Congratulations Joel

I want to take this opportunity to congratulate Joel Burns on his victory in the runoff election last night. Now get to work, Joel!



Interestingly, our endorsement may ultimately have helped swing the vote toward Joel. Joel's final margin of victory: 271 votes. On November 6, 262 people voted Bernie.

The toughest campaign decision I've had to make...

...was whether to endorse either runoff candidate. As you active blog readers know, I felt personally attacked by both candidates (Joel with the URL fiasco, and Juan with the false claims on his "Trinity Trees" mailer). So, the bad taste left in my mouth by both these campaigns left me, on a personal level, with a bad taste in my mouth.

However, in these final days before the runoff election, I'm reminded that this campaign isn't about me and my personal feelings; it's about improving District 9, and I think my supporters deserve to hear from me about who I think will do the best job.

I've had a chance to meet with both candidates to discuss their plans for the city, and their positions on what I consider to be the most important issues facing us today. I've also taken into consideration the manner in which their campaigns have been run, as I believe now more than ever, Fort Worth needs positive leadership. Since the URL dust-up, Joel has changed the tone of his campaign. He has stayed positive and started talking about real issues. Juan's campaign has continued with negative tactics.

So, dear friends, I'm announcing today that I will cast my vote for Joel Burns on December 18.

Again, this was not an easy decision; both candidates have actively sought my support, and both have their merits. However, I feel that Joel will be a more effective leader at city hall. It's also important to note that Juan already has an elected position with the Fort Worth ISD, a district that still very much needs his progressive leadership.

I can tell you that I would not have endorsed Joel Burns if he had not given me good answers about his position on urban gas drilling. This is the most pressing issue facing our district, and we need someone in office who can advocate changes to the current system.

Admittedly, Joel took the issue up late, but his position is strong; Joel has a very practical plan to not only protect our citizens from the dangers of gas drilling, but also to place more power in choosing drilling sites in the hands of the citizens, rather than the drilling companies themselves. Joel also has good proposals about pipeline safety, and about the handling of the tremendous amount of wastewater that gas wells are producing.

The second most pressing issue we face is the transportation crunch. As you all know, I'm a proponent of light rail, and Joel Burns is the only one of the two remaining candidates who truly understands the need for more rail transit, and for more sustainable urban planning in general.

Joel and I still have some minor disagreements on less pressing issues, like tax abatements for wealthy developers and huge corporations. However, I feel that of our remaining two choices, he is the best guy for the job.

Please vote; early voting starts Monday, and runoff election day is December 18. Even if you didn't vote on Nov. 6, you can vote in the runoff; no excuses!

What comes next?

Well, as most of you know... we didn't make it into the runoff.

That doesn't mean this is over though; our vision for the future has resonated with lots of people (even people that didn't vote for us). I plan to stay involved, and to continue working to try and make our city a better place for everyone to live.

My phone has been ringing off the hook for the last 4 days. Both runoff candidates and their supporters have been calling asking for my endorsement. I've talked with other non-runoff candidates about their plans, and many of the folks who voted for me have called and asked who I will support.

Let me be clear: both candidates in the runoff have used campaign tactics that I find unacceptable, and both have some minor differences with me on the issues. For those reasons, I have not yet even commited to make an endorsment, much less chosen an endorsee.

As I continue meeting with folks over the next few days, I will come to a decision about my public stance on the runoff race. When the time is right, I will announce my decision right here on the Vote Bernie! blog, so stay tuned...

Go Vote Right Now!

We've been making the rounds at the polls today... turnout doesn't seem as high as some predicted. If you haven't voted, GET OUT AND VOTE NOW! And of course, Vote Bernie!

Polls close at 7.

VOTE TOMORROW!

We've finally arrived! It's the eve of election day, and we're ready to make our mark on this city's politics. We CAN elect an able regular citizen, who listens to and speaks for regular citizens.

So tomorrow it's time for you to do your part: VOTE! Polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.

If you don't know where you're supposed to vote, call me at 817-401-0146 and I'll help you figure it out.

If you or someone you know needs a ride to the polls, call me and we'll schedule one for you.

