While 12,000 gallons per hour of waste spill into the Trinity River, the Tarrant Regional Water Board increases its rates and prepares to go to court to take land by eminent domain for Trinity Uptown.
Read the Fort Worth Star-Telegram article here.
We've given you a couple of incentives to do so below.
For the 13th consecutive year the district’s tax rate of 2 cents per $100 valuation remained unchanged, but it will provide about $8.2 million for the general fund budget, which includes $10.4 million for the massive Trinity Uptown, the remaining portion of the $64 million it committed for the project.
The board will determine any increase in the salary of Executive Director Jim Oliver, who earns $286,000.
The board tabled using eminent domain on 0.565 of an acre at 841 N. Houston St. owned by Texas Refinery Corp. because of "a technical error," said Steve Christian, the water district’s property director.
The water district’s eminent domain powers were preserved in 2005 when Gov. Rick Perry signed a bill hailed as preventing government from seizing property to generate more revenue. But Senate Bill 7 has many loopholes, including allowing the water district to use eminent domain to acquire property along the Trinity River.
Showing posts with label Trinty Uptown. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Trinty Uptown. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Thursday, September 3, 2009
"Boundaries don't protect rivers, people do"
on our link list, you should.
We don't know WHO they are, but we like them.
We don't know WHO they are, but we like them.
Trinity Gang
The Water Board's responsibilities are to provide clean, adequate water and reduce flooding.
What are they up to these days?
They are seizing land from business owners that are "in the way" of Trinity Uptown.
Today's Fort Worth Star-Telegram daily newspaper has an article that you can't afford to miss.
"As far as I know, the offer they gave us really was not open for negotiation," said Mike Page, 53, whose family built the building at 1035 N.Henderson St. in 1967. "It was take it or leave it," he said.
"What we’ll be left with is a piece of property that is not worth anything," Page said.
At Wednesday’s meeting the Trinity River Authority also adopted a resolution saying it favors lengthening its tax increment finance district to 40 years to cover $320 million of the project’s $909 million cost. The board heard two consultants’ reports stating that a 40-year TIF could generate $448 million to $840 million.
The project’s official cost has climbed from $880 million in July since board members indicated they wanted $29 million in so-called "betterments" added that will pay for trees, pedestrian walkways and other amenities designed to lure foot traffic to the bypass channel. For now, the Trinity River Vision board is holding off on adding more projects to the tab.
What Mark Twain said about the Mississippi River holds true for the Trinity as well,
The Mississippi River will always have its own way; no engineering skill can persuade it to do otherwise...
What are they up to these days?
They are seizing land from business owners that are "in the way" of Trinity Uptown.
Today's Fort Worth Star-Telegram daily newspaper has an article that you can't afford to miss.
"As far as I know, the offer they gave us really was not open for negotiation," said Mike Page, 53, whose family built the building at 1035 N.Henderson St. in 1967. "It was take it or leave it," he said.
"What we’ll be left with is a piece of property that is not worth anything," Page said.
At Wednesday’s meeting the Trinity River Authority also adopted a resolution saying it favors lengthening its tax increment finance district to 40 years to cover $320 million of the project’s $909 million cost. The board heard two consultants’ reports stating that a 40-year TIF could generate $448 million to $840 million.
The project’s official cost has climbed from $880 million in July since board members indicated they wanted $29 million in so-called "betterments" added that will pay for trees, pedestrian walkways and other amenities designed to lure foot traffic to the bypass channel. For now, the Trinity River Vision board is holding off on adding more projects to the tab.
What Mark Twain said about the Mississippi River holds true for the Trinity as well,
The Mississippi River will always have its own way; no engineering skill can persuade it to do otherwise...
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Vacant
Earlier this week it was reported that office space vacancy in downtown Fort Worth is at a 25 year high. All hope this will change, however they agree it could get a lot worse before it gets better.
On the national news it was reported in Fort Meyers, FL, one couple are the lone occupants of a brand new thirty-two story condo. They say it's like living in a ghost town.
Aside from the fact building anything in the middle of the river is a bad idea, why do we need more empty offices and high rise condos no one can afford?
If the Homeless program can hold out until then, maybe they can use the condos at Trinity Uptown.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
What's your limit?
Finally, at $880 million dollars the Editorial Board at The Fort Worth Star-Telegram might have reached theirs with the Trinity River.
We can only hope.
