Voters back Hurst in Van Buren

City planner out front in contest to be the city’s next mayor

Van Buren City Planner Joe Hurst was leading former Alderman Max Blake on Tuesday in the race to be the city’s next mayor.

Incomplete and unofficial vote totals were: Hurst . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,262 Blake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,056

Blake, 57, and Hurst, 38, were running to succeed Bob Freeman, who is stepping down after 12 years as mayor. Blake had run unsuccessfully against Freeman in 2014.

Hurst has been Van Buren’s city planner for eight years with prior experience in Rogers and El Dorado. He said he had the experience and education to form partnerships to move the city forward, to operate Van Buren’s $16 million budget and manage its 160 employees to deliver services to its 24,000 residents.

He earned a bachelor of arts degree in political science from Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia and a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville.

Hurst said economic development was critical for Van Buren.

He also said he would work to provide a range of recreational opportunities, beautify the city and improve streets and drainage to make Van Buren a better place for citizens and to attract new business and industry.

Hurst said he and other officials have been working with the Arkansas Department of Transportation to raise money to improve the congested Arkansas 59-Interstate 40 interchange. He said he also would consult with residents on whether to extend a one-half percent sales tax to fund other projects. The tax is scheduled to expire next year.

Blake is the sales manager for Industrial Precast Inc., which is co-owned by Blake Construction. He attended Fort Smith Southside High School and Westark Community College, now the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith.

Blake proposed to build partnerships with businesses and state government to create jobs, improve infrastructure, increase recreational offerings for residents and develop the riverfront. He said he would like to attract a strong business anchor that would attract other companies to the city.