The Truth behind the Scenes
0 commentsPosted by admin on Jun 7, 2012 in In The News | 0 comments
This letter is in response to the recent article titled “Emotions run high over parking plans” [White Rock Lake Weekly, Vol. 3, No 47].
As many readers may be aware, emotions of concern and disappointment also are running high in the Jubilee Park Community, regarding Dallas ISD's plans to remove families and place a parking lot interspersed with homes and open, treeless lots, or in other words, creating a checkerboard community.
Our neighborhood, like many, is a place we Americans know well, vibrantly filled with families, trees and children. However, all remaining evidence of what stood before in our beloved community has been erased, replaced with empty lots. Soon, Dallas ISD will move in with more devastation and heavy equipment, removing the trees in order to drill 300-feet deep geo-thermal wells and to pave a satellite parking lot. Some trees took root long before the houses were built in Jubilee Park. These trees are the very foundation of our community and they are living witnesses to the history of our neighborhood. The additional daily traffic will negatively change the quality of life, the current land use pattern, and the overall structure of a well-established and cherished residential community. Sadly, families who would have relocated to our area will now be forced to go elsewhere because of the checkerboard community DISD has created.
In my last update, DISD obtained re-zoning approval to construct the parking lot and to drill the geo-thermal wells, only after a veiled threat that the Dallas ISD would file a lawsuit against the city, so some preferred to take the path of least resistance. You may recall that O.M. Roberts was renovated in 2005 only to be demolished in August 2011 and in January 2012. The Dallas ISD Board voted to close it, due to below student enrollment. The controversial issue led Mayor Mike Rawlings to inform the citizens of Dallas that he would continue to work with the affected community and just last month Dallas ISD's Board President Lew Blackburn promised to review alternative solutions that would avoid intrusion into the community. Experts confirm that this is not an impossible goal for DISD to achieve. The solutions would accomplish re-building the recently closed O.M. Roberts Elementary, keeping our children safe within the school grounds, as well as keeping our well-established community intact.
So, with new hope for the community, architects Brent Brown and Peter Brown graciously took on the enormous challenge with a commitment to improve the environment in which we live, work and play. Their project took into consideration the character and history of an urban community as well as preservation of a community that has been living in unison with O.M. Roberts for years.
Unfortunately, the sad truth is that Mayor Rawlings and Board President Blackburn raised hopes with phantom promises. In the end, the decision was to bow out of working with the community and dismiss the innovative ideas provided by the architects. In this life lesson we were taught that our elected officials have become masters of slippery promises while children are placed in jeopardy and teachers and custodians are given the pink slip. This unpleasant and painful experience was caused by an entity that teaches respect, honesty and integrity. In fact, displayed at DISD’s headquarters is a list of Commitments. Commitment #7 reads: “Support partnerships with community for achieving excellence.”
As we confront the future, the time has come when the page must be turned, and as we turn that page we are guided by a shining light of peace and comfort and draw inspiration from knowing that we are a strong and proud community, consisting of residents who have survived a great depression, multiple recessions, and various forms of racism. Some of our residents have proudly walked to Washington, D.C. to fight for their beliefs and to hold onto their rights, and others have served our great country. It is because of these families and their strength, beliefs and sacrifices that we remain in a free country and in our homes – our American Dream.
The last three years have been interesting and challenging, but we have also been fortunate to have had the opportunity to meet and work with many caring and talented individuals, like the team of architects and arborists who recently stepped in to help our cause. The architects confirm that a sub-urban cookie-cutter approach, which is what Dallas ISD is proposing in our community, will negatively alter the special qualities of established communities and schools. So, today, I'm asking the readers to please help us keep up the fight. Not sure where to start? Try contacting your local, state and DISD representatives. Our community has fallen victim to DISD's unstable plans and we have lost a historic school, neighbors and friends. The truth is that this tragedy could happen to your own community. Together we can make a difference for generations to come!
Kind Regards,
Norma Hernandez
Read more: White Rock Lake Weekly – LETTER TO THE EDITOR SAVE OUR SCHOOLS
Thought of the Week
"The time is always right to do what is right" ~ Martin Luther King
Who to Contact
Featured Websites
Jake Ewing of Awesome Comics created Municipal Monster comics
Dallas Historic Tree Coalition
Steve Paul Productions created background music for Justice for Jubilee & Hear us out songs
Scorpion Printing created T-Shirts, caps, flags, banners, car magnets Telephone 214-498-0457
Thank you
Our sincere thanks go out to McKool Smith, P.C., Benjamin King, The BC WorkShop, Architect Peter Brown, Steve Houser of the Dallas Historic Tree Coalition, State Representative Eric Johnson, Jake Ewing of Awesome Comics, Prolific MC and everyone that has stood by our side in helping preserve our beloved Neighborhood.
A big thank you to everyone that has provided support, kindness and compassion, we appreciate all of your hard work in writing to our Board members, protesting and all the encouraging words you've provided.
As we continue our fight, we feel blessed to have the support of so many caring individuals.
Free StopDISD Merchandise
Extra! Extra! Check out our new comic strip titled Horror in Jubilee Park featured in LitMonthly Get your free copy today at:
* Awesome Comics
8510 Abrams Road
* Roberts Ready to Wear
1702 Martin Luther King Blvd.
* Top 10 Records
338 West Jefferson Blvd.
* El Ranchito Restaurant
1141 Peavy Road
Or e-mail us at StopDISD@gmail.com to receive your free copy! Don't forget to ask for your free UNITE 4 Preservation and BAND against Corruption Silicon bracelets! Plus lots more FREE COOl stuff all for you!
Thank you for your continued support.
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Disclaimer
The facts displayed on this website are those reported by local Dallas media. The information herein has been obtained through research on the internet, which is freely available and readily accessible to anyone.
The views and opinions expressed on this website are solely those of the original authors and other contributors who have experienced the issues dealing with Dallas ISD and Jubilee Center.
The views and opinions reflect the author and contributors and as such are protected as "Freedom of speech" under the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
Every reasonable effort is made to report fair and accurate accounts of events. All statements on this website are made in good faith, in the public interest, involving matters of public concern and public figures in the Jubilee Park Community
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Help us stop DISD from bulldozing our neighborhood and support the residents of East Dallas against eminent domain abuse.
Contact DISD's B. Nutall at 972-925-3721 and save the Jubilee Community!
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