I just sent the following email to the Texas Transportation Commission of TX Dot.
I respectfully request any data regarding public comment and or discussion passed on to TX Dot regarding the funding of the expansion of Morriss/Gerault Rd in Flower Mound. A request for funding from the 121Toll for this project was submitted to you. We as citizens, and upon your request I can provide written testimony from 500 residents, that adequate public discussion was not solicited. I request that documentation be provided, if not I request an independent public meeting be held by members of the TX dot board before any funds be released to the town of Flower Mound. Respectfully, Kim A. Berg
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I hope that email doesn't cost us the $105 million in road projects, most of which this Town really needs. I don't think we should mess with funding. That could really screw us all in the end. I think we need to be a little more responsible than that. As for 500 signatures, there are 65,000 people in the Town of Flower Mound, 64,500 really want some of these road improvements to happen without delay. Watch what will happen if StopMorriss6 causes us to lose our funding- and these projects have to be funded by the taxpayers because of this. That will not be pretty for the Town and I don't want to be part of a group that would put the well-being and quality of life in jeopardy for the whole Town because of one project.
ReplyDeleteAll we are asking for is the public records be disclosed for everyone. We want to know the scope of the funds and how they can be used to improve the road without making it 6 lanes from tip to tail. Don't you want full transparency from your local and state governments on how what utimately is our money, whether it be a tax increase on the county bond or money you pay everyday to use toll roads. Lets all talk about these projects and get input from all concerned to make sure its done right and at the right time.
ReplyDelete$105 million? The AFA funds that were voted in on May 4th were for $21,790,173 (http://www.flower-mound.com/agenda/TCarchive/TCAgendaPacket-05-04-09.pdf). These are the only funds we are talking about. We all agree that the funds should have been accepted because it was a package deal and other projects would have been effected if we didn’t accept it.
ReplyDeleteWhen talking with the Mayor on Thursday evening, we found out that the money would be coming in packets and not all at once, at least that’s what she said. When I asked her to point me in the direction of that agreement, or anything in writing that we could study, she said that there wasn’t anything publically available as they were still hammering out the details. Does that sound like transparency to you? Like Kim said, all we want is the truth and we want to know what all of the options are before the Town goes ahead and destroys a beautiful road and the entire look and feel of a community.
Your post shows that you have no knowledge on the subject or that you are only trying to bait us into something negative. Sorry friend, we aren’t biting. We don’t want to promote lies, quite the opposite, we want to learn the truth and share it with everyone in this Town; all 65,000 of them. Once we get all of the facts on the table, we can sift through them and work with the Town to make the right decisions for all of us.
We will keep digging and fighting, make no mistake, we are not going away.
And I would add one other note. If you live in Flower Mound and the widening of Morriss Rd. has no affect on you or your commute or your way of life, you still need to support us. I say this because it is only a matter of time before it’s your turn and believe me, you’re going to want our support when they come to your neighborhood with a bulldozer.
Next up: Bridlewood. The Town bought the land to build Windsor Rd. to 2499, just in time for the Riverwalk. We’ve got your back Bridlewood, let us know what we can do to help.
More details to come…
It's that "evil" Riverwalk again!.. Don't you get tired. Again, no project in the history of FM has had more meetings and meetings and meetings. Nothing could be more transparent. And Windsor, it was planned well before the River Walk was a dream.. It's a transportation issue! not a River Walk issue.
ReplyDeleteDear Anonymous
ReplyDeleteJust as we are trying to research and find out what is going on with some of these projects I suggest you do the same. If 64,500 of Flower Mound's residents are for the funding and want the road expanded, I suggest that they show up at Town Council and voice their support for this project. If the 64,500 residents you are referring to have no comments then they are leaving the development of this town to the residents that care and do get involved. The Town of Flower Mound have asked for more public input and after this project became "public" knowledge they are getting plenty of it. We do have concerns and comments and want the council to be responsive to the residents living along this corridor. I am talking about 17% of the town population within 1/4 mile from Morriss. As far as the amount you are throwing out, it is way off, but Bob corrected this in his comment.
Funding from the alphabet soup (NCTCOG, SH121, TXDot, et al) cannot be jeopardized by citizen involvement. Whether you are talking about the specific funds for this project or the larger picture of funding for many projects over several years, the money is coming from our pockets.
ReplyDeleteCitizens of Denton County buy toll tags and they drive on the 121 toll. The tolls pay for the bonds used to construct that road, then excess funds go back to the counties generally proportional to their ridership... that's right, the State is giving us our money back... that was the deal with the 121 Toll road. What a great idea!
