Fort Worth City Council District 7 candidates
Connie Cottrell
Did not respond.
Morris Curlee Jr.
https://www.facebook.com/curlee4citycouncildistrict7
Age: 52
Occupation: BUSINESS OWNER
Education: B.A. UTA; MBA (FINANCE) DALLAS BAPTIST UNIVERSITY; OXFORD EXECUTIVE PROGRAM
What’s the best way for voters to reach you? CURLEE3737@GMAIL.COM
Have you run for elected office before? (Please list previous offices sought)
N/A
Please list highlights of your civic involvement (for example, service on boards/commissions or leadership positions held):
LEADERSHIP ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY; PRESIDENT CHURCH MENS GROUP
Have you ever been arrested, charged with a crime or otherwise been part of a criminal proceeding? If yes, please explain:
NO
Have you been involved in a civil lawsuit or bankruptcy proceeding? If yes, please explain:
NO
Who are your top three campaign contributors?
N/A
Why are you seeking this office?
I am seeking office to be a voice for my community/district. The vision I have for Fort Worth is a safe, educated, family friendly city where all residents feel welcome.
What are the biggest challenges facing your city/district?
Infrastructure
What would your top 3 policy priorities be?
Infrastructure, public safety, economic development
Why should voters choose you over your opponent(s)?
My ability to work with different stakeholders to get projects completed. And my vision for the city as a biotech and healthcare hub while maintaining our “western” culture.
COVID-19 has radically changed our country and city. What would have done differently than current leaders to navigate the pandemic?
Provide more places that will administer vaccine.
Though Fort Worth is one of the fastest growing cities in the country, a 2018 economic development study noted we risk becoming a bedroom community to Dallas County, where job growth is strong. What should the city do to attract jobs, corporate relocations and other economic development?
Focus on our infrastructure, public safety, education and arts
Last year the Star-Telegram highlighted disparities in the 76104 ZIP code that led to the area having the worst life expectancy in Texas. The investigation revealed a lack of access to jobs, transportation, groceries and health care. What should the city do to improve circumstances in the area?
In that area we have to focus on public safety, economic development, infrastructure, education and mentorship programs.
The city’s budget will take a hit from COVID-19 in the coming years, particularly in the form of lost sales and tourism revenue. What priorities would be in your city budget?
Increased work on our infrastructure, focus on economic development and diversifying industries while maintaining our “western” culture.
Fort Worth’s property taxes are out of balance, with the vast majority of revenue coming from homeowners rather than commercial property taxes. How would you correct this?
We have to grow our economic base and possibly increase commercial property taxes by a “minimal” amount.
Fort Worth’s public transportation lags behind other major cities in Texas both in the scope of the system and the amount of public money spent on transit. Trinity Metro is in the process of redesigning the bus network and has requested additional funding from the city. Do you support boosting the city’s allocation to Trinity Metro? How should Fort Worth improve its public transportation?
Yes, I do support boosting city’s allocation to Trinity Metro. However we need to commission a study on a rail system.
A chief complaint from residents in Fort Worth’s suburban neighborhoods are congested arterial streets. Often new subdivisions outpace street capacities. What can be done to improved this?
Focus on infrastructure. We can use some of the existing bond money that has already been allocated to opening up more roads. Also, work closer with the County and TXDOT in providing alternative routes for Fort Worth residents.
The current City Council accepted the Race and Culture Task Force recommendation for a civilian review board for the police department, but the board has not been established. What form do you think this review board should take?
It should be a diverse board that represents every part of Fort Worth. Also the term on this board should be limited to 6 years.
There has been an ongoing cry to improve equity in Fort Worth, including a campaign last year to end the special police sales tax and devote that money to transportation or social services. Are there changes you’d like to see to the police department?
Focus more on “community” policing.
As Fort Worth grows and diversifies, how should the city’s leadership improve equity?
We have to work on the infrastructure and public safety in each community. Every community and resident should feel valued. We are Stronger Together.
Leonard Firestone
Age: 55
Occupation: Firestone & Robertson Distillery (TX Whiskey)
Education: University of Colorado, BA in Political Science
What’s the best way for voters to reach you? 817-932-3792 or Leonard@LeoFirestone.com
Have you run for elected office before? (Please list previous offices sought)
No
Please list highlights of your civic involvement (for example, service on boards/commissions or leadership positions held):
Active personal and business supporter of local nonprofit groups including veteran and public safety responder associations; Currently serve on Mayor’s Task Force for COVID-19 Recovery and on the Board of Directors for Visit Fort Worth. Firestone & Robertson Distillery is also a recipient of a Historic Fort Worth “Preservation Award.”
Have you ever been arrested, charged with a crime or otherwise been part of a criminal proceeding? If yes, please explain:
No
Have you been involved in a civil lawsuit or bankruptcy proceeding? If yes, please explain:
No
Who are your top three campaign contributors?
Betsy Price, Dennis Shingleton, Police/Fire
Why are you seeking this office?
To listen, work hard and get results for my neighbors in District 7 to ensure we have quality of life in our neighborhoods and quality of community across Fort Worth.
What are the biggest challenges facing your city/district?
I am running for City Council with a 12 Point Action Plan: 1. To help with our city’s overall COVID-19 recovery; 2. To ensure we have safe neighborhoods & quick response from fire, police & EMS; 3. To address road maintenance & traffic mobility (especially in North Fort Worth); 4. To seek lower homeowner property taxes; 5. To make sure city services are responsive and delivered on time; 6. To solve local neighborhood flooding issues; 7. To seek an independent audit of our new residential smart water meters; 8. To support our local businesses and restaurants; 9. To promote City-School partnerships; 10. To support our local city parks, recreation fields and libraries; 11. To provide the homeless with assistance & solutions; and 12. To promptly respond to all citizen and neighborhood needs in District 7.
What would your top 3 policy priorities be?
Neighborhood safety; Street maintenance/traffic mobility; & Lower property taxes.
Why should voters choose you over your opponent(s)?
I am a person like those I seek to represent. Nicole and I have 4 children and are active in our homeowners association, community, church, and with local youth school-sports-and-arts activities. I have experience with starting and running several Fort Worth businesses including co-founding Fort Worth’s Firestone & Robertson Distillery (which produces the national award-winning “TX Whiskey”). I also currently serve on the Mayor’s Task Force for COVID-19 Recovery and on the Board of Directors for Visit Fort Worth. Additionally, I am humbled to have the following endorsements: Mayor Betsy Price; Former Mayor & First Lady Mike and Rosie Moncrief; Former Mayor Ken Barr; Current City Councilman Dennis Shingleton; Former District 7 City Council Members Steve Murrin, Bill Meadows & Carter Burdette; Former US Secretary of the Army Pete Geren; State Rep Charlie Geren, TRWD Bd Member Marty Leonard, Fort Worth Firefighters & Police Officers Association, and many others.
