That 25-Story Thing in Lake Highlands

Allen Gwinn 2005-10-28 07:02 City of Dallas

I've been asked, on several occasions, whether I know about this "thing" they're trying to build East of White Rock Lake. "This horrible 25-story thing," is usually how it's couched. This "thing" is going to be a "something-story" tall, luxury retirement condominium building overlooking the lake.

Adding to the horror, former Dallas City Council member Mary Poss is pushing it!

But you know what I'm lacking? A reason to oppose it.

So over the next few weeks, let's look at the project in detail (assuming Mary, and those associated with it, will give us the time of day). And, we're going to do some work of our own (our homework, how unusual!) and see if we can't put this "horrible thing" in perspective.

jamesmgriffin 2005-11-16 22:20

Councilman Griffith came to my school on Monday to take questions from our US Govt class.... He supports it as well!

Oh the horror, the horror indeed.

But you know what I am lacking as well? A reason to oppose it, just like you. It's a good idea, and though I may be a bit behind the times in posting about it, it's better I post when I actually understand the issue.

By the way, I asked him what he thought of you, and after five minutes of filler about the questionable authenticity of websites, he said you were a "good guy" and that he's seen you before at the Wednesday open mike sessions.

Gary Griffith, website authenticity, and all that jazz

Allen Gwinn 2005-11-17 14:36

I must admit I started out not too fond of Gary. I thought he was very plastic; one of the "say anything to get elected" crowd. When he took office, I thought he'd coast--using his time on the City Council as a stepping stone to bigger and better political things. I suspected he'd feather his own nest, and the nest of his friends and snub his nose at the rest of us in Dallas.

But the more I've gotten to know Gary, the more I've started to respect him.

Though I've thought, sometimes, a little less non-confrontational style (translate: being more confrontational) was called for, Gary's approach to City Hall has been calm, patient, considerate and methodical.

I am starting to view Gary as a guy who really does care about Dallas overall--and not just our little ward here in Lakewood/East Dallas. He's not the "for-sale" representative I thought he'd be, and he approaches his job from the direction that one day, he'll have to "just live here." And when that day comes, I think he'd like to see the place a little better than it was when he left it.

See, even my "finely-honed" first impressions aren't always right :)

As far as "questionable authenticity" of websites, all elected officials have to say that (and sometimes they're right)!

But try this out for size: according to our statistics, last week alone there were 42,771 hits on this website. In the past month, a little over 1,100 people have signed up for accounts bringing our total registered readers (and database users) to well over 3,500. This is just since we relaunched the site last summer.

Impressive, huh?

I spend alot of time researching what goes on this website because alot of people read it--including every elected official in this town. They won't admit it (most of them will make statements like "I never read that garbage").

But they do. And alot of others do too.

So ensuring that what's posted on Dallas.Org is accurate, and balancing the editorial opinions, is very important to me.

Effective local government, and an upward-trending city is important to me too.

So Dallas.Org's place is to make 'em nervous. If they won't do the right thing for the right reason, then let them do the right thing for the wrong reason!

Otherwise, we're here to keep the heat on until the right thing is done.

[By the way, James is an Eagle Scout, and probably one of the more involved Eagle Scout's in this region. His committment, skills and energy are incredible. I look for James to go great places and do great things.]

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