Meet the candidates running in the City of Alexander General Election

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.