One month before the Fort Worth tornado -

In 2000, Councilman Clyde Picht wrote a letter to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.  At the time he was the only one in town advocating for emergency sirens.  The mayor, city council and Fort Worth Star-Telegram Editorial Board all were against spending money on sirens that protect people.

What was he basing his position on?  History. It tends to repeat itself. 

A month after Clyde wrote the letter, the tornado hit.  Lives were lost, just like he said. 

Currently, this mayor, council and paper disagree with what Clyde says about the Trinity River Vision.  What's the next Editorial Board going to say? 

Clyde's comment after rereading the commentary he wrote in 2000 - 

It’s too bad we had to wait for the disaster we knew was coming before we made a decision to upgrade our warning system.

Sounds familiar.  The following will too, read about Fort Worth, twelve years ago, before the tornado.

Two million for warning sirens?  A bargain at twice the price!
 
            When German bombers attacked London during the Second World War they lacked the precision guidance of today's weapons. On the other hand, the British radar showed only the general direction the bombers traveled so throughout the city air raid sirens wailed to warn the people of impending attack.

                Now, sixty years later, the National Weather Service has spent hundreds of millions of dollars in high tech equipment that can tell with a degree of precision the path a tornado will follow. The detection of severe weather is in the 21st century but the Fort Worth warning sirens are more suitable for the Battle of Britain. Our sirens will blare throughout our 250 square mile city, if they blare at all. Because of their age replacement parts are not readily available. Ten to fifteen percent of the system fails when tested, and on occasion, the whole system has been known to fail. With the rapid growth of our city some areas on the developing fringe are totally without warning sirens.

                Some things are fact. We live at the Southwest end of what weather experts call "Tornado Ally." Tornadoes have caused massive destruction and loss of life to the West, South, and East of Fort Worth. Severe weather caused major destruction in Fort Worth, pelting us with hail the size of baseballs in 1980 and 1995. Weather experts say that we will be struck by a killer tornado similar to the one that raised havoc in Moore, Oklahoma, last year. It's not a matter of whether, but when.

                In a recent commentary (2/21/00), Star-Telegram writer Jack Z. Smith reported that as a consequence of the Moore disaster that city is going to double the number of sirens. In my own conversation with Emergency Management Director, Gayland Kitch, he told me that even though the tornado occurred during rush hour, with plenty of radio and TV coverage, some residents didn't take cover until they heard the warning sirens. Smith reports Kitch said he feels that sirens help save lives and that Fort Worth would be wise to invest in them.

                Some things are fiction. According to Smith, the Mayor and some Council members feel that warnings sirens are not worth the $2-$3 million cost. They think radio, television, Internet, cell phones, E-mail and weather radios will substitute for sirens. It is not uncommon to have power outages during severe weather. With the power outages go your radio, television, Internet, and E-mail. Few computer owners are foolish enough to operate them during thunderstorms without UPS. A battery-powered radio will still work, provided the batteries are good and you have it with you. Cell phones might work if you've got them, but they don't always perform well even in good weather. First-hand reports from Oklahoma demonstrate that cell phones fail when tornadoes are near. Weather radios, like cell phones, are fine if everybody has one. Not everyone can afford or will want to buy a weather radio for $40-$80 (cost according to Smith). Most people probably wouldn't have one nearby during severe weather, in any case. Twenty-two people lost their lives when tornadoes hit Georgia in mid February. They came at night when folks were tucked safely in their beds. Or so they thought. Computers, cell phones, radios - all off. 

                A state of the art warning system has advantages that all the aforementioned devices don't have. The per capita cost is very nominal. A system will last many years and perform with high reliability. It can be used to warn residents in the path of severe weather without alarming those in safer areas. It can be localized to warn of hazardous spills on freeways and rail lines. It has a voice capability to describe circumstances that may require residents to take cover or remain in their homes and can warn children playing outside. With correct placement they are likely to be heard inside the home as well as outside.

