Archives
Dallas Symphony Orchestra
On The Go - Oak Cliff
Friday, April 5th at 7:30PM
Cliff Temple Baptist Church
125 Sunset
Dallas, TX 75208
The Dallas Symphony Orchestra’s DSO on the GO returns to Cliff Temple Baptist Church with a classical concert as part of the season on Friday April 5th at 7:30 p.m. This performance is part of the inaugural season of DSO on the GO presented by The Ebby Halliday Companies. DSO on the GO features the Dallas Symphony playing classical and pops concerts in eight cities and neighborhoods across North Texas. Click here for FLYER and PRESS RELEASE & EVENT INFO.
Kiestwood Trail
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
Monday - March 18, 2013 9:30 AM
Click Photo for Flyer
FREE KIDNEY HEALTH SCREENING ON
WORLD KIDNEY DAY
More than 26 million Americans have chronic kidney disease and don't know it. Early detection and treatment can make a difference in preventing kidney disease. Dallas County Health and Human Services will be offering free kidney health screenings that normally cost $900. If you have a family member that has a history of high blood presure, kidney disease, or diabetes than you are at risk. Click here for a flyer in ENGLISH or ESPAÑOL
Thursday, March 14, 2013
10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Dallas County Health & Human Services
2377 N. Stemmons Fwy.
Dallas, TX 75207
6th Floor Auditorium, Rm. 627
February 15, 2013
The Prostitution Diversion Initiative
Could Become a State Model
Texas Senator John Whitmire of Houston filed a bill in the Texas State Legislature that would make prostitution diversion programs, like Dallas' Prostitution Diversion Initiative, mandatory for urban counties above 200,000 in population. The proposed programs would need to include a special prostitution court. The Prostitution Diversion Initiative is a collaboration between the Commissioners Court (now Dr. Elba Garcia, previously Maurine Dickey), District Attorney's Office, the City Attorney's Office, Courts, Sheriff's Office, Dallas County Health & Human Services, Parkland Hospital and over 60 social service and faith based organizations. For more information about the Prostitution Diversion Initiative please visit the website at www.pdinewlife.org.
February 6, 2013
$200,000 Raised for
Dallas County Animal Cruelty Unit
On February 6th the Rotary Club of Dallas hosted the 4th Annual Awards Luncheon where Safer Dallas Better Dallas, a public safety advocacy organization, presented Dallas County Commissioner Dr. Elba Garcia with a $200,000 check to implement the 1st year of the Dallas County Animal Cruelty Unit. Dr. Garcia thanked Gary Griffith and Linda Evans of Safer Dallas Better Dallas, District Attorney Craig Watkins, Dallas animal advocates, former Dallas County Commissioner Maurine Dickey, and all those who donated. Dallas County Commissioners and the District Attorney's Office will be implementing the Unit in the coming months.
January 8, 2013
Dallas County
FY 2013 Budget Update
On January 8, 2013 Dallas County Commissioner's Court received a Dallas County Budget Update. Please click HERE to view in PDF.
December 04, 2012
Commissioner Elba Garcia,
Dallas County District Attorney’s Office,
and Safer Dallas Better Dallas
Team up to Fight Animal Abuse
Dallas County Commissioners Elba Garcia and Maureen Dickey, District Attorney Craig Watkins and Safer Better Dallas Announce the Formation of the Animal Cruelty Unit
On Tuesday, December 4, 2012 Dallas County Commissioner Elba Garcia, along with Commissioner Maureen Dickey, District Attorney Craig Watkins, Gary Griffith representing Safer Dallas Better Dallas and Skip Trimble from Texas Humane Legislation Network held a press conference announcing a new effort to combat animal abuse.
Commissioner Elba Garcia will introduced an MOU to Commissioners Court that will create an Animal Cruelty Unit within the District Attorney’s Office. This Animal Cruelty unit will focus on the investigation and prosecution of offenders that neglect, torture and kill animals in Dallas County.
Commissioner Garcia spearheaded the collaboration, bringing together the District Attorney’s Office, Safer Dallas Better Dallas and animal advocates to create the unit. Commissioner Maurine Dickey and her husband Roland committed a $40,000 donation to help begin the effort.
