Kennedale Observer - Latest Newsletter

April 5, 2026 – Volume 9 Number 14

HIGHLIGHTS:

* The city council approves the purchase of three salvage yard parcels.

* May 2 Election has three contested races:

Ballot Order:

Mayor – Brian Johnson   http://www.arlspectator.mysite.com/rich_text_87.html

Mayor – Thelma Kobeck   http://www.arlspectator.mysite.com/rich_text_90.html

 

Place 2 – James Connor   http://www.arlspectator.mysite.com/rich_text_57.html

Place 2 – Bryant Griffith   http://www.arlspectator.mysite.com/rich_text_49.html

 

Place 4 – Ryon Ray   http://www.arlspectator.mysite.com/rich_text_50.html

Place 4 – Melissa Barrow   http://www.arlspectator.mysite.com/rich_text_56.html

 

Question 6 responses are in this newsletter.

 

SCHEDULE:

Sunday, April 5: Easter.

Saturday, April 11: Spring Cleaning Event. Drop off bulk trash at city hall, 8:00 a.m. - noon.

Tuesday, April 14: KKB (Keep Kennedale Beautiful) meeting, 6:00 p.m.

Tuesday, April 14: Parks Board meeting, 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, April 18: Bark in the Park, 9:00 a.m. - noon.

Monday, April 20: Start of Early Voting for Municipal and ISD May 2 Elections, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Tuesday, April 21: City Council meeting, 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday, April 28: End of Early Voting for Municipal and ISD May 2 Elections, 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Tuesday, April 28: EDC Board meeting, 6:00 p.m.

Thursday, April 30: Town Hall meeting with Mayor Horton, 6:00 p.m.

Saturday, May 2: Municipal and ISD Elections, 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

 

KNOW WHAT YOUR CITY IS UP TO...

Your City Council

The city council met this past Thursday, April 2. The agenda packet for the meeting can be found at: https://kennedaletx.portal.civicclerk.com/event/3790/files/agenda/10515 . The mayor was absent so the meeting was run by mayor pro-tem Michels. The meeting may be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OX5k980lAcc .

The agenda included public comment, the regular session, and an executive session (potential land purchases).

(11:42) Start of meeting. No speakers during public comment.

The regular session included three individual consideration items.

(13:49) 1. East Oak Crest Drive land purchases (staff report). [This is EDC funds, will eliminate three salvage yards parcels, costs $1.5 million plus interest (they will pay $500,000 down).] This was approved, 3-1, with Glover opposed.

(40:10) 2. Kennedale Fire Department providing service for Tarrant County ESD1-FY2026 (information starts on .pdf page 3 of the above packet link). It was approved, 4-0.

(55:17) 3. Briar Court Hillside Sanitary Sewer Improvements Project (information starts on .pdf page 24 of the above packet link). The low bid appears to be $642,878.50. It was approved, 4-0.

There was no executive session.

 

Leftovers:

The “Investigation” was listed on the executive session agenda for the October 21 meeting. Council Member Kobeck came out of executive session and made the motion to waive the attorney-client privilege and release the investigation report to the public. That motion was approved, 4-0.

We have taken the .pdf Investigation Report and converted to text (far from 100% perfect) and tried to make improvements at: http://www.arlspectator.mysite.com/blank_13.html .

 

Previous Analysis:

Results: The evidence does NOT confirm…

See the November 9, 2025, Kennedale Observer for more details.

 

Witch Hunt?

See the November 16, 2025, Kennedale Observer for more details.

 

Jeff Nevarez interview – Our Part I

See the November 16, 2025, Kennedale Observer for more details.

 

Jeff Nevarez interview – Our Part II

See the November 23, 2025, Kennedale Observer for more details.

 

Was the Investigation Hi-jacked by the city attorney and city manager?

See the November 30, 2025, Kennedale Observer for more details.

 

Pay to Play Scandal

See the December 7, 2025, Kennedale Observer for more details.

 

Wandell Investigation Files

See the December 14, 2025, Kennedale Observer for more details.

 

Lack of Accountability/Afraid to Speak

See the December 21, 2025, Kennedale Observer for more details.

 

Griffith vs. Hull – “The Threat”

See the January 4, 2026, Kennedale Observer for more details.

 

Chamber Vote

See the January 11, 2026, Kennedale Observer for more details.

 

Hiring Austin Degenhart

See the January 18, 2026, Kennedale Observer for more details.

 

City Manager has Favorites?

See the January 25, 2026, Kennedale Observer for more details.

 

Our Commentary

See the February 1, 2026, Kennedale Observer for more details.

