During the past few months I have had the opportunity to learn more about city government, and our fair City in the Park, than most citizens. In the past I was quite content to live my life free of any municipal worries, content to escape to the sanctuary of my little home and enjoy the freedoms and liberties that living in America provides. Then, the harassment began, and my life changed.
Because I was appalled at what I found, I became involved, and the more I became involved, the more appalled I was. So, as my readers know, I ran for City Council. I came in third, but with a very decent 20% of the votes, so I know that there are others like me out there. Now there’s a runoff election between the incumbent, David Koch and a relative newcomer, Brenda Brodrick.
I have had the opportunity to spend time with both of the candidates. David is charming and professional. Brenda is personable and very likable. They are both intelligent and hard-working. Personally, I like both of them.
But you know what ? …… this election is not about them – it’s about ME. Which one will look out for ME? Which one will listen to ME? Which one has MY best interests at heart – and the cojones to fight for ME?
I know – it’s hard to tell by just listening to them. They both have great ideas. But they are both campaigning. So how do I sort out which candidate I want to represent ME? Which one would best represent ME? Granted, this is but one council position in 5, but one voice is better than none.
Here’s your chance to be informed: Branch Forum is holding a debate tomorrow night, May 25th, at the Farmers Branch Library. The questions for the debate will come from the people: YOU and ME. The people who care enough about their own welfare, and the future of our community, to get out and vote.
Farmers Branch City Council Candidate Forum
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Manske Library Large meeting Room
13613 Webb Chapel Drive
Farmers Branch, TX 75234
Doors Open: 6:30 PM Program Begins: 7:00 PM
David Koch and Brenda Brodrick, candidates for City Council Place 4, will respond to questions from Branch Forum, the organizer of the event, and questions submitted by the audience. Questions may be submitted in advance to info@BranchForum.com.
It is not too late to submit questions to Branch Forum. It is not too late to have your voice heard. When YOU go to the polls in June YOU need to have all the information you can so that YOU can make a good decision based on what is good for YOU …. and ME.
While you’re on the website, look around. Branch Forum is a relatively new organization, but they care about YOU, and ME, and all the citizens of Farmers Branch.
And Vote. Vote as if Your Future Depended On It. It only takes a few minutes, and the results of that vote will last a long, long time.
6 comments
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May 26, 2010 at 9:10 am
Beverly Burrow
If the city does not have code enforcement and enforce those laws, property values will decline. I own a home here and I don’t want trashy homes in my neighborhood. I don’t like looking at eyesores. If you cannot maintain your home properly, then you should not be a home owner. I have battled colon cancer, have a herniated disc and four buldging discs in my back (I am classified as disabled), and on a very limited budget, but I manage to keep my yard and home in pristine condition. Also, I heard Brenda Broderick has had 20 code violations on her 17 houses, if so I don’t see that she is setting a good example for other citizens.
On the subject of illegals, I have been harmed by them, I live and work in Farmers Branch and 10 days ago a Mexican national backed into my pristine car and did major damage to it. He had no insurance and because the accident happened in a parking lot on private property, nothing happened to him. I got the shaft, because now I have to pay a $250. deductible and a portion of my car rental cost. Also, where I work an illegal stole tools and materials, the police were called, he was identified as an illegal on probation for grand theft auto. Absolutely nothing was done, he was not prosecuted and walked off.Illegals harm our community, they are already criminals when they arrive without going through the proper channels to become citizens, then they continue to steal and rape our government by applying for an receiving all kinds of free social services even I can’t get. A legal Mexican I worked with lived with an illegal man (she called him her “husband”), they have two children, she gets housing subsidies, food stamps, wic for her baby, free medical & dental for her children, free school breakfast and lunch for her daughter and on an on. That’s what the Mexicans do here, my mail carrier in Farmers Branch confirmed it because of all the different names on mail delivered to their homes.They have an attitude of “entitlement” but in my opinion they are not entitled. When I got married I had to go to the social security office to get my card updated with my new name and the entire office was filled with Mexicans and their small children, what does that tell you? Go take a visit and you will see for yourself.
Last night at the candidate’s forum at the end the moderator told the audience that the candidates would now go out and talk individually to those present, but Brenda announced (rather dramatically) that instead she had to go be interview by the Mexican television station Telemundo, I found that interesting.
Also, she put people on her campaign literature who she said endorsed her, but they did not. To me that shows dishonesty. I will not vote for her.
