George's Specialty Foods & White Settlement Road Under Attack By Chesapeake Energy & Fort Worth's Natural Gas Corrupted City Government Of Eminent Domain Abusers

You are looking at a mural at George's Specialty Food on White Settlement Road.

The mural depicts the view from George's, looking out at the Trinity Trail, the Trinity Levees and the houses in the hills on the opposite side of the river.

However, the mural is a bit out of date. Chesapeake Energy drilling sites need to be added to the view.

A few days ago I blogged about George's Specialty Foods closing in order to fight Chesapeake Energy's abuse of eminent domain to take property from the George's Specialty Food's owners.

I have gotten a few messages about this latest Chesapeake attack on Fort Worth Citizens. It is my understanding, now, that George's Specialty Foods was started by George and Helen Phiripes and is now operated by George's son Nick and Nick's son Theo.

Chesapeake Energy in the guise of one of its alias, Texas Midstream, want to take the Phiripes' property to run a pipeline from a couple Barnett Shale drilling sites Chesapeake has drilled and frac'ed.

I'm assuming this is another non-odorized natural gas pipeline like what Chesapeake tried to ram under Carter Avenue.

This morning I got an interesting comment to the blogging about George's Specialty Foods closing.

The commenter's name is Jim Bowe. Mr. Bowe has some interesting things to say regarding Chesapeake, and the City of Fort Worth's, rush to abuse eminent domain to steal citizen's property....

Now that all the bad publicity generated for two years by the Carter Ave. pipeline fight has come to an end, it appears that the gas drillers and the city need to make up for lost time and start putting those gathering pipelines in ASAP. 

That sector of gas drilling operations officially employed the outgoing TRR commissioner Victor Carillo as a consultant a few weeks ago---even while he's still in office. They also must hurry up because the legislators are fixing to meet next year and their man's prospect for another term as ruler, uh "mayor", of FW is not as secure as before. 

Gathering pipelines and eminent domain abuse appear to be the new hot issue in 2011. 

I guess we can help these business folks the same way we helped the residents on and near Carter Ave.: by keeping the story in front of the public and uniting to raise funds for legal defense. Not sure how much was raised to help those people on Carter Avenue fight for so long and then win an impossible victory. There must have been tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of dollars collected in order to pay for a team of legal specialists to work on the case for two years.

Whatever money left from that Carter Ave. pipeline legal defense fund should be used to support these folks--if they want the help or their lawyer/s approve, of course. It would seem that these business owners have more financial resources than the working class folks on Carter, but they are going to need all the help they can get in going up against a multi-billion dollar corporation and its close city allies, though.

Well, Jim, I can tell you that no fortune of money was raised to save Carter Avenue. What happened was one brave Texan, Steve Doeung, fought back, alone at first. Steve acted as his own attorney. Because he could not afford one. Early one it was Steve alone, with Don Young pretty much being his only comrade in arms.

And then, it seemed to me, that a lot of people sort of got outraged over the bad behavior of the city and of Chesapeake. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram did not do too much to expose the dirty dealings. But, FW Weekly, did. Then various bloggers kept pounding away on the issue.

From what I've learned, from observing this, the people fighting Chesapeake Energy and the City of Fort Worth, can not expect any semblance of fairness if you get into a Fort Worth courtroom. What you can expect is to experience corruption up close. I'd never actually gotten to witness corruption up close til I spent time in a Fort Worth courtroom.

Why hasn't FW Weekly done a story on George's Specialty Food closing to fight eminent domain abuse? I can't help but wonder.

Chesapeake Energy's Carter Avenue Eminent Domaiin Abuse

Earlier today I blogged about the Dallas Cowboy Stadium Jerry Jones in cahoots with the City of Arlington outrageous example of eminent domain abuse. That prompted a very good comment about the situation on Carter Avenue in Fort Worth, where a private company, Chesapeake Energy, in cahoots with the corrupt government of the City of Fort Worth, is forcing people to allow a big pipeline filled with odor-free natural gas to be pumped through their property.

I published the comment and then decided it needed it's own blog posting...

