Knock, knock....who's there -- America 2010, Land of Foolish Enablers

Knock knock, who's there? Your neighbor. I want to let you know that I know nothing about the value of personal responsibility; therefore, -- I want, and expect you, the taxpayer, to pay for my baby's prenatal care, birthing and any medical care my baby may need, cause I don't want to use a condom when me and the 16 year old girl down the street have sex. Also, since I don't wanna work -- I want, and expect you, the taxpayer, to pay for me to eat, drink and be a little merry throughout the day, each day. Also, I want a house -- I want, and expect you, the taxpayer, to contribute to my down payment. Oh, and, I don't really want to invest the time & effort into my children's education, schooling, emotional health or life and I don't really care what damage this envokes on their future -- I want, and expect you, the taxpayer, to pay for the detention, social services, counseling, rehabilitation, support, detox support, prison, food, care & clothing that my child will most likely need throughout his/her entire life. Another thing, I want a dog but can't afford it -- I want, and expect you, the taxpayer, to pay for all of my expenses related to the dog.

And the people say.....OK, we'll do.

This is America 2010! The land of foolish enablers. We need to desert this plan, and turn all of the social services business and hand outs, over to charity and take it away from our elected officials, they are abusing their powers and working against, not for, the taxpayers who supply their dollars to spend.

This is one way we should be solving the growing problem of dog overpopulation and rising taxpayer expense of Animal Control Services

"The program partners with schools, juvenile detention facilities, community centers, community based organizations......" not to mention the benefit to our youth, communities and society.

http://www.knockoutdogfighting.org/

Ft. Worth Protecting Vagrants from the Law

City Code Sec. 30-12 states: "It shall be unlawful for any person to enclose, build upon or make any other private use of any part of the street, sidewalk or other right-of-way, without first obtaining the express authorization of the city."

I have sent email to Councilwoman, Kathleen Hicks, who represents this area of Ft. Worth, asking for clarification of the law and why the law is not being enforced here in East Ft. Worth.

To my knowledge, it against the constitution to segment sections of society and protect them from the law. Gosh, I wished I were wealthy, I could then hire many attorneys to process my arguments in court.

To make private use of city street(s) right-of-ways.....is, according the Ft. Worth Code, unlawful! If you are not going to enforce the law, get rid of it!! Or is it racial -homeowner profiling -- they only enforce it on white people who own homes.

(The Salvation Army shelter is in the picture to the left -- they hand out freebies.)

Ft. Worth City Politics affecting Animal Welfare

Most animal control calls/concerns/problems/issues come from the same zip codes with greatest release of x-cons, heaviest crime, poorest residents, and the most populated areas of black & brown residents. Those are statistical facts. So, when Animal Control enforces the animal laws in the those areas and the City Council Reps., who represent those areas, holler racism or 'you're picking on my people,' or 'you're picking on the poor,' or any of that nonsense, it is the job of a leader to stay the course and address the facts. Funny how those City Council Reps don't have a problem looking at the factual stats when there's a chance of them getting taxpayer money such as with home foreclosures and such, but boy, let it be something that is sucking money from our pockets and they want to turn a deaf ear and blind eye. HA! Time for some real change in Ft. Worth!! I hope it comes soon.

Ft. Worth needs a new Animal Control Director

It's time and it's overdue. Our elected 'officials' in Ft. Worth have been asleep at the wheel for far too many years. It's sad, disgusting, empowering and costly to the taxpayers! I won't go into details, just take my word for it.

1st Annual Conference for Texas Humane Legislation Network is History...now on to the 2nd Annual Conference...

What a successful Conference! It was a personal experience for me and as a person who cares that animals are treated in a humane fashion ALL of their lives, I cannot tell you how much I appreciate Cile Holloway (and her mother who has passed on).....the Founders of THLN! Thirty-five (35) years in the making, it seems that now is THLN's time. For those of you who truly care that animals in Texas are treated in a humane fashion, please take the time to visit http://www.thln.org/ and donate money to this organization. The keynote speaker was Michael Markarian, COO & Exec. V.P. of The Humane Society of the United States. Profound quotes that I heard at Conference include:

"Change is a Process, not an Event," Cile Holloway, President & Founder of THLN

"It's not so much about 'Animal Rights' as it is about Human Responsibility." Michael Markarian, HSUS

Texas Humane Legislation Network fundraiser - Monday, Aug. 31st, Grapevine, Texas

Do you care about the neglected animals, cruelly confined animals, starving animals, stray animals in your neighborhood, community, city and/or state? Please attend our party or call and just donate over the phone, Monday, August 31st, 5p-7p, D'Vine Wine, 409 Main St., Grapevine, Texas. http://www.thln.org/. Guest speakers: Senator Wendy Davis, Cile Holloway, President of THLN, Rick Bousquet, Executive Director of THLN.

