[Bernd]

Anybody catch the news tonight? Just three months into her term, Wendy Davis has already resigned her city council seat. Nice.

[AndyN]

I still got my yard signs. Let me know if I should put them out again. I noticed another occasional FWForumer also considering a run according to the S-T.

[safly]

BERN. You, ME, Lunch, TODAY!

Got the wheels in motion, just as WE ALL anticipated.

Predictable Politics as usual with her.

[Fort Worthology]

Nice of the Startlegram to not even mention you along with the other two candidates. Top-notch local reporting, as always!

[redhead]

I've already received a campaign email from Joel Burns. Dang, that was fast!

[AndyN]

I would suppose that Wendy has annointed Joel as her chosen successor? If there is any doubt as to whether he is running, check out his website! Either he spent all night working on it, or he knew ahead of time. I assume since he was on the Zoning Commission for District 9 that he is close with Wendy.

[AndyN]

And dang if a BUNCH of his web content is no longer online. Thank god for cached pages.

[Roger_H]

I was surprised that Ms. Davis pans to challenge Sen. Brimer as a Democrat. I know Fort Worth is getting more liberal and has a bigger minority population than the county as a whole. But still, this is Tarrant County, the most conservative county in Texas. I have a hard time believing that folks in Colleyville are going to vote for any Democrat.

[safly]

BURNS v. BERNIE

CLASSIC!

[safly]

Nice of the Startlegram to not even mention you along with the other two candidates. Top-notch local reporting, as always!

Time to update your mantra, and say "Vote for BERNIE, AGAIN!"

[Bernd]

I like the "Again" addition... very nice.

It will be interesting to have both Joel and Daniel in the race (made even more interesting by the fact that Daniel is my next-door neighbor, and Joel lives just down the street from us)... I think both are fairly close to Wendy, so I don't expect her to endorse one over the other.

I think Mr. Burns' preparedness is helped at least in part by the fact that his partner works for FW's finest Democratic political operative firm.

I'm in Austin at the moment for a cousin's wedding. I'll be back in FW Monday, at which point I will be getting down to business.

[safly]

Having canvased much of the "tapped" and "untapped" district 9 pockets before, residence seem to swing more toward an Independent these days than either Repub or Dem. The (hate to admit it) "CONCEPT" is FRESH, NEW and it invites the voter an opportunity to mix in a different political base. Which FW is small enough to welcome that perspective into the game, while making an impact. I really think that FW is trying to, as in the wise words of Chad Johnson, "bring the sexy back!". So just about anything is game.

Besides, you have already shown Distr. 9 constituents that you do care STRONG enough to gather 25% of the votes on your first time around just months ago, with only 2 months worth of neighborhood to neighborhood campaigning and face to face exposure, of a relatively (don't take this wrong way) UNKNOWN player. The deal is done IMO, you just have to go and do it again, but sooner rather than later. And I would respectively offer you my vote, just for the FACT alone that you will not take Distr. 9 votership for granted, for ALL the neighborhoods. ALL of em.

I'm actually heading down to A-town this weekend. Perhaps we could meet up on the way back. I know of a great restaurant in WACO.

ROCKY was a great film, but ROCKY II was even better.

DING, DING!

[Bernd]

Nice of the Startlegram to not even mention you along with the other two candidates. Top-notch local reporting, as always!

I think they must have heeded my blog, yours, and steve-o's (and my phone call and email)... because I talked to them about 4 times yesterday, and this morning there was a decent follow-up story about potential candidates.

http://www.star-telegram.com/news/story/198470.html

[AndyN]

Jeez, Bernie, what'd you ever do to J.R. Labbe? Did you run over her cat or overcharge her for an inner tube patch? There seems to be an anti-Bernie bias in her article. But, then again it was on the op/ed page. I was a little confused by the West 7th Street Gang reference. Was her point of view that she is waiting with baited breath to see who the WSSG will throw out there or was she firing a shot across your and Joel's bow saying wait til you see who we'll throw out there to run against you. Isn't the Star Telegram building on West 7th Street? Perhaps she forgets that the StarTel is considered part of the gang?



