SPRINGDALE -- Mike Lawson is seeking re-election to the City Council.
Lawson, 53, has served on the council for more than five years representing Ward 4. He was elected in a special election in 2012 to fill 18 months of an unexpired term. Lawson was elected in 2014 to a full four-year term. He has served as chairman of the Parks and Recreation Committee and the Community Development Block Grant Program.
City Council members earn $10,200 per year, according to Wyman Morgan, the city's director of finance and administration.
Lawson represents residents in the northeastern quarter of the city, as well as those living west to Gutensohn Road between Backus and McRay avenues and south to Robinson Avenue between the Arkansas & Missouri Railroad tracks to Old Missouri Road.
"I was born and raised in Springdale, and I'm a person who's seen the growth," Lawson said. "There is so much positive growth going on, and I want the growth to be true to Springdale."
Serving on the City Council has been easy during this progressive period and he's enjoyed being part of so many positive things, Lawson said, such as creating the downtown and Arvest Ballpark overlay districts.
More difficult has been learning the ins and outs of city government, he said.
"It takes a good solid year just to get your head wrapped around it -- what you can and can't do, how much money you have to do it with. They are some tough decisions. But it's best when you make decisions with a common sense, business approach," he said.
Voters approved a $2 million bond issue in February, and that remains one of the most important issues in the city, Lawson said.
"We've got to make sure we spend that money appropriately," he said.
Lawson works as a managing partner for Fazt Lube and Service in Springdale.
NW News on 07/02/2018