If you get home between 5 and 6, knock on your neighbors' doors or call them and ask if they've voted. If not, put some peer pressure on them to get to the polls!

And of course, be on the lookout for the Vote Bernie! get-out-the-vote-mobile, our vintage Ice Cream Truck:

Why you should vote for me

Some of you are probably reading this blog doing your final research before heading to the polls. Thanks for visiting! I'd like to personally ask you for your vote, and to tell you why I believe I'm the best candidate for the job.

I'm running for city council because I love this city, and I have a vision of how it can be the most liveable city in the country. I'm NOT running because of political ambitions... I have no political ambitions beyond city hall. I'm not a longtime politician like Rangel; I haven't been entrenched in city hall for 10 years like Burns; I wasn't asked to run by special business interests downtown like Beckman; and I'm not a partisan lobbyist like Turner.

I'm a small business owner, a regular guy, who genuinely wants to serve this city. In the process, I want to give all the other regular guys and gals who love this city (that's you) a voice down at city hall.

And while I've picked three hot-button issues to run a campaign on, they are by no means the scope of my plans at city hall. I have a vision for the future of Fort Worth, and I won't rest until that vision is realized.

Fort Worth is a lucky city, because in the past we've grown a lot slower than other big cities. That slow, steady growth has allowed us to preserve a lot of the history and architectural fabric that gives Fort Worth its identity. Some cities (ahem- Dallas) demolished most of their historic downtown buildings in the 70s and 80s, but we kept ours. That's what makes Sundance Square a destination today.

Things are changing, though. Fort Worth is now the fastest growing city in the U.S., putting our historical resources and quality of life in danger. Did you know that F.W. landmarks like the Tarrant County Courthouse, Will Rogers Memorial Center, and the Botanical Gardens have no historic preservation protection whatsoever?

What about the fact that the fastest-growing city in the U.S. hasn't been trying very hard to get its transportation system ready for the new residents? Former mayor Kenneth Barr started the ball rolling on a light rail project, but our current mayor let it die because Federal funding was unlikely.

I don't think it's the Federal government's responsibility to build us a transit system. It would be nice if they were willing to help, but if they won't we still must take the initiative to build it on our own.

When I dare peer into the future of Fort Worth, I see a city as grand as the ones this great country used to build. Think of New York, Boston, or Chicago.

I see diverse neighborhoods, where the wealthy live near the less wealthy, and both are richer for it. I see citizens that get involved in their local government and work together to make their city better.

I see a city with a transportation system so complete that car ownership is a luxury, not a necessity. That way, poorer families can get out from under the financial burden of old, maintenance-hungry cars.

I see a city that sticks together. I see folks who buy from their local small businesses, instead of from the carpetbagging big-box stores. I see a city that doesn't give tax abatements to big-box stores, expecting them to pay their fair share of city taxes just as the small business owner does.

I see a city with something for everyone: world class cultural and recreational opportunities, a vibrant night life, and the best school system in the country. I see top-tier companies relocating here because they can recruit the best talent here, not because we gave them breaks on paying taxes. Quality of life is the key here; we want companies that value their employees.

I see a city that holds on to its heritage while simultaneously planning for the future.

If this sounds like the kind of city you want to live in, then go to the polls on November 6 and cast your vote for Bernie Scheffler.

The Final Countdown

As election day draws near, I'd like to thank everyone for their support so far. Once again, you guys have helped me defy all the local political "experts" by putting your hearts and efforts into this campaign. As a result, even with little money at our disposal, we've positioned ourselves at a front-running campaign.

Now, we need one strong push to election day! I know you're all tired, as I am. With the level of competition and number of candidates in the race, this has been an especially difficult process. But we have a lot to show from it. We're on the cusp of landing in a runoff, and when we do -- the momentum will be ours.

So I'd like to ask each and every one of you for your help. Be an "influencer" in your communities. Make a few phone calls or knock on a few doors in your neighborhood, and find out who is registered to vote. Tell them why you think it's important that they vote in this election. If anyone needs a ride to the polls on election day, just let me know. We'll make sure they get to vote and make their voices heard.

Thanks again. I'm humbled by your support, and I hope that together we'll have an opportunity to make this city the place we all know it can be.