Wednesday, July 20, 2011

My Flower Mound Oil and Gas Advisory Board Experience

Serving on boards really isn't a new thing for me. I have served on countless PTA Boards, Committees and HOA Boards. But the Oil and Gas Advisory Board was quite a different experience. The board was made up of many different members, each brought with them different perspectives, points of view and ideas. Our job was to ultimately come up with recommendations for the Flower Mound Oil and Gas Ordinance and Pipeline Ordinance. This meant sharing information and discussing ideas. It also meant that as board members, we had to decide as a majority what to eventually put into the recommendations.

We had mineral owners, non mineral owners, industry experts who were also residents of Flower Mound and one moderator. I can honestly say that not one member got everything they wanted, including me. That in no way discredits the recommendations we brought forth. If we all agreed on everything right from the beginning, then why bother with 12 members and 6 months of meetings?

I want to make it clear that I never felt manipulated by the Town Council. I believe it is an insult to assume that we, the advisory board members, are ignorant enough to allow someone to manipulate us. I keep hearing that we "didn't have experts." I realized I would be remiss to overlook the expertise of the members and residents on the board that work in the Oil and Gas industry. Their input proved to be a valuable tool.

Each member brought their knowledge, experience, and love for our community to the table. It was an honor to serve on the Advisory Board with my fellow members. I have the utmost respect and admiration for all of them. Looking back, I am pleased with the outcome and our recommendations. I am proud to say Flower Mound now has one of the strongest ordinances on the Barnett Shale and most likely the nation.
Tammi Vajda

64 comments:

MYtoeSPACEpillow said...

Yesterday at 7:30 AM in Arlington,I arrived just in time to hear a representative who I think was from Republic Recycling talk about natural gas re-fueling stations because they are going to convert the recycling trucks to run on natural gas which he said "is more friendly to the environment and a more stable supply of fuel". Of course I asked if this change was in response to Aubrey McClendon of Chesapeake pushing for folks to create a demand to match the supply of his natural gas glut. I asked if they understand that methane losses is speeding up global warming and that the extraction process of NG is not friendly to the environment. He said that the next speaker in charge of production would address my questions, but there was no such speaker.

MYtoeSPACEpillow said...

I was surprised that Councilwoman Capehart reminded mineral holders to not get their hopes up because her own experience was her 2 acres where she grew up only yielding $30 in royalties over a three month period. She said she doesn't want a drill site on every corner and that once the production levels off, that the tier 1 drillers sell to tier 2 companies who may not have the funds to properly maintain the sites. That they may drill for 5 years, but they are "here" for 25 years. She said that the White Site is currently the biggest Barnett Shale producer, so it depends on the lease and the well's production as to your royalties. There was mention that we have 60 pad sites and 360 wells in Arlington (the Star Telegram says we have 384 wells) , but that they are not without cost.



The changes to be made to our drilling ordinance seems to ignore the recent results of the ERG Ft Worth air study which calls for emission control devices and claims a 600 ft setback is adequate (not counting compressor stations). But Arlington and Ft Worth allows violations of that setback regularly. One of the proposed changes to the ordinance regarding setback is that they are going from 60% landowner approval to violate the 600 foot setback to 70%. But with the way our council votes these in, even 100% of landowner rejection would still allow council (7of 9 votes needed) to let a site be closer than 600 feet. They have it all hemmed up. They are proposing to change the set back from each well head to a "drilling zone" so that the mayor doesn't have to be bothered by citizens begging to stop the drilling in their backyards. This way if a new well is within the drilling zone, it gets an administrative rubber stamp (nothing has changed really). But this drilling zone does NOT account for a battery of storage tanks which is the very setback item that the ERG suggests that folks needs to be protected from with vapor recovery systems! The storage tanks are not the council's focus regarding setbacks for public safety. They need to read the Ft Worth air study and then work on their ordinance especially on compressor stations.



