Bookmark BestSouthwestBlog.com, as that will be the new blog for news updates from the six towns.
BSWBlog is a sister blog to The Ellis County Observer, so we will be sharing resources and themes.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Wilmer | Steele places Police Chief on leave
WILMER - Police Chief Robert Wells has been placed on administrative leave pending investigation by newly elected Mayor, Jeff Steele.
According to the press release issued by the city, the City of Wilmer will not jeopardize the investigation being conducted by commenting.
Once the investigation is complete, details will be released.
Sergeant Victor Kemp will act as Interim Chief.
According to the press release issued by the city, the City of Wilmer will not jeopardize the investigation being conducted by commenting.
Once the investigation is complete, details will be released.
Sergeant Victor Kemp will act as Interim Chief.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Wilmer's New Era | We Support Mayor Jeff Steele
Because of her role at The Ellis County Press, Megan Gray cannot (obviously) endorse. She's the reporter now. I'm the blogger and the opinion-maker. Lastly, I am a fan.
I am a fan of Wilmer Mayor Jeff Steele, and I have been since the city council appointed him to replace Don Hudson, who stepped down and moved to Palmer. Steele's entire slate of candidates won on Saturday, May 9. Convincingly.
I am a fan of Steele's slate of candidates, if only they will all agree to a few principles of governance:
I am a fan of Wilmer Mayor Jeff Steele, and I have been since the city council appointed him to replace Don Hudson, who stepped down and moved to Palmer. Steele's entire slate of candidates won on Saturday, May 9. Convincingly.
I am a fan of Steele's slate of candidates, if only they will all agree to a few principles of governance:
- Make sure Wilmer fights off any outside attempt to regulate, regulate, regulate or regulate that inland port, or the areas near the inland port, or the business and economic engine that has resulted in massive property tax decreases and upped home values. We need a prototype for the free market, and Wilmer stands alone.
- Be honest.
- Come on to my radio show periodically and give the public an update as to what's going on.
- Don't mess with the dirt/garbage politics of the past. Water under the bridge, move Wilmer forward...
- Get a new city logo!
Actually, I'm hiring my graphic designer (don't use BestSouthwestBlog as that image in your head. The other designers do great work: EllisCountyObserver.com) to play around with a few different ideas for a new City of Wilmer logo. We would be happy to donate that should the city council vote for it.
This isn't the same Wilmer that I used to write about several years ago for the ECP. This is a new Wilmer. We owe it to those in Ellis County and other parts of Dallas County to ensure that this new council majority continues on the path of forward-thinking progress.
BestSouthwestBlog.com stakes a claim early and loud: we support Mayor Jeff Steele and his slate, and we will fight to the bone to make sure those guys are looked after.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
A New BestSouthwestBlog.com is Coming
Stay tuned, there will soon be a brand-new BestSouthwestBlog.com that readers will benefit from reading and browsing. It will still be under The Ellis County Observer umbrella, but it will be distinct.
For those wanting to get a glimpse of the daily debates among Best Southwest citizens, visit www.BestSouthwestBlog.org. There, readers can sign up - for free - and debate/read the goings-on of matters before they hit the blog.
BestSouthwestBlog.org was made infamous for its posting of the Duncanville Councilwoman Dorothy Burton DART personnel file before it hit the public. To date, no other publication besides The Ellis County Press has saw fit to report on Burton's soiled DART past in which she planted women's bloodied, soiled underwear on unsuspecting co-workers. The stunt got her fired.
For those wanting to get a glimpse of the daily debates among Best Southwest citizens, visit www.BestSouthwestBlog.org. There, readers can sign up - for free - and debate/read the goings-on of matters before they hit the blog.
BestSouthwestBlog.org was made infamous for its posting of the Duncanville Councilwoman Dorothy Burton DART personnel file before it hit the public. To date, no other publication besides The Ellis County Press has saw fit to report on Burton's soiled DART past in which she planted women's bloodied, soiled underwear on unsuspecting co-workers. The stunt got her fired.
Glenn Heights | Demand a Recount NOW!
It infuriates me that the Glenn Heights City Council election is being relegated to distant memory. Unfortunately, it takes an upfront payment of $150 to ask for a recount, and then it's an on-the-clock payment plan thereafter.
