SPRINGDALE -- Both candidates vying for a Ward 2 seat on the City Council see opportunity for growth on the east side of town despite the recent spotlight out west.
Mike Overton and Ray Dotson are both running to represent Ward 2 in the southeast part of town. Overton has served 16 years on the council, while Dotson served from 1993 to 1994 and 2005 to 2008.
Ray Dotson
Age: 58
Residency: Has lived in Springdale 40 years
Employment: Self-employed, Dotson Glass and Mirror
Education: Graduate, Springdale High School
Political experience: Served on Springdale City Council from 1992 to 1994 and 2004 to 2008
Mike Overton
Incumbent
Age: 73
Residency: Lifelong resident of Springdale
Employment: Broker and owner, MO Realty and Property Management
Education: Master’s of business education, University of Missouri; bachelor’s of business administration, University of Arkansas
Political experience: 16 years Springdale City Council
"Development on the west is fine," Overton said. "The extension of Don Tyson Parkway naturally spurred growth. In time, the east side development is coming" as Don Tyson Parkway is extended and water and sewer lines are expanded, he said.
Dotson agreed the parkway needs to continue to Habberton Road, but he added new hotels and restaurants will be needed on the east side with that project and the expansion of Old Missouri Road through town.
"There's not a lot of property available to the west," Dotson said. "It's getting ready to be full. The only way to grow is east. You can see it by the schools built there. If the schools are there, that means housing is coming, and they're going to need infrastructure."
Overton said residents in his ward and the city as a whole are pretty content. They are always concerned with traffic, public safety, services for senior citizens and civic pride, but they have no burning issues. And he likes the way the council members work together.
"Things are more stable, and we have more cohesion on the board with the administration than I've ever seen," Overton said.
Dotson said he thinks most residents are concerned about the city's budget.
"They want the best bang for their buck," Dotson said. "They recently passed a $200 million bond issue, and they want to spend the money wisely."
Dotson said city leaders shouldn't spend more than budgeted on projects built with bond money.
"We've got make sure we stay on track with budget and time," he said.
Springdale traditionally holds a reputation in Northwest Arkansas as being a "blue-collar town," with manufacturers supplying most of the jobs, Overton said.
"We still have that moniker, but it's changing because of the nature of employment. I find that encouraging," Overton said. "We're turning to more 'gray,' influenced with higher paying jobs for younger, educated people."
He mentioned the recent addition of information technology jobs with Tyson Foods and robotics projects with Nanotech and the expansion of American Tubing.
Dotson agreed Springdale's blue-collar reputation is changing.
"We are literally at the crossroads of 412 and 49," he said. "When I sit at that intersection, I see the majority of the traffic moving north and south.
"The workforce lives in Springdale," Dotson continued. "The town's going to provide housing for employees in other towns. They're going to live here and work at Tyson, J.B. Hunt and Walmart and drive. We are going to be the hub of residential development in Northwest Arkansas."
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