HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-05-08 Euless ArticlesEuless City Council Candidate Questioned
Over his Muslim Faith
By Alice Barr
Published at 10:42 PM CDT on Apr 25, 2018 |
A city council race in Euless is getting heated not just for debate over the
issues, but because of one candidate's religion.
District 6 candidate Salman Bhojani says he's had people at the polls ask him
what religion he is and then tell him they would never vote for a Muslim.
Then on Monday, his own state representative wrote a Facebook post
referencing his religion. NBC 5 tracked down both sides of the story.
"I want to make sure I can bring diverse perspectives to the city council,"
Salman Bhojani said.
But he believes critics are using that diversity against him.
State Representative Jonathan Stickland wrote a Facebook post referencing
Bhojani's religion. In it, he speaks against "progressive liberals" stepping into
a non-partisan council race and points out that Salman Bhojani is a Muslim
and what he calls a "lifelong Democrat" responsible for having a passage from
the Koran read for the first time at a council meeting. The passage referenced
having an openness to different religions and was read by a local Boy Scout
troop.
"I don't think that by itself is something that means he's unfit for office,” said
Rep. Stickland. “But what I think is this is just a foreshadowing of some of the
massive changes that he would like to see in the city of Euless."
Representative Stickland points to Bhojani's own speeches calling for
diversity on the council.
"He can't have it both ways,” Stickland said. “If he wants to use it as a plus, he
has to be OK with other people thinking it's a relevant issue as well."
"I think that's totally inaccurate. I have not brought my religion public," Bhojani
countered. "He should have come and asked me about my beliefs because
I'm also one of his constituents."
Bhojani said religion would never influence his council decisions but he does
want a fresh perspective. He would be the council's only minority.
"Any time you have a homogenous group of people who came together and
make decisions for people who are not like them I think you can be blindsided
by your own tunnel vision," Bhojani said.
In his Facebook post, Representative Stickland also references campaign
finance violations. Bhojani told NBC 5 he received one contribution from a
Canadian citizen and that as soon as he recognized the error, he returned the
money and reported the problem himself to local, state and federal officials.
He also notes that he is not a “lifelong Democrat” as Stickland claimed and
wants to keep the election party-neutral.
Texas lawmaker aims 'Muslim' as
epithet against Euless City Council
candidate
Robert T. Garrett Dallas Morning News
AUSTIN — A leading conservative in the Texas House has drawn fire for
highlighting the fact a Euless City Council candidate is a Muslim who he
warns would bring "massive changes" to the suburban Tarrant County city.
On Monday, Bedford Republican Rep. Jonathan Stickland said on Facebook
that Euless residents should "beware" that Salman Bhojani is part of "a slate
of progressive liberals in our non-partisan city council elections."
Stickland said Bhojani is "a Muslim, lawyer, and a lifelong Democrat who
supports raising your taxes."
Stickland, who is a member of the Texas Freedom Caucus in the House,
linked to a video that he said in a brief interview Thursday is posted on
Bhojani's campaign website.
It shows a TV news story, apparently airing overseas and in another
language, about how a Muslim Boy Scout troop presented the American flag
and apparently recited from the Quran at the start of a March 2017 Euless
City Council meeting.
It was "thanks to Mr. Bhojani," Stickland said, that "the Koran was read for
the first time at a city council meeting."
According to a story Wednesday by KXAS-TV (NBC5), the passage of the
Quran spoke of having an openness to different religions.
"I don't think that by itself is something that means he's unfit for office,"
Stickland told the TV station. "But what I think is this is just a foreshadowing
of some of the massive changes that he would like to see in the city of
Euless."
On Thursday, Texas Democratic Party communications director Tariq
Thowfeek called Stickland's remarks "disappointing."
They were a reminder that "much work remains to expel Islamophobia in
Texas," Thowfeek said in a written statement.
"Salman Bhojani's story is that of America," the Democratic spokesman said.
"He immigrated here, worked hard going from convenience store clerk to
respected business owner and lawyer. Our country, our state, and the city of
Euless are better for having citizens like Salman. There's no religious test to
serve in America or Texas. Stickland should read our constitution."
Stickland did not immediately respond to Thowfeek's criticism.
In his Monday post, Stickland took other shots at Bhojani.
"His ideas for our community would scare a majority of our residents, but he
is very sneaky in how he presents himself," Stickland said in his Facebook
post. "He already has numerous campaign finance violations. This includes
taking campaign money from a foreign national and breaking Federal law. He
must be stopped."
Bhojani told NBC5, though, that he received one contribution from a
Canadian citizen and that as soon as he recognized the error, he returned the
money and reported the problem to local, state and federal officials, the
station reported.
Stickland, who was first elected in 2012, is a darling of the Northeast Tarrant
Tea Party and a frequent critic of House Speaker Joe Straus, R-San Antonio,
who he says is too moderate and heavy-handed in his running of the
chamber.
Thowfeek said Stickland's latest remarks are part of a GOP pattern.
"From the White House to Texas, Republicans in the era of Trump, such
as Molly White, Sid Miller, and Jonathan Stickland, have mainstreamed
Islamophobic rhetoric," he said. "They have made Muslims in this state feel
like no matter what they do, they're going to be under suspicion and under
attack. Texans will not be bystanders to bigotry."
