Times Editorial : Another hat in the ring
Posted on Friday, March 14, 2008
Fayetteville Ward 4 Alderman Lioneld Jordan last Sunday had the rare opportunity to do his best Barack Obama impersonation, happily giving those gathered around the downtown Square his most optimistic views about the community's future while announcing his intention to become this city's next mayor.
Jordan, a supervisor for the University of Arkansas Physical Plant, is the latest to launch a campaign to earn the approximately $ 110, 000-a-year job of leading Fayetteville's city government. With Walt Eilers, a fundraising consultant, and Jeff Koenig, former president and CEO of a local electrical supply company, the town has three announced candidates. Incumbent Dan Coody has said he will not run for re-election.
Our Obama characterization isn't a knock on Jordan, or the junior senator from Illinois, for that matter. All politicians love letting loose with rhetorical flourishes that make common issues sound like Shakespeare, or in Jordan's case, Mark Twain. Given the chance, politicians will take any opportunity (if they're smart ) to work their charms on an audience of potential voters.
Now, hardball politics may work in some cases, but nobody really cares for it. That's why days like Sunday are such happy ones. Everyone loves the early, extra-hopeful days of a campaign for public office. A mayor's race - well, any race - ultimately requires candidates to go beyond feel-good rhetoric to convince voters how they will govern best (and, by extension, how the other candidates won't ). But the value of formal announcements is that they allow candidates to cast a limitless vision of the future into which they want to lead the city. There is plenty of time later for the political, financial or other realities that often stand in the way of grand dreams.
Besides, everyone deserves the opportunity to be Mr. Popular for a day.
Of course, whether it's just these three candidates or more to come, we're looking forward to forums or debates local residents will have the opportunity to see in the months ahead. So much about the city's future feels decidedly undecided at the moment, which makes this decision even more important than usual. From the development necessary to ensure the strength of Fayetteville's economy to the limits government places on developers, residents and businesses to protect the local character, the next mayor will have a lot on his plate.
Campaign 2008 has finally arrived in Fayetteville. As much as some people just want to stay on cruise control with their lives, it's vital that local residents become intentional in learning about the candidates who seek to become decision-makers for taxpayers.
Residents have a great opportunity over the next seven months or so to engage in a community discussion that will, come November, influence the major issues and the nuances of Fayetteville for years to come.
Doing so is a great investment of one's time and energy. Fayetteville is worth it.
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