Welcome to Fort Worth....

Froze over…

We usually don’t give props to the propaganda spouting “news”paper in Fort Worth but we are today.  Of course it could be because an actual person (not an employee) wrote the article

If you think your property isn’t in danger, think again.  This is happening all over the metroplex and getting worse.

When those tasked with controlling flood waters say, “we don’t consider downstream”.  Maybe it’s time to give someone that job who does.

Don’t miss this one.  YOU can’t afford to.

Remember way back in the day when we told you “nothing was being done”.  Well, these people remember.

Oh, and one more thing, Dallas – YOU ARE STILL DOWNSTREAM!

Thanksgiving floods took a toll downstream in east Fort Worth

The release of water from area lakes with no warning, combined with the unmonitored impact and lack of oversight for upstream construction and land use, all led to disaster for my operation.

We need to adopt a “no adverse impact” approach to land development and have a flood warning and monitoring system that takes all areas of the city and its residents equally into account.

But between 6 and 7 a.m., we were flooded after only about three inches of rain over a 15-hour period.

The Fort Worth Fire Department and volunteers helped us evacuate our smaller animals. The horses were easily moved to higher ground.

Sadly, many of our dwarf Nigerian goats and their babies drowned.

Evaluation of the damage showed that the water came in an unprecedented tidal wave.

Property owners on the east side of Fort Worth have expressed their concerns to the city and the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers. The river on the east side cannot handle the volume created by the changes that have been made upstream.

Flood control measures have been made from downtown to the Handley-Ederville area, but nothing has been done to the east to manage the river flow.

The Tarrant Regional Water District and the Corps of Engineers control water discharge from the lakes. They take care to protect the houses on the lakes, but apparently without concern for those downstream.

Downstream property owners should receive notification of planned upstream water releases that might cause flooding.

Construction development in the area should be monitored and land use regulations should be enforced so as not to cause an adverse impact on residents downstream.

I urge our elected officials and the various leadership teams of the Tarrant Regional Water District, the city and the Corps of Engineers to help all of us protect our properties and our very livelihoods.

What's that noise?

It's several hundred pissed off people who keep showing up to the Colleyville Council meetings to voice their displeasure about the High Density plan for Colleyville.

So, anyone want to take a guess what the council did? They voted 5-2 to approve it anyway. So WHO is the council representing? The citizens or the developers? (It was rhetorical).

The vote did not go over well, the masses loudly voiced their displeasure and wanted to know who is up for reelection in May. It sounds like you might want to stop by and say Bye to the Mayor.

Colleyville residents angry over housing in city’s future plan

Mary says-

Please read and share!

You Have Milk On Your Face Fort Worth

The disparity between now average citizens and people with money and power are treated by our local government has to stop!!!

'A blog like this' - By Durango

Bertha Will Be Done Digging Before Fort Worth's Boondoggle Bridge Ditch Is Dug.

What does Clyde say?

We recently shared what the Fort Worth Charter Amendments could end up being.  We were curious what a former council member would have to say about it.  We didn't have to go far. This is what Clyde Picht had to say....

Increasing number of council districts to 11 is good. The city is too large area wise for council members to be familiar with their territory.

Increasing terms to three years has advantages for the incumbents more than the residents.

Increasing salaries essentially removes public service from the motivation for running for council. We'll have council members so dependent on salaries that they will go to extra measures to get re-elected.

Incumbents already have the advantage of garnering larger campaign contributions than those attempting a first run for council. Some organizations will only support incumbents as long as they have been treated well. With higher salaries we can expect very little turnover in council members. With that we get the same deadwood as we have in congress. There are plenty of perks for council members that if they can't afford to be there they don't need to run for re-election. Higher salaries are only good for council members, but bad for the public at large.

The above comment I posted to an article in the Business Press. The council will follow the recommendations of the charter review committee especially concerning salaries. Our city council is a policy making body. They hire a city manager and staff at very nice salaries and benefits to carry out their policy. There is no justification for salary increases just because Dallas or Austin pays high salaries. When I served on the council there was enough motivation for public service that many qualified candidates ran in spite of the meager $75/meeting stipend. Lest we turn our city council into a national congress look alike, voters should reject the salary proposal. Even with term limits the responsibility doesn't warrant high pay.

Hey Dallas - You're still downstream (Part 2)

In the past few months (years, but who's counting?) we've tried to let Dallas in on the secret.  But since we're from Fort Worth, they didn't want to hear it.

