Bill Betzen

• 1 year, 1 month ago
  Bill Betzen's comment on:

  Debate over Trinity toll road should be whether to build it at all

  The Trinity River Toll Road is being built for the benefit of the over 80+% of the traffic that will just be driving through Dallas, while destroying potential for a tranquil Trinity River Park for all, but especially those of us living here. We must send this 80+% away from downtown and around our city. We must slowly unite our city with fewer roads dedicated to this 80+% who are never stopping in Dallas! Toll road supporters come from an “old world” model of a city as the crossroads of multiple paved highways. Those days are gone! The most critical commerce now takes digital highways! Dallas needs to focus on digital highways and building the most attractive place in the world for such workers to live, downtown Dallas! A world-class Trinity River Park would make that possible, but that potential is destroyed with a river bottom toll road dedicated to “old-world” traffic.

  
  
• 1 year, 1 month ago
  Bill Betzen's comment on:

  Domingo Garcia's congressional campaign may upend state Rep. Lon Burnam's bid for re-election

  So Vasquez would have voted for Tom Craddick as Speaker of the House? Is that what I hear?

  What other votes that Representative Burnam has made would Vasquez have done differently?

  We need to look at the work being done. Just as the Republicans have RINOS (Republicans In Name Only) it could also be said that Texas has too many MINOS (Minorities In Name Only.)

  Republicans want to divide up our state by race so they can control the issues. Just look at how they have done that with our Congressional maps alone: http://dallasredistricting2011.blogsp...

  Texas has some very big problems. If people are not paying attention the control by those now in power will continue to damage both our school systems and our state budget.

  
  
• 1 year, 2 months ago
  Bill Betzen's comment on:

  Dallas ISD "sick out" turns into impromptu teacher appreciation day

  The issue being faced within DISD was well described by this editorial from Waco: http://baylorlariat.com/2012/02/08/ed...

  Denying students a day with their teacher was not the right alternative to addressing this situation, but something has to change! More of our students must want to grow up to be teachers. They are watching how their teachers are treated.

  
  
• 2 years, 6 months ago
  Bill Betzen's comment on:

  Dallas officials discuss future of public education on November 16

  As a DISD teacher near retirement I know that the instant I retire I will begin to loose touch with the classroom. I will quickly no longer be up to date on the issues that teachers face. Staying up to date takes much more than just study. The daily student interaction is critical. Students change constantly, every year.
  

  Then I read about this "education symposium" that is done "in the interest of improving public education in North Texas," but I do not see evidence of current teachers being involved. It happens during school hours which certainly would eliminate the most dedicated teachers who would never consider attending when they would have to be away from their students.

  This seems to resemble a heart surgery conference wherein the surgeons are not encouraged to attend as the conference is scheduled during the time when all the surgeries are happening, but a panel of surgery recipients will speak about “What surgery recipients want and need.”

  Can we improve surgery outcomes without involving the surgeons?

  
  
• 2 years, 6 months ago
  Bill Betzen's comment on:

  21st Century City Conference

  Dangerous omission from the "21st Century City Conference"

  The plans for the 21st Century City Conference, November 12, 2010 at Dallas City Hall, paint a wonderful view of our city, but leave one critical omission, our schools!

  As you search online and read the press releases for the conference, they build on the statement on the Conference web site: "The 21st Century City Conference addresses the enormous shift taking place in the way we build out our cities. We seek a more humane city, one that allows for the complexities of diverse lifestyles while offering serene and quiet places that feed the soul. We want a city that is vibrant and alive and we want, once again, to learn from nature."

  How can a discussion of the future design and architecture of Dallas not include at least a mention of school design in the conference plans, if not an actual expert in school planning and design?
  

  Attention must be given to having school buildings that are well located, well designed, and well built following the highest standards of sustainability. Dallas should never again have newly built schools with leaking roofs within 10 years!