During the morning meeting, I was graciously allowed to ask all my questions with a little encouragement not to dominate the floor. I did my most damage at the very end of the meeting when I asked why our ordinance has no provisions for requiring our water department to test for drilling effluents. I informed them that Barium hasn't been tested for in nine years and yet we have been drilling for at least four years! In responding to me, Jim Parajon made calm assurances to the audience of mostly senior citizens that our drinking water is safe, but no explanation as to why we were not testing for Barium to see if drilling effluents are leaching into our Lake Arlington drinking water suppl. Last summer our Chloride jumped to 28 last summer and the Manganese jumped nine times since 2007 on a 445 reading taken 8/11/2010 at 10:39:58 (See patent 7732379 on possible Manganese relation to drilling in lieu of acids). However, rust from equipment left in the lake decades ago could be the rust culprit, but why the increase so recently?



Yes indeed our gas drilling ordinance on setbacks, air pollution prevention, and city water testing requirements has a long way to go to being protective of public health, but then again the timing to enact our updated ordinance (too late) I feel was purposefully postphoned to allow rushing urban drilling into our town and then asking questions later.

Anonymous said...

I know being on boards and commissions are not easy. Thanks to all who served on this board. I think it is a shame that some felt it necessary to try to discredit the hard work you all did by posting a few seconds of audio clips from select meetings. We all know if you have the right software you can "manipulate" a video to say what you want.
Thanks for the time and energy that you all put into the ordinance.

Anonymous said...

Quoting Greatness:

You can't always get what you want
But if you try sometimes you might find
You get what you need

Quoting Not Quite Ready for Greatness:

"Present"

Anonymous said...

I agree with the last two posts.
Those video tapes mean absolutely nothing. Anyone can do that stuff.
It is so sad that they have to do stoop so low like that and try to discredit people who are so dedicated to this community and who have done so much. Thank you to the advisory board and our council members: Mayor Northern, Filidoro, Hayden, Lyda and Wise for having the courage and guts to protect our community and our quality of life. Where would Flower Mound be...today?

Anonymous said...

Tammi's words hit the nail on the head and it is because of her and most of the board member's tenacity, Flower Mound now has a strong and protective oil and gas ordinance.

It is unfortunate that Jennifer Rogers and Jodie Boutelier--now known as the "minority"--are trying to undermine the arduous work of the "majority."

To all those who served on the advisory board, minus Rogers and Boutelier, thank you for having class and integrity.

Sue Ann said...

Tammi,

Thank you for writing about your experience on the FM O&G Advisory Board.

Thank you more for your service to Flower Mound -- and beyond -- for these many years. No matter what adversity you face, you always manage to find a way to meet it with grace, dignity, and a determination to find a way to face it down.

When you get old and look back on your life, you can know that you really did make a difference. You helped to make this world a better place.

Thank you.

Tammi said...

Thanks for the kind words.

Anonymous said...

Tammi has worked harder on this issue than anyone else I know for longer than anyone I know. She also has worked hard for people outside of Flower Mound. When scores of people got tired, or gave up, she carried on. If Tammi were going to let a few critics get to her, trust me, she would have quit long ago. She's kinda like "Mr. Fusion" on Back to the Future, you feed her a bunch of garbage and she turns it into fuel (without the fracking) to make sure that the benefit of doubt when it comes to gas drilling, goes to the communities and people who live there.

TXsharon said...

Thank you, Tammi, and all the other Advisory Board members for your dedication and hard work. Flower Mound has come a long way since the first council meeting I attended there where Jody Smith smirked at me and treated me with disdain. Only the drillers can claim that FM has not moved forward in the past few years.

Anonymous said...

Tammi

You are amazing and one tough cookie...your community is greatful to you and appreciates everything you do. You are one in a Million...! Thanks for all you do!
GMI

Jenny Rogers said...

