Does this mean FREE water for Chesapeake?

I noticed this long hose running from the drill site just of I30 in East Ft. Worth. I wondered where it lead from or to and what purpose it was serving. I happened to notice that it was hooked directly into the water hydrant as the picture above indicates. So, tell me, is Chesapeake paying for this water? What's up with this rigging on the fire hydrant? Ironically, I was down at City Hall today seeing how much it will cost me to get water available to a piece of undeveloped land, it will cost me $1950.00 to get a 1" water tap with 3/4" irragation meter. I happen to see on the City's price list that it cost $126,000 for a 10" (size may be wrong, but it was the largest one on the list that I saw). So why didn't Chesapeake just hook up a water meter at the drill site instead of the way we see in the pictures. Please someone help me out here.

Irresponsible Parenting & City Councilmembers

It really interesting to pay attention to what our City Councilmembers do and don't do, attend and don't attend, what they choose to speak out on and what they don't, what they have passion about and what they don't have passion about, etc.

As I was listening to a pre-council meeting on our local cable channel, I hear Sal Espino (District 2 North Ft. Worth), say something along the lines of ...taxpayers need to pay for a JPS Health Clinic be placed in FWISD schools to help lower the Infant Mortality rates (since Ft. Worth has some of the highest in the nation). ( need to source this, I know, but you can research it yourself if you want proof, and I feel sure it will prove itself). In other words, disregard teenage (many times underage) sexual promiscuity, it's up to you the taxpayer to cover that tab. Mr. Espino also gave an example of a mother of three at 19 who's family had "kicked" her out so the taxpayers need to build four walls and a roof for this child and her 3 children.

What about Irresponsible Parents? Don't they have a responsibility? Aren't we going to hold them accountable to any degree so that they build some self esteem? How much can we as a Society really put on the taxpayer? IMO, we are at our limit. It starts locally. I don't see Councilmembers taking a strong stand and really reaching out to discourage teenage sex, etc. Our Councilmembers are too "safe" too "political" in Ft. Worth, IMO. Not enough guts for the people. Weak & meek and severe lack of leadership when dealing with "sensitive" race based or cultural based issues like Infant Mortality, Abuse of Dogs, Teenage Pregnancy, High School Dropouts, where the statistics represent a high percentage in their base constituency.

What exactly are our Ft. Worth City leaders doing?

After finding myself with a business right in the middle of the homeless shelters and really digging in to the issue, I found that the municipal courts were a inefficient, ineffective mess because the criminals running around town who declared themselves "poor," suffer absolutely no consequences, not even community service, nothing that would serve as a motivating factor to improve their lives. I wrote many emails to the Mayor and to the City Council members about this. I'm so glad to see the Star-Telegram reporting the sloppiness of our court system. And we wonder why our taxes are going up!! It amazes me to see the opportunities for good that politics in our City, block, and/or suppress. All but maybe a couple of our City Council members are so caught up in big money politics, redevelopment and personal political advancement that they are ineffective as a leader.