COVID-19 has radically changed our country and city. What would have done differently than current leaders to navigate the pandemic?
First, I extend sincere condolences to everyone who lost a loved one, friend, neighbor or co-worker from COVID-19. I also salute and commend our medical community, first responders, essential workers, teachers, local leaders and many others who have courageously helped guide us through this pandemic. Serving on Mayor Price’s COVID-19 Recovery Task Force, I have volunteered with other citizens to provide support and resources for local families, our community’s overall health safety, and in support of our local businesses, restaurants and those who are self-employed. Many lessons have been learned and we now need to apply this knowledge as we move forward.
Though Fort Worth is one of the fastest growing cities in the country, a 2018 economic development study noted we risk becoming a bedroom community to Dallas County, where job growth is strong. What should the city do to attract jobs, corporate relocations and other economic development?
Truth is, we don’t want to be like Dallas! Fort Worth is a great place to live, raise a family, and retire. This is because we have great citizens. When faced with challenges we act as neighbors. Our business community is rebounding and as it recovers, we need to look at refinements which will attract quality new jobs. These business-friendly reforms will likely include lowering our property tax rate, stronger partnerships with our primary and secondary schools; and improving our traffic flow and mobility systems.
Last year the Star-Telegram highlighted disparities in the 76104 ZIP code that led to the area having the worst life expectancy in Texas. The investigation revealed a lack of access to jobs, transportation, groceries and health care. What should the city do to improve circumstances in the area?
The responsibility of providing solutions to meet the needs of economically stressed areas is a joint city-county-state-federal responsibility. As such, the city should assume the primary coordinating role of making sure all services from each level of government are being delivered. In this regard, it may be advantageous for the city to involve or engage with a public-private nonprofit partnership. Stated differently, the city should take a wholistic approach beyond its scope of “city-only services.”
The city’s budget will take a hit from COVID-19 in the coming years, particularly in the form of lost sales and tourism revenue. What priorities would be in your city budget?
If our city budget is in recovery mode from the pandemic, our core priorities should be to maintain neighborhood public safety, improve street maintenance/mobility, help our local schools, and support local businesses in their recovery.
Fort Worth’s property taxes are out of balance, with the vast majority of revenue coming from homeowners rather than commercial property taxes. How would you correct this?
By bringing new high quality businesses to Fort Worth. From my experiences with successfully building businesses in Fort Worth, I feel we already have a lot to offer in attracting new companies to our great city. If elected, I will share this insight with new companies which are interested in moving here. Additionally, there are some fundamental actions we can address to help with business recruitment including lowering our property tax rate, stronger partnerships with our primary and secondary schools as well as our local colleges; and improving our mobility (on streets and with mass transportation) to better connect businesses to their workforces.
Fort Worth’s public transportation lags behind other major cities in Texas both in the scope of the system and the amount of public money spent on transit. Trinity Metro is in the process of redesigning the bus network and has requested additional funding from the city. Do you support boosting the city’s allocation to Trinity Metro? How should Fort Worth improve its public transportation?
I am committed to expanding our city’s light rail system and bus system. However, relief from traffic congestion is the immediate mobility priority for the majority of families who live in the northwest and far north neighborhoods of District 7. Extremely heavy traffic congestion in these neighborhoods is ubiquitous – from taking kids to school, driving to work, driving to the grocery store, etc. and it is hampering our city’s emergency responders. If elected, I will make addressing traffic congestion especially in the northwest and far north neighborhoods my highest transportation priority.
A chief complaint from residents in Fort Worth’s suburban neighborhoods are congested arterial streets. Often new subdivisions outpace street capacities. What can be done to improved this?
Whatever it takes is my answer and my commitment to bringing relief to traffic congestion and quick public safety response in our new fast growth neighborhoods. Obviously, it’s not a simple answer— and there are a lot of street and highway construction projects already underway. If elected, I will work closely with our city staff and the impacted neighborhoods to ensure we maximize and expedite federal, state, county and city planning and funding on this critical concern.
The current City Council accepted the Race and Culture Task Force recommendation for a civilian review board for the police department, but the board has not been established. What form do you think this review board should take?
Accountability for police training and officer conduct is important. Presently, our Fort Worth Chief of Police is responsible for the professionalism and discipline of officers. In turn the Police Chief is accountable to the City Manager and ultimately to our elected City Council. I support keeping this professional approach. Additionally, the City of Fort Worth’s new Office of Police Oversight Monitor adds a new independent layer of monitoring to collect citizen input, study the overall police operation and advise the City Manager and Council. I feel this new office needs to be given time to perform and for our Council and citizens to evaluate its effectiveness.
There has been an ongoing cry to improve equity in Fort Worth, including a campaign last year to end the special police sales tax and devote that money to transportation or social services. Are there changes you’d like to see to the police department?
I oppose defunding the police; and voted for the renewal of our city’s Crime Control and Prevention District. The CCPD’s funding of our Neighborhood Patrol Officers (NPO) program, citizens crime watch groups and youth crime prevention programs are excellent public safety programs.
As Fort Worth grows and diversifies, how should the city’s leadership improve equity?
Being a good neighbor is fundamental to our city’s commitment to equity; especially as new technologies evolve which impact virtually every aspect of daily living. As a city we must stamp out discrimination and favoritism as well as recognize which citizens and neighborhoods have fallen behind on essential technological access. As our city council grows from the current 8 city council districts to the new 10 council districts to be elected in 2023— it will become even more important for each council member to represent the needs of their respective districts along with the broader needs of the city as a whole. To improve our commitment to citizen and neighborhood equity, each council member must learn to walk in the shoes of all of our city’s neighbors.
Lee Henderson
Age: 43
Occupation: National Policy Advocacy Strategist
Education: Arlington Heights High School. University of Texas at Dallas
What’s the best way for voters to reach you? Campaign@leehenderson.org
Have you run for elected office before? (Please list previous offices sought)
Yes. I ran for City Council District 7 in 2011.
Please list highlights of your civic involvement (for example, service on boards/commissions or leadership positions held):
Advisor to Fort Worth Councilmember Kathleen HicksCampaign Manager & advisor to Ashley Paz ACLU of Texas Board, Former President, Vice-Chair, TreasurerSteerFW Charter Member 2012Fmr CFO of a manufacturing companyCo-Organized 2011 Mayoral Runoff Forum Organized 2010 Gubernatorial Debate at TCUFood & Wine Festival Volunteer yearly since inceptionTCPH Vaccine ClinicsTDEM Water Distribution SiteTarrant Area Food BankGala-Fort Worth Academy of Fine ArtsCowtown Cleanup
Have you ever been arrested, charged with a crime or otherwise been part of a criminal proceeding? If yes, please explain:
No
Have you been involved in a civil lawsuit or bankruptcy proceeding? If yes, please explain:
No
Who are your top three campaign contributors?
