Calendar and Harris Rd. Project

Last night at the city council meeting a good lesson was learned.  About a year ago there was a builder that wanted to build low end housing on the corner of Calendar and Harris Roads.  Now this builder was the same builder that built the project on the corner of Green Oaks and Fielder, across from the sewage treatment plant, in District 1.  I voted no on the project last year, and the reason was that the property down south had the potential for much nicer homes. 

This property sits between a housing project of very affordable homes, that haven’t worn well with time, and homes that set on acre lots that are very nice.  So the property in question could either be a connection between a community in decline, or an improvement that could increase the property values in the future.  By saying no last year, I got in a heated argument concerning the rights of property owners to do what they wanted to do with their properties.  My position is firm.  I said no the $200K homes, waited a year, and yes to the $350K homes because it is good stewardship of the lands within the city boundaries.  Whatever we vote on will be setting on that property for the next 50 years, so sometimes it’s simply best to be unpopular and say NO to a project instead of settling for something inferior.  Last night was a perfect illustration of this concept.  I think that the citizens of District 2 will be very grateful for the Council’s wisdom, concerning this project.  

Fund Raiser for My Re-Election Campaign

I wanted to be able to invite everyone that I didn't have addresses for, to a get together this Thursday evening.  As you can see it is at J. Gilligan's Bar and Grill.  The time is 7:00-9:00 pm, with complimentary starters and a cash bar.  If you have not had the pleasure to seeing Michael Hix perform, you are in for a big surprise.  Although this is essentially a fund raiser, I would prefer to call it a fun raiser.  We're going to have a great time, so please come over and join us.  Be advised the RSVP email is Vote4cparker@gmail.com .  If you let me know if you are going to be there, Randy Ford promised to reserve some Irish Nachos for ya.

Arlington Commons & Ditto Golf Course

Two items of interest happened this last week.  The most significant is that Bob Kembel closed on all three apartment complex’s yesterday afternoon.  This is very important in that we are now assured that all four apartment complex’s along Lamar will be torn down.  The reason that it includes the fourth complex is that the tax abatement, contained in the 380 agreement with the city, includes all four properties.  Now since Mr. Kembel closed on the properties, this is the first step in activating the 380 agreement.  The city is now required to issue a check for demo costs, sewers and incentives.  The next step is Mr. Kembel now has to deal with relocation considerations that will take approximately 6 months.  In short, the face lift of this neighborhood will happen.  I want to thank our City Manager, Trey Yelverton and Bruce Payne, our Director of Economic Development for making this a reality.  Game On Arlington!

The second item of interest is that I met with our Parks Department concerning Ditto Golf Course.  As you may know Ditto is scheduled to get a facelift in the new Parks Master Plan.  This is a Major Face Lift valued at about $16 million, that will make Ditto the nicest course in the Mid Cities area.  Concerns have been raised about an entry to the course for maintenance personnel, off of Lincoln.  Gary Pacan, the project engineer, met with Jim Bass and I to address these concerns.  Gary was very understanding, concerning the pressures of the residents in the neighborhood.  If there are concerns, now is the time to voice them.  Once the planning stage is over, then it becomes more difficult because the horse has left the barn.  Although the Lincoln entrance would only be accepting about 6-7 employee cars a day, your concerns are still important.  I assure you that the view out your backyard will not change.  You won’t have a maintenance building to view.  Ditto’s beauty will still be there for you to enjoy.  Gary stated that he will be holding another meeting in about 2 months.  I think that you will see a solution to this problem at that meeting. 

Re-Election

I haven't posted in awhile because there hasn't been a meeting of the Council and the wife and I took a little vacation away for a week.  But yesterday I was in the office and dropped by the City Secretary's office and registered to run for another term as your District 1 representative.  So far I don't have an opponent, but I'm sure that someone will challenge me for the office.

To be honest the job would not be very gratifying if it wasn't for the fact that, the results of my efforts can be seen in the neighborhoods in my district.  This one facet makes the job worth doing.  To be part of a community effort to make a difference, is what motivates me to continue in this job.  I am fortunate enough to have the time to devote all of my efforts toward this end.  I don't know if you can remember back two years ago, but there were gun shots, prostitution, assaults and drugs in and around President's Corner.  I have been fortunate enough to be able to contribute in a small way to the Arlington Commons apartment redevelopment along Lamar.  This project will give North Arlington a shot in the arm and reformulate a large portion of the District.  I have been able to align myself with the efforts of city staff and accomplish most of the goals that I put on my door hangars. 

I am very blessed to have the finest Police Chief in the city to partner with and reduce crime in the north.  Chief Strickland has organized his officers and utilized assets in such a way as to bring crime numbers well under control.  The APD is ever vigilant and maintains a constant presence in troubled areas to make our citizens safe.  That is the prime directive of any city's government, and I am very thankful for their efforts.

I have relied on Mike Bass and his code control officers to maintain a quality of life in the community.  They set the standard for our community and have been instrumental in the clean up efforts in our neighborhoods.  I have been able to help them in the rewriting of the code control ordinance for multi-family residences.  This was an effort to make their jobs easier, and their enforcement of ordinance standard more efficient.  I can't thank them enough for the job that they do each and every day. 

Another unsung hero of the city is the Director of Planning, Jim Parajon.  I rely on his knowledge each and every day.  If he didn't write the city ordinance, then it is currently being rewritten by his hand.  His knowledge of the city and our ordinances is simply priceless.

These are the people that I inter-react with each day to make our district better, and try to get things done. There are some very exciting things that are in the works at the city, and I would like to maintain the relationships that I have made to get projects accomplished.  I thank you for the opportunity to be a part of this process, and I hope that you will see fit to re-elect me for a second term.