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Content from our friends over at The Collin County Observer
Monday, May 11, 2009
Collin County: diversity and elections
Unfortunately, our growing diversity is absent from the makeup of our local governing bodies.
Collin County's growth has its roots in the "white flight" from urban school districts that took place in the 1970's. While a reputation for great schools has continued to foster growth, the county is becoming increasingly diverse as it grows.
The 1990 census listed over 80% of the county's citizens as "White" and non-Hispanic, however 2007 data shows that white, non-Hispanics now make up only 67% of our population.
Unfortunately, our growing diversity is absent from the makeup of our local governing bodies.
Look at the elected bodies that represent the bulk of the county's population. After Saturday's election:
Collin County elected officials
| City | White males | White Females | Black | Hispanic | Asian |
| County Commissioner's Court |
4
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
| County Elected Officials |
7
|
2
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
| County Elected Judges |
17
|
4
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
| Allen City Council |
5
|
2
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
| Frisco City Council |
7
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
| McKinney City Council |
6
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
| Plano City Council |
4
|
3
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
| Richardson City Council |
7
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
| Allen ISD |
4
|
3
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
| Frisco ISD |
4
|
3
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
| McKinney ISD |
4
|
3
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
| Plano ISD |
4
|
2
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
| Totals |
73
|
21
|
2
|
0
|
0
|
According to the US Census, 14% of the county is Hispanic, yet Hispanics have no representation as elected officials in any county or large city office.
Almost 10% of our population is of Asian origin, yet no county, large city or school board elected official is of Asian heritage.
And while Blacks make up almost 8% of our population only Plano has elected one Black City Councilman and one Black School Board Trustee.
Even though fully one third of Collin County is minority, three out of the 4 largest cites in the county have no elected minority official. Neither does the county, nor, except for Plano, the schools districts.
The City of Dallas faced a similar ethnic disparity in its elected city council until a federal judge forced the city to form single member districts in 1991. Will it take judicial action for our local governing bodies to begin to look like the people they serve?
The present imbalance is a law suit waiting to happen. The domination of all elected bodies by male members of one ethnic group can, over time, create hostility and foster feelings of inequality before the law. The leaders of our county, cities and schools would do well to take a hard look at their communities and then at themselves.
Pegasus News Content partner - The Collin County Observer
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Pavel Lishin, verified:
Speaking as a Russian white male who is a quarter Jewish, I do not feel that anyone not of my ethnicity is able to properly represent me.
Although zero hispanics does seem pretty dang low. Maybe they're all too busy working and raising their families.
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Jason Rice, verified:
Speaking as someone of a completely uninteresting blend of something or other... I don't think I can be represented.
And is the "One black" in the Council and the School board "Ever" and that's the big deal? 'Cause one in eight and one in seven seems pretty decent in my calculator.
As active as the Indian population is up here, I'm a tad chagrined they're sittin' with a big goose egg. Same to say about some really nice and very civic-engaged Chinese groups. Hmm. I'll write them a letter, maybe. Invite 'em to lunch.
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abcd0123, anonymous:
My family and I arrived in 1976 in tiny Plano. The first business person I met was Tino Trujillo. The restranteur and owner of Tino's Mexican Food restaurant and Tino's Too, was the most politically active Hispanic in the entire town of 30,000 residents. Believe me, the absence of Hispanics in Plano was evident. But Tino was always there with a handshake and a smile. We could all learn from this Plano icon to get involved. Today, it's true, Plano's Hispanic community has exploded. But you'd never know it. Although here in numbers,they're visible only as shoppers. They aren't city employees. Why? Same old story: Whites are hired first, Blacks are hired next thanks to Civil Rights litigation. Other "minorities" a.e. Hispanics are left on the outside looking in and twisting in the Plano wind. Amazing to see this in 2009. Even having a Plano chapter of LULAC has not changed the status quo......
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Jason Rice, verified:
::We could all learn from this Plano icon to get involved.
I've only met Tino once, but yep - once's all you need. Remarkable guy.
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Collin County Republican, verified:
There weren't any Hispanics even running for office in Plano this election. There was a Black woman and an Indian running against a few White people for PISD Trustee. The Black woman won with around 45% of the vote, IIRC. She won because she is a former teacher, not because of the color of her skin. What a concept! Judging people based on their experience, character, values and views!
I'm half Polish. Who is representing me?
And since Obama is Black, does that mean he isn't representing me? Well, I know he's not representing me since I'm a Republican. OK, is Obama representing Bill, who is a White Democrat?
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Pavel Lishin, verified:
Scot, I guess we could probably join forces. I'd settle for a Pole representative of some sort, so long as he was at least part Jewish and drank vodka.
Have we started our own interest group yet?
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Jason Rice, verified:
::There weren't any Hispanics even running
NOW you tell me! I voted straight ticket Hispanic.
<font size="1">Ok, I wrote in Cesar Chavez 24 times... even on the initiatives</font>
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Scott Doyle, verified:
Is the moral of Bill & Scot's awesome adventure that minorities are politically lazy?
Because they have a lot of 'splaining to do if not.
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Travis Bush, verified:
*I'd settle for a Pole representative*
That's Russian for imminent domain wife...
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Jason Rice, verified:
So ScoDo, what do you want us to do with the matted tuft of fur LULAC will leave of you after that statement?
Shrine? Lampshade? Change purse?
