Fort Hood Tragedy

Every Muslim is saddened by this incident.
No one has a right to take another persons life.
Every religion condemns and discourages killing.

Alas, we the humans understand this and work on
individuals going through a trauma of their own lives
and help them into become productive Citizens instead.

We have to remember that it is the individuals who
do good things and it is the individuals who do bad things,
we have to hold the individuals responsible for their acts
not their parents, kids, sibling or others.

May God bless the souls of the victims and, May God
give patience to their family members.

I am pleased to invite you to a conversation on the subject
on Saturday 9:00 AM at La Madeliene on Mokingbird
at Central Expressway in Dallas.

Mike Ghouse
www.MikeGhouse.net
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Senseless shootings violate Islamic faith
By Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf
On Faith at washingtonpost.com
The Huffington Post

November 6, 2009

I was so deeply saddened by the events at Fort Hood, Texas, yesterday. My prayers and sympathy are with the families of those brave American soldiers who were killed and wounded in this senseless act.

What this unfortunate Army major did was against the laws of Islam, even though news accounts said he was an observant Muslim. It is too early to understand his motivations and mental stability. He obviously was violating his faith when he undertook this act. Killing is as much a sin in Islam as it is in Christianity, Judaism and all the major religions. Taking the law into one's own hands is against Islamic teachings.

We do not know how our soldiers will react under the stresses of war. It is something that we as religious leaders should take seriously as we minister to our troops.

I am concerned that this incident will cause some Americans to react against the Islamic faith and Muslim Americans. Our fellow Americans should understand that every major American Muslim organization has condemned it in no uncertain terms. Thousands of American Muslims serve in the U.S. armed forces, and they are essential to the U.S. goal of bringing peace, stability and democracy to Iraq and Afghanistan. They are supported by millions of American Muslims.

This is a time for all Americans to draw together in our grief and sympathy for the victims of this senseless act, and to support the care and well-being of our troops with the hope that they will soon be able to return home.

Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf is chairman of the Cordoba Initiative, an independent, non-partisan and multi-national project that seeks to use religion to improve Muslim-West relations. (www.cordobainitiative.org) He is the author of "What's Right with Islam is What's Right With America."
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By Muqtedar Khan
Director of Islamic Studies, University of Delaware

The American Muslim community is experiencing shock, disbelief and apprehension as it watches the unfolding details of the shootings at Fort Hood in Texas. Army Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, a psychiatrist and practicing Muslim, born in Virginia of Jordanian parents, turned against his fellow citizens and military colleagues and murdered 13 and wounded 30.

What happened at Fort Hood follows a nightmare script that has been one of the biggest fears of the American Muslim community since the appalling events of September 11, 2001. One crazy Muslim, acting on his own, causing significant mayhem and murder and inviting anger and backlash against millions of peace loving and hardworking Americans who are Muslims. National and local Muslim organizations immediately issued strong condemnation of the event and called for calm.

It is important to understand that Major Hasan is an isolated, alienated and sad individual who was clearly not well adjusted to his life. In a community that values family life, he was single at 39 and still looking desperately for a wife, according to his former Imam. He was in an army that was at war with his co-religionists and he had difficulty dealing with that. He was frequently taunted and harassed for being a Muslim by his own colleagues. After years in the military and after years of caring for soldiers as a doctor, he did not feel as if he belonged and perhaps that was the key to why he could turn on his own.

This tragic episode presents serious dilemmas and challenges for both Muslim community organizations as well as for law enforcement and counter-terrorism agencies. Muslim organizations do not know how to explain this and the law enforcement agencies will be puzzling over how to understand it.

This was an unpredictable and isolated episode, impossible to anticipate and guard against. Hasan is an American-born, highly educated, long-term military man who simply snapped with devastating consequences. How do we anticipate this and prevent it? The Fort Hood shooting reminds me of the Columbine shooting; shocking and unexpected. On scrutiny after the fact one discovers warning signs but not enough to trigger action before it happened.

Since the election of President Obama, Islamophobic rhetoric was on the decline as people in key administrative positions abstained from using "Islamic" as a prefix when talking about issues related with the war on terror. But this episode will once again provide fodder for talk shows and websites, which exploit such isolated events to ratchet up Islamophobia.

Muslims across the country have been working hard to build bridges with mainstream America, to establish interfaith relations and carve out a place for the community on main street America. Hasan not only fired at unarmed soldiers at Fort Hood, but he also attacked the very foundations of all these bridges across the country. His actions will definitely weaken if not completely undermine the efforts of thousands of Americans to build bridges of peace and understanding.
According to some estimates there are over 10,000 Muslims in the U.S. military who serve loyally, with sincere and complete commitment. Many Muslims in the U.S. military have died fighting for America. General Colin Powell once spoke so eloquently about Cpl. Kareem Khan, a Purple Heart, who had died fighting for America. Let us hope that Major Hasan's dastardly actions do not hurt the careers of the thousands of Kareem Khans proudly serving in U.S. military.

There is nothing that American Muslims can do to prevent such events. But we must now allow them to weaken our resolve to combat extremism, prejudice and ignorance in our society. We must redouble our efforts to continue to share the message of peace, tolerance and pluralism that is fundamental to Islamic believes to our congregations and our communities.

The tragedy at Fort Hood is a major test for Muslims and Americans. They must face the challenge with determination. Muslims must not allow it to force them to recede from the public sphere and from their struggle for understanding, for civil rights and against religious profiling and Islamophobia. Americans must not allow this isolated event to fall back on stereotypes about Islam and resuscitate the prejudices that all of us have worked so hard to curb.

Dr. Muqtedar Khan is Director of Islamic Studies at the University of Delaware and a Fellow of the Institute for Social policy and Understanding.

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WASHINGTON, DC (MASNET) Nov. 6, 2009 – MAS Freedom (MASF), on behalf of and as the civic and human rights advocacy entity of the Muslim American Society (MAS), joins the chorus of American Muslim voices nationwide in condemnation of the tragic attack perpetrated against U.S. military personnel at the Soldier Readiness Processing Center at Fort Hood, Texas, where soldiers preparing to deploy to Iraq and Afghanistan, leaving 13 persons dead and 30 wounded on November 5, 2009.

"As an organization and as Muslim Americans, we stand in condemnation of Thursday's assault in the strongest terms possible," echoed MAS Freedom Executive Director, Mahdi Bray Thursday evening at a press conference in Washington, D.C.

"Let us be cautious, however, in drawing conclusions based on the ethnicity of the perpetrator of this tragic incident. A full investigation, is, of course, underway; however, as in any case, the perpetuation of negativity in such instances often unwittingly serves as an equally unnecessary exacerbation of the atmosphere of hate, violence and Islamophia under which the Muslim community already exists," stated MAS Freedom Executive Director Mahdi Bray.

Bray added, "Indeed this is a national tragedy and our American family is in mourning. Like any family in a time of crisis and tragedy, we will not turn on each other, but rather, toward each other as a source of strength and comfort."

Nidal Malik Hasan, a 39-year-old Muslim, Virginia-born Army major and psychiatrist, set to be deployed to Iraq, is reported to be responsible for the worst mass killing on a U.S. military base; the second shooting incident in recent history at the base this year.

Another shooting incident occurred at Fort Hood on September 8, 2008. Specialist Jody Michael Wirawan, 22, of Eagle River, Alabama, who was scheduled to be discharged, fatally shot 1st Lieutenant Robert Bartlett Fletcher, 24, of Jensen Beach, Florida. When police arrived, Wirawan turned his gun on himself and died on the scene.

An emerging profile indicates that Major Hasan, who, prior to being transferred to Fort Hood six-years ago, served and did his psychiatric internship at Washington's Walter Reed Army Medical Center, may, himself, have suffered from post-traumatic stress syndrome.

Major Hasan, whose family members have stated endured name-calling and harassment about his Muslim faith for years, is further described as a 'mostly very quiet', devoutly religious person, often seen attending prayers at a local mosque in uniform, while stationed in Washington. Retired Army Col. Terry Lee, is reported to have stated that Major Hasan never spoke ill of the military or his country, however, he had expressed hopes that President Barack Obama would pull troops out of Afghanistan and Iraq and that Major Hasan had been proactively vocal in his opposition to the wars, in addition to having sought legal counsel in working to detach himself from the military.

MAS Freedom continues to urge and support its ongoing call for an end to the wars and deployments that have led to numerous severe mental health problems among U.S. soldiers, including mental depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, violence against spouses and family members, in addition to suicide; illnesses that reportedly affect some 20 percent of the troops returning from the Afghanistan and Iraq wars.

According to Pentagon figures, Fort Hood has the highest suicide rate over any Army base in the country, with 75 soldiers taking their own lives since 2003; an additional 32 Fort Hood soldiers have reportedly attempted, but thankfully failed, to take their own lives.

The San Antonio News-Express reported last August that the number of suicides at Fort Hood 'has been 26 per 100,000 people from 2006 to 2008, far above the civilian rate of 14.06 per 100,000'. The report further states that in addition to Fort Hood, Fort Campbell, Kentucky and Fort Bragg, North Carolina collectively logged 125 suicides in the same period, for a total of 183 since 2003.

MAS Freedom North Carolina Director Khalilah Sabra stated, "Most soldiers are aware of combat stress reactions from their training and from Army education campaigns. Reportedly, over 70 percent of soldiers have complained of war-related stress and have sought help for serious problems. These emotional health issues are intensified by long and multiple deployments in places that witness death and the violence of constant combat."

MAS Freedom further calls on our nation's Commander-in-Chief, President Barack Obama, to step-up efforts to insure more effective mental healthcare for soldiers experiencing chronic stress and mental instability as the ongoing campaign for health care reform continues.
Fort Hood commander Lieutenant General Bob Cone, has confirmed that contrary to earlier reports, Major Hasan was not fatally wounded in the incident and is currently in custody and in stable condition.

Also previously reported as being fatally wounded, was a civilian police woman and first responder on the scene, who has received surgical treatment for her injuries and is in stable condition.

A ceremony to honor the dead will take place at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware where the bodies have been taken for autopsies.

"As American Muslims we join our fellow citizens in offering both prayers for the victims and sincere condolences to the families of those killed or injured," stated Bray.

Inquiries or requests for information can be made by contacting MAS Freedom at (202) 552-7414, (703) 642-6165 or 1-888-627-8471 or sending an email to: info @ masfreedom.org.
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ASSOCIATION OF PATRIOTIC ARAB AMERICANS IN MILITARY
"Patriotic Arab Americans Making A Difference"

STATEMENT ON FORT HOOD SHOOTINGS FROM ASSOCIATION OF PATRIOTIC ARAB AMERICANS IN THE MILITARY

At a time of deep sorrow in the midst of this horrific tragedy, our thoughts are first and foremost with the Fort Hood shooting victims and their families. One can only imagine the unspeakable pain and loss they are and will be dealing with in the weeks, months and years to come.

It is unfortunate that whatever demons possessed Nidal Hasan, that he chose to deal with his problems in this way.

In the aftermath of this terrible tragedy, it is more important than ever that we not make the same scapegoating and broad stroke mistakes that were evident in the aftermath of previous tragedies.

