Washington County Enterprise-Leader
Prairie Grove Council Appoints New Member
PRAIRIE GROVE — Prairie Grove’s newest member of the City Council has lived in the community for about three years.
The City Council last week unanimously voted to appoint Ray Carson to fill a vacancy for Ward 4, which was created by the resignation of Tamra Noe. Noe was appointed to fill Casey Copeland’s position when he resigned last spring. Noe resigned because she moved out of the ward.
Mayor Sonny Hudson conducted a swearing-in ceremony at the City Council’s May 21 meeting and Carson immediately took his spot at the Council table.
Carson and his wife moved to Prairie Grove in 2015 from Springdale. He is a social worker by vocation and has served in juvenile justice and child welfare for more than 30 years. Previously, he worked for the juvenile court system for the state of Missouri.
According to a biography submitted by Carson, he has experience with county government and circuit court operations. He has served on the board of two non-profit agencies and his interests include cycling, woodwork
and most outdoor activities.
He and his wife, Leigh Anne, are members of Prairie Grove United Methodist Church.
Carson said he was interested in serving on the City Council because he wanted to give something back to the community.
“I love Prairie Grove,” Carson said. “We have fallen in love with this city.”
Carson said he doesn’t have any specific goals as a Council member at this time.
“I just want to learn as much as I can about the process,” he added.
Carson will serve the remainder of Noe’s term, which ends Dec. 31, 2020.
Following the swearing-in ceremony, the City Council, at Hudson’s recommendation, voted to appoint Noe to fill a vacancy on Prairie Grove Planning Commission.