Washington County Enterprise-Leader
Daughter To Serve In Father’s Council Seat
PRAIRIE GROVE — Gina Bailey of Prairie Grove will follow in the footsteps of her father and take his seat on the Prairie Grove City Council.
Alderman Buddy Lyle died in June and his position has remained vacant since then. He served as alderman for Ward 3, Position 2 from April 2005 until his death June 3. No one ran for the open seat in the Nov. 4 midterm General Election.
City Council members voted to appoint Bailey to fill the position at the beginning of their Nov. 17 meeting. Mayor Sonny Hudson presided over a swearing-in ceremony at the end of the meeting, making Bailey’s appointment effective immediately. She will attend her first official meeting in December.
Hudson said someone recommended Bailey for the position and he called and talked to her about it. She visited with him at City Hall and then later told him she would be interested in serving.
“I think she’ll do great,” Hudson said, noting that to serve as a City Council member requires 90 percent common sense and the rest is learning on the job.
“I think she’ll be good at that,” Hudson said.
Bailey’s mother, Pat Lyle, agreed that her daughter will do a good job as an alderwoman.
“She’ll carry on just like he did,” Lyle said, referring to her husband. “She’s just like him. I’m just thrilled.”
Bailey has lived in Prairie Grove for 11 years and worked as a real estate agent with Legend Realty for 10 years. She now works in Legend’s Prairie Grove office.
She said she was interested in being on the Council as a way to give back to the community.
“In the past 11 years, I’ve seen how involved my mom is and how involved my dad was in the community,” Bailey said. “I saw the outpouring of love of the people from Prairie Grove and I still see that with my mom. Getting involved is a way to give back because the community was so giving to my parents.”
She said she’s also seen how her sister, Lesa Lyle Bement, has made a difference in improving the Prairie Grove Animal Pound. Bement is president of Friends of Prairie Grove Pound and many improvements have been made at the animal shelter through the efforts of the Friends’ organization.
Bailey said she realizes she has “big shoes to fill” in following her father on the City Council. As an indication of Lyle’s involvement in the community, the Council in June voted to give an annual award called the “Buddy Lyle Volunteerism Award.” It will be awarded to an individual who has volunteered time and service to make the city a better place.
“Hopefully, I can make a difference,” Bailey added.
She does not have any specific goals but will take her father’s spot in acting as the Council’s liaison with Prairie Grove Senior Activity and Wellness Center. Bailey said she plans to be more involved with the senior center and helping it.
In other action Nov. 17, Council adopted an ordinance to establish disclosure requirements for entities doing business with the city. The ordinance requires entities to provide the names of individuals serving on a board of directors for an LLC or partners in a partnership and to provide names of principal officers. This only applies to purchases and sales of real estate and companies bidding on city projects.
It also placed an ordinance on first reading to amend the fireworks ordinance because of the new Prairie Grove bypass. Fireworks stands will not be allowed to operate on U.S. 62-B from Baggett Street to Wayne Villines Road and on U. S. 62 from the Illinois River bridge to Parks Street.
Another ordinance placed on first reading would establish landscape requirements for commercial and multi-family developments.
The council agreed to increase longevity bonuses for the first time in more than 20 years. Bonuses will range from $ 100 to $ 250 based on years of service.