Will Roxanne put on the red light in District 3?

During the city council meeting on November 29, 2016 Rivera Rivera announced with tears in his eyes that he would not seek re-election.  A few hours later a young single mother came virtually out of nowhere to announce her plan to run for Arlington City Council District 3.  Her name is Roxanne Thalman.  People in our community had never heard of her, except for the buzz around town concerning a so-called skeleton in this woman's closet. 

Last week outside the League of Women Voters Candidate Forum a married couple stood quietly across the street protesting outside the Lions Club. They claimed that Ms. Thalman wrecked their lives. Their story is absolutely gut wrenching.

During the League of Women Voters Candidate Forum last night one couple quietly protested outside. #ArlingtonTX #AmericanDreamCity pic.twitter.com/ePSxiXMG64

— Fish Creek Monitor (@Fishcreek1269) April 18, 2017

We will not speak to that incident at this time, but can show you the money because elected officials tend to represent those who support them financially. That's just Politics 101. To date, over 90% nearly 99% of Ms. Thalman's campaign contributions have come from outside District 3. Click Here for the link to the campaign finance reports.

We've highlighted one donor who piqued our curiosity. His name is Jagdip Patel, and he contributed $1001 on March 16th to the Roxanne Thalman campaign. According to TAD records, he owns a home in Southlake with a market value of $1,453,875.  These records also reveal that this individual owns substantial mineral interests with XTO in Arlington. This begs the question ~ whose side will Roxanne be on when the gas drilling ramps up again? It has been our experience that surface owners ie, people who live on top of the shale have no rights when it comes to protecting their homes and quality of life. Unfortunately, many people who own their minerals don't live here, which is why there has been such a loud outcry against oil and gas rules currently in place.  

According to Corporation Wiki, Mr. Patel has been associated with 25 companies over a 23-year period.  Records show that he is involved with the hotels industry which would probably connect him to the entertainment district of Arlington where a new one billion dollar stadium will be built on the taxpayers' dime. In light of this we especially need a candidate who's going to go to bat for residents who actually live on the southeast side where there are telltale signs of urban decay, increasing crime, and the sight of panhandlers who beg for money at major intersections.  

A generous portion of Ms. Thalman's money comes from the same individuals and groups that have been funding the incumbants.  So, while everyone continues to rant about voting out the incumbants, we have our chance to do so now before she gets elected.  Roxanne's campaign flyers claim that she will fight for us, but it's looking like her heart belongs to someone else.  Don't let her pretty little face and the powder blue signs around town fool you. She's bought and paid for ~ nothing but a rubber stamp.  

"Roxanne, you don't have to put on the red light" are the lyrics to a hit song released in 1978 by a group called The Police.  This is a song about falling in love with a prostitute, and can be allegorically reminiscent of many political campaigns throughout history.  Let's hope we turn this ship around before it's too late.  

  
Early voting begins April 24th.  Election Day is May 6th. 

 

Every Vote Counts

How many ways can we suppress the vote?  Arlington, TX City Councilman, Robert Rivera, will host his third gas drilling town hall to be held on Election Day despite objections from citizens.  There are concerns that a meeting held on this day could pull focus away from the election process and have a negative impact on the vote.  Every vote counts, so we can't afford to lose a single one.

In April, citizens suspected voter suppression when we learned that the well-established early polling location at the South Service Center would no longer be utilized.  The new location at Saint Joseph's Catholic Church ~ chosen by two City staffers ~ would be even further away from our community.   Many spoke out at City Hall on April 14th.  Council claimed that they didn't know anything about this change, even though this maneuver had been in the works for months.  Scroll 56:00 minutes into the meeting to hear Councilman Rivera's explanation about why it's too late to reinstate our early voting location for this year's municipal election.  He says, "It's already out of our control... There's simply nothing else we can do." 

This explanation did not sit well with Marvin Sutton, who is running against Rivera, District 3 incumbent.  Marvin, along with community groups, pushed to get our early voting location reinstated for this municipal election.  Click here to view the 7-minute long special meeting of its reinstatement.  

Even State Representative Chris Turner (HD101) ~ who typically doesn't meddle in city affairs ~ intervened.  Click here to read the letter he sent to Mayor Cluck.

We spoke with supporters from various campaigns throughout the week, and they all report that they have had no trouble with parking ~ one of the reasons given for the need to close that location. 

