Dallas, TX
How the departure of Dallas’ police chief could impact the city’s November election
With Dallas Police Chief Eddie Garcia retiring and heading to Austin to become an Assistant City Manager, how this could affect three ballot initiatives city voters will consider on Election Day. The State Fair of Texas can keep its new policy banning guns after a judge decides in its favor and against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. Plus, there’s political fallout between the Tarrant County GOP and two Republican county commissioners who voted in favor of keeping polling locations at local universities. Jack Fink covers these stories and more in the latest episode of Eye on Politics (original air date: Sept 22, 2024).
Big D Departure
After more than three years, Dallas Police Chief Eddie Garcia is retiring from the city of Dallas and will start his new job as an Assistant City Manager overseeing public safety for the City of Austin on November 4th.
He’s following the man who hired him in Dallas: former City Manager T.C. Broadnax, who’s now running Austin. It comes several months after the Chief agreed to stay on through May 2027 as Chief.
In a statement, Garcia said, “…Deciding to step away from this profession has been one of the most challenging decisions of my life. Law enforcement has shaped who I am, providing me with a strong sense of purpose, responsibility, and camaraderie.”
Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson and interim City Manager Kim Tolbert released a joint statement saying, “We are immensely grateful to Chief Garcia for his dedicated service and unwavering commitment to the safety of our residents.. While we are sorry to see him go, we also know that the big city police chiefs never stick around forever.”
Dallas City Council members Paula Blackmon and Adam Bazaldua have expressed concerns that more people will follow Chief Garcia out the door. They said they worry that three proposed charter amendments voters will consider on Election Day, known as the Dallas HERO Initiative, may have led the Chief to leave the city.
The Initiative’s organizers submitted more than 169,000 signatures to get them on the ballot. One amendment would require the city to maintain a police force of at least four thousand officers, which is about 900 more than in the city now and increase their starting salaries. Another amendment would have the city survey about 1,400 residents asking if the city manager should get a bonus or be fired. The third amendment would allow residents to sue the city if they felt the city isn’t complying with state law or its own charter or ordinances.
Watch Jack’s interview with Council Members Blackmon and Bazaldua:
Jack also spoke with Pete Marocco, Executive Director of the Dallas HERO Initiative.
Marocco responded to council members by saying they have it all wrong.
Watch Jack’s interview with Pete Marocco, Executive Director of the Dallas HERO Initiative:
A nationwide search will start soon for Garcia’s replacement.
It comes at the same time that Dallas is looking for a permanent city manager after Broadnax left earlier this year.
Fair Fight
The State Fair of Texas will be able to keep visitors with concealed carry permits from bringing their guns into Fair Park. This after Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton took the city of Dallas to court. The city leases the land to the Fair.
The Attorney General’s Office argued in court that Fair Park was public property, and a firearms ban would violate gun owners’ Second Amendment rights. The Fair put the ban into place after a shooting last year injured three people.
Under the new rules, only active or retired police officers would be allowed to carry firearms.
Political Fallout
Now to the political fallout among Tarrant County Republicans over last week’s controversial vote by County Commissioners to keep polling locations at local universities.
Among the four votes to give the green light, Republicans Manny Ramirez and Gary Fickes joined the two Democrats on the court, Alisa Simmons and Roy Brooks. Republican County Judge Tim O’Hare was the only “no” vote. After that, the Tarrant County GOP passed a unanimous resolution expressing disapproval of the vote and criticizing Fickes and Ramirez.
Jack spoke with Commissioner Ramirez and Tarrant County GOP Chair Bo French about this issue.
Watch Jack’s interview with Tarrant County Commissioner Manny Ramirez:
Watch Jack’s interview with Tarrant County GOP Chair Bo French:
Texas Senate Debate
In the U.S. Senate race in Texas, there will be a debate between Republican incumbent Ted Cruz and his Democratic challenger, North Texas Congressman Colin Allred. The two will square off in their first televised debate in Dallas on October 15th. It will be broadcast on the Tegna-owned TV stations across the state.
DALLAS — It’s not exactly curl-up-by-the-fireplace weather, but the Chi Omega Christmas Market is this weekend and in a new location: Dallas Market Hall.
“They’re like, ‘Wait, I’m not ready! I’m not ready for Christmas!’” said the 2024 Chi Omega Market co-chair Nancy Woodall with a laugh. “But the weather cooperated with us. It got a little bit cooler this morning.”
Inside Dallas Market Hall, the shopping is heating up as guests grab their red shopping bags and head down the colorful and well-stocked aisles.
“It’s Candy Land” exclaimed Josie Yanez with a delightful laugh. She’s experiencing the market for the first time with her daughter, Candace.
