the Guyanese government that he married his wife, Lucy, and started a family.   [More , including photo of Deo and Lucy in the Antarctic.]

City of Garland Press Release:

Garland Youth Council Members Appointed to Congressional Advisory Panel

Four members of the Garland Youth Council (GYC) have been appointed to the 2009-10 Congressional Youth Advisory Council by U.S. Congressman Sam Johnson (3rd District - Texas). Congressman Johnson selected 45 students for this honor.
 
"I consider these students my young ambassadors to Congress. They keep me updated on what's important to their generation. I look forward to another terrific and engaging year filled with informed debate and lively discussions," said Johnson.
 
Johnson created the Council in 2004. The Council's goal is two-fold. First, the group provides Johnson with greater student perspective and insight on issues that directly impact younger Americans. Second, Council activities educate students on government policies relevant to young people. The members of the Council meet approximately four times throughout the school year in the Third District. Last year, Johnson announced his official Facebook page at a CYAC meeting.
 
The GYC members appointed are:

• GYC Chair Jaywin Malhi, appointed by District 1 Council Member Douglas Athas and serving his second year on the GYC;
• GYC Secretary Jennifer Sims, appointed by District 8 Council Member Darren Lathen and serving her second year on the GYC;
• Valencia King, appointed by District 2 Council Member and Mayor Pro Tem Laura Perkins Cox and serving her second year on the GYC;
• Ginu Scaria, appointed by District 8 Council Member Darren Lathen and serving her first year on the GYC.

"The City of Garland is very proud of our Youth Council and the honor of having such abundant representation on Congressman Johnson's Youth Advisory Council," said Garland Mayor Ronald E. Jones.
 
For more information about the Garland Youth Council, visit www.GarlandYouthCouncil.org.
 

Jaywin has been representing District 1 as the GYC Chair for two years and, of course, lives in District 1. Jaywin is also a National Merit Scholarship semi-finalist.
 
Please join me congratulating Jaywin and each of these Garland youth that reflect so well on our community.
 

A number of professional sports stars have come from Garland, including NFL All-Pro Bobby Boyd, NFL place kicker Mac Percival, and NBA players Mookie Blaylock and Ricky Pierce.
 
The Indianapolis Colts seem to be particularly fond of Garland athletes. Bobby Boyd was a Colt cornerback for nine years, 1960 to 1968. He led the NFL with 9 interceptions in 1965. He finished his career with 57 interceptions, which he returned for 994 yards and 4 touchdowns. He also recovered 11 fumbles.
 
Now two District 1 athletes are on the Colt roster: defensive backs Melvin Bullitt and Jacob Lacey. Their families still live in the district. Both attended Naaman Forest High School.
 
The strong parallels for Melvin and Jacob seems to have caught the attention of Phillip Wilson, sports writer for the Indianapolis Star. He gives a nice insight to their current adventures and the families' reactions. Naaman Forest coach Bill Patterson is also tapped for his observations:
 

From IndyStar.com:

Tandem: Colts defensive backs Melvin Bullitt and Jacob Lacey played at Naaman Forest High School in Garland, Texas. - Phillip B. Wilson / The Star

Joyful journey for Melvin Bullitt and Jacob Lacey Melvin Bullitt and Jacob Lacey played high school football together in Texas, and now they've teamed up with the Colts.   By Phillip B. Wilson Posted: October 23, 2009   Each time the Indianapolis Colts play, phones start ringing in Texas. Text messages also come from across the country, a barrage of quick-hit comments that trigger a cellular buzz in the suburbs of Dallas.   Safety Melvin Bullitt forces a fumble at Arizona. Cornerback Jacob Lacey breaks up a pass in the end zone at Tennessee.   It's as it always has been. However improbable, it's how they always hoped it would be. Bullitt and Lacey have been making plays together since they suited up in 2002 at Naaman Forest High School in Garland, Texas.   That they both made it to the NFL, each undrafted, landing with the same team two years apart, well, it's been a non-stop thrill ride not just for them but for their ecstatic families and friends back home.   [More. Note that story at the link has three pages.]

 
Also, Melvin recently gave a special gift to surprised Naaman Forest teacher Melanie Parsons, a friend of his father.

The approach to DFW Airport is always interesting. If you do it fairly often, it's easy to identify your approach simply by reading the cities' names on their water towers. That's never been the case for Garland because almost all of our water storage tanks are on the ground. Our tanks easily hold twice as much water as most of the largest elevated tanks. However, an elevated tank is more efficient maintaining even water pressures.
 
The city has long had an old elevated tank just north of Forest Ave but the other storage tanks are all ground level. (There is another small water tower near I-635 but it is privately owned.)
 
Soon, that won't be true anymore. Just south of the intersection of the SH-66 and Country Club, at Commerce St, an new elevated tank will be raised to position.
 

 
Currently, the top section is scheduled to be hoist into place Friday morning, starting as early as 7 am. The lift will take four to five hours.
 
Here's a little more information on the city's newest addition to our water department's infrastructure:

• Tank Capacity: 2.5 Million Gallons
• Completed Structure Height (with handrail included): 220 feet
• Pedestal Diameter: 54 feet
• Tank Diameter: 104 feet

If you happen to be in the area and get a chance to see it, you might be interested in a little more information about the operation and why it is done this way:
 
Hoist Info

• Hoist weight is 251 tons.
• Hoist is made using 54 hydraulic jacks located at the top of the pedestal.
• Each jack has a capacity of 30 tons but for maximum safety jacks will only be lifting 4.6 tons.
• Each hoist cables is a 7-strand post-tension cable (similar to the cables used in a house slab).
• Each cable is 0.58 inches in diameter.
• The tank is centered-based on the center point and the radius, with the tank within ¼-inch of the radial line.
• The console on the dome has individual controls for a pair of jacks and a master that operates all the jacks at once. If the tank gets out of level going up they can adjust the jacks to re-level.

Why hoist?

• A more symmetrical, trued tank can be constructed on the ground than doing so in the air.
• It’s faster and easier than building one in the air.
• The tank can be painted better and at less cost than on the ground.
• It is safer for the workers involved.

Sequence of Events for Hoist

• Hoist crew arrives at the site.
• Access tube is set.
• Hoist equipment is set up on the dome.
• Hoist and level tank.

The next time you are flying over the city, you won't look at it the same again.
 

Katie Fairbank Katie Fairbank was the reporter for the Dallas Morning News that made the harsh claims against the Garland animal shelter in a series of articles (listed at that previous link) and blog posts that accused the city of illegally killing animals and of "gassing young, sick or elderly cats and dogs."   Her reporting covers one perspective of the story well but barely indicates any effort to speak to shelter personnel or to inspect the shelter. Why no attempt to be fair?   In the series, Ms Fairbank never mentions that the euthanasia methods used in Garland are fully within the guidelines set by the American Veterinary Medical Association. She did say, "The American Veterinary Medical Association and the state do not oppose gassing, but have set limits on its use. For example, the Texas Administrative Code says carbon monoxide cannot be used on animals younger than 4 months, elderly or sick animals because the 'time required to achieve death in these animals may be significantly increased.' Using carbon monoxide on such animals is a Class B misdemeanor, punishable by up to 180 days in jail and a $2,000 fine for each charge." She charges in post after post that Garland is violating the rules but what evidence does she offer?   In a Sept 19 article, Ms Fairbank refers to a sampling of records from 2007 that were provided to the newspaper by anonymous sources. She says these were "shelter records" and she refers to photographs taken of "illegally killed" kittens. (Why would the shelter take photographs of illegally-killed kittens?) She refers to a young dog as another example.   According to city personnel, she did ask staff on the afternoon of Sept 17 to investigate a number of incidents. She was told that records were not immediately available — that they were archived — but that her questions could be addressed within a few days. She agreed, telling staff members that she expected the story to run "in a few weeks" and to contact her with the findings. She called the next morning for the results, waiting little more than overnight. Her story was in the paper the following day. There were no other efforts to get the rest of the story even though there were successive articles and blog posts.   When those "records" were reviewed, staff was only able to find one instance of improper euthanasia, which was documented in a memo to Council and the city manager: "After reviewing the records from 2007 provided by the media, there does appear to be one instance of an animal younger than four months of age that was euthanized by respiration of carbon monoxide. It was euthanized by a Shelter Attendant who is no longer employed by the City of Garland." Ms Fairbank later acknowledges that single incident but does nothing to correct her prior claims.   Never in the articles on carbon monoxide euthanasia does Ms Fairbank mention that she has a conflict of interest: that she has volunteered with various animal rescue groups for 15 years. She does mention it in a blog post in reference to a problem solver question on the Animal Services Advisory board, but never in the newspaper or in any of her blog posts on euthanasia. [Ed.: This slight correction is to be clear that Ms Fairbank never mentioned her rescue efforts in print or her blog posts when reporting on euthanasia. Her statement did appear in her initial response to the Animal Services Board question both in print, Sept 6, and was mirrored in her Sept 7 blog post.]   For 15 years Ms Fairbank has been actively trying to rescue animals, a period that would pre-date her start at the Dallas Morning News. In 2005, she donated money to the Metroplex Animal Coalition on behalf of KittiCo for animal victims of Katrina (donation list here ). Her Facebook page lists many friends from rescue groups, many using their pets as their avatar (requires registration to see whole list).   While I commend her rescue efforts (we have two cats rescued from a feral litter), it is a conflict of interest for Ms Fairbank to pretend to be reporting on our animal shelter when in fact she is furthering her personal agenda of rescuing animals, hiding behind the Dallas Morning News and using it as her tool to accomplish the same goal she has been working toward for 15 years.   Barely two years ago, American Airlines had a pay dispute with its pilots union. Katie Fairbank was the reporter that filed the first story on the dispute with the Dallas Morning News. It took someone at D Magazine to disclose that Ms Fairbank's husband is a pilot and union member at American Airlines and that she had failed to disclose her conflict of interest. That conflict was noticed as far away as the Washington Post (under Media Morsels).   On that occasion Managing Editor George Rodrique said, "One of the canons of our ethical code is avoiding even the appearance of a conflict of interest. This week, we blew it." He goes on to say that it was the paper's fault for assigning her the story but he doesn't explain why she didn't say that she couldn't cover it because she had a conflict of interest.   Many professionals have potential conflicts of interest. As a Council member, I have had to recuse myself several times to avoid a conflict of interest or the appearance of a conflict. It is fairly common in any city. If we ignore our professional duty, we tarnish our names and our city's name. It is the same probably for all professions. It is certainly true for journalists!   What will the Dallas Morning News do to correct the record and explain away the incident this time?

 
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City of Garland Press Release:

Garland’s City Secretary Named TMCA President Elect Garland City Secretary Mary Kayser was elected president elect of the Texas Municipal Clerks Association, Inc. (TMCA), at the organization’s annual meeting on October 8.   TMCA, Inc. is a statewide association with more than 925 members. The Association operates the Texas Municipal Clerks Certification Program located at the University of North Texas, Denton. The Certification Program is recognized and endorsed by Section 22.074 of the Local Government Code, Vernon’s Annotated Civil Statutes. TMCA, Inc. publishes the Texas Municipal Election Law Manual, the Texas Municipal Law and Procedure Manual and the Texas Municipal Clerks Handbook.   Kayser has served Garland as City Secretary since 2006. She has received her Master Municipal Clerk designation from the International Institute of Municipal Clerks and is a Texas Registered Municipal Clerk.   Kayser will be charged with the responsibility of accomplishing the goals and objectives of TMCA, Inc. The Association is dedicated to serving the demands of excellence in local government and public problem solving. Its principal missions are to motivate Texas city clerks and city secretaries to become leaders in their fields of governance and to provide an educational program for the beginning and career city clerk and city secretary.

