1. Chewy

   I have always been on the fence about Chesapeake mainly because I’m not inherently opposed to urban gas drilling provided Chesapeake played by the rules. They’re simply a for-profit entity trying to take advantage of economic opportunity. It’s one of the things that make this country great and we should continue to allow. I’ve always felt that the City bears more blame in this whole debacle because they’ve never truly put a comprehensive plan in place to protect their citizens.

   However I am now officially against Chesapeake because they tried to bully their way to have the rules changed in their favor. I’m proud of the City but Chesapeake went about this the wrong way. I compare this to Roger Clemens and his steroid issue. Sometimes it’s best to let sleeping dogs and not push the issue. In my mind both Chesapeake and Roger Clemens are the same people that don’t think the rules apply to them because their above. Now their images are tarnished and not likely to ever gain what they once had.

   I actually used to have respect to Julie Wilson as I thought she was simply doing her job. I now have ZERO respect for her because I believe Chesapeake took a threatening stance in all of this and it’s clear they don’t give a damn about the citizens of this city. They should have let this go when every Neighborhood Association first opposed it. They though they could buy approval with money and couldn’t believe it when it didn’t work.

   Long story short, my answer to your questions:

   a) In my mind they completely blew their image in this city. The Tommy Lee Jones campaign always seemed like a waste of money but it didn’t bother me that much because it was so obvious what they were doing that it really shouldn’t have been taken seriously.
   b) This is an interesting question as the other drilling companies might be doing the same thing Chesapeake attempted to do but just don’t do it so publicly. On the surface I’ll say Chesapeake is worse but I really have no idea as I don’t have enough knowledge of the others. I’ve always wondered why XTO has never been under attack like Chesapeake. I didn’t know if it’s because they’re local.
   c) I think you guys have done a much better job in the last six months of staying objective and I want to give you HUGE credit for that. I rely on this site more than the others because I feel you can be objective and actually more educated than the FWST and I don’t really pay attention to Chesapeake’s rhetoric. FWST does not come off as educated and are much more sensational. Thanks for refocusing your efforts on providing objective information. Personally, it’s much appreciated.

   Oct 9th, 2008

      6

2. Kevin Buchanan

   Chewy,

   I think XTO is more highly thought of for a number of reasons. They seem to be more willing to play ball with neighborhoods in terms of drill sites and compromises. Because of that they never really seem to have to ram things down everybody’s throats like Chesapeake likes to do. I also never really hear of them snapping up all the controversial, do-we-really-need-to-drill-here type of sites that Chesapeake seems to love spending PR money on. The fact that they’re local probably helps, and the fact that they have made some very sizable and very long-term investment in downtown in the form of their historic building restorations. Their restoration work on the Simpson Building, the Petroleum Building, the W. T. Waggoner Building, the Transport Life Building, the Binyon-O’Keefe Warehouse, and the Swift & Co. Building in the Stockyards were not cheap - they used top-quality materials and extremely meticulous design and detailing. In many cases, these extreme restorations weren’t strictly necessary - XTO could have used the Simpson Building, for example, with its ugly ’70s facade as-is rather than spending the cash to recreate the building’s original design down to the smallest details, but they chose to put the effort in to do things right. That shows a real commitment to the city. Even after XTO’s light has faded, those buildings will be standing proud and restored.

   Oct 9th, 2008

      3

3. curtis

   A) Chesapeake obviously put their public relations efforts into the hands of an ad agency, who suggested they pat themselves on the back: “Thanks Chesapeake for better schools.” This is clever, because it implies Chesapeake has done something or will do something for our schools. They haven’t and they won’t. It’s just an ad.

   B) Chesapeake is probably the same as other gas companies. XTO seems to be equally shady, just without the ad agency. Obviously they are called “gas companies,” and not “neighborhood enrichers.” Therefore their existence is predicated on making money on the gas under our neighborhoods, and it is up to us to make sure they are behaving ethically.

   C) West & Clear is more reliable than the Startle Gram because they don’t bury important articles on page D7. It’s also instant, and allows feedback and debate. But what does “reliable” mean anyway? It seems like a grey area.

   Oct 9th, 2008

      3

4. David AKA Rico

   Chesapeake’s PR was working at odds with their operational strategy. Their words, however earnestly spoken by Tommy Lee Jones, were not enough to make up for their actions.

   Chesapeake’s “sin” has been their arrogance. XTO has very quietly done some of the same things that CHK is being excoriated for. A lower profile and a willingness to discuss people’s concerns has made XTO seem like a better alternative. I am not portraying XTO as “saints” (staying with a metaphor), but, if you want to get your business done with few issues, their method seems more effective.

