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District 3 Voter Information

Recent Letters to the Editor - Star-Telegram

June 10, 2009

Who’s best for District 3

All but one of the District 3 candidates and the Fort Worth Police Officers Association support Zim Zimmerman for the District 3 seat. Zim will represent neighborhoods’ needs first, with fiscal responsibility and budget know-how.

Eric Fox supports Trinity River Vision and thinks the natural gas drilling ordinance is just fine. Who endorses Fox? Former Mayor Kay Granger, who endorses the TRV while her son is in charge of it. Former Mayor Kenneth Barr is a business and political consultant for Chesapeake Energy who lobbied for gas-industry language in the ordinance that was beneficial to the industry even though not environmentally right for Fort Worth. Mayor Mike Moncrief speaks of the importance of neighborhoods first, but not all neighborhoods are treated equally, as he continues to side in favor of gas-industry cases while he earns hundreds of thousands of dollars from oil and gas investments.

We need a strong, independent voice. Vote for Zim.

— Gary Hogan, Fort Worth

Recently I received a picture postcard from the Good Ol’ Boys Club showing Eric Fox flanked by the mayor and three former mayors. What drives these people? The divine right of kings? The very audacity! Telling District 3 residents for whom to vote when not a one of them lives in the district!

I believe the residents of District 3 are capable of selecting our council member without the advice and consent of the Good Ol’ Boys. Judging from the people I talk to, they agree with Brenda Silcox that Zim Zimmerman is the one to continue the outstanding service provided by her husband, Chuck, for 17 years.

Why can’t these former mayors do like George Washington, who, when he left office, went home to Mount Vernon and held his peace. When their terms end, why can’t they be like the Arabs, fold their tents and silently steal away?

— Fern Beavers, Fort Worth

June 8, 2009

Fort Worth District 3

I’m supporting my friend Zim Zimmerman for City Council, District 3. I’ve known Zim, his wife and family for 30 years from our involvement at Ridglea Presbyterian Church. He has many qualities that will make him a great council member, but I’ll focus on three.

First, Zim is comfortable with disagreements and is able, after everyone has said their piece, to use his good judgment to choose the direction to go. He doesn’t go into a situation with his mind made up, but is open to logical persuasion.

Second, Zim has the necessary skills and experiences to deal with our city’s dreadful budget situation. Tough decisions are ahead, and Zim can handle these.

The first two skill sets are important, but without the third, they wouldn’t matter. Because he’s retired, he has time to do the job. Join me in voting for Zim for District 3.

— Marsha R. West, Fort Worth

The May 31 editorial on the District 3 council election contained several points that need clarification.

Zim Zimmerman is not a "say-no-to-everything" guy – but he is a say-no-to-some-things guy. Maybe what this city needs are more people who can stand firm and say no to things that are not in the best interest of the citizenry. Even folks inside the tent need the courage to say "no."

Zim has the business experience and success that does not come from saying no or yes all the time. As our District 3 representative, he will indeed say no to wasteful spending that will raise taxes or add to our city’s shortfall. He will say yes to maintaining essential city services, fire and police protection and maintaining streets and roads.

— Julie Miers, Fort Worth

June 7, 2009

Fort Worth District 3

Residents of District 3 will have been without representation at City Hall for more than eight months when the new councilman takes office. As a resident sorely in need of a councilman because of a water main break that ended up flooding my house, I want a fulltime worker to be in office to help me. Zim Zimmerman is that man.

Zimmerman will not have to be elsewhere, making up lost hours at his day job, because he has to spend at least one day each week at City Hall. He is retired from his managerial position at Lockheed and will have time to serve the people who live in Council District 3 on a day-to-day basis.

— Peggy Thomas, Fort Worth

I have read and heard that Eric Fox signs are disappearing from some private houses in the District 3 area and that some may believe that Zim Zimmerman could be responsible for this childish act. Has anyone considered that the voter changed his or her mind and removed the sign with their own hand?

— Nat Fralia, Fort Worth

As a 46-year resident of Fort Worth Council District 3, I feel compelled to support Zim Zimmerman. There are no half-truths involved in his mailings, only facts. Lockheed Martin’s letter to Eric Fox details what he can and cannot do as an employee. If the council position, as I understand it, has become a full-time job, how can Fox answer his cellphone on company time? In his last flyer, Fox stated his phone is on full-time.

However you choose to vote, please exercise your privilege. The voting numbers have been dismal.

— Leonard Johnson, Fort Worth

The May 31 editorial reaffirming Eric Fox support raised several issues and made an excellent point.

While Chuck Silcox often said "no" when he served on the City Council, especially to fiscal irresponsibility, much of which has brought us the current financial mess, he always said his first obligation was District 3. His "hands-on approach" is more of what this city needs.

