Alexander council announces second "Special Regular" meeting for more October business

The Alexander City Council will hold a second "Special Regular" meeting Monday evening, 6 PM, November 3 at city hall. The purpose of the meeting is to continue with the October agenda.

Monday's meeting was scheduled at a "Special Regular" meeting held last Monday, October 27, in which council members only made it to agenda item-1. At that meeting the council was able to appoint Kenneth Miller to fill the vacant Ward-2 Position-1 seat. The seat had been vacant since June when Alderman Brad Scott resigned. The vote was four to three.

However, the only person there who could administer the oath was Mayor Michelle Hobbs and she refused. Eventually, the council decided to adjourn the meeting and reschedule it for November 3.

She began putting up roadblocks to the appointment as soon as the meeting started. First, Hobbs attempted to stop any action on the issue by claiming a vote on the appointment could only be made at a regular meeting, not a special meeting. City Attorney Kevin Lemley told the council and mayor there was no legal reason why the vote can only be made at a regular monthly meeting; especially since State law requires the vacancy be filled at the next regular meeting, which would have been July. Hobbs knew about the resignation three days before the June meeting but didn't release the information until the July meeting.

The July meeting was canceled due to the lack of a quorum. In August the council declared the seat vacant and notices were posted requesting resumes. The only resume received was Miller's. Miller and Ward-2 resident Stephanie Beck will appear on the November 4, ballot for the Ward-2 Position-1 seat. Beck did not submit a resume.

Next, Hobbs claimed she couldn't swear him in because she didn't have a copy of the oath and the form he needs to sign. She said they were on an employee's computer she couldn't access.

Both Lemley and Alderman Andrea Bearden found the oath on-line and in the Arkansas Municipal League handbook. Bearden also had a digital copy of the form with her. Bearden suggested the meeting could be recessed for 10 minutes while they go into the office area in city hall and print what the mayor needed. Hobbs was having none of it.

Miller was sworn in by Saline County Justice of the Peace J.R. Walters on Tuesday, October 28.

The reason for the October 27, "Special Regular" meeting was also caused by Hobbs. At the "Regular" meeting held Monday evening, October 20, Hobbs claimed she "forgot" to post the date and time of the meeting. So the meeting had to be canceled.

Because this will be a "Special" meeting Arkansas law requires an agenda be included with the announcement. When holding a "Special" meeting the council is limited to discussing and acting on only those items on the agenda. The notice and agenda have been posted at several locations throughout the city. The public is invited to attend.

Among several items under "Old Business" aldermen will be asked to decide on lowering the monthly salaries of future mayors and aldermen. A resolution reducing the mayor's salary from $840 every two weeks to $250 every two weeks and aldermen salaries from $100 per month to $25 per month was introduced at the August meeting. It had to be tabled to make changes to the resolution. If approved the new pay scale will go into effect beginning January 1, 2015.

Other "Old Business" items include a review of the ordinance covering city business licenses passed in 1993, the repair of the fire house driveway located on South Alexander Road and the search for new police and fire chiefs. Mayor Hobbs said at the September meeting she was interviewing for the chief positions and aldermen want to hear a report on her progress. However, they probably won't hear that report because Hobbs has already said she can't attend the meeting.

The only "New Business" item is the opening of bids for repairing the bridge on Cornerstone. Three bids have been received.

Following is the complete agenda.

1)   Call to Order:

          Ward 1:    Ceola Bailey           Farren Wadley

          Ward 2:   Juanita Wilson      Ken Miller

          Ward 3:   Andrea Bearden    Sam Gregory

          Ward 4:   Lonny Chapman   Faye McKeon

               

Sharon Bankhead                            Michelle Hobbs

2)   Minutes:              Reading and/or Suspension of September 15 2014

3)   City Attorney:    Lawsuits and pending issues (i.e. abandoned/neglected property)

4)   Monthly Reports:

