Narrowing Abrams St.

The narrowing of Abrams St. has been in the minds of the Downtown Arlington movement for several years.  It has to do with a term called “walk ability,” and making downtown a “destination.”  But the reality of the situation is that the Downtown movement only wants “walk ability” as it pertains to the government building area of downtown.  When it impacts businesses, they want “on street parking.”  So which is it to be, “walk ability or on street parking.”  Therefore, I see the argument as being a bit disingenuous. 

Now staff has done some great work when you add the information that was received through an independent study.  The study went to the effort of taking a look at the delays that would occur if the street were narrowed to three or four lanes.  The study’s conclusion was that four lanes, without dedicated left turn lanes, would take longer to transit than the three lane option with a dedicated left turn lane.  They are the pros and I am just a recipient of the study’s information.  As an engineering student I realize that passing any element through an aperture, water, sand, nuts and bolts or traffic, depends on the size of the aperture.  If an orifice is 4inches wide it should take 25% less time to pour a gallon of water through, than if the aperture is 3 inches wide.  Therefore, if lanes are 10 ft. wide, it should take less time to pass the same amount of traffic through a 40 ft. orifice than a 30 ft. orifice, even with traffic turning left without dedicated lanes.  That is simply physics applied to a common solution.  So I don’t buy the fact that a four lane scenario will take longer to transit than three lanes. 

Now let’s take a look at the problem as it applies to the situation.  I have walked the streets and looked first hand at the area in question.  I have noted that the setbacks on the north side of the street are significant enough to put pavers in and enjoy walk ability/the destination of downtown.  The problem is the south side of the street.  If we took out the center, or fifth lane, it would allow another 10 ft. that could be added to the sidewalk on the south side to increase the “walk ability” aspect and still have 40 ft. for traffic to transit.  But the study shows that this is the scenario that will cause the longest delays to transit. (Discussed above)  So this is the dilemma as I see it, and reasoning behind my decision to select the four lane option.  I think that drivers are people too and they pay just as much taxes as pedestrians.  Therefore, I will vote for the four lane option.     

Council Meeting 10 June

Just a few notes concerning yesterday’s Council meeting.  During the afternoon session a poll was taken of the Council concerning the narrowing of Abrams street.  Throughout this exercise I have noted a definite bias toward narrowing Abrams to three lanes.  It had been stated that the four lane option was going to be the slowest option due to traffic turning without designated left turn lanes.  Sorry but my engineering background simply couldn’t shake this statement because it defies every law of physics known to man.  I simply couldn’t wrap my head around the fact that having a larger aperture would slow down the flow of anything.  Also, when given the presentation, the four lane option was void of any streetscape like the other two options.  Kinda like those commercials that are in black and white until you own the product, then everything is in color.  So I felt that I was being steered into a certain mindset.  I was the only dissenting vote. 

In the evening session, I was also the only dissenting vote concerning extending the Linebarger contract for another three years.  Linebarger has been the company that the city has employed to collect our delinquent taxes for the last six years.  My reasoning was that I felt that a healthy competition was in order combined with an audit of past accounts.  It would give us a clearer picture of the account and its status.  I requested numbers about the Purdue firm but staff did not provide an apple much less an orange to compare the two companies.  Therefore, not having the proper information, I was not in support of extending the contract on the faith of them doing a good job, in the future.

Of the most interest was the issuing of bonds for the new library, Council chamber, and Center St. Bridge.  This was the most important vote of the evening and I think the best utilization of city funds.  You have to remember that the other options were 40 and 30 million dollars to rebuild on the existing property.  This is a twenty million dollar project with a public private building being built on the old site.  This other building will return the property to the city tax rolls also.   For some reason Councilman Rivera abstained from the four votes taken on this subject.  There was also a resolution voted on relating to a public/private interest concering a new building where the old library stands.  I supported all these votes because I feel that it was the best utilization of citizen’s monies and showed fiscal improvement over the other options considered for the new library.

All in all I think it was a good night for the City of Arlington.  Oh, and I was designated as the new Deputy Mayor Pro Tem.  Maybe not a great night for Arlington after all.

Open Carry?

I might as well weigh in on the topic of open carry. Through the military and governmental shooting courses and Command and Staff War College courses I have been taught a few things about tactics.  But one of the simplest concepts to grasp in this discussion is that concealment of firepower is extremely important.  If it wasn’t then why would the Department of Defense spend billions of dollars each year on camouflage?  Concealment is the tenant that gave you the Constitution, to include the Second Amendment.  What?  Parker you’re nuts!

Let’s take a step back in time to the Revolutionary War, where the rag tag Continental Army with inferior firepower went up against the most powerful force in the world, the British Army.  The British Army practiced open carry.  They would grab their rifles, put on their red coats, and line up in the streets in a show of force and march down the road.  They were confronted continually by the Continental Army that were concealed at various junctures along their path.  The author of the Art of War, Sun Tsu stated, “He will win who, prepared himself, waits to take the enemy unprepared.”  Through this tactic the Constitution and the Second Amendment were born. 

