Gravette council candidates offer answers at forum

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

— Turnout at the City Council Candidate Forum last week could be termed disappointing, with about 30 citizens, several from outside the city, present to hear six candidates express their opinions.

Jim Denver, candidate for Ward 1 Position 1 was present. His opponent Joseph Carter was not.

Chia Greer and Melissa Smith, candidates for Ward 1 Position 2 were present. Another candidate, David Shields, was absent.

John Rambadt and Forrest White, candidates for Ward 2, Position 1, were present.

Unopposed candidates Larry Stidham and Tena Crose, for their respective positions were not present. Bill Howard, who is unopposed, was present and participated. Since he has no opposition, his comments are not included.

Denver said he is running to restore faith in government; White said his efforts are to get the swimming pool open and establish another park; Greer said she is interested in helping the community and stressed honesty; Smith echoed she wishes to give back to the community; Rambadt explained how his company has grown; that at present about 500 people are on his payroll; that better emergency services are of major importance.

Annexation Question

On the subject of annexation, all candidates were hesitant to say they were for the plan but several, including Rambadt, Greer and Denver, agreed the city needs to grow but that now is probably not the right time to address the issue. Smith said, as of now, she’s opposed to it, a sentiment echoed by White. Denver opposes forced annexation.

All agreed that encouraging growth is important, with Rambadt particularly stressing business development, a need echoed by other candidates.

Facing a potential revenue shortfall, Greer said each line item should be examined and a contingency fund established; Denver said the city will have to stress funding needs rather than wants; Rambadt said it will take people to increase revenue and that we need to plan for 3 or 4 years down the road. Smith and White both said we must live within our means.

Addressing a question about the fire department, all stressed the importance of a good department, as well as police and ambulance departments. Rambadt said it will be important to go door to door if necessary to get people to support the membership fund which is already in place.

Capitalizing on the school system and the hospital were important factors in attracting new businesses, industries and people to the town. Working with the Chamber of Commerce and developing plans for the future were ideas that were also stressed.

Final Wrap-up

In a final wrap-up, Denver stressed the importance of opening the swimming pool; White said the housing market must be stabilized; Smith suggested seeking more grants; Greer said she just loves Gravette and wants to contribute to its future; Rambadt listed two items, combining the public and school libraries in a sharing operation, and that he is opposed to the sewer project, saying the city can’t afford it and that other answers must be examined.

The forum lasted slightly more than one hour. Look in upcoming issues of the Eagle Observer for answers by candidates to a questionnaire submitted to them by the newspaper.

News, Pages 2 on 10/13/2010