I just had a post earlier today and I thought I was through with what I had to say, but I just got a previous of the new Vote Ken Shetter video put together by Susan Cloud and my previous post was just too morose to put this video in the middle of it.
Wow, this video is great! Susan did an outstanding job! It is so uplifting, so joyful, the Grim Reaper would be dancing. Anyone that watches this video and doesn't have a similar reaction, must really be a sour puss.
First, let me reminisce:
When we moved to Burleson in 1974 there were two stop lights on 174 going through town. Old Town was just that; old. I liked Burleson certainly more than I liked North Richland Hills and Hurst; where we moved after college from Oklahoma. My husband and I both worked downtown so when we decided to buy a house, it really didn't matter if we stayed north or went south - we would drive either way. We couldn't find a lot that we wanted to build the house that we fell in love with, so Bob Johnson told us about some lots he had in Burleson. I knew about Burleson because when I was young and then a teen, I spent time at my aunt's house who lived between Cleburne and Grandview. Of course, as a teen, I heard about drugs and bad behavior - in the late 1960's. So, when the builder mentioned Burleson it was a familiar name I'd heard years before. We took a drive, signed the papers for the lot and away we went. Interestingly, we learned something else about Burleson while building that house. That Burleson was known for being a "white" community. I was shopping one night at Seminary South - one of the nicest shopping centers in Ft. Worth (long before Hulen and even Rigmar). I told a clerk where I was moving and she said something to the effect that I was wanting to get away from minorities. What a shock. I was a Child Protective Services Worker at the time and was appalled that someone would think that I was picking my home based on that! I like to think that if our decision and money had not been so heavily invested, we might have made a different choice upon learning of that, but we will never know. We like to think of ourselves as free of racism, but are any of us ever evolved as much as we think we are? I certainly know that I have grown in the interceding 35 years. Yes, Burleson has changed in that way too; for the better.
Our house was on the corner of Rand and Ann Lois. There was a house across from us, and two houses at the other end of the street. There was nothing else. Nothing. Alsbury was just a two lane worn out road and Sierra Estates and Brown's Mountain were non-existent. Wow how times have changed. Rooftops are evident all the way up and down the back side of that hill, taking you into Crowley.
Whenwe wanted to go eat, you pretty much had to leave town. We always went to Bill Martin's Seafood located half way back into Ft. Worth on Sundays. Later he sold his interest and I guess his recipes and had a no compete clause that enabled him to open a new restaurant, but it was down near CR 921 and I35W. We had some fast food around, but mainly locally owned with Pizza Chains such as Pizza Inn and Pizza Hut. Oh, and I can't forget the Dairy Queen and the Dairy Twin,"Home of the Bacon Burger". We were here and attended the free pizza night at Pizza Inn when it first opened. We were there the last day they served a few years ago, too. Who that was here could forget the opening of McDonald's on the Freeway. We were really up-town. Yet, most clothes shopping still had to be done in Ft. Worth, at least until Beall's Department Store showed up. That was realy nice. Gave my daughter a job all through high school and college!
The fun part was getting to Burleson in the early years we were here. I-35 was like a Parkway; two lanes going each way, with a cross over that was as dangerous as any road you would ever drive on. Shortly after we moved, they began building the freeway we have now and I spent at least 5 years driving on access roads into Ft. Worth to work. I was just glad it was over before my youngest learned to drive.
As for the schools, what we had was all on the west side of I-35 because there were no city utilities (or at least the kind needed to service a school) on the East side. It was a big deal in the late 1990's to finally be able to place an elementary school on that side of town. Norwood was a brand new school the day my oldest started school. There was a little skinny tree standing outside in the front. It's was a giant oak the last time I was there.
I remember Walmart in those days. A small friendly store that never had any open check out lanes. Now its a big impersonal store and still doesn't have any check out lanes.
So, I could go on, but never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined a Burleson like this that you will see on this newest video. Never. Burleson will celebrate its Centennial this year and this video certainly contrasts days gone by with today.
