During Monday evening's worksession, Councilmember Rhea Allison announced he would not seek reelection in the upcoming city council election in May.

After 31 years of service, Richardson Police Chief Larry Zacharias will retire on December 31, 2008. He has been Chief of Police since 2002.

Richardson was the third most popular early voting location in Dallas County according to county election data. We examine some of the trends we see in early voting compared to past elections, and we ask what that might mean to Republican and Democratic turnout.

Our Echo Election Series continues for the 2008 election. Retired Richardson teacher Sarah Scott talks about education, Affordable health care, and energy in her support for Sandra VuLe for State Representative in District 112.

Our Echo Election Series continues for the 2008 election. Angie Chen Button talks about economy and immigration in the race for State Representative in District 112.

Our Echo Election Series continues for the 2008 election. Resident Kathleen Lunson writes in favor Rain Minns for State Senator from District 16.

In our Echo Election Series for the 2008 election, John Carona explains why he wants your vote for State Senator from District 16. This is the first editorial in our series. In this article you will find Mr. Carona's editorial and an editor's note about our series.

The League of Women Voters of Richardson website has been updated with the Voters Guides covering all races on the ballot for the upcoming General Election on November 4. Interested voters can now download and print the latest version. Preprinted copies of the state Voters Guide, containing federal and statewide races, are available at the Richardson Library.

The Richardson League of Women Voters will co-host three candidate forums for the upcoming November general elections throughout the month of October. These forums will include races for Dallas and Collin County Sheriff, Texas House Seats 66, 67, 70, 112, US House of Representative Seat 3 and other contested races of local interest.

As Hurricane Gustav approaches the Texas Gulf Coast, about 100 evacuees are expected to be brought to Richardson starting Sunday afternoon August 31. Shelter will be provided at the Huffines Recreation Center.

For several generations, the Space Age themed playground at Heights Park has fascinated and affixed Heights Park as one of the few truly unique places in Richardson’s suburban landscape. That era is about to come to an end. Starting July 14, without any ceremony or recognition of Richardson’s past, the equipment along with other "non compliant" equipment will be removed.

June was a good month for awards and accolades given to Richardson’s public safety officials. On June 9th, the Richardson City Council issued a proclamation honoring Richardson Police Chief Zacharias that recognized him for receiving an award from the Texas Police Chief’s Association. Richardson residents apparently overwhelmingly support Chief Zacharias and Fire Chief Alan Palomba according to a recent survey by local group, Richardson Residents for Responsive Government. Lastly, International Association of Chiefs of Police will honor Richardson’s law enforcement volunteer programs later this year.

Richardson City Council news briefs from the June 2, 2008 work session. Summary: Dallas and Collin County Preliminary Taxing values, Review of the Senior Tax Exemption, Capital Improvement Program status report, Eastside grant program change

At the Richardson City Council’s May 19 work session, the council was presented with a discussion of the City’s achievements and a partial path to its goals on the environmental front. Included in the presentation was an ordinance that would establish an environmental advisory committee for Richardson.

Richardson City Council news briefs from the May 19, 2008 work session. Summary: Richardson’s Tax Increment Finance participation increase, interlocal agreement to provide sewer service, and environmental initiatives

Richardson City Council news briefs from the May 12, 2008 meeting. Summary: Higher water rates, Sprouts is coming to town, retail zoning near Campbell and Coit and Brick Row variances approved.

On Monday, the Richardson City Council passed tighter smoking regulations which will eliminate smoking in many public areas. The decision came after 7 public meetings that sometimes included contentious public debates including some tension between council members. Exemptions were added for bars and businesses that primarily exist to sell tobacco.

Last November Richardson residents reported being asked to participate in a telephone survey about the state of Richardson and its leadership. Some perceived the survey as an attack on newer members of the city council, while others did not. Rumors began to fly as to who the conducted it and what it was about. Some council members denounced the survey without having seen the results and hearing of the questions only secondhand. The phone survey created a minor stir. Recently the Echo was able to see the actual survey questions, and we will reveal what the survey says residents think of City Manager Bill Keffler.

