Fort Worth Gas Drilling Task Force Public Hearing — Some Things Never Change
by Steve-OI need to get out more often. Sometimes I feel like all I do is go to these gas drilling meetings. And you know what? I don’t enjoy it.
So when a friend told me that the whole reason for the City Council forming a blue-ribbon committee is so they didn’t have to go to boring meetings like this, I felt a little twinge of envy.
But still, City Council members did show up — Joel Burns, Frank Moss, Jungus Jordan and Carter Burdette. Gentlemen, thank you for showing up. I know you can think of better ways to spend a Monday night.
But what about the rest of the Council? Chuck Silcox I can give a pass — he’s still fighting cancer and chemo is a bitch, so get well soon. But Kathleen Hicks, Sal Espino, Danny Scarth and Mayor Mikey, WTF? You can TiVO the Olympics. Get your ass down to City Hall and listen to your constituents.
Let me fill you in on what you missed.
In spite of what Sarah Fullenwider says, most of the people who spoke last night urged the city to develop a Master Plan for Gas Drilling. As Libby Willis of the fort Worth League of Neighborhoods put it, “A Master Plan deserves serious consideration.” Even though Mayor Mikey is pushing to complete the Task Force’s work by the end of September, Willis urged to get this done right even if it isn’t done quickly.
But can the work of the Task Force be done right or quickly? I believe neither and so does Greg Hughes, who articulated what I have been thinking for some time now — the members who support the safety of Fort Worth neighborhoods should protest the mockery that Mike Moncrief has made of this Task Force by resigning in protest immediately.
Several speakers chastised the Task Force for its lack of transparency including not providing minutes of its meetings. Task Force Chair Bob Riley reminded us that these are public meetings and anyone is welcome to attend. My response: I, like many other parties, can’t get away from my job at 4:30 on Monday afternoons. Move them back to 6:30, and we could party together, my friend.
However, Bob, I expect you to take everything you heard tonight and ignore it, just like you did the last public hearing. You don’t take the process seriously. Like Jay Marcom put it last night, this whole process is a whitewash. Even though the Task Force was created with to make sure that quality of life was protected in Fort Worth neighborhoods, all you have proceeded to do is roll back previously inadequate restrictions. City parks and public buildings have a much more narrow definition. Compressor stations will be as noisy as ever. Setback requirements are a joke — when has 600 feet ever meant 600 feet?
So here we are — we’ve wasted six months that no one had to lose. The producers are under increasing pressure from Wall Street to produce. The neighborhoods are putting increasing pressure on City Hall for meaningful protections. No one is going to come out of this one a winner. And Mayor Mikey is the one to blame. Last week he wanted kudos for putting the Task Force together, but last fall, he tore Wendy Davis a new one and when she suggested we take another look at the gas drilling ordinance. Back then, Mayor Mikey didn’t want to revisit the drilling ordinance. “I take exception to the idea that we have not been proactive on this issue,” he said last September.
The more things change, the more things stay the same. Mikey wasn’t proactive then, and he isn’t proactive now. A Master Plan for Gas Drilling isn’t anti-gas drilling, it’s pro-common sense. This is going to happen, let’s be smart about it, protect our neighborhoods and protect our quality of life. We plan for everything else in this city, why not this?
I left last night’s meeting wondering why you didn’t come down to see this for yourself, Mike. I was wondering where Kathleen was. And Danny. And Sal. I ran into Suzette and James outside of City Hall and they invited me out for a drink, so we wandered down to Zambrano. Who do you think I ran into? Sal Espino. What a small freaking world. He could make it out for a glass of wine, but not a meeting a block away.
Hope you had a better excuse than that, Mike.
Tags: Barnett Shale, chuck silcox, gas drilling task force, Joel Burns, Mayor Moncrief, Sal Espino
37 Comments, Comments or Pings
Of Course Sal Has Better Things to Do
I’m not surprised you ran into Sal having a glass of vino at Zambrano’s. He probably had some important title company business to tend to.
