Here are some links for the Flower Mound Council Place 1 candidates.
Click here for the Dallas Morning News Voters Guide.
Jeff Whittaker website: http://www.electjeffw.com/
Jeff Whittaker Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Jeffrey-Whittaker-For-Flower-Mound-Town-Council/198560690162841
Kendra Stephenson website: http://www.kendraforfm.com/
Kendra Stephenson Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Kendra-Stephenson-For-Flower-Mound-Town-Council-Place-1/136512356418603?sk=info
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25 comments:
My friend sent me some posts from the Flower Mound Cares page from yesterday. I just don't understand what Kendra's camp is so upset about. I think that they should focus on what her platform is and stick to it. People will make their own assumptions period. No matter how much Kendra and her campaign try to spin it. She did say she would be for long distance drilling, she said it and posted it. If that is not what she means, then correct it. Some people just don't agree with making that compromise so move on. Jeez. What is this "kick the can" email?
Sorry about the first post. It got deleted by accident.
Janis,
Here is the paragraph from the email that seems to have Kendra's campaign up in arms.
Please note that this was sent from a private citizen to her moms group. It was never intended for everyone to read. It was then circulated to many. As you can see she never mentions Kendra by name and just indicates she doesn't agree with any kind of long distance drilling.
"Did you know ... that at least one opposing candidate supports exploring the use of new long distance drilling methods in Flower Mound?
While moving the well-head just two miles away may satisfy those who disapprove of urban drilling for aesthetic reasons, it does not negate the risk of proximity to the well-head – it only moves it to another bordering community. That community may not have as strong an ordinance as Flower Mound’s, but it still has homes and schools and, to my knowledge, does not have a glass bubble around it that would stop contaminated air from coming right back to Flower Mound. This kick-the-can-literally-2 miles-down-the-road-approach doesn’t even protect Flower Mound! The risk of fracking under our feet would remain. The shale under our homes would become forever permeable and the risk of gas and fracking chemicals migrating to the water table or surface in Flower Mound would remain unchanged. How comfortable would you feel knowing that fracking was going on directly underneath your home? I worry about a candidate that would seek to find common ground by offering this unacceptable compromise to gas interests. I say NO when my family's health and safety are at risk!"
I don't get it. Why is this email bad? Kendra has the thread that Janis mentioned posted on her website. I was expecting this email to be a vile attack on Kendra. Not even close. Sometimes you agree with a candidate and sometimes you don't. That is not an attack. This woman has a right to her opinion.
Many of these people that are bashing NFL and H where not around when this fight started. The only thing they know is how they were treated by Jody and gang in January 2010. What about some of us that fought this battle way before and got a Jan 2010 treatment from the old council everytime we went to a meeting. Of course they don't understand how much better off we are with NFLH. But if they keep up the negative crap against NFL, they will find out what it was like to be invisible or ignored everytime you voice a concern about drilling. I am sure they will wish they had kept their mouths shut.
What is wrong with the paragraph is that is not Ms. Stephenson's position. I read her website and it does not advocate moving anything next to any school, home etc.
Who ever wins place 1, the drilling that whoever wrote this post is so afraid of will not stop - NFL can't do it and neither can anyone else here in FM/
maybe she is not aware of this report that came out recently. the drilling toxins travel for miles.
http://www.barnettshalenews.com/documents/ntxairstudy/FWLNA%20Report%20For%20FWISD%20Recommendations%20For%20Drilling%20Near%20Schools%20Feb%2022%202011.pdf
maybe flower mound could be the first town in TX to fully embrace clean renewable energy by starting a campaign to encourage citizens to conserve energy and give incentives for using solar and wind.
I just got done reading the thread on FMC about this email. It is clear that Ms Stephenson's group sees it as an attack and not opinion. So let's break this down.
"that at least one opposing candidate supports exploring the use of new long distance drilling methods in Flower Mound?"
Ms. Stephenson isn't mentioned by name and she says she is for "exploring" not wants drilling
"While moving the well-head just two miles away may satisfy those who disapprove of urban drilling for aesthetic reasons, it does not negate the risk of proximity to the well-head – it only moves it to another bordering community. That community may not have as strong an ordinance as Flower Mound’s, but it still has homes and schools and, to my knowledge, does not have a glass bubble around it that would stop contaminated air from coming right back to Flower Mound. This kick-the-can-literally-2 miles-down-the-road-approach doesn’t even protect Flower Mound! The risk of fracking under our feet would remain. The shale under our homes would become forever permeable and the risk of gas and fracking chemicals migrating to the water table or surface in Flower Mound would remain unchanged."