On Thursday, Stickland went after Bhojani for allegedly trying to obscure his
Democratic ties. However, although Stickland said Bhojani in the NBC5
story denied having been a "lifelong Democrat," that statement by the city
council hopeful did not appear in this version of the station's story.
Stickland sticks nose into
local council race, points
out candidate is Muslim
BY ELIZABETH CAMPBELL AND ANNA M. TINSLEY
April 27, 2018 11:52 AM
State Rep. Jonathan Stickland, R-Bedford, has weighed in on the Euless City Council race. Rodger
Mallison rmallison@star-telegram.com
EULESS
Local firebrand Jonathan Stickland is drawing attention for weighing in on the
Euless City Council race —and pointing out that one of the candidates is a
Muslim and “lifelong Democrat.”
At issue is the race between Salman Bhojani and Molly Maddux for Place 6 on the
Euless City Council.
Stickland a Republican from neighboring Bedford, recently posted on Facebook,
stating EULESS RESIDENTS BEWARE: Currently, the Mid-Cities Democrats are
pushing a slate of progressive liberals in our non-partisan city council elections.
Salman Bhojani should be familiar to many of you. He ran and narrowly lost last
cycle. He is a Muslim, lawyer, and a lifelong Democrat who supports raising your
taxes. ...”
Salman Bhojani
Bhojani 38, is an attorney and Maddux, 63, is a retired teacher in the Hurst-
Euless-Bedford school district. The election is May 5 and early voting continues
through Tuesday.
Stickland said he only brought up religion after Bhojani did so first.
“I have not said, ‘Don’t vote for him because he’s a Muslim,’ ” Stickland said
Friday in an interview with the Star-Telegram. “I said Muslim in describing who
he is. I’m opposed to the positions he takes.”
Stickland’s post also stated that Bhojani was successful in having the Koran read
during a council meeting, and accused him of campaign finance violations
including taking a contribution from a “foreign national.”
Bhojani said his Cub Scout troop was invited to give the invocation at a council
meeting in March, and the passage from the Koran was about solidarity among
faiths.
On the contribution from a foreign national, Bhojani said that someone from
Canada saw his original Facebook post when he filed to run for office and
contributed $500. When he found out that he couldn’t accept foreign
contributions, he self-reported the donation to the Texas Ethics Commission and
the Federal Election Commission. Bhojani said he returned the donation, which
was made to his Paypal account.
Stickland, who said he’s been hearing from voters who appreciate the
information he shared because he felt that Bhojani, who ran for office before,
“had been dishonest about what his agenda was and what his positions on the
issues were.”
Molly Maddux
Campaign finance has been an issue on both sides of the race; Stickland donated
$15,000 to Maddux for “block walkers, staff consulting and other services.”
“They put a lot of money in this campaign,” Bhojani said. “People need to look at
what Maddux is doing to help the city; this is what the race should be about.”
Maddux said the contributions from Stickland are just that, contributions.
“I’m not going to turn down money from anyone,” she said. “Just because
someone gives me money doesn’t dictate how I am going to vote. I will do
research and look at both sides.”
Maddux also accused Bhojani of spending campaign money at Krispy Creme and
other restaurants including Saviano’s.
Bhojani said people who help him with block walking are volunteers.
“They work for a few hours and come back hungry. I wanted to give them lunch,”
Bhojani said.
Stickland said in a recent newsletter that Maddux “is a very close friend of mine
and has fought for conservatism for decades. ...
“Molly has been a strong voice in our community and is the only one that can
stop the dangerous agenda of progressive Salmon Bjojani,” the newsletter stated.
The Texas Democratic Party took Stickland to task for weighing in on the race,
saying Bhojani’s story “is that of America.”
“He immigrated here, worked hard going from convenience store clerk to
respected business owner and lawyer,” said Tariq Thowfeek, communications
director for the Democratic Party. “Our country, our state and the city of Euless
are better for having citizens like Salman.
“There’s no religious test to serve in America or Texas,” Thowfeek said. “Stickland
should read our Constitution. The fact that these remarks were made by an
elected official about his constituent is disappointing and shows how much work
remains to expel Islamophobia in Texas.”
Bhojani, who serves on the parks board, said if he is elected, he wants to focus on
bringing more diversity and a different perspective to the council with his
experience as an attorney.
“I can help attract more businesses to Euless, and I can bring a perspective from a
young family,” he said.
Place 5: Opposing views
Harry Zimmer
The Place 5 race does not have the political fireworks being tossed in Place 6, but
the candidates do have opposing views the city is going. Euless is the fifth largest
city in Tarrant County with a population of about 55,000.
Incumbent Harry Zimmer is being challenged in Place 5 by Tim St. Clair, who
previously ran unsuccessfully for mayor.
Zimmer, 73, a retired engineer, said he wants to continue serving on a “winning
team.”
He said the city has a healthy tax base and that the property tax rate has been
reduced twice, and he wants to make sure city services are kept within the tax
rate.
“The miracle of Euless is the consensus on how the city works,” Zimmer said.