Fun little thing. You get elected to office and, if you’re just a plain schmo, find a real estate license (Joel got his recently). If you happen to be an attorney, you open a title office. That way you can be bribed legally. Worked for Wendy-cakes for years. Made her and Jeff a tidy little pile.
As for Kathleen, don’t you know she has more important things to do? She’s going to be the first AA mayor of Fort Worth. Told me so. Why does she care about what happens to the citizens. Plus, there are other deals that she has going on, involving the Masonic redevelopment and the Fort Worth Housing Authority. I would imagine that those were occupying her time, if she wasn’t just busy house sitting for her mother. She also doesn’t want to have to discuss the whole Leonard Briscoe thing.
Scarth I ain’t got nothing bad to say about. Don’t know him. Guy’s in a wheel chair and I’ve never had mobility issues, so I’m not the one to say. Kind of like Silcox having the dreaded C word. He seems like a nice guy. We could have used more people there, though, who were in a position to effectuate change. Next time, maybe, he can show?
As for the Duke of Fort Worth, His Grace does not attend such audiences. One must wait and see his carriages as they roll by, on chrome rims, and throw one’s petitions towards them. That or you can give his kid some title business over at Sendera. I think that would get his ear. Maybe send him an Hermes tie with mustaches on it. He really likes both of those things, apparently. Also, money.
I think that what I’ve just concluded, as I proof my own stuff, is that the ones who were there tonight don’t screw their pants on every morning. The rest of them do. Except Silcox, who has cancer. Always thought he was kind of a blowhard, but in the end, he turns out to be a decent fellow. Him, Clyde Picht, and Cathy Hirt. Go figure.
Aug 12th, 2008
Eastsider
Sal Espino even got support from several speakers on his mention of “Environmental Studies” that our Mayor and City Council members (except for Sal) seem to care nothing about. BTW, how old is Mayor Mike..maybe he’s figuring he’ll be dead by the time the hazardous chemicals get to him so he wants his money now. Still…each council member is allowing him to do it, so it’s not all on Mayor Mike. We need more youtube clips on this site so the people can see what others are saying. I saw several cameras there last night, somebody’s got the goods.
Aug 12th, 2008
Katy Baker
Interesting comments - some points that are incorrect:
1. It was Chuck Silcox and Wendy Davis that asked for more review on our drilling ordinance - don’t set up Wendy as a saint because she ain’t.
2. Mayor Mikey owns a ranch in Parker County with 16 wells on it - why is that not a conflict of interest when he votes?
3. Jungus Jordan at least had the good sense to abstain on anything coming to Council that Chesapeake’s name is on. His wife owns property that has their producing gas wells on it thus income and he directly benefits from that income.
4. Reports of natural gas glut by 2010. Can we poor citizens eat the Barnett Shale like foreign countries need to eat their oil?
5. Injection wells - what’s in the crap they put in drilling fluids and don’t even have to tell the Texas RRC their formula? Concrete corrodes and this stuff is definately corrosive.
6. Sal Espino is now worried about Environmental issues after he sold his soul to get more and more drilling in his Council District? Even went against residents for some high impact wells. Give me a break! He wasn’t the only one at Thursday’s meeting with concerns about safety/environment - Chuck Silcox asked about being sure the public is safe with the question about putting odor in the gas as it comes from the well head. None of the speakers wanted to touch it!
7. As for Libby Willis and the League of Neighborhood Associations - she was one of the first neighborhoods who organized and drove up the price for bonus money on a lease. Sure, you can be proud of her - now she’s seeing the big picture and talking out of the other side of her mouth - Libby, how much of YOUR bonus money are you going to invest towards the effort? The League has kissed the Mayor’s butt for a long time so don’t believe anything they have to say AND they do not represent all of the neighborhoods in Fort Worth.
