Hines, Smith running for Rogers mayor

ROGERS -- Greg Hines and Carrie Perrien Smith will compete for election as Rogers mayor.

Hines, 40, has served as mayor since Jan. 1, 2011. He was as an alderman on the Rogers City Council from 1999 to 2010, starting at age 22.

"Being on City Council and being a part of legacy decisions like landing the convention center and bond issues gave me a good pulse on the workings of the city and the people working for the city," Hines said. "It helped me hit the ground running when I took office."

Hines graduated from Rogers Public Schools, attended some college at the University of Arkansas and gained experience in real estate before becoming a Bentonville police officer. He made Benton County Sheriff deputy investigator in 1999, a position he had for 10 years, and eventually served as director of Public Safety for Benton County from March 2009 to December 2010.

"I've always had a heart for public service," Hines said.

Hines admitted bumps in the road during his five years as mayor, including the termination of Jerry Hudlow, former city treasurer, which led to a lawsuit settlement. He said the right procedure for termination was not followed and cited the advice of the former city attorney.

Passing a 1-cent sales tax that led to a $100 million investment in streets and sidewalks, $30 million for parks and additional funding for public safety is among his proudest accomplishment as mayor, he said.

During his tenure, Rogers was named an ISO1 city, an accreditation rating only three Arkansas cities have, and the fire department, ambulance service and police dispatch were all accredited, Hines said. The mayor also points to the creation of 6,700 jobs, the increase of the general fund by more than 50 percent and investment of $1 billion in private capital as points of pride.

The city lowered property taxes during Hines' term as mayor, and he said residents can expect another tax decrease if he serves a second term.

"There's so much momentum going right now in Rogers, I'm glad to have been a part of that as a team and as a city," Hines said. "I can keep us on that path. I love what I'm doing, and as long as I can serve and have ideas that line up with residents' (ideas), I will."

Smith, 51, is owner and founder of Soar With Eagles, a branding, marketing and publishing company. Smith unsuccessfully ran for City Council in 2012 against 28-year incumbent Bob Goodwin and against four other candidates in 2014. Aside from those elections and supporting a couple other people's campaigns, Smith has no political experience.

"My leadership background is built almost 100 percent on volunteer leadership roles in the community," Smith said. "I've served the community for free for a very long time. The opportunity to do that as a job is so exciting. I'm hopeful to have the chance, it means a lot to serve the people of Rogers."

She earned an associate's degree from the University of North Texas, a bachelor's degree in organizational management and master's of business administration, both from John Brown University. Smith worked for Texas Instruments for six years and in logistics training and communication at Wal-Mart Stores Inc. for seven years before starting her own company.

Smith moved to Rogers in 1993 and said development of the east side of Rogers, establishing a city-wide communications system and expanding the impact and function of nonprofit organizations would be among her primary interests if elected. City development, planning and transportation would remain top priorities as well, she said.

Smith would hope to recruit more volunteers to properly care for city landscaping and rally veterans as volunteers for various public service, including youth mentoring.

"Rogers is the place that wows people the most for all kinds of reasons," Smith said. "We have great places and neighborhoods, places to enjoy ... and find ways to be a inclusive community."

NW News on 10/23/2016