About This Guide
Fort Worth’s City Council, School Board, TRWD Water Board, and Mayoral elections
will be on Saturday, May 6th. Early voting begins Monday, April 24th and ends
Tuesday May 2nd. Early voting centers can be found here. Districts 2-9 have active races
with either the incumbent being challenged or new candidates running for their first
term as a Fort Worth City Council member.
Throughout April, members of SteerFW’s Civic Engagement Committee contacted all
candidates running for offices on the Fort Worth City Council, TRWD Board, and all
school districts within the City of Fort Worth with a series of questions related to this
election cycle. Below are the responses we received, grouped by the office they are
running for. Each candidate is identified by their district above their responses. Unlisted
candidates did not respond to our requests.
These responses are cut-and-pasted from candidate responses and only edited for
clarity; some were submitted via mobile so periodically a word or two may drop off.
About SteerFW
SteerFW is a young leaders group in Fort Worth, Texas. Founded in 2011 by Fort Worth
Mayor Betsy Price, the primary goal of SteerFW is to foster civic engagement among
emerging leaders in Fort Worth (and broader Tarrant County) every day.
The official mission of SteerFW is to make Fort Worth a diverse and vibrant city by
engaging emerging leaders to drive positive change. Find out more about us at
www.steerfw.org.
FORT WORTH CITY COUNCIL
Find your district and current Council member
DISTRICT 2
Carlos Flores -- Candidate
What is it about the city of Fort Worth that has driven you to get involved at this
level?
Fort Worth has never lacked for citizens who have given of their time, energy, and talents for the
betterment of our city. Fort Worth produced exemplary public servants like Kay Granger, Bob
Bowlen, Pete and Charlie Geren, Jim Wright, and those in the arts such as T-Bone Burnett, Van
Cliburn, Ornette Coleman, John Denver, Pat Green, Bill Paxton, and Ginger Rogers. Our local
community leaders give back to their communities at the grassroots level. It is this history and
reputation of service that inspired me to contribute my time, experience, and knowledge to my
native city. I am proud that I am the only candidate running for City Council with the longest
and most diverse volunteer service history. Being a graduate of Leadership Fort Worth is
another component that prepared me further to serve at this level.
What do you think is the biggest challenge Fort Worth will face in the next 10-20
years?
Addressing the infrastructure and transportation needs facing the city brought on from our
explosive growth. I was appointed to the Infrastructure and Transportation Task Force, the
Mayor’s Blue Ribbon Committee, and Master Thoroughfare Plan Task Force to find
comprehensive solutions.
How will you ensure equal representation for all citizens as your district
grows/evolves during your term?
Equal representation of my district starts with thorough knowledge of my district. Of the District
2 candidates running, I am the only one born and raised in Fort Worth, in my home district and
fluent in written and spoken Spanish, which is essential for many Hispanic voters. Over the
years, I have developed in-depth knowledge of my district and the changes to its boundaries and
residents. School districts are a good barometer of the evolution of population and needs. In
that regard, I have worked with FWISD on advisory committees and with Eagle Mountain
Saginaw ISD. As president of the Northside Neighborhood Association, past president of the
Fort Worth League of Neighborhoods, and board member of the Inter District 2 Alliance, I
recognize the importance of having communities well-represented in interacting with city
government. I also served on the City’s Charter Review Task Force and recommended to
increase the size of the council to 10-1 to ensure effective representation.
What is one step you feel can be taken to improve the relationship between law
enforcement and citizens of Fort Worth?
One step would be to establish mutual trust between community and law enforcement. As an
example, I participated in a forum between the United Lowrider Council, Police Chief Fitzgerald,
Deputy Chief Charlie Ramirez, and neighborhood patrol officers working to overcome
misconceptions and establish mutual trust and respect. The idea is not to wait for an incident to
happen, but proactively address the source(s) that might disconnect police officers to the
communities they serve and encourage those same communities to support and assist police.
What advice would you give to a young professional on how to get involved in the
city?
Provide a foundation to your desire to be involved with the city. Get involved at the grassroots
level and allow for a natural progression into higher levels of public service. To serve the city and
its communities, one must first know the needs and desires of the people living in our city.
Tony Perez -- Candidate
What is it about the city of Fort Worth that has driven you to get involved at this
level?
When I moved to Fort Worth, I felt as if I was a long lost son being welcomed back. The people
here are amazing! I have traveled domestically and internationally, living in Japan for 3 years
while I served in the Air Force and while I’ve met some impressive people, Fort Worth is a city
where a much larger percentage of its population is united in their pride for their city compared
to others in the MetroPlex. In spite of political beliefs, religious preferences, or cultural
differences, residents of Fort Worth share the belief that Fort Worth is the best place to live in
North Texas! This inspired me to serve on my HOA Board, arrange to be appointed to the FW
Board of Adjustment, be the Vice President of the FW League of Neighborhoods, and now, run
for city council. Residents are thirsting for information on how to get the city council to
understand their needs and for clear lines of communication and increased interaction with
their District office. I’m bilingual which goes beyond my ability to speak two languages fluently.
In my life, I learned to communicate with people from various origins and backgrounds. I
embrace diversity in all forms and encourage people to work together for the common good by
bringing down barriers to communication. I intend to use this skill and others to increase
mutual trust and information flow. Together, we can enhance the council’s decision-making
processes while not slowing down operations. I want Fort Worth to be a travel destination,
attract new businesses, and to be a place where our children can grow up, attend our amazing
universities, and stay in Fort Worth after graduation because we meet the needs of a growing
and modernizing community while honoring its rich cowboy culture!
What do you think is the biggest challenge Fort Worth will face in the next 10-20
years?
The largest challenge will be how to position the city as a desirable destination for higher-paying
jobs. Companies are skilled in their due diligence and know if a community can sustain a
relationship with their operations. They will look at school performance in all school districts
within the city limits. They will look for transportation solutions to ensure employees can drive
themselves safely or enjoy a bus or rail ride to a local destination or an airport. They will look for
safe neighborhoods and well maintained streets, parks, and interconnecting trails. They will
look for a high quality of life for city residents. We have a desire to provide these infrastructure
items and we must take action to invest in ourselves so that others can come and invest in our
city. Doing so will be a win for everyone.
How will you ensure equal representation for all citizens as your district
grows/evolves during your term?
By ensuring my staff is not only educated in the value of diversity but to verify they have
experiences of their own. My life experience, growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area and
being the son of immigrants taught me that we are judged by how we treat the least privileged. If
we treat everyone with respect, their dignity will never be tested and trust in my team will grow.
Anyone who cannot abide by this policy will not be on my staff.
What is one step you feel can be taken to improve the relationship between law
enforcement and citizens of Fort Worth?
Focus on the children. From my experience of growing up with immigrant parents, even when
they became citizens, I was a primary source of information about how things work in local
government and, because police and fire departments had strong outreach programs, I passed
on information about how kind and generous our protectors are. By encouraging our Police
Officers and City Marshals to find ways to connect with our children, they can share these
positive experiences with their parents. No matter what their origin, parents will take notice and
have a higher appreciation for our Law Enforcement Officers. This is important especially when
parents come from locations where the police are not as honorable and sometimes abusive.
