2009 Predictions for Fort Worth
by Steve SmithI love reading prediction columns because it’s fun to laugh at people who are willing to be so wrong, so publicly. Well, I for one am looking forward to becoming even more of an object of ridicule than I already am. Let’s get started!
>>Stock Show Weather: We will have ice and snow during the Stock Show. Maybe not much of a stretch, but I gotta start somewhere.
>>Ugly Local Election: Fort Worth goes to the polls the vote on the Mayor and City Council on May. Maybe it’s a carry-over from the circus of the 2008 election, but I think it could be an ugly election cycle. I predict that Cathy Hirt will challenge Mike Moncrief for Mayor but Moncrief will win reelection with plenty of breathing room. I believe that Carter Burdette will not stand for reelection in District 2. I believe that Brenda Silcox will decide to run for her late husband’s vacant District 3 seat and will win in a runoff. I believe that Danny Scarth will face an anti-gas drilling challenger in District 4, but hang on for re-election by a narrow margin. I believe the most entertaining race will be in District 8 where fellow blogger Suzette Watkins will challenge Kathleen Hicks, but I believe Hicks and all of the other incumbents running will win re-election.
>>Chesapeake Energy Acquired: Now this is the kind of crazy-ass prediction you are looking for. However, this isn’t pure jerkitude, there’s actually a basis in reality. In the energy industry next year, those with cash will prey on those without. For example, BP CEO Tony Hayward has said he is interested in picking up bargains in the oil and gas sector, specifically those that “have been reinvesting more than 100% of their cash flow, and that’s no longer possible.” Sounds a little like BP’s highly leveraged sometimes-business partner, Chesapeake Energy, doesn’t it? Also, ExxonMobil is dying to get into a shale play somewhere very soon. The cash is out there, and Chesapeake shareholders would be open to more stability.
>>Streetcar! It will happen. This isn’t much of a stretch, either. The green light on this looks like a lock on approval of the proposed modern streetcar system.
>>The DFW Morning Star-Telegram News: Everyone keeps asking what’s next for newspapers – and by everyone I mean the people who still care, which seems to be a continually diminishing number. I believe the ultimate solution will be a hybrid of several different models rather than one monolithic model. But in the short-term I believe that newspaper giants will ride the old business model as far as it will take them. Expect lots of mergers, antitrust exemptions and strange bedfellows. After discussing the other day how bad things are at McClatchy, it’s worth noting that the balance sheet ain’t pretty at A.H. Belo either. I’m predicting a marriage of convenience in some form in 2009, not just a continuation of their content sharing. The two will become one.
That’s it. Now that I’ve made an ass out of myself, tell me what your predictions are.
It was...
30 Comments, Comments or Pings
Pete Wann
I predict that Steve will make an ass out of himself again at least once in the new year.
Dec 31st, 2008
Steve Smith
That is more a statement of fact than a prediction.
Dec 31st, 2008
Adam S.
I’d like to piggyback on the Star-Morning News prediction.
The FWD-ST-MN will finally use edible marshmallow newsprint technology in an effort to get young readers. The experiment’s timing is questioned when they try it for the first time around Mayfest and it rains. It will be a sad day for the young people of Fort Worth.
Dec 31st, 2008
Suzette Watkins
“most entertaining,” hey I’ll take it. Maybe that entertainment will provide a reason for people to take a serious look at my campaign, my ideas, passions and energy for solving the problems and concerns in all of District 8. I’m on my mark and ready to run an entertaining & much needed winning race for all of the people in District 8.
http://www.suzetteforcouncil.com
Dec 31st, 2008
Steve Smith
Suzette: Taking on an incumbent is a tough task, but I think we have seen that politics are tough to predict on the East Side. There’s a strong populist steak and anything can happen there.
One question for you: why should people vote for you over Kathleen Hicks?
