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Letters to the Editor — Historic trees, Dallas neighborhoods, bail lawsuits

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Letters to the Editor — Historic trees, Dallas neighborhoods, bail lawsuits


Save trees and homes

Re: “Who will speak for the trees? The people will,” by Sharon Grigsby, Jan. 14 Metro column, and “Dallas is risking single-family neighborhoods — City pushing a plan, in the name of affordable housing, that puts density first,” by Douglas Newby, Jan. 14 Opinion.

Kudos to Grigsby and Newby. How nice to see Dallas taking the initiative to save historic trees. Now if we could get builders to do the same. It has long been disheartening to see huge neighborhood trees bite the dust to be replaced by twigs.

It was informative to read Newby’s column on the future of Dallas’ traditional neighborhoods. Again, disheartening to read story after story about Dallas not having affordable housing and then seeing so many affordable small to medium sized homes being torn down. These are homes perfect for young families, seniors, teachers, first responders and nonprofit workers who keep our city going.

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No wonder so many of these categories of people must leave Dallas and go to the suburbs to find affordable houses. This is being done in the established neighborhoods: Lakewood, Preston Hollow, Lake Highlands, etc. How many more will leave when you start cramming multi-level, high density buildings on small neighborhood lots with no zoning?

Newby took the time and did the research to offer creative planning ideas for high-density building. It will take a lot of give and take on all sides to keep Dallas a viable place for all types of taxpaying citizens to live and work.

Sherrie Hull, Dallas

Forward Dallas needed

For two years, the city’s Planning and Urban Design staff and Comprehensive Land Use Plan Committee have worked on the ForwardDallas Comprehensive Land Use Plan update. Our city faces a housing shortage, particularly for middle-class and low-income residents.

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To address the housing shortage, the ForwardDallas draft suggests several strategies, including “missing-middle” housing. What is missing middle? Buildings comparable in scale to a single-family home with more than one residence, such as duplexes and accessory dwelling units, also known as granny flats. Missing middle allows essential workers like teachers and firefighters a better chance at living in increasingly unattainable neighborhoods.

Newby claims ForwardDallas would “circumvent” single-family zoning and allow four units on any single-family lot. Not true. Under state law, a comprehensive plan cannot change zoning. Legalizing expanded missing-middle housing will require code changes. Dallasites have a range of perspectives: Some want to allow a four-plex on any lot and others, like Newby, vehemently oppose expanding missing-middle housing.

Crafting code changes to make the missing middle work for Dallas will require thoughtful efforts from our policymakers. Misrepresenting ForwardDallas as a sweeping rezoning is a cynical attempt to stop consideration of missing middle as a tool to tackle the housing shortage.

Brent M. Rubin, Dallas,

Vice Chair, Dallas City Plan Commission,

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Chair, Comprehensive Land Use Plan Committee

Tsunami to hit neighborhoods

Re: “Minneapolis isn’t Dallas,” by Stephen McKeown, Tuesday Letters.

I am afraid McKeown’s letter to the editor is representative of the naive and complacent majority in our city with no idea how close we actually are to becoming like Minneapolis.

In his critique of Mark Lamster’s column, “Resist the urge to go BANANAs,” McKeown expresses childlike belief that what has happened in Minneapolis in regards to the elimination of single-family zoning are ” ideas that have no chance of ever seeing the light of day in Dallas (thank God).”

Oh, my. McKeown read the Arts section but overlooked the Opinion section. Otherwise, he would have read the masterful work of Doug Newby with the headline, “Dallas is risking single-family neighborhoods.” In his full page piece, the imminent threat to our neighborhoods could not be made more clear. The word “imminent” means right now! As soon as four or five City Council members can cram it down our throats!

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Everyone! Please salvage the Opinion section of Sunday’s newspaper and read Newby’s op-ed. Email your councilperson now!

Those of you who are stubbornly sleeping through the warning sirens heralding the coming tsunami that will literally wipe your neighborhood off the map, wake up!

Ellen Beadling, Dallas/Caruth Hills and Homeplace

Cash bail lawsuit flawed

Re: “Cash bail lawsuit fails to move up — U.S. Supreme Court declines to hear case alleging practice unfair to some,” Jan. 13 Metro & Business story.

Regarding this story, Elizabeth Rossi, representative for the plaintiff’s attorneys, was quoted as saying, “Virtually every court that has addressed the constitutionality of cash bail systems like Dallas County, including the district court judge in the Daves case, has found that the system is unconstitutional, unsafe and extremely costly.” What Rossi failed to mention is that every court of appeals that has reviewed the plaintiffs’ arguments has reversed the decisions made by the trial courts.

