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Archive for 2001

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The e-mails to the editor are posted unedited, LNO does not correct spelling or diction errors.  The information contained has not been verified by LNO.  While LNO policy dictates that letters may not be of such a nature to be personally offensive to what may be considered family values, LNO assumes no responsibility, liability or endorses any particular letter.  The letters do not necessarily reflect the opinion, philosophy or beliefs of LNO, LNO staff or anyone with an interest in LNO. Dissenting views are not only welcomed but encouraged with the goal of uplifting knowledge, communication and understanding of all sides of issues in the cities covered. 

To view previous e-mails to the Editor, Click on Date:

April  2001 May  2001 June  2001  July 2001 August 2001 
September 2001  October 2001 November 2001 December 2001

Time Stamped 12-22-01 12:21 PM

Dear Editor:
Thank you so much.  We were very impressed with your coverage.  I am amazed
at how quick you got it all up.  Look forward to doing business with you in
the future.

Lucrecia Boyd
Marketing Director
United Community Bank

Time Stamped 12-18-01 10:51 AM

Dear Editor:

I was going to let it go this time.  Not being selected on citizen committees looked like
 my political cross to bear for exercising the right of free-speech.  

 Until I read in the Star-Telegram that one of you said I wasn't included in the new
 McPherson Park committee because I had a conflict of interest living on the west side.
 This, in spite of Mayor Arp informing Councilman Hocutt and Councilman Rice in the
 interview in the back room before nominations, this was not a valid reason to disqualify
 a citizen on an Advisory Committee.  Still, I was getting pretty used to the idea that
 anyone who might hold an alternative opinion in Colleyville was going to have to wait
 awhile to be civically included in anything again.

 Then I see where the losing candidate in the November special election has written to
 the Dallas Morning News, a gushing letter of praise to the Council for not accepting the
 nomination of myself due to this conflict of interest.

 Evidently the majority of Council has structured a missing man formation so far as from
 whom you will really be outsourcing counsel, despite claims of wanting to work with
 the elected Councilman.

The alleged "conflict of interest" should have been asked of the City Attorney right away in the executive session, under legal issues, before the nomination process and absolutely before saying so to the press.  If you don't mind, I'd like you to ask Mr. Foster now while the press is still available.

 Since some of you had not spent much time at City Council meetings or attending the
 committees I served on prior to your decision to run for office, I am going to enlighten
 you about McPherson Park and my geographical relationship to it.  Those of you who
 do know, I will address in my final remarks.

 Right next to my three acres, in McPherson Park, Colleyville built a three story brilliant red firehouse that can be lit up to shame a Las Vegas night.  I supported this firehouse  to the extent that I fought to keep it next door rather than have it be placed on the  corner of John McCain and Westcoat instead, in a proposed McPherson land tradeoff.

 And also next to my property, in McPherson Park, the city erected a King Kong size
 water tower-cant say how many stories it is-then painted COLLEYVILLE on the bowl in
 four-story letters, so there would be no confusion where I am when I wake up in the
 morning.  I supported the water tower location completely.

 A couple years ago, Joan Quinn and I packed this chamber with residents protesting
 the sneaky little proposed extension road from West McDonwell drawn to cut across
 to John McCain. This would have enabled the North Tarrant Parkway to have a clear
 freeway to Highway 26, while running completely outside Colleyville's commercial zone.
  This extension road would have bypassed my property entirely, and freed me from
 traffic almost completely.  Was that a conflict of interest?  I did it for the "greater
 good."

 Selfish people often attribute their own vices to others, thinking them universal.  I am
 not conflicted about anything a true citizens committee might decide to put in at
 McPherson Park.  You can put Texas Stadium over there, and I will just slap a little
 tinfoil in the east window, buy sunglasses for the horses and tiny little nightshades for the chickens and bees.  Organized athletic fields would only bring parents to my
 house, wanting to buy fresh eggs or honey.  I might lure their children away like the
 Pied Piper into the 4H Club and away from all that regimented organization.

 I have been offered, literally, hundreds of thousands of dollars for my land.  And not just to get rid of me, I like to think.  But our home isn't an investment.  As I said in my appointment interview, I will be here until we are too old to work it anymore.  As I have often stated at this podium, the "property values" some folks are so worried about keeping up, result in keeping their taxes up as well.  The ones cashing in, are the ones leaving town anyway.

 So those of you on Council who will one day be moving to your second homes in the
 country or the mountains, or your secluded lake houses, don't leave McPherson Park
 a suburban wasteland before you leave. My family will still be here.  And I expect
 nothing less in the future from each one of you to spiritedly come to my defense to
 whomever may claim I have a conflict of interest.

 You have, by election, the authority to choose who you want on all the boards, but
 stop and think before you exclude people from the citizens committees.  It is an old
 wisdom, but when the neighbors start banging on the door complaining about the noise
 of the party, you are a wise host to invite them inside.

 Linda Baker
 Colleyville, TX 76034
 

Time Stamped 12-10-01 9:51 PM

Dear Editor:

Time Stamped 12-08-01 12:28 PM

Dear Editor:

Regarding the story on the Ethics Committee appointments, and as one who applied by the deadline and was not, contrary to City Charter procedures, even interviewed, I share Mr. Lemmon's dismay over the sorry way the methodology and recent selections have been conducted.

I frankly did not expect to be selected, given that my criticism of the weak-sister resolution introduced by Councilwoman Feldman and passed last May by the Council, meant a penalty surely would be exacted down the road so far as this citizen's input.  The real stumper was the appointment of Tom Miller, The Villages' business partner-recent recipient of sweetheart deals such as the condemnation and lease for $10 per month of the Couch property, the taxpayer funded median fiasco, and City Park land tradeoff.  Hey, he is the Chairman of the Ethics Committee!

My projection is that ultimately the final Ethics Resolution produced will have a few blank spots.

Linda Baker
Colleyville 

Time Stamped 12-05-01 3:12 PM