The Dallas Observer wrote (writes) about that embarrassing Dallas Trinity River Tollway boondoggle repeatedly. Don't worry, we can call it that, we have one of our own, which is sort of the point. 

And this summer, we tried to warn you again - Psst Hey Dallas, You're still Downstream.

Alas, it took a Dallas Morning News article to highlight part of the issue Dallas is facing and in doing so, they lit up Facebook.  People actually read it and are questioning the stupidity of letting a dam in a major metropolitan area fail. 

You know Durango had something to say about it.  And you know you want to know what is was.  

Here's the deal, look at a map of the metroplex, starting at the confluence of the Clear Fork and the West Fork of the Trinity River in downtown Fort Worth.  Follow that through all the twists and turns, past Mary's Kelleher's farm, (that floods) through Arlington (that floods) all the way to Dallas.  Now what's this river that joins it right before downtown? The Elm Fork of the Trinity River.  Now follow that back up the map and tell us where it comes from. 

Lake Lewisville? You get an A+. 

Now imagine what happens when to doesn't stop raining?  After the Trinity River Vision, Panther Island Boondoggle takes place in Fort Worth.  The one that removes the levees and reroutes the river.  (Right now we're just building millions of dollars worth of bridges over dry land and spending a million dollars on art from outside of Texas, but hey, anything can happen, right?) The water comes barreling toward Dallas and Heaven forbid, the Lewisville Dam bursts, sending a deluge down to the same low point.  What happens then?

The U.S. Army Corp of Engineers are directed by Congress on which projects to work on.  Who is "Congress"?  Look up "Who Represents Me?" and you'll find out who is making these decisions for you.  Maybe you should give them a call. 

What happens when politicians know many lives are in danger and they do nothing? 

A Dallas Observer article from earlier this year sums it up -

In other words, no matter how you read the news article and whether you agree with it or disagree, it should at least convince you that major urban floods have a lot more to do with decisions made by people than acts of God.

What happens when it's your hood?

New Infrared Video Shows Possible Gas Cloud Lingering Above Porter Ranch

What's going on in Fort Worth?

Durango knows.  Why don't YOU? After all, it's YOUR money.

Another Fort Worth Development Bites The Dust

Should City Council get an 80% salary increase?

Fort Worth League of Neighborhoods General Membership Meeting

Please join us THIS Thursday, December 10

6:30 p.m.

University Christian Church

Speakers include:

Fernando Costa, Assistant City Manager

City of Fort Worth

Mr. Costa will speak about the work of the recent citizens Charter Review Committee. 

The committee has made recommendations on various city charter revisions including:

1.  increasing the number of City Council districts from 8 to 10;

2.  increasing City Council member salaries by 80% ($25,000. to $45,000. annually);

3.  increasing the Mayor's salary from $29,000. to $60,000. annually;

4.  increasing City Council terms from 2 years to 3 years. 

The City Council will hold public hearings on the proposed changes on January 12 and January 26, 2016.  Council members will decide which issues will go on the May 7 ballot.

Citizens will vote on proposed city charter changes on May 7, 2016.

You can read the Sunday, December 6, 2015 Fort Worth Star-Telegram opinion piece about the committee's work here.

You are invited

1985 - 2015

CELEBRATING 30 YEARS ADVOCATING ON BEHALF OF FORT WORTH NEIGHBORHOOD
                             
Please join us THIS Thursday, December 10
6:30 p.m.
University Christian Church
Fort Worth League of Neighborhoods General Membership Meeting

Speakers include:
Fernando Costa, Assistant City Manager
City of Fort Worth

Mr. Costa will speak about the work of the recent citizens Charter Review Committee.  They have made recommendations on various city charter revisions including increasing the number of City Council districts, increasing City Council member salaries, and increasing City Council terms from 2 years to 3 years.  Citizens will vote on proposed city charter changes in early May 2016.

You can read the Sunday, December 6, 2015 Fort Worth Star-Telegram opinion piece about the committee's work here.

Mary Goodman, Chair of the Fort Worth Sierra Club, will also speak about the Sierra Club Plastic Bag Campaign.

-------------------------------------

FWLNA Officers and directors for 2016 will also be elected.
The Christmas Social will follow the meeting.  Please plan to stay and visit with your fellow neighborhood leaders!

Earthquakes in North Texas

Erin Brockovich wants to hear from YOU!

Bring Sandy Back!

An update on the latest in the Fort Worth Animal Services saga...

We were sent the following.  We can't help but wonder, where is Mayor Price??

