Meeting called to order at the Benbrook Senior Center at 7:00 pm by Kate Moore. She asked all candidates and citizens to please be seated. Kate Moore will be monitoring tonight’s meeting. Renee Kimbrell from Timbercreek Homeowners Association will time the candidates. The format tonight will be: each candidate each will have 3 minutes. You may stand and ask a question or write a question on a card. Each candidate will have 1 minute to answer.
Jerry Dittrich, present mayor started. Hoping to be mayor another 2 years. He is a veterinarian. He works 6 days a week in Arlington. Jerry introduced his wife Christine and his mother who has moved into their guest house. She is 91 years old. He has 4 children, 3 grandchildren – all who live here except a daughter going to college. He has lived here about 30 years.
Keith Bailey is recuperating at home from surgery.
Charlie Anderson, City councilman Place 2. Spent 6 years EDC (Economic Development Committee), 5 of which he was president. He worked with city council to reduce taxes. He has an open-door policy. He thanked everyone for coming out.
Dan Tully, councilman Place 5. He has been on council for 2 years. He was vice-president on EDC before becoming councilman. Married for 33 years. They have 1 son, 2 grandkids. He has lived in Timbercreek and now resides in Westpark. 4 basic things: FW ISD, Economic Development, Benbrook Blvd and parks. We need to continue that our students get best education possible. Economic Deveoplment he is very proud of.
Jim Wilson running for councilman Place 5. Retired from Air Force. Success is only possible with communication. He does not agree EDC has been open. They have been an embarrassment. Compliancy is not OK. As a council member he will always respect you as a citizen.
Pamela Brandenberg, councilman Place 7. She is an attorney. Her husband is an attorney. They have 2 children. She has been on council previously. She is on the Y board of management. She has lived in Benbrook 27 years. She helped bring about the library, a lifetime member of PTA. We have an excellent city staff. We have a bare bones staff. Need social services even with our tight budget. Revenues must increase each year: tax rate or the tax base (the value of your property). Keep our houses in good repair to keep prices from falling.
Vernon Gatlin, councilman Place 7. (running). I LOVE BENBROOK. He is from Waco, Dallas, Arlington, and Benbrook. He lives in Country Day Estates. He wants your vote because he wants to serve. He feels he can make a difference. Gatlin real estate, a building he has several tenants in, and (another business which I didn’t catch). He wants to be part of the growth of Benbrook.
Ron Sauma, councilman Place 7. He is seeking re-election Place 7. He has held since 2001. Married for 47 years. They have 2 children, 2 grandchildren. He is a Korean War Vet. Over 10,000 volunteer hours in Benbrook. Since 2001 they have lowered property tax rate.
Julie Bakke, Library board. She has been a member since 2004. Her husband works at Lockheed. She has 2 daughters. She is passionate with the library. All you have to do is request a book and they can get it from Fort Worth. They have book clubs, summer reading times. She is up for election and welcomes the chance to speak about the library.
Roy “Corky” Baird. Running for the Library board. He was appointed in 96, elected in 97. He is investment officer for the Library Board. He volunteers twice a week at the library. He and his wife Pat has lived here 15 years. He is semi-retired with a moderate interest in computer business.
Robert Christensen, current member of the Board since August of last year. He has lived here 20 years. He lived in Timbercreek and now in Westpark. He has been at Lockheed for 22 years. The computers are widely used. He grew up in Austin.
Alicia Hunter running for the Library Board. She has lived here 30 years. Siblings: 3 boys, 2 girls. Her dad retired from Carswell. She lives on Wandering Way in Westpark. If you start with the children early. She is not married. She thinks the Library Board has done an outstanding job with computers, electronic media, etc. The internet is not cheap and not everyone has a computer has home.
Ron Pessenden, running for mayor. Widening of the highways, sidewalks, more access for elderly and young.
QUESTION: Chester Bochenko, 903 Keller, Benbrook. When he first moved here they had no super-highway. Terrible. Driving 377 South, to Mercedes, made a left hand turn. Cars were going 60 plus going South.
ANSWER: Mayor answered. Speed limit is state mandated. We can make requests to TX DOT but they have the final say. Mercedes is patrolled very well.
