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Arthur Lee loves baseball, he's been playing since he was five years old. He's 17 now and the pitcher for the Hornets from Green Hill School, a college prep school north of Dallas. Arthur is as good a student as he is an athlete. He's graduating next month as Green Hill's valedictorian, then he'll go to Harvard. Yet he's ending his high school career with a touch of bitterness after students from St. Mark's arrival prep school resorted to racial taunts during a baseball game. We've always had tense rivalry, but it's always been heckling games, but nothing ever really really personal or not even a thought of any racial. The rivalry heated up last month at a baseball game like this one. When shortstop Michael Castro, whose Hispanic came to bat, St. Mark's students would count in Spanish.

They also heckled Arthur, who is Korean American. They were just saying jab-sync here and there and imitating oriental American noises or whatever you want to call them. They're just trying to taunt me as a pitcher and get me rattled. A month later, 15 St. Mark's students wrapped Arthur's house with toilet paper. They threw eggs and ketchup. They also hit the home of Green Hill catcher Mark McKay. Usually wrapping is a messy but harmless prank. This time it wasn't. At Arthur's house, two boys painted the words jab and chink on his mother's car. That's what really took me off. Because you know, you can attack me individual. When you attack the race, you're attacking more than just that individual. You're just saying something about his family, you're saying something about the way he looks, just the way he looks and everything he represents. Green Hill and St. Mark's administrators called off the next Green Hill St. Mark's baseball game to let the students cool off.

I understand that there's competition between the two schools and that there's always going to be tension there. But for them to make racial remarks and attack the players personally, and then for them to go and trash their houses. I mean, that's completely inexcusable. You do with sports anymore. I mean, I neither was always tension between St. Mark's and Green Hill just because we've always been rival schools. But it's gotten really out of hand because of the, especially because of the racial remarks. Now it's a surprise coming from St. Mark's since they are supposed to be at the top probably the school here in North Dallas. St. Mark's School of Texas, a prep school for boys, is trying to shake its image as an elitist school for rich white kids. Minority enrollment has doubled to 15% over the past six years. About 110 black, Hispanic and Asian students attend school here. A St. Mark's education is supposed to go beyond high academic achievement. It's supposed to build character and teach responsibility. Many prominent Dallas families send their sons here to be groomed for their place as tomorrow's leaders. School administrators in an effort to protect the boys and the school would not allow our camera on campus to do this story.

The only problem is we see it, racism is just a black and white issue, south of downtown, instead of Dallas. And maybe tend to overlook that they might, you know, carry over in other areas with other minorities. And I want that to be, you know, clearly express that there might be a problem going on in North Dallas. Many students and teachers at both schools don't know what happened. Green Hill, some say administrators are avoiding the issue and not facing up to the influence of prejudice. Green Hill student, Mark McKay. People don't have concern for, you know, these kind of issues. And, you know, taking a hard look at, you know, racism in Dallas and, you know, what it really means. And, you know, just kind of blowing it off. That kind of bothers me. And to see that, you know, nothing's really being done about it. Green Hill students say they are more tolerant and liberal than those at St. Mark's. But last Halloween, three Green Hill students dressed up as Mexican gardeners and pushed lawnmowers around the campus. Arthur says some of his teachers stereotype him.

Like I mentioned before, there was another teacher, another English teacher before who said to my advisor, when I was having problems with him, that he just doesn't think that Asian students are as good in English and literature as they are in math and sciences. So that made my job harder. Three St. Mark's players involved in the wrapping incident were benched during this tournament. John McKay, Mark's father, sits on Green Hill's advisory board. It certainly wasn't ignored. The students were reprimanded. Letters of apology were written. Phone calls were made. Meetings took place between administrators as well as students. St. Mark's families received newsletters reminding them of the school's conduct code. The headmasters of both schools have refused to talk about what happened on camera, but they say the problem has been settled and the students themselves took care of it. That done, they say the book is closed on what were isolated incidents. I wish I could believe that. I really wish I could. If it was just this incident in my house, then maybe I could believe that.