          Mayor

          Fire Department

          Police Department

          Financial

5)   Old Business:

          a)   Carla Miller Check

          b)   Resolution amending rate of pay for Mayor and Council

          c)   Ordinance MO 93-01-02

          d)   WDY Paving

          e)   Interview results

          f)   Charging Mutual Aid

          g)   Yearend Financial Statement

          h)   District Court

6)   New Business:

          a)   Bridge on Corner Stone

7)   Public Comment

8)   Adjourn

Kenneth Miller appointed to council, Hobbs makes excuses to not administer oath

COMMENTARY

During a "Special Regular" meeting of the Alexander City Council Kenneth Miller was appointed to the Ward-2 Position-1 seat. As a meeting room filled with spectators looked on, council members discussed then approved the appointment by a four to three vote. The seat has been empty since June when Ward-2 Alderman Brad Scott submitted his resignation to Mayor Michelle Hobbs.

Miller was the only person to submit a resume for the vacant seat. His appointment is in effect until December 31.

Before the motion to appoint Miller could be made Hobbs attempted to stop any action on the issue by claiming a vote on the appointment could only be made at a regular meeting, not a special meeting. The meeting held Monday, October 27, was scheduled because at the regular meeting held Monday, October 20, Hobbs claimed she "forgot" to post the date and time of the meeting so it was canceled after everyone had arrived.

City Attorney Kevin Lemley told the council and mayor there was no legal reason why the vote can only be made at a "Regular" monthly meeting. He cited state law which requires a vacancy be filled, "at the next regular meeting." "We're well passed that," he said.

He was referencing the amount of time which has passed since Scott's resignation. The resignation was submitted to Hobbs June 16, three days before the council's regular June meeting. Hobbs did not mention the resignation at that meeting. Aldermen received a copy of Scott's E-mail the week before the July meeting when it was placed on the agenda.

Unfortunately, four aldermen were unable to attend the July meeting so, without a quorum, everything was put on hold until August when the position was finally declared vacant. Since the council must declare the position vacant before posting the request for resumes, time was lost when council members weren't notified in June. The position could have been declared vacant then.

Lemley also pointed out the upcoming election will correct the situation. Miller is one of two candidates for the Ward-2 Position-1 seat on the November 4 ballot. Ward-2 resident Stephanie Beck will also appear on the ballot with Miller. She did not submit a resume.

Hobbs tried to move onto the next item on the agenda when Alderman Andrea Bearden jumped in and made a motion to appoint Miller. The motion was seconded allowing the issue to be discussed.

Bearden asked Miller what he sees as his goals for the city. "To try to make this council work together," Miller said. "The goals of the city should be unity, listening to what's being proposed, thinking not only what's good for the people but good for the whole."

Aldermen praised his 25 years of service in the military, now retired. He was also the owner/operator of a computer business. He has also retired from that.

Under state law, when filling a vacancy on a city council, the number of votes needed to approve the appointment is based on the number of aldermen still on the council. In this case a minimum four out of seven were needed for the motion to pass. Those voting "Yes" were Juanita Wilson, Andrea Bearden, Samuel Gregory, and Faye McKeon. Voting "No" were Farren Wadley and Lonny Chapman. Ceola Bailey was absent, which counts as a "No" vote.

After the vote Miller should have been sworn-in. This is where Hobbs tried her next maneuver.

Hobbs can legally give the oath to elected and appointed city officials. She, however, decided to claim she couldn't swear him in because she didn't have a copy of the oath and the form he needs to sign. She said they were on an employee's computer she couldn't access.

Both Lemley and Bearden found the oath on-line and in the Arkansas Municipal League handbook. Bearden also had a digital copy of the form with her. Bearden suggested the meeting could be recessed for 10 minutes while they go into the office area in city hall and printout what the mayor needed. Hobbs was having none of it.

Things got a little heated when Hobbs claimed the aldermen got "together to get things organized" and put the appointment on the agenda for this meeting. Alderman Faye McKeon said, "Nobody got together, this was in last week's packet."

Hobbs tried to claim she didn't set the agenda. She also claimed she didn't put Miller's resume in the aldermen's October meeting packet.