 

“No Shame” Griffith

See the February 15, 2026, Kennedale Observer for more details.

 

 

Selecting the Right Candidate

How to vote? The biggest one thing I would say is to select candidates that are NOT rubber-stampers. If something does not pass the smell test you need someone who is smart enough and has enough courage to ask more questions and possibly vote NO. You need to look for council members who will listen to you, your neighbors, and the businesses and place a priority on you over developers' desires. You want someone who is smart and who has common sense. If they have been a council member in the past, LOOK AT THEIR VOTING RECORD. This is a very good indication of how they will vote in the future.

If you look on the city's website (bottom of this page: https://cityofkennedale.com/108/Elections-Elecciones, they try to display the governance model as citizens being on top, electing a city council, who directs the city manager, etc. Well, if the situation has a majority of the city council who are rubber-stampers, the citizens are no longer in control. It eliminates one of the necessary checks and balances.

You want someone smart enough to apply logic and who has common sense who will listen to you, your neighbors, and the businesses and place a priority on you over developers' desires. You want someone who wants smart growth versus just wanting any or stupid growth.

A special 2026 issue is the city manager. You do NOT want a council that micromanages the city manager, but it has become very evident that this city manager, as nice as he may seem, has shown he needs controls on him. He has spent over the amount he was permitted on a contract without council approval. He was a big part of the delay in seniors getting the expected effects of the tax freeze a year later. Then there was the signing of the Investigation contract prior to another meeting with the council.

 

* * * * * * * * * *

 

The Kennedale Observer's recommendations:

Mayor: Thelma Kobeck

Place 2: James Connor

Place 4: Melissa Barrow

 

MAYOR

Both Brian Johnson and Thelma Kobeck have been on the council. Johnson was Mayor 2014-2021 when he resigned. (Johnson also served on the council prior to becoming mayor.) Kobeck served these past two years as the Place 2 representative.

Kennedale Observer grades (http://www.arlspectator.mysite.com/rich_text_26.html):

F – Brian Johnson.

A – Thelma Kobeck.

Johnson, a professor, obviously has book smarts, but that has NOT translated in making sound business decisions. He was mayor for two of Kennedale's biggest disasters of the past decade, the Hammack Creek Apartments [http://www.arlspectator.mysite.com/blank_14.html] and the Alta Apartments where unbelievably the council approved multi-family adjacent and TOWERING OVER existing R-2 homes. Throw in the Chamber demise debacle demonstrating his inability to make proper business decisions. These decisions overshadow the positives.

Out-of-control city managers have also been a part of Johnson's past record. There was the land sale/deal/? of 1083 Bowman Springs [http://www.arlspectator.mysite.com/rich_text_45.html] that never generated a financial transaction or approval by the EDC or the council. This would have been with Bob Hart as city manager. Then there were George Campbell and Melissa Daley allowing Hammack Creek to build into the roadway right-of-way and Alta apartments building outside of code regulations (at the very least the retaining wall).

Kobeck on the other hand has shown a desire for smart growth, voting against poor projects. In February 2026 she voted against a resolution of support for low-income townhomes. She also opposed a high-density trailer park that in all likelihood will cost more in services than the revenue from property taxes.

Kobeck would seem to be able to perform no worse than Johnson on out-of-control city managers. In August of 2025 she voted to only increase the city manager's spending limit without council approval to $50,000. Several council members wanted a higher spending limit.

The Kennedale Observer strongly recommends THELMA KOBECK.

 

PLACE 2

Both James Connor and Bryant Griffith have served on the city council. Connor was elected and served 2021-2023, when he was unsuccessful in his reelection attempt. Bryant Griffith was appointed in 2023-2024 [remember the potential Pay to Play scandal], when he was defeated in his election bid.

Kennedale Observer grades (http://www.arlspectator.mysite.com/rich_text_26.html):

A – James Connor.

F – Bryant Griffith.

James Connor was part of the 2022-the first half of 2023 council that was actually getting good things done for the city. He is honest, logical, independent, transparent, and forward-thinking.

Bryant Griffith played a significant role in the decline in 2023. He was the plantiff in the Investigation Report witch hunt from last spring. He was also part of the Chamber demise debacle.

The Kennedale Observer strongly recommends JAMES CONNOR.

 

PLACE 4

Neither Ryon Ray nor Melissa Barrow have served on the council before. So, this comes down to “feel”, a lot based on the replies to the questions.

Ryon Ray leaves me with the impression of being a rubber-stamper, the last thing this council needs. I was very disappointed in his response to question 3. There were no executive session agenda items on the subject. The council needs independent thinkers, that can follow the logic of a situation.