Of course, I speak of the open council seat election that pitted anti-Loop 9 activist Elaine Holladay against relative newcomer-in-the-city Doug Burton. Burton, a member of the city's planning and zoning, is an avowed Loop 9 toll road supporter.
Throughout the election night (I clocked in three hours early on May 9 due to me being under the influence), I was monitoring the Dallas County elections Web site in which Holladay was winning. She even phoned The Ellis County Press' Megan Gray, who then phoned me, that we had won. "We" because I'm staunchly a Holladay fan.
Well, as luck - or grimey little election judge hands would have it - Burton ended up winning by two percentage points, 51 percent to 49 percent.
I remembered what my good friend Ken Halverson, who recently sued the cities of Waxahachie, Midlothian and Mid-Way Regional Airport over illegalities, told me about Glenn Heights: former mayor Jesus Humphrey had been "defeated" one election night and upon a recount that Halverson paid for, ended up winning by that same margin.
Glenn Heights is dirty, and I'm talking its politics. That city is a microcosm of California, where recall elections come every four years almost. Some officials have been thrown off the council because of petition drives. Halverson paying for Humphrey's recount only served as a reminder that Holladay could have suffered the same fate.
I mean, you're talking one of the most vocal opponents of Loop 9 and a supporter of Loop 9. Past history is a precursor of future behavior. Politics is not immune to that adage.
It costs $150 for a recount, and whatever the going rate is after that (by the hour.) Too bad my readers couldn't help pitch in and make sure that taxpayers weren't had in this race...
We need automatic recount ordinances like several states have. Some rules call for recounts (paid for by the taxpayers who are already funding the election) if the margin of vote is 1 or 2 percent. That would definitely apply in Glenn Heights, which is incorporated in both northern Ellis and southern Dallas counties. GH is about 11,000 people, but council elections can be won with less than 250 votes. Councilmen are elected on a place-system (Place 1, Place 2, etc.) at-large.
With what's been going on with the GH Police Department recently, it only fuels my skeptical mind.
Of course, I speak of the open council seat election that pitted anti-Loop 9 activist Elaine Holladay against relative newcomer-in-the-city Doug Burton. Burton, a member of the city's planning and zoning, is an avowed Loop 9 toll road supporter.
Throughout the election night (I clocked in three hours early on May 9 due to me being under the influence), I was monitoring the Dallas County elections Web site in which Holladay was winning. She even phoned The Ellis County Press' Megan Gray, who then phoned me, that we had won. "We" because I'm staunchly a Holladay fan.
Well, as luck - or grimey little election judge hands would have it - Burton ended up winning by two percentage points, 51 percent to 49 percent.
I remembered what my good friend Ken Halverson, who recently sued the cities of Waxahachie, Midlothian and Mid-Way Regional Airport over illegalities, told me about Glenn Heights: former mayor Jesus Humphrey had been "defeated" one election night and upon a recount that Halverson paid for, ended up winning by that same margin.
Glenn Heights is dirty, and I'm talking its politics. That city is a microcosm of California, where recall elections come every four years almost. Some officials have been thrown off the council because of petition drives. Halverson paying for Humphrey's recount only served as a reminder that Holladay could have suffered the same fate.
I mean, you're talking one of the most vocal opponents of Loop 9 and a supporter of Loop 9. Past history is a precursor of future behavior. Politics is not immune to that adage.
It costs $150 for a recount, and whatever the going rate is after that (by the hour.) Too bad my readers couldn't help pitch in and make sure that taxpayers weren't had in this race...
We need automatic recount ordinances like several states have. Some rules call for recounts (paid for by the taxpayers who are already funding the election) if the margin of vote is 1 or 2 percent. That would definitely apply in Glenn Heights, which is incorporated in both northern Ellis and southern Dallas counties. GH is about 11,000 people, but council elections can be won with less than 250 votes. Councilmen are elected on a place-system (Place 1, Place 2, etc.) at-large.
With what's been going on with the GH Police Department recently, it only fuels my skeptical mind.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Duncanville City Employee an Admitted 'Swinger'
Earl Grody, who works for the City of Duncanville at the Service Center, is an open "swinger" and has admitted this to numerous other city employees, according to sources who spoke with BestSouthwestBlog.com tonight.
It is unclear whether Grody, who serves as a water department supervisor, attended or frequented the infamous Cherry Pit swinger's club in Duncanville's council District 5 north of I-20, but sources in Duncanville say they have personally witnessed Grody making statements pointing out several homes in the city as where he and his wife had sex with other couples.
