Flynn running for re-election
• Background John Flynn is running for re-election to his current seat in Ward 1, Position 2.
Flynn said he moved to Northwest Arkansas in 1996, living in Rogers until he moved to Bella Vista in 2005, where he continued to work as a corporate attorney until his retirement in 2011 after more than 30 years as a corporate lawyer.
He’s been on the city council, chaired the streets committee and served as mayor pro tempore four years. He took a seat on the advertising and promotion committee earlier this year.
“I try to do what is in the best interest of the people in Bella Vista,” he said.
Flynn currently works part-time as a professor of finance and business law at
the University of Arkansas, a role he has had for the past eight years.
He has a bachelor of science degree in economics from John Carroll University in Ohio, as well as a Juris doctorate and master of business administration degree from Case Western Reserve University in Ohio.
He’s currently married to Linda Flynn and they have three adult children. • On City Council
Flynn said he believes the city government can be likened to the federal government — the city council functions as a legislative branch, while the mayor’s office operates as the executive branch.
“They have their own roles and yet have to work together,” he said.
If he gets another term, Flynn said he’d like to work to make the city’s services — including the police, fire and streets department, as well as the library — the best they can be as responsibly as possible.
“We’re only going to have so much revenue no matter what we do,” he said. • The Issues
Flynn said he believes the biggest challenge for Bella Vista is attracting businesses the city needs — including a hotel and different restaurants.
“I do want to be careful that, even if we get something, we maintain our atmosphere,” he said.
Another issue, he said, is supplying water to the whole city. He’s worked on the city’s ongoing attempt to acquire a section of Centerton’s water system, he said.
The city and POA are already collaborating in more ways than many residents realize, he said, including trail maintenance and signage and a very affordable lease from the POA for firefighter training space.
In preparing for growth, he said, the city needs to avoid excessive development.
“I think it’s really important to not just get carried away with … commercial development and preserve the natural beauty,” he said.
The recently-opened bypass provides better access for working people, he said, and may make the west side of town more attractive to families.
In the long run, he added, there may be a need for a school on the west side.
“I don’t see any reason you can’t have a community that’s good for retired people and also for younger people,” Flynn said.