Start your engines! Dallas City Council elections 2009

[Cliff Dweller]

Filing is complete for the May City Council elections. Here's the list :
http://www.ci.dallas.tx.us/cso/election/candidate-treasurer-filings.pdf

Comments, opinions, additional info?

[LH_Newbie]

WOOHOO! Options in District 10.

[Cliff Dweller]

Didn't Jerry Allen state that he was not going to run again? Guess he changed his mind. . .

[mjblazin]

Is there a consensus viewpoint on Councilman Allen? It's outside my district, but I know one of the other candidates and was interested in the match up. I looked at his web page and Mr. Allen's accomplishments looked a little light. I did not see anything bad or good.

[trolleygirl]

I predict a run-off in District 7...

[UrbanHope]

I think the only runoffs will be in District 1 and District 5. The district 7 race will be close but Carolyn's winning..

[Spjz]

http://cityhallblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2009/03/dwaine-caraway-vonciel-jones-h.html


Calling fellow Dallas City Council member Vonciel Jones Hill "arrogant," "disrespectful" and displaying "signs of a dictatorship," Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Dwaine Caraway tells us he'll formally endorse Tiffinni Young in the hotly contested District 5 council race.

"She's arrogant. She refuses to get along. If you refuse to get along, it shows signs of a dictatorship. With her it's, 'my way or no way,'" Caraway said of Hill. "For two years, it's been a total disrespect of me by her. I've tried to be cordial. But sometimes a man gets tired of being slapped."

I've never met Councilwoman Jones Hill, so I can't speak to how "arrogant" or "disrespectful" she is or isn't, but Councilman Caraway's use of the term "dictator" is puzzling. Refusing to cooperate with Caraway's agenda is not evidence of any sort of dictatorship. At worst it's merely being uncooperative, at best it's showing signs of independence - something that is rare on this council, Rasansky and Hunt being about the only two exceptions.

[AndyIvey]

There must be a fine line between independence and grandstanding for your base.

[KBilly]

I predict a drawn out fight in District 10. Jerry Allen seems to be a nice guy, but sure flies under the radar on most everything except "pro-Leppert issues."

Don Sanders has signs everywhere; Jerry Allen not so many, and he calls the area "Place 10" on the signs -- I don't recall that phrase in the 14 years I've been here. How old is it?

Don is all for a taxpayer vote on a city-owned convention center hotel, and posts Jerry's (somewhat inane) quote that 1+1=2 so it's a good deal because the numbers are clear.
Here is that link. (http://donsandersdallas.com/CATOH%20Presentation%20-%20Jerry%20Allen%20Slide.pdf) This issue is major with a lot of people around here that I talk with.

Other than that, they are pretty much a wash on the surface of it. Still need to know more going forward on both of them.

[Cliff Dweller]

"Place" is the official term for the City Council positions. As far as I know it has been at least since 14-1 was enacted. You can see all the official language at the City Secretary's site here:

http://www.ci.dallas.tx.us/cso/elections.shtml

[mjblazin]

Don Sanders is a good guy. He's as smart or smarter than Angela Hunt, but doesn't likely have any pretensions for higher office. He would be more civil amd temparate than Mr. Rasansky, but is not likely to be impressed by a phone call from the Mayor. He's very Texan in a good way; not boots, spurs, and 10 gallon hat Texan, but proud of his home.

[UrbanHope]

http://cityhallblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2009/03/dwaine-caraway-vonciel-jones-h.html

I've never met Councilwoman Jones Hill, so I can't speak to how "arrogant" or "disrespectful" she is or isn't, but Councilman Caraway's use of the term "dictator" is puzzling. Refusing to cooperate with Caraway's agenda is not evidence of any sort of dictatorship. At worst it's merely being uncooperative, at best it's showing signs of independence - something that is rare on this council, Rasansky and Hunt being about the only two exceptions.

