Bedford’s race for mayor

Bedford mayoral race

The Bedford mayoral election on May 9 is a rare opportunity for voters to influence their city’s direction.

Both candidates appear to want the best for the city as it decides what to do with the small amount of land that remains to be developed — the Bedford Commons area.

The difference is one of approach: to either let the mayor and City Council decide what’s best for Bedford, or get unfiltered input from residents to determine their preferred options.

That’s what this election is about, and it flows to other decision-making as well. Voters should weigh the alternatives and choose what kind of city government they want.

— Patricia Nolan, Bedford

Bedford voters have a choice between “spin” and candor when they vote for either Jim Griffin or Darryl Day for mayor.

In public hearings, plans for the Bedford Commons have mentioned apartments and rental town homes, while Mayor Griffin prefers to call them zero-lot-line houses.

When the city leveled a grove of trees off L. Don Dodson Drive last winter and residents asked why, the mayor said it was for mosquito control — in winter?

The mayor brags that tax rates have been kept down, but he fails to mention the increased valuations that raised revenue anyway. Some new businesses have opened but many others have closed.

Griffin’s explanation for the city manager’s departure left a lot more questions than answers. Voters need to choose Darryl Day as mayor for more transparency and honesty in Bedford’s leadership.

— Lisa Cassell, Bedford

I support Jim Griffin’s re-election as Bedford mayor to provide proven leadership for the future.

His leadership has provided a progressive administration without increasing the property tax rate and has enhanced the sales tax base with the addition of many new businesses.

We need to keep proven leadership. Please join me in voting to keep Jim working for us.

You may vote early at the Bedford Library from April 27 through May 5. Election day voting will be on Saturday, May 9, at the Pat May Center, HEB Pennington Field.

— Bob Stewart, Bedford

Bedford voters and the media seem to be missing the real issue with plans for the Bedford Commons project and how they affect the race for mayor.

At public meetings and in articles, no one has questioned the grand concept for a new City Hall complex.

We are left to wonder if Mayor Griffin and the City Council want a new city complex to keep pace with other nearby cities and build their own legacy, with no regard for the concerns of nearby residents about traffic flow or the features developers might decide to include.

Maybe Bedford really needs a new City Hall — or, then again, maybe it doesn’t. With no information, there’s little chance for debate, which seems to be how current leaders want things. All I can say is: Vote for Darryl Day on May 9.

— Jennifer Bumgardner. Bedford

Darryl Day, challenger in the Bedford mayoral contest, has stated on his website:

“Why were all sitting members of our Boards and Commissions purged last fall, regardless of the amount of time remaining on their term? The council then requested everyone, including current members, to re-interview for a position?”

These two statements are not only misleading but absolutely false.

I serve on a board with the city of Bedford. I was not purged or re-interviewed for a position on that board.

These misleading/false statements have been brought to Day’s attention and to date the corrections have not been made on his website.

— Dorothy McWhorter, Bedford

This story was originally published April 22, 2015 at 4:54 PM with the headline "Bedford’s race for mayor."