Tarrant County Precinct 2 candidates in Democratic primary March 1
Ruby Faye Woolridge
Occupation: Former Educator and small business owner
Age: 73
What’s the best way for voters to reach you? By phone 817-876-2891 or website: voterubyfaye.com
Website: voterubyfaye.com
Public offices you’ve held or run for, with years: I am currently serving as Arlington City Councilwoman District 6 At-Large
Have you ever been arrested, charged with a crime or otherwise been part of a criminal proceeding? If yes, please explain: Not to my knowledge
Have you been involved in a civil lawsuit or bankruptcy proceeding? If yes, please explain: Several lawsuits have been filed against the City of Arlington, all City Councilmembers and the mayor are named in them.
Why are you seeking this office? The residents in Precinct Two deserves proven leadership that puts people first and gets results on the issues that matter most. I am committed to working to provide the best quality of life possible for the 535,000 people in the largest Commissioner’s precinct in Tarrant County.
My City Council experience and civic service has prepared me to continue serving to meet the need for COVID-19 recovery efforts and greater healthcare availability. I’ll fight for critical public safety services, transportation improvements, more housing options for working families and economic development. My goal is to keep getting results for all cities in Tarrant County Precinct Two.
Experience, commitment and service sum up why I am seeking to lead Tarrant County Precinct Two.
What would your top 3 policy priorities be?
- Providing COVID-resources plus healthcare and hospital services to meet the needs of the growing population in southeast Tarrant County.
- Work on economic development expansion which will increase job opportunities and expand the economy.
- Focus on education. Education is the engine that drives a thriving community. I am participating in a Tarrant County Education Coalition to address this issue.
Why should voters choose you over your opponents? Families in Precinct Two can count on me to provide an independent voice that can build bridges of cooperation to get results for them at the Commissioner’s Court. My leadership as an elected official has given me an inside look at the needs of the cities in this Commissioner Precinct. I have met with mayors, residents and business owners to hear of their needs for additional county resources. My plan is to increase inter-local cooperation for great county opportunities. My background in municipal government, corporate management overseeing $1.9 billion dollar budget, 30 years of community service, ministry and education far exceeds other candidates. I was awarded for my service by the NAACP and was named “Woman of the Year” by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority for my dedicated service to the community. All of my professional background as an educator, elected official and public servant has prepared me to serve as County Commissioner.
What should county government do to expand and improve COVID testing? Provide additional resources to homebound citizens such as in home testing , work with businesses to keep their staff and customers safe, partner with local churches and synagogues. Make COVID-19 testing more accessible to all residents.
Should the county take more steps to encourage COVID vaccination, and if so, what would you support? The county may reduce the number of unvaccinated residents by evaluating what has been successfully done in the country and implementing the practices . Try innovative methods to encourage safer health through increasing pop-up vaccination clinics in various parts of the county. Schedule regular vaccination clinics at community centers, libraries and recreation centers. I have partnered with the county as an elected official to provide vaccines to 1600 people, other city leaders may also benefit by doing this for their communities. Arlington is partnering with the County and FEMA to provide more vaccinations.
What transportation priorities would you pursue? Are there specific road projects you’d like to see? Pursuing innovative options to revolutionize how people travel across the region is very important. The Dallas-Fort Worth High-Speed Transportation Connections Study is evaluating high-speed alternatives to modernize and enhance mobility between Dallas, Arlington and Fort Worth. Planners are considering conventional high-speed rail and hyperloop technologies. This high-speed service could connect residents throughout the region.
I will assess the conditions of our roads and bridges in County Precinct Two by evaluation of their capacity to provide safe travel. Top priority will be given to the repair and improvement on the roads needing the most attention. Providing safe travel on our roads and bridges is my first priority. Funds available from the American Rescue Pan Act would be used to offset the cost of needed improvement or replacement. I am a member of the Regional Transportation Council and will work with its members on behalf of the residents of our communities.
What changes should be made to the property appraisal process? The appraisal process is sometimes inaccurate due to the volume of appraisals and other factors. Establishing a realistic ratio of properties per appraiser may be helpful to increase accuracy. A more uniform appraisal system that is made available to homeowners could be very helpful to homeowners. Equity between business and personal property appraisal would go a long way with homeowners. Open communication with home owners during the protest process would solve some issues. New home buyers sometime receive questionable appraisals on their property and need help resolving the situation.
