Nothing like hearing stories from Irving's nextdoor city; Dallas, TX. Everything from a rowdy commisioner, to eliminating over 40 bus routes, to a dysfunctional mayor and her no panhandeling policy, which means firefighters can't do anymore fill the boot programs for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. The no panhandeling policy was mainly targeted on homeless people, but Miller went overboard with it. I mean, when Laura Miller went in as Mayor, the city got crappier, and crappier, and crappier...
Dallas, TX: Major city with Major problems
Miller criticized over Cotton Bowl games
Some seek funding for Grambling-Prairie View before UT-OU is OK'd
By DAVE LEVINTHAL / The Dallas Morning News
A Dallas City Council discussion about football games boiled into a racially charged dispute Wednesday, with council member Maxine Thornton-Reese accusing Mayor Laura Miller of prejudice for prioritizing one contest – the University of Texas vs. the University of Oklahoma – over another – Grambling State University vs. Prairie View A&M University.
"You want to push, push, push whatever the white agenda is!" Dr. Thornton-Reese screamed into her microphone while jabbing her index finger at Ms. Miller, who sat two seats away. "You are showing that you are prejudiced."
Ms. Miller flatly denied racial considerations entered into her thinking. Grambling and Prairie View A&M are historically black colleges.
The ruckus began Wednesday evening as the council debated whether to subsidize the Texas-OU game, played annually at the Cotton Bowl in Fair Park, with $450,000 over three years in economic development funds or more. As part of the contract, Dallas would also pay the schools $125,000 each over five years.
Council member Leo Chaney, whose South Dallas district includes the Cotton Bowl, then asked whether his council colleagues would consider subsidizing the Grambling-Prairie View game, also played annually at the stadium, with $50,000 over five years.
The game is a financial boon to his district, Mr. Chaney said, and without incentives from the city, Dallas risks losing the game to a city such as Houston.
Because city lawyers advised Mr. Chaney that he must wait one week before the council could vote on his motion, Mr. Chaney asked the mayor to delay the Texas-OU vote one week "to send the right message to the African-American community – so that you don't treat one game differently than the other."
Ms. Miller resisted.
"It sends a terrible message to Texas and OU ... to delay," Ms. Miller told her colleagues. "There's no downside to approving this contract now."
And with that, Dr. Thornton-Reese launched an eight-minute verbal attack on Ms. Miller.
"Every time we try to get something, you try to knock us down. I'm tired of that," Dr. Thornton-Reese said.
Added Mr. Chaney: "You're sending a terrible message to the African-American community. All I'm asking is to delay it one week – seven days."
The council voted 12 to 2 to delay the Texas-OU vote one week; Ms. Miller and council member Mitchell Rasansky voted against the delay, and council member Bill Blaydes was absent.
The council directed Interim City Manager Mary Suhm to find $50,000 in the proposed 2004-05 budget, from which most discretional spending is trimmed.
The "Dysfunctional Side of Dallas, TX" Thread
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TexasStooge
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CaptinCrunch
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All the Council members in DALLAS are RACIAL bias, weather they are white or black.
"Maxine Thornton-Reese accusing Mayor Laura Miller of prejudice for prioritizing one contest – the University of Texas vs. the University of Oklahoma – over another – Grambling State University vs. Prairie View A&M University."
The Texas-OU game is Way BIGGER than Grambling State University vs. Prairie View A&M.
"You want to push, push, push whatever the white agenda is!" Dr. Thornton-Reese screamed into her microphone while jabbing her index finger at Ms. Miller, who sat two seats away. "You are showing that you are prejudiced."
Now WHO's the RACIEST!!
"Maxine Thornton-Reese accusing Mayor Laura Miller of prejudice for prioritizing one contest – the University of Texas vs. the University of Oklahoma – over another – Grambling State University vs. Prairie View A&M University."
The Texas-OU game is Way BIGGER than Grambling State University vs. Prairie View A&M.
"You want to push, push, push whatever the white agenda is!" Dr. Thornton-Reese screamed into her microphone while jabbing her index finger at Ms. Miller, who sat two seats away. "You are showing that you are prejudiced."