The Association of Patriotic Arab Americans in Military urges the media, government officials and all of our fellow Americans to recognize that the actions of Hasan are those of a deranged gunman, and are in no way representative of the wider Arab American or American Muslim community.

In fact, thousands of Arab Americans and American Muslims serve honorably everyday in all four branches of the U.S. military and in the National Guard. Additionally, many of us have willingly stepped forward to fulfill our duty with our fellow soldiers in both Afghanistan, Iraq and other locations around the globe for the defense of our national security, including most of the member of APAAM. Indeed, many of us are today currently deployed in both countries, honorably serving each and every day.


The Association of Patriotic Arab Americans in Military (APAAM) was created shortly after September 11th, 2001, in an effort to organize current and former Arab- Americans in the military to highlight the service and contributions dating back to the Revolutionary War. There are approximately 3,500 Arab- Americans serving in our Armed Forces.

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Radio Salaam Namaste

http://mikeghouseforamerica.blogspot.com/2008/04/radio-salaam-namaste.html

As a member of the community, I want to thank Dallas Observer and Naomi Zeveloff for highlighting the Desi community in your esteemed weekly.

I would like to add to your style book the Word Subcontinentian, derived from Subcontinent, meaning the people of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka. The traditional word is Subcontinental. The word Subcontinentian has been submitted to the American Heritage Dictionary for inclusion. The other word is South Asia or South Asians and not South Asian continent as reflected in the article.

Mike Ghouse

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Radio Salaam Namaste Signals the Growth of Irving's Desi Community
By Naomi Zeveloff
Published: April 3, 2008

http://www.dallasobserver.com/2008-04-03/news/radio-salaam-namaste-signals-the-growth-of-irving-s-desi-community/

It's 1 p.m. on a Wednesday, and the Irving office of Radio Salaam Namaste has all but emptied out.

The only one who hasn't gone to lunch among the station's Pakistani and Indian staff is DJ Neha Upadhyay, who is spending the hour with her listeners. Dressed in blue linen pants, a black shirt and gold crocheted slippers, the slight 25-year-old hops onto a stool in the air-conditioned studio, undecorated but for a pot of pink fabric flowers and a miniature American flag. She places a pair of headphones over her ears, and leans into the microphone. "Welcome back. You're listening to Lunchtime Special!" she giggles, peppering her accented English with Hindi phrases. "Right now, I'm playing beautiful tracks requested by all of you."

"All of you" is the Dallas-area "Desi" community, made up of South Asian immigrants and their children who settled here from Bangladesh, India and Pakistan, where "Desi" means "countryman." Though Radio Salaam Namaste (KZMP-104.9 FM) broadcasts all over the metroplex, its presence in Irving speaks to the flourishing Desi community in this suburb; at its founding just more than two years ago, the station became the first 24/7 Desi station in the United States on FM radio (another AM station broadcasts out of Richardson).
Upadhyay herself is a recent Irving transplant. She relocated to the city with her husband, a Verizon employee, from their home in Bangalore, India, less than a year ago. After she plays a few moments of Indian pop, a traditional-sounding melody soused with R&B overtones, Upadhyay pulls off her headset to answer the studio's ringing telephone.

"You want to hear 'Ya Ali' from Gangster?" she asks the caller. "You'll have to wait a few minutes. I have a few other tracks lined up."

The most popular songs during the request hour are from Bollywood soundtracks, she later explains, off the air. The Indian film industry's Bollywood imports provide a strong cultural connection for the diverse Desi community. Gangster happens to be an older film, but Upadhyay typically hypes the current movies by giving away tickets to callers who can name a song's film. This way, she drives traffic to Irving's Bollywood shows in Hollywood Theaters, which is operated by the same company that owns Radio Salaam Namaste.

Station owners Mohammad Abbas and Jaipal Reddy got into the radio business four years back, after Reddy had established Hollywood Theaters as a hub for Desi films. The pair dreamed of opening a South Asian-themed mall but knew they had to prove their business mettle to North Texas' most prominent Desi investors. So they took to the airwaves, first with a smaller AM operation, which they moved to FM two years later with the opening of Radio Salaam Namaste. The two form an unlikely duo—Reddy is 40-year-old Indian, and Abbas is a 30-year-old Pakistani—and they named the station for their friendship. "Salaam" is "hello" in Arabic, and "Namaste" means the same in Hindi.

"There is a huge rift between the countries," says Abbas, referencing the 1947 Partition of India, which divided the country into India and Pakistan, and pitted Hindus against Muslims. "In America there is not that rift. But there is no way I can conquer the entire market as a Muslim. There is no way that Jaipal can conquer the market as a Hindu. It has to be a combination of 'Salaam' and 'Namaste.'"

Since its debut on FM, Salaam Namaste has become a wellspring of information for the entire Desi community, with shows in English, Hindi, Urdu, Gujarati, Bengali and Telugu. On Fridays, the Zindagi ("life") program airs, with community advocate Dilshad Dayani doling advice to Desi parents befuddled by their Americanized children.

Nearly a decade before beginning her broadcast, Dayani held workshops for parents and made home visits. "I knew how desperately they needed the child development information in this country because of the lack of the support system. They did not have their mothers-in-law to turn to. They did not have their little village where everyone could go and ask what to do," she says. "I realized as I was doing these workshops, there was a medium where I could reach many people at one time."

"They are doing some good programming," says Mike Ghouse, an Indian community leader who started one of the first Dallas-area Desi radio shows in 1996. "They keep the sentiments of home alive, and they do a good job incorporating the entire South Asian continent."

Radio Salaam Namaste, however, managed to alienate some listeners when a DJ spouted anti-Sikh remarks during the station's now-cancelled call-in joke show last year. Though Abbas says that outcry was fanned by his competitor station in Richardson (KHSE-700 AM), he visited a local Sikh temple to speak with its leaders and played a recorded apology on the air the following week.

Despite the misstep, Salaam Namaste has secured the ears—and the dollars—of the Desi community and beyond. During Upadhyay's show alone, advertisements ran for Bollywood Grocery in Richardson, Subzi Mandi market in Garland, the Princeton Review and even Lufthansa Airlines. And, as far as Abbas is concerned, the station has accomplished its original goal. He and Reddy have secured investors for a $35 million Desi mall; construction will start this summer at the intersection of Interstate 635 and the President George Bush Turnpike. Called Everest Heights, the yellow, castle-like building promises to include a six-screen Bollywood theater, dance floors, a banquet hall, retail stores and restaurants. And it's likely to establish Irving—along with the older community in Richardson—as a center of Desi commercial life in North Texas.

Though Irving's Desi upsurge can be attributed to the vigorous IT sector in the region—particularly the Nokia and Verizon operations—the city has long welcomed South Asians. The area's first Hindu temple was built there in 1991.

"The Indian community makes a half-circle, spreading around the north and down to Mesquite," explains Southern Methodist University anthropology professor Caroline Brettell, who has studied the Indian influence in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. "The earliest Indians came and settled in Richardson. The Irving growth is more recent, in the '90s." Most of the Indians in the area are "skimmed off the top," she continues, meaning that they are highly educated, highly skilled workers, who represent the tip of India's economic strata.

Numbers on the South Asian population are difficult to pin down. The 2000 census pegged North Texas' Indian and Pakistani communities at 30,030 and 5,841, respectively. But a report released last week by the DFW International Community Alliance, a group promoting diversity, indicates that Desi leaders see their ranks as much, much larger: 100,000 Indians and 50,000 Pakistanis.

"I can't verify what the community leaders say," says DFW International President Anne Marie Weiss-Armush. "But that is their best guess. It is significant. But it doesn't matter to me if it's 80,000 or 90,000 or 100,000. The family income and the educational attainment of the community are very impressive."

Back at Radio Salaam Namaste, Upadhyay closes out the lunch hour with a song called "Aaye Ho Meri Zindagi Mein," another Bollywood tune, which translates to "You Have Come Into My Life."

She promises her last movie tickets to a caller and readies the studio for the next program: a Punjabi hour. The phone rings another several times.

"I'm so sorry if I can't play your song right now," she says to her listeners. "The time is running."

Gas fraud in Dallas/ FW

Gas Fraud in Dallas / Fort Worth
Check out the list below

Next time you fill the gas, you are likely to be cheated, watch out, beware. Officials Announce Stiffer Penalties For Gas Fraud http://cbs11tv.com/topstories/local_story_143214140.html

View Local Gas Prices
CBS News Interactive: Oil And Gas: Fossil Fuels
Click here for the state's list of local offending gas stations in .xls format.


(AP) DALLAS Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples said Wednesday his office is increasing penalties for gas stations that cheat drivers with inaccurate fuel pumps, a fraud that drivers are more sensitive to as prices climb to record highs.

Starting Friday, the minimum fine will be quadrupled for pumps that exceed the state's tolerance for measurement discrepancies. It's the first penalty increase since 1996.

"Gas prices are high enough without consumers being shortchanged at the pump," said Staples, who announced the change at a busy Dallas gas station. "Drivers need to have every confidence they are receiving exactly what they pay for every time they fill up."

Staples noted that Texas fuel vendors already have a 96 percent compliance rate with state standards.

But lofty prices have drivers focusing on their gas spending. Consumer complaints about faulty pumps increased 109 percent from fiscal year 2004 to 2006, said David Kostroun, the Agriculture Department's assistant commissioner for regulatory programs.

Inspectors found 7,400 violations in fiscal year 2006. They've flagged 3,400 pumps from September through now, the department said.

Average retail gasoline prices in Texas are setting record highs with each passing day, according to the AAA Texas survey of regular-grade gasoline.

Wednesday's average was a record $3.09 per gallon, up 14 cents from last week's average of $2.95. The record before this week was $2.96 in the wake of Hurricane Rita in September 2005.

"We have heard a number of complaints about" inaccurate pumps, said Jason Toews, co-founder of the Web site GasBuddy.com, a consumer advocacy site that tracks gas prices. "It may not be that there's more of that going on right now, but people are paying more attention because of the high gas prices."

The state Agriculture Department has 72 weights and measures inspectors monitoring 275,000 fuel pumps at 14,000 gas stations. State law calls for the pumps to be inspected at least once every four years, but the department must respond to consumer complaints within 10 days.

Chris Newton, president of the Texas Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association, said he hopes the penalties will discourage any retailers tempted to cheat.

"For us, it not only needs to be fair to the consumer but it also has to be fair to the other retailers who are often competing on opposite sides of a corner," Newton said. "We're just as interested in making sure that everybody's got the same measurement standards across the board."

The department allows a variation of 6 cubic inches, or about 6 tablespoons, per five gallons of gas.

Stations that are more than twice in excess of the tolerance will be fined $100 per pump for the first offense -- up from $25 -- and $200 per pump for the second offense. The pump will be tagged and closed until the operator calibrates the machine and gets it recertified by the state, the department said.

A fine could be as high as $500 for a second offense on a pump that's more than four times greater than the accepted discrepancy.

(© 2007 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. )

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(AP) DALLAS Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples said Wednesday his office is increasing penalties for gas stations that cheat drivers with inaccurate fuel pumps, a fraud that drivers are more sensitive to as prices climb to record highs. Starting Friday, the minimum fine will be quadrupled for pumps that exceed the state's tolerance for measurement discrepancies.