Parents can carry the stigmas of their past with them until something breaks negative
perceptions. Hearing their children brag about an Officer or Marshal playing basketball with
them, fixing a flat bike tire, helping get a Frisbee out of a tree and other enjoyable moments, the
trust coming from that will result in safer neighborhoods for all.
What advice would you give to a young professional on how to get involved in the
city?
Do a web search for anything related to Fort Worth in which you have an interest. You can start
with zoning, city parks, public safety, volunteer for Code Blue civilian patrolling, get Community
Emergency Response Team (CERT) certified, get with your District Office and ask to be
appointed to a Board or Commission. It’s not hard. I’m an older professional and once I started
asking questions, I was welcomed and encouraged to serve. You too will be embraced! That is
what makes Fort Worth even more special. Volunteer opportunities for active residents improve
city operations.
Jennifer Trevino -- Candidate
What is it about the city of Fort Worth that has driven you to get involved at this
level?
I’m running for City Council because I see this as a tremendous opportunity to serve my
community at an even higher level. I love Fort Worth because despite being a city of more than
800,000 people, it still has a friendly, small-town charm with all the benefits of a larger city. I
believe that my unique combination of education, work experience, leadership background and
community service coupled with my work ethic and determination, makes me the best candidate
to be the next City Councilperson for District 2.
What do you think is the biggest challenge Fort Worth will face in the next 10-20
years?
The biggest challenge we’re facing is upon us already – being able to accommodate the ongoing
growth when we are already behind in maintaining our existing infrastructure. To sustain the
projected development and growth, we need to close the gap on maintaining and updating our
roads so that people can move safely around our city. We also need to continue to scale services
like public safety, libraries and community centers to support safe, sustainable communities and
to meet the needs of an increasingly diverse population.
How will you ensure equal representation for all citizens as your district
grows/evolves during your term?
My service on City Council would bring a fresh perspective that we have not had before, not only
for our district but for the City. I bring a unique cultural background to the table - my greatgrandparents on my mother’s side immigrated to the U.S. from Mexico while my greatgrandparents on my father’s side came to this country from Jamaica. That heritage coupled
with growing up in Spring, TX and Joshua, TX, attending college at Texas Tech before making
Fort Worth home in 2002, has shaped my views on representation and balancing diverse
viewpoints. It’s also shaped my campaign strategy as well as how we have approached our
community outreach so my intention would be to continue that once elected to City Council.
What is one step you feel can be taken to improve the relationship between law
enforcement and citizens of Fort Worth?
I think that all City employees and City Council members, not just our law enforcement
personnel, should be required to attend diversity or multicultural training. This would provide a
base foundation of understanding and open up the dialogue within the City, and ultimately
translate to all employees’ interactions with our residents.
What advice would you give to a young professional on how to get involved in the
city?
Just do it! Find something that interests you and get involved in whatever way that best suits
your time availability. The rewards of service have benefited me personally and professionally
through the fulfillment in knowing you are making a difference. In addition, you can leverage or
hone skills through your service that will not only make your service more impactful but may
also help you in your career. Whether it is a City Board or Commission, neighborhood or
homeowners’ association or non-profit organization, there are numerous opportunities to get
involved in Fort Worth.
Steve Thornton -- Candidate
What is it about the city of Fort worth that has driven you to get involved at this
level?
I moved to Fort Worth because of my love of this city's rich history, and diverse culture. Serving
as a firefighter for over two decades has shown me that leadership, along with an ability to help
those in need is critical at this point in our city's existence.
What do you think is the biggest challenge Fort Worth will face in the next 10-20
years?
The chief concern in my view is striking a balance between the explosive development of our
city, and the needs of the everyday people who call Fort Worth home. Development that causes
undue burden to the residents of Fort Worth is a price too high to pay for progress.
How will you ensure equal representation for all citizens as your district
grows/evolves during your term?
My office will maintain constant contact with the residents of District 2, and will be focused on
being more responsive to the needs of the people. To adapt to the changing needs of District 2,
or any part of the city - requires first that the representatives elected by the people, listen to the
people, so that they may work for the people.
What is one step you feel can be taken to improve the relationship between law
enforcement and citizens of Fort Worth?
Here again, for our law enforcement officers to stay responsive to the needs of the citizenry,
open lines of communication must be maintained. To effect this, I will co-ordinate with our
partners in the code Blue program and hope to expand its number of volunteers.
What advice would you give to a young professional on how to get involved in the
city?
Volunteering is the key, and there are plenty of opportunities for young professionals to get
involved whether it be their local PTA, various shelters in the city, and many other
opportunities. The first best, step in getting involved is to find a cause or organization you are
passionate about, reach out and ask "How may I help you?" Opportunities abound, one just has
to make the first step, and get in touch!
DISTRICT 3
Zim Zimmerman -- Incumbent
What is it about the city of Fort Worth that has driven you to get involved at this
level?
I was appointed to the Residential Board of Adjustment by Chuck Silcox. I began to see how our
city government worked and when Chuck passed away I decided to try to bring my business
experience to the City Council. I believed that my customer service experience at Lockheed
Martin would help the city provide better customer service to our citizens.
What do you think is the biggest challenge Fort Worth will face in the next 10-20
years?
The city is growing at a very fast pace and continuing to provide the essential services and
infrastructure will be a huge challenge.
How will you ensure equal representation for all citizens as your district
grows/evolves during your term?
I will continue to treat and listen to all our citizens equally.
What is one step you feel can be taken to improve the relationship between law
enforcement and citizens of Fort Worth?
There is no one step solution to improving relationships between Police Department and our
citizens. We must continue to work with our police officers on how they handle contentious
issues but we also need to get our citizens to follow directions from our Officers when dealing
with them.
What advice would you give to a young professional on how to get involved in the
city?
SteerFW has been an excellent program for involvement in the city. The real issue is how do we
motivate the young professional that are not a part of SteerFW. My challenge to you is how do
you get your peers to understand the importance of being active in the city and community and
how important their vote is in an election. Our challenge is to provide them with opportunities
to serve when they want to be more active!
DISTRICT 6
Jungus Jordan -- Incumbent
What is it about the city of Fort Worth that has driven you to get involved at this
level?
While I was born and raised here, Fort Worth is where I have chose to make my home. To date,
Fort Worth has maintained a special “small town atmosphere” where we deal with each other
with respect and we work hard to maintain a high quality of life. Those qualities have produced
significant growth and that growth has produced both challenges and opportunities. Since Fort
Worth is where I have made my home, I am passionate about securing the high quality of life for
future generations. I believe I have the experience and vision that can contribute to the future
success of our city. I have a reputation of working hard and getting results.
What do you think is the biggest challenge Fort Worth will face in the next 10-20
years?
Growth—growth brings both opportunity and challenges. We must ensure the city is safe, has
the infrastructure (transportation, water, education, energy sources, air quality, housing, parks
and leisure) and the economic viability (quality jobs and commerce) to sustain a high quality of
life.
How will you ensure equal representation for all citizens as your district
grows/evolves during your term?
I look at my position as a public servant and I remember that I work for the citizens of Fort
Worth and of District 6. I listen and I am responsive to all. I also know the responsibility and
role of the City Council in the Council / City Manager form of government defined by our
citizens in our City Charter.
