Mayor's Meeting Turns into YP Forum

It went something like this...

I slid the paper across the desk, warm from the printer and freshly typed. In the back of my mind I'm thinking, I missed one. Oh, we'll talk about that anyway.

"So I asked my facebook friends what they'd like me to ask you at our meeting...Here are some of the questions they asked."


What service initiative could YPs participate in that would benefit the city?

Mayor Leppert - Mayor's Back To School Event

What can we do about unemployment at Citi Group?

Mayor Leppert -

It's too hot in Texas, what can we do about it?

Mayor Leppert - Shook his head and laughed

What jobs are coming to Dallas?

Mayor Leppert - We are going after companies with the recently published article in the Economist that touts Texas as being more desirable than California.

How much of the bailout money did Dallas receive and where is it being spent?

Mayor Leppert - $50 million

Any plans to raise or lower city taxes?

Mayor Leppert - The goal is to leave them the same.

Free Cowboys tickets for everyone?

Mayor Leppert - No

Senior Citizens and Elderly Programs at the MLK Center?

Mayor Leppert - Available programs should be available on the city website
Clarification: I typed this question too fast and didn't note the concern for cuts to those programs, see below.

How does one go about getting a key to the city?

Mayor Leppert - Keys to the city are extremely limited, but proclamations are more readily available. Visit the city website to submit a request.

The meeting continued. Here is some additional information that you may not know.

• Ultimately, the city council votes on what gets cut out of the city budget.
  
• The City Manager will put the budget out on August 10th.
  
• $130 million needs to be cut.
  
• A possible source of cuts may be the city's health services. Arthur this could affect the MLK Center programs. Dallas County is responsible for Health services. However, during good years city leaders requested and used funds for programs that could benefit citizens. They did this even when the programs actually fell under the financial jurisdiction of the county. Over the years, the programs grew in size and often in budget due to budget surpluses. As the city looks at ways to cut expenses, those programs may be cut just because they are not the city's responsibility. Sadly, the county may be ill-equipped to take on the financial burden of these programs at this time.
  
• Paul Quinn was discussed. I walked away feeling as I have before. Those who want to keep Paul Quinn alive and thriving in Dallas must help the university create a strategy for success. That strategy must include organizational and structural strength and consistent financial support. Otherwise the doors will open just long enough for the next tragedy. And don't let me forget to mention that I really like Michael Sorrell.
  

I left the meeting with a sense that it is up to us as citizens to determine how we can support those things which are important to us. We must speak up, out and work.

The questions you provided prompted the Mayor to agree to a forum with Young Professionals on Saturday, September 12th. Let me know who else you'd like to sit down with and what issues you would like to discuss. To stay on top of forum developments, sign up for my monthly newsletter at www.brandirichard.com.

Special thanks to those of you who posed questions. We may do this more often.