Better jobs focus of Fort Smith city candidates

Seven candidates seeking election to Fort Smith municipal positions gathered Monday (Oct. 4) at a Fort Smith League of Women Voters forum to make their case, with all saying the city needs to do more to support area economic development efforts.

The forum, held noon at the First Baptist Church near downtown Fort Smith, had about 75 in attendance, not including the following candidates (listed by position):
• George Catsavis, Fort Smith board of directors, Position 4
• Patrick Jacobs, Fort Smith board of directors, Position 4
• Juan Martinez, Fort Smith board of directors, Position 5
• Pam Weber, Fort Smith board of directors, Position 5
• Eric Arthur, Fort Smith board of directors, Position 6
• City Director Kevin Settle, Fort Smith board of directors, Position 6
• Sandy Sanders, Fort Smith Mayor

After introductions, the candidates were asked to list what they believe are the top two challenges facing the city. All candidates mentioned the need to bring better jobs to the area through support of area economic development efforts. Jacobs and Catsavis, opponents in the Position 4 race, mentioned cuts in city spending. Settle said in addition to working with economic development partners, the city is faced with finding money for more police and fire services within a tighter budget.

Sanders said the top two challenges he would address if elected mayor are “jobs and jobs.” He also said the next mayor should take more interest in economic development. To that end, Sanders said he would place $100,000 of the mayor’s $250,000 annual budget into an economic development fund to help recruit business and industry. He said it would “basically mirror” the objective of Gov. Mike Beebe’s quick action closing fund. Beebe has used the fund — replenished with $50 million in fiscal year 2010-2011 — to bring companies like Mars Petcare and Mitsubishi to the Fort Smith area.

“The mayor (position) needs to take a leadership position on this,” Sanders said of economic development.

Fort Smith Mayor Ray Baker did not attend the forum. He said in a note his voice “is not up to speaking.” Baker, 71, entered St. Edward Mercy Medical on Aug. 18 with severe dehydration. In an Aug. 27 statement from his office, the dehydration resulted in kidney problems that weren’t severe but did require time to correct. He was released in mid-September. The recent hospitalization is Baker’s second in 9 months. He entered the hospital Nov. 15 after becoming weak from an the infection. Baker was in the hospital several days to recuperate and convalesce after the illness. Baker successfully underwent surgery and chemo for colon cancer in late 2007.

FORUM COMMENTS
• Settle said when Interstate 49 is completed through the Fort Smith area, the “shift will bring major companies” to the area and the city must have the infrastructure and fire and police services in place to handle the growth.

• Catsavis said the most common citizen complaint he has heard while campaigning is that the city “fights small business” rather than helping them. He promised to do more to create a business-friendly environment if elected.

• Jacobs said the city has much potential for growth if managed correctly. He praised the economic development efforts of the Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce, the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith and the Regional Intermodal Transportation Authority.

• Weber said recruiting more and better jobs to the area “is really the solution to a lot of our other problems.” She said the city must adopt or maintain zoning laws that are business friendly and improve the city’s appearance.

• Martinez also made a note about appearance, saying the city has six main entrances and only two are nice.m “We need to do something to beautify our city,” Martinez said.

• Sanders said the next mayor should also do more to no let issues “drag on.” He said the inability during the past 10 years to make a decision on convention center funding is an example of an issue that needed leadership. “This is a decision that could have and should have been made a long time ago,” he said.