Henderson Family, Art Brender, Sean Russell
Why are you seeking this office?
In District 7 there is an opportunity to elect fresh leadership. I am a Fort Worth native and have spent ten years working closely with this community and respected city officials. I understand the daily issues that members of District 7 face, and I have the utmost confidence that I can represent them effectively. As a CFO, I had to work with the City of Irving on CO, permitting, and EDC agreements, as well as right of way traversal contracts. I am a common sense candidate running on common sense issues. I fully intend to represent the entirety of District 7, not just those who agree with me. I believe this district needs a representative with deep Fort Worth roots and a can-do attitude, with a commitment of working together for solutions, not a divisive vision.
What are the biggest challenges facing your city/district?
Pandemic: We must work together to crush the pandemic and return to normalcy. In doing this we can work to help the economy thrive, get our children back in school, and support our local businesses. Ensuring that all those who work in Fort Worth can live in Fort Worth: Property taxes are outrageous, we must make sure that all those who work in this great city are able to live here as well. Although there have been improvements in neighborhood flooding in the near westside parts of the district, there still exists problem flooding areas that must be fully addressed.
What would your top 3 policy priorities be?
1. Fixing Fort Worth’s broken infrastructure and improving roads and public transportation to reduce traffic and commute times. 2. Easing property tax burdens on homeowners whole strengthening essential services and public safety. 3. Modernizing our government to ensure we have smart, sustainable growth and can attract new businesses that create good-paying jobs.
Why should voters choose you over your opponent(s)?
Given my track record of working with elected officials, I know what it takes to be an effective and efficient city councilmember. Furthermore I value and understand the importance of constituency services and outreach. I will continue to be active within the community, and members of my district will be able to get in touch with me when they need help. City councilmembers are the closest elected representatives to their community, and I believe that is something I understand far more than the other candidates running in this race. Finally I do not believe in playing partisan politics, I will represent the entire community even if we disagree.
COVID-19 has radically changed our country and city. What would have done differently than current leaders to navigate the pandemic?
We are incredibly lucky to live in such a resilient city. While we are on the mend, I would have worked to stress the importance of this deadly virus much earlier than was initially done. I believe this could have saved lives and spared bereaved loved ones. I would have also instructed my office to effectively communicate to my district the most up-to-date information as much of it was initially conflicting causing a great deal of confusion and distrust.
Though Fort Worth is one of the fastest growing cities in the country, a 2018 economic development study noted we risk becoming a bedroom community to Dallas County, where job growth is strong. What should the city do to attract jobs, corporate relocations and other economic development?
Improvement in the quality of public education, improvement to city infrastructure, roads and public transportation and much needed updates to our Equal Rights Ordinance, would help to make Fort Worth a competitive city when businesses with knowledge worker staff are deciding to relocate their headquarters or build large campuses. Businesses look for inclusive cities that are appealing to all types of employees especially those with families and young children. We must reform our broken certificate occupancy and permitting process for commercial and industrial. Entrepreneurs, Developers and Brokers rightfully complain of a broken, slow system, and Fort Worth loses out on projects to suburbs and other cities directly caused by this long unresolved problem.
Last year the Star-Telegram highlighted disparities in the 76104 ZIP code that led to the area having the worst life expectancy in Texas. The investigation revealed a lack of access to jobs, transportation, groceries and health care. What should the city do to improve circumstances in the area?
Addressing issues such as transit equity and eliminating food deserts would serve as a much needed start, we must work to bring quality fresh food grocery options to these neighborhoods. Additionally, city officials can work to give businesses’ incentives to hire residents of the 76104. We must focus city staff and commerce partnerships on economic development where we have failed these communities in the past. One idea is to promote development of urban villages on land where existing neighborhoods don’t exist yet, with direct transit hub connections, where all day to day needs are met: grocers, pharmacists, health care, and companies with good-paying jobs nearby.
The city’s budget will take a hit from COVID-19 in the coming years, particularly in the form of lost sales and tourism revenue. What priorities would be in your city budget?
City infrastructure and public transportation, loans for small business owners who were hit hardest, repairs from damages caused by the freeze. Fortunately, the recently passed 1.9 trillion covid relief act provides direct support to replace revenues lost due to the pandemic. We have to work hard to recover and get back to normal with sales taxes, property taxes, hotel taxes, and tourism business. I’m encouraged to see how much tourism is already back.
Fort Worth’s property taxes are out of balance, with the vast majority of revenue coming from homeowners rather than commercial property taxes. How would you correct this?
The city council needs to work with the mayor to establish taxpayer watch dogs who can actively supervise and report on frivolous spending. All city officials must also use their platform to work with state representatives to close tax loopholes in order for businesses to pay their fare share. This in turn will help to reduce the burden on property owners. I would work to build an alliance of cities in Texas to put an end to companies forcing cities to compete with each other on tax abatements and put an end to secretly negotiated economic development deals by alliance members agreeing to share information and agree on a floor of abatements, incentives, and terms - we should be competing on what each city has to offer, and not doling out corporate handouts.
Fort Worth’s public transportation lags behind other major cities in Texas both in the scope of the system and the amount of public money spent on transit. Trinity Metro is in the process of redesigning the bus network and has requested additional funding from the city. Do you support boosting the city’s allocation to Trinity Metro? How should Fort Worth improve its public transportation?
If we can find funding for Panther Island’s Central City Project, then we can find funding to improve public transportation. Additionally, we must listen to already existing groups who have been organizing around this cause and have comprehensive and common sense plans to improve and expand public transportation. Where Transportation On target: TexRail and pending expansion. The effort to redesign bus routes to reduce trip times. ZipZone is a recent improvement to provide last mile connection to mass transit routes. Opportunities: EasyRide program adoption in the business community? Could this be a partnership with economic development? East Lancaster BRT and perhaps connecting with the City of Arlington? Exploring other BRT routes.We long ago elected to spend our local half-cent sales tax option on more regular city budget items, rather than transit such as Houston, Austin, Dallas, and most DART member cities have done. I think the difference in outcomes is obvious. If we are to compete with our other major Texas cities, we have to find how to pay for Public Transit. This is an example of how Fort Worth must decide to act like the one of America’s largest cities (estimated 10th or 11th) that it has become - we worked for the development and growth, and now we must develop the infrastructure and services required to be one of America’s largest cities.
A chief complaint from residents in Fort Worth’s suburban neighborhoods are congested arterial streets. Often new subdivisions outpace street capacities. What can be done to improved this?