The new Animal Cruelty Unit will be made up of one new Assistant District Attorney and one new Criminal Investigator position. These positions will cost around $200,000 annually and Safer Dallas Better Dallas has committed to fund the first year and start a fundraising and awareness campaign to support the Unit. PLEASE SUPPORT THIS EFFORT BY DONATING FUNDS TO SAFER BETTER DALLAS.
With over 2500 cases of animal cruelty reported thus far in 2012, animal cruelty is a problem in Dallas County. There is extensive and well-documented research that confirms the strong connection between violence to people and violence to animals. Animal cruelty investigation and prosecution allows law enforcement officials and advocates a unique opportunity to play an integral role in protecting people and animals from violence. Cross-reporting, data-sharing, investigation, evidence collection and increasing public awareness will prove effective in the fight against animal neglect, abuse, and killing.
The Animal Cruelty Unit MOU will beup for an official vote in Dallas County Commissioners Court on Tuesday December 11, 2012.
CLICK HERE FOR PDF VERSION AND MEDIA ADVISORY
October 17, 2012
Dr. Elba Garcia Donates over $15,000 to charities in Dallas County
On Wednesday October 17, 2012 Dallas County Commissioner Dr. Elba Garcia donated over $15,000 to non-profit, government and community organizations. This is the second annual donation that Dr. Garcia has made in fulfillment of a promise to dedicate a portion of her County Commissioner's salary towards charitable giving. There were a total of 25 recipients that provide important services to children, families, seniors, neighborhoods, animals, and the greater Dallas County community.
October 5, 1012
Dallas County Health & Human Service
West Nile ZIP Code Map
West Nile Fact Sheet
*** PRELIMINARY CDC REPORT - DALLAS COUNTY***
Map of all 3 Phases of Completed Aerial Spraying
Dallas County Season Overview
West Nile Virus season is unusually strong in Dallas County. Health officials are urging the public to take perventative measures by remembering to Dress, Drain and DEET. Click HERE to link to Dallas County West Nile Website.
Grand Prairie Police
Youth Boxing Program
Grand Prairie Youth Boxing is a program developed by the Grand Prairie Police Department and strongly supported by the Grand Prairie Independent School District. Primary funding is through community and corporate donations. Grand Prairie Youth Boxing is currently accepting male and female participants from 12-18 years of age that reside in Grand Prairie Texas.
Click Here for more Information
Police Working with the Hispanic Community
Unidos is a community program geared toward improving the quality of life for our Hispanic residents. This is accomplished by providing assistance in areas of relevance to the Hispanic community and focusing on being a resource center to meet the needs of the Hispanic community.
Program Overview
Flyer: English Spanish
New Dallas County Elections Website
Dallas County Elections has a new and improved website! The
new design makes it easier to access information. Please explore the content of
elections in Dallas County from the election process of registering, to voting,
or becoming a poll worker. The new design will increase our opportunity to
provide information quickly and easily. The last day to register to vote for the 2012 General Election is Tuesday October 9th.
www.dallascountyvotes.org
Letot Girl's Residential Treatment Center
The Letot Girls's Residential Treatment Center is an addition to the existing Letot Girls Center and is a Dallas County project with the Dallas Women's Foundation, the Letot Center Capitol Foundation, and the Letot Girl's Center Campaign. The groundbreaking is scheduled for Wednesday September 5, 2012. Click picture and links for more information.
Letot Girls Center Website
Dallas County Letot Center Page
Dallas Foundation
Wednesday August 22, 2012
West Nile Update
Aerial Spraying Tonight in:
Duncanville, Mesquite, Seagoville, Sunnyvale, Rowlett & Wilmer
The cities of Duncanville, Ferris, Rowlett, Mesquite (south of IH-30), Sunnyvale, and Seagoville (and a small part of Garland) have opted for aerial spraying. They will each be aerial sprayed on consecutive nights, tonight and tomorrow night, weather permitting. Three aircraft will be aerial spraying 82,000 acres, set to begin at 9:00 PM.
