FAYETTEVILLE -- Ray Boudreaux isn't ready to be done with public service.
Boudreaux, who retired as director of the Fayetteville Executive Airport in March, filed his paperwork this week for the City Council's soon-to-be-vacant Ward 4 seat.
Profile
Ray Boudreaux
Fayetteville City Council
Ward 4, Position 1
Age: 70
Residency: Fayetteville Ward 4 resident since 2001
Family: Wife, Brenda; four sons; eight grandchildren
Employment: Retired director of the Fayetteville Executive Airport
Education: Master of arts degree in business management, Webster University; bachelor of arts degree in vocal music, University of Arkansas
Military Experience: Air Force colonel, 25 years active duty
Political Experience: None
"I would like to serve the citizens of Ward 4, and all of the residents of Fayetteville," Boudreaux said Tuesday. "I think it would be a way to give back to my community that has served me."
Boudreaux worked closely with city administrators as airport director and became familiar with the city's budgeting process.
He said he would advocate for economic development programs and work to foster a healthy business environment, including a strong municipal airport, if elected.
Boudreaux said he'll also support vibrant parks, excellent streets and sidewalks and efficient water, sewer and solid waste operations.
"Our outdoor trails and recreation assets are essential to attracting new business to our community," Boudreaux said in a prepared statement.
Boudreaux, 70, is president of the Arkansas Air and Military Museum board; chairman of Sequoyah United Methodist Church's council; chairman of the Northwest Arkansas Certified Development Co.; vice chairman of the Northwest Arkansas Economic Development District board in Washington County; and president-elect of the Rotary Club of Fayetteville.
He's a Vietnam War veteran, and, before being hired airport director in 2001, he helped transition the former Chanute Air Force Base in Rantoul, Ill., to a general aviation airport. Boudreaux's wife, Brenda, served as a Ward 1 alderwoman for 12 years, from 2001 through 2012.
Mike Gibbs, chairman of the Fayetteville Airport Board, called Boudreaux an "outstanding person."
"He's highly qualified, highly capable," Gibbs said. "I was really impressed with his fiscal abilities at the airport. He was able to keep the airport running in the black during some very difficult years."
Ward 4 encompasses a wide swath of west Fayetteville, including several neighborhoods west of the University of Arkansas campus and most land west of Interstate 49.
Boudreaux will challenge Phillip McKnight, an account manager for a national outdoor equipment company and a member of the Fayetteville Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, for the Ward 4 seat. McKnight filed for City Council last week. Mike Emery, spokesman for the Washington County Animal Shelter and a member of the Fayetteville Environmental Action Committee and Housing Authority board, said in June he plans to run for the post, but he had not filed his paperwork in the County Clerk's office by Tuesday.
All municipal candidates have until noon Friday to file for the Nov. 4 election.
The Ward 4 winner will replace Rhonda Adams, alderwoman, who plans to move to Tampa, Fla., where her husband, Charles, has accepted a job as dean of the Honors College at the University of South Florida.
Voters will select four of the City Council's eight members this year.
Adella Gray, Ward 1 alderwoman, filed for re-election. Sonia Davis Gutierrez, a Fayetteville educator and graphic designer, in June announced her intent to run for Gray's seat. As of Tuesday, she hadn't filed her paperwork with the county clerk.
Mark Kinion, Ward 2 incumbent, filed for re-election and Justin Tennant, Ward 3 incumbent, said he plans to file.
NW News on 08/13/2014