1983-1985 (Monitor).pdf

MONITOR moniAi opinions ev IMVOMP cmztns- MARK T. HOLBROOK, PUBLISHER P.O. BOX 165621

IRVING, TEXAS 75061

Dear Mike:

. ,,,-jiahlp for vour use! And, you are one of a f e f select I Z ^ l T u l ^ J l e Solicited to use MONITOR.

A* an involved citizen of our community, you are often not Afforded the opportunity to express your concern, or opinion on issues of the d'ay. While the reasons for this may be many, your professional responsibilities and position in our community probably prevent you from doing so.

With this in mind, four involved citizens of our community decided to form MONITOR.

ThP nurnose of MONITOR is to provide a vehicle to publish editorial opinions regarding events of the day m a manner that would not detract from our profession, or position in the community. There are no dues, membership cost, or meetings associated with utilizing the services of MONITOR.

If vou would like to express your feelings, or concerns on an IT write them down and mail to the address reflected above.

M e m b e r ou do not have to sign your name MONITOR will Kememoer, y o r i a l and submit it to the Journal for p u K ar-ion using the pseudonym Mark T. Holbrook. Other papers may be considered for publication later.

MONITOR is not connected, or associated with the Journal Your opinions should be in good taste and not contain any libelous statements. MONITOR does not accept any responsibility for your editorials not being published.

Fnclosed is our "charter" letter to the Journal and the first MONITOR report submitted for publication.

Take advantage of this unique opportunity to let Irving hear from you through MONITOR.

Sincerely,

Mark T. Holbrook

MONITOR IVITOKI*L opinions tYinvoLveo aniens

MARK T. HOLBROOK, PUBLISH** P.O. BOX 165621 IRVING, TEXAS 75061

EDITOR THE JOURNAL 308 NORTHGATE IRVING, TEXAS DEAR SIR:

PLAZA 75062

THE JOURNAL HAS BECOME A RECOGNIZED PUBLICATION IN IRVING. WHILE THE REASONS FOR THIS MAY BE AS VARIED AS WITH BEAUTY TM THE EYES OF THE BEHOLDER, LET ME OFFER A READERS POINT OF VTFW AS TO WHY. THE JOURNAL IS MUCH LIKE A MOVIE STARING DORIS J?? AND PRODUCED BY DADDY WARBUCKS. **xi^ uuKib DAY

TRANSLATED, THE JOURNAL IS HONEST, SLICK, INFORMATIVE PURFTY LOCAL ( NO STALE, DAY OLD WIRE SERVICE REPORTS HERE )' AND MORF IMPORTANTLY IS DISTRIBUTED AND MARKETED TO THE MORE AFFLUFN? AREA OF IRVING. IT IS ALSO GOODY, GOODY. ArrLUENT

IF ALL OF THIS IS TRUE AND A MAJOR BENEFIT IS BEING PROVIDED TO YOUR SUBSCRIBERS, THEN IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE JOURNAL? COULD IT BE THAT YOUR READERS ARE CONSISTENTLY BEING FFD A BLAND DIET OF JOURNALISTIC PABLUM LACKING ANY EDITORIAL PUNCH? BELIEVING THIS TO BE TRUE, MONITOR WAS FORMED ON OCTOBER 14 1983, BY FOUR INVOLVED CITIZENS ( AS OPPOSED TO CONCERNED CITIZENS, SINCE ANYONE CAN BE CONCERNED ABOUT SOMETHING? Nfftf PURPOSE IS TO OFFER YOUR PAPER PERIODIC EDITORIAL OPINIONS. WE HOPE YOU FIND THAT OUR EDITORIAL OPINIONS WILL STIMUIATF DISCUSSION, INFORM IRVING CITIZENS AND PROVOKE QUESTIONS SELDOM ADDRESSED BY OTHER PUBLICATIONS. PERHAPS, SPACE WILIRF b E L D 0 M AVAILABLE FOR MONITOR'S EDITORIAL WRITINGS IN FUTURE EDITIONS OF THE JOURNAL. ^ JiUHlONS

IF NOTHING ELSE, WE MAY BE ABLE TO PREVENT THE SURGEON GENFRAT FROM BECOMING CONCERNED ABOUT YOUR PUBLICATION READINf SIXTEEN PAGES OF ROSE COLORED NEWSPRINT CAN BE'HARMFUL TO Ynirp SUBSCRIBERS EYES. r U L 1U Y0UR

SINCERELY,

MARK T. HOLBROOK

LETTERS

Dear Sir: The answer is: Nytol,

Sleep-Ease, and the USD Election.

The question is: Name two drugs and a school dis-trict election that will put you to sleep long before the first signs of voter apathy appear.

In a year-and-a-half, an era in the Irving Indepen-dent School District will

-become history. Are you sleeping through it? If so, be advised that John Townley will be stepping down as the "Super" of the District to devote more time to leisure activities, and the contem-plation of what history should record as his legacy to the USD.

Before you doze off again, it is possible that the future of the USD can be awakened! In April of 1984, the possibility exists for two new members, or two old members to be elec-ted to the Board of Trus-tees. Or, it could be one of each.

Awake now? Quick, fight off those slumbering feel-ings of votor apathy.

If you believe the quality of education that our children should receive must be superior to that found in other districts sur-

rounding Irving, then you should wake up to the fact that the time is now to become involved in electing trustees that will:

Select a new "Super" who will recognize the role the board must play in for-mulating future district policy;

Come to grips with the issues of declining enroll-, ment, space utilization, ad-ministrative overstaffing, and faculty chores not related to the instructional

process; Make those curricu-

lum decisions that strength-en educational programs instead of adding new bells and whistles to old sacred cows;

Look at the present tax burden and resolve to reduce the cost per student for services delivered. Yawn, the Nytol must be working. Or, is this just another USD election in the making?

Mark Holbrook Do you have an opinion you want to share with other

readers? The Journal earnestly solicits your editorials. Please address them to:

The Journal 308 Northgate Plaza Irving, Texas 75062 .

MONITOR "tDITOKIAL OPiniOnS 9Y MVOIVCO CITIZfHS MARK T. HOLBROOK, PUBLISHER

P.O. BOX 165621 IRVING, TEXAS 75061

THE ANSWER IS : NYTOL, MORPHINE, AND THE USD ELECTION. THE QUESTION IS : NAME TWO DRUGS AND A SCHOOL DISTRICT ELECTION THAT WILL PUT YOU TO SLEEP LONG BEFORE THE FIRST SIGNS OF VOTER APATHY APPEAR.

IN A YEAR AND A HALF, AN ERA IN THE IRVING INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT WILL BECOME HISTORY. ARE YOU SLEEPING THROUGH IT? IF SO, BE ADVISED THAT JOHN TOWNLEY WILL BE STEPPING DOWN AS THE "SUPER" OF THE DISTRICT TO DEVOTE HIS TIME TO LEISURE ACTIVITIES AND THE CONTEMPLATION OF WHAT HISTORY SHOULD RECORD AS HIS LEGACY TO THE USD. BEFORE YOU DOZE OFF AGAIN, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE FUTURE OF THE USD CAN BE AWAKENED! TN APRTL OF 1984, THE POSSIBILITY EXIST FOR TWO NEW MEMBERS, OR TWO OLD MEMBERS TO BE ELECTED TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES. OR, IT COULD BE ONE OF EACH.

AWAKE NOW? APATHY.

QUICK, FIGHT OFF THOSE SLUMBERING FEELINGS OF VOTER

IF YOU BELIEVE THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION THAT OUR CHILDREN SHOULD RECEIVE MUST BE SUPERIOR TO THAT FOUND IN OTHER DISTRICTS SURROUNDING IRVING, THEN YOU SHOULD WAKE UP TO THE FACT THAT THE TIME IS NOW TO BECOME INVOLVED IN ELECTING TRUSTEES THAT WILL:.