Aug 12th, 2008
John Peter Smith
If you want to know why some council members skipped the meeting the answer is simple.The Startlegram reports that “…more than 100 people turned out…”
100 people. Big Deal.
I’ve seen three times that many people take off work to show up in the middle of the day to protest a single zoning change.
Face it, the vast majority of Fort Worthians are comfortable with the status quo and they let their opinions be heard by sitting at home. Whether that’s good or bad can be argued, but don’t blame politicians for knowing which way the wind is blowing. Being keen observers of political weather is what keeps them in office.
A reader of this blog would assume that Cowtown was about to erupt into 60’s style demonstrations and acts of civil disobedience over gas drilling. But last night’s meeting shows that the noise on this blog is not at all representative of the city. In fact most of the “opposition” to gas drilling comes from a few frequent posters here and Don Young trying to sell more yard signs.
Aug 12th, 2008
TXsharon
You can see an injection well W-14 permit that lists what is permitted for injection HERE:
http://txsharon.blogspot.com/2007/10/stop-lies-read-this-injection-well.html
Of course, they don’t have to list all the fracing chemicals because that’s considered proprietary. Here’s some additional info:
“…we have identified…245 different chemicals, 92% of which have adverse health effects.”
~Dr. Theo Colborn, Ph.D.
President, Endocrine Disruption Exchange
Even when diluted with water, some fracturing chemicals pose a threat if injected into drinking water.
A few:
Benzene
Phenanthrenes
Naphthalene
1-methylnapthalene
2-methylnapthalene
Fluorenes
Aromatics
Ethylene glycol
Methanol
Our Drinking Water at Risk: What EPA and the Oil And Gas Industry Don’t Want Us to Know About Hydraulic Fracturing (Drinking Water), Oil & Gas Accountability Project, http://www.ogap.org page vii.
Each time a well is fractured, it produces millions of gallons of contaminated water, called “flowback”, that requires disposal as hazardous waste.
Not all the frac water is recovered.
39 – 75% is stranded underground. Stranded frac water can migrate and contaminate groundwater long after drilling operations are complete.
Letter from Gwen Lachelt, Executive Director, Oil and Gas Accountability Project, and others to Joan Harrigan-Farrelly, Chief, Underground Injection Control, Prevention Program, Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water, E.P.A.
Aug 12th, 2008
TXsharon
When you discuss these issues, watch what you say.
http://txsharon.blogspot.com/2008/08/myth-busting-cleaner-fuel-safer-at-home.html
You don’t want to help them spread the myths.
Aug 12th, 2008
Suzette
JPS - Are you not concerned about the “unknown” hazardous chemicals being pumped in our ground? Really, seriously, I’d really like to know your thoughts on this. Also, do you feel comfortable with the City of Ft. Worth’s Council and Mayor allowing a maze of pipelines all around and under our City, something that has never been done to this degree, in an Urban area in the United States? Have you attended ANY of the meetings? Are you informed? I know you care something about Ft. Worth. Please explain to what extent you truly care about the ground your standing on or the house you living in or the water you are drinking? The many tax dollars that gas companies are costing you? Yes, we need more people informed with the facts. Will you help us?
Have you read either of these articles?
http://catskillpost.files.wordpress.com/2008/04/drillingdown_factsheet.pdf
http://www.durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=news&article_path=/news/08/news080801_2.htm
I know you probably care that the City of Ft. Worth isn’t charging an Impact Fee for the roads the Gas Companies tear up with their trucks. They expect you, the taxpayer to cover the cost for the gas companies.
Help me understand how anyone in Ft. Worth can not be outraged at what our politicians have allowed and are continuing to allow happen to Cowtown. People are slowly beginning to realize what’s happening because too many have trusted their politician. Your comment about the political weather was great. That’s the problem, none of them have any moral courage. Instead they depend on what will keep them in office rather than governing on moral principles and values. We’ll see how they weather the storm that’s brewing over this gas drilling. I bet some don’t survive.
http://www.gasmoratorium.org
Aug 12th, 2008
Greg
After recovery that toxic stew is being carried in unmarked trucks from wells to disposal sites… hundreds of trucks per frac operation. First responders to accidents involving those trucks have no idea what’s in them, or what has spilled.