We need to establish rules that require developers to build adequate infrastructure in larger developments, in conjunction with city planning. We can see a good example of this at Walsh Ranch, and poor examples of this in North Fort Worth between 35 and the VIllages of Woodland Springs. We have approved bonds - we need to spend them. The slow pace of bond contract letting is due to inadequate staffing of city departments to cover the pace of growth and revitalization.
The current City Council accepted the Race and Culture Task Force recommendation for a civilian review board for the police department, but the board has not been established. What form do you think this review board should take?
Nearly 9/10 Fort Worthians think that forming a Citizen Review Board is a good idea per the Office of Police Oversight’s own poll, but the council seems split on this issue. We are still waiting on Kim Neal’s final recommendations to the Mayor and Council. Kim Neal said “We have hired a senior policy advisor,” and “We are in the process of hiring a deputy police oversight monitor. We are moving forward with putting steps in place to ensure that community oversight is viable.”The question is, will the city council that is elected have the courage to push back against the POA and implement the recommendations?
There has been an ongoing cry to improve equity in Fort Worth, including a campaign last year to end the special police sales tax and devote that money to transportation or social services. Are there changes you’d like to see to the police department?
Mayor Moncrief took away the independent citizen oversight board’s control of the CCPD funds, and gave it to the mayor and council to set and approve the budget. In the most recent budget year the CCPD budget was presented as unified with the police and fire budgets, with items paid for by the CCPD as footnotes.
As Fort Worth grows and diversifies, how should the city’s leadership improve equity?
Ensuring that North Fort Worth is fairly represented: Northern Fort Worth is currently split up into three city council districts. Part of Northern Fort Worth is in District 7. If elected I will work to represent all members of District 7, but in redistricting these folks deserve to have their own representation.
Joseph Lockhart
Age: 36
Occupation: Small Business Owner
Education: B.S. in Business Mgmt
What’s the best way for voters to reach you? joseph.lockhartdist7@gmail.com
Have you run for elected office before? (Please list previous offices sought)
No
Please list highlights of your civic involvement (for example, service on boards/commissions or leadership positions held):
I serve on two non-profit boards, I run a summer mentoring program for boys and I pastor Greenhouse Discipleship Church
Have you ever been arrested, charged with a crime or otherwise been part of a criminal proceeding? If yes, please explain:
As teenager I was picked up for unpaid parking tickets.
Have you been involved in a civil lawsuit or bankruptcy proceeding? If yes, please explain:
Yes, my company was not paid by a contractor on a large contract. One of the subcontractors under us sued for his wages due.
Who are your top three campaign contributors?
I am self funded, along with contributions from friends and family.
Why are you seeking this office?
I will fix some common sense things that have been ignored throughout the city. Food deserts in certain areas, connecting our communities with a proper transit system, and improving recruiting and community relations with our civil servants, are a few things that I would like to see addressed.
What are the biggest challenges facing your city/district?
My district is diverse in its needs. Up north infrastructure to support its growth safely would be top priority.
What would your top 3 policy priorities be?
Infrastructure (roads and safety), CCPD funded scholarship programs to recruit high school students to represent their communities within the police force, and business incentive programs to initiate opportunities and small business mentor ship in under developed parts of our district.
Why should voters choose you over your opponent(s)?
I believe that there are many great candidates in this race, but I can only speak for myself, in that I will always do what is right for our city even it doesn’t necessarily benefit me.
COVID-19 has radically changed our country and city. What would have done differently than current leaders to navigate the pandemic?
I would not have shut down small businesses while allowing larger companies to continue to run. I believe in the people’s right to choose with their wallets who they want to support. I feel like the current council crushed many local small businesses without giving them a chance. Fort Worth should have allowed small businesses to modify their operations to safely operate, but instead many were deemed non-essential and destroyed.
Though Fort Worth is one of the fastest growing cities in the country, a 2018 economic development study noted we risk becoming a bedroom community to Dallas County, where job growth is strong. What should the city do to attract jobs, corporate relocations and other economic development?
I do not believe we are competing with Dallas. I have lived here nearly my entire life, and I have never thought about moving to Dallas. We are two different cities that suit different types of people. I believe that in the far north corporations are coming in bunches, and the jobs are there to support our ever-growing population. My focus would be to give grants and business development tools to local small businesses within these communities so that we can organically increase wages throughout the city, and hire locally to decrease unemployment throughout the city. I would also incentivize large corporations already operating here to mentor smaller local businesses and subcontract opportunities to our Fort Worth based companies.
Last year the Star-Telegram highlighted disparities in the 76104 ZIP code that led to the area having the worst life expectancy in Texas. The investigation revealed a lack of access to jobs, transportation, groceries and health care. What should the city do to improve circumstances in the area?
The federal government is making a push on infrastructure as we speak and as the 13th largest city in the U.S. our public transit is abysmal. We should put together a proposal to build a Texrail connecting the far north to the south. Then, replace our buses current inefficient confusing route system, based on getting people downtown. We can reconfigure smaller routes focused on getting people to the nearest rail stop. This would decrease ride times to minutes not hours, and allow residents to use mass transit as a true car alternative. This would also allow people to work anywhere in the city even if they can’t afford a car. This would help with jobs and transportation. For groceries we would just give tax breaks to large grocers that agree to open a location in our underserved areas, with a stipulation that they must first try to higher locally and pay at least $10/hr.
The city’s budget will take a hit from COVID-19 in the coming years, particularly in the form of lost sales and tourism revenue. What priorities would be in your city budget?
The city did not take the hit that other larger cities took. Our city is still operating with a surplus, my focus would be moving us forward and actively seeking to bid on bringing more events to our city generate more tax revenue. I would not vote to raise taxes on our residents anymore than they already are.
Fort Worth’s property taxes are out of balance, with the vast majority of revenue coming from homeowners rather than commercial property taxes. How would you correct this?
Property re-evaluations should only be conducted once a property is sold. That way homeowners taxes would only increase if there is a tax hike approved by city council. As a homeowner myself I dread the annual statement for the tax assessor. We cannot continue to punish homeowners for increasing property values around them.
Fort Worth’s public transportation lags behind other major cities in Texas both in the scope of the system and the amount of public money spent on transit. Trinity Metro is in the process of redesigning the bus network and has requested additional funding from the city. Do you support boosting the city’s allocation to Trinity Metro? How should Fort Worth improve its public transportation?
This is answered above, and yes I believe money must be invested in public transit.
A chief complaint from residents in Fort Worth’s suburban neighborhoods are congested arterial streets. Often new subdivisions outpace street capacities. What can be done to improved this?