* SELECT A NEW "SUPER" WHO WILL RECOGNIZE THE ROLE THE BOARD MUST PLAY IN FORMULATING FUTURE DISTRICT POLICY; * COME TO GRIPS WITH THE ISSUES OF DECLINING ENROLLMENT, SPACE UTILIZATION, ADMINISTRATIVE OVERSTAFFING, AND FACULTY CHORES NOT RELATED TO THE INSTRUCTIONAL PROCESS; * MAKE THOSE CURRICULUM DECISIONS THAT STRENGTHEN EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS INSTEAD OF ADDING NEW BELLS AND WHISTLES TO OLD SACRED COWS;

* LOOK AT THE PRESENT TAX BURDEN AND RESOLVE TO REDUCE THE COST PER STUDENT FOR SERVICES DELIVERED;

YAWN, THE NYTOL MUST BE WORKING. OR, IS THIS JUST ANOTHER USD ELECTION IN THE MAKING?

MARK T. HOLBROOK NOVEMBER 18, 1983 VOL.1 NO.l

MONITOR coiToniAt opinions tYinvoivto cmzens' MARK T. HOLBROOK, PUBLISHER


EDITOR THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS COMMUNICATIONS CENTER DALLAS, TEXAS 75265

DEAR SIR: SOME HOW, IT SEEMS RATHER ABSURD THAT WE SHOULD THINK FOREIGN POWERS WOULD TAKE US SERIOUSLY WHEN DISCUSSING ARMS LIMITATIONS AND REDUCTIONS WITH THE CURRENT STATE OF CIVIL UNREST BEING EXPERIENCED IN OUR RETAIL STORES ACROSS THE NATION.

AFTER THIS CHRISTMAS FRENZY OF ARMED AND OPEN CONFLICT PITTING AMERICANS AGAINST EACH OTHER OVER CABBAGE PATCH DOLLS SUBSIDES, THEN IT MAY BE POSSIBLE FOR THE REST OF THE WORLD TO SEE THAT WE ARE AGAIN A UNITED NATION.

WHERE ARE THE BUREAUCRATIC CABBAGE HEADS WHEN OUR COUNTRY REALLY NEEDS THEM TO INVOKE THE WAR POWERS ACT, ESTABLISH MARTIAL LAW AND EXPORT QUOTAS?

MARK T. HOLBROOK

DECEMBER 6, 1983

LETTERS Dear Sirs:

As New Year's resolutions are made to be broken; fearless] prognostications are serious reminders that history may be cyclical. Will the following occur in 1984?

Tired of being viewed as second class citizens not con-tributing to the local economy, a coalition of apartment' dwellers will form. This group will attempt to halt the construc-tion of all high rise office complexes.

Because of political pressures and news releases, the Irv-ing City Council will appoint a member of the new apartment dwellers coalition to the Planning & Zoning Commission.

An announcement will be made that the prestigeous Byron Nelson Golf Classic will relocate to the new $8 million dollar City owned landfill/golf course.

" A charter amendment election will be held to enhance the powers of the Irving City Council. The Council will now be authorized to stop the rain! This will eliminate flooding in south' Irving by the Delaware Creek

Being the year of special interest groups, DAMM will emerge. This group will be a coalition of Drunks Against Mad Mothers. . * With his headquarters and stadium in Irving the new ow-ner of the Dallas Cowboys will rename the team the Irving Pokes.

Metropolitan newspapers will suddenly realize when des-cribing business relocations that "NW Dallas County", "far WestDallas County", and"Las Colinas" are locations within the city limits of Irving

1984 promises to be a good year for Irving Big Brother will be proud.

Mark Holbrook

EDITORIALS BY READERS POLICY 1. Ifyou want yourname signedfollowing the editorial,

please indicate and include your name address and telephone number for confirmation inquiries.

2. To be considered, the editorial must be suitable material on a subject of general interest

3. The Journal has the right to edit, condense, or reject any material submitted.

- -Do you have an opinion you want to share with other readers? The Journal earnestly solicits your editorials. Please address them to:

The Journal 308 Northgate Plaza Irving, Texas 75062

I

MONITOR twoKiAL opinions tYinvoivto cmztns MARK T. HOLBROOK, PUBLISHER


December 17, 1983

As New Year's resolutions are made to be broken, fearless prognostications are serious reminders that history may be cyclical. Will the following occur in 1984?

* Tired of being viewed as second class citizens not contributing to the local economy, a coalition of apartment dwellers will form. This group will attempt to halt the construction of all high rise office complexes .

* Because of political pressures and news releases, the Irving City Council will appoint a member of the new apartment dwellers coalition to the Planning & Zoning Commission.

* An announcement will be made that the prestigeous Byron Nelson Golf Classic will relocate to the new $8 million dollar City owned landfill/golf course.

* A charter ammendment election will be held that enhances the powers of the Irving City Council. The Council will now be authorized to stop the rain! This will eliminate flooding in south Irving by the Delaware Creek.

* Being the year of special interest groups, DAMM will emerge. This group will be a coalition of Drunks Against Mad Mothers.

* With their headquarters and stadium in Irving, the new owner of the Dallas Cowboys will rename the team the Irving Pokes.

* Metropolitan newspapers will suddenly realize when describing business relocations that "NW Dallas County", "far West Dallas County", and "Las Colinas" are locations within the city limits of Irving.

1984 promises to be be proud .

a good year for Irving. Big Brother will

SECTION I THE JOURNAL MARCH 12, 1984

LETTERS

Dear Sirs: M Without ever having dined

with the luiug Oily Council, K L Mencken may have had them in mind when he said that "there are some politi-cians who, if their constitu-ents were cannibals, would promise them missionaries for dinner."

Instead of missionaries, perhaps the Irving Council can serve their constituents a course of Group W Cable this year.

Granted, cable service could be considered by most as a luxury item and not a necessity of life. But, as with all non-essential items pur-

chased, the individual ex-pects, even demands, that the items meet the expected stan-dards as advertised, or promised.

The City of Irving current-ly has a valid contract with Group W. Cable. The original terms and conditions of this agreement should be enforced. It does not seem ap-propriate for the present council to attempt to lessen the original commitments as agreed to by Group W and as approved by a prior council

Group W promised the Ci-ty of Irving the moon three years ago and has only been able to deliver a particle of

green cheese to date. As council members

review the performance of Group W and prepare to report to their constituents, it is hoped that the council will strongly consider what was promised to the city, what paid subscribers expect in terms of service and quality, and then invoke whatever measures appropriate to en-sure the delivery of a quality product with responsible service.

The wood has been gathered, the fire has been started, and the natives are hungry. Menu, please!

Mark Holbrook

MONITOR eononiAL opinions Y invoivto cmzens MARK T. HOLBROOK, PUBLISHER


Dear S i r s : Without ever having dined with the Irving City Council, H. L. Mencken may have had them in mind when he said that " there are some politicians who, if their constituents were cannibals, would promise them missionaries for dinner."

Instead of missionaries, perhaps the Irving Council can serve their constituents a course of Group W Cable this year.

Granted, cable service could be considered by most as a luxury item and not a necessity of life. But, as with all non-essential items purchased, the individual expects, even demands, that the items meet the expected standards as advertised, or promised.

The City of Irving currently has a valid contract with Group W Cable. The original terms and conditions of this agreement should be enforced. It does not seem appropriate for the present council to attempt to lessen the original commitments as agreed to by Group W and as approved by a prior council.

