The Council session today was definitely heated, from all reports. Don't wait on the morning daily or evening news: Here's Trey Garrison's take from dallasblog.com. Go to the jump for the interpretation by Michael Davis, who sent out the first alert flares that a southern sector economic development idea, which seems sound enough to me (I formerly served on the board of the Southern Dallas Development Corporation), was under mayoral attack:
I absolutely agree with you. I’m sure the FB post contributed to the “Thrilla at Marilla” today. I sent it to you all to let the public know what’s happening behind the scenes.
I am on the Community Development Commission (CDC) now. I am the CDC rep for District 8, where the project in question will be located. I found out what happened, and that’s why I got calls from people yesterday saying that the project could get killed.
I personally read the entire app for the Business Assistance Center (BAC); I’m not sure why it needed to be “vetted” by LM. The guy had recommendations from banks, community organizations, and major prominent foundations. The BAC is exactly the type of project that should come across our board’s “desks.” Good grief it’s a one-time investment and the guy got all the funding he could from other sources before he came to the City for funds.
We know what we’re doing on the CDC. While I am 32 years old, I have corporate lending and banking experience. My first job out of school was as a corporate banking loan analyst. I have also been a Regional Director at Lincoln Financial Group. I think I know what a good project looks like.
Not funding this project because another one failed years ago is ludicrous. Southern Skates has NOTHING to do with this project. That was a roller rink, this is job training and business consulting entity with a proven group.
I understand that council has to right to review, scrutinize, and even veto any project we approve. But this was ridiculous.
I don’t support the craziness show put on by Chaney and Reese today, but I do support the project. And I do vote and work with enough people that are 35 and under all over Dallas that can shift the election. We’ll be voting next May.
