The Covid-19 Silver Lining

COVID-19 THE SILVER LINING

by Precinct 4 Commissioner Dianne Edmondson photo courtesy by Commissioner Dianne Edmondson

We have all had it with COVID-19, right? We hate wearing masks, keeping social distances between friends and family, possible hospitalization and ventilators, and worst of all, the loss of life within our circle of acquaintances, family members, or fellow Americans.

But it occurred to me this week that --- believe it or not --- there actually is a silver lining to this horrible pandemic.

Here in Denton County, the federal government provided us with a $147M grant to be used for COVID-related relief efforts. Very quickly, your County Commissioners determined that we wanted to first address the businesses – particularly small business – who were being closed by the Governor’s Disaster Declaration. With a true team effort, guidelines were established (i.e. Denton County owned/operated since at least 2019, able to actually show a revenue loss due to COVID, etc.) and an application form developed. The Commissioners were hands-off as far as selecting which applicants would be awarded grants, with the decision being objectively determined within the County Auditor’s office. The County Treasurer assisted in getting the checks out to the businesses as quickly as possible. The grants ranged from $2500 to $25,000 in the first phase and up to $50,000 in the second phase depending upon the size of the business and its payroll. In total, $35,762,640.55 has been given to try and help Denton County businesses to maintain as many local jobs as possible and to make it through this difficult time.

Next, our attention turned to our residents, many of whom had lost their jobs and were having difficulty with their rent/ mortgage payments, complicated by personal food shortages and issues. Rather than direct payments to individuals, the Commissioners opted to partner with United Way to assist our county’s nonprofits who deal with these issues already. Our County Communications Director acted as our liaison to the United Way and kept us appraised of the grants’ progress as well as additional needs as they became apparent, resulting in partnering with local fresh food producers to aid area food banks and providing funding for needed additional refrigeration equipment.

In total, your County Commissioners granted $9.5 million to help our fellow residents with food, shelter, and other needs. Here is a breakdown of how those funds were spent: *$1.6+ million in non-profit grants

*$2.6+ million for food

*$5.3+ million to prevent 3,500 households from eviction

*$35.5+ million to towns and cities

*10,100+ free COVID-19 tests

*1.27 million+ masks, hand sanitizer, gloves, gowns, face shields, etc.

*20,000+ boxes of fruits and vegetables

*30,500+ COVID-19 call center calls

*12,000 turkeys and hams for Thanksgiving for families in need

The federal funds had “strings” attached regarding how they could be spent, and also had very thorough transparency and accounting requirements. The deadline for these funds to be expended is December 30. So, we are proud that we got into this process quickly (more quickly than most of our neighboring counties) and have produced a really “best practices” template of utilizing these federal monies.

So, while we certainly do not view it as a silver lining that so many of our fellow residents have been put out of work, are ill or are having trouble with food and shelter issues, this pandemic has provided us the opportunity to demonstrate our love and care for our neighbors, and giving hope to both ourselves and to others, which became that silver lining!

So, stay strong, stay safe and stay on guard against this invisible enemy …. an enemy which I firmly believe soon will be defeated!

Commissioner Dianne Edmondson may be reached at her Southwest County Courthouse office at 6200 Canyon Falls Drive in Argyle or by phone at 972/4343960. To receive her periodic e-newsletter, please request it at Dianne.Edmondson@

dentoncounty.com

COME AS A CLIENT & LEAVE AS A FRIEND

by Diane Ciarloni photos courtesy of Lori Jacobson

Alot of people looking for residential property in the DFW Metroplex began hearing a slogan five years ago. It told them to “come in as a client and to leave as a friend.” They investigated, and learned the words came from Lori Jacobson’s DFW Legacy Group, a real estate firm in Roanoke that provides a highly trained, service-focused group of 28 agents in the residential field.

Lori is smart. She’s sincere. She holds all things family at the core of her value system. She truly enjoys seeing other people do well, make money, and be happy. She, her husband, Chad, and their four children have done quite well in all three categories. She wants to help others do the same and to give back to her community in any way she can.

Lori is totally responsible for the creation of DFW Legacy. Nothing was handed to her. Her mother was out of the picture, so it was Lori’s grandmother who took her, as an infant, home from the hospital a few days after her birth. Her father was later killed when she was three, making Lori the

sole responsibility of her grandmother — on a tollway. I made my way back into whom she’s always referred to as “Mom.” the business in 2011 and got my broker’s “My mom was in real estate,” she license. That was a very important step explained. “She was a tremendous because I promised my mom I’d get it. organizer and a natural nurturer. She Then I started driving and learning my treated the agents like her own family, and way around.” they adored her. She was recognized as a It’s a good thing she didn’t delay in top agent in San Antonio, which is where getting her physical bearings because I was born and grew up. DFW Legacy Group opened I worked for her while I was in high school “Honestly, five years ago with four agents. The business began and was able to get my I don’t see coming in right away. license in 2007.” the market “A lot of my agents/staff were For Lori, just the word “family” is magical — not slowing down friends or former clients. I love meeting new people, and I to mention warm and in 2021.” love my agents. We have big fuzzy. As far as she’s client events. I take the agents concerned, everyone needs, wants, and on trips. I want to spoil them, to make deserves a family. That’s why she used them feel like family, and to make them the word “legacy” in her company’s name feel proud of being a part of DFW Legacy. since, as a rule, a legacy is developed and That encourages them to push through nurtured by and within a family. challenges and feel comfortable reaching “We moved from San Antonio to the out for help when they need it.” Roanoke area in 2008,” Lori said.“I had Lori has reached a point in her career traveled very little. I’d never even been where she no longer beats the bushes for clients, and with multiple awards earned in 2020, such as: D Magazine Best Realtor & Top Producer, LifeIn 76262 & 76226 Magazine “Best Realtor”, Real Producers North DFW Top 100 Producers, and America’s Top 100 Real Estate Agents Top 1%; no wonder most of her clientele are repeats or referrals. Only 30-percent of her business is in new construction.

“Houses sell fast,” said Lori. “I’ve moved more into the luxury market and, to tell you honestly, I don’t see the market slowing down in 2021. Many, many people are moving to Texas from California and Colorado. Also, we had no negative effects from COVID. This was an extremely good year for us and, as I said, I see no reason to anticipate anything less going forward.”

Addison, Lori’s daughter, is following in her mom’s real estate footsteps. She’s planning on adding to the legacy for Legacy by extending it to embrace three generations of family. That, for Lori, is ideal.