Mr. and Mrs. F.A. Shad, may have voted to take Burleson back to its "roots". but I think I'd rather have Ken Shetter who gave it wings and at the same time kept the roots!! Why can't we all just enjoy the ride.
Watch me please!
Just sayin... Enjoy!
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
The Home Stretch
Well, V-Day is almost here. It will all be over but the shouting or crying Saturday evening. Either Mayor Shetter will still be leading as he has for the past 8 years or we will be propelled into the world of confusion and mayhem. I would hope that we could count on the new City Manger being able to do his job without interference should the worst happen, but if the Burleson Chamber of Commerce's recent events are any fore-shadow of things to come, and Larry Pool wins, Burleson is in for a rocky ride.
What we have to look forward to is the Burleson Chamber of Commerce Shuffle. I am not a member of the Chamber and have been just as confused as the next person about the tenure of the current Chamber Director Dan-o Strong. First, I have never met anyone with a hyphenated name. I have a step sister with number for a name. That's odd too, right? Anyway, I've never met Dan-o. A lot of people I respect respect him and spoke on his behalf at the Chamber last week.
However, it does look like Dan-o was caught in the middle of a Tango of "Should I stay or Should I Go?" with the Chamber Board. The last I heard, he was staying. I think there was an appeal for amnesty and from what I read in the Burleson Star, one of Burleson's council members called out Keith Kelly, a member of theChamber Board, like it was OK Corral. The board retreated into a closed session and I wish I could say that Mr. Kelly was relieved of his board seat, but alas I cannot. However, that is probably what it will take for things to calm down around here. I'm glad that Dan-o is staying and I hope that there has been enough light shined on the situation with the Chamber that it will make it more difficult for Mr. Kelly and cohorts who sit with him on the Board to interfere with the Director's job. That may just make it a boring position for Kelly and he'll leave for greener pastures like in the Rio Grand Valley or even back to Massachusetts.
On to another issue that has gotten my attention... The housing fraud. Shelly Grant, also known as "Praise Jesus" and her partners in misinformation who are also running for the council and claim to be an anti-mud slingers, have a little Facebook Group. It's "How to be against the American Privilege of Living Anywhere You Can Afford. Well, it's something like that. I don't want to give it to you as I don't want you to get mucked up all the fodder they are selling. In any event, Praise Jesus has just been adding names like crazy. Some of these people have no idea they have been added. Basically, having your name on the list will make it difficult to have dinner conversation with disabled, elderly, those with mental and emotional challenges, minorities and just about anyone that doesn't look just like you. I'm sorry, but these women can call it anything they want. They can say it is because of over-crowding, etc... but the truth is, they are say, Not in My Back Yard orAnywhere But Here. This is not about where to put your nuclear trash. These are people that want the same things for their families as you do. Many of these people tried to own their own home and got caught in that crazy housing crisis where people that couldn't afford home were sold homes anyway. They just want a decent place to live in a good school zone and have places to shop. How is that any different than you???
It is not the practice of HUD to build the kind of housing complex that you may associate with that in Ft. Worth that you can see from I-35 and I-30 near the mix-master (for old timers). Those red brick buildings sitting on that ridge with stark grounds and no tree lined streets. However, since those are still there, they are used as they are. However, make no mistake. Rules are enforced. There is no trash outside those apartments. There are no jacked up cars sitting outside the front door. There is no kids running around the complex at midnight.Its a whole different ball game.
Today, HUD requires that apartments build with their Federal monies meet certain requirements for leasing and living there. They are mixed income. There are no felons, no druggies with convictions. There is a complex near me that has been there more than 10 years and it is well maintained as it was when it was build. It is full of working families getting a break on their rent so they can still buy groceries. Stop living in the 1960's. Take your head out and look around at your neighbors. The guy next door could be selling porno on line and mailing it from his garage. The head of a car theft ring could be living next door or across the street. Crime can be everywhere. You cannot tell who will rob you because of who makes the least amount of money-not if they do it for a thrill. Read the Mayors response to this misinformation being handed out by "Praise Jesus".
http://www.kenshetter.com/fact-check/1316-affordable-housing,
Also, read my previous blog post, "What Would Jesus Do".
