In east Fort Worth City Council district, here’s a clear choice for voters
Through four terms representing District 5, Gyna Bivens has become an important advocate for east Fort Worth and a leader on key issues before the City Council. We enthusiastically recommend her for re-election.
In her tenure, the district has seen steady improvements in housing, economic development and infrastructure. Stop Six has seen a renaissance in reliable, affordable housing after Bivens worked to change zoning in the district.
Bivens, 66, has also been an important voice on improving police relations with minority communities. Through personal involvement when necessary, she has helped address excesses that have damaged trust among Black residents. But she’s not reflexively anti-police, understanding that vulnerable communities need trustworthy protection from crime.
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREHey, who is behind these endorsements?
Members of the Editorial Board, which serves as the Fort Worth Star-Telegram’s institutional voice, decide candidates and positions to recommend to voters. The members of the board are: Cynthia M. Allen, columnist; Steve Coffman, editor and president; Bud Kennedy, columnist; Ryan J. Rusak, opinion editor; and Nicole Russell, opinion writer.
Members of our Community Advisory Board may also participate in candidate interviews and offer their views, but they do not vote on which candidate to recommend.
Read more by clicking the arrow in the upper right.
How does the process work?
The Editorial Board interviews candidates, asking about positions on issues, experience and qualifications, and how they would approach holding the office for which they are running. Board members do additional research on candidates’ backgrounds and the issues at hand. After that, members discuss the candidates and generally aim to arrive at a consensus, though not necessarily unanimity. All members contribute observations and ideas, so the resulting editorials represent the board’s view, not a particular writer.
How do partisanship and ideology factor in?
We’re not tied to one party or the other, and our positions on issues range across the ideological spectrum. We tend to prefer candidates who align with our previously stated positions, but qualifications, temperament and experience are important, too.
In our candidate interview, Bivens, who leads a talent search agency, bluntly framed Fort Worth’s struggle over mass transit. She urged an honest conversation and lamented the city’s failure to invest, noting that Arlington’s lack of interest in a regional system, along with Fort Worth’s decision to divert sales tax to crime prevention, has made a meaningful investment in transit impossible. She understands, though, that it’s time to figure out what can work for those who need it most.
Bivens’ opponents are well-meaning, but none can match her experience and knowledge. Ricky Vazquez, a 29-year-old consultant, shows a firm and thoughtful grasp on the issues. We hope he’ll continue to serve, perhaps on city boards, and expect he’ll be a promising future candidate. Antonio (Twin) Harris, a 53-year-old entrepreneur who runs a lawn-care company, is passionate and engaging but light on policy details.
Two candidates, Mar’Tayshia James and Bob Willoughby, did not attend our interview.
Early voting is April 19-27, and Election Day is May 1. If no candidate gets more than half the vote, the top two will advance to a June 5 runoff. Council members serve two-year terms and make $25,000 a year.
This story was originally published April 13, 2021 at 3:12 PM.