Hurry, hurry, hurry! Come one, come all, to the show!

By J.R. Labbe
Star-Telegram Staff Writer

Full Article

Enter Wendy Davis. Or, should I say, exit Wendy Davis. The Fort Worth City Council representative caught everyone but her closest friends by surprise when she announced Aug. 9 that she will step down from her District 9 seat so she can run against state Sen. Kim Brimer next year.

Because Texas has uniform election dates, in all likelihood the election to fill her unexpired term, which runs until May 2009, will be Nov. 6.

The last tear from Davis' emotional speech in front of the council hadn't dried upon her cheek before bicycle shop owner Bernie Scheffler, who ran against her just three months ago, had "elect me" signs in his yard.

Joel Burns, a member of the city Zoning Commission and chairman of the Fort Worth Historic and Cultural Landmarks Commission, had his campaign Web site running by Monday. No doubt he'll get plenty of pro bono help from his partner, J.D. Angle, who's a political consultant.

Attorney Daniel Hernandez' name was on a short list when the story broke, but by Sunday night he'd decided against it.

The time might not be right for Hernandez, but there's plenty of time for the local business community to draft a yet-to-be-named candidate.

Fort Worth's Seventh Street Gang is alive and well, folks. It's just not as overt as it once was.

[Bernd]

I don't know, Andy. I didn't take it as bias against any one candidate, but as being sort of anti-all-of-us, including Wendy.

Filing for the ballot starts Wed, and I'm pretty sure at least one or two more candidates are going to come out of the woodwork... whether any of them is the 7th St gang's anointee is anyone's guess.

[AndyN]

If you're lucky, it won't grow to 13 candidates.

Consultant seeking District 9 seat
By ANTHONY SPANGLER
Star-Telegram staff writer

Fort Worth City Council members are expected to call a special election to fill the seat vacated by Wendy Davis.

On Monday, Chris Turner, a political consultant, became the third person to announce a run for Davis' seat.

If the council approves the election for the District 9 seat, filing for the shortened term would begin Wednesday and end Aug. 31. The election would be held Nov. 6...


...Turner is a partner with Murphy Turner Associates. About 10 years ago, he was an aide to then-City Councilman Clyde Picht. This would be Turner's first race as a candidate. He said Monday that he plans to file paperwork for his campaign treasurer -- his wife, Holly.

"This is not a partisan race, and I think the people of this city want to keep it that way," Turner said. "I told my wife that the coolest political office would be to run for City Council in your hometown."

He may want to avoid a partisan race, but I would have to guess by his credentials that he is just as much an R as Joel is a D (but I'm just guessing).

[Bernd]

I predict 5-6 candidates by the time the filing dust clears...

Though is certainly looks like this is shaping up to be one of the most partisan non-partisan elections we've seen in a while! They Tyson Organization vs. Murphy Turner & Associates. Should we just send 'em each a pair of boxing gloves to mark the occasion? Ding Ding Ding!

[AndyN]

Sounds good. Just try to be standing on top of the pile of crumpled bodies when the dust clears.

[76107]

From what I understand, "Evil" Chris, as we called him to distinguish him from "Good" Chris Turner (an entirely different and much more personable politico) has the complete backing of the good people of the Tarrant County Republican Party. They're willing to put up a pretty decent amount of dough, too, from the scuttlebutt.

[safly]

If this is the same youngish Chris Turner I met about 4 years ago at a Yo-Yo Ma concert at Bass Hall, then HE'S A REAL TOOL!

You thought I name dropped??? GEEEEZ!

[safly]

Jeez, Bernie, what'd you ever do to J.R. Labbe? Did you run over her cat or overcharge her for an inner tube patch? There seems to be an anti-Bernie bias in her article. But, then again it was on the op/ed page. I was a little confused by the West 7th Street Gang reference. Was her point of view that she is waiting with baited breath to see who the WSSG will throw out there or was she firing a shot across your and Joel's bow saying wait til you see who we'll throw out there to run against you. Isn't the Star Telegram building on West 7th Street? Perhaps she forgets that the StarTel is considered part of the gang?



