Mayoral candidates stump at block party
Posted on Sunday, June 8, 2008
Recalling the old days of political campaigning, Fayetteville residents gathered at a block party Saturday and pulled up folding chairs to listen to three mayoral candidates deliver speeches from an actual tree stump.
Walt Eilers, Adam Fire Cat and Steve Clark delivered stump speeches to a crowd of about 50 people on South Walker Road near the Confederate Cemetery.
Candidate and Fayetteville Alderman Lioneld Jordan was unable to attend the event due to a prior commitment to take his grandson, who recently recovered from an illness, on a camping trip.
The candidates started off the evening by explaining why they want to be mayor of Fayetteville.
Clark, a former Arkansas Attorney General, said he comes from a family that believes in public service and feels it is one’s duty to contribute to the community in which they live.
Eilers, a fundraising consultant and former educator, said he remembers his mother telling him as a young boy, “ you have to make a place better than it was before you got there. ”
“ That’s been my mantra ever since, ” he said.
Fire Cat said he chose to run for mayor because he thinks there are too many ordinances in the city.
“ I believe the excess ordinances are choking the life out of Fayetteville, ” he said.
The final straw came when he and his roommates were evicted because they were in violation of an ordinance that limits four vehicles per driveway.
In a question and answer session led by Kyle Kellams of KUAF-FM 91. 3, the National Public radio affiliate at the University of Arkansas, the candidates were asked what options they would pursue to keep the Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville.
Eilers said its important to get the UA involved in the efforts to keep the Walton Arts Center.
“ It’s got to be a partnership, ” he said. “ Together I think they can’t be beaten by Bentonville. ”
Fire Cat said he’s against the city taking on the full cost of keeping the Walton Arts Center.
“ If we can’t find a way to get the university involved in the cost, I don’t know how we can keep it here, ” he said.
Clark said the city can’t back down from its pursuit.
“ If we’re going to keep the Walton Arts Center here, we need to say ‘ that’s our goal, that’s our objective and we don’t intend to fail’. ”
The candidates were also asked how they would work toward the goal of the mayor and council working together.
Fire Cat said elected officials have to work together and communicate.
Eilers also said communication is the best method for working together. It’s important for the mayor to keep the council informed, he said.
Clark said “ it’s about principles and not personalities. ”
“ And you’ve got to have respect for the council members, ” he said. “ And remember that you’re all here for the same reason. ”
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