This project continues to escalate in costs while scaling back on everything else. The "urban lake" is now half the size, more of a pond. The expensive fancy bridges gone. Nearly $400,000,000 earmarked in stimulus money.
Maybe they should have listened to Clyde Picht in a 2007 Fort Worth Business Press Letter to the Editor.
Trinity Uptown robs taxpayers, rewards private interests
The Army Corps of Engineers made the recommendation; no doubt, because they couldn’t find anyone among the high-cost crowd who knew what they were doing. It’s what they should have done in the first place rather than practicing political payback.
Heading into 2007, the Authority still insists the price of River Vision is $435 million. Compare that dream with the reality that Jerry Jones’ $650 million stadium is now $1 billion; the $90 million Omni Hotel is now $160 million, and the cost of one lane mile of road construction has jumped from $500,000 to $660,000. Those are cost increases that are happening now, with current projects.
There have been no elections for Trinity Uptown and very limited opportunity for citizen input despite the claimed “hundreds of open meetings.” The Corps was late on the environmental impact statement and the plan has been changed to move a holding pond from the River Crest area to Gateway Park. That requires at least an amendment to the EIS.
But ignoring bad management at City Hall and dismissing it as “challenges” is just as irresponsible as the mismanagement.
We can only hope.
This project continues to escalate in costs while scaling back on everything else. The "urban lake" is now half the size, more of a pond. The expensive fancy bridges gone. Nearly $400,000,000 earmarked in stimulus money.
Maybe they should have listened to Clyde Picht in a 2007 Fort Worth Business Press Letter to the Editor.
Trinity Uptown robs taxpayers, rewards private interests
The Army Corps of Engineers made the recommendation; no doubt, because they couldn’t find anyone among the high-cost crowd who knew what they were doing. It’s what they should have done in the first place rather than practicing political payback.
Heading into 2007, the Authority still insists the price of River Vision is $435 million. Compare that dream with the reality that Jerry Jones’ $650 million stadium is now $1 billion; the $90 million Omni Hotel is now $160 million, and the cost of one lane mile of road construction has jumped from $500,000 to $660,000. Those are cost increases that are happening now, with current projects.
There have been no elections for Trinity Uptown and very limited opportunity for citizen input despite the claimed “hundreds of open meetings.” The Corps was late on the environmental impact statement and the plan has been changed to move a holding pond from the River Crest area to Gateway Park. That requires at least an amendment to the EIS.
But ignoring bad management at City Hall and dismissing it as “challenges” is just as irresponsible as the mismanagement.
Let’s say it loud and clear: The Trinity Uptown project is taking money from the taxpayers to subsidize economic development for private interests. That’s not why we have government, and we all know it. It matters to the general public that they can’t drive on decent streets, with curbs and gutters and good lighting.
It also matters that this project displaces or closes around 90 small businesses through eminent domain, just so others can profit. It matters that there are still unknowns in the handling and cost of environmental remediation. It matters that this is a Fort Worth project that is partially funded and managed by the Tarrant Regional Water District, which has wandered way beyond its prime areas of responsibility: providing current and future water supplies and managing some near-empty lakes.
It matters that this project is rife with cronyism, subterfuge, smokescreen and misinformation.
When the private sector returns to funding development and accepting the risks that bring greater rewards – and local government puts the needs of the public first – we’ll have the idyllic city living that we now only think we have.
Since it's Sunday, we'll leave you with this quote from THE book, "For which of you, intending to build a tower, sits not down first, and counts the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Texas Earthquakes
It looks like there have been anywhere from 3 to 7 in the area in 8 months. (Depends on who you ask).
The question is WHY?
Looks like Don Young and Durango discussed last month.
The book they discussed lists the following three human activities that commonly induce earthquake activity as:
1) Injecting high pressure fluids into rock formations beneath the earths surface. (CHECK - Courtesy of gas industry)
2) Withdrawing large amounts of fluid or gas. (CHECK- courtesy of gas industry)
3) Construction of reservoirs and lakes. (CHECK - courtesy of Trinity Uptown Pork, aka your tax dollars)
The question is WHY?
Looks like Don Young and Durango discussed last month.
The book they discussed lists the following three human activities that commonly induce earthquake activity as:
1) Injecting high pressure fluids into rock formations beneath the earths surface. (CHECK - Courtesy of gas industry)
2) Withdrawing large amounts of fluid or gas. (CHECK- courtesy of gas industry)
3) Construction of reservoirs and lakes. (CHECK - courtesy of Trinity Uptown Pork, aka your tax dollars)
Friday, May 29, 2009
Clyde's Two Cents
If you haven't read Clyde's comments lately, you should.
