Michael Davis

I am glad that the black community is seeing him for what he is. I was introduced to him when he presented a proposal to work for mayoral candidate Darrell Jordan. He is not what this community needs or wants.

I do not always agree with anyone, but it is Commissioner John Wiley Price's right to campaign for who he chooses and who is Michael Davis to tell him that he can not? Just a puppet.

ADELPHA CALLEJO'S COMMENTS

Why did Adelpha Callejo think that she could make derogatory comments about Senator Baraka Obama and that Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton would go along with them? Did she think that no one was listening? Does she not know that you can be for your race without being negative about another race ?

My telephone started ringing about 10:15 pm last evening, and the conversations were about KTVT's interview with Adelpha Callejo. According to the Dallas Morning New her comments were "When the blacks had the numbers, they never did anything to support us. There is a lot of hurt feelings about that. And I don't think we're going to get over it anytime soon." She also said that black politicians had done little for Hispanics and that Barak Obama"simply has a problem that he happens to be black."

The people that I spoke with were angry that she would make such statements and some remembered that she has had a history of being divisive and some did not understand why she would use such a tactic because it would surely backfire on her candidate of choice for the Democratic Presidential nominee. Did she not check the record for the Clinton's who have a long standing history of working with African Americans?

I have many Hispanic acquaintances and friends, and I do not believe that Mrs. Callejo was speaking for all Hispanics. When I spoke with some this morning, they denounced her comments and clearly stated she was speaking for herself and not the entire Hispanic community.

The choice between an African American and a woman makes this a historic Democratic Primary and all should understand that in the final analysis which ever candidate is chosen, we will make history.

DISD Bond

What is the rush to put the next bond program on the May 2008 ballot? There are still too many questions by the taxpaying citizens to be rushed into anything. DISD has not shown itself to be as responsible as the citizens would like with taxpayer money.

The last bond program had some flaws and they were overlooked. We taxpayers are tired of spending our money with little or no accountability from the school superintendent and staff. It seems like they only feel accountable to "Dallas Achieves" and "The Road to Brode". In my mind that is unexceptable.

When I had an opportunity to meet with DISD staff about the bond program, I was not happy with the fact that there are really no new designated schools for District 6. If the expectation is that our community should be for this bond package, then the question should be asked, how will it benefit our community?

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

LOVE SUPERSEDES ALL ARMIES

DICK GREGORY

DART chief knew about 1 Billion

DART President Gary Thomas knew about the soaring rail cost on the Irving and Rowlett lines and decided not to inform the DART board of directors. This came to light yesterday in the Audit committee. The DART Board had asked for an internal audit that would outlined who knew what and when. The Audit did outline the staff persons that were knowledgable of the shortfall that would affect the buuildout and they were President, EVP Planning, CFO and Senior VP Project Management, it also showed that some employees knew atleast 18 monts ago.

If DART is going to regain the public's trust, then the DART Board is going to have to take control of the situation and hold someone accountable. It is beyond my comprehension as to why the Board has not started a process that would hold the staff accountable for the current situation.

Regaining the public's trust takes steps and actions that warrent the public to trust the agency again. These are taxpayer dollars that are being spent and the Board must handle this situation immediately.

REACH TO TEACH PROGRAM

Howard University has just been awarded a multi-million dollar grant
from the U.S. Department of Education to recruit, train and certify
people that are interested in becoming teachers. We are looking for
candidates who would like to teach English, Mathematics, Reading,
Science or Special Education in Chicago (IL); Clayton County (GA);
Houston (TX); Prince George's County (MD); or Washington (DC). The
best part -no experience or background in education is required!
The Ready to Teach program (RtT) is ACTIVELY recruiting candidates
for the 2008-2009 Cohort. Through this program you can earn a
Master's of Arts in teaching Degree and get your teaching
certification in one short year! RtT even provides scholarships and
financial assistance to its candidates. The program is geared
towards African-American males, but everyone is encouraged to apply.
Hurry, the application deadline is March 3, 2008!!!
For admissions requirements and more information please visit the
website at www.readytoteach.org, or feel free to cont act m e Trenile
Tillman at ttillman@howard.edu.
Please forward this information to your friends, family, colleagues,
children, etc.
--
Best Regards,
Trenile Tillman
Program Assistant
Howard University
School of Education
Ready to Teach Program
202-806-6500 (phone)

African American Read In

On Saturday afternoon, I attended the African American Read In that was held at The Majestic. I believe that this was the ninth Read In held in Dallas, and I have been ask on several occassions to attend but always had other plans. This year was different and I am so glad that I had the opportunity to experience the event.

There were saxophonist,flutist,story tellers, dancers and singers, and they were all working from the theme "Read,Believe,Achieve." The highlight was author, illustrator and storyteller, Ashley Bryan. He was an absolute delight.

Carla Ranger of Dallas County Community College District did a fabulous job.