Watch the results of Puppy Mill Raid in Kaufman County

http://video.hsus.org/index.jsp?fr_story=041631787a1a3c1da9474e82599210bfbcc5054d.

"In the Fiscal Years 2006-2007, the City of Dallas had no choice but to euthanize 26,979 unwanted pets. It would take 550 DART buses to transport...

the same number of people, or 63 Boeing 747 jets."

Homeward Bound Animal Rescue - Dallas, Fort Worth, TX

I just don't believe that your average American realizes the enormity of the out of control unwanted dogs/cats in this country, or in our municipalities. I am grateful for politicians who stand up and speak up for the dogs/cats.

Homeward Bound Animal Rescue is a great organization for animals needing rescued, adopted, cared for medically, etc. in the Dallas, Fort Worth area. They are on Facebook, please become a fan and send them twenty bucks.

Fort Worth Police Dispatcher, M180 says that FWPD only answers Certain Dog Related Calls

Oh Really? So who is there to enforce the law between the hours of 5pm - 8am M-F and on weekends? Operator says, "Oh we only answer dog calls if the dog is aggressive or attacking someone.
I bet if I pushed it, we would find this is not the truth and unlawful for a City to say we only enforce the City Ordinances and State Laws at convenient hours of the day and week.

Please help Ernie by donating some spare change.

"Ernie was found by a Homeward Bound, Bedford, TX volunteer just the other day. Boy this poor guy is in horrible shape. He has mange, he's heartworm positive, he needs surgery for bladder stones, he is sunburned, emaciated and dehydrated. The vet says they cant do surgery yet..."
Please donate here https://www.networkforgood.org/donation/MakeDonation.aspx?ORGID2=75-2552165&source=GS&cmpgn=DNT&vlrStratCode=pvOWLmanj4Ddav2xszkQ6oN441cFLXP3gEJaUOx2hFIc0BLfjwQgwEVxCLePGaVS

Grapevine Cops wouldn't do anything about this case of Animal Cruelty -- said there was no law against it!

Grapevine, Texas Police were called to the scene of 3 dogs chained in back of a pickup truck in 100+ heat with no water, shelter, food and cruelly confined. If a dog can't move because the chains around him are so tangled, that's cruelly confined. If you don't supply proper food, water and shelter for a domesticated animal, that's cruelty and against the law. Why won't our municipalities and County District Attorney's prosecute animal cruelty BEFORE the animals are dead?

The Facts are:

Sunday, 6/21/09 @ Uncle Julios Grapevine. 7:00 p.m. in 104 degree weather -- 3 dogs -- 2 chained in pick up bed. Couldn't move. No food, no water, 6 gasoline cans. Uncle Julios would only provide water. Management did nothing else. We asked management to call the police. They said they would. Grapevine police has since confirmed Uncle Julios never called. Grapevine Police Call Record # 43233

Two officers came out -- J Newman [badge 7500] and B Estill [badge 5216]. They had no idea there was a Texas law. They basically said they could do nothing. " [The only thing they could have done anything about was if the dogs were locked inside the pick-up - which wasn't the case here]." However, one could see that both officers [in their eyes] knew it was wrong what was happening with these dogs. Anyone with a heart would know it was wrong... And why would anyone tether a dog to the bed of a truck in 104 degree weather with six gasoline cans and no water? Nothing was done.

We have two of the dog's names: Bob [Black Lab mix] and White Sox ["Heinz 57"]; third dog was a yellow Lab. All three reside at 4101 Dundee Court in Colleyville, Texas.

THE LAW:

Texas Penal Code states:

(b) A person commits an offense if the person intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly:

(1) tortures an animal or in a cruel manner kills or causes serious bodily injury to an animal;

(2) without the owner's effective consent, kills, administers poison to, or causes serious bodily injury to an animal;

(3) fails unreasonably to provide necessary food, water, care, or shelter for an animal in the person's custody;

(4) abandons unreasonably an animal in the person's custody;

(5) transports or confines an animal in a cruel manner;

(6) without the owner's effective consent, causes bodily injury to an animal;

(7) causes one animal to fight with another animal, if either animal is not a dog;

(8) uses a live animal as a lure in dog race training or in dog coursing on a racetrack; or

(9) seriously overworks an animal.