We must negotiate widened streets, stop lights, and sidewalks into all contracts with developers that want to build in Fort Worth. With a population this size, and the growth rate being where it is, we have the leverage when negotiating these contracts. We should use our leverage to make sure we get ahead of these problems before a single foundation is poured.
The current City Council accepted the Race and Culture Task Force recommendation for a civilian review board for the police department, but the board has not been established. What form do you think this review board should take?
I believe the residents of Fort Worth must vote to elect the Cultural Task Force board members. The board needs actionable power to ensure that it truly can influence meaningful change.
There has been an ongoing cry to improve equity in Fort Worth, including a campaign last year to end the special police sales tax and devote that money to transportation or social services. Are there changes you’d like to see to the police department?
I believe we can use the CCPD to fund a scholarship program similar to the military where we recruit high school seniors to join the police force. After serving for four years they could continue their careers or leave to college. This would also allow us to hire locally, instead of importing officers from other cities, it would also help us to have a police force that mirrors the community it serves, so that officers and citizens feel more comfortable. I believe this would be a major step to alleviate the distrust that people have for the police department, especially in predominantly minority populated areas. We should also use some of the funds to put on functions where the people can meet the officers that serve their area. Once again to help build rapport between the residents and the officers that serve their community.
As Fort Worth grows and diversifies, how should the city’s leadership improve equity?
One thing I would like to see changed immediately is the unbalanced curriculum. We built our country, state, and city with brilliant contributions from people of all races, but our lessons only focus on the oppression and liberation of minorities and not how we have all built this together. I would like to see everyone’s contributions balanced throughout the year and not segregated to a month as well.
Michele McNill
Website: N/A
Age: 63
Occupation: Retired
Education: 3years college
What’s the best way for voters to reach you? Poster and signs email mcnillm@aol.com
Have you run for elected office before? (Please list previous offices sought)
No
Please list highlights of your civic involvement (for example, service on boards/commissions or leadership positions held):
Served as Vice President to the Marine Creek Neighborhood Association
Have you ever been arrested, charged with a crime or otherwise been part of a criminal proceeding? If yes, please explain:
No
Have you been involved in a civil lawsuit or bankruptcy proceeding? If yes, please explain:
Yes bankrupted back in year 2000
Who are your top three campaign contributors?
None
Why are you seeking this office?
To help make our neighborhood a comfortable & affordable place to live
What are the biggest challenges facing your city/district?
Taxes are too high. Need to widen the sidewalks and needing more affordable housing
What would your top 3 policy priorities be?
Education, housing and traffic delays
Why should voters choose you over your opponent(s)?
I’m persistent and consistent in getting things done & will never give up until it’s done
COVID-19 has radically changed our country and city. What would have done differently than current leaders to navigate the pandemic?
At least insist that the American people continue wearing their mask for at least until enough people have received their vaccine. Also have the people private physicians administer the vaccine instead of having to wait in line
Though Fort Worth is one of the fastest growing cities in the country, a 2018 economic development study noted we risk becoming a bedroom community to Dallas County, where job growth is strong. What should the city do to attract jobs, corporate relocations and other economic development?
Allow other Corporations to bring their companies to Fort Worth at an affordable price that will attract jobs
Last year the Star-Telegram highlighted disparities in the 76104 ZIP code that led to the area having the worst life expectancy in Texas. The investigation revealed a lack of access to jobs, transportation, groceries and health care. What should the city do to improve circumstances in the area?
Transportation is the key for people to get around we need more transportation buses & trains which will probably avoid a lot of DUI’s
The city’s budget will take a hit from COVID-19 in the coming years, particularly in the form of lost sales and tourism revenue. What priorities would be in your city budget?
To financially assist our commercial developers so that sales will increase our budget
Fort Worth’s property taxes are out of balance, with the vast majority of revenue coming from homeowners rather than commercial property taxes. How would you correct this?
Increase the property taxes on the commercial property as well because residents are supporting them by purchasing from them
Fort Worth’s public transportation lags behind other major cities in Texas both in the scope of the system and the amount of public money spent on transit. Trinity Metro is in the process of redesigning the bus network and has requested additional funding from the city. Do you support boosting the city’s allocation to Trinity Metro? How should Fort Worth improve its public transportation?
Add more train stops & increase buses & bus stops in these neighborhoods
A chief complaint from residents in Fort Worth’s suburban neighborhoods are congested arterial streets. Often new subdivisions outpace street capacities. What can be done to improved this?
more round about intersections
The current City Council accepted the Race and Culture Task Force recommendation for a civilian review board for the police department, but the board has not been established. What form do you think this review board should take?
Investigate certain incidents without being bias & hire a diverse board to be fair & impartial
There has been an ongoing cry to improve equity in Fort Worth, including a campaign last year to end the special police sales tax and devote that money to transportation or social services. Are there changes you’d like to see to the police department?
As a retired NYC law enforcement officer there need to be an outside civilian review board to oversee the police department to allow them to investigate incidents
As Fort Worth grows and diversifies, how should the city’s leadership improve equity?
The city leaders should also be equally diversified
Zeb Pent
Age: 41
Occupation: Entrepreneur
Education: Some college
What’s the best way for voters to reach you? pent77@gmail.com
Have you run for elected office before? (Please list previous offices sought)
No
Please list highlights of your civic involvement (for example, service on boards/commissions or leadership positions held):
Board Chair for Kidmia an Ethiopian non-profit that worked with orphaned children. Spokesman for Stand for Fort Worth – a nonpartisan organization that supports Fort Worth values of faith, family and accountability.
Have you ever been arrested, charged with a crime or otherwise been part of a criminal proceeding? If yes, please explain:
No
Have you been involved in a civil lawsuit or bankruptcy proceeding? If yes, please explain:
Yes, two. In one I had to file suit to protect a property interest. And in the other I had to defend my business from a frivolous claim.
Who are your top three campaign contributors?
My father, my brother and my close friend of 20 years.
Why are you seeking this office?
I love Fort Worth and I’m passionate about keeping our community a safe and happy place to live, work, and raise a family.
What are the biggest challenges facing your city/district?
Lowering property taxes, public safety, improving our inexcusably poor roads and maintaining our family values.
What would your top 3 policy priorities be?
Lower property taxes, fully-funded police, and efficient streets.
Why should voters choose you over your opponent(s)?
I was born and raised in Fort Worth. I met my wife in District 7 at Christ Chapel Bible Church, where we got married. And, together, we are raising three energetic boys - Jude, Elliot, and Calvin. Faith and family are the cornerstones of my life.I’ve been an entrepreneur since I was 18 - buying and selling real estate, and starting a successful oil & gas service business that I was CEO of for ten years. I remain self-employed now as a business consultant.I’m a Fort Worth native, avid horseman, and family man. I love Fort Worth and I’m passionate about keeping our city a safe place to live, work, and raise a family. I started attending Fort Worth City Council meetings on my own in the spring of 2017 to pay close attention to the way our city was being led. While I may have many good opponents, none of them have the years of experience I have in attending our council meetings, meeting with our council members, and holding our elected leaders accountable. I am ready for the job.