Another thing that has amazed me is the people that have posted on my FB page (and then deleted it) or sent me private messages to to express how bad they feel for Larry the candidate for Mayor. First, isn't great to believe in something so much that you are ashamed to have your name associated with the thought?
This has been completely baffling to me. They ask, "Why are you being so mean to Larry?" Mean what do you mean? Oh, mean like saying, "he owned that bar and all". Oh, that. Well, he did own that bar. Yes he did. The State of Texas says that he still owns it. He filled out the paperwork twice saying he owned it after he "sold it". Yes, he did. As Susan Cloud said, that isn't being mean, that's 'vetting" your candidates. But, "you are being so mean by not saying you are sorry.". Sorry? Why? Because some one found out he owns something he didn't want us to know about? Hey, you need to be asking him to tell YOU that he's sorry. I've had several posts that have chided me for working "so hard" for Ken Shetter. They ask why? What's in it for me? Do I own a construction company or something? Why would I do such a thing? Another asks, "Don't you have anything better to do than message each person to tell them that their names have been put on a mis information website that is anti-housing for poor people?" Well, I'm retired, sorta. So, why not? I just refer them to my blog post about the "The Extreme Right of Right isn't Always Right". It'll give her a clue. She might want to touch on "No Apologies" as well, just so that she REALLY understand why no one should feel sorry for Larry the candidate.
Finally, I'd like to say that I have never been around so many people that care about the truth and getting information out to the public. There is a kind of "child like quality in their belief that if you can just let the people know the truth, they will embrace it and let the misrepresentations go. I want to believe that too. I have always believe that the truth is the best strategy. I've have begun to question that theory a bit after some of the people I have met. I realize that my truth isn't always the truth someone else has. But, there has been a full out effort to inform people and get information out. I remember when I served on the board of trustees in the mid to late 90's, I always felt that if you could just get the truth out that people would feel that were included and not feel so threatened. However, there are those who can never ever see truth and believe it. They are so jaded and cavalier. They will never accept it even when handed to them. Ken Shetter knows those people are out there, and he keeps on believing that he can trust them anyway to make the turn toward the light.
As we head down the home stretch, these are some of the things I will ponder. See you Sat.
Just sayin...
Ann
What we have to look forward to is the Burleson Chamber of Commerce Shuffle. I am not a member of the Chamber and have been just as confused as the next person about the tenure of the current Chamber Director Dan-o Strong. First, I have never met anyone with a hyphenated name. I have a step sister with number for a name. That's odd too, right? Anyway, I've never met Dan-o. A lot of people I respect respect him and spoke on his behalf at the Chamber last week.
However, it does look like Dan-o was caught in the middle of a Tango of "Should I stay or Should I Go?" with the Chamber Board. The last I heard, he was staying. I think there was an appeal for amnesty and from what I read in the Burleson Star, one of Burleson's council members called out Keith Kelly, a member of theChamber Board, like it was OK Corral. The board retreated into a closed session and I wish I could say that Mr. Kelly was relieved of his board seat, but alas I cannot. However, that is probably what it will take for things to calm down around here. I'm glad that Dan-o is staying and I hope that there has been enough light shined on the situation with the Chamber that it will make it more difficult for Mr. Kelly and cohorts who sit with him on the Board to interfere with the Director's job. That may just make it a boring position for Kelly and he'll leave for greener pastures like in the Rio Grand Valley or even back to Massachusetts.