I don’t want our firefighters, police, and EMTs facing an unknown chemical stew and trying to figure out how to keep themselves and the community safe with no information. But, alas, who will take that message to our elected officials to make them accountable?
Aug 12th, 2008
Philip Hennen
This is not exactly on the topic of last night’s Task Force Meeting, but I heard a report (”rumor”) about one reason the landscape plantings are in such bad shape at Chesapeake’s Beach St. and I-30 well site (I don’t know the site’s “formal” name).
The reason: copper thieves had stolen the copper fittings from the watering system. How does this make us feel about the security of these well sites? If thieves can get inside that chain-link fence with razor wire on the top, in clear view of a major freeway, what about those sites not so visible?
Can someone confirm if this report is true, or refute it? Even if it turns out not to be true, I think it is still warranted to have serious concerns about the security of the 1,500 or so well sites in the area.
Aug 12th, 2008
Don Young
JPS presumptuously paints with a wide brush. Here’s my take:
The majority sit at home, not because they are happy with the status quo, but because they are apathetic or have lives to lead and kids to raise and foolishly put faith in elected officials. Don’t kid yourself JPS. a lot of people just don’t give a f__k about anything but their own ass.
If you’re lucky there will be a major protest that brings this oot-of-control BS under the control of the citizens who DO give a f__k.. Otherwise you better get your ticket out of here while you can.
As for Don Young, the only thing I’m selling now is my home. I’ve had enough of Dirty Ol’ Town.
Aug 12th, 2008
Philip Hennen
Oh, by the way…. this is not to be overly critical of those people who post on here, or other blogs, but why do so few of you use your real names? I have made it a point to always use my real name, because I feel so strongly about the importance of the issues I comment on. I am not afraid of what people think of what I say. I try to frame my comments and questions in a manner that moves the discussion forward in a constructive way. At least most comments on this West and Clear blog are thought out and given some semblance of reasoned underpinnings. Some blogs and comment boards I keep up on have far too much in the way of mean-spirited and childish personal attacks, and opinions just thrown in our face with no support. Of course, when a person does that, it is not surprising they choose not to use their name.
Aug 12th, 2008
Philip Hennen
And remember, Don Young doesn’t fall in the category I just mentioned, because he’s never shied from using his name.
Aug 12th, 2008
TXsharon
Philip
I have been threatened more than once by Big Oil and the people who work in the industry. They do Google searches trying to find out as much information about me as they can, and this I know because I see the search terms when they turn up on my blog stat counter. They are ruthless!
http://txsharon.blogspot.com/2008/07/big-oil-threatens-harm-to-my-lovelies.html
Aug 12th, 2008
Suzette
Mayor Mike positioning himself to sell us some sweet sugary candy during Pre-Council meeting. They are talking about a new “Gas Activity” division of Planning Dept. that will “handle “post” drilling stuff and help ensure the neighborhoods that everything is going to be handled properly as the drilling activity lessens. Yhea Right Mister! Where were your plans at the beginning of this ordeal?! The damage will be done in the post era of drilling. Carter Burdette spoke up about the issue becoming larger. Danny Scarth agreed. The rest said nothing — quiet as little mice.
Aug 12th, 2008
Ben
Since you are posting links to Sharon Wilson’s blog, I wonder how people who have signed leases feel about the following statements from her post:
FACT: Unless you are willing to have a drilling rig, gas well, compressor station and high pressure pipeline in your yard, you are against drilling.
CORRECT RESPONSE: I am against drilling until new technology and better regulation allows drilling without devastating pollution or public endangerment.
Also wondering how many people agree coal is a cleaner fuel than natural gas?
Do links to her blog help her financially some how? It seems like every one of her posts has one.