Hurry, hurry, hurry! Come one, come all, to the show!

By J.R. Labbe
Star-Telegram Staff Writer

Full Article

Enter Wendy Davis. Or, should I say, exit Wendy Davis. The Fort Worth City Council representative caught everyone but her closest friends by surprise when she announced Aug. 9 that she will step down from her District 9 seat so she can run against state Sen. Kim Brimer next year.

Because Texas has uniform election dates, in all likelihood the election to fill her unexpired term, which runs until May 2009, will be Nov. 6.

The last tear from Davis' emotional speech in front of the council hadn't dried upon her cheek before bicycle shop owner Bernie Scheffler, who ran against her just three months ago, had "elect me" signs in his yard.

Joel Burns, a member of the city Zoning Commission and chairman of the Fort Worth Historic and Cultural Landmarks Commission, had his campaign Web site running by Monday. No doubt he'll get plenty of pro bono help from his partner, J.D. Angle, who's a political consultant.

Attorney Daniel Hernandez' name was on a short list when the story broke, but by Sunday night he'd decided against it.

The time might not be right for Hernandez, but there's plenty of time for the local business community to draft a yet-to-be-named candidate.

Fort Worth's Seventh Street Gang is alive and well, folks. It's just not as overt as it once was.

Good to be baaaack!

BTW, there's no crying in politics.

[AndyN]

She wasn't crying, she was just a little verklempt. Talk amongst yourselves.

[safly]

Did she end it by saying, RHODE ISLAND.

Neither a road nor an island.

Talk amongst yourselves.

[ghughes]

August 31st, 2007

FORT WORTH – Today Juan Rangel, seven-year Trustee for the Fort Worth Independent School District, announced his candidacy for the District 9 Fort Worth City Council position. “After consulting with my family and my wife Patricia, I have decided to offer my candidacy to the voters in District 9 for the Fort Worth City Council,” said Rangel.
Juan Rangel, a former City of Fort Worth Planning Commissioner, is the principal of JRE Fort Worth where he specializes in private and public problem solving, funding and project management. He holds a masters degree in Public Administration from the University of North Texas and has served on many major boards and committees over the past 30 years.

Mr. Rangel touted his achievements as a Trustee as making him a uniquely qualified candidate. “I have lead the fight against the dropout rate and tackled other tough problems. I never shied away from asking important questions and will fight hard to represent all of the neighborhoods in District 9,” he said. As a FWISD Trustee, Mr. Rangel was instrumental in establishing the annual Si Se Puede - Stay In School conference.

“The voters will have a choice between candidates who are making a lot of promises, or someone who already has a proven track record as a public servant for the diverse neighborhoods of District 9,” said Rangel. “As a City Councilman I will continue Wendy Davis’ work to revitalize our central city corridors, encourage development of Downtown, promote public transportation, invest in repairing our streets, and I will fulfill every expectation for responsive constituent service,” he said.

“I have lived and raised my family in District 9, the south side of Fort Worth. I take public service very seriously and know that the voters will expect their councilmember to have a track record of service in the neighborhoods of this District. I very well may be the only candidate who can credibly make that claim,” he added.

Mr. Rangel is married to Dr. Patricia L. Rangel, Director of the FWISD Early Childhood Department. They have one son, Juan A. Rangel, III.

[Bernd]

I predict 5-6 candidates by the time the filing dust clears...

I almost got it right... 7 candidates after all is said and done. This should be fun.

[AndyN]

Ok, we got Bernie, Chris, Juan and Joel. Who are the other 3? 6 more candidates and we've got a water district election.

Is filing closed now?

[Bernd]

Vickie Powell, Jim Beckman, and Mark Pederson are the other three. Filing is now closed.

