Four Candidates Vie for Ward 4 Seat on Rogers Council

Editor’s Note: Carlos Chicas, Rachel Cox, Bob Goodwin and Carrie Perrien Smith are seeking the Ward 4, Position 1 seat on Rogers City Council. Goodwin is the incumbent. All were asked the same questions; some answers were edited for length and clarity. The general election is Nov. 6 with early voting beginning Oct. 22.

Profile

Carlos Chicas

Position: Ward 4, Position 1

Age: 38

Residence: Lived in Rogers for 12 years

Family: Wife, Deysi; three children

Employment: Sports anchor for Univision Arkansas

Education: Accounting degree from the National School of Business Sciences and a bachelor’s degree in business management from John Brown University

Political Experience: None

Military Experience: None

Profile

Rachel Cox

Position: Ward 4, Position 1

Age: 27

Residence: Native of Rogers

Family: Husband, Steve; three children

Education: Graduate of Rogers High School; associate degree from NorthWest Arkansas Community College; attended University of Arkansas, needs one class to graduate

Employment: Director of development and marketing of Havenwood, a nonprofit home for single parents

Political Experience: None

Military Experience: None

Profile

Robert “Bob” Goodwin

Position: Ward 4, Position 1

Age: 84

Residence: 45 years in Rogers

Family: Wife, Martha; three adult children and several grandchildren.

Employment: Retired

Education: Southwest Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University.

Military Experience: Seven years in the U.S. Army National Guard

Political Experience: 27 years on the Rogers City Council

Profile

Name: Carrie Perrien Smith

Position: Ward 4, Position 1

Age: 47

Residency: Lived in Rogers since 1993.

Family: Husband Tom Smith; a daughter and a grandson

Employment: President of Soar with Eagles, which provides branding and marketing services to motivational speakers

Education: Master’s degree in business administration, John Brown University; organizational management, John Brown University.

Political Experience: None

Military Experience: None

Question: Aldermen control the purse strings of the city, they approve the budget and authorize expenditures. Where, and on what, do you think taxpayer money should be spent over the next four years? Why?

Chicas: Any money spent should be done wisely with thoughts of future sustainability. We have to ensure city departments get the funds they need to perform their jobs. Council members need to ask our taxpayers where money should be spent.

Cox: Taxpayer money needs to be spent carefully and strategically on road improvements and parks. Money could be invested in a natural gas fueling station and convert the city fleet to natural gas. It would make the city more energy efficient and save millions of dollars in fuel costs.

Goodwin: The city should spend money on public safety, infrastructure and parks and recreation in that order. These are the areas that keep our residents safe, promote growth and economic development.

Smith: Safety, roads, and sidewalks are important investments. I’m amazed at the cost of necessities like traffic signals and flashlights for police officers. Rogers needs to pay off debt, reduce its reliance on bond money, improve efficiency and run leaner. I propose funding a city communication manager to improve internal and external communication. Better communication increases customer traffic, builds trust and improves resident involvement. The Adult Wellness Center needs a nonprofit foundation to help it become self-sustaining.

Question: Rogers has developed into a regional shopping area which has increased sale tax revenue for the city. Should economic development efforts continue to focus on retail development or bringing high paying technical or manufacturing jobs to the area? Why?

Chicas: The city has grown exponentially in the past 10 years. It is important to balance our priorities. Diversity should be applied in all areas of growth while ensuring the real estate values remain stable.

Cox: As a city, we would be remiss to focus specifically on one single sector. We need retail development, but we also need manufacturing. We need a balanced job market. Growth comes from being strategic in opening the city as a destination for all types of business.

Goodwin: Our Chamber of Commerce has been helpful in screening and promoting the types of technical and manufacturing jobs compatible with our community. Retail development follows as growth requires.

Smith: Keeping the shopping and dining experience fresh with new arrivals draws visitors from surrounding communities, which also provides jobs. We must diversify our industry make up to shelter our community from economic shifts. We should recruit manufacturers carefully. We don’t want to invite pollution or stress our infrastructure. The real opportunity is to teach business owners to use technology and the Internet to create or grow their companies.

