Dallas Mayoral Election: The End of the Laura Miller era

[hamiltonpl]

Has anyone seen Max Wells' commercial? It was very good. A little funny and very professional.

[trolleygirl]

Max Wells is sooooooo old........

[hamiltonpl]

That's kind of the point of his commercial.

http://maxwellsformayor.com/index.php

[jstrater]

From www.dallasblog.com

Max Wells' Odd Couples
by Carolyn Barta Friday, 20 April 2007


The endorsement list can be seen on maxwellsformayor.com.

So are these connections a good or bad thing? I consider a few of these people friends but they sure haven't been able to seal the deal for Wells. They certainly have not been able to raise money either.

It used to be the mantra of the Wells campaign (and the individuals cited in the dallasblog article) that Oakley could not raise the money so jump on board with Wells. I guess good ol Ed proved them wrong.

[jstrater]

That's a matter of perspective. Oakley was elected in one district, but when the city was re-districted his house ended up in another. It's generally acknowledged that from that point until the next election he neglected his old district and did everything he could for his new one. Bottom line: a typical politician whose primary interest is buying votes.


I'm curious... what did Ed neglect?

[Cliff Dweller]

The charge is that the councilman's discretionary money that year all went to projects in the district he planned to run in next and none was spent in the large part of the district that he was being drawn out of.
No, it wasn't illegal in any way, but some people in the old District 6 felt they had been "kicked to the curb".

[jstrater]

The charge is that the councilman's discretionary money that year all went to projects in the district he planned to run in next and none was spent in the large part of the district that he was being drawn out of.
No, it wasn't illegal in any way, but some people in the old District 6 felt they had been "kicked to the curb".

I was very much involved in the bond campaign and served as a member of the bond campaign steering committee that year. There was a public hearing process as well as a list of priorities identified by the city staff. Not once do I remember any requests by former District 6 residents that were not met. In fact, the bond campaign won by large margin in District 6. It was not until Mark Housewright had lost his campaign that his supporters started that myth.

I believe all this information and the allocations are still online somewhere. Maybe pose this as a question to Ed at a mayoral forum?

[columbiasooner]

Another from Dallasblog.com

Wells to Leppert: Gloves Are Off
by Carolyn Barta Monday, 23 April 2007

Tom Leppert’s campaign for mayor is based on his experience as a big-business CEO, but Max Wells suggests that all was not rosy when Leppert headed Turner Construction Co. The company was forced to pay $6.6 million to settle false claims to the federal government on construction jobs in 2005. Wells criticized Leppert for “not being forthcoming” on Justice Department findings that Turner fraudulently billed the government on dozens of federal contracts.

The Justice Department announced the settlement in 2005 that resulted from Turner receiving credits for bonds on dozens of federal contracts without passing the credits along to the federal government. Agencies participating in the settlement agreement included Justice, GSA, VA and the Navy. Leppert was president and CEO of the company at the time.

Wells called for his opponent to “stop hiding behind his high priced ads with celebrities and face the voters of Dallas directly with an explanation of his short term residency in the city, his eminent domain controversies in Hawaii, and Turner Construction’s own record of troubles with the law which resulted in $6.6 million in fines for fraud and abuse of taxpayers money.”

The ads referenced include a radio ad cut by former Cowboys quarterback and Leppert cochairman Roger Staubach. Leppert is expected to release cable and network TV ads this week. The eminent domain controversy has to do with a condemnation effort in Waikiki by Outrigger Enterprises; Leppert is on the board of the company. He previously lived in Hawaii.

Wells made the charges over the weekend, when he released a poll of a citywide survey of 400 voters in which 65 percent say they favor his plan to allow citizens to vote on an anti-crime district. The margin of error on the poll is plus or minus 4.5 percent. Leppert has attacked Wells’ anti-crime plan as just another tax.

[JSteffen]

I'm curious... what did Ed neglect?

Boyd says he didn't have town hall meetings.

[trolleygirl]

A poll with a MOI of plus or minus 4.5%??? I hope he didn't pay money for that crap. What kind of a dumb poll is that???