May 27, 2010 at 5:52 pm
mutterkat
Thank you for your observations. I’ll have to admit that when I read your post I was really excited that there was someone in Farmers Branch whose home is pristine enough to survive Code Enforcement. Alas, Beverly – I hate to be the one to break this to you, but your home would not pass scrutiny of our new, ProActive, aggressive Code Enforcement. For instance:
Your back fence: there are at least ten pickets that are degraded – looks like they are rotting from the bottom up. This is around a pool area so you need to repair or replace them. That’s the code.
You have a pile of bricks thrown on the end of your driveway – clearly visible from the street. There are also random bricks under the bushes in your front yard. Clear Violations.
Your Pool maintenance equipment is stored on the patio table in your back yard. That’s a no-no.
There are dead bushes in your back yard as well as the stump from a tree that had been removed. The stump needs to be at ground level or below, and the dead bushes must be removed. Don’t forget to remove them all the way below ground level.
The crape myrtle in your yard must be trimmed to at least 7 feet above the sidewalk.
Your driveway, as well as your sidewalk, is cracked.
There are areas of missing grass and ground cover in your yard.
There is grass growing through your fence in the back.
What is the deal with the 2X4 sticking onto your fence by your pool pump? That is unsightly, and the exposed wiring coming from the pump is a safety hazard.
There is an awning or something like that on the ground on your patio. This must be stored in a building.
There are several empty flower pots in your back yard. This is not allowed.
As you have expressed strong support for aggressive code enforcement, I know you won’t mind that I already complained to the city. And, since you made the point that you do not want any neighbors who violate The Code, I inspected their yards also, and turned them in. I know you would agree with this, since their violations are affecting your property values.
January 5, 2011 at 10:27 pm
chris
Thanks mutterkat!!!! I believe i will now join you in complaining about the code violations in the neighborhoods of the ellitists in the city that get a free pass. Im sure nothing will happen to them, but mabee it will make me feel better and give our 5 full time code enforcement officers something to do besides attempting to harrass lower income families. I have had complaints ORIGINATE from city council members, I have had complaints about the interior of my house when I have had NO COMPANY!!!! My wife spent the night in Jail because Code enforcement did not close a case properly and a warrent was issued for my wifes arrest. This was over a car being in my driveway under a tarp. I will assist any canidate that runs on an anti LAND GRAB platform!!!! This isnt about anything other than increasing Tax Revenue. FB is against private property rights every bit as much as the butt heads in Washington. My son and daughter just got back from fighting for our freedom, and our own city government is spitting in thier face!!!!
June 4, 2010 at 2:01 pm
Stump
I think the USPS should be made aware that Beverly’s mail carrier is speaking out of turn. Criminal violation, maybe?
June 4, 2010 at 6:25 pm
mutterkat
That’s tempting – but I guess we should limit the victims of Farmers Branch. When Code Enforcement cites me for something I don’t point out my neighbors’ sins because I am blessed with very nice neighbors and I don’t want them to become targets just because the city doesn’t want me around.
Beverly makes a lot of accusations that don’t make sense anyway. For instance, my daughter and son-in-law often have packages mailed to my address because it’s easier. Does that mean they live here? Nope.
I often write made-up names when I fill in forms for anything that’s liable to generate junk mail. That way I can tell exactly who is selling their mailing lists, as well as immediately know that the letter or whatever is junk generated from that list.
It might not hurt for the USPS to remind their carriers that they are supposed to keep personal information private. I wonder if he or she tells Beverly about the different magazines, letters, advertisements, etc. that her neighbors get. Of course, if he or she is talking about them, he or she is also talking about her.
January 5, 2011 at 10:15 pm
chris
I have lived in FB for 40 years and I have never seen Code enforcement this bad!! FB is selectively enforcing the code in order to HARRASS. I had a code enforcement officer looking in my windows!!!!! If you live on the golf course, expired inspection stickers, chiped paint, fences, boats, trailers and other codes are not enforced. If you live on the other side of town you have ZERO private property rights. We have telephone poles in the middle of the side walk next to Josey lane. It is UNSAFE for children to walk to school, and this is a clear code violation that matters. However enforcing it doesnt HARRASS lower income families. I do not want criminal aliens in FB. But this is a smoke screen for what is really going on. This is an oldfashioned LANDGRAB!!!!!