Posted on Thu, May. 29, 2008

Municipal fine collections not fine and dandy
Star-Telegram


Fort Worth's sloppy, inefficient municipal court system is sending a terribly wrongheaded message to people who receive tickets for offenses ranging from speeding to illegal dumping.
The message, in essence, is this: You're a chump if you pay your fine quickly. If you wait long enough, you might not have to pay at all.
Abysmal record
The court system has one of the sorriest fine-collection rates -- 43.7 percent -- among Texas' biggest cities, according to an audit by the state comptroller's office.
A report by the city's internal audit office shows that the court system has management and operational problems, dating back at least three years, that have hindered its efforts to collect fines.
The system's worrisome warts were outlined in a story in Sunday's Star-Telegram by City Hall reporter Mike Lee.
The city potentially is facing its toughest financial crunch in more than a decade as the City Council works in coming months to adopt a budget for the 2008-09 fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1. The city can ill afford reductions in revenues resulting from a haphazard, Keystone Cops fine-collection effort.
Revenue reversal
The city's internal audit report showed that, from 2005 to 2006, the number of citations rose from 366,000 to 423,000 -- a 15.6 percent increase. But the money collected from fines fell 2.4 percent, from $20.3 million to $19.8 million.
Thousands of people simply didn't pay after they had received permission to pay off their fines over time, the audit showed.
What's needed
City Manager Dale Fisseler and new court administrator Deidra Emerson (who replaced the retiring Elsa Paniagua last fall) must put a high priority on making the system and its employees function more effectively by keeping better records and aggressively birddogging those who don't pay fines on time. Emerson appears to be making some progress.
The City Council must ride herd on Fisseler and Emerson, requiring regular updates until operations are up to snuff.
Ironically, the system has had difficulties with a new $1.7 million CourtView system that was bought to improve operations. As an example, CourtView apparently was programmed improperly and therefore was miscalculating the amount that the courts owed to the state for its share of revenues from traffic cases. Better employee training appears to be needed.
The city needs to hire a law firm to go after those who haven't paid fines. It hasn't had such a collection agent since the city's contract with the firm of Linebarger Goggan Blair Pena & Sampson expired in 2006.
The city's 12 full-time and nine part-time municipal judges need to reassess the practice of giving people extra time to pay fines, because it obviously isn't working in numerous cases. If a person can't afford to pay, perhaps community service requirements could become a more frequently employed alternative.
Ongoing problem
The problem will only grow if more and more violators find that they don't have to pay their fines. They'll be more likely to continue breaking the law. Why play by the rules if there's no punishment for breaking them?
The court system needs a major overhaul, the sooner the better.
ONLINE
www.fortworthgov.org/municipalcourt

http://www.star-telegram.com/225/story/669684.html

Posted on Sun, May. 25, 2008

Fort Worth issues more tickets but sees revenue drop
By MIKE LEE
Star-Telegram Staff Writer

Fort Worth's Municipal Court has one of the lowest collection rates among big cities in Texas, according to the state comptroller's office, and a report from the city's internal auditor shows an array of management problems going back at least three years that have kept the court from collecting money it is owed.

From 2005 to 2006, the number of citations that passed through the court went up 15 percent to 423,000 from 366,000, according to the internal audit. The money collected went down 2.4 percent, to $19.8 million from $20.3 million.

http://www.star-telegram.com/news/story/662728.html

Please email your Mayor and City Council members and ask them to do a better job at managing our court system and quit taking the road of least resistance by asking the taxpayers to foot the bill for their sloppy work.

The Renewable Energy Roundup - Fredricksburg, TX

Might want to mark your calendar for Sept. 26 - 28th for this Green Living Fair -- music, beer, familiy activities, etc. 3 Day Affair.

http://theroundup.org/index.php

Another local small business I support - plumber

I go in East Lancaster Vet office alot and one of the girls working the front desk said, "hey my husband just started his own business so if you ever need a plumber, call him." I have used him twice since then and referred him to a friend of mine. We both were very happy with his work and service. So, when you need a plumber, please consider supporting Paradise Plumbing. It's another small business that helps make Ft. Worth what it is today. Tell them you were referred by #1012 and maybe my next bill will be a little less expensive. Today it was $75 for installing a new flapper on the toilet. Not bad. I was happy. Paradise Plumbing 817-680-0935.

Frank Moss' Lack of Ability to face the Truth

I've listened to the last two pre-council meetings on the City Cable channel. Both times they have discussed the problems with the issues around Dogs in our city -- Dangerous Dogs, Tethering Dogs, and the dire need to spay/neuter dogs. Mostly due to the media exposure that a Dangerous Dog attack gets, especially if a human life is lost because of it. It seems that Frank Moss wants to put blame anywhere put on his District Five residents. During the first week's discussion Frank Moss suggested that "people were coming from other cities and dropping off their dogs here in Ft. Worth." This past week when Danny Scarth brought up the fact that something has to be done about the Pitt Bulls attacking people and could we get help from the State of Texas to strenghten the laws and have more accountability for the owners of Dangerous Dogs that attack, Frank Moss said that the only complaints he gets from his constituents are "the dogs running aloose in the streets."