“The department heads listen to people. We so want to keep our history and agree
to disagree and try not to get into partisanship and be respectful.”
St. Clair, a musician/song writer, declined to be interviewed by the Star-
Telegram, stating that he would talk to “involved citizens” on
Twitter @TimStClairmusic.
However, at a candidate forum, St. Clair said he wants to hold council members
accountable and look at wasteful spending.
Texas State Rep. Jonathan
Stickland: a Field Guide
| APRIL 30, 2018 |
Jonathan Stickland in 2015.
Jonathan Stickland must be bored. Despite having his own re-election campaign
against Democrat Steve Riddell to worry about in the Mid-Cities' state House
District 92, Stickland, the id of the Texas GOP, has waded into a nonpartisan City
Council election in Euless.
Stickland's attack, in which he invokes candidate Salman Bhojani's Muslim faith
before calling him sneaky and suggesting that "his ideas for our community would
scare a majority of our residents," isn't the first time he's provoked local, statewide
or national attention for something he's done or said, and it certainly won't be the
last.
In case you're new to DFW or need to brush up on one of the area's most
bewildering elected officials, here are his greatest hits.
1. Stickland warns Euless about Salman Bhojani because he's Muslim.
"Euless residents beware," Stickland opened a Facebook post last week. "Currently,
the Mid-Cities Democrats are pushing a slate of progressive liberals in our non-
partisan city council elections.
"Salman Bhojani should be familiar to many of you. He ran and narrowly lost last
cycle. He is a Muslim, lawyer, and a lifelong Democrat who supports raising your
taxes."
After being called out for bringing up Bhojani's religion, Stickland denied that he
believes Euless residents should consider Bhojani's faith while they're in the ballot
box. But he also mentioned that Bhojani is "responsible" for the Koran being read
for the first time ever at a Euless City Council meeting.
“I have not said, ‘Don’t vote for him because he’s a Muslim,’ ” Stickland told
the Fort Worth Star-Telegram on Friday. “I said Muslim in describing who he is.
I’m opposed to the positions he takes.”
2. Stickland comes awfully close to saying he wants to shoot abortion-rights
supporters.
On the morning of June 23, 2013, just before a major debate over House Bill 2,
Texas' soon-to-be infamous package of abortion restrictions, Stickland took to
Twitter to express gratitude for his Second Amendment rights.
After getting called out for the implied threat, Stickland said that his "reference this
morning to being grateful for the ability to defend myself is coupled with the
knowledge that there are those among us who cannot defend themselves.Through
my vote today I will be defending the rights of those who cannot speak for their
own rights."
Stickland's new statement, as the Observer's Eric Nicholson pointed out, raised an
obvious question: Why wasn't Stickland doing everything he could to arm those
vulnerable fetuses?
3. Stickland says rape ain't rape if you're married.
Responding to a fellow message board member's post about problems in the
bedroom in 2008, Stickland said that marital rape doesn't exist.
"Rape is nonexistent in marriage, take what you want my friend!” Stickland said.
He apologized for the post eight years later, but only after researchers working for
Scott Fischer, his GOP primary opponent, dug it up
4, Stickland won't shut up. Not even for a cookie.
By the middle of his second term in 2015, moderates in the Texas House grew so
tired of Stickland pontificating from their chamber's back mic that Fort Worth's
Charlie Geren attempted to lure Stickland away from his post with a cookie tied to a
string. It didn't work.
5. Stickland gets kicked out of a committee hearing when the witnesses he'd
signed up to testify aren't there.
In 2015, Texas House Transportation Committee Chairman Joe Pickett threw
Stickland out of a meeting after discovering that dozens of witnesses Stickland had
signed up to testify on behalf of his red light camera-banning bill weren't even in
Austin. Stickland refused to leave, claiming Pickett was disrespecting him, as
House sergeants removed him from the hearing.
In a statement he issued shortly after, he said he and his staff didn't think the people
he'd signed up to testify actually needed to be present.
6. Stickland reminds everyone where he came from.
On March 11, 2015, that year's Planned Parenthood lobby day at the state Capitol,
Stickland engaged in meaningful debate with those he disagrees with by posting a
sign near his office door declaring himself a former fetus and accusing the family
planning group of murder.
"Today Planned Parenthood is visiting and lobbying the Capitol. In honor of their
visit, I put this sign up on my office door. Organizations that murder children are
not welcome in my office. #prolifeandproudofit"
Geren, the Republican chair of the House Administration Committee, tore
Stickland's sign down.
7. Stickland reunites with his favorite House microphone.
Last May 11, at the end of the regular legislative session, Stickland and the Texas
Freedom Caucus — a small, loud group of ultraconservative legislators he leads —
killed more than 100 bills through procedural maneuvers at a key deadline. They
did so out of spite because Texas House Speaker Joe Straus had refused to advance
several extreme anti-abortion bills, as well as the so-called bathroom bill
referendum that would have required anyone visiting state facilities to use the
bathroom consistent with the gender on their birth certificate. When Stickland's
fellow legislators tried to fight back and force a bill from the vote, Stickland took to
his favorite back-of-the-House microphone and screamed.
"It’s disgusting. It’s disgusting. And one of these days, it’s going to happen to
something that you care about,” he said.