On to another issue that has gotten my attention... The housing fraud. Shelly Grant, also known as "Praise Jesus" and her partners in misinformation who are also running for the council and claim to be an anti-mud slingers, have a little Facebook Group. It's "How to be against the American Privilege of Living Anywhere You Can Afford. Well, it's something like that. I don't want to give it to you as I don't want you to get mucked up all the fodder they are selling. In any event, Praise Jesus has just been adding names like crazy. Some of these people have no idea they have been added. Basically, having your name on the list will make it difficult to have dinner conversation with disabled, elderly, those with mental and emotional challenges, minorities and just about anyone that doesn't look just like you. I'm sorry, but these women can call it anything they want. They can say it is because of over-crowding, etc... but the truth is, they are say, Not in My Back Yard orAnywhere But Here. This is not about where to put your nuclear trash. These are people that want the same things for their families as you do. Many of these people tried to own their own home and got caught in that crazy housing crisis where people that couldn't afford home were sold homes anyway. They just want a decent place to live in a good school zone and have places to shop. How is that any different than you???
It is not the practice of HUD to build the kind of housing complex that you may associate with that in Ft. Worth that you can see from I-35 and I-30 near the mix-master (for old timers). Those red brick buildings sitting on that ridge with stark grounds and no tree lined streets. However, since those are still there, they are used as they are. However, make no mistake. Rules are enforced. There is no trash outside those apartments. There are no jacked up cars sitting outside the front door. There is no kids running around the complex at midnight.Its a whole different ball game.
Today, HUD requires that apartments build with their Federal monies meet certain requirements for leasing and living there. They are mixed income. There are no felons, no druggies with convictions. There is a complex near me that has been there more than 10 years and it is well maintained as it was when it was build. It is full of working families getting a break on their rent so they can still buy groceries. Stop living in the 1960's. Take your head out and look around at your neighbors. The guy next door could be selling porno on line and mailing it from his garage. The head of a car theft ring could be living next door or across the street. Crime can be everywhere. You cannot tell who will rob you because of who makes the least amount of money-not if they do it for a thrill. Read the Mayors response to this misinformation being handed out by "Praise Jesus".
http://www.kenshetter.com/fact-check/1316-affordable-housing,
Also, read my previous blog post, "What Would Jesus Do".
Another thing that has amazed me is the people that have posted on my FB page (and then deleted it) or sent me private messages to to express how bad they feel for Larry the candidate for Mayor. First, isn't great to believe in something so much that you are ashamed to have your name associated with the thought?
This has been completely baffling to me. They ask, "Why are you being so mean to Larry?" Mean what do you mean? Oh, mean like saying, "he owned that bar and all". Oh, that. Well, he did own that bar. Yes he did. The State of Texas says that he still owns it. He filled out the paperwork twice saying he owned it after he "sold it". Yes, he did. As Susan Cloud said, that isn't being mean, that's 'vetting" your candidates. But, "you are being so mean by not saying you are sorry.". Sorry? Why? Because some one found out he owns something he didn't want us to know about? Hey, you need to be asking him to tell YOU that he's sorry. I've had several posts that have chided me for working "so hard" for Ken Shetter. They ask why? What's in it for me? Do I own a construction company or something? Why would I do such a thing? Another asks, "Don't you have anything better to do than message each person to tell them that their names have been put on a mis information website that is anti-housing for poor people?" Well, I'm retired, sorta. So, why not? I just refer them to my blog post about the "The Extreme Right of Right isn't Always Right". It'll give her a clue. She might want to touch on "No Apologies" as well, just so that she REALLY understand why no one should feel sorry for Larry the candidate.
Finally, I'd like to say that I have never been around so many people that care about the truth and getting information out to the public. There is a kind of "child like quality in their belief that if you can just let the people know the truth, they will embrace it and let the misrepresentations go. I want to believe that too. I have always believe that the truth is the best strategy. I've have begun to question that theory a bit after some of the people I have met. I realize that my truth isn't always the truth someone else has. But, there has been a full out effort to inform people and get information out. I remember when I served on the board of trustees in the mid to late 90's, I always felt that if you could just get the truth out that people would feel that were included and not feel so threatened. However, there are those who can never ever see truth and believe it. They are so jaded and cavalier. They will never accept it even when handed to them. Ken Shetter knows those people are out there, and he keeps on believing that he can trust them anyway to make the turn toward the light.
As we head down the home stretch, these are some of the things I will ponder. See you Sat.
Just sayin...
Ann
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