I've said it before about this race, so I'll says it again...

Zzzzzzzzzzz...............

[Lakewooder]

Max Wells actually looks better in person. I do business with his bank and I have known his son since Lakewood Elementary in the 1960s. I have a lot of respect for the man.

But, I am supporting Gary.

[hamiltonpl]

A poll with a MOI of plus or minus 4.5%??? I hope he didn't pay money for that crap. What kind of a dumb poll is that???

I've said it before about this race, so I'll says it again...

Zzzzzzzzzzz...............

That's the standard deviation for a poll.

[dfwcre8tive]

Leppert draws attention in race for Dallas mayor
Elections: Businessman's campaign moxie raises profile; foes take aim
12:00 AM CDT on Tuesday, April 24, 2007
By DAVE LEVINTHAL / The Dallas Morning News
dlevinthal@dallasnews.com
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/politics/local/stories/DN-leppert_24met.ART.State.Edition1.42f29d2.html

Even Tom Leppert acknowledged it: Most Dallas residents didn't know him from a stranger when he announced last November that he was running for mayor.

But after a wave of billboards, mail pieces, broadcast advertisements and personal appearances, the wealthy and well-connected Mr. Leppert has established himself as a major force in the crowded field for mayor.

And now he's drawing the attention – and criticism – of some of his opponents, who have accused him of a variety of political and professional misdeeds and mishaps. And they've painted him as someone who isn't exactly forthcoming about his past, much of which has been spent living outside Dallas' city limits.

For Mr. Leppert, his strategy of carefully crafting his public persona has his campaign humming. He at once has cast himself as an everyman who once earned money mopping floors in a doctor's office and as a corporate wunderkind who would bring the best of his business sensibilities to Dallas City Hall.

And the message is sticking: Endorsements are steadily rolling in, and as of April 2, Mr. Leppert had raised more money than any of his 10 mayoral competitors.

"I don't know if this means we're the front-runner, but it means people realize we have something unique to offer," Mr. Leppert said. "My point of view comes from outside of City Hall, not inside. People see my values, that I work very hard, but I don't forget where I come from. And we've been effective at reaching out to all parts of the city – north, south, east and west."

Perhaps Mr. Leppert's opponents grudgingly agree. Maybe they sense his efforts are resonating with undecided voters in what's an extremely fragmented Dallas mayoral race.

Regardless, three of his chief opponents have begun gunning for him, attempting to scratch the shine of Mr. Leppert's growing star this week before early voting commences.

Banker and former Mayor Pro Tem Max Wells is, for one, battering Mr. Leppert from multiple directions.

Mr. Wells criticized Mr. Leppert for living within Dallas' city limits less than three years and for his business practices as construction giant Turner Corp.'s chief executive. He's blasted Mr. Leppert for "hiding behind his high-priced ads with celebrities" (Dallas Cowboys legend Roger Staubach is the co-chairman of his campaign). And Mr. Wells has panned him for his involvement in an eminent domain controversy last decade in Hawaii and for attacking Mr. Wells' "anti-crime district" plan that aims to raise new tax revenue and dedicate it to policing.

"His campaign has not caught hold," Mr. Wells said Monday. "It seems like all he's done lately is attack Max Wells' crime plan. And he's presented himself with his main qualification as his experience as a CEO of his corporation, when it turns out the company's record isn't what he presents it as."

Mayor Pro Tem Don Hill, meanwhile, is demanding Mr. Leppert produce a detailed list of minority-owned businesses in the North Texas region that benefited from the $1 billion in annual Turner Corp. business Mr. Leppert frequently cites in campaign forums and literature.

"I'm not bringing this up because I view him as a front-runner, but because he's making these promises of opportunity in his campaign and he won't even document this figure even though he keeps bringing it up over and over again as an issue," Mr. Hill said.

Mr. Leppert hasn't formally responded to Mr. Hill's request.

