Community Resolution for the Midlothian, Texas City Council
A Resolution of the City Council of Midlothian,
Texas, in Defense of Citizens’ Constitutional Rights and Civil Liberties
WHEREAS, the Midlothian, Texas City Council recognizes the Constitution of
the United States of America and the constitution of the State of Texas to
be the supreme laws of the land which our town elected officials and
police officers by their oaths of office have sworn to uphold; and
WHEREAS, the preservation of civil rights and civil liberties stated in
these constitutions is essential to the well-being and integrity of our
republic, and if these fundamental rights are undermined it does
irreparable damage to American institutions and to the values of equal
justice and freedom that the residents of Midlothian, Texas hold in
highest respect and reverence; and
WHEREAS, following the attacks on America of September 11, 2001 the United
States Congress passed the USA Patriot Act (PL 107-56), signed by
President George W. Bush on October 26, 2001; and
WHEREAS, Midlothian, Texas affirms its strong opposition to terrorism, but
believes that government can and must protect public and personal safety
without impairing constitutional rights and civil liberties; and
that any federal anti-terrorism policies must not pose a threat to those
rights and liberties; and
WHEREAS, people in communities across the nation, including Midlothian,
Texas, believe that many provisions of the USA Patriot Act do threaten
America’s rights and liberties by expanding the authority of the federal
government to investigate and detain citizens and non-citizens secretly
and without showing cause, engaging in electronic surveillance of citizens
and non-citizens, carrying out searches and seizures without showing
evidence of probable cause nor timely relevant warrants, and punishment
without due process of the law.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF MIDLOTHIAN, TEXAS, RESOLVES:
Section 1. That Midlothian, Texas has been, and remains, firmly committed
to the protection of civil rights and civil liberties for all people.
Section 2. That Midlothian, Texas affirms the following principles: Every
person has the right to be free from unreasonable search and seizure;
Neither stops nor arrests may be made without establishing reasonable
suspicion or probable cause that a crime has been committed or is about to
be committed; Every person has a right to equal protection under the law
and the right not to be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due
process of law; Every person has the right to free speech and freedom of
association provided under the First Amendment of the Constitution of the
United States and court opinions thereon.
Section 3. That Midlothian, Texas reaffirms its support of the government
of the United States of America in its campaign against terrorism, but
also reaffirms its commitment that such a campaign not be waged at the
expense of constitutionally guaranteed rights and civil liberties of the
people of Ellis County.
Section 4. That Midlothian, Texas recognizes that infringement of these
constitutionally-guaranteed rights and civil liberties under cover of law
is an abuse of power, a breach of public trust, a misappropriation of
public resources, a violation of civil rights, and a misuse of the
government’s authority.
Section 5. That Midlothian, Texas supports the immediate repeal of
unconstitutional provisions of the USA Patriot Act and strongly urges the
State of Texas Congressional delegation to vigorously resist and oppose
any and all attempts to extend of make permanent the powers and
authorities contained in the USA Patriot Act and current legislation from
the Obama Administration now scheduled to cease to have effect on December
31, 2005
Section 6. That the City Council of Midlothian, Texas shall send copies of
this signed resolution to President Barack Hussein Obama and Congressman
Joe Barton, R-Ennis, with notification of its desire that they work to
repeal those provisions of the USA Patriot Act and any and all provisions
of any other relevant federal legislation that may violate fundamental
rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States.
We here at one of the many citizens sites
for Midlothian Texas are glad you are taking an interest in our fairly
average city.
Midlothian offers many good things to
entice new people to the area.
Great schools that, for the most part,
have been holding their own against other districts in the area. I have
2 kids in MISD and really have no complaints beyond the basic corporate
controlled public school model.
If you’re a little progressive and feel maybe it’s time to reduce our
dependence on oil (remember the 70’s, those were the days), sorry,
Midlothian is an automobile dependent town. MISD will build schools with
no way to get there except drive. I think bus service should start where
the sidewalk leaves off. Perhaps you have heard about the great lunches
that institutional suppliers have been able to supply to the public
schools system. Healthy foods - including vegetarian choices and organic
fruits and vegetables. Sorry, not here. My research several years ago
not only turned up the usual institutional prison food, but nobody could
even supply an ingredients list. Hey, they're only kids what do they
know, and what are they going to do about it.
