Mayor Mikey Getting All Environmental
by Steve SmithWhen Don Young talks about the environmental impact of urban gas drilling, Mayor Mike Moncrief goes to that special place inside his head where he thinks happy thoughts and everything is OK. He tunes out. He doesn’t listen.
But who does the Mayor listen to? Depending on who’s telling it, either the little devil on his shoulder or the little angel on the other.
The little devil, of course, is Chesapeake Energy CEO Aubrey McClendon. When Aubrey was in town a week and half ago, one West and Clear source says that he asked the Mayor to make a change to the Gas Drilling Task Force agenda. The source says that Aubrey didn’t want the Task Force hashing out environmental issues like injection wells, air quality and water quality at any great length. That’s why the Mayor called a joint meeting of the City Council and the Gas Drilling Task Force on Oct. 14 — to keep a lid on it.
That’s the “little devil” explanation. Of course, the last joint meeting of the City Council and the Gas Drilling Task Force was hardly a controlled environment. If anything, it was kind of a circus.
But I have also heard an alternative theory — the “little angel” theory. Supposedly, Mayor Mikey is getting leaned on quite hard by the business community. Several sources close to City Hall are indicating that the Mayor is hearing privately from many business leaders about the gas drilling ordinance and especially environmental issues. In fact, these concerns over the industry hijacking the Task Force process are so pronounced that there is significant pressure on the Mayor and Council to ignore most of the Task Force’s recommendations.
“Much of what the Task Force refers to the City Council will be ignored,” the source said. “However, you should expect the Council to take a close at the minority report.”
It seems that a big driver of a lot of the intrigue is the looming City Council elections in May. With the Gas Drilling Task Force sputtering to a conclusion and the current issue of the Meadowbrook News indicating that the city will likely allow Chesapeake Energy to expand their injection well site in East Fort Worth when the moratorium expires in October (the article revealed that around 30 drilling pads in the area would pipe their wastewater to the so-called Brentwood site for disposal), the Mayor and the Council are getting a little uneasy about how all of this will play out on the campaign trail.
Whether you believe the little devil or little angel storyline, Council watchers should get ready for plenty of intrigue — rumors currently circulating include Carter Burdette not running for re-election and former Council member and FWCREDO founder Cathy Hirt challenging Mikey for Mayor. Fasten your seatbelts … it’s gonna be a bumpy ride.
Tags: Aubrey McClendon, Barnett Shale, Carter Burdette, Cathy Hirt, Don Young, gas drilling task force, Mayor Moncrief
25 Comments, Comments or Pings
Jonathan
When you call the mayor of our city “Mayor Mikey” I stop listening. It was funny once or twice, but at a certain point you have to at least respect the office, even if you don’t respect the man.
Sep 16th, 2008
Steve-O
I think that is a fair comment, Jonathan. But the fact of the matter is I am frustrated and disappointed in the Mayor. When the Mayor shows the people of Fort Worth more respect, I might change my schtick. Until then … probably not. If that causes people to stop listening, I’m willing to accept that.
Sep 16th, 2008
ann
Thanks for saying that Jonathan… I have had the same thoughts for sometime now. It does not make me stop listening or reading because I do really enjoy your articles Steve but I agree with Jonathan.
Interesting times. ..
Sep 16th, 2008
Steve-O
Fair enough. In the interest of democracy, let’s put it to a binding vote. Should Mayor Mikey stay or go as preferred nomenclature? Post a comment on this thread to cast your vote before noon Wednesday. One vote only please. I promise to abide by the result and give the people what they want. Current vote: Two to dump, Zero to Keep.
Vote away!
Sep 16th, 2008
charlie
Many people just do not understand the dangers of gas drilling in an urban settings.
There are many issues ranging from eminent domain, to safety and health, to declining property values, to homeowner’s insurance rates, and so on.