Now WHO's the RACIEST!!
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GalvestonDuck
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TexasStooge
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TexasStooge
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At least I'm in Irving, TX where the fill the boot programs and other organizations are still allowed to ask for donations.
Mayor Miller does that no panhandeling policy to drive away the homeless and scatter them into other cities. If they did any panhandeling within the Dallas City Limits, they'll either be cited or arrested. Matter in fact, they're so desparate, they're issuing out $130 tickets to anyone who jaywalks. That is rediculous.
Mayor Miller does that no panhandeling policy to drive away the homeless and scatter them into other cities. If they did any panhandeling within the Dallas City Limits, they'll either be cited or arrested. Matter in fact, they're so desparate, they're issuing out $130 tickets to anyone who jaywalks. That is rediculous.
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Miss Mary
Hey Stooge, I honestly thought you were linking this thread with my Dallas DVD thread, LOL. It was a known fact that the TV Show wasn't an honest reflection of the oil business. And that Ewing family was as dysfunctional as they get! But it was all pure fun to watch. I did pick up on the fact that Dallas residents weren't very proud of the show though.
Okay, back to your wacky storylines. I could start a whole new thread about Cincinnati ones (we have many stories that embarrass the city too, Pete Rose for one). But I'll refrain from that!!!
Mary
Okay, back to your wacky storylines. I could start a whole new thread about Cincinnati ones (we have many stories that embarrass the city too, Pete Rose for one). But I'll refrain from that!!!
Mary
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TexasStooge
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Miss Mary wrote:Hey Stooge, I honestly thought you were linking this thread with my Dallas DVD thread, LOL. ...
...Okay, back to your wacky storylines. I could start a whole new thread about Cincinnati ones (we have many stories that embarrass the city too, Pete Rose for one). But I'll refrain from that!!!
Mary
I wasn't, the topic was confusing though.
Cincinatti's starting to crumble as well huh? From the way things are going, my prediction is that most of the major U.S. cities are starting to deteriorate.
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TexasStooge
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City Council can't agree on tax hike
Purposes for higher rate range from fixing roads to boosting tourism
By DAVE LEVINTHAL / The Dallas Morning News
As her City Council colleagues chattered back and forth about raising taxes to fund this city program or that, Dallas Mayor Laura Miller sat silently, glaring at them.
"This is getting worse and worse by the minute," Ms. Miller finally blurted out Monday during a council budget workshop. "This is just turning into a free-for-all."
At issue is whether to further increase Dallas' property tax rate beyond a proposed 1.99-cent-per-$100-valuation aimed at funding public safety initiatives. Ms. Miller says she supports the public safety tax increase but is "adamant we don't go a penny over."
Depending on the council member asked, another cent or two on the tax rate could help extend recreational center and library hours, reduce city employee health care costs, paint crosswalks, mow grassy medians, repair streetlights, fill potholes, sweep roads or improve tourism.
"I'm not suggesting we adopt Fort Worth's tax rate," said council member Lois Finkelman, noting that city's significantly higher municipal property taxes and enviable downtown activity. "But just think of what a city this might be if we had an additional $100 million in [Dallas'] annual budget."
A survey of council members indicates most are open to extra taxes for some reason. But among the 15 members, there's admittedly minimal consensus – so far.
"Everyone represents a group of citizens that wants something from the budget," said council member Veletta Forsythe Lill, who's championing a 1-cent-per-$100-valuation tax for various "quality of life" programs.
Other council members, such as Bill Blaydes, Gary Griffith, Elba Garcia and Sandy Greyson, suggested Monday that their constituents may support a smaller tax increase earmarked for quality of life issues. Council member Mitchell Rasansky, going beyond Ms. Miller's stance, opposes any tax increase at all.
Where there appeared the most consensus among council members: extending recreation hours from 48 to 60 hours weekly, which would cost taxpayers an extra $1.8 million – 27 cents per $100 in property valuation – as part of the proposed $2.04 billion budget.
A final 2004-05 budget is slated for passage Sept. 22.
In the meantime, the council has two more public budget workshops scheduled, and individual members are conducting public meetings throughout their districts.
