In Farmers Branch, Elizabeth Villafranca Has Finally Decided to Run for City Council

By Robert Wilonsky Mon., Mar. 9 2009 at 12:04 PM

Categories: Politics

Steve Satterwhite

Elizabeth Villafranca with daughter Natalie, who was 6 in the fall of 2006, when this photo was taken

Back in November 2006, Megan Feldman wrote for the paper version of Unfair Park a lengthy piece about Farmers Branch and then-city council member Tim O'Hare's fight to rid the city of illegal immigrants, especially those living in rental properties. Much of the piece dealt with the politicization of Elizabeth Villafranca, who, with husband Enrique, owns Cuquitas Mexican restaurant in the FB. But as Villafranca, who then had no record in politics or activism, told Feldman, "I'm just like this random person off the street."

Well, more than two years and $1.6 million in legal bills later, Villafranca's going into politics after all: The Associated Press reports today that she's running for the Farmers Branch City Council -- specifically, the spot being vacated by Jim Smith. She will formally announce today.

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To Karen Kellog: There is more than right and wrong when it comes to immigration reform. I'm a hispanic student in CFB ISD so naturally I have friends of all races, some being illegal. Do you think that any of my peers that are illegal made the decision to come here as a child as? No, so what have they done WRONG?
What part of illegal do people not understand? It is WRONG!!!
Mrs. Villafranca, you're teaching your child a civics lesson? What lesson were you teaching your child when you were stealing opposing opinion signs just 2 years ago? That theft is okay? That the suppression of another person's views is the American way? Please. http://www.kvue.com/news/state/stories/032707kvuefbsigns-cb.66f6ad5.html
I say YAY! Go fot it Elizabeth Villafranca! If I lived there, I'd definitely vote for you! I've followed FB in the news since Mr. O'Hare decided to bring this issue (or his career) to national attention. Something about him makes my lip curl, not in a friendly way. I checked the FB website, all I saw was a bunch of fat old white men in charge of that town, which is not a clear or fair representation of the community by a long shot. It looks to me like a special few want to hold the cards for everyone else. Not good for FB's growth or any communities growth. I'll never support the "good 'ole boys club" history has proven it, inbred government is not healthy. I have talked to some old-timers in FB who tell me everyone who "was" for his agenda, is now "NOT" for it, since all the Fire and Police pay raises did not happen, plus thed hiring freezes went into effect, with claims the lawsuits are being funded with money the employees should be getting. Many are pointing to Mr. O'Xenophobic and saying it's his fault. Makes me wonder if he was traumatized as a kid by some mexican kid who stole his lunch money back in 3rd grade, he never got over it. Now he's out for revenge.
Oh well, thanks for playing, Toots.
Toots, what part of my "translation" do you think inaccurately describes Villafranca's position on illegals?
Now you are reading people's minds? lol
More from Ms. Villafranca: I want this to be the best city for everyone, not just for some people Translation: I want illegal immigrants in Farmers Branch to feel welcome, immune to deportation, and free to enjoy all the same city services and benefits as our legal residents
"RoB, thought you appreciated the entrepreneurial spirit when you saw it." Only when White people do it.
She is a fine business woman, hell, Najera eats in her restaurant. Meanwhile, you idiots can roll down to Uncle Julios or whatever corporate version of Mex. you eat. Cuquitas is no Taqueria Pinocho but then again, few restaurants can touch a dozen dirty taquerias in this town. RoB, thought you appreciated the entrepreneurial spirit when you saw it. BTW we will need these illegal immigrants for the population lag you conflicted conservatives with too tight whities and homosexuals have brought upon us.
Word is there are many Dallas area Mexican restaurants in Dallas that have employees who have managed to obtain their individual driver's license card through the Texas State (DPS) Department of Public Safety in a fraudulent manner. The problem for these employees now is the DPS is requiring all Texas residents to show their individual social security card when they renew their individual driver's license. I agree with this measure. I believe a great number of these employees are sweating bullets at this time because they know once they have to show their social security card when they attempt to renew their driver�s license the only place they will be going is back to their country of origin. Wonder if Mrs. Villafranca has checked her employees to make sure they have valid social security cards.
I can't wait till she has to answer the question of whether or not all her resurant's employees are legal
So is she going to run on an explicitly pro-illegal-immigrant platform, or is she going to conflate "immigrant" and "illegal immigrant," accuse her opponents of "racism" and "xenophobia," etc.? Yes, that's a rhetorical question. btw, that AP article is a classic example - first it says: An outspoken critic of a Dallas suburb's attempts to oust illegal immigrants is running for the Farmers Branch City Council. Good so far, but then: Villafranca, an outspoken opponent of city officials' failed attempts to prohibit immigrants from renting homes [...] Translation: Villafranca, who opposes enforcement of immigration laws[...]
Within the past year, Elizabeth has moved to Farmers Branch. She lives in house that is currently appraised at $402,000 and she has done a lot of remodeling since being there. She lives near the southeast corner of Valley View and Webbs Chapel on a large acreage property. This is very nice old area. She has done well and deserves everything that has come her way. Having said all of this, and ironically, I believe that she will be an asset on the council for Farmers Branch and help the city attract some great things........even after all of illegal immigration crap that has gone on there. And, I have no idea if Elizabeth moved to FB to specifically run for council. She is a very nice person.
America, land of the free.