Several sources told BestSouthwestBlog.com that Grody's staff and others who work at the Service Center also exchange e-mails relating to sex, "titties," and pornography on city computers and on city time.
BestSouthwestBlog.com is currently formulating an Open Records Request to seek information - as well as individual e-mails - relating to the allegations provided tonight.
Developing...
It is unclear whether Grody, who serves as a water department supervisor, attended or frequented the infamous Cherry Pit swinger's club in Duncanville's council District 5 north of I-20, but sources in Duncanville say they have personally witnessed Grody making statements pointing out several homes in the city as where he and his wife had sex with other couples.
Several sources told BestSouthwestBlog.com that Grody's staff and others who work at the Service Center also exchange e-mails relating to sex, "titties," and pornography on city computers and on city time.
BestSouthwestBlog.com is currently formulating an Open Records Request to seek information - as well as individual e-mails - relating to the allegations provided tonight.
Developing...
StopLoop9.com's Surprise Ally
We're going to hold Place 4 Cedar Hill Councilman-elect Chris Parvin at his word of being an opponent to the current route for Loop 9.
Parvin defeated our favored candidate, Mike Holley, on Saturday, May 9. Wallace Swayze, a former Ferris city councilman, finished third.
(Note: we hope Swayze and Holley remain involved, as we will need those two to keep Parvin's feet to the fire.)
After 800 citizens packed an anti-Loop 9 town hall meeting organized by the South Cedar Hill Homeowner's Association two weeks ago, Parvin, phoning from out of state, told organizer Janie Haga that he opposed Loop 9.
Parvin better follow through with his viewpoints in the form of voting. We'll be watching, and he'll be the first we crucify if he reneges on his statements.
The same could be said for Cedar Hill Councilman Wade Emmert, who is rumored to be looking higher in the Republican race for Dallas County judge. Emmert and future mayor Cory Spillman need to look to their southern flank should they decide to run for anything.
It has been said that Cedar Hill has already changed zoning for the areas in southern Cedar Hill from residential to industrial to make way for this 12-land behemoth of a toll road.
It's also been said that property values in some parts along this proposed route have dropped 20 percent.
Chris Parvin is going to be very closely monitored on the Cedar Hill City Council.
Side Note:
It's also a bald-faced lie that our local city councils can't change or reject certain plans for Loop 9.
If these cities can alter zoning and build in major highway provisions into their comprehensive plans, they can sure as hell tell the state and federal government to take a hike.
True leadership will rise out in some of these towns. Let's hope Parvin makes due on his commitment to Loop 9.
-Joey
Parvin defeated our favored candidate, Mike Holley, on Saturday, May 9. Wallace Swayze, a former Ferris city councilman, finished third.
(Note: we hope Swayze and Holley remain involved, as we will need those two to keep Parvin's feet to the fire.)
After 800 citizens packed an anti-Loop 9 town hall meeting organized by the South Cedar Hill Homeowner's Association two weeks ago, Parvin, phoning from out of state, told organizer Janie Haga that he opposed Loop 9.
Parvin better follow through with his viewpoints in the form of voting. We'll be watching, and he'll be the first we crucify if he reneges on his statements.
The same could be said for Cedar Hill Councilman Wade Emmert, who is rumored to be looking higher in the Republican race for Dallas County judge. Emmert and future mayor Cory Spillman need to look to their southern flank should they decide to run for anything.
It has been said that Cedar Hill has already changed zoning for the areas in southern Cedar Hill from residential to industrial to make way for this 12-land behemoth of a toll road.
It's also been said that property values in some parts along this proposed route have dropped 20 percent.
Chris Parvin is going to be very closely monitored on the Cedar Hill City Council.
Side Note:
It's also a bald-faced lie that our local city councils can't change or reject certain plans for Loop 9.
If these cities can alter zoning and build in major highway provisions into their comprehensive plans, they can sure as hell tell the state and federal government to take a hike.
True leadership will rise out in some of these towns. Let's hope Parvin makes due on his commitment to Loop 9.
-Joey
2010: Paul Ford for Mayor
Readers, BestSouthwestBlog.com is openly urging a Paul Ford candidacy for mayor next May.
Here's the thinking behind this idea:
A: More people would be able to vote for Paul, not just a few hundred in one district.
