Fort Smith Position 4 candidates respond to The City Wire questionnaire

George Catsavis, Patrick Jacobs and Marshall Sharpe are candidates for Position 4, Fort Smith board of directors. The election for this three-way race is Aug. 10. If no candidate gains more than 50% of the vote, the top-two vote-getters will be on the Nov. ballot.

George Catsavis is a restaurant operator in Fort Smith. Patrick Jacobs is the assistant general manager at Fort Smith-based Carco International. Marshall Sharpe is the manager of audit programs at Fort Smith-based OK Industries.

The Position 4 opened after Bill Maddox decided to step down in the middle of his four-year term.

The City Wire recently sent the three candidates five questions with the hope the answers would help the decision process among our readers eligible to vote in the municipal district.

THE Q&A
• The city spends more than $220,000 each year to support the Boys and Girls Club, Next Step Day Room and other social service and culture groups in the city. What are your thoughts on the outside agency funding?

CATSAVIS
I support the funding of these agencies. The boys and girls clubs contribute to the future of our community, as do other agencies in Fort Smith. I have spoken with very dedicated people from these agencies and they believe strongly in the benefits these agencies offer the community. I also know that they understand the financial situation the city is currently in and I feel the best course of action would be to have a sit down meeting with them to explore all options. These are intelligent people that will work with the city to reach a short term compromise until we determine the future economic  outlook for Fort Smith.

JACOBS
We obviously should support programs that serve social areas that the city currently does not offer. They should be annually reviewed and like other projects should be subject to the city’s balanced budget policies. These entities should not solely rely on these funds; they should first of all help themselves.

SHARPE
As all the agencies are very important, under these economic times, the city may not be
able to fund the growing number of non-profit (and definitely not at the amounts they request) until the operating budget and city staff positions are restored to previous workable levels. As a wake up call, I believe they (OAF) need to be working on alternative funding options and not count on whatever amount they have expected in the past. Hopefully, they won’t be cut out of all together, but may be stagnant monetarily until revenues increase.

• There is always talk about the proper form of government in a city like Fort Smith. Do you support the existing form of government (manager-council), or would you prefer another form? (Please explain your answer.)

CATSAVIS
It is hard to comment on this issue because I have not been directly involved but at this time I support this from of government. It is good to have checks and balances in all forms of government but nothing is perfect.

JACOBS
I support our current form as long as everyone given a “managerial” position is not micro-managed by his or her supervisors. How can one exceed expectations when choked down by bureaucracy?

SHARPE
Would I be running for a Director position if I didn’t believe it was the best form of
government for our city? NO. We tried other forms in the past, and I believe (Administrator – Director type) limits the amount of power any one individual may obtain and spreads the responsibility.

• If elected, what would be your top three goals?

CATSAVIS
My top three goals are:
Fiscal responsibility — Scrutinize each departments budget by using the city auditor who answers directly to the board of directors.
More involvement with the chamber of commerce to aggressively pursue attracting new business to Fort Smith thus creating new jobs.
Increase citizen input by opening a line of communication between residents and the board and also to ensure that the citizen’s concerns are seriously considered.

JACOBS
Open up communication with regional, state and federal government, review current policy and tax structure to eliminate wasteful spending, and to show support for department heads that offer suggestions, ideas or programs for the city to take advantage of that bring state and federal dollars to the table.

SHARPE
I have an obsession to preserve and protect neighborhoods.
Carry through with recommendations from Task Force on Homelessness to address
this situation in Fort Smith and staff a permanent person to work with Old Fort Homeless
Coalition and research funding on a full time basis.
Get the citizens more involved with what’s going on in Fort Smith and how to best
satisfy their concerns instead of just complaining.

• Concerns have been raised about the appropriate level of input the board provides the city administrator. Specifically, some have said a city administrator can’t function under seven directors who seek to individually micro-manage rather than direct with a unified voice. What are your thoughts on how a city board should interact with the city administrator?

CATSAVIS
The city administrator is responsible for following the decisions made by the board of directors, however, I feel the Board’s vision should be broader, setting a path for the City to flourish. This can’t be done if the Board is consumed with micromanaging matters best left to City Administration. We must trust City Administration to give us guidance and hold them accountable to carry out the wishes of our constituents.

JACOBS
Oops! I kind of answered that already. Like any “CEO” he should be responsible for the 15 department heads and their operation. Step back and let the man do his job.

SHARPE
This Board of Directors hired the current City Administrator. I would hope that they trust him enough to let him do his job. With the number of performance evaluations recently, I’m not sure that’s the case. If they have an issue with what he is doing (or not doing), I believe the citizens need to know what they are, instead of "Our evaluation is complete at this time, X 4."

• What is your solution for the Fort Smith Convention Center management and funding?

CATSAVIS
The civic center issue needs to be resolved now not in the future. As you know I am against the 1% food tax. I believe it would only be a temporary solution to a larger problem. I am also against using the 1% street tax that is currently in place. The convention center has underlying issues which I feel has hindered it’s success, such as the city taking $4.8 million out of the convention center to fund other projects. I don’t think merging the A&P with the civic center would be financially viable either. I feel it would be best for the city to look to a private sector business to lease or acquire it.

JACOBS
With the restaurant owners organizing to fight the implementation of the restaurant tax, I just don’t feel comfortable taking a stance one way or the other. I want to provide fresh ears for their argument to be heard. I’m still not sure if restaurant owners are against the tax being applied to prepared foods or if they are against the tax in general. With me, when I hear suggestions to place the tax on another group, then they are agreeing to the tax as long as it’s not associated with them.

SHARPE
If bookings of events were increased, would that not alleviate the problem? Have we looked at all possible ways of accomplishing that? I think the Ad Hoc Committee did a very good job on their findings and recommendations. I don’t remember that one being there.

It must be kept in operation if Fort Smith’s going to compete with other cities
of comparable size. Since the Directors seem to be split between the top two options, would they split the vote down the middle? There’s always going to be those opposed to both. Some people want all the benefits (their cake) of a center, but just don’t want to be
bothered with how to fund it, (and eat it too.)

• What experience/expertise will you bring to the board?

GEORGE CATSAVIS
I feel I bring a wealth of knowledge and financial responsibility. As a restaurant owner for 30 years in Fort Smith I have successfully managed businesses and gained knowledge, I have gotten to know Fort Smith very well and had a lot of interaction with the people here. I have experience with budget issues, labor issues and experience working with the public on a daily basis. I have always taken a conservative approach pertaining to financial issues.

JACOBS
Business background, government experience.

MARSHALL SHARPE
I bring 30 years of management ability to the table. I am an honest, hard working, no-nonsense type individual with a caring attitude. I want to help people and understand their issues. I will listen, then act to the best of my ability. I bring six plus years of neighborhood involvement, both mine and as a Fort Smith Neighborhood Coalition officer.

CPA Alliance association keeps me involved with police issues. Am a recent member of the FS Homelessness Task Force (representing Ward 4), and a current member of the Old Fort Homeless Coalition.