Trailer spotted on Dickson St.

Aubrey Sheppard took a photo of my trailer going down Dickson Street. Thanks for the photo!

Another Endorsement

I am proud to announce the Green Party endorsement for my campaign.

Firefighters endorsement


I am very proud to announce I have been given the endorsement of the Local IAFF 2866 firefighters union. www.iafflocal2866.org I appreciate the faith and confidence they have placed with me as well as the other endorsed candidates. I will do my very best to make sure they are treated fairly, receive their cost of living increases that they should have, and try to get them the equipment needed to do the job right and safely.

Ward 1 Blogsite

Along with the monthly meetings for the citizens in Ward 1, I will also set up a Ward 1 Blog site where people can be informed of city and ward events and freely make comments on issues and items of importance in our part of the city. I will make it available for anonymous comments so people won't be afraid to speak their mind or have fear of retribution. This will also be a way for those citizens who can't make meetings due to work or health issues be able to participate without those constraints.

Recent Item

We need a balanced city budget.
The aldermen called for Mr. Coody to bring a balanced budget. That is what should happen.

more platform items

On Growth
Fayetteville needs to grow from within. The first part of this is supporting the businesses that are currently established here. Take care of our own. Next we should use the chamber of Commerce, the U of A, and the FEDC to attract new business and industry that reflect the tone of our community. Fayetteville offers a healthy, safe and more even paced environment for growth in the technology and innovative design type of businesses. Quality schools, entertainment, dining and a slightly bohemian lifestyle contribute to a natural progression for attracting outside intrests to establish themselves in our city. Plus where else can you call the Hogs!!

Platform

These are the points I believe in and will strive to uphold in the City Council.

Ward meetings
Ward 1 should have regularly scheduled ward meetings each month. The purpose of this is to let the people know what is going on within their neighborhoods and give them an opportunity to talk with their aldermen in a comfortable setting, unlike the council chambers where the only way they can make a point is in front of the whole council, mayor and cameras. The average citizen should feel they can be a part of the decisions within the city.

Social Services
Fayetteville needs to keep funding social programs and increase assistance where possible. These programs are important to the people who have the least in our city. People utilize these services and they are not a waste of our taxpayer funds. We need to bring back the fireworks, support the arts, keep the Lights of the Ozarks and help the animal shelter to name a few. The Chamber of Commerce can help by getting sponsors for some of these events and services and by guiding the philanthropic to place their money where it will do the most good.

City services
The police and fire departments of Fayetteville are first rate. The people who clean up the parks, report information to the FCON members, pick up your garbage, work the recycle center, repair streets and sewers are all an integral part of Fayetteville. On an unpopular note we need to do whatever it takes to keep their pay rates and cost of living up to standards. If this entails millage increases, that's what has to be. If the money can be obtained by trimming the city administration that may have to be done. I would like to expand the scope of the Fayetteville Council Of Neighborhoods, make FCON have more input into the city process.

Hillside Hillslope ordinance
On the hillside hillslope ordinance I would like to revise or amend this ordinance. I attended dozens of meetings to develop rules for development on the hillside, hillslope and plateaus in the city. Through a lot of discussion and interaction between citizens and developers we had come up with a suitable set of rules to present to the city council and mayor. Brenda Thiele was the chair of the committee and Don Marr was the other council represenative. Between the time the ordinance went through the ordinance review committee, mayor and city attorney, you could hardly tell what it was. This ordinance need to have the teeth put back.

Infrastructure
I am a proponent of repairing and improving our infrastructure, fixing 100 year old sewers, waterlines and othere utilities. Repairing and upgrading our streets, not just adding curbs and gutters but using bioswales and natural absorbtion fields to handle storm water runoff. Trying to use permeable pavement for parking areas and using hard based grass for walking and sidewalks is another infrastructure upgrade.