After spending much of today trying to unwind after the last few weeks of planning this event, I would first like to say it was an overwhelming success. The sight of over 100 people walking down Morriss was something I don't think this town has seen before. I want to thank everyone that participated and hope they had as much fun doing it as I did.
I would also like to thank Bjorn, Young Scott, Tall Scott, Holly, Carmen, Renee, Diane, and Doris for making this all come together. After all our planning it made it all look simple and it all came off without a single glitch. It was unfortunate that the Swine Flu hysteria hit at the time it did. I feel that was the only glitch that caused us not to hit the heights of participation we had hoped for. Regardless, Rain or Swine, it was still fabulous and I think I can speak for all, it was spectacular. Thanks to Jim Tullos for emceeing the event and to Christy at Little Petes for the use of the PA system.
A very special thanks to the Candidates, all 8 of them for coming out for the largest crowd they have faced in the campaign season, as I predicted.
Thank you to the press that came to cover the event, all the local news outlets were there tip to tail, taking pictures and following us for the mile long stroll. CNN didn't know what they missed.
I would also like to thank current Town Council members, Jeff Tasker and Jean Levenick for coming out for the lovely evening in the park. And a shout out to Mayor Jody Smith for the drive-by, sorry you couldn't stay, but was nice to see you. Sorry I was standing in the middle of Garden Rd stopping traffic when you were coming by.
Thanks to Michael Ryan for helping us set up at the park and all the other town staff I dealt with to make sure we were doing everything right.
Thanks to the Parks department for making sure we had power and helping us get set up. We have incredible parks in our town and everyone should utilize them as often as they can.
Everyone for bringing their kids and pets and making an evening of it. It really was a great night.
Thanks again,
Kim
p.s. please post here your experiences and what you thought.
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I want to thank everyone for coming out and participating in the forum last night. I had an opportunity to meet with several people after the forum, but if anyone had to hurry home and did not get a chance to visit please contact me and I would be happy to set up a time to talk. Please visit my campaign website www.DixonForTownCouncil.com and you can send me a message. Look forward to talking with you. Steve Dixon
ReplyDeleteThanks to the Stopmorriss6 group for having us out. I loved the walk, I loved the weather, and I loved the forum. I think it is great that the biggest forum that we had in this election year was put on by residents who got together and stood up for what they believe in. This is a testament that our system still works for the people, when done by the people.
ReplyDeleteThanks again for all the effort, it really was a fitting end to the forum/debates that we have had.
Steve Lyda
Candidate for Town Council, Place 1.
www.stevelyda.com
Tonight was a lesson in Democracy.
ReplyDeleteWe had a very official, beautifully organized Meet the Candidates presentation with prepared questions, a neutral Moderator and equally-timed interventions of all the candidates. The candidates themselves were surprised by the turnout that ended up being more successful in numbers than any other in-session Town Hall presentation.
Four questions were asked. Three concerned the Master plan and the Morriss-Gerault project and one concerned the Gas drilling ordnances.
Surprisingly enough, what one week ago seemed a done affaire concerning the widening of Morriss, was now for most candidates either a definite NO or “we must wait and see’ if the actual east-west corridors and 2499, once completed, would be sufficient to handle the projected traffic flow. There were proposals of ameliorations to the intersections of International pkwy. FM 3040. FM 1171 and Justin road, which were certainly reasonable, deemed necessary before jumping into the widening of Morriss. Only Mr. Wallace gave full support to maintain the project and the deadline.
Tonight was a lesson in Democracy.
As you all may know, the Town of Flower Mound is being sued for not respecting the State of Texas ordinances concerning drilling concessions. Essentially, the State government is giving permission to drill in urban locations (read heavily populated) and this will override any town restrictions including distances from private property (yes, that literally means your own back yard). This is what was advanced by the candidates that unanimously are against the State intrusion and urged all citizens to write and oppose it.
Tonight was a lesson in Democracy.
