Almost. Lots of Wild West talk over on The Outlaw's blog these days. We like it! We're listening.
See what Durango and Don Young have to say about Al Armendariz becoming our EPA Administrator!!
And Durango was out and about taking pictures again, you can't fence him in.
If you missed the information on the recent Texas pipeline explosion, Durango also has a post for that. You can bet the people on Carter Avenue did not miss the pipeline explosion news.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Friday, November 6, 2009
Ditto
Another Letter to the Editor in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram daily newspaper about the Trinity Uptown scam.
Are you kidding?
Would you really describe the Trinity Uptown as a "flood-control project"? If it were truly for flood control, the cost of improvement was estimated at $10 million. Instead, after local politicians and developers saw dollar signs and joined in, it has exploded into a $909 million economic development bill that taxpayers have to fund. With a difference of $899 million, flood control seems to be an afterthought!
When I hear a mayor or official say "eminent domain will only be used as a last resort," it makes me laugh. That phrase is code-speak for "start packing your things up." The Trinity Uptown and Arlington’s new Cowboys Stadium are two of several local examples of property owners losing their land to larger business owners. How is a stadium with restricted access an example of "public use"? How does one justify taking a person’s auto-salvage yard and handing the land over to a future restaurant owner?
As land continues to be developed, these cases will become even more commonplace. Yes, property owners, especially the working class and the powerless, do need protection from eminent domain abuse. But, if these massive tourist projects are simply going to be disguised as flood control or "blight elimination," what is the point?
— Linda A. Lancaster, Arlington
Are you kidding?
Would you really describe the Trinity Uptown as a "flood-control project"? If it were truly for flood control, the cost of improvement was estimated at $10 million. Instead, after local politicians and developers saw dollar signs and joined in, it has exploded into a $909 million economic development bill that taxpayers have to fund. With a difference of $899 million, flood control seems to be an afterthought!
When I hear a mayor or official say "eminent domain will only be used as a last resort," it makes me laugh. That phrase is code-speak for "start packing your things up." The Trinity Uptown and Arlington’s new Cowboys Stadium are two of several local examples of property owners losing their land to larger business owners. How is a stadium with restricted access an example of "public use"? How does one justify taking a person’s auto-salvage yard and handing the land over to a future restaurant owner?
As land continues to be developed, these cases will become even more commonplace. Yes, property owners, especially the working class and the powerless, do need protection from eminent domain abuse. But, if these massive tourist projects are simply going to be disguised as flood control or "blight elimination," what is the point?
— Linda A. Lancaster, Arlington
Thursday, November 5, 2009
If it's in the air, it's in the water...
FW Weekly has some good blog postings about the side effects of gas drilling. Be sure to read Don Young's link included in the post.
We can't replace our air or water, neither should be for sale in the shale.
We can't replace our air or water, neither should be for sale in the shale.
About time!
Al Armendariz is the new EPA regional administrator! Read all about it in the Dallas Morning News!
Congratulations to Al and to the residents of Texas!
Congratulations to Al and to the residents of Texas!
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
YOU are invited
Please share with others that the City Council on Nov. 10th is scheduled to take up drilling in Urban Villages.
It's not just Carter Avenue. Last night the Chadwick neighborhood spoke out concerning the four additional wells the gas drillers want to put 300 ft from homes. And read on for information about Ridglea Village.
Welcome to Fort Worth. Come down to City Hall November 10th and take back your city.
From: Doreen Geiger
Sent: Sunday, November 01, 2009 7:39 PM
To: District3; Alanis, Susan
Subject: Drilling in F.W. Urban Villages
Dear Councilman Zimmerman and Ms. Alanis,
Ms. Alanis,
I tried to send a video clip to you about possible drilling in Berry/Riverside Village (hope I sent it correctly). One of many reasons I am so worried about drilling within Fort Worth is because the City Council has given permission for drilling in areas that do not meet the minimum requirements approved by the City. It is sad the City Council would approve 10 wells to be drilled on the Aussie site in the 7th St./University Village area even when 13 of the 22 residents living within 600 ft. of the site would not sign waivers.
When City Planners met with Ridglea residents a few years ago, all of the drawings the City staff presented showed a 20 acre area on Westridge Ave (just south of Ridglea Presbyterian Church) to be a part of the Ridglea Village and to become town homes. The developer who had purchased the 20 acres plus dozens of other acres on Waverly Way was present at the meeting.
I suppose due to the slower economy, the developer could not get his Westridge Ave. projects started and sold the property to Chesapeake. This Ridglea Village area which was supposed to be higher density residential skirting the retail/commercial section looks like it will probably become a drill site instead. It seems a successful Urban Village should include retail, commercial, residential, green park space, public transportation and pedestrian walkways/benches but I can not see how drilling sites should be a part of the Village concept?
Councilman Zimmerman and Ms. Alanis, will you please advocate for drill-free Urban Villages?
