Citizens' Concerns Fall Upon Deaf Ears

Feedback is pouring in from the June 5th Arlington, TX City Council meeting.   We would like to share one citizen's observations:

"Yes. I found out where the meeting was held at City Hall and was enlightened, as well as disappointed, by the conversation and lack of support our elected officials have for our safety. I was only able to sit through the first Chesapeake request for "Rocking Horse Drill Site", because I had to work. I wish I could have stayed for the remaining 3 resolutions for Chesapeake.

I also provided 4 cards opposing their requests until Chesapeake owns up to their existing responsibilities for Arlington. It was only when the rep from Chesapeake could not confirm that he could provide an alternate source of water to the site that affected other investor's property (not the citizens) that deferred their decision to move forward with their action.

I'd like to propose a class-action lawsuit against Chesapeake. The current practice is not working.

 It was nice to see the Arlington citizens come out and support the community against Chesapeake and hope to see you and others at the next meeting."

(e-mail from concerned southeast Arlington resident)

Here is the link from that meeting.   Scroll ahead 44 minutes to the Rocking Horse hearing.  Then scroll ahead to about one hour and 13 minutes where Mayor Cluck tells Charles Davis of Chesapeake, "You go ahead and drill 80 wells if you want to."  Wow, did anybody hear the citizens?

http://arlingtontx.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=2&clip_id=1074

Gas Gathering Pipelines Regulated??

If we heard correctly at the Rocking Horse meeting last night (bad acoustics), Charles Davis of Chesapeake informed a room full of people that gas pipelines are regulated.  You can believe that rhetoric, or you can believe what this government report says:

Click  HERE.

Here is the Railroad Commission GIS map for southeast Arlington.  Pipelines are in green:

There's something else going on with Rocking Horse...more about that later.

The Golden Boy Rides Again

Image courtesy of Greater London Authority

May 31 is graduation day and the last day of school for AISD students.   While
neighbors celebrate this special milestone, Chesapeake will host a meeting in our community to discuss their plans for the Rocking Horse Drill Site located at South Collins and Caplin Dr.  This meeting will be held from 7-8 p.m. at the NY Ave Church of Christ, 5371 NY Ave, Arlington, TX. 

Although we expressed our conflict with this meeting date due to graduations, Chesapeake decided to move forward on additional permits for the Rocking Horse Drill Site.  A total of about a dozen wells are planned for this location.

To date, one well is quietly producing according to the postcard they mailed out to residents.  We'd like to know what they are doing over there, because the production of our minerals has been anything but quiet.

From the appearance of the plat we wonder how they will accomplish their goal since many residents did not sign a lease.   This is the plat, and the shaded areas represent unleased properties:

A Chesapeake representative indicated that they have all the necessary leases.   However, the Texas Statewide Spacing Rule states that a well may not be drilled closer than 330 feet to any unleased property.  Most likely Chesapeake will be filing a Rule 37 spacing exception with the Texas Railroad Commission.  With that in mind, check your mail carefully as you may not recognize this unofficial looking correspondence.  If you do not wish to sign, you will need to protest by filling out the form and returning it promptly.  We have individuals in the community who are able to assist with the Rule 37 process. 

If Chesapeake treated us like human beings rather than a tract number on a plat, perhaps we might like them better.  We are nothing but a mere inconvenience on top of their gas reservoir.  God help us please.

Fracking the Maharishi - Public Hearing Tonight!

The 715 pages of agenda details for tonight's crucial Arlington, TX City Council Meeting were a doozy to download!   As we were wading through all the minutia, we discovered these opposition letters to the Maharishi Drill Site that we did not see posted three weeks ago. 

These petitions are from the original zoning case number SUP-11-11 ~ not SUP-12-1 which was originally scheduled on the agenda for a public hearing on April 3rd.  That night, the Mayor announced it would be continued on April 24th.  We find it curious that both SUP's are now listed on the agenda.  What is the City up to?  Will these cases be heard individually or will they be combined?   We called for clarification, but were told we would have to wait and see how the council decides to handle that at the meeting. 

These business men from The Greenhouse Spa and Decision Analysts have valid concerns.  Gas drill sites do create toxic pollution, disruptive noise, and are ugly and dangerous.   

In addition, the proposed Maharishi Drill Site is about 200 feet away from a historic cemetery ~ PA Watson.  A drill site SHOULD NOT be allowed this close to a historic landmark, and fracking SHOULD NOT be done under people's graves - no matter what!

Arlington's Landmark Preservation Plan quotes Thomas B. Macaulay:

"A people which takes no pride in the noble achievements of remote ancestors, will never achieve anything worthy to be remembered with pride by remote descendants."

It Ain't Just Steam

Arlington's Gas Drilling Status Report does not mention that flowback operations are happening today at the Bruder Drill Site located at the intersection of I-20 and Park Springs in Arlington, TX.  Fortunately, we have Fish Creek neighbors out in the field equipped with video cameras.  

Julie Wilson, Public Relations Spokeperson for Chesapeake, states that flowback vapor is just steam. 

“The “vapor” you see from the tanks on this site is steam from hot water. […] Despite the alarming stories that are unfortunately sometimes circulated, we can assure you there are no harmful emissions to worry about.”

The evidence is in.   It's not just steam.

The City of Colleyville hired Modern Geosciences, an independent environmental consultant firm to monitor Titan's mini-frack job.   Methane, VOC's, Xylene, Toluene, Ethyl Benzene, Nitric Oxide, and Ammonia were detected during both the fracking and flowback process.  Here is the link of their findings:  http://www.colleyville.com/images/content/files/communitydevelopment/final_air_quality_analysis_summary.pdf

We think Arlington should hire an independent consultant to monitor drilling activities, but our gas well regulator has been busy these days.  Here he is sitting on a panel with industry representatives promoting gas drilling at a recent UTA seminar.  (He's the one on the right.)



There are lots of rules for all of these drill pad sites.  Feel safer now?

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