Voters Guide: Arlington

Arlington schools

Place 1

Gloria Peña

Age: 60 years old

Occupation and/or main source of income: Retired, US Army Corps of Engineers, Water Supply Business Line Manager (37 years)

Campaign (public) phone number: 817-483-5165

Your campaign (public) email address: AISD.Place1@yahoo.com

Web site: www.gloriapena.net

Education background, including all degrees: Northwood University, BBA (magna cum laude), 2002

Highlights of your current and past civic involvement: Current involvement: Trustee, Arlington ISD; Director, Texas Association of School Boards; Member, North Texas Association of School Boards; Director, Arlington Dental Health; Member, Downtown Arlington Rotary; Member, Arlington Chamber of Commerce Champion Education Committee; Director, Water from the Rock (Mt Olive); Member, Republican Women of Arlington; Altar Minister, St Vincent de Paul Catholic Church. Past involvement: Treasurer, Tarrant County Child Protective Services; 1st VP for Budget & Finance, Tarrant County Community Services Board; President, Young JH PTA; Texas Lifetime PTA Member; Chair, Youth & Families Board for City of Arlington; Leadership Arlington Graduate; Director, Boy’s & Girl’s Club; 2nd VP, Girl’s, Inc.; Co-Chair, 2008 Bahama Bash (MHS); Girl Scout Troop Leader; and many, many more.

In 100 words or less, please explain how your background, skills and experience make you the best qualified candidate for this office.

As the incumbent, I believe the citizens of Arlington continue to be concerned about the education of our children and deserve to have a Board of Trustees that is dependable and focused. I believe continuing to working collaboratively with our community is extremely important. My professional skills as a business line manager, project management and financial arena have aided in bringing stability to the Board. We have worked to create an environment that is efficient and effective and have been recognized as the Best School Board in Texas. I will work to continue with this Board in this manner.

In 100 words or less, please outline the three most critical problems facing the public office you are seeking and the solutions you propose to address them.

College or Workforce ready: Some of the changes are defined in our strategic plan; to provide a career tech center, a fine arts center, agriculture facility, high school college, and many, many more educational opportunities.

Improve Communication: As a district with 65,000 students and 8,000 employees, improvements are always necessary and one area is communication to the students, employees and community. Each should know that they are valued.

Special Needs: I want to ensure that we provide the best educational opportunities to all our students by providing the students and teachers with the appropriate tools.

Polly Walton

Age: 65

Occupation and/or main source of income: Retired teacher/librarian

Campaign (public) phone number: (817) 261-1729

Your campaign (public) email address: polly@pollywalton.com

Web site: pollywalton.com

Education background, including all degrees: B.A. and M.Ed. – Southern Methodist University; Library Science - Texas Women’s University; Associate’s – Kilgore Junior College; High School Diploma – Longview High School;

Highlights of your current and past civic involvement:

Current: Friends of Arlington Public Library, member of the Board of Directors; Windemere Homeowners Association, current president; Delta Kappa Gamma Sorority; Arlington Retired School Employees Association; Arlington Woman’s Club

Past: City of Arlington Arts Grants Review Board, president; Board of Directors, Creative Arts Theatre & School (CATS), president 2 years; Founder & Board of Directors, SERVA/Adopt-A-School, president; Arlington Council of PTAs, legislative chair, cultural arts chair, events chair; Wimbish Elementary PTA, president; Shackelford Junior High PTA, officer; Lamar High School PTA, officer; St. Mary’s Guild, St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, officer; United Educators Association, president 3 years; Arlington ISD Financial Futures Committee, 2 years

In 100 words or less, please explain how your background, skills and experience make you the best qualified candidate for this office.

I am the best qualified candidate for this office because I have 40 years of experience with the AISD as a teacher and a parent. As a recently retired teacher and teacher leader, I have intimate knowledge of the issues and challenges facing our district. As a proven leader in civic and professional organizations, I am prepared with the necessary leadership skills. I have worked with nine AISD superintendents and attended hundreds of school board meetings as a teacher association officer. I understand how the Board works. When elected I will be the only member of the Board with extensive experience in elementary schools at a time when Arlington is planning to open three new elementary campuses.

In 100 words or less, please outline the three most critical problems facing the public office you are seeking and the solutions you propose to address them.

The three critical problems facing the district are reputation, management, and keeping teachers. Our schools must once again be a factor that attracts young families and the best teachers to Arlington. The shining reputation our district once had as THE district in which to work and go to school needs serious attention. Top administrators need to stop practicing management by intimidation and begin modeling for campus administrators a servant leadership management style that is more nurturing and less punitive. If we are to attract the best new teachers to Arlington and keep our experienced employees, we must once again establish a reputation as a positive and rewarding place to work. We must get back to being a district that values working together to solve problems and respecting one another.

