Once again Alexander Council Member Joy Gray took the opportunity at the end of the monthly council meeting to promote participation in the upcoming November General Election. This year all eight of the council seats and the position for city recorder will appear on the ballot. Council members serve a two-year term and the city recorder is a four-year term.
Holding up her petition at the June 17 meeting, as if in show-and-tell, Gray explained the qualifications and process to get on the ballot.
"So one more time," Gray began. "I'm going to tell you how to run for office and you don't already know. If you live in the city of Alexander, you're over 18 and you are a registered voter and not a convicted felon you can go to the (Saline) County Clerk's office, take your driver's license in there, tell them where you live, and tell them that you would like to run for either City Council or the recorder position."
Gray was first elected in the November, 2016 election. She has served since January 1, 2017. At the end of 2024 she will have completed four two-year terms. She says it's time for a change.
"And the reason I'm doing this is because you all again have seen me, if you especially have been watching on camera, you've seen us here on the struggle bus," Gray said. "There are things that we need to get done that we keep it because we have to have at least five people (to) vote for stuff. So, we're ringing things up over and over and over again."
"We need some people's time, we need to get things done, there are things that need to be totally restructured," she continued. "We need to get it done, and we're not going to get it done as long as people just want to keep voting on the same thing over and over again because it's what they like and make some comfortable."
Gray says anyone can serve on the council.
"So, we need people who are wanting to get involved, you can do it," Gray said. "Do not be sitting there thinking that you can't do it. Don't for a second think that you're not qualified or not smart enough or not capable. If you are 18, you are a registered voter and you live in the city limits of Alexander, that is literally all it takes. Okay, you can be 19 and reasonably literate."
Gray then provided more detail in getting on the ballot.
"So, go down there (Saline County Clerk's Office) and get a petition," she urged. "Ten people have to sign it. Ten registered voters in the city have to sign it. And then by noon on August 7th, you go turn it in. And they will count it up and make sure that these (signatures) are all valid.
At the April 15 council meeting, Gray made a similar plea for candidates. She even asked that someone run against her.
Unlike the previous county clerk, current Saline County Clerk Doug Curtis doesn't feel it is necessary to begin reporting names of individuals who have taken out petitions until they begin to file. Therefore, the following list of residents circulating election petitions is based on either the individual announcing their intention to run, or well-sourced rumors.
Alexander residents currently serving on the city council and known to be seeking re-election are;
Joe Pollard (Ward-1; Pos-1)
Mitchell W. Smith (Ward-1; Pos-2)
Joy Gray (Ward-2; Pos-1)
Harold Timmerman (Ward-3; Pos-1)
Angela Griffin (Ward-4; Pos-1)
Juanita Wilson (Ward-4; Pos-2)
Two council members have not acquired a petition. One is Tony Staton (Ward-3; Pos-2). The second is Gina R. Thomas-Littlejohn (Ward-2; Pos-2) who is running as a Democrat for representative in the Arkansas State House. Under state law she can not run for, or serve in, two elected positions. Therefore, the Ward-2; Pos-2 council seat is also available.
So far, only one incumbent seeking re-election has a potential challenger. Trevis Bentley is said to be circulating a petition for the Ward-4; Pos-2 seat currently held by Council Member Juanita Wilson. He lives at 5168 Woodstream Dr. in the Meadow's Edge subdivision.
Daniel Bates is said to be running for the seat held by Tony Staton (Ward-3; Pos-2). Bates lives at 15505 Don Parker Drive.
Currently, Sharon Bankhead serves as the city recorder. It is unknown if she has decided to seek re-election.
Residents living in both the Pulaski and Saline county portions of Alexander may pick up the petitions for these elected positions at the Saline County Clerk's office; 215 North Main Street, Suite 9; Benton, Arkansas. Offices are open 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM Monday - Friday (except holidays). For more information call 501-303-5630. Filing for these positions begins at NOON on July 31, 2024 and ends at NOON on August 7, 2024.
Use the ward map below to determine your ward. When you pick up the petition you must state both your ward and which position you are seeking.
Petition signatures are not limited to voters in your ward. Also, when voting voters are allowed to vote for all council candidates.
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