City Council Commentary 6.24.06
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Gary's District 9 Report for 2003 - 2005
• Served as Vice Chair of Public Safety Committee working with new Police Chief David Kunkle.
The crime rate was reduced 4.7% in 2004 - the first reduction in many years. Chief Kunkle has a 10% crime
reduction for 2005. The crime rate for District 9 was down 10% in 2004 and 18% in 2005.
• Chaired the Steering Committee that crafted the McKinsey Report on Economic Development, Code Enforcement and
Staff Accountability which will substantially change the way business is conducted at City Hall.
• Helped lead the effort that resulted in the city council's unanimous adoption of Citywide Priorities for
2004 and 2005 which are Economic Development, Neighborhood Quality of Life, Staff Accountability, Public Safety
and Trinity River Plan Implementation.
• Instituted Quarterly Crime Watch Meeting with NE Police Patrol Commander David Brown. Initiated "Operation
Community Involvement" to maximize volunteer support for the police.
• Instituted cleanupdallas.org to promote neighborhood graffiti removal and code enforcement. Conduct annual
graffiti roundup with neighborhood and student volunteers.
• Created East Dallas Business Advisory Council to focus on economic development issues in District 9, East
Dallas and city-wide. Inaugurated Annual Neighborhood Association Presidents' Dinner for current issues
discussion and coordinated planning.
• Helped lead the effort to create the new Commission on Productivity and Innovation to identify ways city
services can be delivered more effectively and at less cost to the taxpayer.
• Assisted with more White Rock Lake Park Improvements:
- Beautiful new Plaza Solana made possible by Hamp Hodges family gift.
- New Hike and Bike Trail sections and T. P. Hill Footbridge.
- New Museum at Bath House Cultural Center led by Kurt Kretsinger, Rich Casey & FTLOTL, Willis
Winters and many others.
- Boathouse restoration led by Chip Northrup, John Mullen and others.
- New Winfrey Point signage donated by White Rock Lake Foundation.
- Restoration of the old KATY RR line into a trail link to Lakewood Park led by the Dallas
Parks Project.
- Constructing pedestrian bridge over Mockingbird Lane to separate people from traffic.
• Reactivated Lakewood Shopping Center Business Association is piloting new Business VIP Crime
Prevention Program.
• Casa Linda Theater now in hands of new owner who desires a Historic Designation from the city to protect this
wonderful East Dallas landmark.
• Working on list of improvements necessary to sign long-term Cotton Bowl contracts at Fair Park with the
Universities of Texas and Oklahoma and the Cotton Bowl Association.
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