[AndyN]

I don't know Mr. Rangel, but from what I recall hearing about the FWISD in the past few years and the lastest headline from a search for Juan Rangel on the Star Telegram website (Fort Worth schools slip in ratings) makes it look like being a FWISD Trustee may not be all that positive.

[AndyN]

Candidate Applications Here

I can't find the article that GHughes posted. Is this from his website or a publication?

[Bernd]

I don't think it's an article... looks like a press release.

[safly]

I don't know Mr. Rangel, but from what I recall hearing about the FWISD in the past few years and the lastest headline from a search for Juan Rangel on the Star Telegram website (Fort Worth schools slip in ratings) makes it look like being a FWISD Trustee may not be all that positive.

Maybe someone should ask this man, of a high ranking position at FWISD, where exactly he was when local Hispanic HS students were ditching school and marching on the streets of FW during those Illegal Immigration Amnesty Marches last year???

Dude, Bernie. You got this one. Just canvass D9 like a champ. Get some more RAHR shindigs going and REMIND every single voter that you actually had the ONIONS to run up against a 3 termer like Wendy Davis. Well, not in those EXACT terms, but we need city council folks who take a REAL CHANCE for them.

[cbellomy]

I don't know Mr. Rangel, but from what I recall hearing about the FWISD in the past few years and the lastest headline from a search for Juan Rangel on the Star Telegram website (Fort Worth schools slip in ratings) makes it look like being a FWISD Trustee may not be all that positive.

Maybe someone should ask this man, of a high ranking position at FWISD, where exactly he was when local Hispanic HS students were ditching school and marching on the streets of FW during those Illegal Immigration Amnesty Marches last year???

Somebody should ask him why American citizens exercised their Constitutional right to free speech? Perhaps the better question would be to ask you why you would have a problem with it.

[safly]

Dunno CB. Maybe it's due to the fact that 52% of male hispanic HS students end up dropping out of HS completely. Perhaps.

I guess I should consider myself SO FORTUNATE???

FREE Speech could have been exercised POST SCHOOL Hours. If I recall last, attending classes was MANDATORY by the STATE Public Education.

If he were to exhibit a leadership roll, then he very well could have assembled those marches after school hours, and definitely not ALLOW for "walkouts" to take place. Especially under his watch as FWISD Trustee. And if his IGNORAMOUS rebuttal to that comment or example opens up with something along the lines of "HOW do you expect me to CONTROL a few hundred teenage students?". Then maybe he is just NOT FIT to represent 10's of thousands of D9 citizens.

Just a factual observation from over here.

[ghughes]

I don't think it's an article... looks like a press release.

Right. It was sent to me by an individual who may support Rangel. I just passed it on for general interest. As to the school walkout thing, that looks like an interesting non-issue. Unless, perhaps, Mr. Rangel organized it. Then you might have to balance his organizational skills against his judgment.

Meanwhile, Ms. Powell is reported to have dropped out of the race. Still a large field. Joel is out of the blocks early and I've been told he has "rabid" supporters. Running last time has certainly earned Bernie some good name recognition to build on. Chris Turner is very knowledgeable when it comes to campaigning and contacts around town from his work with Picht.

[safly]

Turner is a non factor here. And I will stand by those words all the way to the voting booths. He has ABSOLUTELY no pulse on the small business owner in town or the citizens of ALL OF D-9.

Lowe may have something going for him, but he has created ZERO track record on running for a council seat or registering hispanic and young voters throughout the district. Basically, he has not helped create an EQUAL voice for this district???

If it's all about ONIONS in this race, Bernie can win this. Experience as a city elected official , NO. But I say it is time for new blood and fresh faces in our local government. Bernie stepped it up last time around when everyone else just threw in their Polo brand towels.

Grit, Determination, Humility and Inspiring. I hold all of those CHARACTERISTICS in high regards for a public servant. And it just so happens to be quite evident in the makeup of one Mr. Bernie Scheffler. Without a DOUBT, the future is BRIGHT with Bernie.

