New Troubleshooting Chief At Parkland
Parkland Hospital has hired a Chief Implementation Officer. John Beall will be in charge of the plan to “fix” safety issues at the Dallas County Hospital.
He is a former team leader for hospital accreditation, and investigated complaints related to quality of care. Beall is also a Registered Nurse. He will develop internal controls and oversee Parkland’s action plan to meet the federal standards necessary to continue to receive Medicare and Medicaid funding.
BJ Austin
Santorum Leads New Texas Poll
A new Poll by the University of Texas and Texas Tribune shows Rick Santorum leading among Texas Republicans. Santorum garners 45%. Newt Gringrich is second with 18%; Mitt Romney 16 and Ron Paul 14 percent.
The Tribune says the poll suggests a major reshuffling in the presidential race in Texas after Governor Rick Perry’s exit. Santorum is scheduled to be in North Texas Thursday: a fundraiser in Westlake for the SuperPac that’s supporting him.
Staff Reports
Dallas Police Seek Racial Slur Vandals
Dallas Police are asking for the public’s help to find those responsible for vandalizing at least half a dozen cars in an apartment complex not far from Lake Highlands High School.
Police say several of the vehicles had racial slurs scratched into the hood, side or trunk. Windows were also broken on some of the cars. The vandal or vandals struck late Sunday night or early this Monday morning. Police say they have no witnesses so far.
BJ Austin
Dallas Council To Talk Horse Park ... Again
Wednesday morning, Dallas City Council members get additional information about the proposed Texas Horse Park – part of the Dallas Trinity River development plan.
The city is considering a scaled-down version after private fundraising faltered. That would significantly reduce the anticipated economic impact. They’ll also look at other horse parks around the country, how they’re funded and if they’re subsidized by government. Councilman Jerry Allen is convinced the Texas Horse Park is a project worth doing.
Allen: I have no doubt that ten years from now, people will be clapping and saying hey this is a good thing. I have no doubt about that.
But council member Angela Hunt says she’s not sure spending 12 million dollars in bond money on a horse park is the right thing to do to spark economic development in Southern Dallas.
The city wants to request proposals from businesses interested in running the park for the city. It would feature horse barns and performance arenas, plus trail and therapeutic riding.
BJ Austin
Go Purple Day In Fort Worth
Fort Worth City Council members are encouraging all residents and businesses to wear purple today (Tuesday) in support of TCU.
The Fort Worth campus is reeling after the arrests of 22 people on campus-related drug charges, four of them on the championship football team. Mayor Betsy Price says TCU sent a strong message that any attempt to harm students or the university’s reputation will not be tolerated. She says Fort Worth has an opportunity to stand up for TCU and show that everyone in the city loves our Horned Frogs.
BJ Austin
Firefighters To Burn 50 Acres Near Joe Pool Lake
Sometime this week, dark smoke could billow over I-20 around Joe Pool Lake.
The city of Grand Prairie says firefighters will burn about 50 acres near Belt Line Road in Cedar Hill, close to the collection of tall radio antennas. Officials say experts from Texas Parks and Wildlife will conduct the monitored burn to remove undergrowth that could fuel a wildfire. Grand Prairie officials say it’ll happen in the next week, when the winds are out of the south or southeast. They expect visibility to be reduced on neighboring roads. And they hope advanced notice will limit the number of 9-1-1 calls.
BJ Austin