U.S. Concrete: 1Q Earnings Snapshot
Associated Press30 April 2018
EULESS, Texas (AP) _ U.S. Concrete Inc. (USCR) on Monday reported a first-quarter loss
of $3.9 million, after reporting a profit in the same period a year earlier.
The Euless, Texas-based company said it had a loss of 23 cents per share. Earnings,
adjusted for costs related to mergers and acquisitions and stock option expense, were 18
cents per share.
The results fell short of Wall Street expectations. The average estimate of three analysts
surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for earnings of 47 cents per share.
The concrete and aggregates producer posted revenue of $327.8 million in the period,
topping Street forecasts. Three analysts surveyed by Zacks expected $321.1 million.
U.S. Concrete shares have decreased 30 percent since the beginning of the year. The
stock has declined 5.5 percent in the last 12 months.
New Sikh temple
Gurdwara Sikh Sangat, a new Sikh temple, opened this month in Euless. (Courtesy)
After three years of planning, a new Sikh temple has opened in Euless.
Located at 200 E. Euless Blvd., Gurdwara Sikh Sangat, the temple's official
name, aims to serve the area's growing Sikh community.
Sikhism was founded in the 1400s. It has about 27 million followers
worldwide, ranking it as the world's fifth-largest religion.
The Euless temple celebrated its grand opening on April 21. Kiran Kaur gave
a welcome speech, and Euless Mayor Linda Martin presented a
proclamation. A few other city officials and members of the Euless Police
Department attended.
Festivities included traditional services, children presenting a Shabad
(religious hymn) and a Kavita (poetry) recitation by Kavishree Jatha. Learn
more about the temple at sikhsofdfw.org.
Here's what's changing at
Hopdoddy
The new Hopdoddy “breakfast” cheeseburger has a beef-sausage-ham patty with bacon added.
April 30, 2018 04:42 PM
EULESS
Hopdoddy Burger Bar is opening next week in Euless and later in Southlake, but some
old friends aren't coming along.
The lamb “Greek” burger and several milkshakes will be among the items
eliminated next week in Hopdoddy's biggest menu revamp since the Austin burger
favorite came to Dallas-Fort Worth five years ago.
A new four-meat breakfast beef-sausage-ham cheeseburger highlights the new menu,
with bacon, eggs and shoestring potato “hay” added.
The menu of milkshakes will be completely overhauled, with a bananas Foster shake,
S'mores and a “birthday cake” shake. (The salted-caramel and Nutella pretzel shakes are
going by the wayside.)
The exact new menu items won't be known until later this week. The Euless location
opens May 7 in Glade Parks.
Hopdoddy has been teasing fans on social media, saying it's “shakin' things up” and that
diners should let the lost items go the way of an old Ramones T-shirt.
But the fact of the matter is that Hopdoddy has expanded outside its Austin comfort zone
— to 25 locations in six states — and needed to step up its game in the better-burger
bracket.
Pro tip: Go at happy hour weekdays, when there's a $5 burger and drinks. (That is, if
Hopdoddy keeps that on the new menu.)
Watch for the Euless location at 1200 Chisholm Trail, between Outback
Steakhouse and Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar.
Then wait for the next Hopdoddy at 1230 Main St., Southlake Town Square, across the
street from TruFire Kitchen & Bar.
Hopdoddy is open for lunch and dinner daily in Fort Worth at 2300 W. Seventh St.,
across from Trinity Park; 817-270-2337, hopdoddy.com.
Work starting soon on the first liquor store for
this North Texas city
May 1, 2018
The rapidly expanding development will soon be home to, the first liquor store in
Euless.
On Tuesday, March 27, the City Council approved plans for more retail space to the
south of, popular entertainment venue, and 24-Hour Fitness. Total Wine and
Burlington, a clothing and home goods store, will open there.
Mike Collins, Euless director of planning and economic development, said Total Wine
should open its 25,000-square-foot location this fall.
Edward Cooper, vice president of public affairs for Total Wine & More, told the Star-
Telegram previously that residents in nearby cities including Grapevine and Colleyville
have also expressed a desire for another liquor store closer to their homes.
Is about a quarter mile from Glade Parks, and there are other liquor stores along
Texas 26 in Colleyville.
In November, Euless voters approved allowing liquor stores by a wide margin. In
preparation, the voted last summer to allow zoning for liquor stores in commercial
areas such as Glade Parks, the Texas 121 gateway, and the .
State law prohibits liquor stores from being within 300 feet of homes, hospitals,
churches and private schools.
More restaurants and clothing stores are opening this spring in Glade Parks:
Hopdoddy, an Austin-based craft burger restaurant; Francesca’s, a fashion boutique
for women; and DXL, featuring clothing for tall men.
This report contains material from the Star-Telegram archives.
Elizabeth Campbell
Council Candidate Makes Religion A
Campaign Issue In Euless
By Andrea LuciaMay 1, 2018 at 10:11 pm
campaign flier in Euless (CBS11)
EULESS (CBSDFW.COM) – Religion has become a campaign issue in one
Euless city council race.
Salman Bhojani, a candidate for council Place 6, said he’s been subjected to ugly
attacks at the polls over his Muslim faith.
