Our Federal Government is tinkering with providing an "economic stimulus" package to citizens to help jump-start the economy. If this does move forward, it would contain no provision barring payments of between $300-$1200 to illegal aliens. You can read about it here. And more here.
If you want your Federal elected officials to start enforcing exisiting immigration laws, you need to start shouting louder. Obviously they aren't listening.
Here's an Associated Press story about a demonstration today at the Dallas U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services office protesting the long delays in processing applications by legal residents to become U.S. Citizens.
It's amazing to me how so many U.S. companies can process enormous amounts of seemingly trivial data on a daily basis, and yet our Federal Government consistently underperforms on similar tasks of much great importance.
The reasons I love Farmers Branch are almost all captured in the little things that you don't normally see or think about. This morning I awoke to a leaking hot water heater in my hallway, so off to Lowe's to get a replacement. I was asked where I live, because each city has different set code amounts that have to be paid when replacing a hot water heater. In Dallas, that amount is $67. In Farmers Branch, it's $25.
Farmers Branch: where each citizen gets more for less. I love it.
This is an interesting article about the effect of illegal immigration in urban areas. One finding to note is this:
Former mechanic Anderson felt the effects of low-wage immigrant competition in his old line of work. “I used to sell parts to body shops, and I knew Americans who were making $20 an hour repairing dented fenders,” he says. “Now, 95 percent of South Central L.A. body-shop jobs are held by recent immigrants making $7 or $8 an hour.” Says Joe Hicks, former chair of Los Angeles’s Human Relations Commission and now head of the nonprofit Community Advocates: “It’s hard to find a black face on a construction site or in a fast-food restaurant around here any more. People from the black community have noticed.”
Carlos Quintanilla is making the rounds again, you can learn more about him here and here and here.
I can't emphasize enough how strongly I and everyone else on the council feel about the need to work closely with our exisiting and future landlords to ensure the process of executing Ordinance 2952 is quick, easy and painless, and won't hamper their ability to rent/lease their properties. We're all committed to this, and the city staff has done an excellent job of partnering with them to get their input and imprint on the process.
Here's a note about this from today's Star-Telegram.
""We're going to work with the city to try to develop a streamlined and efficient process whereby landlords can get an immediate license and answer on the spot," said Brian Tusa, director of development for Alliance Communities."
Tim O'Hare has officially announced that he is seeking the office of Mayor of Farmers Branch. He made the announcement this morning on 570 KLIF, and is set to be on KRLD today at 10:00am, and the Mike Gallagher Show on 660 KSKY on Tuesday, January 29th.
Tim O'Hare is the right leader at the right time for Farmers Branch. Exciting things are happening, much of them directly due to his leadership and hard work on behalf of the citizens of our city. Tim O'Hare is uniquely qualified to lead this city to new heights.
Here's the text of an email Mr. O'Hare emailed last night to supporters.
Friends:
I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and that your 2008 is off to a great start. I wanted all of you to be the first to know about my plans. It is with tremendous excitement that I am announcing my intention to run for Mayor of Farmers Branch this May.
As many of you know, I was born and raised in Farmers Branch and love my hometown. I believe the future of Farmers Branch is as bright as it has ever been. During the last three years, we have laid the foundation for a period of revitalization and redevelopment in our community that will position us for success for many years to come. It is an exciting time for Farmers Branch. We are on track for the future, and I want to help us stay on track by leading us for the next three years as your Mayor.
I had a good conversation with Mayor Bob Phelps, who has told me he will not be seeking re-election. He is a fine man and is to be commended for his many years of service to Farmers Branch.
Together, we can help Farmers Branch be one of the safest cities in the Metroplex, continue to enjoy a very low municipal tax rate, maintain and enhance our city services and continue to beautify our wonderful city. Farmers Branch is a special place, and I hope I can count on your support.
Please visit my website at www.timothyohare.com, where you can read about my goals for the city, as well as other information that you may find useful. We have a strong team of volunteers, but we will gladly add you to our list. I will be updating my blog every week from now until the election. I hope you will check it out and give me your feedback.
Thank you for allowing me to serve you over the past three years. I hope you will allow me the honor and privilege of serving you as Mayor for the next three.
Call me or e-mail me anytime with your thoughts, ideas and suggestions. Thanks again for your support.
Sincerely,
Tim O'Hare Mayor Pro Tem Candidate for Mayor, May 2008 City of Farmers Branch 972-484-6980
Thank you to everyone who came out and spoke at the City Council meeting last night. It's great to see citizen participation in the affairs of the city.
Great things are happening in Farmers Branch! It's exciting being a part of that, and I am thankful to each of you for getting the opportunity to represent you and to aggressively drive the agenda you overwhelmingly support.
The City Council will consider a new proposed Ordinance relating to rental licenses in Farmers Branch at the meeting on Tuesday, January 22nd. The meeting will begin at 6:30pm. Here's a link:
-Anyone wishing to lease a house or apartment in Farmers Branch must apply for a residential occupancy license from the the ciy and provide information about legal U.S. residency.
-Landlords would not be responsible for verifying the legal residency status of potential renters; that responsibility would lie entirely with the federal government
-The proposed license fee would be $5 for each adult occupant, and would be valid as long as the occupant remains at that residence
-Anyone violating any provisions would face a daily municipal fine of up to $500.
There were two huge decisions coming out of last night's City Council Meeting. For the past several years, the citizens of Farmers Branch have been demanding redevelopment of our retail areas and increased retail options. Today, we are one step closer to realizing the vision for new, vibrant retail and mixed use developments in our city.
First, Provident Realty Advisors secured the rezoning of the area along LBJ Freeway between Josey Lane and Webb Chapel Road, the first step in that area transforming from outdated and nearly-empty office buildings to a variety of useful (and needed) development options, potentially including restaurants and retail. This is a good thing.
Second, Icon Partners was named as the city's development partner for our DART Rail Station area. This is very exciting, as the potential impact this area will have on the city cannot be overestimated. We've been talking about the DART RAIL Station development for years, and the city has done meaningful work preparing for this development. It's time to make this a reality.
It's an exciting time to be in Farmers Branch! The best is yet to come.
One of the things we're now doing in Farmers Branch that I'm really excited and proud about is the honoring at City Council Meetings of individuals serving in our Armed Forces when they are home on leave. The sacrifices these individuals make so that all of us can live a life of freedom and liesure are something none of us should take for granted. They deserve our appreciation and respect.
Take time to find a way to thank everyone who is away from their loved ones, so that we can live with ours.
Here's a great summarization of the backlash the DMN has received for their Texasn of the Year choice, as well as a breakdown of their explanation for their decision. It's a good read.
