| Job description | The Council is the city’s governing body. This position is elected by district; term is two years. |
| Duties | Enacts city laws and ordinances Determines city policies Adopts city budget Appoints city manager to administer city government |
| Annual salary | $25,000; reimbursed for official city expenses. |
| Meetings | Council meetings three times per month; special meetings called as needed. |
| City contact information | Contact City Secretary csoadmin@fortworthtexas.gov 817-392-6150 |
Who’s Running?
| Gyna M. Bivens (incumbent) | Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CouncilwomanGynaB Email: gmbivens@gmail.com |
| Bob Willoughby | Website: https://www.fwdistrict5.com/profile.html Email: b.willoughby@live.com |
| Mar’Tayshia James | Website: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/martayshiajamesfordistrict5citycouncil?fbclid=IwAR1yMsEX3Ti5sWdYWpzJT6TD3Jm6JOCH-r8xKQcbc6Bp3aK8QjnNMz3zfiE Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MartayshiaJameForCityCouncilD5/ Email: brionnejames@gmail.com, mjamesccd5@gmail.com |
| Ricky Vazquez | Website: https://www.rickyvazquezforcitycouncildistrict5.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RickyVforD5/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/princeofftworth?lang=en Email: rickyvfordistrict5@gmail.com |
| Antonio (Twin) Harris | Website: atwinharris.com Email: harris.dist5@gmail.com |
Recent News Articles
- “How much do PACs influence local elections? The answer is sometimes elusive,” Fort Worth Report (4/27/21) https://fortworthreport.org/2021/04/27/how-much-do-pacs-influence-local-elections-the-answer-is-sometimes-elusive/
- “The race for District 5,” Fort Worth Weekly (4/21/21) https://www.fwweekly.com/2021/04/21/the-race-for-district-5/
- “In east Fort Worth City Council district, here’s a clear choice for voters,” Fort Worth Star-Telegram (paywall) (editorial), (4/13/21) https://www.star-telegram.com/opinion/editorials/article250598689.html
- “Fort Worth council rejects independent commission as it prepares to redraw districts,” Fort Worth Star-Telegram (paywall), (4/6/21), https://www.star-telegram.com/news/politics-government/article250474541.html
Candidate Q&A
| 1. WHY ARE YOU THE BEST QUALIFIED CANDIDATE? | |
| Gyna M. Bivens |
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| Bob Willoughby |
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| Mar’Tayshia James |
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| Ricky Vazquez |
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| Antonio (Twin) Harris Beyond the many reasons I decided to run for City Council most importantly because, I CARE. I care about the population growth, economic development, infrastructure, social welfare and the wellbeing of our citizens. I want to be in a decision making position to ensure a sweet balance between The City of Fort Worth and its Citizens. I've touched every facet of Fort Worth through diverse programs, associations, groups and organizations right along with my life experiences. Gave me the necessary experiences to execute tasks in a timely manner. |
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| 2. THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC HAS AFFECTED FORT WORTH’S BUDGET AND SERVICES, AS WELL AS THE LIVES OF RESIDENTS. HOW WOULD YOU GRADE FORT WORTH’S RESPONSE AND WHAT WOULD YOU DO DIFFERENTLY? | |
| Gyna M. Bivens |
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| Bob Willoughby |
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| Mar’Tayshia James |
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| Ricky Vazquez |
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| Antonio (Twin) Harris I wouldn't have changed anything, because it was at the hands of professionals. We simply didn’t know what we were up against, at that time. |
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| 3. FORT WORTH WILL BE RECEIVING OVER $184 MILLION IN RELIEF FUNDS FROM THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN. HOW SHOULD THAT MONEY BE SPENT? | |
| Gyna M. Bivens |
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| Bob Willoughby |
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| Mar’Tayshia James |
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| Ricky Vazquez |
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| Antonio (Twin) Harris First ensure that all are in a safe comfortable home, make sure we are in a safe environment, reimburse landlords and business owners, stimulate the economy with business loans, scholarships, trades etc. |
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| 4. THE RECENT “BIG FREEZE” CAUSED MANY RESIDENTS TO GO WITHOUT POWER OR WATER FOR HOURS OR EVEN DAYS. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE CITY’S RESPONSE (WARMING CENTERS, TRANSPORTATION, AND EMERGENCY WATER DISTRIBUTION)? HOW WOULD YOU WORK TO IMPROVE ELECTRIC/GAS/WATER INFRASTRUCTURE SO THIS NEVER HAPPENS AGAIN? | |
