City director candidate booked for DWI, fleeing; Position 6 race down to two

The political gods — at least those responsible for municipal elections — seem to favor Fort Smith City Director Kevin Settle.

Just a few days ago, Settle was in a three-way race with Eric Arthur and Michael King for the Position 6, At-Large Position.

However, King dropped out of the race Monday (June 21).

“I am seeking to withdraw my candidacy from the race for City Director At-Large Position 6. I will be seeking other avenues to serve our community. I hope to provide valuable input and change to our community specifically within a committee, commission, or a board,” King said in a statement.

On Monday night, Arthur was briefly booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on charges of DWI, reckless driving, fleeing and refusing a breath test.

According to the arrest report from Cpl. Matthew Holloway with the Fort Smith Police Department, Arthur was seen speeding in his Ferrari and began to flee when the  officers tried to stop him. After Arthur made it to the garage of his apartment at 815 N. B St., the officers had to ask Arthur several times to get into the police car.

Holloway noted in the report: “I asked him if he had been drinking and he stated ‘no comment.’ The subject was asked to get into the unit, but refused at first, and wanted to go to the bathroom and put up his dog. I advised him that we would take care of his dog and he could use the restroom at the jail. I had to ask him several times to get the unit and finally, after Officer Addis removed his TASER from his holster, the subject got into the unit. The dash camera recorded the incident.”

The report notes many instances where Arthur refused to take a breathalyzer test.

On Tuesday morning Arthur refused to answer questions from The City Wire about his municipal candidacy. However, Arthur told KFSM 5 News — a content partner with The City Wire — that “the answer is yes” when asked if he would stay on the municipal ballot.

MUNICIPAL RACE OVERVIEW
Because the Position 6 race had three candidates, it was set for an Aug. 10 primary. With King out of the race, the election moved to the Nov. 2 general election. Depending on what Arthur decides, the general election may find Settle the only Position 6 candidate on the ballot.

City board positions 5, 6 and 7 (all at large seats), and the mayoral post are up for re-election in 2010. The 1-4 positions are up for re-election in 2012. However, the resignation of Position 4 Director Bill Maddox creates an election cycle where five of the eight-member board (seven directors plus the mayor) seats are up for grabs.

The election for Position 4 will be held Aug. 10 because it has 3 or more candidates. If no candidate garners more than 50% of the vote, the top two vote-getters will be on the Nov. 2 general election ballot. The municipal races with less than 3 candidates — mayoral race and Positions 5 and 6 — will be on the Nov. 2 ballot.

Position 4:
George Catsavis
Patrick Jacobs
Marshall Sharpe

Position 5:
Juan Martinez
Pam Weber

Position 6:
Eric Arthur
City Director Kevin Settle

Position 7:
Philip Merry Jr.

Mayor:
Fort Smith Mayor Ray Baker
Sandy Sanders