Jun. 19--Looking for a Green Oaks solution

Since Dallas County does not have a psychiatric public hospital, homeless people with mental illness are often taken to Green Oaks, a private hospital that is then reimbursed $600 per day for their care. But when those same people appear before probate Judge Michael Miller, he orders the hospital to pay about $500 in court costs and court-appointed attorneys fees. Green Oaks and the judge are caught in a legal battle over who should pay these fees. State law says the hospital should, but common sense says the hospital would stop accepting these patients, who usually only stay a day or two. Enter County Commissioners John Wiley Price and Kenneth Mayfield. They suggest using public defenders for the indigent patients of Green Oaks who are, ultimately, the county's own responsibility. Thomas Collins, Green Oaks chief executive, has even offered to help pay some of the cost of a public defender assigned to the probate court. There's no simple answer. In such uncomfortable problems, there rarely is. But Price, Mayfield and Collins deserve credit for trying to find a way to do the right thing on behalf of the people of Dallas County.

Let there be light -- but not too bright -- at White Rock Lake

For years, runners and cyclists have lobbied for more lights at White Rock Lake. But many nearby residents preferred to stay in the dark. The battle over brightness had frustrated both sides. But after a year of discussion, a task force struck the right light balance. Its plan won unanimous approval from the Dallas Park Board this week. To its credit, the task force managed to hammer out a compromise that will offer some illumination for athletes on the lake's trails while ensuring that homeowners don't have klieg lights shining in their windows. The task force faced a tough challenge in uniting these opposing groups; now if only the committee could make the funding for its proposal magically appear.

Squat, stand, squat, stand ... now repeat 2,227 times

There's a reason the term "everyday catcher" has become a misnomer in baseball. No fielding position requires greater physical effort -- first pitch to last out, weighted down with the mask, shin guards and all the other gear. Even the best catchers need a day or two off each week. We mention this to recognize the significance of a longtime favorite, Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez, breaking the major league record for games caught, reaching No. 2,227 Wednesday night. That he broke Carlton Fisk's record in Arlington, against the Rangers team for whom his major league career began 18 years ago, only made it sweeter -- as did the standing ovation from the local fans.

Adios, Alejandrina Drew

We bid a fond farewell to Alejandrina Drew, 62, following her abrupt decision to retire this week after four years as director of the Latino Cultural Center. Under her widely praised direction of the city-run facility on Live Oak, the LCC blossomed with events, classes and exhibits involving music, dance, theater, film and art. She'll leave a creative leadership deficit that the city will have a hard time filling.

House's clunker of an auto industry stimulus

We liked the "cash-for-clunkers" plan passed in the U.S. House until we realized it bore about zero resemblance to the Texas program designed to get polluting older cars off the road. Congress' bill, unfortunately, is little more than a backdoor stimulus for the auto industry, paying up to $4,500 to people willing to trade in lower-mpg used vehicles for new ones. All this bill would do is encourage people with perfectly serviceable vehicles to dig themselves a little deeper into debt for something new and shiny. Yes, the U.S. auto industry needs help, but the tens of billions in direct aid should about cover it, shouldn't it?

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