Arthur still remembers a game where students repeated racial flurs, even though St. Mark's parents and faculty were there. John McKay was at that game, too. Absolutely. There should have been some surveillance going on. If enough people were hearing this, which I'm sure they were, it should have been stopped immediately. St. Mark's headmaster, David Hicks, was at the game. He says the comments weren't meant to be malicious. At this game last week, you could hear St. Mark's fans shouting, go taco to cheer on a player who's Hispanic. That's really bad because if he thinks that these little racial things are nothing serious, and something that boys will do to each other, then these boys are going to grow to be men. They're going to go out and they're going to be lawyers, doctors, and whatever. Society. Arthur plans to play ball for Harvard. He's excited about moving to Boston, although while there for a campus tour, someone shouted, go back to China. I see myself first as a human being, then as an American, then as a Korean American, and in that order.

And I think a lot of the public sees it the other way. They see me as a Korean first, then they're surprised. If I speak perfect English, then as an American, then hopefully as a human being. And that kind of mentality, I think, that still exists. And as long as that exists, there will always be some kind of form of racism and prejudice. And I think the best place to fight is gotta be in the schools. It's gotta start with the kids tomorrow. They're gonna grow up to be adults and start to cycle all over again. District 5 is in the Near East portion of Dallas.

It is one of the city's most racially and financially diverse districts. It includes parts of Turtle Creek, the M-street, Lakewood, Little Asia, and parts of the New Hispanic neighborhoods in the 5th-U capital area. Joining me now are the two candidates for the runoff election in District 5. Mary Poss was the front runner in the three-way election contest on May 6th. She received 48% of the vote. She is a former bank executive who is endorsed by the Dallas Police Association. Glenn Box received 28% of the vote on May 6th. He is a lawyer and has been endorsed by retiring District 5 council member Craig Holcomb. And by Scott Chase, who finished third in the May 6th election. Let me turn to you Ms. Poss. First of all, I ask you, how do you feel that your opponent has been endorsed by the incumbent city council member? The other person who was in this race? Well, that's something that the voters will clearly decide on May the 20th in terms of the impact of that overall endorsement. We're excited about our victory on the 6th and excited about the tremendous support that we continue to receive.

Scott Chase told me himself that all of his voters would not go as a block and clearly we have picked up a number of his key endorsements. And we're excited about that. Okay, and how do you feel that your opponent still enjoys the support of the Dallas Police Association? Which some feel carry a big stick in this town? Sure. Well, I'm excited, first of all, about the coalition we're building with Scott supporters of my own. I think the endorsement of Craig Holcomb, he didn't endorse anybody the first time around. I think it's going to make a big difference in the race. I think that it's important to look when we talk about the DPA to look at public safety, not just the DPA. I'm going to be addressing, not only the crime concerns, but firefighters' concerns as well. So I think that that broad base of looking at the issues is what's important. Because I don't be at City Hall enough, I ask some reporters and I say, how would you describe these two people? And some of the reporters described use as a centrist. I guess that meant sort of middle of the road person. And they described you as an ultra conservative.

How do you feel about those descriptors? Are they off base and should I be chastised or even bringing up those kinds of things? What's hard to consider myself is that I'm someone who listens, who's concerned, who's running grassroots campaign in the trenches. Who's been there, who's walked nearly 6,000 doors in the district. I don't think sometimes labels are appropriate in city elections that I don't always stick. But that's how I would consider myself. What about you? There are a lot of words that continue to follow me around. And definitely one of those is balanced in terms of my ability to listen to all sides of an issue and understand the facts. And also separate the facts from the emotions and make a decision, not waffle on that decision and move forward and take action. You've raised $94,000 in this campaign, which seems like a lot of money to me for a district campaign. And some of that, of course, has come from four members of the parole family. Some people would have wondered if you're in the parole pocket. I think $94,000 is a little high. We haven't raised that much. Yes, $3,250 has come from the parole family. The limit any one individual can give is $1,000.