"Well somebody put it in there," McKeon said.

In fact, the appointment was on the September agenda but no resumes had been received. Miller submitted his resume after the September meeting and the appointment was on the October agenda. Hobbs then "forgot" to post the "Regular" monthly meeting as she, or someone, does every month causing the October 20, meeting to be canceled.

Bearden made the point that a portion of Alexander hasn't been fully represented since Scott resigned and that there is no reason Miller shouldn't be given the oath immediately. Bearden also reminded Hobbs she was given the oath the night she was appointed, sat in on the meeting and voted, then signed the paperwork the next day.

Hobbs gave the council the option of either continuing the meeting without Miller or adjourn the meeting. Obviously she was intent on keeping that seat a "No" vote for as long as possible.

Bearden made a motion to adjourn the meeting, "until Ken (Miller) can be sworn in." Wilson seconded the motion. The vote was four to four to adjourn. Wilson, Bearden, Gregory, and McKeon voted "Yes." Voting "No" were Wadley and Chapman. With Bailey absent and the Ward-2 seat still vacant, because Miller wasn't sworn-in, those two positions counted as "No" votes. Using seven members to determine the majority needed to pass a motion only applies when filling a vacancy on the council.

The final vote was not announced and Hobbs did not vote to break the tie. Legally, the meeting continues with no one present.

Prior to the vote to adjourn Alderman Gregory asked about rescheduling the meeting. Bearden suggested Monday, November 3. Hobbs and City Recorder Sharon Bankhead said they couldn't make it. Alderman Chapman said he would try. The others said they could make it. Ceola Bailey was absent.

The council agreed to hold its next "Special Regular" meeting on Monday, November 3, 6 PM at city hall. The public is invited to attend.

Miller was sworn in by Saline County Justice of the Peace J.R. Walters on Tuesday, October 28.

For those of you who are confused at this point let me summarize. Mayor Hobbs wants us to think she had to wait until July to tell the council of the resignation when she knew about it three days before the June meeting; Miller's resume magically made its way into everyone's packet and his appointment on the agenda without any interaction by her; and she doesn't keep copies of important documents required to perform her duties as mayor on her office computer: things like blank legal forms, the oath of office, a blank agenda to fill out, and meeting announcement signs. And while we're at it, Sharon Bankhead can't count.

Now, as for those two "No" votes against Miller's appointment: Lonny Chapman is unopposed in his re-election bid so he has nothing to lose by voting "Yes." Farren Wadley is running for mayor so you would think he would want to be on the side of appointing the only applicant to a vacant seat. Not to mention since Miller is on the ballot for that spot he could also be elected. You would think voting "Yes" was a no-brainer.

However, sitting in the audience Monday evening was Jerry Ball, another candidate for mayor. With what appeared to be a shake of his head to Chapman and Wadley, they each voted "No."

Since Wadley is running for mayor he won't be on the council after December 31, no matter what happens in the mayor's race. Chapman must be covering his bets in case Ball becomes mayor. You'll have to ask them why his approval was necessary.

So we have an appointed mayor who wants to be elected but doesn't want to do her job by administering an oath, a second candidate for mayor who can't think for himself and a third who is already practicing his council controlling skills.

Sharing stats about Alexander Mayor Michelle Hobbs

Before City of Alexander voters fill out a ballot for the November 4 election a fact sheet is being distributed about current Mayor Michelle Hobbs. It highlights the record she has accumulated during her two years as mayor.

The flier, called "Get the stats," does not include an attribution indicating its origin. It is a combination of "facts" accompanied with opinion.

It starts off with how many people her administration has lost in two years. The police department has had five officers leave, including the chief who has yet to be replaced; five fire fighters have quit, including the chief who has yet to be replaced; four city hall employees have left; and three aldermen resigned totaling 17 people.

Except for the police department she never advertises to fill vacant positions. "She refuses to be fair and just when hiring city personnel," the flier says. "She hires her family and friends only."