What is one step you feel can be taken to improve the relationship between law
enforcement and citizens of Fort Worth?
To continue to demand the highest professional standards by all public servants.
What advice would you give to a young professional on how to get involved in the
city?
Get involved in your community. Work with your neighbors, volunteer in community activities
and actively work to gain professional and life experience
Nicholas St. John -- Candidate
What is it about the city of Fort Worth that has driven you to get involved at this
level?
Attending the council meetings over the years inspired me to take direct action against the
current council by running for a seat, as I felt, and currently feel, that they are out of touch, and
do not care what the average Fort Worthian cares about. I love this city, and feel the civic
responsibility to help promote change.
What do you think is the biggest challenge Fort Worth will face in the next 10-20
years?
Fort Worth will face a daunting task of keeping our City beautiful and up to date as it grows at a
quickening rate into an era filled with technology. We must embrace technology, and ensure our
City does not end up a “city of the past”.
How will you ensure equal representation for all citizens as your district
grows/evolves during your term?
When elected, we will maintain an open door policy that will allow every resident of our district
to contact myself to have their questions answered, and their concerns addressed. Everyone in
our district, and the greater City of Fort Worth, is equal, and we must consider them as such.
What is one step you feel can be taken to improve the relationship between law
enforcement and citizens of Fort Worth?
The first step to improve the relationship between the citizenry and the government, police and
council, is to admit this distrust exists. We must directly address this growing problem, by
bringing together the citizen leaders of all communities in Fort Worth with the heads of police
and council to discuss what the best options forward are.
What advice would you give to a young professional on how to get involved in the
city?
Attend as many City meetings and sessions as possible, research your areas of interest heavily,
and inquire to current City workers on attaining an appointed or hired position within the City.
If you want to work directly for the City. Another great way to get involved in the City would be
to join a Fort Worth nonprofit that serves your interests, or found your own.
DISTRICT 7
Dennis Shingleton – Incumbent
What is it about the city of Fort Worth that has driven you to get involved at this
level?
Fort Worth is the fastest growing city in the U.S. With that growth comes great opportunities,
but also great responsibility. I want to help lead the amazing progress in a way that is
thoughtful, ensuring that the proper infrastructure is in place and that we protect what makes
Fort Worth such a great place to live.
What do you think is the biggest challenge Fort Worth will face in the next 10-20
years?
Public safety, prudent financial management (including low property taxes), and quality of life
in our neighborhoods are the biggest challenges. Public safety includes not only providing
adequate police and fire protection, but also ensuring timely emergency services. We must be
prudent stewards of our citizens’ tax dollars by responsibly managing the city budget and
continuing to reduce our property tax rate whenever possible. We must provide adequate streets
and city services in Fort Worth’s new neighborhoods to help connect them to the rest of the city,
while keeping up with the infrastructure needs of our established neighborhoods, including
street repairs and flood control.
How will you ensure equal representation for all citizens as your district
grows/evolves during your term?
It’s my privilege to serve District 7 on the Fort Worth city council. While many of the
neighborhoods I represent are different, they all deserve the same quality city services and
opportunities. My pledge is simple: I will listen, work hard, and continue to get results that
make a positive difference for all the families of District 7 and Fort Worth.
What is one step you feel can be taken to improve the relationship between law
enforcement and citizens of Fort Worth?
The key to any relationship is dedicating the time and effort to make it work. Police officer
should continue their intentional involvement with community organizations and citizens.
Getting to know the communities they serve will allow the communities to better know them.
What advice would you give to a young professional on how to get involved in the
city?
Citizen involvement is key to everything this city does. An easy first step to involvement is
attending your neighborhood association meetings. Beyond that there are plenty of
opportunities to serve the city on boards, commissions, committees and task forces on
everything from art to animal shelters, city planning to crime prevention, and parks to zoning.
The City Council welcomes those who want to serve their communities.
DISTRICT 9
John Fitzgerald -- Candidate
What is it about the city of Fort Worth that has driven you to get involved at this
level?
I’ve lived in Fort Worth for many years and I absolutely love it here, I couldn’t imagine a better
place to live and work. Unlike a lot of individuals who run for office though, I am not a
politician, I’m an engineer. I’ve spent my life in the private sector. I started out working as a
cook and dishwasher for a local restaurant at the age of 16 and worked 5 different jobs
throughout high school and college in order to help pay my way through school. After college I
began my engineering career and through hard work and dedication have had the privilege of
working for some of the largest companies in the United States. I am often asked why an
engineer would want to run for office? It is pretty simple-- I am a problem solver. Problem
solving is both my job and my passion and I want to put my passion for problem solving to work
for you and our city.
Our city is facing many problems: irresponsible zoning changes near neighborhoods, a need for
improvements to our streets, sidewalks, parking, and storm-water systems, high property tax
bills that keep rising… but the most important problem we are facing as a city is a council that
doesn’t listen to neighborhood input. Our council needs to concern themselves with what
matters to you, see the problems you are facing in your community and work to be the voice that
finds the solution. This cannot happen by only attending neighborhood meetings—many
residents in our city work multiple jobs or late hours and cannot attend these meetings. It is
important for your council member to occasionally get out, actually walk the neighborhoods and
hear your input.
This is what I am doing. Over the course of this campaign I’ve spent a lot of time walking the
neighborhoods in District 9 to talk to residents. I recently met with a good man named Rudy
Salas in the Carter Park area on the east side of I-35—he informed me that no council member
has walked his neighborhood talking to residents for a very long time. This needs to change, we
need a councilmember who listens to you, who isn’t afraid to get out there, go door-to-door,
meet you in person and hear your concerns.
As many people know I chose to run after I witnessed our current council side with developer
interests over neighborhood interests. Our city council ignored over 500 of my neighbors in
Fairmount and Ryan Place who signed a petition opposing a zoning change for a large 6 story
hotel next to their neighborhood. These neighbors wanted a delay of the zoning change vote to
work out a mutually agreeable solution with the city, developers, and the neighborhood. Many
neighbors spoke at the council meeting, and many concerns about traffic, parking, storm-water,
noise, and others were brought up but no one felt like they were listened to, their concerns were
ignored. Neighborhood residents told me they felt like they didn’t have a real voice standing up
for their interests on city council.
I want to be that voice. I have a background in problem solving, but most of all I have a passion
to work to solve the issues homeowners and neighborhoods are facing. No longer should we
have to wonder if our city council is listening to us, I promise I will listen, and I will work my
hardest to put my problem solving skills to work for our city.
What do you think is the biggest challenge Fort Worth will face in the next 10-20
years?
There are many potential answers for this question, as any city is going to face challenges as it
progresses into the future. Homelessness and crime prevention are issues that any major city
will have to tackle. However, I believe the specific issue that will be the most challenging for Fort
Worth in the next 10 – 20 years will be balancing growth with infrastructure development so
that we do not end up in the situation Austin has found itself in currently. Based on what I’ve
observed, I could easily see Fort Worth headed in that direction. I lived in Austin while
attending school there at The University of Texas and still visit often as my wife has family there.
