Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Flower Mound Town Council Extends Moratorium and Discusses Ordinances

Last night Flower Mound Town Council voted to extend the gas drilling moratorium until the proposed new Oil and Gas Ordinance is discussed and voted in. Matt Woods, Director of Environmental Resources, gave a great presentation of the recommendations by the Oil & Gas Advisory Board. The Oil & Gas Advisory board recommendations addressed many concerns about regulation and protection for the residents of Flower Mound.

For those of you that missed the Flower Mound Town Council meeting last night, click here to watch. The town has it broken into sections.

28 comments:

Anonymous said...

Interesting indeed. I don't know why Ms. Rogers was so upset about Mr. McKages remark. He didn't name anyone. He just wanted let everyone know that some people were passionate. I am sure there were others. Also, I am sure that some of the industry people are not happy with the stronger recommmendations. And had a fire in their belly too. And Ms. Butier did let everyone know she had a "fire in her belly" when she spoke to the Flower Mound Leader back in May.

Anonymous said...

I want to thank the Advisory Board for all their hard work. Also thank you to the Mayor and The Town council and the staff.
Some of us that have been around a lot longer than Ms. Rogers truly appreciate all the good things our new council has done.
We do have people who listen and want to do the right thing. But, we live in Texas and our council is doing the right thing by pushing the legal limit and working hard to not go too far and risk all the hard work.

Anonymous said...

Most of the Advisory Board members had the Town's best interest at heart. It's too bad that Jennifer Rogers has been manipulated so badly by Virginia Simonson, that Rogers would make an ass out of herself by playing the tough girl. We finally have a mayor and council majority who listen, instead of scoff at the concerned citizens in regard to drilling, and this minority of people such as Simonson and Rogers would rather have Smith, Levenick and Dixon back on council. No thanks to those two for fracturing the solidarity that the majority of the group that shared the same goals.

Anonymous said...

Interesting that Jenny Rogers told the mayor and council to "watch it." What a disrespectful person she is. Her children must be proud today.

Anonymous said...

I was fairly offended at the attack on Dennis (a person who all but WROTE SmartGrowth and has been selflessly serving this community for many years). He didn't say anything that was derogatory. To try to blow it out of proportion was totally irresponsible. How about some of that "fire in the belly" for your enemies and less for the Council trying to implement the changes you wanted at Town hall?

Anonymous said...

Wow, what I witnessed last night was not the Jenny Rogers I know. She has always been fair and willing to look at both sides. It is sad that it has come to this.

After listening to Mr. Woods presentation, I have to say I am impressed with the work the Advisory Board did. I have heard only the negative about the ordinance.

I was one of those that showed up late in this fight, so it has been hard to understand why Hilliard happened. But, I feel better today about this current council after last night.

Anonymous said...

It seems pretty early to start next years campaign against NFL by Jenny Rogers and Ginger Simonson, isn't it? That's what we saw last night for sure. I guess that they have the FUD [fear, uncertainty, and doubt] Factor down pretty well!.. I wish I was there in person to witness Jenny Rogers try to wiggle out of the fact that it was clear that SHE was the person being referenced in spreading her lies about the ordinance process and disrespecting all that participated. Maybe she is still upset that she lost her place on the board. I was embarassed for her, though I am sure that she did not recognize her own ignorance and disrespect for all of those that did the real work. Sorry Jenny, we all recognize the hard work and dedication of Town Council, staff, and OGAB. Too bad you don't. No wonder many on the advisory board urged that you be removed. We now see why!

Mellany Lamb said...

Thank you to the Oil and Gas Advisory Board for all their hard work and time invested while they served. They have all brought invaluable information to the table in regard to drilling best practices. And thank you to our mayor and council for making this opportunity happen. They have surely blazed a trail for Dallas and other cities who want safety and well being for their citizens.

Anonymous said...

I too was shocked by Jennifer Rogers comments as well. I do not understand how Ginger Simeonson calls for a democratic process, and then has Jennifer Rogers get up and criticize the board saying that they members were tainted from the start.

Anonymous said...

Jennifer Rogers. The new Patsy Mizeur.

Anonymous said...

I believe Jenny's heart is in the right place. Oil & Gas has always been a heated subject in this town. Sometimes it causes people to get a little too passionate.

FMCAUD said...

Anon 6:05. I agree that some of us get passionate about this subject.

Anonymous said...

Since Jodie B. has been vocally critical of the Oil and Gas Advisory Board Chair and the Town Council that appointed her to the board, it was unfortunate Dennis chose to mention her child's cancer to explain the passions on the board. He seemed to be trying, however inartfully, to acknowledge a legitimate reason for her passion. Unfortunately, it was bound to be interpreted the way it was by the few who are forever looking for stuff to carp about. Dennis made the mistake of thinking that everyone approaches these things as he does - assuming others are people of goodwill. I was more pained for Jenny than Jodie for the mention or Dennis for the poor choice of example. Can't imagine Jenny can watch that video of herself and not be mortified.

Anonymous said...

Why do you all care so much about what Ms. Rogers said? Not everyone agrees with NFL - no shock there. Give it a rest.

I think many of you forget if it wasn't for a few of the new people's hard work there would have been no NFL, no advisory board and no new ordinances.

Anonymous said...