   Westandclear has been a remarkable source of information (and opinions) for gas drilling issues. Cheasapeake’s information is tainted with self-interest and the startlegram (with the exception of Mike Lee’s entries) has been of almost no benefit. Where else could we have input from JPS and Don Young on the same site?

   Oct 9th, 2008

      3

5. Don Young

   Trust Chesapeake? Is that a John Stewart-type question? I am laughing so hard I can’t type straight. Chesapeake is the big bully in FW, but theses companies are all the same. If you attend a few of the Task Force meetings and hear the reps from XTO, Devon, and Quicksilver speak, you will immediately understand that they are all cut from the same cloth. They work as a team on that committee with the exact same goals: Drill as much as possible as fast as possible. Walter Duease of XTO is as demanding as Ken Barr of CHK is condescending. Gilbert Horton’s self-serving tactics and stretching of definitions as the Devon rep is, perhaps the worst of a bad bunch, but only by a degree or two. Criminals of the Shale, every one.

   The damage they are inflicting on the air, water and land outside of Fort Worth must also be considered. A rapist is still a rapist even when he crosses the county or state line. Take a drive out to Crowley and see what I mean. All these companies have combined to ruin our nearby “countryside.” Did any of you attend the talk given by Prof. Al Armendariz when he announced his research about FW air quality? That, alone, should be enough to convince anyone that all these companies are equally to blame.

   Kevin- I respectfully disagree that XTO’s building restorations makes a whit of difference any more than Chesapeake’s donation to various causes relives them of guilt. Such thinking is very dangerous. Would you feel any different if a Mexican drug cartel leader bought and restored one of our treasured old buildings? I think you are confusing true commitment and philanthropy with influence peddling. There is a distinct difference.

   W&C and the FW Weekly are indispensable on this topic. The results of the 8th Ave. vote were posted on W&C as it happened, hours before the S-T posted it. S-T is part of the problem. Take a look at this recent infomercial that should have been an Op-Ed piece and see what I mean:

   http://www.star-telegram.com/915/story/936006.html

   Keep up the good work Steve-O.

   Oct 9th, 2008

      1

6. Kevin Buchanan

   Don,

   I don’t think that’s giving XTO enough credit. My interest is in architecture, and having watched XTO’s work I will say that these are not simple spit & polish jobs they do on their buildings. These are intense, thorough, exacting restorations using top-quality materials - restorations which in most cases were not necessary to use the buildings. The results indicate thorough research into the original appearance of the buildings and precise recreations of missing details to a level of finish not usually seen in modern construction. They are truly impressive pieces of work. A company that didn’t at least somewhat care about their work wouldn’t go to the lengths that XTO has, which include locating long missing (and thought destroyed) ornament in private hands to make accurate recreations.

   The end result is something that improves the built environment. The area around the Waggoner, Petroleum, and Simpson buildings benefits immensely from the restoration of their engaging, pedestrian-friendly facades. The nearly-finished Binyon-O’Keefe Warehouse and in-progress Transport Life Building restorations will be similarly beneficial. This work, which improves the streetscape of downtown, increases pedestrian friendliness and interaction, and gorgeously preserves historic structures with such precision is of great benefit to the built environment of the central city.

   I’m sure XTO loves the PR benefit they get from the restorations, but as an architecture nerd I see real passion coming from these restorations due to the sheer level of exacting detailing and correctness used. I want to give credit where credit is due, and XTO absolutely, in my opinion, deserves strong kudos for their preservation work.

   Oct 9th, 2008

      6

7. Major

   Don Young calling certain parties “Criminals of the Shale” is just insane. The definition of slander is ” a false statement uttered maliciously to damage a person’s reputation.”

   If Mr. Young had any net worth I would hope he would be sued for slander. It would not be hard to prove. The crime is in the constant slander that comes out of this man’s mouth.

   Oct 9th, 2008

      -5

8. Louis

   I certainly think that Don Young is right on the money! The only solid defense to slander is truth, and I think his statement fairly covers that subject as many of us truly believe them to be criminals. I have personally witnessed them committing offenses that are illegal. So…sorry “Major,” when you sue someone over slander you’d better make sure that their statements are untrue.

   FINALLY…I don’t think you have a freaking clue as to what Mr. Young’s net worth is!

   Oct 9th, 2008

      -2

9. Greg

   Overall I do think CHK’s PR had given the company a positive image with the general public, but I also think the intensity of the advertising barrage caused a lot of suspicion among the thoughtful public.

