Had a few civil, private, agree-to-disagree exchanges with some R.I.P. Dallas members yesterday, prompted by this item and most definitely this one. So, without further comment, here’s the pro-hotel group’s first online spot, which I found this morning and which is a far sunnier offering than those signs. (Though the…
Moments ago, Luis de la Garza — host of something called Televisión ConSentido and former auto auctioneer — posted to YouTube his interview with the mayor about the convention center hotel. And by interview, I mean “informercial” in which the mayor sells the hotel to the Hispanic community, “which will…
As Robert mentioned earlier, Angela Hunt spent the weekend in Portland and Seattle checking out streetcars with my go-to source at the city for the convention center hotel: Assistant City Manager A.C. Gonzalez, which explains why I didn’t hear back from him regarding Monday’s story about how the Dallas Convention…
As we mentioned earlier, the Enough is Enough folks — pro-convention center hotel, anti-“negativity and distortions associated with the May 9th election” — had their coming-out party this morning at the Stoneleigh Hotel, where they debuted their Web site and TV spot. We’ll have more from the party later today…
Well. See. Hunh. When I started writing this, I was just going to point out that in the comments of this morning’s lead-off item, Angela Hunt got a little off-topic and started talking about streetcars — specifically, a trip Hunt, Linda Koop, Assistant City Manager A.C. Gonzalez and Dallas Area…
Some of the Friends just didn’t care for David Letterman’s secession bit late last week — or for David Letterman at all, aw. So, then, perhaps a dash of Stephen Colbert from last night’s Report?The Colbert ReportMon – Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30cTip/Wag – Texas Secession & MACAcolbertnation.comColbert Report Full EpisodesPolitical…
Had a couple of items related to the pro-hotel’ers yesterday; and we’re headed to another introductory how-do this morning at the Stoneleigh Hotel, where Enough is Enough makes its formal what-up — as if folks needed to be introduced to the likes of Ray Hunt, Roger Staubach, former city manager…
While we’re on the subject of confusing pro-hotel campaign efforts, a Friend of Unfair Park directs our attention to the Let Dallas Compete Web site — which demands you “Say Yes to Dallas” and vote against Proposition 1. It’s unclear who’s behind the site, which is registered through a proxy,…
Maybe you too have spotted these anti-Proposition 1 signs in recent days — saw a couple in my Northwest Dallas neighborhood this morning, spied one near Fitzhugh and Capitol Avenues last night, and we found this one earlier today near One Arts Plaza downtown. And, sure, if you know what…
After approving in February 2008 the expenditure of $170,000 for a feasibility study to refinance the $260 million debt on the Dallas Convention Center, the city in October announced it would use $40 million of the refinancing to expand, upgrade and renovate the convention center. Additionally, the debt savings would…
Time magazine wonders this morning: “What’s All That Secession Ruckus in Texas?” Um, Governor Rick Perry, maybe? And, natch, his very vocal support for House Concurrent Resolution No. 50, which, as we pointed out in February, states that the “81st Legislature of the State of Texas hereby claim[s] sovereignty under…
A supporter of Casey Thomas filed an ethics complaint Monday against Dave Neumann, who’s being challenged by Thomas for his District 3 city council seat, claiming he violated the Dallas City Code. Brian Wesley alleges Neumann accepted $27,925 in contributions that exceed the allowable $1,000 donation per individual in each…
A crowd of approximately 75 Vote No’ers gathered in front of City Hall this afternoon in support of Mayor Tom Leppert and the convention center hotel; among them were Dr. Frederick Haynes of Friendship-West Baptist Church, former council member Ed Oakley, county commissioner John Wiley Price and Deputy Mayor Pro…
In front of Dallas City Hall, radio host and Dallas Tea Party co-planner Mark Davis poured the first cup of tea with a joke: “Those who oppose big government actually have jobs.” To which the crowd of guestimated thousands responded with chants of “U-S-A, U-S-A, U-S-A.” The scene at the…
Driving down Eldorado Parkway in McKinney last night I happened upon a slew of sign-holding, flag-waving folks staging themselves a protest thinly disguised as a “tea party.” Embarrassingly lame. “Bailouts Steal Our Children!” read one sign. “You Can’t Multiply Wealth By Dividing It!” screamed another. And my personal fave: “Obama…
Till then, though, today we get this ad from the Citizens Against the Taxpayer-Owned Hotel — the group’s fourth, for those keeping score at home. But if it looks familiar, well, it is. Because, see, first there was this CATOH ad that debuted a month ago starring some dude in…
As we mentioned last week, the Tea Parties are here, the Tea Parties are here! So those not prepared to protest with the likes of Mark Davis, “Dave-from-London” and “Lance Hurley as Patrick Henry” at the Dallas tea’d-off affair had best steer clear of City Hall starting at 4:30 p.m…
Tennell Atkins and LeVar Thomas debated for an hour last night at Paul Quinn College in South Dallas, as the two candidates in the District 8 city council race offered opposing views regarding the inland port, the convention center hotel and giving more power to Dallas Police Chief David Kunkle…
We reported March 30 that two South Dallas churches were potentially jeopardizing their tax-exempt status by allowing Mayor Tom Leppert to advocate positions regarding the two upcoming propositions on the May 9 ballot. Although an update in the story included quotes from a customer service representative with the Internal Revenue…
After taking care of some bidness near DPD headquarters last week, I popped in on my favorite pro-hotel’er, Jack Matthews, whose office is across the street. Matthews, who is developing the convention center hotel for the city, assured me construction has not begun on the project even though work is…
This just in from The New York Times: George W. Bush is throwing a reunion in Dallas next week … and you’re not invited. Alas, this is what the guest list looks like as the former president gets the gang back together for a dinner at the house on Monday…
While it’s admittedly wonkish, we elaborated yesterday on an important issue in the convention center hotel debate raised by Mayor Tom Leppert and the Vote No! crowd: The charter amendment written by attorneys from the anti-hotel group could jeopardize the use of economic development tools on other hotel projects. Sure,…