Now, since nothing of substance was accomplished during the first two gas drilling meetings other than citizens venting their frustrations over fracking inside the community, we see no reason to waste taxpayer resources on another fruitless meeting where Mr. Rivera might potentially scoop up some last minute votes for himself, and we are pulled away from working our campaign.  It interferes with the political process. 

The previous two town halls did nothing to improve living conditions for the neighbors living near the Sue Barnett Site.   XTO's operations are still an ongoing nuisance.  They reluctantly agreed to wrap the rig floor with a sound blanket, but it is still noisy. Sometimes we can hear that rig from a mile away!  It sounds like an older model in need of a tune up and a brake job.

Furthermore, it is pointless to hold another meeting to discuss gas drilling when it is more likely than not that Texas municipalities will soon lose local control over the regulation of oil & gas.  On April 30th, the Texas State Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Economic Development swiftly voted to pass HB40 with a unanimous vote of 9-0.   Click here for the link to watch this committee hearing, which is just under an hour long.  

Although the State will allow cities to regulate surface activities such as lights, truck traffic, and noise, these regulations must be "commercially reasonable," which is ambiguous language that the committee refused to eliminate from the bill.  In essence, we really won't be able to do much to protect safety or quality of life if HB40 becomes law because this is heavy industrial mining happening inside the neighborhoods in very close proximity to our homes.

NO ONE from our city attended the hearing in Austin ~ not even our lobbyists from HillCo.   When we inquired with Jennifer Weichman, Director of Management Resources for the City of Arlington,  as to the reason why no one attended such an important committee hearing on behalf of our City, she stated, "Our goal was not to change the bill...We think the way it's working is working fine...We monitored it... We put our resources where we can."

It is curious that our City chose to NOT spend resources in Austin on April 30th to defend democracy, property rights, and health and safety of its residents, yet they choose to allocate City resources for staff overtime to hold yet another pointless gas drilling meeting for Robert Rivera just hours before the polls close on Election Day. 

Early voting continues through May 5, 2015.  
For hours and locations, click Here.

Election Day is Saturday, May 9, 2015.

Click here for information on how candidates stand on local issues. 

The Fish Creek Monitor endorses Marvin Sutton for District 3 Arlington City Council.

Pick Pikulinski for Mayor of Arlington, Texas

Early voting is Monday April 29 through Tuesday May 7, 2013.

Election Day is Saturday, May 11, 2013

Together we can and will:

• Improve the City's management of gas well LOCATIONS especially in residential areas.
• Re-focus our funding priorities in street repairs and maintenance projects.
• Give residents a stronger voice at City Council meetings. 
• Control and reduce "pack & stack" high-density mixed-use housing.
• Reach out to community and small business groups for planning and zoning priorities.
• Reduce the rising cost of fees with water, trash and other city services.
• Ensure public safety by building stronger neighborhood communities.

 

This is raw footage of the City of Arlington under Mayor Cluck's leadership.  

Is this the kind of place to live and raise a family?

Thank you for voting! 

YOUR VOTE MATTERS!!!

Click here to view early voting times and locations.

Click here to view May 11th polling locations. 

Pluck Cluck. Pick Pikulinski for Arlington, Texas Mayor

  It was a pretty day on Saturday.  After our Fish Creek Community Garden gathering, some neighbors set out on a block walk  because the local elections are just around the corner.  Many people were out in their front yards, so we had the opportunity to meet and talk with a bunch of residents and listen to their concerns.  We learned that public opinion is one hundred percent unanimous on the gas drilling issue ~ citizens are disgusted with the industrialization of their residential neighborhoods. 

There are quite a few homes up for sale ~ several back up to the Fulson Drill Site.  Hmmm...  

One mother in the gas patch shared her story.  After the drilling frenzy began in southeast Arlington,  her daughter was diagnosed with leukemia.  She was so ill that she missed the entire 8th grade while undergoing treatment.  The mom believes that the drilling activity was responsible for her daughter's illness, and she also complained about frequent gas odors on her property.  While the doctor did not definitively confirm that the drilling activity caused the disease,  he did not deny it either.  Fortunately, her daughter is in remission now,  but she shared that other neighbors in the area are also suffering health issues. 
 
