Street TALK

Tell Them Al Sent You

This summer, following the Democratic National Convention, ERIC V. MOYE, a local attorney, and DAVID TALBOT, general counsel to Gov. Ann Richards, were eating in Harlem at Sylvia’s, the most famous soul food restaurant in America (it was featured in the movie Jungle Fever). After the meal, Moye whipped out an American Express traveler’s check and signed. A few moments later a cook returned with the bad news that the restaurant would not honor the check because the signature appeared irregular. Talbot flashed a business card that identified him as the top lawyer for the Texas governor and offered to vouch for Moye. The cook examined Talbot’s card and said, “Man, that don’t cut no ice in Harlem.” When the cook learned that Moye lived in Dallas, he mentioned that the “assistant mayor” had been dining at Sylvia’s the previous night. “You know, the guy with the hat.” Moye remarked that he was a friend of Mayor Pro Tern AL LIPSOMB, at which point the cook agreed to accept Moye’s check.



The Re-gilded Age

Maybe the good old days of Dallas are coming back. A foursome recently ate dinner at The Mansion and ran up a bill totaling $24,400, including taxes and tips. What do you get for that amount? According to a source, the meal contained “some wonderful wines.”



A Foot in the Open Door?

The loudest noise around City Hall these days is the sound of a slamming door, say some longtime community activists. They claim that Mayor STEVE BARTLETT’S style is far less user-friendly than those of predecessors ANNETTS STRAUSS and STARKE TAYLOR. Both ex-mayors depended heavily on various advisory councils to stay in touch with grass-roots groups. Those councils, including the Hispanic Advisory task force and the Mayor’s Neighborhood Advisory Committee, have been dropped by Bartlett, says ANDREA CERVANTES, formerly a member of the latter. Others seeking the mayor’s ear say that you can’t even get past the guards to see his secretary without an appointment and that the mayor doesn’t return their phone calls. Replies Bartlett: “Task forces, etc., were styles that were successful for other mayors. But my style is more aggressive. [ have regular meetings with Hispanic groups.” He adds that his door is open, but with 100 requests a week, he schedules only those meetings that will have maximum impact on the entire community.



Say “Aaargh”



Few journalists have kicked up as much controversy as BECKY OLIVER, KDFW-TV’S investigative reporter who set screens ablaze in August with her visually graphic report on a Terrell doctor who allegedly sexually molested patients. Callers by the hundreds dialed Oliver at the station. Some were supportive, some were threatening and some were almost laughable: One caller, like the Rich-meister on Saturday Night Live, went through a litany of names, calling her the porn-meister, the porn reporter, etc. “Frankly, as a woman, they do scare me,” says Oliver. Channel 4 producers, by the way, say that viewers didn’t see what they thought they saw on the first night’s tape.



Pins and Needles



Dallas couturier Richard Brooks believes in being prepared. Brooks, who designs Ann Richards’ wardrobe, says he recently sent the governor a fall-season evening outfit that would be perfect for, say, a presidential inaugural ball. He’s not giving any details, but the dress will suit the governor’s style, which tends toward understated clothes in “pretty” colors such as dusty pink and jewel tones. As for her size, the designer says all of his customers wear a Richard Brooks size 4.



Tube Talk



Keep a TV eye out for some home-town folks. CBS’ “Freshman Dorm” cast includes PAIGE FRENCH, a graduate of The Episcopal School of Dallas. Jay Thomas also has local roots. The Kermit native, who played Murphy Brown’s boyfriend, has a new show, Love and War. Thomas’ real last name is Terrell, like the Texas town he says is named after a branch of his family “who were probably horse thieves.”



Oh, Kay



Some folks were surprised by the amicable but sudden resignation of MARC STANLEY from the boutique law firm of Hale, Spencer, Stanley, Pronske & Trust. Insiders say the move is related to Stanley’s desire to run for state treasurer in 1994, which could pit him against another Dal-lasite, KAY BAILEY HUTCHISON. On the other hand, Stanley could be running for an empty seat if Hutchison makes a stab at the governor’s office in ’94.



Downer and Out

The Dallas County district attorney’s office doesn’t like its staff talking to the press about ongoing cases. R. PARN DOWNER, one of their top investigators, was demoted after commenting to the Los Angeles Times on an investigation into Prudential Securities’ promotion of now-worthless oil and gas partnerships. After the Times articles ran. Downer was moved from the investment fraud division to one of the county’s misdemeanor courts. In one article, Downer promised that an indictment of a Prudential broker “was not the end” of the investigation. According to sources, the DA’s office felt that Downer’s comments undermined efforts to persuade an indicted broker to testify against former colleagues and drew the ire of Prudential, which was unaware of the investigation.