Sounds more like an opinion from a resident that has done some research and feels this to be true. Don't we all have the right to agree or disagree with a candidates position based on our own research?
"How comfortable would you feel knowing that fracking was going on directly underneath your home? I worry about a candidate that would seek to find common ground by offering this unacceptable compromise to gas interests. I say NO when my family's health and safety are at risk!"
This sounds like a person who is asking if people feel the same. Not even asking if they are comfortable with long distance drilling but with fracking all together. Seems like a valid question.
Ms Stepheson's statement from her site.
"Explore use of new long distance drilling methods to unify mineral owners and surface owners"
It sounds nice but will never happen. Yes, but to achieve this, there would have to be COMPROMISE. Plus as someone said on another blog, a cure for greed. Ms Stephenson, that is okay to say you want to compromise. It is also okay for people not to agree with it.
Ms. Stephenson's supporters have to stop nit picking the opinions of her opponents supporters. It is beginning to sound like whinning or you are trying to make people feel sorry for Ms. Stephenson. As a politician, there will be people that don't agree with you and they will share those opinions with others. Look at the past and see. There will always people that loved and hated the old council and loved and hated the new council. I am sorry but if Ms. Stephenson can't handle the negative stuff, then maybe she doesn't really have what it takes to be a politician.
Whew sorry this is so long. I just had so much to say.
Happy Easter everyone.
I think the point is this.
It is not what the candidate's position is on drilling that is the issue here.
The issue is that a resident has decided she does not agree with this candidate. She expressed her feelings and views in a email that was intended for a private group. She did not tell everyone they should feel the same but simply asked if anyone felt the same.
This email was then circulated outside the group.
This is freedom of speech. I do agree with Stop the Madness. Our old council and new council have had negative opinions posted about them. Yet most of them forge ahead and move on. I believe it would be in the best interest of Kendra's campaign to do the same. It is part of being in the public eye and an elected official.
Flower Mound Cares Facebook is only allowing the staunch supporters of Kendra Stephenson to post now and are blocking certain inviduals who disagree with their position from posting or commenting. Words are being twisted repeatedly by a certain individual simply because people do not support her candidate. Maybe Ms. Stephenson should have sought a more professional campaign manager, because the current one is embarrassing her with this victim mantra and lack of accountability. Is this a sign of what is to come if Ms. Stephenson were elected to Council? Thank you FMCAUD and Bluedaze for Drilling Reform blogs and the Cross Timbers Gazette for allowing free speech on your sites.
You are welcome. We will continue to post comments from both sides as long as they are not a threat, racist, or contain strong profanity.
Kendra's statement from her website about Long Distance Drilling:
The reality of living in Flower Mound unfortunately is that gas drilling is not going away. Currently methods used for long distance drilling are being used in Flower Mound today. Fifty nine wells have been drilled to date in Flower Mound and horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing have been used on every one. Flower Mound does not have the authority to eliminate drilling for natural gas using hydraulic fracturing or long distance/horizontal drilling. At the Federal level, we will not see any stronger regulation until 2013, if then. The disputes over gas drilling have divided our community.
Our best hope is strong regulations and approval methods along with evaluating alternative methods of drilling. As it stands today, the O & G Advisory board has only been able to recommend larger set backs. These measures won’t stop long distance/horizontal drilling or fracking, but would require gas companies to retrieve natural gas from a further distance. In effect, the new recommended setbacks will require the use of long distance drilling methods.
If faced with another application for a gas well pad site that is 1,500 feet from a school or homes, long distance drilling from 2 miles away may be a better solution--IF implemented with best practices. A good example is Hilliard Field. The town decided to not require a request for variance go before the O & G Board of Appeals. This was the only option to prevent drilling at Hilliard. A pad site at Hilliard, with the potential to become a large industrial facility, is now at the Gateway to our community and near a populated area. The minerals can be retrieved on-site with up to 24 wells, or retrieved from an area away from ALL homes, schools, churches and other populated areas. At a minimum, it is worth exploring.
Flower Mound has led the state in requiring drilling to be done away from homes, schools, churches and other populated areas. Flower Mound must continue with this tradition.
The statement that was just posted by anon. was made recently. Right? But, the one that I read on her website was this one.
"Gas Drilling
Use municipal authority to regulate the location of pipelines and collection facilities.