These types of stories seem to be commonplace in the gas patch.  Approximately two years ago we met a middle-aged man who was diagnosed with terminal bone marrow cancer.  At that time, he lived in close proximity to the Fulson Drill Site.  His doctor asked if he had been exposed to benzene.  If anyone in the Fish Creek Neighborhood has an update on this gentleman,  please contact us via e-mail. 

During the early part of 2013 we met a young widower  who lives next to the Rocking Horse drill site.  His wife passed away suddenly after Chesapeake drilled a well a little over 400 feet from their back door.  

People purchase homes in  residential neighborhoods because they expect to enjoy a good quality of life.   If they wanted to live in an industrial zone, they  would have purchased a home in an industrial zone.  Now ALL Arlington, TX homeowners are at risk because their communities can be turned into drilling zones at any given moment.  This is  now possible because on October 23, 2007 the Arlington, TX City Council  changed the zoning ordinance to allow gas drilling in residential neighborhoods.  When you link over to that blog post, notice that Mayor Cluck was absent that night, and  District 3 Councilman Robert Rivera seconded the motion to approve this monumental change that would transform our city into a gas mining town dotted with drill sites, compressor stations, and dangerous gas pipelines transporting UNodorized gas past our homes, schools, and parks.

There is hope.  Election day is May 11th.  We desperately need to stop the build out of gas wells and revise the City's gas drilling ordinance.  Jerry Pikulinski is committed to doing just that.  He understands community development and zoning priorities  ~ something our officials of local municipalities make decisions about on a regular basis.  If elected, he will also ensure public safety and build strong community while giving every citizen a voice. 

Click HERE to check out Jerry Pikulinski's Facebook page. 

PLUCK CLUCK,  

PICK PIKULINSKI 

for Arlington, TX Mayor!!  

REMEMBER TO VOTE!

  

For voting information, click HERE.

District 8

In the popular novel, The Hunger Games, heroine Katniss describes District 8 "as an ugly, urban place stinking of industrial fumes, the people housed in run down tenaments, barely a blade of grass in sight."   ~  Sound familiar?

As Arlington, TX  turns into an industrial zone, we'd like to introduce you to a candidate who is running for the At-Large Council seat in our very own District 8.     

Frisco resident Charla Hawkes Vinyard running for Arlington, TX City Council?? 

First, let's talk about that proposed zoning change for Overcoming Faith Drill Site which is still tabled ~ most likely until the elections are over.   Mind you, it is crystal clear that a gas drilling site is not compatible with the vision for the Tierra Verde overlay.  A future development for high-end exclusive homes is planned for that area.  Nevertheless,  here is how Frisco resident, Realtor,  and Arlington Planning & Zoning member, Mrs. Vinyard, voted on that case:

Also in question is her eligibility to run for Arlington City Council when she has dual residency.   Even if she is eligible, we question 1) Is this ethical?  and,  2) Will she be able to focus on Arlington's complex issues when she lives in Frisco?

Here is what the Fort Worth Star Telegram says about Charla Hawkes Vinyard:     

"The Star-Telegram reported late last month that Hawkes Vinyard apparently violated state law by claiming two homestead exemptions."

"One of the homes is at xxxx Bever Blvd. in central Arlington. She lists that address on her voter registration, her professional real estate licenses and her application to be placed on the May 12 general election ballot. The home is valued at $141,000."

"She has also taken a homestead exemption on a house valued at about $610,000 near Lewisville Lake, according to public records."

"David Weaver, a commercial and bankruptcy lawyer, said reports that Hawkes Vinyard previously claimed two homestead exemptions -- for homes in Arlington and in Denton County -- raise questions about where she really lives... "It's not about me. It's about the process and whether the city is going to follow it or not."

To read the full story click on this LINK.

Perhaps Mrs. Vinyard spends the majority of time by her Lake Lewisville home because she doesn't like living in Arlington's industrial zone.  We don't either.  We wonder if there is an extra guest bedroom for our Fish Creek neighbors when Chesapeake starts the fracking nightmare all over again.

Casting your vote does make a difference. 

When you cast your vote think about whether your choice of candidates will help beautify this city or slowly transform it into a post-apocalyptic scene like that in the Hunger Games.

For voting information click HERE.
For additional voting information call (817) 831-VOTE (8683).

Read more here: http://www.star-telegram.com/2012/04/03/3858463/attorney-seeks-inquiry-into-rlington.html#storylink=c

Read more here: http://www.star-telegram.com/2012/04/03/3858463/attorney-seeks-inquiry-into-arlington