Melissa Barrow leaves me hope there is someone that can think independently and is needed on the current council. My feel is she is not a rubber-stamper.

The Kennedale Observer recommends MELISSA BARROW.

 

* * * * * * * * * *

 

Candidate Question 6: What is the most important issue the city council is currently facing? Why? What are your suggestions for addressing this issue?

 

Ballot Order:

Mayor – Brian Johnson – Did not respond.

Mayor – Thelma Kobeck – Without question Kennedale city council addresses many important issues, including the ever-present issue of repairing and maintaining an aged infrastructure (roads, water and sewer) that was largely neglected for many years. No one can argue that this is not a critical issue.

That said, I believe that there is an even larger issue that faces the Kennedale City Council and that is the issue of a lack of responsiveness to the will of the majority of the citizens on Kennedale. Too often Kennedale citizens will be opposed to or in favor of an issue that faces the city council only for the sitting members of the council to vote the opposite of the will of the citizens. What message does it send to the citizens when they take the time to write emails and letters expressing their positions on an issue, call about an issue, or even post on social media about an issue and then see their elected officials vote against them?

Obviously not everyone will feel the same way about an issue, but when a number of citizens are weighing in on an issue, I believe that the elected city council members have an obligation to not only listen to those citizens’ perspective but also to vote accordingly.

To address this, I continue to suggest that the citizens make sure that they contact their elected officials and voice their support or opposition to issues. Pay attention to posted agendas for meetings for not only the council, but also the numerous boards that help with governance in the city. Then, if your elected officials are not representing your views, interact with them to learn why they voted the way they did; sometimes there are legitimate reasons for a vote that is counter to public opinion, but find out why. Finally, VOTE. Vote out people who don’t represent what the citizens want and vote in people who are willing to listen and represent the CITIZENS of Kennedale rather than developers and/or the select few who are Establishment Kennedale.

 

 

Place 2 – James Connor – You’re asking this like there’s a single clean, obvious issue everyone agrees on. Cute. Small cities don’t work like that. Everything’s tangled together like a drawer full of old phone chargers. But if you strip away the noise, one issue sits at the center of almost everything in Kennedale right now:

The Real Issue(s):

Balancing growth, infrastructure, and taxes

Not glamorous. Not viral. But it’s the thing quietly wrecking everyone’s patience.

Why this is the biggest problem

Growth is happening whether people like it or not. Projects like new developments, road work, and even things like energy storage proposals are constantly coming up for council review.

And every one of those decisions has ripple effects. Not to mention 1.5 million dollar land "fire sales".

Infrastructure is playing catch-up. Road rehab projects, water line improvements, and ongoing construction notices aren’t random. They’re signs the city is trying to fix aging systems while still growing.

The budget squeeze is real. The city is actively working through its FY 2025–2026 budget, which means they’re juggling, rising costs, service expectations, and how much they can squeeze out of taxpayers before people start sharpening pitchforks.

Residents are feeling it. There’s consistent public sentiment that the city needs to prioritize existing residents and services before chasing new projects.

So yeah, it all boils down to this uncomfortable triangle:

Growth vs Infrastructure vs Taxes

Pick two, suffer the third.

Why it matters (and why people get loud about it). Because every decision hits people directly:

More development equals more strain on roads, water, police, fire. etc... More infrastructure spending and higher taxes or debt. Lower taxes fewer services or delayed improvements... its all a juggling act.

There’s no magical option where everyone claps and the budget balances itself like a Disney ending.

What the City should be doing (brace yourself, it’s actually straightforward)

Slow down reactive growth decisions. Like that 1.5 million dollar "fire sale" for land on Oak Crest. The city would need to foot the bill for clean up of leached chemicals from Apache, the land to its west and the property itself. The city would have to dig about 3 ft down on the entire 17 acres and place black heavy poly bags down. Then, fill that hole with clean dirt and let it sit for approx. 10 years. Then, it would have to meet EPA standards before it can be built on. That could cost the city 10-20 million dollars. All for 1.5 million to buy it. By the time this is published, the council will have already voted on it. My hope is that it's a "no".

Stop approving projects just because they “sound good long-term.”

Require: clear infrastructure impact analysis, guaranteed revenue timelines, real cost vs benefit breakdowns. If it doesn’t pay for itself in a reasonable timeframe, it’s a liability dressed up as progress.

Prioritize infrastructure before expansion

Not sexy, but necessary: roads, water/sewer, and drainage.

If those aren’t solid, every new development just compounds the problem.

Be brutally transparent about the budget.

