Barbara Miner seeks re-election to city board
Ward 5 Director and Assistant Mayor Barbara Miner is running for re-election to the Texarkana, Ark., Board of Directors, she told the Gazette on Tuesday.
Miner said she wants to continue using the knowledge she has gained during her first term, including how best to address her constituents’ concerns and complaints.
“There’s been a learning curve for me, and I’d like to take advantage of a few of the things I have learned,” she said.
Miner said she does not have a policy agenda except to continue serving her native Texarkana alongside her colleagues.
“This is just my hometown, and I want good things for it. And I have trust in our city government. I have trust in the board, the mayor, city manager and all of the people who work in the departments. I have trust in those people, and I think everyone will continue to serve and do the right thing,” she said.
In 2014, Miner beat Danny Jewell and Marvin Williams in a race for the Ward 5 seat previously held by Mike Jones, who had chosen not to seek re-election, according to previous Gazette reports.
Miner graduated from Arkansas High School in 1961, the University of Arkansas with a bachelor’s in education in 1965 and Henderson State University with a master’s in education in 1967.
She worked as an elementary school teacher for 12 years and later went into owning and operating rental property and working part time for Texarkana Funeral Home on the Arkansas side.
Then-Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee appointed Miner to serve six years on the Criminal Detention Facility Review Committee, which inspects jails in Miller and Lafayette counties. She is a lifetime member of Beech Street Baptist Church and has done volunteer work through the church, including overseas mission work.
Voters will also decide two other board seats in November. Ward 4 Director Travis Odom is seeking re-election. Ward 3 Director Tim Johnson will not run again, and candidates LaTanya Blair and Claude Moore are competing for the Ward 3 position.
Mayor Ruth Penney-Bell is running for re-election and faces a challenge from local businessman Allen Brown.
Election Day is Nov. 6.