District 10 Councilmember, Jerry Allen
Including the recent developments related to the 2011 Redistricting Commission, District 10 has a lot going on.
We recently visited with Councilmember Jerry Allen to get his thoughts on our new mayor and the beginning of Allen's third term.
He's also helping set the record straight about a few development questions that affect the Lake Highlands community.
LHT: We have a new mayor and several new council members. What’s your first impression?
Councilman Allen: Mayor Rawlings is very excited about being mayor. You can sense he has a vision and a road map for improving the quality of life for the citizens of Dallas. I believe he has the potential to mature into a very good mayor.
All of the new council members have hit the floor running and have already provided valuable input. Overall, it looks like we'll have a very balanced team to lead Dallas.
LHT: Any comments on the redistricting process?
Councilman Allen: First of all, Donna Halstead did an outstanding job of representing District 10 and the entire city for that matter.
Secondly, the over 800 emails, along with the support of our friends and neighbors from Hamilton Park, were the reason District 10 stayed intact. I also have to give credit to LH Today for being out front on this issue and galvanizing the citizens to act.
The next step is for the council to review the Redistricting Commission's work and make any changes that might be agreed upon. I do not see any changes being made to District 10.
LHT: Once again, you have been appointed by the mayor to chair the Budget, Finance & Audit Committee. Do your plans for the committee include looking into ethics at City Hall and, in particular, the city’s purchasing program?
Councilman Allen: Yes, that’s correct. Over the past few years, public trust in government has rightfully fallen, and Dallas must be a beacon to the rest of the nation.
We will not tolerate any elected official or any government employee violating the citizens’ trust.
Budget, Finance & Audit will be consulting with the very best experts, starting with Dr. Rita Kirk, Director of SMU’s Cary M. Maguire Center for Ethics and Public Responsibilities. I suspect Dr. Kirk will work with the committee to develop ongoing practices for both ethics and public responsibility.
LHT: There is a rumor floating around that the developers of the Town Center have given up on retail and plan to put only apartments on the LHTC site. Care to address it?
Councilman Allen: There is absolutely no truth to this rumor.
Just two months ago the Skillman Corridor TIF Board voted to have a study done to make sure the Town Center is on track to become one of the top mixed-use, transit oriented developments in the nation.
LHT: Is the residential project at Walnut Hill and Audelia still moving forward?
Councilman Allen: Absolutely. The zoning process is wrapping up in a couple of weeks and dirt should start flying soon.
LHT: Any reflections on your past four years in office as you look ahead to your next term?
Councilman Allen: I believe we've come a long way in making our community cleaner and safer.
I just wish that three out of my last four years hadn't been during this great recession. I'm ready for our district to catch on fire and get some new development started.
Councilmember Jerry Allen represents District 10 on the Dallas City Council.
He can be reached directly at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 214.670.4068.
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