It's the first penalty increase since 1996.

"Gas prices are high enough without consumers being shortchanged at the pump," said Staples, who announced the change at a busy Dallas gas station.

"Drivers need to have every confidence they are receiving exactly what they pay for every time they fill up."
But lofty prices have drivers focusing on their gas spending. Consumer complaints about faulty pumps increased 109 percent from fiscal year 2004 to 2006, said David Kostroun, the Agriculture Department's
assistant commissioner for regulatory programs. Inspectors found 7,400 violations in fiscal year 2006. They've flagged 3,400 pumps from September through now, the department said.

"We have heard a number of complaints about" inaccurate pumps, said Jason Toews, co-founder of the Web site GasBuddy.com, a consumer advocacy site that tracks gas prices. "It may not be that there's more of that going on right now, but people are paying more attention because of the high gas prices."

Please be aware of the attached gas stations. We can't afford to be ripped off!!!

Here is the list of the gas stations being cited by the state for their pumps being off...you pay more and get less gas... This is a huge list!

Facility Name, Physical Address, City & Zip

7 ELEVEN #33696 8127 S COOPER ARLINGTON 76001
7 ELEVEN STORE #24261 1501 N COOPER ST ARLINGTON 76011
BALLPARK BEVERAGE 2100 E LAMAR BLVD ARLINGTON 76006
BIG DIAMOND INC #1210 1800 NE GREEN OAKS BLVD ARLINGTON 76006
BIG DIAMOND INC #722 4600 S COLLINS ST ARLINGTON 76018
CITGO FOOD MART 1223 E PIONEER PKWY ARLINGTON 76010
COLONIAL CAR WASH 3 5780 W PLEASANT RIDGE RD ARLINGTON 76016
EXXON R/S #60443 1461 W GREEN OAKS BLVD ARLINGTON 76013
EZ MART #483 1901 E ARBROOK BLVD ARLINGTON 76014
LUCKY MART 1125 W ARKANSAS LN ARLINGTON 76013
MH MART CONOCO 1600 W PIONEER PKWY ARLINGTON 76013
MIKE'S STOP N GO INC 1725 W PARK ROW ARLINGTON 76013
QUICK TRACK 1508 W MAYFIELD ARLINGTON 76015
QUIKTRIP #857 2425 W DIVISION ST ARLINGTON 76012
SHELL #101034 2101 BROWN BLVD ARLINGTON 76006
TEXACO FOOD MART 763 W LAMAR BLVD ARLINGTON 76012
TEXAS FOOD 1101 CALIFORNIA LN ARLINGTON 76015
VALERO CORNER STORE #4487 2700 E ABRAM ARLINGTON 76010
WHIP IN #104 3400 S WATSON RD ARLINGTON 76014
WHIP IN #118 1601 W PARK ROW DR ARLINGTON 76013
JT HORNETS NEST 1101 BOYD RD AZLE 76020
JT LUCKY LADY 1100 SANDY BEACH RD AZLE 76020
SANDY BEACH MART 1850 BOYD RD AZLE 76020
5 POINTS GROCERY 3000 S BELT LINE RD BALCH SPRINGS 75181
COUNTRY BOY STORE 10956 ELAM RD BALCH SPRINGS 75180
LAKE JUNE FINA 12600 LAKE JUNE RD BALCH SPRINGS 75180
VALERO CORNER STORE #4488 13105 SEAGOVILLE RD BALCH SPRINGS 75180
7 ELEVEN STORE #30455 2900 BROWN TRL BEDFORD 76021
HEB MART 200 MURPHY DR BEDFORD 76021
KAN BEDFORD FOOD MART 429 BEDFORD RD BEDFORD 76022
QUIKTRIP #863 2201 CENTRAL DR BEDFORD 76021
TETCO #416 1200 AIRPORT FWY BEDFORD 76022
QUIKWAY #3 FOOD STORE 9501 HWY 377 S BENBROOK 76126
X PRESS STOP 9301 WESTPARK DR BENBROOK 76126
7 ELEVEN STORE #33612 3003 E ILLINOIS AVE BONNIEVIEW 75216
BIG DIAMOND INC #942 100 W RENDON CROWLEY RD BURLESON 76028
BIG WILLY'S #1 12400 SOUTH FWY BURLESON 76028
RENDON SHELL 12201 RENDON RD BURLESON 76028
ALBERTSON'S EXPRESS #4107 1009 W HEBRON PKWY CARROLLTON 75010
TETCO #628 1010 W TRINITY MILLS RD CARROLLTON 75006
DIAMOND SHAMROCK #798 210 E FM 1382 CEDAR HILL 75104
LUCKY LADY FOOD STORE 928 S BELT LINE RD COPPELL 75019
VINTAGE CAR WASH 720 S MACARTHUR BLVD COPPELL 75019
7 ELEVEN STORE #21972 8902 GARLAND RD DALLAS 75218
7 ELEVEN STORE #25511 9820 WALNUT ST DALLAS 75243
7 ELEVEN STORE #33321 5712 SKILLMAN DALLAS 75206
ADAM GAS STOP FINA 11038 HARRY HINES BLVD DALLAS 75229
ALADDIN CAR WASH-INWOOD 1449 INWOOD RD DALLAS 75247
BCE MART 300 S MARSALIS AVE DALLAS 75203
BEER PAYLESS 6930 HARRY HINES BLVD DALLAS 75235
BOB EXXON #63593 2170 W NORTHWEST HWY DALLAS 75220
BONNIEVIEW SHELL 7410 BONNIEVIEW RD DALLAS 75241
BRUSHBUSTERS, INC. 7909 BELT LINE RD DALLAS 75254
BUY AND RIDE FOOD STORES 8505 LAKE JUNE RD DALLAS 75217
BUY LOW DISCOUNT FOOD MART 4825 ROSS AVE DALLAS 75204
CHEVRON STATION #105953 9455 FOREST LN DALLAS 75243
DEE`S GROCERY 3525 W LEDBETTER DR DALLAS 75233
DIAMOND SHAMROCK AT COIT 12950 COIT RD DALLAS 75251
DUNLAP SWAIN #1 2607 SAN JACINTO ST DALLAS 75201
EMPIRE CENTRAL TEXACO 8405 N STEMMONS FRWY DALLAS 75247
EXXON #64857 10804 PRESTON / ROYAL LANE DALLAS 75230
EXXON CORPORATION #64579 3040 W MOCKINGBIRD LN DALLAS 75235
FOOD PLUS #2 9206 BRUTON RD DALLAS 75217
FRIENDLYS 10025 HARRY HINES BLVD DALLAS 75220
FUEL STOP 5816 KEENELAND PKWY DALLAS 75211
GATEWAY #1 102 S BELTLINE RD DALLAS 75253
GOOD LUCK 332 W COMMERCE ST DALLAS 75208
GOODY'S FOOD STORE 756 N SAINT AUGUSTINE DALLAS 75217
HERTZ CORP 7212 CEDAR SPRINGS RD DALLAS 75235
JUNCTION VI 9606 CF HAWN FRWY DALLAS 75217
K KORNER 2502 ROYAL LN #101 DALLAS 75229
K N STORES INC 951 S BELT LINE RD DALLAS 75253
KHAN`S FOOD MART 9199 BRUTON RD DALLAS 75217
KIEST CITGO 4411 W KIEST BLVD DALLAS 75236
KNOX FUEL STOP #2301 2221 IRVING BLVD DALLAS 75207
KWICK MART 8300 LA PRADA DR STE 130 DALLAS 75228
KWIK MART CHURCHS 10201 C F HAWN FWY DALLAS 75217
KWIK STOP BEER AND WINE #1 1602 MARTIN LUTHER KING JR BLV DALLAS 75215
KWIK STOP CENTER 339 S INDUSTRIAL BLVD DALLAS 75207
LAKE JUNE CITGO 6808 LAKE JUNE RD DALLAS 75217
LAKEWOOD TEXACO 1701 SKILLMAN ST DALLAS 75206
LOCHWOOD MOBIL 11115 GARLAND RD DALLAS 75218
MOTION #7 3305 GRAND AVE DALLAS 75210
MOTION CONVENIENCE STORE #3 2995 S WESTMORELAND DALLAS 75233
OAKLAWN TEXACO 3439 OAK LAWN AVE DALLAS 75219
OVERTON TEXACO 3926 E OVERTON RD DALLAS 75216
PHILLIPS 66 3022 INWOOD RD DALLAS 75235
PILOT TRAVEL CENTER #433 8787 S LANCASTER RD DALLAS 75241
R J FINA 9790 WALNUT ST DALLAS 75243
RACEWAY #967 8130 E RL THORNTON EXPWY DALLAS 75228
RACEWAY #969 6011 W DAVIS ST DALLAS 75211
RYLIE ONE STOP 10146 RYLIE RD DALLAS 75217
SEAGO PANTRY #3224 15130 SEAGOVILLE RD DALLAS 75253
SHAZEB'S EXXON #2 9049 FOREST LN DALLAS 75243
SHELL #101004 14040 COIT RD DALLAS 75240
SHELL GAS STATION 11237 HARRY HINES BLVD DALLAS 75229
SKILLMAN DIAMOND SHAMROCK 6666 SKILLMAN ST DALLAS 75231
SPEED MAX #6 9531 C F HAWN FWY DALLAS 75217
SUNNYVALE STATION 3621 SUNNYVALE ST DALLAS 75216
SUPER AMIGO`S GROCERY 7002 MILITARY PARKWAY DALLAS 75227
TETCO #625 9791 FOREST LN DALLAS 75243
TETCO #630 13010 ABRAMS RD DALLAS 75243
TETCO #637 4423 LIVE OAK ST DALLAS 75204
TETCO #638 14040 MONTFORT DR DALLAS 75240
TETCO #666 8210 S LANCASTER DALLAS 75241
TEXACO LOOP 12 3103 S LOOP 12 DALLAS 75216
TI EQUIPMENT SERVICE CENTER 13252 TI BLVD DALLAS 75243
TIGER MART 46 8702 POLK ST DALLAS 75232
TRAVEL CENTERS OF AMERICA 7751 BONNIEVIEW RD DALLAS 75241
VELERO KWIK MART 1044 S BUCKNER BLVD DALLAS 75217
VINTAGE CAR WASH 5940 FOREST LN DALLAS 75230
WHEATLAND SHELL 3805 W WHEATLAND RD DALLAS 75237
WILLOW CREEK EXXON 9701 N CENTRAL EXPY DALLAS 75231
TOM THUMB #3623 214 E PLEASANT RUN RD DESOTO 75115
ANISHA FOOD STORE 102 S CEDAR RIDGE DR DUNCANVILLE 75116
COSTCO GASOLINE #636 270 HWY 67 W DUNCANVILLE 75137
DIAMOND SHAMROCK #796 1102 S COCKRELL HILL RD DUNCANVILLE 75137
QUIKTRIP #924 102 E CAMP WISDOM DUNCANVILLE 75116
SUNNY`S MART 607 E CAMP WISDOM RD DUNCANVILLE 75116
7 ELEVEN STORE #26342 101 E GLADE RD EULESS 76039
ADAMS AUTO SERVICE 1600 W EULESS BLVD EULESS 76040
ALBERTSON'S EXPRESS #4106 200 W HARWOOD RD EULESS 76039
QUIKTRIP #869 700 S INDUSTRIAL BLVD EULESS 76040
TEXACO FOOD & DELI 3100 W EULESS BLVD EULESS 76040
TEXACO GAS & FOOD MART #2 1100 N MAIN ST EULESS 76039
TEXACO FOOD MART 200 S WICHITA ST EVERMAN 76140
SUPERIOR MART 14051 HARRY HINES BLVD FARMERS BRANCH 75234
CD KWIK STOP #2 2401 W SEMINARY DR FORT WORTH 76115
INARA CONVENIENCE INC #0005590 6101 E ROSEDALE ST FORT WORTH 76112
J AND J QUICKSTOP 4201 E LANCASTER AVE FORT WORTH 76103
7 ELEVEN STORE #17752 700 N RIVERSIDE DR FORT WORTH 76111
ABC FOOD MART 3301 MANSFIELD HWY FORT WORTH 76119
ADVANCE PETROLEUM DISTRIBUTING CO. INC 2451 GREAT SOUTHWEST PKWY FORT WORTH 76106
AL'S QUICK STOP INC 5401 SUN VALLEY DR FORT WORTH 76119
ALBERTSON'S #4277 FUEL CENTER 3601 SYCAMORE SCHOOL RD FORT WORTH 76133
ANV QUICK STOP #3253 3000 N MAIN ST FORT WORTH 76106
ASA FOOD STORE 5465 RENDON RD FORT WORTH 76140
AUTO CLINIC AND SALES 5003 TRAIL LAKE DR FORT WORTH 76133
BROWNIES 5324 TRAIL LAKE DR FORT WORTH 76133
CIGARETTES AND MORE FOR LESS 6753 E LANCASTER AVE FORT WORTH 76112