just to clarify, i do not have anything negative to say about the advisory board. they did everything they were asked to do and then some. the bottom line is that we do have a better oil and gas ordinance than we had before, and we have them to thank for that. however, the petition ordinance did not mandate for the oil and gas ordinance to be reviewed. it specifically asked for the pipeline and ccf ordinances to be looked at and reviewed. it alloted 180 days plus an extra 60 if needed for a board of 12 to take in public input on ccfs and pipelines and recommend revisions and input to council. although i am thankful for the oil and gas ordinance improvements, that had nothing to do with what the petition ordinance required. granted, it was at council's discretion to expand the scope of the advisory board, but it was not required by the petition ordinance. my frustration is in the fact that i spent hundreds of hours working alongside many others doing the same, to successfully acquire over 6,000 signatures, only to have the petition hijacked for political reasons and used for political agendas. it would have been great if the new council would have upheld the integrity of the petition mandate and followed the requirements as they are clearly laid out in the petition ordinance. but that obviously did not fit into their plans. if they didn't want to uphold what it asked for, why did they take ownership of it? sometimes i wonder if any of them have actually read the petition ordinance, or if they did read and understand it, but chose not to execute it as it was intended on purpose. as i said in the beginning of this post, i have great respect and appreciation for all the advisory board accomplished. unfortunately, it wasn't what the petition ordinance asked for, but that is not their fault. they did exactly what they were led to do by mckaige, who in turn did exactly what he was led to do by council. at this point, there is nothing that can be done to reverse the way they botched up the process. what is done is done. i am frustrated that the petition ordinance didn't accomplish what it was written for, but it did accomplish other things that were not intended, so that is good. but the actions of council are inexcusable in my book and i will continue to advocate for accountability, honesty, integrity, transparency and responsible behavior from our leaders and staff. my hope is that they will take the consequences of their actions and behaviors to heart and strive to do better. in the future, i will not give away my vote unless i am certain i am voting for a public servant and not a politician.

Anonymous said...

Ms. Rogers. It appears you may still be angry about being removed from the advisory board because you were an officer for the group that filed the lawsuit against the town and ordinance last year.
It is no secret you were unhappy with Dennis McKage since he was the chairperson and the one that had to remove you.
Move on. Band vengeance will eventually suck the life out of you.

Anonymous said...

I meant to say bitterness and vengeance will suck the life out of you.

Anonymous said...

With all due respect Jenny, the passing of the O&G ordinance will grant the desired mandate of the petition that you and others worked so hard to make successful. The new ordinance will enforce Best Management Practices, which hammers the point of pipeline safety and if The industry were to try to put in another CCF, the process will be very difficult and those types of facilities will be regulated by BMP.

You state that you threw your vote away. So you now truly believe that Jody Smith, Bryan Webb and Gerald Robinson were running to be public servants? You need to stop and think how Williams was allowed to come into Flower Mound and how the centralized natural gas facility on Scenic came into existence.

Lastly, wasn't one of the main selling points of your friend Kendra Stephenson's POLITICAL campaign "long range drilling"? Didn't she exploit a political maneuver to pander to the Shiloh mineral owners and all others who want drilling in our backyards? You made a statement yesterday that you did not understand political pandering. You can't see the forest for the trees, my dear. Be honest with yourself about the company you keep.

Confused in FM said...

Why is Jenny Rogers complaining? By NFL, Hayden, and eve Dixon (after he changed his vote to allow the acceptance of the petition, which happened to be after NFL were elected), implementing the moratoria and forming an O&G Advisory Board, we got much, much more than what the petition language directed. This bad that we got more?

Anonymous said...

Thank you Tammi for your service and to Mayor Northern, Al FIlidoro, Mark Wise, Steve Lyda and Tom Hayden for protecting FM.

To Jenny Rogers, if you think Smith, Webb and Robinson were running for the public good and would have created an Oil & Gas Board or passed these ordinances, you are sadly mistaken. If they were elected we would have gas drilling and collection facilities everywhere. Be thankful you had the good sense to vote for NFL and stop putting them down every chance you get. I'ts time you and your friends get over your petty issues and move on!

Anonymous said...

Great Ordinance and Great Job to all involved!

To those who are naysayers like Ms. Rogers, FM residents not only listen but we can also see. It is obvious that when Ms. Stephenson joined forces (hiring Smith’s campaign consultant) with the Smith, Webb, Robinson crowd to get elected, you were not supporters of strengthening our ordinances. Two mile setbacks, just puts it in someone else’s yard and does not do what this ordinance does.

