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/

Eighty nine percent (89%) of all marijuana violations are 'possession only.'

" Present enforcement policies are costing American taxpayers tens of billions of dollars, ruining the lives of hundreds of thousands of Americans, and having no impact on marijuana availability or marijuana use in this country. It is time to end this failed policy and replace prohibition with a policy of marijuana regulation, taxation, and education." http://norml.org/
NOTE: Above is from NORML.org......I'm not endorsing any 'taxation'......NOT!!!
ANOTHER NOTE: Please consider voting Libertarian. "The thinking Party."

Watch the results of Puppy Mill Raid in Kaufman County

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

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?

Another Murder in West Meadowbrook Neighborhood, Council District 8, East Ft. Worth

"Fort Worth police said a 20-year-old man was killed outside a nightclub early Saturday morning. Investigators said the man was shot after a fight broke out in the parking lot of Club Hypnotic in the 2900 block of East Lancaster Avenue. No arrests have been made."

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30660341/

Another "forced rape" in the highest crime filled Council District in Ft. Worth - We need Change -- Vote Suzette for Council!

My opponent and her supporters like to shake their head no when I mention that District 8 carries the highest amount of total crime in the entire City of Ft. Worth and has every single year that my opponent has been in office. Kathleen Hicks likes to say, "violent crime is down," I'd like to see her tell that to this victim of what the police department label as "forced rape!" You can find some of the crime stats here http://www.suzetteforcouncil.com/issues.html. Forced Rape, Forced Sodomy, theft from building, vandalism of property, drug/narcotics, trespass of property are all crimes that are UP in District 8.

http://www.star-telegram.com/804/story/1332805.html

My way of dealing with crime in this District would be to do the following:

1. Use my people skills, tenacity, belief in accountability of City Departments, reviewing of 911 calls in the District on a weekly basis, working with residents, providing more street lighting in areas that need it, enforcing the Class C Misdemeanor laws, holding offenders accountable, advocating for jail/prison reform that serves its purpose of deterring crime and changing people's way of thinking about how & why they make the decisions they make, holding parents accountable for being involved in their children's education and lives, holding neighborhood associations accountable for their missions -- involve and inform more residents of crimes in the neighborhood, etc. Basically working my butt off in an effective and efficient manner to better this District and rid it of the position of #1 in Crime!!

http://www.suzetteforcouncil.com/

(Political Advertisement Authorized by Suzette Watkins)

A letter of reference to an Attorney on behalf of an employee facing 40 years -- 3 felonies for drug possession

Below is a letter I sent to the attorney for my employee. It's very disturbing to me that we have violent offenders (killers) walking the streets of E. Lancaster that we can't keep in jail, but we can't get non-violent offenders (who are putting forth great effort to remain clean & lead productive lives) out of jail. I'm for change!

Dear Ms. _____ –

So n so has been a part time employee of mine since December 2008. I have known so-n-so to be a very hard worker with a compassionate heart. I knew when I hired so-n-so that she had a criminal record with drug use. I purposefully hire people with a non-violent criminal history because I believe it is important to give such individuals a chance to work and participate in a productive cause for their life.

My business is in the middle of the homeless shelters in Ft. Worth so I get a bird’s eye view of the product of our system -- people with criminal records not being able to find jobs. It’s something that cost us taxpayers enormously! I am a huge proponent of “helping” non-violent offenders – not enabling them, but actually “helping” them get their lives back together. I am also a huge proponent of early childhood intervention and development of “at-risk” children as I believe that irresponsible parenting is the cause of most of our drug, crime & homeless problems in society.

Please let me know how I can help with so-n-so's case. I have witnessed so-n-so put forth a tremendous effort towards a drug free, responsible, hard working, productive life in the past few months and hope that our justice system will invest in keeping so-n-so clean & productive, especially since she has the desire to participate in, and work for the betterment of such.

Feel free to contact me anytime.

Respectfully,

Suzette Watkins

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)

My first speech as a Candidate for Ft. Worth's District 8 City Council Seat

Wednesday, Feb. 18th, 2009
Today, I officially filed for a place on the City of Ft. Worth General Election Ballot for the Office of District 8 City Council. Something that several of my lifelong friends have wanted me to do for a long time and when I told them what I was going to do, they said, “I can’t believe it’s taken you THIS long, Suzette!!”

The first thing people ask me when I tell them that I am running for office is…..are you a Republican or a Democrat. My answer is Both -- and none of the above …

I don’t really fit in any of the political boxes very tightly.

I will say, that I’m hoping that the

* The Republicans & Libertarians will approve of me for my fiscal conservative-ness

* and my very liberal social-tolerant-beliefs will keep the Democrats from throwing me to the wolves ………

* and The Independents will like me because I won’t be beholden to the Party ideology arguments for the sake of Party loyalty.

