Make her wish come true; Candidates wanted

OPINION

It isn't often someone running either to be elected, or re-elected, to an office asks, even begs, for competition. But that's exactly what's happening in the race for Alexander's Ward-2, Position-1 seat on the city council.

At the April 15 council meeting, Council Member Joy Gray used the allotted three minutes, during the public comment section of the agenda, to encourage citizens to run in the upcoming November 5 election. She even supported someone to run against herself.

"Run against me. I don't care at this point," Gray said. "If you're interested and you're tired of watching me bang my head and you're tired of watching things not get done just for petty shenanigans reasons, run for office."

Near the end of the June 17 council meeting she was at it again. Obviously, having at least two choices for each position is good for democracy. 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 explained further how to get 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."

It's best to get more in case you have a bad signature, or two.

Gray first ran for office in November 2016. She defeated Incumbent Stephanie Beck 310 to 244. She was then sworn-in January 1, 2017.

In the 2018 General Election none of the eight council members were opposed, automatically giving them another two-year term. In 2020, again, all sitting council members were unopposed. In 2022, however, there was some opposition to a portion of the council. Gray was one of five on the ballot unopposed, giving her a third free ride to another term.

Alexander residents currently serving on the city council are Joe Pollard (Ward-1; Pos-1), Mitchell W. Smith (Ward-1; Pos-2), Joy Gray (Ward-2; Pos-1), Gina R Thomas-Littlejohn (Ward-2; Pos-2), Harold Timmerman (Ward-3; Pos-1), Tony Staton (Ward-3; Pos-2), Angela Griffin (Ward-4; Pos-1), and Juanita Wilson (Ward-4; Pos-2).

Six council members who are known to have taken out a petition are Joe Pollard, Mitchell W. Smith, Joy Gray, Harold Timmerman, Angela Griffin, and Juanita Wilson.

Two council members have not acquired a petition. One is Tony Staton. The second is Gina R. Thomas-Littlejohn 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 definitely available.

So what's up with Council Member Gray? Since this term began January 1, 2023, Gray seems to have forgotten everything that happened during her first six years on the council.

The current Alexander Planning Commission was formed in 2017, Gray's first year on the council. The first three commission members weren't appointed until 2018. Before 2022 a fourth member was added, while the final fifth member was appointed in 2022.

Through the years anyone wanting to remain on the planning commission was reappointed to another three-year term. In 2023 planning commission members Tonya Prowes and Stephanie Beck were reappointed through this same process. In 2024 when it was brought to the attention of council members that another planning member agreed to be appointed for another term, this suddenly became a new concept for Council Member Gray.

Gray asked, "I don't have any recollection of, do people on the planning commission just decide they stay? Does the planning commission not advertise that position being opened? So do we just automatically rubber stamp people?"

The idea is anyone who wants to remain on the planning commission allows the city to keep experienced individuals. But that's not the issue. The fact that she voted on several reappointment requests, including two 12 months earlier, and didn't remember must say something about her. Although, I don't know what.

And this isn't the first instance. When the city acquired a new mayor and half of the council was replaced in the 2022 General Election the expectation was Gray, who was the younger of the other remaining incumbents, would be able to guide the newbies through the process of things like approving ordinances and other aspects of a meeting. After all she had six years of experience. No such luck. Apparently during those previous six years she went home after each meeting and had her brain wiped clean. She didn't remember a thing.

Is her plea for competition in the next election a cry for help, as in, 'Get me out of here.' Rather than not seeking re-election because conditions are so unbearable, would she rather lose an election than be labeled a quitter? Or, is it the other older incumbents she wants to get rid of while she stays put? Only she knows the real reason.

Let's make her wish come true. Gray lives in St. Joseph's Glen. If you look at the ward map below Ward-2 begins in Pulaski County and covers St. Joseph's Glen south to the western half of Meadow's Edge.

Anyone living in Ward-2 can run for both the Position-1 and Position-2 seats. Gray is the incumbent for Position-1. As stated above, Gina R. Thomas-Littlejohn (Ward-2; Pos-2) is running as a Democrat for representative in the Arkansas State House and cannot run for re-election to her council seat.

To run for a position on the city council you must be a registered voter and file your petition based on the ward you live in and either position one or two, depending on which incumbent you want to unseat. See the map below to find your ward.

When gathering signatures anyone who lives in Alexander and is a registered voter can sign your petition. You are not limited to signatures from voters in your ward. On election day all Alexander voters will be able to vote for all council seats with two or more candidates.

The other two offices to appear on the ballot are city recorder and city treasurer. To file for these two positions you must live in the city limits of Alexander and be a registered voter.

Currently, Sharon Bankhead serves as the city recorder. It is unknown if she has taken out a petition. The office of city treasurer is vacant. Former City Treasurer JoAn Churchill resigned effective December 31, 2023. Both positions are four-year terms.

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. For more information call 501-303-5630.

The first opportunity to return a completed petition to the County Clerk's Office is Noon on Wednesday, July 31. The deadline to submit a petition is Noon on Wednesday, August 7.