Candidates stress infrastructure, culture for Springdale

SPRINGDALE -- City Council candidates Mike Lawson and Eve Smith have different priorities.

Both are seeking the seat for Ward 4, Position 1, which represents the central part of the city, including downtown, and the northeast corner.

Smith speaks of a walkable, bikeable, beautiful, live-where-you-work city. Lawson, the incumbent, is concerned with fiscal responsibility.

"As they are in any ward, my constituents are concerned with spending on roads and how we spend money downtown," Lawson said. "They want us to be responsible with finances. They are concerned that the bond money is spent correctly and wisely."

Springdale voters approved a $200 million bond issue in February, with money earmarked for roads, parks, a new city administration building and a new animal shelter.

Smith said a neighborhood input session about a protected bike lane proposed for West Maple Avenue prompted her to run for the council.

"For a lot of younger people -- even older people -- it's hard to ride a bicycle except on the Razorback trail," she said. "You've got nothing else to connect the different parts of the city unless you get off the trail and go it alone.

"Arts are also a big issue for me." She said she wants to push for public art projects like murals on downtown buildings.

Springdale's identity is changing, Lawson said.

"You're never going to see us be a Bentonville or a Fayetteville. But a lot of things are happening and still developing -- especially out on Gene George Boulevard. And they're certainly for the better. We are close to becoming a destination city," Lawson said.

Smith agreed with the "destination" moniker and wants destinations for people to walk to and events that will draw people downtown, spurring economic development in that area.

"Of course, we need more infrastructure everywhere in Springdale," Smith said. She said she would support infrastructure development as it comes before the council and also support a wage increase for police and fire department employees.

Lawson noted the passing of the bond issue has been a big shot in the arm for the city.

"We had projects that were past due that needed to be done," he said. "We are growing faster than we can meet the needs. The taxpayers saw that we needed the bond, and the taxpayers are making this happen.

"We're moving in a positive direction," Lawson said. "We're not going to change the world, but we need to use common sense to decide what is best for Springdale as a whole."

City Council members earn $10,200 annually and serve four-year terms. The election, which is nonpartisan for municipal candidates, will be Nov. 6. Early voting begins Oct. 22.

NW News on 10/14/2018