Arlington Texas Elections
MAYORAL CANDIDATES
Candidate List in Ballot Order
Question 1: What environmental goals would you actively pursue as a member of the Arlington City Council?
JIM ROSS
No response.
MICHAEL GLASPIE
I will focus on establishing standards for having healthy air quality and controlling pollution in our environment. The number 1 priority of government is to ensure the safety, security and wellbeing of our citizens.
Question 2: The DFW Region has been reclassified from moderate to serious nonattainment for ozone (ground level smog). Please discuss your platform regarding improving Arlington’s and the region’s air quality and list specific policies and actions that you would work to implement.
JIM ROSS
No response.
MICHAEL GLASPIE
As mentioned, it is important to have healthy air quality. We need to put in place the tools necessary to monitor our air quality. It is essential that we compare our air quality with recognized standards. We must commit to employing the strategies, tools and techniques that will help address any shortcomings we have in meeting these standards. We also must engage our community in understanding and supporting our efforts.
Question 3: Do you believe climate change is occurring and is exacerbated by human activities? If so, what should Arlington be doing to mitigate the impacts of climate change and to lower our contributions to the pollution that can lead to climate change. Please elaborate.
JIM ROSS
No response.
MICHAEL GLASPIE
I believe that climate change is a reality and that we must do all we can to minimize its impact. We must work to control any negative influences we might have on the environment, such as, reducing carbon emissions, using alternative renewable energy sources as well as recyclable materials, etc.
Question 4: Austin, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, and 150 other U.S. cities have developed and are implementing environmental sustainability climate action plans. The primary goal of these plans is to achieve zero carbon emissions by 2050, or before. Do you think that the City of Arlington should develop a comprehensive climate action plan?
JIM ROSS
No response.
MICHAEL GLASPIE
Yes, I think it is time for Arlington to look into developing a climate action plan. This should be done in concert with our sister cities, particularly, Dallas. We need to involve Fort Worth and the north Texas region, as we define a regional approach to achieving zero carbon emissions.
Question 5: Many peer-reviewed studies document public health and safety risks from living close to gas drilling. Arlington residents have become increasingly concerned about health impacts because of drilling and fracking-related pollution. How would you address this public health issue? Please elaborate.
JIM ROSS
No response.
MICHAEL GLASPIE
Arlington has rather extensive ordinances in place to ensure public health and safety while permitting the extracting of natural gas. However, we need to continually review these and be attentive to public and scientific input and eliminate any defined health concerns. As beneficial as extracting these resources are, nothing is more important than the health and safety of our citizens.
Question 6: Single-use plastic bags and extruded polystyrene foam (Styrofoam) litter our city and are especially prevalent in and near our waterways, including the Trinity River. Do you support the reduction of single-use disposable plastic bags and extruded polystyrene foam (Styrofoam)? Please elaborate.
JIM ROSS
No response.
MICHAEL GLASPIE
I am supportive of reducing single-use disposable plastic bags and extruded polystyrene foam. We need to minimize pollution, particularly, in our waterways. They are such a critical part of our ecosystem and pollutants disrupt the balance while making it more difficult to use these important sources of water.
Question 7: Would you support an ordinance for a City-wide tree planting campaign to increase Arlington’s tree canopy? Trees would be planted on City and residential properties to mitigate the urban heat island effect.
JIM ROSS
No response.
MICHAEL GLASPIE
I would support such an ordinance. Trees are an important element in our city. They provide relief from the heat; help improve our air and add beauty to our neighborhoods. I would push the City to continue to enhance its streetscape and trees, integral in increasing the aesthetics of our community.