There are so many things I could go into, and when you're dealing with a blog post Dave is using select quotes. It's hard to look at a whole convo and dealing with one word quotes in some parts to see why he said she was "arrogant." It's all good though. The District 4 race was over before it started, and District 5 is a race.

[Cliff Dweller]

We had the first candidate forum in District 1 last night, hosted by the Elmwood Neighborhood Association. Interesting evening. . .
Jesus Tovar did not return calls, and did not show up. For the others, it often seemed to be four against one, with the one being Delia Jasso. She has the endorsement of former council members and talked about her experience and insider knowledge.
She spoke positively about the Convention Center Hotel and the Trinity Tollroad, the others were pretty firmly against both. Sean Segura seemed the most passionate, Justin Epker the most polished, Mark Gonazles and Daniel Benchot somewhere in between.
Several people I spoke to afterward said it seemed to them that if Delia is elected she will fall in line with the rest of the current crew and vote obediantly with the mayor and the majority. One of the others might be more independent, a la Angela Hunt, It's hard to say which model the people of District 1 will choose. And if they prefer a "maverick", which one?

[UrbanHope]

We had the first candidate forum in District 1 last night, hosted by the Elmwood Neighborhood Association. Interesting evening. . .
Jesus Tovar did not return calls, and did not show up. For the others, it often seemed to be four against one, with the one being Delia Jasso. She has the endorsement of former council members and talked about her experience and insider knowledge.
She spoke positively about the Convention Center Hotel and the Trinity Tollroad, the others were pretty firmly against both. Sean Segura seemed the most passionate, Justin Epker the most polished, Mark Gonazles and Daniel Benchot somewhere in between.
Several people I spoke to afterward said it seemed to them that if Delia is elected she will fall in line with the rest of the current crew and vote obediantly with the mayor and the majority. One of the others might be more independent, a la Angela Hunt, It's hard to say which model the people of District 1 will choose. And if they prefer a "maverick", which one?

Is there any video of these folks? It would be interesting too see and hear them in action.

[Cliff Dweller]

I didn't see anything but still cameras there.

[Spjz]

There are so many things I could go into, and when you're dealing with a blog post Dave is using select quotes. It's hard to look at a whole convo and dealing with one word quotes in some parts to see why he said she was "arrogant." It's all good though. The District 4 race was over before it started, and District 5 is a race.Then perhaps you can do what Levinthal and Caraway couldn't and articulate why Councilwoman Jones Hill is a "dictator." If memory serves correct, the precincts in district five (Red Bird area?) vote differently from the rest of southern Dallas. Perhaps Hill Jones represents a constituency that is not in lock step with Caraway's agenda?


We had the first candidate forum in District 1 last night, hosted by the Elmwood Neighborhood Association. Interesting evening. . .
Jesus Tovar did not return calls, and did not show up. For the others, it often seemed to be four against one, with the one being Delia Jasso. She has the endorsement of former council members and talked about her experience and insider knowledge.
She spoke positively about the Convention Center Hotel and the Trinity Tollroad, the others were pretty firmly against both. Sean Segura seemed the most passionate, Justin Epker the most polished, Mark Gonazles and Daniel Benchot somewhere in between.
Several people I spoke to afterward said it seemed to them that if Delia is elected she will fall in line with the rest of the current crew and vote obediantly with the mayor and the majority. One of the others might be more independent, a la Angela Hunt, It's hard to say which model the people of District 1 will choose. And if they prefer a "maverick", which one?Jasso sounds like the latest puppet from the Oak Cliff Chamber.

[UrbanHope]

Then perhaps you can do what Levinthal and Caraway couldn't and articulate why Councilwoman Jones Hill is a "dictator." If memory serves correct, the precincts in district five (Red Bird area?) vote differently from the rest of southern Dallas. Perhaps Hill Jones represents a constituency that is not in lock step with Caraway's agenda?