                Lives will be lost in the event of a major tornado transiting Tarrant County. Adequate warning will save many lives, which might otherwise be lost. Ironically, the City Council was presented a proposal by the Fire Chief for the 1998 Capital Improvement Program that would have replaced the current warning system. The council turned it down and chose to use some of that money for park improvement. Pity the poor folks in the park who might be whisked away to Oz because they don't own a cell phone or weather radio, and live in a city where they are expected to take more "personal responsibility" for their safety.

                Like the unfortunate homeowner who installs a burglar alarm after the family heirlooms have been stolen, the City of Fort Worth will some day upgrade its woefully deficient disaster warning system after a major storm wreaks death and destruction. It willstill be cheap at twice the monetary price but what's the value of a life?

Name that Tune

This is from the Associated Press, see if you can tell WHICH city and WHICH project they are referring to -

An ___story skyscraper under construction at _________ will have to stop at seven stories unless the developer can line up more tenants, planners said Monday, adding to problems that have plagued the $___ billion _______ project.

________ Inc. said it is still looking for tenants to fill the first 10 floors of _______, the third-highest building in the planned office complex. Without those leases, the _________ and _______ will not guarantee the financing that _________ needs to finish the building.

Many companies in _______ are reluctant to invest in new offices because of the poor economy, and dozens are negotiating lower rents as five-year leases signed before the housing crash begin to expire. But both _________ and ________ said they are confident the developer can get enough tenants lined up.

"We are currently speaking with a number of potential tenants and remain fully optimistic that we will sign a lease in time to complete the tower as scheduled in 20___," ________, the company's chief executive, said in a written statement.

No, it's not the Trinity River Vision, it's actually the World Trade Center.  The big difference between New York and Texas?  The developers are paying in New York, their Mayor said the city would "not extend any aid to keep it going".  What a novel concept.  What a Mayor.  HOW do we get one of those?

Another difference, when the Port Authority raised its tolls to raise its credit rating, their governors raised the right to look at the "Authority's" finances.  WHO is looking at the Authority's finances here? Remember, it's YOUR money.

Watauga Waves

The budget for Watauga did not pass through the council as it always has before.

Three new council members are being blamed by the old council members.  Three new council members are being thanked by the citizens.  Be sure and read the comment.  It gives you a side the "news" forgot to.  The side of the people that the council is elected to represent.

Read about it in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

Wednesday night's vote was 4-3 in favor of the budget, but a two-thirds majority was required for passage.

It was the first time a proposed budget has been rejected in Watauga, city officials said.

"I wish we could have reached a better level of consensus in the previous [budget] workshops," Clements said.

"My only objection was to the tax increase. Overall, I agreed with the budget, except for hiring new people."

Mayor Harry Jeffries said he was disappointed in the council.

"We've had enough work sessions for people to ask questions, and they weren't asked," he said. "I have three people who don't want to raise taxes. I don't want to raise taxes, and the other councilmen don't want to raise taxes. But you come to a point where you look at the loss in [total] property valuation and something has to happen to make that up.

"Either you cut services or you raise taxes."

Watauga has lost considerable taxable property value in the last several years. Between 2010 and 2011, the total property value in Watauga dropped about $10.2 million.

Calling Fort Worth back

We told you we'd post the response from the City of Fort Worth.  However, there wasn't one.

So we're posting the citizen follow up letter instead.  Below the follow up letter is the letter sent after the permit was issued without any of the questions asked being answered.  Scroll down to AND THEN to read that.

As a follow up on the Rutherford 1H Natural Gas Well site, I would like to provide the following information to support my request for not permitting this site and will add the following information.

The application site plan provided by Chesapeake (in violation of Ordinance) shows the gathering line as being less than 35 feet from an apartment which is a protected use. How can that be reasonable, it is a potential disaster waiting to happen with many lives at stake. Should the City want to be in a position for such an irresponsible act? It is an obvious hazard for which the city would have no defense.

There is supposed to be a Disaster Plan submitted (after all waivers are properly secured). The Disaster Plan Chesapeake submitted shows a line drawn from a fire station to the gas drilling site. Do you really consider that an acceptable disaster plan? I don't.