Group W promised the City of Irving the moon three years ago and has only been able to deliver a particle of green cheese todate.

As council members review the performance of Group W and prepare to report back to their constituents, it is hoped that the council will strongly consider what was promised to the city, what paid subscribers expect in terms of service and quality and then invoke whatever measures appropriate to ensure the delivery of a quality product with responsible service.

The wood has been gathered, the fire has been started and the natives are hungry. Menu, please!

Mark Holbrook February 4, 1984

MONITOR COITOKIAI opinions tYinvoiveo ciruens- MARK T. HOLBROOK, PUBLISHER


Dear S ir :

SCENE: An average home in Irving, Texas sometime in 1986.

"Hurry up and clear the table Betty. The Friday night executions are about to start," Herb shouted from the den.

"Be right there," Betty answered as she removed the last dishes from the dinner table and placed them in the dishwasher. She recalled the evening that she and Herb had watched their first televised execution. The coverage started at midnight with a documentary recap of the covicted killer's past and concluded with statements from the victim's family about how viewers had just witnessed justice being performed.

One week after that first televised execution, Betty could still remember the somber details of the execution room, the sterile hospital appearance of the attendants preparing the prisioner and the benign contortions exhibited by the convicted killer during his final seconds of life.

"Did you draw good numbers for tonight's executions?" Betty asked entering the den and sitting in her favorite chair next to Herb. "We have 138 seconds in the first event and numbers 2 and 7 for the ten man exacta finale," Herb said as he placed his empty wine glass on the coffee table. "If we hit the exacta tonight," Herb said, "we'll take a trip to Hawaii like we did with last year's winnings."

FADE IN: Warning, the following program depicts graphic violence and may not be suitable for young children. Parental guidance is suggested. The Television Guild has rated this program AE - Adult Entertainment.

FADE OUT: Herb and Betty are shown holding hands tightly in anticipation as the television screen reflects the prision physician inserting an intravenous needle into a convicted killer's arm. The gentle click of Herb's stop watch is the only sound audible in the room.

Mark Holbrook March 14, 1984

LETTERS Dear Sir

Really, is there anything wrong with low voter turn out in lo-cal elections?

One must assume that a majority of individuals who do go to the polls and vote on Saturday, April 7, 1984, are involved citizens interested in the betterment of the community. An in-volved citizen is an active participant in the affairs of the city and should not be confused with a concerned citizen

Looking at the upcoming City Council election, voters will consider candidates in only one contested race. To avoid all the political rhetoric and hollow discussions, scan the non-issue items being presented for your consideration:

Financial Disclosure: This reads like the little kids game of show me yours and Fll show you mine. No real meat here! Utility Cost If a city's only available option is to deny a rate increase request and plead that the Public Utility Commission become attentative to the pocketbooks of citizens, then what's to discuss? No real meat here! High Density Housing: The economy and the market place has addressed this issue through construction saturation and lower interest rates. No real meat here! Park Land Acquisition- According to the candidates, there has been considerable positive activity to increase the city's inventory of open spaces. No real meat here!

So, with no clear-cut issues to differentiate the two can-didates, who should warrant your support in this anticipated lower voter turn out election?

Your vote should be cast for the individual who has the pro-fessional background, the financial understanding and the pro-ven ability to make sound, competent decisions on complex city issues much the same as if they were running your busi-ness. While this sounds simple enough, you must remember to vote.

After voting Saturday, a Wendy's double-meat hamburger sure sounds good.

Mark Holbrook

MONITOR tDITORIAL OPiniOnS 9Y IMVOLVtD CITUtHS MARK T. HOLBROOK, PUBLISHER


Dear Sir

Really, is there anything wrong with low voter turn out in local elections?

One must assume that a majority of individuals who do go to the polls and vote on Saturday, April 7, 1984, are involved citizens interested in the betterment of the community. An involved citizen is an active participant in the affairs of the city and should not be confused with a concerned citizen.

Looking at the upcoming City Council election, voters will consider candidates in only one contested race. To avoid all the political rhetoric and hollow discussions, scan the non-issue items being presented for your consideration:

Financial Disclosure: This reads like the little kids game of show me yours and I'll show you mine. No real meat here !

Utility Cost: If a city's only available option is to deny a rate increase request and plead that the Public Utility Commission become attentative to the pocketbooks of citizens, then what's to discuss? No real meat here!

High Density Housing: The economy and the market place has addressed this issue through construction saturation and lower interest rates. No real meat here !

Park Land Acquisition: According to the candidates, there has been considerable positive activity to increase the city's inventory of open spaces. No real meat here!

So, with no clear-cut issues to differentiate the two candidates, who should warrant your support in this anticipated low voter turn out election?

Your vote should be cast for the individual who has the professional background, the financial understanding and the proven ability to make sound, compentent decisions on complex city issues much the same as if they were running your business. While this sounds simple enough, you must remember to vote.

After voting Saturday, a Wendy's double-meat hamburger sure sounds good to me.

MONITOR 'tvnoniAi opinions WY INVOLVED eimens' MARK T. HOLBROOK, PUBLISHER


Dear S i r :

Notwithstanding the fact that the voters always deserve what they elect, the City of Irving did not deserve the shot in the foot just delivered by the recent Council election!

It will take considerable time, but Irving voters may survive this latest wound that will be more noticeable than other minor scratches inflicted by previous wet/dry elections. However, there is a medication available that is guaranteed to speed the healing process of this self-inflicted wound.

As you analyze the election results and consider the long range implications, think of the areas represented by the City Council should the City be divided into four quadrants using Highway 183 and MacArthur Blvd. as the grid. Are you surprised when you find that the representatives serve from the following areas of the city: NW=3, SW=3 , SE = 2, NE = 1 ? If the numbers do not provide a hint, can you say the words "we need single-member districts in Irving?"

While the pro's and con's of single-member districts in Irving could be debated unceasingly, the fact remains that the City is of size, population and maturity to not only support, but to move foward on this proposition.

Responding to opponents of single-member districts, let's consider just two facts: the growth and progress of Dallas has not stopped with single-member districts; and Duncanville just had the largest voter turn-out in history for their first single-member district election.

With single-member districts, Council decisions would be made with serious considerations on the impact of the City's future more so than according to the whim and fancy of block voting by single-issue, block-area representatives.

Can anyone recommend a better physician than single-member districts to mend the gapping hole in the foot of the City of Irving? Oh God, when does the pain subside?

Mark Holbrook April 7, 1984

2 T I M Journal April 1,1985

City Collapsing! Police Forming Task Force To Deal With Business Writers Din an unprecedented move, the Irving City Council called a special executive meeting today.

Emerging from the closed meet-ing one source to the discussions indicated that the Council was pre-paring to take 'drastic" actions based on the results of a $250,000 consultant's report which reflected that the City was on the verge of total schism

The unnamed source further con-firmed that the Chief of Police was being directed to form a task force responsbile for relocating to Irving and placing under house arrest the major factions responsible for the collapse of the City's identity.

Indicated as targets for possible arrest are the business section writers of the major Dallas newspapers.

As described to this reporter, the issue is a continued reference by the non-Irving media that major cor-porate relocations to Irving are being made to the mythical city of Lost Colinas. The Council was told that the schism would develop even greater as Valley Ranch. Towne Lake. Freeport andother"develop ers" in Irving reach the same level of exposure and prominence presently experienced by Lost Colinas.

Citing one of the latest releases by the Dallas press that "Kimberly-Clark Relocates to Lost Colinas," the IrvingCiry Council engaged the con-sulting firm of Petty. Mean and Trifl-ing to improve and expand the use of referencing the City of Irving in all corporate relocation news reports by non-Irving papers.