  The 21st Century City Conference writes about seeking "a more humane city." That will never happen if we ignore our schools in the process!

  
  
• 3 years ago
  Bill Betzen's comment on:

  Public input at Riverfront Blvd. meeting revealed bike and pedestrian concerns

  If Dallas can get rid of the majority of downtown Mixmaster traffic, the plans offered this past week for Riverfront development may be perfect!

  Different studies show between 65% and 80% of downtown mix-master traffic is through traffic, traffic not stopping in Dallas.  It comes from outside Dallas traveling to destinations outside Dallas.  Why does Dallas not focus on developing a way to divert this large majority of traffic away from the downtown mix-master while at the same time attracting more to Riverfront Blvd and other downtown attractions? 

  It is less expensive and easier to expand the capacity of the Loop 12/635 alternatives than it is to expand our central mix-master capacity.

  Using toll tag technology, not widely available in 1998, a ring of toll tag booths could circle Dallas at Loop 12/635.  (A similar system started in Stockholm in 2006 has had tremendously positive benefits!) Traffic could be diverted by charging a toll ($25 - $35?) to traffic crossing this loop twice at opposite ends of Dallas, and going though the Mixmaster  without stopping. There would be no toll charge for cars and trucks going around the Loop 12/635 Loop, or if they stopped for business or lunch as they went through Dallas. Tolls could be timed to go down as you spend more time in Dallas.  For example, the toll could go to zero after three hours spent inside Dallas. 

  Such timing would increase the number of people who stop to enjoy our city, Riverfront Boulevard, our quiet, world famous Trinity River Park, or who drive around the loop, totally avoiding downtown.

  Such a diversion of traffic would certainly lessen noise, pollution, and congestion near downtown Dallas, making a more attractive place to live.

  Why do we want traffic coming from outside Dallas, and going to destinations outside Dallas, to go freely through the heart of our city? The way this question is answered will greatly affect development among Riverfront Boulevard.

  
  
• 3 years, 8 months ago
  Bill Betzen's comment on:

  Photo gallery: Macon Elementary in Dallas debuts their "People's Garden"

  While the photographer was out at Macon Elementary did they happen to see the 500 pound vault bolted to the floor in the school lobby? Macon is also actively encouraging their students to plan for their own futures with a time-capsule to hold their plans for the future. The goal is to have students return at a future date to retrieve their letters from this 500 pound vault, have a class reunion, and then share with then current Macon students their recommendations for success based on experiences from their years immediately after Macon Elementary. They will be the experts!

  You never go wrong by focusing students onto their own futures.
  

  Macon Elementary is on the cutting edge of the projects needed to help our students excel!

  Keep up the great work Macon Elementary!

  
  
• 3 years, 11 months ago
  Bill Betzen's comment on:

  Here we go again: Dallas considering renaming Young Street for Cesar Chavez

  Mike, that source for Moody is one the Archivist mentioned but he could find no related documentation. There was also an evangelist during that time in history who was very popular and he thought that was a greater possible source for the name. But again there is no documentation.

  
  
• 3 years, 11 months ago
  Bill Betzen's comment on:

  Here we go again: Dallas considering renaming Young Street for Cesar Chavez

  Part of Pearl going through Farmers Market is already named after Cesar Chavez. We just need to finish that process and rename all contiguous parts of Pearl going north, along with the two blocks of Moody. There are no records for the source of either of these street names, either Pearl nor Moody. Thus no pioneers name would be lost or moved such as Young who is well documented in Dallas History.

  By renaming most of Pearl the heart of the former Little Mexico would be connected with Farmers Market and pass the Cathedral of Guadalupe in the process. Cesar Chavez had a special devotion to our Lady of Gaudalupe.