In Austin, the massive amounts of growth and development have far outpaced infrastructure
improvements and repairs resulting in drainage problems, traffic problems that make what
should be a 20 minute commute last over an hour, a dearth of parking for its ever-growing
population that makes it hard for residents and tourists alike to enjoy all the city has to offer, a
public transit system that is better than many in the state, but still fails to adequately serve the
needs of its citizens, and population growth that outpaced the housing supply such that many
are being driven out of home ownership and into a more permanent renter situation. This is why
I believe we need responsible growth and a city council and government that will work
proactively to foresee these problems and begin work on solutions before they become crisis
level, rather than being reactive and trying to fix them once they are already severe.
How will you ensure equal representation for all citizens as your district
grows/evolves during your term?
Fort Worth voters approved a measure last year to increase the size of the council to 10
members plus the mayor (this will occur with redistricting in 2020). This is a step in the right
direction. Considering Fort Worth’s rapid growth, quickly headed towards 1 million residents,
we may need to take it a step further and increase the number of council seats even more.
Council members need to be responsive to their constituents. It is easier to be responsive when
you represent less people, additionally; citizens get better representation of their actual
community with more seats on city council. I support increasing the number of seats on city
council even more.
I also have noticed our city often forgets about certain neighborhoods that are not as loud and
well organized as others. These neighborhoods should matter just as much to our city council as
other louder neighborhoods. The residents of these neighborhoods often feel like they are
forgotten by our city and when walking through them and talking to residents you can see that
the city does not dedicate as much attention to their issues and concerns. It is important your
city council member gets out and actually walks the district, walks through these neighborhoods,
knocks on a few doors, and goes directly to residents to hear their concerns and see the
problems they are facing.
What is one step you feel can be taken to improve the relationship between law
enforcement and citizens of Fort Worth?
During this campaign I have been in communication with retired FWPD Assistant Chief Daniel
Garcia and Sgt. Michael Williams, President of the Fort Worth Black Law Enforcement Officer
Association about how to improve police-community relations. We have some of the best law
enforcement officers in the country right here in Fort Worth. Communication between the
community and police is extremely important. It helps improve trust and reduces crime through
increased reporting and decreased police response time. In our neighborhood of Ryan Place we
have an excellent neighborhood police officer who uses social media to directly reach out to
residents. This type of multimedia communication and friendly interaction should be
encouraged within the Fort Worth Police Department. Additionally, residents need to be
encouraged to volunteer for the citizen on patrol program; this excellent program has proven to
reduce crime in neighborhoods and improve the relationship between law enforcement and the
community.
Unfortunately we have recently witnessed some very rare police misuse of power incidents from
our police force. I watched the video of what happened to Jacqueline Craig and felt the 10 day
suspension was far too short. Because of incidents like these I support the creation of a, “Citizen
Review Advisory Board,” wherein it advises the city council, city manager, and police chief on
these issues. It should include not just citizens but also police officers, and legal professionals. A
board makeup of 12 individuals would be sufficient with 2 year terms (3 term limit). Members
would need to be appointed by the Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs Committee and
approved by the city council. Police officers should get a say in these matters because they
understand the difficult experiences officers encounter when presented with tense situations.
Police officers also understand the difficult nature of the job far better than citizens who are not
in law enforcement. Many cities in Texas have this type of board such as Austin, San Antonio,
Houston, Dallas and Fort Worth has reached a point where it also needs to create this type of
board. The board in San Antonio is the best one as it includes 7 uniformed police officers and 7
citizens. The San Antonio Police Officers Association was involved in helping to set up their
board and we would need to have the Fort Worth Police Officers Association involved in setting
up the board here.
What advice would you give to a young professional on how to get involved in the
city?
Read the local paper, the Fort Worth website and as much as you can about local and city
issues. Watch city council meetings online or attend them in person. Attend other city meetings
about various issues. Speak up as much as possible about city problems. Volunteer in your
community. Feel free to contact city department staff and ask them questions. Don’t be afraid to
run for office, if you meet the basic qualifications it is your right as a resident of this city to run.
Ann Zadeh -- Incumbent
What is it about the city of Fort Worth that has driven you to get involved at this
level?
I love Fort Worth and especially the areas I represent in District 9. The opportunity to work
alongside passionate individuals who put their time and effort into things that make the place
where they live, work and play better is the very best part of my job as the Councilmember.
What drives me to be involved is my upbringing and background. Being an active engaged
community member is in my blood. I was raised at on the campus of a Quaker boarding school
where my family lived in community with faculty, staff and students. While that community was
extremely rural in nature comprised of 310 acres in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains
in Northern California and including an extensive farm and garden operation, it was the
decision making through consensus, the living and working alongside fellow residents and
seeing the fruition of you labor improve the conditions of your community that I carry with me
today and continue to drive me to this day.
What do you think is the biggest challenge Fort Worth will face in the next 10-20
years?
Strong safe neighborhoods/Growth: As many Steer Fort Worth members know there are new
people moving to Fort Worth daily. Maintain and improve strong neighborhoods where people
want to live and work and play is important because while we grow we want to maintain the
qualities that draw people here in the first place. We must make thoughtful decisions about
growth and development to ensure continued quality of life. This includes public input, listen to
and consider different viewpoints and alternative solutions and making thoughtful, reasoned,
transparent decision that ensure Fort Worth is a place people want to continue to live, work and
invest.
One concern that growth brings is the ability to get around our city. I am passionate about
funding and implementing a comprehensive transportation plan that provides safe, convenient
and comfortable travel and access to all users. I have actively supported the Fort Worth
Transportation Authority in their efforts to develop and implement a master plan that moves us
toward a more robust transit system.
How will you ensure equal representation for all citizens as your district
grows/evolves during your term?
The City needs to ensure we have equitable policies that address institutional racism and
inequalities in socioeconomic status to ensure opportunities for all citizens regardless of their
race or the neighborhood they live in. Any disparity in access to city services and/or
representation is unacceptable. Most people believe and have experienced that the “squeaky
wheel gets the grease” and this is not an equitable way to distribute the limited resources at our
disposal. One example of how we are remedying our policies to be more equitable is our
participation in What Works Cities. This is a national initiative to help 100 mid-sized American
cities enhance their use of data and evidence to improve services, inform local decision-making
and engage residents. We have committed to getting better results by using data and evidence.
We measure progress and engage citizens along the way. We review progress and make
corrections and improve. I have attended 100’s of neighborhood association meetings,
community gatherings, town halls, volunteer opportunities, throughout the district and the city
in addition to engaging with residents at all the places we naturally run into each other as
neighbors. Meeting with and hearing from people where they are not just in the formal setting
of public meetings and city hall.
What is one step you feel can be taken to improve the relationship between law
enforcement and citizens of Fort Worth?
Fort Worth has been on a path of community policing for several years and by in large the
interactions between our law enforcement officers and citizens are positive. There are many
steps we are taking and will continue to take to improve but the one step I think is the most
crucial and beneficial is building personal relationships between police officers and residents.
Our emphasis on neighborhood patrol officers that have a beat they are responsible for is where
this relationship can really take root. I think we all agree that the City needs to act on racial
healing and racial equity so that all residents feel welcome and are treated with respect but this
is a deeper issue than the relationship between law enforcement and citizens. Additionally, we
need to advance equity in education, jobs and economic development.
What advice would you give to a young professional on how to get involved in the
city?