Mayor Hobbs handed out free backpacks filled with school supplies to needy children living in Alexander this summer. According to the flier it must have been a private affair. "If she would have worked as a team with her council and not used this good gesture for her glory there may have been more of you who were notified in advance and more given out," the flier notes.

Hobbs asked the former city attorney to write two election ordinances as proposals to the council for the upcoming November election. One would have raised the city sales tax one percent (one cent per dollar), the other reallocated one cent of the existing two cent sales tax. "The council shut her down in March because a) the council was never approached about this, b) the money is not being reported right as of yet, and c) the city attorney should work for the citizens not the Mayor," states the flier. "The majority of the council feels that Alexander citizens pay enough already (in taxes)."

The flier reminds voters Hobbs is responsible for the repossession of a fire truck. "She and the former Attorney decided to stop paying loan payments that resulted in a loss to the fire department of over $120,000.00 and the council was never approached on the subject." And, "This is still tied up in court."

During meetings Hobbs gives the public free reign to interrupt and say whatever they want providing they are insulting an alderman she doesn't like. The flier states, "She condones the 'bad mouth' of council, that (don’t) agree with her, by allowing her kinfolks to blurt out at council meetings."

An entire section of the two-sided flier is devoted to how Hobbs is benefitting "all" of Alexander. It says Hobbs has either been reluctant to make improvements or has ruined departments.

The first example given are the recent street repairs. "The council started on her in December (2013) about getting the roads repaired," the flier states. "They heard every excuse in the book from, 'it’s too wet' to 'I forgot.' "

When Hobbs submitted only one bid to the council she was told to get two more as required under state law. "They finally got the bids and had it approved for repair within 2 months," says the flier. "She did not do it YOUR council did."

Next, the fire department. According to information provided on the flier Mayor Hobbs, "Cut out volunteers and forced (paid firefighters) to go shifts covering 24 hours, without proper money to sustain it." When this plan began the department had, "$13,000.00 in the bank with bills and payroll over $18,000 due." This section continues to explain how, "a select few council persons" held a special meeting to make adjustments to the fire department's finances.

The police department hasn't fared much better. "She instructed officers to enforce ordinances that are nonexistent and or expired," the flier states. But when confronted with this obvious illegal activity, "All she can do is shrug her shoulders."

The flier also cites a joint complaint about both the fire and police departments. Hobbs has, "refused to advertise or appoint a department head in both the police and fire departments for over 8 months." There is speculation that by not appointing department heads, who would be responsible for running the departments, "They are submissive to her demands."

Is the ditch along your street clean, the grass along the ditch mowed and the pot holes filled? According to the flier Hobbs, "has boasted at the meetings that she tells the street department what streets to take care of." The anonymous flier author then poses the question, "Why the ditches within the original city limits are mowed but the ones past St. Joseph's Glenn are not?" Another question asked is why she does not have, "Them filling the holes in the roads."

The mayor's skills running city hall are also questioned. "She refuses to pay bills on time, she holds on to them for over the 30 day limit." Also, "The last two positions filled at city hall were not advertised." And, even though there is a spending freeze on purchasing assets for every department, "The mayor has approved chain saws, generators and other things purchased despite the council."

The flier argues there's no difference between Michelle Hobbs the recorder and Michelle Hobbs the mayor. Prior to being appointed mayor Hobbs was the city recorder. "While she was recorder nearly all of the minutes, ordinances, resolutions, and motions to the council meetings have disappeared from city hall," the flier states. "She is keeping up that tradition."

Hobbs was appointed mayor in December, 2012 by the previous council to fill the vacancy left by then Mayor Paul Mitchell who lost a recall election. Appearing on the November ballot along with Hobbs is Mitchell, Corliss "Jerry" Ball and current Ward-1 Alderman Farren Wadley.

At the end of the flier is this final statement. "We all count, everyone should have a shot at a job, free back pack, repaired roads, city employees that respect all citizens not intimidate them, department heads or shall I say Interim department heads that work for you the citizen, and a mayor that can answer questions posed by anyone about the city at anytime."