In what ways do you think the county should be spending its American Rescue Plan Act dollars? Housing, healthcare and transportation are in need of support from the American Rescue Plan dollars. Arlington used American Rescue Plan dollars to expand its VIA transportation system to a city wide service. The Arlington Housing Authority used American Rescue Plan Act funds to expand its rental assistance program to reduce evictions. Other cities may consider this option. Those funds could be used to expand COVID-19 services and healthcare access as well as adding additional first responders for public safety.
Alisa Simmons
Occupation: Entrepreneur
Age: 58
What’s the best way for voters to reach you? ASimmons@VoteAlisaSimmons.com
Website: VoteAlisaSimmons.com
Public offices you’ve held or run for, with years:
Texas House of Representatives, District 94 - November 2020
AISD School Board - 2006, 2008
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
Why are you seeking this office? The role of government is to ensure that all people have opportunity and access to quality and accessible services and programs that will enhance the lives of their families.
Professionally, my career includes 18-years serving Tarrant County as an administrator with the Tarrant County 9-1-1 District. In that role, I had fiduciary responsibility in the management of the 9-1-1 District’s budget and as a purchasing agent. My work included ensuring technological system enhancements, maintenance, 9-1-1 call delivery to Tarrant County area police, fire and EMS public safety answering points (PSAPs).
That experience combined with my boots on the ground, hands-on advocacy, and activism, uniquely position me to represent the citizens that make up Precinct 2 and all residents of Tarrant County.
My knowledge and expertise positioned me as a national subject matter expert and the go-to person resulting in Federal Communications Commission (FCC) committee appointments, election to the boards of directors for state and national public safety communications professional associations and congressional awards.
Additionally, I have spent 12 years serving as President of the Arlington NAACP. I serve my fellow citizens daily in this volunteer role.
I have strategically positioned myself in the heat of the battle on behalf of citizens who have been traditionally locked out of systems and institutions that govern their daily lives. Doing so has resulted in substantive/real change and tangible results. Here are but a few examples:
- My leadership was personally responsible for economic opportunity for Arlington-based businesses and MWBE businesses in the construction of the Texas Live! Entertainment complex and construction of Globe Life Park.
- I advocated for a Citizens Redistricting Committee along with two fellow leaders from Arlington LULAC. Our work led to the city of Arlington establishing a Citizens Redistricting Taskforce for the first time in city history.
CURRENT BOARD SERVICE
President | Arlington NAACP
First Vice President | Texas State Conference of NAACP Units
Board Member | American Civil Liberties Union - ACLU Texas
PAST CIVIC INVOLVEMENT/ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Board Member | City of Arlington Comprehensive Plan Committee
Board Chairman | City of Arlington Library Board
Board Member | YMCA of Arlington
Board Member | Chisholm Trail Chapter of the American Red Cross
Board Member | Parenting Center of Tarrant County
Leadership Arlington | Class of 2008
Executive Director | Arlington Foundation for Excellence in Education
Active Member | Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated
AISD District Level Instructional Decision-Making Committee
AISD Workforce Diversity Committee
AISD Textbook Adoption Committee
PTA Board | St. Alban’s Episcopal School
PTA Board - Key Elementary, Gunn Junior High, Arlington High School
Site-based Decision Making Committee | Key Elementary
Room Parent | Key Elementary
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
Next Generation 9-1-1 Institute Board of Directors
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) CSRIC – Working Group 8
National Emergency Number Association (Past President, Texas Chapter)
9-1-1 Public Educators of Texas (Past President)
Public Relations Society of America
PROFESSIONAL AWARDS
NG9-1-1 Congressional Caucus Citizen in Action Award | 2011
E9-1-1 Congressional Caucus Citizen in Action Award | 2006
E9-1-1 Congressional Caucus Citizen in Action Award | 2005
E9-1-1 Congressional Caucus Citizen in Action Award | 2004
Texas Public Relations Association, Best of Texas Award | 2004 (Internal Newsletter)
Texas Public Relations Association, Best of Texas Award | 2000 (Special Events)
International Association of Business Communicators, Bronze Quill Award of Excellence | 2000 (Special Events)
What would your top 3 policy priorities be? Many of the issues that county leaders and staff toil to manage are congruent in import.The greatest need and my top priority in Precinct 2 and countywide are to keep up with the growth in the county. We are the third largest county in the state and one of the fastest growing counties in the nation at just over 2.1 million residents. Our greatest need is to keep up with that growth and expand our ability to meet our citizens’ needs without busting the budget or raising taxes.