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Scott Doyle, verified:
My defense will be that I was just summing up, you CoCo puffs are truly to blame!
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Jason Rice, verified:
Too true. I have failed my people.
...or somebody's people. I don't think I get a "people." I traded "heritage" for parking.
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Pavel Lishin, verified:
<i>Ok, I wrote in Cesar Chavez 24 times... even on the initiatives</i>
☐ Yes ☐ No ☑ Cesar Chavez
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jtmbls, anonymous:
If you consider that a county official gets little pay, people either whining to you or yelling at you all day, every day, and someone like Becky Oliver following you around with a hidden camera to make sure you’re not tipping the waitress too much or napping in your car, you can view this list in an entirely different light.
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Jason Rice, verified:
::little pay
School board - none
It reinforces my view of white guys as chumps.
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Andrew Laska, verified:
I would like to point out that Amir Omar in Richardson is not technically "white."
See: http://www.pegasusnews.com/news/2009/...
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abcd0123, anonymous:
Every Anglo-American, African-American and Minority-American in high school should be required to read: "White But Not Equal" by Ignacio Garcia, PH. D. Then maybe all Americans and all others would learn that Mexicans "paperless" and "papered" were horribly discriminated against in Texas. After the Treaty ending the Mexican War was signed, this group of "unprotected" citizens was reduced to a "second-class" status. A status that still exists today via "National Radio." Radio talk shows airing on KRLD, KLIF and other AM stations. The FCC should prevent this, especially knowing that Adolph Hitler used the radio waves in Germany to inspire hate toward the Jews. Hate toward Hispanics is so pervasive now that it's no wonder they shy away from politics even today!
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Jason Rice, verified:
::high school should be required to read
That much we agree on.
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Steve Navarre, verified:
I have to comment on this one line in all these comments.
"Yes, there weren't any Hispanics running in Plano this last election, for example."
Correction, I am a Hispanic and ran this year for Plano ISD school board trustee against 2 other minorities. Maybe I made a mistake by running on the issues and not playing the race card but regardless I had Hispanic supporters from both major parties even though I am a conservative and make no apologies for my beliefs.
I think it is a trivial to but to break local political races into a simple discussion of party affiliation or ethic classification. For years, Plano and several other cities in Collin County have been ruled by the “establishment” party that only works to elect their candidates regardless of the issues. I would suggest we expand that conversation instead of fighting with each other about party affiliation or ethic classification.
However, knowing the importance of bringing out Hispanic voters on important issues, over the next few months I will be forming a Hispanic political organization in Collin County to address issues close to the Hispanic community.
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Travis Bush, verified:
What if you don't have an ethical classification?
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Steve Navarre, verified:
I think you should vote the issues either way.
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Jason Rice, verified:
Yay! Steve!!! --- Yeah ---
Ok, when you run again... *I'll* carry your race card for you so you don't have to get your hands dirty.
Outstanding.
Put me on your mailing list.
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Travis Bush, verified:
Put me on your mailing list.
Amoral Party Hedkorters, Plaino County Jason Rice 1234 Galiteen Draw Birdge Plaino, Texcyst 765421
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Jason Rice, verified:
-- Mailstop Puppy Kicker #7
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Collin County Republican, verified:
Thanks for the correction, Steve. I voted for you. :)
"I will be forming a Hispanic political organization in Collin County to address issues close to the Hispanic community."
I'm being sincere when I ask what issues are only close to the Hispanic community? I understand neighborhood associations, representing residents of a specific neighborhood and their concerns.
I don't get the idea that there are concerns only one ethnicity has. I'm not being insensitive here. I'd honestly like some enlightenment here.
The DMN had an article about Mr. Lavu's campaign for PISD, and it had quotes from him (that he denies making) saying that he wanted to represent the Indian-American community and their concerns. I was wondering what concerns Indian-American parents have that I don't?
As far as I know, Ms. Hinton, who won, didn't make an issue of her race either.
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Pavel Lishin, verified:
<i>I don't get the idea that there are concerns only one ethnicity has.</i>
I want to hug that sentence in potentially inappropriate ways.
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Jason Rice, verified:
::inappropriate ways.
Would you settle for it on a T-shirt and a friendly handshake?
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Pavel Lishin, verified:
Okay, but the handshake is going to be <i>really</i> awkward and uncomfortable.
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davidg, anonymous:
I don't think he was saying any of those issues are exclusive to "only one ethnicity", just that they were common to it.
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Jason Rice, verified:
David, if you go breaking our your Venn Diagrams and all that, then the party's over. It's like when the drunk picks up the guitar...
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Planogal, anonymous:
No one is stopping anyone from running for office. Ask the lady who beat the incumbent last year. If you want to run, be aware of the time it takes away from your family, away from your job and out of your pocketbook. Go work on big grassroots campaigns and see what it takes to run a serious race. Call one of yor elected officials and ask them about the sacrifices. It's not easy, but if you have an affinity to truly serve and expect nothing in return but personal satisfaction--go for it! No sour grapes if you don't win though. It is a little like being most popular. You have to know a lot of people to win. Regarding ethnicity, it doesn't matter if you are pink with polka dots if people don't think you cannot do the job.
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Planogal, anonymous:
per last post--grammar correction...don't think you "can" do the job.
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Planogal, anonymous:
They need spell check on this : )--"yor" "your" You know what I mean--
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What do you think?