Quotable Quotes:

Dianne Costa, The Messenger, Friday, May 19

“My approach will be to give and receive the input from the rest of council, staff and citizens that will enable us to move past the contentiousness of the past toward a mutually exciting future for our city,” Costa said in an e-mail.

“In a race this close, it is clear that nearly an equal number of voters made their choices heard. It is not about ‘winning’ -- it is about our constituents feeling passionate enough about where they live that they become involved in the process,” Costa said. “The genuine winners in any election are those that take their right and privilege to cast votes seriously enough to go do it. I believe that most citizens, while they may not agree with all my decisions, know that I love this city and will work with those elected to continue to move us in a direction we can all be proud of.”

Costa said her first move as mayor will be to improve the city’s communication and restore the citizens' trust in their elected officials.

“Many citizens have said they felt ‘unheard,’” Costa said. “This came through loud and clear, and I have already taken steps to initiate additional communication tools to help them be better informed, as well as the ability to provide feedback to council and staff. My plans will help to provide quick and productive ways to reach the most citizens in the most efficient manner. Hopefully, this approach will expand and develop into a cooperative method of linking our citizens to issues in a timely, relevant manner.”

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By the statements city council members have made, it is clear that a renegade city council pursued its own agenda while clearly casting aside the residents of Highland Village in the process:

April 13, 2001 ~ Future of land key issue in race; Council hopefuls agree on need to plan

Mr. Watrous, on the other hand, said he isn't sure that commercial zoning that would allow big-box stores is right for Highland Village. He is concerned about what the development would cost the city in the long run. "Right now, the council is looking at big-box stores, and I don't think that is what the community wants," said the two-year resident. "I think we need to study this more so we can do what is best for our city and residents."

The News Connection, March 24, 2006 Edition:   Watrous said that his third priority is obtaining additional economic development projects in the city, such as the Wal-Mart development currently in progress on the corner of F.M. 407 and U.S. Highway 2499.

November 16, 2003 ~ Dallas Morning News ~ Officials hope retail will be coming soon  "We've got a small amount of property left, and we have a chance to do it right," City Council member Dianne Costa said. "We're wanting to go out and bring in the businesses that our citizens want. We want something that looks good, that's reflective of our city. I'd love to see things our citizens leave our city to do."

Dianne Costa:   (from The News Connection) ”For example, she asked opponents to consider the rights of property owners.   If the Council killed the Opus West deal, owners of the four separate parcels included in the development would be without a buyer for the land they want to sell.”   Why are the concerns of four property owners being given more consideration than the concerns of any other citizen?   There are plenty of lots that owners are trying to sell throughout Highland Village.   These 4 should not be given any preferential treatment.

Dianne Costa:   (from The News Connection) ”She added that Wal-Mart has a better handle on the demographics of its customers and potential customers than do the council or residents…”   It should not have to be explained that any information the council has received from Wal-Mart itself is more biased than any independent’ study.  

Dianne Costa:   "We can't be Southlake because they are making more money than we are.”   You’re striking me as a lot like John Kerry:   the more you talk, the worse you come across.   I would like to point out that the big-box retailers in Southlake are not in the near vicinity of residential developments; they are close to 114.   There is retail space across the street from residents, but they are not the huge warehouses that Wal-Mart requires. "

 Dianne Costa- Feb 8th Council Meeting regarding the Wal-Mart issue:
There are times like this where its difficult to be on council. Its extremely difficult. Because its not a black and white, it is a grey. It takes a lot of work, lots of time. Um we spent, this council spent a year approving a scooter ordinance. Believe me when I say this is not something that we've taken lightly....Loss of small businesses, yeah we've talked about those issues. I've talked to Kroger management several times myself and said you know this is an excellent spot for a Signature Kroger.....and you know the interesting thing is we've got about 4000 rooftops in our city. If everyone purchased their groceries from Krogers, Krogers would have no reason to be in jeapordy....let other people buy their groceries from Wal-Mart....Wal-Mart is not our demographic, well somebody better tell them, and they better tell Target and they better tell Lowes....Who are our demographics, who are the people that shop, I've heard that's not who we are. Well is it the african american that shops at Wal-Mart like our mayor, is it the hispanic like myself. Is it my two sons that will be coming back from Iraq, that'll be making less than $30,000 dollars a year. Is it our volunteer fire people that shop at Wal-Mart, I guess those aren't our demographics. (Yes, she really said that)...Why did we not know about Wal-Mart during the election. We didn't know about the Wal-Mart during the election. If we would have known we would have told you.  (Jan. 7th 2003 P&Z regular meeting minutes: Mr. Stearns asked if the rumors of a Walmart being considered at the property in questioned were true. She (Ms. Thompson) advised him and everyone present that staff have not been approached by Walmart or a developer representing Walmart....Mr. Bob Sides commented that Ms. Thompson stated she was not approached by Walmart was not a true statement and that Walmart wants out of Lewisville and with Highland Village allowing alcohol Walmart wants to come to Highland Village. Interesting coincidence isn't it, being that this was said three years ago, before the elections.)...Someone talked about having a deaf ear. Does a deaf ear just mean because we are not agreed with, because we don't agree with, you know, you in a discussion, that were lending a deaf ear. No that's not it.

Dallas Morning News: Sunday, December 18, 2005
Ms. Costa sees the transition as housekeeping. Having been deputy mayor pro tem and mayor pro tem, promoting her to mayor would be the "natural thing to do," she said.   "I would hope we don't let personal political issues get away from the process," said Ms. Costa, who plans to run for the full two-year mayor's term in May. "I'm hoping we'll all be mature adults and go through the natural transition."

Dallas Morning News: Sunday, January 8, 2006
"I think a clear message had been sent that Brian, Fred and Austin did not want me as mayor," Ms. Costa said later. "I didn't want to clog the process."

Dallas Morning News Saturday, January 14, 2006
Ms. Costa went along with Mr. Combs' selection without a fight, but she said later she was hurt by the decision.

Dianne Costa- Feb 8th Council Meeting regarding the Wal-Mart issue
I thank those of you that allowed me into your home, on weekends or in the evenings and even though we had to part as agree to disagree, you have a much better understanding of where "I" stood.

Council hopefuls clash on public opinion's role, Thursday, May 4, 2006, The Dallas Morning News:
City Council member Dianne Costa, responded: "Where would Moses be if he took a poll in Egypt? Where would Jesus Christ be if he took a poll in Israel?" (Normally, we try to reserve comment, but this is too just much - comparing oneself to Christ and Moses?)

The News Connection, March 31, 2006 Edition: “[Wal-Mart] will be right across the street from where I live,” said McDearmont. “So, that is my perspective on the issue. […] I don’t have an opinion about Wal-Mart itself, one way or the other. Would I have liked a different anchor store in that spot? Maybe so, but, without being involved in the negotiations, it is hard to say what I think of that specific development. It will benefit the tax base in my area. I know there was a lot of opposition to the development, but I think there are folks who have a problem with that specific retailer. […] But a majority of the people I talk to are excited about the development.”

MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF HIGHLAND VILLAGE, TEXAS TUESDAY, JUNE 24, 2003:  Visitor comments, Mayor Lawrence read a letter from Dr. Scott McDearmont of Rolling Hills expressing his support for 2499.  His letter stated he owns property along the proposed extension and favors the expansion...

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