City Secretary Mary Kayser

Being a Council member during an economic downturn when city revenues are dropping or during a period when the growth has been minimal is a difficult time to serve. We're in both situations right now. We have had to close a library branch, remove two fire engines, and, more recently, cut city employee salaries. None of those were easy votes but we're elected to do the job, not put it off hoping some future council will solve it.   The hardest vote for me personally, the one I wanted to take back first opportunity, was eliminating the employee cost of living increase for retirees. I have followed the city's efforts since to somehow restore the COLA. We've had numerous initiatives only to see them fail because of some state or federal regulation.   During this year's budget discussions, a suggestion was made by a speaker to have a committee look at the challenge. I thought it was a great idea. So did City Manager Bill Dollar. He has formed such a committee and the announcement below shows that representatives from departments across the city will address the problem. I don't know that they will have any more success that we've had to date but more minds working on the problem can't hurt. For any shortcomings they uncover, employees and the Council will have a clearer understanding of the challenges and why.   I'm very encouraged by the aggressive schedule the committee will follow and especially encouraged that the meetings will be televised and accessible on the city's website. Anyone interested in following the deliberations will be able to do so, even if they've moved to England or Timbuktu.

COLA committee meetings will be broadcast on CGTV. Current and past meetings will be available online.

City of Garland Press Release:

Garland Studies Employee Retirement Benefits Options

The City of Garland has created a special committee to examine options for providing a benefit to Garland retirees that is similar to the Texas Municipal Retirement System’s Cost of Living Adjustment benefit with minimal financial impact to the City.
 
The TMRS Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) was eliminated in the 2008-09 Budget. In an effort to continue the evaluation of other options, City Manager Bill Dollar is establishing a City Employee TMRS COLA Study Committee to accomplish the following objectives:

• Review previous TMRS, Finance, and actuarial consultant studies
• Briefings by Finance/Budget staff on financial impacts of TMRS and proposed TMRS increases
• Briefings on legal issues relating to state regulated retirement plan
• Discussion on all questions/ideas/issues from Study Committee and other interested City employees

"We value our employees and want to take whatever steps we can to offer attractive retirement benefits," says Mr. Dollar. "It’s important for us to explore every available option on behalf of current and future retirees."
 
The Committee will meet for the first time on Wednesday, October 14 from 2-4 p.m. at Garland City Hall, 200 N. Fifth Street in the Council Work Session Room. The Committee will continue to meet every other Wednesday until all related issues are studied and resolved. The committee consists of 11 people including, Robby Neill (Human Resources), Sharon Rinewalt (Water & Sewer), Lt. Jeffrey Bryan (Police), Brad Neighbor (City Attorney), Thom Guillory (Engineering), Susan Webb (Environmental Waste), Jonas Whitehead (GP&L), Barry Swisher (Parks), Capt. Robert Smith (Fire), Ed Wilson (Retiree), and George Kaufmann (Financial Services).
 
Committee meetings will be televised on CGTV, the City's government access channel, at 6 a.m., Thursday through Sunday of meeting weeks. CGTV is available on Time Warner Cable channel 16 and on Verizon FIOS TV channel 44, or by video streaming from the City website at www.ci.garland.tx.us.
 
COLA Study Committee meetings will also be available via videostreaming video on demand under "Specialty Videos" approximately 48 hours after the meeting.
 

From Dallas Morning News Crime Blog:

Woman pleads guilty in middle of murder trial, gets 50 years

11:26 AM Mon, Oct 12, 2009
Jennifer Emily/Reporter
 
A Detroit woman has pleaded guilty in the middle of her murder trial to shooting her on again, off again lover in the head, burying him in his backyard and emptying his bank accounts.
 
In exchange for her plea, Kwaneta Harris accepted a 50-year-sentence. A jury could have sentenced her from 5 years to life in prison.
 
Harris killed 46-year-old Michael Giles, an U.S. Air Force retiree, in the summer of 2006 but his body was not discovered until October 2007. She hired people to dig a hole for his body and then paid someone to pour concrete over his grave.
 
Harris has previously pled guilty to theft for stealing more than $200,000 from Giles. She was sentenced to 30 years in prison for that crime.
 
The sentences will run concurrently.
 
Last week, Dallas County prosecutors Josh Healy and Kevin Brooks portrayed Harris and manipulative and deceitful, creating a web of lies to cover up Giles' murder.
 
Defense attorneys Richard Franklin and Robbie McClung have said that Harris was in an abusive relationship with her boyfriend, who is the one actually responsible for Giles' death.
 
The boyfriend, Deandre Knight, has been charged with theft in the case. He did not testify during the trial.
 
The court will soon hear victim impact statements from Giles' family.
 

 
People from across the country that knew the Michael Giles and Kwaneta Harris were following this trial. No one did a better job following it and keeping others informed than John Bayless. His blog (link below) had much more information than could be found anywhere else. Even though the trial ran only a week, John has been getting a lot of hits, as evidenced by the comments that readers have left. Amazingly, jurors and witnesses have even found his blog and left comments.
 
While I expect this to be my final post on the case, I'm guessing that there is plenty of information that John will continue to write. I suggest that readers keep checking his blog for updates.
 

The Harbor Point development that contains Bass Pro and other businesses has been for sale for several weeks. Today Ray Leszcynski writes a comprehensive article in the Dallas Morning News that covers the sale, the city's participation in the development, and the details of that involvement.
 
Also timely is a recent story in USA Today about Bass Pro CEO Johnny Morris: "Morris' retailing has come a long way: People drive for hours and will even stay overnight to visit one of the chain's 56 huge stores, which in addition to outdoors merchandise are filled with typically free activities ranging from archery to rock climbing. Several movies and TV shows have been filmed at its stores and, in the past nine months alone, nine couples have gotten married at a Bass Pro Shop. Even so, the firm is feeling the recession's pain." Follow the link to read the entire story.
 

From the Dallas Morning News, Metro section:

Harbor Point retail development in Garland listed at sale price of $29.2 million

12:00 AM CDT on Monday, October 12, 2009
By RAY LESZCYNSKI / The Dallas Morning News
rleszcynski@dallasnews.com
 
Harbor Point, the retail development on the shores of Lake Ray Hubbard featuring restaurants and star tenant Bass Pro Shops, appears to be for sale.
 
Harvest/Harbor Point Ltd. developed the property in Garland after reaching an incentive agreement with the city in 2005. Now it's seeking to sell the property for $29.175 million, according to a local Web site for real estate investment firm Marcus & Millichap.
 
Representatives of Marcus & Millichap weren't immediately available for comment regarding the sale or list price. But the development is listed as a featured property on the Web site of two local agents, Philip Levy and Jason Vitorino. The site's home page features a large photo of Bass Pro, information about the property and a link to a 46-page marketing package for potential buyers.
 
City officials said last week that a sale isn't unexpected and is, perhaps, overdue.
 
"It was always intended that they would be selling the property at some point to an investment group," said Assistant City Manager Martin Glenn. "That's normally what you see happen. We thought the marketing of the property would have taken place before now."
 
Glenn and others agreed that a sale doesn't mean the development, or the $23.7 million approved by voters in 2004 to fuel Harbor Point, is in any trouble. But the development has not lived up to its potential.
 
A hotel and a lakefront restaurant site have never been developed. One shoreline restaurant failed.
 
Signage restrictions along Interstate 30 and the exit from the freeway are troublesome, at best. And growth in the I-30 corridor isn't generating enough new tax revenue to cover the city's $1.26 million yearly debt payment – and it won't for years.
 
As part of the 2005 agreement, Garland agreed to rebate to Harvest/Harbor Point all sales taxes until either the total reaches $14.9 million or 20 years passes.
 
In 2007, the developer exercised its option to sell the nearly five acres that house the store to the city for $100 and lease it back for $100 a year, in effect taking it off the property tax rolls.
 
The incentives transfer to the new ownership once the property sells, Glenn said. But Bass Pro Shops, he insisted, isn't going anywhere.
 
"Everyone seems to be doing well," Glenn said. "I stay in close contact. Bass Pro is getting ready for holiday sales."
 
The most recent happenings at Harbor Point, though, have nothing to do with the Harvest partnership or Bass Pro Shops. Atlantic Hotel Group bought the hotel site about a year ago, and there has been talk of building a Holiday Inn Express.
 
Atlantic Hotel Group is connected to hotel projects in Frisco, Allen and Grapevine, Glenn said, but not to the Holiday Inn being built on the Bush Turnpike in North Garland.
 
Glenn said that progress on the Harbor Point hotel and other parts of the development have slowed because of the economic downturn. The city is prohibited from disclosing sales tax numbers for Harbor Point, but officials said it probably fits the city's overall portfolio in that it is tracking slightly behind 2008.
 
That translates into a buyer's market in at least one instance.
 
Dallas restaurateur Shannon Wynne said he was interested in Harbor Point from the start but didn't move in until July 2009, when he took over the site of the former County Line Barbecue.
 
"It's a very rare and lucrative time for healthy concepts to be looking at real estate," Wynne said recently, adding that his deal to establish a Flying Saucer Draught Emporium was nearly twice as good as when the property was first developed. "The property back then was very, very expensive."
 

One less chair and it would have felt like a child's game: last Monday the Council met first in executive session, then in work session, postponed the work session for the regular meeting that had been moved to Monday, and then resumed the work session.   The agenda items for the regular meeting went quickly. That's not to say that the meeting was over quickly. Numerous citizens spoke on euthanasia methods at the city's animal shelter, most for lethal injection of sodium pentobarbital and against carbon monoxide gas. The Council can only listen during the comment period. Open Meetings law prohibits the Council from discussing items that are not on the agenda.   Council member Rick Williams explains his research on carbon monoxide euthanasia of animals When the work session resumed, one of the later items was the memo from Richard Briley, managing director of the health and code departments, that he recently sent to the Council explaining his department's future plans toward euthanasia. When the item was called to the floor, Mayor Ron Jones read a prepared statement that he and the city manager would continue to review the euthanasia process, that that advisory board to the shelter is being expanded, and that the city is transitioning away from carbon monoxide euthanasia. It was obvious that the Mayor intended to read the statement and move on.   However, several Council members indicated they too wanted to make statements. Council member Rick Williams spoke extensively of his research into the issue and his concern that the Council not react politically to what is a medical question [my words, not his]. He asked that the Council rescind the memo because he felt with certainty that it was issued for purely political reasons. The Council was polled: two voted to rescind and six voted to leave it to the city manager's discretion.   A subsequent article in the Dallas Morning News reported the events were conclusive and drew lines as to those in favor of eliminating carbon monoxide euthanasia and those that sought to keep it. The headline read: Garland council votes to restrict carbon monoxide gassing at animal shelter. To an observer, that would not be an unreasonable inference but it is not what was being decided. The question was much, much further reaching than that. That portion of the meeting is available here (Item 2e); watch so you can draw your own conclusions.   Quick background: this Council, more than any in my memory, has worked hard to not be guilty of micro-managing the staff. There are plenty of horror stories from the past and the ill consequences that we've chosen to avoid. Council member Laura Cox in her remarks even made reference to the charter and its provision of not interfering with the management of the city. Our role is to set policy, not manage. (Art IV, Section 3: Council and its members shall deal solely through the City Manager and neither the Council nor any member thereof shall give orders to any subordinates of the City Manager, either publicly or privately.)   Council member Williams explained that the city's animal shelter is not violating the law and is using methods well recognized as humane by the American Veterinary Medical Association. Under those parameters, it is not an area that calls for involvement by the Council.   Council members Williams and Barbara Chick felt there was sufficient political pressure and interference that initiated the memo that the Council should rescind it. Their action would have reset the process and given a clear indication from the Council that internal processes in the city are not to be arbitrarily decided by whatever way the political winds are blowing. I don't believe anyone on the Council disagreed with that view; I'm certain a majority supported it. However, I chose to leave operations to the city manager: if there had been interference, we didn't need to interfere again as long as the city manager understood he had the latitude handle the issue.   The end result is that the city is moving on the same path that it was anyway, although probably (definitely?) quicker than it would have otherwise. The result is the same even if the timing is not. The city manager and his staff now have a clear indication from the Council that the decisions are within their duties, not ours, and that we will back them in spite of the political winds. The result also has the effect of moving away from carbon monoxide euthanasia but that was not the subject of the vote. The vote did not indicate any Council member's preference and it would be wrong to infer individual positions on one subject when the vote was on another.

 
UPDATE: Comments closed to block spam hits.
 

