blog& BACK TALK comments

Stellar Students

Thank you for this story (“Measure of success”, April Advocate ). Good luck to all these students in their future college careers. Also, a big “thank you” to Ms. Vail, Ms. Escanilla, the coaches, teachers and staff who encouraged these students. Woodrow truly does change lives.

—JOY BROCK, VIA

The stories of these students make me cry. I am very thankful, and I appreciate more the wonderful jobs our teachers and administrators are doing. Ms. Escanilla has done a terrific job at setting a college-bound mindset for all students. It’s never been like this before. All students now have access to college regardless of their backgrounds. When students know there are adults in schoolwho believe andtruly care about them and their future, no matter what difficulty they are going through, they shall overcome.

—S ALLY JENSEN, VIA

Being the senior coordinator, I have the pleasure to meet the kids, joke, play and be serious when needed. I enjoy them a great deal, and this reminds me of a quote from Albert Schweitzer that I use often with all kids and adults: “Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.”

DEMETRICHHERFORD, VIA

As their teacher, I have had the pleasure of seeing Leticia, Travoy and William grow over the past two years, and I cannot wait to see what they do in the future. I am so proud!

—BOBHEARNE,

Donating

VIA

A clarification to an answer you provided in the April issue: S omeone was asking about getting rid of chemicals, TVs and other various products (“How It Works”). On the TV part, you cited that Goodwill at

Albertson’s would take a working TV off of one’s hands — this actually is not true. I tried to take some nice working tube TVs to their 6464 Mockingbird [at Abrams] location a few weeks ago and was refused, as they don’t accept them. I was thrown off, so I checked their website — sure enough, they don’t accept them. However, I was able to find another group that not only would take them, but will come pick them up (and anything else that you would normally donate to a Goodwill/Salvation Army type company):Soul’s Harbor. Just don’t want anyone to go through the trouble I went through many weeks ago — those TVs are very heavy to try and unsuccessfully cart off!

—BETH PROVOST, VIA EMAIL

Editor’s note: Soul’s Harbor is a Dallas organization working to help men break the cycle of homelessness. The nonprofit can be reached at 972.286.1940 or soulsharbordallas.org. Salvation Army also will pick up working televisions from Dallas locations; to arrange for pickup, call 214.630.5611. The Advocate regrets the incorrect information about Goodwill; for information on what Goodwill donation centers will and won’t accept, visit goodwilldallas.org/donation centers.shtml, or call 214.638.2800 ext. 137.

HOW IT DOESN’T WORK

Your real title should be “how we would like it to work, but it doesn’t” (“How It Works”, March Advocate ). I contacted Councilman Jerry Allen in May 2009 about my sidewalk problem. It took until August 2009 to get into contact with James Dowdy (with City of Dallas sidewalk replacement). When I finally made contact with him, he agreed the problem needed fixing ... I wanted to hire someone myself to repair it, but only “bonded” concrete companies can replace a sidewalk according to city rules. Fact is, I could not find one “bonded” company to repair my 20 inches of sidewalk.

I went the city way just as you described in your article. I received an estimate, and, as required, my neighbor and I signed the forms and returned them to James Dowdy. After no response, I called for a progress report. I was told that the low-bid city contractor, Northern Pipeline, should have contacted me and he would touch base with them.

The next morning, an unmarked pickup parkedin the middle of my street, and a man carrying orange paint marked my sidewalk. I was excited that it appeared something was finally going to be done. I asked the man about the bill ... he told me to call his supervisor, Mike. I did that immediately. Mike told me he had no idea why I had not received a bill, but would get one out immediately. That was the end of any contact.

In December, I contacted Mr. Dowdy again. I told him that I was going to again talk to my councilman ... he assured me my sidewalk would be taken care of shortly by a city crew. Later, in January, I was contacted by a company that had replaced Northern Pipeline. I refused to pre-pay them and wondered what would have happened if I had paid Northern Pipeline before they closed and no work was ever completed. Does the city guarantee their “low-bid” contractors?

Weeks later, still nothing. I live on the bottom of a hill. Children ride bikes and skateboards down my hill all the time, and often fall at get hurt at this point on the sidewalk. Your “How It Works” section does not addressanything exceptwhat the city would like you to believe is true. I can assure you, my experiences are not even close to your article.

I have done everything in my power to take care of the problem. I have also notified my insurance company of the same. The city will be responsible from this point forward.

—STAN COKER, VIA EMAIL

Get Over It

Seems to me that folksaremaking a mountain out of a molehill(“Alley Oops”, April Advocate ). As far as I know, my street has always had curbside pickup. I think our alleyisactually one of those utility easements. It’s not a big deal. Even less of a deal since we only put them out once a week now. The cans aren’t out that long. Less than a day. And for a number of years, I put an elderly neighbor’s garbage out each week. It’s what neighbors do.

—CURBSIDE IN LFH, VIA