  
  
• 3 years, 11 months ago
  Bill Betzen's comment on:

  Anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan protesting outside George Bush's Dallas home Monday afternoon

  Cindy is demonstrating for many reasons. The ones I see are that, the sad reality is, we are not one bit safer due to thousands of US lives lost in Iraq and tens of thousands of our wounded men and women. This war was a recruitment bonanza for terrorists. Our honorable men and women of the US military have been abused. They did NOT die without cause as they were doing what they were trained to do, follow orders! They deserve much better treatment than they are now getting as veterans. Our politicians must accept responsibility for the mistakes they made and the information they allegedly "chose" to believe.

  Cindy Sheehan has every right to express her opinion about the truths behind the Iraq war injustices. She is not alone! A majority of this nation is on her side about the futility of this created war. Our sons and daughters should never be sent into another war for such fabricated reasons! Their lives are worth much more than that. Our nations reputation is much more valuable than that. The truth of what happened must be investigated and former President Bush must live with ultimate consequences for his actions.

  
  
• 4 years, 8 months ago
  Bill Betzen's comment on:

  Changing Ross Avenue to Cesar Chavez makes logical sense

  Scott Doyle? Are you the same Scott who has been on this blog?

  The Historical Marker has always been part of the renaming of Ross Avenue to honor Cesar Chavez. I've mentioned it often. It is a both/and proposal. We would educate the public from this day forward about the history of the Ross brothers and also expose people to one of the greatest Hispanic leaders of the 20th century, as well as the hispanic history in Dallas the Cesar Chavez Avenue name would represent.

  It is almost impossible to visit with any random group of Hispanics and not find some who have ancestors, relatives, or who themselves benefited from the work of Cesar Chavez.

  Now, IF Industrial is renamed as Cesar Chavez Blvd then the Cesar Chavez Task Force agreement to pay for the Historical Marker is not needed. I personally would still like to see the Ross brothers history honored by a Historical Marker after seeing how few knew about them. Why would you not join with us to have them remembered with your own $100? Were you honest about your devotion to Ross history?

  
  
• 4 years, 8 months ago
  Bill Betzen's comment on:

  Changing Ross Avenue to Cesar Chavez makes logical sense

  Todd, I still strongly believe that Ross is far superior to Industrial for many reasons, most of which we have talked about online for some time. However, if you look back online, you can see that I was fighting for Industrial some time back. Look at the bottom of the web pages at www.studentmotivation.org/CesarChavezAve . Industrial is where this started. Study that photo. This process can also end with Industrial if it is in fact permanently renamed, as was perceived as having been promised some months ago, in honor of Cesar Chavez.

  All of our online statements about Ross being the only alternative were made with the understanding that Industrial was off the table. (I certainly never understood why.)

  Knowing what I know now I would have worked hard to never place Industrial into consideration. I would have worked only for Ross Ave. However, we have history. I did in fact support Industrial and will go with that if it happens. If it does not, then Ross is the only alternative. It may even take a few years depending on what happens this next month. The process will help education about Cesar Chavez to happen, maybe marches, many debates. I think debates may involve empty chairs as I perceive that many against the Cesar Chavez renaming of Ross would not want to engage in a fact checked debate on the issues we have only touched on in this blog.

  The process could be fascinating for the large majority of Dallas citizens as a pride in their heritage grows and their ability to use the methods of Cesar Chavez are developed. Our children could only benefit.

  The next 4 weeks will be very interesting, with potential extremes of emotion, and a true test of Dallas. I have increasing confidence it will be peaceful. I was not so confident at noon today.

  
  
• 4 years, 8 months ago
  Bill Betzen's comment on:

  Changing Ross Avenue to Cesar Chavez makes logical sense

  Jason, sounds great. If we can get about 20 others to join with us it will be enough. According to information online the application is $100 plus the $1,600 cost of the marker (according to http://www.reporternews.com/news/2008....) I'm told the West End Merchants were supportive and may also join in. It would make their area more "historical" and add to the charm.

  First we need to get Industrial boulevard renamed in honor of Cesar Chavez. Are you willing to help? Can you join us at the Council meeting Wednesday and then the Planning Committee meeting the next day? Do you know some of the "Save Ross" folks who could join us?