B: Target the Duncanville citizens who have been wrongly ticketed from the red light cameras - and secure their votes!
C: A citywide candidacy would give rise to a multi-tiered campaign ground organization that would appeal to hundreds more.
D: The most important of all: a mayoral candidacy by Ford in '10 would give him higher name identification for another run for District 3 in 2011, assuming he's unsuccessful against Mayor David Green.
Plus, with a ground organization and plenty of time to prepare, we'd cause a lot of the ProDunc PAC people to spend a lot of money. Ford should throw a Donate button on his Web site and watch the national fans of his start funding his effort early.
And, I still want to develop MayorDavidGreen.com ;)
Ideas? Thoughts? Comments?
Here's the thinking behind this idea:
A: More people would be able to vote for Paul, not just a few hundred in one district.
B: Target the Duncanville citizens who have been wrongly ticketed from the red light cameras - and secure their votes!
C: A citywide candidacy would give rise to a multi-tiered campaign ground organization that would appeal to hundreds more.
D: The most important of all: a mayoral candidacy by Ford in '10 would give him higher name identification for another run for District 3 in 2011, assuming he's unsuccessful against Mayor David Green.
Plus, with a ground organization and plenty of time to prepare, we'd cause a lot of the ProDunc PAC people to spend a lot of money. Ford should throw a Donate button on his Web site and watch the national fans of his start funding his effort early.
And, I still want to develop MayorDavidGreen.com ;)
Ideas? Thoughts? Comments?
Monday, May 11, 2009
Saturday's Results, Eternal.....
Freedom of the Press
Joey Dauben
Saturday's results...
Many were surprised that Duncanville Councilman Paul Ford lost re-election to his District 3 seat. I wasn't.
I know that Midlothian establishment folks are gearing up to do the same thing to Councilman Ken Chambers next year.
There are bits of silver lining from Saturday's results.
District 5 Councilwoman Johnette Jameson won re-election in Duncanville. She's an ally. An ally and a key "No" vote with Ford.
Now Chambers has company in Dr Hank Miller, who defeated a family legacy as well as a councilman, Wayne Sibley.
Venus tossed their mayor. Wilmer kept theirs. Lancaster ISD voters threw out three incumbents on Saturday.
The tea parties were a sign of things to come in both southern Dallas and Ellis counties. What we must not forget is that our new allies and those re-elected will need our support more than ever. Elections come and go, but ideas remain forever.
We must use the leverage in Midlothian and help support Councilman Joe Frizzell, an ultra-nice guy who I think could help in key decisions.
We need to monitor Lancaster ISD's progress, because the proximity of their actions will spill over into Red Oak, Ferris. Good, bad or indifferent, eternal vigilance is key to maintaining our rights and liberties.
There are those who say the voter turnout was too low. I say it's too high given who we got back in various offices around our coverage area.
If anything, this paper didn't level the playing field for allied forces, we destroyed the lack of any political coverage from the sell-out papers.
Now it's up to all of the allies in our towns and cities to prepare for battle next year, and even get ready for the March Republican/Democratic primaries.
Nothing is for sure in politics. One minute you're a media darling, the next you're putting "former" in front of your title.
Just ask Maypearl Mayor Kelly Jacobson, whose suspect behavior in a City Hall incident last fall ended up costing him a seat on the city council. Jacobson opted to run for council rather than mayor, and the result was surprising: last place.
We must support the ones that were elected and never give up.
Joey Dauben
Saturday's results...
Many were surprised that Duncanville Councilman Paul Ford lost re-election to his District 3 seat. I wasn't.
I know that Midlothian establishment folks are gearing up to do the same thing to Councilman Ken Chambers next year.
There are bits of silver lining from Saturday's results.
District 5 Councilwoman Johnette Jameson won re-election in Duncanville. She's an ally. An ally and a key "No" vote with Ford.
Now Chambers has company in Dr Hank Miller, who defeated a family legacy as well as a councilman, Wayne Sibley.
Venus tossed their mayor. Wilmer kept theirs. Lancaster ISD voters threw out three incumbents on Saturday.
The tea parties were a sign of things to come in both southern Dallas and Ellis counties. What we must not forget is that our new allies and those re-elected will need our support more than ever. Elections come and go, but ideas remain forever.
We must use the leverage in Midlothian and help support Councilman Joe Frizzell, an ultra-nice guy who I think could help in key decisions.
