As you may know, the City Council will vote on real estate firm PSW’s request to rezone an area off Kings Highway for single-family developments. After many community meetings to discuss issues like setback limits and garage styles, the developers and the neighbors seem to have found a happy place.

“The new changes are good,” said Jenni Stolarski, who’s property borders the development area. “Kings Highway, since the beginning, has been most interested in how we integrate these new neighbors.”

Look for more in the May 31 issue of Oak Cliff People, following the City Council vote.

PSW Zoning Request for City Council meeting on May 22, 2013 by Dan Koller

Delia Jasso kept her concession speech short and sweet, saying that she is “totally okay” with the election results and thanking supporters for all of their help.

Jasso and her husband, Judge Juan Jasso, talk with supporters on election night at her watch party at La Calle Doce. (Staff photo: Chris McGathey)

After learning that she lost to Scott Griggs, Delia Jasso told supporters that she was looking forward to spending more time with her family and taking some time for herself. She was also unsure about resuming her language school, although she told a recent forum that’s what she believed her calling is.

“This was my full-time job,” Jasso said. “I was available to the community 24/7. I’m not sure about the school — I think I’m going to go in a different direction now. I’m going to focus on my family and what I need now.”

One thing’s for sure — she needs a break. And her sisters plan to give her just that; they’re taking her on a well-deserved trip to New York next week, followed by a hop across the pond to Europe.

Yes, it’s predominantly dark. Yes, there are several violent flashes of light. Yes, there are children screaming in the background. But there’s nothing to be scared of.

Most of Jasso’s supporters had cleared out of La Calle Doce by the time she graciously conceded, and just family and volunteers remained when campaign director Ramiro Luna made an impromptu speech. Those who stuck around, however, were in for a real treat as Luna spoke passionately and inspired everyone to continue fighting for Oak Cliff.

“I’m from Oak Cliff — this is my neighborhood,” Luna said. “I’m not leaving Oak Cliff until it’s represented the way that it needs to be.”

Luna went on to say that he is going to take a break from politics and instead pursue community service — although he mentioned looking forward to inspiring voters in the next City Council race.

“I’m not giving up — there’s still work to be done,” Luna said. “We are going to prove that anything below Davis [Street] has as much of a voice as anything above Davis. We are going to change apathy into action.”

Judging by the (several) rounds of applause and cheers he got, I wasn’t the only one who believed him.

City Councilmen Sheffie Kadane and Jerry Allen stopped by Jasso’s watch party at La Calle Doce to offer their condolences. (Staff photo: Chris McGathey)

Shortly before official results were released, City Councilmen Jerry Allen (District 10) and Sheffield “Sheffie” Kadane (District 9) stopped by in support of Jasso.

“We’re here to show our love to Delia,” said Allen. “We’ve been with her for four years, and she’s a good colleague and a wonderful councilwoman.”

Kadane agreed, saying, “It was a tough race that unfortunately someone had to lose. It’s a shame that we had to pit two good council people against each other.”

Scott Griggs’ victory has been called. With all 28 precincts reporting, the District 3 councilman/District 1 candidate ousted Delia Jasso with 61 percent of the 3,784 votes – a win he attributed to “government by the people, for the people.”

And as Griggs told a crowd of happy supporters a few minutes ago at his watch party in Stevens Park Estates, “it’s all of you that made it happen.”

As I type this, we have only 17 of 28 precincts reporting in District 1. Meanwhile, in another race we’re monitoring for Preston Hollow People (North Dallas’ District 11), 34 of 34 precincts are in. What’s the hold up, Oak Cliff?

By the way, Scott Griggs is still leading with 60 percent.

“I feel very calm. We worked our butts off, and that’s all that we can do.” – Delia Jasso to an early watch-party guest at La Calle Doce