Place 2

Peter Baron

Age: 67

Occupation and/or main source of income: Retired Marine, and Retired Teacher

Campaign (public) phone number: 817 801 4404

Your campaign (public) email address: PeterBaronCampaign@TX.RR.Com

Web site: None

Education background, including all degrees: Bachelor of Science in Aviation Management from Auburn University; Master of Science in Aeronautics from Embry Riddle University; Teacher Certification from the University of Texas at Arlington; Master Technology Teacher Pre K-12, Certified to teach Secondary Math, Secondary Computer; Information Systems (Computer Science), Technology Applications, and English as a Second; Language (ESL)

Highlights of your current and past civic involvement: USMC, 23 years active duty. Combat leader. Vietnam Veteran. Teacher, 20 years in classroom. Trustee since 2008. Vice president one year. President two years. Financial Futures Committee, gave me a keen insight into Texas’s School Finance System. I am on two major board committees: Governance (Evaluations, Policy Review, Government Relations), and I Chair Community Engagement (Community Committee Selection, Events, Resource Development, Partnerships). I attend all meetings of the Financial Futures, and Citizens Bond Oversight Committees. I am proud of our selection as the Outstanding School Board in Texas, and a finalist for the H-E-B Excellence in Education Award. It is vital to keep this winning team together, to implement the 2014 bond with fidelity to the intent laid out in the bond proposal, and to comply with the taxpayers’ wishes. This board has always acted with tremendous financial responsibility, resulting in receiving a Schools FIRST rating of “Superior Achievement” for 2014, and a Moody’s bond rating of Aa1, and Standard and Poor’s rating of AA.

In 100 words or less, please explain how your background, skills and experience make you the best qualified candidate for this office.

I am running for reelection to continue providing the best education possible for the children of Arlington. After passing the largest school bond in Tarrant County history, this Board is doing great things: building schools to deal with overcrowding in East Arlington; repurposing two elementary schools to better serve our children in a fine arts/dual language environment; implementing HB5 with a commitment to Career and Tech education; and expanding our Grammy Award winning Fine Arts Program. I have the knowledge, background, drive, leadership experience, and time to devote to AISD as trustee, which, at times, is a full time job.

In 100 words or less, please outline the three most critical problems facing the public office you are seeking and the solutions you propose to address them.

100% of students graduate on time and excel at their school or career of choice: Our Strategic Plan has this objective. The needs of one student must not overwhelm another. All students are treated with fairness, respect and dignity.

Teacher workload: We need to convince the legislature that high stakes testing is not working. It overburdens our classroom teachers, stresses all involved, and takes the fun out of teaching and learning.

Retaining public trust and confidence: We will continue to be open and honest with AISD stakeholders, continue gold star financial planning, and deliver a premier public school system.

Kristen Hudson

Age: 38

Occupation and/or main source of income: homemaker

Campaign (public) phone number: 817-793-6423

Your campaign (public) email address: KristenNicoleHudson@gmail.com

Web site: KristenforAISD.com

Education background, including all degrees: Bachelor of Science, Communications; Missouri State University, Springfield

Highlights of your current and past civic involvement:

Current: Serve on the Student Health Advisory Council; Volunteer at Roquemore Elementary

Past: Fine Arts/Dual Language Planning Committee, Fall 2014; Founding Board Member of the non-profit PLATFORM4Life 2011-2013; Vice-President 2011-2012; Fundraising, producing, managing, technical theatre and performance for local community theatres such as Hip Pocket Theatre, Circle Theatre, Scott Theatre, Momentum Productions, The Butterfly Connection and others, 1997 - 2008

In 100 words or less, please explain how your background, skills and experience make you the best qualified candidate for this office.

I have held leadership roles in both non-profit and corporate settings. This summer, I left Bank of America as an Assistant Vice-President in modification underwriting to be available to my family full-time. As the mother of a kindergartener at Roquemore Elementary, I can serve the district with my experience in budgeting and policy, my knowledge of the difference between what works for organizations that seek profit and those that exist solely to serve our community, as well as bringing a first-hand view of the district from the perspective of a parent.

In 100 words or less, please outline the three most critical problems facing the public office you are seeking and the solutions you propose to address them.

Our district should facilitate academic success for all students, regardless of their economic or cultural background. We must work to improve our kids' daily school experience, parent-teacher partnerships and transparency.

Creating a school experience that builds a love for learning and a foundation for success must be our district's primary focus, especially in our elementary schools. Dedicating more resources and staff to the classroom can make our goals attainable.

Consistent communication and school events that families value will help build the parent-teacher partnership that our kids need to succeed.

Finally, policy and budget decisions should be transparent to stakeholders and informed by data and community input.

