Four Running For Noel Mayor
Four people have filed to run for mayor of Noel, and two City Council races are contested.
Running for mayor are Lewis Davis, Robert Thompson, Steve Kelly and Roy Vlaovich.
Davis spent 20 years in the Navy, four years in petrochemical construction as a warehouse manager and leasing officer, two years owning a truck and 12 years as a truck driver. He also served two years previously as mayor of Noel.
“Quite a few things got started under me that I would like to get started again,” he said. “Getting the city cleaned up and getting some small businesses in.”
He said he would also like to see the city welcome a small manufacturing business.
“I would like to get a property tax or use tax to get our streets and sidewalks fixed. Right now there’s not much money to do that, and our streets and sidewalks are in horrible shape,” he said.
Davis noted that while in the Navy he managed several multi-million-dollar budgets.
Thompson was in the Air Force from 1972 to 1981. He has worked as an auto mechanic, aircraft mechanic, logistics specialist in the Air Force and has laid ceramic tile. He also served on the Gravette, Ark., City Council for seven years.
“I don’t like the way Main Street has turned out,” Thompson said. “The walk from Main Street to Highway 59 is very dangerous. I’d like to see the services brought closer together instead of spread out all over town.”
For example, he said, Gravette has all city services in one building. He added that he does not work, so he could go to meetings to try to get grant money.
Thompson said he has experience with budgets and has been to management schools and human resource classes.
Vlaovich is a city inspector for Noel. He served four years in the Air Force then worked for the Department of Defense for 25 years at the U.S. Naval Communication Station in Stockton, Calif. He then worked as a planner and estimator in the Bermuda Islands for five years. Since then he and his wife, Peggy, have worked as a team in self-storage and for an independent retirement facility. They have been residents of Noel for nine years.
Vlaovich said, “My goal is to get everybody involved in town business. To see that the town grows according to the people’s wishes. To get more people voting and interested in our town. Let’s make it what everybody wants. I don’t want to enforce my thoughts and wills on the people. Everybody should be involved in their town. If we can get people involved, we can get our town cleaned up and make it a nice place where people want to come and vacation. We want a lot of people showing up at our town hall meetings.”
Kelly could not be reached by telephone for comment.
In the City Council races, North Ward incumbent Linda Glendenning is opposed by Alexandria Peck.
Glendenning said, “I really think there’s something I can do for the city to make it a little better. There’s so much that needs to be done and there’s nobody really willing to do anything. I just want to be part of the city and make it better for everyone. I feel like we need somebody in there who will really try to help. I just want people to be happy when they come here.”
Peck said, “I am seeking City Council so I can be more actively involved with the community. I hope to share ideas, and I look forward to working with everyone toward progress and common goals.”
In the South Ward, Peggy Vlaovich is running unopposed.
In the West Ward, incumbent Faye Davis faces opponent Lacey Ortega.
Davis said, “I feel like I can make a difference. I’ve been on the council 10 years. I enjoy interacting with people, and I feel like I can make a difference.”
Ortega said she is running because a friend asked her to. She said, “I like helping people. I hope to accomplish listening to the needs of people and taking care of the issues at hand.”
Also running unopposed in Noel are candidates for collector and city marshal. Running for collector is Nancy Irish, and running for marshal is Paul Gardner.