Rogers voters face an embarrassment of riches when they go to the polls Nov. 6 to choose two members of City Council. Both races include candidates who demonstrate the leadership, commitment and experience to serve the community well.
Here are our recommendations.
Ward 3, Position 2
This is perhaps one of the most diff cult choices we’ve made in a local election because of the quality of all three candidates.
Mauricio Herrera, an attorney for Matthews, Campbell, Rhoads, McClure and Thompson, is perhaps the best known of the three. His extensive background in community service demonstrates his commitment to Rogers and has put him in a position to meet many residents all over town. We also believe his connection to Rogers’ Latino community - which now represents more than a third of the city’s population - is a strength in a city becoming more diverse by the day.
Andrew Hatfield is a lifelong resident of Rogers and his roots here run deep. He operates his own law firm, so he’s got a direct appreciation of the challenges facing small businesses. We are impressed with his desire to serve and his willingness to pursue a leadership role.
Keith Jackson, a Walmart global loss prevention manager and former police off cer, was a pleasant surprise. Though he’s only been in Rogers about a year, he’s shown a willingness to jump into community aftairs with both feet.
Given his career in law enforcement (including seven years as chief in Greenwood) he’s got a fi rm understanding of municipal government.
What he lacks in institutional memory he makes up for with a willingness to learn.
The bad news is that Rogers residents can’t vote for all three.
Our endorsement goes to Herrera. He simply seems to be the best prepared of the three to assume the duties of an alderman right away.
However, voters can’t go wrong with any of them. For the two who don’t win, we expect to see them back on the ballot.
Ward 4, Position 1
This race is even more crowded, with four candidates including an incumbent. And it, too, is a diffcult choice because each has something to oft er.
Our choice is Rachel Cox, a nonprofi t fundraiser and lifelong Rogers resident. We were impressed by her grasp of city issues and the fresh ideas she brings to the table. We see great potential in her as a community leader.
Choosing anyone over incumbent Bob Goodwin, the retired banker and 27-year veteran of the City Council, is a tough call. Few have been more involved in city aft airs during the enormous changes of the past three decades than Goodwin. His service, for which every Rogers resident should be grateful, has been exemplary. But the time for a difterent view has come.
We were also impressed with Carlos Chicas, a local broadcaster who has worked hard to establish himself as a leader, not only in the Latino community but throughout the city.
Chicas’ energy and charisma serve him well, and we won’t be surprised to see him remain involved in community aftairs regardless of how the election turns out.
Carrie Perrien Smith, a communications consultant and the fourth candidate in the race, demonstrates a willingness to reach out to diverse groups and speak her mind. However, she needs a better understanding of the role city government plays in economic development.
Mike Jones, Benton County Daily Record Editor Leeanna Walker, Rogers Morning News Editor Greg Harton, Opinion Page Editor
Opinion, Pages 12 on 10/28/2012