GENTRY — Since there is one contested race for a council seat, the Eagle Observer sent a questionnaire to the candidates for the Ward 1, Position 1, post and is publishing below the questions and the candidates unedited answers for our readers to review.
Jason Barrett (incumbent)
- Why are you a candidate for office and what are your qualifications?
Being a Council member for the last nine years, I have a good grasp of where we have been and where we want to go in the future as a City. I live and work in Gentry and think I have established many good personal relationships within our community with citizens from many different walks of life. I am accessible and I believe in listening to the opinions of others. My best qualification is that I have a real desire to work with others as a team player.
- What do you hope to accomplish for the city if elected?
I want to work with the community to see Gentry continue to be the place where people want to live and are able to prosper. There are many good things happening and I want do my part to keep it that way.
- What is the most important issue facing the city and how would you address it?
The eastern part of Benton County has experienced a high growth rate towards Centerton and towards Pea Ridge. At some point in time those areas will become saturated and the growth will spill over into western Benton County. The City of Gentry must prepare in advance for this eventuality. As a sitting Council member I will work with the Mayor, the other Council members, and the Chamber of Commerce to attract housing developers to our area and support strategies to develop the required infrastructure.
- Would you vote in favor of increasing taxes? Under what circumstances?
I recently voted “Yes” in the school election even though it was a vote that would raise my own taxes. I did so because the need was evident. That is the type thinking that I convey over as a Council member. While the economy seems to be slowly improving I realize that the everyday working person, of which I am one, still struggles sometimes to make the ends meet. I will never promote a tax for which a working person cannot see a need.
- Would you vote in favor of applying for and accepting federal or state grants? Under what circumstances?
In some form or fashion, state and federal grants are funded by money that individuals and business respectively have paid to state or federal government. If there is an opportunity to return some of those tax dollars to the local level for a worthwhile project, I would be in favor. I do note though that some grants come with “strings attached” and there is always a need to avoid entanglement with projects that may carry mandates that might not mesh with our values here in Gentry.
- What steps would you recommend taking to attract new residents, businesses or industry to Gentry?
Gentry is a great place to live, with churches, schools, local business, expanding city amenities, and people who are involved with attempting to making it even better We must make sure that we promote that message to those outside our boundary lines. Our community has value and like any other commodity that value needs to be “sold’. Practically speaking, we must commit a sufficient part of our city budget to marketing and advertising the treasure that Gentry is.
- To what extent should the city plan and regulate business and residential development?
Unregulated growth can become chaotic. Over regulation can kill growth and development. The City of Gentry government has to find that right balance so that new business finds development attractive but not to the extent that residential development is stunted. The saying, “the ends justify the means” never is an excuse for a lack of planning.
- 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?
I have been privileged to serve on the Council for nine years. There’s been some “head butting” here and there but I am proud that when a decision is made, the Council pulls together to support it. The current Council is very interested in maintaining the legacy of the community while at the same inviting others to come join us. I do not want to redirect the Council but I do want to continue to be part of the decision-making that guides the direction we travel.
- If elected, you will be asked to swear (or affirm) to support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Arkansas. Have you read and studied these documents in their entirety?
Absolutely. I could never look those in the face who have fought for our country and the freedoms we have if I did not support those documents. I have read them both at some point but I have not memorized them word-for-word. I have to confess that it has been a long time since the history classes of Gentry High School days; but I do know how to look both up on the internet.
- Are the rights enumerated in the Bill of Rights given by the U.S. Constitution or guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution? What is the difference?
From my perspective, the Bill of Rights is a promise by the Federal government never to infringe on our basic civil liberties as states and as individual citizens. There has been a lot of attention lately about the Second amendment. It might be a good time in our Country’s history to remember the “self-evident truths” of numbers 9 and 10. Guarantees are only as good as the people who make them.
- What is the basic sphere of the federal government? What limitations are placed upon it?
The Constitution says it is to, “form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity.” I looked that up knowing that in my own terms it would be much simpler. My view is it is to protect the citizens of the country with everything that covers - defense, a national transportation system, and so on. The Constitution itself is supposed to keep the federal government in check. The three-tiered system of executive, judicial, and legislative branches is supposed to keep it honest.
- What is the basic sphere of the state government? What limitations are placed upon it?
The answer is basically the same but on a smaller scale; restricted to state boundaries.
- What is the basic sphere of the municipal government? What limitations are placed upon it?
The answer is again the same but once more a smaller scale. The best part of municipal government is that the smaller scale means greater access to government officials by the people it is to be serving. All three of the levels of government should be about serving the needs of its people.
- Can you, in good conscience, swear to uphold and abide by the U.S. and State Constitutions?
