Dallas, TX
Letters to the Editor — Texas A&M, preservation program, Dallas City Council, sheriff race
Bonfire wrong memorial
Texas A&M University is unique for many reasons. Its distinctive culture permeates every aspect of its existence. At the core of its culture is the courage to always do what is right regardless of opinion or consequences. While traditions are revered at A&M, those traditions can never supersede the dignity we accord every member of our community.
The effort to reinstate the bonfire tradition would disparage the memory of those students who lost their lives, including those who suffered enduring injuries, and it would tarnish the culture of Texas A&M University.
What is the appropriate memorial for the loss of 12 young, brilliant lives? Perhaps in this case, it is declaring that no amount of time erases that loss. Redemption is a powerful force, but must have a powerful purpose. Simply reinstating a symbol of sports rivalry does not carry that power; in fact it trivializes those 12 tragic deaths and deprives them of their basic dignity and the meaning of what they would have accomplished had they lived.
The reinstatement of the traditional Thanksgiving football game between the University of Texas and A&M is rousing, but the game can be played without demeaning our values and disrespecting those we’ve lost.
Don Powell ‘21 (graduate school), Amarillo
Former chairman of the board, Texas A&M University System
Officials must support preservation
Re: “Preservation gets fresh look — City Council to vote on proposal this week,” April 7 Metro story.
Kudos to Kate Singleton, who assumed directorship of the city’s preservation program and managed to turn it around. Nevertheless, it is with trepidation that I applaud this “fresh look.”
Under the previous director, the four historic preservation planners at that time (myself included) fought for additional staff, resources for community support, funds for translating materials into Spanish, money for educational outreach and resources for developing historic districts in underserved communities.
None of this was deemed important, and no one with authority supported us — not the former director, current mayor, departing city manager, nor most of the Landmark commissioners or City Council members. All stood by as our office imploded.
Upon realizing the futility in trying to advance the city’s preservation program, all four planners eventually left, determined to make a difference elsewhere and maintain their professional integrity. When an entire staff of dedicated, professional employees leaves, it is a huge red flag, but apart from one assistant city manager, no one raised an eyebrow.
My point is that no “fresh look” will succeed without the support of higher officials, Landmark commissioners, and City Council. Hopefully, a lesson has been learned. Dallas’ history and culture are too important to ignore.
Marsha Prior, McKinney
Pay officials for sacrifice
Re: “Money Can’t Buy a Better City Council — Dallas officials must recognize work as public service, not a career,” April 7 editorial.
In an era of significant challenges and demands to and on government, particularly local government, public “service” is more important and valuable than ever. In general, the ongoing exodus of experienced representation from such roles is hampering cities’ abilities to meet the needs of the day and effectively prepare for tomorrow.
It is high time to consider paying and/or increasing compensation to such individuals. Public service often requires great sacrifice on multiple fronts — every day, including weekends.
The public at large often misunderstands the complexity of public sector roles and the amount of commitment, effort, grit, tenacity and time to perform such jobs, let alone to perform them well.
An increase in pay would likely result in council members being better able to perform their roles as the full time jobs they actually are. This would benefit the communities they serve. Some City Council members must maintain full-time jobs while serving the public. This is almost impossible.
Dallas needs the most competent, available leaders possible in every seat — at all times. What happens in Dallas impacts North Texas, and sometimes you get what you pay for.
Mike Grace, southwest Dallas
GOP already capitulated
Re: “Don’t capitulate, GOP,” by William Pritchard, Wednesday Letters.
Pritchard exhorts Republicans not to capitulate to the Democrats’ immigration policies. He encourages them to back “a compromise that effectively controls immigration and grants amnesty to DACA individuals,” and then in the next sentence states that “Democrats seem dedicated to no compromise at all.”
He has evidently not been reading or watching the news recently, where we have all seen the collapse of a bipartisan immigration reform bill produced after months of work by a group of Democratic and Republican senators. After the House speaker declared that he would never allow that bill to reach the House floor for a vote, Republican senators “capitulated” and refused to support the bill, all of which happened at the behest of the presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, who wants no immigration reform unless he can take credit for it.
Democrats are willing to compromise; Trump and his Republican sycophants are not.
Karen Rosenthal, Irving
No more cutting taxes
There seems to be so much need in our country, in many areas. I am just a retired teacher, not an economist, but I have a novel idea. For years, the emphasis has been on cutting taxes. What about the very unpopular idea of increasing taxes and eliminating loopholes as well as cutting the fat in government?
We must try to help save democracy here and around the world. Poverty and homelessness are heartbreakingly prevalent. Teachers can’t live on their income. The border needs funds as well as ways to eliminate the causes of mass exodus from other countries.
It is going to take sacrifice from all of us to climb out of our herculean debt while caring for those who desperately need help.
Carol McNatt, Athens
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The search for the next general manager or president of basketball operations of the Dallas Mavericks has begun. They terminated Nico Harrison in November, which was about nine months too late, and gave any available candidates clear notice that they were open for business.
The plan was always to wait until after the season to start the search. While names popped up as the season reached an end, they didn’t begin turning over the staff until the Monday after the season ended. However, Dallas Mavericks fans are not going to like how the team is going about the search.
Patrick Dumont Leading Search for General Manager
NBA insider Jake Fischer reported that the Mavericks are not hiring a search firm in their hunt for a new lead executive. Instead, team governor Patrick Dumont is “acting as his own point person.”
This is an… interesting decision, to say the least. Dumont is not a basketball person whatsoever, and most organizations usually hire a search firm. The Chicago Bulls hired one as they look for their replacement for Arturas Karnisovas. Just because a firm is hired doesn’t mean a team will listen, though.
The Mavericks hired a firm in their last search for a GM. They let Donnie Nelson go in 2021 after a long tenure with the Mavs. Instead of listening to the firm, though, Mark Cuban ignored it to hire Nico Harrison, who had no previous NBA front office experience. Harrison had been an executive with Nike, which gave him connections with players like Kyrie Irving, Anthony Davis, and plenty of others.
For a while, that seemed to be working out okay. While he still had some questionable transactions, such as trading for Christian Wood and letting Jalen Brunson walk in free agency, they were still able to make a run to the NBA Finals in 2024. Then, he blew it all up, trading away Luka Doncic for an older and injured Anthony Davis, and the team hasn’t been the same since.
It’s imperative that the Mavericks get this hire correct. The interim Co-GM setup with Matt Riccardi and Michael Finley has performed admirably, but the 2026 NBA Draft is important for the Mavs to get right. It’s their best chance to pair Cooper Flagg with another young star, as they don’t own their first-round pick again until 2031 after this.
Hiring the right GM could help bring in more draft capital by bringing in bad contracts or flipping veterans into picks.
Dumont was able to convince Rick Welts, a Hall of Famer, to come out of retirement to be the CEO and lead the charge for a new arena. Maybe Dumont pulls another rabbit out of his hat for the GM.
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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.
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