Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
SPRINGDALE RETURNS
Two others keep places on council
council members,
SPRINGDALE — One challenger gained a seat on the City Council on Tuesday night, and two incumbents will return to serve the city.
WARD 3, POSITION 1
Amelia Taldo-Williams defeated incumbent Rick Culver in the Ward 3, position 1 race.
The complete but unofficial vote totals were: Taldo-Williams . . 6,947 (56%) Culver . . . . . . . . . 5,520 (44%)
Taldo-Williams, 40, is a pre-kindergarten teacher. Taldo-Williams has said keeping tax revenue up and increasing them are key to Springdale’s success. The revenue will provide support services — such as police and fire safety — for the large-scale projects underway with bond money.
People also have voiced concerns about policies of the city’s Community Engagement Department, she said, and many have received warnings or tickets for grass too high.
“What gauges if the grass is too tall?” she asked during the campaign. “I think Community Engagement is extremely important to see clean, wellkept neighborhoods. But we need clear, defined policies with specific measurements.”
Culver, 63, executive director of the Springdale Benevolent Foundation and the Rodeo of the Ozarks, has served on the City Council for four years.
Ward 3 serves the southwestern part of Springdale.
WARD 2, POSITION 1
Mike Overton beat Ray Dotson for the Ward 2, position 1 seat.
The complete but unofficial vote totals were: Overton. . . . . . . . 7,276 (60%) Dotson. . . . . . . . . 4,765 (40%)
Overton, 73, retained the seat he has held 16 years. He is broker and owner of MO Realty and Property Management.
Ward 2 covers the southeastern part of Springdale.
Overton previously said he looks forward to the future of Springdale. Recent businesses openings and expansions brought information technology jobs to town, with higher pay for younger, educated people, he said.
Residents always are concerned with traffic, public safety, services for senior
citizens and civic pride, Overton said, but they have no burning issues right now.
And he said 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 during the campaign.
Dotson, 59, served on the council from 1992 to 1994 and 2004 to 2008. He owns Dotson Glass and Mirror.
WARD 4, POSITION 1
Mike Lawson beat Eve Smith for the Ward 4, position 1 seat.
The complete but unofficial vote totals were: Lawson . . . . . . . . 6,849 (58%) Smith . . . . . . . . . . 4,960 (42%)
Lawson, 54, is the managing partner of Fazt Lube and Service and has served 5½ years on the council. The ward covers the central part of the city, including downtown, and the northeast corner.
He has said a priority will be making sure the bond money is spent wisely.
“Constituents are concerned with spending on roads and how we spend money downtown,” he previously said. “They want us to be responsible with finances. They are concerned that the bond money is spent correctly and wisely.”
Lawson noted the passing of the bond issue has been a big shot in the arm for the city.
“We had projects that were past due that needed to be done,” he earlier said. “We are growing faster than we can meet the needs. The taxpayers saw that we needed the bond, and the taxpayers are making this happen.”
Smith, 44, is director of exhibitions and public programs at the Arts Center of the Ozarks.
Springdale City Council members earn $10,200 annually during their four-year terms.