Eminent domain for private gain is the refrain that we keep hearing again and again (no rhyme intended; it could be a crime). Which is a worse (both are bad) form of eminent domain abuse: "buying" people's homes and then demolishing them OR, as seen in the Carter Ave. controversy, where a deep-pocketed, politically-connected, and profit-focused private corporation REFUSES TO EVEN CONSIDER "buying" people's homes. so that they can run their massive pipelines under people's front yards?

Chesapeake (CHK) claims that they only "need" the 20' deep (originally 30-40' deep, which would have pipelines running under and around the houses)easement/right of way, so they will only "pay" for that strip of easement right.

Note: it is NOT buying or leasing as most people presume; it's giving them "superior/dominant rights" to use the yard for their "necessity and convenience"? The first abuse at least gives people a chance to relocate and start over, but the second (and will be increasingly exercised) abuse essentially TRAPS people in their home so that CHK could make hundreds of million$$ off the pipelines while making "just compensation" (Fifth Amendment to U.S. Constitution and consistent with Texas laws/codes) ranging from $1,500 to almost $16,000 for about the same easement/lot size, with most 50' wide X 20'deep right of ways receiving around $4,000 (pre-tax and before increase/s in insurance/s).

Guess who got which: the new immigrant with little language and cultural skills with the 50' lot and the media-hungry retired white lady with the 100' lot. Just do the math and think of our currently used phrase "predatory practices".

The easement is "permanent" which means that it has to be disclosed to a potential buyer. Who in their right mind (or linguistic and cultural sophistication) would pay full market value for such a house with such a "burden" (real estate law term)?

Therefore if these people on Carter Ave. want to "make the choice" for their family's health and financial safety (they still pay the taxes, insurance, and upkeep, just like city sidewalk/street easements)they must decide to sell at a deep discount (losing their equity and likely selling for cash to landlords--FHA will not approve a loan that has an easement within 10' of the house)or even default on their mortgage in order to "move away and start over again" except they might return to being renters themselves.

CHK and their fancy lawyers claim that having these 16-24" pipelines (see the explosion last week in S.A. at www.woai.com--the homes and people on Carter Ave. would not make it if it were to happen here, and it will--just see recent explosions in nearby counties) "will have no effect on the rest of the property at all".

Shove something dangerous under their forehead/face and tell them "it will have no effect..."on the rest of their body and quality of life (like finding a mate or a job). In Texas and many other states, what Chesapeake Energy is doing would be considered "rustling"-not of livestock, but of the largest purchase and ownership of private property for most people.

Am I making a valid and fair comparison of abuses just now? If not, set me straight. If so, look out you might be next, especially if you happen to be the unfortunate people living on the other side of the street from "pipeline alley" (or nearby streets) who received nothing--not even a letter notifying them about the pipelines just a few yards away--but will likely suffer the same "damages" and loss as the people with easements.

Which raises a third (living nearby)and fourth(renters who tend to be poorer and immigrants in general--again in general) group of "victims" of abuse. So instead of asking who has it worse, it should be who has it the worst? There are other victims that I won't get into now.

Questions From Bob About The Scott Avenue Non-Odorized Chesapeake Energy Pipeline Laying Operation

I have not made mention of the Carter Avenue Chesapeake Gate Scandal in awhile. No mention made, mostly, I assume, because the scandalous issue seemed to have been resolved when Chesapeake Energy backed off of their bizarre plan to run a pipeline of non-odorized natural gas under the homes along Fort Worth's Carter Avenue.

An alternative pipeline route was approved and everyone, for the most part, seemed  happy.

After I blogged about being on the Tandy Hills yesterday, with those hills due east of the Scott Avenue location of the Chesapeake Energy drilling site, from which the controversy pipelines was to be laid, Bob made a comment....