Place 3

Aaron D. Reich

Age: 47

Occupation and/or main source of income: Pharmacist/Owner TRINU Healthcare

Campaign (public) phone number: 817-277-5498

Your campaign (public) email address: AReich.aisd@tx.rr.com

Web site: www.VoteAaronReich.com

Education background, including all degrees: Doctor of Pharmacy, Creighton University; Residency, MD Anderson Cancer Center

Highlights of your current and past civic involvement: School Board Trustee since 2009; Theater Arlington Board of Directors; Co-Founder & Pres., Positive Influence-a 501c(3) focused on parent involvement & child development; AISD Board of Trustees (BOT) Secretary, AISD BOT Committees: Community Engagement Committee Chair/member, Capital Needs Steering Committee Liaison (for 2014 $663MM Bond package); Governance committee member, Legislative Action Chair, Technology Chair, Citizen Bond Oversight Liaison Chair, Strategic Plan, Board Handbook, Past Chair Audit Committee; Member Texas Association of School Boards (TASB); Member North Texas Area Association of School Boards (NTAASB); Alternate Delegate TASB Assembly; Numerous leadership posts of Pope Dads' Club; PTA Member; Youth Group Leader, FUMC Ft. Worth; 2 Children in AISD (one sophomore and one graduate last year now in London for International journalism and media). Past Director and Development Co-Chair Montessori Academy Board of Directors; Graduate, City of Arlington Neighborhood Academy

In 100 words or less, please explain how your background, skills and experience make you the best qualified candidate for this office.

Current Trustee 6yrs and Board Secretary; Extensive governance and executive background; Awarded No.1 School Board in Texas out of >1,000 districts; Policy, accreditation, education background; Co-founded, formed and leadership for non-profit to help fatherhood involvement; Arlington Resident for 23 years with 2 businesses and 2 children in district since elementary age; Excellent communication; collaboration and consensus builder (ex: initiated first ever co-meeting of School Board and City Council); Leadership on numerous Boards; Legislatively active; Eliminated district deficit spending; Funded elementary school from reserves (not bond); maintained one of lowest tax rates even after voters approved historic bond by 70%

In 100 words or less, please outline the three most critical problems facing the public office you are seeking and the solutions you propose to address them.

1) 70% economically disadvantaged population: Opened, this year, Early College High School geared towards this population, passed bond package to address access/crowding issues for students, developed Parent/community engagement department and Parent University, many more. 2) Implementation of 2014 Bond program: $663 million with numerous projects - very difficult but successfully designing, planning, communicating, managing, implementing to stay on track and not disrupt children learning. 3) Governance through transformation: Ensuring children's highest achievement through Strategic Plan implementation, developed communication feedback mechanisms for students, teachers/staff, parents to ensure on right track, adjusting all teacher/staff salaries to be market competitive; Classroom/children support

Maryhelen Bronson

Age: 66

Occupation and/or main source of income: Retired teacher, Adjunct Professor at UTA, Textbook Author

Campaign (public) phone number: 682-701-7770

Your campaign (public) email address: bronsonmh@gmail.com

Web site: maryhelenbronson.com

Education background, including all degrees: Colorado State University - Bachelor of Science Health and Physical Education 1970; Texas A&I University- Elementary Education Certification 1973; Texas Woman’s University Master of Arts Health Education 1975; Texas Woman’s University Doctor of Philosophy Health Education 1978

Highlights of your current and past civic involvement: Volunteer three days a week – AISD schools, Volunteer Mission Arlington, Safe Haven, Special Olympics and home-bound seniors; Taught computer skills to senior citizens, swimming lessons to inner city apartment children

In 100 words or less, please explain how your background, skills and experience make you the best qualified candidate for this office.

I believe with my background and experience, I bring the voices of parents, teachers and students to the board. I have spent 44 years in the classroom, teaching students and working with parents and teachers. I developed and implemented a district-wide curriculum that earned the National PTA’s Excellence in Education Award. I have conducted teacher in-service and parent workshops across the country. I have served on numerous school committees. I was named Texas Health Educator of the Year in 1988 and selected AISD Teacher of the Year twice. In 2001, I was awarded the Lynn Hale Excellence in Education Award.

In 100 words or less, please outline the three most critical problems facing the public office you are seeking and the solutions you propose to address them.

1 AISD is being run like a corporation, rather than the service institution it is.

·Minimize micromanagement, giving more autonomy to local schools

·Less emphasis on data collection, more emphasis on the learning process

2. Many teachers have a high level of anxiety. Elementary teachers spend 29 days a year testing-only 4 of which are state required.

·Reduce number of test days, empower teachers, allowing teachers to do what they were trained to do.

3.Communication/true transparency — There is a disconnect between many parents and the administration.

·Parents’ questions /concerns must be addressed directly and honestly in a timely manner.

Arlington

Mayor

Jeff Williams

Age: 55

Occupation and/or main source of income: I am President of Graham Associates where I have worked for 33 years honing my skills as a civil engineer.

Campaign (public) phone number: (817) 527-2235

Your campaign (public) email address: jeffwilliamscampaign@gmail.com

Web site: www.jeffwilliamsformayor.com

Education background, including all degrees: I earned my Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering in 1981 from Texas Tech University, and I am currently a Registered Professional Engineer in the State of Texas.

