GENTRY — In an effort to assist voters in determining who would best serve the city of Gentry in the office of alderman, we have asked candidates for council posts in the one contested race to answer each of the following questions as briefly and concisely as possible. We are reprinting their answers unedited for our readers.
Candidates questioned (listed in alphabetical order) are: Gentry, Ward 1, Position 1 - Jason Barrett (incumbent); Katrina Cryer; and Michael J. Savage.
Questions asked were the following:
Why are you a candidate for office and what are your qualifications?
What do you hope to accomplish for the city if elected?
What is the most important issue facing the city and how would you address it?
Would you vote in favor of increasing taxes? Under what circumstances?
What steps would you recommend taking to attract new residents, businesses and/or industry to Gentry?
To what extent should the city plan and regulate business and residential development?
In what actions, in your opinion, is the current council headed in the right direction? In what areas would you hope to redirect the council?
Jason Barrett (incumbent)
I seek to be reelected in order to use the experience I have gained from the last 5 years of public service as an Alderman to continue working with other city officials in keeping Gentry moving forward for its citizens. I like to think my best qualifications are common sense and a genuine liking of the people of the area. From the past contacts I made as a small business owner of Barrett Transportation and in my current role as Transportation Director for Gentry Schools, I have had the opportunity totalk to a lot of people from all walks of life. From 20 years of talking with others in the Gentry area, I think I have developed a good grasp on what our citizens want to experience by living in Gentry. Currently, on the Council, I am a member of the Fire Department Committee, Water Department Committee, and serve as Chairman of the Personnel Committee. To stay advised of change I am enrolled in the state’s Certified Public Official certification program. I belong to First Baptist Church here in Gentry.
In general, I want the opportunity to continue supporting all city departments and the current administration. I believe the City needs to continue actively seeking grants to improve our city park and sidewalk projects. Other projects I would like to see funded by grants are a new Animal Shelter and continued improvements in our Senior Citizen Center and Library. Again in general, there is always a need to nurture good relations between local businesses and city government and to seek overall growth in the community. Gentry is a good place to live and I want to work to keep it that way.
The first thing I was told as a new Councilman years ago was that to make a real difference you need to get involved in the budget sessions. Outside of grants, the city budget is much like a family budget. There are lots of good areas where money can be spent to improve the quality of life for citizens and businesses. The flip side is that there is never enough money to tackle projects all at once, so they must be prioritized. As a Councilman I learned that sometimes the right answer is “No”. Over time I learned that smart budgeting is the best way to prepare for the future and to protect our tax payers’ personal, home or business budgets. The most important issue to me has become the need to keep the city financially stable while working to make improvements. There are things worth planning for and they include, onmy list, aggressive street repaving and resurfacing on a planned basis, continuing to work on our sidewalk systems, keeping our waste water treatment system updated, working to maintain strong Emergency Service and Water & Street Departments, and adequately funding the day-to-day operations of the city.
A quick answer is “No”. Our city has experienced the same economic downturn as other areas. However, the current council has been conservative during this time so that there would be no need to ask for more money from our citizens. While I hope that times are slowly getting better, we are not there yet. I would vote for a tax increase in a dire emergency to help save our city and I think under those circumstances all of our citizens would too. But as I have said earlier, smart budgeting is the key to avoiding emergencies.
Gentry is a good place to live. I think we still have what some would consider “old fashioned” values. I think that’s a good thing, and I believe that people looking for a place to relocate look at schools, at churches, and at city parks. Northwest Arkansas is a people magnet because of its history of progress and prosperity. We are all going to have to work harder at promoting our community to the “outside world”. Our chamber does a good job, but to get people to see us as we are and the things Gentry has to offer, it is going to take a combined effort of the city, the chamber, the school, the churches, community groups, and so on. We are all going to have work together if we are going to stop being a hidden treasure.
