The development of retail and residential projects has been a major focus for Bedford’s City Council in recent years.  The objective, as regularly stated by its sitting members, is to boost economic growth for the City, increase the value of the property base and generate more sales tax revenue.

This year, especially, has seen progress for Bedford with a new Senior Activity Center, a new H-E-B grocery store that is already under construction, and the approval by the Council of a new Comprehensive Plan for the City’s future growth.

Overall, however, City Council has focused this past year on a few other sites for development with construction starting on the Crossroad East retail project and the adjacent Gateway Village development with the building of 106 townhomes.  Both projects are jointly replacing the demolished Campus West complex.  In addition, the City is working with Midway Development on planning a mixed-use, retail and residential concept toward resurrecting the on-again-off-again Bedford Commons project.

While appearing to have lost any appetite for apartments, the City’s answer for residential development has apparently turned toward townhomes.  Along with Gateway Village and possibly Bedford Commons, there are at least 145 other townhomes in one phase of development or another in Bedford, split between Amherst Townhomes, Oakwood Hills and Parkwood Oaks Townhomes.

Through all of the planning and development this year, the Council, at least on the surface, has come across as being unified with a nearly perfect record of unanimous votes.

With the new year underway, however, Bedford’s residents will be voting in about a month for Places 3 and 5 on the City Council.  From remaining on the development track with the Comprehensive Plan to proposing a civil liberties task force, there are four candidates running — two for Place 3 and two running to fill Place 5.  (The candidates are presented primarily in order of Place number and, secondly, in alphabetical order of last name.)

PLACE 3:  Amy Sabol

Along with bringing the Gateway Village and Crossroad East projects into “fruition,” Amy Sabol, the incumbent for City Council Place 3, said she is especially proud of the City earning an S&P AA+ rating, which she attributes to Council having “hired competent staff.”  She added, “It has taken us quite some time,” to achieve the rating.  Sabol stated she is also proud of the renovation of the old YMCA for the new Senior Activity Center late last year, which she commented “has been one of the most rewarding decisions for the Council.”

Moving forward, Sabol said the City needs to continue to “revitalize the City and improve our code enforcement.”  She also wants to ensure that Bedford’s firefighters/EMTs and police officers “are well paid and provided with good facilities,” she said, because the market to hire them “is very competitive.”

She also wants Old Bedford School “to offer more” and is hopeful the City can “make it a better amenity.”  “Every facility in the City,” she stated, needs “to be used efficiently and effectively.”

A graduate of the University of Illinois, Sabol arrived in Bedford 37 years ago and owned a retail printing and graphics company for more than 15 years.

Her “experience, knowledge and concern for the community,” she said, is what sets her apart from her opponent in this election.  “I have worked hard on Council for eight years,” she stated.  “I know my city.” From business owner to having served as mayor pro tem on the Council, plus having served on several City boards and commissions, she claims her experience is “well-rounded.”

PLACE 3:  Timothy Sturm

A native Texan and Trinity High School graduate, Timothy Sturm has lived in Bedford for 11 years and in the HEB area for 16 years.

Sturm stated he is running for City Council Place 3 over concerns of “missteps by the City.”  There have been times, he said, when “residents’ rights have been overlooked or violated.”  This issue, he said, has “personally affected” him and the “City has taken these matters too lightly.”  He believes “residents’ rights need stronger safeguards.”

The “first priority,” he stated, would be to establish “a dedicated task force on civil liberties and citizen rights, ensuring residents have safe channels to report concerns without fear of retaliation.”  In the interest of fairness, he said, the City’s codes and policies should “encourage growth and innovation” without “excessive code requirements and restrictive policies.”

He further said he wants “tax relief and resources” to help homeowners “maintain their properties.”  But, he added, renters also “need stronger protections and accountability measures from landlords and city officials.  “We should aim higher for everyone’s quality of life,” he stated.

Sturm again emphasized “protecting individual rights and boosting transparency.” He said he believes in “fresh leadership” and that he is “committed to championing the rights of every resident – homeowners, tenants and businesses.”

Married for eight years with three young boys, Sturm works as a Senior Cloud Solutions Architect at Microsoft where he said he helps customers “integrate Microsoft technologies into their applications.”

PLACE 5:  Steve Farco (incumbent)

“I’m running for re-election to continue the progress we’ve made on the Council,” said Steve Farco, the incumbent running for Place 5. 

Originally from Brooklyn, New York, Farco came to Texas when he was 10 years old.  He graduated from Texas A&M with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management and is married, he said, with four children – two are adults – and is about to become a grandfather.

“I’ve worked hard to ensure our city remains a great place to live, work and raise a family,” he continued, but “there is more to do.”  Moving forward, he said, he wants to pursue “responsible growth, public safety, infrastructure and the needs of our residents and businesses.”

Specifically, Farco stated he wants to continue working on economic development and code enforcement by focusing on the Comprehensive Plan, approved by Council last year, to “improve our shopping centers, attract new tenants and revitalize older areas.”

As an example, he said he has “collaborated with the cities of Hurst, Euless, Bedford, the Chamber of Commerce and the HEB ISD to produce the first-ever promotional video showcasing our community to potential investors” and would like to work on a similar project for the non-profit “6 Stones CPR.”

“Supporting our local businesses,” Faco commented, “not only strengthens our economy but also enhances the overall look and feel of our city.”  He added “shared goals” can be achieved by working together, such as raising awareness and creating effective policies in regard to the homeless.

Farco said he believes his community involvement is “extensive, having served “leadership roles in the HEB Chamber of Commerce, the HEB Economic Development Foundation, the HEB Education Foundation, several committees within the HEB ISD,” as well as mentoring at Trinity and L.D. Bell High Schools for more than 20 years.  He said he believes in “strengthening the community through leadership, volunteerism and civic engagement.”

PLACE 5:  Brian Turek

“Our city is at a crossroads,” according to Brian Turek.  “We need to bridge the gap between north and south,” he said and “revitalize the south Bedford area.”

A Bedford resident of seven years, he is married and raising a 14-year-old who attends Bedford Junior High School.  Turek has an electrical engineering degree with experience in various industries, he said, from robotics and working as a veterinary technician to entertainment and purchasing and procurement.

His main concern, he stated, is “the complacency that has taken hold in our current council.”  He wants to bring “much-needed change and ensure that our elected officials are held accountable.”

Further, he said, he wants to “prevent established businesses from relocating to other cities” and wants to “attract new businesses” by “incentivizing landlords to renovate their properties.”  Additionally, Turek said he intends to bring a “renewed sense of purpose and vitality” to the Council through “transparency” and by engaging more with members of the community.

“I can bring a modern outlook to the office,” he stated, by “generating new ideas and encouraging our team to stay dynamic and adaptable.”