ELECTION LETTERS
The Denton Record-Chronicle welcomes letters to the editor pertaining to the Nov. 4 general election. All regular submission rules apply. Letters concerning statewide races and local propositions on the Nov. 4 ballot must be received in this office by 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24. None will be published after Friday, Oct. 31.
Surprise and dismay
About two months ago, I was approached by two persons in the Kroger parking lot on University Drive. They asked if I would sign a petition (vaguely worded) to have the issue of a ban on fracking to be placed on a ballot. Placing such an issue before the voters sounded like a reasonable idea, so I signed it.
About three days ago, I received a phone call from a person stating that they got my name from that petition and asked if I would allow my name to be in an ad against the proposed ban. I distinctly stated, at least twice, that I would not allow my name to be placed in such an ad.
To my surprise and dismay, the ad Wednesday morning in the Denton Record-Chronicle included my name as one opposing the proposed frack ban. I do not appreciate the use of my name against my stated refusal to allow it to be used in such a manner.
I called a friend who also signed the petition and whose name appeared in the ad. She stated that she had not been called to obtain permission to use her name and would have refused if she had received such a request.
Elvis C. Stephens,
Denton
Ban fracking
According to the latest flier from the “Denton Taxpayers for a Strong Economy,” the ban on fracking stands for a ban on drilling of all kinds. This is so misleading.
Fracking is a process of drilling for oil and gas that is detrimental to the land, the water and the air, and to the health of citizens who live near it. It is a dangerous process and should never be allowed within city limits.
It destroys the safety of the environment around it and definitely should be banned, especially where it affects quality of life and the future of our health and natural resources such as land and, especially in places like Texas, the safety and dwindling supply of our water.
Nancy Fitz-Gerald Viens,
Denton
Vote to improve community
In the upcoming election, there are four bond propositions that, if passed, will improve our community. Having served on the citizens’ committee that determined the content of the four propositions, I would like to comment on two aspects of the process.
First, I was impressed by the variety of citizen representation on the committee. Young and old, lifelong and newer residents, folks from many professions, people who are active in a large variety of organizations, 52 people were there to represent the makeup of the Denton community.
The second aspect is the hard work that went into determining the final items to be included in the bond package. The committee met every other week over six months, hearing from community members and city staff. Diligent discussion, field trips and impassioned requests culminated in the final package that is being brought to the voters. Every item was carefully considered.
Anyone who lives in Denton is aware of the need for street improvements. Storm water drainage and flood control improvement are attendant needs to make our mobility better. The police and fire departments have need of new facilities to enable them to better see to our safety. And, enhancements to our fine park system will complete this important package.
Please help make Denton an even finer city by voting yes on all four propositions.
M. Jean Greenlaw,
Denton
Fracking not an option
Big Oil has been active with its “responsible fracking” campaign. Denton residents, do not be deceived by the responsible fracking campaign. For approximately three years, the anti-fracking movement tried to work with Big Oil with no success. It is only now that this issue has been brought before the voters that Big Oil has decided to wage a deceptive campaign that it is being wronged, it is responsible and it is willing to work with Denton residents.
If Big Oil wins this election, it will go back to business as usual; do not be deceived. If Big Oil loses, residents all over the state will understand that they can fight to protect themselves from Big Oil. Most important, if Big Oil loses, it will be a wake-up call for Big Oil that working with residents of Texas is part of doing business in Texas.
Large corporations such as Big Oil do not own the state. We, the residents, own it. It is time we stand up for our rights and not allow Big Oil to deceive us. Residents of Texas do expect responsible drilling, and fracking within our city limits is not responsible and is not an option. Drilling within a congested area, 100,000-plus (with students) is not responsible.
We need to work twice as hard to inform people that Big Oil will stop at nothing to make a dime, poison our water and poison the air our children and grandchildren breathe. Denton is our city and we are not their pawns.
Alfredo Sanchez,
Denton
Rethink center location
If UNT needs more dormitories for future growth, why not use the land above Apogee Stadium? Everything is ready to be utilized, including the pedestrian bridge over I-35E. Sack & Save, on the other hand, is a vital necessity to the area (both students and residents). Sack & Save also pays property and school taxes that will be lost if the UNT regents have their way.
I agree Denton should have something like a convention center to attract more visitors to our community. The MedPark area would be more suited for this endeavor. First off, the A-train with its connection to DART, could bring visitors here from Love Field and D/FW; second, there are several hotels close by to accommodate them; third, restaurants and shopping centers are close by.
The A-train could also transport them to downtown Denton so they could enjoy some of our local flair; or to downtown Dallas, Fair Park, the Ball Park, AT&T Stadium or Six Flags.
We the people of Denton would be more inclined to pass a bond package if we owned it outright. The UNT regents are looking out for their best interest, not necessarily ours.
Ralph W. Priset,
Denton
