By Bill Zeeble, KERA 90.1 reporter
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kera/local-kera-480370.mp3
Dallas Mayor Miller and city council clash over alleged ethics violations
Dallas, TX –
Bill Zeeble, KERA 90.1 reporter: The debate over removing the Plan Commissioner unfolded more like a legal and civil rights drama than a council briefing. Lee is Mayor Pro Tem Don Hill's appointee, and is one of several people - nearly all African American - tied to an FBI probe into housing tax-credits. Many public speakers, including DART board member Joyce Foreman, hinted this seemed more like a witch hunt.
Joyce Foreman, DART board member: Mayor Miller, you have a history of attacking appointed African American representatives on boards and commissions.
Zeeble: Then Foreman broadened a point repeated throughout yesterday's discussion.
Foreman: There have been no charges against Mr. Lee. And if I'm not mistaken, this is still America, and you're innocent until proven guilty.
Zeeble: Miller said race wasn't the issue, cited many of her own African American appointees, then read news story transcripts. Lee allegedly took a pay-off for securing a zone permit change. He drove a luxury car that wasn't his, but didn't declare it, in violation of ethics rules. He owes federal taxes.
Dallas Mayor Laura Miller: Due to Mr. Lee's actions, public trust has been lost. Ability for the plan commission to work has been diminished and the taint over the entire process - over planning and zoning - is tainted.
Zeeble: Miller's council backers included North Dallas representative Mitchell Rasansky.
Mitchell Rasansky, Dallas City Council member, District 13: Yes, this is America and people are innocent until proven guilty. But I think the damage has been done. The accusations, the perception of the public is that there's a problem and we're elected for that not to happen. It's time to curtail whatever's been tainted on the Plan Commission.
Zeeble: Every African American council member, including Don Hill, rejected Miller and Rasansky's assessment.
Don Hill, Dallas Mayor Pro Tem: The Mayor's last three appointees to the Plan Commission have all been forced to resign. So when you say that some way, without any accusations being made, that the Plan Commission is tainted, that ignores what's been happening since 2001. I'm struggling with that, Mitch - really struggling with that. Right now, we're talking about facts about removing somebody. We have absolutely no facts in front of us other than a news story.
Zeeble: The Mayor's motion to remove Lee failed. But by the same 9-to-6 vote, the council adopted a motion from Ed Oakley.
Ed Oakley, Dallas City Council member, District 3: If anyone around the horseshoe or city employee that has any information on Southwest housing should be making the compliant to the Ethics Commission. This is where this should be. That's what the process was put in place for. I move we hold this for three weeks, until we see if anyone files a compliant with the ethics commission and let them go through due process.
Zeeble: After the session, Miller was disappointed, fearing Lee would remain on the plan commission for another two years.
Miller: The vote today shows the majority of the city council is not concerned about ethics. They sent the message that it's OK for people who do these things to continue to serve on our boards and commissions, and that's a shame.
Zeeble: Councilman Chaney disagreed with the Mayor's premise that the vote equals approval of public corruption. It's about due process, he said, and individual rights. For KERA 90.1, I'm Bill Zeeble.
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