“They said, ‘Because you’re a Muslim. We don’t vote for terrorists,” he recounted.
He says his opponent Molly Maddux introduced religion into the race with a flier
labeling him a Muslim and herself a Christian.
Maddux told CBS11, though, she’s simply stating facts.
“Our faith determines our values, and our values are very important on how
we vote,” she said.
Maddux said she wants to keep her campaign positive.
She said everyone she’s seen at the polls, including members of Bhojani’s
campaign, has been courteous, but said she would not support any hateful
comments.
“I don’t condone that at all, but I haven’t seen it happen,” she said.
While at the polls, a CBS11 camera did capture one interaction between Bhojani
and a pair of voters.
“Your supporters fly the flag…” one man told him.
“What’s wrong with that?” Bhojani interrupted him.
“Flying the flag upside down?” said a second man.
“Am I? No. I’m not doing that,” responded Bhojani.
While Maddux said she wouldn’t criticize her opponent, one prominent supporter
of her candidacy, state representative Jonathan Stickland has openly done so on
his Facebook page, calling Bhojani “a dangerous man”… “a Muslim, lawyer, and
a lifelong Democrat.”
He told CBS11 over the phone it was Bhojani who introduced religion and
diversity as a campaign issue, while saying he would be blasted if he asked for
votes because he was a “white, Christian.”
In one video Rep Stickland referenced, Bhojani does not mention religion in
addressing what appears to be a predominantly South Asian crowd, but he does
address his desire to see a minority presence on city council.
“There’s no representation for the Pali community right now on city council. In
fact, there’s no Desi representation on city council. There’s no African-American
representation on city council. There are no Hispanics,” he said referencing
various minorities including South Indians and Indians in general.
Bhojani told CBS11 city council should be more representative of the population
it represents, which is now predominantly made up of minorities.
Rep Stickland also accused Bhojani of accepting money from a foreign national.
Bhojani says he received a $500 donation from a Canadian citizen, which he
refunded once he learned it violated campaign finance law.
On Stickland, Empower
Texans' role in Euless
May 01, 2018 06:01 PM
Euless: For Bhojani
In a KXAS/Channel 5 interview, state Rep. Jonathan Stickland raised an issue about the
religion of Salman Bhojani, a Euless city council candidate.
This is un-American. Bhojani has a constitutional right to practice his faith.
The Euless City Council race isn't about religion, race, or even party. it's a non-partisan
position.
It should be about accomplishments, vision for Euless' future, and passion for serving
Euless citizens.
These criteria make Bhojani a compelling candidate; his rags-to-riches story (gas station
clerk to owner of multiple stations to attorney) is the American story.
We are fortunate that he wants to use his ability and energy to make Euless even better.
Stickland reminded me of Mr. Potter from the movie "It's a Wonderful Life": his bulky
frame behind a desk, weaving deceitful schemes.
Mr. Potter ultimately failed. Hopefully Stickland will, too.
—Kevin Patrick,
Euless: For Maddux
There has been much slander from both sides of the fence, but there is a very telling fact
that has been overlooked.
One of the candidates has lived in Euless eight years, but according to county records, he
has voted only twice in city council elections.
This fact overshadows any words spoken about a desire to serve our community.
My vote is for Molly Maddux.
—Beth Kossuth,
Meet the Euless City Council Candidate
Who's Made Jonathan Stickland So, So
Mad
STEPHEN YOUNG | MAY 2, 2018 |
Salman Bhojani is running for Euless City Council, which angers state Rep. Jonathan Stickland.
Until last week, Salman Bhojani was just running for Euless City Council. The Euless
attorney, who became a U.S. citizen in 2006 before putting himself through law
school at SMU, thought his suburb's council could use a little more diversity, and
decided to do something about. Then state Rep. Jonathan Stickland got involved.
Stickland, the face of the most conservative wing of the Texas House, the Texas
Freedom Caucus, launched a series of verbal assaults on Bhojani last week, attacking
him as a Muslim and "lifelong Democrat" with " ideas for our community [that]
would scare a majority of our residents."
After denying to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram on Friday that he believed voters
should consider Bhojani's faith before casting their ballots, Stickland attacked Bhojani
again on Monday.
"URGENT EULESS ELECTION ALERT," Stickland posted on Facebook,
"Progressive liberal Salman Bhojani is a dangerous man. He is actively
campaigning on gun control, LGBT issues, increases in spending, and raising taxes.
The Democrat party [sic] is supporting and endorsing him as a 'big win' for their
party. Now some of the most liberal elected officials from across the state are
voicing their support."
Tuesday afternoon, Bhojani told the Observer that he's been bewildered by
Stickland's attacks, because he's been running a locally focused, nonpartisan
campaign for a local, nonpartisan office. Stickland did not return requests for
comment.
"On one side, my spirits are really down. It doesn't feel good, the hatred that we're
getting. That's gotten us off-track," Bhojani says. "It's totally caught us off-guard,
but I think that there are a lot of great people in Euless that will come to our rescue
when they see all the hatred we're getting."
When he decided to run, Bhojani says, he had no idea that anyone would bring his
religion into the race.