| Gyna M. Bivens an> |
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| Bob Willoughby |
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| Mar’Tayshia James |
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| Ricky Vazquez |
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| Antonio (Twin) Harris Having weather storm kits equipped with flash light, blankets, food and water. We should have bad weather alerts on phones similar to an Amber alert. We should also have generated escape shelters like the Convention Center where stranded citizens can be transported by bus. Maybe if we were more in the habit of turning off unused light or even if we had more solar panels, we may not have had such a massive and long blackout. |
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| 5. HOW SHOULD FORT WORTH ADDRESS THE AVAILABILITY OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING? WHAT ROLE SHOULD CITY GOVERNMENT PLAY IN RESPONDING TO PANDEMIC-RELATED EVICTIONS? | |
| Gyna M. Bivens |
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| Bob Willoughby |
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| Mar’Tayshia James |
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| Ricky Vazquez |
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| Antonio (Twin) Harris I’m a bit puzzled when asked this question, due to the fact that I’ve never seen a house built that was unaffordable. I don’t at all oppose multi-family housing for the growing population, which I welcome with open arms. As long as we can ensure the comfort, affordability and staying power of our citizens. We should probe all resources now available in regards to the assurance of non eviction, and provide for those evicted. Our commitment is to the citizen of Fort Worth |
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| 6. NEW POLICE CHIEF NEIL NOAKES HAS SAID, “WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY NOW TO DO SOME AMAZING THINGS TO LOOK FOR THAT POSITIVE REFORM, TO LOOK FOR COMMUNITY AND CONNECTIONS.” WHAT REFORMS TO FWPD POLICIES DO YOU SUPPORT, AND WHAT SHOULD BE THE TOP PRIORITY? | |
| Gyna M. Bivens |
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| Bob Willoughby |
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| Mar’Tayshia James |
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| Ricky Vazquez |
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| Antonio (Twin) Harris I’m loving the fact that Chief Neil Noakes realizes and is more than willing to go forth with positive efforts in building the relationship between FWPD and it’s citizens. From the early warning system, mental health crisis intervention team, classifying civilian complaints with Internal Affairs I stand behind wholeheartedly. Beyond the transparency I’m in great support of accountability simply because it holds the individual responsible for their actions, in hope that they follow strict training and procedures policies and laws to the best of their ability. |
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| 7. DO YOU THINK IT IS EVER APPROPRIATE FOR STATE LAWS TO OVERRIDE LOCAL CONTROL OF ISSUES THAT AFFECT THE CITY? IF SO, PLEASE PROVIDE AN EXAMPLE. | |
| Gyna M. Bivens |
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| Bob Willoughby |
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| Mar’Tayshia James |
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| Ricky Vazquez |
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| Antonio (Twin) Harris I’m leaning toward no, simply because the state most times does not know what’s going on directly in the city. |
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| 8. HOW SHOULD THE CITY PROCEED WITH THE PANTHER ISLAND PROJECT GIVEN THE UNCERTAINTY OVER FEDERAL FUNDING? | |
| Gyna M. Bivens |
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| Connie Cottrell | |
| Bob Willoughby |
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| Mar’Tayshia James |
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| Ricky Vazquez |
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| Antonio (Twin) Harris Great idea, great plans for a greater Fort Worth, that should continue. We must become more inventive in our thinking and budgeting to make this happen. We are rapidly growing and changing, and we must keep up with the pace. Example, Jerry Jones built Arlington stadium and allowed AT&T to use the name while it continued to make money, paying for itself. |
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| 9. ANYTHING ELSE YOU'D LIKE TO ADD? | |
| Gyna M. Bivens |
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| Bob Willoughby |
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| Mar’Tayshia James |
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| Ricky Vazquez |
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| Antonio (Twin) Harris In closing, thanks for such thoughtful question. |
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