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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-04-25 Euless Articles By Rick Stopfer and Stephen Mason 4:48 PM on Apr 17, 2023 — Updated at 5:16 PM on Apr 17, 2023 House Bill 2127 contradicts our state’s history and is incongruent with many lawmakers’ assertions that “Texans know what’s good for Texas.” For those unaware of the bill’s stated intent, it would increase the state government’s regulatory power, thereby stripping local authority and leaving local governments unable to represent their citizens’ best interests. “Independence” and “Texas” go hand in hand. The “Lone Star State” was so named due to our status as an independent republic before becoming the 28th state. That annexation didn’t dilute the independent streak that still runs through most Texans’ blood. HB 2127 takes the stance that this philosophy doesn’t apply to individual Texas cities. Instead, the bill paints the issue with a broad brush and would leave many to believe that city leaders are out to make it harder for businesses to operate. When the bill author, Rep. Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock, explained his bill in the House Committee on State Affairs last month, he blamed a “current patchwork of regulations” by cities and counties that thwart economic growth. The bill is crafted in a way that punishes local governments that are supposedly bad for business and damaging the Texas economy. In reality, local leaders want nothing but the best for their business community because they rely on the private sector to stimulate a thriving economy. And if local governments have as much influence over businesses as the bill implies, then we must acknowledge their role in establishing Texas as the ninth largest economy in the world and for creating 650,000 jobs last year. With numbers to boast like these, it is hard to believe Texas is full of “254 counties and thousands of municipalities that all have their own ordinances that have hurt their businesses” [1:01:44]. While it may be true that, in limited cases, some cities overreach and involve themselves in matters best left for businesses to decide on their own, the correct approach to these individual occurrences would require a narrow resolution. Rather than using a scalpel to remove unnecessary ordinances, HB 2127 takes a wrecking ball to the entire system. Given the bill’s expansive reach and ambiguity, we seek clarification and have requested changes that attempt to tighten the broad language that could lead to the erosion of citizen-granted local control. We, along with 53 fellow mayors who represent the interests of our citizens, firmly stand against HB 2127 in its current form and believe the bill has a long way to go to reach a version that resembles a business-friendly policy without causing harm to residents, however unintended. Much debate remains on exactly what the bill does and does not intend to regulate. Interpretation of the bill is drastically different depending on the vantage point. From supporters’ point of view, the legislation would simply restore regulatory power to the state and make it easier for the private sector to operate. On the other hand, local governments look at the bill and see a non-exhaustive list of current authorities that will be stripped away, many that businesses want cities to enforce in order to protect their local investment. The confusion surrounding the bill’s impact is a precursor to the lengthy and unnecessary litigation likely to occur if HB 2127 becomes law. Not only does the bill invite individuals to file lawsuits against local governments, but it also encourages them— needlessly at taxpayer expense. Texas is a large and diverse state, geographically and culturally. Local ordinances reflect that diversity; state regulations cannot possibly account for the extreme divergences among our state’s regions. Therefore, decisions regarding city services, including everything as large as public safety, animal control, and parking ordinances down to weed control and water restrictions in neighborhoods, should be left to local leaders and not dictated by the state. Unfortunately, this legislation, as currently written, intends to paint all cities with one brush. Texas lawmakers would never accept such brash overreach from the federal government. So why would they choose to place a stranglehold on local communities with big government regulations? State officials rightfully fight against the centralization of power attempted from D.C.; still, they do not want local leaders playing by the same standards when it concerns decisions made in Austin. Texas mayors should have the same opportunity to push back against policies that erode local authority and remove the ability for cities to self-govern. Rick Stopfer is the Mayor of Irving and co-chair of the North Texas Mayors Economic Council and Stephen Mason is the Mayor of Cedar Hill and President of the North Texas Metroplex Mayors Association. The following mayors are also co-authors: Joe Chow, City of Addison; Ken Fulk, Allen; Carrie F. Gordon, Balch Springs; Darlene Copeland, Blue Mound; Chris Fletcher, Burleson; Steve Babick, Carrolton; Scott Cain, Cleburne; Tim Ratcliff, Combine; Teddy Reel, Commerce; Wes Mays, Coppell; Bill Heidemann, Corinth; Laurie Bianco, Dalworthington Gardens; Gerard Hudspeth, Denton; Rachel L. Proctor, DeSoto; Linda Martin, Euless; Ray Richardson, Everman; William P. Glancy, Farmers Branch; Bryon Wiebold, Farmersville; David Billings, Fate; Stephanie Boardingham, Forest Hill; Jeff Cheney, Frisco; Jim Jarrat, Granbury; Ron Jensen, Grand Prairie; Jerry Ransom, Greenville; Gary Hulsey, Haslet; Kelson Elam, Heath; Dan Jaworski, Highland Village; Henry Wilson, Hurst; Liz Woodall, Justin; Jeff Jordan, Kaufman; Christi Neal, Kemp; Clyde C. Hairston, Lancaster; Michael Evans, Mansfield; George Fuller, McKinney; Daniel Aleman, Mesquite; Regan Wallace Johnson, Mineral Wells; Scott Bradley, Murphy; Dena Meek, Oak Point; Richard Dormier, Ovilla; Brianna Chacón, Princeton; J. Nicole Jackson, Rice; Paul Voelker, Richardson; Scooter Gierisch, Roanoke; Kevin Fowler, Rockwall; Blake Margolis, Rowlett; Jeff Bickerstaff, Sachse; David Hill, Waxahachie; L. Kelly Jones, Westworth Village; Doyle Moss, Willow Park; Henry Lessner, Fairview; Derek France, Flower Mound; Russ Brewster, Pantego; Matthew Poole, Town of Ponder. They wrote this column for The Dallas Morning News. Trinity High wrestling coach arrested, charged