Primary election set for Fort Smith Board of Directors

An Aug. 9 primary election is in the works for the Fort Smith Board of Directors, with two candidates lined up to run against Ward 4 Director George Catsavis.

The city’s four ward positions are up for election in 2016. The three at-large positions, also four-year terms, will be on the ballot in 2018. For positions with more than two candidates, a primary election is set for Aug. 9. The general election is Nov. 8. The filing period began Wednesday (May 11), and ends at noon on Thursday (May 26).

As of Friday (May 20), Directors Keith Lau and Mike Lorenz did not have opposition. Director André Good, who lives in Ward 2 had not submitted his packet but has said he will seek re-election. If he qualifies for the ballot, Good will face Bruce Wade.

Following is the list of candidates who have submitted packets and have qualified for the ballot, according to Fort Smith City Clerk Sherri Gard.
CANDIDATES
• Ward 1
Director Keith Lau (seeking second term)

• Ward 2
Bruce Wade

• Ward 3
Director Mike Lorenz (seeking second term)

• Ward 4
Director George Catsavis (seeking second full term)
Robyn Dawson
Neal Martin

No person is an official candidate until the clerk’s office verifies their eligibility. Qualified candidates must be 21, have lived in the city for six months, be registered to vote in the ward, and must submit a petition with at least 50 valid signatures of registered city voters.

Dawson, 52, is the principal at Spradling Elementary School in Fort Smith. She was hired in that role in 2011. She began teaching in Fort Smith in 2002, and was hired as a principal in the Dover Public School system in 2007. She then became a principal in the Mena Public School system in 2009.

Wade, 63, is a retired business owner from Houston. He moved to Fort Smith in 2002, and is running because “not only does the city need to be informed about the ward, but the ward needs to be better informed about the city.”

Martin, 40, is a manager of application development for Little Rock-based Arkansas Foundation for Medical Care, and the most recent to qualify for the board election. He grew up in Fort Smith, but a job sent him packing to Kansas City. He and his family returned to Fort Smith in 2010. Martin said more need needs to be done to keep young talent in the region.

“The reason I am running for City Director is that Fort Smith has so many great opportunities for success and I want to help lead efforts for us to realize that success,” Martin told Talk Business & Politics. “With redevelopment downtown and at Chaffee Crossing, I see Fort Smith attracting young people, but we have to do a better job encouraging entrepreneurs and the business community to bring their business to this city.”

Martin said more need needs to be done to keep young talent in the region. He also said the city must “figure out a way to minimize the impact of the Consent Decree on everyday citizens.” The city is under an order from the federal government to improve the sewer system. The work is estimated to cost $480 million.

“As the father of 4 young children, I want them to grow up and stay in Fort Smith after completing their studies,” Martin noted. “We have to take steps now so that we provide all our young people the jobs, amenities, and things they need to accomplish their hopes and dreams. I am confident that I am the person to help lead Fort Smith to that brighter future that is ahead of us.”