Highlights of your current and past civic involvement:

Current: Chairman, Mobility Committee, Arlington Chamber of Commerce; Board Member, Arlington Chamber of Commerce and Chamber Foundation; Vice-Chairman, Cotton Bowl Association; Committee Chairman and Board Member, Arlington Convention and Visitors; Comprehensive Planning Committee, City of Arlington; Commissioner of D/FW High Speed Rail Commission ,Texas Department of Transportation; Co-Chair, Salvation Army Annual Luncheon; Founding Board Member, Project Restore Hope Foundation; Advisory Board Member, Arlington YMCA; Past Chair of the Deacons, Chairman of Masterplanning Committee, Chairman of Personnel Committee, Sunday School Teacher and Department Director, First Baptist Church of Arlington

Past: Past Chairman of the Board, Past Chairman of Community Development; Arlington Chamber of Commerce; Past President, River Legacy Foundation; Chair, 2014 AISD School Bond Committee; Co-Chair, 2014 AISD Steering Committee; Chairman, 2008 City of Arlington Bond Election Committee; Past Nation Chief, YMCA Princess Program; Past Chairman, Deacon Council, First Baptist Church, Arlington; Lifetime Achievement Award – PTA AISD; Vandergriff Community Leadership Award; Arlington’s 2012 Small Business of the Year Recipient; 2009 Texas Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement Award for work on Cowboys Stadium; Recipient of Texas Project of the Year for 2011 for work on I.H. 30 Three Bridges project from Texas Public Works Association; Recipient of “Comprehensive Planning Award” Texas Section of the American Planning Association

In 100 words or less, please explain how your background, skills and experience make you the best qualified candidate for this office.

Arlington has long flourished with a “can-do spirit” that attracted General Motors, Six Flags, the Rangers and Cowboys. But our community has become stagnant and developers bypass us for cities like Frisco and Grapevine. As a businessman and former Chamber President, I bring the expertise to recruit new development and jobs to provide economic opportunity to every part of Arlington. And, as a civil engineer, my renewal plan starts with bringing a “back to the basics” approach to City Hall and focusing on better services that strengthen neighborhoods like fixing potholes, improving parks and libraries, and helping police and fire.

In 100 words or less, please outline the three most critical problems facing the public office you are seeking and the solutions you propose to address them:

In addition to economic growth and better basics, I’ll focus on:

Education. I’ll work closely with our school districts, private schools, and colleges to forge partnerships to best educate our next generation.

Fiscal responsibility. I’ll expand a special task force of business leaders and CPAs to help City Hall find and cut unnecessary spending.

New development. Although Cowboys stadium was approved a decade ago, it’s still surrounded by old apartments and pawnshops. With my experience with signature projects, I’ll bring together our nation’s top developers to fulfill the promise to revitalize the area around the stadium.

Robert Cluck

Age: 76

Occupation and/or main source of income: Physician; Vice President Medical Affairs, Texas Health Arlington Memorial Hospital

Campaign (public) phone number: 817 229 2600

Your campaign (public) email address: craig@murphynasica.com

Web site: www.MayorCluck.com

Education background, including all degrees: SMU, BA; Southwestern Medical School: MD; Parkland Memorial Hospital: 1 year Rotating Internship; John Peter Smith Hospital: 1 Year General Practice residency; Parkland Memorial Hospital: 3 year OB GYN residency

Highlights of your current and past civic involvement: 4 years as City Council Member; 12 years as Arlington Mayor (office currently held); Multiple Boards and Commissions including Workforce Commission, American Heart, Regional Emergency Commission, Texas Municipal League (previous President) US Conference of Mayors, Board President of Arlington Tomorrow Foundation.

In 100 words or less, please explain how your background, skills and experience make you the best qualified candidate for this office.

I have the most experience considering my 12 years as Mayor preceded by 4 years on City Council. That is a total of 16 years. I have been, along with the City Council members, very diligent in seeking and securing new businesses in Arlington. We have added large numbers of jobs and businesses including significant expansion of General Motors, new hotels, expansion of both Tarrant County College, and UTA (including helping with the new College Park). Of course the stunning new ATT stadium has added so much to Arlington's pride and of course Arlington's revenue.

In 100 words or less, please outline the three most critical problems facing the public office you are seeking and the solutions you propose to address them.

We definitely need to continue to improve our quality of life and improve our neighborhoods. We need to remove the many slumlords who currently provide poor housing for those unable to secure"quality" housing.

We also need to continue making sure our crime rate continues to drop as it has the past few years. We are one of very few cities that have a AAA Bond rating because of our very conservative financial principles. We also need to continue to be aggressive in our street maintenance. Currently we have about 10% of our streets needing major rebuilds but that number is dropping.

Didmus B. Banda

Age: 38

Occupation and/or main source of income: Banker

Campaign (public) phone number: (682) 323-5193

Your campaign (public) email address: didmus.banda@mavs.uta.edu

Web site: N/A

Education background, including all degrees: University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, BA, Political Science with minor in English, 2011-Dec 2014; Tarrant County Community College, Fort Worth, TX Associates Degree A.A.S., Real Estate, 2006-May 2010, Certificate in Real Estate, 2006-May 2007; Volunteer Work, Fort Worth, TX, Catholic Charities Sept. 2013-Present, Refugee Immigration Services initiated by the University of Texas

Highlights of your current and past civic involvement: Volunteer for refugee immigration services through Fort Worth Catholic Charities

In 100 words or less, please explain how your background, skills and experience make you the best qualified candidate for this office.