Bernie Scheffler is Racing AGAINST ALL ODDS here and he needs all of our help in succeeding. If you have ever had a chance to meet him and discuss city issues, you cannot help but feel aligned with his passion for a better quality of life in our city of Fort Worth. It is quite remarkable and awe inspiring to hear of such notions and dreams from such a caring young man. Many of you today have been eagerly awaiting for such a political candidate who prevails with the VOTER'S SPECIAL INTEREST in mind, and not just during election day but throughout the whole entire process of service. If you are waiting for that one individual who stands out among the crowd. Someone with the virtues of honesty, integrity and selflessness guiding his daily life both at work and with family. One who has PROVEN to countless District 9 voters to NEVER BE AFRAID to stick his chin out there FOR YOU! AGAIN! Well enough with the waitin, that time IS NOW PEOPLE! And that individual is BERNIE SCHEFFLER.

[AndyN]

Are you officially his campaign manager or just on this forum?

My biggest problem with the other candidates (other than Bernie) is that I haven't heard much about the other candidates. I appreciate the press release posting, Greg. Was there a website listed? Joel has not said much about his stand on certain issues and I can't find anything on the net about the rest of them.

Joel was nice enough to send me an email asking for my help on a block walk, but I sure would like to know more about him and his thoughts before I would volunteer to block walk for him.

I suppose everyone else who has lived here half their lives already knows these people, but I've only lived in Fort Worth less than a year. I need more info.

[Tony]

Anyone get a telephone call recently about the election in which there was a brief description of each candidate? In full disclosure, I cover City Hall for the Star-Telegram (Anthony Spangler). I would like to hear some impressions about the candidate descriptions. I got the call but did not complete the "survey" call because the caller wouldn't say who paid for it or who would use the information. But a colleague of mine did go through the whole call and said there was mention of the school bond election and the constitutional ammendments but that the call seemed to focus on the District 9 candidates. Then the caller asked if the information changed their opinion about any of the candidates. Thanks for your input!

[safly]

Seems like that call may have been directed towards the FWISD trustee, uhh what's his name???

Anyhow, if they are getting their material from this website, then they came to the right place. Which is not to say that they MAY or MAY NOT have their pulse on "FW'ians" and "D9'ers". (And don't even THINK about trademarking that last one, HEAR ME?!)

Well a big "WELCOME to the FWFORUMDOME... Tony!"

Did you bring your blade? It tends to get a lil rowdy here sometimes.
Just kidding, great to have you on board Mr. Paper Man.

BTW, have not received such a call to date.

[safly]

Are you officially his campaign manager or just on this forum?

My biggest problem with the other candidates (other than Bernie) is that I haven't heard much about the other candidates. I appreciate the press release posting, Greg. Was there a website listed? Joel has not said much about his stand on certain issues and I can't find anything on the net about the rest of them.

Joel was nice enough to send me an email asking for my help on a block walk, but I sure would like to know more about him and his thoughts before I would volunteer to block walk for him.

I suppose everyone else who has lived here half their lives already knows these people, but I've only lived in Fort Worth less than a year. I need more info.

Can't afford THIS! Kinda double edged there too.


- The Mouth

[AndyN]

I did not receive a phone call, but I can guarantee you that I am a little diappointed in the lack of information about the candidates. Thank god for that article you did that list their websites, but I still can't find much on position information on them except for Bernie and Chris. I suppose they are trying to see who has the most friends to get them elected or who can buy the most yard signs. All sizzle, no steak.


For what it's worth, here's the web addresses of them that had addresses when the article was published:

Jim Beckman - jimbeckman.com
Joel Burns - joelburns.com
Juan Rangel Jr. - juanrangelcampaign.com
Bernie Scheffler - iheartfw.com
Chris Turner - ctd9.com

I wonder if they have drawn for position on the ballot yet? When's the first debate? I'll provide a spacious lawn and free boxing gloves if they want to hold forum at my house.