The consulting firms recommen-dations also include that repeat of-fenders failing to identify Irving properly will be required to drive daily the parameters of the city's boundaries, study color-coded aer-ial maps of the ctty to identify the major "developers" within the city, meet daily with the Irving Chamber of Commerce, Irving Convention and Visitors Bureau, and members of a newly created task force called

IRVFACT (Irving Residents Very Factual About Corporate Trans-fers).

The informed source indicated that should these measures fail to bring the factual recognition to Irving that is deserved from the non-Irving media, then "the Irving City Council will meet next April 1 to change the name of the city." One name repor-tedly under consideration is Mervin.

SPECIAL REPORT DATELINE: Irving, Texas

April 1, 1985 5}: %>\; ^ ?(. > sj: $; # :{: > % >'fi # # % # % # # # # sjesfe

In an unprecedented move, the Irving City Council called a special executive meeting today.

Emerging from the closed meeting, one source close to the discussions indicated that the Council was preparing to take "drastic" actions based on the results of a $250,000 consultants report which reflected that the City was on the verge of a total schism.

The unnamed source further confirmed that the Chief of Police was being directed to form a task force responsible for relocating to Irving and placing under house arrest the major factions responsible for the collapse of the City's identity.

Indicated as targets for possible arrest are the business section writers of the major Dallas newspapers.

As described to this reporter, the issue is a continued reference by the non-Irving media that major corporate relocations to Irving are being made to the mythical "city" of Las Colinas. The Council was told that the schism would develop even greater as the Valley Ranch, Woodbine, Freeport and other "developers" in Irving reach the same level of exposure and prominence presently experienced by Las Colinas.

Citing one of the latest releases by the Dallas press that "Kimberly-Clark Relocates to Las Colinas," the Irving City Council engaged the consulting firm of Petty, Mean and Trifling to improve and expand the use of referencing the City of Irving in all corporate relocation news reports by non-Irving papers.

The consulting firms recommendations also include that repeat offenders failing to identify Irving properly will be required to drive daily the parameters of the City's boundaries, study color coded aerial maps of the City to identify the major "developers" within the City, meet daily with the Irving Chamber of Commerce, Irving Convention and Visitors Bureau and members of a newly created taskforce called IRVFACT ( Irving Residents Very Factual About Corporate Transfers ).

The informed source indicated that should these measures fail to bring the factual recognition to Irving that is deserved from the non-Irving media, then "the Irving City Council will meet next April 1st to change the name of the city." One name reported as being considered is Mervin.

Editor The Journal 308 Northgate Plaza Irving, Texas

Dear Sir:

Congratulations race fans!

If you recently wagered on the City Council Futura and followed "Magic" Mark's sure picks recorded in this fine tabloid, then step up to the front of the pay window and collect your winnings. Crossing the wire with an 83% average, this beats the margin gained when playing the dull stock market.

Now that the dust has settled on the track, what can we anticipate from the two new horses added to the City stable? Discounting the pre-race rhetoric, dont't be surprised when "Hurry Harry"(White) and "Looks Like Leonard"(Burton) not only compliment the group, but add a new dimension of probing and thought provoking questions which deal with city finances, street and drainage priorities, and overall efficiencies necessary to run the affairs of the city.

Let's hope so, since local mailboxes have been stuffed this week with property evaluation notices. Can you spell "increased appraisals?"

Another significant factor which became evident as the final horse crossed the runoff wire was that track wagering was extremely scant on the "Mr Ed" clones entered by the Northwest Stables. This too was good, since track fans noticed that all of these entries bolted out of the starting gate with blinders on. Perhaps the horses would have faired better if different trainers had been used. After all, the horse should be allowed to see all of the track and not just one narrow section.

In all, it was a very good racing season. Be sure to start making plans now for next years run for the roses.

Mark Holbrook 4.30.85

Letter To The Editor Dear Sin

Congratulations on once again proving how smart the Chinese really are. Your picture featuring the " Pot Hole of the Week" does more good than the

1,000 words we hear from the politicians when citizens complain about these grotto nuisances. It seems that within a day or two after your picture appears, a city crew is busy repairing the asphalt acne that plagues our city.

There must be some scientific correlation between your pictures and die repairs being accomplished! If so, one wonders what would happen if your fine paper published pictures of * Current homeowner appraisal notices which reflect significant per centage increases this year. This picture could cause a reduction in the actual taxes we anticipate paying to the city in 1985! * The lack of facilities and maintenance in some of the city's parks. This pic-hire could slow the fervor to acquire more park land until that presently owned is repaired, spruced-up and maintained in an acceptable manner * The "square dancing" of automobiles at the intersecton of O'Connor and . Las Colinas Blvd. Would this picture cause a needed traffic light to be installed post haste?

Who knows, if pictures can have this effect on the running of the city, then maybe what we really need is nine elected photographers! After all, film is cheaper than the increase in salary the council is asking the voters to pre-sently consider.

Keep up the good work Road Warrior, the battle has just begun'

Mark Holbrook

Editor The Journal 308 Northgate Plaza Irving, Texas 75062

Dear Sir:

Congratulations on once again proving how smart the Chinese really are.

Your picture featuring the "Pot Hole of the Week" does more good than the 1,000 words we hear from the politicans when citizens complain about these grotto nuisances. It seems that within a day or two after your picture appears, a city crew is busy repairing the asphalt acne that plagues our city.

There must be some scientific correlation between your pictures and the repairs being accompolished! If so, one wonders what would happen if your fine paper published pictures of:

* Current homeowner appraisal notices which reflect significant per centage increases this year. This picture could cause a reduction in the actual taxes we anticipate paying to the city in 1985!

* The lack of facilities and maintenance in some of the city's parks. This picture could slow the fervor to acquire more park land until that presently owned is repaired, spruced-up and maintained in an acceptable manner.

* The "square dancing" of automobiles at the intersection of O'Connor and Las Colinas Blvd. Would this picture cause a needed traffic light to be installed post haste?

Who knows, if pictures can have this effect on the running of the city, then maybe what we really need is nine elected photographers! After all, film is cheaper than the increase in salary the council is asking the voters to presently consider.

Keep up the good work Road Warrior, the battle has just begun!


Dear Editor I f you listen closely, you can hear the city bureaucracy chuckling itself to sleep every evening

With the first city hearing on the city budget completed, it appears that the only items of interest in this city of 145,000 are: buy more park land and quit killing stray animals in the pound with a decompression chamber. With this level of citizen input the politicians should dust off their rubber "budget approved" stamps and cancel the remaining public hearings.

And. if these two issues are the only important budget considerations this year, then a creative and cost effective solution is required to address the problems.

The city should buy 100 acres of prime North Irving real estate, place all of the unwanted animals in impounded city vehicles and push the cars in front of gravel trucks on Highway 114. Then, bury the wreckage in the new 100 acre "car fill," wait eight years, spend another $9 million dollars and build a second city owned golf course.

The merits of this proposal are that the city has a new 100 acre golf course, no unwanted animals and fewer gravel trucks on Highway 114.

All park supporters, humane society workers and golfers should unite to,push this program forward. Otherwise, special interest groups (Lethe silent majority) who want mundane items like lower taxes, better streets and reduced governmental spending will wake up and make their concerns known to the elected officials before the budget is approved and adopted.

As dawn approaches, the city bureaucracy stretches, chuckles and prepares to continue playing the game of "hide and spend"

Mark Holbrook


Dear Sir:

If you listen closely, you can hear the city bureaucracy chuckling itself to sleep each evening.