The office of the Mayor is an elected office, and “experience” is just a political slang that makes a candidate appear more advantaged to the electorate than his/her running mates. In essence, experience is nothing but a claim, very unsubstantiated. The following is what we need to evaluate before voting

o The whole of my life has depended on politics. The reason why I fought hard to migrate to the United States is all political and economic reasons!

o I understand the struggles of the poor; their burden to the economy and how a cheap politician can spin this situation to his/her advantage.

o Has anyone witnessed a leader of a church or a politician waiving “tithe” and/or “taxes” on the poor? Absolutely not!

In 100 words or less, please outline the three most critical problems facing the public office you are seeking and the solutions you propose to address them.

1. The city of Arlington has continually faced development stagnation. All our neighboring cities have had real development from education to roads to safety while our city has given access to hard-earned city money to companies that exist for the sole purpose of punishing city dwellers through programs like the infamous “Red Light Camera”, a 350 Million dollar ATT Stadium that reminds us of nothing but how pathetic our local teams have become!

2. The current mayor (Dr. Cluck) is trying to have hotels around the city instead of new residential areas in order to encourage permanent residence to the city.

3. Public transportation. The current mayor has the audacity to say that he wakes up early every morning and drop her wife at work before he shows up at his (Dallas Morning News Interview) but how about families with children and grandchildren?

Jerry Pikulinski

Age: 76

Occupation and/or main source of income: I retired in 2004 after serving as an economist and manpower director for state, regional and federal organizations including the North Central Texas Council of Government and the U.S. Department of Labor. During my career I also served as a management lecturer at the University of Texas at Arlington.

Campaign (public) phone number: 817-713-9196

Your campaign (public) email address: pikulinski.j@sbcglobal.net

Web sites: Facebook and Reddit

https://www.facebook.com/groups/PikulinskiforArlingtonMayor2015/permalink/1616879548542097/

http://www.reddit.com/r//arlington

Education background, including all degrees: Advanced graduate work in management and industrial relations at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor; MBA; Industrial Relations and Business Conditions, University of Detroit; B.Sc. Industrial Management and Economics; University of Detroit; Classical Diploma, Latin and Greek, University of Detroit High School and Academy; Lecturer in management policy, management process theory, and management-labor relations, University of Texas at Arlington, 1980s and early to mid-1990s.

Highlights of your current and past civic involvement: Past member Great Southwest Rotary; AARP; Arlington National Active and Retired Federal Employees; Arlington Historical Society; Concerned Taxpayers of Arlington; member of Tarrant County property-tax freeze petition drive; and past organizer of the 800 member Extended Oaks Gas Lease Community Organization. Current membership in Arlington Republican Club, Arlington Association for Responsible Government, St. Maria Goretti Leisure Club

In 100 words or less, please explain how your background, skills and experience make you the best qualified candidate for this office.

I am trained and experienced in management planning. My temperament and approach to governance is open and participatory. I want fiscal sanity to reduce the city's debt. My professional background and 44 years of residency in Arlington make me deeply concerned about the future of our city. Since 1972, I’ve seen the quality of our schools, transportation and infrastructure deteriorate and yield to the short-term interests of developers. What matters most to me is returning Arlington to being a community that always places the long-term needs of its citizens first. Comprehensive planning would receive more attention under my trained leadership.

In 100 words or less, please outline the three most critical problems facing the public office you are seeking and the solutions you propose to address them.

1. Return Arlington to the quality residential community it once was in part by redirecting wasted investment incentives to apartment development. Plan and control apartment growth. Increase citizen involvement and support for quality of life priorities. Make neighborhoods safe.

2. Align commercial development to the long-term needs of Arlington residents. Build a university-town culture. Improve traffic flow and pedestrian safety, reduce congestion. Strengthen the parks and recreation amenities citywide.

3. Strengthen Arlington’s future by providing families with access to quality housing, employment, and educational resources. Brand Arlington as a great place to raise a family, to work, and to play.

District 3

Marvin Sutton

Age: 52

Occupation and/or main source of income: Air traffic Controller

Campaign (public) phone number: 817 602-0644

Your campaign (public) email address: msutton4council@gmail.com

Web site: www.electmarvinsutton.com

Education background, including all degrees: University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas, Bachelor of Science, Accounting, Magna Cum Laude- “with great honors,” December 2005; Tarrant County College, Fort Worth, Texas, Associate in Applied Science, Accounting, Graduate with the highest honors, December 2001; Tarrant County College, Fort Worth, Texas, Associate in Arts, Graduate with the highest honors, December 2002

Highlights of your current and past civic involvement: 1) New York Commons Homeowners Association, Board of Directors; 2) University of Texas at Arlington College of Business, Associate Accounting Advisory Board; 3) Arlington Independent School District, Financial Futures Committee 2012-2013; 2) Arlington Branch of the NAACP#6298, Treasurer 2012-2014.

