Hi all,

You may have noticed a white panel truck cruising our streets taking pictures of our houses.  Good old Google strikes Highland Village.  Yes, we are going to have the front of every one of our houses visible on Google.  I called the City and Google has a permit to photograph as long as it is from a public street and there is nothing that we can do to stop them.  California tried and lost a suit to block them from taking photographs.  Google, you may remember, is the same group that got thrown off a military base for doing the same thing.  However; since we are not a military base, there is nothing that the City can do to prevent them from taking a picture of our homes. Sooo, when you see them smile, you are on Candid Camera for Google. 

Welcome your questions or comments at any time and don't forget to vote on May 10.

Hi folks,

Yesterday the EPA administrator announced a tightening of the air pollution Ozone requirements.  This lowered amount of Ozone allowed means that the 4 county area of the Metroplex is over the new limit.  I think it is interesting to view the graph on page 4A that shows where the different areas of the Dallas part of the Metroplex fall with respect to Ozone levels.  Over the last 3 years or so, there has been a decrease in Ozone levels in all four areas around Dallas.  Note that in 2009, these levels are expected to go up again. 

What is the impact of this trend upon Highland Village?  Because Denton, Collin, and Dallas counties are all currently at an elevated level, there is a potential for pressure to be leveled upon industries in those counties to lower pollution.  This pressure could cause an effect upon the influx of new industries into the area.  This lowered influx of industry will lower tax revenues to both the cities and the counties.  

Why is this happening to us?  For the most part our pollution in the Dallas Metroplex is derived from auto pollution due to increased use of the automobile to commute and population increase around Dallas that causes increased needs for power.  We have no local regulatory control with respect to automobile emissions, industrial emissions, or electrical power generation emissions.  The regulation of all these pollution sources is the responsibility of the Federal Government.   I think that it is interesting to note the trends.  The only part of the Dallas Metroplex where a decrease in 2009 is expected is South Dallas.

Why?  Our local pollution North of Dallas is driven by prevailing southerly winds.  South Dallas benefits from these winds because it is south of the urban center and is bordered on the south by rural areas. 

How can we help our situation?  When you go into Dallas, don't drive your car and use less electricity around your home.  Hard to do presently but hopefully with the gearing up of the rail portion of the Denton County Transportation Authority and some decreased use of fossil fuel generated electrical power by the City and us, we will have the ability to exercise some impact.  Does this speak to solar and wind generation.  Hmmm.

Always appreciate your comments and don't forget to vote May 10.

Hi Folks,

 We lost this one.  Yes we are getting Majestic Liquor.  Last minute negotiations between the current internet liquor vendor on the site and the landlord have convinced HI HO to leave.  Our comments were heard and read into the record and the Council did what they had to do.  Without the internet liquor store, there was no need for a variance.  The Council was basically in a position that they had to approve.  One refreshing part of the process was Brian Fiorenza sticking up for us with his negative vote and tongue lashing of the developer. At least the building will look nice.

Look forward to your comments at any time and please vote May 10.  We now have 3 candidates in the race.  Two Costas that are unrelated and me.  One Costa is 18 years old and a student and the other Costa is our current Mayor.  I will definitely need your help to win this one.  Thanks.