Local political races generating less interest than state, national politics | Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Republican and Democratic presidential contenders are still fighting, and we’re coming off weeks of intense politicking for the Texas party primary elections. Now we have city and school district elections across the state coming up on May 7.

It’s an emotionally intense time if you care about how your government works — and many people do.

The governments that are closest to us are our cities and school districts. How would you say things are working in yours? Smooth as silk? Rough as a cob? Under the radar? A well-oiled machine? In need of change?

 

Fort Worth is a wonderful place to live.

However, to ensure its future as a great place for families, the public school system must be improved and property taxes should be reduced so that families can afford to not only buy a home but stay here.

And, most important, those families should have confidence that the public schools can meet their children’s educational needs.

The goals of the district should not be success on the test, but education for all the families the district should be serving.

To ensure our future, Fort Worth must address school performance and high property tax issues.

 

Notwithstanding state and national government, it is the city and/or township bylaws that guide most of our daily lives.

Once we venture outside the confines of our home or neighborhood, hardly a moment exists in which we are not influenced by, or required to adhere to, the laws of our communities.

Why do we hardly ever complain to the extent that we do about our state and national leaders and their often dubious regulations?

The simple reason is because of the people. People make the difference with their votes and they can change things quickly and effectively. And, most important, no politician who bucks the will of small-town U.S.A. will last longer than the next election.

We should all believe in and follow the mantra of one of our great presidents: “government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the Earth.”

 

With the national election for president and the Texas primary runoffs on May 24 attracting attention, it’s easy to forget we have the Fort Worth City Council charter amendment election May 7.

One of the proposals on the ballot will give voters an opportunity to increase the current City Council from eight members plus the mayor to 10 members plus the mayor.

Fort Worth has been governed by a nine-member City Council since 1925 — more than 90 years!

It’s time to change our electoral system, not merely for the sake of change, but because it’s urgently needed to make our city government better!

Yet, some members of the City Council are apparently bringing partisan politics into the discussion and opposing the increase in council seats. That’s wrong.

We all love Fort Worth and must improve our local government for everyone’s benefit. Please help us with this issue by voting May 7.