front&center: Shelia Whitmore

RIVER VALLEY and OZARK AREA — When Conway City Council member Shelia Whitmore, 47, was growing up, she saw her parents walk the walk, not just talk the talk, when they encouraged their eight children to work hard.

She said her father, Theodore Bunting Sr., had a big garden at their home in Conway, and he plowed it every year with a horse. He worked in construction, raised chickens and was “almost like the community butcher,” she said. Her mother, Emma, did domestic house cleaning while rearing eight kids.

Whitmore was the baby of the bunch.

“It was a lot of fun. When I was growing up, my sisters were pretty much gone. It was three boys. Needless to say, those three boys prepared me for life,” she said, laughing. “I was always the tomboy.

“My parents worked very hard, and they instilled those work values in all of their children. They taught us the importance of family and making sure you take care of your family.”

Also, it was emphasized to always “do more.”

She not only does more, she does it for a long time.

Just like being involved in Dazzle Daze, a fundraiser for Conway Regional Health System.

Whitmore is co-chairwoman of Dazzle Daze this

year, a fundraiser sponsored by the Conway Regional

Women’s Council.

She’s been on the committee since its inception in

2001, and this is her third year as co-chairwoman of

the shopping event.

“It’s a well-oiled machine,” she said with a laugh.

“This year, we actually have more than 80 merchants.

Of course, each year we have steadily increased the number,” she said.

The event will be Thursday through Saturday at the Conway Sports Center on Lower Ridge Road.

“By that time people are into the Christmas shopping spirit,” she said. “It’s so much fun.” She may be working, but she takes time to shop at the event, too.

“I usually try, and I usually end up with items for myself, my daughter, and generally I have been able to get some good ideas and real unique Christmas gifts at Dazzle Daze,” she said.

The proceeds will go to pediatric and geriatric services at the hospital.

“Typically, we’ve bought a piece of equipment, but the needs change so vastly, there are a lot of things that come available or we might be able to purchase, so rather than designating, we just decided we would split the proceeds this year between geriatrics and pediatrics,” Whitmore said.

“It’s kind of wonderful, because one thing my dad had was Alzheimer’s, and he was in the Transitional Care Center a couple of times,” which is part of the hospital’s geriatric program, she said.

Lori Ross, director of corporate marketing for thehospital, said, “Conway Regional continues to grow stronger and bigger in part because of the enhancements made possible by the Women’s Council, and Shelia has led the way with her many years of involvement. We are truly fortunate to have her support and leadership with Dazzle Daze. She’s been there from the beginning - when we opened the doors and didn’t know who or how many peoplewould show up.”

She said Whitmore has made a “significant difference, not just with Dazzle Daze and Conway Regional, but with our entire community.”

In addition to serving on the women’s council, Whitmore is in her 11th year on the Conway City Council - and said she was the first minority elected.

“Basically, I have always been involved in the community and, growing up in Conway, have always had a heart to serve the city I live in. When the position actually became available, at that time there was only one female, Judy Owen, and she happened to live in my ward.”

When Owen decided not to seek re-election, “I felt very strongly we needed female representation on the City Council,” Whitmore said.

Being the first minority elected was significant, she said.

“I think it spoke volumes. It’s historic, and I’m proud of that, but to me I think what it says is a reflection of where Conway has come,” she said.

“It has been a wonderful experience. We’ve, of course, had our obstacles to overcome, but basically looking at our city right now, we’re in a position alot of cities would like to be in. Of course, our infrastructure needs some work, but some cities would like to have grown so quickly” to have that problem.

“While some people may not think it’s always been for the best, the thing I can say and be proud of is that Conway has always been a very progressive society,” she said.

“Most of the big issues we have to deal with are sales tax and zoning. Nobody wants to pay any more taxes,” but yet they want services, Whitmore said.

She supported a bond issue for parks and recreation in 2007 for softball and baseball complexes and walking trails.

“Growing up, there was never a dedicated girls facility for softball, so now we have that,” she said, with the construction of City of Colleges park.

“When I was growing up as a kid what used to be just farmland, all of that now isvery prestigious neighborhood areas; the parks have changed significantly.”

One of the more controversial issues was turning the Cadron Valley Country Club into apartments with a ninehole golf course.

Neighbors were worried about home values going down, and other neighborhoods were concerned about drainage and flooding.

“I think actually some of the residents who were very hesitant and very much opposed to it are very pleased with the outcome,” Whitmore said.

“All of the current City Council members, as well as our mayor, try to look at the situation and try to do what is best as a whole. I think everyone tries to take that to heart,” she said.

Whitmore’s “real” job is as human resources coordinator for Counseling Associates, whereshe’s worked for 13 years.

Prior to that job, she worked in banking, insurance and at Conway Regional in the business office and with the Geriatric Transitional Care Center.

“When I was looking at what I wanted to be when I grew up a long time ago, I actually wanted to be a nurse,” she said. “Now that I’m into human resources, I absolutely love it. I love dealing with people, and that’s what you do.” She said she enjoys working with her “awesome” co-workers, and she builds relationships with them through that position.

Her community activities don’t stop with the City Council and Conway Regional Women’s Council, though.

A graduate of the Faulkner County Leadership Institute and a member of Sinai Church of God in Christ, she’s a member of the Noon Lion’s Club, which means she gets to help sell sausage on a stick during Toad Suck Daze; the Advertising and Promotions Commission; Arvest Bank board; Conway Area Chamber of Commerce board; and the Boys and Girls Club of Faulkner County board, where she’s served 10-plus years.

Her only child, 24-year-old daughter Brittany, used to play basketball for the club, Whitmore said.

Now she’s a pharmacist in New Orleans.

“We’re very close,” Whitmore said. “I talk to Brittany every day.”

Whitmore is far from flighty, so her goal is to keep working diligently at her job and on community projects.

“Conway is a place that I grew up, have lived, raised my daughter and never left and actually have no plans to leave.

It’s a wonderful place; I love it,” she said.

- tkeith@ arkansasonline.commatter of

factAge: 47 My role models are: My parents, first and foremost My favorite book: One book that I am actually still reading is The Shack The best thing I cook is: Most people would say baked beans, but as far as my family, it would be chicken and dressing. I am the one who makes chicken and dressing for the family Favorite memory from Dazzle Daze: My favorite memory was the excitement in the voice of last year’s winner of the Mustang. She had just retired and was so excited she came right up to the Don Owen center to take a look at the Mustang. Just the joy in her eyes and hearing the excitement in her voice was awesome

River Valley Ozark, Pages 142 on 11/15/2009

Print Headline: front&center Shelia Whitmore