Dallas, TX
Dallas library could be off the chopping block after public opposition
A Northeast Dallas library recommended to be closed amid city budget cuts will likely stay open after community opposition to the plan.
The Dallas City Council on Wednesday tentatively signaled support for shifting money in the coming budget to stave off shutting down the Skillman Southwestern Library, though several members expressed concern over the cash source and uncertainty over how the branch would be funded moving forward. The approval was non-binding and won’t be official until the City Council approves a final version of the nearly $5 billion budget on Sept. 18.
Council member Paula Blackmon, who represents the area and proposed moving more than $485,000 from nearly $6 million planned to go toward an incentive fund to improve infrastructure in underserved areas, said an outcry for the library at a recent budget town hall meeting helped drive her to find a way to get the nearly 20-year-old branch off the chopping block.
She vowed the community would work to improve low attendance at library events, which made it a target for closure. She added the support opened her eyes to “many people that do love this library.”
“I didn’t realize how excited and how energized the community was until you tell them you’re going to take something away,” Blackmon said. An online petition protesting the library closure idea had more than 3,100 signatures as of Wednesday.
It’s unclear how the branch will be funded beyond the next fiscal year, which runs from Oct. 1 to Sept. 30.
Interim City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert last month recommended closing the library in her initial budget proposal to prevent impacts on Dallas’ almost 30 other branch locations. The Skillman site, she said, sits within roughly three miles of a trio of other libraries. The city expected to save $485,000 by closing the library, one of the city’s smaller branches. It was part of other planned library system cuts expected to save $1.9 million overall in the new budget.
Tolbert said Wednesday city officials would look into ways to find the money to keep the library open if the City Council desires.
Public library system director Jo Giudice told council members her department’s budget wouldn’t be big enough to support all the libraries being open at least six days a week if Skillman Southwestern remaining open is part of the spending plan.
“This choice enabled us to keep every other location from reducing their hours,” she said of the Skillman Southwestern closure plan. The city was proposing eventually selling the shuttered building, redistributing most of the library’s collection to other city branches, and setting up book vending machines for residents in the area.
The money to save the library could come from the city’s infrastructure investment fund, which the council approved last year to boost residential and commercial development in southern Dallas and other underserved areas. The program is funded yearly with money from expired tax increment financing districts.
Developers can get reimbursed for project costs to install infrastructure, such as water and sewer line connections, sidewalks and lighting, or related work, such as demolitions and property remediation.
Tolbert said the fund has roughly $6 million. City officials last year estimated the fund could grow to more than $199 million by 2033.
But several council members worried about taking money from a fund meant to help underserved areas. Council member Carolyn King Arnold noted the city touts using equity and data in its decisions, including in selecting the Skillman Southwestern branch for closure.
“We’re either going to stick to being data-driven, or we’re not,” Arnold said. “We can’t be selective about which data we choose to use. Either data matters or it doesn’t.”
Giudice told council members during an Aug. 19 committee meeting that the Skillman Southwestern branch typically has few visitors who stay for a significant amount of time.
Most users order items online and pick them up, the area doesn’t have a lot of foot traffic and computer usage there ranked near the bottom among libraries around the city, Giudice said during the meeting last month. She also said city data showed the library is in an area that has lower levels of poverty than other area other branch locations.
Despite that, the library is highly used, according to city data. An April memo to the mayor and City Council showed the Skillman Southwestern library branch ranked eighth out of the city’s 30 libraries in circulation last fiscal year. The number of items checked out for the first time and renewals at Skillman Southwestern more than doubled the next closest branch, the Vickery Park library, the memo said.
Giudice told council members Wednesday that the library ranks seventh in circulation this year.
Supporters of the library branch told council members the site is a treasured part of the community, more accessible than other branches miles away and vital to the development of children in the area. They suggested holding more events after work hours and on weekends to boost attendance.
“This library is important to us,” said area resident Margaret Watson. “A vending machine can’t replace it.”
For a moment, it looked like FC Dallas was on its way to another statement win at home tonight.
Petar Musa scored two first half goals, to extend his Golden Boot leading tally to nine goals. But after Dallas grabbed control, the Galaxy found a way back before halftime with goals from Lucas Sanabria and Joseph Paintsil.
The second half brought more chances and more frustration for Dallas, which finished the night with 13 shots to LA’s nine. In the end, the point stretched Dallas’ unbeaten run to five games, though just like last week, it felt like another match where Dallas left points on the table.
Key Moments
7’ – GOAL! After a poor pass back by a LA defender, Petar Musa was free to go one-on-one with the LA goalkeeper. After a touch to get ahead of a defender, Musa slotted home his eighth goal of the season from outside the penalty box.
