New Voices: New Ideas, or Just the Same Old Stuff?

At a recent Irving City Council meeting there were several new faces at the mic during the Citizens Forum. This is an encouraging sign that there could be an infusion of new ideas and perspectives by those beginning to participate in city government and in the community.

One theme that ran through many of the public comments was the parochial view that because the mayor had been elected by an “overwhelming majority,” it is up to the council to accede to the mayor’s positions. Many of those taking their first turn addressing the council were there in response to a very contentious work session the previous day. Several of those expressed the same basic sentiments—almost as if they were repeating talking points.

There is really nothing wrong with this as long as the scenarios described are authentic; as long as the historical allusions are accurate. Unfortunately, many of them weren’t.

Our town is no different than others—with a handful of individuals who feel so strongly about one or more issues that they launch personal campaigns to sway others to their views, loudly and often, aided by the easy and quasi-anonymous world of cyber-space. E-mails employ sarcasm and mock those with whom they disagree and SCREAM IN BOLD RED LETTERS as if yelling will sell their point of view more compellingly. However, as individuals living in an educated democracy, it is critical to remember that these e-mails and posts are only one perspective, one point of view—just as this blog is—but, it’s worth the reminder that one is entitled to his own opinions, but not his own facts.

So what can residents do to get factual information and learn about the political and general history of their city?

·         Volunteer for city boards and commissions and join community organizations. Participating in organizations is a great way to meet others and learn. For a partial list of Irving organizations, go to www.irvingonline.com and click on “Organizations.” To apply for a board or commission, go to www.cityofirving.org/city-secretary/boards-commissions.asp.

·         Ask questions of elected officials and city staff. They all answer to the residents and voters. The main city phone number is (972) 721-2600, the city Website is www.cityofirving.org. Contact information for all council members is at www.cityofirving.org/mayor-council/meet-mc.asp.

When you contact them, ask factual questions about the Entertainment Center, Heritage Center, economic development, schools, tourism in Irving.

·         Assume reasonableness prevails. Members of the city council—your neighbors and friends—are not different than you. They are people who want the best for this City and who make reasonable decisions based on information available at the time. There are often dissenting opinions on any issue, but if an overwhelming number of council members votes a certain way on an issue, that should be a telling indication.

·         Celebrate Irving—don’t always be quick to denigrate it. As we know, the media will do that for us.

Yes, this city of 200,000 people does have challenges but open your eyes and look around at the great things going on. DART Light Rail will open next year, the Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas is doing great business and continues to rack up awards, there are parks and trails, new libraries, a beautiful Arts Center with outstanding entertainment opportunities, award-winning customer service and communications. Celebrate these things.

And, as you look around, or jog on the trails or tell others how wonderful the Genghis Khan exhibit was, keep in mind that the decisions that led to these economic and quality of life amenities were made many of the same people still on the council today: Mayor Beth Van Duyne, Mayor Pro Tem Rick Stopfer, and council members Rose Cannaday, Joe Philipp and Lewis Patrick.  

Welcome to Irving, Texas.

We at IrvingOnline.com welcome your comments. Comments containing personal attacks will not be posted.

A New Approach to the Holidays: shop small businesses, buy local, and buy American

Below is the essence of an e-mail that is circulating through cyberspace about having a different sort of holiday—one that not only saves your pocketbook but will make holidays more meaningful. It is a great way to also avoid the new year shopper’s remorse of returning gifts—and paying the credit card bills. 

As the holidays approach, the giant overseas factories are kicking into high gear to provide Americans with monstrous piles of cheaply-produced merchandise, manufactured at the expense of Americans’ jobs.
This year can be different. This year Americans can give the gift of genuine concern for other Americans. It is time to think outside the box. Who says a gift needs to fit in a box, anyway? This is about supporting your hometown Americans with their financial lives on the line to keep their doors open.