The NCTCOG is just a gatekeeper for the flow of money. Local goverments in the NCTCOG petition to have funding released for their road projects.
Citizens talking (or emailing) TxDOT or the NCTCOG does not breach the arrangement of excess 121 Toll revenue being distibuted to our Town. At worst, NCTCOG or TxDOT might ask, "Hey FM, do you actually have local support for these road projects?" And if we can't answer yes to that question, we have no business submitting the proposals in the first place.
Anonymous said...
ReplyDeleteIt's that "evil" Riverwalk again!.. Don't you get tired. Again, no project in the history of FM has had more meetings and meetings and meetings. Nothing could be more transparent. And Windsor, it was planned well before the River Walk was a dream.. It's a transportation issue! not a River Walk issue.
Looks like Tasker is reading the Blog again.
Hi Jeff! Welcome back :)
I have to comment on the meetings about River Walk. Yes there has been many meetings. I have personally been to quite a few. It seems what is discussed in public is never what seems to end up happening. Also, in the past there has been many questions about the River Walk and why something on that large of a scale is being allowed without any promised retail. In the past, I remember that much of what is going to be developed at River Walk (hospital, residences, shops, restaurants, etc) was going to be developed previously at Lakeside. All that millons spent on the road and turn abouts at Lakeside and now nothing!!! I think the concern about River Walk and Morriss road is a valid one.
ReplyDeleteHere-here! Exactly Mr Anon. Things happen, life happens, plans change, priorities change. Developers follow money; if the money goes somewhere else, so do they. I can't trust the word of a developer unless they have garaunteed money... which they don't.
ReplyDeleteThank goodness they are putting the hospital in first. That is the one thing that almost everyone wants (location debateable) and is a big reason why many citizens were willing to swallow the Riverwalk pill.
Lakeside is a prime example of how promises don't always pan out. Maybe someday it will, but so far it has been lack-luster.
Where were all of you when the Riverwalk was being discussed ad nauseum? Now that it is affecting Morriss, suddenly we are against it. Jeez, this is getting ridiculous! Our town fought hard to get the TX Dot Funds and to act like it doesn't have public support when maybe 1000 people are against one project is equally ridiculous. Stop Morriss 6 speaks to a passionate group of 100-700, hardly the other 64,000 in Flower Mound. At our own march, there were only 125 people, including kids. We have heard many complain about the congestion on 2499 and why the council didn't plan for that and build roads first, but when it comes to Morriss, we want it put on hold until the businesses come. There is no pleasing anyone. As far as the Riverwalk- most people are excited about this project and look forward to build out. That was repeated over and over by the public when it was being discussed over the last 3 years. I am not going to post anymore, which I know will make Kim andd Bob happy, but I am so sick of hearing the whining and the fingerpointing and the accusations that the Town council is out to screw the people of this town. I hope Hayden knows what he stepped in to because you people will tear him to shreds if he doesn't become the puppet you expected him to be!
ReplyDeleteDon't forget about the five star Hotel and Resort on the north shore of Lake Grapevine, that was a sure thing too.
ReplyDeleteYou know, my family and I often like to go there on the weekends to relax and unwind. My wife spends her time at the top rated Spa in the resort, doing the usual facial, mani-pedi and stone massage. The kids and I like to play at the various waterside facilities, you know, the wave-runner rental shop, the beach & swimming park and the pristine fishing piers, that sort of thing. We always catch a 20 pound pink Salmon (as promised) that the upstream river is stocked with, if you could only see the boy’s faces when they get that first nibble. Oh, and let's not forget about the fabulous shopping and dining that followed after the resort was built, what good times we have. It's tough to get in though because they are usually booked up by all of the out-of-towners who are more than willing to come to Flower Mound and spend every single dime they have in their savings account. We sure do appreciate them filling our coffers to the brim every month, why I think we should be able to lower our sales tax down to 3.75% and eliminate that silly property tax thing, what a bother that is.
Yes, we love the work that our Town does to guarantee our future prosperity, it’s a wonder why there are so many vacancies in almost every strip mall and office park in town. But don’t you worry your pretty little head Flower Mound, the Town is going to build more and more strip malls and office parks for everyone to look at and enjoy. Maybe we can walk our dogs there, off leash of course, after all no one will be there to notice.
