Council, Mayoral Forums Scheduled

First Debate Between Coody, Jordan Set For Wednesday

— Several forums and debates among candidates for City Council and Fayetteville mayor are scheduled this week.

6 To 7:30 p.m. Today

All five candidates for City Council Ward 4 have indicated they’ll attend a Ward 4 meeting in Room 111 of the City Administration Building, 113 W. Mountain St.

The candidates are vying to replace Alderwoman Sarah Lewis, who announced earlier this year she wouldn’t seek a second term.

Candidates are William Chesser, Terry Black Coberly, Mike Emery, Alan Long and J.P. Peters.

Lewis said Thursday she would give the candidates an opportunity to introduce themselves and open the floor to questions from the audience.

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

At a Glance

Forums

The Chamber of Commerce has scheduled forums at 6 p.m. each Wednesday through Oct. 17. Candidates and the positions they are seeking include:

Oct. 3

Sarah Marsh — Ward 1 City Council

Ryan Abshire — Ward 2 City Council

Matthew Petty — Ward 2 City Council

Paul Graham — House District 85

David Whitaker — House District 85

Oct. 10

Charlie Collins — House District 84

Adella Gray — House District 84

Greg Leding — House District 86

Brian Scott — House District 86

Oct. 17

Dan Coody — Fayetteville Mayor

Lioneld Jordan — Fayetteville Mayor

Source: Staff Report

5:30 To 8:30 p.m. Tuesday

Former Mayor Dan Coody is hosting a candidate forum at the Town Center, 15 W. Mountain St.

Coody said Thursday he invited all candidates for City Council to the event as well as his opponent in the Nov. 6 election, Mayor Lioneld Jordan. A meet and greet with the council candidates is scheduled from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Coody said he intended to have both mayoral candidates answer audience questions.

Jordan on Thursday called the forum a campaign event for Coody. He said he had no plans to attend.

6 To 8 p.m. Wednesday

The Chamber of Commerce has scheduled a forum for City Council candidates in Ward 3 and Ward 4 at the chamber offices, 123 W. Mountain St.

Martin Schoppmeyer Jr. is running unopposed in Ward 3, which includes most of northeast Fayetteville.

Moderators for the forum are Curtis Northcutt, chamber manager for communications and government affairs, and Greg Goggans, chairman of the chamber’s government relations committee.

7 To 7:30 p.m. Wednesday

The League of Women Voters of Washington County will host a mayoral debate between Coody and Jordan in the second-floor City Council chambers at the Administration Building.

Mary Alice Serafini, league president, encouraged attendees to arrive by 6:45 p.m. The event will be video recorded and aired throughout the month of the October on the city Government Channel.

Ann Rosso, a member of the League of Women Voters, will moderate the forum. Serafini said all questions were developed by the league.

6:30 To 7:30 p.m. Thursday

The Council of Neighborhoods will also hold a debate between the two mayoral candidates in the council chambers.

All City Council candidates have been invited and will have an opportunity to introduce themselves.

Fiona Davidson, associate professor of geosciences at the University of Arkansas, will moderate the forum, said Don Conner, a member of the Council of Neighborhoods.

Conner said questions were developed by the council based on input from residents.

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