Dallas Voice

Another Cedar Springs development planned

Posted on 26 Jul 2007 at 6:03pm

By John Wright Staff Writer

Proposal would mean tearing down Douglas Park, adjacent complex

Children play in the pool at the Douglas Park apartments on Cedar Springs Road on Monday, July 23. The complex is one of two that would be torn down if a new 240-unit, $40 million multifamily development is approved by the city. (By JOHN WRIGHT/Dallas Voice)

Alejandro Flores doesn’t want to be uprooted again.

Flores, 18, moved with his family to the Douglas Park Apartments about a month ago after his old complex near Shelby and Oak Lawn avenues was torn down.

Now, there is talk of tearing down Douglas Park, as well as the adjacent apartment complex at 4242 Cedar Springs Road, to make way for a new 240-unit, $40 million multifamily development.

“It sucks,” Flores said. “It’s kind of hard to be moving all the time.”

Flores is one of hundreds of residents who likely would be forced to relocate if plans for the new complex go through.

Between the two existing complexes, there are 136 units, and it’s unlikely many of the residents could afford to live in the new complex, which would take two years to complete anyway.

At Douglas Park, for example, a one-bedroom with all bills paid is $610 a month, according to manager Irma Torres.

But one-bedrooms in the new complex likely would start at amounts comparable to other newly constructed properties in the area, which means in the vicinity of $1,000 plus electric.

Plans for the new complex are scheduled to be heard by the Plan Commission in August and the City Council in September, according to Mark McHenry, development partner for southwest region for the Atlanta-based Lane Co., which is proposing the project.

Construction would begin in the spring.

“We’re certainly moving forward and working with the neighborhood and the community to get a plan put together that everyone is comfortable with,” McHenry said. “I’d say we’re pretty close, but we still have some work to do.”

The proposed complex would be four stories with a maximum height of 48 feet, McHenry said. It would have an internal parking garage that would be hidden by the units.

In response to concerns from nearby residents, the Lane Co. agreed to allot two parking spaces per unit, while the city requirement is only 1.5.

“There will be ample parking,” he said.

The Lane Co. is under contract to purchase the property, McHenry said. If the new complex is approved, the company will have to allow existing leases to expire. “If we would buy the property tomorrow, we can’t go in there tomorrow and tell everybody to move out, and we wouldn’t want to do that,” he said.

Torres stressed that the deal has not been finalized. “We’re under contract, but we don’t know when all this is going to take place,” Torres said, adding that she is still signing leases and has only two vacancies. “We have no clue when.”

One nearby resident is looking forward to the proposed new complex.

“I’m glad to see Douglas Park go because they seem to attract clientele that don’t have neighborhood values and think it’s all right to make all the noise they want,” said P.D. Sterling, organizer for the Oak Lawn Stakeholders and Apartment Managers Crime Watch Group.

Sterling, who lives at 4205. N. Hall St., called the 4242 complex “one of the ugliest buildings ever built to my knowledge.”

Douglas Park was built in 1962. It is owned by San Francisco-based Douglas Park Partners. The property is 1.8 acres and is valued at $2,353,680, according to the Dallas Central Appraisal District.

The 4242 Cedar Springs complex was built in 1984. The property is 2.08 acres and is valued at $3,174,080. It is owned by Dallas-based Ferndale Partners.

E-mail wright@dallasvoice.com

This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition July 27, 2007

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Local Briefs

Posted on 26 Jul 2007 at 6:00pm

By Staff Reports

Leppert spent nearly $1 miilion of his own money; Oakley spent none

Tom Leppert spent nearly $1 million of his own money in his successful bid to become Dallas’ new mayor.

Campaign finance reports submitted July 16 show Leppert, a retired construction industry executive, lent himself $950,000 during his race against openly gay former City Councilman Ed Oakley.

Overall, Leppert raised and spent about $3.2 million, compared to Oakley’s roughly $1.8 million.

Oakley did not spend any of his own money on the race, according to the financial reports.

Leppert captured 58 percent of the vote to Oakley’s 42 percent in the June 16 runoff.