  
  
• 4 years, 8 months ago
  Bill Betzen's comment on:

  Changing Ross Avenue to Cesar Chavez makes logical sense

  Today has been a truly confusing day. It appears it is possible Industrial Blvd will be renamed Cesar Chavez Blvd. While Ross would for many reasons be a much better choice, Industrial was actually the first street chosen until others were offered for consideration. If that happens, and therefore Ross Avenue remains as Ross Avenue, I would be incredibly puzzled if those on this list and elsewhere supporting the "Save Ross" efforts would not want to still establish a historical marker in the West End to honor the lives of the Ross Brothers.

  Once Industrial Boulevard is finally named in honor of Cesar Chavez I would be honored to join with others and make my own $100.00 donation toward such a historical marker. The Ross Brothers should never again sink into the anonymity they suffered from 6 months ago.

  Would any Save Ross people, or others on this list who spoke out to 'save Ross,' want to join in with me if this happens? We should not forget our cities history!

  
  
• 4 years, 8 months ago
  Bill Betzen's comment on:

  Changing Ross Avenue to Cesar Chavez makes logical sense

  Don't have to.

  
  
• 4 years, 8 months ago
  Bill Betzen's comment on:

  Dallas should rename Ross Avenue for Cesar Chavez

  but Todd Anonymous asked ...

  
  
• 4 years, 8 months ago
  Bill Betzen's comment on:

  Dallas should rename Ross Avenue for Cesar Chavez

  Todd Anonymous wrote: "If this thread is going to be closed - please do it after Bill explains the "tax savings"."

  The 65% of students in Dallas ISD who are Hispanic represent the large majority of the dropouts from Dallas ISD before graduation from high school. It is estimated that only about 37% of 9th grade Hispanic students make it through graduation. For all DISD students that number was only 41% for the class of 2008. (All statistics are found in bar charts and spreadsheets to be found at www.studentmotivation.org. It would be very valuable for anyone to find errors on those pages, especially errors countering these conclusions.)

  I helped start a dropout prevention project in 2005 at Quintanilla Middle School that to date has cost taxpayers almost nothing other than envelopes and paper for about 1,600 students who have participated, about 400 each year for the past 4 years. The method of the project is to focus students onto their own futures. This is done by documenting their past, their heroes, their families, their hopes and goals for the future. This is all written in a letter students write to themselves which is then placed into a 350-pound vault bolted to the cement floor in our lobby and under spotlights. This vault is the School Archive. It functions as a time capsule, holding the letters until the class 10-year reunion when the return for the reunion, to pick up their letters, and to speak with then current students about their recommendations for success. They are warned to prepare for questions such as "Would you do anything differently if you were 13 again?" See more details at www.studentmotivation.org as to how this project has apparently been a factor in lowering the 9th to 10th grade dropout rates by an average of 25% at the two high schools our students attend. Something very positive is happening. The only thing both high schools have in common is Quintanilla Students.

  One small element in this entire process is the making visible of role models for students to help form their visions of the future, and themselves. Actions such as placing the name of Cesar Chavez as the street name at the church many of my students attend, or the school headquarters where all of them attend school, will help raise the level of self respect among these same students. He is a leader they can much more easily identify with than a four letter street name that has no personal connection for any of them, nor for many other people in Dallas it appears.

  To see the name of a leader, one they can much more easily identify with, being honored in public will increase the potential for them to do the extra work needed to finish school. Even if only 1/10th of 1% of the 63% of Hispanic students who drop out of Dallas ISD were to finish school due to such a positive public display of respect for a Hispanic leader, the City will reap a hundred-fold return, increasing annually, on it's meager investment in this street name change.

