Arlington District 7 City Council candidates in May 7 election
Cyndi Golden
Age as of May 7, 2022: 68
Occupation: Nurse anesthetist
Education: Baylor College of Medicine/Harris County Hospital District certification nurse anesthesia
Have you run for election office before (Please list previous office sought):
Yes, Arlington City Council District 4 in 2019.
List highlights of civic involvement:
- Ad Hoc Unity Council
- Community Relations Commission
- Unity Council10 year Volunteer Martin High School Home Life Science Department
- Morris Foundation Women’s and Children’s Shelter
- Board of Directors MPAC (women’s political action 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.
What are the biggest challenges facing Arlington and/or your district?
Currently safety is a big challenge as crime is up and number of police officers is down. Housing that is affordable and development and redevelopment which fit Arlington needs, and maintains neighborhood integrity. Access to healthcare for all citizens.
What would your top 3 policy priorities be?
I would promote policies to retain our police officers and recruit additional force. Could incentives be offered to retain our workforce and perhaps some type of tuition reimbursement to attract new recruits? I would support addressing the abundance of commercial property with an eye toward rezoning if it fits the needs and makeup of the current neighborhood and surrounding area. I would also support examining the current Unified Development Code to see if the plan is still reasonable with the growth we have seen. This plan has not been revamped in 10 years and may not be relevant to the urban city of almost 400,000 which we have become. A large percentage of our population does not have ready access to health care which is affordable. I would support partnering with nonprofits and working with our hospital tax district to develop a plan where citizens can receive care early rather than wait and their condition becomes worse.This affects not only the resident, but causes increase in tax dollars for medical care which when delayed results in higher cost for the patient and the taxpayer.
Why should voters choose you over your opponent(s)?
My opponent has stated politics is a “hobby” for him. This is not a hobby for me. The position of councilperson has far reaching effects on our residents, their families, and their future. My work with the Unity Council and Community Relations Committee has given me particular expertise in dealing with issues often overlooked in our city. Additionally, as a health care provider I have developed listening skills, critical thinking skills , along with common sense and genuine empathy for others which is a prime component for being on Council. I have lived a life of service to others and will continue to do so on council.
What is your stance on multi-family housing and multi-use development in Arlington?
Arlington has a lot of apartments, many unsightly and in poor repair. Any multi-family housing should be approached carefully with regard to maintaining neighborhood integrity. I would support multi family housing with an eye towards ownership, such as duplexes, town homes and condominiums. This gives occupants a means towards personal wealth and the benefit of home ownership. Multi use developments could thrive if placed in dense areas with a need for the commercial spaces. Generally, these would be located along main arterial roads. Whatever Arlington chooses it must be approached carefully with a plan that fits OUR city, not just with what a developer proposes. Single family homes will still be the majority, I believe for many years. However we must address future needs and changes taking place in our town.
What is your stance on trash and recycling pickup in Arlington?
We have enjoyed twice weekly trash pickup for many years, unlike other cities. Moving forward with once weekly bins is going to be a change, but is reasonable. The city plan to accommodate those unable to navigate the bins is sound and addresses the needs of some seniors and those unable to move the bins. Additionally by having trash contained it will decrease litter and mess. I would like to see an effort to educate the public more on proper recycling and have recycling available at apartment complexes as well. Certainly automated bin pickup is safer than the current method.
What is the best path forward for Downtown Arlington? How, specifically, would you work toward that goal?
We are on a good path in Downtown Arlington and should ride the momentum for an even better experience for visitors and residents. I would promote continued effort to support our live music venues. People come from all over to attend the Levitt, they would also attend live music shows at other venues downtown. I’d love to see a family style venue such as an historic car museum. Wouldn’t that fit in with our culture as an automobile manufacturing town? Could it be housed in one of the beautiful old car dealership buildings? Could we partner with GM for such an endeavor?
We need to extend the entertainment options beyond the stadiums and include choices everyone could afford. I would support interactive public art, something that folks would make a point of visiting. We do have a budget for public art, and perhaps could share the expense with philanthropists or committed organizations.
Celebrating our diversity with a food/cultural festival would bring people downtown to explore and learn about other cultures. After all, we are the 8th most diverse city in the US. These are just a few goals to move ahead.
What is your stance on efforts to make Arlington more pedestrian and bicycle friendly? Is there anything specific you would work toward with this issue?
