Project MANHOOD Leadership Institute

An academic enrichment program for rising 5th, 6th, and 7th grade boys designed to help them prepare for post-secondary education b building self-esteem through exposure to professional role models and mentors. Information session on Saturday, June 14, 2008 at 10:00 am. The location is Cedar Valley College Student Center-Building D. for information call 972-546-0977.

Housing Subsidy Downtown To Be Voted On

The City of Dallas wants to subsidize downtown mortgages. They say the reasoning is to create more affordable housing in downtown Dallas, so the City Council's housing committee voted to unanimously back a plan to subsidize downtown dwellers' mortgage payments. The new program, which would replace an existing downtown homeowner loan program which not a single resident has used, would provide up to $100,000 in public assistance to low- to moderate-income home buyers seeking to purchase downtown condominiums valued at $200,000 or less ( in this case, 1/2 of the purchase price could be subsidized). This was told to the council members by city housing director Jerry Killingsworth, and he said that home buyers using the program would face certain deed restrictions and liens to ensure its future affordability. There will be a formal vote of the full council on Aug. 13, Mr. Killingsworth said. The program does not apply to apartment renters.

I am sure that some of the home owners north, south, east or west of downtown would like such a good deal. Maybe even affording such a program to the fire department,police department and city worker would make more sense than using the funds to help more people live downtown. And when did $200,000.00 become low -to-moderate housing?

Is the City of Dallas facing a 50 million dollar budget shortfall?

NO NEW TAXES/DALLAS COUNTY

On Tuesday Dallas County Commissioners pledged that they would not raise taxes next fiscal year even though they have a $34 million budget deficit. "No new taxes" declared Commissioner John Wiley Price. Four out of the five commissioners joined him in that statement.

Thank God some of the public officials understand that the taxpayers are in for a rough ride with taxes in the next few years. DISD will raise taxes based on the bond program,the city of Dallas has not declared, the appraisal of homes are up and DCCCD has not declared. These are very tough economic times.

Former Mayor Steve Bartlett

Good to see that former Dallas Mayor Steve Bartlett is still working hard in Washington. We had a good working relationship when he was mayor. Now he is in the trenches concerning the housing debate by leading the Financial Services Roundtable. As the chief lobbyist for the countries 100 largest financial service firms, Mr. Bartlett is working hard these days because many of his clients are reeling from losses tied to subprime mortgages.

There has to be an answer to many Americans loosing there homes.

DART's $600,000.00 SNAFU

Frontburner is reporting that a person that lives near the new Hall Street Rail Station on the Green Line, sent word that workers were tearing up the tracks that were recently laid. DART explains it this way: The concrete pedestals put in place to support the tracks (about 6,000 linear ft.) were deficient. They say that the fault lies with the contractors and their intentions are to have the contractors absorb the cost of correcting the problem. I say watch for a change order.

Dallas Housing Authority/Ann Lott

My heart goes out to Ann Lott because she is trying to do all that she can to hold on to her position at the housing authority. When some people form an opinion of you,valid or not, they will refuse to change.

Ms. Lott has tried to make the necessary changes to the accounting procedures to ensure that all monies are appropriately accounted for. She even has the Board Chairwoman saying that the agency has made significant progress, but her head is still on the chopping block. I hope that the lever is not pulled.

DART Board Nomination of Edward Okpa/Withdrawal of His Name By Dwaine Caraway

This is the document that was submitted by Dwaine Caraway to withdraw Ed Okpa from nomination to the DART Board. I hate that Mr. Okpa did not know that his name had been withdrawn by one of the persons who nominated him, the other nominator was mayor Tom Leppert. Mr. Okpa felt that Mr. Al Lipscomb was the cause of him not being voted on. NOT TRUE !!!!!