Many people, like me, have spent numerous hours trying to get the Mayor to respond to these concerns, but to no avail. Do to this fact, it is very hard to maintain the normal respect that one would associate with the office of Mayor. At some point, the person has to earn the respect and this is done by being a fair and responsive leader. This has not happened in any manner, shape or form.
If residents of this city actually understood the danger we are facing from a gas industry that pretends to be a good neighborhood, there would be a real revolt in this city. Unfortunately, we may end up waiting until it is too late, and, slowly residents will begin to realize that their “found money” was really “found disaster”.
Sep 16th, 2008
Don Young
No offense, Jonathan and Ann, but your comments boil my blood. Thank gawd this is a civil blogsite. I gotta defend Steve’s right to let it rip and tell it like it is. In other words, Free Speech. When self righteous folks try to dismantle some of our most cherished democratic freedoms such as, Political Satire/Sarcasm, I want to reach for my weapons. (Those would be a vintage, spring-loaded, frog-gigger and a dog-eared copy of Ed Abbey’s, Monkey Wrench Gang.)
We need more, not less outspoken critics of corrupt elected officials. We need more rabble-rousers, lampooners and hell-raisers. Guys like Moncrief deserve that and more. This big ‘ol town needs to grow up. Ever since the days before Amon Carter, Fortworthians have been brainwashed into believing that we need to just “go along and git along”, mind our own bizness and keep our traps shut. Little wonder that FW never had race riots even though our fathers and grandfathers mistreated their fellow men same as they did in Dallas. Same reason we let gas drillers steal our town and Bush-Cheney won handily here. Such thinking is one of the tenets of the “FW Way” and it has been a detriment to our well being. It keeps truth hidden which is the antithesis of democracy.
So let the “Tricky Dickey’s”, “Current Occupants”, “Dirty Danny’s”, Bad Boy Barr’s”, “Mayor Mikey’s” , “Dirty Ol’ Town’s” and ever more creative sarcasm ring across the blog waves. My heart is swelling with pride just thinking about it.
Steve– you are being too nice to these people. Your words are one of few weapons you have against the vice and folly taking place all around us. If you let them take away one of your bullets your effectiveness will be diminished. You’re in the good company such as Swift, Wilde and Abbey. To hell with this vote!
DY
Sep 16th, 2008
Wanda Conlin
One of the reasons we have such a hard time making our voices heard is that our not so revered mayor wants Fort Worth to be Camelot. If it isn’t perfect he doesn’t want it spoken aloud. Elected officials have always been targets for irreverent nicknames,etc. This guy seems to invite derision every time he opens his mouth to spout drivel about”The Fort Worth Way”. The “Fort Worth Way” is to dismantle the Public Health Department, close the libraries when the children and their parents need to use them, ditto the recreation/community centers, and to decimate our neighborhoods with heavy industrial uses? Where do we get these guys?
Way to go CAVE people. Long may you rabble rouse!
Wanda
Sep 16th, 2008
Suzette Watkins
Regarding gas drilling, environmental issues, and many other issues that have not been handled in the best interest of the people in Ft. Worth, I say “Mayor Mikey” is in order. Don’t forget that City Council members have followed right along with Mayor Mikey as well and it takes more than one vote on the issues.
Sep 16th, 2008
Jonathan
Tricky, Dirty and Bad Boy all say something. Maybe it’s bothersome because, sorry Steve-O, it just isn’t very clever. All you’re doing is talking down.
Sep 16th, 2008
Andy Mans
“Mayor Mikey” is not clever or catchy.
Sep 16th, 2008
David AKA Rico
The appropriateness depends on your chosen audience. If you are “preaching to the choir”, Mayor Mikey is an amusing way to show your disapproval with the mayor.
On the other hand, if you are attempting to “convert the masses”, it comes off, at best , discourteous, and at worst, steeped in rhetoric and after many repeats, cliche. In such cases, the wrong language can blunt your message as is exemplified by Jonathan’s original post.
