Letter to the editor:  Garland filled with heroes

Posted June 4, 2011

Garland is filled with heroes.  On the evening of February 8^th, the day before our last major cold spell, my aunt who has been a Garland resident for more than 34 years, decided to take the garbage can out to the alley.  She used her walker and maneuvered the can to the alley, but at a critical moment, the can tipped back onto her, knocked her down, and landed on top of her.  She could not move and lay for quite some time, calling for help.  Here is her story:

As I lay on the cold concrete drive back in February, I said ‘It’s you and me Lord.’ I merely took the garbage can to the alley and turned around to go back in the house, but somehow the garbage can pushed me to the driveway.

I couldn’t move, but I yelled.  Emily, across the alley, heard my cries and brought her mom, Jennifer and dad, James Cagle.  When they saw me he sent Jennifer for a chair and set me in it and then he picked up the chair with me in it and took me into my kitchen out of the cold.  They called 911, who promptly sent out an ambulance from the Garland Fire Department.

They took me to Baylor Medical in Garland where I received a hip replacement thanks to Dr. Wu. I received rehabilitation at the same facility.

I want to express my sincere thanks to all the special heroes (in my eyes) who gave of themselves to help me when I needed it most: my neighbors, the Garland Fire Department, the doctors, nurses and rehabilitation specialists, and hospital staff, my church, my family and friends, and most of all to the Lord God Almighty for helping me here to proclaim His Word!

Louise Miles, Garland, Texas

I can’t tell you how grateful we are that my aunt lives in such a wonderful community that came to her rescue in so many ways.   Thank you seems too little to express our true feelings.

Susie Harwell, DeSoto, Texas

Letter to the editor:  City logo and tagline

Posted February 26, 2011

Thanks to the Garland Texan, I have just read the article and have seen the picture of our proposed tagline and logo for the city.  The tagline, 'Texas Made Here" although not outstanding, is acceptable.  

The logo of a "wheel machined around the edge to look like a cog" requires an explanation to even know what it is.  It has no relation to our city, as far as I can determine.  Had I been aware much earlier that this project was being proposed, I would have suggested that instead of hiring Jeff Hahn's company (and paying them big $, no doubt) that we should involve the citizens of Garland. 

It would have been a nice public relations move to ask the art departments in each of our high schools to submit three drawings from their students of what they envisioned as a logo for our city.  A contest could have been held with the top renderings received being put on the web page and a vote taken from our residents to pick our logo. 

As an incentive, we could have offered a monetary prize for the winning logo to the student that submitted the drawing and an equal sum of money to be given to the art department of the school that the student attends (a much smaller sum than what was paid to the commercial company).  This would have made the logo one that we could all have had a choice in making and benefited a school in our city, as well as, a deserving student. 

What a shame that we gave so much money to a commercial company and received a logo that does nothing to represent our city.  This "cog" will be something that defines and brands our city for years to come.  It should be something we are proud to display and will immediately bring Garland to mind when it is viewed.  A "cog" does not get the job done, it simply does nothing to represent the city nor is it memorable or outstanding as a brand/logo should be. 

Joan Turner, Garland resident

Posted January 12, 2011

Posted September 5, 2010

I am a long-time Garland resident. I am 48-years-old and have lived here for 46 of those years.  So I think I am well-qualified to speak on behalf of other long-time neighbors.

I have watched the downtown area go through many changes in my lifetime, some good, some bad. I have often wished we could bring back the family-safe atmosphere that we used to have many years ago. I hope that is the direction that the city is planning with these upgrades. I want it to keep its historical integrity but also clean up the area so more people will have the desire to come downtown.

As a child I remember coming down and running around the center of the square while my mom shopped. As I grew up they added the fountain, which I LOVED! I have attended many shows at the OLD Garland Opry in various locations; some outside, some in the old spot next to the Corner Pocket, and even before when it was at Central Park.

The biggest fear I have about the changes is that we will lose the old-town feel of downtown. I am pretty sure it has had a few makeovers and face-lifts in the past but I don't think they have ever completely torn down any original buildings. I am not opposed to re-facing any old fronts that are falling apart for safety reasons. I am not opposed to them making changes to bring back the original structures to look like they did when they were first built.

I absolutely love Roach Feed and Seed. It fits. It feels like an old friend. We need more nostalgic areas, not less.