Over the course of history there have been several instances where the concealment of firepower by inferior forces has overcome the odds and prevailed.  General George Armstrong Custer is another example of open carry that just didn’t work out.  Sitting Bulll and Crazy Horse used another tactic of Sun Tsu’s without their knowledge.  They used a village of squaws and children to draw Custer to attack at that point.  Knowing he would attack at that point they waited.  “All warfare is based on deception.”  How can you deceive anyone by showing all your cards at once?  Surprise is essential to victory! 

So let’s take an active shooting situation by today’s standards.  In threat analysis, you accomplish three things as rapidly as possible.  1)  Define the threat.  2)  Neutralize the threat.  3)  Move to the next threat.  If in a shooting scenario an individual is brandishing a firearm, he is a threat.  Open carry doesn’t consider concealed carry as a threat, simply because he doesn’t have the knowledge of
another firearm in his presence.  Concealed carry neutralizes open carry at the moment of his choosing simply because open carry does not have the information to formulate a complete situational scenario and “define the threat.”  Concealed carry moves to the next threat. 

I will leave you with this last thought.  Deception or concealment is essential to effect surprise.  The utilization of these tenants are more likely to secure victory.  Brandishing a firearm, (open carry) tactically speaking is a mistake that renders undesirable consequences.  But don’t take my word for it, ask Sun Tsu, George Washington and Custer.

Liberal vs Conservative

In the last two days I have been called a “liberal” by two minor news outlets, which I find humorous and completely false.  It seems that my voting record of late is liberal in nature.  Interesting since these votes were all 9-0 votes, but my vote is singled out to be the liberal one.  It would seem that being a twenty year veteran, an avid hunter that has hunted in several different countries, gun owner and reloader, doesn’t count for anything any more.  They would have you believe that my eight years of service for I.C.E. in the fight against terrorism is something to be discouraged.  On the contrary, this is an effort to pigeon-hole me because I don’t agree with the ultra right wing.  Just because Attila the Hun and I aren’t bridge partners doesn’t make me a liberal.

I have stated before that I am for smaller government, fiscal responsibility, a stronger military, and I’m against anything Obama, Reed and Pelosi.  The fact that I don’t adhere to the theory that Secretary General Moon is knocking on my door trying to push Agenda 21, doesn’t make me a liberal.  Now certain elements of our community would love to paint me in that light, but it is for their own ulterior reasons that they do so.  It isn’t because it’s true or false. 

Now let’s examine this a little closer.  When I was running for office there were two options for the library.  One was $40 million and one was $30 million.  The option that I voted for was for $20 million.  The second aspect of that vote considered the Council Chambers.  If we kept the current chambers it would cost $3 million to bring it up to ADA (American Disability Act) standards.  This must be done because it is federal law, there is no choice here.  Let’s break it down further.  If little Johnny spent $40 million for a new library and another $3 million to refurbish an aging Council Chamber, that would be $43 million.  If little Joey spend $20 million for a new library and another $6 million for a new Council Chamber that would be $26 million, who would be showing the most fiscal restrain?  The vote was 9-0 and I’m the liberal, I’m also Joey, go figure. 

Now I have stood up to Open Carry Tarrant County.  This is a group that has been kicked out of Jack In The Box, Chick Fillet, and Chipotle.  They have been disavowed by Open Carry Texas, and distanced by the NRA due totally to their actions.  They have disrespected our laws, our Police Officers, and threatened several citizens to include a radio host.  My vote was to ban all weapons in Council Meetings and to not allow the distribution of literature in our busy thoroughfares.  The votes were 9-0 and 8-1 respectively, but my vote was the liberal one.  This post is simply an effort to illustrate that the press can print whatever they want and it doesn’t have to be true.  I am a Reagan Conservative, not a right wing whack job, and certainly not a liberal.

Council Meeting May 27th

Last night was an uneventful meeting in comparison.  All of the recently re-elected candidates were sworn in.  I was fortunate enough to have my lovely bride of 39 years at my side to celebrate the occasion.  It was also noted that a metal detector was positioned at the front entrance to screen people entering the Council Chamber.  This is a result of a group that wanted to bring guns to council meetings.  It proved to be a non event last night.

One item of note was the issue of red light cameras.  My personal opinion is that if a vote came up tomorrow to remove them from our city, I would support it.  But since we do currently have them, and if you are caught on video running a red light, then I believe that you should pay the fine.  I have been caught twice by these cameras and I paid the fine both times.  I didn’t think that I ran a red light but the video showed without a doubt that I did.  Therefore I paid the fines.  If you do the crime, then pay the fine.