There are so many ways to get involved that my advice would be to focus on something you are
passionate about. Too often when someone sees a problem they think needs fixing they will
strike out and create some new organization or nonprofit. I encourage you to look around you
and see what is already being done and join forces with others who are passionate about solving
the same issues you are. With a connected as we all are in this day and age you should have no
trouble finding a multitude of ways to get involved and give back.
School Board
The City of Fort Worth includes numerous school districts. Below are responses from Fort
Worth ISD, Northwest ISD, and Crowley ISD candidates.
Fort Worth ISD (FWISD)
Norman Robbins -- District 7
In your own words, please describe the impact a school board has on the
community.
The school board has a huge community impact in that it sets the tone for the entire Fort Worth
ISD. The cohesion of the school board behind a central vision with common goals is critical to
student achievement. When student achievement is the primary goal (which it is), you will find
our school board spending most of its time on that subject. Most of our actions are and should
be directed to improving student achievement.
If you are elected or re-elected, what issue is your top priority and why?
Student achievement is the top priority. Your school board went through valuable training at
the beginning of the year sponsored by the Texas Education Agency. The theme of that training
was “student outcomes won’t change until adult behaviors change.” We cannot continue doing
the same things over and over and expect different results. We are finally directing FWISD
resources to where they are needed the most, and student performance should improve
dramatically as a result. Improving performance among our lowest-achieving students will
result in improved performance of all our students.
What is it about your ISD that has driven you to get involved at this level?
When I was on the staff of the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce, I was able to determine that
excellent public education was the most critical element to the attraction of investment (both
personal and business). I want to make the Fort Worth ISD the economic attraction to
investment that it must be in order to make our community as successful as possible. When we
enable all students to be as successful as they are capable of being, all other community issues
will be positively addressed as well.
How does a school board affect those who do not yet have children?
Good schools affect where people live. Imagine what our community will be like when all (or
most) of our neighborhood schools are attractive from an academic perspective. Young
professionals will have their choice of which desirable neighborhood they choose to reside in
rather than having to pick from relatively few that have property values driven up by the
perception of the public schools in those areas. The entire community will prosper rather than
segments, and wider variety of attractive living choices will be available to all.
What advice would you give to a young professional on how to get involved with
the school board?
Volunteer in Fort Worth ISD schools. Pay attention to and participate in issues before the
school board, and engage in Fort Worth ISD committees. Enroll in Leadership ISD, and put that
knowledge to work to make the district better. When you have children, enroll them in public
schools and advocate fiercely for them and their schools. An engaged populace and parent
community is vital to the success of the Fort Worth ISD.
Jason Brown -- Candidate, District 8
In your own words, please describe the impact a school board has on the
community.
A school board has a significant impact on a community through its responsibility for educating
the children of that community. While the school board cannot ensure excellent schools alone, it
has ultimate responsibility for the performance of the district. The board has responsibility for
hiring the superintendent, approving the budget, adopting school policies, levying taxes, and
handling employee grievance cases. As elected officials, board remembers represent the wishes
of the community, but also form the vital connection back to the voters to ensure community
buy in with the superintendent’s actions. They are critical to building community support for the
superintendent.
If you are elected or re-elected, what issue is your top priority and why?
Student achievement. The unavoidable truth is that too many of FWISD’s students are not
performing at grade level. Dr. Scribner has a good plan that is in the early stages of
implementation. Our focus will on getting our literacy rates up in 3rd grade, followed by middle
school math, and finally college and career readiness by graduation. This will be mean targeted
investments in schools that require them, resulting in equity and opportunity for all our
students. The Leadership Academies recently announced are the a significant step to changing
the trajectory of our schools.
What is it about your ISD that has driven you to get involved at this level?
This is an exciting time for our school district. For the first time in recent memory we have
everyone in the community pulling in the same direction. The mayor is focused on literacy, the
business community in now engaged, and the non-profit community has started to take a hard
look at what works and what doesn’t. Leadership ISD is now in full swing educating community
leaders about public schools. Finally, we have a superintendent who is focused on student
achievement. With two children in public school, I am excited to play a part in the district’s
success.
How does a school board affect those who do not yet have children?
Great schools make for great cities. As a citizen and taxpayer of Fort Worth, you want your taxes
spent wisely. You want the children of Fort Worth to graduate ready for college or career ready.
Finally, if you are a homeowner, you know that your property values are tied to the performance
of your local school. Everyone has a stake in the success of FWISD.
What advice would you give to a young professional on how to get involved with
the school board?
Go meet your school board trustee and volunteer to be on an advisory committee. Join
Leadership ISD. Talk to your local principal about volunteering for career day or joining 100x25.
You can get plugged in at any level in the district, it is up to you to take the first step.
Pilar Candia -- Candidate, District 9
In your own words, please describe the impact a school board has on the
community.
The board aside from policy, superintendent hire and budget has a commitment to the district
that they serve in to be active, present and involved in all of the schools. As a board member I
make a commitment to go above and beyond the conventional role.
If you are elected or re-elected, what issue is your top priority and why?
My top three priorities are: Parental engagement, academic performance and building bridges
with communities, business and local government. Many people are not aware that the City of
Fort Worth and FWISD do not directly coordinate and meet. With my experience in City Hall
as the District Director that will change. I will help fill that gap in local government to
collaborate as one community.
What is it about your ISD that has driven you to get involved at this level?
Over the past 4 years schools there has been an increase of campuses that do not meet Texas
Educational Standards. We have gone from 1 "improvement required" (failing under state
ratings) school to 4 in a short time span. Can we afford to have another four years of the
current trustee?
How does a school board affect those who do not yet have children?
Everyone in Fort Worth pays school taxes why is our return on investment not reflective of the
schools. My understanding of how the schools impact the local economy helped earn me the
endorsement of the Greater Fort Worth Association of Realtors. I'm also married to a realtor
and we have seen firsthand how Fort Worth is losing millions of dollars in taxes and jobs to
suburbs like Mansfield/Keller simply because FWISD is not competitive.
What advice would you give to a young professional on how to get involved with
the school board?
I strongly recommend reaching out to your board member and asking them directly what you
can do to help. FWISD has plenty of mentoring opportunities and as involved members of our
city it is our responsibility to give back with time and financial resources.
Northwest ISD (NISD)
Tammy Eck -- Candidate, Place 5
In your own words, please describe the impact a school board has on the
community.
I believe that strong schools build strong communities. A school board has a responsibility to
work with the superintendent and administration to understand the challenges of the school
district, to understand legislation and the impact it will have on our schools and with local
businesses to partner and support our schools. The Board of Trustees should be honest and
transparent in their relationships with each of these entities. Strong ties to the community helps
support the many ways the schools and communities can support one another with the ultimate
goal of Kids come First.
If you are elected or re-elected, what issue is your top priority and why?
Building the Future is the true focus of my campaign and my top priority as a school board
member. As a fast growth district we are continually in process of building new schools to
accommodate the students that are moving to our area, and renovating existing schools. Beyond
new buildings we must be concerned with building the individual student and preparing them
for personal success. We also are building and maintaining staff for each campus who are
prepared and equipped for the task ahead of them.
What is it about your ISD that has driven you to get involved at this level?
