BENTONVILLE -- Ward 2 candidate Cindy Acree wants to use fiscal impact statements to make city government more transparent and accountable while her opponent Sam Whiteside wants to ensure City Council members listen to residents and thoughtfully react.
Affordable housing is the most common concern Whiteside is hearing about, he said.
Cindy Acree
Age: 62
Residency: Bentonville, four years.
Employment: CEO, Elizabeth Richardson Center.
Education: Bachelor’s degree in history, political science and social science research from Southern Methodist University and Master of Science in judicial administration from University of Denver College of Law.
Political Experience: Two terms as Colorado state representative, 2009 to 2012.
Sam Whiteside
Age: 36
Residency: Bentonville, four years.
Employment: Senior manager for Private Brand Sourcing at Walmart.
Education: Bachelor’s degree in agricultural business from the University of Arkansas; master of business administration from the University of Central Arkansas.
Political Experience: None.
"Affordable housing is our greatest opportunity as a city," he said. "To ensure a diverse population, where all residents, regardless of income, have access to affordable home ownership or rentals, we have to assign a task force to identify solutions to this growing problem."
Incentives should be used to encourage developers to diversify housing projects downtown, Whiteside said.
Acree isn't opposed to developer incentives as long as they don't discriminate, she said.
"Incentives, if utilized, should not apply only downtown but throughout the city," Acree said. "The strength of a community lies in home ownership and affordable office space for small businesses both perpetuated by a robust economy and planning that doesn't segregate the community."
Acree, the CEO of the Elizabeth Richardson Center, and Whiteside, a senior manager for private brand sourcing for Walmart, are vying for the Ward 2, Position 1 City Council seat.
Tim Robinson is the incumbent. He's seeking election in Ward 1 because his residence will be in that area when boundaries the city adopted in 2017 go into effect Jan. 1.
Ward 2 will encompass the city's northwest, everything west of North Walton Boulevard and north of Southwest 14th Street.
Acree said she wants to see fiscal impact statements on all issues before the council and those statements should be made available to the public, she said.
Another of Acree's priorities is to manage growth in a way that preserves the city's culture and heritage. She is a supporter of land owner rights.
Whiteside said he wants the city to have its own animal shelter.
"Bentonville lags behind other similar size cities by not addressing the need for pet services and animal control," he said. "We cannot continue to rely on neighboring municipalities. My goal would be for it to be built thoughtfully, ensuring optimal benefits, and with fiscal responsibility."
A complete fiscal analysis of the options needs to be done first, Acree said.
"I would make sure this analysis is not done by any entity that has an ability to benefit from the outcome," she said. "All options should be vetted and considered. The decision should be based on the cost/benefit analysis to include future sustainability."
Both candidates said they support the removal of the dam at Lake Bella Vista and the restoration of Little Sugar Creek.
City Council members serve two-year terms and are paid $711 a month.
The nonpartisan election will be held Nov. 6. Early voting starts Monday.
NW News on 10/21/2018