  I think I can safely say I understand dropout issues better than most folks having been a social worker in Dallas for 28 years, investigating child abuse most of that time. I am certain this simple change of a street name, due to the visibility of the location of the street, will lead to much more than a 1/10th of 1% decrease in the Hispanic dropout rate. The Cathedral being the gathering place for a significant part of the Dallas Hispanic population each Sunday is one big reason.

  The dropout program I now have in operation is achieving a 25% decrease in the dropout rate, probably even more than that since our Quintanilla Students are being mixed in with students from three other middle schools. If we were able to follow only Quintanilla students it is highly probable that the decrease in the dropout rate would be much more than 25%.

  Ultimately we will save a lot more than tax money with this relatively simple change of a street name.

  Thank you for giving me the opportunity to write this out.

  
  
• 4 years, 8 months ago
  Bill Betzen's comment on:

  Changing Ross Avenue to Cesar Chavez makes logical sense

  Todd Anonymous said: "Sure, it won't be the same street as the church and march for illegal immigration..."

  Todd, to belittle or try to lessen the role of the Church in the life of Cesar Chavez indicates your lack of willingness to study and understand him. Then to continue with the ridiculous summary of the Mega March as a "march for illegal immigration" indicates something possibly even more sinister. It would be nice to think it was only a lack of understanding.

  Mike, are you going to close down this blog? I want to add my vote in toward that goal.

  
  
• 4 years, 8 months ago
  Bill Betzen's comment on:

  Dallas should rename Ross Avenue for Cesar Chavez

  Thank you Mike. Well said. There are certainly additional issues in Dallas. I just know how big this one is to so many who are not online. Handled right it will be a very big plus for Dallas, and save tax money, and ultimately make Dallas a much better place to live.

  
  
• 4 years, 8 months ago
  Bill Betzen's comment on:

  Dallas should rename Ross Avenue for Cesar Chavez

  Mike, How many requests to close the thread have you gotten. What does it mean if you close it? Do all the postings disappear or are they archived?

  
  
• 4 years, 8 months ago
  Bill Betzen's comment on:

  Dallas should rename Ross Avenue for Cesar Chavez

  Todd Anonymous asks: "Why can't the goals that you stated be accomplished by Farmer's Market?"

  There are many reasons:

  1) The Cathedral is on Ross and, after the street name change, the thousands of Hispanic families who gather every weekend will be reminded of the work of Cesar Chavez.

  2) This Cathedral on Ross is the largest gathering place for Hispanic families in the US each weeked according to the http://www.cathedralguadalupe.org/ web site.

  3) Dallas is sending a message to the world with the selection of a place for the name Cesar Chavez. To place that name in the Farmers Market indicates they want to get it out of the way, relatively hidden within the city. To place the name Cesar Chavez on a major street in the cities cultural district sends the message that Dallas respects what Cesar Chavez achieved as a corner stone for U.S. culture. Dallas respects and wants the world to know they honor multicultural inclusivity only possible here in the US under our freedoms and laws.

  4) The history of Little Mexico has been virtually erased from the Dallas landscape. With this obviously Hispanic street name some of that culture is acknowledged, especially since Ross Avenue goes past what used to be the southern border of Little Mexico. The name Cesar Chavez Avenue will help bring attention to the former Little Mexico.

  5) The largest civil rights march in the history of the southwest started on Ross Avenue. It happened to be a march of mostly Hispanic families, a half million people, marching for hours peacefully following the peaceful methods Cesar Chavez had tought for decades. They did not march anywhere near the Farmers Market. Sadly, many in Dallas would like the history of this glorious day to be forgotten. Why?
  

  Renaming Ross for the person who is most identified with such peaceful demonstrations is certainly an appropriate reason in itself to rename Ross Avenue. However, as you can see, there are many other even bigger reasons!

  6) Education is critical. The symbolism of DISD headquarters being on Cesar Chavez Ave is very important since we are moving toward a district with over 70% Hispanic enrollment. Much work is needed. The more Dallas can place the names of authentic Hispanic heroes of our time before our students the greater the potential students will realize that success is possible! The greater the potential that students will work! That is well known educational practice.