But he defended his record of hiring such businesses on a national scale and cited several industry groups that have awarded Turner Corp. for its minority contractor hiring practices. Mr. Leppert has regularly said he conducted his business with high ethical standards.

Residency issue

As for the residency questions – Mr. Leppert lived in Hawaii, University Park and Highland Park in the years before moving to Dallas – Mr. Leppert says his opponents "know better. I lived here in the '80s. My son was born at Baylor. I've led the Greater Dallas Chamber, been active in a number of community groups. You can go through a litany of my participation in this community. Clearly, I've been involved."

Asked if Mr. Leppert is cutting into Mr. Hill's southern-sector Dallas base of support, Mr. Hill firmly responded "no."

"I went to four churches in the southern sector yesterday, and Tom Leppert's name never even came up in any of the discussions I had. Our community is not easily impressed by someone coming in with lots of money," said Mr. Hill, who as of April 2 reported having less than $13,000 in campaign funds available, compared with Mr. Leppert's nearly $475,000.

And Mr. Leppert has used his cash, spending tens of thousands of dollars rallying support in the southern sector, and tapping such well-known figures as Friendship-West Baptist Church Senior Pastor Frederick Haynes III to help bolster his campaign south of Interstate 30.

Darrell Jordan, who placed second in the 1995 Dallas mayoral race, has also become increasingly critical of Mr. Leppert. On Friday, he blasted him for not unequivocally backing $30 million in voter-approved bond money to renovate Dallas' Cotton Bowl stadium.

Mr. Leppert has long said he'd consider doing so but wanted college football teams to sign extended contracts to play at the 77-year-old stadium before he could support a large taxpayer-funded expenditure to renovate it. "That's just good business sense. That's common sense," Mr. Leppert said Monday.

"This demonstrates the type of mayor he will be: a 'wait-and-see' mayor," Mr. Jordan said. "Too many of our elected leaders have used the 'wait-and-see' approach in directing our city, and it has brought us nothing but unrealized potential. Being No. 1 in total crime for nine of the last 10 years is a good example. Losing the Cowboys to Arlington is another."

The Cowboys card

District 9 City Council member Gary Griffith also criticized Mr. Leppert for failing to help attract the Dallas Cowboys to Fair Park while serving earlier this decade as chairman of the Greater Dallas Chamber.

"I asked for the chamber's help, and I was wondering, 'Where was the chairman of the chamber when community support was critical?' " Mr. Griffith asked. "His leadership was missed."

District 3 City Council member Ed Oakley is taking a notably different approach to Mr. Leppert. One could argue it's no approach at all.

"I'm focused on my campaign. I will not go negative, nor do I feel I need to. I'm just not going to do it, and it's not my style," said Mr. Oakley, who reported having $365,796 in available campaign funds as of April 2 – trailing only Mr. Wells and Mr. Leppert. "I learned a long time ago that you don't get anything from doing that. If the others want to, let them go at it."

More than one Dallas political observer has suggested the possibility of Mr. Leppert and Mr. Oakley advancing to a two-candidate mayoral runoff after the May 12 election. Others substitute Mr. Wells for Mr. Leppert, or Mr. Hill for Mr. Oakley. Some suggest Mr. Jordan or Mr. Griffith or even former airline executive Sam Coats are primed to make a move.

Really, it's guesswork. Factors from a last-minute candidate scandal to lousy weather dampening voter turnout could swing one or another candidate's fortunes. And most of the mayoral candidates themselves refuse to speculate on who may be up or down, who's a front-runner or not, even if Mr. Leppert is leading the campaign's money race.

"I'll let the pundits decide that," Mr. Wells said. "But Mr. Leppert must think it's me with all the dust he's been kicking in my face."

Said Mr. Griffith, "A number of campaigns are bunched together, and I don't think anyone has broken out of the pack just yet. I'm not sure we'll know until the end."