(March 26, 2008) The Richardson Building and Standards Commission accepted the findings and recommendations of the City of Richardson and set a deadline the Ashley Place Apartments to be brought up to compliance or be demolished. As was the case with previous city actions, the owner did not show up for the public hearing. However, several residents spoke up and so did an attorney representing the lender.

On this past Thursday, the City of Richardson declared the Ashley Place Apartments in the 700 block of West Spring Valley Road to be an “Urban Nuisance.” According the City, the complex has had an extensive history of code violations. Those violations apparently have gone uncorrected and now, according to the City, constitute a threat to the safety and welfare of the residents. A hearing has been set and one possible outcome is the forced demolition of the complex.

Representative Fred Hill is retiring from his District 112 seat on the State House, and filling the vacuum on the Republican side is a bevy of candidates. On February 14, the Richardson Chamber of Commerce had a candidate forum for the three Republicans vying for that seat: Angie Chen Button, Randall Dunning, and Jim Shepherd. We take a glance at their answers to questions. Also, each candidate has tried to garner endorsements. On page 2 of this article we review those in what we call Endorsement Wars. The democratic side only has one candidate.

On Monday, the city council adopted its goals and initiatives for 2007-2009. These goals and initiatives lay out the framework for what the city council thinks ought to be accomplished in the next two years. It comes after months of work and public input on the plan. It includes major items such as initiatives to update the city’s comprehensive plan and create a comprehensive environmental plan.

The Mayor and the city council helped light up Santa's Village last Saturday. We have video of the lighting ceremony.

At its November 12 regular meeting, the city council rejected, by a unanimous vote, a plan to add condominiums, restaurant space, and further residential near the existing Home Depot. The vote surprised many in attendance, including the developer, who thought the only issue was from traffic concerns near the proposed restaurant space. The council stated protection of the neighborhood, density, and condominium size in its rejection. The developer expressed shock because the plan commission had approved the plan.

Richardson voters, in low numbers, approved all three changes to the city's charter. These changes clarify locations of council meetings, allow for closed door meetings as allowed by state law and set term limits for city council members.

Richardson voters are being asked to decide three propositions on a charter election that could change how the city conducts business and elects its representatives. We break down these propositions giving arguments for and against each proposition. We encourage all Richardson voters to carefully consider these propositions and to vote. Voters go to the polls starting now for early voting and on November 6 for regular Election Day.

At Monday's city council meeting former Mayor Gary Slagel announced that he would complete his term as the Place 4 representative on the Richardson city council. He announced this decision to a standing ovation of supporters after Charles Eisemann presented a petition signed by citizens.

We have gotten a great response since we unofficially launched a few weeks ago. In this article, we will tell you about our plans for the next few weeks.

At its August 27th meeting, the Richardson city council voted to hold a charter election on November 6th. The election would concern three propositions regard the City Council's ability to hold closed door "Executive Sessions," clarify where City Council meetings can be held, and set term limits for City Council members. Some citizens raised objections that a full charter review did not occur.

At the City Council's August 20th work session they agreed to three propositions to be voted on at the next regular City Council meeting. The propositions and the Charter Election would still need to be approved for the regular Council meeting scheduled for August 27, 2007 and would result in a Charter Election to be held November 6th. The three propositions regard the City Council's ability to hold closed door "Executive Sessions," clarify where City Council meetings can be held, and set term limits for City Council members.

During the City Council's August 13th, 2007 worksession, altering the city's charter was discussed in order to explicitly allow for "executive sessions." Such a change would require a charter election be held. Executive sessions -- city council meetings where city may discuss matters in private -- were halted recently when it was decided that they might conflict with the City Charter. During the ensuing discussion, Council member Dennis Stewart proposed term limits for city council members be added to the proposed charter election. This produced a lengthy heated discussion without significant resolution regarding the term limit issue. In order to act in time to put the charter election on the November 6 election, the City Council must vote no later than August 27 in order to meet statutory requirements.