Bob has left a new comment on your post "Back On The Tandy Hills Thinking About Cutting Myself, Soy Yogurt & Driving Like An Old Lady":

So did you notice all the workers and work going on around the Chesapeake gas well site down the hill on Scott Ave. and along the I-30 right-of-way? I might be wrong but it looks like the workers are clearing trees and digging trenches to lay gas pipeline about 8-inches in diameter (a pile was stacked near the Hope Church on Beach St.) Is this the actual CHK gas pipeline that was originally intended to be placed under the front yards of Carter Ave. homes? Before we moved away from that neighborhood, we read that the Carter Ave. pipeline was supposed to have been built in November 2008, as soon as the last hold-out was subdued in eminent domain court procedures. BUT THAT'S THREE YEARS AGO. Can you shed any light on my state of confusion regarding this infamous pipeline and the fight against it?

I must have heard odd noises to the west as I walked on the Tandy Hills yesterday, because when I proceeded to drive on  to Town Talk I had in impulse, that I resisted, to take a right on to Ben Street to take a look at the current state of the controversial Scott Avenue Chesapeake Operation.

I drove north on Beach Street on the way to Town Talk. I noticed no pipeline stacked near Hope Church, which is on the west side of Beach Street. Then again, I don't remember looking much in that direction.

On Friday, on the way back to my abode from Pantego, driving west on Division Street, in Arlington, I was surprised to see 3 lines of water pipeline, waiting to be assembled, laying on the ground on the north side of the road. The string of pipes extended for a couple miles, eventually ending at a location where water could be sucked, near the south side of Village Creek Natural Historical Area.

How can the powers that be claim we are suffering a severe water shortage here in North Texas at the same time these big water sucking straws are draining creeks, rivers and lakes?

How is permission granted to cross property with these water pipes? How closely is the water sucking monitored?

As for the gas pipeline that apparently is now, after all this time, being installed to take non-odorized gas from the Scott Avenue location, where is that gas heading? Where does the pipeline go? To the compressor stations on Randol Mill Road? Is that the destination? Where can one go to see a map of the ever growing matrix of non-odorized natural gas pipelines that is being installed under us here in Gasland?

I am heading east today in the noon time frame. Tomorrow I will head west and check out the Scott Avenue pipeline laying operation.

The Battle Of Carter Avenue: In Court Today In Fort Worth

Incoming Call For Action From Don Young:

What would you do if Chesapeake Energy tried to force you to sign a document that would allow a 16" (or larger) natural gas pipeline to be bored under your home or front yard?

A Tony Soprano kind of offer that you better not refuse?

Your property marketability would instantly disappear. The safety of your family would be greatly diminished. Your homeowners insurance might go way up or be canceled.

What if they sent heavy-handed reps to your workplace to get you to sign? Pretend, for a moment, that you are a low income person who may not have a firm grip on the English language. Is your job in jeopardy if you don't sign? This has happened to at least one Carter Avenue resident.

How would you feel if the City of Fort Worth aided and abetted Chesapeake to pave the way for such a pipeline? Reportedly, the city owns 4 lots on Carter Ave. and has signed the pipeline right of way agreements on those properties. Would that make you feel that it must be safe or the city would not have done so?

These are some of scenarios playing out on Carter Avenue in east Fort Worth. They come to a new head Friday morning, January 16, 2009.

Carter Avenue resident and homeowner, Steve Deoung, one of the last holdouts to signing, refuses to be intimidated by Chesapeake into signing an agreement that would threaten the safety of his and other neighborhood children and put the value of their homes at serious risk.

His court hearing tomorrow morning in Judge Vince Sprinkle's Tarrant County Court #3 will decide his motion to dismiss the case due to improper filings by Chesapeake.

Click here to go the court's webpage

Mr. Deoung is trying to buy time to keep this legalized crime from happening. He needs your help. Please show him your support by appearing at the hearing and/or sending a pledge of financial support.

Click to Email Steve

The children of Carter Avenue need to know you care.

David Kicked Goliath To The Freeway In A Fort Worth Freedom Victory

That's another look at Carter Avenue, this Thanksgiving Eve of 2009. The people of Carter Avenue have good reason to celebrate a very happy Thanksgiving tomorrow.

Using the greatest power an American has, the use of their free speech, the people of Carter Avenue fought back against Chesapeake Energy and the corrupted elected officials of the city they live in.

And won.

