Jim Reed Seeks Re-Election To Springdale City Council

SPRINGDALE -- Jim Reed is running for re-election to a third term on the City Council.

Reed, 60, will face challenger Bob Caudle. Reed and Caudle were the only two candidates who have filed for Ward 1, Position 1, as of Thursday.

Reed said he first ran for City Council in 2006 and felt then e would only stop seeking the office when he was no longer helping residents. He said he still feels that way. He's proud of everything the council has accomplished and thinks aldermen work well together, despite the fact they don't always agree.

"I feel like I'm helping the citizens, and the citizens are the city," he said.

Reed said he's proud of the city he grew up in. His mother worked for the Police Department. He will retire in September after spending 36 years working in maintenance and construction for the Springdale School District.

He reflected on 1964 when Springdale's population was between 14,000 and 15,000, and Thompson Street was two lanes wide.

"I've seen many changes," he said. "I want to see us grow and be the heart of Northwest Arkansas."

Jannie Bibb, resident and owner of Executone on Virginia Street, said she considers Reed to be a friend and has known him for more than 40 years. She likes that he takes time to listen to residents and actively seeks their guidance and opinions.

"He's probably one of the most Springdale-minded people I believe we have on the council," she said. "He always remembers the citizens."

Reed is a big supporter of the city's department leaders and city employees, Bibb said. He's also watchful about how the city spends money. He cares about accountability, she said.

Philip Taldo, a Springdale resident and co-owner of Weichert Realtors, The Griffin Company, said he's also one of Reed's supporters. He likes that Reed isn't afraid to speak up about issues, whether he is in favor or against them.

"Jim has voted the way I would have voted on a lot of the issues," he said.

Taldo explained Reed's job at the School District has helped him make many community connections. In turn, this has helped Reed to understand his constituents even better.

Ward 1 encompasses the northwest portion of Springdale. All of the area is north of Sunset Avenue, and most of it is west of Thompson Street.

Six candidates had filed for four council seats as of Thursday, said Denise Pearce, Springdale city clerk. Four previously filed at the Washington County Courthouse. Pearce drove to the courthouse Thursday afternoon to file the other two.

Filing for municipal elections closes at noon today. The election is Nov. 4.