Northwest Arkansas Times reports on economic-development discussion by mayoral candidates

 
FAYETTEVILLE MAYORAL RACE : Candidates question Coody’s economic policies
BY MARSHA L. MELNICHAK Northwest Arkansas Times
Posted on Thursday, September 25, 2008
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/nwat/News/69455

Economics was a recurring theme as five of Fayetteville’s six mayoral candidates sparred for voter support Wednesday at a candidate forum at the Fayetteville Public Library.
It came up as an answer, by at least one candidate, to every one of the seven questions asked by moderator Mary Alice Serafini, president of the League of Women Voters of Arkansas, the forum sponsor.
Adam Fire Cat, Steve Clark, Mayor Dan Coody, Walt Eilers and Lioneld Jordan debated economics, experience and leadership style. Candidate Sami Sutton was taking a test in one of her university classes, according to Serafini.
Throughout the debate, Coody reminded the audience of the positive changes in the city during his years as mayor, while the other candidates pointed out what they saw as problems with the current administration.
“ If you’ve been here longer than eight years, you know that Fayetteville is in better shape now than it was eight years ago, ” said Coody, who offered audience members a list of accomplishments ranging from the revamping of the citywide sewer system to an antilittering campaign.
The others didn’t agree.
“ I’ve watched Fayetteville grow, but in the last eight years, I’ve seen that Fayetteville is a boat that has holes in it, ” Eilers said.
He said the city doesn’t have an economic development plan, but it does have a towing problem, a hospitality drain, a homeless problem and an attainable housing problem.
A broader tax base and a vibrant economy is what’s needed, he said.
“ I’m not convinced things are going well. ” said Clark, who said the city has to expand its economic base and create jobs. He placed the blame directly on Coody’s administration.
He said Coody’s administration talks about economic development but hasn’t followed through.
Jordan agreed that the city needed to work on a good, strong economic plan and said it should be measured by jobs.
For Fire Cat, the economy was also the issue. He told residents, “ We need to let our finances catch up to our aspirations. ”
He said it is his perspective that the city is too far in debt to take care of itself in case of natural disaster and he wants to fix that problem.
Fire Cat would also like to look into other festivals which could bring in tax revenue like Bike, Blues & BBQ.
Coody maintained that Fayetteville has a vibrant and solid economic base, that began with the partnerships that led to creation of the Fayetteville Economic Development Council.
Later, Clark argued that was an important first step, but the city hasn’t gone beyond it.
The mayor said the sustainability push started by his administration has made the city recognizable nationwide and is one of the reasons people are coming here. He said he appreciated Jordan and the council supporting the sustainable initiatives brought forward by his administration.
Jordan stressed the need for strong core services, such as fire, police and safety, while cutting out frills. The city needs to recruit green businesses and the best way is through training, he said.
“ You have to bring in a solid, balanced budget every time, ” he said.
He said the city could help its businesses by showcasing them on the city Web site.
Eilers declared that the election is about leadership style. He said voters had to decide whether to continue the course or to look for a different way to run the city in a more effective and businesslike manner.
“ I offer that alternative, ” Eilers said.
Jordan said he offered voters a passion and love for the city, and an open mind. He said he would be a listener and a good servant.
“ When you vote for me, you won’t be just voting for me, you’ll be voting for yourself, because I’m going to make the mayor’s seat your seat, ” Jordan said.
“ I’m here to stand up for your individual freedoms, ” said Fire Cat, who said he would fight to protect those freedoms.
Clark said Fayetteville is no longer a sleepy little town; it is on the national stage. He said he has the skills, the experiences and relationships to be an excellent mayor, as well as a willingness to make tough decisions.
“ We have to have leadership that believes in action and not excuses, ” Clark said.
“ These are times when leaders are going to have to stand tall, make the difficult decisions and go forward to put this city back at the place that it once was when it was the best place in the United States of America to create a job, ” he said.
“ Fayetteville is a unique, wonderful community. It didn’t get this way by accident. We’ve made it better and better over time, ” Coody said, citing leadership by the administration and council, public involvement and an excellent staff.
He said he has brought a balance to city hall, controversies have stopped and the city has progressed in ways that he thinks surprised many folks.
“ I see a lot of potential to make Fayetteville even better than it is, and we have a long list of things yet to accomplish. We’ve been successful so far, and I want to keep that momentum going, ” Coody said.
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