COVID-19 has radically changed our country and city. What would have done differently than current leaders to navigate the pandemic?
I would have made sure the 2021 Fort Worth Stock Show - located in District 7 - was fully opened. The current District 7 councilman should have fought to open the Stock Show. The Stock Show is one of our City’s most significant annual economic events. Visitors and exhibitors could have decided for themselves whether to attend. Many young people missed out on a once in a lifetime opportunity to show animals and earn scholarships. And our hotels and restaurants and local businesses missed out on significant revenue. District 7 and our city have been hurt by a failure of city leadership this past year.
Though Fort Worth is one of the fastest growing cities in the country, a 2018 economic development study noted we risk becoming a bedroom community to Dallas County, where job growth is strong. What should the city do to attract jobs, corporate relocations and other economic development?
The 2018 economic development study was flawed in many respects with regard to its methodology. Our City has exceptional character as a place of Cowboys and Culture. The question contradicts itself – first stating that Fort Worth is one of the fastest growing cities in the country, then asking what it could do to attract jobs and relocations. Our city wouldn’t be growing as fast as it is if people weren’t able to find jobs. The only bedroom community in Tarrant County will only ever be Arlington.
Last year the Star-Telegram highlighted disparities in the 76104 ZIP code that led to the area having the worst life expectancy in Texas. The investigation revealed a lack of access to jobs, transportation, groceries and health care. What should the city do to improve circumstances in the area?
The City should coordinate with churches and other charitable social welfare organizations to seek solutions to these issues.
The city’s budget will take a hit from COVID-19 in the coming years, particularly in the form of lost sales and tourism revenue. What priorities would be in your city budget?
Public safety, streets, and basic services such as water, sewer and garbage.
Fort Worth’s property taxes are out of balance, with the vast majority of revenue coming from homeowners rather than commercial property taxes. How would you correct this?
I will spur economic activity by promoting the entrepreneurs of Fort Worth, and fostering an environment that encourages more entrepreneurial activity. I will work hard to promote our city to businesses as a friendly and caring town, with smart people that are ready to work! I will carry on the vision of Amon Carter in doing this, and plan to show off our city while campaigning horseback, and eventually riding my horse “Captain” to our new city hall as the Councilman for District 7.
Fort Worth’s public transportation lags behind other major cities in Texas both in the scope of the system and the amount of public money spent on transit. Trinity Metro is in the process of redesigning the bus network and has requested additional funding from the city. Do you support boosting the city’s allocation to Trinity Metro? How should Fort Worth improve its public transportation?
I do not currently support increasing the City’s allocation to Trinity Metro. Most of the buses have excess capacity. Private ride sharing is a great market solution.
A chief complaint from residents in Fort Worth’s suburban neighborhoods are congested arterial streets. Often new subdivisions outpace street capacities. What can be done to improved this?
We need to make sure our subdivision planning is coordinated better with expanding street capacity.
The current City Council accepted the Race and Culture Task Force recommendation for a civilian review board for the police department, but the board has not been established. What form do you think this review board should take?
Civilian oversight is another layer of bureaucracy. Our elected leaders must hold our police department accountable. When our elected leaders fail to do so, Fort Worth citizens should fire them at the ballot box. The only oversight Fort Worth needs is free and fair elections.
There has been an ongoing cry to improve equity in Fort Worth, including a campaign last year to end the special police sales tax and devote that money to transportation or social services. Are there changes you’d like to see to the police department?
I’d like to see the police department get more funding in order to be sufficiently staffed for a City of our size and growth rate.
As Fort Worth grows and diversifies, how should the city’s leadership improve equity?
Fort Worth has some great private equity firms, but we can do more by working with entrepreneurs and capital market participants to attract more equity to our City.
Irvin (TEE) Thomas
https://www.facebook.com/irvintee.thomas.1
Age: 66
Occupation: Sales
Education: College and Vocational education
What’s the best way for voters to reach you? phone
Have you run for elected office before? (Please list previous offices sought)
NO
Please list highlights of your civic involvement (for example, service on boards/commissions or leadership positions held):
None, new to Government. However, I have over 40 years as a Leader in creative ideas and the ability to understand very complex situation and make simple cost-effective solutions. I have the ability to hear others concerns and forge camaraderie with those that have different ideas and arrive at the best solution within reasonable compromise.
Have you ever been arrested, charged with a crime or otherwise been part of a criminal proceeding? If yes, please explain:
No
Have you been involved in a civil lawsuit or bankruptcy proceeding? If yes, please explain:
No
Who are your top three campaign contributors?
I am running a self funded campaign to ensure I can work on behalf of the people
Why are you seeking this office?
I see how Fort Worth is needing to become more forward thinking with truth and reality. The past winter showed how a minor change in the norms of the day can upset the very delicate balance of the Fort Worth Utilities. With the current rate of growth in population and housing Fort Worth could be in serious trouble moving forward. Fort Worth must expand Water Treatment, Sewage Treatment and Roadway Maintenance if it is to survive the next 5 years without major infrastructure collapse.Looking for green energy solutions may improve some of this energy issues. However, trying to provide constant power to factories and other 24-hour operations cannot be done without some form of carbon-neutral solutions. Simple High School Physics teaches Energy is not created it can only be converted. When the wind is calm and the sun in hidden by clouds or the other side of the earth, there is no energy to convert. Fossil fuel provides more energy and is constantly available.
What are the biggest challenges facing your city/district?
The City as a whole need to understand the changes brought to from the COVID 19 outbreak. The amount of the population working from Home is taxing the communications infrastructure in housing areas. While the inter-city is changing as well. In district 7 where the water outage was felt the worse, real estate is growing at an UN-believable rate. Houses are springing up off unimproved formerly country roads that are literally crumbling under the overuse. Construction traffic and expanded commercial truck traffic is causing long commutes just to go the store for a bottle of milk.Fort Worth must modify its plans over the next 5 years to address these issues and hold to some account the developers that are creating this issued. Working with developers the city could put in place an ordinance that the developers place funds for access roadway repair to the development. Simple resurfacing simple turn lanes to and from developments would be a great improvement.
What would your top 3 policy priorities be?
Working with the City Manager to steer the city to better maintenance of infrastructure. Working with the zoning commission to ensure developments do not destroy the roadways accessing the development in High Growth Areas. costing our citizens money, hardship and auto repairs.Create partnerships within the city governments to develop a leadership organization to address the many challenges that will be brought to the city by the national and state government.