   I imagine the PR folks were consulted about trying to force the 8th Ave well site, in fact PR probably had a big hand in the decision. That loss has certainly punctured the sense of invincibility the company used to enjoy. And that is what the massive advertising was designed build. So right now I’d say PR has reduced the image of Chesapeake overall.

   Trust is an interesting word. I trust Chesapeake the same as a few years ago because I believe the company is a profit-seeking institution that will press every advantage to enhance shareholder value. Having learned more about their tactics would make me be very careful in any business dealings I might have with them, but most of what I see is a well coordinated effort to pursue business advantages at every level.

   Who I have come to trust far less are most of the government entities that are supposed to level the playing field for individuals. Starting, most prominantly, with our own city government.

   Oct 9th, 2008

      1

10. charlie

    If it wasn’t for people like Don Young, most of the residents of Fort Worth would have not been aware of the assault by Chesapeake and other gas drillers on our safety, health, and quality of life. Those that have not taken the time to understand the impact of gas drilling in an urban setting are a constant and ongoing threat to the future of Fort Worth.

    If you wanted to see the impact that Don Young has had, you should have attended the last City Council meeting at which the ENTIRE City Council voted to deny the wavier permit
    requested by Chesapeake. Several hundred people stood in defiance to the ongoing arrogance of the gas industry. THANK YOU DON YOUNG!

    Oct 9th, 2008

       0

11. Suzette Watkins

    1.a. Built a better image - No. b. Trust - much less 2. compared to others - worse. 3. W&C compared to Chesapeake - more reliable W&C compared to Star-tele - more reliable
    Keep up the great work West&Clear - you are my morning, noon and evening source of “real” news. Ft. Worth is a much better City because of you guys! P.S. the “hall picture” in the “City rejects 8th Ave” post was a perfect example of your greatness!! Cheers.

    Oct 9th, 2008

       -1

12. John MacFarlane

    I suppose, to the general public, their PR efforts have built them a better reputation, but to those of us ensnared in the 8th Ave site, their PR efforts do no good. In fact, as I’ve always said, their PR efforts are reactive, not proactive. They took no effort to educate the neighborhoods surrounding the 8th Ave site over 1.5 years ago. Then, as the vote was coming up in July 2008, the saw that the neighborhoods were gathering together to deny the variance. So, they asked for neighborhood meetings and some of us took rig tours. I trust them the same as I always did, I don’t.

    In the Ryan Place negotiations, XTO actually listened to us and we were able to put certain safety clauses in our lease agreement. They were always up front about everything. Plus, in this case, I think they knew the appropriate place for a well, in an industrial area. I cannot speak for other gas companies.

    I think W&C is very reliable, however, I don’t read the S-T and you guys are much more reliable than CHK.

    I’ll end on this note, as far as trust, when the President of RP told me right before the council hearing that a CHK rep had knocked on the door of a Ryan Ave resident and told him they were moving the site to behind the DiaryPac plant, and offered him $1,500 to sign a waiver in support of the site. He said go away, and called CHK corporate office, and they said they were not moving the site. So, they liars and cheaters and don’t deserve to do business in Fort Worth.

    Oct 9th, 2008

       0

13. Robert

    Well Louis, it is plane to see you do not have a clue as to what is going on any more than Don Young. The scary thing is people like you have the right to vote. Unfortunately the internet and blogging have given you and others like you a venue to say things that are totally stupid. You have no conception or brains to realize where the power comes from to turn on the lights, run the vehicles, enable commerce to function to give people jobs where the government can collect taxes to provide the public services you take for granted every damn day. Obviously you had the time today to run your mouth off about things you have no knowledge about or common sense. I could care less about Chesapeake. I care even less about what you think Buster.

    Oct 9th, 2008

       -4

14. dan

    First of all let me say for the most part I really enjoy this website. Pete, Steve-o, et al do an outstanding job.

    But man, comments have gotten way out of hand lately. I am employed by a company that operates in the Barnett Shale. Would I also be classified as a “Criminal of the Shale”, really? I have always thought I could at least try to consider both sides of an argument. I have a son in the Army soon to be deployed to Iraq, yet I did not think going into Iraq was a good idea, ever. I have never been a fan of Chesapeake. But they do have property rights, even if I disagree with the way they do business. The city council voted on the permit in question and it was denied. Good for them. However, some of the comments classfying all who work in the Barnett Shale as criminals seems almost Stalinistic to me. Are there some crooks out there, absolutely. But there were also some crooks at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. However, I will not classify everyone who worked for one of those agencies as a member of the mafia. Come on. I would just hope the comments on both sides of this issue could be a little more respectful. There are a lot of honest folks who work in the energy business who work hard, pay taxes, support the community, etc. With the way the national economy is going we have been insulated to a degree. Recession is here, but a depression is a distinct possibility if economic policy is not handled the right way as we progress.