With the first public hearing on the city budget completed, it appears that the only items of interest in this city of 145,000 are: buy more park land and quit killing stray animals in the pound with a decompression chamber. With this level of citizen input, the politicans should dust off their rubber "budget approved" stamps and cancel the remaining public hearings.

And, if these two issues are the only important budget considerations this year, then a creative and cost effective solution is required to address the problems.

The city should buy 100 acres of prime North Irving real estate, place all of the unwanted animals in impounded city vehicles and push the cars in front of gravel trucks on Highway 114. Then, bury the wreckage in the new 100 acre "car fill," wait eight years, spend another $9 million dollars and build a second city owned golf course.

The merits of this proposal are that the city has a new 100 acre golf course, no unwanted animals and fewer gravel trucks on Highway 114.

All park supporters, humane society workers and golfers should unite to push this program forward. Otherwise, special interest groups (ie. the silent majority) who want mundane items like lower taxes, better streets and reduced governmental spending will wake-up and make .their concerns known to the elected officials before the budget is approved and adopted.

As dawn approaches, the city bureaucracy stretches, chuckles again and prepares to continue playing the game of "hide and spend."



Dear Sir:

Do you feel the new aura of safety and prosperity which has surrounded the City for the past few weeks?

You know your City Council has made Irving a much safer place when:

* There will not be a Mexican restaurant serving nachos and beer south of Hwy 183 across the divided road from a junior high school, because the kids may actually see someone going into the establishment. One must assume that the kids can not see, or read the very big restaurant and bar sign just across the highway.

* Our true blue policemen spend their entire shift hiding behind grocery carts to nab unsuspecting citizens wheeling into parking spaces reserved for the handicapped. Forget those high burglary, rape and robbery statistics you have been reading about lately, because we are talking serious crime with this problem.

* You can once again drive in "old" Irving with the family and have no fear that your children will see a pregnant woman. It seems that the request by a church supported group to house unwed mothers-to-be in a home that is presently zoned and could house at least eight Shiet Muslems, three goats, and five junk cars was not Christian enough for the Heritage district.

* By approving alcoholic beverage service for only the new "ultra-sky" boxes and not the Tailgate Club at Texas Stadium, -you can be sure that the richJxunk that runs into your '55 Chevy is solvent enough to tote the note for a new BMW when the whiplash forms are completed.

Now, consider how prosperous you have become. The City's tax base has increased, your home appraisal has increased and the property tax rate is going to increase. To keep up with all this prosperity, the Council is asking for a 300% salary increase.

Somehow, there seems to be an attitude of treating us regular

citizens like the kid of an overbearing parent who tells you that the only way you can have a dog is to go stare at the sun for ten minutes and then you get one free. But then, does anyone really care?

Mark Hoolbrook 7.31.85

The Hip Pocket offers diners the coolness of an umbrella Lunehers along tht and the view of the antibellum architecture, watch the gondolas

Business is booming at the newly-opened outdoor patio at the Catarina <

Let's Have Lunch... Whether it be a casual, two-hour rendezvous at a cozy cafe, a spirited closing a A merit-it n tuna on white in a bra wn paper bag, lunches mo ve to the out- of doors dun respite from the office and a chance to get in touch with some of the lovely eat in}

Dear Sin

Do you feel the new aura of safety and prosperity which has surrounded the city for the past few weeks?

You know your City Council has made Irving a much safer place where

There will not be a Mexican restaurant serving nachos and beer south of Highway 183 across the divided road from a junior high school, because the kids may actually see someone going into the establishment. One must assume that the kids cannot see, or read the very bigrestaurant and bar sign just across the highway.

Our true blue policemen spend their entire shift hidingbehind grocery carts to nab unsuspecting citizens wheeling into parking spaces reserved for the handicapped. Forget those high burglary, rape, and robbery statis-tics you have been reading about lately, because we are talking serious crime with this problem,

You can once again drive in"old" Irving with the family and have no fear that your children will see a pregnant woman It seems that the request by a church supported group to house unwed mothers-to-be in a home that is presently zoned and could house at least eight Shiet Muslems, three goats, and five junk cars was not Christian enough for the Heritage district

By approving alcohol beverage service for only the new "ultra-sky" boxes and not the Tailgate Club at Texas Stadium, you can be sure that the rich drunk that runs into your '55 Chevy is solvent enough to tote the note for a new BMW when the whiplash forms are completed.

Now, consider how prosperous you have become. The city's tax base has increased, your home appraisal has increased, and the property tax rate is going to increase. To keep up with all this prosperity, the Council is asking for a 300% salary increase.

Somehow, there seems to be an attitide of treating us regular citizens like the kid of an overbearing parent who tells you that the only way you can have a dog is to go stare at the sun for ten minutes and then you get one free. But then, does anyone really care?

Mark Hollbrook

r To The Editor Dear Sin D How do you spell RELIEF?

If you are an Irving Cowboy fan and have an extra $200,000, then RELIEF is sitting in a new air conditioned sky box at Texas Stadium to view all the home games.

But, if a few extra dollars seems to be your only problem, then be prepared to endure a season that makes you feel as if you were a part of a Mr. Wizard science project You remember the one. Mr. Wizard places a lighted match in a glass jar and then a boiled egg on the jar top. Suddenly, the egg is mysteriously sucked into the bottle.

For the layman, the scientfic principle here is: all of the oxygen is used up and a vacuum is created

Now, if we can just find the very large egg the Council laid when approving this Mr. Wizard design concept of closing off the entire upper air opening for the new sky boxes, then the half time show will amaze the scientific world when this great egg is sucked through the open roof of Texas Stadium And none of the egg will even get on the Council's face. Isn't science fun, kids!

However, if you would rather talk with a member of the Irving Council about being used as a live lobster boil experiment during Cowboy games, then stop by their new air conditioned sky box, have a cool one and vent a little heat After all, they are elected to serve your best interest and someone has to stay cool in situations like this, right?

Mark Holbrook

308 Northgate Plaza Irving, Texas 75062

Dear Sir

How do you spell RELIEF ?

If you are an Irving Cowboy fan and have an extra $200,000, then RELIEF is sitting in a new air conditioned sky box at Texas Stadium to view all the home games.

But, if a few extra dollars seems to be your only problem, then be prepared to endure a season that makes you feel as if you were part of a Mr. Wizard science project. You remember the one. Mr. Wizard places a lighted match in the glass jar and then a boiled egg on the jar top. Suddenly, the egg is mysteriously sucked into the bottle.

For the layman, the scientific principle here is: the extreme heat created a vacuum when all of the oxygen was used up.

Now, if we can just find the very large egg the Council laid when approving this Mr. Wizard design concept of closing off the entire upper air opening for the new sky boxes, then the half time show will amaze the scientific world when this giant egg is sucked through the open roof of Texas Stadium. And, none of the egg will even get on the Council's face. Isn't science fun kids!

However, if you would rather talk with a member of the Irving Council about being used as a live lobster boil experiment during Cowboy games, then stop by their new air conditioned sky box, have a cool one and vent a little heat. After all, they are elected to serve your best interest and someone has to stay cool in situations like this, right.

But then, does anyone really care?


Letter To The Editor Dear Sin

Shame, shame! While reporting all the major business developments and relocations, The Journal has yet to include the largest and most significant business in the city: LCs Car Spray and Dip Wash.

Daily, 25,000 to 30,000 North living workers experience the thrill and cheapness of passing through LCs Car Spray and Dip Wash.

Located on most major roadways in the northern section of the city, LCs will soon be named to the Guinness Book of World Records as the " largest free" car wash in the history of modern streets.