Even if the Fire Department is notified, their responsibility ends at the pad site boundaries or farther out. The Fire Department has stated they are not trained to deal with emergencies on a gas well pad site. Therefore the Fire Department is not an acceptable disaster plan for gas well sites and disasters. The City's acceptance of such a plan is a fraud on the Fort worth Citizens. It is no plan at all. A satisfactory plan is one whereby the citizens have an ability to secure a copy of the plan and could prepare for an emergency. The City does not have a plan.

The City is in violation of state law to permit this facility.

TEX LG. CODE ANN. § 253.005 : Texas Statutes - Section 253.005: LEASE OF OIL, GAS, OR MINERAL LAND

"(c) A well may not be drilled in the thickly settled part of the municipality."

This immediate area can not be a more thickly settled area as a community and with the placement of a well site literally in the middle of that community is contrary to Sec 253.005 of state law .

I will say again, this well site violates nearly every common sense approach and it also violates numerous legal regulations. The Rutherford 1H does not belong at the proposed location.

I must ask if this is the typical Natural Gas Well approval process for the City of Fort Worth? Is there any over site on the process?

How did this application go through the Gas Drilling Review Committee and no one caught any irregularities, particularly the one regarding no application is to be accepted without all of the waivers? I look forward to an explanation to all of my questions.

AND THEN -

FORT WORTH CITY COUNCIL

The permit was recently issued for the Rutherford 1H gas well site despite my questions below questioning its inappropriate location.

The City ignores the fact this location is inside a TIF which has a stated purpose to enhance the area and a natural gas well is an obvious detractor for this or any area. The City also ignores that with a TIF, there are partners such as Tarrant County and others that are required to be consulted in a certain manner and was not done.

The City acknowledges there is a resident that lives in the apartment within the main office building of the Woodhaven Self Storage, or about 75 feet from the pad site. The city acknowledges the need to have a resident manager located there for adequate security, yet nothing was done to protect the Woodhaven Self Storage business that has been in operation several years and a benefit to local residents or the Resident Manager. Chesapeake's waiver states there is not a permanent resident. None the less, there is a resident and that is not in doubt.

The Texas State law (Sec. 253.005) forbids a well being drilled in a thickly settled part of the municipality. If every square inch of an area is developed with residential or residential friendly shops, eating establishments or a grocery store, with one exception and that is one piece of property where the well is to be located in the very middle, how can that not be considered thickly settled? This is contrary to the intent of the State Legislature and wrong.

For all intensive purposes, the City is Spot Zoning for the gas drilling industry and that violates common sense and Texas Law.

The following is an excerpt from: An Overview of Zoning in Texas, THE ZONING ENABLING ACT ZONING AND LAND USE IN TEXAS by David M. Berman, Nichols, Jackson, Dillard, Hager & Smith, L.L.P.

Spot zoning.

Spot Zoning generally refers to a singling out of a specific tract of land for a zoning use classification that is different and inconsistent with that of the surrounding area for the benefit of the owner of the property and to the detriment of the rights of other property owners. "Spot zoning" was described in Pharr v. Tippett as connoting "an unacceptable amendatory [zoning] ordinance that singles out a small tract for treatment that differs from that accorded similar surrounding land without proof of changes in conditions. . . . Spot zoning is regarded as preferential treatment which defeats a pre-established comprehensive plan. . . . It is piecemeal zoning, the antithesis of planned zoning."

From PHARR V. TIPPITT: A common element present in all cases which have condemned spot zoning is that in each case a small area (in relation to all of the area affected by rezoning) was singled out for treatment which was different from that of surrounding land. See McWhorter v. City of Winnsboro, 525 S.W.2d 701 (Tex.Civ.App. Tyler 1975, writ ref'd n. r. e.). Spot zoning is legal only if justified by a change in conditions which affect the area in question, or where there is evidence of definite community need because of changed conditions which bear a substantial relation to the public health, safety, morals or general welfare which cannot reasonably be met otherwise. Thompson v. City of Palestine, supra; Weaver v. Ham, supra.

The City of Fort Worth appears to be playing outside of the bounds of Texas Law and common sense.

I am suggesting the City Council start requesting copies of the State Law be provided to them when the City legal department says you may act in a certain way when it doesn't make sense. Under State Law, it is presumed YOU know the law.

