God damn that was fast. Not 30 minutes after Mr. Jim posted his item about the Trinity toll road referendum, Becky Mayad shot out a media release concerning the leadership of the "Vote No! Save the Trinity" committee -- which includes Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Dwaine Caraway, who I coulda sworn used to be against the toll road. (Or maybe that's just Michael Davis, who works with Dwaine, in which case ... um, Michael?) The full release is after the jump. --Robert Wilonsky
VOTE NO! SAVE THE TRINITY COMMITTEE UNVEILS LEADERSHIP TO DEFEAT TRINITY REFERENDUM
Three Mayors, Dallas' two State Senators, and 14-of-15 current Dallas City Councilmembers pledge to move Trinity project forward
DALLAS -- Three Mayors, Dallas' two State Senators and 14-of-15 current Dallas City Councilmembers will lead the campaign to defeat the Trinity referendum, which will go before Dallas voters on Nov. 6, 2007. By defeating the referendum, plans for the Trinity River Project, which were approved by voters in 1998, will move forward as scheduled.
"The current design of the Trinity River Project represents the best of all worlds," said Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert. "We can use bonds with state and federal funding -- and deliver to taxpayers the most value for new roads to reduce traffic and air pollution. At the same time, we'll add parks and green spaces for families and promote economic development for Dallas' southern sector."
Mayor Tom Leppert and former Dallas Mayors Laura Miller and Ron Kirk will serve as the campaign's Honorary Chairs.
Campaign Co-Chairs are Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Elba Garcia (District 1), Councilmember Pauline Medrano (District 2), Councilmember David A. Neumann (District 3), Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Dwaine Caraway (District 4), Councilmember Vonciel Jones Hill (District 5), Councilmember Steve Salazar (District 6), Councilmember Carolyn R. Davis (District 7), Councilmember Tennell Atkins (District 8), Councilmember Sheffie Kadane (District 9), Councilmember Jerry R. Allen (District 10), Councilmember Linda Koop (District 11), Councilmember Ron Natinsky (District 12) and Councilmember Mitchell Rasansky (District 13). Also, State Senators Royce West and John Carona have pledged their support, signing on as Co-Chairs as well.
In addition, papers were filed today in the City Secretary's office naming Ron Steinhart as Treasurer of the Vote NO! Save The Trinity Campaign Committee.
Carol Reed Associates has been tapped to manage the campaign and will lead a veteran team that includes Allyn & Company and political consultants Brenda Reyes and Willis Johnson.
