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Connecting You With City Information, News, and Resources
Wishing You A Happy and Healthy 2021!
Councilmember Cara Mendelsohn

Current Council appointments:
*Government Performance and Financial Management, Chairman
*Public Safety
*Housing and Homeless Solutions, Vice Chair
*Transportation
*COVID-19 Ad Hoc
*Legislative Ad Hoc, Vice Chair
*Regional Transportation Council
*National League of Cities Women in Municipal Government, Board of Directors
Hello District 12,

Are you ready for 2021? If you'd like to ring in the new year with a big show, Reunion Tower shoots off spectacular fireworks at midnight that are able to be seen from many places near downtown or simulcast on NBC 5 and social media.

The biggest news for District 12 is the NEW, FULL-TIME AMBULANCE at Station 13 on the corner of Frankford and Hillcrest. See below for more information about this huge expansion in service and improvement in responsiveness for medical emergencies for Far North Dallas residents.

City Council meetings have been on break the last two weeks, but meetings with staff and partners continue. Committees and full council meetings restart early January and there are many important issues to tackle.

Last week Mayor Johnson changed the appointments for the Housing and Homeless Solutions committee. The new chairman is Councilmember Casey Thomas and I will be serving as vice chairman.

On behalf of Navaz, Luis, and all the city staff, may you and your family be blessed with a happy and healthy New Year! Cara
New, Full-Time Ambulance at Station 13
District 12 is welcoming our second full-time ambulance! Data showed slow medical emergency response times in Far North Dallas, especially for serious calls and calls that needed transport to hospitals. The operational decision was made to add medical response capacity. A two month pilot was conducted at station 13 (Frankford @ Hillcrest) which greatly improved response time, especially for our 1200+ seniors at Highland Springs. The pilot has concluded and we can OFFICIALLY welcome Rescue 13 (R13) to our community!!!!

After more than a decade of asking for a second full-time ambulance, many in the community will rest easy knowing this has been activated. If you would like to celebrate by welcoming the new staff to the station, they are always very happy to have residents drop off bottles of water, Gatorade, and Red Bull. Special thanks to @YardImagination for helping us celebrate with donated cute signage!
Volunteer Opportunity
There is a new sidewalk advisory committee being formed. If you are interested in ADA compliance, pedestrian safety, walkable neighborhoods, and you have some time to spare for virtual meetings, please send an email to cara.mendelsohn@dallascityhall.com to express your interest. If you can attach a resume or short bio, that would be helpful. The advisory committee is expected to meet virtually twice a month and finish their work in less than a year.
Dallas Animal Services
Dallas Animal Services had a remarkable 2020. They worked hard to figure out how to serve more than 21,000 animals during COVID-19 and for the first time in their history, they attained a 90%+ live release rate. That means they are officially a NO KILL SHELTER! This only happens because of talented and engaged staff and incredible community support.

Here's a celebration video that shows the heart of the staff both in Dallas Animal Services and Adoption Center and at City Hall. GREAT JOB DALLAS ANIMAL SERVICES - WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU!

*Note: there is a cameo near the end from my dog Murphy, a Dallas Animal Services adoptee. You can watch the video at:
Dallas Symphony Orchestra Concert Truck
There is nothing like music and community to lift your spirits. We had gorgeous weather and a huge turnout for the Dallas Symphony-Orchestra Concert Truck series. The beautiful sounds of the music, kids laughing, and sunny skies have brightened the holidays for hundreds of people in Far North Dallas. Thank you DSO!
Special thanks to our partners at Richardson ISD for allowing the City of Dallas to use the Parkhill parking lot and plug in to the electrical power for the speakers! Also thanks to Kate T for helping pass out the flyers on skates!
Congratulations New Dallas Police Chief Garcia!
Dallas Police Department has a new Chief named Eddie Garcia. He is moving from San Jose. Here is a link to his first press conference: https://bit.ly/3hwpjHu. Chief Garcia's first official day on the job is 2/3/2021. Welcome Chief!
Environmental Update
Two items of good news! The large mound of ground up roof shingles in Southern Dallas known as "Shingle Mountain" is being cleared away. After extensive lawsuits with the property owner and operator, negotiations, and the legally required procurement process, hundreds of loads are being removed each day. After taking office in 2019, the first off-site tour I went on was Shingle Mountain, and it was clearly an environmental disaster. It is urgent to the health and dignity of the neighbors that Dallas step up to the plate to clean it up as soon as possible.