When you use the word transparency, I have to laugh out loud. Simonson & Stephenson - Registered Democrat & work towards electing Obama, then this guise of Independent, now a full fledge Tea Partier. A chameleon… Or just someone who has no integrity? Ms. Roger’s and Boutlier, you can also thank your cohorts for turning you from respectable & concerned citizens to the “town crazy’s”. Very sad.

NFL and now H&W have kept their promises! Thank you, Mayor Northern and Councilmen Filidoro, Lyda, Hayden, and Wise for being more than just “present”.

East-ender

Anonymous said...

I do not understand about Jennifer Rodgers either. She was on the oil and gas advisory board and was on it when McKaige was elected chair. Now McKagie is just a shill, and she chose to help sue the Town rather than help it, so she gave up her vote on the board. And now, she is saying that Jody Smith would have done a better job and regulating oil and gas.

Mellany Lamb said...

It is so disappointing to hear Jenny Rogers go on and on that the board was manipulated by our Town Council and attorney. I currently serve on a commission with the Town that deals with very important proposals and have never, and I empathetically repeat NEVER, have been manipulated by any member of our Town Council or staff. The proof is on the record of how I have voted and how Town Council has voted differently on various items. The only person that has ever tried to manipulate me or my vote has been Ginger Simonson. And when Simonson and I were friends, she tried to con me to give money to her lawsuit against the Town and to assist with their fundraising efforts for the Flower Mound Defense Fund. Although I thought about supporting Ginger in June of 2010, I could not in good conscience be a part of a lawsuit that could eventually hurt her and Prakash Parmasweeran if Ron Hilliard and Titan were to countersue them personally. Ginger responded to my refusal by telling me that she and her inner circle suspected me of being a mole for Williams. Thank God my eyes were opened to the panhandling and manipulative tactics of Ginger Simonson and how she sucks good people into her destructive ploys.

To end this on a positive note, anybody who has spent any time with Tammi knows that this is a legitimate account her service on the Oil and Gas Advisory Board. Tammi possesses a positive attitude, is objective, fair, rational, and sincerely wants the best for everybody. Her words come from her heart and not her head.

Anonymous said...

Present = Flakey

Formerly dazed and duped. said...

@Mellany. I am glad you brought up the lawsuit and the Flower Mound Defense Fund. I, like many others believed some of the crap we were told about the lawsuit. I have spoke with others who gave money because they were lead to believe the defense fund was going to be used for other things like testing and Rule 37's and not just a lawsuit. I didn't necessarily believe in the lawsuit but did believe in helping others who may need water, soil, and air testing and help with Rule 37's. Of course that never happened.
I imagine those affiliated with the fund had good intentions, but I still feel a bit duped.

Anonymous said...

Soliciting money under false pretences is fraud.
Maybe THAT should be the next lawsout.

Anonymous said...

Stop the senseless bickering. Can't you guys agree both sides of the anti-gas group have a right to their opinions? Ms. Rogers worked hard to get the board established Tami served so well on. Give everyone their props and move on. Congratulations to both of them.
But really stop ripping each other apart - you never know when you might need each other. Just because someone disagrees with you doesn't mean they are your enemy.

Anonymous said...

Anon 6:48. I think that most of us would love this to stop but the videos relesed right before the council meeting clearly tried to discredit the town council and advisory board.
I believe that it is fair for supporters of the council and advisory board to defend them and tell their side of the story.

Anonymous said...

Anon 9:33. I'm sure whoever put those videos out have something they feels justifies their actions also. Agreeing to disagree should be something both sides should consider.

Anonymous said...

Agreeing to disagree isn't the issue here. The videos tried to discredit the board by saying they were manipulated. Some of advisory board members have stated that is NOT TRUE.

Anonymous said...

Jennifer Rogers, were the videos discrediting the Advisory Board and Town Council your creation?

Anonymous said...

Concerning the Video part two....Posted right before the Council meeting. Is it coincidence that words from the video were the very same words Jennifer made...check out the reply! I think she is just a bunch of sour grapes with personal vendetta she has with certain council members. Isn't it obvious?

