Fracking Ban Exceeds Signature Requirement To Get On November Ballot, In face of government opposition, group continues signature drive at local events

Above: A packed house waits to sign the petition to ban fracking in city limits of Denton, TX.

FRACKING BAN EXCEEDS SIGNATURE REQUIREMENT TO GET ON NOVEMBER BALLOT

In face of city govt opposition, group continues signature drive at local events

Denton, TX (Mar 14) – Frack Free Denton today announced they have gathered substantially more than the required signatures to put their fracking ban initiative on the November ballot.  Denton City charter requires signatures equal to 25% of votes cast in the most recent general election for an initiative to get on the ballot.

Denton Drilling Awareness Group (DAG), which was formed by members of the city’s Drilling Advisory Group after their recommendations were largely ignored by the city, launched Frack Free Denton, the fracking ban signature drive on February 20, 2014.

Denton city government, which supports fracking-enabled oil and gas development within city limits, has a track record of ignoring its citizens and giving industry a free rein. Decisions are made in closed sessions without citizen input.

“Our city government is clearly more interested in protecting the fracking industry than its citizens,” said Cathy McMullen, DAG president.. She continued, “That’s why we need to gather as many signatures as possible, to show they’ll pay a political price if they try to thwart their constituents’ wishes.”

Yesterday, DAG released a short video (http://bit.ly/FFD-econ-video) demonstrating that Denton citizens are forced to weather the health and safety impacts of fracking-enabled oil and gas development without benefitting economically.

“As far as I know, fracking companies can’t vote. It makes one wonder why the city is prioritizing fracking over Denton’s public health, especially since Denton residents aren’t really economically benefiting from fracking,“ said McMullen.

Upcoming fracking ban ballot initiative signature gathering events include:

Tuesdays-Saturdays
Dan’s Meat Market
2736 N. Elm St.
Anytime during open hours.

Wednesdays, March 19, 26
UNT Campus, Library Mall
11:00 am-1:00 pm

Thursdays, March 20, 27
Big Mikes Coffee Shop
1306 W Hickory St.
Denton, TX
12:00-3:00 pm

Saturday, March 29
North Branch Library
3020 N. Locust
Denton, Tx 76209
11:00 am-3:00 pm

Thursday, April 3 at 7:30 PM
Dan’s Silverleaf, 103 Industrial Street.
The first Denton showing of Josh Fox’s Gasland 2
FREE ADMISSION.

Saturday, April 5
Fire Station #7
4201 Vintage Blvd.
9:00am- 1:00pm

Saturdays, April 12, 19, 26
Denton Community Market
Corner of Carroll and Mulberry
9:00 am-1:00 pm

Saturday, April 19
Spiderweb Salon @ A Creative Art Studio
227 W Oak St #101, Denton, TX 76201
4:00 pm- 10:00 pm
Jazz, poetry, art, and rock n’roll all in celebration of community and Earth Day!

Saturday, May 3
Denton Community Market
Corner of Carroll and Mulberry
9:00-1:00 p.m

Sunday, May 4
Front Porch Petition Signing
805 Ector Denton, TX 76201
1:00 pm- 4:00 pm
Drinks and treats for all! T-shirt and stickers for sale.