Why should voters choose you over your opponent(s)?
I will work for the citizens only. I am not receiving endorsements so I can be free to do the peoples work. My Campaign promise is simple. I work for you. I will be available to discuss whatever you see as an issue. I will do my best to complete anything I say I will do. Fort Worth is ran by the City Manage so it is my promise to hold the City Manage and trier team accountable to the citizens not special interest. I will ensure the leadership hears your concerns and acts on the ones that can be afforded and plans are placed to implement in time the rest.Reality is I cannot achieve everything. However along with you the citizens of Fort Worth we can make great strides to a better tomorrow.
COVID-19 has radically changed our country and city. What would have done differently than current leaders to navigate the pandemic?
The COVID outbreak took the City by surprise like it did you. It took me by surprise as well. The city must have plans to deal with any emergency. Looking back putting myself in the situation of the time more than likely I would have followed a similar path. However, looking back and making plans. For other emergencies that could shut down the city we must be smarter. A year ago, this concept was not pondered. I would look closely at the data. I believe there many overreactions Safety at all cost is unacceptable a city must be able to balance public safety with the needs of the people.. A city cannot live without local business staying open. The excessive printing of dollars to try to prop up our federal government will impact Fort Worth for years. Our citizens are still living in fear and that must stop. Covid is not as deadly as once thought the numbers bear that out. This message is not getting out. It is time for the city to do a campaign that puts it out.
Though Fort Worth is one of the fastest growing cities in the country, a 2018 economic development study noted we risk becoming a bedroom community to Dallas County, where job growth is strong. What should the city do to attract jobs, corporate relocations and other economic development?
Fort Worth has many advantages to Dallas County in the way of transportation of both raw goods and finished materials. With 2 Industrial airports, two railway systems in place and the land to develop these as major hubs for the Metropolis.Another area of unexplored potential is IT services. Fort Worth lost major relocations of IT corporations and Tesla to Austin. Tesla relocating to the Alliance corridor would be a perfect fit. Between railway and air traffic this area is prime for industrial growth. The issue as companies looks at this area it is not fully developed. Access to the large Intermodal BNSF facility is limited and the roadways are too small to handle the needed traffic. Meacham is another area where redevelopment should take place. Refurbishing roadways and the community is this area is prime for expansion.
Last year the Star-Telegram highlighted disparities in the 76104 ZIP code that led to the area having the worst life expectancy in Texas. The investigation revealed a lack of access to jobs, transportation, groceries and health care. What should the city do to improve circumstances in the area?
These issues cannot be resolved by the city alone. The citizens of the area are in part responsible for this condition. Single parent families and lack of self-responsibility is at the heart of this issue. I know this is not the popular line of thought, but it is true. I grew up in a family of 8 kids. We all lived in a single bedroom. However, I was taught at the youngest ages that I was valuable, and I worked from the earliest of my memory. I did not expect a handout and I took none. Family education could help. Responsibility training in schools could help, but the greatest potential is creating citizen groups that work with local leaders in the area to bring safety to the streets and allow the area to develop. If the streets are not safe nothing can grow.Public private partnerships work the best in these situations as it puts the responsibility where it belongs the effected area and others in the city working together.
The city’s budget will take a hit from COVID-19 in the coming years, particularly in the form of lost sales and tourism revenue. What priorities would be in your city budget?
The city will forever change from COVID. Large mass transit facilities are less required as the commuters of yesterday are working from home now. This places stresses on the housing development utilities in much different ways. The utility calculations of infrastructures have changed. I believe this is a cause of the extended water outages recently. The increase of people at home prevented the water reserves to replenish as fast as they were designed. The continual growth in housing and the increase of home offices the infrastructures with be task at a greater rate. Not only water but Electric, and communication. The budget must be focused on improvements to the infrastructures that support life. Expansion of downtown, parks and even sidewalks must take a back seat for the growth of Fort Worth rest on the back of its infrastructures. Economic development will fail if the companies cannot access the required infrastructures.
Fort Worth’s property taxes are out of balance, with the vast majority of revenue coming from homeowners rather than commercial property taxes. How would you correct this?
Understanding that commercial and industrial property taxes are very different from home owners taxes. Industrial and commercial property taxes can be expanded by taxing not only the land and building values but also the equipment the companies own in the building. Automation has increased the budgets of the industrial companies and this property is not taxed as property. However it was used to make the building more valuable to the company and reduced the need for laborers. Both of the above negatively impacts Fort Worth’s income. There is some balance to finding a solution to this. Also having the industries invested in their local communities by assisting in road repairs and infrastructure improvements could help resolve the issues of floating bonds for this work.
Fort Worth’s public transportation lags behind other major cities in Texas both in the scope of the system and the amount of public money spent on transit. Trinity Metro is in the process of redesigning the bus network and has requested additional funding from the city. Do you support boosting the city’s allocation to Trinity Metro? How should Fort Worth improve its public transportation?
Mass transit is a need however repairing the existing roadways is more important at this time. Improving roadways in the Alliance corridor and Mecham Feild area would do more to improve transportation around Fort Worth than a massive public transportation system In the outlining areas where local access roads are so congested using Trinity Rail is of no importance. The expansion of Fort Worth in both district 7 and District 3 has resulted in poor management of local resources and limited industrial growth that it was to create.
A chief complaint from residents in Fort Worth’s suburban neighborhoods are congested arterial streets. Often new subdivisions outpace street capacities. What can be done to improved this?
Hold the developers responsible to ensure the access roads are funded so they can be expanded and repaired to the next major throughway. There is no logic to allowing developers to place thousands of homes off of 2 lane unimproved roads without the developer be responsible to provide adequate access to the developments. In most cases the developer provides 4 lane boulevards within the development and then will not even provide a right turn lane to the existing city streets. This is backwards.Access to the development is more important than the streets within the developments.
The current City Council accepted the Race and Culture Task Force recommendation for a civilian review board for the police department, but the board has not been established. What form do you think this review board should take?
I would like to see public worker be personally responsible for their actions. Unionized public workers goes against all reason. Placing a union as the responsible party to the citizens only fosters a greater separation between the Public workers and the citizens they serve.I am in favor in removing all collective bargaining agreements with Public workers.
There has been an ongoing cry to improve equity in Fort Worth, including a campaign last year to end the special police sales tax and devote that money to transportation or social services. Are there changes you’d like to see to the police department?
Social services through the government are contrarily to the needs of all the citizens. I believe in public private partnerships to improve the social welfare of all citizens. Removing this from the government and providing incentives for corporations to provide funding and jobs would be the best moving forward. Job training is a major idea to improve the social welfare of the ones needing help.