Sep 16th, 2008
Greg
So the question is whether Steve-O should continue to use a phrase he invented to in some way show some disrespect toward the mayor of a big city? On his own blog?
It’s not like he’s giving a speech to the Chamber of Commerce or being interviewed by the International Tribune. Not that the blog isn’t as important in many ways, but it’s a BLOG! I’m sure if he were standing in front of Council things would be different, too. Unless he wanted to crank some sarcasm right up front.
I’m with Don: let ‘er rip. Lampoon away. What’s the old saying regarding the role of the press? “…comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable.”
Sep 16th, 2008
Ben
I don’t think “mayor mikey is offensive, but if you allow “sarcasm” and nicknames for the mayor, then in the interest of fairness you should allow “Can’t Do” Young or “Texas Sauron” for our friend from Wise County.
Sep 16th, 2008
willm
You have a Mayor that prevents an environmental impact study on gas extraction in the city, installs company executives on the city task force, and has the audacity to vote on gas issues while he clearly has financial conflicts of interest with his personal holdings and breaks the most fundamental ethics codes. These actions by his adminstration are simply outrageous. And this thread topic is now about whether referring to “mayor mikey” is respectful? Simply stunning. Wake up, people. This thread speaks volumes about the complacency of this city and the “fort worth way”.
Sep 17th, 2008
David AKA Rico
Civil discourse does not automatically equate to complacency. Use of hyperbole and rhetoric allow those with a divergent agenda to marginalize you and, by proxy, your message. The message is important, therefore the method of delivery must be chosen wisely.
Sep 17th, 2008
Greg Ricks
I have a question for you anti-gas drilling folks. How would you like your electricity produced? Nuclear, coal or natural gas are your options. (Solar and wind someday but not this day.)
If you’re worried about the extremely remote chance of a pipeline explosion (most gas explosions are due to faulty fittings in someone’s house not transmission lines) then I can’t imagine your reaction to a nuclear facility just outside of town. Coal? Gov. Perry wanted 11 of those bad boys but can you say air pollution? Hey, we all gotta breathe the same air. So we’re left with natural gas. It’s clean. It’s home grown and yes, it’s right under our feet. That’s bad in some ways but it’s good in more.
So lets quit proving Phil Grahmn was right about us becoming a nation of whiners. Unless you have a better way to make electricity I would suggest we work together to mitigate the downside of drilling as best we can and count our blessings that we have something to power those turbines.
Oh, and please dispense with the name calling and the personal attacks on anyone who disagrees with you. Most of the time I think this blog is moronic but I don’t call Steve or the other contributors morons. I just don’t agree with the comments.
Sep 17th, 2008
David AKA Rico
Man1: I don’t like when dogs deposit in my yard!
Man2: Why do you hate dogs? Dogs serve a valuable purpose.
Man1: What?!?
Opposition to urban drilling does not necessarily translate to opposition to gas drilling in general. I suspect that no turbines will grind to a halt as a result of delays in urban drilling and pipelines. More importantly, if the gas drillers and pipeline companies can convince the citizens of Fort Worth that they can and will “pick up after themselves”, much of the dissent will evaporate.
Sep 17th, 2008
Foat Wuth, I Luv Yew!
I’ve always thought with the ’stache that Don Miguel, Alcalde worked. It kind of reminds me of one of those telenovela characters who may or may not be scheming to retake control of the family business.
Sep 17th, 2008
Suzette Watkins
Greg - I’m not anti-gas drilling, but if there is a safer, cleaner way of doing things then the energy companies should be required to do it; such as recycling the water at the well site (which Devon is doing); no Industrial business in our neighborhoods, and maps of pipelines to & from the wellsites should have to be approved before a drillsite is permitted along with access route to and from the wellsite. Not one City Council member is demanding this for the people of Ft. Worth.
