Patrick Jacobs to run for Fort Smith board seat

Fort Smith businessman Patrick Jacobs said he will run for the Fort Smith Board of Directors Ward 4 seat a day after the board accepted the resignation of Ward 4 Director Bill Maddox.

Maddox resigned within the appropriate time to avoid the city having to pay for a special election that could cost up to $20,000. The board on Tuesday (May 4) reappointed Maddox to fill the remaining 6-plus months of his term.

Jacobs told The City Wire he has thought many years about running for the position and when Maddox resigned he felt this was the time.

“I’ve grown up in Fort Smith and watched how the community has changed dramatically,” Jacobs said in a statement. “We’ve chosen to raise our family here and recognize the amazing potential of Fort Smith. It’s a thriving city that continues to establish itself throughout the state and region. My hope is that my children have the same opportunities I’ve had and choose to make Fort Smith their home someday as well. Positive change is exciting and I want to be a part of it.”

Jacobs is a graduate of the Fort Smith Citizen’s Academy, the Fort Smith Police Academy for citizens and is working through the fire department academy. Jacobs also serves on the Civil Service Commission and on the advisory boards for Girls Inc. and St. Edward Mercy.

“If there is one thing I can pick out that I have done or volunteered my time for, the Civil Service Commission has been the most rewarding,” Jacobs said.

The fact that the city board will have at least three new members in January 2011 is another reason Jacobs entered the race. Directors Gary Campbell and Cole Goodman are not running for re-election. Director Kevin Settle has said he will seek re-election but has not made an official announcement. Fort Smith Mayor Ray Baker is being challenged by Sandy Sanders. The filing period for municipal candidates is May 12 to Noon, June 1.

“That board is going to have a lot of turnover, and with that will come fresh ideas. That, I think, is exciting,” Jacobs said.

Fort Smith businessman and community advocate Philip Merry is the only other person to officially announce for a city board post. He announced April 15 his intention to run for the Position 7 (at-large) Fort Smith City Director position.

If elected, Jacobs said his first goal would be to improve communication between the city and the citizens.

“We have to open up dialogue between the community and board. I think there has been a lack of communication between the two,” Jacobs explained.

Jacobs is the assistant general manager at Fort Smith-based Carco International. He attended Chaffin Junior High School, Southside High School and the University of Arkansas.

He and his wife Christie have three children; Colby (19) who attends the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith, Cassidy (17) who attends Southside High School, and Ryan (8) who attends Woods Elementary School.