Dec 31st, 2008
Suzette Watkins
“Why should people vote for me over Hicks?” Because I don’t have an elitist attitude nor demeanor. I am a hard worker and I know how to communicate effectively. I have a proven record of turning things around. I will bring some business and common sense to the City Council office of District 8. I won’t provide excuses for problems such as “things have been like this for years” and “things don’t happen overnight.” I won’t run from the truths of crime in District 8. I will work with a much broader and diverse “base” of the people in District 8. I will be the most transparent office holder in the history of District 8 and perhaps the City of Ft. Worth. I won’t use your tax dollars to pay for my bottled water, I won’t use your tax dollars to fly out of town to a meeting about advancing “white,” “black” or “brown” issues as I don’t see District issues as color issues, I see them as issues of the people, no matter the color of skin. I will pay attention and actually listen to the people during City Council meetings instead of fumbling with my blackberry. I will look people in the eye when I talk with them. I will not take questions and criticism as personal attacks. I will not be bought by big business. I will be a representative for the people. I will not be scared to speak up for basic needs in the District, no matter the unpopularity. I will not be scared to speak against spending the people’s money on things that are over and beyond basic City services until every household in District 8 has those basic City services met. I will not tolerate millions of tax payer dollars missing on projects that I promote. I will get the tax payers of District 8 more bang for their bucks and for the first time, there will be a strong vocal advocate for their hard earned dollars to actually help everyone in District 8.
I will set and meet measurable goals for District 8 in six month increments. I won’t do dog & pony shows with Dept. Heads and call them productive meetings. I won’t have my mother kick my opponent(s) out of meetings, nor will I care if my opponent(s) pass out campaign cards at any events I sponsor. I will not hold District public political meetings in church houses.
I will not concentrate my efforts on one particular section of District 8. I will be your old school people’s representative. I will continue to blog on W&C even when in office. I will continue to go to Libertarian, Democratic and Republican meetings because I am truly what you call an Independent….a fiscally conservative, socially tolerant Independent.
Thanks for asking Steve. There you have it. Happy New Year to all.
Dec 31st, 2008
Steve Smith
Thanks for your answer, Suzette. Happy New Year to you, too.
Dec 31st, 2008
the paul formerly known as paul
i boldly predict that the much hyped swedish vampire flick “let the right one in” (which played last year’s lsiff) will play the modern soon - whoops looks like it’s already come true -
LET THE RIGHT ONE IN
February 6–8
“Stick your neck out for this Swedish horror show. It’s a winner, full of mirth and malice, plus a young romance you’ll never see on the Disney Channel.” Peter Travers, Rolling Stone. Oscar, an overlooked and bullied boy, finds love and revenge through Eli, a beautiful but peculiar girl who turns out to be a vampire.
R for some violence including disturbing images, brief nudity and language; 114 minutes; Swedish with English subtitles
http://www.themodern.org/magnolia.html
to see two more films about about a real life bloodsucker head to the modern the very next two weeks for Che Part I and Che Part II
Jan 5th, 2009
Kevin Buchanan
Paul,
Speaking of Che, here’s the greatest buttons I’ve ever seen:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=5114212
A nice counteractment of the Che shirts and such. “Che killed people, you trendy douchebag.”
Jan 5th, 2009
the paul formerly known as paul
perfect kevin, i love it!
now my real prediction - those two weekends at the modern will turn into a sort of cowtown leftist / socialist “love in” (look for the whole embargo night club crew there) with a few spys haha, (disguised as musicians interested in the score aspects of said cinematic experience) followed by a thoroughly bruising thread at W & C!!
Jan 5th, 2009
the paul formerly known as paul
i’m growing my “alt country / latin revolutionary” beard even now in anticipation. shhhhh ….
Jan 5th, 2009
the Pete still known mostly as Pete, but now also sometimes as "Peter"... because L.A. ladies prefer a man with 2 syllables
I know this is now completely off-topic, but Che is not one to miss (two to miss?). I saw both parts right before AFI, and thoroughly enjoyed each one for its merits.
Del Toro was brilliant, and I’m not surprised he took the ‘best actor’ award at Cannes.
I predict that Sarah Green will have a gallery opening at Artspace 111 this coming weekend, and that all the cool kids will be there… except me, of course. I’m forced to wait for her L.A. show later this year.
(www.sarahgreenart.com)
in world affairs: thousands more Fort Worth residents will read books about 2012 and therefore become “experts” in both anthropology and eschatology, a fact that obligates them to share their new secret knowledge every time they drink.
oh, and the Longhorns will win tonight.
Jan 5th, 2009
Daniel
What do you think about Joel Burns’ spot in District 9? Do you think anybody has a chance of beating him this year?
Feb 6th, 2009
Steve Smith
@Daniel: Incumbents are always hard to beat in Council races. Joel also made a lot of friends with his work on the Eighth Avenue and TCU gas well sites. He’s also been moving the streetcar initiative forward. Plus, it seems like he goes to everything. We had a neighborhood picnic on a Saturday afternoon, and there he was. You can never say never, but I think he will be a very difficult candidate to beat in this election cycle.