CITIES OPTING OUT OF AERIAL SPRAYING:
Lancaster, Sachse, Glenn Heights, Hutchins, Cedar Hill, Balch Springs, Irving, Combine, Desoto, Cockrell Hill
Click Here for Dallas County Press Release
Tuesday August 21, 2012
West Nile Update
No Aerial Spraying in Dallas County Tonight
There will be no aerial spraying in Dallas County tonight. Last night the second round of aerial spraying concluded with the expectation that there will be no more spraying in the city of Dallas. However, in the coming days there will be aerial spraying in several other cities in Dallas County, only for those cities that have not yet been aerial sprayed. The cities that have opted for aerial spraying are Duncanville, Ferris, Rowlett, Mesquite (south of IH-30), Sunnyvale, and Seagoville. They will each be aerial sprayed on consecutive nights. Other cities, including Lancaster and Cedar Hill, will be given more time to sign off on aerial spraying.
Today in Commissioner's Court a Dallas resident. Mr. Howard Garrett expressed concerns with the effects that aerial spraying could have on organic farming and growing garden vegetables. Click Here for a link to the Dirt Doctor website giving recommendations to Detoxify garden soil.
See Map below for last night's aerial spraying effort
August 20, 2012
West Nile Update
Second Round of Aerial Spraying Begins Tonight
Tonight, five planes will apply a second round of insecticide, weather permitting, to the entire target area of 362,328 acres, hoping to cover every city participating in the aerial spraying mission.
Until the results of tonight’s spraying mission are known, it is undetermined whether aerial spraying will occur Tuesday evening. CDC Representatives will be in North Texas this week, surveying and analyzing the region’s efforts to combat the West Nile Virus and will make recommendations on how to proceed. Since the commencement of aerial spraying efforts there have been 20 new cases of West Nile Virus reported in Dallas County. West Nile Virus has a 10 to 14 day gestation period.
Dallas Mayor Rawlings encourages residents to be vigilant in draining any and all stagnant water. If residents cannot access or drain stagnant water, the City of Dallas has committed its 311 phone line for follow up by city code enforcement and larvicide spraying.
For Stagnant Water Call City of Dallas: 311
Click Here for Map of Area to be Aerial Sprayed tonight August 20, 2012
Click Here for City of Dallas Press Release: ENGLISH SPANISH
WEST NILE UPDATE
August 19, 2012
August 19, 2012
Dear District 4 Residents,
I would like to update you on the latest news concerning aerial spraying in Dallas County in efforts to combat West Nile Virus.
Aerial spraying will resume at 9:00PM on Sunday, August 19, 2012. There will be spraying over the remaining portion of Dallas, and the cities of Coppell, Carollton, Addison, Richardson (including the Collin County side),
Farmers Branch, Garland, Mesquite (the section north of IH-30) and Grand Prairie
(including the sections of the city in Tarrant County). A second round of spraying is planned for Monday and Tuesday nights. A PDF version map of the area where aerial spraying will be conducted is above.
August 17, 2012
08/17/2012 Aerial Spraying Map
Dear District 4 Residents,
I would like to update you on the latest news concerning aerial spraying in Dallas County in efforts to combat West Nile Virus.
Aerial spraying will begin at 9:00PM on Friday, August 16, 2012. There will be spraying over the remaining portion of Dallas, and the cities of Coppell, Carollton, Addison, Richardson (including the Collin County side),
Farmers Branch, Garland, Mesquite (the section north of IH-30) and Grand Prairie
(including the sections of the city in Ellis and Tarrant counties). A PDF version map of the area where aerial spraying will be conducted is below.
On Friday, August 10th the Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins declared a State of Emergency and requested assistance from the State of Texas in procuring aircraft and pesticides as resources for the commencement of aerial spraying in Dallas County. The Judge authorized this using his emergency powers. Therefore, the full Commissioners Court did not vote on the issue. My fellow Commissioners and I did not vote on this matter.
While Dallas County is helping to provide resources, it is up to each municipality within Dallas County to make the determination concerning whether or not they will authorize aerial spraying in their cities as part of their efforts to combat the West Nile Virus. Wednesday, August 15th, Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings declared a State of Emergency in the City of Dallas and authorized the use of aerial spraying using his emergency powers. The Dallas City Council was not given a vote. Also on Wednesday, August 15th, Grand Prairie Mayor Charles England declared a State of Emergency and authorized aerial spraying there. The City of Cockrell Hill and the City of Irving have not approved aerial spraying at this time.
