Thank you, Mr. Michael Jackson - the world isn't the same w/out you.

Thank you for all you brought us. May your children be in loving, caring, nurturing, emotionally healthy homes and your legacy, music, and smooth moves, ('will') live forever and ever. May you rest in peace. You did it like no other and your voice was magnificent and above all (literally).

The Beauty of Fort Worth, Texas

I decided to be 'positive' today.

Why I didn't vote in previous City Council Elections -- Is it an issue with District 8 voters in Ft. Worth?

I have a suspicion that my opponent (there may be more), Kathleen Hicks, is going to make an issue out of my "no vote - no show" for City Council races in 2005 & 2007. Let me explain, in May 2005, I was your average 3rd shift hospital worker (Cook Childrens Medical Center - Ft. Worth, TX), I watched Main Street Media, cable news and a little bit of local news. How was I to know that there was a local City Council race going on? I was like the 90 - 95% of other Fort Worthians, I had no idea who my council person was, nor why it mattered, or why it was important for me to know. I never once, had a knock on my door, never once did I find any literature drop on my doorstep, never do I remember hearing much about any sort of local matter-to-me election going on.
In May 2007, same deal. However, at that time, I did know who my City Council "Representative" was, and what kind of attitude and demeanor she possessed. I wasn't impressed, nor would I have ever been a supporter of her politically. Her ways in dealing with me as a small business owner, in her crime filled District and a tax paying resident in her District, turned me against her, in a political sense. She had no opponent in the election, I surely wasn't going to support her candidacy, so why vote? Hold it against me if you so desire. It is what it is....that's my story, that's the truth, and I'm sticking to it.
I can do a better job at representing the people, than the currently seated Council member, Kathleen Hicks. I have better communication skills, I'm not uppity in my demeanor, I am an honest person, I have no desire to leave Ft. Worth, I am happy in Ft. Worth, I believe I can make a difference in this District; faster, and in a more diverse ways than my opponent could ever dream of doing. I have the experience in serving the public, I have the experience in working with people, I have a proven record of high work ethic, I have a history of honesty, I have a love for helping people (not enabling, but actually helping people!), I have an appreciation for accountability and I believe in personal responsibility....I care! I have political courage, I believe in my convictions, I am strong, I am a risk taker, I am an "old school," down-to-earth person who cares for my community.
Come see for yourself, Feb. 18th, Rahr Brewery, 701 Galveston Ave. Ft. Worth, TX 76104. $20 per person, $35 per couple. Award winning free beer, grilled Brats, live music from rising star, Lauren Whitener www.laurenwhitenermusic.com . Be there and have fun! http://www.suzetteforcouncil.com/
(This Political Advertisement authorized by Suzette Watkins)

Is it legal for me to Advocate for my Candidacy for public office on this blog w/out a "Paid for.." disclosure?

This blog is free, there is no money exchanged. A writer at the local newspaper (Star-Telegram) here in Ft. Worth asked me this question today. I replied that since this blog is free, I didn't think the rule applied.

(BTW, I'm a small business owner pretty much going against the status quo here. I'll bring, real, on time change for East Ft. Worth. Please send me money -- I really need it. You can donate here: http://www.suzetteforcouncil.com/donate.html)

Comments/Opinions/Thoughts.....?

Political Advertisement authorized by Suzette Watkins.

I love this CD...."Katsuk - 'Out In The Wind" (two dots go over the "u")

Check this guy out...he's great! www.myspace.com/katsuk or http://www.katsukmusic.com/ ....he's coming to a Neighborhood near you (if you live in Fort Worth, Texas). The Perfect kind of music. I digg it! Something for everyone! True musical artist.

Lauren Whitener - what a voice and love of the stage

She'll be in Ft. Worth soon. A must see for vocal, piano, lead quitar and musical appreciationists. Such an awesome act to see. Stay tuned. If you click on the link, be sure to listen to "You Don't Know Me," "Take me to the River", "Aint no Sunshine" and...."God only Knows."

http://www.laurenwhitenermusic.com/music.htm

Remembering Stephanie Tubbs-Jones

I loved watching interviews with the Congresswoman. I thought she was real. She was genuine. She was passionate. She had convictions. She was fair. She was one of the truly great politicians. I believe she cared for the people.....all of the people. No matter the color. I respect that in a person. I will always remember STJ. I will learn more about her and hope to carry out some of her ideas and ways of thinking right here in City Council District 8, Ft. Worth, Texas.

http://www.suzetteforcouncil.com/

The delicate and lively

A gift from two very close friends/supporters of mine and the card reads as:

"In China, the delicate and lively goldfish is revered as a
symbol of wealth & good fortune - in fact, its Chinese name - jin-yu - sounds like "gold in abundance." Traditionally, eight yellow and one black goldfish are placed
in an aquarium to attract money. But having a school of our little guys in
the house couldn't hurt."

