Freeman re-elected Van Buren mayor, Hutchings returns to Fort Smith Board

A former Fort Smith city director is returning to the Board in January and a local mayor is entering his third and final term following the general election Tuesday night (Nov. 4).

In the race for Fort Smith City Director At-Large Position 7, former City Director Don Hutchings claimed victory Tuesday with 59.32% of the vote to Parks and Recreation Commissioner Sherry Toliver's 40.6%. Hutchings will replace retiring City Director Philip Merry, who announced earlier this year that he would not seek a second term to the Board of Directors.

The candidates found common ground in a debate sponsored by the League of Women Voters in October, but there were differences between the two.

Regarding a change in government, the two expressed differences in how the city should move forward, with Hutchings advocating to keep the current city administrator-Board of Directors form of government while Toliver told The City Wire she would be in favor of a change to a Mayor-City Council form.

In conceding defeat, Toliver said she was proud of the campaign both candidates had run.

"Don was so gracious and kind to me in public and private," she said. "I appreciate that."

But even in her own graciousness toward Hutchings, Toliver expressed some disappointment in the results.

"I was really hoping and felt good about it and all the hard work we had done, but I knew I was up against a tough opponent in Don Hutchings. He had the name and face recognition. I am just so grateful to serve the city in this way and get my thoughts out there. I still think I have a place in the city for my thoughts to come to pass."

Hutchings, who is returning to the Board after leaving two years ago to focus on a capital campaign to build a new sanctuary at the church he pastors, was unavailable for comment Tuesday night.

FREEMAN WINS RE-ELECTION
In Van Buren, Mayor Bob Freeman faced off for the second time in four years with Alderman Max Blake in Freeman's bid for a third and final term as mayor and came out on top.

According to the Crawford County Clerk's office, Freeman won re-election with 52.31% of the vote, while Blake saw 47.69%.

Freeman said even with the tight numbers, he plans to enter the municipal complex tomorrow as mayor of all of Van Buren, not just his supporters.

"It was (contentious), but the campaign is the campaign. Now it's time to move on. I've had the privilege of being the mayor and serving the community for the last eight years. I appreciate the opportunity to continue being the mayor for the next four years, moving the community forward with all the citizens. But we've got projects coming up and more to come. I want to thank the community for their support and say it's time to move on and let's go."

Blake said he was proud of the campaign and the ideas he brought to the forefront and looked forward to working with all city leaders, Freeman included, to see those plans become a reality in the city he calls home.

"I was just trying to affect change and I think I've affected change each time I've run. I'm just trying to help the city of Van Buren. Obviously, Mr. Freeman had a stronger base than I did, but that's fine. The citizens have spoken and I'll help Mr. Freeman any way I can to movE the city forward."

ALMA, BARLING RESULTS
In Alma, it was a three way race between Keith Greene, Gary O'Perry and former Rep. Ed Thicksten that will go to a runoff after Greene won the most votes with 46.86%, while Thicksten received 42.76% and O'Perry came in last with 10.39%.

Barling voters also had to decide on whether to approve a new one cent sales tax that would bump the city's sales tax rate to 9.75%, from its rate of 8.75%. The rate would match the city of Fort Smith, but still be below the rates of Van Buren and Alma, which both sit at 10.25%. The tax, which would sunset in 10 years in 2024, was approved by a vote of 71.79% for and 28.21% against.

Barling City Administrator Mike Tanner said the sales tax would pay for street improvements, including "an overlay project, culverts, curbs, sidewalks, that type of thing."

The tax, Tanner said, is projected to raise between $250,000 and $300,000 per year, "depending on the city sales."

He said the figure does not include estimates from any sales associated with a new 70-store shopping center being built at Chaffee Crossing, though he said that could double or triple the collections once completed.

Other contested races of note locally included:
STATE REP. DISTRICT 80
Rep. Charlene Fite (R): 79%
Taylor Watkins (L): 21%

GREENWOOD MAYOR:
Mayor Doug Kinslow: 83.21%
Gary Campbell: 16.79%

SEBASTIAN COUNTY JUSTICE OF THE PEACE DISTRICT 7:
Justice of the Peace Jim Medley (R): 58.85%
Jim Perry (D): 41.15%

VAN BUREN ALDERMAN:
WARD 2, POSITION 2:
Scott Curtis: 44.9%
Darrol Sparkman: 55.1%

WARD 3, POSITION 2:
Adlerman Johnny Ragsdale: 39.92%
Alan Swaim: 60.08%