So when people ask me what I am, I say let me tell you a little bit about my value system and what I believe, and you decide where I fall and if you’d like to support me as a candidate for public office.

I was born in the southeast Texas town of Beaumont, TX. I was educated in the public school system, I graduated from Klein High School in Houston, TX in 1980. I moved back to Beaumont, married -- (a great man, BTW) Put myself through college and obtained an Associates degree in Management from Lamar University. Divorced 4 years later, moved to Dallas -- worked in Corporate America for several years (more times than not, frustrated because I thought that I could do the job better than most of my bosses) went back to college part time and finished with a Bachelor’s degree in Medical Technology from UNT.

What gets me here before you today, to be quite honest, is a love of proving that I can make things happen…….when I have a clear vision………. and having a lifetime history of jobs in customer service and I know ………that I have the skills for working with people which is what I think a City Council job is all about.

I have a vision for making District 8 a safer, cleaner, more business friendly & a more resident friendly part of this City….and I feel confident… that I can make a difference.. for the better; in the District.

I believe that w/in the first 6 months I can get the crime rate knocked down to at least second place. Every single year that my opponent has been in office, District 8 has had the most total crime of all the Districts in this City. This is unacceptable! … if I get elected to this office, I promise you, that will CHANGE – - - - District 8 will not remain the most crime infested District in this City of ours!

HOW WILL I DO THIS? It’s quite simple. It’s called holding people accountable. We have laws on the books for a reason. If we aren’t going to enforce those laws then we need to take them off the books. If we are going to leave those laws on the books, then we need to enforce them….every single one of them, even littering.

If the jails are full and can’t take anymore offenders – sounds to me like we need to look at the system and see if there is a more effective way of dealing with the problem. I say it’s time for jail reform.

If we keep getting the same repeat offenders of the same crimes, sounds like we need to look at the system and see if there is a more effective way of dealing with the problem. I say it’s time for jail reform.

If the police officers are frustrated because the people they take downtown are back on the street corners before the officers finish their mounds of paperwork, sounds to me like we need to look at the system and see if there is a more effective way of dealing with the problem. I say it’s time the beat officers have an advocate at City Hall.

Let me ask y’all a question……(this is a test, but it’s an easy one!) If you know the answer say HEYYY!

How many of you know the name of your Neighborhood Police Officer?

My point exactly. Our NPOs need to know WHO THE RESIDENTS ARE! How can you fight neighborhood crime if you don’t know the residents, how can you educate the residents if you don’t know them? How can you keep communication lines open if you don’t communicate? Don’t get me wrong, I’m not blaming the NPOs! What I’m pointing out is that there is a gap in lines of effective communication between the fancy offices at City Hall and street level workers in this City. I’m saying let’s talk about how many salaries we the taxpayers are paying----- for positions above the NPOs…what are the people in those positions doing and who is holding them accountable?

It is my understanding that it’s the City Council’s job to make sure that City Government is serving the people and businesses in the neighborhoods.
From what I’ve seen on the EASTSIDE of town, it appears there may need to be more questions asked about who’s doing what -- how they are doing it -- and is it effective.

A few ideas I have on ReBuilding our communities

– Neighborhood Police Officers riding bicycles and walking the neighborhoods

– getting a vibrant and effective community service program going that teaches self responsibility with the hope of instilling some pride & life ----- back into troubled & lost souls

– Holding leaders of NAs accountable for communicating with the residents and businesses in the neighborhood -- regardless if the residents or business owners aggravate them or not! -- regardless if everyone agrees! – no one will agree 100% of the time… we all know that!…. but if we are to call ourselves leaders, then it is our responsibility to stay open to communication IF…. we are to serve…. the common good of the people.

MY GOALS FOR DISTRICT 8 would be to have

– a District that attracts Economic Development on its own w/out having to be sub-si-dized by the tax payers!

– – a District that holds our police force accountable for enforcing the Class C Misdemeanor Crimes (what some call petty crimes)

– – a District that holds the DAs office and the FWPD accountable for prosecuting offenders to the fullest extent of the law

– – a District that provides bike lanes up & down the main corridors of District 8 so that we can inexpensively get people moving in & out of our side of town and maybe sell them a sandwich, salad or cold beverage in a safe environment like they do in other parts of our City.

– A District that has a Representative at City Hall that will actually know what’s going on and care what’s going on in the neighborhoods & in our Municipal Courts

– A District that has a Representative that will bring common sense to the money table and not ask for something just because everyone else is asking for it even when it’s not prudent from a business standpoint. It’s the right thing to do for the taxpayers -- - - (the owners of this City)!

