GRAVETTE — Editor’s Note: Byron Warren, Ken Foxx, Mike von Ree and Deana Deming are candidates for Gravette Mayor. Early voting has begun. Election Day is Tuesday. Deming did not provide any information.
Gravette Mayor
Byron Warren
Age: 37
Residency: Gravette, 17 years
Family: Wife, Tracy; one child
Employment: Firefighter/Captain for the City of Siloam Springs and 11 years as substitute teacher for Gravette Public Schools
Education: Attended the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
Military experience: None
Political experience: Current Gravette alderman; Chairman of Gravette Council Committee
Reason for candidacy: To improve the relationship between the citizens and the administration of city hall with leadership to meet the growing demands that face Gravette.
Goals in office: To obtain and improve the city’s five-year plan. Also, to lower our city’s debt by cutting wasteful spending; strengthening and maintaining safety; our police, fire and EMS; encouraging small business growth and development that will increase our city tax base; infrastructure improvements and upgrades to city services and also reopening the city swimming pool.
Ken Foxx
Age: 53
Residency: Gravette, four years
Family: Wife, CJ
Employment: Director of Engineering, Project Management and Business Infrastructure for Rail Power Services
Education: Bachelor of Science from the University of Illinois, Chicago
Military experience: None
Political experience: None
Reason for candidacy: Create a business approach to Gravette city operation, eliminate financial losses.
Goals in office: Excellent financial responsibility; deliver constituency service; have a vision; be a professional leader.
Mike von Ree
Age: 62
Residency: Gravette, 18 years, five months
Family: Wife, Susan; six children; seven grandchildren
Employment: Retired from Hughes Aircraft Co. in Los Angeles; partnered with wife to open Wizard’s Works-Signs, Banners, Trophies & Awards
Education: Basic High School in Henderson, Nev.; Southern Nevada Vocational/Technical School, electronics certification; El Comino Junior College, Torrance, Calif., various college classes; Sherwood Oaks Experimental College, Hollywood, Calif., sound engineering; NTI, Springdale, computer repair
Military experience: None
Political experience: Currently Recorder/Treasurer for city of Gravette; served on Gravette City Council 10 years; was appointed to Gravette Planning Commission, Gravette Historical Museum, Gravette Cemetery Commission, Spavinaw Literacy Council, Care and Share, Gravette Kiwanis Club, Gravette Masonic Lodge
Reason for candidacy: I have worked for the city of Gravette in various capacities for over 16 years. I want to continue working with the city and help build our community and make it prosper while maintaining our hometown atmosphere.
Goals in office: Attract retail business to the city and build our tax base; attract new residents to the city; proceed with the sewer upgrade project at the lowest possible cost to the citizens; create a balanced budget and stay within its limits; provide maximum recreational services to the community while staying within budgetary limits; ensure that all city departments and employees work as a team to provide the highest level of professional services.
Source: Staff Report