Northside, Southside students quiz Mayor McGill about city services, needs

Fort Smith Mayor George McGill touted the many merits of Fort Smith during a “Focus on the Future: A Heart-to-Heart Conversation” with high school and college students at the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith.

McGill told around 100 students, mostly seniors from Northside and Southside high schools, that he understood the desire to go explore other parts of the country but that when it was time to raise their families, he hoped they would choose to return to Fort Smith.

“Go off to the east coast and the west coast, experience every bit of it. As you find yourself in a career and grow and have families, I want you to reflect back on the very place that is considered one of the finest places in the nation, that’s your hometown.” McGill said during the Thursday (Oct. 19) event.

He reminded students of Fort Smith’s 20 parks, its low crime rate and multiple industry leaders who offer good jobs. He said he was proud to say that Fort Smith is one of the most diverse cities in the state and its citizens embraced all cultures. He mentioned that the city’s clean water supply makes it the envy of cities across the country. When asked what young people should expect from city government, he answered that just like all residents of the city, young people should expect the city government to take care of the city.

“They should expect trash trucks to be arriving on time. They should expect that when that fire alarm goes off, our fine fire department will be trained to rescue and put out any type of fire. That’s what they should expect. When there is a flood, they should expect the city to inform them of the impact and to be prepared to provide assistance for them, that there is going to be clothing and shelter and food for them,” McGill said.

Students asked the mayor what the city had planned to help transportation, mainly sidewalks, public transportation and streets in need of repair. McGill said the city has a 1% sales tax dedicated to city streets, for streets, bridges and drainage. He said each year the city looks at its revenue and determines how best to put funds towards projects in each of the city’s four wards. He said streets are being repaired and resurfaced, sidewalks are being constructed and new streets are being built continuously throughout the city.

“Our biggest issue is employment,” he said, noting that the city employs 1,100 people, but there are vacancies that need to be filled. “There are vacancies all in city government. If we could get those filled, we could do even more.”

He told the group of students that much of the city’s public transportation had been paid for by federal dollars.

“Generally speaking, they (city buses) can get you where you want to go (in the city). They might not run the routes as often as you like, but they will get you there. Again, we need more employees,” McGill said.

Students discussed with McGill the need for better street lighting, with one Southside High School student noting that four members of her cross-country team had been hit by car while in early morning practice this year and two had been bit by dogs.

“We all wear reflective clothing, but if there aren’t any lights, they can’t reflect anything,” she said.

Others engaged the mayor in discussion on the city’s homeless population.

“It looks like we’re doing nothing, doesn’t it,” McGill said, but added that the city has a homeless coalition that is working to find solutions. “We have so many services. Anyone wanting help, can get help. And that makes Fort Smith attractive to the homeless. They come here because we are a great community with caring people and they know they can get help.”

Other students mentioned the need for inexpensive or free entertainment or collaborative activity opportunities for teenagers in the city. McGill said this was definitely on the radar of many in the community and that people are constantly trying to find opportunities to build amenities or develop opportunities for young people.

McGill asked all those involved in the talk to find a way to give back to their community.

“When you give your time and efforts to help others (in your hometown), you experience a sense of purpose and personal satisfaction,” he said.

He ended the talk telling the students how important their decision to make Fort Smith their home would be to the city’s future.

“If only half of you would choose Fort Smith (for your future home), you would add a tremendous value to Fort Smith and a tremendous value to this region,” McGill said.

The talk was set up as a time for high school and college students to discuss various topics, including the city’s appeal to college students, reasons to stay in Fort Smith post-graduation, students’ expectations from the city government, ways to enhance the city’s allure to the younger generation, and methods to stay engaged and contribute to the city’s betterment.