Glad for support

Editor, The Commercial:

With gratitude, I am excited to express my appreciation to voters for their tremendous support in the runoff for the Pine Bluff City Council Ward 3 position. This extends to the countless individuals who contributed time and resources to my campaign. I am also grateful to my family for their constant support and encouragement throughout the campaign. Most importantly, I thank God for the strength and grace that made this victory possible.

Ultimately, this journey is not about me. It is about all of us as residents and advocating for the actions and policies that will make our community a better place in which to live, work, and find opportunity. I am committed to collaborating with you all on this mission.

At this time, I want to recognize the incumbent in this position, Council Member Glen Brown Sr. In his career, he has represented this community on the Pine Bluff City Council and the Jefferson County Quorum Court. I commend him for his public service in this regard and wish him the absolute best in what the future shall bring.

During this runoff, the people of Pine Bluff also spoke on the mayoral position. I extend full congratulations to Arkansas State Rep. Vivian Flowers on her election. Not only am I committed to serving and improving the Third Ward, but I also want Pine Bluff to prosper and succeed. Therefore, in this spirit, I hope to work together with our next mayor to make this a reality.

As Pine Bluff begins a new chapter, I am proud to express my deepest gratitude to Mayor Shirley M. Washington as well for her service over the past seven years. Not only is her tenure historic as she is the first African American woman to serve as Pine Bluff ’s mayor, but she has also led us through many unprecedented challenges and successes. I am thankful for her willingness to serve as well as her hard work and devotion to our city.

In closing, no matter who you voted for in the election, my intention is to serve you all with the same level of dignity and respect. When thinking about our future, both Pine Bluff and the Third Ward, I am filled with excitement for the journey ahead. Because I know that if we focus on doing what is right, we will achieve incredible things together.

WILLIAM FELLS, PINE BLUFF