They’ve seen the commercials and read the editorials. But about 75 East Dallas residents turned out to hear both sides of the Convention Center Hotel story Tuesday night in a debate between Mayor Tom Leppert and Crow Holdings executive Anne Raymond. The Lakewood Neighborhood Association organized the debate at Lakewood Elementary.
Mark Ault of Lakewood hasn’t decided how to vote on the issue, and he wasn’t swayed Tuesday. "I’m wishy-washy on it. But at least it gave me more information," he said. "I really would like to support (the hotel). And I really don’t understand why a private company hasn’t already done it if it’s such a good idea."
Lakewood resident Ann Carlson agrees with the mayor’s stance that the hotel is necessary for the city to stay competitive as a convention city and to build the city’s tax base. "It didn’t change my mind," she said of Tuesday’s debate. "I am a strong supporter of the mayor. I’m tired of those TV ads and I wanted to see if it would sway me."
More after the jump.
Gene Davis of White Rock likes the mayor too. "I think it’s a terrible mistake in the long run and I am going to vote ‘yes’," he said. "Ultimately, (Raymond) is right and that’s the long and short of it."