Aug 12th, 2008
Txsharon
Same old story, can’t think past gas or coal and accusing me of financial gain from a blogger blog. That’s pathetic. Is that you/e best shot?
Aug 12th, 2008
Ben
Just trying to frame the question in a form that moves the discussion forward in a constructive way. Wasn’t really taking a shot at you & know what you think because I read your blog today. Also read the Liberally Lean & Frontburner blogs. Interested in what the other people think, since some have stated they are not anti-drilling. And you left out an “r”!
Aug 12th, 2008
John Peter Smith
Suzette:
Steve’s post decried the lack of attendance by certain council members. My point was that the council members are listening, but Fort Worthians aren’t saying what certain posters here want them to say.
Let’s do some math. What percentage of Cowtown’s population was at the meeting? I tried to figure it out but the number is so small my calculator goes into scientific notation to display it. I’m just not geeky enough to understand scientific notation, but 100 divided by 700,000 is a tiny percentage.
Here’s some more math. Let’s say the attendees were evenly divided between the city’s nine council districts. Now that’s some math I can do. Steve praised Jungus Jordan for showing up to “listen” to his constituents. But Mr. Jordan could have listened to far more of his constituents over a latte at the Hulen Starbucks than he did at that meeting.
I keep reading on here that “people just don’t understand the dangers…one day Fort Worth is going to wake up…if people only knew…” Maybe so. But maybe, just maybe, people do know; they do understand, and they are comfortable with the risks involved. I know for most posters on this blog that possibility is just to terrible to fathom, but it is a possibility still. Considering the puny turnout at the meeting, I’d say it’s a strong possibility.
That’s not to say I’m totally pro-drilling or even disagree with everything in the post. Steve raises legitimate concerns about transparency in the committee and has made good suggestions in the past about the need to avoid a spider-web of pipelines throughout our city.
As far as your other questions, this post has gotten way to long and I don’t want to sidetrack it. I’ve posted frequently here on those issues. But here’s some quickies.
Gas Drilling Master Plan - Somebody post some specifics please. So the city is supposed to tell the gas companies where the wells are going? What if the city designates my property for a well and I don’t want to sell?
Eminent Domain - Somebody show me in the Texas Utilities Code where Fort Worth has the right to regulate that. That is a state issue, not a municipal one.
Gas Pipelines - I’ve repeatedly challenged people to post state specific facts on pipeline safety. I’m still waiting. Fact: More Texans die in swimming accidents than in gas pipeline accidents.
Public Safety - Consider this. Burger’s Lake likely caused more sickness in one weekend than all the gas wells in Tarrant County have in years.
As far as your link to the CREDO site. If I’m not mistaken that picture of the pipeline fire in Palo Pinto County is NOT a natural gas pipeline. Why don’t you email them and ask?
Aug 12th, 2008
sirius_girl
i’m not really good with numbers, Mr. Smith, but I wonder, if you’re counting percentages of Mr. Jordan’s constituents, shouldn’t you really only count the ones that bothered to get up and vote. Perhaps, percentage wise, he was represented well at the Task Force meeting, since I suspect, like most districts, voter turnout was dismal.
seems to me that an argument including the residents as a whole shouldn’t be measured as any of us have discussed, nor should we measure compliance with urban gas drilling by the number of leases signed. I’ve heard more people say “i signed because they’re gonna’ do it anyway” than i have heard “i’m behind the shale”. In fact, I only know of one who’s made that queer statement - and he doesn’t live in FW.
the thing is that arguing amongst ourselves doesn’t do us any good. you either want to get it right or you don’t. if the city would slow down, prepare itself and us well, and drill in only the most appropriate places, not only would there be a chance to “win” - there’d be a good possibility that we could make a difference to every city that comes after us.
The thing is to get it right.
As of now CFW has no plan other than to cash checks made out to CFW. But soon, when rigs start showing up in the darndest places, I suspect that we’ll have more in common than not.
And that would be dismay and concern.
