FAYETTEVILLE -- A doctor who is also a lawyer and Iraq War veteran is challenging Alderman Mark Kinion for a Ward 2 seat on the City Council.
Robert Patton, 67, filed his paperwork Wednesday in the Washington County Clerk's Office for the Nov. 4 general election.
Profile
Robert Patton
Fayetteville City Council
Ward 2, Position 1
Age: 67
Residency: Fayetteville Ward 2 resident since 2008
Family: Wife, Susan; four children; five grandchildren
Employment: Part-time emergency physician, Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks
Education: Doctorate degree in law, University of Arkansas; master’s degree in business administration, University of South Florida; doctorate degree in medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences; bachelor of arts degree in chemistry, University of Arkansas
Military Experience: Retired Navy captain, seven years active duty, 34 years Navy Reserve
Political Experience: Lafayette County School Board member, mid-1980s
Source: Staff Report
Patton is running for City Council "to foster the city's continued growth and uniqueness that make Fayetteville a popular city to live and work," according to his written announcement.
"It's important to maintain and preserve our city's unique history as the home of the University of Arkansas," Patton said. "But we need to be more than just a university town.
"While I heartily welcome the economic and population growth of Northwest Arkansas in the past decade, I think we can do more. I believe we must explore every opportunity to look at our regulatory structure as it affects our business community while continuing and increasing our efforts to enhance the uniqueness and charm that has made Fayetteville such a great place to live."
Patton said, in particular, improvements are needed on College Avenue to slow traffic speeds and make the city's main drag more pedestrian-friendly. He also questioned why it has taken so long to restore historic bridges on Lafayette and Maple streets, north of the downtown entertainment district.
Patton is a Lewisville native and a two-time graduate of the University of Arkansas, where he earned a bachelor's degree in chemistry in 1969 and a law degree in 2012.
He moved to Fayetteville with his wife, Susan, in 2008 from Austin, Texas, where he was a founding member of an emergency physician staffing company.
Patton works part time at the Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks and performs immigration health exams in his office on Prospect Street. He also has a part-time law practice.
Patton was a flight surgeon for the Navy and was stationed for several months in 2003 near Iraq.
He said he's a lifelong Razorbacks fan and supports various arts organizations, including the Walton Arts Center and TheatreSquared.
"I have always been proud to serve and help others," Patton said. "Now, I want to do the same as a member of the Fayetteville City Council."
His neighbor, John Firmin, a Washington County justice of the peace, said Wednesday that Patton would make an excellent alderman.
"The level of detail and commitment he has to things he takes on is what impresses me," Firmin said. "What he's done with everything else in his life -- it's complete, it's detailed and it's done well.
"I think he has the energy, interest and education to do a good job for the city."
Ward 2 encompasses most of downtown and north-central Fayetteville, including West Dickson Street, the square, Wilson Park, the Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks, Evelyn Hills Shopping Center, Asbell Elementary School, Woodland Junior High School and the Washington County Fairgrounds.
Phillip McKnight and Ray Boudreaux will vie for the council's Ward 4 seat that Alderwoman Rhonda Adams plans to vacate at the end of the year.
Adella Gray, Ward 1 alderwoman, and Justin Tennant, Ward 3 alderman, are both seeking another four-year term.
Sonia Davis Gutierrez and Mike Emery have announced their intent to run for City Council in Ward 1 and Ward 4, respectively, but, as of the end of the business day Wednesday, neither had filed paperwork in the County Clerk's office.
The filing period for municipal candidates ends at noon Friday.
NW News on 08/14/2014