Question: Why can’t you the elected officials ensure the speed laws of Benbrook. Ron: What is the special interest group you mentioned?
ANSWER: Ron Sauma – he was member of COP S and whenever they received a complaint they turned it over to the police. The special interest group was sister cities.
QUESTION: Vince Brown. City passed a ban for smoking, why wouldn’t they ban the sale of smoking.
ANSWER: Mayor would support a ban. Ron Pessenden would support ban of selling tobacco products. Charlie Anderson would not say Yes or No. Dan Tully – likes the idea of smoking ban. Too many legal questions to answer. It would hurt a lot of businesses. Jim Wilson – He does not smoke, has never smoked. Smoking ban is good for public places. He hopes it goes state-wide. He would not support selling tobacco in the city. Pamela Brandenberg – would not support. Vernon Gatlin – he despises smoke. He is a reformed smoker. Does not support the ban on sale of tobacco. If we don’t buy it here they will go across the street and buy it. Ron Sauma – No.
QUESTION: Mike Kimbrell– Timbercreek. Question for place 7. What would you bring to the council – directed to Vern Gatlin. Skills. He has 20 experience insurance business. Previously was a blue collar business.
QUESTION: Jess Jordan. President SBHA. What do you guys do to give better communication to homeowners.
ANSWER: Jim Wilson. He is running because he knows they need better communication. Put out articles, inform our citizens, he has been going door-to-door.
ANSWER: Pamela Brandenberg, already you can call city hall and to look at the agenda to be put on an email list and get an agenda.
ANSWER: Vernon Gatlin – He is current vice-chair of his homeowners association. His office is on Mercedes.
ANSWER: Jerry Dittrich – They try to have representation are all areas when they have quarterly meetings.
ANSWER: Dan Tully – create another web site. They are listed in the phone book also. You can sign up on the website and get every update there is.
ANSWER: Charlie Anderson – He does not like to get on the computer to see when the next meeting is. He would like to see that every week they publish it weekly in the Benbrook News.
ANSWER: Ron Sauma – He is shocked if no one has his phone number: 817-244-2051. He is on the website and flyers.
QUESTION: Rick Whitehurst – Have bicycle lanes – he was going down Mercedes, waiting to turn right. 5 bikes passed him. Enforce the laws for the bike riders.
ANSWER: Jerry Dittrich – police know how to enforce the laws. To all council members.
QUESTION: Vince Brown – Voted in to freeze property tax. Is the city council willing to freeze money to senior center, etc.
ANSWER: Jerry Dittrich – He would not support freezing anything for senior citizens. Ron Pessenden – No. Charlie Anderson – No. Dan Tully – No. It doesn’t make any sense. Jim Wilson – No. Pamela Brandenberg – she did not support the property tax freeze. Would not freeze any amenities in the city. Vernon Gatlin – No. Ron Sauma – 2003 citizens voted over-whelming to pass the senior and disabled tax freeze. City has not raised taxes since then. He would not support the seniors from enjoying the building.
QUESTION: Joan Chew– Pamela Brandenberg – should taxes be raised again? Her taxes have not been lowered. Jerry Dittrich – if our property values did not go up, we would be paying less dollars. Our property values are going up.
QUESTION: Rick Whitehurt – froze taxes for the seniors. Cannot take it off income tax.
ANSWER: Ron Sauma – contains debt for drainage, storm water. It has always been in the budget. Have no control over TAD. (Whitehurt) as you froze taxes that are tax deductible – now we pay a storm water fee which are not deductible. (Sauma) Strongly suggest writing your state Legislature.
QUESTION: Reinstate sister city program.
ANSWER: Mrs. Brandenberg – council rebuffed the sister city program. She would not ask another city to partner with us.
QUESTION: For all: have talked about taxes, homeowners, etc. One way to raise taxes is with commercials – going to have WalMart – then homeowners wouldn’t have to commercial here in Benbrook?
ANSWER: Ron Sauma – they are going to build a supercenter. Another big name to buy the land. When Wal-Mart comes in 2 years. Vernon Gatlin – remembers the town center project. We are getting a million a year from Wal-Mart – the other one is Lowes.
