Texas Mayors To Discuss Climate Changes

This coming friday, mayors from many Texas cities will meet at the University of Texas at Arlington to discuss ways that cities can deal with climate change. Arlington mayor Richard Cluck, host of the Texas Cities for Climate Protection forum, said, "I've been meeting with mayors from across the country on air quality and global warming issues, and this is my attempt to do this in Texas." Cluck went on to say, "It's important to try to energize mayors to begin to think and study the issue of global warming, and if they think it appropriate, to take action."

The meeting will be a closed-door affair. Neither the enviornmentalists nor the energy companies have been invited to appear. Cluck said this was because they wanted to have a frank discussion on the issues. It is thought that an open meeting would inhibit some attendees from frankly stating their opinions.

Speakers at the forum include Tom Smith [executive director of Public Citizen Texas], Michelle Wyman [executive director of ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability USA], Catherine Thomasson [president of Physicians for Social Responsibility], Laura Miller [Dallas mayor], Will Wynn [Austin mayor], and Richard Greene [regional director of Enviornmental Protection Agency].

There will be a seperate presentation on climate change open to the public. It will be held at 7pm at the Scottish Rite Hospital at 222 Welborn Street in Dallas.


In other metroplex news, the Fort Worth Transportation Authority is holding public meetings this week in Grapevine, North Richland Hills, and Fort Worth. The meetings will be to discuss a badly needed rail line through northeast Tarrant County to the DFW Airport. The rail line will run from southwest Fort Worth. Stops along the line have not been determined, because it is currently unknown how many cities wish to participate. Officials believe the rail line could be a reality in 5-7 years. This is a very good thing. Tarrant County has very little public transportation in the northeast part of the county, even though that is one of the fastest growing areas.