I'd be greatly disappointed if Mr. Perot didn't endorse me because my husband has worked for him for 12 years. And I don't think he even knows Mr. Box. Well, that $94,000 figure comes as the filing today according to our City Hall reporter, Tom Olson. And we didn't have yours yet. Do you know how much money you have spent? We have spent in the neighborhood of about $55,000. And we've raised it right at $60,000 as of today. Now, probably his number includes some personal money that I've put into the campaign itself. And we've spent in the area of $77,000. And that still seems like a lot to me. I think it's important to realize that if you get out there and you run a grassroots campaign, if you knock on doors that you don't need to high-price consultants that you can listen to the voters and take the message to them, I haven't had to put out the mailings because I've been on the doorstep. But you have spent it if you had it, wouldn't you?

Well, I think there's one thing in the extent. The difference is I haven't loaned myself $35,000 as my opponent has. I don't have that, but I don't think you need that. Traditionally, Craig Holcomb and Lee Simpson haven't had to spend over $40,000. So I think that some is a little bit out of line. When you look at my expenditures, and this is a matter of public record, you will find that all of my consultant and rental expenses have been paid. And I think if you look at Mr. Boxes, you'll find a little of that information is not there yet. So some of those expenditures may not have been paid. Additionally, I think that the fact that I have been able to raise the money and the fact that at least 60% of my money does come from within the district, shows the support from within the district. It also shows the commitment from the people, everything from contributions from two dollars all the way up to the $1,000 limitation. Shows that people are committed, and I'm committed myself because I'm willing to spend some of my own money not knowing for sure whether or not I'll be able to raise it. And I'm not one that's asking for an increase in council pay, as is my opponent.

Well, okay. Well, let's get to that since you brought it up. The Dallas and Citizens Council has recommended that the mayor and the City Council get paid relatively well for any city, but for city this size maybe not, it would be in line. I'm not sure. You before that? Well, I think what's interesting is even the board, the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce, which Ms. Paz sits on, is recommended council pay. So I think that she's on a step with what the majority of the citizens and the Dallas are looking for right now. When you can spend the kind of money she's spent on a council race, it's no wonder she doesn't have a concern about council pay. But I don't support the status quo she does. I think we need to look at making sure we have broader representation on the council and to ensure fair and equal representation. I think a part of that is ensuring that we can have quality representation. If you don't pay anybody, when you only get $50 a week, you either got to be extremely wealthy or extremely poor. Well, I think we have to go back and take a look at what the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce turned in, as I'm not sure that that's actually correct.

In terms of what they gave Mr. Hutchison. But I think it's also very evident from talking to thousands of people throughout district five that council pay is simply not a priority in the city budget with these people. You know, it's only been approximately three months since the city decided that it could afford to pay for the semi-automatic guns that our police officers said that they needed. Our city said that they needed in order to protect our lives and their lives out there on the streets of Dallas. It's just not the priority that we face in the city at this point. Well, but council pay, I mean, it was recommended by the Dallas citizens council. I mean, does that surprise you that they would recommend council pay? I think we'll have to wait and see what the overall recommendations are and what all of the final results are and what Mr. Hutchison's committee comes out with on a final recommendation. Barbara, I think it's important to understand that virtually every group that's recommended has not recommended the status quo when it comes to council pay and they haven't recommended the status quo when it comes to at large representation.

I think that's where my opponent is not a step. Okay. Well, you got there. So let's go on and take it from there. What about the current system of election? 8-3, eight single member districts, three at large districts. You brought it up. I take it. You're for changing. I am. I think we need to add additional single member district seats. And I think the at large seats, if we remain having the two that we do now, they need to be elected from the Northern sector and the Southern sector. The current system ensures that those representatives will always come from North Dallas. They won't be reflected of the diversity in our city. That's not fair and we've got to do something to change that. Well, and I'm not sure we really differentiate a lot on this particular issue because I've said from the very beginning that whether we redistrict before or after we get our 1990 census, I think we will add single member districts. I think that's appropriate. It will provide more representation throughout various communities in the city. Also, I am in favor of keeping the at large.