If you have not tried LCs, then the following hints will enhance your car care experience:

* Service is available only during the very peak business travel times of morning noon, and afternoon Late evening service is available when least expected

* Follow the car in front of you very close to maximize the spray effect over the entire car body. Otherwise, the car finishes the wash cycle with only spotted door panels.

* Drive through one of the many dip areas to clean the under carriage of the vehicle. The best ones are located on Northgate Drive.

* Pass through one of the "old faithful" system sprinklers to complete the final wash phase.

It should be noted, however, that LCs currendy does not have spray wax in their system, or a series of vacuum stations installed. It is hoped that these expanded services will be available this winter. If so, LCs may also include free Slip'n'Slide ice tickets with every winter spray and dip.

Mark Holbrook

The Journal Attn: Editor 308 Northgate Plaza Irving, Texas 75062

Dear Sir:

Shame, shame! While reporting all of the major business developments and relocations, the Journal has yet to include the largest and most significant business in the City: LC's Car Spray and Dip Wash.

Daily, 25,000 to 30,000 North Irving workers experience the thrill and cheapness of passing through LC's Car Spray and Dip Wash.

Located on most major roadways in the northern section of the City, LC's will soon be named to the Guiness Book of World Records as the "largest free" car wash in the history of modern streets.

If you have not tried LC's, then the following hints will enhance your car care experience:

* Service is available only during the very peak business travel times of morning, noon and afternoon. Late evening service is available when least expected.

* Follow the car in front of you very close to maximize the spray effect over the entire car body. Otherwise, the car finishes the wash cycle with only spotted door panels.

* Drive through one of the many dip areas to clean the under carriage of the vehicle. The best ones are located on Northgate Drive.

* Pass through one of the "old faithful" system sprinklers to complete the final wash phase.

It should be noted, however, that LC's currently does not have spray wax in their system, or a series of vacuum stations installed. It is hoped that these expanded services will be available this winter. If so, LC's may also include free Slip'n'Slide ice tickets with every winter spray and dip.


Dear Sin Break out the dental floss and set a pan of Jiffy Pop on the stove. In an effort to go heads up against the three major television networks, the

city-owned and cable subscriber paid television station ICTN, is preparing a blockbuster season of programming Will this array of new programs cap-ture the hearts and eyes of Irving viewers? Tune in cable Channel 18 as the drama and excitement unfolds ore

Mondo Condor. A group of Third World terrorists seizes an entire apart- -ment complex and allows living conditions to deteriorate below the mini-mum housing ordinance standards. The excitement builds to a climax as Health Department Commandos stage an early morning raid and cite the terrorists for allowing weeds to grow too tall.

Irving MUD Vice. Streetwise, Cutter BuTs dressed undercover Engin-eers infiltrate an organized ring of local dirt movers who are responsible for giving MUD a dirty name. The dust finally settles when the ancient real estate adage of "they just ain't making any more land" is covered over by a bulldozer.

The Pufftnan Family Show. Scheduled as a mid-season replacement for the vacuous City Council meetings, enjoy theweekly antics of the Puffmans. The corpulent, prodigal family has more money than time. In the season pre-miere. Ward admonishes Wally for spending only $3.8 million on a drain-age ditch playground that will require another several million dollars to improve Dollars and sense at its funniest

As Joe Bob Briggs might say, "What we are talking about here is: MUD Fu, bulldozer drag races, zero breasts, heavy denial plaque, memo Fu. public sexless seduction, more consultants Fu, no protest scenes, legal Fu. citizens with low grade amnesia, and a body count of 1,100 bureaucrats. Two stars; check it out"

Mark Holbrook

The Journal Attn: Editor 308 Northgate Plaza Irving, Texas 75062

Dear Sir:

Break out the dental floss and set a pan of Jiffy pop on the stove.

In an effort to go heads up against the three major television networks, the City-owned and cable subscriber paid TV station, ICTN, is preparing a blockbuster season of programming. Will this array of new programs capture the hearts and eyes of Irving viewers? Tune in cable channel 18 as the drama and excitement unfolds on:

Mondo Condo : A group of Third World terrorist seize an entire apartment complex and allows living conditions to deteriorate below the minimum housing ordinance standards. The excitement builds to a climax as Health Department Commandos stage an early morning raid and cite the terrorists for allowing weeds to grow too tall.

Irving MUD Vice : Streetwise, Cutter Bill's dressed undercover Engineers infiltrate an organized ring of local dirt movers who are responsible for giving MUD a dirty name. The dust finally settles when the ancient real estate adage of "they just ain't making any more land" is covered over by a bulldozer.

The Puffman Family Show : Scheduled as a mid-season replacement for the vacuous City Council meetings, enjoy the weekly antics of the Puffmans. This corpulent, prodigal family has more money than time. In the season premier, Ward admonishes Wally for spending only $3.8 million dollars on a drainage ditch playground that will require another several million dollars to improve. Dollars and sense at it's funniest.

As Joe Bob Briggs might say, "what we are talking about here is: MUD Fu, bulldozer drag races, zero breast, heavy dental plaque, memo Fu, public sexless seduction, more consultants Fu, no protest scenes, legal Fu, citizens with low grade amnesia and a body count of 1,100 bureaucrats. Two stars, check it out."


Dear Mr. Holbrook

Don't know who you are, but I know you must be like me. Ever time you write 'bout somethiri which interested me.

Most times, when I travel down Northgate is on Fridays car wash day. 'Magine how pleased I am to receive a free car wash on the same day as the paid one! Cost of it really doesn't seem to matter.

The earlier column you wrote 'bout the handicapped car par-kin' places bein' specially guar-ded by our police people, made me feel more than good and all.

Maybe you could make a comment or observation 'bout a coupla more things. For in-stance, the railroad in this town seems to be hemmin' some of us in. I find myself travelin' around more than I care to in this city of Irviri, avoidiri these trains.

Cain't really care if all the car dealers ask to build on 183. Seems better to me than aban-doned motels and empty lota

Maybe we could get some new $250,000 homes, schools, or churches to build on all that property over there.

I really like that new church and its steeple shows up soon as you leave Carpenter

Freeway and come on into town!

I like all those flags, churches, and their steeples and busi-ness signs seems to me it means Irviri is boomin' glad to see it! You agree?

Two more things about that Cowboy Stadium

Anybody agree to water those trees the park folks plan-ted? If they did, they should, 'cause those trees appear to me to be dyin' Can't have Cowboy trees dyin'!

Also, who is in charge of the entry and exit to those afor-mentioned Cowboy games? Just as soon as you get your trail marked out, they change the rules Cain't get on goiri west on 114 or 183 unless you come early and leave LATE less you don't care 'bout travel-iri way out of your way. I, for one, am completely bumfrlz-zeled about their reasoniri points can you say some-thin' 'bout this?

Just wanted to tell you I ap-preciate your observations. Nobody'cept you and me seems to notice these things'ceptyou and me.

You keep observiri and I'll keep in touch.

A Reader

ReolmtMMBmiMmm Dear Mr. A. Reader:

Encouraging! You have established that either I have one fan, or that two people in Irving can read

See The Journal, Issue 44. Sincerely,

Mark Holbrook

Mr Reader % Ms. Betty Rock The Journal 308 Northgate Plaza Irving, Texas 75062

Dear Mr Reader

Encouraging! You have established that either I have one fan or two people in Ir ving can read

Sincerely ,


TEOS THE RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT GROUP P.O. BOX 161084 IRVING, TEXAS 75016 214869-9647

Sports Editor The Dallas Morning News Communications Center Dallas, Texas 75265

Dear Sir

Somehow, I think Mrs. O'Leary and her cow would have been proud of the Chicago brood Sunday. But, the many positive aspects of the Chicago/Dallas "barn burner" outweigh the scorched stadium turf. Consider the following:

* The Cowboys game plan went undisturbed - the "Fridge" did not score, and carrying Payton over would not have counted either.