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They have lost appeals in Walker vs. City of Calhoun, Daves vs. Dallas County, ODonnell vs. Harris County and Little vs. Doguet. The plaintiffs insist on making the same fundamentally flawed arguments no matter how many times they have been soundly rejected in court.

Ken W. Good, Tyler

Bird cartoon great fun

Regarding Wednesday’s editorial cartoon, as I read the mother bird’s comment, I am thinking, yep our current media (TV, radio, social, etc.). Then I start to laugh when I read the cartoon’s caption at the bottom: “Bird explaining artificial intelligence.”

I still have a question: Is the bird’s comment about current media’s intelligence or about the new software programs that many believe can drive vehicles and scan thousands of pages and spit out tidbits that were digested?

I got my chuckle for the day. Thank you!

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Bill Martin, Quitman

We welcome your thoughts in a letter to the editor. See the guidelines and submit your letter here. If you have problems with the form, you can submit via email at letters@dallasnews.com



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Dallas, TX

FC Dallas’ U.S. Open Cup run ends with loss in penalty shootout vs. New York Red Bulls

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FC Dallas’ U.S. Open Cup run ends with loss in penalty shootout vs. New York Red Bulls


After taking an early lead, FC Dallas couldn’t close out its U.S. Open Cup matchup against the New York Red Bulls on Wednesday night.

FCD was eliminated from the tournament in the Round of 16, falling 4-3 in a penalty shootout against New York. The match was decided by a shootout after the teams ended regulation and extra time tied at 2-2.

Bernard Kamungo helped FCD take control of the contest in the first half, making the most of a well-timed pass from striker Petar Musa. The winger sent a shot past New York goalkeeper AJ Marcucci to give FCD a 1-0 lead in the 28th minute.

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The match became a back-and-forth affair in the second half when Mohammed Sofo tied things up for the Red Bulls in the 63rd minute. Sofo found himself with a clear goal-scoring opportunity after FC Dallas struggled to clear the ball in the 18-yard box.

About 15 minutes later, Lucho Acosta helped FCD regain its advantage when he swiftly dribbled through two defenders and placed a shot behind Marcucci.

It appeared FCD would claim a victory to advance in the tournament, until New York came up with an answer in stoppage time. Emil Forsberg found the back of the net in the 93rd minute to ensure extra time. Forsberg scored on a free kick that took a deflection in front of FCD keeper Maarten Paes.

Neither team could break the deadlock in extras, meaning a shootout would decide the winner.

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New York secured the win when Marcucci stopped a penalty shot from FCD midfielder Pedrinho. FCD is now 39-24-7 all-time in U.S. Open Cup play.

Find more FC Dallas coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.



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Dallas leaders announce “Safe in the City” initiative

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Dallas leaders announce “Safe in the City” initiative



Dallas leaders announce “Safe in the City” initiative – CBS Texas

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The goal of the program is to address the city’s three biggest issues: public safety, homelessness and the vibrancy of Dallas.

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CJ Cup Byron Nelson tournament proceeds fuel mental health campaign across Dallas

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CJ Cup Byron Nelson tournament proceeds fuel mental health campaign across Dallas


Each spring, the CJ Cup Byron Nelson brings some of the biggest names in golf, and millions of dollars in proceeds, to North Texas.

But that money doesn’t stay on the course. It’s quietly helping fund a Dallas nonprofit. 

For more than 50 years, the Momentous Institute has been the tournament’s beneficiary. 

The nonprofit provides mental health care, education, and family resources to support children and communities across Dallas.

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“Over the years, the tournament has raised more than $185 million for the Momentous Institute, which directly supports the services we provide to the community,” said Dr. Jessica Gomez with the organization. “We’re really focused on helping the whole child and the whole family system heal from whatever mental health challenges they’re going through.”

This year, those efforts are taking shape in a new citywide campaign tied to Mental Health Awareness Month. Called “Squeeze the Day,” the campaign is meant to encourage North Texans to tap into the power of nature to support their well-being.

Billboards and installations have popped up across the city, from the Dallas Zoo to Klyde Warren Park to the Dallas Arboretum, urging people to pause, get outside, and find simple ways to care for their mental health.

“Having these reminders throughout the zoo that encourage people to take a moment and take in their surroundings, it’s really important,” said Kari Streiber with the Dallas Zoo. “You have to save those natural places and appreciating them is the first step.”

For the Momentous Institute, it’s all part of the mission of reaching people where they are and showing them that caring for their mental health can start with something as small as taking a deep breath outdoors.

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So, next time you’re enjoying a walk or a visit to one of Dallas’ green spaces, don’t be surprised if you see a reminder to Squeeze the Day, and know that the CJ Cup Byron Nelson helped make it happen.



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