Absolutely. We must look at the safety issues involved in neighborhoods and have safe walking spaces. Many neighborhoods have sidewalks in such poor repair they are not usable. This discourages persons from using them when it is an option. Walkable Arlington, a group of mostly UTA students, has done a great job investigating this particular issue. We could work collaboratively with them to address the most serious areas and work towards resolving the problem. I don’t see many bike racks anywhere across town. Maybe we should look at our parks first to encourage use there and a way to lock up bicycles. Before we consider any public road changes we would have to look at feasibility concerns. Does this make sense for Arlington? I believe a common sense approach is needed that justifies any changes.
Bowie Hogg
Age as of May 7, 2022: 44
Occupation: Business Executive
Education: Texas A&M University - Bachelors of Business Administration - 2001
Have you run for election office before (Please list previous office sought):
I was elected to serve in the position of Arlington ISD Trustee, Place 6 in 2008 and currently serve in this position.
List highlights of civic involvement:
- AISD Board of Trustees - 2008 - Present
- Board President - 2014-2016
- Leadership Arlington Class Member - Member of the Year - 2005
- Leadership Arlington Board of Directors
- Downtown Arlington Management Corporation - Board of Directors
- Arlington Chamber - Board
- Theater Arlington Board of Directors
- Junior League of Arlington - Advisory Board
- United Way of Tarrant County - Board of Directors
- United Way of Arlington Steering Committee - Chair
- Young Men for Arlington Member
- Young Men for Arlington Board of Directors, Past President - 2008 -2009
- First Baptist Arlington, Member, Committees, Personnel, Finance, Child Development Center
- The Arlington Life Shelter - Advisory Board
- Arlington Independent School District Board of Trustees
- HEB Corporation - Board of the Year - Board President - 2014
- TASA Outstanding School Board - Board President - 2015Arlington Optimist Club - Youth Coach
- Citizens Police Academy
Have you ever been arrested, charged with a crime or otherwise been part of a criminal proceeding? If yes, please explain:
I have never been arrested. I have also never been involved in any criminal judicial proceeding.
Have you been involved in a civil lawsuit or bankruptcy proceeding? If yes, please explain:
I have never been involved in any civil lawsuits or declared any form of bankruptcy. In my duty as an Arlington school district Trustee I have been included in lawsuits as part of the district.
What are the biggest challenges facing Arlington and/or your district?
I believe the most important issue the council is facing is fulfilling our safety obligations. For the first time the City of Arlington Police Department did not fill their entire police academy class and we are losing on average 4 experienced officers a month. If we can’t provide a safe city for our families, businesses and development will move to other cities. I am proud to have the endorsement of the Police and Fire Associations, and I plan to continue and enhance work on a multiple year larger strategic plan with Police, Fire, and Staff to address retention and recruitment, staffing levels, benefits, and working conditions. As the City of Arlington is going to be home to the National Medal of Honor Museum, we should allow experienced veterans without a college degree to join our men and women in blue by adding a veterans exemption into our department. We are hosting the largest firefighter conference in the nation in 2026 and we need to show we have the premier levels of commitment to our firefighters with potential staffing, station coverage, and benefits adjustments to retain and continue to recruit the best.
What would your top 3 policy priorities be?
Smart Growth for the future and Neighborhood Integrity
I believe the first duty of the city council is to uphold the basic services it has committed to our residents- roads, utility infrastructure, beautiful parks and all the things that make Arlington home. As we have opportunities to grow, each project must be evaluated not for the value added but based on it’s potential for redevelopment and how it will strengthen the neighborhoods around it. I want to work to better allocate funds for code enforcement in our city budget so we can catch problems early, follow through to monitor changes and keep every neighborhood in Arlington a safe and healthy place for families. Our responsibility as city leaders, one I have taken seriously in my role on the Arlington ISD school board over the last 13 years, is to wisely allocate the city’s budget to provide the best services for every resident in every neighborhood, wisely navigate growth and support in times of crisis. We do that through conservative stewardship of tax dollars, setting bold goals and the steps to reach them, and focusing on upholding our commitment to the residents who choose to make Arlington home.
Invest in Public Safety
Our first responders must be a key focus for the future of Arlington. With cities around the world facing a rising crime rate and difficulty recruiting the next generation of police officers and firefighters, Arlington must prioritize hiring and the retention of our existing first responders in order to maintain its safety standards expected by residents. Arlington is the best place in DFW to raise a family and as the city council we need to focus on keeping it the best place to work as a first responder - provide competitive pay and benefits and be a city council who supports and funds their police and fire departments. This is the only way we will stay competitive for hiring and keep the streets of Arlington as safe as possible for all our families.
