If Arlington OK’d Cowboys deal without a vote, what else is in the works? | Opinion
I am disturbed by a series of recent decisions involving our great city of Arlington. Mayor Jim Ross and the City Council voted April 21 to extend Arlington’s contract with the Dallas Cowboys to 2055. Taxpaying citizens should have a direct voice in the decision to spend $273 million after property taxes were just raised to cover a budget shortfall.
How did the people who were elected and sworn to protect this city for the better, forego openness? Previous Arlington Mayors Richard Greene, Robert Cluck and Jeff Williams always provided taxpayers an opportunity to have their voices heard.
One reason cited for pushing forward without citizen input is that it is legal for the city to do so. But was it ethical, transparent or right? Remember, segregation was once legal, too. But was it moral or ethical to practice?
While I am aware of no one questioning the value of AT&T Stadium, the Dallas Cowboys and the economic opportunities they contribute to Arlington, those aren’t the issues. What is the real cost for the city and the state to keep the Cowboys here? What type of corporate neighbor and contributor to the city will the team be?
As an example of a good corporate neighbor, I look to the Texas Rangers and the Texas Rangers Foundation. When Arlington, under Williams’ great leadership, was pursuing the National Medal of Honor Museum the Rangers followed through with a promise of donating the necessary land.
The Texas Rangers Foundation continues to select and recognize U.S. military veterans by bringing them to Globe Life Field, introducing them to baseball audiences and flying them and their family members to Washington to tour historical landmarks, and all for free. These words and actions say to veterans and their families: “Thank you for your service.”
What other non-transparent deals contributed to Arlington’s budget shortfall? Residents deserve better than what is occurring here. Exercise your freedom of information rights to find out what is going on at City Hall. Where do we go from here: further problems or a greater community?
Retired U.S. Naval Chaplain Rich Stoglin is a resident of Arlington.