Four Springdale candidates seek to claim Ward 3, Position 2 seat

SPRINGDALE -- The incumbent faces three challengers in the race for the Ward 3, Position 2 City Council seat.

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Christopher Pryor

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Jeff Watson

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Kathryn Birkhead

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Mike Nelson

Ward 3 takes up southwest and south central Springdale and makes up a small part of central Springdale.

Springdale

City Council

Ward 3, Position 2

Jeff Watson

• Age: 59

• Residency: Springdale, lifelong

• Employment: Attorney, Watson Law Firm

• Education: Bachelor of arts, University of Arkansas; law degree, University of Arkansas

• Political experience: 18 years on City Council

Kathryn Birkhead

• Age: 66

• Residency: Springdale, combined 11 years

• Employment: Retired director of diversity, Northwest Arkansas Community College; former director of diversity, Jones Center; former Spanish faculty, Pikes Peak Community College at Colorado Springs, Colo.

• Education: Bachelor of arts and master of arts in Spanish, University of Arkansas; certificate in diversity management, Cornell University School for Industrial and Labor Relations

• Political experience: None

Mike Nelson

• Age: 55

• Residency: Springdale, lifelong

• Employment: Branch manager, Securitas Security Services; former Springdale Police Department officer; former Johnson Police Department sergeant; former part-time officer, Elkins Police Department

• Education: Springdale High School graduate

• Political experience: Springdale City Council 1997-98

Christopher Pryor

• Age: 28

• Residence: Springdale, lifelong

• Employment: None

• Education: Graduate student in geography, University of Arkansas; bachelor of arts in geography, University of Arkansas

• Political experience: None

Jeff Watson, who has served on the council for 18 years, faces challengers Kathryn Birkhead, Mike Nelson and Christopher Pryor.

The candidates differed on what the pressing issues are in developing Springdale's future.

Birkhead, who served as director of diversity for the Jones Center, noted one-third of the city's population is under the age of 18 and their development is fundamental to the city's development.

"They will benefit from our city's engagement with them, and Springdale will benefit from their involvement as well," she said. "One way to engage youth is through the establishment of programs such as a Teen City Council. That was one of the ideas that arose from a community conversation we convened at The Jones Center several years ago, but that has not yet been implemented."

Birkhead wants to further emphasize programs that bring parents and community members into schools and to encourage small-business development.

Strengthening the city's infrastructure will set the building blocks toward the future, Nelson said.

"To continue to draw interest from businesses like retail and restaurants, we have to have the infrastructure in place," he said. "Springdale receives our best revenue stream from the retail and restaurant markets."

Nelson said he also wants to see a fire station built at Har-Ber Meadows for better coverage of the west side of Interstate 49, the city's Emergency Dispatch Center stay in Springdale instead of farming it out to Fayetteville and city employee pay scales adjusted in comparison to pay scales of other cities.

Pryor's long-term goal for Springdale is to build a regional zoo in the city.

"Right now, our city's biggest attraction is the ballpark, but that does not draw consistent tourism throughout the year," Pryor said. "I believe a zoo is an ambitious project with many benefits to our city and our area. If elected, I will work hard to get it built and operational during my first term in office."

Watson said an array of issues need to be focused upon.

"The issues are to continue improvement of quality of life through police and fire departments, parks and recreation and street and drainage and to encourage managed growth," Watson said.

All the candidates said downtown revitalization will bolster the city.

"I hope to see more retail and dining downtown mixed in with more residential development," Watson said. "The city needs to to attract people downtown to shop and enjoy the parks, trail and other recreation."

Pryor believes developing housing adjacent to downtown will improve the economy downtown.

"Springdale is spending a lot of money on the plan, and I do not want to see it go to waste," he said. "I want residences with people who bring daily foot traffic to the area, who use the new public areas and park and who frequent the shops. I want more people to enjoy living in downtown Springdale rather than just visiting it."

Birkhead sees the downtown area as an important destination on the Razorback Greenway and development of that area as essential to community identity.

"The careful and thorough plans that the Downtown Springdale Alliance has developed will result in us having an attractive destination with a broad range of offerings to draw people to that area," she said.

Nelson considers downtown revitalization essential to the city.

"I will be committed to continued recognition and growth for downtown Springdale," Nelson said. "I feel we need to work with the Chamber of Commerce to bring in a nice hotel for downtown Springdale. I feel this would generate more interest for travelers to have some where to stay while attending downtown functions."

Nelson said he is the right candidate for the job because he wants to lower the tax burden on residents.

"I care about Springdale and want to see continued growth in our city to increase tax revenue to keep the tax burden low," he said.

Pryor said he will be vital presence on the council.

"I do not have those years of experience on city council, but I believe that difference makes me the better candidate," he said. "I am younger, and I believe the city will benefit from a fresh, energetic viewpoint on issues."

Watson said experience is a benefit.

"My experience of 18 years on the council provides me with an important perspective for the city," he said.

Birkhead said her experience as a director of diversity at The Jones Center and Northwest Arkansas Community College will serve the city well.

"Among my strengths are my ability to listen and to be a catalyst, my willingness to learn and my openness to bringing together people who will work with others for a common good," Birkhead said.

Early voting starts Monday. The general election is Nov. 8.

NW News on 10/21/2016

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