Alexander council members schedule special regular meeting

Three members of the Alexander City Council have scheduled what's being called a "Special Regular" meeting for Monday, October 27 to be held at 6 PM in city hall. The meeting had to be called when the regular October council meeting was canceled because Mayor Michelle Hobbs says she "forgot" to post announcements for that meeting.

Council members Juanita Wilson, Faye McKeon and Andrea Bearden scheduled the meeting after Mayor Michelle Hobbs refused to do so. It is unknown if she will be attending.

Because this is a "special" meeting Arkansas law requires an agenda be included with the announcement. This agenda is more detailed than past agendas. The notice and agenda have been posted in five locations throughout the city. The public is invited to attend.

The first item on the agenda is to fill a vacancy on the council. The choice should be easy since there is only one applicant for the position, Kenneth D. Miller.

Miller not only submitted a resume to be considered for the vacant Ward-2 Position-1 seat, his name will also appear on the November ballot for that same seat. The position was declared vacant by council members in August after the resignation of Alderman Brad Scott in June. Ward-2 resident Stephanie Beck will also appear on the ballot with Miller but she did not submit a resume.

Miller served 25 years in the United States Army, owned and operated a computer sales and service business and is now retired. According to his resume he is, "Skilled and trained in the areas of management, supervision, training, human resource management, telecommunications operations, intelligence, security, and administration." He is also, "Certified as an instructor" and was with the "Benton 'Golden K Kiwanis' as Secretary/Treasurer" for two years.

Among several items under "Old Business" aldermen will be asked to decide on lowering the monthly salaries of future mayors and aldermen. A resolution reducing the mayor's salary from $840 every two weeks to $250 every two weeks and aldermen salaries from $100 per month to $25 per month was introduced at the August meeting. It's been tabled since then due to other pressing business. If approved the new pay scale will go into effect beginning January 1, 2015.

Other "Old Business" items include a review of the ordinance covering city business licenses passed in 1993, the repair of the fire house driveway located on Old Alexander Road and the search for new police and fire chiefs. Mayor Hobbs said at the September meeting she was interviewing for the chief positions and aldermen want to hear a report on her progress.

The only "New Business" item is the opening of bids for repairing the bridge on Cornerstone. Three bids have been received.

Alexander's regular monthly meeting canceled, Mayor forgot to post notice

Or did she?

COMMENTARY

At the regular meeting of the Alexander City Council held Monday evening, October 20, Mayor Michelle Hobbs told the aldermen she "forgot" to post the date and time of the meeting. So the meeting had to be canceled. A special meeting to make up for this meeting was not scheduled.

For those of you who actually believe she forgot to post the meeting notice I can let you have Highway 111 for a good price and you can operate it as a toll road. She's done this before. A few months ago Hobbs canceled a meeting when "only" five members of the eight member council showed up. Even though five is a quorum she claimed it wasn't enough to vote. Never mind having a quorum means you have enough to vote. All the votes would have had to be five "yes" and three "no" (for those who were absent) but it's enough to vote.

Mind you the mayor does not have to personally type, print and post the meeting notice. City hall staff or the city recorder could have done it. Is she so incompetent she can't delegate tasks, or does she have an ulterior motive?

What does she gain by canceling the meeting? At least two actions were expected to take place at Monday night's meeting; appointing the only applicant to the vacant seat in Ward-2 Position-1 and a potential vote on a resolution lowering the pay of the mayor and aldermen beginning January 1, 2015.

First, the appointment:

Currently, because that seat is vacant it is being counted as a "no" vote as required by state law. The person offering to fill the vacancy until December 31, Kenneth D. Miller, is also running to be elected to the same seat in November. She probably doesn't expect him to vote her way every time and could be trying to put this off until after the election hoping voters will select her choice for that spot, if she has a choice. For now, it is a guaranteed "no" vote.

The resolution:

The pay issue is another matter. The proposed resolution will reduce the mayor's salary from $840 every two weeks to $250 every two weeks and aldermen salaries from $100 per month to $25 per month. It was introduced at the August meeting but had to be tabled to make changes to the resolution. The September meeting was adjourned before getting to the resolution. If approved the new pay scale will go into effect beginning January 1, 2015.