We keep hearing how Fort Worth is in financial trouble but when you attend council meetings, it sounds like we have all the money in the world.
We still have issue with spending millions to move so many things that are "in the way" of the Trinity project. If it ain't broke (and you are) don't fix it. We aren't the only ones...
"Next on Mr. Harwood's list of essentials was the police and fire training facility which will be in the way of Trinity Uptown. Therefore it will be necessary to build a new facility utilizing 75-300 acres (a rather flexible estimate) elsewhere about town. A previous estimate of the cost was in the stimulus request and amounted to $111,000,000. That would buy a helluva training facility. We'll see what it costs when we spend our own money. Harwood indicated a need to have an operating firing range within 2.5 years, dependent on Trinity Uptown construction."
We keep hearing how Fort Worth is in financial trouble but when you attend council meetings, it sounds like we have all the money in the world.
We still have issue with spending millions to move so many things that are "in the way" of the Trinity project. If it ain't broke (and you are) don't fix it. We aren't the only ones...
"Next on Mr. Harwood's list of essentials was the police and fire training facility which will be in the way of Trinity Uptown. Therefore it will be necessary to build a new facility utilizing 75-300 acres (a rather flexible estimate) elsewhere about town. A previous estimate of the cost was in the stimulus request and amounted to $111,000,000. That would buy a helluva training facility. We'll see what it costs when we spend our own money. Harwood indicated a need to have an operating firing range within 2.5 years, dependent on Trinity Uptown construction."
Thursday, May 21, 2009
TX vs.OK
No, not football. Water.
What a tangled web...
WHO is JC Watts?
Last August the city of Irving was criticized for making a deal with Hugo, OK to purchase water. The mayor of Irving said he couldn't wait for the Tarrant Regional Water District or anyone else for something so crucial. Makes perfect sense to us.
The water district has spent their time and money on "more important" things like paying the Eppstein group to promote Trinity Uptown, paying lobbyist to secure more federal money for Trinity Uptown, and paying double the value for land needed for Trinity Uptown. (This week the water district agreed to spend $286,000 for a 0.3868 acre lot valued at $129,903).
Isn't their job to ensure we have water in the future and protect from flooding? Maybe the Irving mayor should run for the water board. We'd vote for him.
What a tangled web...
WHO is JC Watts?
Last August the city of Irving was criticized for making a deal with Hugo, OK to purchase water. The mayor of Irving said he couldn't wait for the Tarrant Regional Water District or anyone else for something so crucial. Makes perfect sense to us.
The water district has spent their time and money on "more important" things like paying the Eppstein group to promote Trinity Uptown, paying lobbyist to secure more federal money for Trinity Uptown, and paying double the value for land needed for Trinity Uptown. (This week the water district agreed to spend $286,000 for a 0.3868 acre lot valued at $129,903).
Isn't their job to ensure we have water in the future and protect from flooding? Maybe the Irving mayor should run for the water board. We'd vote for him.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Austin bound
So when the 3 Lone Citizens returned from Austin they asked for letters to be written to help gain support. We received this letter that was sent South. This person never received a response but one letter writer did and shared it. The letter writer then responded. Interesting reading.
Rep Jim Keffer, Chair Energy Resources Committee and Hon. Members,
Please come to Fort Worth and meet with the resident's concerning their safety and future quality of life. Being one of the largest metropolitian areas in the United States we stand a lot to lose if the drilling in this densely populated area is not done responsibly. While understanding there is a need for drilling, public safety should be first and foremost on everyone's agenda.
I would ask that you work with the resident's contacting you to schedule the meeting so there is assurance the venue will be large enough in size and there is adequate parking to handle a large turnout. The last meeting for the citizens was packed with drilling employees from all over the metroplex. When the residents arrived there were no parking spaces and they were not allowed in due to the fire code. What was intended to be a resident meeting was turned into more mockery by the industry. City leaders did not attend this meeting. The media coverage was slanted to favor the drillers. Those in the public that are aware of what is taking place are horrified and trying to get help though no one will listen or respond.