As Fort Worth grows and diversifies, how should the city’s leadership improve equity?
I do not think the City can improve equality. Equality comes from personal responsibility and self esteem. Improving opportunities will improve equality.
Jake Wurman
Age: 40
Occupation: Real Estate Agent
Education: Graduate Degree
What’s the best way for voters to reach you? mobile phone 972-890-2591 and jake@jakefordistrict7.com
Have you run for elected office before? (Please list previous offices sought)
no
Please list highlights of your civic involvement (for example, service on boards/commissions or leadership positions held):
North Fort Worth Alliance, board member & parks chair (2018 - present)Saratoga HOA, president (2016 to present, joined board in 2015)Trophy Club Roanoke Youth Baseball Association, board member (2018 - present)Northwest ISD (multiple committees and volunteer)- Long Range Planning Committee (2019 - present)- Attendance Boundary Committee (2018 - present)- Leadership NISD graduate (2016)
Have you ever been arrested, charged with a crime or otherwise been part of a criminal proceeding? If yes, please explain:
No
Have you been involved in a civil lawsuit or bankruptcy proceeding? If yes, please explain:
Yes. I brought suit against a real estate broker in a compensation disagreement. The judge ruled in favor of the defendant, but awarded no court costs or attorney’s fees after admonishing the broker for deception. I can provide further details upon request.
Who are your top three campaign contributors?
All private citizens. I have no corporate donors.
Why are you seeking this office?
I enjoy complex puzzles and problem solving and helping people. I am involved in many facets of the community at large and each year, my involvement expands to areas outside of my own neighborhood. I want to bring my style and documented tenacity to all parts of district 7 and to also prepare the district for the upcoming redistricting.
What are the biggest challenges facing your city/district?
We have significant infrastructure issues across the district. In the North and central sections of District 7, we have severe East/West mobility issues. We need to place an emphasis on solving these problems prior to developing new residential areas through strategic partnerships with the various developers in North Fort Worth. In the west side of District 7, we face flooding issues and a growing need for protection of historical neighborhoods
What would your top 3 policy priorities be?
1. Infrastructure improvements must support the growth we are experiencing in the Far North parts of the city (roads, telecom, and drainage)2. Improving the FWPD budget to give more resources and training to our officers3. We need to speed up the delivery of approved bond projects, but we also need to work toward limiting bond usage by leveraging our existing partnerships with developers.
Why should voters choose you over your opponent(s)?
I have already worked on several projects with city staff and see how we need to make changes to allow staff to be more effective and less taxed by having inadequate support. I’ve proven that I work well with people, regardless of whether or not we agree, to accomplish goals that make Fort Worth a better place.
COVID-19 has radically changed our country and city. What would have done differently than current leaders to navigate the pandemic?
Without having seen all of the data to which they had access, I cannot definitively say what should’ve been done differently. I support the current guidelines that allow businesses to choose whether or not they require masks.
Though Fort Worth is one of the fastest growing cities in the country, a 2018 economic development study noted we risk becoming a bedroom community to Dallas County, where job growth is strong. What should the city do to attract jobs, corporate relocations and other economic development?
We need to run Fort Worth like one of the largest cities in the US...because it is one. There’s still too much small town thinking in regards to development. We’ve got to focus on how we move people from point A to Point B and back again, but in such a way that city still feels smaller and more rural than Dallas. That sort of environment is the thing that people are looking for when relocating and they want to feel a sense of belonging and community in their little part of our city.
Last year the Star-Telegram highlighted disparities in the 76104 ZIP code that led to the area having the worst life expectancy in Texas. The investigation revealed a lack of access to jobs, transportation, groceries and health care. What should the city do to improve circumstances in the area?
We should study the impact of zoning changes to the area to include necessary amenities and services should on the table. Part of what makes Fort Worth great is that we are all in “small towns” that orbit the downtown area. However, certain areas are developmental relics that need to be reworked to fit the needs of 21st century families.
The city’s budget will take a hit from COVID-19 in the coming years, particularly in the form of lost sales and tourism revenue. What priorities would be in your city budget?
Infrastructure projects and expanding the reach of facilities to give easy access to city services for all residents of Fort Worth.
Fort Worth’s property taxes are out of balance, with the vast majority of revenue coming from homeowners rather than commercial property taxes. How would you correct this?
These changes have to begin at the development level. This proves difficult because one of the biggest tools to bring new businesses to our area is to offer incentives to these corporations. Working back through the budget with new numbers in mind should help us prioritize the needs of our budget so that homeowners feel relief.
Fort Worth’s public transportation lags behind other major cities in Texas both in the scope of the system and the amount of public money spent on transit. Trinity Metro is in the process of redesigning the bus network and has requested additional funding from the city. Do you support boosting the city’s allocation to Trinity Metro? How should Fort Worth improve its public transportation?
We need to explore partnership with major ride sharing companies rather than invest in infrastructure that so many people will never use. When households own more cars that legal age drivers, expanding mass transit seems frivolous. The North Fort Worth area is more in need of roads than expanded bus services. With remote employment here to stay, we’d be better off improving the infrastructure for telecommunications and opening new areas up for competition. The micro-monopolies held by AT&T, Frontier, and Spectrum have residents over a barrel.
A chief complaint from residents in Fort Worth’s suburban neighborhoods are congested arterial streets. Often new subdivisions outpace street capacities. What can be done to improved this?
Developers need to improve their partnership with the city. If they want to build 2000 homes in an up and coming area of the city, build the traffic nodes or other important infrastructure from the start. We know the growth is coming, but we never seem to be ready for it!
The current City Council accepted the Race and Culture Task Force recommendation for a civilian review board for the police department, but the board has not been established. What form do you think this review board should take?
The board should reflect the the city with multiple representatives from each district. Most importantly, this board should have the flexibility to work around the work schedules of its’ members. Boards and committees are often made up of those that have the free time to commit to meetings during the day, but some of the most important people to this discussion aren’t available due to their job.
There has been an ongoing cry to improve equity in Fort Worth, including a campaign last year to end the special police sales tax and devote that money to transportation or social services. Are there changes you’d like to see to the police department?
Our police department is already understaffed and underfunded. We need to improve the quality and efficiency of our department with better tools and training. Our officers should be an integral part of their assigned communities such that their job performance helps grow the ranks of FWPD from within our own citizens. Homegrown officers will have a better understanding of their city and its’ citizens.
As Fort Worth grows and diversifies, how should the city’s leadership improve equity?
It all starts with development and planning for the future. If we do not stay ahead of the development, we end up playing catch up and missing opportunities for new economic growth. Economic growth will help correct the tax inequity faced by our residents and will keep Fort Worth at the top of the list of greatest cities in America.
Miguel Zamora
Did not respond.
