Keep Mavs, starting now

Re: “Vote may hint at Mavs’ future — Council submits rezoning proposal that could be first step in relocating franchise,” Friday news story.

It’s time to get to work to keep the Mavs in Dallas if it’s not already too late. The clock is ticking toward the Mavs’ and Stars’ July 2031 lease expiration at American Airlines Center. Rather than a last minute Hail Mary like we have just seen with Neiman Marcus, the mayor and others need to make keeping the Mavs in Dallas a priority.

My recommendation is that a new arena be located east of the new convention center and take the place of the ill-conceived entertainment district in the current convention center master plan. A new arena in this location could be designed to meet the needs of the teams for the next 30-plus years, add another large venue to our convention center campus and benefit the Cedars and southern Dallas.

There is a pattern of solving problems in Dallas in a one-off fashion. It’s time to have a more strategic and coordinated approach to the future of our city.

Tipton Housewright, Dallas

Member, Dallas City Plan Commission

Politicians elected to care

Re: “Disagreement can heal, not rip us apart — I’m getting out of politics and writing to help overcome partisanship in North Texas,” by Ronell Smith, Sunday Opinion.

Smith states, “I do care, just not about what everyone else cares about.” He further states that politicians should not be “a slave to constituents’ needs.”

Politicians are elected precisely for that reason — to care about the people who elected them and to slave away for them and their concerns.

His attitude that not caring “much what people think of me” has given rise to polarity in politics, an attitude of “what’s in it for me?”

The foundation of democracy is to work for the common good. How does a government succeed in equity when its citizens are not looking out for their neighbor? Does Smith support the closing of government offices aimed to help Americans?

Elise Greenberg, Dallas

Time for JFK truth

Re: “Panel to seek truth on JFK — Newly formed group plans to visit Dallas to probe assassination,” Feb. 26 news story.

I heartily support any investigation into uncovering everything that’s been hidden from the public for over 62 years about President John F. Kennedy’s assassination. My father was an eyewitness to that event that’s been swept under the rug by our government for far too long. He is now deceased, but our family still has all the newspaper articles, books and other memorabilia he collected on this subject during his entire life. His name appeared in at least one book.

My dad was driving in downtown Dallas that day when he ran into traffic and tried to escape by turning down a side street. Unfortunately he came up against a temporary barricade, and more cars behind him penned him there. While he sat, he turned on the radio. The minute he heard about shots being fired he went on high alert and began to scan his surroundings. That’s when he saw two men run across a grassy knoll, jump into a little green Nash Rambler and quickly speed away.

I was only 13 years old, but I clearly remember the FBI coming to our house on South Marsalis Avenue to interview my father. I think there were two FBI officers who sequestered themselves with my dad in our living room with the doors closed. He was also summoned to testify before the Warren Commission, but was out of the country on his annual naval reserve duties.

I waited for the 50-year period of sealed documents to expire, but was disgusted because they were so heavily redacted, I learned nothing. It’s time for the truth to be told.

Bonnie S. Robinson Dove, Arlington

Words of warning

My son Edward was born in 1983 and received an introductory letter from my grandfather George Washington Bains, a World War II Navy captain. He described his legacy along with words that reflect to this day.

“The communist party was also born the year of my birth and they now hold as hostage almost half of the world’s people and they are striving to control all of the world. May God forbid as they are a ruthless and barbaric group who have no regard for human life. When you grow up you will some day encounter their power and learn that they can not be trusted to keep their pledge or treaty.”

Charles Bains, McKinney

DOGE should look elsewhere

When will DOGE start looking for waste and corruption in the legislative branch? And how about in the judicial branch (especially Clarence Thomas)?

Greg Stone, Garland

Idea for office space

The office market is in a downturn, however slight. It will probably get worse before getting better. Why not use these spaces for education or government services operations where applicable? Instead of building something new, use what is in place for a lot less spent. Just a thought.

Marc Morisseau, Heath

Dallas shopping memories

My wife of almost 60 years grew up in Dallas. When she was a teenager, her mother would take her shopping at Neiman’s and they would eat at the Zodiac room. The whole point of this story is her younger brother would complain to their mother that you take her shopping at Neiman Marcus and you take me to Robert Hall to shop. You need to be a senior citizen like us to remember Robert Hall.

John F. Pierce, Dallas

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