Anonymous said...

Isn't a vote Present a vote that favors the gas drillers? Seems like some silly girls trying to stir up some trouble here. Or did Ms Stephenson change her tune? I'm confused, I wish she would clarify. She is a transparent as a brick wall. She did live up to one thing...independent voice! Stop playing games with our health and safety.

jenny Rogers said...

i agree....we disagree. :)

Anonymous said...

I wonder why Jenny Rogers didn't answer Anon 7/22/11 12:52 PM's question. Did she make those infamous videos? Could it be that now, with all the support of the new ordinances and the accolades for the Flower Mound Town Council (well, except for Stephenson, who hasn't been getting accolades, has she?), she doesn't want to admit it? If she didn't make them, you would think she would say so.

Anonymous said...

or maybe she doesn't want to give credence to stupidity.

Anonymous said...

@ Anon July 22, 2011 6:32 PM et. al.

Jenny is not stupid and maybe one of the nicest people you will ever meet. Although I disagree with her regarding how the Advisory Board was run and her feelings toward Council, she is geniunely passionate about her cause and sincere. As she said earlier, let's agree to disagree.

Anonymous said...

@Dazed and Duped
Has anyone asked Ginger and Jenny were the money has gone? I gave money for the rule 37's and found out that they never got it. They need to give us an accounting how they spent the Defense Fund. Did they use our money to make those stupid videos or pay for Ginger’s $500 ethics violation?

Anonymous said...

I realize she isn't stupid which is why she is not answering that ridiculous question about the video.

Anonymous said...

I agree that Jenny Rogers is not stupid. She's far from it, in fact. I'm not questioning her intelligence. I just wonder why, if she didn't make the videos, she won't just say so?

Anonymous said...

Great point Anon July 22, 2011 8:24 PM

For all those involved in running the Flower Mound Defense Fund, they do need to make public how the money was disbursed, since nobody can account for the Rule 37's or anything else. Was the FMDF a PAC, 501(c) 3, LLC, etc.? Hope this was not another organization like the Flower Mound Petition Association, where Virginia Simonson was found guilty for ethics violations for failing to file the necessary PAC papers and could not account for how the money collected there was disbursed as her role as the treasurer.

Neighbor said...

this is off-subject, but as somebody who follows the oil and gas issues in Flower Mound and your council's actions, what would have happened if all the council members voted "present?"

Anonymous said...

38 comments attacking Jenny Rogers, wow. Who is next on the list, the usual subjects or someone new?

Anonymous said...

anon 12:04 saturday. How many attacks have there been against NFL on Flower Mound Cares? During the election, only those attacks remained up while anyone trying to defend NFL their comments were taken down. And even now you can't try to defend them without getting attacked personally. It has been a bit better since they voted in the
STRONGEST OIL AND GAS ORDINANCE ON THE BARNETT SHALE!!!!!!!!
At least FMCAUD allows all comments no matter how they feel about the issue.

Anonymous said...

@ Neighbor

To answer your question, you get cowardness. Regarding the controversial TC vote on Monday, it takes courage to vote for or against. "Present" is just a cop-out.

Former Supporter of Kendra said...

I, like so many others, supported Kendra Stephenson. Present? Really? And what is her relationship with this Simonson woman?

Wish I could take my vote back.

Anonymous said...

@ Former supporter of Kendra I agree! Too bad we cant take our vote back. I believe both Jennifer and Ms Simons was big supporters in her election. all three of them bombarded me, my wife and son in law when we went to vote on election day at the poles. That kind of badgering should be unlawful. Did anyone else have this happen to them? Shame on me , I fell for it. My lesson here is never change your minds at the last minute, especially when these sharks are swimming at the polls. I wonder who they will get behind next year to help their agenda? It will be that candidates kiss of death in my view! Dont forget the lessons of today, when tomorrow rolls around.

Anonymous said...