Northwest ISD offers many opportunities to be involved and serve from the individual
classroom, campus wide, PTA, booster clubs, District wide committees and special interest
areas, and I have tried them all. I love that NISD values the work of volunteers at all levels and
now I am ready to get involved with the school board to serve our district and community. As a
spot became vacant on the board I knew the time had come for the next step of service. I believe
the various activities I have been privileged to be part of have prepared me for Board service.
How does a school board affect those who do not yet have children?
Young professionals bring youth and vitality to an area, they want a good value for their
investment and many are looking ahead a few years down the road. Many of us choose our
home based on being in a certain school district because we want to be part of an involved
community and eventually will want strong schools for our children. The property values in
strong districts tend to rise and maintain value over time. A school board may encourage
developers to bring Master planned neighborhoods with local campuses and ties to the district.
What advice would you give to a young professional on how to get involved with
the school board?
If you are a young professional looking for a way to get involved, our Partners In Education
program leads several efforts throughout the year to help fill unique needs throughout the
district. There are mentoring opportunities on each of our local campuses and also through our
excellent Academy programs. And of course, each of the seats on our Board are three year
terms, so every year 2-3 of these seats are up for re-election, if that area of service is appealing to
you consider running for the board and working with others who are passionate about NISD and
want to fulfill the vision of making sure every student in NISD is ready for college, ready for the
global workplace, and ready for personal success.
Steve Sprowls -- Candidate, Place 5
In your own words, please describe the impact a school board has on the
community.
The third Core Belief for Northwest ISD (NISD) states, "the success of each student is the shared
responsibility of students, families, schools and communities." A school board is a partner with
the community. They both have the responsibility to ensure that when students graduate, they
are ready for personal success in their next phase of life; be it in college or joining the global
workforce. If the Board can provide a positive and effective learning environment, the
community will only benefit when they graduate.
If you are elected or re-elected, what issue is your top priority and why?
I want to bring a parental voice to the Board. Considering a Trustee position is an "at large"
position, I will be representing the entire district, and not just a certain geographical area. I
want to make sure that as decisions are made, parental concerns and desires for all groups of
students are heard. As a parent, I have been a part of this district for the last 10 years; and have
been affected by three "tricky" situations. If other situations happen in the future, I'll make sure
the Board understands what the parental concerns are. I will be an NISD parent for six more
years. Its success will not only directly affect my children's future, but other children's futures as
well.
What is it about your ISD that has driven you to get involved at this level?
When my daughter was in Kindergarten, I learned about the Watch DOGS (Dads Of Great
Students) program. Considering I grew up without a dad in my life, I saw this as an excellent
opportunity to spend time and bond with her. It also gave me the opportunity to meet her
teachers and get to know the school administrators. From Day 1, I was impressed with the
people who were helping to shape my daughter's future. Because of this, I started to volunteer in
other aspects around the school and eventually at the District level. So basically, the love and
dedication of teachers and staff to their profession, and our kids, is why I'm involved as much as
I am. It's the least I can do to pay it forward. Now I'm hoping to take my volunteer service to the
next level by becoming a Trustee for NISD.
How does a school board affect those who do not yet have children?
The boundaries of Northwest ISD encompass a large geographical footprint, and it is currently
at 23% build out. It is also an attractive area for real estate developers. Because of this, it is
estimated that 1200+ new students will enroll each year for the foreseeable future. Therefore,
the Board needs to stay on top of the growth and plan accordingly. This is one of the reasons the
current Board is proposing the 2017 Bond for us to vote on; two-thirds of the Bond will go
towards expanding old & building new campuses. I plan to support in favor of the Bond.
So, for those that do not yet have children, the Board should continue to make policy & budget
decisions in order to be proactive in anticipating the future needs of the families within the
District. That way, in a few years when these future parents walk their child to school for their
first day of Kindergarten, they can rest assured knowing that the Board will have anticipated
that moment.
What advice would you give to a young professional on how to get involved with
the school board?
Volunteer. If you're a parent, volunteer at your children's school: on the PTA board, as a room
mom/dad, join the Dad's group, or in anyway the school needs help. By being at the school, you
get a greater appreciation for how the school functions. You'll also see how over-worked, and
sometimes under appreciated teachers, absolutely love teaching your kids. If you're a
community leader or business partner, then serve on a District committee. NISD committees
are comprised of district employees, parents, and community leaders. Having people from
diverse backgrounds on the committees enables the Board to get an overall feel of what its
stakeholders need. Also everyone should attend school board meetings; they are not as boring
as one would think. My favorite meetings are the quarterly demographic discussions. It's a great
place to learn what is planned for the future.
Carissa Barrett – Candidate, Place 6
In your own words, please describe the impact a school board has on the
community.
The school board impacts the community by voting on policies for the district. They are the
voice of the community and they are there to advocate for the children of the district. Every
decision made should be for the betterment of the children.
If you are elected or re-elected, what issue is your top priority and why?
If I am elected my top priority will be communication and community engagement. As a
member of the board it is your job to be the voice of the community. It is really important to
connect with the students and parents so that their needs are being served. This day in age
people are very busy with work, kids after school activities, church and life in general. Many
parents can not make it to meetings where important information is being given. I would like to
record all board and PTA meetings and utilize the technology that is at hand to stream it to all
parents and students to watch at a time that works for them. That way everyone has the
information needed and feels involved.
What is it about your ISD that has driven you to get involved at this level?
I decided to run for Northwest ISD's Board of Trustees because it is my personal opinion that
our current board needs more diversity. Most members on our board live in one small area of
our district, are from one professional background and most come from the same generation. I
would like to see people from all parts of our 234 square miles of district, of all ages and
professions. What I find most odd is that there is currently not one parent of school aged
children on our board. Every person brings something to the table. When there is diversity all
points of view can be considered when making decisions.
How does a school board affect those who do not yet have children?
For those who don't yet have children the policies that are decided by board members today, can
and may affect your children’s education in the future. The board also votes on property tax
increases for the area. So even though you may not have children it can financial impact single
people or people without children in the district.
What advice would you give to a young professional on how to get involved with
the school board?
For those who want to get involved with their school board, I would recommend starting with
attending board meetings. Just by attending you will learn a lot about what they do and why
they do it. From there a certain committee might interest you or you may decided to run
yourself.
Crowley ISD (CISD)
Emily Quillen -- Candidate, Place 1
1. A school board is the policy-making body that represents a public school district. The
members of the board should have the interests of students, employees, and taxpayers in mind
when they make all decisions, as the students hopefully benefit from the educational decisions
they make, employees will do the work to implement those decisions, and taxpayers pay the
costs associated with those decisions.
2. My top priority is to improve confidence in our District. Employees, parents, community
members, and business owners have all told me that they are concerned about our District's
ability to educate our children, which is deeply troubling to me. There may be justified reasons
for this lack of confidence or perception issues due to lack of communication and trust. But if
our schools are going to thrive, we all need to have confidence that our schools are providing the
best education our tax dollars can provide.
3. My older daughter is in First Grade at Bess Race Elementary. Our school is an "Improvement
Required" school and this concerns me deeply. I know the teachers, staff, and administrators
care deeply for the students and are trying to make changes for the benefit of all of the students.
