T E X A S
MetroNews DELIVERING NEWS YOU NEED
• Vol. 10 • Feb. 10 - Feb. 16, 2022
MY TRUTH By Cheryl Smith PUBLISHER
Who’s responsible for repressive voter laws? Getting out the vote is in the best interest of all elected officials, especially those in the Democratic Party. During a recent voter education and mobilization forum, sponsored by the Dallas Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., it was pointed out that when there is a huge voter turnout at the polls, Democratic candidates have a better chance of securing victories. Which brings me to my truth! If you weren’t registered to vote by January 31, 2022; then you can’t vote in the March 1, 2022 primary election. Please don’t think I am letting you off the hook, though! Just because you don’t have a voter registration card does not mean you can’t work campaigns, polls or voter education programs; Just because you may have a criminal background, does not mean you can’t participate by encouraging others to vote and donating to campaigns; AND, Just because you aren’t on the ballot or you don’t have an opponent, you definitely don’t get a pass! Every darned election, you should be out working like your life depends on it because it does; just as those lives of your descendants and future generations are equally affected. We’ve seen what happens when there’s low voter turnout. When it’s a presidential election the turnout is so much higher than during midterm elections. Voters fail to realize that See MY TRUTH, page 12
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The Honorable Tammy Kemp presents solid case for re-election WORST TO THE FIRST
I successfully streamlined the court’s docket process and reduced the number of individuals in jail pending court action in the 204th from an average of 300 defendants per month down to approximately 100 defendants per month. At a daily cost of $70 per day to house an individual in the County jail, this translates into cost savings to taxpayers and opportunity for the accused. In my first year on the bench, I took the 204th from being the worst ranked felony court to the number one most efficient court in Dallas County; and since that time, the 204th has maintained an exemplary level of efficiency, consistently ranking among the top three most efficient district courts.
Judge Tammy Kemp
Let the record reflect: I have done my job!
For the past seven years, I have been hard at work presiding over felony cases and dispensing justice in the 204th Judicial District Court. Before I took the bench in 2015, I hired the best and brightest staff in the Frank Crowley Courts Build-
ing and we did an assessment of the pending cases in the 204th as well as the manner in which the court operated under my predecessor and identified multiple deficiencies and opportunities for improvement.
MOST QUALIFIED CHOICE
When I decided to run for the bench, I entered the race with confidence knowing my prior experience handling felony cases had properly prepared me for the judiciary. I have 33 years of balanced, senior level experience including working as a defense attorney, and a prosecutor at the Dallas County District Attorney’s (DA) Office, where I tried every type of felony offense including capital murder and death penalty cases. As the former Administrative Chief Prosecutor over the Family Violence
WNBA Dallas Wings News and Notes By Dorothy J. Gentry Sports Editor
The Dallas Wings have found the anchor for their team now and in the future in star guard Arike Ogunobowale, who signed a multi-year contract extension on Thursday. Terms of the deal were not disclosed per team policy, but the extension ensures Ogunbowale, the reigning WNBA All-Star Game MVP, is with the team through the 2025 sea-
son. She is currently in the last year of her rookie contract and the extension will kick in after this season. “This opportunity with the Wings is a dream come true,” Ogunbowale said. “I want to thank Wings ownership, Greg Bibb, and (Coach) Vickie Johnson for their belief in me. “I was excited when the Wings drafted me, and now having spent the first 3 years of my career here I’m proud to call Dallas home. I See WNBA DALLAS WINGS, page 12
& Child Abuse Divisions, I supervised 28 attorneys, 21 investigators and 18 support staff. I have presided over more than 100 felony trials and also preside over the Felony Domestic Violence Court. My fellow judges elected me twice to serve as Presiding Judge over all 17 felony courts in Dallas County. It is in this role during the pandemic that I assessed non-violent defendants to release from jail to reduce the spread of the virus among inmates and jail staff; helped implement changes to ensure the health and safety of felony court staff; and, identified the most efficient ways to continue day-to-day court operations remotely during the temporary shutdown of the courthouse. Last year, I partnered with the 203rd Judicial District Court to launch the C.R.O.W.N. (Conversations Regarding Our Women Now) Program, to positively redirect women, ages 17 to 25, who are serving probation sentences. Every four years my job is open and reviewed. I simply ask voters to do their homework and compare my qualifications, experience and accomplishments against that of my opponent. While working at the DA’s Office, my opponent was assigned to my court as the #2 prosecutor in the 204th. There are three prosecutors See TAMMY KEMP, page 7
Arike Ogunbowale Signs Multi-Year Extension
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