"Doing the best we can with the resources we have?"  Really? So, this city sees it as ok to have a department run by Good Ol Boys that can practice gender discrimination at the management level on a daily basis and send them packing when they hit a nerve with their smarts, straight talk, caring, concern, ethics and observations?  Like as been allowed with the two female Cruelty Investigators and now the female Superintendent?  

Furthermore, out of all the licensed Veterinarians, they are ok with the Good Ol Boys choosing the one Vet with a criminal history a mile long, one that has more dings than any Veterinarian in Texas on his Vet record and one that has stapled a dog's nipples to her stomach which left the dog unable to walk after surgery?  

Also, we've got how many animal control officers driving around "talking" to people and not doing a darn thing in regards to holding Irresponsible Pet Owners accountable? 

No, we disagree -- We are not doing the best we can in this city regarding anything concerning animals, and that percentage of live releases is a bunch of bull! 

Bring Sandy Back.  Why did you allow the Good ol Boys to send her packing?  If we are doing the best we can, then the sweeping changes need to go much further up in city government than just Code Compliance Department.  

Bring Sandy Back!

Getting old...

Citizen's are getting tired of getting the shaft from developers who are buying their representatives.  Are YOU?

Food and water contamination. Flooding. Eminent domain.

Same ol' story.

Angry residents give developer earful about sewage dump, land grab

However, one resident of Comal County who owns a vineyard and a winery nearby testified that the state won’t allow such treated sewage to be used to water her grapes. So it’s clearly not safe to be consumed. Anyone near a golf course who waters their greens with treated sewage water will also be greeted with signs that say, ‘non-potable, do not drink.’ Yet a TCEQ ‘expert’ claimed the developers dumping of treated sewage into the dry Lewis Creek will actually ‘improve’ drinking water. The crowd erupted in laughter and disbelief. Local residents knew they were being lied to. Toilet to tap is not their idea of safe drinking water.

Many neighboring residents are also cattle ranchers whose cattle would be consuming the waste water and hence will enter the food supply. Since Lewis Creek is a dry creek bed that only flows during heavy rains, many residents expressed concern about the wastewater dumping creating continuously wet or boggy conditions on their property, which could attract mosquitoes, feral hogs, and other undesirable pests or wildlife.

Flood worries

With the reality of recent flooding in Bulverde on October 30, that overwhelmed the new Singing Hills drainage system as well as a breach in the Johnson Ranch sewage system that dumped raw sewage into the creeks contaminating drinking water and wells fresh in their minds, residents asked who would be held responsible for such breaches, how would residents be notified in time to not consume contaminated water, and who would pay to clean-up private wells affected by these high density subdivisions?

Sadly

Only a few people showed up to support the Animal Control lady who is being run over by the Fort Worth Way.

Surprisingly, one of those people was Sal Espino.

We were shocked too.

Maybe there should be an online petition so the online warriors will actually participate.

Bring Sandy back.

The animals and Fort Worth needs her.

Flower Mound?!

The drama playing out in Flower Mound sounds more like some other North Texas cities we know.

Good luck to the boys and girls out there.  After clicking through this timeline and reading the article, sounds like you are going to need it.

Flower Mound council divisions have town on edge

Please join AND invite Mayor Betsy

Incoming from No Kill Fort Worth -

Sandy Shelby, our new Shelter Manager, was doing great things, starting a foster program, starting round table transparent discussions with rescues, asking others how to improve things, bottle feeding kitten program, mini tent events, adoptions with reputable organizations, bringing people together -- all things that we wish for, in a Shelter Manager. 

She was suddenly sent on paid Administrative Leave -- a way to force one out without the ability to speak.  A way to hide unethical practices that the immediate bureaucrats above you don't want known outside of the shelter. 

It is our mission to get Sandy reinstated. Please join us on the sidewalk of City Hall, Tuesday night, November 10th at 5:30-7pm for our "Bring Back Sandy" rally. Bring candles, signs, animals, and your voice. 

The Trinity Sham

The Dallas Observer looks a toll road, mud puddle downstream from here.  Funny, it still sounds like they are talking about Fort Worth.

LATEST BAIT-AND-SWITCH ON TRINITY ROAD ONE MORE REASON TO STAY UNDER BED

Going back to 1998 and before, a semi-invisible group of powerful people in Dallas whom we will call, for simplicity’s sake, “The Empire,” have been scheming and maneuvering to build an immense tolled expressway, which we shall call, “The Death Star,” slammed right up next to the banks of the Trinity River through downtown.