Oakley previously has said he believes the fundraising discrepancy, combined with his sexual orientation, cost him the contest. It marked the most expensive mayoral race in the city’s history.

Legacy of Success Foundation to hold second annual Linen Brunch

Legacy of Success Foundation will hold its second annual Linen Brunch on Aug. 12, at 11:30 a.m., at Creative Events of Dallas, 1333 B Oak Lawn Ave., in Dallas.

The host will be David Lewis.

For more information, call 214-762-3061.

Operation Kindness offers low-cost microchipping on Sunday

Operation Kindness will offer low-cost microchipping of dogs and cats Sunday, July 29, from noon to 4 p.m. at its Carrollton shelter, 3201 Earhardt Drive in Carrollton. The cost is $15 per animal and includes lifetime registration.

In the procedure, which takes less than 5 minutes, a microchip the size of a grain of rice is inserted just under the skin between the animal’s shoulder blades. The small chip is engraved with an exclusive ID number that identifies the animal when a special scanner is used. The chip also includes a toll-free phone number to call, and operators are on hand 24 hours a day to contact the pet’s owner.

No appointment is necessary, but there may be a wait depending on the number of animals in line. All dogs must be on leashes, and cats must be in carriers.

For more information, call 972-418-PAWS, or visit www.operationkindness.org.

This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition July 27, 2007

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Soundout

Posted on 26 Jul 2007 at 5:56pm

By Ben Briscoe Staff Writer

5 questions with Shana Guzick

Shana Guzick is the summer intern for AIDS Services of Dallas. In the fall, she will be a senior at Boston University. Her major is advertising. She is originally from Dallas, and jumped at the chance to come back to fill the ExxonMobil-sponsored intern position.

How did you get involved with ASD?
I had never heard of it except for a friend who worked here last summer. He told me that he loved it and was really excited about all of things he learned here. My friend said you get the oprotunity to help a lot of people, and he just raved about all of his co-workers. So after hearing his review, I knew I wanted to work here.

What have you been doing this summer?
My main project is working on getting publicity out about the No Tie Dinner. It’s our annual fundraiser. To do that, I’ve been making databases and sending out mailers and such. Plus, I’m doing the normal intern stuff too. That means lots of copies and helping them move offices.

What has been your favorite part about working for ASD?
Well, this is the only job I have ever really liked, so there are lots of favorite parts. But probably, the surprise at how advertising was able to work into the job so well. I recently made an ad for one of our upcoming events, and I didn’t think I would get to do that here. It’s nice to help out a cause and not just be selling a loaf of bread or something like that.

What will you take away from your time here?
I used to do a lot of community service, and I haven’t in a long time. I’ll take away knowledge that this is something I like to do. And you can do both nonprofit and a solid job. I’m not sure what the future holds for me, but I know now that nonprofit is definitely an option.

What do you want people to know about ASD?
It’s not so much about AIDS Services, but I want them to know more about people living with HIV and AIDS. They are normal people. When you meet them in real life, you realize it should not be as taboo as it is. That is what we try to tell people here at AIDS Services. They lead normal lives but just need some encouragement and help to get back on their feet. Many even stay with us for a short time so they can regroup and then live on their own again.

Soundout is a weekly column featuring people whose jobs and interests have an impact on the daily lives of members of the LGBT community. It features those who often go unnoticed by the press and community. If you’d like to recommend someone to cover in this column, contact editor@dallasvoice.com.

This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition July 27, 2007

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Query of the Week

Posted on 26 Jul 2007 at 5:54pm

By Lacey Brutschy

How do you feel about the death of gay icon Tammy Faye Messner?

“With that eye makeup, I’m going to have to say “‘bye’ to Tammy Faye.”

Dale Ramirez
Waiter

“Didn’t she steal money from her congregation? It’s hard for me to feel sad when someone like that dies.”

Tori McKinney
Lawyer

“I will miss her being on The Surreal Life. She made the show worth watching.”

Trevor Xiu
Student

“Tammy Faye just had a bad rap. It always seemed to me like she really wanted to change people for the better.”