Like I said, to me it's all good. I don't have to articulate anything - it's just a slow news week and I find it entertaining...something to giggle at while I filled out my bracket.

[Spjz]

Like I said, to me it's all good. I don't have to articulate anything - it's just a slow news week and I find it entertaining...something to giggle at while I filled out my bracket.

http://dallasprogress.blogspot.com/


I am standing in front of the home of the challenger for the District Four city council seat. Looking at the signs down both sides of his block, it would seem that his neighbors aren't big fans of his council run.

Let the games begin.

You're turning into a bully.

[UrbanHope]

http://dallasprogress.blogspot.com/



You're turning into a bully.

Politics is a contact sport... we have fun with it.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjY9VGEUdGs

[Spjz]

Let the games begin.

Politics is a contact sport... we have fun with it.
I don't blame you for pursuing a vigorous campaign. I don't mind the references to "games" or "politics [being] a contact sport," so long as at the end of the day you realize that it's really not a game at all. You and Councilman Caraway make decisions that determine whose business stays open or closes, how much debt the city takes on, how city, state, and federal tax dollars are spent, etc.

Any informed citizen expects a campaign to point out the strengths of it's own candidate while bluntly and honestly accusing the opponent of certain weaknesses. Nobody would blame you for that. But what I've seen recently from the Caraway team is negative attacks without any underlying reasoning.

Caraway has endorsed Ms. Young in the District 5 race and accused the incumbent of being a "dictator." You said there were reasons behind this accusation, yet when presented the opportunity to list those reasons, on behalf of Caraway (who you do speak for, like it or not), you declined.

Then, when a fellow citizen steps up to challenge Caraway, you respond with a snide "REALLY?" and stand in front of his house, take pictures of the Caraway signs in his neighborhood so you can crack a joke on your blog? That's the sort of thing I'd expect from somebody like U.S. Rep Sessions in U.S. District 32, not that the bar has been set all that high in Dallas' District Four. (http://www.pegasusnews.com/people/maxine-thornton-reese/) Hopefully you guys can redirect your focus and follow the example set by our current president on how to run a clean, issues oriented campaign.

[UrbanHope]

I don't blame you for pursuing a vigorous campaign. I don't mind the references to "games" or "politics [being] a contact sport," so long as at the end of the day you realize that it's really not a game at all. You and Councilman Caraway make decisions that determine whose business stays open or closes, how much debt the city takes on, how city, state, and federal tax dollars are spent, etc.

Any informed citizen expects a campaign to point out the strengths of it's own candidate while bluntly and honestly accusing the opponent of certain weaknesses. Nobody would blame you for that. But what I've seen recently from the Caraway team is negative attacks without any underlying reasoning.

Caraway has endorsed Ms. Young in the District 5 race and accused the incumbent of being a "dictator." You said there were reasons behind this accusation, yet when presented the opportunity to list those reasons, on behalf of Caraway (who you do speak for, like it or not), you declined.

Then, when a fellow citizen steps up to challenge Caraway, you respond with a snide "REALLY?" and stand in front of his house, take pictures of the Caraway signs in his neighborhood so you can crack a joke on your blog? That's the sort of thing I'd expect from somebody like U.S. Rep Sessions in U.S. District 32, not that the bar has been set all that high in Dallas' District Four. (http://www.pegasusnews.com/people/maxine-thornton-reese/) Hopefully you guys can redirect your focus and follow the example set by our current president on how to run a clean, issues oriented campaign.

Our campaign is all about issues. The list of measurable achievements is a mile long. It's on Caraway's website.

We don't take a race for granted no matter who is running.

Anybody that knows me personally, which includes many people that post on this forum, knows how serious I am about improving this city especially south of the Trinity.

If you have a chip on your shoulder about me or Dwaine, that's on you my friend. Look at it however you want. You linked to my article. You can love it, hate it, be obsessed with every word that I write, or line your bird cage with it.