I requested information recently from the City about how it can justify questionable actions taking place within the city, like the ability of the City attorney to provide a definition of grandfathering that is different than what is stated in the Ordinance. It was refused. The State law says the words are to be used as they are written, if they are unambiguous. There is nothing in state law that says that the City Attorney can in effect, rewrite the ordinance behind closed doors in a manner different than what is clearly stated because she believes the intent was different.

Is there a reason I should not have access to how my City is being regulated? When I request what Ordinance or what State Statute authorizes the City to conduct itself in a certain manner, do I not have a right to know? I am not seeing open government; what I see is a City Government trying to hide something.

I would appreciate your comments or concerns.

Due West - Part 2

The new Irving Mayor would like a city ethics overhaul concerning campaign contributions.  Seems she learned a thing or two on the campaign trail.

One being while it may be "legal", it's unethical for a candidate to accept half a million dollars from a contractor that has many contracts and lots of business with same city.  (Sound familiar, Fort Worth?  North Richland Hills?)

Yes, said contractor is one in the same that WFAA.com was investigating the money trail for the Las Colinas project.

"You don't accept money from people who are accepting city dollars or who you are going to have a vote to accept city dollars,” said Van Duyne. “You don't take money from them."

Irving's new mayor says she will also call for a more careful review of the entire entertainment center project.

She says this doesn't mean she's not in favor of moving forward with the project; she just doesn't believe it is feasible or sustainable.

Wonder if Van Duyne would consider moving to Fort Worth?  We take campaign contributions from big business and have a project that the citizens believe isn't feasible or sustainable, even if that is the latest buzzword.

Mayors Everywhere - Part 2

In our previous post, we asked what kind of mayor YOU wanted?

We like this kind.

We cut the town's debt by over 50%, built a very nice municipal park and library which provides computers with internet access to the community, as well as wii fit systems to area residents. We also have won the Governor's challenge on fitness four of the six years I was involved and two of the four years I served as mayor. Another proud moment was when we installed solar panels on our municipal building. We did all of this without raising taxes or putting undue burden on the taxpayers. Another thing that I am very proud of, is that we partnered with area churches to develop programs to help our area youth. This was very successful and well attended by our area youth. However, the thing that I am most proud of, is that we came together as a community and stood shoulder to shoulder to protect our turf.

I would like to thank the citizens of DISH, and others around the United States as well as the World who have supported me and my family through all of this. Please know to all of you that have adopted me as your mayor, that I am still your mayor and will support you however you need me too. Thanks again.

A Mayor that stood WITH his citizens and stood up for them.  One that cut debt and made progress without shouldering his citizens with the burden of higher taxes.  One that made great strides not only in his town, but all over the U.S. 
 
We salute Calvin Tillman, former Mayor of DISH, Texas.  Current Mayor of many.  Carry on, sir!

Mayors Everywhere

Are YOU listening?

Read the recent article for the Dallas Monthly on what Libertarians want from the new mayor.

Change "Libertarians" to citizens and change "Dallas" to Fort Worth.  Remember, it's all interchangable. 
So are the Mayors.

What do YOU want from YOUR Mayor?

I was asked by the Dallas Monthly News to write a short article on what I might like to see from the new Mayor, many people like me have sat on the side lines with their investment money because we can never be sure what our government is going to do, for instance, I have seen a recent resurgence in the Deep Ellum area and think now is the time to invest, so I bought a restaurant and bar there called The Free Man Cajun Cafe & Lounge, but if at the same time the city works with its influential friends to prop up another area, that could actually harm me. Meaning I would have been better off staying on the side lines, not creating 30 jobs and not giving people another great place to eat.

This is what is so important for people to understand, government needs to stay out of business, it makes for a shaky, unfair playing field, and though many might say "but look how great The House of Blues is doing!" they don't understand that in order for the House of Blues to make it with government subsidies, places like Trees, and The Granada suffer. By what right does the city have to pick winners and losers in business? I can only hope that they don't play favorites, and let Deep Ellum revive as it as has been doing on its own lately.

