Rucks selected as incoming Ward 3 council member
Andre Rucks has been selected as the newest member of the El Dorado City Council, effective Jan. 1.
Rucks was chosen as the new Ward 3, position 2 council member Monday night at a meeting of the Union County Democratic Party.
The local Democratic Party headquarters at 116 E Elm St. was filled with people to nominate, question and finally select the new City Council member. The seat became open when its occupant, Tony Henry, passed away on Sept. 1. Henry defeated Rucks for the position in the Democratic primary in May.
Because no Republican candidate filed for office, Rucks will be the only candidate for the position on the November ballot.
“I just feel obligated to say this: Mr. Henry, we all know, was a good man who worked hard for this community,” said Willie McGhee, Ward 3, position 1 council member.
Party chairman Matt Thomas explained the selection process: The 23 Democratic Committee members present were allowed to make motions to nominate people for the position. The motion had to then be seconded for the nomination to stick.
Three people were selected as nominees: the Rev. Bishop George Calloway Jr., Elizabeth Eggleston and Rucks. Calloway was appointed to the council earlier this month to fill the remainder of the unexpired term of former council member Kensel Spivey. Henry had been filling out the term, which expires Dec. 31.
The three nominees were given an opportunity to make an appeal to voters.
Calloway emphasized children and the elderly, saying those would be two of his main focuses if selected for the position. He said that he has lived in El Dorado since he was 1 month old and is very familiar with its people and problems.
“I know where we’ve been and where we’re going,” Calloway said.
He said that if elected, he will be connected closely
with the community he represents, both inside and out of Ward 3.
“I’ve learned to listen. Sometimes as leaders, we can tell people things, but we don’t listen,” he said. “I promise you that I will do my very best that you would have be and that God would have me be.”
Eggleston highlighted her knowledge about local politics, saying she has a background in public policy and political science. She said she was raised in El Dorado, but left it later, then chose to “come back home.” Her platform included public transportation.
“I’ll do everything I can to have an open door policy [for] anyone that wants to talk to me,” she said.
She noted that she has previously worked for Mike Dumas when he served as the mayor of El Dorado and has since been the Main Street El Dorado director and currently serves as the Historic District executive director.
Rucks said El Dorado should focus on growing its population, saying the city needs an economic plan. He said El Dorado has a poverty level of 25 percent, higher than the national average of 14 percent. He also noted that young people who leave the city often don’t return, and said as a council member he would like to try to address that issue.
“They need some individuals they can look to as an example,” Rucks said. “El Dorado can be a great place for everybody. I believe in El Dorado.”
Rucks noted that he has experience in business management, including growing small businesses. He said education is the one of the most important steps on the path to improving the lives of El Dorado residents.
“I want to work. … Give me a chance to be a voice for the people,” he said. “If we don’t have the right leadership, you know it’s going to be stagnant.”
During the Q&A session, one person asked how well the nominees would be able to work with McGhee.
Eggleston said she has been cheering McGhee on since she has known him and she hopes to see him continue the work he’s done for Ward 3.
“I’d be glad to work with Mr. McGhee in any way I can,” she said.
Rucks agreed, saying he looks up to McGhee and has worked with him previously on the Stop the Violence campaign.
“I look to Mr. McGhee as a champion of the people,” he said.
Calloway did not answer, as he was nominated by McGhee.
The candidates also addressed infrastructural issues, including the Mellor Park Mall, Maddox Park and a lack of entrances/exits to the Murmil Heights area.
An hour after the meeting started, the committee was asked to vote via secret ballot for the nominee they would like to see on the City Council. From the 22 committee members present who cast a vote, Rucks received the position with nine votes. Calloway received eight votes and Eggleston received five.
Ruck said he was overwhelmed by the support.
“I feel great. … [Now, I’ll be] getting ready to serve, getting ready to work,” he said.
He said some of his main focuses as a City Council member will be economic vitality and bringing businesses to El Dorado. He said he would like to get a consultant for distressed areas to find new ways to help revitalize the city.
“I give all the glory to God. … I couldn’t have done it without God,” he said. “[I’m ready to start] standing up for the people that are being left behind.”