No polished “everything is fine” presentations.

Show residents where every dollar is going, what projects actually cost long-term, and what trade-offs are being made.

People tolerate hard decisions a lot better when they’re not being treated like they can’t do math.

Focus economic development on revenue-generating uses. Not all development is equal.

The city should prioritize commercial growth that drives sales tax and projects that reduce reliance on property taxes. This means no 380 agreements.

Otherwise, you’re just adding rooftops that need services… funded by the same people already paying.

Protect current residents first. This is where councils either earn trust or lose it completely. If longtime residents feel like they’re paying more and getting less and being ignored...

Then it doesn’t matter how many ribbon cuttings you do. You’ve already lost them.

The blunt reality

Kennedale isn’t dealing with some unique crisis. It’s dealing with the exact same thing every small Texas city faces when it starts growing:

"How do we not screw this up while trying to grow up?”

Get that balance right, and the city thrives

Get it wrong, and you end up with higher taxes, crumbling infrastructure, and a whole lot of angry Facebook posts written in all caps.

And judging by how often this stuff keeps coming up…you can guess which direction people think it’s heading.

 

Place 2 – Bryant Griffith – The most important issue facing Kennedale today is managing growth in a way that strengthens our financial future while preserving the character and trust that define our community. Many concerns residents raise — including property taxes, infrastructure, and development — are connected outcomes of how a city plans, communicates, and executes long-term decisions. When growth feels unpredictable or poorly communicated, uncertainty increases and trust declines.

Kennedale faces the challenge of balancing economic growth with the desire to maintain its close-knit identity. Responsible growth is necessary to broaden the tax base and support city services, but it must occur in a predictable and transparent manner so residents understand the direction of their city. Consistency in applying the Comprehensive Plan and development standards builds confidence among residents, businesses, and investors alike.

Addressing this issue requires continued investment in infrastructure that opens economic opportunity, support for local businesses and responsible commercial development, and clearer communication with residents about decisions and timelines. Most importantly, city leadership must focus on long-term stewardship rather than short-term political reactions. When governance is predictable and transparent, taxes stabilize, infrastructure becomes manageable, and residents feel confident about the future of their community.

Kennedale’s success depends on thoughtful leadership that listens, plans carefully, and follows through. By fostering responsible growth, clear communication, and consistent decision-making, we can strengthen our city’s financial stability while preserving the values that make Kennedale a place people are proud to call home.

 

Place 4 – Ryon Ray – Did not respond.

Place 4 – Melissa Barrow - The most important issue facing our City Council right now is our aging and deteriorating infrastructure. From conversations I’ve had with residents and my own experience, this is a concern that comes up again and again. For too long, needed repairs have been delayed, and now we’re seeing the consequences. Projects that could have been maintained or repaored at a lower cost are now full replacements, carrying a much higher price tag than our current budget can comfortably support.

This matters because infrastructure isn’t optional. It’s the foundation of our daily lives—our roads, drainage, and essential services all depend on it. When we fall behind, it doesn’t just create inconvenience; it creates bigger, more expensive problems down the road.

Addressing this starts with discipline and accountability. We need to take a hard, honest look at our budget and be willing to make tough choices. That means prioritizing needs over wants, cutting back where we can, and ensuring every dollar is being used responsibly. It won’t be easy, but it’s necessary.

 

# # # # # # # # # # #

 

Last Week

Last week the City Council met on Thursday for a special meeting.

 

Public Hearings

On ???, the city council will hold a public hearing for ordinance #795 to prohibit the exposure of children to illegal drugs.

On ???, the city council will hold a public hearing for ordinance #796 for adopting speed limits on certain roadways.

 

EDC

The next Economic Development Corporation (EDC) Board meeting should be on Tuesday, April 28.

 

P&Z

The Thursday, April 23 meeting has been canceled. The next meeting might be Thursday, May 28.

 

Other News....

Is He Really a Kennedale Resident?

Let us start with the Kennedale Observer does NOT condone or encourage stalking.

 

This starts with two e-mails that Mr. Griffith did not respond to.

Subject: Do you wish to comment?

Mr. Griffith,

It has been reported to me that most of the past year that your truck has spent the night on Bowen Road in Arlington, putting some question on your Kennedale residency for the past year.

Do you wish to comment?

Richard Weber

Then I started the article in last week's newsletter with “I have received a report” and in the next paragraph would state, “I have NOT stated that it is a fact. I do not have the tons of necessary documentation to state that as a fact.” “Report” in that opening is referencing the “It has been reported to me” in the e-mails.