(c) An offense under Subsection (b)(3), (4), (5), (6), or (9) is a Class A misdemeanor, except that the offense is a state jail felony if the person has previously been convicted two times under this section, two times under Section 42.09, or one time under this section and one time under Section 42.09. An offense under Subsection (b)(1), (2), (7), or (8) is a state jail felony, except that the offense is a felony of the third degree if the person has previously been convicted two times under this section, two times under Section 42.09, or one time under this section and one time under Section 42.09.

http://tlo2.tlc.state.tx.us/statutes/docs/PE/content/htm/pe.009.00.000042.00.htm

Fort Worth Police Officer says, "I don't like your attitude" (because I wouldn't do his job for him). Another Central/West Meadowbrook Crime.

I told him I didn't like his attitude either. Is the police officer (Sargent) that stands on the side lines with his arms folded and doesn't bother to find out if any of us 3-4 people standing at the scene saw or heard anything related to the crime, worth his pay? You don't stand around and watch, you best get to work if I'm paying your salary! Even if you are one of 'Fort Worth's Finest,' you are still a paid employee of the taxpayers and you have a job to do, even if it is on the East side, even if it does involve another domestic violence case, even if it does involve another 4 year old endangered child!

I'll say it again, living on the East side, owning a business on the East side in Council District 8, I see more and hear more about the Fort Worth Police Department than probably any of you reading this blog site. I lay awake at night listening to police helicopters buzzing over my neighborhood more than probably any of you reading this post. Please don't discount my words as me just being negative, or me being a 'bitchy,' or anything but a concerned citizen, resident and business owner in Council District 8, East Fort Worth publishing my personal experiences while watching my neighborhood take a spiraling dive amongst all the beautiful historic houses, hundred year old trees hovering over our streets and backyards, well built houses from the 50's & 60's, and the elderly who have seen this neighborhood in it's best years and who now are being surrounded by criminals, irresponsible parents, people driving/walking the neighborhood eyeing their next target for burglary, high weeds, trash on their lawns from individuals who've been taught nothing about respect and values, streets filled with potholes and patches from the enormous amount of water main breaks, a corrupt City Hall and a career politician as a Council Rep and Neighborhood Associations who turn a blind eye to these truths and scream & holler if someone such as myself points them out. It's really bothering & sad to actually watch; however, I don't feel powerless and I will continue to do what I do.

Once again, the crime filled night ended in East Ft. Worth, Council District 8, Central/West Meadowbrook Neighborhood

Neighborhood 'leaders' downplay the crime in our neighborhood. Mayor Pro Tem Kathleen Hicks downplays the crime in the neighborhood -- however, I'm here to show you the pictures (evidence) of such crimes. This crime filled night for criminals ended right here in my neighbors side yard. Evidently, the criminals had stolen a car in west Fort Worth, completed 3 robberies in Arlington and crashed into this yard that you see above. Not good!! Come on, Hicks, whatcha gonna do? Come on, Don Boren & Wanda Conlin (hubby & wife team), Harvey & Dolores Roberts whatcha gonna do about the crime in Central & West Meadowbrook?

Homelessness is not a crime, littering is -- can we get some Accountability in Ft. Worth?

I love pictures, they tell 1 0 0 0 words! Can you spare a ten or twenty dollar bill? In order for me to have a voice on Ft. Worth's City Council, please, I need your help. I'll have 1/9 of a voice for a better Ft. Worth -- one that empowers by holding people accountable. It works -- we all know that, it's just that no politician has the guts to fight for it! Donate here http://www.suzetteforcouncil.com/donate.html

(Political Advertisement Authorized by Suzette Watkins)

"Littering in Texas can get you a $500 fine, it is a Class C Misdemeanor (If what was littered was less than 5 pounds). Littering over 5 pounds is a Class B Misdemeanor which carries a fine of up to $2,000. Texas motto "Don't Mess with Texas"

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Is_there_a_fine_for_littering_in_the_East_Texas_area

Ft. Worth's City Council District 8 - Highest crime rate in entire City and has been for last 3 - 4 years.

Always a good feeling when you wake up to a Crime Scene truck and police car sitting in front of your house! What would I do as a Council Rep to fight against crime? Look at police records every single week from my District, ask questions of and work closely with the FWPD, find out where the calls are coming from, hold everyone involved accountable, including, but not limited to, the apts who serve as a nuisance for the neighborhood, FWPD including NPOs, Code Dept., Neighborhood Associations, etc.

Vote for Change in District 8! Vote for a New Beginning in District 8! Vote for Solutions in District 8!

Vote Suzette Watkins for City Council, Saturday, May 9th! www.suzetteforcouncil.com

www.youtube.com/suzetteforcouncil

(Political Advertisement Authorized by Suzette Watkins)

How In-Touch can Ft. Worth's Mayor Pro Tem, Kathleen Hicks be with the enormous stray dog issue if she thinks "spay" is pronounced "SPRAY?"