Ahhhh, I can’t wait for the Riverwalk to be built. Just imagine taking your family there (when you can get them away from the Resort) to frolic in the cotton candy and ice cream lined streets. And the park, with the milk chocolate fountain for everyone to enjoy, no charge of course. Everything is free and your kids will actually be smarter and well behaved while on the premises. It’s every parents dream.
I’m not sure how I can adequately express my thanks and appreciation to the Town and the developers of this most magnificent tribute to all that is Flower Mound. They really nailed it when they thought to themselves: Self, what can we build that shows the world what Flower Mound is all about? Oh Oh Oh, I know, I know, pick me!!!!!!! Let’s build a combination of Lewisville, Plano, Southlake…..and….wait for it….then to top it off, we’ll put up a huge drilling Derek to show everyone that we know how to make a dual use of our land. No one will notice because we’ll plant some trees and pretty pink bushes around it. In fact, the local deer and other indigenous wildlife will thrive due to the warmth of the drilling rigs, much like the caribou in Alaska multiplied after the pipeline and other drilling facilities were built.
Can we really be this lucky? Sometimes I have to pinch myself just to make sure it’s real. Just the thought that our Town Managers care about us so much that they would go to all this trouble to make our lives so complete, well, I’m left with out words.
There are so many things that are inaccurate about your post Bob, I don't even know where to begin. The biggest one is there won't be a gas well on the riverwalk site because the Oil and Gas Board turned them down. You see, the Town and everyone the volunteers for it isn't out to get you Bob!! Funny that during your campaign you raved about how much you like Flower Mound and now that you have lost you can't trash it fast enough.
ReplyDeleteOkay, there isn't a gas well yet. But they are still trying. The court case is set for September to get the O & G board of appeals decision overturned. Roy Morriss has been in Austin @#$ kissing to get a bill pushed through. It stalled in the house and now they are trying to attach it to another bill that is moving. So Bob's post is pretty accurate. What the original post is about has been lost here. It seems everytime a large group of residents tries to make a difference it is looked at as some small minority of complainers. They don't appreciate what the town has done etc. Here is the real deal. Over 500 people have voiced their opinion and there are some (I won't say all) town officials and developers don't like that because they can't do whatever they want, when they want and how they want. Yes, people don't always show up to the meetings but I believe they are watching and listening. Sometimes I go the the meetings and sometimes I watch them on FMTV. Look at the small numbers that voted so 500 is a pretty important number.
ReplyDeleteBob---if you actually took some time to learn a few facts, you would find out that the Town Council had nothing to do with the hotel/condos pulling out. Hines just didn't have the money. It also is apparent that you never showed up at any of those meetings. No one ever promised pink salmon, shopping and dining. This was to be a hotel/convention space with a condo tower.
ReplyDeleteYou have so many problems with the Riverwalk project. You didn't show up at any of those meetings either. It sure must be nice to sit back and relax and when everything is decided, then you start to complain.
Sour grapes Bob, sour grapes.
Anonymous #1 – You mean to tell me that the Riverwalk won’t have streets lined with ice cream and cotton candy? There won’t be a milk chocolate fountain for all to play in? This thing just keeps getting worse and worse, you’re a real buzz killer.
ReplyDeleteAnd how exactly am I trashing Flower Mound? I’m not saying anything different now than I said when I was running. It’s not the Town I’m trashing, it’s the people who are responsible for trashing it that I'm mad at. Ummm, if you knew anything about my campaign, you would know that was the whole reason I ran. I could care less about a title or recognition, I just want Flower Mound to still look and feel like Flower Mound in a few years. Only time will tell.
Sour Grapes? Yup, that's it, you got me :)
ReplyDeleteLook, I freely admit that I wasn't involved in meetings and development in Flower Mound prior to this year when I decided to run for Council. I'm pretty sure there was a time when none of us paid attention, but now we have had an awakening and your side doesn’t like it. The hotel is just one example of many that this Town worked hard to make happen and in the end it never got built or it did get built and failed or at least didn’t live up to expectations. People are starting to notice of the mowing down of Flower Mound and the fabulous concrete jungle we are trying to become. When I moved here in March of 2006, I wasn’t really involved because we were only supposed to live here for a few years and then we were supposed to be transferred again. Well, here we still are and it doesn’t look like we’re going anywhere, so get used to me, because I enjoy spreading the word and irritating your side.
