Letter From the Editor

By Felix Alvarado

April 23, 2014

One hundred years after the arrival of the first Mexicans to Fort Worth we witness the election of the first Latino to the state legislature, Ramon Romero who will represent District 90. We also have Mary Louise Garcia, County Clerk the first Hispanic elected county wide.  Stephanie Davenport, is the first Latina elected to the city council in Haltom City.  Hector F. Garcia was elected Mayor of Watauga.  He joins Mayor Oscar Trevino of North Richland Hills who has been mayor since 2002 and been reelected several times since.  Armando Velazquez is President of Lake Worth ISD. Juan Rangel will also be remembered as the first Latino President of the FWISD.  There are two Latino district judges, several city council and school board members and one constable.  It took a hundred years but we have arrived. 

As we look at Dallas we see the effect of big money on local elections. If big money is an indicator Home Rule is coming to Dallas.  To vote for the change five percent (5%) of the registered voters have to sign a petition.   That five percent is enough to control the outcome.

Big money is already in FWISD.  Last school board election Big Money was influential in the election of three new board members two of which were replaced because of their vocal opposition to board policies.  This power grab by big money has to have an intimidating effect on other board members that now fear that big money will fund an opponent next election.  As we saw incumbency is no match against big money even when the incumbent was elected by a large margin.  Electing three more moneyed board members eliminates the rigmarole of obtaining signatures as per Sec. 12.014 (2) of the TEC.

Sec. 12.014.  APPOINTMENT OF CHARTER COMMISSION. 

(2)  at least two-thirds of the total membership of the board adopt a resolution ordering that a charter commission be appointed.

We are dismayed the FWISD school board has not extended Mr. Walter Dansby’s contract.  It appears like some board members have personal issues against Mr. Dansby.  Apparently, personal issues trumps the needs of the children.  Failure to reappoint him dilutes his power and effectiveness as the leader of the FWISD.  He is not a lame duck he is a wounded duck.

On the political front Wendy Davis is the Democrat nominee for governor.  She is in a very difficult position mainly because of her filibuster of the Abortion Clinic bill.  Fernando Florez an ardent Davis supporter gives us reasons why we should support Wendy Davis.  As we used to say in the cotton fields, she has a hard row to hoe.