Latest news with #JaredWilliams
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Fort Worth city council splits in vote to oppose Tarrant County redistricting
The Fort Worth city council voted 6-4 Tuesday to approve a resolution opposing Tarrant County's plan to draw new district maps for representatives on the county commission. It comes two weeks before the county commissioners are scheduled to vote on a map that supporters say would strengthen the conservative leadership that's made the county successful. Arlington Mayor Jim Ross, whose city is currently entirely in county commission precinct 2, has questioned the legality of the county's process, and is having city attorneys review Arlington's legal options. Seats on the Fort Worth city council are non-partisan, however, Tuesday's vote largely broke down along political party lines. Council members Chris Nettles, Jeanette Martinez, Elizabeth Beck, Jared Williams, Deborah Peoples and Carlos Flores, who've been associated with the Democratic party, voted to support the resolution. Mayor Mattie Parker, a Republican, was joined by council members Macy Hill, Alan Blaylock, and Charlie Lauersdorf in opposition. District 3 council member Michael Crain, who did not participate in the vote, was in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday lobbying to protect grant funding for Trinity Metro's expansion of TEXRail into the Medical District. Parker bemoaned seeming partisan in the division around the resolution, arguing that fights between the Democratic and Republican parties are irrelevant to city business. 'Every single thing right now feels like it's about whether you are blue or red. Everything. And it is dividing this city, and it's dividing this county, and it's unacceptable,' Parker said. While Parker voted to oppose the resolution, she made clear that her vote was not an endorsement of the county's redistricting process. Parker agreed that the county's process is flawed, but argued the resolution wasn't the best way for the city to respond. The council hasn't deliberated about this, and there will be other opportunities for the city to make its voice known on this issue, Parker said. Council members supporting the resolution said it was about standing up for fair representation amid what they said was a rushed process by Tarrant County to ensure a partisan outcome in county commissioner elections. The county's proposed map appears to concentrate Black and Latino voters into a single district, which critics have argued is a violation of the 1963 Voting Rights Act. Proponents of the new map have pushed back on that assertion, however, and the county's consultant on the matter, the Public Interest Legal Foundation, has experience defending local governments against allegations of racial gerrymandering. 'This kind of process is not just flawed, it's dangerous to our democracy,' said District 6 council member Jared Williams, whose district covers southwest Fort Worth and the Lake Como neighborhood. 'If people don't trust how their representation is shaped, then ultimately we're eroding faith and trust in our very institution called democracy,' Williams said. District 8 council member Chris Nettles, who proposed the council resolution, also argued the county's redistricting could affect road projects in his southeast Fort Worth district. He was joined in supporting the resolution by District 11 council member Jeanette Martinez, who also works as an administrator for Tarrant County precinct one commissioner Roderick Miles, a Democrat. 'This is a move of self-interest — one that is targeted and will have ramifications,' Martinez said. Several council members referenced the city's experience with redistricting in late 2021 into 2022. The process wasn't easy, and caused friction between members of the city council, but ultimately the city ended up with a map that was reflective of the city as a whole, said District 9 council member Elizabeth Beck. Fort Worth's council has a wealth of diversity when it comes to the members' backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives, Beck said. 'That is because we had some well drawn, well thought out maps that produced some great leaders that sit on this dais today,' she said. 'We don't see that with the county's process.' Beck referenced a Star-Telegram op-ed by Precinct 4 Commissioner Manny Ramirez that she said made clear the county's process was about partisanship. She argued that diluting the county's non-conservative voices would be a disservice to residents. District 4 council member Charlie Lauersdorf, who spearheaded the city of Fort Worth's opposition to the Keller school district split, argued the resolution will have little impact on the county's decision making. Lauersdorf instead said the city should be focusing on issues that have a more direct impact on the lives of residents. However, Beck and Williams both noted the council's resolution sends a clear message to the county about where it stands on redistricting. The real issue is the county's process for redistricting, Parker said, speaking after the meeting. While the city's redistricting process was contentious, Parker said she was proud it resulted in a map that every council member could get behind. Parker added that she didn't begrudge County Judge Tim O'Hare or the other commissioners for prioritizing partisanship in their redistricting. County commissioners are elected to partisan positions whereas city officials are not, she said. County Commissioner Manny Ramirez declined to comment on the city's resolution. Representatives for Tarrant County Judge Tim O'Hare did not immediately respond to an email from the Star-Telegram requesting comment.
Associated Press
14-03-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Empowering E-Commerce Growth With LaunchMyStore a Game-Changer for Businesses and Dropshippers
LaunchMyStore Earns Positive Recognition for Empowering Small Businesses and Dropshippers , An Accessible All-in-One Platform for Those Looking to Launch Online Businesses, Expand Dropshipping Ventures, and Operate Successful Online Ecommerce Website LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESS Newswire LaunchMyStore is receiving significant acclaim from small-business owners, independent sellers, and dropshippers who want to launch online businesses or seamlessly manage their existing ventures. Industry observers have noted that, for individuals looking to launch eCommerce websites, the platform provides accessible and efficient tools for setting up an online store, managing inventory, and streamlining day-to-day Intro LaunchMyStore Introduction Practical Store Creation Reviewers highlight one of LaunchMyStore's major strengths as its user-friendly approach to building and customizing an online store. Merchants with minimal or no technical knowledge report being able to establish a professional storefront in a short time, an aspect considered especially valuable by those hoping to launch an online business without hiring additional web developers. This swift setup process appears to be a significant draw for both new and experienced sellers aiming to refine their digital presence. Straightforward Dropshipping Integration Merchants who rely on dropshipping emphasize that LaunchMyStore's supplier connections and real-time inventory tracking simplify day-to-day management tasks. By centralizing product availability and automating order flow, the platform reportedly spares sellers the complexities often linked with fulfillment logistics. Industry insiders observe that this advantage may be especially helpful for business owners who want to quickly scale their offerings within a single online store-and do so cost-effectively. A Real-World Success Story: Jared Williams Jared Williams, an independent hoodie seller from a small U.S. town, recounts how he moved from informal Instagram-based sales to a consolidated web platform. Without much technical background, he managed to launch an online business using LaunchMyStore's straightforward setup. Jared now processes orders via a centralized system and connects with customers nationwide, attributing his expanding reach to the platform's streamlined user experience. Observers of e-commerce trends view Jared's experience as a testament to how such tools help small ventures gain traction beyond local markets. Flexible, Scalable Solutions Commentators in the online retail sector frequently point out LaunchMyStore's adaptability for both emerging entrepreneurs and more established shops. Users can start with simpler features, then gradually scale up to advanced offerings or higher-tier plans as sales volumes increase. This approach is said to remove the burdensome need to migrate elsewhere once a venture matures, making LaunchMyStore appealing for businesses intent on long-term stability. Ongoing Support Feedback from various merchants underscores LaunchMyStore's responsive customer service. Individuals who are new to e-commerce mention receiving timely assistance on topics like domain setup and payment gateways, reinforcing the platform's reputation as a supportive environment to launch ecommerce websites. Analysts suggest this hands-on approach may particularly benefit entrepreneurs aiming to maintain steady growth while working with limited technical resources. LaunchMyStore is an e-commerce platform focused on simplifying the process for entrepreneurs and small-business owners to launch online businesses, operate online Ecommerce Website, and adapt swiftly to digital retail trends. Offering dropshipping integration, marketing tools, and extensive user support, LaunchMyStore continues to attract attention from diverse sellers and industry experts. shivam wadhwa Founder
