Tom Leppert: 'Doesn't give a darn about the citizens of Dallas'

So, do you think Mayor Tom Leppert cares about the citizens of Dallas or not? Councilman Mitchell Rasansky tells the Observer Leppert doesn't care — "doesn’t give a darn about the citizens of Dallas". Rasansky goes on to mention that Leppert was on the board of directors of Washington Mutual even as that financial institution bit the dust, saying Leppert's comments about WaMu's financial health a few weeks prior to its bailout — “the feeling is that there's sufficient capital and good things ahead" — is indicative of Leppert's go-for-broke actions with the convention center hotel, regardless of a possible pending referendum on the project and a disintegration of the bond market. It's worth clicking on the post, written by Sam Merten, because it has a whole list of interesting information and story links. As for me, I tend to think that it's not that Leppert doesn't care about the rest of us. I think he just believes he knows better than everyone else what's good for us. Come to think of it, that was the prevailing attitude on Wall Street for a few years, too, and look what happened to those guys...

Comments

[lh_newbie]

Tlep's complete disregard for citizens, as displayed with his "full speed ahead" acts on the Convention Center Hotel - completely ignoring a pending referendum vote (and trying to spend money before hands to make it to a point of no return) is, in my opinion, unacceptable for an elected official. His constituents have followed the legal path to force a vote - and he's disrespecting his voters by ignoring it. A delay of 6 months would certainly not hurt this project if the majority of citizens want to spend $500M on it. He is on the verge of losing my vote.

[Kathy]

He's already lost MY vote and what respect/admiration I thought I had for him! What was I thinking?? He is completely self-serving but guess I should have seen that coming.... is there anything to do but wait for the next election to force him out (at least hopefully)? I don't know that I can wait that long for someone/something to put a stop to him.

[Not Another CVS]

Leppert angers me. In hindsight, I could kick myself for voting for him. He quite obviously doesn't give a rip what his constituents think and clearly has his own agenda that he's trying to push through. Leppert's lack of true leadership and blatant disregard for Dallas citizens is shameful.

[Not Impressed with Leppert]

Kathy, the problem I forsee is that the dollars/donors are behind Leppert to help elect him to a second term. These races are expensive and I'm afraid we are stuck with Leppert until the dollars behind him go away. I totally agree this hotel fiasco brings out his true colors. Since our own rep Jerry Allen is a member of the Leppert cult, my opinion of Allen isn't very high either. I'm hoping that someone will step up in District 10 to challenge Allen in the next election as well.