Feb 6th, 2009
Suzette Watkins
Speaking of incumbents, to my recollection, only one drew first position on the ballot from yesterday’s drawings and that was Carter Burdette. I’m glad the incumbents don’t automatically have that given to them. Linda Hamilton (D5), Myself (D8) and Louis McBee (Mayoral) and I think maybe Lupe Arriola (D4) all drew #1 positions on the ballots for the upcoming City election. For D3, I believe Fox drew first position. (I should have written them down.)
Mar 11th, 2009
Burleson
GO SUZETTE WATKINS For District 8, Kathleen’s calling is somewhere else and she would get there quicker if you won. How sweet the sound.
Mar 12th, 2009
Louis McBee
It always amazes me how the predictions start flowing before the battle has even begun. However, blogging being what it is, I guess we will have to simply work through premature “predictions” from all sorts. Are Clyde Picht and I underdogs? Of course we are, and if West and Clear cannot understand why we are running, perhaps a phone conversation BEFORE writing such stuff would be in order!
Do underdogs win? Maybe that is a question West and Clear should present to SENATOR Wendy Davis. Ms. Davis’s campaign and huge win over Kim Brimmer (Mike Moncrief’s chosen race horse) was as much a loss for Mike as it was for Mr. Brimmer.
I’m encouraged, positive and will work hard for change even in light of such negative “predictions.” Sure wish West and Clear would be more of a positive influence! The big difference in this campaign is a matter of money. He is rich and has lots of it, and people willingly give him more of theirs. We are not Moncrief’’s and don’t have family millions to support our causes…..but we still make the attempt!
Louis McBee
Mar 13th, 2009
Pete Wann
Louis, thanks for responding. Best of luck to you.
Also, it should be noted that we supported Wendy Davis all along. (And that Bernie was not involved in any way with that decision or any of our coverage of her campaign.)
Lastly, it’s “Brimer.”
Mar 14th, 2009
No Incumbents In 2009
Speaking of Hicks’ mother, I’ve heard her addressed as Judge? Of what? Does anyone know?
Mar 18th, 2009
Suzette Watkins
Hick’s mother used to be a Judge in the Municipal Courts in Ft. Worth. After that, she was a Family Court Judge for the County. To my understanding, she has promised not to run for Judge in Tarrant County again.
Mar 19th, 2009
Suzette Watkins
Example of why taking on an incumbent is difficult in Ft. Worth. I have filed a legitimate formal code of ethics complaint on my opponent, Kathleen Hicks. I have all of the formal documents proving such ethics violation. The complaint has been sent to the “Ethics Review Committee.” Yesterday I learned that the City Councils, past and present, have allowed carry overs of the membership to the Ethics Review Committee for 10+ years after their terms expired http://www.fortworthgov.org/citysecretary/info/default.aspx?id=4942. Is this a news story with facts? Yes. Do the voters in this City deserve to know these truths? Yes. Has our local paper ran one word about it in the paper? No.
IMO, Fort Worth is lassoed by the Good Ol Boy Network “It is typically taken to refer to informal legal, judicial, social, religious, business, and political associations among white males (”good ol’ boys”); however, in modern times can be composed of either or both sexes. In some areas, the good ol’ boy network is said to still exert considerable influence over many aspects of local government, business, and law enforcement.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Good_ol‘_boy_network
Gosh I hope I win this election in District 8! Change would be so good for the Eastside (I don’t really break it down into subparts such as Southeast, etc.)– someone with some real guts to speak up for the people — ALL of the people….for the right reasons!
You can read the facts to the complaint here http://suzetteblog.blogspot.com/2009/03/formal-code-of-ethics-complaint-filed.html
Apr 2nd, 2009
Jeff Prince
Suzette: Your local paper has written about the fiasco that is the city’s ethics committee — that is, if you consider Fort Worth Weekly a local paper.
Here’s the link to the story: http://www.fwweekly.com/content.asp?article=4398
Apr 2nd, 2009
Louis McBee
YES the Weekly is our most treasured “local” paper……and thanks for the story back in 2006!