I'd barely hit the publish button on this afternoon's blogging about Carter Avenue, and its flag celebration, when I got a comment from my favorite commenter, the ubiquitous Anonymous.

I'll copy that comment below, and below that I'll add what Anonymous suggested, that being lines from the National Anthem. The lines I found most appropriate are from the seldom heard last verse of the Star-Spangled Banner.

First the comment from Anonymous and then the National Anthem....

Well put, Mr. Durango. It would have been a shame if you, the unofficial chronicler of life around what the locals generally call Eastern Hills (thus a high school with that name), had not made your mark on this pretty significant--if not historic, in terms of all this invasion by the gassers and their gassing fields and gassing equipments--occasion. I agree with you that those American flags express everything that is positive regarding this whole fight--for life and death, literally. Maybe these people are thinking of the lines from the National Anthem. Maybe you could print the words and let your readers reflect and compare what the song said and what has occurred on Carter Ave., one small battle in a long war against tyranny and inhumanity (maybe that's where the ever strong Mother Nature comes in). But truth, justice, and the American way certainly would sum it up pretty well also. David kicked Goliath to the freeway might also be approppriate.

"O, thus be it ever when freemen shall stand,
Between their lov'd homes and the war's desolation;
Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the heav'n-rescued land
Praise the Pow'r that hath made and preserv'd us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause. it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust"
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!"

Big congratulations to the people of Carter Avenue. You have scored a huge victory for Fort Worth. In the end, good always triumphs over evil. Eventually. Hopefully.

Chesapeake Energy Protest Meeting In Fort Worth Tonight

A large crowd is expected to be present and protesting at a meeting tonight in Fort Worth. The protestors are trying to stop Chesapeake Energy gas lines from running under their homes.

Which reminds me of something.

First they drilled near a home out in the country, but I didn't speak up, because it was far from me. Then they drilled in my city, but I didn't speak up, because it wasn't in my neighborhood. Then they drilled in a park, but I didn't speak up, because I didn't use that park. And then they drilled by me and I'm speaking up before they run a pipeline under my house. Speak up before they are under you.

Fresh incoming, below,
from Fort Worth's #1 Rabble Rouser,
Don Young.

---

THIS IS IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD TODAY,
IT WILL BE IN YOURS SOON!!!
CHESAPEAKE
"STOP"
THE CARTER AVE. PIPELINE
AND THE SCOTT AVE.
"HIGH IMPACT GAS WELL"
***************************************
Please attend in Protest!!
Kathleen Hicks will be in attendance. She needs to see signs of community involvement and support.

COMMUNITY MEETING
***********************
Carter Avenue Gas Pipeline

It is VERY important that you attend this meeting!!!
If you have any questions and/or concerns regarding Chesapeake's plan to place "GAS PIPELINES" under our lawns and neighborhood streets.
JUST SAY NO!!! This is the time to address your concerns.

Meeting will be held at the:
Sycamore Community Center
2522 East Rosedale Street
Fort Worth, TX 76102
Monday July 14th, 2008 @ 6:30 PM

STOP
THE SCOTT AVE.
"HIGH IMPACT GAS WELL"

Natural Gas Pipeline Exploded In Hood, Johnson, Or Maybe, Somervell County

A little before 4, this afternoon, Elsie Hotpepper called to tell me there had been a natural gas explosion. Elsie did not know if it was a well or a pipeline or what.

I quickly checked and saw it was a pipeline. In Johnson County. By Cleburne.

Elsie hung up and within a minute the Queen of Wink called to ask me if I'd felt the explosion.

Talking to the Queen postponed looking for information about the explosion.

Hours later it is still confusing. I've seen (and heard on TV) the location of the BIG BOOM being Johnson County, Hood County or the border of Hood County and Somervell County.

I've read and heard the explosion was near Cleburne. Or south of Granbury. Or near Pecan Plantation, next to Highway 67 or along County Road 1120, on Georges Creek Ranch.

I suppose, technically, all could be true, except for, maybe, the county confusions. I mean, one could say the explosion was near Fort Worth, which would be true, but not as accurate as one could be.

