TAKE ACTION.
Now is the time for our community to speak up. Oncor and the Public Utility Commission of Texas are deciding which route to approve for the Dinosaur-Longshore transmission line, and public input matters.
Attend public meetings, sign petitions, and encourage friends and neighbors to get involved. Together, we can protect Dinosaur Valley State Park, our economy, and the legacy of Glen Rose for future generations.
Make Your Voice Heard!
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Join the Dinosaur Valley-Paluxy River Protection Alliance Facebook page to connect with others who feel strongly about protecting our community.
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Contact State Representative Helen Kerwin. She is collecting comments about why Dinosaur Valley State Park should be protected.
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Contact Somervell County Commissioners Jeff Harris and Chip Joslin to thank them for pressing Oncor to provide more information to Somervell County residents
What can we do to oppose the line being built through Glen Rose?
Post Card/Letter Writing to Oncor:
You can write a letter or postcard to Debbie Dennis, Oncor’s Chief Customer Officer, letting her know that you are a customer and politely asking Oncor to spare Dinosaur State Park. Explain why you feel strongly about the proposed southern route and how a potential transmission line through Glen Rose would negatively affect your family or business. Mention “Dinosaur-Longshore line” in your message so it is clear to Oncor why you are writing.
If you would like a response, you will need to provide a phone number, email address or mailing address. Let Debbie know that you expect to hear from her or someone on her staff.
Debbie Dennis
Chief Customer Officer, Oncor
1616 Woodall Rodgers Fwy
Dallas, TX 75202
Note: Do not send unsolicited packages or items. These may be destroyed for safety reasons, without being opened. Postcards and 1-2 page letters are more likely to be processed quickly by the mail room and delivered.
Contact Rep. Kerwin
State Representative Helen Kerwin represents Somervell and Johnson Counties. She is our voice in state government and her district includes Dinosaur Valley State Park. Rep. Kerwin can ask questions of Oncor and speak to the PUCT Commissioners on our behalf.
She is collecting letters from concerned constituents who want to preserve the State Park. Our stories and questions give her specific issues to raise with Oncor and the PUCT. Letters do not have to be very long. If you are a constituent, please mention that. If you do not live in the district, you can still write a letter of support to thank her for her efforts to persuade Oncor to spare Dinosaur Valley State Park, which belongs to all Texans.
You can write to Rep. Kerwin at her district office:
Rep. Helen Kerwin
115 S Main Street
Suite 101/103
Cleburne, TX 76033
Signing Up to Speak at a City Council Meeting:
Our elected officials are our voice in this fight to save the State Park. Public meetings have time reserved to hear questions and comments from the community. The Glen Rose City Council meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 5:30p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers, located at 201 NE Vernon.
There is a sign-in sheet at the entrance where you can add your name if you would like to speak. At the beginning of the meeting, each person who has signed up has up to 3 minutes to speak.
Speaking in public can be uncomfortable, but here are some tips:
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Bring written notes. It’s fine to write out your comments in advance and read them out loud. This can be very helpful if you are worried about losing your train of thought or if you have a fear of speaking in public.
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Introduce yourself and let the council or commission know where you live, so they know you are a constituent.
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Take a few deep breaths before it’s your turn to speak. Try to speak slowly because nerves can make people speak much faster than they normally do. When you have finished speaking or asking your question, make sure to look up at the council members/commissioners, so they know you are expecting them to respond.
How to Write a Letter to the Editor:
One way to make your voice heard is to write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper. You can usually find this information on the newspaper’s website under Opinion or Contact Us. Your local paper may have specific instructions, but here are some general tips:
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Aim for 150-200 words. Shorter letters have better chances of being published.
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Talk about both facts and feelings. Facts help prove your point, but feelings show why the facts matter. Personal stories also make your letter memorable. If you are responding to a story or another letter, reference that at the beginning of your letter.
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Your contact information should include your full name and city/state. Some papers will ask for a daytime phone number so they can call and verify your information, but your phone number should not be published
Need a Script?
If you’re not sure what to say, you can write out a simple script like this:
Hello, my name is ____ and I am a resident of ________.
We know that Oncor has a high voltage transmission line planned that will destroy the area around that State Park and the river.
[Explain why this matters to you, your family or your business. Tell them what you are concerned about and what the effects would be for you if the worst things happened.]
As a resident, I would like to know what you are doing to protect our community and businesses from this company.
Can we stop the Dinosaur-Longshore line from being built?
Unfortunately, we cannot stop Oncor from building the Dinosaur-Longshore line. We can only advocate for a route that does not destroy Glen Rose and our economy. Oncor has planned two other corridors of potential routes that do not run through Glen Rose. Selecting a route in either of these other corridors would save our priceless Park and preserve the natural beauty of the area, ensuring future generations can enjoy the beauty and history of this unique part of Texas.
GET INVOLVED!
Preserving the Rich Biodiversity of Dinosaur Valley and Paluxy River