Below is an email I sent to Mr. Moss to remind him that every dog owner is responsible for providing proper care for their dog (that THEY CHOOSE to own), which includes a proper safe environment for the dog as well as the community. No matter if you are rich or poor, one is still responsible for their actions. No matter if you are Black, White, or Brown, one is still responsible for their choices and actions. If this issue is a concern to you, please email your City Politicians and help keep the pressure on them to do all that can about cruelty to dogs in our City.

frank.moss@fortworthgov.org (District 5 - Southeast Ft. Worth)
kathleen.hicks@fortworthgov.org (District 8 - East Ft. Worth)
sal.espino@fortworthgov.org (District 2 - North Ft. Worth)
mayor@fortworthgov.org


Mr. Moss -

I've listened to the last two pre council meetings and am somewhat perplexed by your comments about the dog problem in our City and your District.

Last week you spoke of "hearing that people from other cities are dropping off their unwanted dogs in Ft. Worth." This past week you said that the "only complaints you are hearing from your constituents are about dangerous dogs running aloose in the neighborhood."

Perhaps you are not understanding that the reason(s) why there are so many dogs running loose in our city, especially District 5, is because many, if not the large majority, of residents do not:

1. have any knowledge of the proper and safe care of the dogs that they choose to own;

2. believe in spay and neutering their dogs.

3. believe that dogs are social by nature and need love and attention.

The above combination leads to many unhealthy, sometimes dangerous, dogs running the streets in District 5 and around our City. It would be appreciated if you and the others who represent Districts where we spend most of our tax dollars on Animal Control (5, 8 & 2) would step up, individually, as a community leaders about the problem, and do more for educating your constituents.

Regardless of race or income level, everyone is responsible for the proper, humane & safe care of their dog(s) that they have choosen to own! No excuses, Mr. Moss.

Chris Hatch for FWISD Board President

I have known Chris Hatch for 3 years -- he is currently providing CPA services for me. I know Chris Hatch to be an honest, "by the book" businessman. I know that Chris has been highly involved in the FWISD for several years. I know that he wants what's best for the children who attend our public schools. I hope you will consider voting for Chris. Early voting starts Monday, June 2nd.

His recent mailer said this

"I am writing today to ask for your continued help and support. My opponent's campaign outspent us more than 3-1 with downtown, special interest money. However, we finished within a few votes of each other. They spent $10,000 for a lavish fundraiser and paid over $2,000 to have their campaign signs set up around town. By contrast, my campaign has been run on the efforts of myself, my family, and friends like you. I need your support in order to continue the race."

Obama calls reporter "sweetie"

Puh---leeze! These are the kind of "things" that make me sick in regards to Obama.

http://www.wxyz.com/news/story.aspx?content_id=13d1f66a-488b-46d3-9d3b-6632e0a8f1f7

http://marcambinder.theatlantic.com/archives/2008/05/obama_appears_to_call_reporter.php

"How can anything be politically correct when politics itself is incorrect?!"

The title of this post, a quote from a very dear Black friend of mine who I love dearly and who has.......no......fear of political repercussions! In other words, is totally true to her beliefs. I've always resonated with Black women (most) because their spirit is alot like mine. Maybe because many of my Great Grandparents and family, including my Mother were poor and/or raised poor and there is an element of "survival" and ........ some pulling of the boot straps to get here from where we have come. Black women (some, not all!! don't take me literally all the time) have a "toughness of mind" that I find attractive and a much needed comodity in our communities.

I know on this blog that I mention Black people alot and some who don't know me may think I am a racist. Keep reading, hold tight and keep an open mind.

Anyway, I came across this and found it interesting. I'm not a fan of Barack Obama, I don't believe in him, I don't take him at his word. I don't find him to appear to, mean what he says, and words combined with actions mean alot to me. I hope he does not get the nomination.

I think the below link, ties in with the title of the post, I just took the long way around with the personal info which just came to mind, so I shared it. It felt like the "wright" thing to do. BTW, I enjoyed Rev. Wright, I loved his theatrics and he is the best orator I've ever heard. I respect him more than I do Obama because he is real. You can feel his belief and passion in what he says, unlike Obama. Just my p e r s o n a l perspective. Everyone has one.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-070403obama-ballot,0,1843097.story?page=1