Scenic Shores Neighborhood Association: November 2010

If you can't see the video above, click or copy the following link into your browser:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HY0U9ZPxOp8

If you care about your shoreline property on Lake Worth, you need to be at the zoning meeting!

When:
Wednesday, December 8th at 10:00 a.m.

Where:
City Hall
1000 Throckmorton
Fort Worth TX 76102

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Video Transcript:

In my last two videos, I described to you how city staff is about to damage the value of every property on Lake Worth. The situation is now critical. At the end of the video, I am going to tell you what you need to do to protect your property.

As I mentioned in my last video, two years ago, a community collaboration known as the “Dock Steering Committee” was formed to create common sense guidelines for a new dock ordinance. The committee was composed of lake residents and real estate professionals and was led by city staff. The committee worked for 6 months with staff and the community to create workable guidelines. The recommendations satisfied staff and the majority of residents.

However, at the end of the collaboration, staff threw out it. Over the next two years, staff generated six revisions – each worse than the last. In other words, the community collaboration was a sham. It a hoax. It was just a way for staff to say the ordinance was created through a community process, when in fact, it was not.

Today, staff is taking its proposal forward. That proposal, in no way, reflects the community collaboration. In fact, the proposal is bad for the lake, bad for the City of Fort Worth, and its bad for lake residents. One of the worst problems with this ordinance is that it destroys property value.

On October 19, 2010, a survey was sent to all 494 property owners around Lake Worth. Over 170 property owners responded. Of those, 98% said that the new ordinance would damage property values. I’ll say it again, 98% said that the new ordinance proposal would damage their property values.

So what are we going to do? The measure is now under consideration by the zoning board. On December 8th, the zoning board will be taking public comments. Whether you speak or not, you need to be at that meeting. You absolutely need to be present.

I cannot emphasize how important your single presence is. This whole dock ordinance fiasco has been the result of the actions of five people. Your single presence is going to make a huge difference in how this goes. If you don’t attend, you might as well deed your property back to the city because city staff is going to take it from you piece by piece.

You need to be at city hall, downtown Fort Worth at 1000 Throckmorton at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 8th. I will have some buttons for you to wear. You don’t have to speak, but be sure to get your button and wear it into the meeting. That way, the zoning board members will know why you are there.

Look, you and I pay some of the highest property taxes in Texas. There is no doubt that shoreline residents are being subject to taxation with no representation. We should expect far more from our city government than this. If you care about your shoreline property, you need to be at city hall at 10:00 in the morning on Wednesday, December 8th standing tall, wearing a button.

We’re all in this together. I’m Michael Dallas.

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Last Two Videos on Lake Worth Dock Ordinance
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November 9, 2010 - Contact Your Elected Officials
http://scenicshores.blogspot.com/2010/11/dock-ordinance-saga-update-11092010.html

October 19, 2010 - What's Wrong with This Ordinance
http://scenicshores.blogspot.com/2010/10/dock-ordinance-survey.html

Time Critical - Send Your Email to Our Elected Officials Now:

TO USE EASY LINK, CLICK HERE - Your email will be prepared for you - complete with your message. Just alter the message to your liking and click "send."

To contact each official separately, here is their contact information:

Councilman Carter Burdette
Email: Carter.Burdette@FortWorthGov.org
Phone: 817-392-8807
Address: 1000 Throckmorton, Fort Worth TX 76102

Mayor Mike Moncrief
Email: Mike.Moncrief@FortWorthGov.org
Phone: 817-392-6118
Address: 1000 Throckmorton, Fort Worth TX 76102

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Example Email 1 (You may copy and paste this text into your emails):

I am writing because I am deeply frightened by the way city staff has been treating the shoreline citizens residing on Lake Worth, myself included. We desperately need your help.

Two years ago, city staff led a community collaboration for creating a zoning ordinance on Lake Worth known as the “Dock Steering Committee.” This committee was led by city staff and was composed of real estate professionals and lake leaders. In December of 2008 (after six months of work), that committee issued recommendations for a zoning ordinance that met the needs of the residents and served the interests of the City of Fort Worth.

Shortly thereafter, city staff abandoned the community’s collaboration and engaged on a stubborn mission to damage property values and disenfranchise shoreline residents from the enjoyment of their homes. I believe that my home is in peril.

I am asking you to please restore order and to convince city staff to halt the attack on our homes.

Sincerely,

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Example Email 2 (You may copy and paste this text into your emails):

I am deeply concerned about the attacks that city staff are making against all of us shoreline residents on Lake Worth.

Two years ago, Fort Worth city staff worked with our local leaders to create a dock ordinance that would meet the needs of residents and the City of Fort Worth. In December 2008, the committee resolved all of the issues and city staff issued recommendations.

Since that time, city staff has usurped the process and engaged on a mission to damage our properties. I am deeply frightened for my home.

Please help.

Sincerely,

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You can CC to Michael Dallas at:
MichaelDallas@Gmail.com

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Scenic Shores Neighborhood Association

Critical Meeting! Be There! December 8th, 2010

Dock Ordinance - Immediate Action Required! (11/09/2010)