By Michael Watts
NDG Special Contributor
The Dallas City Council met on Wednesday, May 25 and discussed a wide range of topics. While citizens expressed concerns regarding transgender boys being allowed into women’s bathrooms in certain facilities, the city council focused most of their attention on less controversial issues. They included the recent outbreaks of wild dogs attacking citizens, traffic lights, Dallas’ rich music heritage and renaming the Continental Pedestrian Bridge in honor of Dallas’ first African American mayor, Ronald Kirk.
Council members expressed a need for the city to do something to protect citizens from being attacked by wild dogs. Postal workers shared their concerns regarding these untamed animals they encounter frequently. Reportedly for addresses with on-going problems, delivery of their mail has been suspended.
The council was notified it would cost $163,700 to place new traffic lights around Dallas. One of the intersections selected to receive new traffic lights is Marsh Lane and Royal Lane. Additional, another community where several traffic lights were approved was in the Lake Highland area.
“The newly placed traffic lights has increased the traffic flow,” shared a local Lake Highland resident.
Kirby Warnock credited Stevie Ray Vaughan, originally from Oak Cliff, and his family as being an important part of Dallas’ rich music heritage. The contribution of Stevie and his older brother Jimmie often goes unheralded. That will change with the council’s 15-0 vote to approve the installation of original artwork honoring the brothers in Kiest Park.
Zan Holmes Jr., the pastor emeritus of St. Luke Community United Methodist Church spoke before the council exhorting them to approve the renaming of the Continental Pedestrian Bridge after Dallas’s first African American mayor Ronald Kirk. Rev. Holmes declared the idea was appropriate. However, not all council members agreed. Philip Kingston, Scott Griggs and Mark Clayton voted against the idea. Kirk’s support of a toll road in the area was cited as a factor in their opposition.
The renaming of the bridge was approved by a 11-3 vote.