Explore use of new long distance drilling methods to unify mineral owners and surface owners."
My problem is that I don't believe she thought any of her statements through. In Flower Mound, where do you move a pad site 2 miles away that won't affect someone or something? If we already have over 50 wells with the prospect of having over 70 in the future, do we really need anymore of this in our town. Since only a small percentage of residents will make any SIGNIFICANT money (I say that because we all know most will make very little), maybe it is time stop the drilling in this area and surrounding communities. I guess I am questioning why even bring this up? It does sound like riding the fence. Just my opinion.
I am so sick of all this focus on Kendra Stephenson. Jeff Whittaker is so qualified for this position and no one talks about his credentials. The reason he was not at the debate is he is with his father who is very ill with cancer. This is something that could not wait till after the election. So I would like to post Jeff's info so people can see all the experience this man will bring to the council. Plus he is just a great human being.
Bachelor of Arts from the University of South Florida April 1982.
Master of Business Administration from the University of Dallas December 1993.
Certified Public Accountant Florida May 1989.
Certified Public Accountant Texas January 2004.
Certified Financial Planner March 1987.
Personal Finance Specialist 1996.
Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor 2006.
Current Memberships and Positions
Member American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
Member Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants. Member Flower Mound Chamber of Commerce.
Member Lewisville Chamber of Commerce.
Member Board of Directors and Executive Committee Lewisville Chamber of Commerce.
Flower Mound Planning and Zoning Commission.
Board of Governors Texas Health Resources Presbyterian Hospital of Flower Mound.
Boardmember and Treasurer LISD Education Foundation
Prior Memberships and Positions
Board Member Friends of the Flower Mound Public Library.
Mentor and Advisor Communities in Schools of North Texas.
Flower Mound Community Development Corporation.
Seriously, this man will do a great job for Flower Mound!!!!
I am so glad someone finally is talking about what a great candidate Jeff Whittaker is.
Thank you.
The reason Kendra's campaign has to play the victim, is because there IS NO NEGATIVE about her opponent. Vote Jeff, be happy. Frankly, this town needs less drama.
Anon 8:00 a.m. Thank you bringing forth all of Jeff Whittaker's credentials and why he is qualified for Town Council - Place 1. He is a tireless giver and will continue to serve and represent the people well once elected on May 14.
From Ms. Stephenson's campaign page
9. Did you seek the endorsement of Right Minded Flower Mound? No. I respect the right of all voters to make their individual decisions about who to vote for in the upcoming election. I also respect the voters' right to freedom of speech.
Note the last 3 words. Freedom of Speech? Is that why Ms. Stephenson and her supporters are making such a big deal over a mother's email sent out to her neighborhood friends group supporting Jeff Whittaker? Calling her a liar, forwarding her email to everyone and their brother and berating this woman.
Practice what you preach Ms. Stephenson.
Now the Flower Mound Cares FB page deleted the post that had the actual verbage of the kick-the-can email. I guess over there you can refer to the email, you just can't quote it. What is Kendra's camp so afraid of? That word will get out in the anti-urban drilling community that she supports exploring long distance drilling? Hello? It's listed as a core belief on her website.
Kendra has worked hard for the last year trying to bring awareness to better drilling practices. She has a lot of knowledge from being on the Oil & Gas Board of Appeals.
Kendra has worked hard for the last year trying to bring awareness to better drilling practices. She has a lot of knowledge from being on the Oil & Gas Board of Appeals.
Kendra has worked hard for the last year trying to bring awareness to better drilling practices. She has a lot of knowledge from being on the Oil & Gas Board of Appeals.
Anon 12:51. There were many that came before her to bring awareness to drilling in Flower Mound. Some of them most likely educated her on the issues.
Where were all the FM cares people before Jan 2010?
Our current Mayor was just a resident like the rest of us but she along with others researched and educated themselves so those that joined us in 2010 knew what the heck was going on.
Please give credit where credit is due.
@ Anon 12:51 PM
Jeff has been working for this community for many years, not just the last one.
Speaking of Kendra Stephenson and the last year, one of her BFF's wrote that "Kendra has grown tremendously as a person over the last year. . ." Glad to hear that Ms. Stephenson has finally "grown" at 48 years of age, but I would rather support someone like Jeff Whittaker who has been "grown" his whole adult life to serve our community.
It is hard to make any judgements about Mr. Whittaker's positions. His website does not have much detail other than background. I'd like to see more about his vision for Flower Mound.
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