But there are also contradictions about the number killed, missing and injured. As few as 1 killed. As many as 3 killed. The number injured and missing varies too. I suppose that is understandable. When a big bomb explodes it isn't going to be easy to find all the victims.

My favorite commenter, the Ubiquitous Anonymous commented on the previous blogging about the explosion. It was such a good comment I thought I'd repeat it below...

This catastrophe was covered by the three major networks' evening news, CNN, and yahoo news. This pipeline is about twice as large as the one proposed for Carter Ave. residents, but the rural residences are nowhere as close to the pipeline or as tightly packed together either. So if such an awful thing were to happen on Carter St., even with just a 16-inch pipeline (remember CHK originally wanted to place 24-inch size and HELD FAST ON RUNNING AS MANY LINES AS POSSIBLE under those little yards), the likely results include obliterated--as in cremated bodies, so no need for autopsies--bodies and homes where the explosion/s occur with related damages from flying building materials/concrete and re-bar from the city streets and spreading fires NOT ONLY FROM THE EXPLODED PIPELINE but from the grid of smaller utility gas lines connected to the whole neighborhood and the nearby electrical lines. Of course, there will be exploded water and sewer (eeew!) lines spewing forth their contents. Traffic for the north central Texas area could come to a standstill as the nearby I-30 is within that "kill zone" and the I-35W mixmaster is just 1&1/2 mile away. The good part is that even people in the mid-cities and possibly nearby counties can see the drama by just looking since Carter St. is located on top of one of the highest geographical locations in FW. Note how first- responders could do very little since they lacked training and plus the heat makes it impossible to get anywhere close, unless some major fire suits are available.

Is Carter Avenue Saved? TxDOT Submits Notice Of Proposed Highway Right Of Way Natural Gas Pipeline Installation

This morning Fort Worth's Lone Ranger, Steve Doeung contacted his Band of Bloggers to inform the Band of Bloggers that TxDOT has moved ahead on its plan to allow Chesapeake Energy to run a non-odorized natural gas pipeline on a route that does not run under homes.

Steve Doeung has been battling the City of Fort Worth and Chesapeake Energy for a long time now, trying to save Carter Avenue from having a possibly explosive pipeline run under their homes.

The legitimacy of Steve Doeung's objection to this threatened violation of his security was recently validated by a fatal natural gas pipeline explosion last month down by Granbury.

Steve is of the opinion that it is time to celebrate. Below is Steve Doeung's message to the Band of Bloggers. And you....

Hey Band of Bloggers:

I'm sending you what I finally got from TxDOT.

I ran this alternative plan by a couple of different pros in two different states who know about the subject and they both said that it looks legit and show serious intention of constructing. One of the consultants, who is an industry insider, warned that with these companies "you never know if they will follow through on their commitment".

Please note that, its a large easement but only one 8-inch pipeline, which is 1/2 the size (and 1/3 the original size they wanted) of the pipelines that CTK wanted to place under front yards. It appears that an 8-inch pipeline is adequate. Or is this the largest/most risk that TxDOT is willing to allow in their right-of-way?

I'm not sure if this is the so called "final approval" announced by councilwoman Kathleen Hicks on 04/30/10 or not. In any event, her office had ignored my and a few other citizens' requests for more details about CTK's plan that had allegedly been submitted to TxDOT starting in 12/09. CTK's silence is also perplexing.

So, this is the ONLY detailed document (and verification that CTK actually submitted a design plan) that I am aware of that a citizen has seen. Of course, the Startlegram and other media outlets had no interest in pursuing such basic journalistic follow up details as this.

What would you think about my planning a community-wide event to celebrate this victory and to share this information with the public? It would be fun, inform the community (hopefully media will be forced to cover this denouement of the Carter Ave. saga---the scandal part is to come), and force CTK to follow through with this plan. Ideas?

Thanks again for the crucial roles that each of you have played in this battle. WE deserve a celebration, one which THEY apparently DO NOT want to see happen (thus the silence ?)