If it wasn't for NFL (before they were NFL) and their supporters pounding the pavement for years, there would have been no "new" people. I think you forget that.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for allowing all comments to be posted here. It is great to have a place to say what you really want to say.
On that note, I think it is a shame that some are using the Flower Mound Cares Facebook page for election purposes.
Like today's post by Amy Wallace. Accusing the town council of using the ordinance for election purposes. Unlike her husband who refuse to even look at a moratorium back in the fall of 2009, this council is not afraid to take this on.
Mrs Wallace when you accuse people of pandering, you should look in the mirror!
9:01am Jun 23
@Marjy this is an election year for NFL, the intent is not to make to many people mad so they are re-elected...let the pandering begin

Anonymous said...

@Anon 12:01..

Yes how soon people forget the history of this fight. Jenny Rogers and Ginger Simeonson weren't the leaders of this movement. First it was Beckie Belcher who fought to keep her home from being next to a gas well. There were all the people who spent countless hours protesting in front of the Cherokee Horn offices to try to get them to listen. That was TEN years ago, and they are just now seeing some success.

Anonymous said...

Interesting that Amy Wallace is so impassioned against NFL & H, who had/stepped in to halt drilling until more could be understood about the long-term impacts caused by urban drilling. Wasn't it Mrs. Wallace who sat on the Oil and Gas Board of Appeals and so vehemently opposed any urban drilling during her tenure? Look at the August 2008 minutes hearing for Red Oak's request to drill at Riverwalk.

I have to ask what has made Mrs. Wallace do a 180 and go against NFL & H? Her husband seemed to get along just fine with the current mayor and council when he served on Council and seems that NFL & H all held him in high esteem for his contributions.

Anonymous said...

Thank you Anon June 23, 2011 9:46 AM

You have a long memory and a good one. Beckie and Larry Belcher, Tammi Vajda, Richard Scott, Virginia and Eric Jellison were the people who raised the awareness of the dangers of hydraulic fracturing. They never sold out and it certainly was never for ego or power, as you see with Virginia Simonson, Jennifer Rogers and Kendra Stephenson, who only arrived on the scene a little over a year ago.

Anonymous said...

"New", "Old", somewhere in the middle, I don't care as long as they will tell Titan where to stick it when it comes to our homes.

Anonymous said...

Amy Wallace...sheesh, Mike took MONEY from the Belcher's and then screwed them and she talks about "pandering". Wow.

Anonymous said...

@Annon. 10:07: "vehemently opposed" really? I said 2 things during that entire meeting "yes" to some minutes and "no" (13 or 14 times) to the Riverwalk. To this day, the only person that knows my reasons for voting the way I did is Mike. Do I have an issue with NFL? To quote Sarah Palin "you betcha" I do. I despise the way they treated my husband when the cameras weren't rolling. I think Lyda's neighbors nickname for him sums it up best, they call him Steve "Lie-2-Ya."

I have always had these feeling towards NFL, but when Mike was elected I promised him I would keep my mouth shut until he was off Council. Well, he's off now and my mouth is very free to say whatever I want! NFL was so happy to get rid of him, forgetting that once he was gone it opened me up to talk.

Amy Wallace

Anonymous said...

@Amy. Sounds like you have a mouth full of sour grapes. I guess many of us don't know what goes on behind closed doors. But, I can bet that when Tom Hayden and Al Filidoro were the minority on council, they felt the same way you say your husband did.
I can honestly say I never saw NFL or H treat your husband with anything but respect in public. And even now that he is off the council, they still continue to treat him with respect in public. You can say they are "good" politicians but they at least show some class. Maybe that is a lesson you should learn.

Anonymous said...

Mrs. Wallace, it's nice to know personally that the NFL & H have at seperate times said positive things about Mike in casual conversation. Nothing negative at all. It's ashame if Mike felt that way behind closed doors that he was treated badly, but I can "betcha" that his perception was clouded due to his close relationship with Smith and Levenick.

Anonymous said...

I can promise you that his perception has not be clouded by anything other than the actions of NFL (why do ya'll keep putting "H" in?). Enlighten me, exactly what relationship do we have with Smith and Levenick?

Why am I being talked about here for a comment I made on Facebook? Everybody is so big and bold to tell me what they think about my family, unless of course they have to do it with their name attached...hmmm

Amy Wallace

Anonymous said...

Hmmm. Sounds as though we need to fear Amy Wallace more than Jennifer Rogers.

Anonymous said...

Why do you all care who was in the fight first? Do you think their efforts and gains are not revered with total gratitude? Don't be ridiculous...it's the same fight with many soldiers! This fight is EXHAUSTING!!! Everyone needs backup!- AY

Anonymous said...

@ Anon June 26, 2011 8:11 PM

It is not the point as to whom was in the fight first. The point is the ulterior motives of a small group people, but very vocal people, who joined in the fight a year and a half ago. We have seen this certain circle say no to urban drilling from when they first jumped in on January 21, 2010 to a dynamic shift of long-range drilling. Long-range, short-range, it's still drilling and will cause environmental damage. People may lose their health and value in their property. Was this new-to-the-scene group in it for political, ego and control purposes? We'll let you decide. All I know is that this malignant and vocal group have caused irrepairable damage to an effort that was started by the sincere, quiet few who are not seeking attention, credit or power.