Sure people have a right to have their minerals produced, but not at the cost of our quality of life, our trees, our parks, our cemetaries and drinking water here in Ft. Worth. Furthermore, someone with the energy companies should be able to tell us what the shelf life is for the pipelines they are wanting to put everywhere and we should be collecting alot more taxes from the energy companies to pay for our streets and bridges that they are slowly demolishing. Plus when all the gas is sucked out of the ground, who cleans up the mess? We the taxpayers? I say they need to pay some money up front for that as well.
Sep 17th, 2008
Greg
Fellow Greg:
I worked for two years at a nuclear power plant (in Georgia) and, except for policy screw ups concerning recycling waste, I think it’s a great way to go (despite how many friends I might have just lost). France and Japan are doing a fine job with it. The nuke industry puts a lot of effort into making things safe inside and out. If the gas production industry did the same quality of work as the nuclear industry it might be a welcomed member of the community.
And I agree with working together. It would be a nice change, and citizens are still waiting for the opportunity. Instead we’ve had wells shoved down our throats, Tommy Lee Jones glaring at us from billboards and pipelines shoved up our yards backed by threats of lawsuits. And worse yet our elected officials and city staff have been buffaloed or bought , I can’t tell which.
So, man, if you can make it happen I am with you. We’ll form “Team Greg” and get the lambs and lions laying down together. Honest discussion with all cards on the table, risks identified and discussed, options explored, win-win solutions adopted. Did I miss any buzz words? It would take a lot to overcome the lying landmen, ripped off poor folks, zillion dollar PR campaigns, the mugging of Jerry Horton, etc. But Citizens of the Shale are a forgiving bunch. Perhaps we could all meet part way.
Sep 17th, 2008
Ben
Are Chernobyl, Three Mile Island, & Hanford examples of this quality work? All you guys can throw out is the New Albany explosion that happened 70 years ago. I’d say France & Germany are like the majority of gas companies and Chesapeake is like the Russians. Potentially a lot of bad things could happen, but what are people more afraid of: 1. a gas well blowout 2.a nuclear meltdown? Let’s vote on this one too!
Sep 18th, 2008
Kevin Buchanan
The New London explosion is hardly the only incident people have talked about in relation to gas drilling safety. In fact, I’d say I’ve heard it talked about less than the incidents with current Barnett Shale drilling and waste chemical (aka “salt water”) activities. To assert that New London is the only thing opponents of the “drill anywhere and everywhere” mindset have used as an example is just flat-out incorrect.
Sep 18th, 2008
Eastsider
“”Safety and health problems are not getting the attention they need. With the growing demand for oil and petroleum products, the production pressures are going to increase and the safety and health problems are going to get worse.”
http://www.ktvu.com/news/17439995/detail.html
http://www.randallmoorelaw.com/PracticeAreas/Oil_and_Gas_Field_Accidents.asp
Sep 18th, 2008
Greg
The Chernobyl design is ancient and I’m pretty sure we don’t operate any graphite pile reactors in the U.S., definitely not for commercial power production. Hanford is not a commercial facility, rather a long-running WW2 era weapons facility. It is certainly an environmental mess and is being cleaned up.
Yes, Three Mile Island was an accident that should not have happened. From Wikipedia: “The Three Mile Island accident of 1979 was the most significant accident in the history of the American commercial nuclear power generating industry… However, there are no deaths or injuries to plant workers or members of the nearby community which can be attributed to the accident.”
103 licensed nuclear power plants are running in the U.S. virtually error free for decades. I think that’s a pretty good record and, yeah, I would live next door to one with no qualms. By contrast, search out pipeline explosions.
Sep 18th, 2008
Ben
I searched for pipeline explosions and what I found was mostly related to residential natural gas use. If this is true, why then are people not concerned about the gas pipelines running into their homes? If this is such a concern, try asking people about the Cleburne gas explosion or the Forest Hills blowout & see what they say!
Sep 18th, 2008
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