The question lately has been does drilling cause earthquakes?
Now the question is does drilling cause sinkholes?
TXSharon has lots Texas sinkhole info today.
Friday, July 31, 2009
She did it again
This morning Ms. Betty Fay has penned another excellent letter asking excellent questions concerning the truth surrounding the Trinity River Vision creative financing.
(Fort Worth Star-Telegram)
"Who’s taking the risk?
Star-Telegram columnist Mitchell Schnurman reports that local leaders have found the solution to massive costs of the Trinity River Vision project: creative financing. Yes, we can reshape the river, build bridges for a new bypass channel and keep buying land for a town lake. There is no need to tax. We won’t pay for 20 years. Our children will.
The funny thing is that in the same July 26 issue was another commentary, "Financial Innovations: We win, you lose," by Ed Wallace. He is a rare writer who has business knowledge, a worldview and a good memory. He reminds us that it is "those reckless financial innovations that have devastated everyone’s personal investments and retirement accounts and caused recessions."
The problem is that the public has no way to find out the underwriting rules or understand the gimmicks that insiders create on paper to make money while the rest of us take the risk.
The Fort Worth City Council, Water Board members and commercial developers are loath to recognize that their pet project is an unnecessary budget buster and to compare the cost of a glamorous and, to many Fort Worth people, undesirable business development to the underfunded needs of homeless, hungry and unhealthy human beings who call out for attention. This comparison is exactly the point on which residents of Fort Worth must focus.
— Betty W. Fay, Fort Worth
We salute Ms. Fay again for asking the questions that need to be asked.
Now, WHO will answer?
(Fort Worth Star-Telegram)
"Who’s taking the risk?
Star-Telegram columnist Mitchell Schnurman reports that local leaders have found the solution to massive costs of the Trinity River Vision project: creative financing. Yes, we can reshape the river, build bridges for a new bypass channel and keep buying land for a town lake. There is no need to tax. We won’t pay for 20 years. Our children will.
The funny thing is that in the same July 26 issue was another commentary, "Financial Innovations: We win, you lose," by Ed Wallace. He is a rare writer who has business knowledge, a worldview and a good memory. He reminds us that it is "those reckless financial innovations that have devastated everyone’s personal investments and retirement accounts and caused recessions."
The problem is that the public has no way to find out the underwriting rules or understand the gimmicks that insiders create on paper to make money while the rest of us take the risk.
The Fort Worth City Council, Water Board members and commercial developers are loath to recognize that their pet project is an unnecessary budget buster and to compare the cost of a glamorous and, to many Fort Worth people, undesirable business development to the underfunded needs of homeless, hungry and unhealthy human beings who call out for attention. This comparison is exactly the point on which residents of Fort Worth must focus.
— Betty W. Fay, Fort Worth
We salute Ms. Fay again for asking the questions that need to be asked.
Now, WHO will answer?
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Name calling
In today's Letters to the Editors (From Bulldog to Lapdog) in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram daily newspaper it is apparent some have not outgrown their name calling ways (see previous post for examples). If you scroll down and read the comments under the letters, it is apparent citizens still don't appreciate it.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Water whoa's...
Both Clyde Picht and Don Woodard in the Fort Worth Business Press letters today.
We'll give you one guess as to what the letters pertain to...
If you said the shrinking urban lake with the inflating price tag that you will be paying for forever, you were right. We are glad we have such intelligent readers!
Now go read the letters! Then, write one!
We'll give you one guess as to what the letters pertain to...
If you said the shrinking urban lake with the inflating price tag that you will be paying for forever, you were right. We are glad we have such intelligent readers!
Now go read the letters! Then, write one!
Friday, July 24, 2009
Trinity River Rising
In a previous post we shared some past FW Weekly "Best of's" for Fort Worth.