Also, nine new air quality monitoring stations are being erected in Dallas. Our city and region has struggled with poor air quality for decades and the additional monitors are part of the Breathe Easy Dallas initiative and will help collect data that will help improve people's health and verify the science of the monitoring stations.
COVID Vaccine - where can you get it?
Dallas has received 2000 doses of the Covid vaccine. All are being given to first responders and health care workers, who are considered the 1A group to receive the vaccine.

The next group, called 1B, includes people in health care facilities, those over 65 and those with significant risk factors. The city does not administer the vaccine, it is a county function. Because District 12 includes 3 counties, please see the information that fits where you live:
-Dallas County: no doses are available for the 1B group yet. No information on timing has been released by Dallas County.
-Collin County: has begun offering vaccines to 1A and 1B. Call 214-491-4804 to get on the waiting list if you live in Collin County.
-Denton County: there is a waiting list that has started, but we do not have the number to call. Please contact Denton County health and human services. They have reported that they do not currently have enough doses for 1B and are unsure of when they will receive more doses.

As more information becomes available, a short enews will be sent with update. In the meantime, please continue to follow the CDC guidelines.
Drive Thru Winter Holiday Celebration!
What a fun way to say Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and Happy New Year! The Far North Dallas Holiday Drive Thru Event provided a bit of happiness and joy to residents this holiday season and a big load of donated food for the North Texas Food Bank!

Special thanks to Sam's Club, ER Near Me, Atmos Energy, CVS, Sprouts, Dallas Water Utilities, Dallas Police Department, Dallas Fire Rescue, Dallas Library, the teen volunteers from JJ Pearce who worked the NTFB food drive, and extra special HUGE INFLATABLE thanks to the incredible staff of Dallas Parks and Recreation Department & Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas and of course the District 12 staff!!!
Coit & Campbell Intersection
If you travel this area frequently, you know there are often accidents at this intersection. The intersection is on the border between Dallas and Richardson, and is controlled by the City of Richardson. After a recent fiery crash, a concerted effort was made with our office, many residents, and the City of Dallas transportation department to have a review of the flashing yellow arrow light scheduling. The City of Richardson has reviewed the data and will be removing the flashing yellow turn arrow during peak traffic periods. Many thanks to all the residents who took the time and effort to email and call about this - YOU DID IT! Your efforts will likely save many from accidents. Thank you!
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
The City of Dallas will host its 39th annual celebration of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a week of activities highlighting issues of equity, diversity, and opportunity. Event details can be found at https://dallasmlkcenter.com/mlk-celebration-week/.
Free Virtual Events
*The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza presents The Mama's Boy Project. Marguerite Oswald, A Footnote in History - virtual. Jan 14, 7 pm - Jan 31 5 pm. Visit www.jfk.org for more information and to register.

*Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum presents Lunch and Learn - the History of Holocaust Education: The American Approach - virtual. Jan 21, noon. RSVP at www.dallasholocaustmuseum.org.

*Dallas Ballet presents Clara Dreams in Dallas - virtual, now through Jan 31. Register at www.balletdallas.us.
Family Conflict
These are tough times for everyone. If you are experiencing family conflict, there is a group called Meltzer Counseling that offers up to 10 free family therapy sessions (not based on income) by remote telehealth sessions. The sessions are with licensed clinicians and available day, evening, and weekends. You can learn more at www.meltzercounseling.com or (972) 638-7199.
Celebratory Fireworks and Gunfire
Need help, got a question, or want to give input?

Email: Cara.Mendelsohn@DallasCityHall.com
Office phone: (214) 670-4067
Text phone: (214) 490-1036