Posted on Mon, May. 05, 2008

Arlington City Council candidates focus on community, youth outreach

By SUSAN SCHROCK

Star-Telegram Staff Writer

ARLINGTON -- Community and youth outreach and fiscal responsibility are among the top concerns for the three candidates running for the District 7 at-large seat on the Arlington City Council.

Certified public accountant Jimmy Bennett, minister Michael Glaspie and college student Robert Martin are vying for the seat in Saturday's election. A candidate must get more than 50 percent of the vote to win. If no one does, a runoff is scheduled for June 14.

Councilman Ron Wright, who has served on the council since 2000, is not seeking re-election this year.

The candidates recently answered a few questions from the Star-Telegram.

Jimmy Bennett

Age: 47

Occupation: Certified public accountant

Why should voters elect you?

Bennett said he has more than 20 years' experience helping businesses and nonprofit organizations with financial issues and volunteers with numerous groups, including Lamar Baptist Church and Boys & Girls Club of Arlington.

"People all over have told me they want new, energetic leaders. They want leaders who can understand their concerns and challenges and who have demonstrated an ability to meet those challenges. I think that the city should consider someone who is accustomed to dealing with significant financial challenges. I really think being a business owner and CPA are the type of complementary skills our current council needs."

What do you think the city should do to improve the safety and appearance of Arlington neighborhoods?

"Yes, our city has concerns about public safety, and yes, there are concerns about infrastructure. The real question is, how can we pay for that and not sacrifice other services? We must be more efficient with our spending. We must exhaust our efforts to find new revenue sources without increasing the tax burden on our citizens."

What other issues does the city face?

"With our youth, we've got crime and gang issues. We have to look for ways to help our families -- with parenting assistance, with mentoring, with organized activities and ways to expose our youth to other citizens. I am so hopeful about the future of our city because of the youth that are out there. We have to nurture them so they can reach their full potential. I think the city and school districts need to work more closely together so that we can better educate our children in a safe, stimulating environment. If we could find a place for the kids during the time of day when parents aren't home -- a constructive, positive place to be -- we are going to win."

Michael Glaspie

Age: 61

Occupation: Minister of Christian education and community outreach at Mount Olive Baptist Church

Why should voters elect you?

Glaspie's experience includes 21 years in marketing and marketing management with IBM and 17 years as an Arlington school district trustee.

"I've been very involved in the community, and I've established relationships I think will be very beneficial as we tackle challenges in the future. I have a passion to see the city be the best city it can be. I have no hidden agenda."

What do you think the city should do to improve the safety and appearance of Arlington neighborhoods?

"People don't feel as safe as they would like to feel. We need as a community to stand up together and say, 'We will not tolerate crime.'" Glaspie said he would help organize collaboration among the city, school districts, neighborhoods, Chamber of Commerce, churches and nonprofits to identify the issues facing Arlington and what resources are needed to provide solutions.

Glaspie said the best investment the community can make is in its youths, who may turn to crime out of boredom or lack of positive influence in their lives.

What other issues does the city face?

Glaspie said the city needs to pay better attention to its environmental impact, from traffic congestion to urban drilling. "If we don't stop to think how we can position ourselves to minimize pollution and take care of our environment, it's not going to get any better. How can we assure ourselves our air supply, our water supply, is safe and clean and is something that will be there for us to enjoy in the future?"

Robert Martin

Age: 19

Occupation: Biology freshman at the University of Texas at Arlington

Why should voters elect you?

Martin said his experience as an Eagle Scout and as cadet captain in his high school ROTC program has prepared him for a leadership role in local politics. Martin, who said he is displeased with current elected city officials, said his government teacher at Lamar High School encouraged him to run for office.

"A lot of the current city councilmen aren't listening to what the individual citizens have to say. It seems a lot like they are listening to the moneyed interests. I am good at listening to what people say."

What do you think the city should do to improve the safety and appearance of Arlington neighborhoods?

"Our police force is undermanned and underfunded. We need to find some way to reallocate money without increasing the burden to taxpayers. If that means we have to cut some of our expenditures to bring crime under control, that's something we have to do."

Martin said it is essential to increase police visibility in neighborhoods, and he supports adding more police storefronts in commercial areas, such as the one at The Parks at Arlington mall.

What other issues does the city face?

"With rising gas prices, we need to look at public transportation," said Martin, who believes that the city should build a light rail system connecting the Trinity Railway Express, the entertainment district and the University of Texas at Arlington. Martin said the city could pay for the rail system through federal grants and donations from businesses.

"If we can convince them light rail will bring them more business, it might be something they are interested in investing in."

Martin said he would also look at a shuttle service that would bring residents from other parts of the city to the rail line.