    Oct 9th, 2008

       7

15. Louis

    LOL….looks like “Robert” and “Major” are one in the same! Clueless? Have you actually looked in a mirror or read the drivel you write?

    Oct 9th, 2008

       -4

16. Steve-O

    Dan, good to see you around. Hadn’t seen a comment lately and it’s nice to have you back. You also bring up a good point — everyone please refrain from personal attacks. Please feel free to state your opinions, whatever they are, but try to stay more or less on topic and don’t just take shots at each other.

    Thanks for your cooperation.

    Oct 9th, 2008

       3

17. Don Young

    Dan- As I recall, no one on this blog has written that ALL Barnett Shale workers are Criminals of the Shale. That distinction applies only to specific individuals, as clearly stated above. Let’s keep the record straight, please.

    Personally, I take issue with “property rights” when they negatively impact a community. For example, we have laws that prevent strip bars from opening next door to schools and churches. In fact, until the Barnett Shale, heavy industry was only only allowed in specific zoning classifications. Thanks to the “criminals” mentioned above (with a little help from their friends), we now have drilling in all zoning classes.

    When injustices like that happening right now in FW, strong words and deeds are not only necessary, but essential. What happened on 8th Avenue needs to be exposed and the individuals who caused it need to be held accountable. They are still at large and dangerous.

    Oct 9th, 2008

       -5

18. Adam S.

    When CHK began their “Doing Fort Worth a World of Good” billboard campaign, I found it interesting but far-reaching. I didn’t see how they thought they were doing a world of good, until I drove up I-35 and saw they were “Doing Oklahoma a World of Good,” and a few months later I saw they were “Doing Pennsylvania a World of Good.” So, they had a cute ad campaign where they were breaking their arms patting themselves on the back. Fine. Then came the Tommy Lee Jones commercials and billboards where some hollywood tool, who i’m sure is a nice guy, but he doesn’t live in the area was telling me to “Get Behind the Shale.” Why is a guy with a huge ranch in San Sabo county and owns a huge house around San Antonio telling me to be a good Texan and to support CHK and their drilling? The last straw for me was the condescending “Citizens of the Shale” infomercial. Aubrey McClendon spent a full minute trying to educate me about his fair commercial, and I don’t hear any opposition to urban drilling until the tenth minute. Then it’s people going, “I just don’t know anything about drilling and it scares me.” The best part was when they stopped people using the Trinity Trails asking them if they knew trees had been cut for a well. It made me the most frustrated because I felt they were insulting my intelligence.

    I do give CHK for having meetings with NA. Whether they listen is a whole other matter. CHK’s PR campaign has put them at the front of the urban drilling debate. Now they are being associated with drilling and slick oilmen almost like it’s their brand. They are becoming the kleenex of brand awareness.

    I love W&C because the coverage is more comprehensive than the Star-T. Even their blog seems to be limited to 500 words per Barnett Shale story. I imagine W&C will be my source of Barnett Shale news until shale.tv gets going

    @Major — BTW, Slander is spoken lies. You are accusing Don Young of libel.

    Oct 10th, 2008

       0

19. steve

    You might wish to Google Chesapeake today. There is an article in the Wall Street Journal about their financial situation today.

    Also Aubrey McClendon (CEO) had a margin call today and was forced to liguidate all his stock in the company. He does not own one share now. It just came across the wire.

    Oct 10th, 2008

       0

20. dan

    Don, I see some of your points and respect that. In some respects I agree but not totally. I agree to a degree that drill sites should be located in industrial use zoning, or commercial, or specifically zoned for drill site purposes. The problem occurs when there is vacant land that is currently zoned residential without a home in sight. What about railroads, airports, etc. However, we can agree to disagree. I just do not believe those people should be classified as criminals. That seems a bit out there. However, you do bring up good points.

    Oct 10th, 2008

       1

21. dan

    Thanks Steve-O. Good article on the days activities at Chesapeake.

    Oct 10th, 2008

       -1

22. Robert

    Yes Louis, I remember when I had my first beer as well. LOL. My daughters use that all the time. LOL back to you babe.

    Oct 10th, 2008

       0

1. DFW Speedlinks 10/10/2008 — Dallas / Fort Worth and Me — Texas Through Yellow-Rose Tinted Glasses - Oct 10th, 2008

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