We are asking that you and your team, along with the Attorney General help our beloved city and the residents that love it enough to call it home. We are gravely concerned as to what its future holds.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
XXXX
Response:
All session hearings will occur in Austin . Our legislative session started in January and will end at the end of May. The month of April will be extremely busy for the members of the committee, and they will have to be in Austin at that time. Unfortunately, anyone who wants to testify at an Energy Committee hearing during the session will have to make arrangements to come to Austin .
Also, I don't believe that we have heard from Representative Burnam's office about the request for an Attorney General's opinion. Will you let me know the status of that?
Thanks,
Tori Regas
________________________
General Counsel
OFFICE OF STATE REPRESENTATIVE JIM KEFFER
All, Since I did not receive any response, though through the grapevine of involved citizens received Tori's note stating that all of you are too busy to attend, I ask that you provide an option of a way to communicate with the citizens of Fort Worth and Tarrant County. Again, this matter is a grave situation that places thousands of lives at risk and will set a precedent for our future and other cities as well. As mentioned in the Fort Worth Star Telegram yesterday, Mr. Burnam (and the citizens) cannot carry this burden alone. Neither have received any support from any of those elected to help protect our safety or our rights. Those that would love to speak to you are not too busy to come to you, they are hard working, taxpaying voters that in this time of economic uncertainty cannot all afford to take time off to travel to Austin. Some that are directly affected on Carter Avenue are elderly and some disabled therefore, unable to travel.
The blatant maneuvers by the gas drillers and those in power take advantage and place at risk those that are being ignored. It is taking place weekly in cities throughout Tarrant County. Yesterday the news showed yet another neighborhood the drillers are trying to bully into compliance. As the resident asked, "What is a fair price for where you live?" If no consensus is reached the matter will go to Fort Worth City Council, which doesn't look good for the residents as 56 out of 57 high impact wells have been approved to date. Speaks volumes as to who is being heard.
I am positive that you have asked the question of why the "indirect route" is needed on Carter Avenue. Why a direct route couldn't be taken that would not run a pipeline under people's homes, although since you represent Texas, I suspect you are aware of the answer. It is due to the Water Board owning the property and saving it for the Trinity River earmark. Another project in which real citizens are ignored and will be placed in danger for the sake of economic development.
I ask again that you help us resolve this issue before it's too late, there is too much at stake to not exhaust every alternative to hear the people you represent. Unfortunately we the people do not have the funds or the freedom to travel the way the industry and our elected officials do.
Thank you.
Rep Jim Keffer, Chair Energy Resources Committee and Hon. Members,
Please come to Fort Worth and meet with the resident's concerning their safety and future quality of life. Being one of the largest metropolitian areas in the United States we stand a lot to lose if the drilling in this densely populated area is not done responsibly. While understanding there is a need for drilling, public safety should be first and foremost on everyone's agenda.
I would ask that you work with the resident's contacting you to schedule the meeting so there is assurance the venue will be large enough in size and there is adequate parking to handle a large turnout. The last meeting for the citizens was packed with drilling employees from all over the metroplex. When the residents arrived there were no parking spaces and they were not allowed in due to the fire code. What was intended to be a resident meeting was turned into more mockery by the industry. City leaders did not attend this meeting. The media coverage was slanted to favor the drillers. Those in the public that are aware of what is taking place are horrified and trying to get help though no one will listen or respond.
We are asking that you and your team, along with the Attorney General help our beloved city and the residents that love it enough to call it home. We are gravely concerned as to what its future holds.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
XXXX
Response:
All session hearings will occur in Austin . Our legislative session started in January and will end at the end of May. The month of April will be extremely busy for the members of the committee, and they will have to be in Austin at that time. Unfortunately, anyone who wants to testify at an Energy Committee hearing during the session will have to make arrangements to come to Austin .
Also, I don't believe that we have heard from Representative Burnam's office about the request for an Attorney General's opinion. Will you let me know the status of that?
Thanks,
Tori Regas
________________________
General Counsel
OFFICE OF STATE REPRESENTATIVE JIM KEFFER
All, Since I did not receive any response, though through the grapevine of involved citizens received Tori's note stating that all of you are too busy to attend, I ask that you provide an option of a way to communicate with the citizens of Fort Worth and Tarrant County. Again, this matter is a grave situation that places thousands of lives at risk and will set a precedent for our future and other cities as well. As mentioned in the Fort Worth Star Telegram yesterday, Mr. Burnam (and the citizens) cannot carry this burden alone. Neither have received any support from any of those elected to help protect our safety or our rights. Those that would love to speak to you are not too busy to come to you, they are hard working, taxpaying voters that in this time of economic uncertainty cannot all afford to take time off to travel to Austin. Some that are directly affected on Carter Avenue are elderly and some disabled therefore, unable to travel.