Oxford American Dictionary defines "fortune" as: "chance or luck as a force in human affairs; a person's destiny; predictions about a person's future."

I will treasure this through the year of 2009. I have a great feeling about 2009. It rates somewhere up there with self actualization. Yes, I am a big believer and proponent of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs and I think we need to revisit it as communities. More on this topic later.

http://www.suzetteforcouncil.com/

This is what I look like...can you see the truth in my eyes?

I'm in the race for a City Council seat to represent The People in District 8 - Ft. Worth, Texas

Election is Saturday, May 9th, 2009.

Ridiculed, Violently opposed & Accepted

"All truth passes through three stages. First it is ridiculed. Secondly, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident."

Arthur Schopenhauer
German philosopher

The quote above grabbed my undivided attention because it's been a belief of mine that one of our downfalls in America is our inability, collectively as communities and individuals, to discuss, own, and address, the truths of matters and their statistics which prevents us (or one) from truly solving problems because we are seldom, if ever, dealing with problems at their root cause levels.

When Government doesn't listen to the people this is what happens

it ends up taking much longer for things to improve, much longer for businesses to thrive, much longer before the tax revenue is increased to its potential, many more lives lost and on and on and on. I know for the past 3 years I, along with Mike Phipps, Flora Brewer and others, have been pleading with my City Council representative, Kathleen Hicks and Mayor Moncrief to do something about the drug business and criminal activity along E. Lancaster by the homeless shelters and on down into the neighborhoods of East Ft. Worth. Asking that they provide more treatment beds, accountability and stop the revolving door in the jails. Finally, as their re-election season is slowly coming around and they are hearing the same words from people in the influential political circles to do something about it, seems that may be taking some action.

On another note, yesterday at the joint meeting with the Gas Drilling Task Force and City Council, we heard several times, experts tell the members, and members admit, that time is not on their side with cleaning up the environmental damage that they have, and are, allowing the gas drilling operators to do to our air quality. Perhaps if our local government, including Neighborhood Associations, would have listened to the concerned citizens about environmental issues with drilling that were raised years ago, studied the issue like they study other things such as Modern Street cars, our air quality would be much better and we could wholeheartedly believe Mayor Moncrief when he so emphatically says that "Quality of Life has always been a top priority here in this City and will continue to be."

http://westandclear.com/2008/10/01/joel-burns-streetcar-blogging/
http://www.star-telegram.com/news/story/974464.html
http://www.star-telegram.com/news/story/968503.html

We Could Revolutionize the World........

if it were politically correct to be transparent in our being -- if people allowed their feathers to be ruffled before reacting --if we could look at things from the big picture point of view rather than from the limited and personal point of view only -- if we could truly understand the meaning of appreciation, toleration, effective communication and love.

How's that for a beautiful Sunday afternoon in Ft. Worth? Life is good and I love Ft. Worth.

Tax dollars still going down the drain in East Ft. Worth

Because our City Council members of the recent past and present (supposedly representing the people of the Meadowbrook Neighborhoods) haven't made the case of the need for infrastructure dollars be spent in prevention and maintenance of our aging water pipeline system. We are watching millions and probably billions of gallons of water going down our drains every single day due to pipe breaks in the neighborhood. Today, once again, the taxpayers of Ft. Worth are paying for another expensive band aid type fix it to our water problems in East Ft. Worth, District 8. If City Hall was a business it would not survive. We need some new members of the political system in Ft.Worth.

Why Respect Politicians just because they have an office?

