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Council candidates square off
By Chris Roark, croark@starlocalnews.com
Gas drilling and city spending were some of the issues discussed during the Southlake City Council Place 2 candidate debate Monday night between Carolyn Morris, incumbent, and Greg Standerfer.
The event took place in the council chambers and was hosted by the Southlake Program for the Involvement of Neighborhoods (SPIN).
Election Day is May 12, and early voting runs from April 30 to May 8.
Below are some of the questions asked, followed by excerpts from each candidates’ responses:
What are the candidates’ thoughts on residents re-writing the city’s oil and gas drilling ordinance? (This is in reference to the Citizens for Property Rights group seeking enough signatures on a petition to possibly allow changes to the ordinance.)
Morris said the city staff and the council worked hard to craft an ordinance that would allow property owners to extract their minerals while protecting the public.
“I don’t think someone who stands to make money should be able to put other citizens at risk by development that doesn’t meet city ordinances,” Morris said. “That is not in the best interest of everyone in Southlake.”
Standerfer said the question should be asked about the petition process and not the ordinance.
“The question that should be asked is: do citizens have the right to a referendum?” Standerfer said. “Whether it gets voted up or voted down, the Texas Constitution guarantees citizens the right to petition and have a referendum on any subject they desire. And if that’s the question, yes I support the citizens having a referendum on issues that are important to them, regardless of the subject.”
What will be done to ensure the safety of the residents who live in Timarron and the children who attend Old Union Elementary? (This is in reference to the Joe Wright Cudd Well Report that describes the risk factor of nearby homes should a natural gas blowout occur.)
Morris said initially the request for approval of a drilling project at the Wright site seemed appropriate since it was in an industrial zone.
“But after further study and information that was brought in from the Cudd Well Report, and seeing that the blast zone would impact residents, there was absolutely no way I could support anything that I know has the risk of damaging, killing, or destroying the citizens of Southlake. It would have to be a location that would not impact residents.”
Standerfer said he understands the concerns but offered another viewpoint.
“Those same residents live within the same distance from the jet fuel storage tanks, the gas storage tanks and the high-pressure gasoline and jet fuel transfer line that are just on the other side of Brumlow [Avenue]. I haven’t heard citizens showing concern for what existed there before they moved into their house. I can’t say that there won’t be a danger. What I can say is the rules that have been implemented -- Southlake has the toughest drilling ordinance, I think, in Texas.”
What is your position on the proposed multi-purpose center?
Morris said the citizens’ surveys have indicated that a multi-purpose center is desired by the community and that the city council is considering it. She said having it near Bicentennial Park is one option, though others would like to have it somewhere else.
“It’s an expensive project, and it’s not something we would do without a lot of thought and preparation,” Morris said. “I do support the multi-purpose center if that’s what is voted on.”
Standerfer said he would not favor the center without a public referendum, adding that the projected cost is $28 million.
“I would prefer to look at expanded space from where they are,” Standerfer said. “I believe if we can address the seniors’ needs, it is much more economical if we continue at the location where they are. Unless the citizens say they really desire and are willing to pay for the center, I would not go forward without public approval.”
What is your position on the water emergency situation?
Standerfer had previously taken a jab at the council’s spending habits and went back to it in discussing the city’s water availability.
“I would put the priority of water much higher than I would other issues,” Standerfer said. “For instance, we could easily apply $500,000 from roundabouts and $1.5 million from landscaping the medians to have greater water access.”
Morris earlier in the evening argued the $500,000 claim, saying the cost is $360,000.
Standerfer said there are challenges, such as the hesitation to have above ground storage, plus the condemnation process that is needed for water pipelines.
Standerfer said the council is not addressing the need well enough.
Morris denied that claim, noting several ways the council is addressing the water issue, adding that the city is continuously looking for additional water sources.
“We will complete the water line this year that will help get circulation to the Miron [Drive] tower,” Morris said.
Morris said the city will complete a 30-inch line next year that will also help with water circulation.
Morris also said the city is continuing its efforts to educate the community about water conservation. She said the city uses drip irrigation, the most conservative approach, on FM 1709. And she also pointed to the concerns many people in the Metroplex have about the amount of water used in the hydraulic fracturing process of gas drilling, adding that it takes five million gallons to frack a well. “That’s a lot of water,” she said.
Why do you feel that you are the best candidate?
Standerfer said his focus is on the economic state of the city.
“My perception is that the council for the last few years, every time we have additional bond money available, additional bond money is spent,” Standerfer said. “We currently have $6,000 per man, woman and child in debt. We exceed 10 percent of the entire national debt on a per capita basis. Our taxes can only go up to pay for that.”
Morris said her view on Southlake’s economic state differs from her opponent’s.
“His opinion is one that is so different from the excellence of Southlake that it would be almost unrecognizable to anyone in this room,” Morris said. “It would be so bare-boned. Southlake is a well-run city, and it is well run financially. We wouldn’t have two AAA bond ratings if we weren’t.”
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