City of Garland Press Release:

Garland Environmental Waste Services Wins Green Award

The City of Garland Environmental Waste Services Department is the First Place Award Winner of the Green3 Whole Circle Award, sponsored by the North Texas Corporate Recycling Association.
 
The Green3 Awards recognize efforts of North Texas businesses, governments, colleges and individuals for outstanding contributions to the recycling industry that result in meaningful waste reduction. “The Green3 Award winners are reinventing the way we do business in America, and are proving that there is a better way—businesses can be MORE efficient, save money and still conserve natural resources,” announced Shirlene Sitton, President of the NTRCA.
 
Environmental Waste Services’ award is based on implementation of an Environmental Management System that is helping all departmental employees examine internal processes and areas that merit improvement, as well as implement strategies to reduce, reuse and recycle. Environmental Waste is the first department in the City of Garland to adopt an EMS program.
 
The department has achieved significant milestones following EMS implementation, including fuel reduction of 35,000 gallons this fiscal year and a 12% increase in residential recycling, representing more than 1,150 cubic yards of landfill space saved. The brush diversion initiative has resulted in 44% of all brush being sent to the City’s Wood Recycling Facility, representing more than 11,500 tons of brush recycled and more than 46,000 cubic yards of landfill space saved.
 
EWS also implemented an office recycling program at its administrative offices, diverting more than one ton of material from the landfill in six months. Electricity usage has been reduced by an average of 20% at all facilities, representing a savings of 26,328 kilowatt hours.
 
“Our EMS journey is not complete,” explained Lonnie Banks, EWS Managing Director. “ We will build on these successes and stay committed to our EMS policy, which is to provide service on unbelievable levels for the community, strive for organizational improvement and employee development, understand our environmental impact and reduce waste and pollution and meet and exceed all legal requirements.”
 

Overall, reported crimes dropped more than 20% in September when compared to August and was lower than any period since last November, when we had 78 incidents.
 
Building burglaries were up over previous months, mainly because of a number of break-ins at the Town Center on the same night. Police are working with the business owners and the Town Center security to address the burglaries. The investigation is still ongoing.
 
Thefts dropped for the month but are still high. Most are still occurring in the retail areas of N Garland Ave and near the Town Center.
 
If you want to review the areas that have reported incidents over the last month, download the complete report here for address-by-address information that includes your neighborhood.
 

It was a shock to all of us when a District 1 resident was discovered murdered and buried in his back yard under a concrete slab. Subsequent news articles offered little new information, including a false confession. It didn't make sense at the time and much of it doesn't make sense yet. Perhaps we will learn more and there will soon be justice for Michael Giles.   The murder trial opened today of Kwaneta Harris, who is charged in the killing and subsequent theft of over $200,000.

From UPI.com:
 
Testimony began Tuesday in the trial of a woman accused of killing a man buried beneath a concrete slab in the yard of his Garland, Texas, home.
 
Charged with capital murder is Kwaneta Harris, who police said also paid another woman to falsely confess to killing Michael Giles, 46, a military retiree, The Dallas Morning News reported. Giles's body was found a year after he was reported missing in October 2007.
 
In an opening statement, Prosecutor Josh Healy said Harris and Giles had an on-and-off relationship for 10 years that ended when she shot him in the back of the head, the Morning News reported. He said she then buried him in his backyard, where the body lay undiscovered for more than a year.
 
Healy said Harris stole $200,000 from Giles, a 46-year-old Air Force retiree, after he died.
 
Defense attorneys Richard Franklin and Robbie McClung conceded Harris stole the money but said Harris did not kill Giles, the Morning News reported.
 
After Giles vanished, his house was foreclosed on and leased to someone else, police said. One day, the new residents came home and found the concrete slab behind their house.
 
"We just couldn't figure out why it was poured," the newspaper reported Garland police spokesman Joe Harn as saying when the body was found. "It wasn't an extension of a patio. It wasn't big enough for someone to sit out on."
 
Police said "financial dealings" led them to Harris.
 

 
Some of the opening presentations were difficult to view and the judge gave a recess early to allow more time to adjust to what was being seen. Additional information on the trial was posted at the DMN Crime Blog:
 

 
Prosecutors Healy and Kevin Brooks also introduced gruesome photos of Giles' body as it was found under a cement slab at Giles' Garland home. The body was wrapped in a comforter and a brown robe was wrapped around his head. Also inside the comforter was a pillow with a hole in it.
 
Read more.
 

 
John Bayless discovered himself close to the case and has been following it. He was the first to alert me the trial would soon be starting. John has decided to track the case on a new blog dedicated to the case. John expects to attend some of the trial and to post what he is learning.
 
Also, Giles' Air Force buddies have honored their friend by adding a memorial page to the Pave Cave website, derived from the name of an Air Force project to modify Sikorsky MH-53 helicopters.
 

Update Oct 6: Murder trial begins (DMN Crime Blog)

Update Oct 6: Trial begins (DMN)

Update Oct 7: Evidence mounting against Harris (DMN Crime Blog)

Update Oct 10: Prosecution rests (DMN)

Update Oct 12: Harris pleads guilty (DMN Crimeblog)

Update Oct 13: Harris pleads guilty in middle of trial (DMN)

If you are a neighborhood leader, you need to be at the Summit. If you live in a neighborhood and want to be involved, you need to be at the Summit. If you think you might want to be involved, you need to be at the Summit.
 

City of Garland Press Release:

Great Neighborhoods: 2009 Summit Goal

Great neighborhoods are no accident. When communities recognize the power of engagement fueled by capacity building and committed leadership, something wonderful happens on the block, in the neighborhood and across the city. We invite you to be an active participant in the continued growth and vitality of Garland by attending the annual Neighborhood Summit. This year’s theme is “Great Neighborhoods: From Concept to Reality”.
 
The 2009 Summit is set for Saturday, October 24 from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Atrium at the Granville Arts Center in Downtown Garland, 300 N. Fifth Street. Registration for Garland residents and stakeholders is $15. For those not related to Garland, the cost is $25.
 
The keynote speaker is Robert Miller, Director of the Minneapolis Neighborhood Revitalization Program. He will discuss the keys to creating great neighborhoods. The scheduled workshops Building a Sustainable Organization, Developing Effective Partnerships, Developing a Resident Driven Neighborhood Action Plan, and Understanding the Concept of Community Leadership will provide important tools, information, and models to lead participants down a path of building and sustaining a great neighborhood.
 
The event will also feature information about the Envision Garland comprehensive plan project and the opportunity to explore the Office of Neighborhood Vitality’s Social Capital Library.
 
The 2009 Neighborhood Summit is sponsored by the City of Garland, the Garland Chamber of Commerce, Garland Housing Finance Corporation and Garland Power & Light.
 
For more information or to register, call 972-205-3864 or e-mail fconner@ci.garland.tx.us.
 

 
Basically, you can trust a bunch of politicians, professional staffers, and those already involved in their neighborhoods and the city to make all the decisions on the future of the city and what is best for your neighborhood, or you can get involved and have a voice.
 
Maybe it's time to get in the game. I hope to see you at the Summit!
 

In 2004, then-Mayor Bob Day and I attended the first Greater Dallas Planning Council Metromorphosis event. Numerous staff members were there too. It focused exclusively on the so-called First Ring Suburbs. Mayor Day was also on the national First Tier Suburbs Council. Much of my attention to first-tier suburbs started at that symposium.
 
The next Metromorphosis symposium in 2007 focused significantly on the future of the Metroplex as we grow. It was one of the earliest comprehensive sources that I saw that looked at our expansion and as it related to other areas of the country. Mayor Ron Jones, several council members, and staff members were at that symposium.
 
The next Metromorphosis symposium is Friday. This time the theme is Urban Placemaking. The long-range effects emanating from this symposium will be as great as those that came before. Of particular interest to me and anyone living in suburbia will the the keynote presentation by June Williamson, co-author of Retrofitting Suburbia. There are plenty of success stories of changing suburbia. The authors, both architects, have documented many of those changes and measured the effects. We know we have to change; we know it will be incremental. We don't know what works and what doesn't. Now we don't have to feel we are re-inventing the wheel!
 
Look over the program and then register online. If the program and reception at the House of Blues aren't enough to entice you, lunch will be catered by Wolfgang Puck!
 

METROMORPHOSIS 2009: URBAN PLACEMAKING RECEPTION: Thursday, October 8, 6 - 8 p.m. Foundation Room at The House of Blues   SYMPOSIUM: Friday, October 9 Union Station   Programs:   9 - 10:15 a.m. A Focus on Southern Dallas   Moderator: Linda S. Brown - Principal, Brown & Company   Panelists Bob Stimson, President - Oak Cliff Chamber of Commerce Lee McKinney, Assistant Director, City of Dallas Office Economic Development - Southern Dallas Initiatives Larry "Butch" McGreggor, West Dallas Investments L.P. Brent Brown AIA, Director - Building Community Workshop   10:25 - 11:40 a.m. A Regional Transportation Focus   Michael Morris, Director of Transportation, NCTCOG and Texas State Senator John Carona (invited)   Luncheon: Noon - 1:20 p.m.   Keynote Speaker: Bill Lively, President & CEO, North Texas Super Bowl XLV Host Committee   Programs:   1:35 - 2:50 p.m. Retrofitting Suburbia   Symposium Keynote Speaker: June Williamson, Co-Author, Retrofitting Suburbia – While there has been considerable attention by practitioners and academics to development in urban cores and new neighborhoods on the periphery of cities, there has been little attention to the redesign and redevelopment of existing suburbs. Ms. Williamson will illustrates how existing suburbs can be redesigned and redeveloped, showing how development in existing suburbs can absorb new growth and evolve in relation to changed demographic, technological, and economic conditions.   3:00 - 4:15 p.m. Vision North Texas   Moderator – Karen Walz - Vision North Texas is completing work on a 'regional gamebook' for the region's growth through 2050. The character of the places within the region plays a major role in North Texas' ability to attract and keep jobs and residents who can choose to locate anywhere in the world. At this session, you will learn how 'North Texas 2050' is shaping up, and you will be able to contribute to its work in creating distinctive, successful and sustainable places throughout the entire North Texas region.   Reception, Luncheon & Symposium Programming: $100 Reception Only: $25 Luncheon Only: $40   Register Online

The Council will receive a verbal briefing during its Monday work session on euthanasia methods that are used at the animal shelter. Since it is a work session, not a regular meeting, any actions taken will be limited.
 
The work session will be squeezed between an executive session to discuss litigation involving our investment in the Texas Municipal Power Agency and our regular meeting that will start at 7.
 
I presume Richard Briley, Managing Director of Health and Code, who also oversees Animal Services and the animal shelter, will give a verbal account of the memo that he sent to Council and the city manager earlier in the week.
 
There are those that contend the only humane method of euthanasia is lethal injection. Yet the law and veterinary professionals do not agree. In the memo, Mr Briley states, referring to the practices at the city animal shelter, "Euthanasia is performed either through injection of sodium pentobarbital or respiration of carbon monoxide. Both methods are administered in accordance with all applicable state laws and veterinary practice, and both methods are considered by the State of Texas and the AVMA to be equally humane."
 
While Garland residents have voiced concerns and support, many of the loudest are not Garland residents. And there are defenders of the animal shelter that are not Garland residents, such as this man in Richardson:
 

From the Dallas Morning News, Letters to the Editor, Sept 28:
 
The Dallas Morning News speaks of the cruel and unusual operation of Garland's animal shelter.
 
For many years, I was familiar with the operation. To my knowledge, nothing has changed. When the time came for me to have a 15-year-old pet put down because of pain and suffering from cancer. I took her to the people I knew would show her the loving end she deserved.
 
I watched as they placed her in the chamber. I saw through the window as she first looked around, then laid down as if to nap. It was over in seconds. She did not panic. She was not in pain. My friends led me back up front and sat with me as I wept. Finally, I was composed enough to leave.
 
Does this sound like the work of unusually cruel people?
 

 
Links to various stories on this issue, including one in Saturday's DMN, are posted here.
 