• Who wouldn't appreciate getting their car detailed? Small, American-owned detail shops and car washes would love to sell you a gift certificate or a book of gift certificates.
• Are you one of those extravagant givers who thinks nothing of purchasing yet another [foreign-made] flat-screen television? Consider a coupon for lawn mowing for the summer, or driveway plowed all winter, or games at the local golf course instead.
• Every auto owner needs a regular oil change for their car, truck or motorcycle. Purchase a coupon from a shop run by the local guy.
• Thinking about a heartfelt gift for mom? What about hiring a cleaning lady for a day? If you are looking for something more personal, consider going to a local crafts show for scarves, jewelry, pottery, etc.
• Know anyone ready to throw his/her computer out the window? Arrange for a tune up or computer lessons.
• How about gift certificates from your local hair salon or barber? Or local owner-run restaurant?
• A gym membership is a great gift and appropriate for all ages who are thinking about some health improvement.
• Plan your holiday outings at local, owner-operated restaurants and leave your server a nice tip.
• Purchase tickets for a play or ballet at your hometown theatre. Find a venue showcasing local bands.
• If you need additional decorations, shop thrift stores such as the Salvation Army, St. Vincent de Paul, Goodwill. You can get lights and other décor for pennies on the dollar—and help local nonprofit organizations as well.
• If you have bucks to burn, leave the mailman, trash guy or babysitter a nice big tip.

Christmas should not be about draining our personal and collective American pockets. Let's make it about encouraging American small businesses to keep plugging away to follow their dreams. When we care about others in our communities, the benefits come back to us in ways we can only imagine.

This idea is also being supported by American Express with their Small Business Saturday. AX is encouraging everyone to shop small Saturday, November 26 (www.facebook.com/SmallBusinessSaturday). And, if you are an AX cardholder, you can get a $25 statement credit for shopping small business on that day.

So, rather than running shopping to the point of exhaustion this year, shop small businesses, buy local, and buy American.

Please, stop broadcasting the Citizens Forum until we can all behave!

Civics 101: Polite, respectful behavior in public

Anyone who pays attention to Irving City Council actions knows there have been several contentious issues before the Council in the past few months. There was the vote for an audit of the Entertainment Center expenses, a vote to pursue an appeal of the Texas Attorney General’s findings relating to the use of sales tax to fund the EC, there was a drawn out review and approval of the City's economic development services agreement with the Chamber, and, more recently, a review of the contract for David Dean, a consultant to the city on water and transportation issues. Mr. Dean also organizes the signature transportation summit that is held annually in Irving.

All of the Council’s work sessions and regular meetings are streamed live over the Internet and broadcast on ICTN, and are available through the City’s Web site on an “on demand” basis—a true gift for us, residents, permitting us to view the discussions and learn about the issues relevant to our neighborhoods and our quality of life.

Public meetings must allow for comments from citizens. The Irving City Council meeting agendas include the Citizens Forum, an opportunity for individuals to come to the microphone and address the council for up to three minutes on any topic not on the agenda. Speakers are expected to be respectful and the council may not respond. (Note: Citizens may also speak for or against any item on the agenda during the meeting.)

Several years ago, the Citizens Forum was abused so badly by a handful of people that it was moved to the end of the council meetings and the cameras turned off. Amid claims that that action limited the right of free speech, The Irving Journal did an analysis of the speakers in the Forum for the year prior to the decision to cease its broadcasts. During that year, three people accounted for perhaps ninety percent of the Forum appearances. There were only a handful of others who spoke at any time during that period.

Two of the speakers who each spoke at most of the meetings often took to the microphone to denigrate neighbors and slur ethnic groups, opening the city to lawsuits and residents to humiliation. Thus, the mic was left on, but the cameras were turned off, preventing abuse of the venue for neighbor-on-neighbor attacks. I personally applauded this decision as I don’t believe free speech includes the right to be broadcast.

A few months ago, the decision was made to restore the forum to the top of the agenda and put it back on ICTN, the Internet and On Demand. And, guess what? It’s déjà vu all over again. Same play, different cast.

At every meeting we see the same three or four people approach the mic to voice their opinions—and often their animus—about everything under the sun. Recently, one citizen’s charge was so personal that a council member told the mayor that he would walk out if another personal attack was voiced.

Unless the mayor can control the ad hominem and mean-spirited testimony during the Citizens Forum, it should again assume its rightful place at the end of the agenda. Even limiting the frequency any individual can speak in this forum would help.

Until our behavior in public can be controlled, it should be lights out.
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According to the minutes and videos of the meetings held July through October (seven meetings), one individual spoke 18 times, including every Citizens Forum and 11 other agenda items. Another spoke 16 times, six of seven Citizens Forums, and10 other times including six times during one council meeting. Data available at http://cityofirving.org/city-secretary/index.asp.