Dallas Puts Its Citizens’ Lives at Risk for Red Light Ticket Revenue

An alert FBvian points us to news that Dallas has been shortening yellow lights at intersections monitored by cameras.

There is really nothing else to say: this must stop.

Update: Another FBvian reminds me that we’ve known this for a while.

Troy Aikman, Al Biernat And A Bunch Of Crazy Eights

As Associate Publisher Chris Kent Phelps and I were cooking up big plans for our business magazine, D CEO, over lunch today at Al Biernat’s restaurant, the great Al stopped by, ready as usual with an upbeat, offbeat tidbit. The latest: that former Dallas Cowboys QB Troy Aikman had picked Biernat’s to celebrate his eighth wedding anniversary earlier this week — and that everything about the bash involved an eight. Eight was Troy’s playing number; he was married to his wife, Rhonda, on the eighth of the month; and the couple sat Tuesday night in Al’s booth No. 8. Superstitious athletes, and all that.

What Project Will Neil Emmons Ruin Next?

In one of his rare misses, Jim Schutze’s column this week argues that plan commissioners and city council members should be the sole gatekeepers on green-lighting development projects within their given district. The idea, I gather, is these the gatekeepers — one at least elected and answerable, the other unelected and unanswerable — are better informed and wiser about what happens in a neighborhood than anyone else.

My immediate response is a punchline from an old Bill Cosby bit about the guy who justifies his cocaine use by saying, “It enhances your personality.” Cosby asks, “Yes, but what if you’re an ***hole?”

Which brings me to Neil Emmons, the city plan commissioner for District 14. Jump for more on this.

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There Goes the Neighborhood

If slum lords and crack heads moved onto my block, I’d pack up and move. These Oak Cliff residents chose to buy the crime-ridden houses and reclaimed their neighborhood. That’s one way to get property values back up.

Our Man At The Great Wall

Ron Steinhart, the retired Dallas banker and always-active community leader, told me that if I gave him one of my precious D Magazine hats he would wear it everywhere. He’s a man of his word. However, for a banker he is alarmingly sloppy on accounting. He has yet to turn in the money he collected for all the Chinese subscriptions he sold.

Calling All Potential Playmates

Folks from Playboy will be in Dallas April 15 and 16 searching for the mag’s 55th anniversary Playmate. If that’s not enough to pique your interest, The Girls Next Door star Holly Madison is leading the charge and filming for the show’s next season will coincide with the auditions. (BTW, D gents, the PR contact is “more than happy” to set up a time for someone to talk to Amber Campisi, Holly Madison, or Bryleigh Rayne, a local girl who is currently gracing the cover of Playboy NUDES, whatever that is.) I’ll still have a B cup and my modesty next week, but those not so hindered should check it out and then pretty please write us and tell us all about it. Jump for audition details.

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Robert Decherd: $10 Million Man

The proxy statement for the new Belo Corp. is out (that’s the broadcasting company; A. H. Belo is the newspaper company). Below the jump is the executive compensation schedule. There’s no doubt the company split was good for one person. Actually, comparing 2006 to 2007, it was good for five people. (Remember, this is only one proxy statement. There’s another one, with another compensation schedule, to come.) And, of course, I need to note that Belo’s stock has fallen 30 percent since it went to market on February 1.

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“Is That The Rangers Season Guide In Your Pocket, Or Are You Just Happy To See Me?”

Rangers fan Joe Siegler has quite the collection of Rangers Pocket Schedules, but the collection is not complete. He needs your help. So go help him already.

Gloria Campos Is in the Market for a New Mattress

An alert FrontBurnervian points us to the video of Campos asking for your mattress recommendations. She says, “I don’t have to tell you women you don’t want to be hot — at least not in that way — in bed.” Yes, true. Let’s get this woman a comfortable mattress!

Lone Star Park’s Opening Night

I hope those who made it to Grand Prairie last night had as much fun as I did. Granted, a certain exacta, trifecta, and longshot winner in the fifth made it difficult for me not to have a good time. The attendance was the lowest opening day crowd Lone Star has ever had (despite the Steve Asmussen bobblehead giveaway), but the track officials aren’t worried. And even though there were a number of small fields on the card last night, a couple of those can be attributed to scratches when races came off the turf. Plus, the meet doesn’t overlap as much with Louisiana Downs this summer, so officials are optimistic about more horses and better races coming to LSP. Not that they need to get much better than the fifth race last night, of course.

Friday Fun

Today Friday Fun could be nothing other than this, the Putting at Amen Corner Game. In case you hadn’t noticed, it’s Master’s weekend. Now you too can be a part of the action, or some other cliché-sounding promo copy. Have fun. Go, Tiger. (Hat tip to Josh for the passalong.)

Laura Bush Confirms She and Hubby Are Moving Back to Dallas

And by “Dallas,” I assume she means “Highland Park,” natch. She made the comment yesterday while she was in town. No big surprise. I think we all assumed they’d move back to the warm, nurturing bosom of Dallas. A spokesman claims the couple hasn’t bought yet, but for a January move, and considering all the lead time you’d think the Secret Service needs to fortify the future, I’d guess they’ve already tapped a Realtor. No? Yes? Am I looking at you, Dave Perry-Miller?

Leading Off

1. American Airlines CEO Gerard Arpey says he’s taking personal responsibility for the maintenance issues that have forced AA to cancel 3,000 flights this week. I know Wick would tell him, uh, if you’re the one doing all the inspections, you’ve got to learn to delegate, sir. Let someone else inspect a plane or two.

2. A Carroll ISD principal resigned after being told state testing rules and federal special-ed laws were violated under her watch. Her lawyer said she could have mounted a good defense, but wanted instead to “let the kiddos get back to focusing on education.” The kiddos, upon hearing this, boo’ed and made thumbs-down signals.

3. Such a sportsy day in Dallas yesterday: the Mavs clinch because Dirk is clutch, the Dallas Stars begin the playoffs with a rout of the defending champs, and the Rangers’ pitching was again solid as they swept a doubleheader. (I was there for both games, and I can report that the entire stadium got a huge kick out of the streaker.)