Somehow I got copied on a bunch of emails that flew back and forth from some Robson Ranch folks. I didn’t ask to be copied and I wasn’t happy about it because there were some nasty comments exchanged that highlighted the worst side of humanity. My daily exposure to the worst side of humanity is way above the ESL (Effect Screening Level) so I don’t need any extra dosage. But, mixed in amongst the nasty was one gem of an email that made all the nasty worth reading.
I have no idea who made this comment because emails were forwarded around without the email headers, but I admire this person’s ability to cut through all the baloney.
I saw the mayor giving Robson advice in the midst of the public meeting on circumventing the rules and our councilman more worried about why the oil companies didn’t get in on all sessions than anything to do with the people. At the time my comment was “Best government big money can buy” Not any public official paid the slightest attention to citizens over noise, pollution or safety.
Re Robson. I think they should have told that bozo “Here is the law either figure out what business you are in or leave.” I knew it would come out in Robson’s favor though because the city’s vested interest is to collect taxes on these houses while providing no service and collect taxes on wells too.
I saw the same thing and wondered if anyone else noticed.
- The mayor actually gave legal advice to Robson. Wow! Actually, it wasn’t legal advice. It was more like figuring out where the loophole exists.
- Councilman Watts went on and on about being fair to industry and allowing them to weigh in on the ordinances that will govern them. (A petroleum engineer with no financial interest would make a great addition to the drilling ordinance committee but under no circumstances should industry have any vote on the ordinances.)
- The city is shooting itself in the foot because the property values WILL drop when there are gas wells 250′ from people’s doors. Then how will those property taxes work out for you?
Elected leaders in Denton should check out the voting results in other areas of the county.
About Sharon Wilson
Sharon Wilson is considered a leading citizen expert on the impacts of shale oil and gas extraction. She is the go-to person whether it’s top EPA officials from D.C., national and international news networks, or residents facing the shock of eminent domain and the devastating environmental effects of natural gas development in their backyards.
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I saw the list as well- but I also noted that while the majority of vocies in the email exchanges were for drilling and stated such things as the decision by the Denton City Council was 'Win Win" for everyone.
While comments such as these are troubling because it speaks to thier true ignorance of drilling operations and the environmental disaster they leave in their wake, I also noted that there were dozens and dozens of email addresses on this list, and very few of them said anything at all.
Those folks who are on that list and said nothing are in for a very rude awakening- literally- either when the trucks start rolling 24/7, the drilling starts and runs 24/7 or maybe the fracking process. Or all of the above.
The message has always been the same- if you;re not going to stand up and say something, get organized with your neighbors, our soon to be 'good neighbors' are going to run over you. When you complain, the operators will just say that you agreed to it and took the money and run. Which is what most of those folks did.
Cant wait to see how many of those people come to the realization they were lied to. repeatedly.
Yes, it was discouraging because I attended several meeting with the group and when requested always showed up a city council meeting and P@Z meeting for support.
I now feel like I was used and misrepresented because I do not support the planned community of Robson Ranch's mentality of a Win-Win, for anyone except Encana and Devon.
I am sure when property values drop and people will not move to the Robson because of air quality and quality of life issues I will be getting calls again but I don't think I will be as quick to respond.
I don't know when people will get it! it is not a Robson Ranch or city of Denton issue but an issue which affects us all.
Everytime one community raises up and causes a stink the industry moves to another community to test the waters. Double Oak is now an example of Flower Mound saying "no" so Williams has move to Double Qak to see if this is the path of least resistance.
Hi
I actually live in Robson Ranch and hear a different story from my neighbors.
They really disliked the email they received from Steve Sorano, representing Ed Robson and the gas well industry. He stated that if we didn't vote for no ordinances or leave them as they were, Robson would leave the community and not build any more houses. A nice scare tactic for retired folks who just invested their life earnings in a retirement community!
So, some residents were worried about being left high and dry to support the place with raised HOA fees, some investigated the real estate market, and some emailed the councilmen to vote for stricter ordinances.
400 showed up for Steve Sorano's speech, prior to the council meeting, assuring us that Robson was in the building business not the gas business. However, when a handful of us attended the council meeting, he changed his message. Unfortunately, only a handful were there. The rest took Steve at his word of creating a 'win win solution', hence the confusing emails.
But, rest assured, there is a strong group of us that support strict regulations and are reading your emailes and looking to you for help and answers.
I am sorry about the confusion. I do believe that it was planned!
Margaret
Margaret, I think most people understand what an awful position Robson has put you in. We all have the deepest sympathy and empathy for your situation. I hope he will have a change of heart and only develop his minerals responsibly and keeping the greater good in mind.
I disagree with Margaret. Most at Robson Ranch saw this as an attempt by residents on Perimeter St to block neighboring Hunter Ranch from building gas wells behind them – thus the win-win comment.
Residents on Gallery St (3 homes occupied) paid a $75,000 premium for lots across the street from gas wells, for a nice view of the 16th fairway. Also, the water trucks running up and down the streets are simply not true.
I disagree with Anonymous! MOST at Robson Ranch care more about a safe environment where we can live and about leaving a safe environment, clean air and safe water for our grandchildren than we do about views to a fairway!
This whole episode has made Robson Ranch residents appear like a bunch of shallow, self-absorbed crazy old people. MOST of us are not like that at all.
Let's call this what it is. EXTREME GREED It's simply an attempt for Robson and his investors to make as much money as possible with no regard for the health and safety of residents. Robson and his investors are exactly like the gas drillers, making money is the only thing that matters to them and they will do and say anything it takes to make money, everyone else BE DAMNED.
Wife and i looked there. I got hold of the documents that we would have had to sign. The papers made it very clear the minerals were what they cared about and we agreed that we waive all our rights regarding noise or anything else relating to the minerals. Seems to me only a complete dope would sign such a document after reading it. Did you folks not read the papers?