In 2006: Waste Of Taxpayer Money -
Readers' choice: Trinity River Project
Watchdog
Critic's choice: Steve Hollern
Hollern is the former chair of the Tarrant County Republican Party, but has stayed active in the community even after moving out of the job. His latest mission is getting signatures to put a referendum on the ballot that would cap spending on the Trinity River Vision project. He's working hard against the so-called flood-control project that keeps getting more and more expensive. This goes against the city's party line, but Hollern is doing his best to keep this boondoggle from becoming an even more massive waste of taxpayer dollars.
Seems no one was listening, if they were, we wouldn't be in the mess we are now.
Today, Steve has an article concerning the Trinity River Vision in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram daily newspaper. It is a must read.
If we gave you the highlights, we'd have to give you the entire article. Steve does mention how Clyde Picht and Chuck Silcox brought up the contamination factor years ago, he talks about the TIF, TCC, and drainage and street repair funding shortfall. (Read today's Fort Worth Star Telegram article about water bills increasing again (remember last year's increase?) to cover the bills.
In 2006: Waste Of Taxpayer Money -
Readers' choice: Trinity River Project
Watchdog
Critic's choice: Steve Hollern
Hollern is the former chair of the Tarrant County Republican Party, but has stayed active in the community even after moving out of the job. His latest mission is getting signatures to put a referendum on the ballot that would cap spending on the Trinity River Vision project. He's working hard against the so-called flood-control project that keeps getting more and more expensive. This goes against the city's party line, but Hollern is doing his best to keep this boondoggle from becoming an even more massive waste of taxpayer dollars.
Seems no one was listening, if they were, we wouldn't be in the mess we are now.
Today, Steve has an article concerning the Trinity River Vision in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram daily newspaper. It is a must read.
If we gave you the highlights, we'd have to give you the entire article. Steve does mention how Clyde Picht and Chuck Silcox brought up the contamination factor years ago, he talks about the TIF, TCC, and drainage and street repair funding shortfall. (Read today's Fort Worth Star Telegram article about water bills increasing again (remember last year's increase?) to cover the bills.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Trinity River TIF
Recent Fort Worth mayoral candidate, Mr. Louis McBee, has something to say about the Fort Worth Business Press article concerning the Trinity River Vision.
Question is, WHO is listening?
rfrancis@bizpress.net
Louis McBee
Question is, WHO is listening?
rfrancis@bizpress.net
While I certainly do appreciate the Biz Press trying to educate us country folk about the ever rising cost of the Trinity Uptown project (now renamed the Trinity River Vision), I do have a couple of problems with your relayed information.
First, " TIF " commitments are city tax dollars that would normally accrue to the general fund to help us pay for infrastructure improvements throughout the city, but instead are captured within the TIF district for private use.
Second, there has never been a public vote on the Trinity Uptown/ TRV project as a stand alone ballot initiative, and certainly NEVER has the issue of whether to cap the spending on this project gone "before the voters and defeated."
I would very much like to see the Biz Press print a retraction, and clarify the city commitment of our tax dollars....all of them. It would also be very helpful if the Press could report on how much of our tax dollars are being capered within all TIFs in Fort Worth . Especially during these difficult financial times.Louis McBee
More Trinity River Vision Letters
Yesterday we were asked WHO would you contact if you wanted to find out WHY so many millions of tax dollars are being spent/wasted on the Trinity River Vision/Trinity Uptown/Central City project.
Good question. If you write your Congresswoman, you are writing the project leader's mom, that secured the funds. Is that a conflict of interest?
Today there were two more Letters to the Editor in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram daily newspaper. If all else fails, write them. Daily.
Finally catching on
Congratulations to the Star-Telegram Editorial Board for finally catching on to what Trinity Uptown critics have said for years. It’s an economic development dud that creates more need for flood control than it fixes. It is near triple the 2003 estimate of $360 million. The addition of canals and other amenities may cost as much as the original price tag for the whole project.
