Parking cuts unrealistic
Re: “Parking reform in talks — Commission passes plan reducing mandatory residential off-street spots,” Monday Metro story.
I was born, raised and still live in District 11 — a suburban area of North Dallas where major roads like Preston lack sidewalks. Cars are essential for daily life here.
Yet, our City Plan Commission representative, Krista Nightengale, recently said she wishes the commission had taken a “larger leap” in eliminating parking requirements citywide. That might make sense in downtown Dallas, where she lives and walking and transit are viable. But it’s out of touch with the realities of suburban neighborhoods.
Why are council members appointing people who don’t live in the districts they represent? A downtown resident without a car should not be shaping policy for car-dependent North Dallas. I won’t be walking my three kids down a grassy median on Preston Road to get coffee because there’s no parking — I’ll just keep driving until I find a place to stop.
It’s common sense: We need commissioners who actually live in and understand the communities they serve. Council members should appoint commission members from their own districts — people who will focus on practical, neighborhood-specific solutions instead of pushing one-size-fits-all urban planning ideas that don’t work for every part of the city.
Natalie LeVeck, Dallas
Homes for South Hampton
Re: “Hospital Building Sits Vacant Amid Rancor — Oak Cliff property could help formerly homeless and co-exist with neighbors if planned thoughtfully,” March 3 editorial.
Converting the 12-acre property to a homeless services facility wouldn’t just destabilize a flourishing community, Dallas would miss a huge chance to develop desperately needed affordable homes for sale.
A homeless facility near vulnerable populations raises concerns. The lot is across the street from senior housing, a school, library and park.
Ignoring residents’ outcry against such plans is blatant marginalization. Dallas’ largely Latino and African American District 3 already has a property designated for homeless supportive housing. Plus, all area elected officials back the residents: council members Zarin Gracey and Carolyn King Arnold, DISD trustee Joyce Foreman and myself.
To help our homeless population forward, the city needs to finish the unfinished: Repurpose the Independence Drive and Fort Worth Avenue properties. These have all the green lights for housing support services but have been years in the making.
For South Hampton, let’s build single-family homes for low-to-moderate income families. By giving more working families a shot at homeownership, we’ll also help decrease gentrification, stabilize property values and keep current residents happy in our beloved Oak Cliff.
Elba Garcia, Dallas
Commissioner, Dallas County District 4
Veteran dismayed
I served in the Army reserves for a short while in the ‘70s. As a veteran, I am disappointed and dismayed by the current administration.
First, an unelected adviser to the president pushes cuts to VA services and government jobs that support many vets.
Second, the secretary of defense accidentally breaks security protocols by sending current war plans to the editor of a national publication who has no security clearance. At least the editor was intelligent enough to realize the mistake and loyal enough to his country not to take advantage of it.
Intelligence and loyalty to those who served our country seem to be qualities sadly lacking in an administration run by billionaires and many who have never served in the military themselves.
Peter Lutken, Dallas
Protect librarians
Re: “Texas bills could remove protections for librarians — Without affirmative defenses, schools would have to grapple with frivolous lawsuits,” by Sara Stevenson, Tuesday Opinion.
Many thanks for publishing this column regarding the potential loss of protection for Texas librarians. It highlights the proposed Senate Bill 412, which would allow prosecution of librarians for the crime of having certain books available in their collections.
I am reminded of my 1962 high school American literature class in St. Louis where we studied Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird. In his semester ending review of the book, our instructor concluded by encouraging us to give our parents a hug and a thank you for not raising us in Texas. He went on to tell us that many school districts in Texas had banned the book. I guess some things really never change.
Thomas Kelly, Lantana
Share learning or waste it
Re: “Counterbalance Better Than a Crackdown — UNT pressured to close pro-Palestinian art exhibit, but adding dueling perspective a smarter option,” March 12 editorial.
Thank you for offering an alternative approach to this divisive subject. The horrors and heartbreak are being suffered by everyone in that region, and by the rest of us who love them. What has been lost is lost, forever. We may have our memories of better days, but we will also have the sadness and bitterness that has to be lived with.
We need art and films from both perspectives, but we also need words and actions, both to prove that we deserve to be human, and to find a way to prevent this from happening again. Repeat episodes, revenge, hate and retribution will not suffice.
Colleges and universities are supposed to be towers of learning. Learning is wasted if it’s not shared, expanded and improved. Perhaps they could show us, again, how to live peacefully, argue vociferously, refute bad ideas with logic and compassion, and be able to shake hands and stand together, again, as friendly neighbors who want the best for each other.
We need public, civil debates based on mutual respect for each other, because we’re all human, but sometimes we forget that respect and civility are necessary elements in society. Especially when we disagree.
At least, we can try.
Ray Johnston, Heath
