The DART Board. We’ve heard the name. We’ve seen it in print. But what do we know about it? What exactly do the members of the DART Board do? What’s the difference between the DART Board and the IRTA? What kind of power do the members have? Who’s on the DART Board, and how did they become members?
First of all, the basics. DART stands for Dallas Area Rapid Transit. The group was formerly known as the IRTA (Interregional Transit Authority)-the name was changed simply because the new one is catchier. The IRTA was formed in September 1981 to develop a “public-transit plan.” The board consists of 25 members who were appointed by the Dallas City Council plus the councils of Dallas’ 20 surrounding cities and the Dallas County Commissioners. Board representation is based on population: Dallas has 13 representatives; Garland and Irving (the two largest suburbs represented) each have two members; the other cities have one member or share a representative with another community.
Perhaps just as important as knowing who is on the board is knowing who has appointed each member. The board members from areas with only one or two representatives were appointed by the council from that city; several of those representatives are the mayors of those cities. But the Dallas City Council had 13 seats to fill, so council members decided to appoint Mayor Jack Evans and Councilman Sid Stahl, since Stahl is chairman of the council’s transportation committee. To fill the remaining 11 positions, the council allowed each council member to appoint one person. Here’s the rundown on the DART Board appointments:
– Evans appointed Dan Petty, president of Henry S. Miller Co. Petty is a former president of the Dallas Chamber of Commerce and served as assistant city manager under George Schrader. He lives in the White Rock area.
– Ricardo Medrano appointed Roger Albright, an attorney frequently involved in public-interest suits. A recent example is his representation of Dallas Transit System riders who are in litigation over fares.
-Wes Wise appointed Ad-lene Harrison, who was elected chairwoman of the DARTBoard by its members. Sheserved on the City Councilfrom 1973 to 1977, was on theCity Plan Commission foreight years and was regionaladministrator for the Environmental Protection Agency.
-Don Hicks appointed E.R. Redlhammer, who movedto Dallas from New Jersey.He moved the headquartersof his corporation, whichmakes electrical equipment,with him when he moved. Helives in Oak Cliff.
-Lee Simpson appointed Judy M. Solganick, a teacherat Skyline High School who was active in the opposition to the Lone Star Transportation Authority in 1980. She is deeply involved in East Dallas issues and lives on the Santa Fe Right of Way.
– Joe Haggar appointed Fred Currey, chairman of theDallas Transit System. He isalso chairman of a furniturecompany called StorehouseInc., and has several otherlocal business interests.
-Elsie Faye Heggins appointed J.B. Jackson, her political counselor and a South Dallas activist. Jackson owns several rental properties in South Dallas.
– Max Goldblatt appointed John Tatum, a young developer who recently sold ssome of his property in the warehouse district and owns a site in Deep Ellum.
Three councilmen appointed city officials: Joe Haggar appointed Commissioner Paul M. Bass, Sid Stahl appointed Councilman Lee Simpson, and Deputy Mayor Pro Tern Fred Blair appointed himself.
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