FC City Council tables appointment for Ward 4, Position 1 seat
Group waiting to make decision until all members attend meeting
The Forrest City City Council Ward 4, Position 1 seat remains unfilled after council members on Tuesday agreed to table the appointment until all council members were present.
Councilman Jason Evansingston did not attend Tuesday’s meeting.
The council did, however, hear from Lowry Astin as well as Ronald Sayles who have both expressed an interest in filling the seat recently vacated by Dena Poteat after moving from the ward. Poteat recommended Astin as her replacement.
“I was approached by Mrs. Poteat and we talked about things in the city, and I’m fully supporting her,” Astin told the council. “She asked me, and I would like to fill her seat.”
Astin told the council he grew up in the Forrest City, raised a family here and believes he understands the city enough to serve as a council member.
Sayles told the council at the previous meeting that he was born in Forrest City and served in the U.S. military.
“I’ve been told by a friend that I am the sort of guy that can put on a suit and rub elbows with CEOs and the kind of guy that can go into neighborhoods, to a fish fry, to a cook out and sit down to talk to you,” said Sayles. “My morals, principles and values have not changed since I grew up in the Rice and Mann housing projects.”
Sayles said his main focus would be to help the council bring jobs into Forrest City.
Councilman Marvin Metcalf asked both candidates if they were willing to participate in the non-mandatory, yet many community-based events the city participates in such as marches, appreciation dinners and community cleanups.
“We have to show up and make ourselves available to the public,” said Metcalf. “Are you willing to participate and do those types of things like that? On your own time?”
Metcalf also said he sometimes attends the Monday morning department head meetings at city hall.
“It’s not mandatory, but we do it because it gives us a heads up on what the departments are doing,” said Metcalf. “So there is a lot to do being a councilman.
“I am in this 150%,” said Astin. “My father served on this council where you all are sitting in the 80s and 90s.”
Astin told the council he would use the experience of watching his father’s work to his advantage.
“It’s not just the council itself, it is the whole city. You work for your constituents. To support everything you have to support your constituents. You have to work from your heart,” said Astin.
“I don’t have a problem in doing that, Mr. Metcalf,” said Sayles.
Metcalf also asked the men if they felt they were “righteous.”
“The most important thing to me with someone getting on the board is righteousness and honesty. Are you willing to do what is right in spite of the situation?” asked Metcalf.
Astin, who retired from Arkansas State Police after serving as a trooper for 36 years, said he would be able to devote his time to the multiple responsibilities a councilman has.
“If I was not truthful, I would not have lasted that long,” said Astin. “I don’t think anyone in the city would question my honesty.”
“So, you are fully retired right now and don’t work anywhere else? You would be a full-time council member?” asked councilman Danny Capps to which Astin replied, “yes.”
Capps also asked Sayles if he received a salary from the nonprofit organization he operates.
“No sir, not at all,” Sayles answered.
The council called an executive session to discuss the appointment, announcing upon returning to open session that the group would not take any action on the appointment until the entire council is present.
“I want to thank Mr. SaYles and Mr. Astin for being here tonight, but it is tabled until the next meeting when all seven members can be here to vote on the issue,” Mayor Cedric Williams said.