21’ – Offside! Joaquin Valiente sent a floating ball over the Galaxy defense, where Musa was able to get behind the defense and make an easy play for what appeared to be his second goal of the night. The play was called offside despite a fairly lengthy review period.
38’ – GOAL! This one counts! Musa gets his second of the night off a great ball from Chris Cappis. Logan Farrington picked off the ball in the midfield. He then played Cappis wide to the left of the penalty area. Cappis immediately played a ball back across the goal for Musa to slide in and finish for his ninth of the season.
43’ – Goal LA. Lucas Sanabria got the ball near the top of the penalty area. He took a couple of touches to get outside the penalty box before firing a shot that beat Michael Collodi at the near post.
45+4’ – Goal LA. Gabriel Pec got the ball near the top of the penalty area. He pulled the ball back a bit, which caught a pair of Dallas defenders. This allowed Joseph Painstil to get free behind the Dallas defense as Pec played him through inside the penalty area. Pec immediately smashed home a shot above Collodi to tie the game.
75’ – Another offside goal. This time on a corner kick for Dallas, after a scrum in the penalty box, Kaick hammered home what looked to be the go-ahead goal. But after a few seconds the flag was raised due to a deflection on Osaze Urhoghide, who was in an offside position.
Instant Reaction
Yeah, this is another disappointing result for this team. In a real way, it felt like the first half against Houston from last month. Dallas grabbed the lead, looked in control, but some defensive miscues opened the game up for the visitors to climb back.
With a double-game week coming up, this will certainly be another game where Dallas will wonder ‘what if’ more than anything else…especially when you factor in the two goals called off for offside.
About the Subs
Eric Quill went to his bench for the first time in the 66th minute, as he brought on Santiago Moreno for Logan Farrington. Quill went to his bench again 81st minute with Ran Binyamin and Nolan Norris coming on for Sebastien Ibeagha and Deedson. The final sub came during stoppage time with Herman Johansson and Joaquin Valiente coming off for Sam Sarver and rookie Nick Simmonds, who made his MLS debut.
Man of the Match
No question about it tonight, it has to be Musa.
Where does this fit into the season
As of this writing, the draw puts Dallas into a three-way tie for 5th place with Real Salt Lake and Seattle. Both are in action right now and look firmly in control of their games. I’d expect Dallas to be in 7th place by the end of the night.
What’s next for FC Dallas
Dallas wraps up a three-game homestand next Wednesday night as they host Minnesota United.
Dallas, TX
Akheem Mesidor selected by Cowboys by Blogging The Boys in SB Nation’s community mock draft
Akheem Mesidor, Edge, Miami
Pass rush has been an issue since the Micah Parsons trade. The Rashan Gary trade helped, but Dallas still needs an injection of talent. Akheem Mesidor fits here because his body size allows for some versatility inside and out, something DC Christian Parker utilizes. Mesidor is also a high-motor player with a deep bag of pass rush moves.
His last season at Miami was full of disruption in the offensive backfield and he shows an all-around game, not just a bend-around-the-edge pass rusher. Yes, he’s a little older than you’d like in a rookie (25), but his motor, pass rush toolbox, and ability to play the run matches up with a need and makes him a quality pick at number 20.
The City of Dallas Office of Community Police Oversight is hosting a Public Safety Response Symposium to connect residents with public safety leaders. Here’s how to participate on May 9.
The Dallas Police Department posted to social media about the event on Friday afternoon. The post states, “Join public safety leaders for an inside look at how emergency and non-emergency calls are handled and how resources are deployed across Dallas.”
The symposium will be held at the Briscoe Carpenter Livestock Center, 1403 Washington St., fro 11 a.m.-noon on May 9. Doors open at 9:30 a.m. Light breakfast and refreshments will be provided.
Topics for the symposium include:
- How 911 calls are handled and dispatched
- How DPD uses specialized units and technology to improve response times
- When to use 311 for non-emergency services
- How crisis and behavioral health teams collaborate through alternative response strategies
There will also be a community Q&A forum where residents can engage directly with public safety leaders. Moderation will be provided.
Dallas Police Chief Daniel C. Comeaux will offer the opening remarks. Featured speakers include 911 Communications Center Assistant Director Robert Uribe; Major of Police Anthony Greer; 311 Senior Outreach Specialist Stephen Walker; and Emergency Management & Crisis Response Director Kevin Oden.
When it comes to parking: Enter through Gate 2 and drive straight to the Pan Am Gate, and continue to the Briscoe Center (located on the left).
RSVP for the Public Safety Response Symposium here.
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