Lawson Road: What’s the story?
 May 13, 2008 -- Lawson Road, located east of I-635 and Hwy 80, is a road that has been an issue for the Kaufman County and Dallas County.
Described as bumpy and potholed, many inquiries have been made about when repairs will get underway for the old, ailing road.
Early 2008
Dallas County and Kaufman County traded data files/information on how each determined where the county line was located. Unfortunately, there was not an agreement on which data should be used to make the determination.
May 2008
The DA requested of Bickerstaff closing the road until the matter resolved.
The stakeholders met and agreed that the short term solution was to close the road and provide a detour. Public Works continued working on a detour map that would involve the cities of Mesquite and Sunnyvale assistance. Public Works also worked with the Dallas CAD and Kaufman CAD to determine what their records show.
July 2008
Dallas County approved an order to temporarily close Lawson Road from US 80 to Scyene Road contingent on the agreement of the detour map, and Kaufman County passing a court order agreeing to temporarily close the road.
Raise Taxes? No.
 June 4, 2008 – Tuesday, June 3rd’s Commissioner Court revealed that Dallas County Commissioners would not look to raising taxes as a means to close this year’s $34 million budget shortfall.
Instead, County Commissioners are focusing on making changes within the County as a better, more resourceful solution. All the standard suggestions have been made such as trimming operation cost for each department and hiring freezes, but Tuesday’s discussion revealed other ideas as well.
Ideas such as removing devices that draw Phantom Energy or extra energy for devices not in use, adjusting building temperatures and possibly reducing the five-day work week to four are all being considered. The way the Dallas County Commissioner’s look at it, even the smallest changes translate to big differences for Dallas County and Dallas County residents: No increase in taxes.
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August 21, 2008 – Area officials celebrated the start of construction on the President George Bush Turnpike Eastern Extension during a groundbreaking event at 9 a.m. Thursday, August 21, 2008. A reception, highlighted by remarks from area officials and representatives of the North Texas Tollway Authority (NTTA) and Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT)-Dallas District, took place at the Rowlett Community Center prior to the on-site groundbreaking at Liberty Grove Road and Baffin Bay Drive. Turning the dirt were, from left, Dallas County Judge Jim Foster; NTTA Board Chairman Paul N. Wageman; state Rep. Joe Driver, R-Garland; NTTA Board Director Bob Day; Dallas County Commissioner Mike Cantrell; mayors Mike Felix of Sachse, Ron Jones of Garland and John Harper of Rowlett; Steve Maggiotto, Rowlett deputy mayor pro tem; and TxDOT engineer Bill Hale.
May 13, 2008 -- In an effort to combat littering and encourage tourism, Dallas County Commissioners have voted to pass a smoking ban in the newly renovated Founders Plaza, home to the first cabin built by John Neely Bryan, the pioneer credited with settling Dallas.