Staff writer Emily Ramshaw contributed to this report.
Purposes for higher rate range from fixing roads to boosting tourism
By DAVE LEVINTHAL / The Dallas Morning News
As her City Council colleagues chattered back and forth about raising taxes to fund this city program or that, Dallas Mayor Laura Miller sat silently, glaring at them.
"This is getting worse and worse by the minute," Ms. Miller finally blurted out Monday during a council budget workshop. "This is just turning into a free-for-all."
At issue is whether to further increase Dallas' property tax rate beyond a proposed 1.99-cent-per-$100-valuation aimed at funding public safety initiatives. Ms. Miller says she supports the public safety tax increase but is "adamant we don't go a penny over."
Depending on the council member asked, another cent or two on the tax rate could help extend recreational center and library hours, reduce city employee health care costs, paint crosswalks, mow grassy medians, repair streetlights, fill potholes, sweep roads or improve tourism.
"I'm not suggesting we adopt Fort Worth's tax rate," said council member Lois Finkelman, noting that city's significantly higher municipal property taxes and enviable downtown activity. "But just think of what a city this might be if we had an additional $100 million in [Dallas'] annual budget."
A survey of council members indicates most are open to extra taxes for some reason. But among the 15 members, there's admittedly minimal consensus – so far.
"Everyone represents a group of citizens that wants something from the budget," said council member Veletta Forsythe Lill, who's championing a 1-cent-per-$100-valuation tax for various "quality of life" programs.
Other council members, such as Bill Blaydes, Gary Griffith, Elba Garcia and Sandy Greyson, suggested Monday that their constituents may support a smaller tax increase earmarked for quality of life issues. Council member Mitchell Rasansky, going beyond Ms. Miller's stance, opposes any tax increase at all.
Where there appeared the most consensus among council members: extending recreation hours from 48 to 60 hours weekly, which would cost taxpayers an extra $1.8 million – 27 cents per $100 in property valuation – as part of the proposed $2.04 billion budget.
A final 2004-05 budget is slated for passage Sept. 22.
In the meantime, the council has two more public budget workshops scheduled, and individual members are conducting public meetings throughout their districts.
Staff writer Emily Ramshaw contributed to this report.
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Miss Mary
Cincinnati....well, we have our natives that keep us in the news - Pete Rose for one. Used to be Marge Schott (she passed away), former owner of the Reds who stated that Hitler wasn't all bad.....boy did she catch flack for that one. I was completely unimpressed by the woman. We had major riots break out in our city a few years ago. Our Mayor had to impose a mandatory curfew, such a sad time. We have real racial problems in this city. My dad was a mild racist and I grew up hearing his point of view. I didn't agree with it but didn't argue back with him. As soon as I was 18, and on my own soon, I made sure I didn't embrace any of his viewpoints on that subject. My dad was a good man, just from a very different time. Now we have a wonderful new museum, the Underground Railroad, that just opened. I hope to go very soon. That is a huge step in the right direction. Expecting to have a few tears though - there is an actual slave pen on display that you are permitted to go inside. I hear it's quite moving. I hope and pray our racial divide can be conquered here.
Mary
Mary
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TexasStooge
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Domestic partner benefits debated
Lawyer: Heterosexual couples must get same deal as gays, lesbians
By DAVE LEVINTHAL / The Dallas Morning News
If the city of Dallas extends health care benefits to the domestic partners of gay and lesbian employees, it also must do so for heterosexual domestic partners and their children, city attorneys advised the City Council on Monday during a closed-door meeting.
The advisory comes after Mayor Pro Tem John Loza last month suggested initiating benefits for gay- and lesbian-only domestic partners – excluding heterosexual partners in his original plan – because gays and lesbians cannot marry in Texas.
The change, Mayor Laura Miller said, would allow Dallas to comply with an anti-discrimination ordinance the City Council passed in 2002.
Ms. Miller, who attended the private meeting, said she supports the idea in principle, noting that city officials would have to determine who should be considered a domestic partner and who should not.