That being said, I wanted to include a reaction from my great friend Jordan Wagnon, who has his masters in City Politics:

"What would Libertarians want from him? First we would want an end to the sweetheart deals at City Hall. "Public-private partnerships" and "bringing business and jobs to Dallas" sound great, but in practice the Council just funnels the city's resources away from the many into the pockets of a few. We hope Mayor Rawlings understands that every tax deal makes the rest of us shoulder a heavier burden, and every subsidy or TIF project forces businesses that already create jobs and earn their own way to go up against government backed competitors. The best thing the new mayor could do for the economy would be to fight against the rigged system so the people of Dallas can decide for themselves where resources are needed most.

In addition, we hope he shares our commitment to the personal freedoms that Americans cherish but the City Council seems to hate. The smoking ban, teen curfew, and window sign restrictions are recent ordinances that have no place in a free country. These measures do not make anyone safer, except for incumbents, who can say they did something about violence and theft by making criminals out of peaceful property owners or juveniles who dare to venture into public during the daytime. So Mayor Rawlings has a simple choice - he can embrace the idea that Dallas government exists to serve and protect freedom, or he can embrace the coercion and favoritism now imposed on us by City Hall. We will support him whenever he chooses freedom."

John Jay Myers & Jordan Wagnon of the Libertarian Party of Dallas County.

The Great Divide

In Fort Worth.

A couple of interesting things in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

One being a letter to the editor that makes note of the switch in political parties our Congresswoman made to get elected and WHO she is beholden to.  Remember, she asked your new Mayor to run.  WHO is she now beholden to?


The new mayor

Fort Worth blew its opportunity to elect a qualified known quantity as mayor. I am not acquainted with Betsy Price but am looking forward to falling in love with her. The last female mayor we had was a very good one. It was only after she left the mayor's post that she became so totally beholden to the Republican Party.

-- Joe Hays, Fort Worth

The other being Bud Kennedy's article about Fort Worth being divided.  There are reasons for the split  - they are political and have a great deal to do with the economics of each neighborhood.

Kathleen Hicks is at it again, saying we can find money for a Superbowl but not streetlights.  Doesn't Kathleen serve on the Trinity River Vision board? 

Boswell summed it up in two words in 06.  Failed and neglected...

In 2006, then-City Manager Charles Boswell gave a passionate speech about how leaders have neglected "the other Fort Worth," the one-third of residents with low graduation and employment rates but high crime rates.

He didn't draw an east-west split, but he did say City Hall failed to maintain inner-city streets and drainage.

Promises, Promises, Promises

Remember them, hold politicians to them.

In the Fort Worth Business Press, Betsy Price, said:

“When I’m sworn in my first priority is to get the budget handled and help protect taxpayers,” Price said.

While Price has expressed support for the Trinity River Vision, she has also said she would not support putting any more local tax money into the effort without voter approval.

A mayor that protects taxpayers?  NO more local money thrown after the TRV ditch?  Understandably, we'll have to see it to beleive it. 

Arlington Arrogance

The citizens who attended the meeting in Arlington this week must have felt like they were in Fort Worth.  Read the Letter in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.  Good question. 

No speaking allowed

Arlington Mayor Robert Cluck is choosing to use his position as a bully pulpit.

The Tuesday council meeting was a short 90 minutes, yet Cluck refused to let a number of reasonable residents speak about the transportation development plan before the council voted.

He announced he plans to do the same thing for the hike-and-bike public hearing on June 28. Two 30-year plans -- and the mayor will only allow 20 minutes for each side?

How can residents be part of the public process and go on record if they are not allowed to address the council?

-- Kimberly Frankland, Arlington

Arlington headed the Fort Worth Way

No wonder they needed the Save Arlington website. 

Local residents were thrown out of last night's City Council meeting in Arlington.  By police.  WTH?  Seems the opponents of the Hike and Bike plan (that ties closely in with the Thoroughfare Plan) outnumbered the proponents by a long shot.

Seeing as how the majority of the Council was set to vote for the plan, they didn't seem to like the fact they would be doing so in a room full of folks who have ran the numbers and know the issues.  Therefore they limited the speaking time to 20 minutes.  WHAT?  Isn't it in the Charter that anyone who signs up to speak shall receive their allotted time?  Instead, a citizen was told they had 10 seconds to speak.  We voted on what we'd say in 10 seconds, we won't repeat it here.

