Leading Off (11/23/11)

DISD Board Discusses Discussions. I attended my first school board meeting last week. It went from 7 to 10:30 p.m. A very large percentage of that time was given to speakers of nonagenda items. I didn’t count exactly how many people spoke, but it had to be above 20. It was enthralling. Yet, the speakers were there for three items, and often repeated themselves. DISD trustee Mike Morath would like to fix that. He wants to nix speakers at the board meeting and have them at a separate public comment meeting. Speakers would be given two, instead of three, minutes to talk. Trustees could respond to the speakers (something they can’t do now). The number of speakers would be limited, and it would be based on a first-come, first-serve basis. A former trustee says the plan is stupid. There are times for the board to be quiet. But I do agree there has to be a more efficient way to handle the speakers.

Reunion Tower To Change Colors. Growing up, I always hated that my mom would use only the yellow lights on the Christmas tree. Where was the green, red, and blue lights that blink and flash and evoke the true Christmas spirit? Every year, I’d harass her. But she never changed it. Now I get it. The yellow lights are classy and beautiful. I like the way they look. They say, “I’m here.” But they’re not screaming it. Anyway, Reunion Tower is changing its lights. We know how Patrick Kennedy will feel about this.

UNT Students Charged With Making Fake $20s and $1s. Allegedly, they were creating the counterfeit bills in their dorm rooms. What I really like about this story, though, is the girl’s mugshot. She’s got a slight smile. Right before the shot, it looks like she asked the photographer to wait a sec so she could put her hair over her shoulders and make sure her bangs were swooping just right. I think in this day and age of Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and blog profile pics, everybody knows how to take a good picture. I’m glad we’re finally starting to see this come across in mugshots.