[BigD5349]

From Unfair Park:

Last week in the paper version of Unfair Park, Jim Schutze revealed the real reason Ed Oakley's been snatching up tiny pieces of land inside the Trinity Design District. Today, mayoral candidate Sam Coats tells Oakley that "an apparent conflict of interest" isn't such a woonerful thing after all, and he wants some answers. The press release, natch, is after the jump. And, no, there is no truth to the rumor that Unfair Park is being operated out of Sam Coats' guest bedroom. Not today, anyway. --Robert Wilonsky

COATS CALLS ON OAKLEY TO EXPLAIN TRINITY CONFLICT

Council Member Stands to Lose Money If Toll Road Plan Revised
Former Democratic state representative and airline executive Sam Coats today called on City Council member Ed Oakley to explain an apparent conflict of interest involving his ownership of property inside the Trinity Design District slated for redevelopment by the city as part of the Trinity River project.

As reported last week by the Dallas Observer, Oakley, chairman of the City Council's Trinity River Committee, owns at least four tracts of property in the area of the Trinity Design District along North Industrial Boulevard that has undergone a series of zoning changes in recent years allowing property owners to become eligible for federal subsidies and special parking exemptions.

Coats pointed out that the Trinity River Committee chaired by Oakley has presented zoning and development proposals in the Trinity District that could benefit him personally, and asked Oakley to state whether his opposition to the Trinity Vote referendum is based in part on personal financial reasons. Supporters of the referendum have suggested that an Industrial Boulevard alignment could be more cost-effective and would intrude less into the Downtown Trinity Park than the current alignment.

In mayoral candidate forums, Oakley has repeatedly stated that an Industrial Boulevard alignment is not feasible because it would displace too many local businesses and landowners. He rarely, if ever, mentions that he is a landowner himself.

"Mr. Oakley owes it to the people of Dallas to explain whether his full-speed-ahead approach to the Trinity Toll Road is in the public interest or in his own personal interest," said Coats. "Oakley has been among those most vocally opposed to putting the Trinity toll road plan up to a vote. If the road is moved outside the river's levees, his land stands to lose some of its value. That certainly has the appearance of a conflict of interest, and at the very least Dallas voters deserve an explanation."

In recent weeks Coats has questioned the wisdom of building a billion dollar toll road within the Trinity's flood plain, and has endorsed the Trinity Vote referendum to move the toll road outside of the levees.

"What's going on here is clear," said Coats. "There are a lot of interests that stand to lose a lot of money if the Trinity toll road gets moved. I find it troubling that one of those interests is the chairman of the Trinity River Committee."

[tamtagon]

The municipal politicians are getting almost as bitchy as some dallasmetropolis.com participants. (oops, was that outloud?)

[dfwcre8tive]

Interview of Sam Coats from Pegasus News:

http://www.pegasusnews.com/news/2007/apr/24/dallas-mayoral-candidate-interview-sam-coats/

[LH_Newbie]

I like the idea of encouraging Dallas police/firemen to live in the city. When I grew up, we had several police officers living within a couple blocks of our house. I tell you - that's one strong deterrent in a neighborhood. You don't mess with a policeman's home turf. That alone would increase the "presence" of police. Add to that the 150 more officers that are already being added to the payroll and things should only continue to improve.

[St-T]

What is Max Wells' stance on the Trinity Tollroad?

[hamiltonpl]

The municipal politicians are getting almost as bitchy as some dallasmetropolis.com participants. (oops, was that outloud?)
No. It was written.

Sincerely,
Bitchy Dallasmetropolis Participant.

:2ontome:

[dfwcre8tive]

Take the The Highly Unofficial Unfair Park Mayoral Poll:

http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/unfairpark/2007/04/the_unfair_park_mayoral_poll.php

[frankchitown]

Cool, Sam Coats is 2nd in that poll, but I'm surprised Don Hill only had 18 votes when I voted.

[JSteffen]

He seems to be in third now.