Now here we are in 2009 and the Ethics Review Committee has not had a meeting, as required by our city charter, since I filed the last complaint against the mayor and two council members for representing Cabela’s in their bid for tax dollars to build their sporting goods store in far north Fort Worth. Which incidentally has been a dismal failure with regard to the “economic development” projections that Mayor Moncrief promised it would be. Where are our 6 MILLION tourist visitors that were promised for our $50 Million dollar investment in that one store?
Suzette…be careful where you tread. These people (and the mayor) have this “us against you” mentality down to a fine art! If the city tries to gather this do nothing group of “citizens” together to hear your case, I think it could be considered a violation of your civil rights. Perhaps you should be contacting the U.S. Attorney’s office.
Apr 2nd, 2009
Suzette Watkins
Absolutely I consider FW Weekly a local paper — the best one around. Unfortunately, I don’t think many of the black voters (my opponent’s base) in District 8 have a chance to read the Weekly and consider the Star-Tele, LaVida or Black news the source of their mainstream local news. Not enough reader base for the Weekly according to my understanding. Thank you for the link, I had not read that one. As always, it’s excellent!! Of course, Moncrief wants his council held together, they obey him w/out one authentic & true dissenting voice. When there is a dissenting voice, it’s mostly just grand standing to pacify a group of constituents so the council member can say, “I voted against it so my hands are clean.” BS!!! Where is the voice demanding that we follow the rules and have an Ethics Review Committee? Huh Huh…..where is it? Who’s stepping up for the people? Not a one! Thanks again Mr. Prince..
Apr 2nd, 2009
Stenotrophomonas
“Your local paper has written about the fiasco that is the city’s ethics committee — that is, if you consider Fort Worth Weekly a local paper.”
Well, as an East Side resident, I’m not so sure. It’s a lot easier to find a copy when I wander over to other parts of town. Are we not hip enough, rich enough, literate enough to read the Weekly, or are y’all just afraid we might sell the orange boxes for scrap or use them as urinals?
Apr 3rd, 2009
Jeff Prince
To Stenotrophomonas: We write quite a bit about the East Side and certainly want our newspaper to be read by folks in that part of town. Feel free to go to the main web site at http://www.fwweekly.com and send an email requesting more papers. You can even provide a location where you would like to see papers delivered. I’ll also pass this along to the distribution manager.
Apr 3rd, 2009
Stenotrophomonas
Jeff -
Thanks for the response. I do get the Weekly, weekly. I have to cross town to get decent groceries, as well - both the kind I cook and the kind that I pay someone else to cook for me. And I pick up a paper.
Unfortunately, most of your advertisers are not located on the East Side, nor do they expect to cater to East Siders, so don’t go suddenly dumping half your press run over here.
:-}
Apr 4th, 2009
Don Young
Dear Steno- You are in luck! For one day a year the Eastside becomes the Navel of the Universe for one-stop-shopping. Some of the coolest FW food and bev will be available at Fort Worth Prairie Fest on April 25th. Fuzzy’s Tacos, Cafe Chadra, Rahr Brewery, Times Ten Cellars and a few other possibilities. You can also grab the latest FW Weekly, take a hike on the prairie, buy fresh art, learn gardening tips from Howard Garrett and visit with local activist groups. You will be entertained by the solar-powered music of Brave Combo, Scottish Pipes & Drums, Blackland River Devils, Texas Gypsies and much more. We keep beer prices low and the music is FREE. The thing is legendary. Come on in.
http://www.tandyhills.org/prairiefest.htm
Apr 4th, 2009
Suzette Watkins
Another example of why it’s difficult to beat an incumbent. Kathleen Hicks was given special favor/treatment this morning at Voting Workshop for People with Disabilities by City Council Appointee to Human Relations Committee, Tracey Michol who was in charge of this morning’s program. http://www.fortworthgov.org/citysecretary/info/default.aspx?id=4948.
Hicks walks in late and asks Ms. Michol if she “could go first because she had other events to attend in the District.” I made a fuss and said there should be no special favors given. Ms. Michols immediately started the meeting and allowed Hicks to speak first. The agenda was re-arranged for Hicks, etc. We all had events to attend to today. If Hicks couldn’t arrange her schedule around the importance of this meeting, then, like all the others who didn’t make it, you send a letter. Typical, Diva-ish, “I’m more important than anyone else” attitude that Hicks carries time and time again. Shame on Ms. Michol for showing favoritism to Hicks — shame on Hicks for asking for it!
Apr 4th, 2009
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