First Look: The New Highland Park Town Hall
Okay, so maybe not the first look, but definitely the first one in color. We ran a rendering in the paper a few weeks ago, but here’s one that you can print out and stick on the fridge, if that’s the kind of thing you like to do.
You can even chop off all the writing, throw it in a Christmas card, and tell your out-of-town relatives that it’s your new house. Could be fun.
Anyway, there’s still a lot of work to be done on the design, but this is a pretty good idea of what to expect. Thanks to town administrator Bill Lindley for sending this over.
By Bradford Pearson
Jul. 6, 2011 | 3:30 pm | 27 Comments | Comments RSS
27 comments to "First Look: The New Highland Park Town Hall"
Amen. It’s like the UP and HP town governments spend money for the sake of spending it. Ridiculous
1. A Criminal Record;
2. At any time in the past and/or present has and/or have been been arrested.
Maybe the HP Adminstration on Drexel Drive can get this information to the taxpayers asap. Thanks.
Others: From my understanding, one of the biggest improvements for the space is improving communications, particularly cell phone coverage and 911 response. Plus fixing a flooding basement. Which in my book = money well spent.
Listen, I understand updating old buildings, but why do I get the feeling that they are going for the deluxe, gold plated option???
As a fellow resident, etc., I’d prefer it if you did your own research, rather than asking the Town of HP administration to do it. The Highland Park Library has wonderful online databases which you can use for free, or file a Freedom of Information Act request.
If there is such an arrest/criminal record issue that is germane to residents, that you know of, then let your fellow residents know. If not, then please hush.
I’m no fan of real estate taxes, but my impression of the HP government is that they spend and hire carefully. The staff are friendly and helpful and do not drive cars that suggest they are overpaid. The library relied mostly on donations for its re-do, and much of that was functional. I questioned some workers who were changing out plants I liked in a park and was told it was because those plants were too water intensive, which is a reasonable concern in a landlocked town. So I’ll assume they need the 3rd floor.
Not worried about the past bogus election. You should know already about the situation. Anytime the Town desires a one vote per voter instead of five votes per voter, please let me know. Get a real election.
Secondly, “Jen” please do not hide behind blog nicknames. If you have something to say, be a grown up and stand behind your opinion/comment with a verifiable real name.
Third, Have a great day.
????????
“Sam”, please quit going on about the election you lost. You sound like some kind of conspiracy theorist. If you have some sort of earth-shattering expose about ballot box stuffing, please shed some (honest, well researched) light on it or quit whining.
DemBones, good point. The town’s budget is set and approved at the beginning of the year and is public record (and accessible on the town’s website). The employees are definitely not overpaid. It’s amazing how much the staff does relative to the size of the town and it’s budget.
I believe any municipality, and in particular Highland Park, Tx, who does not do basic background checks on existing non-Dept. of Public Safety employees, (i.e. administration employees) raises brows.
Changing the subject to the election is an obvious diversion to the issue at hand.
Do the checks, make the information public. The town has a duty to the residents.
Of course when 9 out of 10 residents don’t care one whit who their elected officials are what’s the point.
Background checks on existing non-DPS employees is standard practice, and it only raises more questions for not doing so. If HP claims to desire the same standards as neighboring cities, then do so.
Some pretty sharp comments, has anyone ever above tried to put a real verifiable name behind them or is it easier to hide behind an alias.
I understand that there are some of you who are disgruntled about the 2010 election, but get happy.
Thanks,
This thread started about the new design. You brought up the election and background checks on your own. I like the background question and would like an answer as well.
That being said; lay down some actual facts regarding why it was a “bogus election” and explain yourself. Or you could continue spraying random comments that dance around facts and sound like straight up whining.
Read the thread above. I beleive “Jen” opened up the can of worms on the 2010 election. So I’m simply responding.
In my opinion, the following link may help:
http://www.parkcitiespeople.com/2010/05/03/highland-park-community-league-shares-address-with-hp-town-hall/
Because I bring up crimnial background checks on HP Town non-dps employees, and it is turned into “election” drama by another blogger (i.e “Jen”) is not whining.
That is the superficial character that some may desire to impose on me via this blog.
Wish you a Great Day.
In my following political opinion, and, personal opinion, the link I provided says a great deal about you and your comments.
Hey GMOM, “newby” “don’t get this TOWN” & “it doesn’t sound like you even like HP”. Wow! I guess your right, I dont’ get this Town. I didn’t have to run a telephone line into Town Hall, and, then some folks pretend they didn’t know….The election smelled so bad that it raised the brow of the Dallas County District Attorney’s office.
I believe I recall a “special slap” from the Texas Ethics Commission on another issue.
Moreover, “newby” is a very interesting choice of words, GMOM. Apparently this “newby” would not sink the town in a refurbish job of $15 mil. and then try to find dollars, AND, would not desperately take advantage of the ill and desperate needy of ambulatory care by sacking folks with an increase in fee from $500 to $800.
I’m sure you realize not everyone is advantaged as some folks who live in the Park Cities. Some folks were not born with the silver spoon in their mouth….and believe it or not, some of us have actually made our own road in life.
The town design is interesting, but i’m not a fan of doing something and then trying to find dollars, or sack folks with unconscionable fee increases.
Wish you all a great day. EOM’s
Ooops, hoppe, I- speled …tat wright, fer hpperent.
I’m sorry you apparently have people driving by your home, I’ve never experienced such nor had any crazy e-mails. The folks of HP can e-mail me anytime, stop by my home, and my office is still open to the folks of HP. The issues are what they are.
You see, you probably have an agenda for a specific group, and not everyone has the same thought or opinions as you would like. People do care…..kmom, they are probably tired of the bad politics, and for the most part probably just give up.
If you want to banter on the blog, I would like to know who you are, why hide behind an alias. nothing more mean’t.
Wish you a wonderful day, and thanks for your thoughts. Stop by some time.
The most funny thing as the article goes on to state…”but it (Town Hall) has another $10.65 million in cash for any unforeseen needs.” Oh really, does that mean the current Town Council members can spend this also?
It would seem to me that with all the “so called experience proclaimed with the Town Council” that someone can get a grip on the party on spending the taxpayers cash.
….an additional room on the second floor with an estimated cost of between $300,000 and $450,000? So funny?
The best part is…. the propaganda about all the hard work claimed to be put into this wild spending renovation, and, after it is exposed, there are the Town Coucil members quoted in the same article trying to spin their way out of the “gotcha.”
Mr. Rogers, in my opinion, you should have known or knew of the astonomical costs as well as your fellow Town Council Members, ……Ms. Madden….Mr. Nixon. I’ve noticed there was no comment from Mayor Seay.
In my opinion and belief, please stop spending like there is no tomorrow, best wishes.
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