with improper relationship with student BY NICOLE LOPEZ APRIL 20, 2023 6:48 PM A wrestling coach with the Hurst-Euless-Bedford Independent School District turned himself in Thursday after he was accused of having an improper relationship with a student, according to the Euless Police Department. Euless detectives were called to the Hurst‐Euless‐Bedford ISD Administration building in Bedford on April 11 in reference to the man, who is a wrestling coach and teacher at Trinity High School, allegedly having an improper relationship with a teenage girl. An investigation was conducted and, based on the evidence identified in this case, it was found that a criminal offense had occurred, police said in a news release. The suspect is identified as Ruben Francisco Martin. Martin is a 29-year-old employed at Trinity High School as a teacher and an assistant wrestling coach. The victim is a 16‐year‐old juvenile female student at Trinity High School, police said. An arrest warrant was issued for Martin by Euless police on Wednesday. Arrangements were made Thursday through Martin’s attorney to turn himself in to authorities, at which point he was taken into custody and transported to the Tarrant County Jail. “HEBISD (Hurst-Euless-Bedford Independent School District) received a report that the assistant coach of the Trinity wrestling program may have engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a student. The school district immediately placed this employee on leave, began an investigation into the allegations, and contacted local law enforcement,” district officials told the Star-Telegram in a statement. “HEBISD is cooperating fully with the Euless Police Department’s ongoing investigation. The District made a mandatory report of the allegations to the State Board for Educator Certification, and will report findings to SBEC at the conclusion of the investigation.” Martin is being charged with improper relationship between educator and student, a second-degree felony. During the course of the investigation, detectives believe there could be more victims. Anyone with any further information regarding the investigation is asked to contact Euless Detective Patrick Cunningham at 817‐685‐1559. “Our educators and support staff work each day to establish and maintain a culture that prioritizes student safety and keeps it at the forefront of all that we do,” district officials told the Star-Telegram. “Inappropriate behavior with a student violates every principle we stand for as a community that supports student success. It will not be tolerated.” Bed Bath & Beyond files for bankruptcy. What does this mean for DFW stores? Story by Jenny Rudolph • April 24, 2023 4:40 PM Bed Bath & Beyond filed for bankruptcy on Sunday, meaning the retailer known for bedding supplies, bathroom linens and home decor expects to close all of its locations. Employees in Fort Worth and Arlington said the company has given them no information about the timing of store closings. Dallas-Fort Worth is home to more than 13 of Bed Bath & Beyond’s 360 locations. The company has reported earnings losses in recent years and closed more than 200 stores across the chain in February, indicating bankruptcy could be around the corner. The retailer filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, which allows for reorganization of the business and tends to focus on paying back the company’s debt instead of shareholders. The retailer told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram its stores remain open but would not comment on a timeline for expected closings, “We thank our loyal customers for bringing us into their lives and encourage them to visit us in-store and online to shop our closing sales,” the company said. Bed Bath & Beyond is not the only once -popular retail chain that has faced bankruptcy and store closings in recent years. JCPenney, Toys R Us, Sears and David’s Bridal are among a growing list of brands that have struggled to keep up with the evolving retail market. More than 2,000 retail stores across the country closed last year, and Wall Street analysts expect more than 50,000 will close in the next five years. Gary Orosy, adjunct professor of marketing at the SMU Cox School of Business, said he was not surprised to learn of Bed Bath & Beyond’s bankruptcy. “As a pricing expert, it never fails to amaze me how myopic some retailers have become,” Orosy said. “Rather than compete on value, they feel their merchandise selection will overcome resistance to overly priced offerings.” Orosy said he thinks the company’s key misstep was pushing out national bran ds like KitchenAid in exchange for their own private -label brand in an effort to make up for their profit margin problems. The company traditionally had a low-cost culture but struggled to keep up with changing consumer tastes during and after the COVID -19 pandemic, Orosy said. “Bed Bath & Beyond had a culture of cost savings from their founders,” Orosy said. “They offered 15% to 20% discounts, but they didn’t invest enough in online ordering systems or their website, while Target, Amazon and Walmart spent copious amounts of money to make it easy for people to buy things from home.” The large-store, high-markup model doesn’t work anymore, and the new winners in the retail industry are the companies customers get good value from, Orosy said. Bed Bath & Beyond said several customer programs and policies will change. It will stop accepting coupons and discounts on Wednesday. Gift cards are vaild until May 8 and items purchased before April 23 can be exchanged or returned until May 24. Bed Bath & Beyond was founded in New Jersey by Warren Eisenberg and Leonard Feinstein more than 50 years ago. The company went public on the NASDAQ stock exchange in the early 1990s and reported $1 billion in annual sales seven years later. In 2007, the company acquired BuyBuy Baby, a retail chain created by the sons of Feinstein that sells nursery furniture, child car seats, strollers and more. The chain’s 120 locations are expected to close with the bankrupcy. Bed Bath & Beyond said it would reconsider plans for liquidation if the company finds a buyer. Holly Etlin, the company’s chief financial officer and chief restructuring officer, discussed her interest in the company’s sale in a court filing S unday. “Bed Bath & Beyond has pulled off long-shot transactions several times over the past six months so nobody should think Bed Bath & Beyond should not be able to do so again,” Etlin said.