2 in lone NLR race expect big-day rush

North Little Rock City Council, Ward 3 candidate biographies.
North Little Rock City Council, Ward 3 candidate biographies.

With only one municipal race in North Little Rock during a presidential election year, Ward 3 candidates Ron Harris and John Parker both said last week that they expect final voter turnout for Tuesday's election to be very high.

Harris, vice president of Summerwood Inc. custom-home builders, and Parker, district sales and circulation manager for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, are vying to replace Alderman Bruce Foutch on the City Council. Foutch, who has endorsed Harris, isn't seeking re-election because of health reasons.

Both candidates took advantage of the revived Levy Day political rally and festival that was held Oct. 30 in Ward 3, the first such rally in 13 years. Levy Day, which featured candidates from state and county races as well, drew many families with children who could trick-or-treat for candy while candidates asked for votes.

"It was the biggest one I've ever see as far as families and kids coming out," said Parker, 69, who places his name on the Ward 3 ballot for one of the two positions every two years. He was elected in 2004 and served one term. "I think the people of Levy appreciated and enjoyed the whole thing. It was well put together and well-received."

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Harris, 61, a North Little Rock planning commissioner for the past eight years who is running his first campaign, said the Levy Day appearance gave voters "the chance to meet my family and my kids."

"I have a hard time saying what I want to say in 2½ minutes, but it was nice for voters to put a face to a name," Harris said.

Harris said he has done the traditional "walking neighborhoods, knocking on doors," but that many voters ask him about his opinions rather than giving theirs.

"Everybody is asking me who I'm voting for for president," Harris said. "I try to dodge that bullet."

"But I've been at early-voting sites, and I'm just surprised that some of the wait times were an hour to hour and a half," he said. "It's really fueling my fire to get out more and wave signs at intersections. People aren't waiting until Nov. 8 to vote."

Parker said his job had kept him from "knocking on doors, asking people what personal issue they have," but that he didn't see that Ward 3 concerns have changed much through the years. He also said he's read that pundits expect a higher turnout this year than for the 2012 presidential election.

"The people are going to turn out for the presidential election," Parker said. "The fact that this [Ward 3] is the only election on the ballot as far as local elections are concerned just reduced the amount of clutter with campaign signs."

Besides running for alderman several times and mayor in 2012, Parker also has been on the city planning commission and was a member of the city's Board of Adjustments and Appeals for 14 years.

"I've been around the political arena for the last 20-some-odd years," he said. "Name recognition alone will generate a great deal of support for me."

"If people want the status quo, they'll vote for Mr. Harris," Parker said, a reference to Foutch's endorsement of Harris. "If they want somebody in office that wants to be able to effectively represent them and not be the status quo, I'm your guy. I certainly don't answer to anyone except the people of North Little Rock."

Harris, who is retired from Entergy Arkansas Inc., where he was an account manager and customer service manager, said his experience as a homebuilder helps him realize how to help communities grow and thrive. Revitalization of the ward's older areas, he said, is a desire of residents and businesses along Pike Avenue and MacArthur Boulevard, two major thoroughfares in his ward.

"How do we take these older areas and revitalize them?" Harris said. "I'm sure there are some things that just need to be researched. We can do nothing, or we can look for those opportunities. I like to think outside the box and make positive things happen."

Alderman terms are for four years with an annual salary of $10,609.

Metro on 11/06/2016

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