Last night we voted 9-0 to block car registration if you have outstanding red light fines.  37,000 people have outstanding warrants for red light violations.  Although I don’t like the cameras, I cannot condone violating the law without some retribution.  That is why I voted in favor of this ordinance change.   

Memorial Day

Well today is Memorial Day, and it is always a very special day for me.  On this weekend 12 years ago I pedaled a bicycle from Austin back to Arlington, and in doing so celebrated our fallen heroes.  It is at this time each year that we salute those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, so that we may enjoy the freedoms that make this country so remarkable.  I know we have plenty of problems here in America.  But I was free yesterday morning to attend the church of my belief.  I am free to speak my mind on any subject without the threat of imprisonment.  I am free to move about this great country without restriction.  And lastly I am free to pursue life, liberty and happiness, as long as I conform to the laws of the city, state and nation.  For some of you it may not sound like much, but imagine not having just one of those freedoms, much less having all of them removed.  That is why it is so important to take the time to remember our fallen. 

Memorial Day was first celebrated after the civil war.  Brother against brother for the purpose of gaining freedom for individuals that didn't have freedom.  Sometimes it's hard for me to imagine the rag tag Continental Army and our founding fathers deciding to fight the largest force on earth for the purpose of gaining freedom.  Then of course, consider the Greatest Generation coming together to beat back tyranny in WWI and WWII.  Korea, Viet Nam, Kuwait, Desert Storm I & II and now Afghanistan were all examples of America suiting up to preserve Liberty and the Freedoms of other people.  I am very proud to have served my country and when my time gets short, I would like to be surrounded by those at our National Memorial Cemetery in Grand Prairie. 

This morning at 6:00 my Rotary Club will put up flags to commemorate Memorial Day.  Police Chief Will Johnson and I put 61 flags in front of houses this morning and will take them down this evening.  This morning at Moore Cemetery on Davis, there was a very moving service.  I had the privilege to listen to Sgt. Stephen Jackel.  He told the story of how his Abrams troop carrier was hit by an IED and how he later lost both legs.  A woman once asked him, after suffering such injuries, would you let your son or daughter join the military?  He stated, “Why wouldn’t I?  To serve your country to preserve our freedom is the ultimate duty.”  What a remarkable young hero.  But heroism can be simply standing a good watch, because they are watching over us, and protecting us.  Do you ever consider that when we are having a lunch of BBQ or burgers, that there are troops standing watch in the middle of the night on the other side of the world?  Have you considered that there might be a firefight in the Hindu Kush or that Navy SEALS might be in the Crimea as we sleep? I hope that you take some time out of your day to attend a service or event, and remembered to say thank you for their sacrifice.  God Bless America.

Burton or Shelton

Been out of the country for a few days and I guess I should sit down and write this post.  We are in the middle of a run-off election for the State Senate race of district 10.  Your choices are Konni Burton or Dr. Mark Shelton.  I am endorsing Dr. Shelton and I will post several reasons why I have come to this decision:

Konni Burton supports Open Carry Tarrant County.  That’s right, the rifle toting right wing radical gang that goes around scaring everyone in Jack-in-the-Box, Chipotle, and Chic-filet.  They have disrespected our police officers, threatened their families, made remarks concerning my family, violate First Amendment right for others and disobeyed our laws.  She is also associated with the ultra right wing Tea Party.  Is this the type of reasoning you want to send to Austin?  Mark Shelton is not in support.

Konni Burton opposed the school bond issue that passed by 72%.  Do you think that Tarrant County will get any state funds and representation for educating our children? Mark Shelton is in support of education for our children.

Konni Burton is opposed to high speed rail.  She stated this on television.  10 billion dollars of private money will build this project and it will go from Houston to Dallas, but Burton will not support it continuing to Ft. Worth with a stop in Arlington.  No support from her here either.  Mark Shelton is in support of this project.

Konni Burton is against the 50 year water plan.  That’s right, people are coming to the metroplex daily and we are going to have to plan ahead to get water to them.  There is a pipeline from East Texas lakes to Tarrant County and she will go to Austin to stop its construction.  So much for forward thinking.  Mark Shelton is in support of this project.

Konni Burton, while being against encouraging economic development, and not supporting projects like AT&T Stadium and the Ballpark at Arlington, she holds out her hand to take money from Empower Texas PAC ($55,000) and Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC ($25,000) and Texans for Education Reform PAC ($10,000).  She has no problem taking PAC money from special interest groups.  If elected what do you think they will want?  Shelton’s money has come from Alice Walton (Sam’s daughter) and the Texas State Realtors ($25,000) each.

After the looking at the platform and the overall representational thinking of the candidate, I look at the campaign.  Shelton signs are down or missing all over the County but the Burton signs are untouched.  This is a dirty, cheap political trick.  Although it might not be Burton doing it personally, I’m sure that it is her supporters, and I can’t condone that type of behavior in Arlington or in Austin.

I’m going to the polls today and voting for Dr. Mark Shelton.