The editorial was correct that a lot of the changes in financing are "worrisome." In the next breath, however, it complimented J.D. Granger and the river authority for putting together a plan that would work. Why would it? This is the fourth revision since the 2003 estimate.
In a June 12, 2005, Star-Telegram article on Trinity Uptown, my husband was quoted as saying, "I expect costs will easily reach $700 million before it’s done. We always underestimate the costs and overestimate the economic benefits." His estimate was a little low and he has since predicted costs exceeding $1 billion. The mention of site contamination and cleanup costs in another article would seem to confirm that prediction.
— Tru Picht, Fort Worth
Trinity runs green
What is it about the Trinity River that causes Tarrant County leaders to dump hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars into it?
First it was the incompetent leadership of Tarrant County College, gashing a hole in the river bank downtown to build a still unused fiasco of a building. For them, spending more than $1,500 a square foot seemed reasonable, while nearly tripling our college district taxes.
Now the Tarrant Regional Water District — after spending $1.5 million just for the roof on its new annex — intends to spend $880 million on the "Trinity River Vision." The cost has more than doubled from the original $360 million, even though it has barely started. And this while we have a hard time finding $3 million to help actual people, the homeless, get off the street.
Where are the true leaders who will represent the residents of Tarrant County and put an end to this madness? Where are the media investigations and outrage? It certainly won’t be the current crowd who will lead reform, since Kay Granger’s son earns a six-figure salary for his part in this porkulus boondoggle. With more than a billion taxpayer dollars dumped into it, the Trinity should be running green for a long time.
— Marc Rogers, Fort Worth
Good question. If you write your Congresswoman, you are writing the project leader's mom, that secured the funds. Is that a conflict of interest?
Today there were two more Letters to the Editor in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram daily newspaper. If all else fails, write them. Daily.
Finally catching on
Congratulations to the Star-Telegram Editorial Board for finally catching on to what Trinity Uptown critics have said for years. It’s an economic development dud that creates more need for flood control than it fixes. It is near triple the 2003 estimate of $360 million. The addition of canals and other amenities may cost as much as the original price tag for the whole project.
The editorial was correct that a lot of the changes in financing are "worrisome." In the next breath, however, it complimented J.D. Granger and the river authority for putting together a plan that would work. Why would it? This is the fourth revision since the 2003 estimate.
In a June 12, 2005, Star-Telegram article on Trinity Uptown, my husband was quoted as saying, "I expect costs will easily reach $700 million before it’s done. We always underestimate the costs and overestimate the economic benefits." His estimate was a little low and he has since predicted costs exceeding $1 billion. The mention of site contamination and cleanup costs in another article would seem to confirm that prediction.
— Tru Picht, Fort Worth
Trinity runs green
What is it about the Trinity River that causes Tarrant County leaders to dump hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars into it?
First it was the incompetent leadership of Tarrant County College, gashing a hole in the river bank downtown to build a still unused fiasco of a building. For them, spending more than $1,500 a square foot seemed reasonable, while nearly tripling our college district taxes.
Now the Tarrant Regional Water District — after spending $1.5 million just for the roof on its new annex — intends to spend $880 million on the "Trinity River Vision." The cost has more than doubled from the original $360 million, even though it has barely started. And this while we have a hard time finding $3 million to help actual people, the homeless, get off the street.
Where are the true leaders who will represent the residents of Tarrant County and put an end to this madness? Where are the media investigations and outrage? It certainly won’t be the current crowd who will lead reform, since Kay Granger’s son earns a six-figure salary for his part in this porkulus boondoggle. With more than a billion taxpayer dollars dumped into it, the Trinity should be running green for a long time.
— Marc Rogers, Fort Worth
Fort Worth Mayor Pro Tem
We recently received a comment concerning the "unbecoming" behavior of blindsiding the current Fort Worth mayor pro tem and electing a new one.