[dfwcre8tive]

Is it Too Late to Give Tom Leppert a Nickname?
Thu Apr 26, 2007 at 10:10:46 AM
Tom Leppert prepares for a mayoral forum. We are so kidding. Or...are we?
http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/unfairpark/2007/04/is_it_too_late_to_give_tom_lep.php

I attended mayoral forum other night at Paul Quinn College, where about 100 students and faculty gathered to hear the candidate posse tell their stories. I had been away from the forum scene for a while, and things have changed.

Sam Coats, easily the most assured and polished, made a nice personal connection with the crowd by walking around a faulty p.a. system and speaking with his own human voice. A student asked a question that was really a racist diatribe against Mexicans, and Coats -- alone among the lot of them -- declined to pander. He said we don’t need to hunt for divisive issues. Got a decent hand for it too.

But the big change was Tom Leppert.

He’s still an effective speaker, and I may have caught him on an off night. These guys all have to be sick of this stuff by now. But, man, he was off his game. If anything, he seemed rattled or distracted.

Most of the students asked smart thoughtful questions, but Leppert just cannot get himself off those freeze-dried pre-packaged answers that Carol Reed has written for him. Here he is with a room full of smart kids, and he can’t get beyond all that corporate-speak about team building and large complex organizations.

It scares me, because I already think he’s the Manchurian candidate. He gets elected. Ray Hunt sends John Scovell to sit in the audience at city council sessions with a deck of cards, so he can hold up different ones to trigger responses from the mayor.

Queen of Diamonds. Adjourned. --Jim Schutze

[dfwcre8tive]

Sam Coats has new ads running:

http://samcoats.com/media/trinity.aspx

http://samcoats.com/media/lesscussing.aspx

[hamiltonpl]

At this point, I'm of the opinion that a lot of these guys would make a good mayor. I like Wells, Coats, and Jordan.

Wells' get-tough-on-crime initiative intrigues me. I like the fact that he's not gonna lie about how to pay for it. He's gonna raise the sales tax. That kind of transparency would be a great asset in City Hall.

Sam Coats and Darrell Jordan both seem to be accomplished leaders who can bring people together. I know Darrell Jordan is against the toll road inside the levee. He's friendly to businesses (which I like), but he's not completely in bed with them like Tom Leppert and Ed Oakley. I remain to be convinced on who to vote for. But those three are my top contenders.

[LH_Newbie]

I have long believed that strong business skills were generally lacking from most politicians. Budgetting hasn't been the strength of most governments - either local, state or federal. Someone that has proven that they understand the different between black and red is quite important. Just as important: understanding how to drive revenue.

I like Sam Coats record. He has done the turnaround thing for several companies. He has proven skills in getting different groups together to negotiate and compromise. Not only gets them together, but he's a closer. Lots of people talk - not many people actually close deals. I really respect that.

I believe Sam Coats can utilize these skills to better Dallas. He definitely has my vote. He's got a great sense of humor, too... his comments about disproving that his campaign was run on good looks cracked me up. Humor in City Hall will go a long way to improve the perceptions about Dallas. Politicians can be so uptight sometimes. :)

[dfwcre8tive]

We Recommend Tom Leppert for mayor of Dallas
12:00 AM CDT on Friday, April 27, 2007
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/opinion/editorials/stories/DN-mayor_27edi.ART.State.Edition1.4353c12.html

The list is dizzying.

Eleven candidates want to be Dallas' mayor: four current or former City Council members, two big-time business executives, a well-known lawyer and an assortment of civic-minded aspirants.

Even attentive voters are bewildered.

But a closer look at the candidates, their ideas and their modus operandi reveals two standouts. Tom Leppert and Sam Coats are the class of this overcrowded field.

On paper, they are strikingly similar. Both were high-profile CEOs and are active in civic life. They are City Hall outsiders offering innovative ideas for applying best practices from the private sector to public service. And as their track records confirm, both are leaders.

Mr. Coats and Mr. Leppert are substantive candidates. A key difference lies in their styles.

"I've never overwhelmed anybody," Mr. Coats says. He's probably right.

Mr. Coats, 66, describes his leadership style as more choir director than hotshot CEO. The former Schlotzsky's and Continental Airlines executive was a quiet giant of industry. His reputation as a turnaround CEO is evidence that his soft-spoken demeanor belies an effective and determined leader.