Steve Doeung

What's Fort Worth Smokin'?: Part 2: Dr. Aremendariz Speaks

Interesting incoming from that tireless Dynamo Don Young regarding the air that we breathe here in Fort Worth, air with added goodies, thanks to all the Barnett Shale Natural Gas Drillers. When the Carter Avenue fracking took place and I blogged and YouTubed it, I got a dismissive comment from a Chesapeake shill telling me it was perfectly harmless and I was an alarmist.

We are all Guinea Pigs.

Below is Sunday's Don Young message....

Remember this?

Frack-job near Carter Ave. in east Fort Worth, TX, Jan. 2009.

Back on January 11, I posed the question, "What's that you're smokin'?", in reference to the plume of smoke/vapor/fumes/??? that escapes from a drill-site during the fracking phase. What is in that, "cloud of stuff", that we all breathe every day?

I put the question to SMU Professor, Dr. Al Aremendariz, whose research of air quality in the Barnett Shale has, in my view, cast a dark shadow over the "clean burning" myth.

His response and "final revised" report follows:

Sorry for the long delay in reply. I’d been working furiously to try and get the final revised version of the emissions inventory I was working on completing for EDF. In case you haven’t yet received a copy, I’ve attached one to this email.

After drilling the main well bore, engines, water, sand, chemicals, and pumps are brought to the site to frac the well. Towards the end of the frac process and for a small number of days afterwards, the gas companies will let the well go through a “completion” process. During this time, the well is often let to vent to the atmosphere. During the venting, large amounts of natural gas, water, sand, oils, etc., will rise to the surface.

If you are seeing a “smoke” or some other cloud during the venting process, its possible that in the visible cloud droplets and in the invisible gases around the droplets are mixtures of any of the following: water droplets, water vapor, hydrocarbon liquids, hydrocarbon gases, chemicals used during the fracturing process, small bits of sand, and ?.

I would be surprised if anyone has actually gone out and sampled the cloud of stuff. So, until there is a better understanding of what might be in it, it’s probably best to avoid getting directly downwind of a well venting process.

In a follow-up email to me, Dr. Armendariz pointed out that, whatever is in the plume "will dilute over space and time." He continued, "With these relatively unstudied emissions, its pretty hard to know exactly what the potential dangers are, and how the emissions compare to any nearby roads, highways, etc."

Good luck,
Al

There you have it. Without legitimate studies of "frack fumes", north Texans will continue to be guinea pigs while Fort Worth fat cats and a dirty industry rake in billions of dollars a year. Remember that next time you see a frack-job on your planet.

New question: Whose going to do the studies and when?

DY

Beer & Pretzels At North Central Texas Communities Alliance Meeting Today In Fort Worth

A new organization is forming in Fort Worth to address gas drilling issues in the Barnett Shale region of north Texas.

The group will hold a press conference regarding the Carter Avenue pipeline issue and a public meeting Tuesday, December 1, 2009, at the Hotel Trinity Inn Suites. (SW corner of Beach & I-30 in Fort Worth)

There will be presentations by DISH Mayor Calvin Tillman, Deborah Rogers and others. (see details below)

After the meeting, Texas State Representative, Lon Burnam is hosting a beer and pretzel mixer in the Elvis Room of the hotel.

Speaking of Texas House District 90 Representative Lon Burnam, below is his message about today's event, plus 2 other events occurring this week....

Gas drilling has become a sensitive issue for many residents in Fort Worth and across North Texas. The safety of our communities is at stake. Since early last year, I have been at the forefront of this issue to protect the health and property of citizens in Fort Worth.

The struggle to keep Chesapeake from extending a pipeline through Carter Avenue and other communities like it is reaching the tipping point. Now that TXDOT has approved a proposed a pipeline route North of I-30 and away from community residences, victory is in sight.

You can express your concerns about the gas drilling and pipeline issues at any of these three events:

Beer and Pretzels Mixer following a Community Sponsored Forum at 6pm

When: Tuesday December 1, 7:30pm - 9:30pm
Where: The Elvis Room, Hotel Trinity Inn and Suites (I-30 and Beach Street)

A Public Meeting Sponsored by Sen. Davis, Rep. Burnam, and Councilwoman Hicks

When: Wednesday December 2, 6:30pm
Where: Meadowbrook Elemenatry School (4330 Meadowbrook Dr.)