The "sunset review" is an ongoing process, as evidenced by many recent changes, and that review happens every budget session.

Finally, public record shows there have been several Lockheed items that the council has voted on.

Eric Fox is energetic, very smooth and not a Chuck Silcox. Chuck didn’t just work evenings but was available all day, every day. Just like Zim Zimmerman will be.

— Lynn Gray Breaux, Fort Worth

June 5, 2009

Fort Worth District 3

The Star-Telegram mentioned "instant communication" in the May 31 Eric Fox endorsement. It didn’t mention that Fox cannot make or receive calls, e-mail or text messages during his hours of employment at Lockheed. This would limit his hours on the city clock by 40 a week.

The working incumbents who have jobs or are in business for themselves have no restrictions.

Fox is 43. Subtract the years he spent in Washington after college. The number of years he’s spent at Lockheed is insignificant compared with the almost 40 years for "Zim" Zimmerman. Zimmerman, 66, has a greater knowledge of what Lockheed is and contributes to the city.

With a full-time job and four children, how can Fox hope to come close to performing at the level required by the residents of District 3?

What could the former mayors contribute to Fox’s efforts? That was a stretch. What do they even know about District 3 in 2009?

— Robert Bashein, Fort Worth

June 4, 2009

District 3 runoff

On Memorial Day, Fort Worth Mayor Moncrief and three former mayors met at City Hall, endorsing Eric Fox over Zim Zimmerman for District 3 Councilman. I remember another rendezvous at City Hall — Palm Sunday 1979, the year of the Mayor Hugh Parmer-Councilman Woodie Woods mayoral race. I was Woods’ campaign manager. On election day Woods led by 23 votes.

Early next morning, while the city was asleep or in church, Parmer and his lieutenants entered City Hall, purportedly to check accuracy of the returns. Woods blasted Parmer in newspaper ads: "What was the Prince of Ethics doing in City Hall on Palm Sunday morning?" After a hearing in 48th District Court, a runoff in the two-man race resulted. In an outpouring of incensed voters, Woods won by 10,000 votes!

Parmer at City Hall on Palm Sunday. Fox at City Hall on Memorial Day. Hmmmm! Deja vu?

— Wanda Woodard, Fort Worth

June 3, 2009

Zim for District 3

One of Fort Worth’s District 3’s charms is the way that, despite its vastness, former City Council representative Chuck Silcox represented it. By defying notions of politicking, Silcox made it a community, making sure that the district came first. He also left big shoes to fill.

I believe, then, Zim Zimmerman is the best candidate for the City Council run-off election in District 3. His long history living, working and volunteering in Fort Worth justifies his endorsements by the Fort Worth Police Officers Association, Brenda Silcox and four of his opponents. While working at Lockheed Martin as the vice president of product support, he, for example, volunteered as the campaign chairman for the March of Dimes, the United Way and Texas A&M alumni groups.

Just because he has retired, that doesn’t mean he is unsure of his next job: the full-time City Council member for District 3.

— James Russell, Fort Worth

Sunday’s editorial on the District 3 council election, with the obvious untrue statement that "Zimmerman is a staid, say-no-to-everything sort," demands a reply. Webster defines "staid" as "marked by settled sedateness and often prim restraint: sober, grave; syn. see 'serious."Sedate is defined as keeping a steady attitude or pace: unruffled." That sounds like an excellent recommendation for a city councilman.

Zim served many years as vice president for product support for Lockheed Martin. Do you really believe he earned and maintained that position by saying "no to everything?" I’ve known Zim for years and served with him on committees. He’s anything but a negative person. His attitude is consistently positive. Additionally, Zim is a fiscal conservative. In these troubled economic times, we need a councilman who will be concerned about how our tax dollars are being spent.

— Earl Miller, Fort Worth

June 2, 2009

Fort Worth District 3

Failures in the Fort Worth Housing Department go back years and were known by the mayor and council, so why is the mayor embarrassed? He hasn’t seemed embarrassed by the myriad other financial foul-ups. Those, and the potential Post Office boondoggle, will continue to be swept under the rug.

Eric Fox, the antithesis of Chuck Silcox, will make nary a ripple in the pond if elected. His endorsements, by Kay Granger, Bob Bolen, Kenneth Barr and Mike Moncrief (and the Star-Telegram), only show that with Fox, like giving a laxative to a goose, you get the same old stuff.

District 3 voters have a chance to exercise a little Silcoxian independence and vote for "Zim" Zimmerman for City Council.

Fort Worth calls the voter to wake up — "My fate is in your hands."

— Clyde Picht, Fort Worth

Eric Fox hides his conflict of interest caused by the Lockheed Martin signature on his paycheck. The Political Candidacy Committee dictates all conditions, including e-mail, phone and desk, that Fox must follow during business hours while maintaining his workweek and tugging a little red wagon to hold time for council business.