There's no religious test to be on the council or in any
elected office. — Salman Bhojani
"I'm not a politician. I'm just a regular person trying to do my civic duty by serving
on the City Council," Bhojani says. "I've been on the Park Board for four years.
I've just tried to do whatever I can do — I lead a Boy Scout troop in Euless — it's
just the same ethic of giving back. I did not expect that an elected representative,
and my own state representative at that, would go against me and my faith. Talk to
me about the city, about policies and my goals for the city, I'm all game for that.
But lies and bigotry and bringing up religion — look, being an attorney, I know
there's a separation of church and state. There's no religious test to be on the
council or in any elected office."
Bhojani says that he's sworn to uphold the constitution twice, both when he became
citizen and when he was sworn in as a lawyer. He'll fight to protect the Second
Amendment as strongly as any other, he said.
"I haven't even made a statement about guns," Bhojani says. "Every word of the
Constitution, I've sworn to uphold it. The Second Amendment is part of the
Constitution. There are people who come in on both sides and say either 'we hate
guns' or 'we love guns,' but what does that have to do with our city? Why are we
talking about the national issues? Go petition the federal government if you like or
don't like the Second Amendment."
Rather than pushing a liberal agenda, Bhojani said he wants a place on the council
to represent young families like his — he has two school-aged children — and to
bring to local government the perspective of someone who's grown several small
businesses. It wouldn't hurt Euless to have minority representation on the council
either, he says.
"We need to have the City Council look more like the citizens of Euless. If I do get
elected, I'll be the first minority in the history of Euless to get elected to City
Council," Bhojani says. "That's really powerful. That tells you how much that is
needed in our city. I'm not saying that you should vote for me because I'm brown,
but I am saying that I represent the diversity that is lacking on the City Council
right now."
In addition to his online attacks against Bhojani, Stickland has given almost
$15,000 in cash and in-kind donations — including paid-block walking and more
than $1,500 worth of postage — to the attorney's election opponent, retired teacher
Molly Maddux, who also did not return a request to comment for this story.
Euless' council election is Saturday.
These stores and restaurants
are coming to Glade Parks in
Euless
A rendering of Glade Parks, the 194-acre development on Texas 121 in Euless. Courtesy
May 03, 2018 01:59 PM
EULESS
More dining and shopping options are coming to Glade Parks, the 194-acre development
on Texas 121.
North Rock Real Estate announced Thursday that the 54th Street Grill known for its
steaks, slow-cooked ribs, sandwiches and salads will open in 2019.
And the Blue Lion Salon and Suites has also signed a lease to open in Glade Parks.
If you want a hand-crafted burger and a cold brew, the popular Hopdoddy Burger Bar
opens Monday, and if Asian cuisine is more your style, check out Imperial Hibachi,
serving sushi and Asian fusion dishes which will open this summer.
If you are in to clothing, Old Navy is opening May 12.
This fall, look for Total Wine & More to open. It will be the first store in Euless to sell
spirits after voters approved liquor stores in November.
Also look for the Aloft Hotel from Starwood and Marriott to open this summer. The hotel
will complement the Glade Parks Town Plaza, an outdoor area scheduled to open this
summer.
Faith leaders slam Texas
lawmaker's 'hateful rhetoric'
against Muslim candidate for
Euless council
Dallasnews.com 05/04/2018
A band of clergy leaders, along with the organization Faith in Texas, have
denounced remarks by Rep. Jonathan Stickland of Bedford regarding Euless
City Council candidate Salman Bhojani — in particular, singling out his
Muslim faith.
"We lament that some who claim the name of Christ treat those who do not
as suspicious or less committed citizens," said Rev. Steve Heyduck, senior
pastor at First United Methodist Church of Euless.
A news release announcing Thursday's reaction from clergy said the group
was "dismayed to see the fires of fear and prejudice stoked against a fellow
member of the faith community." The group said such a statement was
necessary in the face of "hateful rhetoric."
"This is not about politics," said Rev. Philip Rhodes, senior pastor at First
United Methodist Church of Hurst. "This is about basic human interaction,
rules of engagement and the ability to disagree with a person without
making it about race or religion."
Last month, Stickland said on Facebook that Euless residents should
"beware" that Bhojani is part of "a slate of progressive liberals in our non-
partisan city council elections," describing him as "a Muslim, a lawyer, and a
lifelong Democrat who supports raising your taxes."
He also linked to a video he said had been posted on Bhojani's website of an
overseas news report showing a Muslim Boy Scout troop presenting the
American flag and apparently reciting from the Quran at a Euless City
Council meeting in March 2017.
"Thanks to Mr. Bhojani," Stickland said, "the Koran was read for the first
time at a city council meeting."
A KXAS-TV (NBC5) report said the passage spoke about being open to
different religions, which Stickland told the station didn't in itself indicate
that Bhojani was unfit for office — "but what I think is this is just a
foreshadowing of some of the massive changes that he would like to see in
the city of Euless," he said.
Rev. Jaime Kowlessar, senior pastor at City Temple Seventh Day Adventist
Church, called on political figures to refrain from "derogatory anti-Muslim
rhetoric that puts politics ahead of our human dignity and the health of our
shared community."
