El Dorado Works Board looking to fill vacancy
Three candidates to be considered at meeting today
The El Dorado Works Board will convene for a specially-called meeting at noon today to review applications and select a candidate to fill a vacancy on the board.
Three applications have been submitted to fill a seat that was vacated by former EWB member George Calloway Jr., who stepped down from the board earlier this year, citing personal reasons.
Calloway is running for Arkansas State Representative District 7.
His five-year term was renewed in January and more than four years remain on the term.
EWB members tabled the matter during a regular meeting Oct. 13 to allow more time for all members look over the the applications.
Board member Craig Mobley was unable to attend the Oct. 13 meeting.
Because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and limited access to the City Hall Council Chamber, where the board regularly meets, EWB chairman Greg Downum said the group has met only a few times this year so there has not been a sense of urgency to the fill the vacant position.
“But given some of the challenges we’ve had over the last few months of getting a quorum, it’s time for us to look to fill this role,” Downum said.
Sara Coffman, Mumtaz Mf and Robert Henderson are vying for the open seat on the EWB.
Board members heard from Coffman and Mf during the meeting last week.
Coffman, executive director of the South Arkansas Symphony and a member of the El Dorado Historic District Commission, discussed her background in the medical field.
She told board members about
her experience as a registered nurse, physician’s assistant who has worked in hospitals “all over the world” and the founder and owner of a small company that specializes in medical devices and has been in operation since 1984.
“The reason why I want to be with you guys is that this is a commission that can truly make a difference. It’s an important one to our city and I want to help,” Coffman said.
The board administers the El Dorado Works tax, a one-cent sales tax that is dedicated to economic development, municipal infrastructure and quality-of-life projects.
Board members vet projects that are presented for funding requests and upon approval, they make a recommendation to the El Dorado City Council, who holds the purse strings.
Mf, a computer engineer, said she is firm believer in serving the community.
“Helping the community is helping you actually. So, I believe in that and I wanted to give my time to this community,” Mf said.
She said she and her family own several businesses, including the Dollar Saver Fresh Market, formerly Jade Foods, in Strong and Guy’s Liquor in El Dorado.
Mf family members are soon-to-be owners of the Hometown Butcher Meat Market, which is expected to open soon next to Guy’s on West Hillsboro, she said.
Mf said the family also owns residential and commercial properties, including the Firefox shopping center in the 700 block of North West Avenue.
Henderson, who was unable to attend the meeting, is the owner of Sims Mortuary, Inc., and Henderson Property Management with residential and commercial properties in Union, Columbia and Ouachita counties.
Coffman later asked EWB members what they were looking for in prospective candidates.
“Someone that has to have, ideally, have some business sense and be able to have an understanding of financial concepts because we’re dealing with tax monies, someone who’s willing to listen and who’s open-minded and willing to do what’s in the best interest of El Dorado as a whole,” Downum said.
Board member Avo Vartenian said the EWB seeks diversity and the ideal candidate is someone “who is ready to take this city forward.”
“And someone that is not willing to direct taxpayer money where it’s not needed to be directed to, somebody that is strong enough to say no when it’s needed to say no and somebody that’s ready to build the community in spots that it needs to be built,” Vartenian said.
Added Coffman, “And not somebody with an agenda?”
“Yes. Work with your heart, not with an agenda that’s personally- or outside-driven Vartenian responded.
El Dorado City Council Member Billy Blann said the city relies on local residents to serve on its various boards and commissions, thus the community.
“They’re very important and the city needs all the help it can get,” Blann said.
City council members have recently made appointments and reappointments to the historic district commission, El Dorado Airport Commission, El Dorado Parks and Playgrounds Commission and the El Dorado Advertising and Promotion Commission.
The El Dorado Planning and Zoning Commission is also considering candidates to fill a vacancy.
Others include the El Dorado Civil Service Commission and the El Dorado Water Advisory Board, which keeps track of operations for the El Dorado Water Utilities.
Anyone who is interested in serving on a city board or commission may request an application from City Clerk Heather McVay’s office by calling 870-881-4877.
McVay said that if a candidate is not initially selected, all applications are kept on file and candidates who have previously submitted applications are contacted when a vacancy becomes available.