Zim Zimmerman’s financial leadership and communication influence will find common ground to move our great city forward. You can trust Zimmerman on a handshake. His word is his bond. Vote for Zim Zimmerman for Fort Worth City Council District 3.

— Beverly Branham, Fort Worth

In a Memorial Day mailing supporting Eric Fox, Gen. Bill Lake cited "a remarkable record: due to our technological superiority in the air [no doubt plugging the contributions of Lockheed Martin], a ground soldier has not been killed by an enemy aircraft since the Korean War." One should note this superiority was over the air forces of North Vietnam (who never went south of the 17th parallel where the ground fighting took place), Granada, Panama, Sudan, Serbia, Afghanistan and Iraq. Voters of District 3 should keep this record in mind when they go to the polls. District 3 may come under an air attack at any time.

If you’re not concerned about an air attack, vote for Zim Zimmerman, an emerging underdog who has the time to truly represent his constituents and will work tirelessly to evaluate the issues and make the tough choices required of our councilman.

— Carl Sanders, Fort Worth

May 31, 2009

Fort Worth District 3

I was a candidate in the recent election for Fort Worth City Council District 3. With Brenda Silcox and three of my fellow former candidates, I am endorsing Zim Zimmerman in the runoff election.

Zim has the desire to continue serving the city as he did serving on a city board, serving the community with his charity work and as past president of a homeowners association. He has the time. He is independent and won’t be pressured. He will stand up for our quality of life.

Importantly, he has the most experience garnered in his previous job in leadership and management. In these difficult times, he has the budget skills to do this job for us. Join me on June 13 in voting for Zim Zimmerman for the City Council District 3.

— Bill Lawson, Fort Worth

I’m supporting Zim Zimmerman for Fort Worth District 3. Zim will be a strong, conservative, independent voice whose only obligations are to the residents of District 3. His years of experience as an executive at Lockheed, where he was responsible for preparing, implementing and meeting budgets for a major division of the company, is just what the council needs as it proceeds with the Trinity Vision project, the possible move of City Hall and other difficult issues in these days of tight finances.

Zim is committed to maintaining essential services within current tax levels. Join me in voting for him for City Council District 3.

— Gene Miers, Fort Worth

Recently I received a campaign piece by which a resident attested to the honor and integrity of Eric Fox, Zim Zimmerman’s opponent in the City Council District 3 runoff. I know of no Zimmerman supporter who impugns Fox’s honor and integrity. I don’t. Certainly Zim doesn’t.

Honor and integrity aside, one wonders how full-time Lockheed lobbyist Fox, with duties in Washington and Austin, could represent District 3 when Lockheed has told him in two strongly worded letters that he can’t devote time to council affairs or take residents’ phone calls during office hours. How could he even attend morning council sessions?

As a retired Lockheed executive, Zim Zimmerman could take your calls and concerns at any time, be it 10, 2 or 4.

If honor and integrity are your sole criteria for voting for Fox or for Zimmerman, flip a coin.

— Don Woodard Sr., Fort Worth

Recent Letters to the Editor - Fort Worth Business Press

Fort Worth Business Press - May 18, 2009

Playing the percentage

A fiery horse with the speed of light, a cloud of dust and out of a crowd of candidates with a hearty Hi Yo Silcox!, Zim Zimmerman rides to the rescue! The reason there is a runoff in District 3 is because of the valiant efforts of Gary Hogan, Matt Hudson, Elizabeth Jane McCune, Bill Lawson and James Nuttall. They collectively gained a quarter of the vote in the first election, bringing to a grinding halt the blitz of Eric Fox.

Fox spent four times the amount that Zimmerman and all other candidates together spent. With cash from special interests, he bombarded voters with ten giant four color post cards, calculated to win the Chuck Silcox seat without a run off and tighten the iron curtain that hangs over city hall. 

Despite the cascade of post cards, the voters of  District 3 were not fooled. Crash!  Fox fell ten percentage points short of the coveted 51 percent.  Two of the losing candidates – General Bill Lawson and  Elizabeth Jane McCune -- have rushed to endorse Zim in the run off.  And now Brenda Silcox – sound the trumpets! – has given her enthusiastic endorsement to Zim.

I know the dedicated 24/7 service that Chuck Silcox, always wearing a phone in his ear, gave us in District 3. Retired executive Zim Zimmerman is ready, willing and able to give us such service.  

– Don Woodard, Fort Worth

Recent Star-Telegram Articles - click on the article to view content

Star-Telegram Article May 12, 2009

Star-Telegram Article May 10, 2009

Star-Telegram Article May 9, 2009

Star-Telegram Article May 1, 2009

Read what the Political Advisor has to say about Zim in their March issue! He is featured on page 3. Click Here to View the Article