* So much for the quarterback controversy between White and Hogeboom - one can't pass standing up and the other can't pass on his back. Wonder if Pelluer is doing anything next week?

* White did mex his boyhood hero the bell ringer of Notre Dame, Quasimodo. Didn't they sound great doing their rendition of ZZ Tops, "Got Me Under Pressure?"

* And, Ditka proved he was not asleep all those years he coached with Dallas.

Even though it was just a football game, this could have been a life and death situation. Irving officials should alert fans the next time a blazing inferno approaches Texas Stadium. If nothing else, have "Smokey the Bear" hang around to shovel a little sand on the kitty litter the Cowboys leave behind.

Sincerely,


11.19.85

Dear Keith

Many thanks for your recent real personal letter asking me to sponsor you at a $1.00 per mile for the Liberty University walk-a-thon around your college campus. I think this is a good deal that you want to walk around your campus to see where your classes are. The Fall scenery should be real pretty at this time of the year and you probably will not even sweat any.

While my own family's financial condition is not good now, I will promise to get another part-time job and make a personal commitment of support for your walk-a-thon. Put me down for a $10.00 pledge for ever mile that Jerry Falwell walks on water. Tell Jerry he can't step on them stones though, or the whole deal is off.

I am really sorry to hear that your college is having some big financial problems. Have you folks considered cashing in Chancellor Falwell's American Airlines Super Busy Body Frequent Travelers coupons? Until he gets that official appointment as Ambassador of the entire world by the U.S.A. Government, this could be some big bucks for you to pay your tuition, buy books and make a good downpayment on a real nice condo.

Well Keith, I have to close for now as the phone man is here to disconnect my telephone. Maybe the Burger King folks will call back on that part-time fry cook job before the wires are cut.

Pox Be On You (that's Catholic),

Mark Holbrook Irving , Texas

P.S. I have sent the phone number for Sister Ella's Talk and Heal Hot Line for your Dean to call. She doesn't have enough money to do that TV healing like your Jerry does, but she has done real good at healing my AIDS over the phone until they disconnected it. Check her out, it's an 800 number, tax deductible, MasterCharge accepted, and recommended by the National Association of Electronic Healers.

,

LIBEKTTr U N I V E R S I T Y

Dear .^AJU^.,

As you may know, I am a student at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia.

Since Liberty's inception 14 years ago, Chancellor Jerry Falwell, alone, has raised much of the support necessary to keep the level of tuition low enough so that everyone has the opportunity to attend our school.

On December 11, I want to join Dr. Falwell in The Liberty Walk-a-Thon. The Liberty Walk-a-Thon has been scheduled to help Dr. Falwell raise this vital support. As a student here, I want to show my appreciation for the fact that our tuition is affordable, and I want to help ensure that it stays that way in the years to come.

Liberty University is America's fastest-growing university. It is fully accredited and offers over 75 majors. Every faculty member is a born-again believer and teaches his courses from the biblical point of view. The goal of Liberty is to train a new generation of young people who will graduate with two missions in life: (1) to turn our nation back to God, and (2) to envangelize the world in our generation.

I need your help in The Liberty Walk-a-Thon, and I am asking that you sponsor me on a per mile basis. The Walk-a-Thon will extend the 11 miles around the campus of Liberty University.

Liberty has grown so large and its needs have become so great that Dr. Falwell can no longer raise all of the necessary support without our help. We want to do what we can to help him.

When you sponsor me, I will receive credit in the student competition. Please use the enclosed reply card to indicate the amount for which you will sponsor me and make sure that my I. D. number from the card is listed on your check or gift.

You will notice that the enclosed envelope is addressed to Vernon Brewer, our Dean of Students. Dean Brewer is the chairman of our Walk-a-Thon and, incidentally, is fighting a personal bout with cancer at this time.

Thank you for helping me in this effort. Liberty University is well on its way to becoming the "Harvard" of Bible-believing Christians. Your support for Liberty and for me is deeply appreciated.

Sincerely in Christ,

< P.S. I have sent extra cards hoping you know of others who will be able to

sponsor me in The Liberty Walk-a-Thon on December 11.

Since each gift goes to Liberty University, all contributions are tax-deductible. You may work for a corporation that matches gifts. Please check with your personnel office to see if they are willing to cooperate in this effort.

LYNCHBURG, VIRGINIA 24514

Councilman Leonard Burton Irving City Hall 825 Irving Blvd. Irving, Texas 75060

Dear Councilman Burton

Recent articles in the paper reflect that you are attempting to find the real meaning of life for the Planning and Zoning Commission. If I understand all of the problems involved with this study, wouldn't it have been easier for you to describe how a sacred cow should be butchered?

While the following opinions are my own and certainly do not represent any special interest group, intelligent or otherwise, you should know that I have been a developer in Irving. I have developed a keen understanding that special interest groups will provide all the necessary grease to oil their own squeaky wheels.

* Should developers appearing before the P&Z Commission treat the members of the commission like 16 year-olds standing outside the girly show tent at the State Fair of Texas? After all, the hormone levels of the commission members are strong enough for them to view the entire show and not just be teased with a partial display of what will be expanded, completed and viewed by the Council.

* Does the commission presently function like a group of maiden fillies? Since the Council will have the final decision on all P&Z matters, then one would assume that you need all thoroughbreds unencumbered by desires of fulfillment running in the race to serve on the commission.

* Finally, would you agree that any project that is so good and of benifit to the entire City should be approved by a simple majority of the Council if the P&Z has recommended denial? Maybe the developers are really humanitarians in disguise who only want to protect the innocence and simplicity of some voting members of the Council.

Recognizing that you will be provided opinions from individuals who know more about these matters than me, it is hoped that these few remarks will be of some value. If nothing else, you should be commended for your display of positive leadership in

attacking a bureaucratic dinosaur of regressive thinking.

By the way, the cost of postage being what it is now days, please feel free to make copies of this letter for other members of your select panel and the Council* After all, you already have a substantial amount of my money in your accounts and some useful purpose should be made of it.

Best regards,


8 D The Journal D Nowmber25,1985

>. ZJ Dear Sin wants to?

Of course, public transit rider, the correct answer is DART(or, as some of us veteran riders say. Doesn't Always Run Timely). Deduct three bus tokens if you answered a 500 pound canary. Considering all the recent con-fusion about schedules, bus stops, and available services of the Dallas Area Rapid Transit System, the following is a guide for the first time riders and a supplement to frequent Park and Ride users.

SCHEDULES: Check your birth certificate to see which zone you live in, hold the schedule/map towards the direction Halley's Comet will appear, and then wait by one of the cute nondescript signs along most Irving road-ways. If Halley's Comet becomes visible before a bus arrives, then you pro-bably have been standing by a Las Colinas golf course flag.

PROPER ATTIRE: Coats, ties, and briefcases are recommended for the ride into downtown Dallas. However, a complete change of clothing in your briefcase (this is a secondary use, after packing a lunch) is a must On the return trip, you will not only be a fashion statement in your tattered sweatshirt, faded jeans, and worn tennis shoes, but you will also eliminate the possibility of looking like a YUPPIE and being mugged as you wait in the Dallas building canyons for the bus to Irving

BUS ETIQUETTE: For those first time gentlemen riders who insist on giving up their seats to standing ladies, please consult the bus driver s copy ofEntity Post's Complete Guide for Public Transit Manners and Conduct. Hard feelings can be created if one errs by forgetting the cardinal rule that bag ladies do have priority over pregnant women when relinquish ing your seat

CONVERSATION: While it is permissible to engage in idle chitchat regarding the weather and sports with your seat mate, one must not be so bold as to ask questions that appear to be personal in nature. An example of this would be to ask the person sitringnextto you, who is also occupying half of your seat, how they won the year's free pass to the Richard Simmons Fat Asylum.