The editorial page of The Dallas Morning News carried all the water for The Empire on that. Their line was more or less that roads had been mentioned before the election and tolls had been mentioned and so anybody who didn’t foresee the whole project turning into a toll road project was more or less a fool. 

Trust in Trinity Plans...'

Yes, you read that right but not in the Star-Telegram, of course, in the Dallas Morning News.

Different day, different city, same river, same story.

Years of delay have eroded trust in Trinity plans, Rawlings says

YOU got sTIFfed

Letter to the Editor in the Star-Telegram about the:

Trinity River Vision

I suppose we should revel in the fact that the Trinity River Vision, “the massive flood control and economic development project,” “is on time and on budget.” (See Oct. 11 news story, “Trinity River Vision moving forward, building 3 bridges.”)

Except that it is neither.

The original cost was $367 million, and most of the milestones have been delayed.

In 2005, the re-estimated cost was $435 million and that included additional money for inflation.

The 2009 figure was $908 million, also with a cushion for inflation.

So much for “on time and on budget.”

The “massive flood control” is not to enable development, but is a byproduct of the development to avoid greater flooding in Arlington and Dallas.

That adds big costs (and those cities should still be concerned).

So, the flood control argument is bogus.

The central city federal share is limited to $110 million, yet the project will require a $340 million appropriation to the Army Corps of Engineers.

How certain and why the increase?

The 2005 budget estimate included $26.6 million from Fort Worth and $115.9 million from the TIF.
That’s all Fort Worth tax money.

Now the TIF estimate is $320 million.

What was a 1:3 cost/benefit ratio has turned into an upside down deal.

Bottom line: The taxpayers are getting “sTIFfed.”

CLYDE PICHT, FORT WORTH

Vote yes!

After 10 years of advocacy in the Texas legislature, leadership FINALLY passed what the grassroots demanded - a road funding solution to greatly reduce, if not eliminate, toll roads in Texas.

Rather than increase taxes, Prop 7 dedicates some of the existing general sales & use tax as well as vehicle sales tax to the state highway fund. These funds can ONLY go to NON-TOLL roads or to retire existing state road debt. Together with Prop 1 that passed last year and ending the non-education gas tax diversions, this will give TxDOT nearly a $5 billion a year boost in funding.

TCU fight

After reading the Fort Worth Weekly Student Scourge article, we couldn’t decide which of the quotes we liked best, so we listed some below.  Be sure and take note of where the Fort Worth Mayor sends her dollars…

And when you’re done here, read Durango’s take on it.  It will make your day.

“His irritation level may have reached the point where he says, ‘If it’s the last thing I do, I will see that you are kicked out of here,’ along with a dose of ‘Do you know who I am?!’ ” said a local developer who requested anonymity for fear of offending Eppstein. “Taking this issue to these extremes seems shortsighted and out of character.”

Even the staunchly pro-development Fort Worth Business Press cringed about that PR contract. Publisher Richard Connor wrote that “Eppstein manages campaigns for political candidates who pay him at least twice — once when they run and again after they get elected. It’s a conflict, but the officeholders are more beholden to Eppstein than they are to you, the voters.”

In recent years, Eppstein’s power appears to have slipped somewhat, particularly in Fort Worth. He no longer represents a majority of city council members. Current Mayor Betsy Price used Dallas’ Allyn Media to help get elected.    (Yes, you Betsy lovers that says, gasp – DALLAS!!!)

After Davis won, Eppstein circulated a memo among Austin political leaders explaining how she had “stolen” the election.

After Denton approved the fracking ban, Eppstein blamed college voters.

 “I don’t know if he holds as much sway anymore.”

Hey, Fort Worth.....

What’s wrong with Texas?

#$@^ like this…

Rather than pass along Wright’s proposal to Phillips, Hall instead forwarded it to the Office of the Secretary of State. A resident got a copy of the complaint and published it on her Facebook page along with the message: “I have never seen or heard of such a blatant attempt at bribery and coercion aimed at circumventing the will of the voters who expect their officeholders to actually hold and keep the office they get elected to. If you’re trying to get elected just so you can get your … pension and walk away, you don’t deserve to win in the first place.”

Read about Judge Wright in the Fort Worth Weekly.  Then you’ll know WHY we backed Mrs. Phillips in that race.  

Pay attention, YOU can’t afford not to.  Especially if you end up in this kangaroo court.

Bafongoo, Voters!