In 100 words or less, please explain how your background, skills and experience make you the best qualified candidate for this office.

My skills and experiences as an air traffic controller have sharpened my abilities to analyze and comprehend data and situations and to develop the safest, most efficient, and effective solutions. My degree in accounting with honors has given me a thorough understanding of governmental budgetary process. I understand the importance of maximizing our resources and minimizing our deficiencies. As a community leader, I’m capable of collaborating and negotiating in order to bring communities and organizations together for a common cause and purpose. I’m focused and committed to creating a safer, smarter and greener Arlington.

In 100 words or less, please outline the three most critical problems facing the public office you are seeking and the solutions you propose to address them.

1) As compared to the first quarter of 2014, property crimes have almost doubled. I propose hiring more officers as well updating our model for staffing patrol in our communities.

2) National Semiconductor closed its plant in Arlington about three years ago and several hundred employees were laid off. I propose we actively compete for quality jobs to complement our tourism industries.

3) Traffic congestion continues to be a problem in our city. I propose we develop a comprehensive traffic and rail transit system to minimize the gridlock that plaques our commuters and visitors.

Robert Rivera

Age: 43

Occupation and/or main source of income: Banker

Campaign (public) phone number: 8172406371

Your campaign (public) email address: goarlington@yahoo.com

Web site: www.voterobertrivera.com

Education background, including all degrees: Product of both public and private Arlington schools. Tarrant County College Associates Degree University of Texas at Arlington Bachelor of Arts

Highlights of your current and past civic involvement: 10 years service as Arlington Council Member; Host Annual Back 2 School Event; Co-founded Touchdown Arlington; Library Board of Directors; Big Brothers Big Sisters Board; Co-Chair Cowboys Stadium Campaign; Past President Young Men for Arlington

In 100 words or less, please explain how your background, skills and experience make you the best qualified candidate for this office.

For 25 years I have dedicated my life to improving Arlington. I wake up daily with the main focus of helping improve the educational opportunities for every citizen, public safety, roads, and new jobs. I am hard-working and do everything possible to bring transparency, citizen inclusiveness, vision, and an open door to City Hall. I encourage everyone to look at my website for additional details showing my high level of qualifications and preparedness.

In 100 words or less, please outline the three most critical problems facing the public office you are seeking and the solutions you propose to address them.

Jobs - I'll continue to work to help provide our citizens the opportunity to be best educated workforce in Texas.

Roads - I'll continue to push for proper planning and ongoing needed repairs across all of Arlington. Quality roads are the gateway to stronger neighborhoods especially when partnering with code enforcement.

Public Safety - Working with our neighborhoods to improve Public Safety resulted in my earning the endorsements from CLEAT Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas, Tarrant Country Law Enforcement, Fort Worth and Arlington Police and Firefighters Associations. My commitment to help protect our citizens is unmatched!

Daniel R. Melendez

Age: 52

Occupation and/or main source of income: Senior Mechanical Designer

Campaign (public) phone number: 817-484-8079

Your campaign (public) email address: drmelendez@gmail.com

Web site: In progress

Education background, including all degrees: Associates Degree, Mountain View College

Highlights of your current and past civic involvement:

1. Current Highlight is running for City Council.

2. Past was when I helped in putting together the "Ending The New Jim Crow" seminar in June, 2014 at First Jeffeson Unitarian Universalist Church.

In 100 words or less, please explain how your background, skills and experience make you the best qualified candidate for this office.

As a squad leader in the Army, and as former President of the Board (Arlington Unitarian Universalist Church) 2012, and as current Vice President of the Board (Pathways Unitarian Universalist Church). And my natural leadership skills and abilities puts me on the correct and a direct path to successfully lead the city as City Council District 3

In 100 words or less, please outline the three most critical problems facing the public office you are seeking and the solutions you propose to address them.

There is only one issue facing the City Council seat that I'm vying for. It's for a more compassionate, people centric person to vie for the people on behalf of the people. We need someone in there that looks at the complete picture when initiating programs and or issues of concern so as not to have to change thier minds later on down the road after the program, law, or ordinance is issued implemented or ordered, just to find out later after the fact what the public really needs.

District 4

Kathryn Wilemon

Age: 78

Occupation and/or main source of income: Community volunteer

Campaign (public) phone number: 817-461-9615

Your campaign (public) email address:

Web site:

Education background, including all degrees: Graduated Arlington High School, Attended UTA and graduated the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking at SMU

Highlights of your current and past civic involvement: Member of the Arlington City Council since 2003, currently serving as Mayor Pro Tem. Past chair and current member, Regional Transportation Council, Board member Tarrant County Transportation Coalition

In 100 words or less, please explain how your background, skills and experience make you the best qualified candidate for this office.