We need to monitor Lancaster ISD's progress, because the proximity of their actions will spill over into Red Oak, Ferris. Good, bad or indifferent, eternal vigilance is key to maintaining our rights and liberties.
There are those who say the voter turnout was too low. I say it's too high given who we got back in various offices around our coverage area.
If anything, this paper didn't level the playing field for allied forces, we destroyed the lack of any political coverage from the sell-out papers.
Now it's up to all of the allies in our towns and cities to prepare for battle next year, and even get ready for the March Republican/Democratic primaries.
Nothing is for sure in politics. One minute you're a media darling, the next you're putting "former" in front of your title.
Just ask Maypearl Mayor Kelly Jacobson, whose suspect behavior in a City Hall incident last fall ended up costing him a seat on the city council. Jacobson opted to run for council rather than mayor, and the result was surprising: last place.
We must support the ones that were elected and never give up.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Election Results
Wilmer
Mayor
Jeff Steele 229
Tiny Lange 146
Council
Vicky Vandygriff214
Marlena Dyess (I)198
Stan Bell1 91
Billy Wickliff 152
Eugene Lowe(I)14
Lancaster ISD
District 1
Marion F. Hamilton 104
Marie Elliott (I)44
District 2
Cynthia Corbin 63
Ed Kirkland 41
District 7
Ellen Clark 164
Debi Miller (I)155
Glenn Heights
Place 1
Doug Burton 256
Elanie Holladay 245
Place 3
Kathy Dixon 358
Brenda Garcia 154
Local Ballot Option
Prop. 1
The legal sale of alcoholic beverages for off-premise consumption only
For 304
Against 288
Duncanville ISD
Dorothy Wolverton 1,647
Timothy Miles 883
Duncanville
At Large
Dorothy Burton(I) 998
Buck Werner 674
District 3
Anthony Skinner 211
Paul Ford (I) 181
District 3
Johnette Jameson (I) 260
Gerald Hill 103
Desoto ISD
Place 6
Warren Seay Jr. (I)776
Susan P. Bryza 148
Amed Clinton 145
Cedar Hill ISD
Place 6
Chris Parvin 549
Mike Holley 469
Wallace Swaze 149
Cedar Hill
Place 6
Mike Marshall (I) 753
Cassandra L. Cooper 310
Quin Downs 56
Place 7
Sonya Grass (I) 738
James Charles 375
Mayor
Jeff Steele 229
Tiny Lange 146
Council
Vicky Vandygriff214
Marlena Dyess (I)198
Stan Bell1 91
Billy Wickliff 152
Eugene Lowe(I)14
Lancaster ISD
District 1
Marion F. Hamilton 104
Marie Elliott (I)44
District 2
Cynthia Corbin 63
Ed Kirkland 41
District 7
Ellen Clark 164
Debi Miller (I)155
Glenn Heights
Place 1
Doug Burton 256
Elanie Holladay 245
Place 3
Kathy Dixon 358
Brenda Garcia 154
Local Ballot Option
Prop. 1
The legal sale of alcoholic beverages for off-premise consumption only
For 304
Against 288
Duncanville ISD
Dorothy Wolverton 1,647
Timothy Miles 883
Duncanville
At Large
Dorothy Burton(I) 998
Buck Werner 674
District 3
Anthony Skinner 211
Paul Ford (I) 181
District 3
Johnette Jameson (I) 260
Gerald Hill 103
Desoto ISD
Place 6
Warren Seay Jr. (I)776
Susan P. Bryza 148
Amed Clinton 145
Cedar Hill ISD
Place 6
Chris Parvin 549
Mike Holley 469
Wallace Swaze 149
Cedar Hill
Place 6
Mike Marshall (I) 753
Cassandra L. Cooper 310
Quin Downs 56
Place 7
Sonya Grass (I) 738
James Charles 375
Friday, May 8, 2009
Radio Show @ 10 p.m. Election Night
Tune in for a special two-hour election program on EllisCountyRadio.com.
Megan Gray and I will be hosting. Last night, we welcomed Councilman Paul Ford and candidate Buck Werner on the show. Download that show here: EllisCountyRadio.com.
Megan Gray and I will be hosting. Last night, we welcomed Councilman Paul Ford and candidate Buck Werner on the show. Download that show here: EllisCountyRadio.com.
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