DAIRY MART #7 5529 JAMES AVE FORT WORTH 76115
DC AND JEANS MARKET 9234 TEN MILE BRIDGE RD FORT WORTH 76135
DIAMOND FAMOUS FRIED CHICKEN 2706 LAS VEGAS TRL FORT WORTH 76116
DRIVE IN BEER AND GROCERY 1217 TERMINAL RD FORT WORTH 76106
EAGLE MOUNTAIN TRADING 9595 BOAT CLUB RD FORT WORTH 76179
FORT WORTH LUCKY ONE 1101 NW 25TH ST FORT WORTH 76106
HANSOM HANK`S 1000 NE LOOP 820 STE A FORT WORTH 76106
JACK IN THE BOX QS #7759 3000 BASSWOOD BLVD FORT WORTH 76137
K U FOODMART 2221 W SEMINARY DR FORT WORTH 76115
KWIK PIK FOODMART 5304 MANSFIELD HWY FORT WORTH 76119
LANCASTER MINI MART 3950 E LANCASTER AVE FORT WORTH 76103
LIBBY FOOD STORE 3419 N MAIN ST FORT WORTH 76106
LIL'S GENERAL FOOD STORE 8801 S NORMANDELE FORT WORTH 76116
LUCKY 7 BEER AND WINE #3255 7401 JOHN T WHITE RD FORT WORTH 76120
MEADLIN SERVICE CENTER INC 5200 CAMP BOWIE BLVD FORT WORTH 76107
NOWELS MASON INC 7401 N BEACH ST FORT WORTH 76137
OAK GROVE FOOD MART 1104 OAK GROVE RD FORT WORTH 76134
ON THE GO FOOD MARKET 5300 BRENTWOOD STAIR RD FORT WORTH 76112
PRINCE FOOD MART 6601 MEADOWBROOK DR FORT WORTH 76112
QUICK N SAVE 5549 E LANCASTER AVE FORT WORTH 76112
QUIK STOP 2413 NE 28TH ST FORT WORTH 76106
QUIKTRIP #881 3229 ALTA MERE DR FORT WORTH 76155
RACEWAY #6761 6300 E LANCASTER AVE FORT WORTH 76112
RENDON MINI MART 5595 FM 1187 FORT WORTH 76140
SAM'S CLUB #6244 8351 ANDERSON BLVD FORT WORTH 76120
SAVE WAY FOOD MART 6620 BRENTWOOD STAIR RD FORT WORTH 76112
SEMINARY CORNER STOP 300 E SEMINARY DR FORT WORTH 76115
STAR STOP #2 1541 S UNIVERSITY DR FORT WORTH 76107
STOP N GO #2132 101 LONGHORN RD FORT WORTH 76179
STOP N GO #2326 9101 MEADOWBROOK BLVD FORT WORTH 76120
STOP N GO FOOD MART 824 E BERRY ST FORT WORTH 76110
TRI GAZ 4 1050 N UNIVERSITY DR FORT WORTH 76114
U S FOOD STORE #18 CITGO GAS STATION 4304 HEMPHILL ST FORT WORTH 76115
VO'S BP AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE CENTER 6705 MEADOWBROOK DR FORT WORTH 76112
ZOOM IN MARKET #2 1500 EVERMAN PKWY FORT WORTH 76140
ZOOM IN MARKET #4 (#766)/PUMPS 700 W SEMINARY DR FORT WORTH 76115
ANF CORP 5032 PRESTON RD FRISCO 75034
COLONIAL CAR WASH 7 8880 HWY 80 W FT WORTH 76116
GLAD MART 4400 S WEST BLVD FT WORTH 76116
7 ELEVEN STORE #22324 232 W CENTERVILLE RD GARLAND 75041
BENSMART 1921 PLANO RD GARLAND 75042
CONOCO #2706594 3321 S GARLAND AVE GARLAND 75041
CRYSTAL CAR WASH 646 E CENTERVILLE RD GARLAND 75041
EXXON #60444 2509 NE PKWY/PLEASANT VALLEY GARLAND 75040
FOREST CORNER CONOCO 4555 FOREST LN GARLAND 75042
GOLDEN EXPRESS #3 801 IH 30 GARLAND 75043
JS QUICK STOP 3464 W CAMPBELL RD GARLAND 75044
M & M JUPITER FOOD MART 3080 S JUPITER RD GARLAND 75041
MILLER FINA 1330 W MILLER RD GARLAND 75041
QUIKTRIP #901 220 W CENTERVILLE RD GARLAND 75041
RACETRAC #582 2602 LAVON DR GARLAND 75040
TETCO #659 2535 W MILLER RD GARLAND 75041
TETCO #673 3310 LAVON DR GARLAND 75040
7 ELEVEN STORE #17858 1325 E JEFFERSON ST GRAND PRAIRIE 75051
ALBERTSON'S EXPRESS #4231 115 N CARRIER PKWY GRAND PRAIRIE 75050
B AND D PETRO 3705 S CARRIER PKWY GRAND PRAIRIE 75052
CARRIER PARKWAY SHELL 1746 S CARRIER PKWY GRAND PRAIRIE 75051
EZ MART #502 1555 W NORTH CARRIER PKWY GRAND PRAIRIE 75050
FINA MART #1 1612 E MAIN ST GRAND PRAIRIE 75050
KWIK PIK FOOD STORE 2605 S E 14TH ST GRAND PRAIRIE 75051
LONE STAR CHEVRON 1510 N BELT LINE RD GRAND PRAIRIE 75050
STARCITY 401 S BELTLINE RD GRAND PRAIRIE 75051
STOP N GO #2078 1610 NW 19TH ST GRAND PRAIRIE 75050
TETCO #454 3915 GREAT SOUTHWEST PKWY GRAND PRAIRIE 75052
TRADERS VILLAGE RV PARK 2602 MAYFIELD RD GRAND PRAIRIE 75052
WESTCHESTER FOOD MART 4155 S CARRIER PKWY GRAND PRAIRIE 75052
C STORE #1 101 BALL ST GRAPEVINE 76051
CIRCLE S FOOD STOP #3 2713 MUSTANG DR GRAPEVINE 76051
MACS CORNER 1098 E NORTHWEST HWY GRAPEVINE 76051
MAGIC MIKE'S #6 3501 GRAPEVINE MILLS PKWY GRAPEVINE 76051
MAGIC MIKE'S CONVENIENCE STORE 3500 GRAPEVINE MILLS PKWY GRAPEVINE 76051
SHELL #101017 2001 W WALL ST GRAPEVINE 76051
DISCOUNT SELF SERVICE 5109 BROADWAY AVE HALTOM CITY 76117
DOC'S FOOD STORE #7 1718 HALTOM RD HALTOM CITY 76117
HALTOM CITY CONOCO 5101 AIRPORT FWY HALTOM CITY 76117
LARRY'S 7-10 DRIVE INN 1901 N BEACH ST HALTOM CITY 76111
N AND S FOOD MART 4000 DENTON HWY HALTOM CITY 76117
NORTH BEACH CHEVRON 5300 N BEACH ST HALTOM CITY 76117
QUIKTRIP #888 4601 DENTON HWY HALTOM CITY 76117
TEXACO FOOD MART 5709 DENTON HWY HALTOM CITY 76148
TEXACO FOOD MART 4636 DENTON HWY STE 100 HALTOM CITY 76117
TL CONVENIENCE STORE 4101 NE 28TH ST HALTOM CITY 76111
HURST PATRIOT 844 W PIPELINE RD HURST 76053
NORTHEAST MALL CONOCO 8401 W BEDFORD HURST 76053
TEXACO MOONS FOOD MART 1900 NORWOOD SR HURST 76054
LOVE'S TRAVEL STOP #331 2500 S IH 45 HUTCHINS 75141
7 ELEVEN STORE #24634 4163 NORTHGATE RD IRVING 75062
7 ELEVEN STORE #32918 1025 AIRPORT FRWY IRVING 75061
AIRPORT FREEWAY FUEL CENTER 1016 W AIRPORT FRWY IRVING 75062
COMMUNITY FUELS 2312 E GRAVWYLER IRVING 75062
EXXON R/S #60031 5420 N MACARTHUR IRVING 75038
FINAMART OF VALLEY RANCH 8600 N MACARTHUR BLVD STE 160 IRVING 75063
LEE'S FOOD MART 601 W SHADY GROVE RD IRVING 75060
ROCHELLE FUEL CENTER 1101 W ROCHELLE IRVING 75062
SHELL #100989 1215 S LOOP 12 IRVING 75060
SHELL #139708 777 IH 635 MCARTHUR IRVING 75063
STOP N GO #2413 1401 N BELTLINE RD IRVING 75061
UNION BOWER MART CHEVRON 1901 E UNION BOWER RD IRVING 75061
VALLEY RANCH DIAMOND SHAMROCK 9975 N MACARTHUR BLVD IRVING 75063
VALLEY RANCH MOBIL 10025 N MACARTHUR BLVD IRVING 75063
MILES AUTOMOTIVE 3700 GOLDEN TRIANGLE BLVD KELLER 76248
KENNEDALE SERVICE STATION 105B W MANSFIELD HWY KENNEDALE 76060
P AND P MART N GRILL FINA 317 W MANSFIELD HWY KENNEDALE 76060
BIG Z #2 6597 AZLE AVE LAKE WORTH 76135
SHELL #101027 6051 LAKE WORTH BLVD LAKE WORTH 76135
LANCASTER CONOCO 3160 W PLEASANT RUN RD LANCASTER 75146
PLEASANT RUN CONOCO 3160 W PLEASANT RUN RD LANCASTER 75146
TRIPLE A #206 1360 N I35 E LANCASTER 75134
WHIP IN #114 2601 N DALLAS AVE LANCASTER 75134
DIAMOND SHAMROCK #1208 1260 FM 1187 MANSFIELD 76063
KOLD SPOT #4 7350 RENDON MANSFIELD 76063
TEXACO DELI AND GAS 7414 RENDON BLOODWORTH RD MANSFIELD 76063
ALBERTSON'S FUEL CENTER #4187 1503 S BELT LINE RD MESQUITE 75149
EXPRESSWAY FOOD STORE 704 GROSS RD MESQUITE 75149
GALLOWAY FOOD MART 2031 N GALLOWAY AVE MESQUITE 75149
JK MART 1919 W SCYENE RD MESQUITE 75149
KWIKWAY FOOD STORE 1745 N BELT LINE RD MESQUITE 75149
OASIS FOOD MART 4751 N BELT LINE RD MESQUITE 75149
ONE STOP SHOPPE 1220 E DAVIS ST MESQUITE 75149
QUIK AND EASY 1320 GROSS RD MESQUITE 75149
SAM'S GAS AND GROCERY 4503 GUS THOMASSAN RD MESQUITE 75150
STAR MART 6500 NORTHWEST DR STE 101 MESQUITE 75150
STOP AND SHOP 4401 N GALLOWAY AVE #100 MESQUITE 75150
SWIF T #23 2033 MILITARY PKWY STE 106A MESQUITE 75149
SWIFT STORE NO 22 801 W KEARNEY ST STE 100 MESQUITE 75149
TOWN EAST 80 CHEVRON 3828 E HWY 80 MESQUITE 75149
VANESSA'S PHILLIPS 66 1430 N GALLOWAY MESQUITE 75149
MURPHY USA #6517 146 FM 544 W MURPHY 75094
7 ELEVEN STORE #23859 5901 DAVIS BLVD NORTH RICHLAND HILLS 76180
HIRANI ENTERPRISES INC 4100 RUFE SNOW DR STE A NORTH RICHLAND HILLS 76180
RACETRAC #563 5640 RUFE SNOW DR NORTH RICHLAND HILLS 76180
ARAPAHO FINA 555 W ARAPAHO RD RICHARDSON 75080
DIAMOND SHAMROCK CORNER STORE #1199 102 E ARAPAHO RD RICHARDSON 75081
MAIN STREET TEXACO 100 S GREENVILLE AVE RICHARDSON 75081
JJ'S FAST TRAC #295 7401 BAKER BLVD RICHLAND HILLS 76118
TETCO #463 7451 DAVIS BLVD RICHLAND HILLS 76180
ROWLETT SHELL 3501 ROWLETT RD ROWLETT 75088
SPEEDY FOOD MART 7410 HWY 78 SACHSE 75048
ALBERTSON'S EXPRESS #4102 1201 N SAGINAW BLVD #A SAGINAW 76179
CIRCLE Q #2 5724 JACKSBORO HWY SANSOM PARK 76114
DIAMOND SHAMROCK CORNER STORE #4529 531 E MALLOY BRIDGE RD SEAGOVILLE 75159
KINGS FOOD MART 602 N HALL ST SEAGOVILLE 75159
SEAGOVILLE MART 601 E MALLOY BRIDGE RD SEAGOVILLE 75159
TOTAL #4529 531 E MALLOY BRIDGE RD SEAGOVILLE 75159
HICKS COUNTRY STORE 585 N RANDOL MILL RD SOUTHLAKE 76092
MIRAGE CAR WASH 955 DAVIS BLVD SOUTHLAKE 76092
TOWERS AT SUNNYVALE LLC 224 S COLLINS RD SUNNYVALE 75182
WHIP IN #112 401 E HIGHWAY 80 SUNNYVALE 75182
7 ELEVEN STORE #26778 7060 DENTON HWY WATAUGA 76148
7 ELEVEN STORE #26890 7001 RUFE SNOW DR WATAUGA 76148
FOUR STAR FOOD MART 5850 DENTON HWY WATAUGA 76148
JJ'S FASTOP #294 5401 WATAUGA RD WATAUGA 76148
ONE STOP PANTRY 6531 WATAUGA RD STE 110 WATAUGA 76148
TPCMW INC 5708 HIGHTOWER DR WATAUGA 76148
TETCO #461 8540 IH 30 W WHITE SETTLEMENT 76108
SUPER TEXACO 405 S HWY 78 WYLIE 75098

