Updated and developing: Deep Ellum Association says they were locked out by Foundation

Mr. Barry Annino

President

Deep Ellum Foundation

3300 Commerce Street

Dallas, Texas 75226

Dear Deep Ellum Foundation Board Members:

At the February 14, 2007 Deep Ellum Foundation meeting, Foundation president Barry Annino publicly berated the president of the Deep Ellum Association, Gianna Madrini. Then Treasurer Ken Carlson made a motion to remove the president of the DE Association from the Deep Ellum Foundation board, seconded by Barry Annino and John Tatum. The stated reason for the motion to remove was that DE Association representation was no longer needed on the Foundation board. Barry then attempted to coerce DEF Board members Denny Hunt and Richey Owens to go along with the motion. The motion failed, for lack of a unanimous vote. Richey Owens, Denny Hunt and Arvel Jernigan abstained and did not vote.

Later in the day at 4:30 p.m., the Deep Ellum Association board members convened for our regularly scheduled meeting at the Deep Ellum Association offices at 2630 Commerce only to discover that the locks had been changed and that we were now being prevented from entering the building. The Deep Ellum Association has been operating and doing business out of the building located at 2630 Commerce Street for the past 2 years which had been graciously provided rent free by Westdale Asset Management, with the exception of the cost of utilities.

The Deep Ellum Association is the elected representative of the neighborhood business community, property owners and residents and believes that we are entitled to have a voice and participate on the Foundation Board. It is through the taxes paid by Deep Ellum property owners, residents and business that the P.I.D. money is raised, and the Deep Ellum community is certainly entitled to some input into how the money is spent. We believe that the Association can and should work hand in hand with the Foundation for the improvement and betterment of Deep Ellum. The recent actions, however, have us questioning why the Foundation wants to sever its relationship with the Association.

The Deep Ellum Association board accordingly would like clarification of the Deep Ellum Foundation's position regarding its relationship with the Association and the neighborhood. Is it the Foundation's position that the Association is not entitled to representation on the Foundation Board, or that such representation is not needed? If so, what is the basis for that position? Exactly how does the Foundation view the Association's role with regard to the Foundation?

Furthermore, the Deep Ellum Association needs a response as to why it has been locked out of the building at 2630 Commerce without any notice. The DE Association still has files, brochures and other Deep Ellum Association property in the building and we would like to make arrangements to get our belongings, if indeed the intent is to exclude the Association from usage of this space. We would greatly appreciate your repsonse. Thank you,

Sincerely,

Gianna Madrini

President, Deep Ellum Association

Tanner Hockensmith

Vice President

Bob Cummins

Vice President

From: "Ken Carlson"

Date: February 16, 2007 7:16:36 PM CST

To: "Gianna Madrini" , "John Tatum \(\(E-mail\)\)" , "BARRY ANNINO"

Cc: "Chet Morrison" , "Mark Roberts" , "Tanner, , "Billy Slocum" , "Arvel Jernigan" "Ronnie Bates" , "Don Cass"

Subject: RE: Deep Ellum Foundation Meeting and deep Ellum Association Lock out

Gianna,

Monday 10 a.m. - arrangements have been made for the Deep Ellum Association to access the building at 2630 Commerce Street to retrieve the Association’s belongings.

The Deep Ellum Board members are welcome to attend the next Deep Ellum Foundation board meeting where we will be pleased to address any questions – that is the most effective format for discussion.

Thanks.