Up until Midlothian became a Wal-Mart
town, it still had the small town feel about it and attracted many
families that were looking for just that. There is still hope that
people will see what a negative W/M is and that the town (and the world)
pay a big price for low (and incomplete) prices at the register. You
won’t find much healthy competition to W/M in Midlothian. Perhaps when
people are tired of being abused as consumers and decide that they want
a town with a little independence, they will work to rebuild what has
been lost. We could turn the old W/M building into a farmers market and
support those local people that grow our food (the few that are left)
and say “so long” to food traveling from across the planet. W/M has
figured out how to create its own customers. Convince people that price
is everything, find manufactures that are willing to cut wages and
benefits to the bone, then market those goods to the people that no
longer make much money and price becomes everything – circle complete.
We also have quite a few large industries
in town. Many of which are working to make Midlothian a prosperous city
that stacks (no pun intended) up well to area competition. It is true
that some of the largest polluters in the metroplex call Midlothian
home, you just have to assess your requirements. If pollution is not a
great concern of yours than you can locate in many neighborhoods that
are able to block out those sights, sounds, and smells that might
distract from the community atmosphere. Many people may be reminded of
home by the smokestacks, noise (blasting and sirens), and bad smell
(scrubbing only works so well). Plus, price negotiations on real estate
are quite a bit shorter when substantially influenced by the senses. If,
on the other hand, the myriad of chemicals emitted by these industries
cause you to wonder what health risks are lurking down the road , there
are steps. By the way, our government says there is little risk in all
that air pollution stuff. But they are also the ones that told us New
York that the air on 911 was safe to breathe and those Katrina trailers
are safe enough. You might have to seek your own level of concern
regarding the definition of ‘safe’. Get out your map and don't live
North or South of corporate neighbors.
We are growing just like other cities.
Periodic battles with those that had no interest in living in the city
limits, but now are forced to either be absorbed or move. I’m sure it’s
a product of our countries inability to deal with growth by any other
means that capitalism and corporate interests. But, it’s hard to deny
heritage. America was formed by taking land and it’s just in our blood,
what can you do. So, if you want to live outside the city, keep in mind
growth rates. You won’t stand in the way of growth, money, and the
inability of our cities to break from heritage will you? Is it just
about bringing in more money? Is it about protecting our town borders to
keep other cities from growing to us? If so, are we trying to fix it? If
we had a mechanism to protect future areas without having to annex them,
we could spend that time and money actually improving the city. The old
quantity versus quality. Can you really have a dynamic progressive city
with proud involved citizens when a good percentage of them were drawn
in against their will and don't want to be here? It's better to have
happy partners than victims.
You won’t find any of those obnoxious
bike paths or sidewalks to distract you while driving. I know we're back
to the transportation issue. There are sidewalk communities, but you’re
risking it trying to reach a store or anything beyond the neighborhood.
The city built Midlothian Parkway and forgot about sidewalks or other
OTA (other than automobiles) transportation. It is absolutely unsafe to
attempt to walk to the soccer fields from anywhere.
If you going to Walnut Grove MS, essentially anybody living beyond next
door and too close for busing distance will need to be driven, walking
is an accident waiting to happen.
Midlothian can boast no ugly billboards
in the city. They are renting out public property to the home builders
in the form of dozens of signs on public property to inform people where
the housing developments are. So if you're prepared to spend a hundred
grand or more for a house but don't know where all the housing developments are (hint- any major
Sunday newspaper) then you can just drive with abandon knowing that
these rented signs are there to guide you. Much neater and more profitable that those old
temporary ones that littered the streets. Litter still being in the eye
of those passing by. It’s seems odd that someone has not sued the city
for only allowing homebuilders to have signs. Why not the restaurants,
gas stations, pawn shops, beer stores, hair salons, fast food places,
etc. We could litter (there’s that word again) the public roadsides with
helpful and semi-tasteful signs leased by hundreds of merchants. Just a
thought.