Mr. Coats' understated approach would no doubt prove valuable as he worked behind the scenes to build coalitions.

But Dallas needs more than a behind-the-scenes guy. We need a bold leader, someone who can command a room and who, through force of personality, can sell the city.

Mr. Leppert will do that.

Dallas' mayor is, by definition in the city's charter, weak. He or she is but one of 15 votes.

So the ability to make the case for your ideas in a compelling way is crucial.

Mr. Leppert, 52, has the X-factor, that intangible combination of charisma and intelligence that will help him move Dallas forward. The retired chairman and CEO of Turner Corp. is best suited to the job of Dallas' most visible spokesman, selling voters on essential projects such as the Trinity River plan, building consensus among council members, and putting the city's best foot forward as it tries to attract new businesses and events.

Mr. Leppert also has shown a willingness to address tough but important issues – such as education and environmental quality – that aren't necessarily part of the mayor's job description.

He and Mr. Coats each offer innovative proposals that incorporate other cities' best ideas for tackling crime and other urban issues.

They diverge, though, on the issue of the Trinity Project. Mr. Leppert supports moving ahead with current plans to control flooding, develop recreational amenities and ease traffic congestion.

Mr. Coats is backing council member Angela Hunt's effort to return the issue to voters and reconsider the road alignment. This is an unwise proposition that risks millions of federal dollars and could trigger a years-long delay.

Mr. Leppert's views on key issues such as the Trinity and his dynamic leadership style convince us that he should be Dallas' next mayor.

While Mr. Leppert and Mr. Coats stand apart from the field, Don Hill also has impressed. The longtime council member and current mayor pro tem has been a bright spot for the southern sector during his eight years at City Hall. He has been an effective advocate, not only for his own constituents, but also for every district south of the Trinity River.

Mr. Hill's magnetism has helped separate him from much of the mayoral pack. But an ongoing FBI investigation into possible corruption has cast a shadow over Mr. Hill's campaign. The investigation, coupled with other occasional judgment lapses, convince us that he is not the best man for this job.

Mr. Hill's council colleagues Ed Oakley and Gary Griffith are proven leaders who know the ins and outs of city government, but their mayoral bids seem to be more about continuing the status quo than implementing new ideas.

Max Wells, a former council member, and Darrell Jordan, a mayoral contender in 1995, also are distinguished candidates who have run strong campaigns.

John Cappello, Roger Herrera, Edward Okpa and Jennifer Gale round out the long list of candidates. And while they've brought fresh eyes and a few good ideas to the campaign, they lack experience and leadership skills.

With 11 contenders duking it out for oxygen and air time, drawing clear distinctions among the candidates has been challenging. Mr. Coats and Mr. Leppert have distinguished themselves.

And while either former business leader would bring intelligence and inventive ideas to City Hall, Mr. Leppert is best equipped to effect needed change.

[Cliff Dweller]

The Morning News endorsed Leppert - wow, what a shocker. . .

[dfwcre8tive]

More ads for Sam Coats:

http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=s9xdh4bab.0.xyfoh4bab.csqel7bab.482&ts=S0242&p=http%3A%2F%2Fsamcoats.com%2Fmedia%2Fsouthdallas. aspx

http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=s9xdh4bab.0.zyfoh4bab.csqel7bab.482&ts=S0242&p=http%3A%2F%2Fsamcoats.com%2Fmedia%2Fneighborhood preservation.aspx

[LH_Newbie]

It's good to see Sam Coats on these spots - it's good to get his face/name out there heavily in the final stretch.

[trolleygirl]

The Morning News endorsed Leppert - wow, what a shocker. . .

Uh, yeah, like I'm totally surprised by that.....geez this sh*t is getting so old and predictable, I'm so tired of the same 'ol, same 'ol politics in this town. I'm so tuned out of this local political scene it's depressing........I think I'm going to just lead a quiet little life in the private sector from now on and look forward to watching 'Dancing with the Stars' to get my jollies........

