Motley for Irving council
I am a longtime resident of Irving’s District 4 (38 years) who is supporting Susan Motley for Irving City Council in this district race. Motley is also a longtime resident of District 4 (35 years) who attended Nimitz High School and raised five children who attended Irving ISD schools.
She has served on various boards and commissions, as president of the Irving Heritage Society and has been recognized with awards from the city. Those who have served with her have found her to be an articulate, thoughtful and intelligent leader with a positive attitude. She listens carefully to all views before making any decisions.
She has made her views known through candidate forums, an ICTN video and a Dallas Morning News interview. Her opponent has lived in Irving for just two years, has no record of service to the Irving community and has missed several candidate forums and his first Dallas Morning News interview.
Instead, he has resorted to divisive partisan politics that confuse the issues and have nothing to do with Irving’s local needs. Motley knows Irving and will be the type of leader that Irving needs. She has earned my vote.
Ernestine Chipman, Irving
Social media and groupthink
Re: “Faculty wrongly blamed when protests erupt — Professors aren’t indoctrinating students, despite what you hear,” by Jill DeTemple, Wednesday Opinion.
As a student myself, this point of view is refreshing and honest. While faculty are blamed for the supposed indoctrination of the youth into single-minded masses, the reality is we as young people usually bring it on ourselves being trapped in the echo chambers of social media.
I believe that overcoming “groupthink” comes through dialogue and uncomfortable conversations with those we disagree with, fostering nuance in everyday topics and pressing issues. If we can escape the comfort of our perspectives and challenge ourselves to hear a differing viewpoint, then we may be able to break away from the shackles of conformity and disillusionment.
Rizwan Khan, Plano
Not like Navalny at all
Re: “Just like in Russia,” by Frank M. Wagnon, Friday Letters.
Alexei Navalny wasn’t given a fair opportunity to defend himself. Former President Donald John Trump left a milelong paper trail of data, reviewed by 12 American citizens, who deemed him guilty on all 34 counts. He has appeal rights. The United States justice system does work.
Rose Kimball, Far North Dallas
Laughing at Texas stock exchange
Re: “TXSE will make Dallas the best in U.S. — Immediate and long-term benefits will have regional and global significance,” by Chris Gannett, Tuesday Opinion.
After reading this opinion piece on starting up a new stock exchange, I almost fell out of my chair laughing. How in the world are we going to be able to support a new stock exchange if we can’t keep the power on if it gets above 100 degrees or below freezing?
Furthermore, the author is making some flawed assumptions. The establishment of a new stock exchange acts as a powerful economic stimulant is true, if there isn’t already an existing exchange in place. The U.S. has several large exchanges in place. We have had other regional exchanges in the U.S. with no real economic impacts. Plus, having a new exchange isn’t going to employ any significant number of people or entice any company to relocate their headquarters to Texas.
Having a new exchange is only going to benefit those who trade in billions of shares per day. So, no trickle down for the rest of us who have to support this line of business with higher utility rates.
Mitch DeFelice, Irving
Condos for Pepper Square
Re: “Pepper Square frustration,” by John Joyce, Monday Letters.
Have the developers and nearby residents given thought to a gated condo community for this area? I have lived in a nearby gated condo community for 25 years and it works well for us. We own our condos.
Ours are two stories high and contain 200 units, with ample inside parking. This community is about 40 years old. Our size may not work for the area of Pepper Square, but sometimes it helps to “think outside the box.”
This is a great piece of property and needs to be used appropriately.
Mary Mallardi, Far North Dallas
Prevent traffic signal failures
Re: “Red Light, Green Light, No Light — Neighboring cities kept traffic signals on for drivers, but Dallas’ lapses created hazardous intersections,” Sunday editorial.
I live in Garland just on the edge of Dallas. I’m 69 and have never experienced having traffic lights out like this for so long. It wasn’t just two days! We were out one evening and there were no street lights, no building lights and no traffic lights. The streets were so dark you couldn’t see the traffic lights that were there.
It became very obvious people do not think they have to treat these outages as a four-way stop. People don’t even think a red light means they have to stop. It was definitely taking your life in your hands to try and cross large intersections.
I haven’t heard any numbers, but I am sure there were several horrible accidents. Stop signs did not go up in most intersections and the ones that finally did were not clearly visible. We need to look at this and find a way for it not to happen again!
Cynthia Pitman, Garland
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