I have a proven track record, and I have a vision of helping Arlington to be even greater than it is today. I serve as Mayor Pro Tem and am a member of the Council Committees on Community and Neighborhood Development and Municipal Policy. I represent the city on the Arlington Tomorrow Foundation, Arlington Housing Finance Corp. and the Gene & Jerry Jones Family Arlington Youth Foundation. Leading collaborations and foreign unique partnerships are among my strengths.

In 100 words or less, please outline the three most critical problems facing the public office you are seeking and the solutions you propose to address them.

The City of Arlington must always work to sustain our neighborhoods, whether that includes fixing potholes, maintaining sidewalks, addressing crime, and code enforcement. We must address increasing traffic congestion on all of our major streets. I have leaned through my council service how to build consensus and bring about positive change. Additionally, I will strive to keep Arlington’s AAA bond rating — one of the highest for a city in the nation.

Nicolas Nervo

Age: 50

Occupation and/or main source of income: Professor of Economics at TCCD

Campaign (public) phone number: Do not publish

Your campaign (public) email address:

Web site:

Education background, including all degrees: UNT MBA Finance and SMU Deadman School of Economics; I am a professor of economics at Tarrant County College and a real estate agent at Keller Williams. Before that, I was a stock broker at Ameritrade and a commodities broker at Dallas Commodity Company.

Highlights of your current and past civic involvement:

In 100 words or less, please explain how your background, skills and experience make you the best qualified candidate for this office.

I understand business and economics and can help the city of Arlington move in the right direction (Nervo). I am well aware of property value and good jobs are correlated, so I want to bring in good jobs to the city of Arlington. I want to work with builders to make sure that they stay busy throughout my tenure in Arlington District 4 City Council My purpose is to keep Arlington transparent and let people have a voice in the decision making of City Council (Nervo).

In 100 words or less, please outline the three most critical problems facing the public office you are seeking and the solutions you propose to address them.

Citizens have a certain right to property and ownership and leasing also give you the right to act as if you own a parcel of land. In the case of Arlington Yacht Club, Cluck and Wilemon want to close AYC on Lake Arlington to open another banquet hall and a bar. There exist at least 50 bars in Arlington but only one yacht club. In all this, a violation of the ATF rules that you cannot sell liquor in Texas Public Parks. Moreover, Wilemon and Cluck have ignore Texas Historical Society because the club has requested a historical marker (Nervo).

District 5

Mark Liberto

No response

Eleonor Hernández

No response

Lana Wolff

Age: 68

Occupation and/or main source of income: Community Volunteer / Retired

Campaign (public) phone number: 817-274-5972

Your campaign (public) email address: Wolff55@swbell.net

Web site: Facebook

Education background, including all degrees: Graduated Arlington High School 1964; East Texas State University, Commerce 1964-66

Highlights of your current civic involvement: City Councilmember, District 5; City Council Committees: Community & Neighborhood Development, Chair; Economic Development; Arlington Housing Finance Corp., President; Tax Increment Reinvestment Zones 1,2,3,4,5,& 6; Arlington Tomorrow Foundation; Downtown Arlington Management Corp., board; National League of Cities, Community & Economic Development, Steering Committee. Community Service Foundation, board; Arlington Sculpture Garden Foundation, board; Jr. League of Arlington, Sustainer; AHS Alumni, Life Member.

Highlights of past civic involvement/accomplishment:

Downtown Arlington, Inc., Exec. Director; Arlington Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development VP; Great Southwest Industrial District, board; Jr. League of Arlington, Past President; Theatre Arlington, Past President; River Legacy Parks Foundation, founding board; Tarrant County Youth Collaboration, board; Rotary Club; East Arlington Kiwanis, founding member; Arlington Arts Council; Building Equitable Communities, chair.

In 100 words or less, please explain how your background, skills and experience make you the best qualified candidate for this office.

Proven leadership, experience, enthusiasm, full time commitment and accessibility. I will continue to be a strong advocate for the Park View Neighborhood Action Plan, Oakhill Neighborhood Action Plan, HANA Action Plan, Downtown/UTA Master Plan, Division Street Vision, New York Avenue Strategy, Hugh Smith Recreation/East Branch Library construction, new George Hawkes Central Library construction. I am able to work with city staff and elected officials in a positive manner.

In 100 words or less, please outline the three most critical problems facing the public office you are seeking and the solutions you propose to address them.

1. Aging infrastructure: street and water utility upgrades.

2. Economic Development and redevelopment

3. Transportation

Arlington has transitioned from a growth community to an established community. Without raising the tax rate, I will aggressively address aging infrastructure citywide in the annual budget. Redevelopment and new development must create lasting value within and around neighborhoods as well as commercial corridors. We can grow the commercial tax base by marketing opportunities in the Entertainment District, Great Southwest Industrial District and along both interstate highways. We must recognize opportunities and make joint decisions within the region to support a High Speed Rail Stop in Arlington. In order to maintain Handitran service to our residents we must find a stable funding.

