Hopefuls Field Questions

FAYETTEVILLE — Ward 4 City Council candidates talked about roads and trails, affordable housing and the impact University of Arkansas growth is having on west Fayetteville neighborhoods during a forum Monday at city hall.

The forum offered residents their first opportunity to engage all five candidates running for Alderwoman Sarah Lewis’ soon-to-be-vacant seat. Candidates are William Chesser, Terry Black Coberly, Mike Emery, Alan Long and J.P. Peters.

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

After brief introductions, Ward 4 resident Maurice Rankin asked candidates to differentiate themselves.

“Why should we vote for you instead of someone else?” Rankin said.

Coberly, a former Bentonville mayor and city clerk, said more than 20 years of municipal government experience set her apart. “That’s what I do,” Coberly said. “That’s what I care about. That’s what I love.”

Chesser, a Fayetteville planning commissioner and high school science teacher, said he has significant planning experience — both in the public and private sphere — and understands how best to promote growth while continuing to make Fayetteville “the kind of city we want to live in.”

Long, a buyer for Newly Weds Foods, listed his business background and community involvement as assets. Long said, as the chair of the Animal Services Advisory Board, he’s learned how to work toward solutions to specific problems.

Peters noted roughly 30 years of experience as a health care consultant for the federal government. She said she is no stranger to dealing with complex issues and budgetary matters.

Emery is the only candidate with military experience. He served 10 years in the Air Force. Emery called himself an “everyday person,” who understands what it’s like to live paycheck to paycheck.

Responses varied to a question about how to promote infill development — rather than building on the outskirts of town — while still taking existing neighbors’ concerns to heart. Those issues came to a head earlier this year when the City Council approved plans for a multi-story apartment complex at West Cleveland Street and North Hall Avenue.

Chesser voted in favor of the development as a planning commissioner. He said he listened to neighbors’ concerns about traffic and compatibility, but decided the private development, which is intended for student housing, made the most sense close to campus.

“I think that we have to have some serious discussions about what it means to live right next to campus and how we can continue to survive in the character of neighborhoods that I grew up in,” Chesser said.

Long said infill is a laudable goal — when it’s done in an appropriate manner.

“Preserving things like our neighborhoods where our families live and our children play is an important thing, too,” Long said.

Coberly said she wished a newly formed Town and Gown Advisory Committee had had an opportunity to discuss the development before it was approved. Peters said a complete neighborhood plan that’s being developed along Wedington Drive is a great opportunity for residents and city officials to address those types of issues. Emery said keeping residents informed about upcoming developments is key.

All five candidates vowed to continue regular Ward 4 meetings that began when Mayor Lioneld Jordan was on the City Council.

Early voting for the Nov. 6 general election begins Oct. 22. If no one candidate garners more than 50 percent of votes cast, a runoff election between the top two vote-getters will be held Nov. 27.