Bedford mayoral race

Bedford mayoral race

At a candidates’ forum for Saturday’s elections, Bedford Mayor Jim Griffin stated that there are “clear differences” between him and challenger Darryl Day because he had “relationships” with the city, county and state.

What jumped out is what he didn’t say — that he has a relationship with the residents of Bedford. This is exactly what Darryl Day is establishing by walking door to door, listening to Bedford residents.

A leader is one who people want to follow and trust that great decisions will be made on their behalf. This is why Darryl Day is asking for your vote — to build relationships with you!

Ask yourself on election day, do you want a person who has used his time in office to build a resume, or do you want a leader who will build relationships with you?

— Tracey Lynne Curtis, Bedford

Mayor Jim Griffin has dedicated many years volunteering to help build a Bedford we all can enjoy.

He has made it a point in his time as mayor to build consensus and put an end to petty bickering in our city.

I’ve never heard Jim attack anyone or any project in a negative manner.

During his many years of volunteering for the city, as a planning and zoning commissioner, Library Foundation president, city councilman and now as mayor, he has continued to listen to all sides of an issue and make his decision based on that analysis.

Jim has been involved in every facet of the issues involving Bedford, not a single item or two, and he deserves our support. Please join me in voting for Jim as mayor.

— Hank Henning, Bedford

It’s time for the Bedford City Council to stop having “visions” of a Bedford Commons, a cultural center, and an enhanced Boys Ranch, and take a hard look at reality, namely the city streets.

Our once beautiful city now looks like a depressed area.

The construction on U.S. 183 cannot entirely be blamed for these conditions. I never saw a construction truck take a left turn into a shopping area, or, for that matter, a truck go up my street.

The current re-striping of street lanes doesn’t cut it. It’s like putting lipstick on a pig. When City Council members ran for election, a common phrase was maintaining the city infrastructure. The time has come to live up to old campaign promises.

— Bonnie Hogg, Bedford

A year ago, I naively thought that Mayor Griffin would be receptive to all communications from Bedford residents concerned enough about our community to be well-informed. I submitted in March and June 2014 two questions in writing to the mayor — and waited for answers that never came.

I am left to think that the mayor apparently chooses to respond only to those residents’ questions he personally finds appealing.

I didn’t expect personal responses to my city-related questions, but surely the tasks could have been delegated to appropriate council or staff members.

Obviously, the mayor felt that answering them was a waste of his and others’ time.

Although my voice was not heard in Griffin’s City Hall, it will be heard quite clearly at the polls.

— Patsy Watson, Bedford

This story was originally published May 6, 2015 at 5:48 PM with the headline "Bedford mayoral race."