A highly publicized lawsuit filed against Walnut Ridge's Police Department has ratcheted up the city's mayoral race.
Incumbent Charles Snapp has been mayor since 2015 but faces a familiar challenger in J.R. Rogers, who was the town's mayor for eight years and a state representative for six years.
Early voting begins Monday, with the general election Nov. 6.
Rogers said he decided it was time to run for office again because he believes the city is headed in the wrong direction.
"Our school population is going down, and all we are bringing in are low-wage businesses," Rogers said. "My granddaughter is from here, and she has left the city after graduating from ASU because she doesn't like the atmosphere here anymore."
Rogers said a lawsuit filed earlier this year against the city's Police Department has brought shame to the city under Snapp.
Walnut Ridge Police Chief Chris Kirksey resigned earlier this year, two months after a federal lawsuit was filed accusing Kirksey of failure to take appropriate action after officer Matthew Mercado "unlawfully arrested, assaulted and harassed" a motorist during a traffic stop in December 2016. Instead, Kirksey authorized another officer to write Adam Finley of Smithville tickets for refusal to submit to arrest and obstructing governmental operations, according to the lawsuit.
Footage of Finley's arrest gained national attention after it was posted on various news media sites. Mercado eventually resigned from the police force.
"Anybody who looked at the videos knew [Mercado] should have been fired on the spot," Rogers said. "The real issue is that this could have all been avoided if they just did a background check on who they were hiring. This issue has disgraced Walnut Ridge, and it all happened under the watch of the current mayor."
Snapp declined to comment about the incident because of pending litigation.
Rogers, 66, also has taken Snapp, 64, to task about his appearance.
"I have talked to a lot of people who agree that the appearance of our mayor with a ponytail isn't right," Rogers said. "I personally agree. My opinion is you should dress appropriately for the job because you represent the city."
Snapp said it's sad that Rogers has resorted to personal attacks.
"They are just meant to be a distraction from actual issues," Snapp said. "I've already made it plain I won't dignify those attacks with a response, and I won't make personal attacks. But I will point to matters of policy."
Snapp said that before he took office, Rogers had a "tremendous opportunity" with the city's revolving loan fund that contained more than $3 million. A revolving loan fund provides money for small-business development projects.
"He chaired the committee as mayor, yet it appears all was lost, including $100,000 loaned to a relative for a themed-based restaurant to be located in a building owned by the mayor," Snapp said.
The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported in 2000 that the city had given out a loan to help start The OZcot Family Restaurant. The business had gone bankrupt in 1999, and critics blamed Rogers for the loan, which set up his cousin in the restaurant business and financed improvements to a building owned at the time by Rogers.
Rogers told the Democrat-Gazette at the time that he had disclosed all of his ties to the deal and had abstained from all votes associated with the loan. But he acknowledged having second thoughts afterward about the loan and whether the city should lend money for private ventures in the first place.
Snapp said Rogers' time as mayor speaks for itself.
"With past records like that, I might try to turn the focus on appearances as well," Snapp said.
Snapp said the city has seen growth and development since he took office in 2015.
"After decades of talk, Walnut Ridge and College City residents overwhelmingly approved the consolidation, and Walnut Ridge is now home to Arkansas' newest university," Snapp said. "And we have progress at all levels -- commercial, residential and, yes, demolition."
Rogers said the current tax rate, which is a 1 percent sales tax, hampers the city and is driving shoppers to other cities.
"I made $8 million in eight years by just applying for grants," Rogers said."I was able to use that money to build a new City Hall and new streets. Nothing like that has been done since. Instead [Snapp] decided to raise taxes."
"I predict if something doesn't change we won't even have a Walmart in the next few years."
Rogers said he also would revive the City Parks Department and create a division to deal with mosquito control.
"I did all of this when I was mayor before," he said.
Snapp said he wants to continue to work on improving drainage within the city, update city flood maps and schedule an annual asphalt overlay program.
"All of which will help us expand our business and job base, thus bring in more housing," Snapp said.
The mayor's position is a four-year term with an annual salary of $40,049.88.
State Desk on 10/21/2018