Planes, hugs and museum money on resolution lists of area leaders

Arkansas Sen.-elect Jake Files wants to learn to fly a plane. Incoming Fort Smith City Director Pam Weber hopes in 2011 to embrace new technologies. Arkansas Rep.-elect Gary Stubblefield plans to listen twice as much as he talks in 2011.

Those are just a few of the 2011 resolutions received from Fort Smith area business and elected leaders in response to a resolution request from The City Wire.

Cooper Clinic CEO Doug Babb, who also serves on the U.S. Marshals Museum board of directors, revealed that a recent activity sparked a new focus for him in 2011.

“I will say that after seeing ‘True Grit’ last night, I am very proud of Fort Smith, our history and our close connection to the U.S. Marshal’s Service. The movie made me resolved to try to use the film and its repeated references to Fort Smith, Judge Parker and U.S. Marshals to raise funds for the U.S. Marshals Museum!” Babb noted.

As to business and personal resolutions, Babb said the clinic’s operating plan dictates the business side and he doesn’t have personal resolutions because he is already doing the things he enjoys.

Melody Trimble, CEO of Sparks Health System, provided the following detailed response.

“For the Sparks Health System I resolve to:
• Enjoy the journey in leading Sparks culture and performance to Getting to Great
• To continue to recruit and retain the most talented, highly trained and patient-centered physicians, nurses and staff
• To strive to be a better listener and innovator in delivering quality health services
• To be the health care provider that improves the quality of life for our community

“For me:
• To give more hugs and kisses to my two beautiful grandsons (Hayden and Hunter) and to my soon to arrive sweet granddaughter (Hannah Dawn – named after ME!)
• To give back more to a community that has welcomed me with open arms
• To strike a balance between faith, family and work – get home before dark a few nights from work I promise sweetheart (my husband  Mike)”

FORT SMITH BOARD
Fort Smith City Director George Catsavis said the top resolution related to his elected position is to resolve the convention center funding issue. Following that, Catsavis is focused on keeping city costs “as low as possible,” rejecting any new taxes and hiring a new city administrator as soon as possible.

“As for personal resolutions, I was hired by the people of Fort Smith to do what is best for them (and) I will continue to do so,” Catsavis noted.

In addition to a personal resolution of embracing new technologies, incoming City Director Weber listed the following as resolutions related to her elected duties.
• Listen to citizens, City Staff and Administration, and fellow Board members and foster partnerships between these groups for the benefit of Fort Smith.
• Vote and make decisions based on the needs of the community as a whole and its long range goals.
• Encourage citizens to participate and become active in their community and city government by being active in neighborhood associations, commissions associated with city government, and non profits.
• Be fiscally responsible.
• Encourage economic development by supporting regional partnerships, infrastructure development and a renewed emphasis on the beautification of our city.

Weber’s other personal resolutions were: Exercise and diet to maintain a healthy lifestyle; Read the stack of books on my bedside table that have been neglected; Spend as much time as possible with my family and close friends; and, Learn something new everyday.

City Director Kevin Settle offered the following as resolutions in his public role.
• Get I-49 funding for the remaining parts through Chaffee Crossing that will connect Hwy 22 to Hwy 71
• Put a 8-10 year planning for infrastructure, water and sewer improvements in place along with quality of place projects that will enhance the city to make it more attractive for people to come, live and work in our region
• Continue to work with our regional partners on improvements to the region.  Have inter-government meetings to discuss ways to improve region.

The following detailed list of personal and public resolutions are those of Incoming City Director Philip Merry Jr. Resolutions related to his elected position are listed first.
• Act with diligence – always in a proactive way.
• Think about and assess each issue from all angles — do a pro and con comparison listing on each issue.
• Remember always, when I am voting, that I have 85,000 people that I represent, that I have the citizens of Ft. Smith counting on me to do high quality work for the city and the region, and that I am to vote for the greater common good on every issue.
• Be punctual in responding to every communication sent to me in my professional life and my city directorship role.
• Work for results/solutions/improvements for Quality of Life and Quality of Place in Ft. Smith daily and always.

Merry’s personal resolutions are:
• Think positively and pray often to God for clarity of thought and proper use of my skills.
• Stay close to my wife, 4 children and son-in-law, and keep myself grounded.
• Remember that I must maintain a balanced life and stay healthy while balancing city directorship, President of Gallagher Merry Insurance/Risk Management Svc., Chamber of Commerce events leadership and support, nonprofit entity assistance, and my family commitments — always remembering to  "keep my wagon wheel balanced.”
• Keep perspective that I am a family man first, that I have clients who count on me for counsel and advice; that I am committed to growing my business, and working to do my very best for the citizens of Ft. Smith.
• Realize the growing importance of the mantra: "Life is 10% what happens to you, and 90% how you respond.” This has been a standard by which I have lived my life, and now, perhaps more than ever, I realize how important a roll this mantra plays in the balance of my life.

REGIONAL LEGISLATORS
Sen.-elect Files, R-Fort Smith, who returns to the Arkansas Legislature after serving in the Arkansas House of Representatives in the 1990s, has a short but serious list of resolutions. They are:

Elected Job Duties:
• To make Fort Smith relevant in State Government
• To look for and implement ways for Arkansas to be more competitive in economic development
• To be the best (and loudest) advocate for the Fort Smith Region in Little Rock
• To be an advocate for those who need assistance in dealing with state government
• To find ways to improve the lives of children and families in the foster care system of Arkansas

Personal:
• To be a better husband, father, and friend
• To run a marathon
• To learn to fly (and land) an airplane
• To be a better finisher (anyone can start something, few can finish)
To grow in my spiritual walk with the Lord

Easily the lengthiest and most detailed list of resolutions came from Arkansas Rep.-elect Leslee Post, D-Altus, who is one of the two Democrats among the 11 legislators that represent all or parts of the Fort Smith region. Her resolutions related to her elected duties are:
1. Be a good communicator. One of the best pieces of advice I received from a dear friend recently was, "talk with your ears." I am always available via phone/email/facebook/snail mail so that I may hear what is important to my constituents, and to visit about proposed legislation.

2. Search for job creation opportunities for the River Valley. They may be new. They may be similar to something we are already doing. District 83 already has many successful businesses. We have the River at our back door. We are a tourism destination. Not to mention we farm multiple crops and animals. It’s just a matter of putting all of these pieces together.

3. Work bi-partisan for the best interest of Arkansans. I have met many wonderful people on both sides of the aisle, and I am looking forward to accomplishing many good things together.

4. Play good defense. It is just as important for me to pass good bills into law as it is for me to make sure that bad bills do not get passed. I have already seen a couple of proposed bills come up that cause me to pause. They are just not good for most people. I will be bringing these to the attention of my constituents through local newspapers and media. I do not believe legislation should be about small numbers of special-interest individuals. Instead, let’s work in the interest of all Arkansans.

Post’s personal resolutions are to finish a playground project at her house, resume running that was sidelined after a foot injury, and learn to play pitch (the card game).

Arkansas Rep.-elect Gary Stubblefield, R-Branch, provided a list that, while not as long as the list from Post, outlines a clear legislative philosophy.
1. Listen twice as much as I talk.
2. Honor my commitments and stay humble.
3. Not to worry about who gets the credit as long as something good is accomplished for the people.
4. Never  break my word.
5. Learn to say No without being rude.

The City Wire does not have a list of 2011 resolutions, but our holiday wishes go something like this.