May 1, 2008
by Bernie
My neighbor and friend of West and Clear Mike Lee reported in the Star-Telegram this week that the city delayed its decision on transportation impact fees. Quite naturally, developers don’t want to pay the fees and are lobbying hard to lower the price.
I think the city staff’s original proposal, which would have encouraged growth in areas that already have sufficient infrastructure, was an excellent plan. The proposed compromises, which would levy a much lower fee across the city, including areas that already have good roads (!?), would be an unfortunate example of the citizens’ best interest being ignored in favor of corporate developers.
[Read more]
Apr 22, 2008
by Steve-O
The City Council voted unanimously this morning to extend its moratorium on new wastewater disposal wells for another six months, Don Young of FWCanDo told me in a phone call a few minutes ago.
Apr 21, 2008
by Steve-O
I know folks are busy, but I’d like to ask you to take a couple of minutes and write a letter to the Mayor and your City Council representative and ask them to vote to extend the moratorium on saltwater disposal wells in the City of Fort Worth.
If this extension is not passed, additional injection wells could be drilled within the city.
Jim Bradbury, the Fort Worth Gas Drilling Task Force representative from District 9, is asking all concerned Fort Worth citizens to “send a message to their City Council representatives calling for the extension of the moratorium.” Bradbury goes on to say he has “deep concerns about even letting one more injection well in the city and moreover that this is being conducted without adequate public participation and input.” He takes this position because the issue of injection wells was removed from topics allowed for consideration by the Gas Drilling Task Force where citizen input should occur.
Hell, I’ll even write the letter for you. Just cut, paste and make any needed edits:
Dear Mayor and Members of the Council:
I urge you to vote tonight to extend the moratorium on saltwater injection wells in the City of Fort Worth. Although the Mayor has wrongfully chosen to use rule by edict and keep the issue of wastewater disposal — which is known to contain many harmful chemicals which would jeopardize the health the safety of the people of Fort Worth — out of an appropriate public forum such as the gas drilling task force, I still believe it is not too late to do the right thing and extend the moratorium. In the meantime, give the people of Fort Worth a say on how this issue is handled. Allow the Gas Drilling Task Force to address this issue.
Sincerely,
A citizen of Fort Worth
You may find the e-mail addresses you need right here.
Oh, and in case you are wondering how effective the Texas Railroad Commission oversight of oil and gas drilling is in this state, check this out. The answer is “not very effective.”
Jan 23, 2008
by Pete Wann
The Fort Worth City Council took a major step in the defense of the weakest among us, our pets, on Tuesday by making it illegal to tether, chain, or leave unattended a dog.
This couldn’t have happened without the help and tireless work of Suzette Watkins, who brought pictures to the council to demonstrate just how horrible the conditions for some of these dogs are.
Keep in mind that an ordinance is only as good as the level of enforcement it gets, so let’s hope that the PD follows through.
Thanks for your efforts, Suzette!