We think about keeping burglaries out of our homes and that is a successful strategy. With fire, the threat may already be in the home. Of course, having and regularly maintaining smoke detectors can help save us in the event of a fire but wouldn't it make more sense to consciously take steps to avoid a fire in the first place?
 

 
Fire Safety Week is all week, Oct 4-10. Below are numerous resources to check to make your home safer for you and your family. A good starting point is the Home Fire Safety Checklist (link below). To prepare children, the USFA website for kids makes learning about fire safety fun, plus it is a good resource for teachers.
 
Winter is fast approaching. Forecasters are indicating this will be coldest winter of the past decade. We will be more likely to use our fireplaces and other types of heaters. A little precaution now can be much appreciated later. Besides just fire, being conscious of carbon monoxide threats can save lives too. (See Winter Fire Safety Tips below.)
 
Even if your precautions do not prove to be enough and you are awaken by your smoke detectors, what do you do? Do you know to test a door before opening it? Why do you not use your palm to test? Once advancing, do you leave the door open or closed? (See the "during a fire" link below.)
 
Many Garland neighborhoods will be celebrating National Night Out on Tuesday. These tips would be good to announce or to put in a future newsletter. Garland fire fighters will be at many of those neighborhood gatherings. After looking through the sources below, the fire fighters will be a great source to answer any questions you might have. Wouldn't it feel great to have some good questions instead of, "Will you blow the horn?" Okay, don't worry, they still might blow the horn for you.
 

From USA.gov

 
According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), each year more than 4,000 Americans die and more than 25,000 are injured in fires, many of which could be prevented. Direct property loss due to fires is estimated at $8.6 billion annually.
 
Fire spreads quickly; there is no time to gather valuables or make a phone call. In just two minutes, a fire can become life-threatening. In five minutes, a residence can be engulfed in flames. To ensure the safety of yourself and your family in the event of an emergency, you should learn what to do before a fire, during a fire, and after a fire.
 
There is a wealth of information regarding fire safety available from the federal government. Please visit the following online resources:

• Firesafety.gov - Resources and information geared toward eliminating residential fire deaths. This website includes fire safety information for citizens, kids, the fire service and the media.
• Smoking and Home Fires - A web page from the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) that provides information about preventing home fires caused by smoking.
• USFA Kids - This web page provides information especially for children. Kids can learn about home fire safety, smoke alarms and escaping from fire, as well as play a variety of online fire safety games.
• Fire Safety Publications - Online publications about fire safety from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), including a Home Fire Safety Checklist.
• Fire Safety Advisor - Information from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regarding fire safety in the workplace.
• Fire Safety Education - Recommendations from the California Division of Forestry and Fire Protection.
• Agricultural Fire Safety - This web page from the National Ag Safety Database (NASD) offers a large variety of topics about farm-related fire prevention and safety.
• Campfire Safety - Tips from the U.S. Forest Service about how to safely enjoy a campfire.

Additional Resources:

• Winter Fire Safety Tips
• Barbecue Safety Tips
• Fireworks Safety Tips
• Wildfires

Fire Prevention Week 2009 will be celebrated on October 4 through 10. The 2009 theme focuses on burn awareness and prevention, as well as keeping homes safe from the leading causes of home fires.
 

First, just to be absolutely clear, it's not Garland. It's Saratoga Springs, New York. Officials, for safety concerns, have banned riding bicycles to school.
 
I've posted often about making neighborhoods more walkable and have posted on having bike routes. The modern suburb with its cul-de-sacs and arterial streets have divided cities so that the only way to access one area from another is by car. A number of studies have shown that obesity is greater in suburbs, especially those that are not walkable.
 
Tons of material exists about the need to return the human to the streets, either by walking or biking. In many cases with the way suburbs are designed, you just can't safely walk or bike. Now, if you even try to, a least one city has made the attempt illegal.
 
The Times Union reports that a 12-year-old and his mother are regularly breaking the law riding bikes four miles to middle school. Fortunately, it seems what is written isn't necessarily in stone and the policy is to be reconsidered.
 

From timesunion.com: School district could backpedal on policy By DENNIS YUSKO, Staff writer First published in print: Tuesday, September 29, 2009   SARATOGA SPRINGS -- Seventh-grader Adam Marino is getting a firsthand lesson in civil disobedience.   The 12-year-old and his mother, Janette Kaddo Marino, are defying Saratoga Springs school policy by biking to Maple Avenue Middle School on Route 9. The Jackson Street residents pedal more than four miles together each way to the middle school on nice days despite being told not to by school officials and police.   "I guess you can say that we continue to do what we feel is our right," Kaddo Marino said recently. "We feel strongly we have a right to get to school by a mode of transportation we deem appropriate."   Their methods may be unconventional, but the Marinos are part of a growing number of Americans challenging the sedentary habits of today's youths and what they view as overanxious "helicopter" parenting. As fewer children walk and bike to school nationwide, parents have started groups like the "Walking School Bus," which promotes physical activity and fitness in youth by having them walk to school with adults.   Read more: www.timesunion.com

Student Adam Marino, left, 12, rides his bike home from school Thursday afternoon Sept. 24, 2009, accompanied by his mother, Janette Kaddo Marino. (John Carl D'Annibale / Times Union)

 
A good friend talks about "free range" kids, like he was as a child, and like I was as a matter of fact. He in the high desert of California and I in semi-arid West Texas; we had free reign to wander far and wide. I know for my friends and me, the mom's used a zone defense: if you were in their zone, they had full power to enforce mom law, even if it meant paddling half a dozen kids for some infraction. When the other mom's eventually heard about it, they'd say, "Thank you!" Then you had to hope your dad didn't find out or you'd get another "dose."
 
It was a much healthier life style (even the corporal punishment contributed to a healthier lifestyle and a stronger community, I hate to admit, still remembering).
 
Jane Jacobs, in The Death and Life of Great American Cities (© 1961), discussed the uses of sidewalks in the first three chapters: safety, contact, and assimilating children. "When people say that a city, or part of it, is dangerous or is a jungle what they mean primarily is that they do not feel safe on the sidewalks.... The first thing to understand is that the public peace — the sidewalk and street peace — of cities is not kept primarily by the police, necessary as police are. It is kept primarily by an intricate, almost unconscious, network of voluntary controls and standards among the people themselves, and enforced by the people themselves."
 
"Whenever and wherever societies have flourished and prospered rather than stagnated and decayed, creative and workable cities have been at the core of the phenomenon.... Decaying cities, declining economies, and mounting social troubles travel together. The combination is not coincidental."
 
We have to do a lot to reverse some of the declines that have come from the way we (as a city and as a country) have developed our suburbs. If we make it illegal to ride a bike to school, it may be too late.
 

This years-old detour will yield to the new Eastern Extension of SH-190 in the coming months, finally assuming the route that has been long anticipated. The Crist Rd bridge in the background was constructed years ago at ground level and the new tollway will be built at a lower grade by excavating below the bridge.

From NTTA President George Bush Turnpike Eastern Extension Update:
 

President George Bush Turnpike Eastern Extension Click graphic for large version

The Eastern Extension is a portion of the outer loop around Dallas and its suburbs that connects Interstate Highway (IH) 30 to the existing President George Bush Turnpike (PGBT). It is part of the Loop 9/State Highway 190 corridor first envisioned in the 1960s. Construction on the approximately 9.9-mile corridor began in October 2008. The project is expected to open to traffic in fourth quarter 2011.
 
Milestones

• A $160 million toll equity grant from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to the NTTA was approved for right of way (ROW) and other costs on August 23, 2007.
• A three-party agreement among the NTTA, TxDOT and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) was executed in November 2007. In addition, a TxDOT/NTTA two-party agreement was executed, allowing eminent domain proceedings for critical ROW acquisition to begin; property acquisitions are ongoing.
• TxDOT approved a revised schematic on March 7, 2008.
• The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Section 404 permit was approved April 25, 2008.
• The City of Dallas (Dallas Water Utilities, or DWU) agreement for the Lake Ray Hubbard bridge was approved by the Dallas City Council and NTTA Board of Directors in May 2008.
• A rail-crossing agreement with Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) was approved by the DART Board and NTTA Board, also in May 2008.
• FHWA approved the Final Environmental Impact Statement Reevaluation on July 1, 2008.
• A groundbreaking for the first construction contract, Section 30, from north of the future Merritt Road to south of Main Street in Rowlett, took place August 21, 2008. Construction began on October 13, 2008.
• All five sections of the extension were officially under construction by mid-March 2009.

Corridor Updates

• The Texas Historical Commission has given the go-ahead for construction to begin in the Rowlett Creek area of Section 28, where an archeological dig was completed last spring. The Section 28 contractor continued excavating, hauling material off site, installing the storm drain system, and drilling shafts for the retaining walls and the Rowlett Creek bridges. The contractor also installed the storm drain across Old Miles Road.
• NTTA received approval of the USACE Section 404 Individual Permit Amendment that was required because of design improvements. This approval will allow work to proceed in Section 28 on the maintenance access road within the Rowlett Creek floodplain as well as construction of a new channel for a portion of Rowlett Creek.
• In Section 29, crews began drilling shafts for columns to support the Miles Road bridge and retaining walls. Crews completed restoration of the mass grading area east of Merritt Road with topsoil and temporary seeding. Earthwork continued southeast of Merritt Road. In addition, workers began installing moisture-treated subgrade on the service road between Miles and Merritt roads.
• In Section 30, the contractor continued work on the future Merritt/Liberty Grove connector, a new culvert and the placement of various retaining walls and water lines throughout the job.
• The Section 31 contractor worked to install underground utilities and began earthwork from the southern project limit proceeding north. Crews also began the moisture-treated subgrade work near the southern project limit and installation of the retaining walls at the south end of the project near Miller Road to Lake Ray Hubbard.
• Section 32 is being constructed by TxDOT.

Next Steps

• Continue construction on all sections

Corridor Details

• Project limits: Extends the PGBT from SH 78 to IH 30
• Project length: Approximately 9.9 miles
• Anticipated project cost: Approximately $1 billion
• Anticipated NTTA cost: Approximately $623 million
• Anticipated opening date (all sections): Fourth quarter 2011

 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
 
Today the DMN says "Cities tackle requests from residents for wind, solar options." Anyone reading the story would think it's a bureaucratic nightmare to put up solar panels or a wind turbine (and in most parts of the Metroplex, it is). Even though Flower Mound, Southlake, Allen, and even our close neighbor Sachse are mentioned, there is no cite of Garland where we spent two years writing and approving a wind turbine ordinance — that received special recognition from the Environmental Protection Agency! Waxahachie, which does approve them with a special use permit, much like Garland, gets a mention but their ordinance seems more restrictive than does ours.
 
Below I mention that we often don't receive very much news coverage. The hard part of that is to watch some innovative program started in Garland by our hard working city employees that goes unmentioned while other cities get big write-ups for imitating us.
 
The most recent was blinking yellow left-turn signals. We've had them in Garland for over a year but our sister city to the west installs a couple and it's big news. No one calls to ask, "What kind of experience can they expect with that program?"
 
Our city clinic for employees saves the taxpayer a lot of money that would otherwise be spent on insurance premiums. It has been copied by Grand Prairie, Dallas, and others. Both of those clinics received mention in the paper and both copied our pioneering efforts. (That link also mentions another program in Garland that preceded Dallas by years but they made the paper.)
 
Our police and fire departments have a long history of specialized teams that lend their expertise and skills to other cities. The recent arrest of the young man trying to explode a car bomb in downtown Dallas was the result a joint task force that featured Garland participation. I've recently mentioned the leading role of Garland's Air Unit. Our swift water rescue team is often requested. It was a Garland robot that helped diffuse a Richardson situation where an armed man was threatening police.
 
Some of that phenomenon is our fault. In the late-60's when we said we didn't want exits of I-635, the world must have thought we wanted to be left alone or something. Also, through periods when there has been minimal local news coverage, the good word just doesn't spread far. More recently, we just haven't done much to let other people know what we are doing.
 
As I've advocated more than once recently, we have to do a better job of marketing our city. We have a lot of good news and there are people wanting to hear it.
 
We're changing that silence, so get ready world! The city is in the process of seeking responses from companies that would assist us in our marketing message and efforts.
 