[Bernd]

Yes, ballot positions have been drawn. You should be able to find the results by searching on the FW City Website.

I think the only thing close to a debate that will happen is the League of Women Voters forum in early October.

[John T Roberts]

As you know, I've lived in Fort Worth all of my life and know all of the candidates but one, so I might be able to shed some light on them later this weekend.

[safly]

what: District 9 DEBATE.
where:RAHR (a local) Brewery.
when:???
who:???

Les Get IT ON!

Topic of discussion: Local Economy

[AndyN]

Phone survey spurs criticism
By ANTHONY SPANGLER
Star-Telegram Staff Writer


Several candidates and their campaign managers in the Fort Worth City Council District 9 race are accusing opponent Joel Burns of conducting a "push poll" using inflammatory and inaccurate information.

Burns, a city zoning commissioner, acknowledged that his campaign conducted the poll but said it was not a push poll because it targeted only 360 voters. He said he approved all the wording in the survey.

"It was a poll to test a wide variety of things and potential perceptions," he said. "It was testing positives and negatives."

Burns is one of six candidates vying for the City Council seat vacated by Wendy Davis, who resigned to run for higher office.

All five of Burns' opponents -- Jim Beckman, Mark Pederson, Juan Rangel Jr., Bernie Scheffler and Chris Turner -- criticized the campaign tactic. Some said the survey straddles the line between a legitimate poll and a "push poll" -- a survey that loads questions with potentially negative information about a candidate.

The survey asked a range of questions about issues on the Nov. 6 ballot but repeatedly provided information about District 9 candidates, then asked whether the information changed how the respondents felt about those candidates.

Read the rest of the story...

[Tony]

The public will have the opportunity to hear the candidates for Texas State Representative District 97, and City Council, District 9, at a League of Women Voters Candidate Forum, Tuesday, October 9, at 7 p.m. at the University Christian Church Fellowship Hall, 2720 South University Drive.

[safly]

thank you ^^

As for the (supposed) phone call candidate. I didn't mean a candidate with ONIONS in that respects.

[Dismuke]

Hmmmmmm. Here's my idea for how a candidate could effectively use a phone bank which would be much better than any sort of push poll or traditional "get out the vote" sort of calls. The candidate would save all of his money for phone banks until the very last minute and then have a very heavily staffed phone bank open up at midnight prior to the election calling every household in the district. The conversation would go something like this:

- - - -

Candidate X Volunteer:

Hello, May I speak with Mrs. Smith?

Hello, Mrs. Smith - How are you this morning?

What do I want? Well, Mrs Smith, my name is Joe Blow. I am a Concerned Citizen for Candidate Y. Today is election day. We are just calling to see if we can count on you to be up bright and early and support our man Candidate Y?

Uhhhh? What's that?

Uhhh - Gee. Uhhm, I am very sorry that you feel that way. Candidate Y recently spent $10,000 conducting a survey which shows that by calling people between midnight and 6:00 AM, most people are at home. Mrs Smith, this is the sort of innovative thinking that you can expect from your government if Candidate Y gets elected. So, can we count on your.........Mrs. Smith?? Hello????? Are you still there, Mrs. Smith????

[safly]

^^^^



INNOVATIVE!

$10K! I would buy about 150 golf club drivers and dial up male voters between the ages of 25 and 40. Then direct them towards said candidates website and enter for a drawing to win those clubs. Explain that only 1600 folks voted last D-9 election and that your chances of winning are OUTSTANDING! And if you vote for the RIGHT CANDIDATE, your chances even DOUBLE.

Better yet, FREE hunting licenses, paid for by X Candidates Campaign Manager. We support overpopulation control of our state's finest game. BAM!

Ok, stretch there.

[MetroCode]

I for one welcome our unethical politician overlords.

[David Love]

Is this too good to be true or what?

Bernie Scheffler, the frontrunner in the campaign for Fort Worth City Council District 9

http://www.pegasusnews.com/news/2007/oct/0...illing-ordinan/