“Well, I just feel like you can get truly one-of-a-kind gifts for anybody on your shopping list: your best friend, your husband, your husband’s business partner, whoever,” says Candace Yanez.
Chi Omega Christmas Market shoppers said it’s not too early to start holiday shopping.
“I’m already ahead of just the Christmas holidays,” said Josie Yanez. “There are the [Thanksgiving] holidays… Halloween… you can find it all.”
Organizers say the September start means fewer conflicts for vendors, and the move to Market Hall gives them more space.
“We’re just not here for Christmas shopping. We’re here for everything,” said Woodall. “And then Dallas Market Hall has been a spectacular venue to host a show. It’s light, it’s bright, it’s large, and we have filled every square inch of this space.”
More than 200 vendors offering unique items ranging from clothes to toys to decor compete for spots in the long-running holiday market.
“It is tough to get a slot. We have tried probably for 10 years,” said Candace Williams, who owns The Toy Maven. “We are strong believers in supporting our community, and so it’s a thrill. We’re thrilled to be a part of the market this year. It’s a great opportunity for business.”
While the start date and location are new, the purpose remains unchanged: charity.
“We like to say we shop for a purpose,” said Woodall, “and whenever a shopper comes in and buys a ticket, they are helping us fund these great beneficiaries.”
Over the years, the Chi Omega Christmas Market has raised and donated more than $10 million to local charities. Debbie Lang and Karen Hunt are also 2024 market co-chairs.
Beneficiaries this year are Bonton Farms, the Stewpot, Genesis Women’s Shelter, Make-A-Wish, TITAS/Dance Unbound, Network of Community Ministries, Behind Every Door, Swan Strings, Together We Thrive, Family Compass, Young Women’s Preparatory Network, the Children’s Craniofacial Association, and Ascend Dallas.
“You’re hitting the jackpot coming to this Christmas market!” said Candace Yanez.
The Chi Omega Christmas Market is open until 9 p.m. on Thursday and opens at 9 a.m. Friday and runs through 5:00 p.m. on Saturday at Dallas Market Hall.
The Dallas Cowboys will visit the New York Giants in Week 4 of the 2024 NFL season. Both teams have a 1-2 record heading into this NFC East showdown.
The Cowboys are coming off another loss, this time to the Baltimore Ravens, a game that they were never really a threat to win until a strong fourth quarter comeback. But time ran out on Dallas and they will need to start much faster this week to not end up in a big hole trying to come back.
The Giants enter the game fresh off their first win of the year over the Cleveland Browns. Malik Nabers is looking like a true weapon and will be a key for the Cowboys defense to contain if they want the win.
The Cowboys have dominated the Giants in recent history, but this game isn’t quite the slam dunk it might have been seen as when the schedule came out.
Cowboys vs Giants game info
Important links: Cowboys depth chart | Roster
Date: Sept. 26, 2024
Game time: 8:15 PM EST
Location: MetLife Stadium – East Rutherford, New Jersey
TV channel: Amazon Prime
Coverage Map: 506 Sports
Radio: 105.3 The Fan | SXM
Streaming: Amazon, Sling
Cowboys record: (1-2)
Giants record: (1-2)
Odds: Dallas -5.5, courtesy of FanDuel
Prediction: Cowboys 31 – Giants 20
Enemy blog: Big Blue View
Twitter: @BloggingTheBoys
Facebook: Please Like us!
Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki is set to play in the Deep Eddy Vodka Celebrity Pickleball Showdown on Nov. 7 at Brookhaven Country Club in Farmers Branch.
The Deep Eddy Vodka Celebrity Pickleball Showdown returns to the Lapiplasty Pickleball World Championships held in Dallas.
Nowitzki, John Isner, Scottie Scheffler, Tony Romo, Jason Kidd and Marty Turco participated in last year’s 3,000+ sold-out tournament.
“For me the amazing thing is to see how far this thing has come … This is like rockstar level,” said NBA legend Dirk Nowitzki before taking the court at last year’s event. “I’m super impressed with the set-up, how many players are here. It is insanity on another level, how big this sport has gotten.”
“The Deep Eddy Vodka Celebrity Pickleball Showdown was one of the highlights of the 2023 event – the stands were packed and the energy of the fans was palpable,” said Connor Pardoe, Founder and CEO of the Carvana PPA Tour. “Dirk Nowitzki is a Dallas sports legend, and we’re so excited that he’s coming back to play in the showdown!”
General admission and VIP tickets are now on sale online here.
Thousands of amateur and professional players are expected to compete at the Lapiplasty Pickleball World Championships on 80-plus courts, and thousands more fans and attendees are expected to take part in the pickleball action.
More information about the event can be found here.
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