Criteria for domestic partnership qualification might include a combination of joint deeds, mortgage agreements, common ownership of an automobile, joint bank accounts and power of attorney assignments, the city staff said.
But the mayor said she was withholding support for the measure until she determines the proposed benefits' fiscal effect on the city's tenuously balanced budget.
"It all comes down to the cost," Ms. Miller said.
Potential costs might include administrative fees and coverage for children of domestic partners. The city staff estimated that such costs might exceed $64,000 if 39 children are covered on Dallas health insurance rolls.
The city subsidizes children's health insurance, but not spousal health insurance, with tax dollars.
Mr. Loza said council support for his domestic partner benefits proposal, in any form, "is pretty widespread."
Ms. Miller said she hadn't polled her colleagues to determine whether they supported or opposed domestic partner benefits.
Lawyer: Heterosexual couples must get same deal as gays, lesbians
By DAVE LEVINTHAL / The Dallas Morning News
If the city of Dallas extends health care benefits to the domestic partners of gay and lesbian employees, it also must do so for heterosexual domestic partners and their children, city attorneys advised the City Council on Monday during a closed-door meeting.
The advisory comes after Mayor Pro Tem John Loza last month suggested initiating benefits for gay- and lesbian-only domestic partners – excluding heterosexual partners in his original plan – because gays and lesbians cannot marry in Texas.
The change, Mayor Laura Miller said, would allow Dallas to comply with an anti-discrimination ordinance the City Council passed in 2002.
Ms. Miller, who attended the private meeting, said she supports the idea in principle, noting that city officials would have to determine who should be considered a domestic partner and who should not.
Criteria for domestic partnership qualification might include a combination of joint deeds, mortgage agreements, common ownership of an automobile, joint bank accounts and power of attorney assignments, the city staff said.
But the mayor said she was withholding support for the measure until she determines the proposed benefits' fiscal effect on the city's tenuously balanced budget.
"It all comes down to the cost," Ms. Miller said.
Potential costs might include administrative fees and coverage for children of domestic partners. The city staff estimated that such costs might exceed $64,000 if 39 children are covered on Dallas health insurance rolls.
The city subsidizes children's health insurance, but not spousal health insurance, with tax dollars.
Mr. Loza said council support for his domestic partner benefits proposal, in any form, "is pretty widespread."
Ms. Miller said she hadn't polled her colleagues to determine whether they supported or opposed domestic partner benefits.
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TexasStooge
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Racial Politics: City Council outburst was over the top
DALLAS, Texas (The Dallas Morning News) - Racial politics in Dallas can get rough, but rarely do they break out in the kind of ugly attack City Council member Maxine Thornton-Reese launched during Wednesday's meeting. Her target: Mayor Laura Miller, to whom she devoted an eight-minute, racially charged sermon worthy of the Rev. Al Sharpton.
The tempest in a teapot had to do with a proposal that the city subsidize the annual Grambling-Prairie View game at the Cotton Bowl. If the council votes to help fund the Texas-OU contest, council member Leo Chaney said, as a matter of fairness, it ought to give a financial boost to the match-up between the two historically black colleges.
Sounds fair to us, and we hope the council will approve the plan. But because it wasn't listed on the agenda, the council couldn't take a vote on the Grambling-Prairie View funding until next week. So Mr. Chaney asked for a delay in the scheduled Texas-OU vote, "to send the right message to the African-American community."
Mayor Miller objected, saying there was no good reason to delay the Texas-OU vote. Right or wrong, it's a legitimate point to discuss. That's when Dr. Thornton-Reese found her cue to throw a temper tantrum, ranting about the mayor pursuing "the white agenda," whatever that is, and portraying Ms. Miller as dedicated to keeping black folks down.
It's no secret that the mayor is no favorite of the black community, but Dr. Thornton-Reese's shameless demagoguery is another example of the racialized politics of personal destruction some vocal African-Americans practice against the mayor. When the incompetent Terrell Bolton was fired, the public was treated to the appalling sight of black protesters carrying signs denouncing the Jewish mayor in anti-Semitic terms.
