Interviews for mayoral candidates scheduled

The city announced Tuesday that the four hopefuls seeking the mayoral appointment from the Hot Springs Board of Directors will be interviewed next week.

The board will interview each candidate for an hour during a special-called meeting convening after the April 25 agenda meeting. A drawing at the end of Tuesday night’s board meeting determined the order in which they will be interviewed.

The four are vying to serve the end of Ruth Carney’s second term, which runs through the end of next year. She resigned March 10.

Former City Director Karen Garcia was selected for the 4:30 p.m. slot. She was the Democratic nominee for state treasurer in 2014 and didn’t run for re-election to the board. Fellow former Director Pat McCabe was tapped for the 5:30 p.m. slot. He narrowly lost a bid to unseat Carney in 2014, losing by 40 votes after he paid for a recount of 254 absentee ballots.

Whittington Valley Neighborhood Association President Mark Toth was chosen for the

6:30 p.m. time, and retired dentist Dr. Jack Porter will be interviewed at 7:30 p.m.

The applicants were required to present a resume, file a statement of financial interest and a petition for nomination that included the signatures of at least 50 registered voters residing inside the city. Mayor is an unpaid position that votes on all matters that come before the board.

The position is responsible for establishing the agenda for board meetings and presiding over the meetings. It’s recognized as the head of city government for all ceremonial purposes and by the governor for the purposes of military law. The mayor also signs all written agreements, contracts and other instruments on behalf of the city and is empowered by the city code to impose up to a

48-hour curfew during times of emergency.

The board’s appointee will be eligible to run for mayor next year.