Dallas District 9 Councilwoman Paula Blackmon sat down with East Dallas Greater Good last week to talk about the year ahead in East Dallas.
Watch the full interview here:
East Dallas Wins
Before discussing what the new year will bring, Councilwoman Paula Blackmon spent a moment reflecting on 2020. Although the coronavirus played the biggest part and its impact was felt in every part of our city, it didn’t stop the East Dallas community from rallying together (virtually) to see some big wins.
Councilwoman Blackmon’s proudest efforts include:
- Completion of the White Rock Lake Dredging Feasibility Study that began in November 2019
- Defeation of the proposed zoning for concrete and asphalt batch plants at Zacha Junction
- Creation of the Old Fish Hatchery at White Rock Lake Task Force to restore a nature area under an ONCOR transmission line right-of-way within the Old Fish Hatchery
- Implementation of new neighborhood traffic safety measures, including new signage and pavement striping to reduce speeds in a dangerous section of Easton Road
- And a collaboration with DPD on neighborhood engagement and communications to support the police and improve public safety
Challenges in the New Year
Although we’ve turned a corner in the fight against the coronavirus, 2021 brings its own new challenges. The city and county have had numerous communications issues during the roll out of the COVID-19 vaccine distribution that has left underserved communities unaware that the vaccine is available to them or unable to get it. Dallas has a new police chief who must begin addressing concerning violent crime rates, public safety response times and street racing that has plagued the city since the start of the pandemic. And he will need to do so while working to rebuild the community’s trust in law enforcement. And our city leaders – like others nationwide – have heard the renewed calls for racial and social justice and must now begin to create policies that bring about lasting reforms.
“The thread that weaves them all together is our budget,” Blackmon said. Although optimistic about the community’s outlook for 2021, Blackmon was quick to point out that we face a $60 million budget shortfall in the next fiscal year. Blackmon, whose background is in economics, said, “It relies on opening businesses and getting sales tax up,” but that she is not in favor of increasing home property taxes. “I’m not inclined to say let’s tax more. I’m inclined to say let’s cut spending where we can.”
Many of the solutions needed will require investments in infrastructure, recruiting and training for police, and housing and job training programs for the community, Blackmon noted. “I do think that this council is apt and willing to do what is right for our city, because it’s time. That’s just the bottom line – it’s time.”
Ultimately, the city will need to do more with less, Blackmon said. “We’re going to have to make some really hard decisions, and I just really hope that our council is willing to work together to make those decisions.”
Looking Forward
This year, Dallas will begin a review of its citywide land use plan, Forward Dallas. The city will begin soliciting community input starting with a neighborhood summit in February.
“The discussion now is the intersection of transportation and land use,” said Blackmon, adding that the development of key thoroughfares in East Dallas must be done in a smart, thoughtful way.
Land use planning will include discussions on the development of public transportation routes, bike trails and pedestrian paths that support the emissions and waste reduction goals of the city’s newly adopted Comprehensive Environmental and Climate Action Plan (CECAP). The CECAP, will be an important part of the discussion, Blackmon said. “We can’t afford to clean up everything all the time – we’re going to have to be aware of what we’re doing.”
Blackmon has also asked the city’s Urban Design staff to review the zoning of Planned Development districts (PDs) to see if current zoning still fits, an issue brought to the forefront by the concrete batch plant zoning application. Like many areas, the industrial zoning designation at Zacha Junction was approved in the 1950’s, but the area has since become largely surrounded by residential neighborhoods.
Engaging East Dallas
Blackmon, who has lived in East Dallas for over 25 years and raised her family here, says “It’s just a great place to reside,” adding that the community feels like a small town.
She also discussed her appreciation for residents who engage her office, and her obligation to respond. “If they’ve taken the time to reach out to me, then I’ll take the time to respond.”
Her policy on welcoming engagement also applies to differing opinions, saying “Understanding perspectives – not agreeing – but understanding brings about a more robust conversation, which should bring about a better policy.”
“It’s refreshing to see people awake and alive and listening,” the councilwoman said.
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