Editor's note
Information for both Jason Barrett and Roy C. Beeler has been updated.
GENTRY — Editor’s Note: Wes Hogue, Jason Barrett Roy C. Beeler and Kevin D. Johnston are candidates for Gentry Mayor. Early voting has begun. Election Day is Nov. 2
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Wes Hogue
(Incumbent)
Age: 55
Residency: Gentry, 35 years
Family: Wife, Sarah
Employment: Gentry mayor
Education: Graduate of Eisenhower High School in Lawton, Okla.
Military experience: None
Political experience: Mayor from 1999-2010, Gentry City Council from 1997-1998
Reason for candidacy: I am humbly grateful that I have been allowed to do my part in helping to accomplish the success Gentry has experienced in recent years. This success will help shape the future of our city while building on the shared values of our community. I believe every person who has the ability to give back to our country and community has a moral obligation to do so in whatever way or with whatever talent they have. I feel I have been blessed with the opportunity to be successful in public service. If I am fortunate enough to be re-elected, it is my intention to continue serving my community to the best of my ability.
Goals in office: If re-elected, it is my intention first and foremost to protect the city’s finances. While other cities, states, and our federal government are struggling with cutting services and mounting debt, Gentry is in good financial condition. This is not by accident, but by design. Since first taking this office in 1999, I have used conservative budget methods planning our financial future for not only the good economic times, but also the bad times of reduced revenues like we are experiencing currently. I intend to continue moving the city forward with improved infrastructure and services using the responsible, conservative budgeting methods that have been so successful during my time in office. These methods have allowed us to see progress, even through these hard economic times, without having to reduce staff or services to our citizens. I believe I am the only candidate in the race with the qualifications, experience, ability and proven leadership to get the job done.
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Jason Barrett
Age: 32
Residency: Gentry
Family: Single
Employment: Route/activity bus driver for the Gentry School District
Education: Graduate of Gentry High School; has taken credit courses at NorthWest Arkansas Community College; recently completed Arkansas Municipal League certified continuing education programs in Municipal Finance and Budgeting & Human Resource and Personnel Matters Affecting Arkansas Municipalities
Military experience: None
Political experience: Alderman, Ward 1
Reason for candidacy: On my campaign pamphlet is a heading that says “I’m not running against anyone … I’m running for something ... A New Sense 0f Community in Gentry!” I am seeking the Mayor’s office because I believe there is, for whatever reason, a disconnect between that office and the citizens it serves. My reason for seeking this office is to re-establish a sense that the city of Gentry is not an office on Main Street, but that the city is simply an organization of its citizens who work together in a community where every citizen has a part to play.
I established what I see as some critical issues in our city’s growth and well-being. They are: survival of local businesses in hard economic times; n expectation that the city exists to serve and protect its citizens; the ability of all citizens “to have a say” regardless of status; increased personal accountability in day-to-day city operations; better communication within and throughout city departments; an attitude that all city officials are servants of the public; making maintenance of streets, alleys and easements a priority; an attitude that every job is everybody’s job and pride in our city’s appearance to the “outside world.”
Goals in office: Following are some of the strategies I would use to accomplish my goals. These ideas come from my experiences in living and working for 18 years in Gentry and things I have learned during my term as Alderman. Some of my strategies would be to: work closely with the Chamber of Commerce to support existing businesses and attract new ones; direct all departments to purchase city supplies and materials locally when possible; maintain posted office hours and have an “open door” for the community; expand the city’s website to include minutes of meetings, monthly budgets, etc.; hold regular meetings with department heads and listen as much as I speak; share the responsibility of leadership with the city council; develop, in cooperation with employees, a manual of city operational processes and procedures; visit all city employees “on the job site”; assist citizens, with city personnel and city equipment, in the upkeep of city alleyways; explore ways to fund additional city services through grants; be a fulltime employee and listen carefully when you speak and weigh carefully the merits of your opinion.
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Roy C. Beeler
Age: 35
Residency: Gentry, 31 years
Family: Divorced; two children
Employment: Postal Service, in Fayetteville
Education: Gentry High School
Military experience: None
Political experience: City Council 2000-2006
Reason for candidacy: I have lived in Gentry all my life and want the chance to serve my community.
Goals in office: None listed.
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Kevin D. Johnston
Age: 36
Residency: Gentry, 21 years
Family: Wife, Lori
Employment: Brandon Bayer Siding and Window of Gentry
Education: 1992 graduate of Gentry High School
Political experience: Appointed to Gentry City Council, 1998 and 2006; elected to Gentry City Council, 1999-2000 and 2007 to the present
Reason for candidacy: I want to help Gentry grow and prosper into the city that I know it can be by continuing to serve the citizens as I have for the past 18 years.
Goals in office: If elected mayor, a few of my goals are to improve the relationship of city government with the Gentry Chamber of Commerce and its local businesses to ensure our local economy is strong and viable; help restore confidence of the local citizens in our city government; work with city officials, employees and citizens to proactively plan our city's future; pursue grants to help fund projects; implement ways to make your tax dollars as efficient as possible; not only have an “open door” policy, but make myself available to the citizens.