Letters: Scott Griggs, Zoning Density Issue in Dallas, Nasher Prize Month, Climate Change, DPS

This is what voters should askRe: "What Dallas Voters Should Ask — Why is there one woman who progressives won't believe?" Sunday Editorials.There is a vast discrepancy between your editorial about Scott Griggs and the current Dallas Observer, which reports that what happened was more likely administrative and prosecutorial overreach than a prosecutable crime. You don't mention the issue that excited Griggs was a potentially unlawful backdating of a meeting announcement regarding the Trinity Toll Road (which Griggs opposed) or that Bilierae Johnson, the allegedly threatened city employee, apparently dismissed the entire event as inconsequential. Instead you assume that "She was likely worried pursuing it would hurt her career." That's a slant that reveals your bias. Finally, why would a three-year-old temper tantrum (if that's what it was) justify a half-page editorial when Griggs is now a candidate for mayor? If you oppose his candidacy, do it on current issues. The Trinity Toll Road is a dead issue (and may it rest in peace).Jonathan Kutner, Dallas/UptownAn unforgivable smearI've been aware of the not-so-subtle attacks on Scott Griggs by The Dallas Morning News lately, but this editorial's smear of Griggs is truly unforgivable. We all say things we regret in a fit of temper, and Griggs apologized to Bilierae Johnson. Did she think he would really break her fingers? No, because she did not care to pursue the issue — she knew he only spoke in anger. Now it seems The Morning News' editorial board wants to enter the fray at this late date. Who, besides you, is still smarting from this long-ago event? Is it worth it to cast shame on a respected and admired candidate for mayor of Dallas? Yes, the voters will have a say.Eulaine Hall, Northwest DallasWhy not consider this plan?Re: "14 acres lie at heart of council race — Gates, Miller occupy opposite corners in zoning density fight," Sunday news story.This article did not mention the 10-6-4 plan that was offered to Jennifer Gates and Margot Murphy as a compromise with more than double the heights and density of the Area Plan. The compromise plan was 10 stories at the South - Northwest Highway and 6 and 4 stories at the North. Also, why do the owners of Preston Place have two mortgages? Don't lenders require adequate insurance to repay their loan and if the owner does not provide insurance, doesn't the lender procure insurance for the owners? Most people who have fires rebuild and this could have happened with Preston Place. They had offers years ago. They could have rebuilt their 60 units, negotiated for the remaining 66 units available in PD-15 and in the two years passed since the fire, could soon be back in a home now. Instead, they have tried to force zoning on the PD-15 neighborhood to increase the the height to 20-24 stories and thus receive a windfall profit for their land and move away, leaving neighbors with chaos. It's not that Laura Miller and the PD-15 neighbors are against development, but rather want responsible development that will not leave us with density and traffic that changes the quality of our quiet neighborhood.Barbara Dewberry, DallasSome good news about the churchRe: " 'Texans just get it' — A fast-growing order of nuns chose the Hill Country as a base to do big things for God," March 3 Points.With almost daily revelation after revelation on the sexual abuse in the Catholic church, at last something good positive. The column by Elizabeth Souder on the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist in the Texas Hill Country was a breath of fresh air.Pete A. Villarreal, Northwest DallasCoal is the past, y'allAutomobiles? Are you crazy? Think of all the blacksmiths who will be put out of work. Telephones? Insane! Those poor Western Union employees will starve to death. So why is the administration so hellbent on keeping us in the coal age when clean, renewable energy can be the next big thing? Stop arguing about whether climate change is man-made and let's start heading into the future.Paul Sokal, Dallas/Preston HollowGood service costs moneyRe: "Abbott slams DPS for voter roll fiasco — He blames its longtime chief for 'nonresponsive approach' in both areas," March 5 Metro & Business story.The bottom line is that customer service costs money and Texas' government seems to pride itself on not spending money on things that help regular people. If more oil barons had to wait in these lines, the situation would be corrected. I recently went to the Department of Motor Vehicles office in Carrollton for a title transfer. I got up early and arrived at 8:20 a.m. I was done and headed home by 9:30. I have done this in three states and Texas is not the worst. The government should present this issue to the people in a referendum and ask them how big a tax increase they are willing to pay to have better customer service in government offices.Kenneth Mathias, Grand Prairie  Continue reading...