In a beautifully written acceptance speech delivered after his May 22, 2010 swearing in, newly elected Councilmember Steve Lyda said the following:
"What does this election mean in the future? Absolutely nothing. From this day forward, we will now be defined by our actions, by our record, and by what we do and do not do as a council. One thing is clear, if we don’t answer the mandate of the people…the people will be back to mandate who is on the council."
Truer words were never spoken.
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21 comments:
At this point I truly regret donating campaign contributions to Northern, Filidoro and Lyda. In addition, I regret putting their signs out in my yard.
If I remember correctly, Filidoro said that most people only get involved in one election in their lifetime. It's easy to see why now, and it's not cynicism. Politicians have shown us time and time again that they will do and say whatever it takes for them to get elected. My daughter asked me today if that is what the NFL team did. Sure looks that way.
Shame on them.
This is so very sad. I believe these people are truly good people but I can't imagine why they allowed this to happen.
If they had any dignity whatsoever, they'd all resign. Seldom has there been a clearer mandate from the voters.
Remember that the Town Council members do not approve drilling permits. Staff does, following the recommendation of the Town attorney. NFL and H did not vote for approving a drilling permit on Hilliard field; staff administratively approved it based on the Town attorney's advice. The process needs to be changed.
You folks are so sad! You elected some foolish people who have no clue nor idea what Oil & Gas Companies do. You had your two face Town manager (Harlan Jefferson) & Fire Chief (Eric Metzger)allow the firing of the "ONLY TRUE GAS INSPECTOR" in the Metroplex thus putting FLOMO into a "Serious Safety" situation that has begun to unfold. In time you will witness that the Town Manager, Harlan Jefferson actually called the Hilliard owners and informed them to file their drilling permit because the city was going to issue the Moratorium in the same breath he was telling the NFL folks "I am your man". I am laughing at you fools running the Town now. Get ready for more law suits & watch your City Attorney (that works on contract) continue to get richer and laugh at you folks all the way to the bank.
The Attorney's motivation needs to be examined.
NFL should not be allowed to hide behind the Town Attorney or Town Manager. Does anyone truly think we elect the Town Council so they can be told what to do by the Town Attorney or Town Manager? If that's the case then why do elect a Town Council? I understand that they should heed their advice but if they disagree with the Town Attorney's advice there has to be something they can do.
This we can't help it our hands are tied excuse is a bit overused.
Who is really inspecting our gas wells and facilities in FM?
Do they know anything about oil and gas?
Where did they get their training?
Are they competent or checking off boxes on a form?
Why did the City terminate the only person that knew anything about gas wells and was an expert in this field?
I ask again, who is really watching out for us?
I don't believe they should resign. Do any of you remember what it was like before?
Do I wish they would have stopped Hilliard? Yes.
But the Hilliard site was a done deal when the old council voted against the moratorium in November.
Let's judge the new council on their merits in the future.
They can prove they are serious about protecting us by extending the moratorium on Sept 8 and voting in the recommendations of the advisory board!
I'm sure Williams and the mighty lease holders are loving this trashing of the TC. The TC are all we have, and it could be worse. Much worse. It is a shame they rolled over. I'm sure they were afraid of lawsuits? What is our next course of action. Anyone?
Well said Sue Ann and Anonymous August 29, 2010 5:35 p.m. For all the other anonymous commentators, please run for office next election season, as you all seem to be able to turn back the hands on the clock to 2007. And, I hope you win!
Can someone answer this ...Was the Fire Inspector that was let go supporting gas drilling in town and drilling on the Hillard location as well as acting as an advocate for this drilling? Was this one of the reasons he was let go? I don't blame NFL for what has happened, remeber they and Harlan were able to stop the CCL. If they could, I'm sure Hillard and his pet Donkey would not be able to Drill. The Blame rests with the old Council Members and the old Mayor/Smith that voted to weaken our ordinance with the unbalanced advisory board they had created.
Has everyone out there who is bashing the current council read the town attorney's Aug 26th letter? I think you should read this as it thoroughly explains why the application was approved. I find his arguments convincing. I'm against the drilling in town, but I believe that facts work better for persuading others than emotional diatribes. The real discussion should be, what can we do in the future to make sure this doesn't happen again? Are there other permits out there that would also be grandfathered in? How do we reach the most amount of people in flower mound who are still holdouts, to keep that group strong? How do we put pressure on LISD to not sign a lease in the future? Saying they are not actively seeking a lease is VERY different from saying they will not seek one in the future.
I suspect we will get some more "new recruits" as soon as Titan has to put up a rig temporarily to make sure the current leases they do have, do not expire. Most of them will be parents of kids who attend the adjacent schools. There are still many people who don't think this is coming within 1,500 feet of a school. You need those people to hammer LISD.
ML: Why attack bloggers who are obiviously concerned citizens who are "on your side." Let's try to stick together...united we stand, divided we fall.
August 30,Anonymous 11:59 AM: My point exactly--stop attacking!
Check out TX Sharon's website regarding subsidence. Maybe we all look into forming consortiums to hire an attorney, BEFORE drilling, to protect us in the case that the operators, landowners and leaseholders cause damage to our homes, property, dimish our quality of life or threaten our health from horizontal hydraulic fracturing. They need to be held liable and accountable. Insurance companies are wisening up to this industry and will not cover damages for homeowners.
http://txsharon.blogspot.com/2010/08/subsidence-from-oil-and-gas-development.html
Agreed, for all the people throwing NFL under the bus, we expect to see YOUR name on a ballot next May.
People will lift you up one minute and throw you down the next. That is what many have done to the Mayor and Town Council. Attacking them is not helping the problem.
This blog makes the entire legal system look so simple. You are wrong. It is not that easy. Talk to Elizabeth Burns. I am sure she could enlighten you.
Mellany, I think you are on to something. In addition to the drilling companies, hold the mineral owners who leased accountable as well. The only way to stop drilling is for mineral owners to stop signing leases. They need to be held accountable as much as the drilling company, Mayor, or Council.
Sue Ann is right - The process needs to be changed. Here and at the state/federal level.
The O&G Advisory Board in Flower Mound is a start. Look forward to hearing your recommendations.
For everyone who lives next to hillard, ask the town to provide you with the certificate of insurance for Titan. As you have damages from the drilling, consider making a claim.
Holding elected officials responsible for their actions is a critical part of how our democracy works. Without this piece democracy fails. There are real questions that are being asked about why Hilliard was approved. They need to be answered.
Anonymous Set. 4, 7:20 a.m.
Democracy is working, whether we like it or not. The current mayor and council followed the law and abided by the ordinances that were enacted by the previous mayor and Town Council in 2007. Concerned citizens are working hard to get those ordinances changed, along with an empathetic mayor and F,L & H.
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