FAYETTEVILLE -- A musician and community activist wants to bring a sense of socialism to the City Council.
Martin Bemberg, 30, filed Friday to run for Ward 2. Mark Kinion has held the seat since 2010 and is running for re-election. Raymond Douglass Burks also filed as a candidate for the seat.
Election season
Filing for nonpartisan, municipal candidates ended Friday. Early voting begins Oct. 22. Election Day is Nov. 6.
Source: Staff report
Ward 2 includes the Dickson Street entertainment area and downtown square. Other notable landmarks include Wilson Park, the historic Washington-Willow neighborhood, Lewis Park, Woodland Junior High and the University of Arkansas campus east of Garland Avenue.
Bemberg was born and raised in Ward 2. He graduated from Fayetteville High School in 2006 and has senior standing at the University of Arkansas. Bemberg said although he has enough hours to graduate, he's taken an extended sabbatical from his education. His majors are in Spanish and German.
Bemberg said he was diagnosed with manic depression a decade ago, and strives to be a mental-health advocate. His income primarily comes from Social Security. He also serves as a caregiver to a friend.
Bemberg has a regular musical gig at Pesto Cafe and has helmed several acts over the years, including Memphis Pencils, Young Haircut and Bartin Memberg. He currently plays with the band Luxemburg Trio.
A founder of an unofficial local chapter of the national Democratic Socialists of America, Bemberg described himself as a coalition builder in the community. The activist organization's overall objective includes establishing Medicare for all, a democratic economy and getting more socialists elected to office, he said.
"We're left of Bernie Sanders," Bemberg said.
Bemberg said he wants to bring creative, socialist principles to the City Council. He'll rally residents to come to City Hall and make their demands known, he said.
"If I'm elected, I'll be serving, I'll be listening, and I'll be also galvanizing," Bemberg said. "I don't think that's a big priority for most of the City Council members."
Public transit should be easier to access in the city, Bemberg said. Also, wages don't match the cost of living in the city, he said.
In 2012, Bemberg announced his intention to run for Ward 2 but backed out of the race.
Bemberg attends Unitarian Universalist church and has a partner, Katherine Buehling.
Council members are paid $12,504 annually and serve four-year terms.
NW News on 08/18/2018