Join me for Coffee and Pan Dulce as I File for Re-Election

When: Thursday December 3, 8:30am - 9:00am
Where: Tarrant County Democratic Party (3004 W. Lancaster Ave.)

On Tuesday, December 1st, not only can you enjoy beer and pretzels while showing support for the folks on Carter Avenue, you can also learn how to organize your neighborhood by becoming a Democratic Precinct Chair. Applications and a notary will be on hand to sign you up. Join Elvis and me in his suite. Don’t miss my first public appearance with the King!

See you there,

Representative Lon Burnam
Texas House District 90

Living Like Kramer Ticketed For Driving Shirtless In Dallas While Speaking Spanish With No Seatbelt Clicked

I have heard comments a time or two that I somehow remind someone of Seinfeld. I never ask if they are referencing the TV show or Jerry Seinfeld, the person. I just choose to take the remark as some sort of compliment and move on.

And then this morning the oh so ubiquitous "Anonymous" commented that my adventures are reminiscent of Kramer's life on Seinfeld. I'm having a little more trouble choosing to take this comment as some sort of compliment than I do the more generic Seinfeld reference.

The Kramer comment was in reply to a comment Jovan made about yesterday's blogging about the Caelum Moor.

Jovan is not another "Anonymous." He has a face. I've seen it. In photo form.

Below is a slightly abridged version of what Jovan said....

"How is it that you always stumble upon all these really cool things? I just googled Caelum Moor and was met with some very interesting stuff. You must just attract off-topic cool stuff. Now, when I make it back to Dallas, I suppose I'll be having to check out things in FW and Arlington. I'll make sure to being going on like afternoon on Tuesday..."

Until Jovan asked me I had no idea I stumble upon really cool things.

Like I already said, "Anonymous" commented on Jovan's comment. The "Anonymous" comment was funny. "Anonymous" said....

"Hey Jovan--remember that "Texas is like a whole other country!" (from PR materials). The Fort Worth (formerly Cowtown but now Tasertown or Drillville) and Arlington (i.e. Jonestown--eww!) area are really putting a set of new meanings to that PR slogan. Of course, don't drive in Dallas if you "don't talk English", comprende amigo? Be sure and get Durango to take you driving shirtless without a seat belt slowly near the famous (or infamous) Carter Ave. area. This is not meant as an insult but I keep thinking that Durango and his adventures are very reminiscent of Kramer's life on "Seinfeld". G-g-g-giddy up!! Come visit our new "country" soon, Jovan---if you dare."

Jovan previously commented on the Dallas cops giving tickets to people for not speaking English problem that "Anonymous" references. About getting a ticket for not speaking English Jovan said...

"I'm now going to see if I can get any tickets for not speaking English. I already speak Spanish -- should be no problem! I'll make sure to direct all cops to this page, hahaha. If I get one, I'll make sure you send you a picture of my lovely ticket. Okay, I'm not going to actively try to get a ticket, but next time I get pulled over there will be no English!"

Jovan, go for a combo, drive in Dallas, real slow, speaking Spanish, with your seatbelt and shirt off. So far it is not a crime to drive shirtless in Fort Worth, if you're a man. I'm not sure about Dallas. It probably is a crime there to drive shirtless. Dallas tries to be more refined and sophisticated and driving shirtless is not very refined or sophisticated. Unless you're really HOT. Which I always am when I'm driving shirtless.

FW Stinks On Kathleen Hicks & Fort Worth Mayor Mike Moncrief''s Political Calculations

I've been getting some good blog comments lately. Some times the comments are to bloggings from months, or even years ago.

Or the good blog comment might be to a blogging that was blogged on the very day it was commented on, such as one I got this afternoon from FW Stinks.

I do not know if FW is a man or a woman. What I do know is Mr./Ms. Stinks has rather strong opinions about about the shenanigans of Fort Worth's city officials, such as Fort Worth's esteemed by few mayor, Mike Moncrief, and District 8 City Councilwoman, Kathleen Hicks, currently somewhere in Europe spending some of Fort Worth's abundant budget surplus.