-30-

 

 
UPDATE: Comments closed to block spam hits.
 

A number of references have been made in the Dallas Morning News recently about our animal shelter. I've captured and preserved the major ones here.
 
It's true that our animal shelter is challenged for a number of reasons. It is smaller than that of several other cities our size. That fact leads to some other less pleasant situations. An animal brought to our shelter does not have an indefinite stay. It is found or adopted … or it is put-down. Everyone would love to see every animal have a home. Everyone would love to see owners be responsible for their pets. We would like to see animals be spayed or neutered so litters of unwanted animals would not be dumped on the streets, running feral, until they are delivered to the shelter. Many are too sick or have behaviors that make them unadoptable.
 
It is also true that our animal shelter employees agonize when an animal has to be euthanized, contrary to the unbelievably insensitive claims some have made. It is also true that the two methods of euthanasia used by the shelter are fully recognized as humane by the American Veterinary Medical Association. It also appears that there have been a few occasions over the years when an animal was euthanized either too soon after arrival or not by the recommended method for their particular condition.
 
At the same time, the Dallas Morning News has progressed from a straight-forward story giving the facts to now offering opinions that have no basis in fact. Hence yesterday's editorial claim that "At Garland shelter, an animal's life is nasty, brutish and short." When I've visited the shelter, it has not been "nasty." Cages are cleaned regularly; they're spacious. (See the DMN's own photo!) All animals are treated well. Citizens roam the facilities looking for adoptees or lost pets, registering animals, getting shots, using other services. The public eye is constantly present.

Graphic credit: Exhibit 5A

 
But not the eyes of the DMN editorial board sitting in their ivory towers. It is unfortunate that any animal must be euthanized but the DMN extrapolates the questionable death of a very few over a number years to the generalization of like conditions for all. They boil the whole process down to cost savings yet for the stories offered, there is no indication that any DMN reporter actually visited the shelter. Their photographer did visit. We have that record. And nothing in those photos show anything to substantiate their accusations.
 
It's funny but I recently received a call from American Express to let me know that someone might be trying to make an inappropriate charge. They wanted to let me know that the Dallas Morning News was attempting to process a charge of over $300, was I being robbed? Yes, that is the cost of an annual subscription so I can do the daily Sudoku and have the editors tell me they won't take time to visit our shelter before spouting conjecture. I'm still debating an answer to Amex as to whether I'm being robbed.
 
Newspapers across the country are suffering declining readership. Americans that read the newspapers still don't have an appreciation for the journalistic integrity that used to be a beacon to the world. Other countries had state-controlled news or blatant tabloid journalism not much different than the Enquirer and others. (The Enquirer is now scooping the standard media that refuses to consider if a presidential and vice presidential candidate might be having an illicit affair.) Residents in those countries knew to take their "news" skeptically. We're just now learning that lesson.
 
The Dallas Morning News, like those other newspapers, keeps shrinking and has seen its circulation drop and drop, which causes advertisers to find better value for their tight marketing budgets. There are some in the organization that I know would like to see the paper return to those days of journalistic integrity. Yet obviously there are those that think being a tabloid, saying whatever it takes to get attention and maybe one more day of sales, is the better business model.
 
There are a lot more factors affecting newspapers today than just journalistic integrity. The internet and the ways people get their news is shifting. If papers would stand on journalistic integrity, I can't guarantee that they won't continue to slide because of those other factors. But I have no doubt that without integrity, they will slide faster. There are too many newspapers proving it.
 
The New York Times, sliding deeper into the red by hundreds of millions, refused to cover the voter fraud, embezzlement, and questionable financing occurring at ACORN. When other news channels were showing visual proof of the corruption in the organization, they were quite. When Congress and governmental agencies were cutting ties to ACORN, they were quite. Finally, yesterday, the paper roughly acknowledged its slackness (even in its shortcomings, still enlightening reading). I say "roughly" because their defense is that they weren't covering the news, that they didn't know anything about ACORN, and that it wasn't due to any bias. (Translate that to plain English and it reads even worse.) Internal emails unquestionably reveal the bias.
 
Newspapers across the country have been closing (Rocky Mountain News, Denver; Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Seattle; and many smaller ones).
 
Even though we are the tenth largest city in the state, we have long had minimal news coverage locally. Our good deeds have gone unreported. We had a respite with the all-too-short revival of the Garland News and I've personally celebrated the return of Ray Leszcynski to local news. With Karel Holloway on school news and their DMN Garland Blog, we're doing better right now. I'm thankful for the news coverage that we do get and I think Ray and Karel are doing an excellent job.
 
Now, I'd like to thank the editorial writers and staff in Dallas to do theirs! I'm not wishing for the DMN to follow the exits of its sister businesses across the country. I'd like to counsel them that journalistic integrity won't guarantee them that the hard financial times will stop but it would keep them in business longer. While I'm focused on one item that resonates locally, the reason for this post actually extends to several recent observations at the news organization that generate concern. If newspapers are to go the way of the dinosaurs, wouldn't you want to exit with integrity?
 
ACORN is now reeling because it did not have internal controls and a corporate atmosphere that disdained corruption and unlawfulness. At the top, the Morning News appears to suffer from the same lack of journalistic standards. I do hope they prove otherwise over time.
 
On behalf of the everyone in the city, I invite the Dallas Morning News to actually visit our animal shelter and to become informed on the issues they claim to be reporting. There is a whole lot more to this story than they've reported, and some that would have a Times-like ombudsman doing some house cleaning. There are some very juicy parts that are not only true but would sell newspapers. If they want the whole story, they'll have to do some work and get out from behind that desk. No need to call ahead; we'll hear the slow footfalls.
 

Hopeful word is being spread that the recession has bottomed. Too often that comes from self-serving politicians, especially those that claim the "stimulus" saved us. Frankly, to the latter, I can't see how anyone with a straight face can make any such claim. Even now, most of the stimulus has not been spent. Most of that spent wasn't toward the creation of jobs, no matter the Keynesian claims. And there's not much to brag about if you spend millions to create a job. It takes many, many, many jobs to pay the taxes for that one job. You take money from thousands to create one job and that will stimulate the economy? Loan sharks are more humane.
 
As unemployment continues to climb, there are those that wish to celebrate that the increase is slowing. Of course, it's slowing! As there is less of a pool to be unemployed, it will slow. There are recession-proof jobs, especially government jobs, that limits how many unemployed we would see in any recession. A slowing to claims can give some optimistic hope but it's not "the recession is over." Contrary to all the claims, we aren't anywhere near as bad off as the Great Depression. This recession is much more akin to the one that followed Jimmy Carter.
 
Jobs will be the true measure of when the recession has turned. As the Chairman of Office Depot, Steve Odland, said last weekend:
 

 
What we've seen is that this sector — the small business customers — have been hurt disproportionately in this downturn, because housing is a traditional source of liquidity for these people. They start their businesses with a second mortgage. They fund them with home equity lines of credit.
 
And as that credit has dried up, these businesses have not been able to recover. So we went off a shelf last year, and I feel like we're rocking around down here at a bottom, but we're not seeing a meaningful recovery at this point, and I'm worried that we're not going to until the liquidity returns to the small businesses. ***
 
Well, you know, the stimulus money has not gone to small businesses. This is an unusual recession in that it's been banking-led and housing-led. And so as these sources of cash have dried up for small businesses, they haven't been replaced by stimulus money or any other money.
 
The issue here is that every modern recession is led out by the small businesses as they create jobs. So all net job creation happens in small business. In this case, we're not going to see a job rebound until we see these small businesses get more access to liquidity. [Emphasis added.]
 

 
All of this has to be of mind when we consider the next few years of our local budgets. The housing and commercial markets have seen strong decline in value, where the city draws much of it operating budget through property taxes. Our Budget and Research Dept has rightly projected the current decline over a five-year (or longer) period, using models of previous recessions. Once values have reached bottom and we start the decline out of the hole, we will have three years or more before we are back to ground level.
 
We cannot be overly optimistic and throw away caution. One Dallas Council member argued the same thing last year when they were adopting their budget. She advised lack of caution would lead to mid-year corrections and a harder budget this year. She was proven correct. They had to to make the mid-year correction, had to cut hundreds of jobs this year, and had a $45-plus million deficit to cover. We did take a hard line last year, made it through the year much as expected, and were prepared for another hard year going into this last budget. We've taken much the same view for next year.
 
We don't yet have those small business-created jobs and word comes that recovery in the commercial sector could still be some ways off:
 

From Shopping Centers Today, a publication of the International Council of Shopping Centers:
 
Property values must trough before recovery can begin, conference told.
 
The commercial real estate markets will not rebound until buyers and sellers agree on prices. In the meantime, vast amounts of debt and equity will continue to sit on the sidelines, executives said Thursday at the ICSC Capital Markets Conference, in New York City. ***
 
Once banks and other lenders have accepted the losses on these mortgages, they can reset rents and other costs associated with the property and force neighboring shopping centers to do the same in order to avoid losing tenants, Walsh said. “This process will eventually make market rents go down,” he said. “It will be the beginning of the process of setting a new clearing level.” Prices will not reach their trough until 2011 or 2012, predicted Timothy Zietara, a senior director and manager at New York City–based ING Clarion Capital.
 

 
It would be great to declare the recession over and to throw caution to the wind. But it's not over and we will have a long climb out of this hole when it is. When someone says it's over, do you want to believe a politician or your own eyes?
 

As posts on this blog will show over and over, I have been concerned with the amount of debt that we are carrying. The tax payment that we send to the city each year is used to pay debt at a higher percentage than any city around us (2008 figures). Even with a high tax rate, we have less left for running the city, for funding the Operations and Maintenance budget. Currently, forty-five percent of your tax payment is set aside for making debt payments.
 

80% of our tax dollars go toward debt service and public safety

 
Balancing the budget is an annual challenge but the last two years have been harder than most. A shortfall in revenues last year resulted in service cuts that were already thin in many respects, taken from that 20% that doesn't go to debt service and public safety. Jobs positions were left open or simply removed from the books. This year was worse, mostly because of property value declines. As the chart above shows, there is not a lot of room to trim the budget and, consequently, a pay reduction for all employees was necessary. As a number of employees mentioned during the budget period this year, they see the amount of debt squeezing their side of the pie.
 

Approximately two-thirds of the tax dollar that goes to the General Fund is used for public safety, 38% for everything else

 
In 2004, citizens approved $200,000,000 projects for:

• Streets (56.7%),
• Drainage/Flooding (14%),
• Parks (10.8%),
• Libraries (4.7%),
• Public Safety (6.5%),
• Municipal Facilities (5.6%), and
• Economic Development (1.7%).

Good or bad, many of those projects have been delayed so the whole amount has not been borrowed and spent. The cost of construction had been rising so delaying the projects meant higher costs later. Now construction costs are down dramatically, generally 20% or so on large projects yet we're not taking advantage of the lower prices. Frankly, we can't afford to without pushing that 45% even higher.
 
As I mentioned earlier: "We also have to change many of the ways we do business. We have to focus on the things that will grow the city. We can't waste resources for non-essential programs or for things that can be postponed. We have to market the city. Employees and Council members must ask ourselves at each decision point: will this grow the city?"

City of Garland Health Department
Public Health Notice

September 24, 2009

 
On September 24, 2009 the Garland Health Department (GHD) received report of a laboratory confirmed human case of West Nile Virus (WNV). The patient resided in the 4000 block of Amherst Drive. This is the first confirmed human case that has been reported in Garland in 2009.
 
The GHD will spray the area surrounding the patient’s address tonight, weather permitting.
 
To protect yourself from exposure to WNV, try to stay indoors during the evening and early morning hours, the times when mosquitoes are most active. While outdoors, wear light-colored, long-sleeve clothing, and use an insect repellent containing DEET, according to its label directions.
 