[CityLove]

Uh, yeah, like I'm totally surprised by that.....geez this sh*t is getting so old and predictable, I'm so tired of the same 'ol, same 'ol politics in this town. I'm so tuned out of this local political scene it's depressing........I think I'm going to just lead a quiet little life in the private sector from now on and look forward to watching 'Dancing with the Stars' to get my jollies........

Yeah...ignorance is bliss, right? It sucks sometimes to care so much...I totally understand what you're saying.

[UrbanHope]

Don Hill Asks Tom Leppert: What, Exactly, Are You Spreading?

http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/unfairpark/2007/04/don_hill_asks_tom_leppert_what.php


Official that was investigating Turner Construction got stonewalled and possibly a death threat.

http://www.clevescene.com/2007-04-11/news/lone-ranger/full

As of today, Leppert hasn't published any info to say that the minorities really got the contracts.

[south side kiki]

didnt know if i should start a new thread with this or just include it in here. if someone thinks it deserves one...cool.

Dallas Mayoral Leadership Forum

Tuesday, May 8, 2007
7:30 - 9:00 p.m.
South Side on Lamar
1409 S. Lamar St.
Second Floor Atrium

Participating Candidates:

Sam Coats
Gary Griffith
Don Hill
Darrell Jordan
Tom Leppert
Ed Oakley
Max Wells

Hosts:

Greater Dallas Planning Council
Preservation Dallas
AIA Dallas
Council of Engineering Companies (CEC)
QUOIN (Associated General Contractors)

Moderator:

Bob Ray Sanders, Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Format:

Two minute introduction for each candidate; focus on issues of urban planning, historic preservation, zoning and the built environment (15 minutes)


Moderator proposes scenarios randomly to each candidate and asks for a 2 minute response/3 rounds (30 minutes) (Alternatively 2 rounds with 3 minute responses (45 minutes)


Moderator proposes specific questions from the audience to each candidate (15 minutes)


Two minute closing comments from each candidate (15 minutes)

[dfwcre8tive]

You can compare all of the Mayoral and Council candidates here:

http://www.vgt2004.org/a-dallas07/index.go

[Lakewooder]

Candid moments enliven mayoral campaign

11:38 AM CDT on Monday, May 7, 2007

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/stories/050607dnmetcampaigncolor.3bb26d2.html

[south side kiki]

a little write up on the forum here tonight:

Mayoral Candidates to Tear This Mother Down Tonight, Unless They're All For Historic Preservation
Tue May 08 2007, at 12:14:59 PM

Tonight you can go ask Ed Oakley about the 2,000 apartments he wants to tear down -- to stop the crime, of course.
A note to all our Friends concerned about the future of Deep Ellum (and the rest of Dallas, for that matter): You should attend tonight’s Dallas Mayoral Leadership Forum, scheduled to start at 7:30 at South Side on Lamar. Thus far, the candidates expected to attend are Sam Coats, Gary Griffith, Don Hill, Darrell Jordan, Tom Leppert, Ed Oakley and Max Wells.
The title of the forum is “The Built Environment: Planning, Zoning and Preservation”; as a semi-conspiracy theorist, I’m convinced they make the names of these forums as boring as possible in order to keep the public away. Nonetheless, what that translates to is, if you’re worried about buildings being torn down, if you want certain buildings preserved and if you are interested in the way Dallas is being developed, you should attend to hear the candidates’ takes on such things. You know, so you’ll know who you want to vote for. The moderator is the Fort Worth Star-Telegram’s Bob Ray Sanders, and hosts include the Greater Dallas Planning Council, Preservation Dallas and the Council of Engineering Companies, among others. --Jonanna Widner

http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/unfairpark/its_gettin_all_political_up_in/

[dfwcre8tive]

Trinity toll road remains at center of mayoral race
May 8th, 2007

Dallas voters ask about it on the street and at every political forum. They want to know what candidates for mayor think about the tollway plan for the Trinity River Project. A petition drive may put that roadway to a vote; but even if it doesn't, the issue will remain.


http://www.wfaa.com/video/index.html?nvid=142208&shu=1

[Milkman Dan]

The tollroad was by far the main talking point last night at the SSOL forum. For those who attended : am I correct in thinking I heard Jordan has "reconsidered" his stance on the levee tollroad? He rambled so much at times that I couldn't be sure and had to leave right after so I couldn't stop and ask him.

