Fort Worth crime tax, street fees for events, Obama and the war

Fort Worth crime tax vote

On Nov. 3, Fort Worth voters will decide whether to renew a half-cent sales tax dedicated to the continuation of a crime control and prevention district, or CCPD.

We cannot afford to be complacent about crime. In the 1980s, Fort Worth was considered one of the most unsafe cities in America.

With the approval of the CCPD and the programs it funded, our crime dropped 32 percent. According to Fort Worth Police Department data, we are still maintaining low levels of crime. Unfortunately, that is not the case with burglary up 20 percent, shoplifting up 21 percent and thefts from motor vehicles up 7 percent — crimes that affect us on a daily basis and that escalate in tough economic times.

Past success of the CCPD should not warrant a "yes" vote on Nov. 3 without serious discussion of the fiscal responsibilities of the CCPD board and the City Council. It is not enough to say we have a "reduction in crime." Strict accountability and a thorough evaluation of the impact on crime reduction of all CCPD-funded programs are essential to transparent and ethical government.

Let’s remain tough on crime and vote "yes" for the renewal of the Crime Control and Prevention District. Let’s also demand tough fiscal accountability from those responsible for spending our sales tax dollars.

— Cathy Hirt, Fort Worth

Foolish fee

I was shocked to read that the city of Fort Worth wants to charge up to $75 per block for street events. Now 426 events have to look at the situation and decide whether they can afford the new rate and stay downtown or to move off to another city for their events.

When I was president of the Fort Worth Runners Club, the city was excited that it was able to offer the Cowtown Marathon a great deal to move out of the Stockyards. It seems that it wants to drive the marathon out of Fort Worth completely.

There goes the money for the hotels and parking lots that are filled by runners and the restaurant and bar business that the runners and their families generate on the final weekend of February. At $75-a-block increase on a course that runs through hundreds of streets would put a strain on the marathon and take money away from the charities that the marathon supports. As a nonprofit organization, the marathon cannot take the extra cost.

If the City Council can give the new Omni hotel 10 years of tax breaks and the Texas Motor Speedway not just tax breaks, but Barnett Shale revenues for land that the city owns, maybe its priorities are wrong. These places will make money no matter what, but the city may lose more money by running off the present events.

— Frank McGinty, Bedford

Focusing on the wrong offense

I am appalled at the coverage being given to the woman who was ticketed for not speaking English. Was this wrong on the part of the officer? Absolutely. But why is no one addressing the fact that while being ticketed for not speaking English, she was also ticketed for driving without a license and making an illegal U-turn.

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