  Do you need any more evidence that the Farmers Marked idea is a distraction from the real issues?

  
  
• 4 years, 8 months ago
  Bill Betzen's comment on:

  Changing Ross Avenue to Cesar Chavez makes logical sense

  Clay213 Anonymous "The level of awareness in Dallas 6 months ago proves that a four letter street name does not achieve that goal (of knowing who a street is named after), especially for persons rarely mentioned otherwise in the media or in history. "

  And an 11 letter one will?

  Again.. G L A R I N G I R O N Y. It's so glaring you seem to have gone blind from your own dose of it.

  ============ Answer ============

  Clay213 Anonymous:

  Yes, if that 11 letter name is the name of a internationally well known person also chosen by the largest segment of the Dallas Community, it will be remembered.

  Do you know Cesar Chavez? His life and accomplishments are already in history books, news articles, and multiple other publications world wide only 15 years after his death. They are becoming more well known constantly. Millions of more people will immediately recognize the Cesar Chavez name on a street sign in Dallas than would understand who "Ross Avenue" was named after. They will immediately know for whom the street is named. The Cesar Chavez street name will be a statement about Dallas and our understanding of human progress. It will be a very positive statement acknowledging the power of our own U.S. culture! What Cesar Chavez achieved could not have happened elsewhere! Reflecting such understanding will be a tribute to Dallas. It will have real meaning to help counter the "plastic" image Dallas is said by many to suffer from.

  You and I live here. We know Dallas is real with living, working, struggling, thriving people. Our street names need to be more inclusively reflective of that reality. We need to better reflect the progress of this great country, and honor our history in that process.

  
  
• 4 years, 8 months ago
  Bill Betzen's comment on:

  Changing Ross Avenue to Cesar Chavez makes logical sense

  Todd, It appears to me you are talking about "Ross Avenue" as if it were a generic street name. You write:

  "In reality, the Ross brothers place in Dallas history isn't so significant that it deserves a historical marker or whatever you want to place in the West End. There are 100's of Dallasites more worthy in honest opinion.

  When I talk about the "Historic Ross Avenue", I speak in reverence to the streets place in Dallas history. I speak in the same way that "Broadway" is a historic street in New York... or "Vine" is in Los Angeles... etc."

  Todd, does that mean the Ross Avenue name could just as easily be one of those "generic" names we have talked about and what you are saying would still be no different?

  
  
• 4 years, 8 months ago
  Bill Betzen's comment on:

  Dallas should rename Ross Avenue for Cesar Chavez

  Todd, I count 6 reasons Ross is the street selected under the "Why Ross?" section of the www.CesarChavezTaskForce.com web site. You may select any one of them.

  You other notices are well taken and will be forwarded to the web design team. However, without a Facebook account I am unable to find out much about you. Why not fill in the information here at pegasusnews.com? What's to hide?

  
  
• 4 years, 8 months ago
  Bill Betzen's comment on:

  Changing Ross Avenue to Cesar Chavez makes logical sense

  Todd, Since you claim to be interested in preserving history can you point to the postings you have made explaining how you will prevent Dallas from returning to the level of awareness as to who Ross Avenue is named after that existed 6 months ago? I have asked you that question on other blogs. You have not answered that I can find with a way to keep the history of the Ross Brothers in the public eye. The level of awareness in Dallas 6 months ago proves that a four letter street name does not achieve that goal, especially for persons rarely mentioned otherwise in the media or in history.

  The Cesar Chavez Task Force wants to make that history public on a historical marker visibly posted on the main walked intersection for Ross in the West End. That history will be public for the first time in Dallas history.

  Since you are so interested in preserving the authentic history of Dallas I am certain you have a plan you have made public that I am simply not aware of, correct? Just share with us where it is posted.

  
  

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