Kennedy Jones, Candidate for District 5

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1. Term Limits Committee – please respond by March 4, 2021

Last Summer a Term Limits Advisory Committee was named and then fast-tracked recommendations to the city council within only four meetings and over 13 hours of deliberation between July 14 and July 28. Do you have an opinion about this whole situation? Do you have an opinion about the outcome? Why or why not?

Did not respond. From March 2019 [on term limits vs. the committee]:

I fully affirm term limits. It is the will of the people as exhibit in last Novembers election. I also affirm the preamble to the US Constitution which says

“We the people, in order to form a more perfect union……. For ourselves and our posterity.”

I do not be believe that term limits or any other legislative action taken by the peoples of the United States or by the citizens of Arlington are in and of themselves the perfection of governmental policy as they tend to be initially approved. It rests with those duly elected council members in government to review and improve, as warranted, and then set before the citizens these perfecting improvements. This then will allow the citizenry to affirm or reject those improvements. This is my position.

 

2. Sales Tax – please respond by March 11, 2021

This past November voters passed a measure to increase the sales tax another ¼ cent to 8.25% for the funding of an Economic Development Corporation (EDC). Seemingly wild claims were made, selling voters on this. What are your thoughts on the EDC's purpose and the tax? Why?

I typically do not support additional taxes however in this instance I do support the ¼ cent sale tax.   I have worked doing research and development all my life and I know the cost benefit of investing a small amount to reap great rewards thereafter.  I do believe that the investment center should intended by this ¼ cent sale tax should receive strong scrutiny to ensure that it is properly used for it’s intended purpose and not as a political slush fund.   The benefits of the ¼ cent investment could have huge benefits for the city of Arlington and I support it.

 

3. Density – please respond by March 18, 2021

How do you feel about changing commercially zoned properties to multi-family zoned properties? What if the area already contains many, many apartments such as southeast Arlington in the Hwy 360 corridor? How do you feel about RMU (Regional Mixed Use) zoning and its potential 100 units/acre? Why?

Did not respond. 

 

4. Transportation – please respond by March 25, 2021

VIA's December 2019 contract renewal has increased the geographical coverage area to 41% (and is available to 49% of the population) of the city. Meanwhile, the contract was to be paid at a rate of 53% by Arlington taxpayers (general fund), 31% by Federal Grant, and 16% by the people taking the rides. Currently CARES funds are paying for VIA, but that will eventually stop. When things return to “normal” funding, let's assume that the Federal Grant will cover 25%. At that time, what should be the pricing structure between the general fund and riders? Why?

I believe that the there should be some creativity in the pricing structure.  I support program that would allow for lower cost for the citizens in economically underperforming situations and maybe a modesty increase for those who are doing better economically.  If the ridership goes up dramatically there should be some room for the City to conduct price negotiations and the absorption of the City of the reduction of the Federal subsidy would be lessen. 

 

5. Corporate Welfare – please respond by April 1, 2021

The City Council has given away millions of dollars and/or potential revenues to companies to encourage development. At what point has there been enough encouragement and the taxpayers, and lowering tax rates, should become a higher priority? Why?

Did not respond.

 

6. Communications – please respond by April 8, 2021

If a constituent emails you a question or comment on an issue about which you disagree and asks you for a response, will you respond to the constituent? Why or why not?

Yes, I will respond as quickly as possible but no later than the next day. It is the responsibility of the elected to address the concerns and as much as is within them the needs of the electorate. District 5 for the past two years has been like a ship without a rudder. Simply because it takes someone who is actively engaged in the politics of the City to move the needle or push the envelope so that we are not left out of this city’s climb toward success. I am the one candidate that has obviously been engaged and who can push with success for the needs of District 5. I hope that the good people of District 5 will give me that chance.

 

7. Issue – please respond by April 15, 2021

What is the most important issue the city council is currently facing? Why?

Did not respond.

 

 

 

 

 

1. Term Limits – please respond by March 14, 2019

Last November, voters approved term limits for the Arlington City Council. What is your opinion of these term limits?

I fully affirm term limits. It is the will of the people as exhibit in last Novembers election. I also affirm the preamble to the US Constitution which says

“We the people, in order to form a more perfect union……. For ourselves and our posterity.”

I do not be believe that term limits or any other legislative action taken by the peoples of the United States or by the citizens of Arlington are in and of themselves the perfection of governmental policy as they tend to be initially approved. It rests with those duly elected council members in government to review and improve, as warranted, and then set before the citizens these perfecting improvements. This then will allow the citizenry to affirm or reject those improvements. This is my position.

 

2. Transportation – please respond by March 21, 2019

Please describe, including price maximums to taxpayers, your thoughts on public transportation.

I think that public transportation in Arlington is a must if we are to avoid the looming traffic crises that are on our near term horizon. I would assume a reasonable cost of riding the bus would be in the neighborhood of 2-3 dollars. Public transportation can be one of the safest mode of transportation if we have the will and foresight to do it. I have seen the operation of the subway and bus system in Washington DC and they are perfectly safe for women and children even at midnight.

 

3. Communications – please respond by March 28, 2019

If a constituent e-mails you a question or comment on an issue where you disagree and asks you for a response, will you respond to the constituent? Why or why not?

Did not respond.


4. Taxes (Part I) – please respond by April 4, 2019

Currently, Arlington has 1/4-cent of sales tax that could be used, but is not used. What, if anything, do you see yourself approving to place in front of the voters, for uses for the 1/4-cent of sales tax? Why?

My view is that we ought not to raise taxes just because our taxes are lower than other folks in the area.  However, if I have come to the settled conclusion based on the number of air quality alerts we have in the area and traffic congestion on our major streets that we an improved our system of transportation.  The citizens of Arlington deserve a world class mass transit system where security and safety are priority #1.  I have seen these type of systems in Europe and in Washington DC.  Mass transit systems so safe a 5 year you could ride alone in complete security and tranquility.  Arlington is a city making a magnificent upward transition.  Mass Transit is eventually coming to Arlington.  The only question is whether that mass transit system will define us or whether we will define it.  I would use the sales tax reserve to implement a mass transit system that we all can take pride in for generation to come.

 

5. Taxes (Part II) – please respond by April 11, 2019

Currently, Arlington is experiencing almost double-digit property tax evaluation increases. What do you feel is the appropriate tax rate that should be levied upon the citizens:  1) a rate a little below the rollback rate, 2) the effective tax rate, 3) the same tax rate (even if above the rollback rate), or 4) something else? Why?

I believe that the tax rate should be reduced to reflect the property tax evaluation increases and the current city budget.  Increases in the budget are approved by the council members who are then held accountable by the citizenry.  If there are new items that are warranted based on the council’s collective wisdom, then it will be reflected in the budget and the tax rate could reflect this.  Using this philosophy the rate could be slightly less than the rollback rate.  To her credit, Arlington has one of the lowest property tax rates in the metroplex.  However, just adding money to the coffers off the backs of the hard-working citizens to be used indiscriminately because it is there due to increased property tax evaluations, lends itself to mismanagement at best and abuse at worst.  To have a world class city, I believe we have got to have world class accountability.


6. Issue – please respond by April 18, 2019

What is the most important issue the city council is facing? Why?

Did not respond.