Hopefully the
new
Mid-Towne development
will set an example of what cities should
strive for. Sidewalks and bike trails everywhere, gardens for people to
maybe supplement with some fresh fruits and vegetables. Don't forget
rain collection systems and solar panels everywhere. A windmill or 2
would certainly set a good example, but then again America is not quite
ready to admit that conservation would be cheaper than war. But this
development is a substantial step in the right direction. Why is there
not solar panels on every city owned building in town? Leadership in
America is so short-sighted, it makes one wonder.
So, you see, Midlothian is better than
some and worse than others. It just depends on what kind of a world you
want. Wouldn't it be so nice to live in a progressive community that's
really working to make life better instead of just being the same as
everyplace else. I realize it is hard to go against the grain of regular
America and really be progressive, but how long are we going to wait?
Perhaps when the air gets so dirty that we will have to use our cars as
rolling oxygen tents. When the price of food gets so high because we ran
all the local farmers out of business in favor of low nutrition cheap
food brought in by expensive petroleum. Transportation costs effect
those that need stuff more than those that don't. Are we going to be a
town that has not looked into the future enough to take care of our own
needs? Can we design a town that could supply basic needs in a crisis?
It starts with citizens that care (ones not forced into the city against
their will). It also takes a recognition that we have over-consumed and
over-spent for too long and bubble is going to break. Are we ready as a
community? Do you think W/M is going to take care of us?
Congratulations to our city on the new moniker
"DFW's Southern Star"
Replacing the Official ( Un-Official )
"Cement ( Pollution) Capitol of Texas"
Wondering about the status of the pollution fight and/or
planning on moving to Midlothian. Or wondering
why you should consider moving if you live here.
My advice if your thinking about living in Midlothian, Venus, or Cedar
Hill - Stay out of the North-South Prevailing wind corridor. Get a map and
pinpoint the big industries, plot the prevailing wind, then don't live there.
Let's then have a community conversation about where we should locate schools
and athletic parks. Ex - Vitovsky, Hawkin Springs Soccer, and the High School.
All within 'The Corridor'. It is a given that industry and government are not
concerned about our children, all we have left is community.
If you don't think the city should be using public
property
to advertise for commercial interest, let those businesses know how you
feel.
Trust me, It will only proliferate and get more obvious and obnoxious.
I don't want our public spaces used for billboards.
Yes , I know, all the other cities are doing it.
My kids use that reasoning all the time,
Just because everyone else is doing it... well you know.
On a positive note, the city is pushing the signs by the side of the road
as
a substitute for the ugly weekend signs that get put out.
Perhaps they could have just told the homebuilders that they would
have to find advertising space like everybody else and quit
expecting to be treated special.
I suppose the pole signs are just so the other businesses
won't gripe about the homebuilders getting an edge.
But they are really just city sanctioned billboards, and like I say,
it will only get worse, what a shame.
Is "Public Space" the New Currency for The City of Midlothian
The city is missing out on all kinds of revenue by using
space that belongs to the people to advertise.
School Buses ?
Our New Stadium ?
City Police vehicles ?
Water Towers ?
We could start selling interests in public buildings,
Mall-Wart City Hall Complex
Mid-Cement Police Station
Toys R Everything Convention Center
Eventually the City ( Us ) won't actually own anything.
I know, "What's the big deal? America is commercialized -- get over it!" And
I admit my views may sound a bit old-fashioned. But this isn't a matter of
priggishness or personal nostalgia.
Public spaces matter. They matter because they are the emblems, the physical
embodiments, of a community's spirit and soul. A public space belongs to all who
share in the life of a community. And it belongs to them in common, regardless
of their differences in social station or political clout. Indeed, its very
purpose is to preserve a realm where a person's worth or dignity doesn't depend
on market valuations.
So when a shared public space, such as a park, a schoolhouse, or a roadway becomes just
another marketing opportunity for just another sponsor, something precious is
undermined: the idea that we are equal as citizens even though we may be unequal
as consumers.
What the commercialization of public spaces also does, gradually and subtly,
is convert all forms of identity into brand identity.
Makes me wonder, with regard to recent recommendations to the city for more
parks and public areas, are they just creating more currency.