On July 31, 2010 in the FM Star Leader “Simonson, along with a board of directors, has launched the non-profit Flower Mound Defense Fund (http://www.fmshares.com/fmdf/). “
I did not see that this non-profit has filed with the IRS or that they are a PAC filed with the town. I guess they have just taken our money and run. I believed them; I gave them money, and voted for them. As a retired person, I have never felt so hoodwinked in my life. Does anyone know who the board of directors is? We need justices from the frauds.

Anonymous said...

@ Anon July 24 11:40 Are you serious? Even after all the charges? I bet the money was used for other purposes. I saw She gave lots of money towards Kendra Stephansons Campaign. I pray that is not what happened. Ginger, you need to disclose your PAC income and expenses. We who donated demand it, and its the law.

Anonymous said...

Ok, I'm going to say something I NEVER thought I would say, "Where is Paul Stone when you need him?

Anonymous said...

If you actually gave Ginger money - call her and ask. Using this blog to make anonymous accusations is a waste of time except of course if you are trying to slander Ms. Simonson and then your doing a great job.

The Supreme Court recently ruled blogs are not journalism. As a result, blog owners can be required to give up identifying information of anonymous posters. Something for you all to think about.

FMCAUD said...

We agree with anon 8:57. We are sure Ginger will be happy to answer your questions.
But we don't feel it is appropiate to post her phone number or email address without her permission.

Anonymous said...

@Anon July 25, 2011 8:57 AM

Lawyer up! It's not slander if it's true. Anon "slander" postings vs. fraud. I'll take that any day of the week.

FMCAUD said...

They filed with the state as a non-profit. According to the State of Texas website: For those that want it here is the link.

https://ourcpa.cpa.state.tx.us/coa/servlet/cpa.app.coa.CoaGetTp?Pg=tpid&Search_Nm=flower%20mound%20&Button=search&Search_ID=32042243835

their TIN is 32042243835, and Robert D Hemphill, PLLC is their registered agent. If someone want the information, I suspect they could call Mr. Hemphill. His contact info. is on his website.
http://hemphilllaw.com/contact/
Phone: (214) 242-6498
Toll Free: (866) 415-7535
Fax: (214) 265-1950

Anonymous said...

anon 8:57 am today. I for one am telling the truth. No slander here. I have an email from Virginia Simonson that is dated after the lawsuit was denied and before the Gasland event in Highland Village. She stated that most of the FMDF money was gone and that they had planned to help with the Rule 37 protests. She went on to promote the Rule 37s and the Gasland event.
I really don't care about what happened back then but I don't think it is nice to come in and accuse people of lying and threaten law suits. Just my opinion on your post.

Anonymous said...

My opinion on this discussion is people have a right to their opinions and thoughts. I currently serve on a non-profit board and anytime you take money you have to have accountability for it. It is your fiduciary responsibility. I believe that all that people are asking for here is they have a right to know if they gave money on behalf of doing something or helping the residents of this community. Even in our personal households we are all accountable for what we spend and how we spend it. I have a Golden Rule if you want to help out for a cause...make sure you give it directly to the person who is promoting that specific cause or to that cause.

Virginia Simonson said...

So many accusations, so little time. First, if you donated $ to the FMDF & believe you were misled as to the purpose of the Fund, pls send me an email or FB message OR give Tammi your phone # or email address & I will contact you directly. I will be happy to meet with you in person. I will let you know how much we took in and how much was spent. We kept a record of all donations (including cash from those who wished to give anonymously)but I will not disclose the identities of those who gave (lest they show up in a blog under attack). I personally provided most of the funds for the lawsuit, which was an expensive undertaking. I don't regret it since I thought that stopping gas drilling on Hilliard Field was worth putting my money & my reputation on the line. Most of the people who actually donated also believe it was worth a shot - so I would be most interested in talking with actual donars who didn't. I'll be happy to reshow the powerpoint briefing that I used to explain the lawsuit & we'll see if I did anything under false pretenses. And,after that, if you believe I duped you, I will be happy to give you your money back from my personal funds. Re: the Rule 37s, I offered to provide funding to the main organizer & he declined. I told him to let me know if he needed anything later; he hasn't called or emailed me yet. Re: Air, water, soil testing: the FMDF provided donations for the ShaleTest.org launch (they test these for folks who can't afford it).