Regarding the Mayor Pro-Tem, hey, it happened to Chuck Silcox twice and I don't remember Bob Ray coming to Chuck's defense. Actually Chuck handled the insult much more graciously than Hicks.
Regarding the Mayor Pro-Tem, hey, it happened to Chuck Silcox twice and I don't remember Bob Ray coming to Chuck's defense. Actually Chuck handled the insult much more graciously than Hicks.
In searching for information about Chuck Silcox losing the Mayor pro tem title, we found this blurb in his obituary from the Fort Worth Star-Telegram daily newspaper.
In 2006, Moncrief engineered a vote that stripped Mr. Silcox of a largely symbolic title, mayor pro tem. Mr. Silcox took it in stride:
"I will look forward to being the old Silcox. Democracy is asking questions," he said at the time.
The "Fort Worth Way"
back in the spotlight.
The FW Weekly brings up some good points about the way things are done in Cowtown, and the recent use and different meanings of our slogan.
The FW Weekly brings up some good points about the way things are done in Cowtown, and the recent use and different meanings of our slogan.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Wise words -
from one of our favorite wise men in today's Fort Worth Star-Telegram Letters to the Editor.
Squandered dollars
A July 4 AP story told about a group of preservationists, history buffs and civic leaders in Fishkill, N.Y., trying to save the final resting place of hundreds of Revolutionary War soldiers posted in Fishkill when it was the main supply source for Gen. George Washington’s northern army. Commercial development has whittled the wooded parcel down to 12 acres hemmed in by roads, a shopping mall, gas station and Mexican restaurant. "They didn’t fight and die for independence just to have a mall built on top of them," said one history buff.
Where are the history buffs, preservationists and neighborhood leaders in Fort Worth? Surely Nature and Nature’s God didn’t cause the Clear and West Forks of the Trinity River to flow together with a sense of law and beauty in a picturesque confluence below towering bluffs just to be covered by a so-called 33-acre town lake, in time to become silted in and bottomed with contaminated sludge. Unthinkable!
Why are our neighborhood organizations mute? What would residents have? Desecration of our most prominent historical landmark? Bitterer tears will flow over the loss of the confluence than ever were shed over the Tarrant County College fiasco. Do we want a 33-acre mercury- and chemical-laden stock pond whose fish cannot be eaten and in whose polluted waters we dare not permit our children to swim? Do we want higher taxes? No!
Neighborhood associations: Next time your City Council representative appears before you, ask him/her this question: "How do you justify squandering our tax dollars on this costly boondoggle?"
— Don Woodard Sr., Fort Worth
Squandered dollars
A July 4 AP story told about a group of preservationists, history buffs and civic leaders in Fishkill, N.Y., trying to save the final resting place of hundreds of Revolutionary War soldiers posted in Fishkill when it was the main supply source for Gen. George Washington’s northern army. Commercial development has whittled the wooded parcel down to 12 acres hemmed in by roads, a shopping mall, gas station and Mexican restaurant. "They didn’t fight and die for independence just to have a mall built on top of them," said one history buff.
Where are the history buffs, preservationists and neighborhood leaders in Fort Worth? Surely Nature and Nature’s God didn’t cause the Clear and West Forks of the Trinity River to flow together with a sense of law and beauty in a picturesque confluence below towering bluffs just to be covered by a so-called 33-acre town lake, in time to become silted in and bottomed with contaminated sludge. Unthinkable!
Why are our neighborhood organizations mute? What would residents have? Desecration of our most prominent historical landmark? Bitterer tears will flow over the loss of the confluence than ever were shed over the Tarrant County College fiasco. Do we want a 33-acre mercury- and chemical-laden stock pond whose fish cannot be eaten and in whose polluted waters we dare not permit our children to swim? Do we want higher taxes? No!
Neighborhood associations: Next time your City Council representative appears before you, ask him/her this question: "How do you justify squandering our tax dollars on this costly boondoggle?"
— Don Woodard Sr., Fort Worth
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