Below is what FW Stinks had to say...........

Very interesting observations, historical facts, and questions Mr. Durango. This situation could just be coincidence = not likely with this mayor and his crew. 

A theory based on past history and pattern is that this was a cynical ploy involving political calculations. Remember elections are just around the bend for the mayor and Ms. Hicks. She serves as some kind of member of big bother big sister version for cities, mainly FW and European cities. So this may be the official city business for which she's deployed, during a crucial vote on a major issue for the city. Not only are travel related expenses much higher during this busy holiday period, but then to be absent while knowing ahead of time that there will very likely be a tie vote (an unusual thing for this group) is awfully fishy. Going with the calculated politically-motivated theory, this scenario benefits both the mayor and the councilwoman. 

With a strong challenger already in place (see FW Weekly, forget the S-T for real news), the mayor wants to be able to point to this "difficult decision" and his decisive and courageous tie-breaking vote THAT SHOW HIS RESPECT FOR THE CITIZENS WISHES AND FOR RESPONSIBLE USE OF TAX MONEY. 

After a rough two years, mostly from her mistake in taking the side of the bullying gas corporation Chesapeake in a very high profile and intense battle of wills between this corporate Goliath and a sickly immigrant man (who won, by gosh!!), the council rep. needed no more "political damage or liability" going into the May 2011 election. Not really known for courageous votes or strong leadership, this conveniently timed trip gives her that political cover.

So either the mayor has felt that she has gotten over her punishment from him last year, and deserves his "protection" now, for not getting that CHK pipeline down Carter Ave. in the form of a blindside straight out of "Survivor" in which he publicly stripped (and embarrassed her and her supporters) away her precious title as mayor pro temp without the usual courtesy of letting her know in advance OR she has not not gotten over that public humiliation and took the trip in order to force him to be the deciding vote and pay whatever political price for his decision.

Or, once again, it's all just a perfect set of coincidences. I'd like to feed you some fish from the Trinity River if you bite on that explanation. 

Chesapeake Energy Bulldozes Neighborhood

Important incoming from Don Young. But before I get to that I've got to tell you that a lot of people showed up for yesterday's Moratorium Rally, as in dozens upon dozens showed up before the Fort Worth Ruling Junta's last meeting with the people of Fort Worth in their "Talk Fort Worth" program.

On to the message from Don Young.....

As I type this at 10 am, 9/26/08, Chesapeake Energy crews are bulldozing into one of the last pieces of original Fort Worth Prairie and cutting dozens of giant trees at the east end of Scott Avenue in Fort Worth, Texas.

Scott Avenue is a very narrow and winding street and includes some historic homes, including the oldest occupied house in Fort Worth. The drilling rig that weighs in excess of 120,000 lbs. is expected to be transported down this street, possibly as soon as tomorrow morning.

This controversial gas drilling site is adjacent to Carter Avenue where Jerry Horton and other residents have been protesting a 16" high-pressure, un-odorized gas pipeline that Chesapeake wants to install under their front yards. It is also due west of Tandy Hills Natural Area, one of the most unique ecosystems in the state of Texas, according to biologist, Prof. Bruce Benz, of Texas Wesleyan University. It has been studied and catalogued by botanists all over the state, including Bob O'Kennon with the Botanical Research Institute of Texas (BRIT).

Despite all of this, the City of Fort Worth issued a permit to drill the Thomas 1H gas well last Tuesday and allow Chesapeake to access the remote site from Scott Avenue. The company was recently fined for beginning work on the site before receiving a permit.

A neighborhood gathering is scheduled for Saturday morning at 9 am.

Your support is needed to demonstrate to the City and Chesapeake that their actions are unacceptable. Come join us for a cup of coffee.

Map of 2900 Scott Avenue

Exit Beach Street off I-30 and drive north to Scott Ave. East on Scott to the dead-end. Park on Scott Avenue or nearby.

Don Young
FWCanDo
P.O. Box 470041
Fort Worth, TX 76147

"God bless Fort Worth, Texas. Help us save some of it."