Farmers Branch, anti-Federal

Farmers Branch's anti-immigration
Letter to Dallas Morning News, 7:00 AM, May 13

I am concerned about passing of the Farmers Branch Immigration Laws. I am against illegal immigration, but I am not in favor of City States, this is a dangerous precedent, is the next thing to have their own Military? Is Farmer's Branch representative of a typical American City or is it an anomaly? The neo-cons are getting thrown out for their extreme positions every where, this is jolting news.

I do hope in the interest of peaceful co-existence in local communities, we need to fight this out. Let there not be any vigilantism. It is a bad stain on our Metroplex. Let the immigration be handled by the Federal Government and l I know that a majority of the Americans would not go for it, it is transgression of Federal government. Where are our congressman on this issue?

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A Message Unread: Farmers Branch vote is a pointless sideshow

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/opinion/editorials/stories/DN-FB_07edi.ART.State.Edition1.42d90da.html

06:55 AM CDT on Monday, May 7, 2007

Of all the wasted energy put into the Farmers Branch immigration debate, perhaps none is misspent more than in the argument over legal fees.

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Elections 2007: Read the latest stories, see candidate video statements, review DMN recommendations and more.

Candidate Quiz: Don't know which local candidates to vote for on May 12? Check out their positions on key issues.

Whether it's one side's "hundreds of thousands" or the other side's "hundreds of thousands," it will be hundreds of thousands more than any other city in North Texas, because Farmers Branch stands alone in pursuing a ban on renting to illegal immigrants.

Legal costs for lawsuits are just the start. Enforcing this pointless law wouldn't be cheap, if even possible. And, of course, there is the opportunity cost. What could Farmers Branch do with the time and energy its staff and citizens are pouring into the immigration debate?

And all of this for what?

Well, say supporters, to send a message! To lead the charge! As if Congress needs a message from Farmers Branch, Texas, to realize that we have a national immigration mess. Besides, what happens if you charge into battle and no one follows? You gain battle wounds for nothing.

Perhaps that's why the overwhelming majority of people seeking city council seats across North Texas have no intention of following Farmers Branch up this hill. Of the 91 candidates who directly answered our immigration question on our Candidate Quiz, only four from outside Farmers Branch said they would like to see their city take on this federal issue.

So no matter what happens to Ordinance 2903 at the polls Saturday in Farmers Branch, rest assured that pretty close to every other local leader understands that immigration is a federal problem that should be resolved at the federal level, by an elected Congress.

They just aren't as loud as those who look in the wrong places for unworkable, feel-good answers.

Dallas Elections - 2007

Dallas/ Fort Worth Elections -2007

The winners, loosers and concerns.

Here is a complete run down of the May 12, Dallas/ Fort Worth City and School elections followed by my notes;

I am concerned about passing of the Farmers Branch Immigration Laws. I am against illegal immigration, but I am not in favor of City States, this is a dangerous precedent, is the next thing their own Military? Is Farmer's Branch representative of a typical American City or is it an anamoly? The neo-cons are getting thrown out for their extreme positions every where, this is jolting news. I do hope in the interest of co-existence in local communities, we need to fight this out. Let the immigration be handled by the Federal Government. I know that a majority of the Americans would not go for it.

The passing of bond in Allen bodes well for the improvements and progress for the city.

Dallas News had favored Tom Leppert and now he is in the run off. He seems like a good choice for the City.

Glad to see Mayor Salgel in Richardson is unopposed and hope Bob Townsend makes it. He is active in the communities and makes time to be with his people.

Here is the index followed by the columns from Dallas Morning News.

Index:

1. Farmers Branch Immigration Law wins
2. Dallas Mayoral Election: Leppert, Oakley headed for runoff
3. FB mayor: No real winners in this vote
4. Dallas runoff gives voters a choice of two very different candidates
5. Runoffs are set in Garland, Richardson races
6. $77.8 million bond issue passes in Allen
7. County elections Web sites
8. Carrollton Farmers Branch News
9. Voters fired up in Farmers Branch

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FB immigration law wins easily
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/politics/local/stories/051307dnmetfarmersbranch.621241fe.html
02:35 AM CDT on Sunday, May 13, 2007
By STEPHANIE SANDOVAL / The Dallas Morning News
ssandoval@dallasnews.com

Also Online
DiscussLive: Stephanie Sandoval answers your questions on Ordinance 2903 on Monday at 1 p.m. Send early questions
Farmers Branch voters' overwhelming embrace of a law to drive out illegal immigrants – which backers celebrated Saturday as "nothing but positive" – may lead to similar measures across North Texas and the nation, analysts say.
The nation's first vote on an ordinance targeting illegal immigrants by barring them from renting apartments highlighted a resentment of the federal government's failure to secure the nation's borders – and a desire to do something about it at the local level, said City Council member Tim O'Hare, who was the driving force behind the ordinance.
"They are saying loud and clear they want change in Farmers Branch," he said. "People recognize we have a problem, and they are proud we stood up. This is nothing but positive results for Farmers Branch."

Mr. O'Hare's message that illegal immigrants are having a negative impact on neighborhoods, crime, property values and schools may soon be heard in other cities.

"I'd be shocked if I didn't see other cities follow suit," he said. "I've been contacted by representatives from other cities. Any city that wants to protect their town, give me a call, and let us work together."

Opponents of the ordinance said they will try to stop the ordinance in the courts, and despite their defeat, they say they will have an impact on the city in the future.
"Regardless of the results, this is only the beginning," said Ana Reyes. "The community outreach we're doing is going to empower the Hispanic community [to become citizens]. I want them to feel a sense of involvement in the city."

Matthew Wilson, a political science professor at Southern Methodist University, said the implications of the Farmers Branch election may be felt more in cities elsewhere.
"Farmers Branch is a closed-in suburb of a major American city," Mr. Wilson said. "This is not some sort of remote, rural outpost. Farmers Branch is a pretty mainstream place, and if there is this level of anger about the immigration situation there, then what that suggests is there's probably a lot more of this kind of anger around the country."
And politicians may look to capitalize on the issue by taking similar tough local stances on illegal immigrants, he said.

Irving City Council candidate Tom Spink, who ran on an anti-illegal-immigrant platform, easily won election Saturday over longtime incumbent James Dickens.
And look for more anti-illegal-immigrant measures in Farmers Branch with the election Saturday of two new pro-ordinance council members, David Koch and Tim Scott. The City Council now has a solid majority committed to more ordinances targeting illegal immigrants. Both Mr. Koch and Mr. Scott have said they favor expanding the ban on renting apartments to illegal immigrants to all rental properties in the city and cracking down on businesses that hire illegal immigrants.