There are a couple of reasons primarily that you get more representation. If you have at least four representatives to it, large the mayor and a single member. But one of the most important things has come out of Dallas together in terms of maintaining the at large is the fact that many of the Hispanics feel that that's the best way to get a Hispanic elected on the council. Well, I think it's interesting to realize that all Hispanic groups in Dallas, Hispanic PAC, Mexican Mayor, Conbar Association, Marcos, you need us. They're all endorsing me. So I think they understand my position on redistricting will be best for them. Okay. Well, let me make sure that I understand both of your positions on this. Let's talk about numbers when you say more single member districts. Have any of you talking about? We're going to look at all kinds of geographical configurations and all kinds of mathematical gyrations before we decide that. I don't know the answer to four. I mean, I just don't know the answer. All these specific. We either need to go to a 10-3 system or a 12-3 system. Something that doesn't ensure for representation for Hispanic representatives and something that doesn't dilute minority representation through the at large system. Although a lot of the recommendations that have come into Dallas together

do recommend four at large, ten single member and four at large. And I think that that's an interesting concept that we need to analyze very thoroughly as well. Okay. So you guys do disagree on some things. And you agree on some. Is this race from what I was told today, getting an air of partisan politics involved? Someone wanted me to know for sure, for example, that you have the endorsement of the Democratic county chairman. And I don't know what that's supposed to mean, but I'm sure you're proud of that. Well, that person had been on Mr. Chase's endorsement list. So we're very proud to welcome him into our camp. I have a very balanced listing of both Republicans and Democrats and have had from the very beginning. In fact, I'm the person that went to Sandy Cress and to Tom James in the very beginning of the race and said, we're keeping partisan politics out of this. Barbara, I think it's important to realize that though she says that, I'm the only candidate in this race that ran a totally nonpartisan race. Ms. Poss had a letter sent out by Bill Hammond,

a Republican state representative on state stationary. I think that was very partisan in nature. I refrain from engaging in partisan politics. I don't think that's appropriate in city government. And I just think- Well, if he happens to be Republican- On the other hand, Chase had one signed by all the Democratic leaders that we have. Right. Chase and Poss both did, but I did not. Okay, but so far, are we keeping it out in the runoff? I mean, I brought it up. I know. Well, I've got- I've got key Democratic names and I've got key Republican names, crime watch leaders, neighborhood leaders, chamber leaders, all types of leaders throughout the district. Let me get to another issue that I see if we can get any agreement or disagreement on. And that is the issue of Dart. We've had Adeline Harrison, who's a former board chair, Laurie Palmer on the City Council, talking about Ditch- Ditch Dart drive, I guess. How do you feel about that? And particularly since the Santa Fe line, which may be in the recommendation, I think is the border for the district that you're representing here. That's right. How do you feel? What would you do if Dart came back with recommendation for the Santa Fe line?

I've stated firmly that I'm opposed to using that line. I don't think that's the corridor that we need to be assessing. And I don't think it's the right one to use because it is intrusive into some of our Grady Stales neighborhoods. Central Expressway, the southern part of the city, and the route to DFW is where we need to focus. Okay, but if they did come back with that, would you go for the Ditch-The-Dart movement? I had coffee with Adeline the morning that she said that that evening, and I was very surprised to hear her say that. Not at this time. I am for a regional transportation system. Let me say. I've said all along. I support regional transportation. But if Dart insists on the use of the Santa Fe rail line, or the MKT South Mockingbird, that I would work for the defeat of Dart, it's got to know that they have a strong representative that will back that up at the council. I also think it's interesting that this post talks about her opposition, but when the Nets and Bults meetings were going on, out in the middle schools, the high schools in the area, at the Dart board, I was there speaking out against the use of those rail lines and she's not.

Well, I've heard those accusations. I've heard those accusations. And I can point to a number of dates where I've been at meetings and Mr. Box is not. Okay, well listen, good luck. And I should remind our viewers that regardless of whether they voted in the election or not, they can vote in the run-off. That's our program for this week for Peggy, Gay, and all of us here at News Edition. Thanks for joining us and take care. Music Music Music

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