Civil discourse

Get the frack out of here: Natural gas drilling denied in Dallas thanks tofeisty forum speakers

Dallas citizens came out in force to oppose fracking within Dallas city limits.
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Hydraulic fracking and natural gas drilling already takes place in Fort Worthand cities in Johnson County.
Heating Oil

Public forums aren't often the voice of reason. In fact, just last week at the Dallas City Council meeting, such speakers included a scantily clad Santa Claus, two people warning evil-doers of their impending doom on 12-21-12 and a gentlemen who delivered this zinger: "As a minister, I only drink Coca-Cola ... with my whiskey."

But the public forum during Thursday night's City Plan Commission meeting showed why the process is a staple of democracy. Around 20 speakers voiced their concerns about natural gas drilling and hydraulic fracking in Dallas.

After hearing from passionate and articulate audience members — many of whom cited peer-reviewed studies — the commission denied Trinity East Energy's request to begin drilling in L.B. Houston Park. The issue will still go before the City Council, but the commissions denial will be taken into consideration.

Dallas Cothrum, who represents Trinity East, described the measures his client has taken as "the most stringent agreement in the Barnett Shale." His request for the commission to take the item under advisement was also denied.

Here are some of the voices that changed the mind of the commission, which had recommended approval prior to the open forum:

I feel like I am under attack. ... If everybody in Dallas knew that this was happening today, this building would be full to capacity and overflowing. — Linda Cooke

What is so concerning about drilling is that there are so many points of risk. This is a poorly regulated industry that is being allowed in neighborhoods and parks that were never intended to be industrial zones. — Jennifer L.

Do we actually want to sacrifice the health of the many for the wealth of the few? — Ann Morton

The cost of drilling could very well be greater than the rewards. — Ed Meyer

This is not a few hundred tree huggers, if that’s what you're thinking. You are dealing with tens of thousands of Dallas residents who are outraged. — Jim Schermbeck, Downwinders at Risk

The air-quality impact is enough just in itself to deny all of this. You are supposed to give [approval] for examples of sustainable development. This is the opposite of it, and the health impacts could be devastating. — Molly Rooke, Dallas Sierra Club

These conditions are completely inadequate. To call them protective of public health is really laughable. Don't go through with these half measures. Vote to deny them until it is done right. — Zac Trahan, Texas Campaign for the Environment

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Fun times in the city

Dallas swings a spot on new list of most fun cities in U.S. for 2024

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Dallas just wants to have fun, according to WalletHub's new ranking of the most fun cities in America in 2024.

The annual report ranked Dallas No. 31 out of 182 U.S. cities.

WalletHub's experts compared each city using 65 metrics to determine their level of "fun." Metrics were split among three main categories: entertainment and recreation, nightlife and parties, and cost.

According to the study's findings, Dallas was 24th nationally in the category for nightlife and parties, and ranked No. 39 in the "entertainment and recreation" category. That may be especially alluring for anyone who wants to explore the city's vast entertainment opportunities (especially during the holiday season), family-friendly recreational activities, top dining destinations, and more. Plus, Dallas is home to entertainment juggernauts like the State Fair of Texas and TopGolf.

Dallas performed poorly in the overall cost category, earning No. 114 out of all 182 cities. However, this category mostly compares flat costs rather than affordability based on local cost of living.

Potential new Dallasites should do their research before deciding to move here, rather than basing their decision on short trips and vacations alone. But we won't blame them for wanting to live in one of the best cities in the world.

"The top cities offer affordable options for year-round fun for their residents, which is good for residents’ wallets and their mental health," said WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo in the report.

Austin (No. 6) and Houston (No. 9) were the only Texas cities to earn a spot in the top 10 most fun U.S. cities list. Austin moved up one spot from last year, while Houston made a 10-place jump.

Other fun-filled Texas cities that made it in the top 100 are El Paso (No. 53), Fort Worth (No. 55), Plano (No. 78), Arlington (No. 79), and Corpus Christi (No. 99).

The top 10 most fun U.S. cities are:

No. 1 – Las Vegas, Nevada
No. 2 – Orlando, Florida
No. 3 – Miami, Florida
No. 4 – Atlanta, Georgia
No. 5 – New Orleans, Louisiana
No. 6 – Austin, Texas
No. 7 – San Francisco, California
No. 8 – Chicago, Illinois
No. 9 – Houston, Texas
No. 10 – New York City, New York

Cities were evaluated based on the number of attractions per capita, nightlife activities per capita, the average prices for eating at a restaurant or buying a movie ticket, and more. Data was sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau, The Trust for Public Land, and the Council for Community and Economic Research, among others.

dance clubs fun cities nightlife parties recreation wallethub