Bottom line is this:  I don't want any more apartments or new building downtown. I want it restored to its original historical beauty. We have destroyed much of its integrity, and I would love to see it back.

Yes, we can bring new business into the area, but not at the expense of our past. Take old buildings and make them fresh. Save the city money, which are taxes I have paid for many years. And make it family friendly and safe again. Small town feel with big city accommodations all around. What could be more perfect?

Sincerely,

Sherri L. Hart, Concerned Citizen

Posted September 5, 2010

Finally the city administration through Assistant City Manager Glenn has revealed that plans are afoot to "improve" the historic square and that eliminating the buildings on the east side of the square is a possibility.  Although the redesign consultant has not yet been officially engaged or plans submitted, "ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE" according to Mr. Glenn. Therein lies the problem--there are certain things that SHOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE--namely making any changes that would compromise the historical integrity of the square.  The city should establish that limitation up front on any plan to be submitted by the redesign consultant.  It should be that simple.

Since the city does not (at this point anyway) seem to have its sights set on any part of the historic square other than the east side (the Civic Theater row), they obviously have some plan in mind for that location. Otherwise it wouldn't make sense for them to be trying to obtain the theater property. 

Another indication of major plans in the works for downtown redevelopment from the square eastward is the city's proposal to move the Landmark depot from its present location on the old Santa Fe tracks to a location on the old Katy tracks behind the main Library and to close Museum Plaza Drive, making way for further Trammell Crow development there. 

The Texas Historical Commission is currently debating whether this move would be cause to revoke the Official Texas Historical Marker on the depot.  To my knowledge the city’s approach to the Landmark Society about this move has not addressed the fate of the adjacent Lyles House, which I believe to be the oldest surviving house in Garland, built by W. A. Tinsley in the 1870s, before Garland even existed.  Chances are that it would be demolished. The city is obviously willing to trample roughshod over the landmarks of Garland's heritage.

In 2002 Greg Smith, National Register Coordinator for the Texas Historical Commission, rendered an opinion that Garland's downtown should be eligible for election to the National Register of Historic Places if the proper application were made.  Demolishing the buildings on the east side (all built in 1906) and thereby changing the historic configuration of the square, would likely disqualify Garland from that recognition.

Obviously the city government views historic preservation as an obstacle to their concept of redevelopment through modernization.  The existing plaza in the center of the square is a perfect example of the failure of the modernization concept.  Why has Garland not learned from its past mistakes?  Why will the decision-makers not buy the concept adopted by most other Texas cities with historic downtowns of economic revitalization of downtown through historic preservation? 

Don't try to remake downtown into something it is not and never was.  Instead concentrate on reviving the down-home ambience of yesteryear. Let it be an effective contrast to the contemporary Trammell Crow development, but keep the two separate. Yes, remodel the plaza of the square to make it more accommodating, but keep the historic structures off-limits to the remodeling.

Posted August 17, 2010

“When we lose a historic place, we lose a part of who we are.” — National Trust for Historic Preservation
 

The City of Garland is presently developing plans for “upgrading” the Historic Downtown Square.  Although they are reluctant to reveal the exact nature of those plans, at least one appears to involve demolition of all the buildings on the east side of the Square (now occupied by the Garland Civic Theater).  Such a plan is wrong for several reasons.
 

The Historic Downtown is the most intact collection of historic architecture in Garland and thus has the greatest potential for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places, a designation which would have the economic advantages of increasing downtown property values and drawing attention of shoppers to downtown.  But even more importantly it is probably the best-preserved evidence of Garland’s early economic development and even of our forebears’ daily life.

Preserving our historic structures such as those of the square provides for present and future generations a visual reminder of the challenges and accomplishments of generations of Garlandites who have gone before.  Our historic structures and sites anchor us with a sense of place and belonging and promote community pride.  So much has already been lost—we must preserve what remains!

SAVE OUR SQUARE!

TELL THE CITY GOVERNMENT THAT YOU CARE

If you wish to participate in our effort to preserve Garland’s historic structures, please let us know.

Jerry Flook 214-703-6644 <amblemae@aol.com>
Bill Holmes 972-278-8567 <billholmes11@verizon.net>
Robert Smith 972-494-9500 <robertalansmith@att.net>
Cleo Holden 972-240-0383 <tcbelle@verizon.net>