[downtownguy25]

When Dallas City Council candidates pose half-naked with handguns

A photograph posted on social networking site MySpace.com pictures a grinning, bare-chested District 7 Dallas City Council candidate Charles "Chazz" Redd pointing a pair of high-powered handguns in the air near his face.

http://cityhallblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2009/03/when-dallas-city-council-candi.html

[Cliff Dweller]

First District 3 candidate forum last night. Dave Neumann, Casey Thomas, and Victoria Walton. There was a crowd of about 50 people, a majority of whom were African American. My (admittedly biased) impressions:

For me, Ms Walton barely registered. She gave vague, rambling answers, and didn't seem to understand several of the questions. She did say she was not feeling well, but still. . .

Neumann, as an incumbent, had more specific and detailed answers for questions, but Thomas definitely held his own. Neumann repeated his mantra of supporting neighborhoods several times (which sounded false to me, given his unbridled enthusiasm for developers). Thomas talked about how he had walked the district and tried to find out what the people want and need.

Neumann's answers on the Convention Center Hotel (for it) and Trinity Parkway (full speed ahead) may have hurt him with the crowd that was there, who, I think are skeptical about both.

A fascinating moment came with the last question: who is your favorite historical politician. Thomas chose President Obama with no hesitation and talked about inclusion, energy, hope, etc. Neumann chose President Reagan and talked about optimism, outreach, and growth. Maybe you can guess which answer played better to the crowd.

[UrbanHope]

First District 3 candidate forum last night. Dave Neumann, Casey Thomas, and Victoria Walton. There was a crowd of about 50 people, a majority of whom were African American. My (admittedly biased) impressions:

For me, Ms Walton barely registered. She gave vague, rambling answers, and didn't seem to understand several of the questions. She did say she was not feeling well, but still. . .

Neumann, as an incumbent, had more specific and detailed answers for questions, but Thomas definitely held his own. Neumann repeated his mantra of supporting neighborhoods several times (which sounded false to me, given his unbridled enthusiasm for developers). Thomas talked about how he had walked the district and tried to find out what the people want and need.

Neumann's answers on the Convention Center Hotel (for it) and Trinity Parkway (full speed ahead) may have hurt him with the crowd that was there, who, I think are skeptical about both.

A fascinating moment came with the last question: who is your favorite historical politician. Thomas chose President Obama with no hesitation and talked about inclusion, energy, hope, etc. Neumann chose President Reagan and talked about optimism, outreach, and growth. Maybe you can guess which answer played better to the crowd.

I like both Dave and Casey very much and both are friends of mine so I'm strictly on the sidelines in that one. I applaud them both for running a respectful, spirited race.

CliffD: How's the district 1 race going? That one seems like a barnburner...

[Cliff Dweller]

I haven't heard much new in Dist 1. I have seen more signs and mailers around so a few of the candidates are spending some money. But I have not seen/heard any of them speak lately. Next Monday is a big forum put on by the Old Oak Cliff Conservation League, we'll see how they perform at that.

And like you, I couldn't make a choice between the two in Dist 3, at least not yet. Both seem like credible candidates.

[trolleygirl]

I think the only runoffs will be in District 1 and District 5. The district 7 race will be close but Carolyn's winning..

Nope, there will be a runoff and Carolyn is vulnerable for a reason. She's got a a tough one to row. Think about it: there are more candidates running for an occupied seat now than there were two years ago when it was open. That's a mandate and there's enough people irritated with her that there will likely be another person representing District 7 come June.

[UrbanHope]

Nope, there will be a runoff and Carolyn is vulnerable for a reason. She's got a a tough one to row. Think about it: there are more candidates running for an occupied seat now than there were two years ago when it was open. That's a mandate and there's enough people irritated with her that there will likely be another person representing District 7 come June.

I hear ya TG but I might be wrong but I have a pretty good feel for these things...if there's a runoff she will win with a good margin like last time.