- Access to Healthcare and Covid-19 mitigation and recovery is at the top of my list, to include successful implementation of the 2018 bond. We must increase healthcare access throughout the county, through JPS and other healthcare infrastructure partners, making a strong commitment to mental and behavioral health, Covid-19, geriatrics, and women’s health.
- Affordable Housing
- Economic
- Transportation – I will provide oversight of the connector projects already underway and address the lack of affordable public transportation in the southeast sector. In Arlington, Via is not sufficient.
- Economic Parity
In addressing all areas of county government, every governmental entity has the responsibility to make sure its policies practices are equitable and transparent regarding all its citizen groups. That means the spending of public dollars ought to be done in such a way that those dollars reflect the population of the county. Districts ought to be drawn in such a way as to protect the voting rights of all its citizens. Districts should be created in such a way that communities can express through their voting power, their legitimate desire. Across the board, we ought to be equitable in the way we do business, in the way we spend money and apportion resources.
Why should voters choose you over your opponents? My professional career at Tarrant County 9-1-1 District, as detailed above, in addition to running a small business for the past seven years have prepared me for the role of Tarrant County Commissioner, Precinct 2. I understand the complex layers of county government.In addition, I have spent three decades as a community leader, advocating for and empowering citizens who are marginalized by the establishment. During that time, I have held elected officials and governmental staff accountable, resulting in both incremental and immediate change in processes and public policy. My opponent and I will align along Democratic principles on most issues. The major difference is our respective motivation for seeking the office. In May, Councilwoman Woolridge called to tell me she was considering running for Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2. She shared that she needed an elected position with a salary and lamented that being a councilmember does not pay. Only six months in as a council member, she was ready to move on from a seat for which so many supported her. After running for office, a minimum 10 times, she finally wins a seat and then six months into her term she is ready to trade it in for an elected position that pays. On November 11, 2021, she publicly announced her intention to run for JP2. Subsequently, she changed her mind about JP2 and set her sights on County Commissioner, Precinct 2. I believe voters deserve a leader who will follow through on a commitment. A public servant motivated by personal financial gain threatens our principles of democracy.
What should county government do to expand and improve COVID testing? Tarrant County Public Health and its governmental and private sector partners are doing a good job of taking Covid-19 testing to the communities where people live. Testing is being targeted to areas of high need and underservice, to make sure that all segments of the community have access to testing resources. TCPH is involved in the testing itself, rather than contracting it to outside entities. By doing so, the county retains both the control and the ability to be nimble when it comes to testing resources.
Should the county take more steps to encourage COVID vaccination, and if so, what would you support? The ability to get shots in arms across Tarrant County requires some out of the box thinking. The partnership between Tarrant County Public Health and Trinity Metro to establish a VAXMOBILE that will move around the county through its various underserved communities, is an outstanding idea and is critical to taking vaccinations to underserved areas. If you cannot get the people to come to you, you must take the shots to them---where they live and work.
What transportation priorities would you pursue? Are there specific road projects you’d like to see? My transportation priorities include the completion of the I-30/SH360 connection, which is underway. I support the TXDOT connector project between 287 and 820 as well as the TXDOT plan to extend SH360 to the south.
What changes should be made to the property appraisal process? The current system is broken. The Tarrant Appraisal District operates independent of any governmental oversight. As it stands now, the Tarrant Appraisal District has the authority to establish the value of every property in Tarrant County. In addition, the agency hears protests against that value. The philosophy behind creating the Tarrant Appraisal District was to make sure that the appraised value of each property was the actual value of each property. That has not turned out to be the case. There appears to be a lot of politics in the process, and it does not appear that the value of commercial property is increasing at the same rate as the value of residential property. That is a problem. The taxes that the various jurisdictions collect in Tarrant County, should be based upon a fair distribution between residential and commercial. That needs to be fixed. Homeowners should not bare a disproportionate share of the burden of property taxes as compared to commercial and industrial use.
In what ways do you think the county should be spending its American Rescue Plan Act dollars? This is a once in a lifetime infusion of federal dollars to help build local capacity to solve problems. Consequently, these dollars should have a once in a lifetime impact on the infrastructure of governmental, non-profit, and private sectors. The impact of these federal funds increases capacity to address the sustainability and the reach of these sectors allowing us to address the needs of Tarrant County residents. I support the process that Tarrant County has taken by hiring an independent consulting firm to conduct a countywide needs assessment to help prioritize targets for this spending.