Callie Rawls
Cashier

“I’m upset she died. She changed in her later years. She even hosted that TV show with the gay guy. It really showed religious tolerance.”

Stephen Magliochetti
Student

Have a suggestion for a question you’d like us to ask? E-mail it to editor@dallasvoice.com.

This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition July 27, 2007

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Pet of the Week

Posted on 26 Jul 2007 at 5:53pm

By Staff Reports

Larry

Larry is a lively little Miniature Pinscher. He’s about 1 year old and weighs 12 pounds. Larry loves to play, is good with other dogs and has a lot of energy. This happy fellow is neutered, vaccinated, microchipped and on heartworm preventive.

Dogs, cats, puppies and kittens are available for adoption from Operation Kindness, 3201 Earhart Drive (near Keller Springs Road and Midway Road), Carrollton. The no-kill shelter is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (until 8 p.m. Thursday) and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Cost to adopt is $110 for cats and kittens and $135 for dogs and puppies. The cost includes spay or neuter surgery, microchipping, vaccinations and other tests. Those 65 and above and those who adopt two pets at the same time get a $20 discount. For more information call 972-418-PAWS, or visit www.operationkindness.org.

This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition July 27, 2007

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World Briefs

Posted on 26 Jul 2007 at 5:43pm

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Letters

Posted on 26 Jul 2007 at 5:28pm

Carpenter should be ashamed

I just read OutRight by Dale Carpenter (Dallas Voice, July 20).

I found it offensive that Carpenter called Michael Moore’s work and specifically the recent documentary “Sicko” propaganda. Carpenter is from a political party that has brought propaganda to a whole new level with its right wing radio shows and the Fox News Channel.

Moore is a people’s advocate; his agenda is to help the everyday worker in America. His previous “Fahrenheit 911″ was totally accurate. Not one falsehood was ever discovered in that movie. People still lambaste him when they should be thanking him for the courage he had in documenting the greedy, war-profiteerng agenda of this awful president.

I ask you whom is Carpenter for the greedy pharmaceutical companies, the insurance companies? He is blurring the lines about the truth of the current horrible healthcare system in America. He acts like if we get universal healthcare, all scientific growth will stop, that we will get worse care than we already have.

That is simply not true.

We are the richest country on the face of the Earth at this time, and we have only the 37th-best healthcare. We now have 18,000 people a year dying because of lack or denial of healthcare.

I went to the pharmacy just the other day and saw people walking away without the medication they needed to live because of the $3,400 prices prices that are being gouged by the soulless pharmaceutical companies.

Carpenter should be ashamed of himself for attacking Michael Moore. People really do die and suffer because of the awful things people like him say.

Roy Calhoun

Oak Cliff

Gay firefighters approve of “‘Chuck & Larry’

I am president of FireFLAG/EMS, the official fraternal organization for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender members of the Fire Department of New York and the nation’s oldest and largest LGBT firefighter organization
Universal Pictures recently invited members of FireFLAG/EMS to a screening of “I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry,” which opened July 20.

While “I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry” is a broad comedy, the reality is there are gay firefighters in many departments across the country, including FDNY. The “coming out” process in the movie mirrors what I, and many of my colleagues, have gone through on the job.

Initially, we may have dealt with disbelief, disdain and even prejudice from our fellow firefighters. But significantly, as in our experiences, the film shows the process gay firefighters go through on the job as they move toward

The film shows the journey that gay firefighters go through in their careers, the brotherhood of firefighters, and ultimately their respect for one another based on actions and deeds.

Over the years, the FDNY and its members have become more supportive of gay firefighters and have made strides in improving how they are treated on the job. FireFLAG/EMS supports this progress and is actively involved in the department’s actions on gay-related issues.

“Chuck and Larry” is, of course, a comedy, and some of the humor may be considered offensive to some, but the growth of the principal characters during the course of the film is the ultimate measure of how to judge the intent and heart of the filmmakers.

Mike Vissichelli

New York City

Mangum deserves death penalty

I am outraged at the fact that the Brazoria County District Attorney, Jerri Yenne, isn’t seeking the death penalty against Terry Mangum!