Hello, it's "Spay & Neuter Clinic" not "Spray & Neuter Clinic!" Both Mayor Pro Tem, Kathleen Hicks (my opponent in the City Council race) and Councilman Frank Moss (both Represent two of the worst Districts in this City for irresponsible dog owners) pronounced "spay" as "spray" at the dedication yesterday for the Chuck Silcox Spay & Neuter Clinic at the City's Animal Control center.

It's rather amusing to me to see my opponent stand up in front of a crowd of Animal lovers and responsible dog owners and talk about how much she and the Ft. Worth Council care about the issue we have in this City with irresponsible dog ownership when it has taken this City Government 5 years to appropriate the approved bond money for this facility. It is because of the out of control Animal problem (mostly in their Districts), some community activists like myself pushing them to do something about it, and Mr. Silcox's voice and genuine concern for the animals on the Council, that helped make this happen. It was not because of any leadership that Kathleen Hicks provided, I am hear to confirm! She has done NOTHING in the way of leadership in the 3+ years that she has sat on the Council about this issue! NOTHING, but follow orders and vote yes when it's popular to do so! I find this appalling which is another reason I am running against her in the upcoming election.

It's definitely time for CHANGE in this District leadership!

For statistics on the matter: www.youtube.com/suzetteforcouncil

(Political Advertisement authorized by Suzette Watkins)

Ft. Worth's Dogs - two of the thousands of neglected

The picture with the four clumps of hair is actually a picture of the casts of mats that we cut off of the dog's legs! A concerned neighbor called another neighbor about two abandoned dogs. The two dogs could not walk, terribly obese, mats like you have never seen in your life. Their nails were like spaghetti and inches long. It was the saddest case of dog abuse/neglect that I have seen. There are ones that are worse! What to do about irresponsible dog owners? I say, hold them accountable for their responsibility!

Animal Control hasn't been an Issue for my Opponent...(until now).

Another two intact (un-neutered) stray dogs running around in Council District 8 which I was able to save from various things such as starvation, car tire, abuse, neglect, creating more intact stray dogs which creates more intact stray dogs and on and on. These two dogs were taken, as usual, to the Humane Society of North Texas. Funny this issue never has been a concern of my opponent's even though this Council District 8 is one of the top three Districts for Animal Control calls and problems and has been every year that my opponent has sat in the Council seat for District 8. The people of District 8 won't have to give me a heads up about issues such as this because I will be paying attention to the details of such and will be reporting to you, the people, about the progress being made every month in District 8 IF you will elect me to office and/or help me get elected to the office.

Next Opportunity to help me is:

Fundraiser Celebration

with special guest & rising star Lauren Whitener, Jazz/Blues singer (www.laurenwhitenermusic.com)

Wednesday, Feb. 18th 5:30 - 7:30

Rahr & Sons Brewery Company

$20 per person ($35 per couple)

includes free sampling of Rahr's award winning beers, hamburgers & some insight into my vision for a safer, cleaner and more business friendly Council District 8.

701 Galveston Ave

Fort Worth, TX 76104

(Near Southside)

Thank you Senator Jim Webb for speaking up for the need of Prison Reform

"Drug addicts and the mentally ill take up cells that would be better used for violent criminals. And politicians have failed to address this costly problem for fear of being labeled "soft on crime." Senator Jim Webb

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/28/AR2008122801728.html

I wonder if our local reps have the courage and/or wisdom to address such. Reforming jail & prison systems -- such a needed task! Such a failed system on which the politicians waste so many billions of our tax dollars. So many lives lost due to the negligence and courage-lessness of our politicians. Such was the case for Mr. J.B. Rai who lost his life in East Ft. Worth's neighborhood of West Meadowbrook (Council District 8) to a violent killer who had served 10 years in prison and been arrested recently for violent Misdemeanor crimes but only held in jail for 2 months and released back to the streets of Ft. Worth. Why? Because we don't have any true leaders in government who give enough of a damn and are willing to truly advocate for real change we can believe in, in Ft. Worth and the State of Texas regarding prison & jail reform.

Another reason to vote for me for District 8 City Council seat in Ft. Worth. District 8. The District has carried the most crime in the City of Ft. Worth for at least the past 3 years while my opponent has sat in office and done nothing about it.

Come to my $20 Rahr Brewery fundraiser on Wednesday, Feb. 18th and find out how I will lower crime in this District and what my plans are for the betterment of City Council District 8. Something my opponent hasn't been able to do in the three years she's been in office.
http://www.suzetteforcouncil.com/