Two Vie For Ward 4 Seat

FAYETTEVILLE — Mike Emery and Alan Long have pounded pavement and called west Fayetteville residents in recent weeks trying to become the city’s newest alderman.

The two finalists for the City Council in Ward 4 received more votes in the Nov. 6 general election than three other candidates who ran for outgoing Alderwoman Sarah Lewis’ seat. Long received 1,947 votes (37 percent) to Emery’s 1,164 (22 percent), according to certified Washington County Election Commission results.

Because neither Emery nor Long received more than 50 percent of votes cast, the two will square off in a runoff election Tuesday.

Long, a businessman and chairman of the city’s Animal Services Advisory Board, said his volunteerism and neighborhood involvement set him apart as the best candidate.

“I think that when you have two candidates — one with a lot of experience working with city government and one with no experience — it doesn’t make the choice a difficult one,” Long said.

Emery acknowledged he lacks the experience with city government that Long has, but, he said, he makes up for that with a willingness to learn and a “common sense approach.”

“I think coming in with a completely fresh perspective can be a benefit,” Emery said. “I think I’m the best choice, because I have the ability to work effectively with people as opposed to an adversarial stance.”

Long mentioned his involvement with the city Council of Neighborhoods and the Waterman Woods Property Owners’ Association. He said he founded the Friends of the Fayetteville Animal Shelter, a nonprofit group that has helped provide money for outdoor dog runs, leashes and vaccinations.

During the past two years, Long has been part of several City Council discussions. He was one of several community advocates for a joint city-University of Arkansas Town and Gown Advisory Committee. He opposed the city’s streamside protection ordinance placing limits on property owners within 50 feet of waterways. And he clashed with the council’s other Ward 4 Alderwoman, Rhonda Adams, about her proposal to allow up to five unrelated roommates in certain new developments.

Emery, a former television newscast director and U.S. Air Force veteran, has been a regular presence at city meetings since announcing his candidacy in June.

“If I haven’t gone to a meeting, I’ve watched it online,” Emery said. “I’ve read ordinances, I’ve studied the budget and I’ve just researched a lot.”

Emery said he would push for a balanced budget each year and a new police substation somewhere west of I-540.

Long said his willingness to offer differing viewpoints would be an asset.

“I think that challenging other people’s ideas and being willing to have them challenge yours ... it’s how we learn,” Long said.

Emery and Long agree on the need for more sidewalks, trails, street improvements and water and sewer connections on the west side of town.

Ward 4 encompasses most land west of Interstate 540 and several neighborhoods north and west of the University of Arkansas.

Lewis, who is stepping down after serving four years on the council, and Adams endorsed Emery as the best fit for Ward 4.

“I just feel like he really cares and is invested and also has a perspective of the whole ward and whole city,” Lewis said.