And, there's the rub! By law the pay of elected officials can't be lowered after they take office. It can be increased, just not lowered. Any lower pay rates can't go into effect until January 1 after the next election. If by some miracle Michelle Hobbs is elected mayor she is not going to want that resolution considered before January 1, 2015, much less passed.

Also, her husband is running unopposed for the Ward-1 Position-1 seat. Another reason to postpone voting on the resolution.

There are two more "regular" meetings between now and January 1, November and December. In order to avoid the issue of whether the salaries can be voted on between the election and December 31, to go into effect January 1, I strongly urge the council call a "special" meeting scheduled before the November 4 election with only two agenda items; the appointing of Kenneth Miller to the Ward-2 Position-1 seat and the discussion and voting on the resolution reducing the pay of elected officials.

If the meeting can be scheduled I fully expect Hobbs and her minions to be absent in an attempt to stop the meeting. However, under state law an alderman can be selected to fill in for the mayor. Also, Alexander only needs four aldermen present to start the meeting and appoint Miller with four "yes" votes. That will give the council the five it needs to vote and pass the resolution. It will be interesting to see who attends the meeting and who votes for lowering their potential future salary.

Alexander council expected to fill vacancy, reduce elected officials' pay

The first item on the agenda for tonight's (Monday) meeting of the Alexander City Council is to fill a vacancy on the council. The choice should be easy since there is only one applicant for the position, Kenneth D. Miller.

Miller not only submitted a resume to be considered for the vacant Ward-2 Position-1 seat, his name will also appear on the November ballot for that same seat. The position was declared vacant by council members in August after the resignation of Alderman Brad Scott in June. Ward-2 resident Stephanie Beck will also appear on the ballot with Miller but did not submit a resume.

Miller served 25 years in the United States Army, owned and operated a computer sales and service business and is now retired. According to his resume he is, "Skilled and trained in the areas of management, supervision, training, human resource management, telecommunications operations, intelligence, security, and administration." He is also, "Certified as an instructor" and was with the "Benton 'Golden K Kiwanis' as Secretary/Treasurer" for two years.

Under Old Business aldermen will be asked to decide on lowering the monthly salaries of future mayors and aldermen. A resolution reducing the mayor's salary from $840 every two weeks to $250 every two weeks and aldermen salaries from $100 per month to $25 per month was introduced at the August meeting. It's been tabled since then due to other pressing business. If approved the new pay scale will go into effect beginning January 1, 2015.

The next regular meeting of the Alexander City Council will be held Monday, October 20, 2014. Meetings are held the third Monday of the month at 6 PM in city hall. The public is invited to attend.

FLASH: Meet and Greet Moved

Due to a complaint by a resident the Meet and Greet for the "Red and White Team" has been moved from the Dollar General in Alexander to the Hess station across Hwy. 111. It's been reported that someone contacted Dollar General headquarters and complained about the Meet and Greet being held at Dollar General. The event started at 10 AM today.

Alexander "Red and White Team" announce another Meet-and-Greet for Saturday

Starting at 10 AM on Saturday (October 18) the "Red and White Team" will hold a "Meet and Greet" at the Dollar General Store in Alexander. The store is located next to the post office along Hwy. 111.

The "Team" includes several candidates running in the City of Alexander November election. Candidates include one for mayor and five running for eight of the alderman spots. Former mayor Paul Mitchell is running with the group for mayor. Incumbents Juanita Wilson and Andrea Bearden; former alderman Dan Church; along with newcomers Ken Miller and Melissa Ratliff are running for the alderman positions. Bearden is the only one unopposed.

The "Meet and Greet" is being held so any voters who are undecided will have the opportunity to ask the candidates questions.

Alexander candidates form group for November election

Several candidates, running in the City of Alexander election, have banded together and are promoting themselves to voters as the best chance to cure the city's ills. They're calling themselves the "Red and White Team," which is the color of their signs and promotional materials.