Pamela Brandenberg – she agrees getting more commercial. They will start building as early as 2011. Will need 3 police officers just for that. Jim Wilson – this development is done for you. He has not seen a progress report showing goals. Lack of communication. Dan Tully – Cass Edwards passed away. Charlie Anderson – Edwards and Opus couldn’t get together. The EDC is working hard to revamp communications. Ron Pessenden –smaller businesses fall in the crack for larger business. Jerry Dittrich – Good planning – White Settlement didn’t do the planning as they don’t have the citizens to support it.
QUESTION: Samantha Spence – lived in Benbrook 40 yrs. It took 5 years minimum for Wal-Mart to come. How each incumbent feels about junk cars, etc. Are you happy?
ANSWER: Jerry Dittrich – we are going to enforce code compliance. Ron Pessenden – not happy. Private property is not being enforced. Charlie Anderson – No – but with new plans being put in and willing to go forth to take care of it – it will change. Grass that grows too high can be a fire hazard. Dan Tully – civil side – the elderly people to help them with volunteers. There is a warrant for the others. Jim Wilson – Everyone can call in and report – COPS can call in and report. Pamela Brandenberg – aging housing – when you see a problem call in to city hall and report it. When you see the property has been cleaned up – call them and thank them. Vernon Gatlin – Has not been happy. Good things on horizon. Ron Sauma – 1/3 of phone calls involve junk cars. Has been issued citations, the City is going to crack down. Call in and the city will enforce the law.
Kate Moore /Jess Jordan – asked for volunteers to help the elderly ( SBHA). You can call us we will help.
QUESTION: Shirley Green –gave an opinion only.
QUESTION: Mark Timbrell – if he calls and complains about his neighbor will his neighbor know? Is backyard included?
ANSWER: Ron Sauma – city does not look in your back yard – if you take photos and send in to city hall. Jerry Dittrich – code compliance works under state law. If it’s a public health problem they could look in the back yard.
Kate Moore – had a neighbor composting in the back yard – had rat infestation – neighbors called and it was taken care of.
Joan Chew – Does your neighbor have tall grass, can you call city to come out and look?
Kate Moore started with Alicia Hunter – running for Library Board. Wants to be part of it.
Robert Christensen – it’s all free for everyone.
Ron Baird – we get ½ % of all retail sales. They draw up their own budget. Comfortable with a reasonable income.
Julie Bakke – Served 4-1/2 years and it has been a pleasure.
Ron Sauma – thanked everyone for coming. After 8 years you can’t say it in 3 minutes. 2001 – he has been a member of 4 PAWS – 2007 passed a registered sex offense ordinance (2000 ft from any child friendly area off limits).
Vernon Gatlin - #1 spot on ballot. Imperative that revenues don’t drive the expenditures. City has been very prudent.
Pamela Brandenberg – open government. We have a right to know what is going on at all times. Mr. Sauma - some issue that was illegal – city attorney had to be called in – all council members had training for open meeting law. I don’t operate on rumor – Mr. Sauma has let us down.
Jim Wilson – running against Dan Tully. He is running for issues: communication, respect for tax dollars, EDC is not informing you on issues. We need to respect every tax dollar. JimWilsonforBenbrook.com website. Go vote. Dan Tully – EDC has spent a lot of money for these big guys to be here. He has served 2-1/2 years on city council .
Charlie Anderson – Has a lovely wife Karen, 4 children, 4 grandchildren. Came 22 years ago. Has no one running against him. One vote and he is in. Do your American duty and vote. Every tax dollar will be spent on the majority of citizens. Did not benefit any special interest group. When you are taxing people – tell them it is a tax.
Ron Pessenden – has a cell phone for you guys – it’s not for him. He wants to make himself more available.
Jerry Dittrich - Thank you for coming. When money comes in for waste water it goes for waste water. It is not a hidden tax. This is when our country is at a low – but our city is not in bad shape. Have 7 million in reserve. Things are real good. He is going to watch over our tax dollars. We are totally blessed to live here. We meet tomorrow night.
Dennis Lindgren – it’s a storm water fee – not waste water fee.
Meeting adjourned 9:10 pm. Minutes submitted by Linda Conner
