Mayor will not seek re-election
Penney-Bell cites her age, negativity regarding controversial decisions but praises progress
Texarkana, Ark.’s first female mayor has changed her mind and will not seek re-election in November, she told the Gazette on Monday.
Mayor Ruth Penney-Bell, 76, cited her age as the main reason she will step aside, along with negative public reaction—including threats of violence—to some controversial decisions during her tenure. She had announced in November 2017 that she would run for a second term this year.
“That would put me at 80 at the end of the term,” she said. “I’d just like people to have a choice.”
Penney-Bell said recent controversies such as renaming the former Hobo Jungle Park played a part in her decision. In the aftermath of the name change, a threat made on social media to “take her out” worried family members, who went as far as discouraging her to appear in public.
She also cited conflict with the police department regarding pay parity with Texarkana, Texas, police. A group of Arkansas-side residents has filed a lawsuit seeking pay parity naming Penney-Bell, among other city officials, as a defendant.
Penney-Bell praised the progress the city has made in recent years, especially improved relations with the Texas-side government,
various economic development achievements including downtown renewal, and more civility among the city’s Board of Directors.
“With the exception of one board member, I have had the best board imaginable,” she said, going on to praise staff members in every city department.
Voters elected Penney-Bell to be the city’s first female mayor in November 2014 after she represented Ward 1 on the Board of Directors for six years. She is a retired English teacher with the Texarkana, Ark., School District and a former small-business owner and manager.
Penney-Bell was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2016, but the disease was successfully treated and has not returned, she said, adding she feels “fine.”
“I have given as much as I can to the city, and I hope it will be in good hands,” she said. “We’ve had a good run. I hope God’s not sorry he put me here.”
Local banker and longtime businessman Allen Brown has filed the paperwork required to run for the Arkansas-side mayor’s seat. On Monday, Brown said he is prepared to either run unopposed or, should another candidate emerge, to campaign between now and Election Day.
“If no one else enters the race, I’m looking forward to working with the mayor as we transition at the end of her term to the new term beginning in January,” Brown said. “I’ve already been studying some of the city’s issues, trying to get up to date on the budget and some of the issues the city will be facing.”
Arkansas-side voters will also decide three Board of Directors seats in November. Ward 4 Director Travis Odom and Ward 5 Director Barbara Miner are seeking re-election. Ward 3 Director Tim Johnson will not run again, and candidates LaTanya Blair and Claude Moore have announced they are competing for the Ward 3 position.
The filing deadline for candidates to appear on the Arkansas side’s November ballot is noon on Aug. 17. For more information, call the city clerk’s office at 870-7794917.
Election Day is Nov. 6.