Moment of Silence

We’ve been quiet this week as Fort Worth has taken a hard hit.  Not only with the loss of Allen Patterson, but with the loss of Cathy Hirt and her husband, Dr. Hirt.

Cathy was a former FW City Councilwoman and a candidate for mayor a few years ago.  We were not the only ones disappointed when she lost.

Cathy and her husband gave their all to Fort Worth and the people (all people) and they will not be forgotten.

Tough week in the Fort.  Here’s to a better tomorrow.

Tarrant County lost a hero

We just learned that Allen Patterson, former Tarrant County Libertarian Chair, and all around supporter of liberty and the underdog, lost his bravest battle yesterday.

Allen was a true friend to Lone Star and an inspiration to all who knew him.

He will be missed in this great state of Texas and far beyond.  His memory will be carried on by all who fought in the trenches with him.

Allen shared some words of wisdom shortly after his diagnosis.

The Last Blog Post:  Don't Be Safe

What a legacy he’s leaving behind.

We will miss you, friend.

Onward

Fort Worth Weekly Best Of 2015

Well, what do ya know?

After 6 years of calling out those who need to be called out, we took some down time, and apparently that was all we needed to do to win a Best Of.  We're a little confused but flattered none the less.

Our vote for Best Blog still goes to Durango.

And if you want to know WHY this blog was started, read our very first post - Why a blog?

You're Invited

FWLNA Celebrates 30 years of protecting and enhancing neighborhoods.

                                                    1985 - 2015

Come Join us Monday, September 28, at 6:30 p.m. at University Christian Church!

Our speaker is:

Don Ray, Attorney, Ray and Wilson.  Don is a 1959 graduate of Rice University where he earned a degree in Electrical Engineering.  A graduate of the University of Texas Law School, Don has had a long career involving business matters including major litigation relating to business disputes in various parts of the country.

Don will present on the class action lawsuit he is working on regarding alleged Chesapeake royalty underpayments to Fort Worth residents.  If you have a Chesapeake lease, you will want to hear his talk!

Mayor Betsy Price will present a proclamation honoring the League of Neighborhoods for 30 years of service in promoting a better quality of life in Fort Worth neighborhoods.

Come join the celebration on September 28, 2015 at 6:30 p.m.

University Christian Church -- Room 207 (2nd floor)
2720 S. University Drive, Fort Worth, TX 76109

During the League's business meeting, nominations from the floor from League delegates for board members for 2016 will be taken.

30th Anniversary Reception after the meeting!

Hey Dallas,

YOU ARE STILL DOWNSTREAM....

Don't worry about YOUR plans, we're messing with the river up here.

Your stepsister,
FW

In other words, no matter how you read the new article and whether you agree with it or disagree, it should at least convince you that major urban floods have a lot more to do with decisions made by people than acts of God.

ENGINEERS SAY KATRINA WAS ALL THE FAULT OF THE CORPS. DO WE FEEL BETTER IN DALLAS?

$&@! Rolls downhill

Or rather downstream.  The Trinity River projects in Dallas are a cluster too. Does it have anything to do with the players?

“They had private consultants they had hired from Halff Associates and Freese and Nichols, all these guys that are heavily involved in the [Trinity] toll road project and everything, just to work on this small little bicycle bridge project.” 

BEN SANDIFER FOR TRINITY RIVER CZAR. BUT DON'T TELL HIM ABOUT IT YET

We Remember

Marvin Nichols tug of war

From a Facebook posting---

I'm encouraged by the actions taken today by the Texas Water Development Board that finds a conflict does exist between Region C & Region D Water Planning Groups.

Region D has presented an abundance of information to the TWDB which demonstrated the devastating effects the Marvin Nichols reservoir would have on East Texas. I'm grateful to the Board for hearing these concerns and their actions to promote a resolution.

We must be ever vigilant on this issue. Region C has demonstrated they have little incentive or interest to work with us and I fear the force of government could still be used to take East Texas water, land, resources, and more. This issue is far from resolved, but positive steps have been taken.

See how YOUR State Rep did.....

See how pro-taxpayer and pro-property rights your Texas state legislators were on transportation and property rights legislation in the 84th Session of the Texas State Legislature in 2015

Mike WHO?

Michael Morris: The man behind the toll network California-izing Texas.

We knew it wouldn't be long...

And we'd be seeing Gayle Reaves again.

Onward!

The Fight for Fair Housing

Two lawsuits are dragging Texas—and maybe the whole country—closer to the goal of integrated neighborhoods.

