Yesterday evening we hosted a joint program with The Dallas Assembly entitled “Big D: Reflecting Back and Looking Forward.” We had an enormous turnout, with more than 200 members of the Dallas Citizens Council and the Dallas Assembly in attendance.
We first heard from current Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson, who provided a glimpse into the state of the City and future challenges. We then segued into a lively and entertaining discussion moderated by The Dallas Morning News Deputy Publisher Leona Allen Ford among five previous mayors, including 2011-2019 mayor Mike Rawlings, 2007-2011 mayor Tom Leppert, 2002-2007 mayor Laura Miller, 1995-2001 mayor Ron Kirk, and 1991-1995 mayor Steve Bartlett.
The mayors reflected on their most significant achievements and the growth and changes in Dallas over the years. They also shared their perspectives on the top challenges facing our city, focusing particularly on the evolution of education and workforce, including the need to improve public education in our community. The mayors further discussed the ongoing efforts through the years to ensure that southern Dallas shares in the same prosperity as the rest of the city. The mayors also focused on Dallas’s council-manager form of government and whether we should consider modifications to that system.
All attendees seemed to enjoy the program immensely. This was precisely the kind of conversation to aid civic leaders with insights into how we can better position Dallas nationally and globally.
Thank you for all you do for Dallas and the region.
Very truly yours, |