I see the city’s role as being a support service for business and for families. When we make regulations they should be geared toward making the quality of life better for our citizens. For me, regulating business and residential development is not about control but rather about managing resources and working toward having a clean, safe and pleasantenvironment for families to live and businesses to operate. Regulations are not about “I got you” but rather “We all need to do this because…..” That is the key to me; communicating the “why” so that even if someone does not like the city’s intervention, they can at least understand the reasoning behind the decision.
The current council, of which I am proud to be part, has done a good job of keeping the city financially solvent through a time of national recession. We have worked hard to promote our city but we know that task is just beginning. We have accomplished projects with grant monies and we have made our city a safer place to live through fairly enforcing existing city codes. Like any other group of people, we have had our differences on the “hows” and “whens” but we have never stopped working together to make Gentry a place for our people to be proud to call home. My desire to be reelected is not about a need to redirect anything. My desire is to work with others to keep moving forward in the direction we are traveling. That means continuing to support community youth efforts such as the GYO, helping the Chamber promote our community, working with our school to plan infrastructures that will accommodate growth, working to attract new business and continuing to support the existing ones we have now, seeking grants to continue improving our park with additional playground equipment, new public restrooms, and maybe even a splash park. I believe the opportunity is there; I want the chance to continue the effort.
Katrina Cryer
Married to Kevin Cryer 10 years; one son Kein Cryer, 9. Occupation / Education: Full time student at the (junior level) University of Arkansas; Paramedical Examiner and Owner / Operator EFP Exams (Portamedic Branch 338).
- I am a candidate for the office of Gentry Alderman because, first and foremost, I want to servethe citizens of Gentry to the best of my ability. I was raised in a close knit family where public service is encouraged as a way to give back to the community.
What I believe qualifies me for the position of alderman is not only, the intimate knowledge I have of Gentry and the local government, but also the path I have chosen in my personal life. I am currently a junior at the University of Arkansas where I am majoring in political science and minoring in public administration with a pre-law concentration. Last spring semester I was selected as an intern for United States Senator John Boozman. I served the spring semester and was invited back for the summer semester, an achievement no other student has yet accomplished.
Not only do I have a good working knowledge of Gentry’s policies and finances, but working with Senator John Boozman on issues of public finance, grants and interacting with constituents on his behalf has given me an understanding of fairness, obligation, and above all else, the need for open and honest government.
- If elected, one of my goals is to bring more open and transparent representation to the council. In doing this we can bring public dialogue into the decision making process in our local government. I would love for everyone to come out to the council meetings. Citizens need to know this. It is important to hold government accountable for where our tax money is going. Currently much of the city’s business is being conducted in committee meetings outside of public view; due to an unpublished committee meeting schedule.
I really like the idea of the splash park; in fact I mentioned the idea two years ago. I would like to see it become a reality, but as discussed in committee meetings it would cost us $30, 000 a year to operate. This is a lot of money for a city of our size. I know that this could be shrunk down to fit into our budget. A simple idea would be to only have the splash park open between 2pm-4pmeveryday (during the summer months) instead of running it all the time. This is how larger cities, such as Kansas City run their splash parks.
- The most important issue facing Gentry at this time is the failure of the council to keep its word regarding the McKee truck turn around. From time to time trains block the tracks and big trucks back blindly out onto Hwy 59. Previous councils have agreed to address this issue as part of an incentive program for McKee to add over 400 jobs to our Gentry plant. After the plant was expanded, this council reneged on our obligation to build a turn around. Not only did we break our word with McKee, but someone is going to get hurt or even killed if this problem is not addressed. Even the editor of this paper wrote an opinion piece alerting the council and public of the danger and there has still been no action or discussion. The first and foremost responsibility of government is to protect life.
What is the solution to this public safety issue? It is quite simple. Do what the previous councils said we would do. Build the turn around like we said we would do. I believe a person (or in this case a city council) is only as good as their word, and I always keep my word.
- The city council’s power to raise taxes is limited so I will cover that first. The city is already collecting the maximum millage allowed by law. This was done by simple vote of the council, and it pertains to real property within the city limits. I would not be in favor of sending an increase in property taxes issue to the ballot for a public vote since reasonable property taxes is one incentive to encourage both residential and business development.