Prioritize Small Businesses
Arlington worked hard to protect the small businesses that make up the heart of our city when COVID hit and put financial challenges on so many. After taxpayers approved the quarter cent tax to fund economic development, City Council has been working to ensure the funds have been allocated by the Economic Development Corporation to benefit real small businesses in our city, help them move on from COVID created issues and now supply chain shortages. We have invested in small business incubators to help people grow their businesses from the beginning. In addition, as an AISD trustee, I worked to start programs that have matched students with businesses as well as taught the next generation of entrepreneurs to dream big through our focus for technical and career programs. Small businesses employ residents, provide services to the community and make up the heart and soul of our neighborhoods, on the city council I will work to ensure we are investing in local business owners here in our city.
Why should voters choose you over your opponent(s)?
I am running to continue serving the city where I was born and raised and have chosen to raise my family. I want to make sure our city focuses on fundamentals for every resident. We must ensure safe streets for our families, protect our current neighborhoods, provide services all residents expect at the highest level, and guide our city into the next phase of redevelopment. Governing is hard work, and with the term limits in place in Arlington, I bring the experience needed to guide the council to effective governance, and work with constituents to make decisions good for the majority, vs allowing small special interests to guide decision making. I have received almost every endorsement over my opponent, proudly I have earned the endorsements from the Arlington Board of Realtors, Young Men for Arlington, MPAC Arlington, Arlington Police Association, Arlington Professional Firefighters Associations, Mayor Ross, Mayor Williams, Mayor Greene, Sheriff Waybourn, County Judge Glen Whitley, as well as hundreds of others that can be found at bowiehogg.com.
What is your stance on multi-family housing and multi-use development in Arlington?
I believe the city council is tasked with allowing the market to speak for itself and balancing an overall design and vision of our city. Apartments creating redevelopment should be considered first before infill development and on a case by case basis with potential federal tax credits to support it. No matter how funding comes for housing, we need to be concerned about overtaxing the infrastructure of key areas, such as the 360 Corridor, which is on the brink of being overbuilt.. When an area is overbuilt we are doing a disservice to the neighborhoods we already have in place. We must work on neighborhood integrity for our current neighborhoods to assure they are still receiving the benefits of their neighborhood without excess build.
What is your stance on trash and recycling pickup in Arlington?
Trash and recycling pick up is going through big changes in Arlington. As the city has faced challenges hiring enough employees to conduct pickups, moving to an automated process with trash bins is not a want, it is a must. The city has worked hard to communicate this out to residents, and this must continue to be the expectation for communication to residents. I have lived my entire life in Arlington with the standard two day a week trash pick up from the curb, so a change is difficult. When I talk to residents who live in Arlington and have lived in other cities, they are shocked we are not using trash bins. The benefits seem positive in keeping the city cleaner, by having trash contained, but there will also be issues with change we must be prepared for.
What is the best path forward for Downtown Arlington? How, specifically, would you work toward that goal?
As a former board member of Downtown Arlington, our downtown has had amazing growth, but its best days are still ahead. Downtown Arlington must bring together a mix of businesses to continue to spur growth. As a Business Improvement District and Cultural District, reinvesting back into the area needs to continue to be targeted and help the area recover from the loss of COVID restrictions. The city council must help tear down barriers to help business thrive. Through potential zoning changes, ease of permitting, providing support for entertainment, arts, and business events to support downtown needs to be the focus of council. If the city isn’t providing a safe downtown, the work from our local businesses won’t see the growth it needs. We must make sure as a council we provide needed services to keep downtown safe, thus increasing commercial business and helping reduce costs for our residents.
What is your stance on efforts to make Arlington more pedestrian and bicycle friendly? Is there anything specific you would work toward with this issue?
Downtown Arlington has grown and turned into a thriving neighborhood- and much of that success is due to the walkability around shops and restaurants. But that same blueprint will not work in other areas of our city. Infrastructure must be addressed in Arlington. This includes overcrowding of roads, due to development, and one of the things that can be addressed is becoming more pedestrian and bicycle friendly. For areas like Downtown and the Entertainment district, visitors and residents want to be able to walk between businesses, and designing those areas for prioritized pedestrian usage, helps our business community thrive off each other. New developments and redevelopments need to require neighborhood sidewalks and any infrastructure changes should take into account walkability and bicycle use.