WHY is YOUR water bill going up?

Colleyville has a lot of current events in the news these days. One of which is the noticeable water rate increases the residents are experiencing. Earlier today someone posted their water bill on Facebook - $647 – for water! He was joined by numerous residents sharing their astronomical bills.

It's easy to excuse our water rate increase by simply saying “well everything has gone up”. This case, however, is different. There are significant revenue diversions that are directly driving up your water rates. The kicker is those diversions are for projects in Fort Worth which Colleyville, and other Tarrant residents, are subsidizing. Colleyville City Council member Chris Putnam summarized it well in this excerpt:

“For starters this is the second material rate increase Colleyville residents have taken on in the past two years..."

"Now flash forward to this latest increase. The capital infrastructure improvements are absolutely needed, and I supported the rate increase (roughly 5%) to improve our system. However the real root cause of these increases is the spiraling cost of raw and treated water we incur from the Trinity River Authority (TRA) who in turn sources raw water from the Trinity River Water District (TRWD). The TRWD is the real culprit of water rate increases all across Tarrant County. The TRWD diverts $50M - $60M of dollars annually to the Trinity River Vision (TRV) project, a $1 BiILLION boondoggle run by Congresswomen Kay Granger's son, which seeks to re-develop the Fort Worth downtown-area waterfront. You may know the TRWD from their failed giant Main Street water slide which sent many people to the hospital, bridges being built over dry land, and e-coli tubing nights with “free” concerts at Panther Island.

The TRWD's revenue fund actually throws off TENS OF MILLIONS in "profit" annually so they have absolutely no need to increase water rates. However, the TRV slush fund loses tens of millions annually. So most Tarrant County residents are effectively subsidizing Fort Worth's economic development projects with much higher water bills. In the meantime, our own city staff acknowledges that we have not attempted to negotiate or influence these "pass-thru" increases from TRA/TRWD. We simply accept them and say, "thank you sir, may I have another." That is not an indictment on our excellent city staff. Our political leaders should be stepping up to join me in pushing back on these increases."

"Dealing with our water issues with an increasing population is serious business, and requires serious people and solutions to address. Going along simply to get along with other regional quasi-governmental agencies is not the answer."

We should hold every level of government accountable for separating legitimate projects, such as infrastructure, from diversionary spending expeditions. In this case, only a city like Colleyville can hold the TRWD, via the TRA, accountable for passing the cost from Fort Worth's boondoggle to its citizens. In turn, only YOU can hold Colleyville accountable by demanding action.

SOS

Please plan to attend the next Task Force meeting on Wednesday, August 26, 6:00 pm.

River Ranch, 500 NE 23rd Street, Fort Worth, Texas 76164

Parking is easy. You will have the opportunity to speak.

We anticipate that this will be the final public meeting before the Task Force votes on the standards and guidelines.

Mary wants to know...

True or False?

Hahaha…

They are laughing all the way to the bank. Does no one remember the Fort Worth Ethics Committee? You know the one they got rid of when they said there was a violation of ethics.

Fort Worth doesn’t listen, and they damn sure don’t learn.

Read about the Stockyards farce in the FWW.

To quiet the rabble, city council appointed a taskforce charged with creating design standards and guidelines for redevelopment in the area. But after months of meetings, the 15-member committee still hasn’t taken a single vote on any substantive issue –– the only vote they’ve taken thus far was to table a discussion.

Critics of the taskforce allege it’s doing exactly what the city wants: nothing. Many believe that city officials have already made up their minds that the development will move forward and that creating the taskforce was just a dog-and-pony show to give the illusion that the city tried to solicit input.

Stockyards Shorty

You are invited

1985 - 2015

CELEBRATING 30 YEARS ADVOCATING ON BEHALF OF FORT WORTH NEIGHBORHOODS
                                 
This is an important meeting we encourage you and your fellow neighborhood leaders to attend.

Public meeting to discuss proposed changes to residential zoning definitions

Wednesday, August 12
6 p.m.
University Christian Church
2720 So. University Drive
Room 207

An upcoming public meeting will provide residents a chance to comment on proposed zoning definitions related to residential uses, including options for a new "single housekeeping unit" definition.
The public meeting is scheduled for Aug. 12 at University Christian Church, 2720 S. University Drive, Room 207.

