Candidates Compete For Prairie Grove Panel

Smith Has Been On Panel For Seven Years

PRAIRIE GROVE — Incumbent Marquita Smith is being challenged by Justin Clark to represent Ward 4, Position 1 on Prairie Grove City Council.

Candidates elected to Position 1 spots on the Council on Nov. 4 will serve four- year terms.

Candidates elected to Position 2 seats will serve two-year terms.

In November 2016, all Position 2 seats on the Prairie Grove City Council will extend to four-term terms.

Smith, 56, is a special education aide at West Fork High School. Her education includes a high school diploma and Special Education training.

She has served on the City Council for seven years and said she is running for re- election because she believes it is a privilege to serve the people of Prairie Grove, especially those in her ward. She said her council experience and the fact she is a homeowner and taxpayer are qualifications that help her in serving on the Council.

“I like having a say in keeping the taxes and rates low,” Smith wrote on a candidates profile form submitted to the newspa- per. “These things can’t always be possible but I feel I should have an input. Being the on ly woman on the council, I feel that I can sometimes bring a different point of view.”

If re-elected, Smith said her goals are to continue to update the city’s water lines and to repair city streets.

Clark, a Fayetteville firefighter and Prairie Grove volunteer firefighter, said he is running for office because he is a “firm believer” in small town America.

“I have children growing up in town and I’m anxious to see it grow and want to be a part of it,” Clark said in a previous interview.

Despite repeated reminders, Clark did not submit a candidates profile form or a photo of himself.

Smith