Added Heyduck: "We are committed to following Jesus better today than
yesterday, thus loving God and loving our neighbors as ourselves. This
means all of our neighbors, whether we look alive, think alive or believe
alike."
Bhojani overcomes Tea Party
candidate, takes Euless City
Council seat in close vote
Debby Jackson talks with Salman Bhojani volunteer Ifti Khan during voting Saturday at the Euless Public
Library. Bob Booth Bob Booth
BY ELIZABETH CAMPBELL
Liz@star-telegram.com
EULESS
Salman Bhojani, whose opponent had a campaign heavily funded by Republican state
Rep. Jonathan Stickland, won a seat on the Euless City Council after defeating Molly
Maddux by a margin of 37 votes in Saturday's voting.
Bhojani garnered 2,119 votes, or 50.44 percent, while Maddux had 2,082 votes, or 49.56
percent, in the Place 6 race. Stickland had criticized Bhojani, a 38-year-old attorney, for
being a Muslim and "lifelong Democrat."
In Place 5, incumbent Harry Zimmer won by a wide margin with 1,621 votes, for 74.05
percent, to Tim St. Clair’s 568 votes or 25.95 percent.
Maddux, a 63-year-old retired teacher, said in Facebook posts that she was not going to
weigh in on Stickland’s comments about Bhojani.
The race grew heated at the beginning of the early voting period when Stickland posted
messages on his Facebook page warning Euless residents to beware of Bhojani and his
“dangerous agenda.”
Stickland told the Star-Telegram that he did not tell people not to vote for Bhojani
because he is Muslim. Stickland said he disagrees with Bhojani on issues.
Bhojani said he wanted to focus on issues affecting Euless and that religion should not be
part of the City Council race. Maddux accused him of spending campaign funds on
restaurants like Krispy Creme Donuts.
Bhojani said he wants to work to make Euless an even better city.
Looking for something to eat in
Euless? There's a new burger
joint in town
BY ROBERT PHILPOT
rphilpot@star-telegram.com
May 07, 2018
A spiced-up version of Hopdoddy Burger Bar's new breakfast burger, made witn an Angus beef/breakfast
sausage/ham patty, American cheese, scrambled eggs, potato hay and Applewood smoked bacon. Robert
Philpot rphilpot@star-telegram.com
EULESS
Austin-based Hopdoddy Burger Bar took its time getting to Tarrant County, but now that
it's here, it's rolling things out quickly.
A Fort Worth location opened in 2017; a Southlake location is due this year.
In between, a Euless location officially opened Monday in the Glade Parks center -- with
a little bit of chutzpah, because the new Hopdoddy is a patty's throw away from a Five
Guys Burgers & Fries that's also in the center.
Not that Hopdoddy needs to worry: The Fort Worth location can still get out-the-door
lines despite being a short drive from home-grown favorites Rodeo Goat, Fred’s Texas
Cafe, Magnolia Motor Lounge and M&O Station Grill, and fast-food spots In-N-
Out and Wendy’s.
Here's a quick look at the Euless Hopdoddy from a preview late last week.
Hot honey and sage sweet potato fries, a new menu item debuting at the just-opened Hopdoddy Burger Bar
location in Hurst. Robert Philpot rphilpot@star-telegram.com
The vibe
Well, noisy. This isn't really that much of a problem at the tables, where it was possible
to have a conversation despite the din of diners and the nonstop music, but the guy taking
my order at the register had to ask me to repeat myself several times -- and vice versa.
That was really the only glitch, though. The music didn't interfere with talk and in fact
sometimes had to struggle to be heard above the ambient noise, although songs by Stevie
Ray Vaughan and U2 came through. Photos of musicians in concert and in portrait, from
Willie Nelson to Austin- and Nashville-based up-and-comers, decorate the walls.
S'mores shake, one of several new shakes making their debut at the just-opened Hopdoddy Burger Bar location
in Hurst. Robert Philpot rphilpot@star-telegram.com
The food
The Glade Parks location is the first one in DFW to roll out several new menu items,
including a few that I tried: The big-deal burger is a breakfast burger ($8, available all
day) made with a Angus beef/ham/sausage patty, a scrambled egg "patty" impressively
similar in circumference to the meat patty, American cheese and Applewood smoked
bacon.
There is a "spice it" option where, for an extra buck, you can get it topped with chipotle
aioli (instead of herb mayo) and habanero slices . I chose it, because that's how I roll, and
let's just say those habanero slices meant business. The patty was flavorful, if a little dry
when I tore a chunk off to taste it separately, but the sandwich as a whole works very
well.
Also new: a couple of fry options, including Parmesan truffle fries and hot honey-and-
sage sweet-potato fries. The latter were served in a bowl meant for sharing (there were
two forks even though I was dining solo, and with all that sticky honey, you will need
those forks). The promised heat was there, although in a milder form than the habaneros,
and the honey provided a pleasant sweetness. The sage is more subtle, not that that's a
problem; the honey provides enough punch.
Several shake options are new: s'mores, bananas foster, vanilla birthday cake, and a root-
beer malt with chopped-up Whoppers. The s'mores shake, served with large straw, had
noticeable graham-cracker crumbs and a strong marshmallow flavor in every sip.