I believe our schools all have concerns that need addressing and good leadership from
experienced Trustees is essential to implementing policies and programs that will make our
District better each year. My background as an attorney practicing education law for 8 years has
given me skills and experience that will allow me to "hit the ground running" for the benefit of
our District.
4. All persons who live in the District in Fort Worth or Crowley benefit from schools that excel.
Property values increase when public schools are desirable places for parents to enroll their
children. Crime rates drop when people care about schools in their communities and students
are involved in school activities. Children who otherwise might be hungry are fed hot meals and
support is provided to parents by schools. Education improves the citizens who reside in our
cities. Businesses want to invest in communities that care about their schools.
5. My advice to a young professional is to educate yourself about the issues that are important
to your community. Volunteer at your community school, so that you can see what your school
does well and other things it may need to improve. Connect with other citizens who care about
their schools by helping with community projects that benefit our schools. Attend a school
board meeting to learn the types of issues school boards tackle. Understand the education
issues that the Texas Legislature and State Board of Education is addressing (or failing to
address) so that you can understand how state policies shape our local schools. The more you
learn, the more power you can have to help influence your community and public schools.
Nedra Robinson -- Candidate, Place 1
In your own words, please describe the impact a school board has on the
community.
In my opinion, schools are the heartbeat of a community, and the school board is responsible for
maintaining that pulse. The school board serves as representatives of the local education
community. Therefore, they must remain accessible, transparent, and collaborative. When the
school board is strong, and the school system is strong, the community thrives. Unfortunately, if
our schools begin to fail, our stakeholders (parents, students, business leaders, homeowners,
developers, etc.) will lose faith in the board’s ability to provide a quality education. Thus, the
community’s strength and pride will begin to die. As a school board, it's imperative that we
engage community members and seek their input in both formal and informal ways to
adequately advocate for our children’s educational needs.
If you are elected or re-elected, what issue is your top priority and why?
If I am elected, my top priority is improving student achievement for all student populations. As
a former teacher, I understand how the lack of training, knowledge, and skills in a particular
area can impede the effectiveness of the teacher and cause students to be inadequately prepared.
Therefore, I want to ensure that our faculty and staff are receiving professional development
that relates to the district’s student learning goals and improves student outcomes No Child Left
Behind was enacted to improve the educational outcomes for these ten student groups: All
Students, five ethnic groups (Asian, Hispanic, Native American, Black, and White) and Limited
English Proficient, Special Education, Migrant Status and Free and Reduced Priced Lunch. If we
can meet the educational needs of these students, we can improve education as a whole.
What is it about your ISD that has driven you to get involved at this level?
I’ve lived in the district for 10 years and I’ve heard from multiple people who have a real sense of
fear and trepidation regarding the direction of the district. People are apprehensive about
moving into the district or sending their children to schools within the district due to the
changing culture and climate of the community. I saw this change as an opportunity for
greatness. Crowley ISD can serve as a model for educating ALL students, particularly those who
are economically disadvantaged and in the subgroups mentioned earlier.
How does a school board affect those who do not yet have children?
I believe this goes back to the first question. People who do not have children indirectly benefit
from great schools in the area. These communities have more amenities, high rates of
homeownership and employment, greater social capital which builds strong neighborhoods, and
overall a higher quality of well-being all of which are attractive to everyone. Without viewing the
schools, one can get a general sense of the quality of education simply by the presence of the
community. As a childless person, if you would not want to live in a certain environment, think
of the families who have no other choice but to remain in the community. Therefore, it’s
incumbent upon the school board to provide a quality education for all children because that
investment has a reverberating effect across the community.
What advice would you give to a young professional on how to get involved with
the school board?
I would advise a young professional to get involved with organizations that have an educational
focus. Normally, those organizations collaborate with local schools which will give the young
professional an opportunity to engage with campus and district leaders. From there, they may
choose to join a site-based decision-making team or other committees at the district level.
Schools are always in need of volunteers, tutors, and mentors. If the individual is confident,
consistent, and effective, other opportunities will arise.
Sandie Isaacs – Candidate, Place 2
In your own words, please describe the impact a school board has on the
community.
Any school board should reflect the desires of its community. That being said, if the community
does not communicate with its school board trustees, some difficulties can arise. I think that the
major decisions within the school district should be made after the tax paying citizens have had
a chance to weigh in.
I believe that the role of any school board is to impact the lives of the students and parents that
they serve for years to come.
If you are elected or re-elected, what issue is your top priority and why?
Put certified librarians back into elementary schools and offer students quality library programs.
What is it about your ISD that has driven you to get involved at this level?
As a parent, and now a grandparent, of a CISD student, it seems that there has been a gap in
communication between parents and educators. Especially, in the area of academic support, I
have experienced some students simply “falling through the cracks” because parents didn’t
know how or where to turn to get added support for their child. Sometimes, tutoring just is not
enough. I want parents to know what their rights are as advocates for the child’s education.
Equally as important, I find that closed libraries in elementary schools are disturbing. Research
based studies state that certified librarians with established library programs continually raise
standardized testing scores!
How does a school board affect those who do not yet have children?
I would hope that checking a school district’s report card and how efficiently it is run would be
at the top of anyone’s list when choosing to move to any community. Preparing for the future is
always a good thing!
What advice would you give to a young professional on how to get involved with
the school board?
This is my 20/20 hindsight response. As I look back, instead of complaining I should have been
communicating with board trustees. I always looked at them as unapproachable.
Today, I would say attend school board meetings and participate at a grass roots level. Offer
your expertise. Ask yourself, “Can I use my expertise to participate and strengthen educational
content in my district?”, “Is there anything that comes to my attention as fixable or can be
improved upon?” If you can say yes to this question plan to run as a school board trustee.
Todd Treat – Candidate, Place 2
In your own words, please describe the impact a school board has on the
community.
The school system affects any community greatly by impacting housing values, crime prevention
program and the types of businesses that move into a community. Due to this impact, the
school board impacts the community by being the bridge between the school system directly and
the community to address any issues and assist with decision making to improve/enhance the
school district.
If you are elected or re-elected, what issue is your top priority and why?
The hiring and retention of quality teachers and administrators will be my top priority if elected.
I believe that the success of a school district hinders on the quality of leadership. If the school
district has quality leaders in our teachers and administrators, then everything else will be
manageable.
What is it about your ISD that has driven you to get involved at this level?
I believe that Crowley ISD can be a premier school district and I want to assist in helping us
reach that level of perception in the metroplex. Having three kids in the school system, I am
passionate about the quality of services provided and direction of the district. I am excited
about the opportunity to offer my services and skills to assist the school district.
How does a school board affect those who do not yet have children?
Once again, I feel that the quality of a school system affects the entire community, those with
children and those who do not have children. The housing market, quality of businesses and
options, and the crime rate are all impacted by the school district which affects all members of
the community.
What advice would you give to a young professional on how to get involved with
the school board?
I would encourage all citizens to get involved in their community, especially with the school
system. Young professionals can provide great insight and feedback to the school board about
the needs of younger generations. Young professionals can offer valuable input on programs
that have been effective in their experience and what they view as beneficial educational tools to
the future generation.