Yes.
- What would you do if proposed municipal legislation runs contrary to provisions of the U.S. or the Arkansas Constitutions?
I would respectfully raise the question to my fellow Council members, the Mayor and our City Attorney. I have been raised to believe we are to obey the law of the land until it conflicts without resolution of the One who judges without prejudice.
Katrina Cryer
- Why are you a candidate for office and what are your qualifications?
Public service is my calling, plain and simple. Serving the public is what I was born to do. I feel as though I am extremely qualified as I have a bachelors degree in political science and legal studies, and I am currently working on my master of public administration degree at the U of A, with an emphasis on city planning and management. Not only is my education based on public service, but I previously worked as an intern under U.S. Senator John Boozman.
- What do you hope to accomplish for the city if elected?
I hope to accomplish many things for the city. My main goals are to explore ideas on bringing in more businesses, entertainment, and to continue developing the city’s infrastructure.
- What is the most important issue facing the city and how would you address it?
The most important issue facing our city is our lack of economic development. A restoration and rejuvination of our downtown area would be amazing. My dream is to build our community into an economically sound community with entertainment options and new businesses.
- Would you vote in favor of increasing taxes? Under what circumstances?
I would not vote to increase taxes. With economic development there is no need to increase taxes on the tax payer. It is never a good thing to burden hard working people with additional taxes.
- Would you vote in favor of applying for and accepting federal or state grants? Under what circumstances?
Federal and state grants are great things. I would absolutely consider accepting grants, but I would have to review the matching cost and maintenance fees on what specific grants could cover. Grants often seem like free money, which they are, but there is always a cost. I would have to review what costs the city would face on future maintance of any project that grants provide funding for. However, my education has provided me with expertise in writing grants, and I hope to be able to utilize this skill as your new city councilwoman.
- What steps would you recommend taking to attract new residents, businesses or industry to Gentry?
To attract new residents, businesses or industries the council would need to develop a plan starting with providing good quality of life for its curent residents, maintaining and improving infrastructure, and focusing on good customer and residential services.
- To what extent should the city plan and regulate business and residential development?
Business and residential development must go through the planning process. I would like to see the city develop an informational packet for new businesses and home owners. As someone who has owned two businesses in Gentry that would have been very helpful when we were going through the process.
- 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?
I hope to redirect the council by asking questions. There is no such thing as a stupid question. I feel like research and further discussion is sometimes warranted. As most council votes seems to pass with an 8-0 on every issue. I am not saying that’s a bad thing, but everything cannot always be a concensus. Questions are a good thing.
- If elected, you will be asked to swear (or affirm) to support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Arkansas. Have you read and studied these documents in their entirety?
I swear to uphold the United States Constitution, as well as, the Arkansas Constitution. As a political scientist I have thoroughly read and studied these documents. I am a constitutionalist and believe that the Constitution is the supreme law of the land.
- Are the rights enumerated in the Bill of Rights given by the U.S. Constitution or guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution? What is the difference?
The rights in the constitution are not specific as they are open to interpretation of the courts. The Bill of Rights includes the first ten amendments to the existing constitution. In my interpretation the rights included in the Bill of Rights are given to us as american citizens. The difference between given rights and guaranteed rights are that given rights can be taken away, but guaranteed rights cannot.
- What is the basic sphere of the federal government? What limitations are placed upon it?
The basic sphere of the federal government is to provide for the people what they cannot provide for themselves. As a planner I have learned that government is tasked with providing the health, safety, well-being of the American people. The limitations placed on the federal government are covered in the 10th Amendment, which states that powers not expressly given in the constitution falls to the states.
- What is the basic sphere of the state government? What limitations are placed upon it?
The basic sphere of the state government is to provide to the states what the federal government is not expressly granted the power to do. The limitations placed on state government includes law that is passed within the federal government.
- What is the basic sphere of the municipal government? What limitations are placed upon it?
The sphere of the municipal government is to provide for basic needs of the community. It is the branch closest to the people with the most impact. In my opinion, it is the duty of the municipality to ensure democratic and acoountable government, basic services, and promote social and economic development. The limitations placed on local government included following laws based on the U.S. and Arkansas Constitutions.
Can you, in good conscience, swear to uphold and abide by the U.S. and State Constitutions? In good conscience I can swear to abide by the United States Constitution, and the Arkansas State Constitution.
What would you do if proposed municipal legislation runs contrary to provisions of the U.S. or the Arkansas Constitutions?
Law is a tricky thing, but the first thing that I learned is that federal law superceeds any other law. Federal is above state, and state above local. I would follow the federal legislation, as a constitutionalist, federal law is the law of our land.