More than two dozen Dallas officials enjoyed a beautiful, relaxed environment in which to plan, ponder and play with (almost) no public scrutiny when the Garrett Creek Ranch Conference Center in tiny Paradise, Texas, played host last month to a two-day Dallas City Council retreat.

Taxpayers, however, paid $6,933 for the affair, including $209-per-night hotel rooms for 25 city officials, according to city receipts. So why didn't Mayor Tom Leppert, who conceived the event, conduct it at a city facility for next to nothing?

"It was a good expenditure of money, especially since we achieved all the goals we had set out to achieve and set an agenda," the mayor said. He added that the retreat also provided the fledgling council a quiet setting in which to get to know one another and discuss key city issues such as crime, economic development and quality-of-life initiatives.

Dave Levinthal

Forming Dallas City Council committees is Mayor Tom Leppert's province.

But the new mayor says he'll curb that power at least until the end of August to focus on City Manager Mary Suhm's budget proposal, which she's scheduled to release Friday.

As a result, no council committees will meet in August, Mr. Leppert said.

The delay will give Mr. Leppert extra time to decide who among his 14 council colleagues will score coveted committee chairmanships.

Dave Levinthal

Democrat Lupe Valdez is sporting a new campaign Web site that lists eight ways the Dallas County sheriff is protecting families.

But not all of the items Sheriff Valdez takes credit for are her ideas. For instance, the site says Sheriff Valdez "created" an innovative traffic management plan that allows sheriff's deputies to patrol Dallas County highways.

The plan was actually developed in 2001 under former Sheriff Jim Bowles. Sheriff Valdez is overseeing the second phase of the plan.

Sheriff Valdez's 2008 re-election team continues to take shape. Her treasurer is former U.S. Attorney Paul Coggins.

Gromer Jeffers Jr.

Before continuing with this item, I must disclose that I'm a lifelong, diehard Chicago Cubs fan. I've also been questioning Illinois Sen. Barack Obama about the rivalry between the Cubs and the lowly Chicago White Sox since 2004. On his most recent campaign stop in Dallas, Mr. Obama unloaded on me and Cubs fans in Chicago.

"I don't know any self-respecting Chicagoan who roots for the Cubs," Mr. Obama said.

When I told him that I grew up in Sox country, on the city's south side, the Democratic presidential contender reacted again.

"That's what I'm talking about," he said. "What's up with you?"

Look at the standings, Mr. Obama. You will see what's up with me and which team is up.

Gromer Jeffers Jr.