The blatant maneuvers by the gas drillers and those in power take advantage and place at risk those that are being ignored. It is taking place weekly in cities throughout Tarrant County. Yesterday the news showed yet another neighborhood the drillers are trying to bully into compliance. As the resident asked, "What is a fair price for where you live?" If no consensus is reached the matter will go to Fort Worth City Council, which doesn't look good for the residents as 56 out of 57 high impact wells have been approved to date. Speaks volumes as to who is being heard.
I am positive that you have asked the question of why the "indirect route" is needed on Carter Avenue. Why a direct route couldn't be taken that would not run a pipeline under people's homes, although since you represent Texas, I suspect you are aware of the answer. It is due to the Water Board owning the property and saving it for the Trinity River earmark. Another project in which real citizens are ignored and will be placed in danger for the sake of economic development.
I ask again that you help us resolve this issue before it's too late, there is too much at stake to not exhaust every alternative to hear the people you represent. Unfortunately we the people do not have the funds or the freedom to travel the way the industry and our elected officials do.
Thank you.
Perfect Timing
Mentioning Mr.Woodard got someone's attention. They shared this lovely gem written by the lovely gentleman himself. They didn't include any info so we don't know where it hails from. Looks like it was written for the last election though its message is timely and relevant now. Seems like he too, tried to warn us. As we said before, no one says it better...
Oligarchy In Fort Worth
In 1831, Frenchman Alexis de Tocqueville toured the United States and wrote Democracy in America.
Democracy is defined as government by the people, especially rule of the majority. In a democracy, the people vote.
In the May 10 Fort Worth bond election that provided $10 million to build bridges over a Trinity Uptown nonexistent ditch, 95 percent of people didn't vote. Ergo, we don't have a democracy in Fort Worth; we have an oligarchy.
Webster's defines oligarchy as government by the few. A modern-day de Tocqueville would surely write that Fort Worth is ruled by a big-money oligarchy using a tried-and-proven winning game plan:
No campaign office, volunteers, billboards or newspaper ads needed. Just collect wads of cash from willing and avid woodchoppers with axes to grind. Prepare a pretty, four-color postcard for an issue or candidate chosen by an arcane club or chamber clique. Adorn the card with power names of respected, influential endorsers. Address cards using a computerized, manicured list of faithful and presumtive voters. Transport postcards to the post office for delivery on election eve.
Viola! Another campaign triumph of the few, by the few and for the few!
Sadly, 95 percent of Fort Worthers are sunshine soliders, couldn't-care-less hedonists. Anything but involved, informed voters.
What happens some day if the 5 percent throw in the towel and join the ranks of the carefree 95 percent and, like Rhett Butler, say, "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn"?
Rule totalitarianisim!
Don Woodard
Oligarchy In Fort Worth
In 1831, Frenchman Alexis de Tocqueville toured the United States and wrote Democracy in America.
Democracy is defined as government by the people, especially rule of the majority. In a democracy, the people vote.
In the May 10 Fort Worth bond election that provided $10 million to build bridges over a Trinity Uptown nonexistent ditch, 95 percent of people didn't vote. Ergo, we don't have a democracy in Fort Worth; we have an oligarchy.
Webster's defines oligarchy as government by the few. A modern-day de Tocqueville would surely write that Fort Worth is ruled by a big-money oligarchy using a tried-and-proven winning game plan:
No campaign office, volunteers, billboards or newspaper ads needed. Just collect wads of cash from willing and avid woodchoppers with axes to grind. Prepare a pretty, four-color postcard for an issue or candidate chosen by an arcane club or chamber clique. Adorn the card with power names of respected, influential endorsers. Address cards using a computerized, manicured list of faithful and presumtive voters. Transport postcards to the post office for delivery on election eve.
Viola! Another campaign triumph of the few, by the few and for the few!
Sadly, 95 percent of Fort Worthers are sunshine soliders, couldn't-care-less hedonists. Anything but involved, informed voters.
What happens some day if the 5 percent throw in the towel and join the ranks of the carefree 95 percent and, like Rhett Butler, say, "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn"?
Rule totalitarianisim!
Don Woodard
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