The November 8
General Election is one week from Tuesday. With that in mind The
Alexandrian sent a questionnaire to the candidates running in the
city election in an effort to provide voters information about the
individual candidates.
All city officials
currently holding an elected position, except the mayor, will appear
on the ballot. Each has at least one opponent.
The positions on the
ballot this year are city recorder, city treasurer (four-year terms)
and all eight aldermen positions (two-year terms). Mayor Paul
Mitchell is approaching the mid-point of his four-year term. That
position will be on the ballot in 2018 with the eight aldermen.
Candidates were
asked the following questions; their age; whether they have
previously served in any elected position; what are their
qualifications to serve; and why should residents vote for them? Of
the 21 questionnaires sent 11 responded.
Anyone labeled
“Incumbent” is currently holding the position up for election.
All are seeking re-election except Kenneth Miller, who was appointed
in 2015 to the city treasurer position due to a vacancy and is
completing the unexpired term.
Voters in the City
of Alexander are allowed to vote not only for the recorder and
treasurer positions, but all eight of the aldermen seats as well.
Under state law voters are not limited to voting only for candidates
in their ward. The aldermen races are city-wide allowing voters to
select a candidate for all four wards.
City Recorder
Sharon Bankhead
(Incumbent)
Did not respond.
Regina Watson
Did not respond.
City Treasurer
Kenneth Miller
(Incumbent)
Age?
- 64
Previous elected
position? - Miller was appointed in late 2014 to fill a vacancy
on the Ward-2 Position-2 seat. He was already on the ballot for that
position but lost to current Alderwoman Stephanie Beck. In 2015 he
was appointed to fill the vacancy in the city treasurer’s position.
Qualifications?
- “Foremost I believe you must be honest, utmost integrity, and
doing the best job you can for the residence of Alexander. This means
that you have to have knowledge of day to day running of this city,
be on top of problems and solutions to make sure the city runs
smoothly in all financial areas as well as anything that might
pertain to the city's money.”
Why vote for you?
- “What I have already accomplished speaks for itself. This city is
moving forward and I intend to see that it stays that way.”
Julia Ann Wilson
Did not respond.
Ward-1 Position-1
Louis Hobbs
(Incumbent)
Did not respond.
Joe Pollard
Age?
- 71
Previous elected
position? - None
Qualifications?
- Pollard has lived in Alexander for 25 years. His daughter and three
grandchildren also live in Alexander. “I want them to come up [sic]
in a nice place where people love one another. I have seen a lot of
progress here with the Mayor Mr. Paul Mitchell in charge. I know I
can work with him.” Listing Mitchell’s accomplishments and
qualities of which he approves Pollard wrote, “The park pave(d),
street(s) pave(d), he fight(s) against drugs and crime. Most of all
he(‘s) a Christian. He need(s) me to help him.”
Why vote for you?
- “I would like to see Alexander, Ark. grow more … see good
Christian people working together not arguing and fighting, killing
one another, living in peace among each other in Alexander and
abroad.”
Ward-1 Position-2
Farren Wadley
(Incumbent)
Did not respond.
Elizabeth Bland
Age?
- 36
Previous elected
position? - “Never Served...1st time to run for office.”
Qualifications?
- “I am involved in my community and stand up for what(‘s) right
along with contributing different strategy's that would be able to
deal with some private property owner's not following State Law to be
able to create ordinances that would regulate the racket. I am very
good in researching and providing solutions to be as productive as
possible in every aspect in life.”
Why vote for you?
- Bland has lived in Alexander 14 years. “I thoroughly enjoy living
here. I would like to increase citizen involvement to move our city
forward and out of the negative light by working with the Mayor and
City Council in setting standard ordinances to [sic] and following up
with a specialized code enforcement division … . A vote for me is a
vote for a better City Council.”
Ward-2 Position-1
Stephanie Beck
(Incumbent)
Age?
- 40
Previous elected
position? - This is the first elected position Beck has ever
held. She was elected in 2014 when she defeated Kenneth Miller.
Miller had been appointed shortly before the November election to
fill a vacancy in that position created by a resignation.
Qualifications?
- “I have served 2 years.”
Why vote for you?
- “I want to help my community be better and further help it
progress.”
Joy Gray
Age?
- 38
Previous elected
position? - “This is my first time running for an election. I
have not held a political office, but I am most recently serving as
the secretary for the St. Joseph's Glen POA,” (Property Owners
Association).
Qualifications?
- “I have experience serving on boards and councils for both work
and community activities. I have experience with grant acquisition
and management which could be an asset if Alexander seeks further
improvement grants. I have a bachelor's (degree) from the University
of Central Arkansas. I am well versed in Robert's Rules of Order, and
I have experience working with political groups and politicians.”
Why vote for you? - “The people of Alexander should vote for
me because I am very interested in seeing us grow into a safer more
welcoming community in Central Arkansas. I hope to do what I can to
help bring more residential communities that will increase property
value [sic] for all residents.”
Ward-2 Position-2
Andy Mullins
(Incumbent)
Did not respond.
Juanita Wilson
Age?
- 67
Previous elected
position? - Wilson was first elected to this position in 2012 and
served from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2014. Andy Mullins
defeated Wilson in the November, 2014 election. She is opposing
Mullins in an attempt to regain that seat.
