We shouldn't have oil in the Hackensack if the permit was doing its job.

This is important that we realize oil and gas won't be around forever and that we have to develop the skill level and the knowledge base of our population.

Due to the large number of new oil and gas wells in Smith County for 2005, all the tax information was not available when the tax roll was certified. The Smith County Appraisal District has supplemented the new mineral accounts. This value has been added and tax statements have been mailed and payments are now being received.

This project is hanging by a thread. Chad remains unprepared for the complexities of an economy increasingly dominated by oil.

We told them, 'You need to get this pumped out now,' and they were not willing to do that 'now.

It really frees you up from having to have someone there to help.