Many people in this world believe in "respecting the office" and frown upon those of us that tell it like it is and hold nothing back when it comes to placing the truth in the laps of elected officials who do not do their jobs of "protecting the people" which is the reason for government in the first place! It is absolutely disgusting to me to see the Senate leaders, including both of our Presidential candidates saying that "we as leaders must step up to the plate and ask the taxpayers to pay for our corruption." It is despicable, fraudulent, corrupt and certainly not deserving of any respect whatsoever! People say, well Suzette, you just aren't smart enough to understand all the implications, etc. I say, I am smart enough to know that we elected you to do your job of PROTECTING and speaking up for WHAT IS RIGHT for the people and you have been caught at doing neither! We the people should NOT reward your actions and you get no support from me in asking me to cover your lack of moral judgement in your choices -- no matter how your choices (or lack thereof) affect me and my household or livelihood. I'd rather take my chances with recession/depression than with any of you supporting this crazy bill no matter what kind of "sweeteners" you throw in. And No, I am not responsible for making sure that every person in America owns a home or has health insurance. Exception being, individuals who do not have the physical or mental ability to provide for themselves due to non-self inflicted reasons. I am so sick of politicians robbing the tax payers of more and more money on all levels of government: Federal, State and LOCAL! And so many want to whine and point fingers when we "disrespect" their offices! Give me a break!! They deserve nothing more than disrespect from every single one of us average tax payers! All the more reason we should pay closer attention to our local politics and support their campaigns when we find one that we believe in. If we don't, we leave it to Corporate America to buy our politicians. Hence, Presidential Election 2008!

Where is the plastic protective sheet for this toxic dump in Rural America?

The big energy companies want us to believe they really "care" about the environment. They don't. If they did, they would spend the money to do their jobs with respect to the people, animals and our environment. They do as little as they have to do, if that! So when I see their billboards trying to pull a fast one on us and make us believe that they are all good by showing pictures of deer, pretty little birds, trees, smiling children, etc., it doesn't work and makes me want to vomit because they are telling a lie. Sure, we need oil & gas....duh; but not at this cost and not at their profit margins.

This is what happens when City Government is allowed to turn a blind eye

You have water main break after water main break after water main break after water main break after water main break. You have big money being spent on quick fixes which includes overtime staff hours, weekend staff hours, etc. Someone in the neighborhood told me they stopped counting at 60 water main breaks. The count is enormous!! And Ft. Worth wonders why we are in such a budget crunch. It's simple. Our government officials are not working for "tha people." They are working for other things such as big money, big developments, big companies, big campaign donors, and who knows what else. Today, I counted two more water main breaks. Picture are above. One picture looks the same as the one a few posts earlier, but it isn't. Same street but further down. I don't see much different in Washington and Ft. Worth. Smaller group of people, but still politicians who stay in the middle of issues, don't stick their necks out too much and don't really care about the average taxpayer.

Surprise surprise...another water main break in Meadowbrook

Water bubbling up from the seams of a previously broken water main. I wouldn't drive over this one....as I couldn't afford the risk of being delayed by my vehicle getting stuck in a sink hole. Business as usual in Meadowbrook. How about your neighborhood? Do you have this many water main breaks? Where is our tax money going from East Ft. Worth? Who is looking out for us up at City Hall? Who has been speaking out for the neighborhoods in East Ft. Worth in the past few years to make sure that East Ft. Worth gets their fair share of the benefits from tax dollars? Where is the money that was suppose to be spent on infrastructure?

City Councilman Frank Moss is getting it

OMG I could not believe my eyes when I saw these words:

"City Councilman Frank Moss said Tuesday he wants to make sure the "Pull ’Em Up" campaign reaches parents, not just teenagers and young men.
"We’re going to continue to encourage parental involvement," Moss said in a briefing on the campaign at the City Council meeting Tuesday. "They don’t know it’s hampering their [children’s] opportunities."

http://www.star-telegram.com/804/story/929685.html

Parental involvement, parental involvement, parental involvement, parental involvement! I can't say it enough....parental involvement, parental involvement, parental involvement......

KUDOS to Mr. Frank Moss. This is how you keep dollars in the pockets of the people instead of in the pockets of corrupt politicians, this is how you save people from becoming homeless, this is how you "help" the "other Ft. Worth," this is how you lead, this is how you...., this is how you....., this is how you....., this is how you......

CORRECTION on number of Water Main Breaks in Ft. Worth

Below I say the count is 24 for water main breaks in the Meadowbrook neighborhood. That is incorrect. The report from CFW Water Dept counted 22 in past three years on my street alone. If you drive around the neighborhood you can see the black asphalt patches peppered on just about (if not) every single street. Therefore, the number of 24 is probably closer to 100 or more, if one counts the breaks on the surrounding streets as opposed to one street!