Fayetteville City Council member resigns

FAYETTEVILLE — City Council member Alan Long, one of the Ward 4 representatives, resigned effective immediately.

Long told Mayor Lioneld Jordan in a letter dated Saturday he came to the decision because of family and professional obligations and the time commitment required of a council member. Long is a buyer for Newly Weds Foods. He began serving on the City Council in 2013 and was re-elected last year.

The council will have to appoint someone to fill Long’s seat or set a special election during tonight’s meeting, City Attorney Kit Williams said in a memo.

Chief of Staff Don Marr recommended any resident of Ward 4 interested in being appointed to the position should attend the meeting. The item will be placed last on the agenda.

If the council decides to hold a special election it likely would be Feb. 13.

A state statute says a council must appoint someone during the first regular meeting after the occurrence of the vacancy or hold a special election. Council members will first vote whether appointment or a special election is the way to go. If appointment is selected, the council could ask questions to anyone interested in filling the spot during public comment. Interested residents can email or a drop a letter off at the city clerk’s office before the meeting.

The council could go into executive session to discuss candidates because the vacancy qualifies as a personnel issue, Williams said.

“I’m kind of a believer in transparency,” he said. “I think you might as well go ahead and ask them the questions up front and in public.”

Whoever is selected, whether by appointment or special election, will hold the position until Dec. 31, 2020, City Clerk Sondra Smith said.

Long did not respond to a text message or phone call by 5 p.m. Monday.

Long said in the letter serving his constituents has brought him great joy, taking on issues such as traffic, a lack of parks and an expanding university campus. He said he hoped the city and university would continue to work together to solve any issues and take a proactive approach to growth.

“I sincerely hope that those who follow in my place will have the passion for public service and constituent outreach that I do,” he said. “I have confidence that the current City Council will continue to carry out goals and endeavors that will benefit all of Fayetteville.”

Ward 4 includes Wedington Drive, Mount Comfort Road, Bryce Davis Park, Holt Middle School and Holcomb Elementary School.

For more information, call 575-8323 or email cityclerk@ fayetteville-ar.gov.

Long