Perhaps the protesters struck an outrageous posture to compensate for their paltry numbers. If so, they only succeeded in drawing more attention to the lack of broad community support for their ill-chosen tactics. Shrill and isolated is not a good combination – as we trust Dr. Thornton-Reese will also come to realize. Given the real, substantive racial issues this town still faces, those who hold themselves out as leaders cannot afford to marginalize themselves over trivial matters.
In the end, the council voted against the mayor on the Texas-OU issue, 12-2. Not bad for eight minutes' work. The council should be aware, though, that what you reward, you encourage.
We all know that Dallas has a disgraceful legacy of racism. It's also true that the city has worked hard to overcome it and has a ways yet to go. Nevertheless, the urgent cause of racial reconciliation and community progress is not served by thin-skinned politicians turning a minor procedural issue into a showdown at the Selma bridge.
See this story also posted in the S2k Political Arena
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TexasStooge
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Dallas deputy chief investigated after complaint
By REBECCA LOPEZ / WFAA-TV
News 8 has learned the Dallas city auditor's office has confiscated two computers from the Dallas Police Department, looking for evidence that a high-ranking officer used the computers for off-duty work while being paid by the city.
Sources said Deputy Chief Zach Belton is under investigation for allegedly misusing his city computer - but his problems don't stop there. Monday, Belton was involved in a car wreck that commanders said is probably his fault. He's already been suspended once for having too many accidents.
Belton makes nearly $90,000 a year, but there are allegations that instead of doing his job, he's spending a lot of time on his Dallas police department computer doing off duty-work.
"I do understand the complaint is about the use of city equipment ... namely a computer," said Dallas Police spokesperson Janice Houston.
Sources told News 8 one of the computers removed by the city auditor's office may have been tampered with. It allegedly appears someone tried to erase the hard drive; investigators are trying to retrieve information from the computer.
"It's an anonymous complaint at this point," Houston said. "We don't have any details of what that is, so his status at the department has not changed."
Belton most recently commanded the Crimes Against Persons division until two weeks ago, when he was transferred to communications. The chief has had problems in the past, though.
According to police records, Belton was suspended in 1977 for 15 days for lying about an off-duty job. In 2001, he was also suspended for five days for a preventable accident. Before that suspension, he was involved in at least 17 accidents.
In Monday's wreck, he allegedly rear-ended another driver.
"Chief Belton was involved in an incident yesterday morning in southern Dallas," Houston said.
News 8 has learned Belton was on a recent list of possible demotions, but sources said some City Council members pressured top commanders to let Belton kept his title of deputy chief.
News 8 asked Belton through his chain of command and the DPD public information office for a response, but did not get a reply. Dallas Police Chief David Kunkle will wait until the investigations are complete before taking any action.
By REBECCA LOPEZ / WFAA-TV
News 8 has learned the Dallas city auditor's office has confiscated two computers from the Dallas Police Department, looking for evidence that a high-ranking officer used the computers for off-duty work while being paid by the city.
Sources said Deputy Chief Zach Belton is under investigation for allegedly misusing his city computer - but his problems don't stop there. Monday, Belton was involved in a car wreck that commanders said is probably his fault. He's already been suspended once for having too many accidents.
Belton makes nearly $90,000 a year, but there are allegations that instead of doing his job, he's spending a lot of time on his Dallas police department computer doing off duty-work.
"I do understand the complaint is about the use of city equipment ... namely a computer," said Dallas Police spokesperson Janice Houston.
Sources told News 8 one of the computers removed by the city auditor's office may have been tampered with. It allegedly appears someone tried to erase the hard drive; investigators are trying to retrieve information from the computer.
"It's an anonymous complaint at this point," Houston said. "We don't have any details of what that is, so his status at the department has not changed."
Belton most recently commanded the Crimes Against Persons division until two weeks ago, when he was transferred to communications. The chief has had problems in the past, though.
According to police records, Belton was suspended in 1977 for 15 days for lying about an off-duty job. In 2001, he was also suspended for five days for a preventable accident. Before that suspension, he was involved in at least 17 accidents.
In Monday's wreck, he allegedly rear-ended another driver.
"Chief Belton was involved in an incident yesterday morning in southern Dallas," Houston said.