Eric Jellison said...

I don't know who solicited what and I can't comment on what action some 3rd party might take. I can say that I have received NO MONEY from any individual, entity, or group. Judging from this thread, you can see why.

TXsharon said...

People! Rise above this! We have important work to do and expending your energy bickering is not helpful.

Form an opinion base on the best facts available and move on.

And, just FYI to the anonymous poster who posted the threat to bloggers:

"As a result, blog owners can be required to give up identifying information of anonymous posters. Something for you all to think about.

July 25, 2011 8:57 AM
"

A blogger blog does not capture any information about the poster so good luck in trying to obtain identifying information.

Virginia Simonson said...

OK, onto the Flower Mound Cares Petition Association: Yes, from Jan 29, 2010 until about Mar 27, 2010, I didn't know that collecting & distributing funds while conducting a petition drive would make the Association a Political Committee. As the petition drive drew to a close, our attorney sent me an email answering a question one of the the FMCPA Founding Leaders had asked before she resigned (the question - were we a PAC?). Since everyone else had resigned by then,(including those who actually signed the attorney's retainer agreement), I met with the attorney, ascertained we had inadvertently become a PAC & got legal advice on how to proceed. I filed the neceassary paperwork (an Appointment of Treasurer) on Mar 31,2010 BEFORE PAUL STONE'S ETHICS CHARGE was filed. All other required reports were filed correctly & on time. They are on file with the Town Secretary & they clearly show that all contributions were expended in support of the petition drive or for other items deemed necessary at the time by at least 3 of the 5 voting members (like gifts of appreciation to the petition walkers). Since it was true that we unwittingly became a PAC, I took responsibility and paid a $500fine. I could have requested a hearing and quibbled about the charges, since the law says that you can't KNOWINGLY RAISE OR SPEND $500 or more promoting a ballot measure. But, it was clear that we had become one. I won't go into the details of why I was the only one who chose to pay this fine but I have copies of my affadavidt that I can share with anyone who has an honest interest in finding out what happened and why. I also have all of the related email traffic that clearly demonstrated what happened. I would be happy to sit down with any interested person & go through all of Paul Stone's accusations to show you how "ethically reprehensible" my actions really were. As with the FMDF, I was willing to put my money and my reputation on the line for something that I believed in and was willing to be held accountable for my actions. And I have no regrets for doing so. I don't know any of the "anonymous" authors reasons for attempting to smear my name & quite frankly I don't care. But I do care about the many good people who gave their time & money for the successful petition drive and I will gladly sit down with each and every one of them who has questions about the conduct of the petition drive; the expenditure of funds and the gist of the ethics complaint.

TXsharon said...

And furthermore, Anonymous, you are quite obviously mistaken.

Bloggers in Beaumont who were taken all the way to the Texas Supreme Court on this precise complaint won. If you need to know more simply Google "Jeffrey Dorrell bloggers".

Here is one link.

FMCAUD said...

TXSharon said
"People! Rise above this! We have important work to do and expending your energy bickering is not helpful."

I agree. I am exhausted from hitting "publish"!

Anonymous said...

Ginger: they ran out of things to say about Jenny Rogers, so you were next on the list.

Eric Jellison said...

I don't want to argue semantics, but "decline" is not the word I would have chosen to use. Everyone should know that it was a gray area at best. I'm willing to give Ginger the benefit of the doubt on this one. It would be nice if ya'll would do the same for NFL every so often.

FMCAUD said...

I think it is time to shut this one down. No more comments as of right now.

Deanna Kefton said...

There was an oil and gas advisory meeting in my town the other day - crazy how fast this is moving across the nation.

FMCAUD said...

Deanna,Where are you from? Please let me know. Our email address is
stopthedrilling@gmail.com

This is great to know. All info about the Flower Mound Ordiance is on the Oil and Gas page on the town website. www.flower-mound.com. Click on residents on the left site and then Oil and Gas on the pull down menue.
I had closed the comments on this thread but thought your comment was right on topic. Thanks