There is no better time to start afresh than the first day of 2026 with toasts on New Year’s Eve and goals set on January 1. It was the time to connect and revel in the joy of the season. Revel, we did in DFW.

In Dallas, New Year’s Eve fireworks at Reunion Tower were extremely challenging due to massive illegal gridlocks: Thousands parked on highways and bridges to watch, causing major backups and safety concerns for emergency vehicles. Official warnings against stopping on roadways were ignored. Roads around Downtown Dallas, especially the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge, became impassable. Spectators illegally parked and stood on highways and bridges to get a view, creating hazardous conditions and posing serious risk to emergency services, a primary concern for officials.

I have known the Dallas City Manager, Kimberly Bizor Tolbert, since the 90s and do not doubt her capabilities. She will make changes. Thanks for all the help you offered me. Happy New Year Kim! “We Mean Green!” To “Our Man Downtown, JWP, keep up the great work!

Some of us decided to stay in our neighborhood, “Plano, the City of Excellence”, where the use, possession, or sale of fireworks has been illegal within city limits for a long time, as a standing ordinance. We were eight minutes away from home, not only to ensure our safety, but to spend our money locally. Boy, did we have a blast! I am still detoxing.

None of the TVs in the hotel lobby, where we stayed for two days showed any fireworks, and we had absolutely no interest, concern or emotional investment in it, not even a tiny amount. There was complete indifference or a lack of care, dismissing it entirely. At 70, we have seen many.

Legacy West Plano

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