News 8 has learned Belton was on a recent list of possible demotions, but sources said some City Council members pressured top commanders to let Belton kept his title of deputy chief.
News 8 asked Belton through his chain of command and the DPD public information office for a response, but did not get a reply. Dallas Police Chief David Kunkle will wait until the investigations are complete before taking any action.
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TexasStooge
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Mayor unimpressed with applicant pool
By CHRIS HEINBAUGH / WFAA ABC 8
Dallas is America's ninth largest city. Its top job, the city manager is open. And city leaders expected a solid crop of applicants to choose from. Instead, just 11 have applied.
"It's not a long list, and not an illustrious list. So I was a little bit disappointed," Mayor Laura Miller said.
Most of those who have applied have experience in small to mid-sized cities such as El Paso and Kansas City. Leonard Martin, the city manager of Carrollton has also applied.
Notably missing from the poll are big city bureaucrats experienced with big-city issues like struggling downtowns and economies and who can navigate big-city politics where race is a powder keg.
Councilman Don Hill expected some of those names on the list. "We know how difficult this job is," he said. "There may not be but a handful of people properly suited for this type of environment and this type of structure."
By CHRIS HEINBAUGH / WFAA ABC 8
Dallas is America's ninth largest city. Its top job, the city manager is open. And city leaders expected a solid crop of applicants to choose from. Instead, just 11 have applied.
"It's not a long list, and not an illustrious list. So I was a little bit disappointed," Mayor Laura Miller said.
Most of those who have applied have experience in small to mid-sized cities such as El Paso and Kansas City. Leonard Martin, the city manager of Carrollton has also applied.
Notably missing from the poll are big city bureaucrats experienced with big-city issues like struggling downtowns and economies and who can navigate big-city politics where race is a powder keg.
Councilman Don Hill expected some of those names on the list. "We know how difficult this job is," he said. "There may not be but a handful of people properly suited for this type of environment and this type of structure."
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TexasStooge
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Complaint: Sheriff candidate violating campaign law
By BRETT SHIPP / WFAA-TV
A federal complaint filed Monday alleges that Republican candidate for Dallas County Sheriff Danny Chandler is in violation of federal law.
The Chandler campaign said the complaint smacks of politics, coming one week before the election and filed by attorneys representing the man Chandler defeated in the primary, outgoing Sheriff Jim Bowles.
Chandler faces Democratic challenger Lupe Valdez in one week, but his biggest political opponent may still be former foe Bowles. The complaint alleges Chandler is in violation of the federal Hatch Act, which "restricts political activity of government employees in connection with programs financed in whole or in part by federal grants and loans." Those affected "may not ... be a candidate for elected office."
Accordingly, Democratic candidate Valdez resigned her post with the U.S. Customs Office. Another sheriff's candidate, Deputy Sheriff Leonard Bueber, refused to resign his post and his boss Bowles refused to fire him. Now, the federal government is suing them both.
"Our position is, you can't take poor little Deputy Sheriff Bueber and tell him he can't run for office when he has nothing to do with federal funds, and then allow a department head like Danny Chandler to run with impunity," said Bowles' attorney George Nicholas.
Nicholas said Chandler, if anyone, is violating the Hatch Act. Chandler is the Director of the Office of Security and Emergency Management for Dallas County, through which federal grants routinely flow.
Dallas County taxpayer Allen Gwinn filed a complaint against Chandler last January. In February, the Office of Special Counsel cleared Chandler, saying "we do not believe that you have duties in connection with an activity financed by federal grants."
The office determined that county commissioners actually applied for and spent the grant money. But the report went on to say that "any employee who applies for the grant or supervises employees engaging in these activities would be subject to the restrictions of the Hatch Act."
In June, documents showed Chandler listed as the recipient of a $500,000 federal grant. So, did he ever have occasion to apply for a federal grant or loan?
"I act as a liaison on behalf of the Commissioners Court, and explore grant possibilities, but all grants are applied for via the county judge," Chandler said.
