Municipal filing period in Saline County ends today
A former Benton alderman is among eight challengers who filed Monday for city council positions in Saline County.
Warren Burleson, who served one term on the Benton council before being unseated in 2006, will challenge Alderman Brad Moore for the Ward 4, Position 1 seat.
Moore, the son of former Mayor Lynn Moore, is seeking his third term.
As expected, municipal filing activity increased Monday with six incumbents filing in addition to the eight challengers.
The filing period ended at noon today.
Burleson represented Ward 1 previously, prior to redistricting. He was defeated in his re-election bid by council newcomer Greg White.
Steve Brown, chairman of the Benton Parks Commission, filed recently for the Ward 1, Position 2 seat held by White, who has filed for re-election.
“I think I can bring a level of mature thinking to the council that is needed for looking at today, tomorrow and into the future,” Burleson, 67, said.
“Too many decisions are being made without the public’s knowledge or, in some cases, without the public having a chance to vote on the decisions.”
Burleson is retired as a quality assurance official with the Veterans Administration Hospital in Little Rock, where he also worked in the radiology department. Burleson does volunteer work for several local organizations, including Civitan, the local Habitat for Humanity chapter and the Christian Community Care Clinic.
Moore said that when he and Burleson served on the council, “we worked well together to accomplish joint projects between the Parks Commission and the (Advertising and Promotion) Commission.
Moore, 44, has served on the A&P Commission since its formation. He said he plans to run a positive campaign based on his record as alderman.
He is a longtime employee of Cheyenne Industries/Frank Fletcher Companies Ltd.
Three of the eight challengers who filed Monday are seeking Alexander City Council positions. Through Monday, six challengers and five incumbents had filed in Alexander.
Burleson was one of two challengers to file Monday in Benton. Scott Hunter, who has made known his intention to seek a council seat, filed for the Ward 5, Position 2 seat held by Alderman Doug Stracener.
Stracener, 44, is the senior member on the council. He is seeking his sixth term.
“I think everybody needs challengers to I’m not opposed to having one,” Stracener said. “I think it makes the political process stronger.”
Hunter, 46, said Stracener has served “10 good years on the council but it’s time to move on and get fresh ideas. After 10 years, things get stale.”
“The council is serving special interest groups but not listening to the everyday citizen,” said Hunter, who is employed with Arkansas Water Products of Little Rock.
“I don’t care if you eat noodles every day or filet mignon, you deserve to be heard and this council is not listening to everybody. It’s time to move on. The little guy deserves a voice, too.”
Incumbents who filed Monday include Alexander Alderman Harvey Howard (Ward 3, Position 1), seeking a second term; Bryant Alderman Steve Glenn (Ward 2, Position 1), seeking a second term; Bryant Alderman Ken Green (Ward 3, Position 2), seeking a fourth term; Bryant Alderman Robby Young (Ward 4, Position 1), seeking a second term; Shannon Hills Alderman Dave Holsomback (Ward 3, Position 1), seeking a third term; and Traskwood Alderman Lloyd Lews (Ward 3, Position 1), seeking a 14th term.
Following are other challengers who filed Monday, and the seats they are seeking:
Alexander — Royal L. Doss, 55, who is in the lawn and construction business and is seeking the Ward 1, Position 2 seat. He said he can “contribute to the neighborhood.” Betty Dean Marbut, 51, a trucking company owner who is seeking the Ward 2, Position 2 seat. Marbut said the council “needs new blood.” Bobbie Finley, 41, a customer service manager at Food Service Co. who is seeking the Ward 4, Position 1 seat. Finley said “people in the community need their voices heard.”
Bauxite — Deanne Jarvis, 25, a homemaker who is seeking the Position 5 seat. She served two years on the Alexander City Council before moving to Bauxite.
Bryant — Scott Curtis, 38, an assistant principal at Bryant High School who is seeking the Ward 1, Position 1 seat. He said he wants “to make a positive impact and help Bryant continue to grow.”
