Washington County Enterprise-Leader
Mayor Voices Thanks
STEELE SERVES FARMINGTON FOR 27 YEARS
FARMINGTON — City Council member Janie Steele thinks she was born with government in her blood.
Her father, Henry Buchanan, was Farmington’s second mayor. Her husband, Jon Steele, also served as mayor and her brother was mayor of Lincoln.
Steele never wanted to run for mayor but she has served the city of Farmington for 27 years, first on the Farmington Planning Commission and later as an elected City Council alderwoman.
She and Council member Terry Yopp recently were honored for their years of serving the city.
Yopp, who did not run for re-election, served on the Planning Commission for eight years and then on City Council for eight years. Steele ran for re-election but was defeated by newcomer Linda Bell.
Mayor Ernie Penn, in voicing his appreciation to Steele and Yopp, presented each a key to the city and plaque.
“This is a special night for us,” Penn said at the end of the Council’s Dec. 8 meeting. “It’s a sad night for me especially, because those two have served the city for a long time. They’ve gone beyond the call of duty to take care of city business.”
Penn said the outgoing council members should be proud of what the city has accomplished during their tenures.
“I know city employees appreciate what they’ve done for the city,” he added.
Turning to Steele, Penn thanked her for an “unwavering commitment to the city.”
Steele has chaired the city’s Historical Preservation Committee for several years and will continue in that role. Steele also will continue to serve as a member of the city’s Parks and Recreation Committee.
Steele became a Planning Commission member while her husband was mayor. She joined the Council under the term of former Mayor Roy Drake.
Steele said she has served Farmington because she likes being around people and is interested in what’s going on in the city. She said major accomplishments over the years include Creekside Park, the new sports complex, improving and maintaining roads and annexing areas into the city.
For the future, she said she is looking forward to the possibility of walking and biking trails that tie into the Fayetteville trails system.
She grew up in Farmington and has lived in Farmington most of her life.
“I just love everything about this city,” Steele said.
As an alderman, Yopp has chaired the city’s Economic Development Committee, chaired the Wastewater Committee, served on several personnel committees to interview potential candidates for employment and was a member of the Annexation Committee.
Yopp has continually joked over the years that as vice mayor, he should have his own gavel.
“He’s always whined about getting a gavel and he’s getting one tonight,” Penn said as he handed Yopp a plaque that included a gavel in it.
Kidding aside, Penn said Yopp has been a great asset for Farmington and did a great job as a planning commissioner and then as an alderman.
Yopp became involved in the community after moving to Farmington from northeast Arkansas. He said his wife grew up in a small town and they wanted to rear their family in a small town.
While on the Planning Commission, Yopp was involved in developing regulations to help oversee the growth of the city. He served as chairman during part of his tenure on the commission.
He considers his work on the Wastewater Committee as his “crowning accomplishment” as an alderman.
“We prepared the city for future growth by advancing sewer improvements with the city of Fayetteville,” Yopp said. “This has given us the capacity to grow. We’re in good shape for the future.”
Yopp said he has served the city as a way to be involved in the community and to make a difference.
“I’m proud to say I played a small part in that,” Yopp said.
He attributes his best advice to former City Council member Roy Hummel.
Hummel said he calls it the “Do Right” rule.
“Sometimes you have to forget your personal thoughts and do what’s right for the city,” Hummel said.
Hummel, who served with Steele and Yopp on the Planning Commission and City Council, said he believes both have committed time, effort and thought while serving the city.
“They are both committed to what’s best for Farmington,” Hummel said. ”I think the Council will miss them.”