Another resident said it best, "Turns out there ain't much free speech in city hall unless you agree with them".

Time to Vote...Again

The Fort Worth Business Press has quotes from each Mayor candidate.  While we were left with not much for our choices, we're voting for Jim Lane.  He wasn't hand picked by the 7th Street Gang.  Which while surprising, speaks volumes.

If you're in District 7, vote for Jon Perry, he's not the 'establishment' candidate. 

Do YOU want someone watching out for YOU?  or the establishment?

VOTE.

Name your Price...

Mayor Moncrief has announced his support for Betsy Price.  What does that tell you? 

THE PEOPLE have plenty to tell you, read the comments on the Fort Worth Star-Telegram article.

Well if Mongrief says Price is the man, then that's enough for me. I'm voting for Lane.

So are we.  Don't be sheep -

VOTE!!!

Fort Worth Mayor Forum

Tonight's forum is sponsored by the Fort Worth League of Neighborhoods -

6:30 p.m.
University Christian Church
2720 So. University Drive
Fort Worth, TX 76109

Tomorrow night's forum includes the candidates from District 7 and is the Community Arts - Scott Theatre.  They'll have Rahr beer and Paul Harral, the former Editor of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.  We miss Paul. 

Attend a forum, ask a question.  VOTE.

We have a question for Dennis Shingleton, WHY would you not have a website?  We find Jon Perry at several meetings all over the county, see youtube videos and emails he sends asking everyone to vote, even if not for him...We've yet to see the establishment candidate at a meeting and we can't find a website.  Ask WHY?

No wonder

Argyle needed a website.  Seems they need some council members that aren't in Junior High as well.  You wouldn't believe it unless you see it, check it out on TXSharon. 

Think it's not going on in your town?  Attend a city council meeting...you'll see.

Mayor of the Trinity River

The comments on the Fort Worth Weekly article show that some are still confused.  To clear things up, Kay Granger asked Betsy Price to run for Mayor.  Not Jim Lane.  What does that tell you?

Read the article and the comments on Fort Worth Weekly.

Crossing party lines

WHY would Betsy Price not attend Democrat forums in Fort Worth?  Aren't there Democrats in Fort Worth?  Why, yes, there are.  As matter of fact, our Congresswoman was one before she switched sides. 

WHY would Betsy not agree to attend a forum in each district and turn down many organizations for an open debate?

Part of a recent letter may say it all -

We do not need a mayor who was anointed by the establishment.

We do not need a mayor who cannot find her way to a forum in Stop Six.

Doesn't add up...

Some good Letters to the Editor in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.  We wonder how much they were edited? 

Seems people have the same question we've been hearing since news broke Betsy Price was running for Mayor...WHO pays??

A tax assessor makes more than a hundred grand a year. The Fort Worth mayor's position pays about $30,000. Why would a person leave a well-paying public position for one that doesn't even pay one-fourth as much? Maybe there's some outside lobbying going on. I think we'll be the ones paying for it down the line. I just don't trust a person who has made that much money on the taxpayers' dime for so many years to suddenly take a huge cut in pay, all for "the good of the people."

I am voting for Jim Lane in this runoff. He's given a lot to this city without the large salary. He's the clear choice for Fort Worth.

-- Don Beims, Fort Worth
 
The next letter made us laugh.  Beholden to the taxpayers?  Which ones?  The Grangers? Cheseapeake? The Kelly's?   Where do they find these people?  City Hall?
 
Betsy is beholden only to taxpayers, not to special interests inside or outside city government.
 
And they'll be laughing, all the way to the bank...

Double take

Check out the Trinity River Vision Boondoggle and the Fort Worth Mayor Boondoggle on Durango.

The picture alone is worth it.

Did YOU vote yet?

YOU better.  Otherwise, same ol...you know.

DO something, otherwise, keep your mouth shut. 

WHO are we voting for?  You can see our pics here.

Early voting ends today at 7.  Election day is Saturday!