Somehow, Mr. Griffith has incorrectly defined “report” as a large stalking report. NO stalking report exists. Again, the Kennedale Observer does NOT condone or encourage stalking.

Imagine a TV report where the official is refusing to respond to a question because of the appearance of evidence against that official. Now imagine that situation with no TV cameras.

In my opinion that is what we have here; Mr. Griffith's appearance of living in Arlington during the past year should make him not eligible to run for Kennedale City Council. He certainly appears to be avoiding comment on the situation. Is it possible a reasonable explanation exists? Certainly, but Mr. Griffith has not offered it.

So, it appears that in order to deflect attention away from the situation, he has used a different definition of “report” in order to draw sympathy from his base and play a “stalking” card. Again, to my knowledge, NO stalking report exists. I do not possess, have never possessed, nor believe any such document has ever existed.

In my opinion Kennedale voters are being duped by Mr. Griffith.

 

Chamber of Commerce

The Kennedale Area Chamber of Commerce has concluded operations. [ https://mailchi.mp/bb4e0f67ceca/future-of-the-chamber?e=b408c67838 ] It has been reported to me that there is work being done to reestablish the Chamber.

[Commentary: Brian Johnson, candidate for Mayor, was president. Bryant Griffith, candidate for Place 2, was vice-president. I do not know enough to flat out say 100% for sure it is their fault, but it surely does not look good when the Chamber has been able to survive on a shoestring budget for many, many years in the past and is now shutting down. The pair knew of Chamber's finances when they took their positions of power and are now shutting it down. It certainly gives the impression that the pair loves spending other people's money--the last thing I would want from my mayor and council. ??? Does anyone else find it alarming that Mr. Griffith closes the Kennedale Chamber and is on Facebook posting about his work at the Arlington Chamber (Facebook link)?]

 

TAD Rates

Tarrant Appraisal District has published the tax rates (October 2025) for the county. Kennedale has now dropped to the eighth highest municipality. [https://www.tad.org/content/rates/2025TaxRates.pdf ].

 

Top eleven of 41 (everyone else is < 0.65)

1. Everman 1.0260800

2. Sansom Park 0.8457840

3. Blue Mound 0.8138000

4. River Oaks 0.7439910

5. Burleson 0.7218000

6. White Settlement 0.7147780

7. Forest Hill 0.7004660

8. Kennedale 0.6961900

9. Pelican Bay 0.6762930

10. Fort Worth 0.6700000

11. Grand Prairie 0.6600000

 

HELPFUL WEBSITES and CONTACTS

Would you like to be added to our mailing list? Please send an e-mail to: KennedaleObserver@yahoo.com requesting to be added to our mailing list.

 

Also, please feel free to share this newsletter with your friends.

 

Kennedale Observer website:

http://arlspectator.mysite.com/index_3.html

 

Latest Kennedale Observer newsletter:

http://arlspectator.mysite.com/rich_text_44.html

 

The “Investigation” Report

http://arlspectator.mysite.com/blank_13.html

 

Senior Tax Freeze Missing

http://arlspectator.mysite.com/blank_10.html

 

Hammack Creek Apartments Disaster

http://arlspectator.mysite.com/blank_14.html

 

1083 Bowman Springs:

http://www.arlspectator.mysite.com/rich_text_45.html

 

Texas Open Meetings Act Violations???

http://arlspectator.mysite.com/blank_9.html

 

The Bridge:

http://arlspectator.mysite.com/blank_12.html

 

Texas Open Meetings Act Violations???

http://arlspectator.mysite.com/blank_9.html

 

Kennedale Observer: KennedaleObserver@yahoo.com

The Kennedale Observer can be found on Facebook as KennedaleObserver.

 

Kennedale Observer website:

http://arlspectator.mysite.com/index_3.html

 

Latest Kennedale Observer newsletter:

http://arlspectator.mysite.com/rich_text_44.html

City Council Grades:

http://arlspectator.mysite.com/rich_text_26.html

The City of Kennedale website: www.cityofkennedale.com

Mayor and City Council Emails:

Mayor – Brad Horton BHorton@cityofkennedale.com

Place-1 David Glover DGlover@cityofkennedale.com

Place-2 Thelma Kobeck TKobeck@cityofkennedale.com

Place-3 Kenneth Michels KMichels@cityofkennedale.com

Place-5 Jeff Nevarez JNevarez@cityofkennedale.com

 

Recordings of City Council meetings can be viewed at:

[https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4a2pjrnxZ5XrbsXcoLOP4Q?view_as=subscriber].

 

To apply for appointed positions:

https://www.cityofkennedale.com/boardapp

 

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