One Runoff Race Set for Springdale

— Voters will decide between experience and a new outlook in a runoff election for a City Council seat.

Profiles

Springdale City Council

Ward 3, Position 2

Teresa Powers

Age: 52

Residency: Lifelong Springdale resident

Family: Husband deceased; three children

Employment: Retired schoolteacher and volunteer firefighter

Education: Bachelor’s degree in education from University of Arkansas; graduated from Springdale High School in 1978

Military Experience: None

Political Experience: Lost race for City Council in 2008

Jeff Watson

Incumbent

Age: 55

Residency: Lifelong Springdale resident

Family: Wife, Julie; a son and a daughter

Employment: Attorney with Watson Law Firm

Education: Law and bachelor’s degrees from University of Arkansas

Military Experience: None

Political Experience: Alderman for 14 years; two years on Washington County Quorum Court

Watson
Watson

Incumbent Jeff Watson and challenger Teresa Moore Powers meet in the Ward 3, Position 2 runoff. Watson, who has been in office 14 years, led three candidates in the general election. Watson had 6,278 votes (45 percent) to Powers’ 3,921 (28 percent). Christopher Pryor had 2,287 votes (16 percent) with Dan Runge receiving 1,541 votes (11 percent).

Pryor said he has endorsed Powers. Runge said he has talked to Powers but has not endorsed a candidate.

The winner of the runoff will have a four-year term on the council. Incumbents Kathy Jaycox and Rick Evans won re-election Nov. 6. Eric Ford was unopposed.

At A Glance

Voting

There is only one more day of early voting in the runoff. Ballots can be cast Monday at the County Clerk’s Office on the third floor of the Washington County Courthouse in Fayetteville. Polls will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Watson said he would bring experience to the position — experience that brings with it knowledge about what has worked to help the city and what has not.

“I have learned how the council works to approve a budget,” Watson said. “I also have learned how to deal with the growth of the city.”

After Watson’s 14 years on the council, it should be someone else’s turn, Powers said.

“I really want to become involved in what the council is doing,” Powers said. “I want to represent the people of Springdale and bring their ideas to the council.”

Powers said she is concerned about employee pay.

“We’ve got the best police officers and firefighters,” Powers said. “I don’t want to lose any of them because of pay. You get what you pay for.”

The 2013 budget includes a 6 percent pay raise for police and fire department employees. Watson said he supported pay increases for those departments.

The bond program, approved in August by city voters, will need experience to guide it to completion, Watson said. Some of the bond money for parks should include renovations to existing facilities, he said.

Bobby Hopper Park has a high profile, Watson said.

“We need to improve that park and make sure it can be well-used,” Watson said.

Powers said she was happy to see the animal shelter will be able to expand. The shelter is a major concern, she said.

The candidates agree the key to wining the election is getting their voters to the polls.

“Whoever gets their supporters out will win,” Powers said.

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