Already, DART has achieved one of its major goals of displacing a large number of vehicles on the roadways. This displacement, coupled with empty buses running around town, indicates that within five years everyone will have their own personal bus. Who said mass transit would not work in Dallas County.

Mark Holbrook

308 Northgate Plaza Irving, Texas 75062

Dear Sir:

What's bright yellow, really big, weighs a bunch and goes anywhere it wants to?

Of course public transit rider, the correct answer is DART (or as some of us veteran riders say, Doesn't Always Run Timely). Deduct three bus tokens if you answered a 500 pound canary. Considering all the recent confusion about schedules, bus stops and available services of the Dallas Area Rapid Transit System, the following is a guide for first time riders and a supplement to frequent Park and Ride uses.

SCHEDULES: Check your birth certificate to see which zone you live in, hold the schedule/map towards the direction Halley's Comet will appear, and then wait by one of the cute nondescript signs along most Irving roadways. If Halley's Comet becomes visible before a bus arrives, then you probably have been standing by a Las Colinas golf course flag.

PROPER ATTIRE: Coats, ties and briefcases are recommended for the ride into downtown Dallas. However, a complete change of clothing in your briefcase (this is a secondary use, after packing a lunch) is a must. On the return trip you will not only be a fashion statement in your tattered sweatshirt, faded jeans and worn tennis shoes, but you will also eliminate the possibility of looking like a YUPPIE and being mugged as you wait in the Dallas building canyons for the bus to Irving.

BUS ETIQUETTE: For those first time gentlemen riders who insist on giving up their seats to standing ladies, please consult the bus drivers copy of Emily Post's Complete Guide for Public Transit Manners and Conduct. Hard feelings can be created if one errs by forgetting the cardinal rule that bag lady's do have priority over pregnant women when relinquising your seat.

CONVERSATION: While it is permissable to engage in idle chit-chat regarding the weather and sports with your seat mate, one must not be so bold as to ask questions that appear to be personal in nature. An example of this would be to ask the person sitting next to you, who is also occupying half of your seat, how they won the years free pass to the Richard Simmons Fat Asylum.

FLAG %Mr. Dennis Mc 2012 Bradford Irving, Texas

Cuistion

75061

Dear Mr. Mc Cuistion

Some how, the tax paying public must enjoy seeing their hard earned tax dollars being burned up in a cloud of diesel smoke But, if the final outcome is that one day you will have your own personal bus, then this must be progress- for the bureaucrats that is.

Regards


FOR LIMITED AMERJCAH GOVERHMEHT 2012 Bradford Street Irving, Texas 75061 (214) 579-1331

December 5, 1985

Mr. Mark Holbrook c/o The Las Colinas Journal 308 Northgate Plaza Irving, TX 75062

Dear Mark,

Thanks very much for sending me a copy of your Letter to the Editor regarding DART. I'm glad you've kept your sense of humor regarding the s i tuat ion. I t ' s unfortunate that we're not going to be able to keep our tax dollars as wel l . Keep up the good work, and we'd sure l ike to have you as a member of FLAG i f you see f i t . In that regard, I've enclosed a brochure and hope you ' l l le t us know who you are and what your interests may be in public issues.

Sincerely,

njj>_M

Seeking a cultural uplifting, perhaps a shortcut to nirvana, or even a peek at the Holy Grail, I shelled out $10 bucks for the Dallas version of the "Joe Bob Briggs Dead in Concert" - it was and you were.

This constructive criticism is offered by someone who raised their hand to take the "drive-in pledge," but did not say the words. What we are talking about here is a real fan who has read your book and your weekly columns, grossly ashamed to tell his friends that he sat and watched a quasi-air guitar concert. But, the show can be saved without even having to call in Jerry Falwell. For the next concert, think about not singing, wearing that stupid cowboy hat and jumping around the stage like some kind of nervous St. Vitus.

You just stick to readin' about your writin' and us fans will stick to listin ' .

Best regards,

Mark Holbrook P.O. Box 161084 (please do not publish) Irving, Texas 75016

P.S. The attached lapse in writing style was caused by prescribed pharmaceuticals. Don't call your lawyers.

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Editor, The Journal 308 Northgate Plaza Irving, Texas 75062

Dear Sir:

Will the Irving City Council soon discover the real meaning of life for the Planning and Zoning Commission?

Having appointed a select panel to study the zoning commission's role and future responsibilities, it may have been easier for the Council to ask the panel how a sacred cow might be butchered?

Perhaps, the first task of the select pa the P&Z wheel is broken, or maybe just a this determination is made and if the wh squeeky, then the panel should remember special interest groups will always prov grease to oil their own squeeky wheels, needs fine tuning, then the following co valid.

* Should developers appearing be treat the members of the commiss boys standing outside the girly Fair of Texas? After all, the h commission members are strong en the entire show and not just be display of what will later be ex viewed by the Council. * Are the commission members pre group of maiden fillies? Since final decision on all P&Z matter logical that only thoroughbreds of political fulfillment be appo best interest of the City. * If a project is so good and o City, should it be approved by a Council when the P&Z has recomme developers are really humanitari

nel is to determine if little squeeky. Once

eel is found to be just that history tells us ide the necessary But, if the P&Z wheel

nsiderations seem

fore the P&Z Commission ion like 16 year-old show tent at the State ormone levels of the ough for them to view teased with a partial panded, completed and

sently treated like a the Council has the s, then it would seem unencumbered by desires inted to serve in the

f benifit to the entire simple majority of the

nded denial? Maybe ans in disguise who

only want to protect the innocence and simplicity of the Council voting process.

Well, the report of the select panel wil City will have a P&Z wheel that no longe four sided wheel that will create new po Journals Road Warrior notebook.

1 soon emerge and the r squeeks, or a new t holes for The


12.14.85

Mi Sam Blair The Dallas Morning News Communications Center-Dallas, Texas 75265

Dear Mr. Blair

Can you be counted to sign a petition to change the name of the City of Irving?

Your "High Profile" article on Tom Landry was very thorough, insightful and well written. However, in referencing "the club's new Valley Ranch headquarters, still under construction on a distant North Dallas Forty near Coppell," you may have surpassed all previous writers in their attempts of non-describing Irving.

Somehow, most Irvingites, who should not be confused with Mennonites, feel that Rodney Dangerfield garners more respect than the city that is presently home for the Dallas Cowboy headquarters and Texas Stadium.

Best regards,

Mark Holbrook P.O. Box 161084 Irving, Texas 75018

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12.14.85

Mi Sam Blair The Dallas Morning News Communications Center Dallas, Texas 75265

Dear Mr. Blair:

While your High Profile article on Tom Landry was very thorough, insightful and well written, there was one major error which should be brought to your attention.

In referencing "the club's new Valley Ranch headquarters, still under construction on a distant North Dallas Forty near Coppell," you fail to identify that the actual location of the Cowboy's facilities is in Irving! Granted, many individuals are not turned-on by our city's name, but we are proud of all the major organizations and facilities that have located here.

While writing the enclosed article, I never dreamed that the lack of using the name Irving would also spread to the sports writers of The Dallas Morning News. Perhaps what was written in jest may eventually become reality.

Thank you for your consideration of this matter and for helping to educate other writers at The News.

Best regards,

Mark Holbrook P.O. Box 161084 Irving, Texas 7501<

1983-1985 (Monitor).pdf

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