Sophia Hughes -- Candidate, Place 2
1. As a local business owner, I am cognizant of the impact a school board has on the community.
I employ students that are products of Crowley ISD. They are a direct representation of the
school board's success. The school board is essential in driving student achievement, which can
positively or negatively impact the community.
2. Less assessments: As a teacher, I can tell you who will pass and fail a test before I ever give it.
I don't need data from Cscope assessments and it doesn't reflect my ability to teach the content
thoroughly. A more developmentally appropriate assessment that focuses on true progress
should be administered instead of the myriad of Cscope assessments.
3. As a former Crowley ISD teacher, I felt like I did not have a true voice. As a trustee, I want to
be able to give teachers a true voice without fear of retaliation.
4. A school board affects every member of the community, even those without children. The
students of Crowley ISD will eventually become active members of our community.
5. VOTE-The board has influence over each student, teacher, administrator, and school in the
district which in turn impacts the community. Voting on candidates that have everyone's best
interest at heart is essential. In addition to voting, regularly attending school board meetings is a
great way to stay informed.
TRWD Water Board
The Trinity River Water District encompasses a large portion of the City of Fort Worth, but
does not include the entire city. A map of the TRWD boundaries can be found here.
James Hill – Candidate, TRWD Water Board
In your own words, please describe what impact the Tarrant Regional Water
District board has on the community.
The Tarrant Regional Water District has a significant impact on our local quality of life and
economy. Its primary missions of raw water supply, flood control, and recreational use of our
lakes and river all impact nearly 2.1 million people.
What is it about Tarrant Regional Water District that made you want to get
involved at this level?
I am lifelong resident of Fort Worth and my wife, Macy, and I are now raising our two young
sons here. For many years Macy and I have been involved in local community service and have
both served as gubernatorial appointees on state commissions. My interest in running for the
Water Board is an extension of wanting to give back to the community.
If you are elected or re-elected, what issue is your top priority and why?
I hope that I will continue the efforts of the Water Board in its core missions of flood control,
raw water supply and recreation along our waterways. I also want to help with the responsible
rollout of the Trinity River Vision project. This flood control project has the ability to not only
serve its primary purpose of maintaining safe river levels (and a new flood control levee system
for Fort Worth) but will also reclaim land along our waterfront that will drive both new land use
and tourism for our local quality of life and economic well-being.
In your own words, what makes the Tarrant Regional Water District such a hot
topic for the community?
Water is our most essential natural resource…. and it's very important we have local control of
our local water.
What advice would you give to a young professional on how to get involved with
the Tarrant Regional Water District?
Simply raise your hand. Whether it is the TRWD or any other community service agency or
commission, they are always looking for bright, interested members of the community to be
involved. It also helps to seek out elected officials and ask how you can help. Finally, I would
suggest getting involved with streams & valleys so that you can better understand the river
system and its impact on our region.
Leah King – Candidate, TRWD Water Board
In your own words, please describe what impact the Tarrant Regional Water
District board has on the community.
I think we all can agree that water is our most precious resource, and too often, we as citizens,
take our water for granted. The Tarrant Regional Water District has the responsibility to make
sure we have a sufficient supply of water, not only for our present needs, but also enough water
so that we can meet the needs of our rapidly growing local population.
What is it about Tarrant Regional Water District that made you want to get
involved at this level?
I have always been active in community service and have attached my campaign resume for your
review. I believe in the mission of the Water Board and believe we need to have local citizens
committed to our local water needs serving on the TRWD Board. I am also very excited and
committed to TRWD's trail and park program partnerships, like Gateway Park, that provide
open access for recreational use of the river and our lakes.
If you are elected or re-elected, what issue is your top priority and why?
I support TRWD's core mission of water supply at an affordable cost, flood control and public
recreation use of the river and TRWD's lakes. I also support TRWD's water conservation
program and wetlands water recycling program. If you're not familiar with the great success of
the conservation and wetlands recycling programs, I would encourage you to learn more about it
on the TRWD website.
In your own words, what makes the Tarrant Regional Water District such a hot
topic for the community?
For the past four years, a Dallas businessman has attempted to stop a critical infrastructure
project that will ensure TRWD's ability to meet the increasing water supply needs of more than
625,000 families in our area. He has been embroiled in lawsuits with TRWD, which wastes
taxpayer money, and apparently has used other "creative" means to influence and eliminate the
project. This outside influence is what has made this election such a hot topic for the
community.
What advice would you give to a young professional on how to get involved with
the Tarrant Regional Water District?
In general, I advocate strong community volunteerism that is in line with your passion.
Specifically per our local water, there are many citizen participation programs through TRWD,
Streams and Valley, and the City of Fort Worth that often are desperate for citizen
participation…. find a program that matches your passion and get involved.
Jack Stevens – Candidate, TRWD Water Board
In your own words, please describe what impact the Tarrant Regional Water
District board has on the community.
I was elected to the Tarrant Regional Water District board in 2004. Since that time, we have
had two occasion of drought followed to events of flooding. An easy way of explaining what the
board has done for this is that during the drought, no one had to worry about having enough
water for common household functions. In the times of flooding, a balancing act between Lake
Bridgeport, Eagle Mountain Lake and Lake Worth resulted in no homes being flooded around
each reservoir or in Fort Worth.
With the population of FW being expected to double in the next 50 years, TRWD is the lead with
Dallas Utilities currently working on building the Integrated Pipeline Project (IPL). This $2.3
billion project, as well as new reservoirs, ASR, ground water, etc. will provide water to 2070.
The Drought Contingency Plan developed by TRWD, and adopted by all the cities around here,
has become their Conservation Plans and have added 20% to the Fort Worth citizens water
supply.
The Trinity River Vision Project (TRVA) is an ambitious flood control program to prevent the
catastrophic flooding that could occur with the addition of all the new people settling in this area
and a Katrina type rain event.
What is it about Tarrant Regional Water District that made you want to get
involved at this level?
Having decided to dedicate myself to public service after retiring as an engineer, and living on
Eagle Mountain Lake, I became a board member, then president, of our local water supply
company (serving 1200 homes). This gave me an opportunity to see TRWD in action and I
thought I could contribute. Ran for TRWD board and won. Since then I have become very active
on many local boards and charities. One of the things besides my work on TRWD is the cofounding of the Azle Education Foundation and current President.
If you are elected or re-elected, what issue is your top priority and why?
With a fine organization such as TRWD, being re-elected is a privilege that I value. I will
continue to provide guidance and go with the saying “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it.”
In your own words, what makes the Tarrant Regional Water District such a hot
topic for the community?
Only recently has TRWD become the “hot” topic. This is because a disgruntled Dallas
businessman, with a hobby farm in east Texas, doesn’t want the IPL crossing his property. This
is a 150-mile pipeline has been situated so that no people must be relocated. His method of
fighting this has been to try and replace the board with his people through frivolous lawsuits,
slander, and wasting taxpayer money. Out of the last two elections he succeeded in the 2013
election by blindsiding the electorate with lies and propaganda mailings every day thereby
getting one of his “puppets”, Mary Kelleher, on the board. She has been an obstructionist ever
since. He is financing her campaign for re-election again.
What advice would you give to a young professional on how to get involved with
the Tarrant Regional Water District?
TRWD has many volunteer programs where a young person can participate and become known
through their efforts.