Weber seeks board position; Mayor Baker submits candidacy application

Now comes Realtor Pam Weber to the list of those seeking a position on the Fort Smith board of directors.

Weber, the first female to file for a board seat in this election, will run for Position 5. The Position 5 at-large seat is now held by City Director Gary Campbell, who has yet to confirm or deny his interest in a re-election bid. Campbell was defeated by Rep. Stephanie Malone, R-Fort Smith, in the GOP primary (May 18) for the Arkansas House District 64 seat.

City board positions 5, 6 and 7 (all at large seats), and the mayoral post are up for re-election in 2010. The 1-4 positions are up for re-election in 2012. However, the recent resignation of Position 4 Director Bill Maddox creates a election cycle where five of the eight-member board (seven directors plus the mayor) seats are up for grabs.

Weber said she is running to help Fort Smith reach its growth potential.

“When I began thinking about how I could make a difference, I educated myself by attending over 90% of the Fort Smith Board of Directors regular meetings, study sessions and budget meetings the last two years,” Weber noted in a statement (See Weber’s complete statement below.). “I’ve seen areas where I could be a strong voice for our community. That’s exciting.”

CANDIDATES, FILING PERIOD
Sherri Gard, deputy city clerk, said Fort Smith Mayor Ray Baker filed Wednesday (May 26) his application for re-election.

The only seat on the board with just one candidate is Position 7, with Philip Merry Jr., the only applicant. However, Gard said, four others have picked up applications for the Position 7 seat.

“We’ll just have to wait and see if those come back,” Gard said.

The filing period ends at Noon, June 1.

To file for a city office, a candidate must pay a $10 filing fee, complete a statement of candidacy form, and provide a petition with at least 50 valid signatures of Fort Smith citizens. Also, a statement of financial interest is required but is not due until 30 days after filing deadline. Candidate information and forms are available in the Fort Smith City Clerk’s office.

The following are the candidates who have filed a statement of candidacy for a municipal positions.

Position 4:
George Catsavis
Patrick Jacobs
Marshall Sharpe

Position 5:
Juan Martinez
Pam Weber

Position 6:
Eric Arthur
City Director Kevin Settle

Position 7:
Philip Merry Jr.

Mayor:
Fort Smith Mayor Ray Baker
Sandy Sanders

WEBER STATEMENT
Fort Smith businesswoman Pam Weber has announced her candidacy for the Fort Smith Board of Directors, Position 5.

“My main focus is being able to make a positive difference in our community. Fort Smith is my home. My family is here and I grew up here. This is an opportunity for me to continue giving back,” said Weber. “If we can grow Fort Smith for the future it will absolutely make a difference for our citizens and the businesses that call Fort Smith home.”

Weber’s family lives in Fort Smith, including her daughter and son-in-law, Elizabeth and Jeff Gist. Pam and her husband, John, also have 11 nieces and nephews and enjoy spending time with their family. They are members of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Fort Smith.

Weber is an Executive Broker with Ramona Roberts Realtors in Fort Smith and has been with the company since 1979. She is a member of the Fort Smith Board of Realtors and provided leadership on several committees for the Board through the years.

“When I began thinking about how I could make a difference, I educated myself by attending over 90% of the Fort Smith Board of Directors regular meetings, study sessions and budget meetings the last two years,” said Weber. “I’ve seen areas where I could be a strong voice for our community. That’s exciting.”

Weber was appointed to the Fort Smith Planning Commission in 2009. She has volunteered her time with numerous community organizations, including serving as President of the River Valley Animal Welfare Coalition, Past President of the Good Samaritan Clinic, volunteering with the Partners in Education Program, serving as a past member of the Sparks Foundation Board, a past member of the Bonneville House Association Board and she is a Sustainer with the Junior League of Fort Smith.

She graduated from the Fort Smith Public Schools in 1974 at Southside High School and attended the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville.