One way to upgrade a neighborhood...
Posted by Winston Edmondson on June 01, 2009
One way to upgrade a neighborhood is to penalize the home owners that habitually violate code. I'm not talking about the guy that wasn't aware that the fence he was putting up was too close to the sidewalk. I'm talking about the people that repeatedly violate code. What frustrates me, and many of you have expressed similar sentiments, is that those habitual violators are usually the ones that get away with the most. Citizens that obey the law will quickly get a notice if they violate code, and they'll take care of the problem.
Those that don't respect the law often get a pass, because the city assumes they won't do something about it. Take this house, on E. College Street, for example. They were building a second story addition to the house...from scratch...with what almost looked like spare parts. The city could have condemned the property long ago. We could have torn it down and a new house (with that Old Town look and feel) could have been put up in it's place. Instead, we've given them chance after chance to make things right. Tonight, the city council will most likely vote to take the condemnation of the table entirely. "They've made some effort to make things right." Really? Does that dirt driveway meet city code? Does that crude fence meet code? Does that makeshift two story structure in the back meet code? I'm told that far too many individuals live in this house, which is why they wanted to add a second story. How many chances should they get?

Instead of these repeat offenders, let's give Old Town Lewisville a chance to succeed instead.
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Sign Theft: Get your camera phones ready.
Posted by Winston Edmondson
Help us catch the campaign sign thief!
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I'm going to become a CIS mentor, and so should you!
Posted by Winston Edmondson. Please email this article to your friends and post it on Facebook.
My wife and I attended the Celebrating Successes event at the Great Wolf Lodge this weekend. If you haven't heard of Communities In Schools, you really need to check out their website. Gary Henderson helped me become the man that I am today as my Sunday school teacher years and years ago. Today, as the CEO of Communities In Schools North Texas, he's leading an organization that is helping thousands of disadvantaged young men and women reach their full potential. We were in good company at Celebrating Successes (view images). The Honorary Chair was none other than Senator Jane Nelson. Most of the LISD school board members were in attendance. I had the opportunity to visit with County Commissioner Bobby Mitchell, Judge Kerbow, Lewisville Police Chief Kerbow, and many more. I can't thank Gary enough for doing what he's doing in our community. I'm going to become a CIS mentor. I hope you'll consider doing the same!
I'm not a very good politician...
Please email this article to your friends and post it on Facebook.
Throughout the course of this campaign, I've discovered that I'm not a very good politician. I met the sweetest little, old lady recently, and I really want her vote. At the moment, she plans on voting for my opponent. A political strategists would tell me to focus on undecided voters and not waste any time on trying to change the mind of a single voter. I can't help it, though. She doesn't like the direction the city is going. She supports all the ideas I have. She tells me that she's known Dean for such a long time, and she promised him that she would vote for him. I truly feel that if she votes for him, she'll have Voters Remorse. It may not be the best use of my time, but I'm going to keep trying to convince her to be true to her values when she votes. Either way, I think she's such a neat person.
The Lewisville Leader candidate comparison
Posted by Winston Edmondson
Check out the April 25th edition of the Lewisville Leader for a candidate comparison, or read it here.
Pol. Adv. Paid for by the Winston Edmondson for Lewisville Campaign Fund | Sharon Edmondson, Treasurer