GENTRY — Though the filing period for Gentry’s mayoral election doesn’t officially open until next week, the race is already looking like it will have a full slate of candidates, with the incumbent mayor and two council members already announcing their candidacy for the post.
Mayor Wes Hogue announced his bid for re-election earlier this year and submitted a formal press release last week stating his intention to run for another term in the November election.
“Since my first campaign for this office in 1998, and every election cycle since, I have runon the platform of ‘Planning for the future while building on the past success of our community,’” Hogue said. “I believe I have stayed true tothese ideas throughout the years. This way of thinking has been shared by members of our community and local government and, as a result, we have shared in great success in the city of Gentry,” he said.
Hogue cited among his successes the Arkansas Highway 59 project, the new library and senior center and park improvements along Main Street, water line construction, improved operations and facilities for police, fire and public works departments and conservative budgeting methods which helped the city weather the current economic times without a reduction in city staff or services.
Alderman Kevin Johnston has also announced his candidacy for the post, and signs and T-shirts promoting Johnston for mayor can already be seen around Gentry.
“I would like to ask for your support as I formally announcemy candidacy for mayor of Gentry,” Johnson said in a Monday release. “I believe the City of Gentry has great potential and could become a selfsustaining city by supporting our existing businesses and by building on local infrastructure.”
Johnston has been a resident of Gentry for 21 years and is currently serving in his sixth year on the city council as alderman in Ward 2, Position 2, his release states.
“I have also served on various committees such as: Police, Park, Senior Activities Center, Water and Sewer, and Street and Alley,” Johnston said. “In addition, I am a member of the Gentry Chamber of Commerce and the Illinois River Watershed Partnership. I have been a volunteer firefighter for 18 years, where I currently serve as assistant chief of the Gentry Fire Department.
“I feel that by all of us working together and taking the time to listen to individual concerns from our citizens we can build our city on the strong foundation that makes it great,” hesaid.
Johnston is urging Gentry residents to contact him with questions or concerns at kevinformayor2010 @ yahoo .com or by phone at 736-3166.
Another councilman, Jason Barrett, also has announced his candidacy for the mayor’s position in the 2010 election.
“I would like to formally announce my candidacy into the upcoming city of Gentry mayoral race in the fall of 2010,” Barrett wrote in his announcement.
Barrett moved to Gentry with his parents in 1992, and Gentry soon became his hometown, Barrett said.
“Over the almost two decades that I have lived in Gentry, I feel like I have become part of the community.” Barrett wrote. “I have served the community as a businessman, volunteer policeman and as a city alderman. My experience over the years has allowed me to develop, not only professional relationships, but also to make many life-long personal relationships.”
Barrett said his relationships in the community, both business and personal, have taught him that Gentry’s citizens want to have a say in their city government.
“I’m not the kind of guy who will make hasty or uninformed decisions without seeking out the tax payer’s opinions,” he said. “Ihave watched Gentry grow and change for several years.
Most of those changes I believe to have been for the better. Should I be elected mayor, mygoals are to continue the good things and to improve the things that I believe could be done better.”
Candidates for municipal government offices must file between Aug. 4 and Aug. 24 to have their names printed on the November ballot.
News, Pages 1 on 07/28/2010