District 8

Chris Dobson

Age: 36

Occupation and/or main source of income: Massage Therapy

Your campaign (public) email address: Christopher.dobson@mavs.uta.edu

Web site: youtube.com/Dobisan

Education background, including all degrees: BS political science minor in History from TCU 2002; Masters of Public Administration - UTA spring 2015

Highlights of your current and past civic involvement: Run for office many times

In 100 words or less, please explain how your background, skills and experience make you the best qualified candidate for this office.

I've grown up in Arlington and I believe I've had access to many of the positives Arlington offers. My masters degree allows me to translate the needs of our residents into meaningful suggestions for city and resident actions. As a 36 year old I am also still able to connect with all residents of Arlington without the generation gap(s) many of our incumbents reflect. Arlington's millennials make up the make up the largest group of voters yet the council seems stuck in last century mind set. We have dead weight on the council that does little but enjoy the perks of the job without providing any solutions to city issues(transportation, inaccessible low cost housing and nutritious food for many residents)

In 100 words or less, please outline the three most critical problems facing the public office you are seeking and the solutions you propose to address them.

Our incumbents have served too long and with little support from the community as we average just 5% turnout. Their mentality reflects an entitlement and retirement mindset no longer useful to our growing city. Their use of city property for their own personal benefit denotes this sad reality of isolation and self benefit. We need meaningful citizen participation rather than the Tokenism reflected by premade decisions rolled out to the public. This requires an invigoration absent from our council members as well as participation by younger voters. Thirdly our city must provide services which lower the cost of living residents

Michael Glaspie, Sr.

Age: 68

Occupation and/or main source of income: Minister at Mount Olive Baptist Church, retired from IBM

Campaign (public) phone number: 817/654-2925 (home)

Your campaign (public) email address: info@glaspieforcouncil.com

Website: glaspieforcouncil.com

Education background, including all degrees: BA Math – UT Austin; MBA – UT Austin; BA Biblical Studies – Southern Bible Institute; MA Religion – BH Carroll Theological Institute

In 100 words or less, please explain how your background, skills and experience make you the best-qualified candidate for this office.

I have been involved in a broad range of community groups and activities that have prepared me to serve this city. Presently, I am serving as Council member from District 8 at large. Accordingly, I work with the entirety of the city to assure the best quality of life. Also, I have served in leadership positions in organizations such as AISD Board, Arlington Chamber, TH Arlington Memorial Hospital and Tarrant Appraisal District. These have afforded me the experience to deal with the dynamic challenges that Arlington faces.

In 100 words or less, please outline the three most critical problems facing the public office you are seeking and the solutions you propose to address them.

We must upgrade our infrastructure (roads, utilities, etc.), enhance the beauty and livability of our neighborhoods and position ourselves to have vibrant, dynamic economic development. Much focus and resources are being allocated to address these, however, we need to assure there is a defined value for the investment of our limited resources. It is imperative that we continue to evaluate our ordinances to provide proper guidance for enhancing the attractiveness and quality of our neighborhoods. Finally, we must emphasize improving our infrastructure with sufficient funding and implementation of applicable “best practices.”

Richard Weber

Age: 58

Occupation and/or main source of income: retired from the City of Arlington's Information Technology Department in 2005; supplement retirement income with part-time earnings United States Postal Service

Campaign (public) phone number: 817.496.3734

Your campaign (public) email address: rawrunner2000@yahoo.com

Web site: www.arlspectator.mysite.com

Education background, including all degrees: Southern Methodist University, Dallas, August 1974-May 1978, Bachelor of Business Administration (Accounting), May 1978.

Highlights of your current and past civic involvement: publisher of the weekly Arlington Spectator, various watchdog organizations, 2014 Citizen Bond Committee, various AISD citizen committees.

In 100 words or less, please explain how your background, skills and experience make you the best qualified candidate for this office.

Over the past ten years, I have attended nearly every city council meeting, including afternoon sessions. I know what is going on at city hall. My vote is not owned by special interests. The current council ignores the citizens (that is why the citizens had to go out and get 11,400 signatures to vote on the red light cameras). Year after year the Apartment Association of Tarrant County PAC contributes thousands to Arlington City Council incumbents. The incumbents keep approving high-density apartments, and millions in corporate welfare for the developers. And I will not suppress free speech at council meetings.

In 100 words or less, please outline the three most critical problems facing the public office you are seeking and the solutions you propose to address them.

1) High-density apartments. Given the problems caused by aging apartments in north Arlington, building new high-density developments, especially with tax incentives, should not be encouraged..

2) The limiting of citizen participation at council meetings. Citizens must be treated with respect. Restore speaking time and resume broadcasting Citizen Participation agenda items.

3) Downsizing Abram Street to two traffic lanes. To please a special interest group, the council is ignoring 90% citizenopposition, intentionally congesting a 24,000-plus traffic count street, and diminishing access to Arlington City Hall and the Tarrant County Sub-Courthouse. Keep street as it is and save taxpayers millions of dollars.

Gregory Gerami

No response.

This story was originally published April 25, 2015 at 4:43 PM with the headline "Voters Guide: Arlington."