Thank you,
Doreen Geiger
The Oct. 30th Star-Telegram article “Bankruptcy Judge Approves Ridglea Sale” by Sandra Baker 817-390-7727 states that:
Doug King, Maulsby’s trustee, said last month that an unnamed buyer had offered $1.75 million for the west-side landmark, which also includes an adjoining two-story office and retail bldg.
On Thurs., that buyer was identified as Pergamos, a partnership headed by Mark Kalpakis, CEO of Joint Resources Co., a Fort Worth oil and gas exploration company.
Joseph Friedman, an attorney representing Pergamos, upped the offer to $1.85 million Thursday. But FixFunding, which had a right of first refusal on the property, matched the Pergamos offer and took the property back.
From: Alanis, Susan
Sent: Monday, November 02, 2009 8:03 AM
To: 'Doreen Geiger'; District3
Cc: Trice, Rick
Subject: RE: Drilling in F.W. Urban Villages
Ms. Geiger:
Thanks again for all of the helpful information you have provided on these sites. I did see the story on Berry/Riverside. We are currently working with Chesapeake to identify alternatives to that site. In addition, the Urban Village amendment to the gas ordinance will be up for reconsideration at the City Council’s meeting on November 10th. Thanks for your support on the effort.
Regards,
Susan Alanis
Director of Planning and Development
City of Fort Worth 817.392.8180
It's not just Carter Avenue. Last night the Chadwick neighborhood spoke out concerning the four additional wells the gas drillers want to put 300 ft from homes. And read on for information about Ridglea Village.
Welcome to Fort Worth. Come down to City Hall November 10th and take back your city.
From: Doreen Geiger
Sent: Sunday, November 01, 2009 7:39 PM
To: District3; Alanis, Susan
Subject: Drilling in F.W. Urban Villages
Dear Councilman Zimmerman and Ms. Alanis,
Ms. Alanis,
I tried to send a video clip to you about possible drilling in Berry/Riverside Village (hope I sent it correctly). One of many reasons I am so worried about drilling within Fort Worth is because the City Council has given permission for drilling in areas that do not meet the minimum requirements approved by the City. It is sad the City Council would approve 10 wells to be drilled on the Aussie site in the 7th St./University Village area even when 13 of the 22 residents living within 600 ft. of the site would not sign waivers.
When City Planners met with Ridglea residents a few years ago, all of the drawings the City staff presented showed a 20 acre area on Westridge Ave (just south of Ridglea Presbyterian Church) to be a part of the Ridglea Village and to become town homes. The developer who had purchased the 20 acres plus dozens of other acres on Waverly Way was present at the meeting.
I suppose due to the slower economy, the developer could not get his Westridge Ave. projects started and sold the property to Chesapeake. This Ridglea Village area which was supposed to be higher density residential skirting the retail/commercial section looks like it will probably become a drill site instead. It seems a successful Urban Village should include retail, commercial, residential, green park space, public transportation and pedestrian walkways/benches but I can not see how drilling sites should be a part of the Village concept?
Councilman Zimmerman and Ms. Alanis, will you please advocate for drill-free Urban Villages?
Thank you,
Doreen Geiger
The Oct. 30th Star-Telegram article “Bankruptcy Judge Approves Ridglea Sale” by Sandra Baker 817-390-7727 states that:
Doug King, Maulsby’s trustee, said last month that an unnamed buyer had offered $1.75 million for the west-side landmark, which also includes an adjoining two-story office and retail bldg.
On Thurs., that buyer was identified as Pergamos, a partnership headed by Mark Kalpakis, CEO of Joint Resources Co., a Fort Worth oil and gas exploration company.
Joseph Friedman, an attorney representing Pergamos, upped the offer to $1.85 million Thursday. But FixFunding, which had a right of first refusal on the property, matched the Pergamos offer and took the property back.
From: Alanis, Susan
Sent: Monday, November 02, 2009 8:03 AM
To: 'Doreen Geiger'; District3
Cc: Trice, Rick
Subject: RE: Drilling in F.W. Urban Villages
Ms. Geiger:
Thanks again for all of the helpful information you have provided on these sites. I did see the story on Berry/Riverside. We are currently working with Chesapeake to identify alternatives to that site. In addition, the Urban Village amendment to the gas ordinance will be up for reconsideration at the City Council’s meeting on November 10th. Thanks for your support on the effort.
Regards,
Susan Alanis
Director of Planning and Development
City of Fort Worth 817.392.8180
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Can you hear HER?
Senator Wendy Davis has called for a Senate investigation in the great state of Texas.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
Uptown
More Trinity River Vision eminent domain talk in today's Fort Worth Star-Telegram daily newspaper.
There are reasons to have heartburn about the use of millions in federal and local tax money for Trinity Uptown...
We couldn't agree more.
There are reasons to have heartburn about the use of millions in federal and local tax money for Trinity Uptown...
We couldn't agree more.
Monday, November 2, 2009
The Fort Worth Way
If they won't give it to us...we'll take it.
Read the latest Trinity River Vision updates in today's Fort Worth Star-Telegram daily newspaper.
Read the latest Trinity River Vision updates in today's Fort Worth Star-Telegram daily newspaper.
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