The "Team" includes one candidate for mayor and five candidates running for eight of the alderman spots. Former mayor Paul Mitchell is running with the group for mayor. Incumbents Juanita Wilson and Andrea Bearden; former alderman Dan Church; along with newcomers Ken Miller and Melissa Ratliff are running for the alderman positions. Bearden is the only one unopposed.

They have already begun their group-campaign by handing out a two-sided flier, which highlights why voters should choose them over their opponents. The "Red and White Team" also had a hayride through Alexander Friday evening (October 3) and a meet-and-greet at Elmo's Grocery the next day.

The flier, entitled "Let Us Work For You," starts with Mitchell and a bullet list of some of his accomplishments as mayor. The list includes, "Three streets resurfaced in south Alexander," a "New phone system in city hall" and having street lights installed along Hwy. 111/South Alexander Road and Brookwood. There is also a pledge to, "Take no salary" as mayor.

Mitchell became mayor when he defeated Mayor Shirley Johnson in the November, 2010 election. He then lost a recall election in November, 2012.

Also running for mayor are incumbent Michelle Hobbs, Corliss "Jerry" Ball and current Ward-1 Alderman Farren Wadley. Hobbs was the city recorder until she was appointed by the previous council to fill the vacancy left by Mitchell losing the recall election.

Running for Ward-2 Position-1 on the "Team" is Kenneth D. Miller. He is being challenged by Stephanie Beck.

The flier describes Miller as a, "Retired military veteran" and "Retired business owner." He also vows to, "Not take a salary" as alderman.

The Ward-2 Position-1 seat was held by Brad Scott. He resigned in June and it was declared vacant by council members at the August meeting. Aldermen are waiting for someone to submit a resume so they can appoint an individual to fill the vacancy until January 1.

Incumbent Juanita Wilson is running for re-election to the Ward-2 Position-2 seat. This is her first term as alderman and according to the flier she has already, "Obtained $5,000 to equip (a) new/used fire truck" and has, "Worked with (state) representatives to obtain AG (attorney general) opinions." Wilson is currently not accepting the monthly $100 paid to city aldermen. According to the flier she will continue that practice.

Wilson is opposed by former Ward-2 Alderman Andy Mullins. She defeated Mullins in the 2012 election.

Ward-3 Position-1 Alderman Andrea Bearden is unopposed but has joined the "Red and White Team" to help the others get elected. She also appears on the flier as having, "Reworked (the) Organization of City Council" manual, which aldermen use as a guide in conducting city business. She will, "Hold city officials accountable for your tax dollars." Also on the flier it says she has not accepted the alderman salary and will continue that practice in the future.

Bearden was appointed in October, 2013 to complete the unexpired term of Dan Church after he resigned. Church was elected in November, 2012.

Former Ward-3 alderman Dan Church is running for the Position-2 spot on the council. As a member of the "Red and White Team" his credentials as a, "Disabled military veteran" and working, "Hard for Alexander's citizens" are being touted. He too has promised to, "Not take a salary." He resigned in 2013 when Mayor Michelle Hobbs told him he couldn't decline the monthly salary.

Former Alderman Harvey C. Howard is also vying for the Ward-3 Position-2 spot. That seat is currently held by Sam Gregory who is not seeking re-election. Howard ran for re-election in 2012 when he held the Position-1 spot and was defeated by Church.

Melissa Ratliff is running for the Ward-4 Position-1 seat as a member of the "Red and White Team." According to the flier she is, "Already working (as a city volunteer) in Alexander for (her) student college credit" and is, "Goal oriented."

Ratliff is running against Monroe Cates for the council seat currently held by Faye McKeon who is not seeking election. McKeon was appointed to that position in early 2013 when Alderman Henry Tacket died shortly after being elected in 2012.

On the flip side of the flier the "Red and White Team" has a few things to say about the opposition.