Aug 12th, 2008
Steve-O
I’m going to let everyone in on a little secret — I actually like the hell out of JPS. It takes a lot of guts to come here and hang out with all the pinkos. JPS stands his ground and I believe he is a true libertarian at heart. Mr. Smith, you have my admiration. I will buy you a drink any time.
That said, JPS has some points I agree and disagree with.
First, JPS is right about this — the people of Fort Worth need specifics of a Master Drilling Plan. I am working on this right now. I believe that the city plans for everything else, why not the biggest thing to happen in this town ever?
Second, eminent domain. Much of this is controlled by state law, however, the city is already looking at alternatives to ameliorate this problem. If the city can develop a plan to keep pipelines out of people’s yards and in easements — especially if they can incorporate shared infrastructure, this is a win for everyone. Chesapeake’s attorney said that this is up for discussion last week at the FWLNA.
Third, pipelines. A gathering line through a residential neighborhood is not the same as a transmission line that Atmos uses to send gas to your water heater. Wet, unodorized gas is not a good idea in residential areas and the city — as Carter Burdette said the other day — actually does have jurisdiction from the wellhead on out to have a say in what goes on. Fort Worth can limit the impact — one line is better than 10 lines and odorized, dehydrated gas is better than the alternative.
Fourth, public safety. Not every gas well is a ticking time bomb. With the right protections, gas drilling can be done safely. However, there are legitimate issues surrounding disposal wells. There is more in fracking water than salt and a little diesel. Also, we need more thorough oversight of gas wells — a 70 percent inspection rate is not enough. Also, 600 feet is a bare minimum setback distance, but variance to this limit are easy to come by in the city of Fort Worth. There must be limits to maintain quality of life. I want to live in Fort Worth, not Midland. And if anyone is offended, I am sorry, but I’ve been to Midland more than once and Midland sucks. Fort Worth > Midland. Case closed.
JPS, I really think you and I agree on more than we disagree. I think that Fort Worth is smart enough to figure out this problem. We can come up with a gas drilling plan that works for producers and citizens. We are not currently on that path. I would like to think that people like you and me can find a way to work together.
I look forward to your thoughts.
Your friend,
Steve
Aug 12th, 2008
cozette
I have 16 wells that have been drilled, fraced and now in production within 1.5 miles of my house. Why is everyone in my neighborhood still alive? How much more time can we expect to live?
Aug 12th, 2008
Suzette
Per City Attorney, David Yett, regarding authority State law gives Ft. Worth regarding pipelines, “all it does is give us the authority to get them (drillers) to the table.”
City Council Meeting 8/12/08
Thanks JPS - I understand and see your points.
Aug 12th, 2008
Greg
Fortunately Mr. Yett is wrong.
A city attorney (lower case intentional) giving cover to political leaders who do not want to take action would say such a thing.
A City Attorney being asked to empower his leaders would have already noted state laws that provide a great deal of local authority in this matter.
We have a Mayor and Council who are afraid to act. And they have an attorney who is following orders.
Aug 14th, 2008
I agree with Greg
“We have a Mayor and Council who are afraid to act. And they have an attorney who is following orders.”
Aug 14th, 2008
Louis
JPS and Others,
I don’t think it will matter much to those who believe that the City of Fort Worth (or any home rule municipality) has not authority where pipelines run, but at the request of Greg I will post the information anyway.
Our authority is found in the Texas Utilities Code, 121.202 “Municipal and County Authority.” In addition, all of the authority we need is granted to “Home Rule” cities in Article XI, Section 5 of the Texas Constitution governing municipal corporations of more than 5000 population, and “Vernon’s Citiv Statutes,” Chapter 13, Article 1175 which states as follows:
Art. 1175. ENUMERATED POWERS. A home-rule municipality has
the following powers:
1. To prohibit the use of any street, alley, highway or
grounds of the city by any telegraph, telephone, electric light,
street railway, interurban railway, steam railway, gas company, or
any other character of public utility without first obtaining the
consent of the governing authorities expressed by ordinance and
upon paying such compensation as may be prescribed and upon such
condition as may be provided by any such ordinance.
