Strange bedfellows

Mayor Mike Moncrief is not popular with opponents of urban gas drilling.

But there they were applauding him Tuesday night during a discussion about a pipeline through Greenway Park, which would connect to a proposed pipeline through the Greenway neighborhood.

Kathleen Hicks said the pipeline company needed to explore alternate routes, including running down Interstate 35-W.

Moncrief chimed in, saying the city needed to work with the Texas Department of Transportation, which has declined to allow pipelines along interstate highways.

"We need a partner, not opposition," Moncrief declared.

He even offered an olive branch to Greg Hughes, one of the founders of Citizens for a Reformed Drilling Ordinance. Hughes, who spoke against the pipeline and other gas drilling items on the agenda, said his group had been mischaracterized as opposing all gas drilling.

Hughes said the group only wants a temporary halt to new permits, until the city's gas ordinance can be tightened.

"I think everyone on this council perceived, perhaps in error, that you were proposing a complete moratorium on drilling," Moncrief said. "If that was miscommunication, so be it."

The council sided with Hicks, who asked for a one-week delay in approving the pipeline.

The magic was over quickly. The next item on the agenda was a vote on seeking bids for natural gas rights beneath Lake Como Park.

Hughes again called on the council to wait.

Moncrief and Councilman Carter Burdette, who represents the area, said they couldn't vote against it because some of the money would go to park improvements.

"I have every intention of fulfilling my promise to the people in Lake Como who have called me and said 'What about our park' " Moncrief said.

Later, Carter Avenue resident Jerry Horton complained about facing condemnation over a pipeline that Chesapeake Energy wants to bore beneath her front yard.

Horton said the city could stop the pipeline by refusing permission for the line to cross other city streets. Hicks said she's oppose any street crossings for the pipeline.

She got a round of applause, too.

-- Mike

Comments

[scott]

Didn't know such a boom lately in Texas. Cool stuff to learn in my state. Thanks

[Concerned]

Moncrief should be able to fullfill his promise regarding Como Park WITHOUT gas money. He should be running such a tight ship that gas money should only be for EXTRAS in our City, not basics such as taking care of our parks! That was Burdette's job to already have taken care of. Burdette and Moncrief sold Como residents some pretty words! Also, Hicks voted no, but she's too scared to tell why -- guess she's just trying to look good to the Black Community so when she runs for Mayor, she will have the Black vote claiming that she fought for them. Also did Burdette go to the Neighborhood BEFORE going to Amon Carter Foundation to ask if they wanted to lease the minerals? I bet not! What a bunch of political smooth talk that Moncrief and Burdette sold the people of Como!