We have always said we have the best readers in the world, and here is an example why. Matt Wood, an attorney and East Dallas resident, was so taken by the various blog comments here today that he offered this take on Her Mayorness’ time in office. Nice effort, Matt. But we do need to talk about the Cowboys stadium.
By Matt Wood
As we approach the end of Laura Miller’s term as mayor of our city, it is worthwhile to reflect upon her successes and the legacy she has left in her wake. We all recall that Ms. Miller ran on a campaign of returning to the basics – better streets and sidewalks, increased code enforcement, improved education, increased pay and increased number of law officers, ethics reform in City Hall. She also campaigned against tax breaks for developers and “big ticket” items. All of this was part of her vision of what would build a better, stronger, more appealing Dallas – for those who lived here, and who might like to move here. So let’s look at how, in this writer’s opinion, she did on these items.
Better Streets and Sidewalks. Grade: D
Her own literature promoted “the finest, smoothest, safest sidewalks and alleys in the world” and “a world-class system of roads where the potholes are not deeper than the Trinity.” Well, since the Trinity is still not much more than a runoff ditch, she may have accomplished that particular goal. I spend most of my non-freeway driving in East Dallas, where I cannot say that I notice any improvement of road surface. Sure, Gaston got its “once every 20 year” resurface last year from downtown to Live Oak, but it only took the water department 2 months to hack across that new surface and begin the first of what is destined to be a quilting of bad patches. And have you driven on Henderson lately?
Increased Code Enforcement. Grade: C
I’ll admit that once again, this is from my perspective mostly in East Dallas, and I have seen some code enforcement taking place. However, I saw some code enforcement taking place in previous administrations. A quick drive down Live Oak, or Columbia, or any place south of I-30, and code violations are prolific and untagged. No noticeable change.
Improved Education. Grade: N/A
Mayor Miller learned what previous mayors learned and what one of the bullpen of candidates we currently have available to us will learn –- the Mayor has very little influence on DISD. Good rhetoric but no vehicle to deliver. I won’t lower her GPA for getting sucked into the same political banter as most other prior candidates for that office.
Police. Grade: B
Mayor Miller can say she tried. The police department can say (and the unions almost certainly WOULD say) she didn’t try. Chief Kunkle seems to be a great hire. Mayor Miller has been active at media events about crisis situations on Lower Greenville and Deep Ellum. We still need more officers, but improvements have occurred under her watch.
Reform at City Hall. Grade: C
This is another category where there has been lots of rhetoric, even some efforts to change the status quo. The net result of this seems to be that City Hall is one scary place to work. With council members under investigation, inadequate staff to manage a mayoral election process and some department heads so focused on staying out of the limelight that they avoid having any ideas that make our city better, City Hall seems to be one step away from chaos. I’d call that status quo.
Avoiding Tax Breaks for Developers. Grade: D They happened before her. They happen now. They have a purpose, so I always considered this a silly campaign issue for her to use. Some work, some don’t. We got a grocery store downtown. But we also got Club Blue. Guess which one makes money.
Big Ticket Items. Grade: A+ (but an F as it relates to positively impacting Dallas)
Mayor Miller (with the help of then County Commissioner Keliher) lost their poker game with Jerry Jones and Arlington. This cost Dallas (city and county) the chance to actually have an economic engine humming away at Fair Park. Of course, it wouldn’t have been free. Other cities (as nearby as Arlington) have shown that sports complex construction can be economically successful. Given Mayor Miller’s hostile position on other “big ticket” opportunities (Dallas 2012 Olympic Bid, American Airlines Center/Victory) I am left to wonder if she played this hand poorly on purpose or truly had no idea what she was doing. On this item alone, Dallas (especially Fair Park) will feel the sting of her handiwork for generations to come. Even Mayor Miller’s role in the Trinity Corridor has allowed her to come . . and go, without a “Big Ticket” item actually taking place on her watch. Sure, Victory Plaza was built during this time, but more because of the tenacity of the private developers than because of any assistance or encouragement from City Hall.
Overall Grade : D+ While our city is moving forward in crime reduction, we’ve lost economic opportunities, lost some bragging rights (Cowboys) and is anyone more optimistic about our future direction as a city? We certainly have some amazing developments taking place and recent reports have shown that the region is growing –- but this may be in spite of, rather than because of, City Hall. We are blessed with a plethora of visionary private sector individuals and companies. I hope we can soon be blessed with a visionary, someone to inspire us to look to the future, on Marilla Street.