– A District that has a humble, working girl, ready & willing to get her hands dirty and not be concerned about ruffling feathers in order to bring about NEEDED CHANGE!

– A District that values the historic charm of this City and protects historic homes in historic neighborhoods. I see no reason why we can’t work together and help neighborhoods rid themselves of crime & code violations and bring back some responsible homeowners to those neighborhoods.

If you will continue to support me through this campaign -- tell your friends, acquaintances, colleagues, business associates & certainly anyone you know on the Eastside that there is a girl running for the City Council seat in District 8 that

- means what she says and says what she means

- isn’t afraid of speaking up for the people & small businesses

- isn’t afraid to tackling the sensitive issues we have in District 8,

- A girl running for City Council who you won’t have to worry about doing shady housing deals that leaves the people in need with nothing -- the bandits with the money -- and the taxpayers picking up the pieces for bad business deals -- AND decisions made by ethically challenged politicians and their friends.

- A girl who won’t feel the need to sit on multiple Board of Directors and at the same time say that the District is so big I don’t have time to tend to the needs of the people!

- A girl who will be an advocate for personal responsibility, accountability and transparency, not only in the office of City Council District 8 but in all aspects of City Government and especially businesses that are getting money from the City of Ft. Worth on behalf of the taxpayers!

If you will help me spread this word, I can unseat the entrenched incumbent & we can restore this District to working for the people instead of working against the people and business communities of District 8 – we can help all of the taxpayers in Ft. Worth because there will be someone on their side for a change! Someone who will try her best to pick up where The Honorable Mr.Chuck Silcox left off.

- I can promise you that I will be someone following the money and making sure that everyone is held accountable. It’s the right thing to do for this District -- it’s the right thing to do for the tax payers of this City – it’s the thing I have to do personally… in order to look myself in the mirror each morning.

Last, but certainly not least! The dogs! This District is one of the WORST for having neglected stray dogs running around! Just last year (2008) there were 1,793 stray dogs picked up in District 8! That is roughly 150 dogs per month! Any you don’t want to know how many are euth-anized each day in this City! It is way past time for this city to consistently enforce the laws concerning humane treatment of the dogs!

and it is way past time for this City to address the problem of irresponsible dog ownership! It’s the right thing to do for the dogs, it’s the right thing to do for the taxpayers and it’s the right thing to do for our communities.

(Political Advertisement authorized by Suzette Watkins)

Donations are needed and accepted at http://www.suzetteforcouncil.com/donate.html

Another rape in City Council District 8 - Near Southside of Ft. Worth

"Police are asking for the public’s help in identifying a man who attacked a woman last month, dragged her to a stairwell and raped her. "

http://www.star-telegram.com/804/story/1202273.html

When we allow Crime Activity to continue...this is what the neighborhood looks like

This is in City Council District 8 East Ft. Worth, Texas -- the District with the most crime of all the Districts in Ft. Worth for at least the past 3 years. Hence, I'm running for this seat and I sure hope I am able to boot the current seated member out! I can do a better job! I have new ideas, I have a proven record. I'm not afraid to speak up. I'll move this District along faster. I'll address the issues. I will work hard in an effective manner. I will not take criticism as personal attacks. I will not request that you call me "The Honorable anything" or "Councilmember" or any of those other undeserving titles....my name is Suzette and you can call me Suzette, I won't be offended in any way, shape or form. I'm no better than the next person and see no need for the uppity titles/names.

http://www.suzetteforcouncil.com/ http://www.suzetteforcouncil.com/donate.html

Another drug deal gone bad involving a shooting in Council District 8 East Ft. Worth

" man getting shot in the leg late Monday outside a homeless shelter"

"The victim told police that he believed he was mistaken for another person who normally stands on the corner of Cypress and East Presidio and sells drugs," Henderson said

http://www.star-telegram.com/804/story/1139926.html

This is in the Near Eastside Urban Village along with Presbyterian Night Shelter as the article explains above -- just east of downtown off of E. Lancaster. There is no reason, at all, that anyone should be allowed to "normally" stand on a street corner and sell drugs.

Please come to my fundraiser and find out how I would combat criminal activity in District 8. My approach is a whole different approach than the current seated City Council person's handling of the business of crime in this District. District 8 has had the highest total crime percentage of all Council Districts in the City of Ft. Worth for the past two years and 11 months inwhich my opponent has been in office. This will not be the case should I be elected to represent District 8 at City Hall. I promise you.

Find out how & why my plan will work for the betterment of District 8 here:

Wednesday, Feb. 18th 2008

Rahr Brewery Fundraiser

701 Galveston Ave

Ft. Worth, Texas

$20 per person ($35 per couple)

Free beer, live music, food and a first hand account of my vision for District 8.

Hope to see you there.

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/