Media

June 2, 2009: Full Letter to the Dallas Morning News

Robert Mong, Jr., Editor
The Dallas Morning News
508 Young Street
Dallas, TX 75202

Dear Mr. Mong:

It has been my practice to ignore baseless attacks against me in the media. I am far too busy addressing the needs of District 7 to be sidetracked by those who don’t bother to gather the facts before expressing their opinion.

However, many of my supporters contacted me because they were deeply offended and angered by Steve Blow’s column in last Sunday’s paper. I am disappointed Mr. Blow didn’t bother to interview me before writing his column. It is time to set the record straight regarding my trip to Belize City. Here are the facts:

  1. I was INVITED by Charles O’Neal, Vice President of Business & Economic Development for the Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce to accompany Chamber and city staff representatives on a trade mission to Belize City.
  2. The entire trip was put together by the Black Chamber of Commerce., with no input from me. This was THE CHAMBER’S TRIP, not MINE.
  3. The purpose of the Belize Trade Mission was as follows:
    • To explore trade opportunities between the government of Belize and Belize companies with Dallas-based businesses.
    • To promote educational opportunities for Belizean students in Dallas rather than Houston or New York where most Belizean students go for higher education.
    • To make contact with government officials to promote trade between Dallas and Belize.

While in Belize, we visited with the Mayor of Belize City, the Prime Minister of Belize, the Minister of Trade, officials from BELTRAIDE, the government trade representative, and the Minister of Banking and Insurance. We received a presentation on the 5-year development plan for Tourism, a presentation from the Belize Tourism Board on doing business in Belize, and a presentation from Atlantic Bank on establishing offshore accounts. We also met with private businessmen interested in partnering with Dallas and Dallas businesses.

After visiting Belize City, I had a better understanding of why the Black Chamber chose this city for a trade mission. Known as Belize City today, it was formerly the capital of British Honduras. Founded in the mid-17th century by British lumber harvesters, Belize City was once home to thousands of African slaves brought in by the British. With an estimated population of 70,800 people, it is similar in size and diversity to District 7.

Although the city has faced much adversity in its history, both natural and manmade (including a recent earthquake), today Belize City is a thriving commercial hub, with a government focused on improving infrastructure and balancing dynamic economic growth while still preserving its rich cultural heritage.

The Belize City trip marked my FIRST and ONLY FOREIGN TRIP since becoming a member of the city council. I thank the Dallas Black Chamber for inviting me and it was a legitimate and productive business trip.

I hope this puts to rest this so-called “city paid vacation junket”. It is important to set the record straight now before the end of this election cycle. With over two decades of committed service to this community, I refuse to allow this falsely reported trip to be my political narrative.

Thank you.

Sincerely,
Carolyn R. Davis, Dallas City Council District 7

Cc: James M. Moroney, Jr., Publisher
Gromer Jeffers, Jr., Reporter/Political Columnist
Steve Blow, Columnist

April 20, 2009: Full Letter to the Dallas Morning News

Dear Friends and Supporters and Other Interested Parties,

Below is the full text of the letter I sent to the Dallas Morning News in response to their criticism of me in their endorsement of one of my opponents in the upcoming City Council election. They said that they would print my letter if it was 200 words or less. That is not anywhere near enough space to share all the good things that have happened in the past two years. I have now sent them a greatly condensed version which I hope you see in the paper.

Straight Talk from Carolyn R. Davis

Re: DMN’s District 7 Endorsement

It amazes me that the Dallas Morning News wants to cloud my representation for City Council District 7 and suggest that I have “squandered my opportunity” during my tenure as a council member. Let’s look at the facts. Since being elected I have been instrumental with and supported:

  • Carpenter’s Point (Frazier Berean Senior Housing on Mingo) – Groundbreaking May 5;
  • Spring Avenue Revitalization and Public Improvement project;
  • Bexar Street Phases I and II Revitalization and Public Improvements;
  • The Bottom Long Term Range Plan, a revitalization plan initiative developed by the Golden Gate Missionary Baptist Church and their community partners;
  • Closure of questionable motel near St Philips school;
  • New replacement housing in the Forest Heights area;
  • The Baylor Healthcare Juanita Craft Diabetes Center;
  • Heroes Basketball Center, the redevelopment of the Maria Morgan YWCA facility on Bonnie View Rd;
  • Land Use and Economic Development Study for Buckner Terrace neighborhoods;
  • Development of the Children’s Aquarium at Fair Park;
  • Neighborhood preservation and protective zoning;
  • Enhancement of art funding to reflect Dallas’ diversity;
  • Environmental and educational programs for the Great Trinity Forest;
  • Job Training programs for our young people.

I have:

  • Helped obtain a $1.5 million private grant benefiting the Martin Luther King Jr. Family Clinic and St. Philips School and Community Center;
  • Hosted District 7’s first Crime Summit and seen an overall crime reduction of 36% for all of District 7 that not only includes South Dallas, but Far East Dallas and Oak Cliff;
  • Successfully steered the White Rock Hills Library through city approval - Groundbreaking is scheduled for later this year;
  • Partnered with District 9 Councilman Kadane to establish the new Community Prosecutor and part-time Code Inspector for Far East Dallas;
  • Continued to work for a City Recreation Center in far East Dallas, a catalyst for new private/public development;
  • Hosted informational workshops for District 7 Senior Citizens;
  • Initiated preliminary discussions for the beautification of Martin Luther King Boulevard;
  • Attended numerous neighborhood/homeowner’s association and crime watches meetings to hear first-hand what problems matter the most to individual areas of District 7;
  • Worked to respond daily to citizen needs and inquiries.

I hardly think the above short list constitutes someone who has “squandered her opportunity”. From the responses that I am getting from District 7 constituents through phone polling, they want me to continue the work I am doing.

Finally, the Office Budget account the DMN editorial described as “discretionary funds.” is my individual office holder account. It is the same budgeted amount that all council members receive for annual office expenses. Much of this money is spent on mailings/postage to reach out to District 7 inviting them to town hall meetings and other city forums. Another large chunk pays for handouts distributed at these meetings. When I said that I regretted not having a larger office budget, I was expressing my wish to have more resources to reach more people.

I look forward to the May election and letting the voters decide who is best qualified to serve District 7 as councilmember.

Sincerely,

Carolyn R. Davis
Dallas City Council Member District 7
1500 Marilla St., Dallas, TX 75201 - Office
2611 Burger Ave., Dallas, TX 75215 - Home
214-670-4689 - Office