The GHD asks all citizens to eliminate any standing water on their property, such as birdbaths (clean them twice per week), pet water dishes, clogged rain gutters, tire piles, and buckets. Containers that can hold an inch or two of water can breed mosquitoes. Report any standing water that you are not able to eliminate yourself to the GHD. Also report any dead blue jays or crows found in your neighborhood. These dead birds are good signs of virus activity early in the season and indicate where mosquito control efforts need to be concentrated. If you have questions or would like to report dead birds or standing water, please call the Garland Health Department’s mosquito control hotline at (972) 205-3720. Further questions on WNV should be directed to the City of Garland’s website, www.ci.garland.tx.us, or 972-205-3460.
 

 
With the recent rains, there have been a lot more mosquitoes. The mosquito that carries the West Nile Virus is not the same as the large floodwater mosquito that is common after large rains. For more on the mosquito associated with the West Nile Virus, read this earlier post. While there, follow the link to the Dallas Morning News article, "You're a Movable Feast ...," for additional, good information.
 

City of Garland Press Release:

Healthy Living Expo 2009: Health and Environment Come Together

Learn how to improve your personal health and the health of the environment all in one event: Healthy Living Expo 2009 – “Healthy You, Healthy Earth: Rx for a Better World.”

 
The City of Garland, Garland ISD, Baylor Medical Center at Garland and the Garland Chamber of Commerce will join forces on Saturday, September 26, 2009, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the GISD Special Events Center, to look at how caring for both ourselves and the earth creates a healthy lifestyle, and has a positive impact on the world around us. The Expo will offer exhibitor booths, free services, demonstrations and entertainment, all focused on helping citizens make positive changes to their daily lives.
 
“Healthy You” will provide health screenings and immunizations, plus information on prevention services, stress reduction methods, fitness activities, and much more. Five hundred free cholesterol screenings will be available, on a first come first served basis, beginning at 10 a.m. Seasonal flu shots will be administered by the Garland Health Department from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. only. The cost of flu shots for children 6 months to 18 years old will be $10; 19 years and older $20. Medicaid and Medicare Part B participants should bring current paperwork. A limited supply of the pneumococcal vaccine is available for $40. This vaccine is usually given to adults 65 years and older and is covered by Medicare Part B or those individuals younger than 65 with chronic health conditions. A limited supply of the tetanus booster, Tdap, for adolescents and adults 11 years and older will be available. The cost is $10 for children age 11-18 and $20 for adults 19-64 years old.
 
Learn about “Healthy Earth” topics, such as recycling, conservation, energy efficiency, gardening and alternative fuels. The first 1,000 attendees will receive a microfiber, reusable shopping bag containing a variety of goodies and information (one per family, please). Radio Disney will rock the Expo with music, prizes and “eco-friendly” competitions for kids and parents.
 
Showerhead Exchange – The City of Garland Water Utilities Department will have1,000 low-flow showerheads available. Bring your old showerhead to exchange, along with a City of Garland utility bill and identification verifying that you are the utility subscriber. (Limit one showerhead per household, please.) The City will make sure the old devices are disposed of in an environmentally-appropriate way!
 
Electronic Recycling by the Environmental Co-op – You can drive up and drop off a wide range of electronic equipment such as computers, telephones, circuit boards, dvd/cd players, copiers, printers, video equipment from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., or until their trucks are full. A fee is associated with properly disposing of these items: $5 per computer monitor and $10 - $30 per television, based on screen size.. You can also drop off microwaves, air conditioners, batteries, and small household appliances, as well as eyeglasses that will be donated to the Lions Club.
 
The Expo will also feature a document shredding service for outdated or sensitive records, provided by Greenstar Northamerica, LLC. The shred truck will be onsite from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., or until the truck is full.
 
For more information, visit www.GarlandGoesGreen.org or www.GarlandChamber.com.
 

City of Garland Health Department
Public Health Notice

September 23, 2009

 
On September 23, 2009, the Garland Health Department (GHD) received notification of a laboratory confirmed case of rabies in a bat captured near the 800 block of Curtis, on September 13, 2009. No reports of human exposure to the bat have been received. This is the first laboratory confirmed case of rabies in an animal in Garland in 2009.
 
The rabies virus is relatively rare in North America and is occasionally found in wild or domesticated animals including, but not limited to dogs, coyotes, skunks, foxes, raccoons, and bats. Infection of humans can occur if virus-laden saliva from a rabid animal is introduced through a bite, scratch, or mucus membrane (such as the nose). Without treatment, infection is almost invariably fatal.
 
To reduce the community's risk to rabies, citizens should regularly vaccinate their pets and should report any pet or wild animal exhibiting erratic or abnormal behavior to Garland Animal Services. Citizens can contact the Garland Health Department at 972-205-3460 if they have questions, or need to report a potential exposure to the rabid bat.
 

 
Curtis Dr is in east Garland.
 

Looking for a refuse truck or golf clubs? How about a 2004 Ford F750 bucket truck or Kicker speakers? That's just some of the items that will be available at the city's upcoming auction.

City of Garland Press Release:

City of Garland Hosts General Auction

The City of Garland will host its General Auction on Saturday, October 3, 2009. Items available include fleet vehicles and equipment, as well as police confiscated and surplus property. Some of the confiscated and surplus items include costume jewelry, video game systems, football jerseys and sweatshirts, new clothing with price tags still attached, bicycles, air conditioning units and much more.
 
Confiscated and surplus property will be auctioned at 1720 Commerce Street. The vehicles and equipment auction will be conducted at 1725 Gasoline Alley. The gates open at 8 a.m., and the sale starts at 9:30 a.m. All sales are “as is – where is” with no warranty. Payment can be made with cash or checks with a bank letter of guaranty.
 
For more information visit Auctioneer Joe Pippin’s website at www.joepippinauctioneers.com or www.GarlandPurchasing.com.
 

Community Multicultural Commission Seeks Artists, Performers to Showcase Garland’s Diversity

The City of Garland welcomes the return of the Mosaic Multicultural Festival of Art, Dance and Music. The City of Garland’s Community Multicultural Commission will stage this event on Saturday, October 3, 2009 from noon to 5 p.m. in the Plaza Theatre, 520 W. State Street, in historic Downtown Garland.

Click to Hear Festive Radio Announcement

 
Mosaic chairperson Martha Melaku is seeking music and dance groups to perform during the Mosaic Multicultural Festival. Anyone who is interested should contact her at 214-228-0199 or martha@lawyer.com. "The Mosaic is a wonderful opportunity to foster a greater understanding and cooperation among all ethnic groups," says Ms. Melaku. "We are eager to hear from potential participants who will help celebrate Garland’s diversity."
 
In past years, the event has featured performing artists, representing various cultures such as Asian, Hawaiian, Nigerian, Mexican, American Appalachian Mountain Folk Dance, African American, Indian, Italian and Panamanian, as well as displays of artwork, clothing and much more.
 
The event is free and open to the public.
 

No crime is the best news, of course, but the second best is catching criminals. The total numbers for August are up but most categories were slightly down. There was a fairly large jump (percentage-wise) in Thefts. Many of those were for shoplifting, which means someone was caught.
 
Many of the thefts reported were not shoplifting and a number of those were in our neighborhoods. Our Neighborhood Police Officers would advise you to keep your garage and outside doors closed and locked and your cars outside locked. I couldn't support them more or agree more. Be neighborly: watch your neighbor's property too and call 9-1-1 if you see suspicious activities, exactly the things you'd want your neighbor to do for you.
 
If you want to review the areas that have reported incidents over the last month, download the complete report here for address-by-address information that includes your neighborhood.
 

 
[PS You might notice the graphics are a little sharper. We're using a different method to present the same data that is a bit faster to produce and more accurate. The data presented shouldn't be more accurate but the many lines of hand-coding used before was more likely to include an unnoticed typo.]
 

We can do no more to honor our service men and women today than to never forget those missing from yesterday.
 

Photo Credit: Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC)

From USA.gov September 18, 2009 National POW/MIA Recognition Day The United States does everything it can to account for prisoners of war (POW) and missing in action (MIA) servicemembers that have served in the United States military. More than 88,000 servicemembers, from World War II to the Iraq War, remain missing. Two organizations are responsible to help account for those that have not returned to their families: The Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC) is a task force whose mission is to account for all U.S. POW and MIA servicemembers from all past wars. Their specialists conduct field investigations and analyze wartime records and archives in support of their mission. They recover and identify remains of missing servicemembers. The Defense Prisoner of War/Missing Personnel Office (DPMO) provides centralized management of POW/MIA personnel affairs. It is responsible for the oversight of policies on U.S. servicemembers who are isolated, captured, detained or otherwise missing in a hostile environment. They help JPAC investigate and organize recovery missions. They also act as a contact point with POW/MIA families. National POW/MIA Recognition Day (September 18 in 2009) honors the commitments and the sacrifices made by prisoners of war and those who are still missing in action. It is one of the six days (the others are Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day and Veterans Day) specified by law on which the black POW/MIA flag shall be flown over federal facilities and cemeteries, post offices and military installations.

You probably already know about it and plan to be there but this is going to be great! If you haven't been Downtown in a couple months to see all the changes underway, now you can and be entertained the whole time.
 

WILD WEST COWBOY ROUNDUP
Historic Downtown Garland
6th & Main
Saturday Sept. 19th

Since the Council chose to not broadcast citizen comments that come at the end of the meeting, and since I wasn't at the last meeting because of the flu-bug that is making the rounds (not H1N1, regular flu is showing up very early this year), I apparently missed a number of speakers that wanted to challenge one of the euthanasia methods at our animal shelter. Today the Dallas Morning News reports that seven people spoke during citizen comments.
 
Broadly speaking, the real problem is an old one: people not being responsible for their pets and allowing litters of unwanted newborn animals. Even with all the public service announcements to have animals spayed or neutered and with such local requirements prior to adoption, an immense problem of lost or abandoned pets persists. One way or another, virtually all those uncared for or unwanted animals are taken to the local animal shelter.

Animal services officer Rick Johnson cleans a cage at the Abe Tuggle Animal Shelter and Adoption Center in Garland. Photo by KYE R. LEE/DMN

 
Once they arrive some have the chance of being found or adopted. The reality is that far more are not. Eventually time runs out and those animals are euthanized.
 
The Garland animal shelter charges $80 for vaccinations and sterilizations, which is absolutely necessary to not compound the problem. However, that cost may be a barrier that reduces the number of adoptions. Today's DMN Garland Blog mentions the Garland Animal Sponsorship Program that attempts to overcome that challenge. Donations are used to pay the costs of vaccinating and sterilizing so more animals can be adopted. Our animal services department also works with adoption groups and PetHarbor to boost the rates of adoption.
 
Those animals that are not adopted face euthanasia by lethal injection or carbon monoxide. It is the latter method that essentially comprised the DMN story today. The gulf of disagreement between the sides that feel the method is humane and those that disagree is extremely wide. The breadth of the split may come down to the breadth of ways the technique is implemented. Opponents point to videos to support their case while proponents similarly point to videos. The amount of carbon monoxide exposure, the type of exposure, and the presence or absence of other elements such as hot fumes and other gases probably explains much of the gulf.
 
The American Veterinary Medical Association says (pg. 9): "... euthanasia has been accomplished by use of 3 methods for generating CO: (1) chemical interaction of sodium formate and sulfuric acid, (2) exhaust fumes from idling gasoline internal combustion engines, and (3) commercially compressed CO in cylinders. The first 2 techniques are associated with problems such as production of other gases, achieving inadequate concentrations of carbon monoxide, inadequate cooling of the gas, and maintenance of equipment. Therefore, the only acceptable source is compressed CO in cylinders." [Emphasis added.] Only the latter, compressed carbon monoxide (CO), is used at the Garland shelter. All recommendations from the AVMA are followed. Dr Robert J Neunzig, DVM, wrote for Compendium, a magazine for veterinarians, his observations on the technique.
 
Those on both sides of this issue will surely agree that we humans need to be more conscious of our actions toward our pets — and their reproductive capacity — and to not be the reason that an innocent animal pays with its life for our lack of responsibility.
 
[UPDATE Sept 9: Katie Fairbank's readers ask if something can be done to stop use of carbon monoxide]

[UPDATE Sept 16: WFAA says group calls euthanasia method inhumane]

[UPDATE Sept 19: DMN charges shelter illegally killed animals]

[UPDATE Sept 22: WFAA says mayor to probe allegations]

[UPDATE Oct 2: Fairbanks announces city to transition away from carbon monoxide]

[UPDATE Oct 3: Expanded news on transition away from carbon monoxide]

[UPDATE Oct 7: Garland council votes to restrict carbon monoxide] [See rebuttal here.]

