Thought of the week

Our ideas will work....if we do!

Thought for the week

Issac Hayes

In the 1970's singer Issac Hayes laid the groundwork for disco, for what became known as Urban-Contemporary music and for romantics like Barry White.

Probably best known for "Theme From Shaft" which was a #1 hit in 1971. He won an Academy Award for the song and was nominated for another on for the score. The song also won him two Grammys. A self taught musician, he was hired in 1964 by Stax Records of Memphis, Tennessee.

I am so glad that I had the opportunity to meet him when he was in Dallas in 1995. He autographed a picture for me which I will cherish. A good brother.

We will miss this music legend.

Booker T. Washington for the Performing and Visual Arts School

There was a meeting on yesterday with members of the Washington Lincoln Alumni, Trustee Ron Price and members of the Arts community to discuss removing "Hamon Arts Magnet" from the Booker T. Washington for the Performing and Visual Arts Magnet building that faces Routh Street. We all know that Mrs. Nancy Hamon donated $10 million dollars to DISD to help pay for the construction of the new wing of the school, but no one thought that "Hamon Arts Magnet" would be the new name of the school or the only name that is prominently affixed to the building. "Hamon Arts Magnet" will be removed.

Mrs. Hamon did a great and generous thing in donating the money and I am sure that the former students, current students and the community is thankful to her for her generosity, but changing the name of the school was never an option. It is my hope and prayer that there will be a way to prominently acknowledge Mrs. Hamon's gift.

A Hit Dog Will Holler

My mother, rest her sole, always said "A hit dog will holler", and it looks like a lot of hollering is going on. My position has not changed about Dwaine (Dewayne, Dwayne) Caraway and Betty Culbreath.

There are two people that have openly disagreed with me and they are Sharon Boyd and Michael Davis. Michael Davis is a person who lives in District 8 and is appointed to the Dallas City Plan Commission by Dwaine Caraway to represent District 4. I think Michael is a bitter guy who is trying to make his way in politics in Black Dallas. Check him out, he is always defending Dwayne as if his life depends on making sure that anyone who says something negative about Dwaine will get his raft. Who cares about his raft?

Sharon Boyd's opinion is hers, and I hope she remembers how she has maligned many African Americans in the past few years, including Dwaine(Dewayne,Dwayne) Caraway. I do not agree with all of her assessments, but I never commented. Some of the people that she has spoken negative about are my friends and mentors, but sometimes its better to leave things alone. I live in the black community, I have worked on community issues since the late 1960's and I know that I have a better feel than Sharon for what is going on in the black community. I believe that Sharon Boyd's opinion about what is going on in Black Dallas has no relevance in my community.

There is not just one opinion in the Black community, therefore everyone is not going to agree with me, but "I say what I mean and mean what I say".

Thought of the week

I don't know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody.


Bill Cosby

Mill City Renaissance Update

Talk is cheap and performance cost. We want our project recognized in the upcoming bond program in 2010. We have been very patient with the wheels of government. Not one of my strong points. If your goals are attainable and ours goals are, then we need to be about our business of redeveloping our community. We are getting ready to begin the process of streetscape planning. From Fitzhugh to Scyene on 2nd Ave. Envision the trees. benches and sidewalks/crosswalks that are inviting to pedestrians. Our draw will be the Fair Park and the variety and quality of goods and services we are willing to make available to our new patrons.

By Big "Tex" Ed Harris