County records supplied to News 8 by Bowles' attorneys also reflect that federal grants for equipment have been awarded to the Dallas County Fire Marshal's office, which according to organizational charts falls under Chandler's supervision. In response, Chandler said the people who work for him are merely "facilitators" of the grants.
"Again, the grants are awarded to the county," Chandler said. "The commissioners do not function in that capacity, but yes, they do some leg work in use of those grants."
Dallas County Auditor Virginia Porter defended Chandler Monday, saying commissioners are indeed responsible for applying for and spending federal grant money.
Bowles' attorney maintains, however, if federal officials are going to sue a deputy with absolutely no connection to federal funds, then the new complaint against Chandler should at least be reviewed. They said that review is already under way.
By BRETT SHIPP / WFAA-TV
A federal complaint filed Monday alleges that Republican candidate for Dallas County Sheriff Danny Chandler is in violation of federal law.
The Chandler campaign said the complaint smacks of politics, coming one week before the election and filed by attorneys representing the man Chandler defeated in the primary, outgoing Sheriff Jim Bowles.
Chandler faces Democratic challenger Lupe Valdez in one week, but his biggest political opponent may still be former foe Bowles. The complaint alleges Chandler is in violation of the federal Hatch Act, which "restricts political activity of government employees in connection with programs financed in whole or in part by federal grants and loans." Those affected "may not ... be a candidate for elected office."
Accordingly, Democratic candidate Valdez resigned her post with the U.S. Customs Office. Another sheriff's candidate, Deputy Sheriff Leonard Bueber, refused to resign his post and his boss Bowles refused to fire him. Now, the federal government is suing them both.
"Our position is, you can't take poor little Deputy Sheriff Bueber and tell him he can't run for office when he has nothing to do with federal funds, and then allow a department head like Danny Chandler to run with impunity," said Bowles' attorney George Nicholas.
Nicholas said Chandler, if anyone, is violating the Hatch Act. Chandler is the Director of the Office of Security and Emergency Management for Dallas County, through which federal grants routinely flow.
Dallas County taxpayer Allen Gwinn filed a complaint against Chandler last January. In February, the Office of Special Counsel cleared Chandler, saying "we do not believe that you have duties in connection with an activity financed by federal grants."
The office determined that county commissioners actually applied for and spent the grant money. But the report went on to say that "any employee who applies for the grant or supervises employees engaging in these activities would be subject to the restrictions of the Hatch Act."
In June, documents showed Chandler listed as the recipient of a $500,000 federal grant. So, did he ever have occasion to apply for a federal grant or loan?
"I act as a liaison on behalf of the Commissioners Court, and explore grant possibilities, but all grants are applied for via the county judge," Chandler said.
County records supplied to News 8 by Bowles' attorneys also reflect that federal grants for equipment have been awarded to the Dallas County Fire Marshal's office, which according to organizational charts falls under Chandler's supervision. In response, Chandler said the people who work for him are merely "facilitators" of the grants.
"Again, the grants are awarded to the county," Chandler said. "The commissioners do not function in that capacity, but yes, they do some leg work in use of those grants."
Dallas County Auditor Virginia Porter defended Chandler Monday, saying commissioners are indeed responsible for applying for and spending federal grant money.
Bowles' attorney maintains, however, if federal officials are going to sue a deputy with absolutely no connection to federal funds, then the new complaint against Chandler should at least be reviewed. They said that review is already under way.
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TexasStooge
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VA patients paint picture of neglect
Director acknowledges problems, says Dallas hospital is improving
By DOUG J. SWANSON / The Dallas Morning News
DALLAS, Texas - John Hahn lay marooned in his bed last year at the Dallas veterans' hospital, desperately seeking a nurse. An Air Force vet whose terminal bone cancer had made him a paraplegic, Mr. Hahn required turning every two hours.
Click here for full story.
Director acknowledges problems, says Dallas hospital is improving
By DOUG J. SWANSON / The Dallas Morning News
DALLAS, Texas - John Hahn lay marooned in his bed last year at the Dallas veterans' hospital, desperately seeking a nurse. An Air Force vet whose terminal bone cancer had made him a paraplegic, Mr. Hahn required turning every two hours.
Click here for full story.
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