Here are my concerns about aerial spraying in Dallas County District 4:
- The Integrated Vector Mosquito Management Plan, a joint plan between Dallas County and its respective cities, calls for specific targeting of areas where there is a prevalence of infected mosquitoes. By enhanced monitoring of mosquito population in affected areas through increased collection and evaluation, combined with GIS mapping, we can make a more targeted and effective approach in our mosquito abatement efforts.
- I have serious reservations concerning the safety of the “DUET” pesticide. We still do not have enough data to prove that this pesticide, and its aerial distribution, does not affect people with underlying health conditions, susceptible children, and our flora and fauna. We do know that it can kill fish and beneficial insects.
- According to the Integrated Vector Mosquito Vector Management Plan, an enhanced ground spraying effort for three consecutive nights precedes aerial spraying. Once completed, the results of the enhanced ground spraying would be evaluated by Dallas County officials. If these efforts did not achieve 90% effectiveness in reducing the number of mosquitoes, stronger measures, like aerial spraying, would then be considered. Enhanced Ground Spraying only lasted one night before the determination was made to move forward with aerial spraying.
- The mosquito and West Nile “Season” has already peaked and is on the decline. While 35% of mosquito traps tested positive for the virus two weeks ago, today only 21.4% are positive. As was reported in the Dallas Morning News, experts forecast that even without the spraying campaign, “the risk of contracting West Nile would drop to virtually zero in less than a month.”(DMN – 08/16/12)
Because aerial spraying will commence at 8:30 P.M. on Thursday, August 16, I urge you to take precautions. Please keep the following aerial spraying recommendations in mind:
- Minimize exposure. Avoid being outside, close windows and consider keeping pets inside while spraying occurs.
- If skin or clothes are exposed to spraying, wash them with soap and water.
- Rinse homegrown fruits and vegetables with water as a general precautionary measure.
- Cover small ornamental fish ponds and beehives.
- Because the chemical breaks down quickly in sunlight and water, no special precautions are suggested for outdoor swimming areas.
And please remember that the best way to combat the West Nile Virus is through prevention. The best way to prevent being bitten by a mosquito is to remember the 4 D’s:
- DUSK to DAWN - is the time frame when mosquitoes likely to carry infection are most active. Try to stay indoors from dusk to dawn.
- DRAIN - standing water in your yard and neighborhood. Old tires, flowerpots, clogged rain gutters, leaky pipes and faucets, birdbaths and wading pools can be breeding sites for mosquitoes.
- DRESS - in light colored clothing. Where long sleeves and pants when you are outside, especially in mosquito infested areas.
- DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide) - if you are going to be outside, make sure you apply insect repellent that contains DEET. Read and follow label instructions. Spray both exposed skin and clothing with repellent when outdoors.
Please pass along this information to your family, friends and neighbors. Education and prevention are still our best weapons to fight the spread of the West Nile Virus!
West Nile Links:
Sincerely,
Dr. Elba Garcia
Dallas County Commissioner - District 4
Click Here for PDF Version
Click Here for PDF of Map
West Nile Report to Commissioner's Court
Tuesday August 14, 2012
Click for PDF version of Report
On Tuesday August 16, 2012 the Dallas County Department of Human Services presented an update about West Nile Virus to the Commissioner's Court
West Nile Report to Commissioner's Court
Tuesday August 7, 2012
Click for PDF version of Report
State of the County Address
July, 10 2012
Dr. Garcia introduced Dallas County Judge Jenkins in today's State of the County Address at the Irving Chamber of Commerce. Dr. Gacia is pictured here with Dallas County Judge Clay Lewis Jenkins, Irving Chamber of Commerce Chairwoman of the Board Jo Ann Goin, and Dallas County Commissioner Maureen Dickey
Parkland Health & Hospital System
Corrective Action Plan Implementation
Progress Review - May 2012
On July 3rd, 2012 the Dallas County Commissioners Court was updated on the Parkland Corrective Action Plan implementation. Click here open
Dallas County Budget Update
Click to Open
Note: This is a preliminary budget presentation only
July 2012 District 4 Newsletter
English Español
Click Text to Open Link
InformateDFW
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