Over the past month or so I have been receiving e-mails asking my opion of the upcoming Richardson City Council elections. I have started an e-mail update list to share those opinions.

This letter comes from someone who chaired the Community Affairs Commision of another DFW city. She tells us how a failed bond election in that city lead to disastrous consquences.

As a president of a neighborhood association in one of the oldest area’s in Richardson, I see the struggles that an old neighborhood deals with everyday. These are some of the reasons that voting YES to Richardson's 2010 Bond program is the wise choice.

Richard Ferrara knows something about the structure and infrastructure of Richardson. He is a retired architect and land planner who designed over 90 buildings in Richardson over his career. He tells us why we should vote YES! in the upcoming Richardson 2010 Bond election.

Just in time for Richardson's 2010 Bond Election, William "Bill" McCalpin authors another primer on an aspect of city government with his Unofficial Guide to Municipal Bonds. What is a municipal bond? What is a bond rating? Why does a city have bond elections? What does Texas State Law say about municipal bonds? These questions and more are answered in his informative guide.

On Thursday at a Chamber of Commerce luncheon, Mayor Gary Slagel gave the traditional State of the City address an to assembled crowd of business leaders. He addressed the past year of Richardson as well as future issues.These included Richardson's current economic conditions, as well as recent successes.

The City of Richardson is pleased to announce the selection of a North Texas communicator to lead its enhanced communications efforts. Greg Sowell, City of Mesquite Communications Manager, has been appointed to serve as the City of Richardson’s first Director of Communications, effective February 15, 2010.

The Richardson Echo is proud to announce a new section dedicated to the preservation of local Richardson history. The purpose of this section is to preserve and exhibit pieces from local history. The materials on display are all a part of a private collection of printed materials and ephemera. You can contribute to the collection.

On Monday, November 23, two neighborhood association presidents and a representative from a third presented their case against tentative plans for the rebuilding of the Lookout Transfer Station. The three neighborhoods presented a Power Point presentation with their objections and some partial solutions to the current plans.

In an effort to enhance resident’s experiences with Richardson City Council meetings, The Richardson Echo with Bill McCalpin brings you “McCalpin’s Unofficial Guide to City Council Meetings.” Very often it is the case that residents have little experience in dealing with the formalities of City Council meetings. Bill McCalpin gives his interpretation of policies and procedures of City Council meetings having attended hundreds of meetings.