The meeting will start with an open house at 6 p.m. for one-on-one questions and comments with city staff, followed by a presentation on proposed changes to certain definitions, including:

• Restaurant.
• Community home.
• Transient or short-term resident (new).
• Boarding house or lodging house.
• Family.
• Single housekeeping unit (new).

After the public meeting, the Zoning Commission will conduct a public hearing and vote on the definitions at 1 p.m. Sept. 9 at City Hall. On Oct. 13, the City Council will conduct a public hearing and vote on the definitions at its 7 p.m. meeting at City Hall.

Click here to view the pre-council briefing on this issue.  Under Videos Available, scroll to  Pre-Council, July 21, 2015, click and scroll to Item 11.

ALSO, PLEASE SAVE SEPTEMBER 28 ON YOUR CALENDAR AND PLAN TO ATTEND THE LEAGUE'S FALL GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING -- A CELEBRATION OF 30 YEARS OF THE LEAGUE OF NEIGHBORHOODS.

This is going to get good…..

Go, kids, go!

Less than two months after Dutch citizens won a lawsuit demanding their government do something about climate change, similar cases are entering courts here in the United States. The latest entrant into the legal environmental battle is a group of 21 young Americans ranging in age from eight to 19 (minors had the suit brought by their legal guardians).

Youth Activists Sue U.S. Government For Ruining The Environment

Does anyone know?

We just purchased a home close to the corner of May Street and Allen.  There is a large parking area behind the house that probably belongs to JPS.  We remodeled the house and have it rented out at present.

Are there plans to buy more property?  I am thinking they are talking about turning the existing parking lot (on north side
of Allen) into a parking garage.

Could they condemn our investment  via eminent domain if they decide to expand south?

TCEQ taking YOUR land

Only in Texas....

TCEQ grants permit to take land for private developer despite judge's ruling

Grand jury indicts Attorney General Ken Paxton

Read more at WFAA.

NEVER underestimate, or judge a book by its cover...

How a Blogging Mechanic Helped Take Down Richardson's Mayor

What's the difference in Dallas and Fort Worth?

There is none!

Basic Dallas Dilemma Is Still Whether to Fix the Toilet or Park a BMW Out Front

Two recent city documents to call to your attention: 1) showing that we have spent almost $610 million so far on the Trinity River project, which is mainly unbuilt, and 2) showing that we need to spend $121 million, which we supposedly don’t have, just to stop our terrible street system from falling apart even worse.

Both are below.

Think of the Trinity River project — with its “signature” bridge designed by a Spanish architect and its white water feature that nobody can use because it was so poorly designed – as a shiny new BMW convertible parked in the driveway in front of our condo for everyone to see. Now think about our decaying street system. That’s a toilet we have to flush with a bucket.

The BMW parked outside and the malfunctioning plumbing inside together make a statement about the values of the kind of people who have had their hands on the levers of power at Dallas City Hall for decades. They would rather have toilets that won’t work — I suspect they would rather shoot themselves — than not have a car that makes them look rich.

I don’t believe for a minute that those are the values of the vast middle and working classes of people who really live in our neighborhoods, as opposed to people who live in the wealthy enclave communities of Highland Park and University Park. In the Park Cities, sure: rather than drive a 5-year-old Hyundai to raise the money for new plumbing, he’ll use the backyard.

But we in the city have been trying to elect somebody who would fix the damn streets since 2002. When Laura Miller ran for mayor that year on a platform of basic restoration of infrastructure, she was mocked and derided as “Mayor Pothole” by the old guard money, as spoken for by groups like the private Dallas Citizens Council.

Well, that was dumb

By the End of the Year, DFW Won’t Have Any Environmental Reporters
— Downwinders at Risk

More Tarrant County Money

(Note - while this is from a Republican group, be advised, it is yet another nonpartisan Tarrant county issue!)

Texans are fed up with politicians who refuse to listen. Unfortunately it’s happening locally in Tarrant County.

The county commissioners’ court hopes to ram through a $809 million debt deal next week to help finance expansion and renovations to John Peter Smith (JPS) Hospital Network. Officials have not entertained alternatives.

Before agreeing to seek public input on May 26th, County Judge Glen Whitley (R) tried to place the bond on November’s ballot before conducting town halls.

In response, the Tarrant County Republican Party has unanimously passed a resolution opposing the debt deal.

A myriad of unanswered questions remain, including faulty financial projections underlying empty promises. Residents have been shut out of the process, and town hall meetings raised more questions than they answered.

But there’s still time to stop the county commissioners’ rubber-stamping the debt deal. Tarrant County residents should make their voice heard by signing a petition to county commissioners.