The Town can not and should not be held responsible for the Hines Corp. not having funding, period. It is called a free market society and it isn't the Town's job to decide risk for a project, the Town isn't the devoloper. Just so you know, I agree that you have sour grapes about not winning the election. Then again, the public at large has spoken and they decided to go a different route much like the public at large decided on the bond package that included Morriss/Gerault. Don't complain that the system worked just because it didn't work out the way you wanted (even though you were to busy then to care...gee..glad not everyone is like you).
ReplyDeleteYes, I have sour grapes, I don't think I can live another day...woe is me..pout pout pout.
ReplyDeleteHappy now? Look Team Tasker, I can affect what happens in this Town by using my first amendment rights by organizing and protesting against projects that the people that live along Morriss Rd. don’t want. I don’t need a seat and a vote on the Council to make a difference. If the Council wants to ignore our requests and marches and protests, that’s fine, we will gain in strength and remove them next year and the year after that. I understand that the rest of Flower Mound that won’t use or be affected by the widening of Morriss Rd. don’t really care. As an unknown who only spent $700.00, had no support from the current Mayor or Council and only campaigned for two months, I did pretty good. In only two months and hardly any advertising (signs & post cards only), I got 1048 people to vote for me. Your side has every right to be scared, because I have a lot more time to get more people on my side. It’s actually easier than you think, show them what the Town is doing and they usually join immediately. Keep focusing on me and my sore loser attitude you imagine, while you’re wasting your time with that, we will be gaining in numbers and influence.
I have a spare set of boxing gloves if Bob or Anonymous want to use them? It'll be like grade school all over again! Just keep the punches above the belt!
ReplyDeleteThere are 2 sides to every issue. We all spin things as best we can to promote our positions.
I sincerely believe that Mr Butler will work very hard to make sure his voice and the voices of his neighbors are heard.
And Mr Anonymous, I thank you for participating on this blog. While this blog is very clearly in favor of a certain position (hence the name), it is important for us to not just drink our own kool aid. A voice from the other side of the issue is also appreciated, even if not agreeable.
Scott, thanks for the offer for boxing gloves, but I have a very strict moral compass and I would never punch a girl.
ReplyDeleteThe other side is more than welcome here, if and when they want to present the facts.
All they say is you can’t blame the Council, the Council doesn’t do this or that, blah…blah…blah.
My whole Hotel/Resort rant was obviously drenched in sarcasm, but that’s not to say it wasn’t true. The previous Counsel did everything they could to make that a reality, and in the end, the developers went belly up, even though they promised they could get the funding. The moral of my story (for the drones that side with the destruction of Flower Mound at all costs) was that the Hotel/Resort was a sure thing until it wasn’t, maybe the Riverwalk could turn into the same thing. Other than the Riverwalk projections and what Flower Mound might/could look like in 2030, show me why we need to widen Morriss Rd. now or even in the next three years.
You can’t and the Town can’t. You will say it’s at a “D” level right now and will soon be at an “F” level. Really? Prove it. Get a chair and sit at the intersection of 3040 or 1171 at rush hour and see for yourself. We don’t need even need to fix these intersections at this point and I’m in favor of looking to the future and expanding the intersections.
Look with your eyes and not at a piece of paper that someone made to show you that it is needed. Most of the people who want to widen Morriss Rd. don’t even live on this side of town and therefore have no stake in our fight. But, being the good lemmings that they are, they will come on here and try to ward us off.
I would love for the spineless Anonymous folks to actually put their names behind their posts. Typical for people who can’t back up what they say. And please tell me once again about how I am misinformed and have no idea what I’m talking about, I love that one. Or wait, I’m sorry, I’m only still interested in this cause because I’m a sore loser and I like sour grapes or something. I got to leave the swearing in meeting last Thursday at 6:30 to have dinner with my wife and kids, trust me, I’m not upset about the election.
I have been to the meetings with the big pretty Power Point presentations that are meant to calm us into a comatose state, but guess what? They are just projections, they don’t mean squat to me. I can make a big pretty chart too, I’m extremely handy with Excel and Power Point. When I asked the leader of Team Tasker himself if he could provide me with the projections of traffic in Flower Mound from 20, 15, 10 and 5 years ago, versus what the actual traffic patterns were after the projections, he said he could not.
So I again ask that you who are so informed and enlightened and are far superior to us Morriss Rd dolts, where is the current and up to date statistics for the traffic level of Morriss Rd.? And I would also like to know, being that you are obviously omnipotent, what will Morriss Rd. look like after all of the other road construction around town is done? Please enlighten me, I welcome your factual message.
