North Richland Hills electing first new mayor in two decades. Here’s our endorsement | Opinion
North Richland Hills is at a crossroads.
It will elect its first new mayor in more than two decades, and voters in Tarrant County’s fourth-largest city face a clear choice about direction for the future.
We’re persuaded that enough change is necessary to recommend Jack McCarty, a first-time candidate for city office, over longtime City Council member Tito Rodriguez. But voters won’t have to miss out on Rodriguez’s expertise and extensive regional involvement, as he’ll remain on the council.
McCarty, a former Birdville school trustee, said in our interview with the candidates that North Richland Hills is falling behind its neighbors. He cited in particular residents’ desire for more restaurants and competitors advancing on retail projects, such as the H Mart that is under construction in Haltom City.
McCarty, who turns 64 before Election Day, generally wants to see the city be more responsive to residents’ input, first by soliciting more of it and making it less intimidating to contribute. He and Rodriguez split in our interview over whether the city has neglected residents’ desires at the expense of projects that help it contribute as a regional player. The issue isn’t so clear-cut in either direction. But redevelopment projects such as the Smithfield area have lagged too long.
The candidates differed on the success of North Richland Hills’ two TexRail stations. But with that train down the track, McCarty,a North Richland Hills native who lives in the northern part of the city, is right that the focus needs to pivot more toward careful development needs and infrastructure.
North Richland Hills cannot, however, retreat into itself, and that’s where Rodriguez remains a valuable asset. He can continue to represent the city on important bodies such as the Trinity Metro board. Rodriguez, 69, a resident of the southern part of the city, has been a council member since 2011.
The winner will replace Oscar Trevino, who is retiring after 25 years on the council, including serving as mayor since 2002. It’s a two-year term. Early voting begins Monday and is available through April 30. Election Day is May 4.
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; and Ryan J. Rusak, opinion editor.
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.