We will print each petition individually and hand-deliver it to Tarrant County officials. And we will let signers know when their petition has been delivered so you can demand a response.

Far too often, we get the government we ignore. Voting is not enough—an accountable government requires active citizen engagement in governing process.

Sincerely Yours,
Ross Kecseg
Metroplex Bureau
Texans for Fiscal Responsibility

JPS Bond Alert Meetings to Attend

The District is seeking comments and input on the proposed plan from the general public. Five Town Hall Meetings are scheduled throughout the county for the convenience of interested residents.

From Commissioner Andy Nguyen...

"Tarrant County Hospital District (aka John Peter Smith Hospital Network - "JPS") would like to issue an $809 million dollar bond package. In keeping with my commitment to transparency and prior to the vote at Commissioner's Court to call for a November bond election, I would like to get your insight on this hospital bond initiative.  You can review the particulars on the bond package here 

You can also find additional information on the JPS Healthcare website.

JPS and I will be holding public hearings on Tuesday, July 21 from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. at the Arlington Subcourthouse located at 700 E. Abram St., and on Wednesday, July 22 from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. at the Mansfield City Hall in the City Council Chamber located at 1200 E. Broad St. (There are additional meetings scheduled around the county.) Translation services will be available for our Spanish- and Vietnamese-speaking constituents.

It's your turn to let us know what you think. This is your county, this is your hospital district and this is your money.  What are we doing right? What needs to be improved? Where are the gaps and how can we fix them? We need you to join us and give us your feedback!

Please share this information with your friends and family."
Warm regards,  Andy

ALERT...ALERT...ALERT
JPS BOND $809 MILLION
Two meetings left...
PLEASE ATTEND
Tuesday, July 21, 6 p.m.
Arlington Subcourthouse
700 East Abram St.
Arlington, TX 76010

Wednesday, July 22, 6 p.m.
Mansfield City Council Chambers
1200 East Broad Street
Mansfield, TX 76063

Psst - Hey, Dallas. You're still downstream

The Dallas Observer is writing about their Trinity River project again and about the complete ineptness of the US Corp of Engineers (aka the same people who built the levees in New Orleans).

Jim Schutze is having a hard time getting the flood number for the Corp.  Maybe he should ask the NCTCOG for the Fort Worth Congresswoman's number instead.  He can ask about her son's project, Trinity Uptown, Central City, Trinity River Vision, Panther Island Pavilion, whatever they are calling it today.  He can ask what's going to happen in Dallas when the levees come down and the river is rerouted in Fort Worth.  He can ask how much experience and education her son has in hydrology.  He can also ask WHY the million dollar model of TRV (built in Vancouver) had to be redone...perhaps because the channel wasn't big enough to accommodate the water downtown?  If he's bored he can also ask what floating with alligators has to do with flood control.

Get ready Dallas, we're headed your way. And if you live on those lakes currently draining floodwaters to Dallas, YOU need to pay attention.

More than Heavy Rain Is Flooding Local Lakes. We Are, too.

We need to rethink everything we thought we knew about flood control, which is everything we thought we knew about real estate development, which is everything we thought we knew about community.

If we think the flood problems we’ve seen this season have been bad, and if we don’t do anything about them, we’re in for a real nightmare in years soon to come. 

But here’s the real news. If the city of Dallas and the Army Corps of Engineers proceed with their plans for the Trinity River downtown, all of those flooding problems around the upstream lakes will get significantly worse.

How much worse? Well, we have a problem there. The impact of the Corps’ Dallas Floodway Extension Program on upstream flooding depends on a certain number. We used to know that number. Now the Corps says they can’t find the number any more. It disappeared. Even with all their engineers and scientists, they just can’t come up with that number now.

That’s completely crazy. They cannot not know. In fact they have to know with precision how much the new levees will back up the water downtown. This is speculation on my part, but the only reason I can imagine for them not to give me the number is fear. They must be afraid, during this time of flood emergency, that releasing the number will set off a grassroots rebellion in the communities around the upstream lakes.

In the current flood emergency, Mother Nature has said, “Look at the lakes, still 10 to 25 feet above flood stage weeks after the first heavy rains. Think about a 25-year-old scheme based on data and assumptions already proven by history to be materially wrong. Then think about the fact that Dallas still intends to do something to make things materially worse.” 

Alligator at Panther Island Pavilion

Apparently, Tarrant County Alligators didn't get the memo.

Croc In The River