Shannon Hills — Mark Petz, 47, who is self-employed with rental property and is seeking the Ward 2, Position 2 seat. He said he wants to “make sure the community is managed properly.”
Also filing Monday for re-election were Carolyn Weir, city of Traskwood clerk-treasurer, and Saundra Vosburg, city of Shannon Hills recorder-treasurer.
Positions in the county’s seven municipalities are two-year terms. Races will be decided in the Nov. 4 general election.
Following are municipal candidates who filed prior to Monday:
Alexander
•Alderman Dortheria Smith, seeking a ninth term, represents Ward 1, Position 1.
•Alderman Daisy Hill, seeking a second term, represents Ward 2, Position 1.
•Alderman Michael Huck, seeking a second term, represents Ward 3, Position 2. He was appointed last year to fill an unexpired term.
•Teresa Gryder, a challenger seeking the Ward 3, Position 1 seat held by Harvey Howard.
•Alderman Paul Mitchell, seeking a second term, represents Ward 4, Position 2.
•Debb Ayre, a challenger seeking the Ward 3, Position 1 seat.
•Beverly Mulkey, a challenger seeking the Ward 4, Position 2 seat.
Bauxite
•Alderman Ronnie Ramsey, seeking a second term, represents Position 1.
•Alderman Mae Clark, seeking a fifth term, represents Position 2.
•Alderman Georgia L. Babbitt, seeking a second term, represents Position 3.
•Alderman Deborah Purifoy, seeking a second term, represents Position 4.
Benton
•Alderman Larry Wolf, seeking a third term, represents Ward 1, Position 1.
•Alderman Greg White, seeking a second term, represents Ward 1, Position 2.
•Steve Brown, a challenger seeking the Ward 1, Position 2 seat held by White.
•Alderman Charles Cunningham, seeking a third term, represents Ward 2, Position 1.
•Alderman Joe Lee Richards, seeking a third term, represents Ward 2, Position 2.
•Alderman Bill Donnor, seeking a second term, represents Ward 3, Position 1.
•Alderman Jerry Ponder, seeking a second term, represents Ward 3, Position 2.
•Alderman Brad Moore, seeking a third term, represents Ward 4, Position 1.
•Alderman David Sparks, seeking a third term, represents Ward 4, Position 2.
•Alderman Steve Lee, seeking a third term, represents Ward 5, Position 1.
•Alderman Doug Stracener, seeking a sixth term, represents Ward 5, Position 2.
Bryant
•Alderman Danny Steele, seeking a third term, represents Ward 1, Position 2.
•Ed Collins, a challenger seeking the Ward 2, Position 1 seat.
•Alderman Chris Tipton, seeking a second term, represents Ward 2, Position 2.
•Adrian Henley, a challenger seeking the Ward 3, Position 1 seat held by Larry Smart.
•Alderman Steve Gladden, seeking a second term, represents Ward 4, Position 2.
Haskell
•Alderman Ray Bennett, seeking a third term, represents Ward 1, Position 2.
•Alderman Halbert E. Baker, seeking a 12th term, represents Ward 3, Position 2.
•Alderman Gary C. Vice, seeking a second term, represents Ward 4, Position 1.
•Alderman Dwayne Hippensteel, seeking a second term, represents Ward 4, Position 2.
•Janie Lyman, city recorder-treasurer, seeking a second term.
Shannon Hills
•Alderman Betty Sue Skipper, seeking a fifth term, represents Ward 1, Position 2.
•Alderman Toni Cobb, seeking a second term, represents Ward 2, Position 1.
•Alderman Evelyn Cador, seeking a second term, represents Ward 3, Position 2.
Traskwood
•Alderman Linda Berryhill, seeking a third term, represents Ward 1, Position 2.
•Alderman Billy Sharp, seeking a third term, represents Ward 2, Position 2.
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