Fort Worth charter; Hurst election; public transit; Keller mayor

Fort Worth charter

Propositions 1, 2 and 3 on the Fort Worth charter election ballot enhance voter rights and ensure effective representation in city government.

On Prop 1, changing City Council terms to three years from two: In benchmark cities, council members serve for three years. Having fewer elections results in cost savings.

On Prop 2, increasing the number of council districts from eight to 10: Each council member represents 101,000 residents. In other cities, council members represent fewer than 100,000 residents. An increase to 10 districts — plus the mayor, elected at-large — would keep council representation in step with growing constituencies.

On Prop 3, pay increases for the mayor and City Council members: As Fort Worth grows in size and complexity, demands on the mayor and council have multiplied. Increasing compensation allows more residents an opportunity to serve in public office.

State Rep. Ramon Romero has said the Fort Worth City Council should be expanded to 10 districts for a more manageable workload.

As a city employee, I agree we should all have a manageable workload. We’ve asked for help to manage our workload, only to be told that it’s not in the budget.

I would love to help every one of our residents in an accurate and timely manner. How about some help here? Employees of the city of Fort Worth have waited long enough.

Hurst election

What attributes should one consider when electing the mayor of a small community like Hurst?

In my judgment, one should consider experience, honesty, integrity and one who takes into consideration the overall best interests of all the residents and businesses of the municipality he or she wishes to govern.

I moved to Hurst in July 1979 and met Richard Ward shortly thereafter. In my dealings with him, he passes all the critical tests I have set forth.

Hurst needs to re-elect Richard Ward as mayor, as opposed to a man with no political experience who has unsuccessfully run for City Council twice and a woman with absolutely no experience on the City Council or any other elective office.

This letter is being republished because of an editing error.

After living in Hurst for 44 years and donating our time to help Hurst, volunteering in various committees and boards, we are pleased that Hurst is in such great physical and financial condition.

We want to keep Hurst on the same positive track. So before you vote, be sure you check to make sure your candidates have served on Hurst committees and have volunteered in order to gain necessary experience needed to serve our city.

Mayor Richard Ward served as a City Council member before becoming mayor. We support Mayor Ward for re-election. We also support Trasa Robertson Cobern for City Council because she serves and has served on Hurst committees and boards. Both are well qualified, and we recommend them.

Public transit

In asking Richland Hills voters to support the T, the Star-Telegram Editorial Board showed again how out of touch it is with the issues that face smaller communities in Tarrant County.

The T has collected millions from Richland Hills shoppers over the past 20 years, but we continue to see empty buses roll through our community. Those millions could make a huge difference in a town the size of Richland Hills.

Public transportation, at least in Richland Hills, has been a failure, and we’re throwing good money after bad.

To finally get out of this horrible agreement is the only thing that makes sense for our community.

Keller mayor

Although we didn’t vote for Mark Mathews for Keller mayor in 2014, we have observed that he has been a knowledgeable, fair and balanced leader.

We fully support him and ask that you vote “no” to the unfounded recall attempt.

This story was originally published April 29, 2016 at 6:17 PM with the headline "Fort Worth charter; Hurst election; public transit; Keller mayor."