LHAIA Legal Defense Fund

LHAIA Legal Fund Appeal
The LHAIA has decided that it is in the interest of our area to intervene in selected lawsuits filed by the City against the owners of problematic apartment properties. We also anticipate that we will file lawsuits in the future against irresponsible property owners/managers, regardless of City of Dallas participation.

We need your help. In the current lawsuit in which we have intervened, a mediation has been scheduled between the City of Dallas and the apartment owner. We have been invited to attend the mediation. There are fees charged by the mediator – in this case $1,000 per party. We had asked, and the mediator had agreed, to waive the fee in the case of the LHAIA, but counsel for the apartment owner refuses to agree to our participation if we do not pay the fee. We feel it is important that we attend this mediation in order to clearly make the position of the LHAIA and the Highland Meadows Neighborhood Association known and have our concerns addressed.

Can you help with a donation? No fee is being charged by counsel for LHAIA and Highland Meadows Neighborhood Association in this case. We expect that representation in future cases will be on a pro bono (no cost) basis. If not, we will let you know. The funds solicited will be used for unavoidable costs such as mediation fees, court reporter fees (for depositions), filing fees, service of process fees, etc.
Please make your contributions (checks) payable to LHAIA, and send them in care of the following:

LHAIA
C/O Stephen N. Wakefield
9916 Wood Forest Dr.
Dallas, Texas 75243

Verified Response

Chief Kunkle proposes that police no longer respond to home alarms unless someone verfies a crime has actually occurred. Over 97 % of alarms are false according to the DPD.

The Dallas City Council will hold a hearing on October 12th at 1 PM, but the time will be limited due to the Yom Kippur holiday. Comments will continue to be heard through October 26, 2005.

LHAIA General Meeting Change of Venue

Thank you for all who attended the LHAIA General Meeting at the Lake Highlands Recreation Center. Due to space limitations, poor sound quality, and various other concerns, the LHAIA is moving the General Meeting to the Lake Highlands Freshman Center Auditorium. (10200 White Rock Trail, Dallas, Texas 75238-Across the Street from the Recreation Center) The Freshman Center has soft chairs and much more room.

The next LHAIA General Meeting will be October 17th at 7:00pm.

This is the last General Meeting for the year.

A preview of the agenda includes 3 guest speakers:

City Councilman Bill Blaydes—Economic Development in Lake Highlands
Tracy Curts—Executive Director of the Uptown Public Improvement District
Several Wal-Mart Representatives—Speak about Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and address the proposed Wal-Mart Supercenter as well as the Lake Highlands Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market.

The final agenda with more detailed information will be sent out in a couple of weeks.

Newsletter Deadline

The next LHAIA Newsletter will be sent out in a couple of weeks. If your neighborhood has any information or announcements that your neighborhood would like to share with the entire Lake Highlands Community (51 HOAs) please send your information to Sean Christopher, Schristopher@lhaia.org, by October 5, 2005.


If you did not get this email directly from the LHAIA, please go to http://lhaia.org/Subscribe.php to subscribe to the LHAIA listserve.

Kindest Regards,
Sean Chris


Sean Christopher
Executive Vice President

Suhm Replies

One of our residents received the note below in response to his complaint about the cut in code compliance funds.

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Please be assured that the Department of Code Compliance budget is not being reduced but in fact is being increased by $1.5 million. The current fiscal year budget is $21.1 million and the next fiscal year proposed budget is $22.6 million. There will be no reduction of service in Lake Highlands or any other part of town. My goal is to deliver high quality code compliance service to all citizens of Dallas.

I know that Lake Highlands has been experiencing the challenges of the over building of apartment complexes for many years and that the multi-family code compliance inspectors are one of the most important services that the City provides to the area. The department currently has 30 multifamily inspectors with three vacancies. The department plans to be fully staffed by late October. I appreciate your concern and interest in the Department of Code Compliance and the well-being of the City of Dallas.

Sincerely,


Mary K. Suhm Kathleen Davis
City Manager Director, Code Compliance

McCree Esprit

Seven area churches are coming together to host the second annual "McCree Esprit" on Sunday, October 2, from 3:00-6:00pm, at the corner of Audelia and McCree. Last year was a huge success. We would love for your neighborhood to come! Here is what will be involved with McCree Esprit....

free admission
food
carnival games for kids
bounce houses
live music
marketplace A.D. booths
dunking booth
pet adoption
pet costume contest at 5:15
pet blessing at 4:45
cake walk
stuffed animal adoption
cook off contest for chili, ice cream and pumpkin recipes (bring entries at 3:00)

Proceeds from a few special activities will benefit the White Rock Center of Hope.

McCree Esprit is sponsored by the following churches: St. James Episcopal, Lake Highlands Presbyterian, Lake Highlands Church, Fellowship Bible Church White Rock, North Highlands Bible, Highlands Christian, and Lake Highlands United Methodist.