Acts 1913, p. 307; Acts 1921, p. 169; Acts 1963, 58th Leg., p. 447,
ch. 160, art. II.
As stated before. This isn’t going to matter to anyone who chooses to believe that we do not have the constitutional power to regulate the who, what, where, when and how of gas pipelines and/or drilling. However that doesn’t forgive those who would want to simply finger point to the state level claiming that “we just can do anything!” Well Boo Hoo.
Aug 15th, 2008
Philip Hennen
Who can give us information about the schedule of upcoming City Council and Mayoral elections? Who can tell us if procedures exist for “recall” or other kinds of “no confidence” elections?
The tragedy of this whole matter is that Fort Worth is simply a “test case experiment” for the plans of the oil and gas companies. And most places where their activities are going on do not have the organized political entities to influence the process as much as here in Fort Worth (paltry as it is).
And, how can a city that is growing at the rate Fort Worth is growing, with the supposed “economic benefits” of the gas extraction, be under such budgetary pressures as we are hearing about? (Health Department, Forestry Department, etc.) All this smells far worse than a leaking (odorized) gas line!
Aug 15th, 2008
John Peter Smith
A couple of quick thoughts before lunch:
City Attorney–
Many years ago the FW City Council was keen to take a certain action. The City Attorney, in an open meeting strongly objected to the move and informed the council that they lacked legal authority to do make it. The council voted to table the item for two weeks to allow the City Attorney to look further into the matter. Two weeks later the City Attorney announced that upon further review he had discovered that in fact, the council could legally do what they so wanted to do.
If the Cowtown City Council passed a resolution stating that the sky was green and were challenged in court, David Yett would march down to the courthouse and file a brief stating that in fact, the sky is green. That doesn’t make him a bad person, it makes him a good lawyer. The City Attorney has no judicial authority whatsoever. He is the mayor and council’s attorney and he will publicly argue their position no matter what he privately thinks of it. That’s what lawyers do.
What we don’t know is what he is telling them privately about the city’s rights regarding these issues. Those briefings are attorney-client privileged and are not even subject to the Texas Open Meetings act.
Eminent Domain–
I spoke last week with a business associate who related to me his dealings with Texas Midstream over a gas pipeline they want to put across his land. The arrogance and just plain rudeness directed towards him by their right-of-way agent was enough to make me want to chase them back across the Red River. The point is, I am not especially pro-gas. I am however a believer in equal protection under the law, yes, even for Chesapeake. Also, I don’t mean to come off negative as if there are not solutions and we should all throw up our hands. However, I look for realistic solutions, not dreams.
Aug 15th, 2008
Suzette
Philip - As far as I can tell all City Council members are up for re-election in May 2009, Mayor - May 2011. To recall election, you have to have so many signatures, not sure how many. I thought that 1/2 of Council alternated years, but I guess not according to what I found. Council members are elected for 2 year terms, Mayor 4 year terms.
Aug 15th, 2008
Philip Hennen
Very good info Suzette, thanks…… well, now what everybody?
Aug 15th, 2008
VinnyV
I have been trying to find specifics on the recall procedures, but I do not speak legalese by any means. Anyone have better luck, please let us know. I will walk the walk. If you only had limited resources, who would be priority to recall, though?
Aug 15th, 2008
Txsharon
Has anyone combed the campaign finance reports of elected officials? Listing contributions from oil & gas companies where voters can easily access that information will help people decide if a candidate has a conflict of interest that prevents objectivity in making the best decisions for a safe, clean Ft Worth.
Aug 16th, 2008
Louis
This is a PARTIAL printing of the requirements for a recall of council members in the Fort Worth City Charter.
CHAPTER XIX. RECALL OF
COUNCILPERSONS
Section 1. Recall of councilpersons; procedure; election of successors.
