Flood control scams?

White Settlement has a real flood control problem, one where homes actually flood.  They voted to spend money years ago to correct the problem. 

So, what happened?

Congress and the Corp of Engineers, that's what.  Read the excerpt below from the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

In the meantime, the cost of the project, which is funded by White Settlement and the Army Corps of Engineers, has increased. After voters approved the $6 million, Congress placed a moratorium on the $7 million in federal funds that wasn't lifted until 2007 because of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. During that time, costs increased and the estimated cost for the project was $16.2 million, but now it is more than $18 million.

One of our sources tells us the same thing happened in Haltom City.  WHERE are the cities supposed to come up with the additional money?  If they call it a vision will that help?  If real flooding problems cost more than estimated, what will happen with the Trinity River Vision estimate?

Small Town Elections

White Settlement has asked for an election judge that isn't from there.  While White Settlement does a lot wrong, they got this one right. 

Read about it in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

Tarrant County Elections Administrator Steve Raborn, whose office is conducting the election for the city, said he doesn't often get requests like White Settlement's. Typically, election judges work close to their homes, Raborn said.

"Sometimes we hear from small towns where everyone knows one another," he said.

Yeah, sometimes we do too.

They're talking to you Bud

Seems we weren't the only ones who noticed Bud Kennedy's story concerning White Settlement was somewhat one sided.

The letter to the Editor in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram also makes an excellent point about flooding while telling Bud to get all the facts, or butt out.  Kudos to Ms. Anderson.  And don't worry, haven't you heard? The Trinity River Vision will fix all our flooding problems.  Just ask Bill Hanna.

Butt out, Bud

I am so disgusted with Bud Kennedy and what he wrote in his Friday column about White Settlement. (See: "White Settlement's upheaval, bickering are bad for business")

White Settlement pays county taxes the same as Fort Worth or any other Tarrant County town does, and we are entitled to the same services as those cities.

Until Kennedy meets with someone in our city (not just city officials) to get the details of our problems, he should butt out. He made it appear that we want Fort Worth to foot the expense for taking our problems to district court.

I remind Kennedy that White Settlement has been carrying the expense of Fort Worth's run-off water that floods us every time it rains. Maybe we should make our complaints heard about that expense caused by Fort Worth. I do not see him writing anything about that.

Until Kennedy knows what he's talking about, I suggest he stay out of this fight.

-- Jeannie Anderson,

White Settlement

Bud Kennedy weighs in

On the White Settlement faction feud in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

While Lone Star only has information from the local paper, we wouldn't take a side based off THAT.  Seems Bud has.  He quotes things the councilman in question has recently told the paper, but failed to mention the Mayor's latest paper quote...

"Burns said that until the residency trial is held he doesn't want to have a council meeting with Giddens, Powell and Warner".

Burns is THE Mayor of White Settlement.  It's not about what HE wants.  It should be about what is best for THE PEOPLE of White Settlement. Maybe someone should remind him of that.

Another small town...

Another recall brewing.

White Settlement residents are fed up over the feuding factions that keep the city from doing city business.

We are glad to see THE PEOPLE standing up to the "leaders" and their egos.  After all, WHO does a city belong to?

Read about the latest in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

Fort Worth Way crosses city line

The White Settlement City Council fiasco sounds like a cross between small town politics and Fort Worth politics.  Notice how the Mayor wants someone from the police to the governor to help, but doesn't want to hold city council meetings with the council members that disagree with him.  WHAT??  Isn't the Mayor's job to represent the residents of the city?  Read it all in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

"They've been out to get me ever since they lost their majority," he said.


Powell said she has seen Giddens' documents and has also visited his home. She said she does not understand why Giddens is being mistreated by the mayor, Hatcher and Wilson.

Giddens has also accused Burns of putting the trial ahead of important city business.

"We are all sad about the standoff, but they are crucifying that man," Powell said. "He takes care of his mom, brothers and sisters," she said.

Burns said that until the residency trial is held he doesn't want to have a council meeting with Giddens, Powell and Warner.

"If anyone knows how to resolve this situation from the police to the governor, I'm willing to listen," Burns said.

Grand Jury investigating Council member

There's a thought...

Read about the White Settlement fiasco in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. For those of you who don't know, White Settlement is next door to Fort Worth.

Are the allegations against him true?  Or is this another case of whistle blower retaliation?  Or retaliation for speaking out against the city and the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers?   ASK. 

Notice Farmers Branch Creek needs an $18 million dollar flood control project.  Next door to Fort Worth.  Maybe they can get some help from the Trinity River Vision or the Tarrant Regional Water District. 

Giddens was elected to his first council term last May. However, he drew fire before he took office because of his stance against the $18 million flood control project for Farmers Branch Creek.

He has fought with the city and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers over a portion of his mother's property which would result in the loss of several pecan trees and a security fence. A condemnation hearing is set for next week.