Hello again,

This is a follow up to yesterday's post.  The large business community has lobbied against the use of a sales tax cap increase of 1% as a means of funding public transportation.  This cap would allow Cities  to impose up to 1% of additional sales tax to fund public transportation.   If a city would wish to do this, it would necessitate a call for an election for the additional sales tax and a vote of the citizens. 

The business community that is opposed to raising the cap are TI, 7-Eleven, J.C. Penny, EDS, Frito-Lay, and Lockheed Martin.  This is the same group that opposed the cap increase proposed in the last legislature.  Granted, with the over runs that DART has had I can see why there might be some concern on the part of these businesses concerning the stewardship of the funds.  However, we need from them some concrete and workable alternatives for this funding such that mass transport for the next 30 years can be put in place.  To quote the DMN in an editorial today, "The region's planning for a regional rail system ... began in 2003.  It included month's of public hearings. Business now has a far higher profile and pivotal role in the effort.  We look to corporate leaders to live up to their new level of responsibility."  I guess I look to them to "step up to the bar' also.  To enlarge the support for DCTA from the 3 member cities, some funding mechanism must be introduced that allows the folks from Corinth, the unincorporated parts of Denton County, and Flower Mound to have an opportunity to join with Highland Village, Denton and Lewisville in  supporting regional transportation.   It will be difficult to do this without them. 

As always,  I am looking for your input.  Please vote May 10.

Hi again folks,

As some of you know, I am the alternate representative to DCTA (Denton County Transit Authority).  Dottie Polumbo is the Highland Village representative.   Not to go into a lot of history but for all to understand what I will talk about tomorrow, a little background is necessary.  

The support for the DCTA is basically in the hands of the Federal Government plus 3 communities in Denton County.  It was formed as a result of a bill passed in the State Legislature in 2002 and the votes of folks in Denton County to ratify that formation.  Highland Village is one of those communities.  The DCTA already has in place bus service in the three cities plus a commuter bus that transports folks downtown.  It is hoped by 2010 or shortly thereafter, that a rail connection will be in place to transport folks from Highland Village as well as Denton and Lewisville to downtown Dallas and points in between. 

So far this venture into public transportation has been quite successful.   DCTA transported over 1.7 million people last year. The three cities donate, out of their sales tax dollars, 1/2 of 1% for the support of the DCTA and this support is combined with rider fares to complete the revenue stream. 

Tomorrow's blog will address a worry that I have with respect to a reluctance by some of the largest businesses in the Metroplex to support additional funding for mass transit that may impact the expansion of our rail service in the future.  Again, as always, I am looking for your input. 

May 10 is voting day.  Please vote.

Hello again,

Folks in Highland Village have had a lot of interest in the traffic issues associated with the completion of the reconstruction and lane designations at the intersection of 2499 - 407.  This intersection is the one that divides the OPUS development and the Regency development on the north side of 407 and the two Flower Mound developments on the south side of 407.  This intersection is scheduled to be redone for 600 feet in all directions with the construction that is already underway on the 2499 section going south from 407. 

So when will it be done?  Highland Village is attempting to find out the schedule of that construction from the contractor.  The contractor could do the reconstruction at the beginning or at the end of the project.  Highland Village obviously is interested in this reconstruction being done at the beginning.  If done at the beginning of the project, this construction might make as much as two and a half years difference in the completion of the redo of that intersection.  If it is done at the end of the project, it could be as much as 3 years before the intersection has been improved. 

I will let you know the outcome of the scheduling discussion with the contractor as soon as I know.  You will see it here in a week or so.

Hope all is well.  Don't forget to vote May 10.

Hi folks,

Highland Village Councilman Brian Fiorenza has come up with a great idea.  The concept is to implement a means by which citizens that use our shopping centers can also easily help others.  Tom Leppert, the Mayor of Dallas, wants to use this concept as it has been used before in Edmonton, Montreal, and Calgary to help eliminate panhandling.  So what is this approach?  To put in place Parking Meters for Charity.  This concept appears to be working elsewhere so why not here? 

The thought surrounding the concept is that the parking meters would be voluntary and no tickets would be issued if they are not fed.  However, there installation will give a shopper an easy way to help his or her fellow man.  We all end up with lose change after shopping that usually goes into a jar somewhere.  The money would be collected by the City and given to charities that serve the City of Highland Village and have applied for support.  Where would we put these meters?  How about within the OPUS development or the Kroger Center?  With the Theaters in the Regency development and the agreement that AMC has with Regency, it may be problematic there.  So   -  What do you all think?  Can we get enough feedback to see if this is something that would be good for HV?  If the feedback is strong enough, it will happen.  Please help.  

Oh, by the way don't forget to vote May 10.