FMCAUD Sponsored Candidate's Forum

Where does each of the candidates for Flower Mound Town Council and Mayor stand on urban gas drilling? Find out the answer to this question and have the opportunity to question our Council candidates on this and other critical issues facing our community.

Voters will have the opportunity to attend a Candidate’s Forum at 2:30pm, Sunday, April 6th, at the Flower Mound Town Library, sponsored by the Flower Mound Citizens Against Urban Drilling (FMCAUD).

Invitations have been delivered to Council Member Al Filidoro and challenger Steve Dixon for Council position place 2 and Virginia Jellison and Jean Levenick for Council position place 4 as well as to the current mayor, Jody Smith, who is running unopposed.

Here is a copy of the entire press release which went out yesterday.


Press Release
Town residents to hold candidate forum for Town Council and Mayoral Candidates regarding critical issues facing Flower Mound

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Flower Mound, TX March 28, 2008

Where does each of the candidates for Flower Mound Town Council and Mayor stand on urban gas drilling? Find out the answer to this question and have the opportunity to question our Council candidates on this and other critical issues facing our community.

Voters will have the opportunity to attend a Candidate’s Forum at 2:30pm, Sunday, April 6th, at the Flower Mound Town Library, sponsored by the Flower Mound Citizens Against Urban Drilling (FMCAUD) announced its president, Rebecca Belcher.

“While gas drilling per se, is not on the ballot of the May 10th elections, it is one of the topics of upmost concern to a great number of Flower Mound residents and we think it is important that all candidates be given a forum in which they can make their positions clear.”

Ms. Belcher stated that invitations had been delivered to Council Member Al Filidoro and challenger Steve Dixon for Council position place 2 and Virginia Jellison and Jean Levenick for Council position place 4 as well as to the current mayor, Jody Smith, who is running unopposed.

“The forum will be conducted in an organized and impartial manner. Each candidate will be allowed to make three-minute opening remarks. Then, the floor will be opened to questions. The length of questions, as well as the length of the responses will be limited so that as many people as possible will be able to pose their questions.”
Ms. Belcher said that “all Flower Mound voters are encouraged to attend the Candidate’s Forum, regardless of their position on urban gas drilling. It’s important to hear what each of the candidates have to say, which will allow voters to fully understand each candidate’s positions and to vote wisely in the May 10th elections.”

Ms. Belcher stated that while her organization’s stance is very opposed to drilling in residential neighborhoods, they are not opposed to all gas drilling. “We believe that there is a place for gas drilling, but it’s not within highly residential areas. Gas wells a few hundred feet from homes threaten the public safety, the environment, and significantly impact the quality of life.”

Ms. Belcher explained that she organized FMCAUD in early February when she, along with her neighbors, were shocked by the arrival of a letter from a gas developer, Cherokee Horn, announcing that the neighboring Northshore Club had been leased for gas drilling and that a number of gas wells were planned.

“I was dumbfounded that this beautiful little town—the place my husband and I specifically chose to retire in when we moved here from Amarillo six years ago—would allow heavy industry to locate as little as 300 feet from our home.”

Ms. Belcher continued that “no area of Flower Mound is ‘safe’ from gas drilling and that even the exclusive Bridlewood community is now faced with the prospect of a gas well on the golf course driving range.” She said that even the proposed Riverwalk development includes a gas well. “Residents have a right to question candidates for office on their positions—this is a matter that if improperly handled, could negatively impact the residents for many years to come.”

Event: Candidate’s Forum, sponsored by the Flower Mound Citizens Against Urban Drilling
Date: Sunday, April 6th
Time: 2:30pm
Place: Flower Mound Library
Invited Participants: Mayor Jody Smith
Place 2 Candidates: Incumbent Council Member Al Filidoro, and challenger Steve Dixon
Place 4 Candidates: Jean Levenick and Virginia Jellison [Council Member Laurie Long is not seeking re election]

Flower Mound Citizens Against Urban Drilling mission is the following: To work in a legal, ethical, and civil manner to stop urban gas drilling in the highly residential areas of Flower Mound. We are not against all gas drilling, but rather that which will adversely affect the public safety, the enjoyment of our homes, and our overall quality of life. Their blog is located at: http://stopthedrilling.blogspot.com/.