[UPDATE Oct 20: Richard removes carbon monoxide chamber and protesters to appear at Garland council meeting]

[UPDATE Nov 10: Kittens no longer at shelter]

[UPDATE Dec 6: Euthanasia change on target]

[UPDATE Dec 27: Columnist witnesses carbon monoxide euthanasia]

An article in last week's Dallas Morning News reported that the City of Richardson had installed blinking-yellow left-turn signals at some intersections. Drivers were interviewed that described their confusion with the new signals.
 
Blinking yellow is old news to many Garland drivers.
 
When we see a left-turn signal in most cities, it is green and signifies that the driver has a protected left turn. If it turns yellow, it means slow down and stop, the light is about to change to red. (Or to some people: hit the gas before it turns red … and pray.)
 
The blinking-yellow arrow really means: a left turn is allowed but yield the right of way and be careful!
 
Garland drivers that happen to drive through those parts of Richardson with the new signals won't be among those confused. That's because we've had such signals at several locations for quite some time. The intersection that I first noticed them was Walnut and Shiloh in west Garland.
 
Robert Wunderlich, director of transportation, mentioned the installations as they were occurring. He said that they had watched the intersections and drivers were able to quickly adapt to the new signals. The use actually seems to be intuitive for newer drivers but seasoned drivers have a little longer adjustment period. Make that an "unadjustment" period.
 

 
The Texas Dept of Transportation recently released a report on the 100 Most Congested Roadway Segments in Texas. It was certainly not a surprise to see parts of Central Expressway, LBJ Freeway, and Stemmons Freeway on the list.
 
It was a surprise to see Forest Ln in practically the heart of Garland on the list.
 
The report is informative in a number of areas. It reports on the delay drivers experience during heavy congestion compared to when the road is free flowing. For example, Central Expressway inside I-635 can take 63% longer to travel the same distance when drive times are compared between peak and off-peak, among the worst sections in the state. Looking toward 2028 it only gets worse. That same stretch is expected to take three times longer, or 300%. TxDOT also notes what improvements it plans.
 
Forest Ln from Garland Ave in Downtown Garland west to I-635 and on to the North Dallas Tollway ranks number 79 on the list. The delay, estimated to be 31% longer during peak, amounts to 56,246 extra hours per mile spent each year riding the brake more than using the gas pedal. As to improvements? None listed.
 
Most of the roadways reported are freeways or tollways, some type of controlled-access highway. There are a few regular streets like Forest in other communities though: West Parker in Plano, Marsh through North Dallas, Collins in Arlington, and Hulen in Fort Worth.
 
The good news for north Garland residents is only the section of SH-190 (PGBT) between Coit and I-35 is on the list, at number 32. We already knew that Central would be on any list. In fact, three separate sections of US-75 are listed in the top 20 most congested roadway segments.
 

Seeing Red, White, and Blue: Robyn and Douglas Athas tootling along in the Garland Jaycees' Labor Day Parade.
Photo credit: Linda Jaresh

 
Monday was the Garland Jaycees' 64th Annual Labor Day Parade. Boy Scout Troop 57 led the parade this year with a flag honor guard, a large float, and a canoe. A fire engine from Station 1 separated the Scouts from the first of the politicians. It took State Representative Joe Driver, US Representative Sam Johnson, Mayor Ron Jones, and the Council members about thirty minutes to traverse the entire parade route. Incredibly, the whole parade was a little under two hours by the time all the participants had found their way to Central Park. I shouldn't point this out but it is easy to go the whole parade route and then make your way back to the end and do it all over again. I didn't notice anyone doing that but I'm just saying … the parade is that big.
 
The photo above by Linda Jaresh must be just one of hundreds that she seems to have taken during the parade. To recapture the spirit of the event and to see some of what you missed, her photos have been posted to her site, Around Garland. My appreciation to Linda for her hard work and to the all the Jaycees that have kept this historic event going all these years in Garland.
 

UPDATE: Comments closed to block spam hits.
 

The North Texas Turnpike Authority and Rowlett High School have used technology to bring to listeners oral reports on the progress of the Eastern Extension of SH-190. Work on the extension is very obvious near Firewheel Town Center and continues in a loop through Sachse, Rowlett, and south Garland to I-30. The first podcast can be heard here but follow the links in the press release below to hear monthly updates.
 

NTTA Using Podcasts to Offer PGBT EE Construction Updates

Plano, TX – Motorists can now keep up with progress on the President George Bush Turnpike Eastern Extension (PGBT EE) through podcasts containing information about the roadway’s construction activities and traffic impacts.
 
The project is part of a joint effort between the North Texas Tollway Authority (NTTA) and Rowlett High School (RHS).
 
For the monthly podcast, NTTA staff writes informational scripts and records the audio. RHS students and their advisers then edit and post the podcast online.
 
“We are pleased that we were given the opportunity to work with Rowlett High School to provide information about this critical mobility project,” said Rick Herrington, NTTA deputy executive director. “These podcasts provide an additional tool for communicating with motorists about this project.”
 
The first podcast is online and addresses a traffic detour on Kirby Road in front of the high school. To access it, go to the RHS Web site, click on “media gallery,” then “announcements,” then “Turnpike Tidbits.”
 
The 9.9-mile PGBT EE is part of the Loop 9/State Highway 190 corridor that first was envisioned in the 1960s. It will lengthen the PGBT southeast from State Highway (SH) 78, over Lake Ray Hubbard, to Interstate Highway (IH) 30. Construction on the extension began in October 2008; it is expected to open to traffic in late 2011.
 

Source: North Texas Turnpike Authority online

 
Several weeks ago, I passed along the announcement that tolls would be increasing. I even offered some "well educated" thoughts on the matter:

 
It's perhaps ironic that the rate increase is being justified because of a traffic decrease. Economics 101 teaches that increasing the cost of travel will lead to even less traffic (less demand), exasperating the problem. Granted, there are a number of factors that can affect the elasticity of that formula and I don't have that information. If the decrease in traffic is solely due to the economy, the remaining users might be willing to absorb the increase rather than choose cheaper but slower and more congested routes. If drivers do find acceptable alternative routes, getting them back even with an improving economy will be a challenge. There is a traffic study due that will be based on the higher rates; it will be interesting to see if it contemplates these basic economic principles.
 

 
If the demand is "inelastic," so strong that price is not a significant factor, then the increased tolls would not have much effect on tollway traffic counts.
 
It's too early to say definitively but I learned at today's Dallas Regional Mobility Coalition meeting that traffic counts have changed little from pre-increase to now. While there are small variances, nothing shows that traffic has decreased overall.
 
It may be that drivers just simply aren't aware that they are paying more. Automatic collections could mask or delay driver awareness. It may start to sink in when they see bills that are suddenly higher.
 
However, it looks more likely that drivers didn't see the increase as enough to effect their driving preferences. That means a couple things: (1) traffic levels will remain the same but toll collections will increase, and (2) the tollway authority could raise rates higher without damage to traffic counts. The latter is kinda scary.
 
I do know that my use hasn't dropped an iota.
 

As noted below, about seven of every eight American cities have weaker budgets this year.
 

From Shopping Centers Today Newswire:
 
Sales tax revenue is more vital than ever to fiscally strapped municipalities, according to the National League of Cities. The organization reports that 88 percent of U.S. cities say they are fiscally weaker this year than last year. On average, city governments face budget gaps of 2.9 percent this year, on expectations of average sales tax declines of 3.8 percent and income tax shortfalls of 1.3 percent. Fallen property values, meanwhile, are hitting too. Cities will be in even worse shape next year, the league says in its report, which draws on data from the finance chiefs of 379 American cities with populations of 10,000 or more.
 
[More]
 

 
Texas cities rely more on property taxes than sales taxes but many do strongly benefit from sales taxes. Garland has traditionally not been particularly sales-tax dependent because we didn't have significant sales tax revenue. That has changed some over the last few years since approval of beer and wine sales, the opening of the Firewheel Town Center, and Bass Pro. Now lower sales are felt more:
 

Garland Sales Tax Revenue Percentage Change by Month from Prior Year

 
The story is similar across the Metroplex but we are doing a little worse (third chart) than several of those cities, which wasn't true in other recent recessions.
 

 
Typically, there is a lag of at least 18 months before cities begin to feel the effects of economic conditions, specialists say. “Cities face the burden of confronting the effects of the downturn for years after any recession ends,” said Michael A. Pagano, dean of the College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs at the University of Illinois, a co-author of the report.
 

 
That latter quote from the same article is particularly appropriate. When you are in a hole and things level out, you're still in a hole. If things get better, you can work your way out of the hole but it takes time. Typically, according to research by Bryan Bradford, Garland's director of budget and research, that's a three-year process, judging by recent recessions. However, Bryan isn't as "optimistic" this time. He sees a five-year climb out of the hole once things turn around.
 
We haven't necessarily seen the bottom of this recession yet. Today's employment news has worsened; unemployment is the highest in 26 years. We probably aren't at the bottom. When we are, the climb out will be slow and lengthy.
 
It is important to understand that we have challenges, that we have been facing those challenges, and that we'll have to keep our belts cinched for awhile.
 
Like in the story of the Grasshopper and the Ant, "It is best to prepare for the days of necessity." We are in a challenging position but we have prepared pretty well, better than many other cities.
 

City of Garland Health Department
Public Health Notice

On September 3, 2009, the Garland Health Department (GHD) received notification of the death of a Garland resident resulting from the H1N1 influenza virus. The resident was a 37-year-old male with a history of an underlying medical condition. He died on August 29, 2009. This represents the first confirmed death in Garland resulting from the H1N1 flu strain.
 
The GHD continues to coordinate surveillance and planning efforts with other local agencies and jurisdictions. Residents should take the following steps to help reduce the spread of the H1N1 virus.

• Practice good personal hygiene including frequent hand washing and the use of hand sanitizer.
• Cover coughs or sneezes.
• Isolate yourself as much as reasonably possible if you are sick. Sick individuals should not attend work, school, or other public events until fever subsides for at least 24 hours (without the use of fever reducing medications).
• Report flu like illness to your medical practitioner.
• Avoid others who appear sick.
• Obtain a seasonal flu shot as soon as possible and monitor local news media for information on the availability of H1N1 vaccine.

The GHD anticipates the arrival of the first doses of H1N1 vaccine to occur in mid to late October. High priority groups such as the immunocompromised and health care workers will receive the first doses and vaccinations will be available to the general public as soon as supplies allow.
 

City of Garland Press Release:

Healthy Living Expo 2009: Health and Environment Come Together

Learn how to improve your personal health and the health of the environment all in one event: Healthy Living Expo 2009 – “Healthy You, Healthy Earth: Rx for a Better World.”

 
The City of Garland, Garland ISD, Baylor Medical Center at Garland and the Garland Chamber of Commerce will join forces on Saturday, September 26, 2009, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the GISD Special Events Center, to look at how caring for both ourselves and the earth creates a healthy lifestyle, and has a positive impact on the world around us. The Expo will offer exhibitor booths, free services, demonstrations and entertainment, all focused on helping citizens make positive changes to their daily lives.
 
“Healthy You” will provide health screenings and immunizations, plus information on prevention services, stress reduction methods, fitness activities, and much more. Five hundred free cholesterol screenings will be available, on a first come first served basis, beginning at 10 a.m. Seasonal flu shots will be administered by the Garland Health Department from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. only. The cost of flu shots for children 6 months to 18 years old will be $10; 19 years and older $20. Medicaid and Medicare Part B participants should bring current paperwork. A limited supply of the pneumococcal vaccine is available for $40. This vaccine is usually given to adults 65 years and older and is covered by Medicare Part B or those individuals younger than 65 with chronic health conditions. A limited supply of the tetanus booster, Tdap, for adolescents and adults 11 years and older will be available. The cost is $10 for children age 11-18 and $20 for adults 19-64 years old.
 