But with two lawsuits pending against the city, it could be years before the ordinance takes effect. Attorneys in those lawsuits are expected to immediately file requests from the courts for injunctions to stop the city from implementing the law on May 22, as planned.
Though other cities over the last year or so have adopted similar apartment ordinances, Farmers Branch is the first in Texas to do so, and the first nationwide to put the issue to a city vote.

The ordinance is modeled largely after one adopted by Hazleton, Pa., the first city to adopt a rental ban on illegal immigrants. That city also was sued. The case went to trial in the spring, but the judge has not issued a decision yet.

"You have cities all across the country responding to constituent demands," said Kris Kobach, a law professor at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. He also is a constitutional law and immigration expert who defended Hazleton in court and helped Farmers Branch craft the ordinance that went to voters.

"These ordinances have proven very popular among city councils," Mr. Kobach said. "This shows the city councils are accurately responding to public opinion. ... A referendum is essentially a perfect public opinion survey because you're questioning the entire electorate."
One political analyst said that the impact might not be as great as it would have been several months ago.

Illegal immigration "is still a very live issue, but my sense is it doesn't have the forward momentum it had in the latter half of 2006, because it was then a signature issue of the Republican Party," Cal Jillson, also a political science professor at SMU, said last week.
A spokesman for Let the Voters Decide, a group that opposed the ordinance, also said the issue may not spread to other cities.

"We're disappointed in the result, but I think the campaign was successful in that it was able to elevate the level of debate about this ordinance and prove the many ways this ordinance is costly and ill-advised," said the spokesman, Travis Carter. "Because of our campaign, there isn't a community or city in North Texas that would think to support an ordinance like this."
The fiery debate drew charges of racism and accusations of voter intimidation and dissemination of wrong or misleading information on both sides both since last fall. Mayor Bob Phelps' house was vandalized twice, including once last week immediately after he announced his opposition to the ordinance.

It also thrust Mr. O'Hare, a native of the city, and Farmers Branch into the national spotlight. Anticipating the large turnout, Dallas County set up seven voting locations in the city for Saturday. Usually, the city of 28,500 has only one polling place. In the end, about 43 percent of 14,060 registered voters turned out and approved the referendum by a more than 2-to-1 margin.

Ordinance 2903 would require apartment management to obtain proof of citizenship or legal immigration status before entering into or renewing leases or rental agreements.
The only exception to the ban would be that mixed-status families could stay if they were already living in the apartment, the spouse or head of household is a citizen or here legally, and the household includes the head of household and spouse and their minor children or parents.

Staff writers Eric Aasen, Stella M. Chavez and Jay Parsons contributed to this report.
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Dallas Mayoral Election: Leppert, Oakley headed for runoff

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/politics/local/stories/051307dnmetdallasmayor.62241469.html
12:16 AM CDT
12:23 AM CDT on Sunday, May 13, 2007
From Staff Reports
And then there were two.
Former construction company executive Tom Leppert and District 3 City Council member Ed Oakley took the top spots in the crowded Dallas mayoral election Saturday. Mr. Leppert drew 27.1 percent of the votes and Mr. Oakley garnered 20.7 percent.
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Incumbents keep DISD seats
Tax break approved for elderly
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Interactive map: Results by precinct
Tell us: Your candidate lost, so who gets your vote now?
None of the 11 candidates seeking to replace Laura Miller captured a majority of the votes, and the two leaders now head to a June 16 runoff.
Mr. Leppert appeared to have drawn strong support across North Dallas, while Mr. Oakley’s supporters mostly were in West Dallas, with a few scattered precincts across the south.
Mayor Pro Tem Don Hill had 13.9 percent and was followed closely by banker Max Wells who had 12.2 percent.
This has been the most expensive mayoral race in Dallas history, with more candidates than anyone can remember.
The candidates together have spent more than $4.5 million by Election Day. That’s more than any previous campaign, and it doesn’t include the money runoff candidates will spend.
Mr. Leppert led his opponents both in fundraising and in campaign expenditures. And his well-oiled campaign also attracted endorsements from many members of Dallas business and political elite.
But other candidates also have amassed huge war chests and gathered key endorsements. Mr. Oakley, taking advantage of a high-profile council service, touted southern Dallas credentials and reached out to North Dallas.
Another deep-pocketed candidate, Mr. Wells, the race’s oldest candidate, connected his face with past political victories. Mr. Hill was hoping to ride his widespread support in the south into a runoff. His entanglement in a two-year-old FBI investigation into corruption at City Hall has dogged his campaign and crippled his fund-raising efforts.
Current council member Gary Griffith was heavily courting Republican voters, and retired airline executive Sam Coats was making similar appeals to Democrats. Lawyer Darrell Jordan has made the run for mayor before and hoped to draw support from the vote-rich north.
Staff writer Dave Levinthal contributed to this report.
--- ---
FB mayor: No real winners in this vote

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/localnews/columnists/jfloyd/stories/DN-floyd_13met.State.Edition1.3d5c21f.html
01:07 AM CDT on Sunday, May 13, 2007
jfloyd@dallasnews.com
FARMERS BRANCH – Election night used to be a lot of fun for Bob Phelps.
Also Online
FB immigration ordinance approved by landslide
As a popular, longtime mayor who ran unopposed for the last three of his four terms, he would spend the evening at City Hall announcing the returns.
If there were any hot races, this was the night for gracious gestures and all-is-forgiven displays of community solidarity. Mr. Phelps hasn't missed election night since 1986, when he was appointed to the town zoning board.
Until this year.
This year, Mr. Phelps and his wife, Dee, left town.
With what seemed like the whole nation watching and the town seething with tension, city leaders decided to let the results come directly from the county.
Besides, federal agents, sent to investigate the second act of vandalism at the mayor's house since the furor over illegal immigrants erupted, candidly told the Phelpses that out of town was perhaps the best place for them to be.
"These last few months have been the worst time – I don't know, maybe of my life," Mr. Phelps said a few nights ago as we sat around the kitchen table. "I've tried to do what's right. It's so disappointing."
"Disappointing" is awfully mild language when you consider the berserk, spit-flecked hysteria that Ordinance 2903 has engendered at the extremes of both sides.
Those who have tried to keep the debate at a practical level – the cost, enforcement issues, legal risks – have been drowned out for months by overwrought or, worse, calculatedly manipulative partisans. It turned into an all-out war between good and evil, right and wrong.
And a miserable, no-win dilemma for the mayor.
"I'm not in favor of anything illegal," he said. "I'm certainly not in favor of illegal immigration."
But in Farmers Branch, opposition to 2903 has been equated to precisely that: "support" for unchecked, uncontrolled immigration; timid surrender of "American" language, values and culture.
Mr. Phelps and a handful of attorneys and staff members seem to be the only people in town who realized that passing this ordinance could – and probably will – cost a king's ransom in legal fees.
After campaigning and leading for two decades as a fiscal conservative, he was appalled at the risk.
The town has long prided itself on a "pay-as-you-go" policy. New building projects are paid for in full – Farmers Branch hasn't had to float a bond proposal in 20 years.
"We're already spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on attorney's fees," he said, defending against two lawsuits filed since the council first adopted anti-illegal immigrant measures a few months ago.
A few more years of vigorous litigation – after Saturday's vote, a virtual guarantee – will eat through the city's financial reserves like cows through a cornfield, he said.
So, four days before the election, Mr. Phelps went public with what he had been saying privately for months: 2903 would be terrible for Farmers Branch.
"I'm getting hate mail," he said unhappily, as Mrs. Phelps leafed through a pile of printouts, reading from a few e-mails:
"You are an embarrassment to your city – please resign." "You are a pathetic excuse for a leader." "You are a traitor."
"I worry about him," Mrs. Phelps confided. "He's been under so much stress. People turned on him so fast."
With a year left on his term, Mr. Phelps says he's not planning to quit, and he's certainly not considering relocation.
"We've been in Farmers Branch since 1955," he said. "Our friends are here."
With infinite sadness, he added: "I guess our enemies are here, too."
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Dallas runoff gives voters a choice of two very different candidates

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/politics/local/stories/DN-dalanalysis_13met.State.Edition1.3d69eca.html
01:29 AM CDT on Sunday, May 13, 2007
By GROMER JEFFERS JR. / The Dallas Morning News
gjeffers@dallasnews.com
ANALYSIS
Dallas mayoral candidates Tom Leppert and Ed Oakley bring contrasting styles and campaigns to the June 16 runoff.
How they made the runoff
Tom Leppert:
•Employed massive campaign resources and a hefty list of endorsements to overwhelm most of his competitors.
•Hired high-dollar consultants to produce critical TV ads and mailers for a consistent, almost relentless message.
•Cast himself as a business-savvy City Hall outsider with fresh ideas. Crushed his rivals in North Dallas, who all finished far off the pace.
Ed Oakley:
•Blended his strong support in north Oak Cliff, Oak Lawn and parts of southern Dallas with just enough votes from elsewhere.
•Had the best grass-roots campaign. Avoided costly TV commercials in favor of billboards and mailers. His plan to tear down thousands of crime-plagued apartment units in North Dallas resonated with voters.
How they match up
It will be the veteran City Hall insider against the newcomer pushed by the city's business elite.
•Mr. Leppert poured massive resources into the southern sector, where he finished surprisingly strong. He'll sharpen his focus in North Dallas, but the south will be the site of key battles.
•Mr. Leppert is expected to continue to talk about "big ideas" instead of nuts-and-bolts issues like filling potholes.
•Mr. Oakley is trying to become what he calls the first mayor from the southern sector.
•Mr. Oakley continues to bring with him a strong Oak Cliff base. He's popular with neighborhood activists and the city's gay political machine.
•Mr. Oakley will continue to use his crusade against crime-ridden apartment buildings to gain steam in North Dallas, where Mr. Leppert holds the advantage.
Political appeals
Both candidates will work hard to appeal to black voters, many of them supporters of council member Don Hill.
With Mr. Hill out of the race, Mr. Oakley will lay claim to the entire south.
Radio talk show host-turned-consultant Willis Johnson effectively chipped away at Mr. Hill's stronghold in Oak Cliff, giving Mr. Leppert a significant beachhead.
Despite the attention to the southern sector by numerous candidates, mayoral races are almost always won in North Dallas.
Each will be working to woo his opponent's supporters.
Early friction
Mr. Leppert has cast himself as a man with the big picture. He'll try to minimize Mr. Oakley as merely a council member without a broad vision.
It's not Mr. Leppert's style to meet his opponent head-on, but his future ads and campaign mailers will stress a need for new leadership.
Mr. Oakley has often been irked by Mr. Leppert's contention that City Hall is on the wrong path.
He'll portray Mr. Leppert as an outsider with little knowledge about how City Hall works.
Mr. Oakley also recognizes the importance of the south, where he has told residents to ignore neighbors who support North Dallas candidates.
What happened to the others?
•Former council member Max Wells spent at least $800,000 of his own money on his campaign. But his poor showing suggests he failed to get traction in key parts of North Dallas.
•Council member Gary Griffith's effort to appeal to Republicans and former airlines executive Sam Coats' tactic to appeal to Democrats ultimately didn't work.
Mr. Griffith may have turned off Democratic supporters in his own Lakewood district and in the southern sector by trotting out the likes of Republican U.S. Rep. Pete Sessions and other members of the GOP.
And most of the Democrats whom Mr. Coats craved probably wound up with Mr. Oakley and Mr. Hill.
•Darrell Jordan, an early candidate for mayor, failed to build on his early support in North Dallas, or on his unsuccessful 1995 campaign against Ron Kirk.