A couple of cocktails are new (at 11:30 a.m., the bar was already hopping) and, as in Fort
Worth, DFW breweries are represented among the beer selections.
The verdict
Like usual, Hopdoddy knows what it's doing, and that Five Guys (and a location of Chop
House Burger across the freeway) aside, this area of Tarrant County isn't as burger-dense
as, say, Fort Worth, so Hopdoddy is likely to do well in Glade Parks.
At this point, the upcoming Southlake location is the only other thing Hopoddy has
planned for Tarrant, but we know a couple of other areas of town where a location would
be welcome.
Hopdoddy Glade Parks is at 1200 Chisholm Trail Building E1 Suite 101 in Euless. For
updates, follow @hopdoddygladeparks on Facebook.
Paper jam in ballot scanner
delays vote count in this Texas
city
BY ELIZABETH CAMPBELL
liz@star-telegram.com
May 07, 2018
Canopies and political signs filled the parking lot across from the Euless library during the local election on
Saturday. Bob Booth Special to the Star-Telegram
EULESS
A paper jam in a ballot scanner at the Mary Lib Saleh Public Library led to delays in
reporting vote totals in Saturday’s Euless City Council races.
After the scanner malfunction, poll workers were told to continue using paper ballots,
Tarrant County elections administrator Heider Garcia said. Twelve people voted after
that.
But the scanned ballots were not separated from those that were not scanned when they
were placed in the ballot box. A flap divides the box into two compartments.
“I am investigating to see how the ballots got mixed up in the ballot box,” he said. “We
are just trying to see if there is anything we need to change in our training or if this is an
isolated incident.”
Garcia said the ballots were scanned when the ballot box was brought to the elections
office, resulting in new vote totals.
In the closely watched Place 6 race, Molly Maddux was ahead of her opponent Salman
Bhojani by about 70 votes for much of the night. But Bhojani ended up winning by 37
votes after all of the ballots in the ballot box were scanned after 10:30 p.m., Garcia said.
The unofficial results showed that Bhojani received 2,119 or 50.44 percent of the votes
while Maddux received 2,082 or 49.56 percent.
“This is a learning experience for everyone that your vote matters, especially in the
smaller races,” Garcia said.
The race between Bhojani and Maddux grew heated during early voting when Republican
state Rep. Jonathan Stickland posted on his Facebook page that Bhojani was a Muslim
and a lifelong Democrat.
The two candidates also sparred over campaign finance reports with Bhojani questioning
why Maddux accepted $15,000 from Stickland’s campaign. Maddux criticized Bhojani’s
spending of campaign funds at restaurants. Bhojani said the money was spent on food for
his volunteers.
Euless should celebrate its
council's new diversity
BY THE STAR-TELEGRAM EDITORIAL BOARD
May 07, 2018
Voters in Euless have rejected the hurtful and counter-productive race-baiting that
swirled around the city council candidacy of 38-year-old attorney Salman Bhojani.
Now, as Bhojani prepares to be sworn in, the citizens of Euless need to demand that the
divisive insinuations stop.
On Saturday, Bhojani narrowly defeated Molly Maddux to win the Place 6 seat, but the
comments and innuendo he and his family endured during the campaign were sadly
xenophobic, bigoted and not in keeping with American values of inclusion.
State Rep. Jonathan Stickland, a Tea Party conservative from Bedford, was the chief
antagonist.
He inserted himself into the election with thinly veiled taunts designed to heighten any
Islamophobic sentiments that might be simmering in the community.
Stickland warned on Facebook: “He is a Muslim, lawyer, and a lifelong Democrat who
supports raising your taxes. ...”
Stickland says he just differed with Bhojani on issues. But he couldn’t resist identifying
the attorney and businessman as a Muslim.
Stickland also linked to a video on Bhojani’s website that showed a Cub Scout troop
reading a passage from the Quran at a Euless council meeting. Bhojani is a Scout
volunteer, and says the passage recited from the Islamic sacred book called for unity
among faiths.
Isn’t unity among faiths and people of different cultures a good thing? You bet it is.
Being an American Muslim should not be a strike against a qualified candidate. The
whole episode makes you wonder if we’ve evolved much since religious prejudice about
John F. Kennedy being a Roman Catholic when he decided to run for president in 1960.
While this Editorial Board did not recommend a specific candidate in the District 6
council race in Euless, we see some real value to the diversity Bhojani can bring to his
community.
He will be the only person of color among seven public officials, including the mayor.
His experiences can inform the council on cultural issues and decisions that may uniquely
affect minority citizens.
He brings other unique experiences as well.
He’s started several businesses and campaigned on his ability to help create city policies
that will assist the community’s entrepreneurs. He’s a young parent with two small
children who wants to ensure family needs are given consideration at city hall.
According to the last U.S. Census, 33 percent of Euless’ population is non-white.
Students in the Hurst-Euless-Bedford school district speak at least 78 different languages,
and more than 60 percent are non-white.
There’s no room in Euless or any other community for the ridiculous fear-mongering
aimed at Bhojani. Judge him on the decisions he makes at City Hall, not on the house of
worship he attends.