Question: The aquatic center and the sports park are scheduled to open in 2013. There is $5 million in bond money earmarked for the renovation of Lake Atalanta. Once those projects are complete what’s the next step for development of parks and recreation? Why?

Chicas: The soccer program should be next on the list. We have one of the largest soccer programs in Arkansas. Our soccer program can generate money to help maintain soccer facilities and raise money for improvement. The council should focus on developing a state of the art multipurpose soccer facility that can help us showcase our program and bring visitors to the area.

Cox: The regional approach of the Razorback Greenway is a great start. We need to approach these amenities from a city standpoint but recognize we have become a regional draw. I would like to see a bigger emphasis on Lake Atalanta renovations and other amenities at the lake to improve the health and wellness of our residents.

Goodwin: There is a need for more soccer fields as soon as land is found for that purpose. We also need an indoor, heated swimming pool. An indoor pool would allow year-round swimming lessons for our young people.

Smith: As finances allow, we should add the items that were removed from the original aquatic and sports park. We need to improve and increase the soccer fields. The trail system also needs expansion. Each high school should get an indoor swimming facility for PE classes and swim teams.

Question: The west side of Rogers is thriving with businesses and restaurants, and more are expected. The downtown historic district is in better shape than it was a decade ago, but some residents don’t know about downtown. Should the city do more for the downtown area or let Main Street Rogers and the chamber of commerce try to keep downtown viable? Why?

Chicas: The council needs to work closely with Main Street Rogers and the Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce to promote downtown Rogers. A good marketing plan will help to promote downtown Rogers.

Cox: City officials need to partner with the Chamber Of Commerce and Main Street Rogers to make downtown a destination for business and shopping. We need a big ticket item downtown, like Crystal Bridges or the Walton Arts Center. Downtown has some amazing businesses, merchants and year-round events, but we lack the big draw. We should work collaboratively on the historic district and help create an even greater level of interest on the east side of town.

Goodwin: With the renovation of Lake Atalanta and development of property on the east side, downtown will become more centralized and reflect a more important view. Downtown should receive the same consideration for development as any other part of the city.

Smith: The city should maintain the same level of support for Main Street Rogers. There are neglected parts of the city that need attention, such as South Eighth Street or Walnut between Fourth Street and Dixieland Road. No one is championing those areas. The city must be part of the solution. What downtown (and all parts of Rogers) needs most is awareness.

Question: Why are you running for a seat on the City Council? What viewpoints, talents or experience make you a good candidate?

Chicas: I saw the need to get involved in the community when I move here in 2000. The council needs to reflect who we are, a city of diversity. I have the background and education to be an asset to the city and the council. I will work with our residents to determine where taxpayer money should be spent. My success as an immigrant speaks for itself. My current position as sports and news broadcaster can help promote events our city will host.

Cox: I think I bring a lot to the table. I was born, reared and graduated from school in Rogers. I have a good understanding of where we have been and what our potential is for growth. I love this community and the residents. My family has been a part of this community for many years and helped the city grow. I am young, but I have a passion for service. I have worked in the nonprofit sector and have first-hand knowledge of our communities needs. My heart is for helping the residents of Rogers to feel that their voice is heard and their needs are met. 

Goodwin: In the 60 years I’ve lived in Northwest Arkansas, I was employed in the banking industry for 40 years and made many dear friends in Rogers. I’ve spent 27 years on the council. Working together we have improved growth and development. I’m seeking another term because I proud to perform the duties of alderman and happy to be available to the residents when they have questions or issues.

Smith: South Eighth Street’s empty, overgrown commercial property inspired me to run. I want to be part of the solution. There is a need for more business owners like myself on the council. We must identify and mentor qualified individuals who can serve. I hope to influence the city to recruit, employ and appoint more Hispanics to better match our community. I want to hit the ground running. I spent the last year learning about our city, attending council meetings, studying other cities and talking with mentors to prepare for a role as an alderman.

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