FAYETTEVILLE -- D'Andre Jones has joined the fray for the City Council's open Ward 4 seat, saying his political activism and experience as an alderman elsewhere sets him apart.
Jones, 40, is one of seven candidates for the spot, which opened up when Alderwoman Rhonda Adams said she would be moving out of state. He served as city councilman in Joiner, a town of about 600 near Jonesboro, in the early 2000s and worked as a staff assistant for former U.S. Rep. Marion Berry, D-Gillett.
Profile
D’Andre Jones
Fayetteville City Council Ward 4, Position 1
Age: 40
Residency: Fayetteville, eight years
Family: None
Employment: None
Education: Master’s degree in public administration, Webster University; Completing doctorate in public policy and administration, Walden University
Military Experience: None
Political Experience: Joiner City Council, 2000-04
Jones is the only Ward 4 candidate with elected political experience.
"The city is becoming very diverse, and I feel city government should reflect the growth of diversity," Jones said. "And I believe everyone should have a say in government."
He pointed to the anti-discrimination ordinance, which the City Council approved 6-2 this week after considerable controversy. The ordinance imposes fines on employers or landlords who fire, evict or refuse to hire lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender people because of their identity.
Several new candidates for City Council, including Jones' opponents Michael Collins and John La Tour, have spoken out against the ordinance. Jones supports it, he said, adding government must be fair.
"I'm a believer in equality," he said. "It's Fayetteville's responsibility to protect the rights of all of its citizens."
Jones is working full time on a doctoral degree in public policy through Walden University, a primarily online institution based in Minnesota. If elected, he said he would focus on helping small businesses and boosting minority entrepreneurship.
Too many people in Fayetteville go hungry, he added, so he would try to work with community organizations that fight hunger.
Encouraging engagement of the town's Hispanic and black residents is important for any of these goals, Jones said. All of Fayetteville's elected positions are all held by white officials despite the town's 20 percent minority population.
"In this past week, I'm very pleased with how the minority communities -- and the young people as well -- have become involved with the anti-discrimination ordinance," he said. "Hopefully we can see more of that. This is a city for everyone."
Jones has been involved in politics for years, he said, including his two terms on the Joiner council from 2000 to 2004. He's the president of the Northwest Arkansas Democratic Black Caucus, a state committee member for the Democratic Party of Arkansas and a member of the Arkansas AIDS Foundation.
Jones' activism shows his passion for listening to and helping people, said Curtiss Smith, senior pastor at St. James Missionary Baptist Church.
"Once he engages himself in something to the best of the ability, he'll certainly make every effort to be committed to it," said Smith, who has known Jones for about six years. "If you care about people, whether we agree or disagree, I think by and large you will do what is right."
NW News on 08/23/2014