West, TX Fertilizer Plant: A Man-Made Disaster

“We essentially have a free-for-all in the United States for dangerous factories and producers of these kinds of explosive chemicals. They can build them anywhere they want -- right next to a hospital, a nursing home, a school, and there’s no controls at all.” ~ Investigative reporter David Lindorff

To read the full story,  "Texas Fertilizer plant flew under Department of Homeland Security radar" click HERE.

(Reuters) - The fertilizer plant that exploded on Wednesday, obliterating part of a small Texas town and killing at least 14 people, had last year been storing 1,350 times the amount of ammonium nitrate that would normally trigger safety oversight by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

To read the full story, "Texas fertilizer company didn't heed disclosure rules before blast"  Click  HERE .

Citizens deserve answers.  Why was West Fertilizer Company storing 270 tons of explosive ammonium nitrate at a facility in close proximity to a community, and how will we prevent future needless catastrophes like this one?  We hope the State of Texas will provide mental health services for the victims of this horrific tragedy.

PRAYERS of HEALING and PEACE for the victims of West, AND protection for everyone living in close proximity to dangerous industrial activity.

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.

Suburban Murals or Plain Brown Wrappers?

There's been recent debate as to whether or not murals might enhance the scenery of our industrialized landscape now dotted with gas drill sites - over 55 of them in Arlington, Texas alone!   It begs the question ~  Do we put the lipstick on the pig, or do we continue to try to stop the build out of more wells?  

Coincidentally, this art work came across our Twitter feed around the time of this discussion.  How appropriate would this look on those ugly masonry walls!  Instead of a plain brown wrapper, it'll show what's really lurking inside.   The FDA requires labeling of our food products ~ perhaps the EPA should mandate labeling of these suburban mining sites.

@fishcreek1269 @wcgasette omg so sad #waterislife twitter.com/SafeH2OSociety…
— Safe Water Society (@SafeH2OSociety) March 13, 2013

The History of Fracking in Residential Neighborhoods in Arlington, Texas

Back in '08 the landmen said, "You'll never know we're here...We'll be miles away..." 

Here's what it looks like today: 

Click Here

And so, the history of fracking in residential neighborhoods in Arlington, Texas began on October 23, 2007 with this unanimous vote:

Hmmm...only 8 total votes.  Shouldn't there be nine?  
Let's check the attendance.

It was a lovely dance, but we wonder if Mayor Cluck sat this one out because it was a tad controversial?

Aggressive Solicitations

On November 6, 2007  Arlington, Texas City Council voted unanimously in its first reading supporting a resolution to amend its ordinance regarding "Aggressive Solicitations."  Here is what it says:

07-0859

Deputy Chief, Jaime Ayala, presented the changes to the “Miscellaneous Offenses” Chapter regarding Aggressive Solicitation to the Council.

Councilmember Patrick made a motion to approve on first reading an ordinance amending the “Miscellaneous Offenses” Chapter of the Code of the City of Arlington, Texas, 1987, through the amendment of Article I, Miscellaneous Offenses, by the addition of a new Section 1.16, Aggressive Solicitations, relative to protecting citizens from the fear and intimidation accompanying certain forms of solicitation.    Seconded by Councilmember Wilemon, the motion carried with 9 ayes and 0 nays. 

Did the City have Landmen in mind when writing this?  Probably not ~ but they should have ~ and it should have been enforced.

Click here to see Ordinances Governing Miscellaneous Offenses in the City of Arlington, TX.

"Don't Frack With Texas!"

#STFA just caused a #humanearthquake on front of TX Railroad Commission. Crowd is chant "Don't frack with Texas!" twitter.com/NYGreenUmbrell…
— NY Green Umbrella(@NYGreenUmbrella) March 4, 2013

There was another earthquake today:

EARTHQUAKE! 3.5 Near OK & TX Border.earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/ev… 29 Miles NNW of Dennison, TX. #Fracking @fishcreek1269 #earthquake
— Westchester Gasette (@WCGasette) March 4, 2013

There's a lot of shaking going on....

"Don't Frack With Texas!"