Why ‘Don’t drink, then drive’ means more this year
‘Don’t drink, then drive,’ is good advice in any year, and at any time of the year.
But it is especially important for Dallas County residents this holiday season. That’s because the county’s recent population growth has added many more drivers to our streets and freeways.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in just the past two years, Dallas County has added about 60,000 residents, and DFW has added more than 200,000. Many of those new residents are transplants from other states, and countries.
So, not only will there be many more people behind the wheel this holiday season. There also will be many more drivers than before who aren’t fully familiar with our streets and highways.
There’s yet another way the issue of drunk driving is different this year. We have more shared-ride, and mass-transit, options in Dallas County than we did just a couple of years ago. That means we have more opportunities than we did before to avoid driving drunk.
As the county’s DWI Taskforce Chair, I am pleased to have spearheaded an effort to expand our local campaign against drunk driving to five counties in and around Dallas-Fort Worth. The 5 Counties – 1 Goal initiative strives to reduce the accidents, injuries and deaths caused each year by people driving after they’ve become impaired or intoxicated. You can learn more about this important effort, and the #whatalcoholsays campaign, on the Dallas County DWI Task Force Facebook page.
Alcohol, wintry weather and slick streets can be a deadly combination. So, I urge all Dallas County residents to be especially cautious behind the wheel this holiday season. By all means, enjoy the season’s festivities. But, please, never drink then drive.
That way, when 2018 arrives, we can all genuinely approach it as a ‘Happy New Year.’
En estas fiestas decembrinas, cuando pedimos ALEGRIA Y PAZ,
No tomen decisiones equivocadas que traigan algo más,
Como accidentes, cárcel y deudas por tomar y manejar.
Disfruten con sus seres queridos la buena comida, el baile y el feliz ambiente
Pero por favor no olvide este consejo: SI TOMA, NO MANEJE!
- Published in Dallas County, Uncategorized
Adult Flu Vaccine Available
Influenza season is fast approaching and Dallas County Health and Human Services (DCHHS) is now offering the seasonal flu vaccine for adults. Residents can get the flu shot at 2377 N. Stemmons Freeway in Dallas, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The cost is $20 and if the adult is covered by Medicare, the vaccine is free. DCHHS is awaiting shipment of the children’s flu vaccine.
“Now is the time for everyone to get their flu shot while it is early in the season,” said Zachary Thompson, DCHHS director. “We want our residents to protect themselves and their families by being vaccinated before flu season spikes.”
DCHHS is following guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to begin offering the flu vaccine as soon as it becomes available in the community. CDC recommends the flu vaccine as the best means of flu prevention for almost everyone except children younger than 6 months of age. The flu vaccine DCHHS provides is an all-in-one shot that protects against multiple flu strains including the H1N1 virus.
“Getting an annual flu vaccine is one of the best ways to protect yourself and your family from the flu virus,” said Tammara Scroggins, asst. director public health communicable disease. “Vaccination can also protect people around you, including those who are more vulnerable to serious flu illness, like babies, young children, the elderly, and people with certain chronic health conditions.”
DCHHS Medical Director/Health Authority Dr. Christopher Perkins encourages parents to get their children vaccinated as soon as possible.
“It takes about two weeks for the body to develop the antibodies needed to provide protection against the flu virus,” Dr. Perkins said. “That’s why we are encouraging everyone to get the flu vaccine as soon as possible, so they’re protected early in the flu season.”
In addition to getting the flu shot, DCHHS encourages everyone to practice cough and sneeze etiquette along with proper hand-washing. DCHHS has flu prevention materials on its website available for the public to download.
For more information, call 214-819-2162.
- Published in Dallas County, Uncategorized
Records Building Transformation
Please watch this great video from Mark Birnbaum Productions about Dallas County’s adaptive reuse and renovation project of the historic Records Building Complex.
Thank you!
- Published in Dallas County, Uncategorized
Message from Dr. Elba Garcia
Friends and Neighbors, as I wrap up my seventh year as County Commissioner for District 4, excitement still lingers about all that we have accomplished and all the opportunities that the future holds for us in Dallas County.
In the Commissioners Court, we kicked off the 2017 fiscal year tackling critical infrastructure needs and pay disparities for County employees. This allows us to take care of our most valuable asset – our workforce. These items were addressed with no increase to the Dallas County tax rate, which remains unchanged at 24.3 cents per $100 valuation, one of the lowest in Texas.
Trails continue to grow as popular recreational amenities here in Dallas County with a few in the works for District 4.
Our Road & Bridge 4 crew has been busy with various road projects, such as the Cockrell Hill Street Program.
I’m also very excited to have helped bring the Home for Hounds program to fruition in Dallas County. It’s a fantastic project that allows inmates to gain a vocational skill and boosts adoption rates of animals.
Finally, the Records Building is currently undergoing the largest renovation in the history of Dallas County. Its historical façade will stay intact, while its interior will be modernized to house the Commissioners Court and other departments.
In addition to this project, Dallas County has spent $80 million over the past six years catching up with long overdue deferred maintenance in all County facilities.
There is still much to do and with your support we can accomplish anything here in Dallas County. We will remain a community that welcomes all and discriminates against none.
Dallas County continues to be at the forefront of county government leadership and we will continue to make decisions with the best interests of our constituents in mind.
¡Adelante!
Dr. Elba Garcia
- Published in Dallas County, Uncategorized
It’s the right thing to do
When you elected me to the Dallas County Commissioners Court in 2011, I promised to:
- • donate some of my salary to charity, and
• not take any salary increases approved for commissioners during my tenure.
I want you to know I have held true to both of those promises.
I am the only Commissioner to not accept a raise and I am the only commissioner to donate a significant portion of my salary to charitable organizations.
It’s the right thing to do.
- Published in Dallas County, Uncategorized