Qualifications?
- “I served on the council in 2013, 2014 and I have 21 hours of
training by the Arkansas Municipal League and am certified to serve
on any city council in Arkansas.”
Why vote for you?
- “I’m honest, straightforward and I want to see our tax dollars
spent wisely. I will work for the best interest of the whole city.”
Ward-3 Position-1
Andrea Bearden
(Incumbent)
Did not respond.
Samuel D. Gregory
Did not respond.
Harold Timmerman
Age?
- 72
Previous elected
position? - No public positions but was president of the student
council in college.
Qualifications?
- “I earned my pilot’s license at the age of 12, by 17 I had over
5,000 hours flying as a crop duster, served in the Navy as a pilot
for 30 years,” (combination active duty and reserve), “came out
of Viet Nam as a Quad Ace (20 verified kills), was a law enforcement
officer in North Carolina over 20 years, sports official (various
sports) for 45 years, always been a busy person.”
Why vote for you?
- “I’ve lived in Alexander for 11 years, flying an airplane you
need to make instant decisions, never late, honest and trustworthy, I
can do just as good a job as anyone else, will be married 50 years in
February.”
Ward-3 Position-2
Dan Church
(Incumbent)
Age?
- 64
Previous elected
position? - Church was first elected to the city council in 2012
but later resigned. He was elected again in 2014 and has been serving
since January 1, 2015.
Qualifications?
- “I have been a citizen of Alexander since 1999. I have good
knowledge of city government! I served my country in the U.S.M.C.”
(United States Marine Corps), “during Vietnam.”
Why vote for you?
- “As an Alderman I cast my vote on subjects that come up that give
the taxpayers of Alexander the most benefit from their tax dollars.”
Corliss Jerry
Ball
Did not respond.
Ward-4 Position-1
Melissa Ratliff
(Incumbent)
Age?
- 29
Previous elected
position? - Ratliff says this is her first elected position and,
“Began serving as Alexander alderman for Ward 4 Position 1 on
January 1st, 2014.”
Qualifications?
- “Graduated top ten of my class from Buffalo Island Central High
School in 2005; participated in Duke University's Talent
Identification Program; Toured Washington, D.C. in 2004 where an
understanding and appreciation for government was attained - visited
the White House, FBI headquarters, Capitol Building, Lincoln
Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, Ford's Theatre, Holocaust Museum,
Smithsonian Institute, among many other historical monuments and
treasures; attended Arkansas State University - made Dean's List;
finished Bachelor's equivalent majoring in Legal Studies; Currently
interning for a law office as a paralegal with the intent of entering
law school one day; in the past I have worked as a state-certified
CNA” (Certified Nursing Assistant), “Asst. Manager at RadioShack
with leading numbers in sales and customer service, and as an Asst.
Librarian in the Reference Department at ASU's Dean B. Ellis Library;
there are many other qualifications, but I will stop here.”
Why vote for you?
- “I would appreciate Alexander residents' votes this November.
They should vote for me because I have served two years on the
Counsel already and am familiar and comfortable in the role as one of
their representatives. I have the ability to work closely with others
as a team, and have proven via my voting record that the citizens are
my number one priority when making decisions as an alderman. I have
studied the materials an alderman needs to be successful both in my
educational endeavors as well as my time as alderman. I have the
ability to read and comprehend the law as it applies to municipal
government and procedural rules. My schooling and internship require
me to analyze individual situations and apply the law to those
situations in the most efficient manner possible. Above all, I am a
wife and mother of two who plans to raise my family here. I want a
safe and clean community that fosters a warm and family-like
atmosphere. My belief is that Alexander has a lot to offer to
families like mine, and if I'm reelected as alderman, I will work to
continue making progress in this city. I will continue to reach out
to citizens to address the issues that they believe are most
important, and will continue making decisions as alderman which
reflect those values.”
Tammy Pille
Age?
- 44
Previous elected
position? - “I have never served on any positions for the City
of Alexander or any other city.”
Qualifications?
- “I have been a resident of Alexander for over 15 years. I also
believe everybody deserves a chance to work for and with their
community.”
Why vote for you?
- “I think residents should vote for me because I am all about a
‘Good’ change for our whole community not just parts of it! If a
change is done for a City it should be all parts of the city no
matter how far it stretches.”
“I also believe
everybody has a right to their own opinions and constructive
criticism. We as a community should be able to agree to disagree!
Questions should be asked before jumping into money matters for the
community. Road work being finished is a big matter for our City.
Cleaning up of the whole City has always been an issue. Unattended
properties need something done to them to get them cleaned up. I have
been and am currently looking into this issue.”
“The council we
have now is obviously broken and not working for our community any
more. So it is now time to make a ‘Good’ change and vote for who
can help, listen, and work for the community!!”
Ward-4 Position-2
Lonny Chapman
(Incumbent)
Did not respond.
Jeffery Watson
Age?
- 34
Previous elected
position? - Watson was elected to the Ward-1 Position-2 seat in
2014, but had to resign when he moved to Ward-4.
Qualifications?
- No response.
Why vote for you?
- “The resident(s) should vote for me so we can,” keep,
“Alexander moving forward.”
Election day is
Tuesday November 8. Polls will be open from 7:30 AM to 7:30 PM.