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Runoffs are set in Garland, Richardson races

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/politics/local/stories/DN-dalcowrap_13met.State.Edition1.3d7a914.html

Dallas County: Many suburban offices won by incumbents
01:14 AM CDT on Sunday, May 13, 2007
By WENDY HUNDLEY and RICHARD ABSHIRE / The Dallas Morning News
Runoffs will have to decide the winners of races in Garland and Richardson. Irving will have an all-white school board. Suburban voters returned incumbents to their positions in a number of races.
Here's a wrap-up of key races:
Garland mayor, council
In the Garland mayor's race, former assistant city manager Ron Jones and credit union vice president Lee Alewine are headed for a June 16 runoff, finishing first and second respectively in a three-way race.
Mr. Jones was Garland's first black assistant city manager.
If he wins the runoff, he will be the city's first black mayor.
In City Council District 6, incumbent Barbara Chick easily defeated challenger Marcus Reed for the second time.
In a battle of political newcomers, Rick Williams, recently retired from the Social Security Administration, won over retail planner Scott LeMay in District 7.
Preston Edwards ran unopposed in District 3, as did Darren Lathen in District 8.
Richardson City Council
Challenger Bill Denton and incumbent Bob Townsend were running a tight race for Place 1. With all precincts reporting, Mr. Townsend led Mr. Denton.
In another very close race, Place 7 challenger Dennis Stewart had a slight lead over incumbent John Sweeden.
It's the second time these two have faced off in a race for a City Council seat.
Mr. Sweeden edged out Mr. Stewart in 2005.
But incumbents were sailing to easy victories in other races.
Rhea Allison was headed to his second term in his Place 2 seat, leading by a wide margin over Kevin Cozort.
In Place 3, incumbent John Murphy held a firm lead over opponent Darrell Day.
In the race for Place 6, Steve Mitchell, who was elected in 2005, prevailed over Matthew Moseley.
Mayor Gary Slagel had no opponent for his Place 4 seat.
In the five-way race for Place 5, a runoff was brewing between George McKearin and Pris Hayes.
Irving City Council
In the race for Place 1, challenger Thomas D. Spink held a strong lead over incumbent James Dickens.
In the three-way race for Place 5, Rose Cannaday was headed to fill the unexpired term of her husband, Lowell Cannaday, who stepped down to run for Dallas County sheriff.
Place 2 incumbent Beth Van Duyne and Place 7 incumbent Sam Smith faced no opposition.
Irving ISD
In the race for Place 5, incumbent Nita Patrick outdistanced Patricia J. Kilmer.
Incumbent Jerry Christian ran unopposed in Place 6.
In the three-way race for Place 7, Ronda Huffstetler had a decisive lead over her two challengers, Gloria Agyemang and Adrian Tyrone "A.D." Jenkins.
Ms. Huffstetler is white. Her challengers are black.
Ms. Huffstetler's victory means an all-white school board for the minority-majority district.
Mesquite ISD
Incumbent Mesquite school board member Rita Crump won re-election, dashing challenger Barry Walker's hopes.
Both candidates supported a $180 million school bond program that included money for a new elementary school in south Mesquite. The bond program passed.
Carrollton-
Farmers Branch ISD
The third time was the charm for attorney Frank Shor, 55, who won a seat on the school board after losing two previous bids. He defeated retired Highland Park school administrator Rodney Pirtle, 72.
whundley@dallasnews.com
rabshire@dallasnews.com
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$77.8 million bond issue passes in Allen

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/politics/local/stories/DN-collinwrap_13met.State.Edition1.3d89ae0.html

Collin County: Sedlacek, Goss, Webb, Poe win seats; Frisco runoff set
01:09 AM CDT on Sunday, May 13, 2007
By JAKE BATSELL / The Dallas Morning News
jbatsell@dallasnews.com
Allen voters approved spending $77.8 million for a bond package that will improve streets, parks and public safety facilities, but a measure to spend $1.4 million on public

ALLEN BOND ELECTION
Allen residents approved all six bond propositions. The largest amount, $27.2 million, is for street improvements. The next-largest, $17.2 million, is for park improvements.
Voters were less certain about $1.4 million to implement a public art master plan, approving it by only a slim margin even though there was no organized opposition.
ALLEN CITY COUNCIL AND SCHOOL BOARD
Winners: Robin Sedlacek and Lois Lindsey
Accountant Robin Sedlacek cruised to a decisive victory over educator and executive Phillip Jenkins in the City Council Place 4 race.
Retired teacher Lois Lindsey defeated sales manager Scott Jergensen for the Place 4 school board seat.
FRISCO CITY COUNCIL
Runoff contenders: Jeff Cheney, Fred Pascarelli, David Prince, Chris Moss
Jeff Cheney, a 32-year-old real estate agent, and Fred Pascarelli, a 43-year-old software developer, will compete in a runoff election for the Place 2 council seat.
David Prince, a 57-year-old accountant, and Chris Moss, a 36-year-old risk management consultant, will square off for the Place 4 council seat.
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County elections Web sites

04:28 PM CDT on Friday, May 11, 2007
Dallas County elections site : http://www.dalcoelections.org/
Collin County elections site : http://www.co.collin.tx.us/elections/index.jsp
Denton County elections site : http://elections.dentoncounty.com/go.asp?Dept=82
Tarrant County elections site : http://www.tarrantcounty.com/eVote/site/default.asp
Rockwall County elections site : http://www.rockwallcountytexas.com/ea.htm
----------------- -----------------

Carrollton /Farmers Branch

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/city/carrollton/vitindex.html
05/13/2007

Attorneys: Prepare for court fight
FARMERS BRANCH – The first order of business for attorneys Marisol Perez and Bill Brewer this week is to block implementation of an ordinance that would crack down on apartment owners who rent to most illegal immigrants.
05/12/2007
FB immigration law wins easily
Voters in Farmers Branch strongly favored an ordinance that would make the city the first in the nation to prohibit landlords from renting apartments to most illegal immigrants.
AREA BRIEFS
Voters fired up in Farmers Branch
Say what you will about the illegal-immigrant measure on the ballot, it at least has given democracy a sorely needed shot in the arm.
McKamy Elementary presents: 'Broadway at Briargrove'
The glamour and glitter of Broadway come to the Carrollton-Farmers Branch school district in a pint-size version of musical magic when the McKamy Elementary School choir performs two shows next week.
SCHOOL BRIEFS
C-FB school district
NORTHWEST DALLAS HOME SALES
This list of selected home sales in Carrollton, Dallas and Farmers Branch was compiled by MasterFiles Inc. from county deed records. The amount listed is the mortgage, not the total price. In each ZIP code, sales are organized alphabetically by street.
GOOD KID
CONGRATULATIONS
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
MOTHER'S DAY CONCERT : The A. W. Perry Museum presents a free Mother's Day concert at 6 p.m. Sunday. Guests should bring blankets or lawn chairs. Free ice cream and lemonade will be provided. The event includes a picnic basket contest with registration starting at 5:15 p.m. The museum is at 1509 N. Perry Road. Call 972-466-6380.
POLICE BLOTTER
The police blotter summarizes selected crimes reported in Carrollton through Sunday and is organized alphabetically by street, with the reported time.
05/11/2007
FB rivals step up efforts

JIM MAHONEY/DMN
Signs showing support of or opposition to Ordinance 2903 are seen throughout Farmers Branch.
As the campaigns for and against an ordinance targeting illegal immigrants in Farmers Branch enter the final two days, both sides intensified their efforts to appeal for votes in what already is a record turnout for the city.

Feds to monitor FB election
The Justice Department will send federal monitors to observe the controversial Farmers Branch election on a measure that would ban apartments from renting to most illegal immigrants.
FBI may investigate attack
The FBI is conducting what it calls a preliminary investigation into an act of vandalism against the home of Farmers Branch Mayor Bob Phelps this week.
05/10/2007
Study: Rental ban bad for FB

JIM MAHONEY/DMN
Signs showing support of or opposition to Ordinance 2903 are seen throughout Farmers Branch.
Crime rates are down, unemployment is low, business buzzes because of prime footage near major arteries and interstates. But marketing of the city's pluses could go bust because of those trying to rid Farmers Branch of illegal immigrants, according to a study paid for by a group fighting an anti-illegal immigrant ordinance in the city.

05/09/2007
FB mayor's window hit by vandal
A vandal threw a rock and broke a rear window of Farmers Branch Mayor Bob Phelps' home late Tuesday or early Wednesday. Mr. Phelps and his wife, Dee, were home at the time, but neither heard anything, city spokesman Tom Bryson said.
Early voting in FB breaks 14-year record
Farmers Branch voters – fired up over a divisive and controversial ordinance aimed at illegal immigrants – hit the polls in record numbers during early voting that ended Tuesday.
05/08/2007
FB mayor rejects ordinance in letter
Farmers Branch Mayor Bob Phelps has come out strongly against a controversial proposed anti-illegal immigrant ordinance on Saturday's ballot in a letter that went out to voters Tuesday.
Friends agree to disagree in FB