This man, and I use that term loosely, was at a known gay bar with the intent of soliciting a gay man to “‘pay for him to attend welding school.’

By his own admission Mangum had planned to kill a gay man for six months before he killed Kenneth Cummings. Last time I checked this is premeditation.

Mangum went to a gay bar, had drinks with Cummings, went back to Cummings’ home, possibly had sex with Cummings’, but felt justified in murdering Cummings because “‘God “‘visited’ Mangum while he was in prison telling him that sexual perversion was “the worst sin.”

Mangum then cleaned up the murder scene, disposed of the body and went shopping with Cummings’ credit cards. My thoughts are that he should have considered turning the knife on himself.

But I guess he must think God is OK with solicitation, lies, manipulation, theft and murder.

There are some people who may not agree with the lifestyle that Cummings led, but he had a family and friends that I am sure will miss him deeply.

I can’t help but wonder if Mangum had picked up a woman in a bar, went home with her, murdered her, disposed of her body and went shopping with her credit cards, how this case would be viewed differently.

Mangum would be seen as a monster, and society would be in an uproar demanding that he be punished to the fullest extent of the law. Frankly I don’t think taxpayer dollars should be spent to feed him, clothe him and provide legal council. He has confessed to this heinous crime with no remorse and should be put in the express lane for the death penalty!

Missi Smith

Dallas

Vice officers targeting gays

I want to salute Dallas Voice for the recent article “Cruisers beware: Vice officers are watching” (July 13). Thanks for finally lifting a corner of the veil of secrecy under which vice officers operate. Without deceit and deception these officers would be without a job.

They can lie and they do; but you can’t. They are professional queer-baiters. While they may not legally entrap you, they certainly instigate the very thing they are trying to prevent.

With many vice officers catching queers is a sport, a game; it is a lot of fun. If their sole goal was to prevent cruising, they could park a police car or one of the mobile police vans in plain view of the cruise area.

But they would rather sneak around to catch as many queers as possible.

The head of these queer-baiting officers stated that, “This is not about gay or nongay.” But you do not see female vice officers going to places where straights go to cruise or seek sexual partners.

If they did, using the same instigating techniques, there would be a lot more heterosexuals charged with sexual misdemeanors.

But, this is the difference between them and us; what they do is normal and they are the majority. They have always made the rules under which the gay subculture can operate.

Besides, queers have to be punished.

I went to the Dallas Police Department’s Web site and reviewed the photograph of Shannon Bailey. It appears that this picture was taken at night. It seems to be distorted by a bright light.

Circumstances can make a big difference. This makes me think that vice were out at night with their search lights trying to catch queers in the bushes.

Who are the bigger perverts?

I would encourage you to lift the veil of secrecy even further by making the public aware of what is currently happening from time to time.

I applaud Roger Herrera for coming forward with his insight and advice. His best advice was, “You’ve got to let them touch you first.”

I would add: Don’t do anything first. Information such as this can only empower people and help prevent “public humiliation and loss of employment or stature.”

Hopefully you would be able to report the circumstances of others that have been victims of vice officers. Maybe you could talk to other lawyers and/or their clients.

I am sure that there are people who are absolutely destroyed by these types of misdemeanors; and for what: because they groped a queer bait vice officer who was hoping to be groped so he could catch a queer.

Who are the real perverts here?

As for myself, I prefer to be queer rather than queer bait. It is more honest.

Hugo Perez

Dallas

We welcome letters from readers. Shorter letters are more likely to be printed, as are those that address only a single topic. On some weeks we receive more letters than we can print. In that case, we print a representative sample. Letters are subject to editing for length and clarity, but we attempt to maintain the writer’s substance and tone. Include your home address and a daytime phone number for verification. Send letters to the senior editor, preferably by e-mail (editor@dallasvoice.com). Letters also may be faxed (214-969-7271) or mailed (Dallas Voice, 4145 Travis St., Third Floor, Dallas, TX 72504).

This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition July 27, 2007

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