Which Arlington mayor candidate can keep momentum going? Here’s our recommendation | Opinion

Arlington is ranked as one of north Texas’ best cities to live in. But it faces challenges, too, with housing, redevelopment and balancing the city’s entertainment business backbone with residents’ needs.

Mayor Jim Ross, a lawyer and restaurant owner, is the best choice to find that equilibrium and move Arlington forward.

“I’m running again because we aren’t done doing everything we started,” Ross, 62, said in an Editorial Board interview. “We have more to do.”

The list is short but important: Job creation is one of Ross’ priorities. He notes the impact it has on everything else in the area, from housing, to safety, to schools, to quality of life.

While his opponent, Realtor Amy Cearnal, said she doesn’t see a need to focus as much on Arlington’s entertainment district, Ross doesn’t see the point of ignoring it, either. He wants to help small businesses and supports the bond package on the May 6 ballot, seeing it as vital to help with first responder and infrastructure funds, even though it incurs some debt.

Cearnal supports the bond proposals but has raised questions about taking on more debt; Ross said Arlington can handle it responsibly.

Ross, 62, a resident of a north Arlington neighborhood, has been an active mayor. He formed the Mayors Education Coalition and brought together Mansfield and Arlington ISD with home schoolers, charter, private schools and preschools to collaborate on education and safety needs, including recognizing the launch of a “See Something Say something” campaign for schools. He also created multiple advisory councils to address the needs and concerns of underserved groups.

Arlington’s crime rate is on the decline, and he credits police for innovation. And he notes that as a former officer himself, he stays on top of policing tactics.

Cearnal, 44, is likable, genuine and intelligent. A Realtor who lives in the Villas of Tuscany, Cearnal said she was running for mayor because she wasn’t satisfied that there was no challenger. While we also value the democratic principle of choice, her lack of vision for a term as mayor came through in our interview. She has potential as a future candidate, perhaps for City Council.

Early voting starts April 24 and ends May 2. Election day is May 6. The mayor is elected for three years and earns $3,000 annually.