The council does have the ability to generate revenue by way of building permits, various inspection fees, and business licenses. I would be opposed to any increase in these areas; in fact the council should from timeto time review all of their taxation and revenue structures to see if they can be reduced.
This brings us to general revenues and bond issues. I would never be in favor of putting an issue before the voters that would raise taxes for general revenues. With one and one-eighth cent sales tax, the city’s share of the county sales tax, and other revenues the city has quite an adequate budget for most operations necessary. It is the mayor and council’s responsibility to budget that money wisely and exercise great restraint when it comes to spending public money.
The first step would be to ask current business owners what they think would best serve businesses in our community. Keeping our current businesses and residents happy are of concern to me. After all, you cannot attract new businesses or residents unless the current are happy.
I believe the city’s current planning and development ordinances are adequate at this time. The one thing I would like to see changed is appeals brought from the planning commission to the council should be decided more on merit of the appeal than that of the person bringing forth the appeal.
We are headed in the right direction as far as repairs to our city infrastructure. The one way in which I hope to redirect the council is to engage everyone in debate about the issues in an open public forum. Currently decisions are made in committee meetings with no public discussion, so when the meetings begin everyone already knows how they are going to vote. This is not transparency in government.
On a personal note, if any of you have questions please feel free to call me (479) 212-0968. I want to work for you, the citizens.
Michael J. Savage
Thank you for your invitation to share my views with my fellow residents in Gentry. I will answer the questions in the order they are asked.
I am a candidate for City Council because somecity employees felt that their needs were being ignored by some members of the council, and because some aldermen gave them the impression that they are "above" our city employees. They expressed a desire to have someone more understanding of their needs on the council who would really listen to them. Having worked at all levels of government, I know what these employees are experiencing, and that I have the experience at all levels of government to relate to those who provide the services the resident of Gentry need. I served 20 years in the U. S. Air Force during the Vietnam era; retiring at the rank of MSgt; then worked for over six years for the State of Arkansas. I have a bachelor's degree in Psychology from John Brown University, and an Associate's degree in Criminal Justice from Northern Michigan University.
As an alderman, I hope to be a link between our city employees, the council, and the Mayor's Office. I also feel I can be a spokesperson for the older residents of Gentry. I do feel that some of the recent legislation passed by thecity council has created a burden on some who are lifelong residents, and on a fixed income. This is their city, and our elected representative need to consider how new legislation may affect them. When I retired from the Air Force in 1983, I came to live in Gentry because of the relaxed, small town atmosphere that prevailed here. While I am certainly in favor of growth, I do not want to lose that "home town" feeling.
I think the most important issue facing Gentry is the expansion of our city, and the impact it can have on our families and schools. There needs to be a detailed plan in place to deal with these issues as our city grows.
On the issue of taxes, we all know the burden of federal, state, and county taxes that already exist. I am very conservative when it comes to levying taxes on our residents. I feel that a small, short term sales tax on goods and services in Gentry is the best way to deal with needs as they become evident.
If we want to attract new residents and businesses to Gentry, I believe it is very important to maintain a friendly, smalltown atmosphere. People want to raise their children in a town where they can feel safe and welcome. I know that is what I was looking for when I moved my family here.
Again, when it comes to government regulation of businesses and our residents, I take a very conservative view. I know regulations are needed to protect our current business and residents, but we must be very careful to not "over regulate" and thereby stifle the enthusiasm of those wanting to bring new life to our city.
In reference to thisquestion, I would refer you back to my answers to the previous questions. I believe I have made my intentions known in those answers. As a city alderman, I hope to provide input to the other members of the council which will benefit all the residents of Gentry, and that I will have a part in making our community a place that we all can love and enjoy for decades to come.
Please feel free to contact me if you have further questions.
Sincerely, M. J. (Mike) Savage, U.S. Air Force (retired)
News, Pages 7 on 10/17/2012