---------------------- ----------------
Voters fired up in Farmers Branch

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/localnews/columnists/jragland/stories/DN-ragland_12met.ART0.North.Edition1.434a6b4.html
10:04 AM CDT on Saturday, May 12, 2007
The early vote is in, and the clear-cut winner is ... Farmers Branch.
Proving once again that there's nothing like an incendiary issue to get the electorate off the couch.
In Dallas, we've got a crowded double-digit field of candidates running for mayor. Combined, they've spent millions of bucks on high-dollar consultants and slick media ads to separate from the pack. They've rehearsed their campaign speeches so often that they can recite them in their sleep.
And how are voters reacting?
With a yawn as wide as the Trinity River.
Roughly 25,000 Dallas voters bothered to cast early ballots, underscoring political pundits' predictions of a paltry turnout in the low teens.
"Not much excitement is going on in Dallas," said Dallas County Elections Administrator Bruce Sherbet. "It's just average, middle-of-the-road. I think our turnout is going to be about 13 percent."
Translation: ho-hum. Wake us up for the runoff election in June.
No one is sleeping in Farmers Branch. Say what you will about the illegal-immigrant measure on the ballot, it at least has given democracy a sorely needed shot in the arm.
"I'm not seeing anything but Farmers Branch going crazy," Mr. Sherbet said. "It's just amazing what's going on out there."
Case in point. The highest previous turnout for a municipal election in Farmers Branch was about 3,200. The electorate's already broken that record. More than 3,500 voters cast early ballots.
And Mr. Sherbet projects that Farmers Branch will generate election day votes like never before.
"They'll probably end up with a 50 percent turnout in Farmers Branch," he said, adding that North Texas jurisdictions seldom, if ever, reach that level of participation for a local election.
"There will be nothing for the city to compare it to. And they may not ever see these numbers again."
Question: Is it too late to get our own flamethrower, Laura Miller, on the mayoral ballot?
"There is something about that Laura Miller love-hate thing," Mr. Sherbet acknowledged.
Without a real fireball personality or issue in the race, Dallas voters have just tuned out.
Or so it appears.
The idealist in me is still hoping that registered voters will wake up this morning, take a cue from Farmers Branch residents and march to the polls ...
In Dallas.
I know that's a long shot. We have a better chance of the Mavs beating Golden State in seven.
But it's also a shame that voters seem to care so little, especially when the city has produced the largest number of mayoral candidates ever.
These aren't fringe candidates, by and large. Most of them are straight-laced, sober-headed and civic-minded. They are a thoughtful and respectable bunch with good ideas about how to move the city forward. They've paid their dues.
Problem is, they're also b-o-r-i-n-g.
Which is not to say that none of them has a sense of humor or can't occasionally crack a clever quip or deliver a good line. If you went to a forum or two, you know what I mean. Or if you've managed to get one-on-one time with the candidates, which, unfortunately, only a privileged few ever get a chance to do in big-city politics.
So one glaring problem was that the serious candidates were too busy trying to look, well, you know, mayoral.
And most voters have been looking the other way, seemingly unaffected by the candidates' billboards, fliers, automated phone calls and campaign commercial plugs.
Voters like grit and tension. They want to understand what the stakes are, to see someone waving fingers and pounding the podiums with their fists.
They want clear choices.
They're getting that in Farmers Branch, in the form of an ordinance that would ban landlords from renting to most illegal immigrants.
In Dallas, voters are getting a chance to pick one of multiple mayoral candidates, several of whom have solid credentials and worthy ideas, and none of whom is expected to win outright.
The results: Farmers Branch gets U.S. Justice Department officials on hand to observe an election that's being talked about nationally and is attracting record voters.
And Dallas gets a costly dud.

Dallas Mayoral Candidate 08

Meet the candidates for Dallas mayor
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/politics/local/stories/candidatebios.63bef02.html

12:33 PM CDT on Thursday, March 29, 2007

The following candidates have registered with the city secretary's office to run for Dallas mayor:

John Cappello
Sam Coats
Jennifer Gale
Gary Griffith
Roger Herrera
Don Hill
Darrell Jordan
Tom Leppert
Ed Oakley
Edward Okpa
Max Wells
Dave Levinthal
------------------

John Cappello

John Cappello Age: 50
Profession: West Dallas Chamber of Commerce president, businessman

Campaign platform: Improve public safety, foster economic development, enhance city planning services, improve the quality of life in Dallas neighborhoods

Strengths: May appeal to many voters in West Dallas - a neighborhood that is often forgotten as politicos focus on and talk about the city's northern and southern sectors. Ties to the business community could help his fundraising.

Challenges: Money: He doesn't have much of it. Name recognition: He's unknown to most voters. Without one, it's hard to get the other.

Did you know: He lives in Dallas, but not Dallas County – he's a Collin County resident.
johncappello.com

-----------------------------------------------------------


Sam Coats
03:18 PM CDT on Wednesday, March 21, 2007

Sam Coats
Age: 66
Profession: Former airline and restaurant executive, former state representative
Campaign platform: Fight crime, improve Dallas' business climate, improve relations among City Council members
Strengths: Wide-ranging business and political experience, from a term in the Texas Legislature to running the Schlotzsky's restaurant chain during its corporate reorganization. Surprisingly strong fundraising numbers after a relatively late entry into the race.
Challenges: Not well-known among most Dallasites. Could have trouble getting message out in a field so large.
Did you know: He has completed five marathons, including the New York City Marathon three times.
samcoatsformayor.com

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Dallas Demographic Data

DFW International Community Alliance Announces Demographic Data For Asian Communities

For Immediate Release
May 10, 2007
Contact: Anne Marie Weiss-Armush
president@dfwinternational.org
DFW International Community Alliance
www.dfwinternational.org
972-661-2764


As North Texas celebrates Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, stories about demographic changes in the area’s Asian community abound. With the help of our board members, we’ve collected data that reflects demographic shifts in North Texas communities. I’ve provided some of that data below and some explanations that our Asian board members have to offer about the data.

Our research indicates that the Asian population is MOVING NORTH, following the job market and the quality of schools that they value. The three districts that have seen a drop in Asian student population since 1997 are Richardson, Dallas and Fort Worth. The Asian enrollment in Richardson ISD is down 10% from 10 years ago. The Carrollton - FB enrollment is down several hundred from 5 years ago. The number of Asian students continues to grow in Plano and to mushroom in Frisco.

In 1997 Frisco had only 29 Asian students out of a total enrollment of 3069. In May, 2006 there were 1751 Asian students out of a total of 19,765. Currently it is 2115.
The total enrollment increased in Frisco ISD has increased SIX FOLD, while the number of Asians increased nearly SIXTY FOLD.

Reasons for such population movement, according to Asian community leaders, include the following:
The main factor responsible for internal migration from Asians to the DFW area is the employment possibilities offered by IT and technology industries in the area.

DFW offers a temperate climate that appeals to Asians enjoy.
Most Asians value the importance of education and therefore move to the best school district areas -- Plano and Frisco. One of the first things an Asian looks at before moving to a neighborhood is the school district and its ranking.

The newer schools have newer computer systems, libraries and facilities that attract the immigrants.
Families with limited English skills feel more comfortable / accepted in younger neighborhoods than in the older areas of town. (Jay Zo of the Korean Cultural Foundation)

The northern cities are new developments that have newer homes whose design and light features appeal to Asians. (Mike Ghouse, Indian, of the Foundation for Pluralism)

Some of the northern cities have larger and fully developed parks that are a Mecca for the Asian families living in the neighborhoods. (Mike Ghouse)

Some of the northern cities also have multi-cultural programs and forums promoted by the city council and arts departments, which in turn creates a positive welcoming environment.

Most Asians speak and write English, and parents employed in technology industries, usually have or PhD degrees and therefore do not have a need to rely on the school districts to help them with English language needs. While these school districts do not plan special programs for Asian students, families and cultural groups organize among themselves, finding occasions and methods to preserve and celebrate their language, heritages and culture.

The percentage of ASIAN STUDENTS in local school districts is report by the TEA as below:

Mesquite: 3.3%
Plano: 17.2 %
Richardson: 8%
Carrollton: 11.1%
Lewisville: 8%
Frisco: 2.4%
Allen: 7.8%
Garland: 7.3%
Dallas: 1.9%
Fort Worth: 2%
Grapevine-Colleyville: 7%
Carroll: 5%


While exact figures are difficult to obtain, Asian community leaders and DFW International board members of Asian origin estimate that North Texas Asians are immigrants of first, second, and third generations from the following countries:

Afghanistan 2,000 Arab (various countries) 60,000
Bangladesh 8,000 Burma 1,200
Cambodia 7,000 China / Taiwan 80,000
Hmong (Laos) 400 India 80,000
Indonesia 600 Iran 60,000
Iraq 1,000 Japan 5,000
Korea 55,000 Kurdistan 5,000
Laos 7,500 Malaysia 300
Pakistan 45,000 Philippines 30,000
Singapore 300 Thailand 7,500
Turkey 3,000 Vietnam 60,000

DFW International Community Alliance is the portal for global North Texas, a network of 1,600 of the regional ethnic and internationally focused civic, community and educational organizations. The organization promotes and links North Texas ethnic and immigrant groups through its website and cultural calendar at www.dfwinternational.org, that receives over ten million hits a month.

Richardson Candidates Forum

Why didn’t you vote? Where were you?
Richardson Candidates Forum

Richardson, April 18, 2007.

The Richardson Candidates forum was held at the Central Mosque in Richardson; the incumbent as well as the contesting candidates for the City Council made up at least 15 members panel. The public was invited and the hall seemed full.

"The forum at the mosque was one of seven forums being held for the council candidates, so people that missed the previous ones still have three more chances. There was a school board candidates forum, sponsored by the League of Women Voters, at the same time that the mosque held the Council forum, so that may have taken some audience members away. I was at the RISD forum, which of course is also very important to members of the mosque." Bernie Mayoff

Ghulam Jangda was master of the ceremonies and know well how to carry the meeting forward, as he was a candidate for the City council elections in 2003 . He handled the questions well and gave an opportunity to every candidate to respond. The shorter-format of Q & A allowed a whole lot of topics to be covered.

The format segued into an unusual bluntness from the politicians. One of the much debated issues was the possibility of reversing the City from wet, back to dry city. The responses were straight and honest by all the incumbents and the contesting candidates; "I drink wine in my communion". "I drink beer". One of the responses was awesome; when a candidate turned around and asked the audience, “Where were you when this thyng was put to vote?”

I liked that answer the best, it was absolutely accurate and carried the most challenging message. Where were we before it went to vote?

Voting is the most powerful asset that every one in a democracy is endowed with, and people ought to take it seriously exercise their right.

The last two rounds of questions were limited to one or two worded responses; would you do what Farmers Branch did? I was honestly shocked to hear a few of the contesting candidates saying YES. The last question was what radio station they tuned in to? – It was good to hear NPR taking the lead followed by KRLD and KLUV. I am glad no one was hearing out the propagandist hate radios.

Who should you Vote?

To all my blog readers, friends, fans and members of my group, I request you to go vote, and am pleased to recommend three candidates; Gary Slagel and Bob Townsend. I know them well and because they have been a blessing to the City of Richardson, I ask you to support them. I would also request you to support John Murphy for place 3. You may consider other incumbents for the place, they all have done a great job. For more details on the candidates: http://www.cor.net/voting/indexpage.html

And don’t miss another opportunity to meet the Mayoral Candidates for the City of Dallas.

Dallas Mayoral Candidates Forum
Monday, April 30, 2007
6:00 PM Dinner
6:30 – 8:30 PM Forum
Greater Dallas Asian American Chamber Office

RSVP required, please contact Thuc Vu at Asian Chamber. Phone: 972-241-8250 or thuc@gdaacc.com or Lely White :lely@udallas.edu

You also could contact: Dr. Zeming Lu at 214 882-0494, Dr. Frank Wang at 972 365 4422, and Dr. Jiahuan Ding at 972 352-0829 or

Learn about religions: http://www.foundationforpluralism.com/Calendar.asp
April Festivals: http://www.foundationforpluralism.com/Images_Holidays/April2007_Festivals.asp
How to greet: http://www.foundationforpluralism.com/Index_Greetings.asp
Dallas Calendar: www.Dallasevents.net
More at www.FoundationforPluralism.com

Mike Ghouse

SPEAKER - THINKER - WRITER - MODERATOR

Pluralism Islam Religion India Terrorism Multi-Cultarism

C: (214) 325-1916 - O: (972) 919-4466 -

eMail: MikeGhouse@Gmail.com

Office: 2665 Villa Creek Dr, Suite 206,

Dallas, TX. 75234