Any councilperson of this city may be recalled and removed from office by the electors qualified to vote for a successor of such incumbent as herein provided. The procedure to remove councilpersons shall be as follows:
A petition signed by the qualified voters entitled to vote for a successor to the councilperson sought to be removed, equal in number to at least twenty (20) percentum of the entire number of persons entitled to vote for a successor to said councilperson at said time, demanding the recall of said councilperson shall be filed with the city secretary, provided that such petition shall contain a general statement of the grounds for which the removal is sought.
Aug 16th, 2008
Suzette
CORRECTION: Mayor is up for re-election May 2009 (same as Council). Here’s how the City Charter reads: Section 2. [Election, powers, duties, term of mayor.]
The City Council shall be composed of nine (9) places. The person elected as councilperson, Place No. 1, shall be the presiding officer who shall be known as the mayor of the City of Fort Worth. He shall have a vote on all matters coming before the council, but no power of veto. He shall represent the city on all ceremonial occasions and be known as the official head of the city government. The mayor shall be elected at each biennial election and shall serve for a period of two (2) years, or until the election and qualification of his successor.
Aug 17th, 2008
charlie murphy
If anyone really wants to understand the environmental and health issues, they will have to take the time to read the 2007 NRDC report called - Drilling Down –http://www.nrdc.org/land/use/down/fdown.pdf (summary) and complete report at:
http://www.nrdc.org/land/use/down/contents.asp.
It was after reading these two reports that I realized that Fort Worth ( and the entire metroplex ) is heading towards a health and environmental disaster. It is the number of wells and our proximity to them that makes it impossible to avoid the consequences. Please understand that the gas industry is “above the law” insofar as it has exemptions from most of the federal statues regarding our health and our environment. Once you understand that - and confirm for yourself that it is true - you will find how sinister the conduct of our mayor has been.
If you are serious about understanding the issues, you need to stop and read the
NRDC report. Of specail note —
People Who Live Near Oil and Gas Operations Report Serious Health Problems
Many people who live near oil and gas operations experience symptoms resembling those that may be caused by the toxic substances found in oil and gas or the chemical additives used to produce them. The negative health effects associated with these substances range from eye and skin irritation to respiratory illness such as emphysema, thyroid disorders, tumors, and birth defects. A recent study reported a higher prevalence of rheumatic diseases, lupus, neurological symptoms, respiratory symptoms and cardiovascular problems in a New Mexico community built on top of a former oilfield with some nearby active wells when compared to a community with no known similar exposures. Other studies have found increased cancer risks associated with living near oil or gas fields.
Our wells will be in our NEIGHBORHOODS - NOT NEARBY….
Aug 17th, 2008
VinnyV
Thanks Louis!
Well, that seems “do-able”. Now, does anyone know where I can find an official tally of the number of voters in each district? I suppose I could email the council persons directly and ask. That would be a pretty fun conversation.
Aug 19th, 2008
Philip Hennen
Concerning recall elections: There is never any harm in being optimistic about such an effort, but the fundamental point of doing it would not necessarily be to expect it would succeed, either at the petition level or at the election level. Rather, the point is to send an even stronger message to the City Council than showing up at Council meetings or sending letters, etc. With a recal petition drive, more people are able to efficiently and effectively express their opinions of the current state of affairs. What do y’all think?
Aug 19th, 2008
Suzette Watkins
“the point is to send an even stronger message to the City Council than showing up at Council meetings or sending letters, etc.” Philip Hennen
I’m in…whatever it is that draws the most people in order to send a strong message to City Hall, count me in. However, we need organization…and a leader for our cause. Who will come forward to lead us? Greg? Calling Greg. I would think it would boil down to “who has the time during the weekday and who has alot of time on weekends?” We need those two people to lead.
Aug 19th, 2008
Reply to “Fort Worth Gas Drilling Task Force Public Hearing — Some Things Never Change”