It was my 2nd forum to attend and I've got to say - Don Hill is damned impressive. Sam Coats is very likeable, knowledgable, and would be a great leader. Although asked very specific scenario questions, Leppert still got no more specific than "I'm a leader in business" and "we have to bring the sides together in a spirit of cooperation"... I just wanted to hear one ... small .... personal opinion........ but no. John Loza stood in for Wells. Hell, I'd consider voting for Loza in an election like this.

Overall, pretty entertaining format - opening statements, then 3 rounds of answering questions posed by the organizers (each candidate answered a unique question), followed by audience-submitted questions (which was slightly chaotic), followed by Ed Oakley getting heckled loudly from the rafters (no joke!) for his promise to bulldoze 2,000 apartments.

I'll stop there - anyone else attend and have any input?

[LH_Newbie]

Yeah, I didn't understand Ed Oakley's stance on bulldozing. Talk about addressing symptoms. Apartments aren't the issue... poor managment was the issue. Overbuilding and the desire to fill them with disregard for credit/background checking (aka slumlord practices) was the issue. Blanket statements like bulldozing seems to be playing the emotional card toward Lake Highland residents. Kindof funny, too, cause I'm sure he'd take credit for the Skillman TIFF as things turn the corner there. :)

I'm definitely voting for Sam Coats.

Brian

[south side kiki]

-hangs m'head-

im lame...i posted it but couldn't stay. watched it get started then had to put my daughter to bed but did pop back down to see the "heckler".

[SDORN]

Go sam coats, no tom leppert. Go Angela Hunt. No ed oakley Please.

[LH_Newbie]

You mean you don't support conflicts of interest? Insider information? But why?!

[HarryMoto]

I didn't see this NY Times story about the mayoral election posted:

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/11/us/11dallas.html?_r=2&oref=slogin&oref=slogin

[trolleygirl]

Yeah, I didn't understand Ed Oakley's stance on bulldozing. Talk about addressing symptoms. Apartments aren't the issue... poor managment was the issue. Overbuilding and the desire to fill them with disregard for credit/background checking (aka slumlord practices) was the issue. Blanket statements like bulldozing seems to be playing the emotional card toward Lake Highland residents. Kindof funny, too, cause I'm sure he'd take credit for the Skillman TIFF as things turn the corner there. :)

I'm definitely voting for Sam Coats.

Brian

Ed Oakley takes credit for everything he didn't do.

[JSteffen]

Well your Sam Coats is not in the runoff. Which lesser of your two evils will you vote for now?

[frankchitown]

Lesser of two evils exactly. My policy in this scenario is to vote against the DMN's recommendation. It doesn't really matter this time around though...whoever wins the seat is really just a placeholder until Angela Hunt is ready to take her throne in the next election.

[SDORN]

Funny you thiunk that way too, I voted against propostion one and voted for Sam Coats, I will tell you this I ahven't seen any results yet, But I predict Tom leppert will win, sadly. See what happens when you slide dough under the table, now most of the people that showed up at the ballot box probaly voted for leppert, becaus the News printed it.

Go figure.

[frankchitown]

I voted for Coats too, and the more I've thought about it I cannot in good conscience give Oakley my vote (even thought the Dallas Voice thinks I should blindly support him because I'm gay) He already smells like a rat because of his stance on his personal property investments..oops, I meant the Trinity Tollroad.

[SDORN]

What is the new is district 14 going I hope Angela wins by a landslide. She got my vote today.
I also saw brandon out, collecting signatures for the petitions I signed that one two.
Go Angela!!!!!!