Learn about “Healthy Earth” topics, such as recycling, conservation, energy efficiency, gardening and alternative fuels. The first 1,000 attendees will receive a microfiber, reusable shopping bag containing a variety of goodies and information (one per family, please). Radio Disney will rock the Expo with music, prizes and “eco-friendly” competitions for kids and parents.
 
Showerhead Exchange – The City of Garland Water Utilities Department will have1,000 low-flow showerheads available. Bring your old showerhead to exchange, along with a City of Garland utility bill and identification verifying that you are the utility subscriber. (Limit one showerhead per household, please.) The City will make sure the old devices are disposed of in an environmentally-appropriate way!
 
Electronic Recycling by the Environmental Co-op – You can drive up and drop off a wide range of electronic equipment such as computers, telephones, circuit boards, dvd/cd players, copiers, printers, video equipment from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., or until their trucks are full. A fee is associated with properly disposing of these items: $5 per computer monitor and $10 - $30 per television, based on screen size.. You can also drop off microwaves, air conditioners, batteries, and small household appliances, as well as eyeglasses that will be donated to the Lions Club.
 
The Expo will also feature a document shredding service for outdated or sensitive records, provided by Greenstar Northamerica, LLC. The shred truck will be onsite from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., or until the truck is full.
 
For more information, visit www.GarlandGoesGreen.org or www.GarlandChamber.com.
 

The Dallas Morning News gives a recap of last night's Council meeting and some of the build-up in an article today. It does a nice job of expanding the information in my post earlier today.
 

From the Dallas Morning News:

Garland City Council OKs budget that cuts workers' pay 1.15%

07:07 AM CDT on Wednesday, September 2, 2009
By RAY LESZCYNSKI / The Dallas Morning News
rleszcynski@dallasnews.com
 
These are hard times, and city employees are all in this together. That's been the battle cry throughout the 2009-10 Garland budget process, but the City Council applied the phrase literally Tuesday night.
 
City Manager Bill Dollar proposed a budget that required all city employees to give up 1.15 percent of their pay, their step raises and their bilingual pay.

Garland budget at a glance   • 2009-2010 operating budget: $560.7 million, including publicly owned utility, Garland Power & Light   • 1.15 percent pay reduction for all city employees   • No funds allocated for the Star Spangled Fourth   • The city's tax rate will increase 0.7 percent, from 69.96 cents to 70.46 cents per $100 valuation. The city says the increase would be $4.60 a year for the owner of a $100,000 home and $6.90 for the owner of a $150,000 home, after accounting for the homestead exemption; the Dallas Central Appraisal District lists the average home value in Garland at $120,537.

 
A plan to give employees compensation time was separated from the proposal before the City Council approved the cuts Tuesday.
 
The 229-member Garland Fire Fighters Association has been outspoken on the cuts, saying it was taking up the issues of the city's entire 2,031-member workforce.
 
But the tables were turned Monday night in the final budget work session.
 
The paid time off all city employees were to receive in exchange for their pay cut was pulled off the table, and the onus to restore it was placed squarely on the fire department.
 
"The last few weeks, you've heard a lot of testimony on the fact that if we go forward with the extra three days off as a result of the 1.15 percent reduction, there is a belief by a number of the fire department that we will be unsafe," Dollar said.
 
"And I in no way want council to vote on safe vs. unsafe. That is not what this budget is about."
 
If the fire department can figure out how to sustain its staffing levels within the next 30 days, all city employees will receive the days off as originally proposed, Dollar said.
 
"It'll either be up or down," he said. "If it will be an issue, we will not do the three days."
 
All other tenets of the originally proposed budget went through without change, including a half-cent increase in the tax rate for debt service.
 
On Monday, the council came within a single vote of preserving the bilingual pay for 41 police and fire employees. About 150 employees currently receive the benefit.
 
"I can't see giving it to two groups and taking it away from everybody else," said council member Preston Edwards who, thanks to his seat at the end of the table, cast the deciding vote.
 
A more resounding defeat was given to the notion of rebudgeting the city's Star Spangled Fourth celebration, even though the proposal to spend $40,000 was a far cry from the $101,703 that was deemed available or the $240,000 the city had spent in past years.
 
"I cannot in good conscience cut anybody's salary and then go out and spend money in this manner," council member Barbara Chick said.
 
The festival could come up at a later date and several council members still seem open to the idea, particularly if private funding or sponsorships became available.
 
Representatives of Firewheel Town Center spoke during the budget process and expressed an interest in hosting the event again.
 
And Mayor Pro Tem Laura Cox pointed to the potential of the community-driven party hosted last July 4 on the downtown square.
 

Sam Johnson to kick-off Congressional Youth Advisory Council

Students have until 9-22 to apply

 
This week in Frisco, U.S. Congressman Sam Johnson (3rd Dist.-Texas) will officially kick-off the Third District Congressional Youth Advisory Council and invite students to apply for the 2009-2010 school year. The CYAC will be open to students enrolled in public, private and home schools. High school and senior high school students who reside in the Third District have until September 22nd to apply.
 
“The last election showed what I have known and seen for several years now - young people want to speak out and make a difference. The Congressional Youth Advisory Council encourages young people to get more involved in local government and engaged on national issues and current events,” said Johnson.
 
Johnson created the CYAC in 2004. The Council’s goal is two-fold. First, the group will provide Johnson with greater student perspective and insight on issues that directly affect them in their every day lives. Second, Council activities will help educate students on government policies relevant to young people. Students will learn about the development of public policy and explore the role of citizens, lawmakers, experts, and institutions and their impact on the world’s most successful democracy.
 
Students must apply for the CYAC and may only serve on CYAC two of four years between grades 9 – 12 to ensure as many students may participate as possible. For the application to be considered students must submit the completed application form, a letter of parental permission, a current photo for identification purposes only, a short personal essay and two letters of recommendation.
 
Once selected, the members of the Council will meet approximately twice each school semester in the Third District. The Council will be composed of high school freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors selected based on leadership ability, academic performance, extra curricular activities and community service.
 
“As I have seen over the years, it is my hope that the Council will benefit our young people and those of us working in their best interests,” continued Johnson. Anyone interested in applying can access a CYAC application form in the student section on Johnson’s website www.samjohnson.house.gov. The form must be submitted to Johnson’s office by September 22nd.
 
McCall Avery
Communications Director
Congressman Sam Johnson (TX03)
Click here to sign up for Sam Johnson's e-newsletter.
 

 
All of District 1 is in the Third Congressional District so all high school students in District 1 are eligible. For other areas of Garland, if you or someone you know is interested, follow this link to a map of the district to check eligibility.
 

The conundrum buried in the title to this post bears bad news and good. Last night the Council adopted the budget and we did so unanimously. As with any budget, there will be some controversy because some will be asked to pay or bear more and they're not going to like it. Taxpayers are being asked to support a higher tax rate and city employees are facing a pay cut. Bad news for everyone.
 
The tax rate increase, a half cent, takes the overall city tax rate to 70.46¢ per $100 valuation. The half cent will go only toward retiring debt. The Operations and Maintenance budget, which is used to operate the city, actually shrinks some and the associated tax rate is unchanged.
 

Historical property tax rates (in cents)

 
The city has been operated with the same tax rate for the last four years. Debt resulting primarily from projects approved by voters in the 2004 bond package has been the sole reason for a rising tax rate.
 
I have voted against every O&M budget since being elected to office. I have pressed to find savings and asked for innovation. My opinions on high taxes and their effect on growth and investment are oft stated in many previous posts. Without growth and investment, we can't get from under the umbrella of high taxes and debt and move ahead as a city. Expectantly, there has been resistance every year ("But there's nothing left to cut!"). Yet the following year, cuts have been found and tax increases have been curtailed to a degree.
 
This year I voted to pass the budget. As mentioned, operations did not receive more money. The CIP, presented to Council earlier in the year and adopted, was drastically scaled back from previous CIP budgets. The CIP is funded with debt. A few additional projects could have been cut to avoid any tax increase but there wasn't much. A new recreation center for west Garland was probably one of the bigger items. However, I strongly support that rec center for an extensive number of reasons, all which I think will help, to a degree, bring prosperity to that side of town. I don't argue that the center alone will do that but it is a significant part of a greater effort that will strongly benefit by the presence of the rec center. I had hoped to avoid the half-cent increase through reduced construction costs that all sectors are seeing.
 
If your property appraisal next year remains the same, as ours did this year, your total city taxes for the year would rise $4.60 per $100,000. For seniors, the rise would be $2.05.
 

Annual impact of ½-cent tax rate increase

 
Ah, that conundrum: how can there be a tax rate increase but a tax decrease? Overall property values in the city dropped 3.5% this year. On average, taxpayers will actually pay less city taxes next year — households would see an $18.09 drop per $100,000 and seniors would do even better at $20.64. That's an average. My family won't see a decrease and many others won't but, on average, we will.
 
And the conundrum within the conundrum: Will declining property values be used to justify increased tax rates if the amount of taxes is not increasing? The simple answer is inevitably yes. And maybe that is acceptable to residents if they understand how they are directly impacted and to what degree.
 
What happens when property values start to rise again? Will politicians have the fortitude to reduce the tax rate or will they take advantage of more money being available?
 
Oh, man, there's another conundrum!
 

 
UPDATE: Comments closed to block spam hits.
 

What do you do when you have a high tax rate, a high debt rate, a dropping sales tax rate, high utilities, and a low property base? Wrong answers are: raise taxes, borrow more, discourage sales, and raise utility fees.
 
On the other hand, if we could increase property values, more property taxes would flow to city funds and property owners could sell for a gain. It is the one area that we can grow and that would finance city operations.
 
Unfortunately, it is the hardest area for government to address successfully. However, some hope is on the horizon.
 
You've seen this chart before. We are among the lowest tax base-per-capita cities in the area. Successfully addressing that low value is the surest answer.
 

Garland's tax base per capita; 28% below average of cities shown

 
Almost all Metroplex cities are seeing a property base decline. Fort Worth is an exception because natural gas discoveries have boosted their land values and tax collections. Of the major cities shown below, Garland's declines are twice the average. Next year's declines are likely to be similar.
 

Garland had the second largest decline in property tax values.

 
Sales tax collections have not traditionally varied as much in Garland as other cities. Of course, when your sales are basic items that are recession-proof, that is to be expected. Now that we have a much larger sales tax base, we face the same roller-coaster ride as other cities. We're getting a good ride but the results are a bit nauseating.
 

Garland has the fourth largest decline in sales tax. Garland’s decline the past three months has averaged -10.7%.

 
If the proposed tax rate (70.46¢/$100) is approved, Garland's rate would be even higher among area cities. Sachse will likely take a large jump to cover their last bond program and they are trying to get the best buys they can while construction costs are down. Dallas and Fort Worth look high but they also have 20% homestead exemptions that bring their rates for homeowners lower. Of 31 area cities over 25,000 population, if the homestead exemption is factored, Garland is still the eighth highest.
 

Garland has the eight highest proposed property tax rate.

 
Much has been made this year of Garland's high debt rate. As shown below, we're having to pay 63% more in taxes to cover our payments than the average among the cities shown. On the other side of the equation, we're actually spending 17% below the average on the operations side where we pay for public safety positions, administration, and so many other departments.
 

Garland’s O&M tax rate is almost 8 cents (17%) below the average. Garland’s Debt Service tax rate is 12 cents (63%) higher than the average.

 
To add insult to injury, while all Metroplex cities are challenged (even Fort Worth with higher values still faces the second highest tax rate), almost none are increasing tax rates. We and Sachse are very alone in this category. And in Sachse's case, they have a plausible reason for the sudden jump. Reports earlier tonight indicated few appeared at their meeting to express opposition to the increase.
 

Average is distorted by Sachse’s 14.5 cent increase – excluding Sachse the averages are (0.11) cents in O&M, 0.27 cents in Debt Service, and 0.15 cents total.

 
I've done what I can for the last three years to caution against continually raising the debt and taxes. I haven't succeeding in preventing the current squeeze we face but I do think I've been able to slow the march.
 
Data is from the Garland Budget and Research Dept.