Finally, to handle the preemptive strike that will say how mean and bitter I am, and I shouldn’t say such things. Before you post, let me assure that it’s about time someone stands up and says what they mean and means what they say. That would be me. If you think I’m being harsh, then you need to grow a spine and say who you are and show me why I’m wrong. The whole reason I ran for Council was because I was mad at the way this Town was being destroyed, and just because I lost, doesn’t mean I don’t still get to be mad.
Still Friends? :)
Let's quit trying to play us against them. The banter on this site is getting so annoying. Stick with the facts and quit the sarcasm. Let's keep this site as it was intended- to inform citizens about upcoming meetings and protests, not a rant where some people use innuendo and attacks against persons with differing views on the issue at hand. Let's rise above it- how 'bout it Bob?
ReplyDeleteOne has to question the motives of those who are pushing the expansion regardless of the lack of need or public desire for the project. Who is gaining what from this?
ReplyDeleteIf it's the scope of the Riverwalk project that's pushing the city to destroy the Morris neighborhoods- then modify the scope to something that fits within the Smartgrowth plan. Apartments, luxury or not, do not enhance the community.
If indeed the developers can cancel with no penalties after the infrastructure has been put in place- there should not be any reason the city can't do the same.
In the Dallas Business Journal, a condo tower being built in up-town (somewhere in downtown Dallas) had to stop construction due to loss of funding. Now, is that what we want to happen at Riverwalk? The project begins but then halts with unfinished buildings, etc. because the developer couldn't get the funding. How will Flower Mound look then? And yet, we needed to expand Morriss Road because of all the traffic that will come to the Riverwalk Development. Still, retail space is not a guarantee. So why would people come to the Riverwalk Development if there are no restaurants, retail, etc.? No offense, but Flower Mound just keeps trying and failing. How long did it take Flower Mound to get the CAC - years when other towns already had theirs. Parker Square was supposed to be Flower Mound's jewel - it has failed. So let's try, try again until we get it "right". No offense, I would rather Flower Mound help the spaces that have "For Leases" signs out and get some excellent tenants - hopefully long-term ones. We moved because of the Rural, small town feel - where did that go?
ReplyDelete"Anonymous said...
ReplyDeleteLet's quit trying to play us against them. The banter on this site is getting so annoying. Stick with the facts and quit the sarcasm. Let's keep this site as it was intended- to inform citizens about upcoming meetings and protests, not a rant where some people use innuendo and attacks against persons with differing views on the issue at hand. Let's rise above it- how 'bout it Bob?"
No.
It is us against them and I for one will not stand in the corner and be silent. I may use sarcasm, but there is always a point behind it.
You can be silent if you want to, but please don't ask me to join you. We're in this position in the first place because we didn't pay attention and were silent for too long, lesson learned.
Funny, there is a figure on the propaganda page for the Morriss/Gerault project stating $125 Million. Hopefully the other $100 Million will be for sound barriers, safety measures for the middle and high school students and to offset the reduction of property values along the corridor.
ReplyDeleteWe shouldn't fret too much however, the link to the Riverwalk page announces that: Its design will allow and encourage people to work and live in close proximity and will provide a pedestrian oriented environment.
When Morris becomes a twin to 2499, we can all go for a stroll around the new hospital and empty shops.
Scott H, that has been my point all along. If they are going to build apartments and condos to house the professionals that will work in and around the hospital, then why would they need a six lane road to leave it? It is the progressive way of thinking to encourage pedestrians and bikes and not cover the earth with more concrete. To use Southlake town center as an example, they built and established all the successful retail and restaurants before they built a single condo. With the current laws restricting restaurant and bar hours in Flower Mound, why would any restaurant want to open in Flower Mound only to be forced to close at midnight? They won't. If you are appealing to young urban professionals to populate the riverwalk, they won't be swayed. I am all for family friendly environments, but we do not need a Chuckie Cheese at the riverwalk.
ReplyDeleteI would hope that 125 million dollar figure is a misprint, or maybe its one of their "projections". The number I have heard all along is 25 million for road projects in Flower Mound. But it does clearly say 125 million on the towns website.
ReplyDeleteI found the wording for the ballot on the bond election.
ReplyDeleteBond Proposition No. 1
$310,000,000 in bonds for roads and bridges, and a tax increase to pay for them.
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ReplyDeleteTo be clear, I did not write any of the posts in this string of comments. Please, do not ascribe any of these comments to me as I have not been participating in this exchange in any way. If I choose to post any comments on this site, I will do so under my own name as I am doing now.
ReplyDelete