In the race for mayor the "Team" reminds voters that candidate Farren Wadley, "Voted for (former Mayor) Shirley Johnson's retirement (pension)" and received a "Letter of Caution" from the Arkansas Ethics Commission for an, "Ethics violation" when he used, "City property for personal gain." He was using the City of Alexander Community Center for his martial arts business without city approval. The flier also alleges Wadley, "Wants position for salary only."

Mayoral candidate Corliss "Jerry" Ball has a history with the city. According to the flier he, "Signed (for an) illegal loan with (former Mayor) Shirley Johnson for fire truck lost by current mayor." The loan exceeded the five-year maximum allowed under the Arkansas Constitution and was repossessed when current Mayor Michelle Hobbs stopped making loan payments. Also, Ball was, "Appointed to (the) council in 2012, voted to increase city recorder pay to $500 a month" and "Only served two months and quit." Current Mayor Michelle Hobbs was recorder at the time.

A separate flier on Mayor Hobbs will be distributed at a later date.

Although he's running unopposed for the Ward-1 Position-1 seat on the council the "Red and White Team" didn't leave out Louis Hobbs. He is the, "Current mayor's husband," and the group claims this is, "Just another tactic for control of city hall (by Mayor Hobbs)." The position is currently held by Ceola Bailey who is not seeking re-election.

Seeking the Ward-1 Position-2 seat are Jean Cummings Fisher and Jeffery S. Watson. While there are no members of the "Red and White Team" running for that position the flier does provide some insight into the two candidates.

According to the flier Fisher has, "Shown no interest in city business." It appears she has never attended a city council meeting.

Watson, "Worked for the City of Alexander Police and Fire simultaneously, (which was) found to be illegal by state auditors." He worked for the city while Shirley Johnson was mayor. According to the flier Watson, "Was kicked out of the police academy for attitude and threatening (an) instructor."

Watson's wife, Regina Watson, was an Alexander alderman but was defeated for re-election in 2012. She always voted for whatever former Mayor Shirley Johnson wanted and was one of the seven council members who voted to appoint Hobbs as mayor to fill the vacancy created when Mitchell lost the recall election in 2012.

Stephanie Beck is running for the Ward-2 Position-1 seat on the council against "Red and White Team" member Kenneth D. Miller. The flier says she has, "Shown no interest in city business other than running on (the) ballot." Beck has run and, "Was defeated in two prior elections."

In the race for Ward-2 Position-2 former Alderman Andy Mullins is running against incumbent Juanita Wilson. Wilson defeated Mullins in the 2012 election.

The "Red and White Team" says Mullins, "Spear-headed Shirley Johnson's $800" monthly pension, "Actively participated" in Farren Wadley's ethics violation for which Wadley was ultimately found guilty and he, "Wants power, illegally fired employees while alderman and threatened others."

Former Alderman Harvey C. Howard is running against Dan Church for the Ward-3 Position-2 spot. The "Team" wants to remind voters of Howard's voting record. He, "Continually voted in favor of ex-police Chief H. Walters despite citizens' complaints," "Did not consider how his vote would affect citizens" and he, "Has admitted to 'going along' with majority just to keep peace."

The seat is currently held by Sam Gregory who is not seeking re-election. Howard ran for re-election in 2012 when he held the Position-1 spot and was defeated by Dan Church.

Monroe Cates is running against "Team" member Melissa Ratliff for the Ward-4 Position-1 seat. According to the "Red and White Team" Cates has, "Shown no interest in city business other than running on ballot," and "Was defeated in two prior elections."

Lonny Chapman is the alderman for Ward-4 Position-2. He is seeking re-election and is unopposed.

Candidates in Alexander election plan two events for Friday night and Saturday

Calling themselves the "Red and White Team" some of the candidates in the City of Alexander election have banded together. The group has scheduled two events.

The first will be a hayride starting at 6:00 tonight. The hayride will travel from the Dollar General in Alexander then ending in south Alexander. Antique cars will also be on-hand for viewing.

Saturday morning at 11 AM a "Meet and Greet" will be held in front of Elmo's Grocery. Elmo's is located along West Azalea.