There were no long speeches in conclusion, but, maybe for the first time in a while, in this town, there was a “threat” that actually meant that Candidates had to earn votes and not simply rely on friends and family to get re-elected.
How did my Candidate do? Bob was all I expected him to be. What you see is what you get. He said and maintained his positions and cam through as what he is. In Mr. Butler’s words “I want to know what is going on”.
Tonight was a lesson in Democracy.
A rough month ago an article caught my eye in The Messenger about the Morriss project and that a group Stop Morris 6 was present in Town Hall to contest. No prior information had been given out to citizens to make them aware of this imminent decision. I remember scrutinizing the article, desperate to find any contact information for the group. None was to be found, Then I saw a sign at the entry of the Arborwood subdivision with the web link and discovered Mr. Berg’s blog. Without his initiative and those who followed, this evening have would not have been possible. More importantly, we would not have been informed nor had any way to voice our concerns. It was also a way to get the neighbors involved in this election, maybe taking more notice of content rather than “packaging”. In moments of distress, some may think that it does not matter who wins, things will work out or let alternance take its course. But, it is well worth it to open up your eyes and ears and not let someone make decisions for you. It means that you care and that you stand up for a cause. This cause was a lifestyle choice that people made and pay for.
Thank you Mr. Berg!
Thanks to all who participated and organized this Meeting. Truly a lot of work but a fantastic result!
Tonight was a lesson in Democracy.
Let’s not make it a sole one.
VOTE
Thanks,
Isabel
Thank you Kim and crew for putting the Forum together and for all of the hours you have invested in the Stop Morriss 6 campaign. The evening went off with out a hitch, but I know isn't wasn't as easy at you all made it look. Than you to all of the people that took the time to march down Morriss Rd. and attend the Forum, what a turn out! Only one thing left to do....GO VOTE! Please get everyone you know out to the polls this year and make an impact. No matter who you are voting for, it's just so important to get out there and voice your opinion in the voting booth.
ReplyDeleteThanks again to everyone for their time and support of all of the candidates.
Bob Butler - Place 3
Well Said Isabel,
ReplyDeleteI am on my way to vote now.
Here is information on where and how.
VOTE! VOTE! VOTE!
To the Registered Voters of the Town of Flower Mound, Texas:
Notice is hereby given that the polling place listed below will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., on May 9, 2009, for voting in a general election to elect Councilmembers Places 1, 3, and 5.
LOCATION OF POLLING PLACE:
Election Day
Flower Mound Police and Courts Building, Community Room, 4150 Kirkpatrick Lane, Flower Mound, TX 75028
Early Voting
Early voting by personal appearance will be conducted each weekday at Flower Mound Police and Courts Building, Community Room, 4150 Kirkpatrick Lane, Flower Mound, TX 75028 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. between April 27, 2009 and May 1, 2009.
Additional early voting will be held at the same location as follows:
Saturday, May 2, 2009, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Monday, May 4, 2009, 7:00 am – 7:00 pm
Tuesday, May 5, 2009, 7:00 am – 7:00 pm
It was a nice forum. One correction on the lawsuit. The State has not changed the right of the local town...yet. There are 4 bills in the house that will take away the towns right to have enforce their own ordinances on gas drilling and other ordinances as well. One is about having a planning committee that says the members must be at least 40% developers (good bye SmartGrowth and Master Plan)Maybe even Morriss Road the way we know and love it today. The other is to give gas companies and the large property owners the right to sue if they get denied to drill by a variance. This would apply to other variances flood plain, environmentally sound, compressor stations etc. As said in other posts. One of the bills is being pushed hard by one of the owners of the Riverwalk. The other two involve regulation only by the Texas Railroad commission on gas drilling. This would be horrible. Here are the bills HB2110, 4441, 4144, 4654. You can check out the details at the Texas State Legislature web site. Be sure to type HB before the number when doing the Bill look up. And go out to vote.
ReplyDelete