LITTLE ROCK — Joe Smith and Tracy Steele have campaigned for most of this year on which one would be the better choice to become North Little Rock’s first new mayor in 24 years.
On Tuesday, the city’s voters will have the final word when they go to the polls to decide the mayoral runoff.
Early voting resumes Monday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. in the Laman Library at 2801 Orange St. in North Little Rock, and from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. in the Pulaski County Regional Building at 501 W. Markham St. in Little Rock.
Through Wednesday, 3,012 early votes had been cast in the race, according to the Pulaski County Election Commission. There has been no early voting since then because of the Thanksgiving holiday.
Steele, 49, a term-limited state representative, former state senator and executive director of the STAND Foundation in North Little Rock, has said he wants to “return the mayor’s office to the people.”
Smith, 61, the city’s Commerce and Governmental Relations director for 22 years, has campaigned on his plan to “continue the progress” from the Hays administration and said that his years with the city make him the “most experienced candidate for mayor ever.”
The winner will take office Jan. 1 as Mayor Patrick Hays retires after six terms and 24 years in office.
Steele led in the Nov. 6 general election with 11,524 votes to Smith’s 9,827, according to certified totals. Mark Clinton, with 1,799 votes, and John Parker, with 743, rounded out the field.
Smith announced his intent to seek the mayor’s office in January, shortly after Hays said he wouldn’t run again. Steele’s announcement followed a month later.
Both said in interviews last week that the experience has been rewarding, win or lose.
“I’m one of those unusual people who actually loves this stuff,” Steele said. “I like meeting and greeting people and talking with them. When the campaign is over, I’m going to miss it. But I never really stop communicating with people. That’s the kind of mayor I’m going to be.”
Smith said he also plans to be a responsive mayor, if elected. He added that he’s been overwhelmed by the support he’s received.
“I would have an open door policy,” Smith said. “I always have for the last 20 years. I try to return all calls. I’d like to set up one day a week for meetings with concerned citizens.
“It’s been really humbling for so many people to have been willing to give up their time to volunteer in my campaign,” Smith said. “It’s heartwarming that I have so many friends and supporters to give me their time to make this city a better place to live.”
When talking about changes that he sees as needed, Steele said Smith represents a status quo from the Hays years. Steele also has struck at Smith’s early campaign comment about considering a sales-tax increase.
Smith responded to a question during a candidate forum in August that the city “would probably go back to look at a sales tax” in his first two years as mayor, if he’s elected. A citywide election would be required to pass any sales-tax proposal.
“I don’t think any of us want any more taxes,” Smith said last week. “The mayor has no authority, absolutely no authority, to raise the sales tax. None. ... I’m just going to do what the citizens want. If they want a sales tax, great. If they don’t, I don’t either.”
Steele said he aims to keep taxes low. He also has set a priority, if elected, to add a fire station on the city’s east side. Such a station is estimated to cost $900,000 a year to staff and operate.
Steele said last week that he hasn’t been privy to the city budget for 2013 because the budget work under way is “a closed process.” The mayor is mandated by city ordinance to submit a budget by Nov. 30 each year for City Council approval.
“It should be out there for public review or should have been a long time ago,” Steele said. “I will establish a budget review committee and have public hearings on the budget in each ward.”
Smith said the election comes down to whom voters have the most confidence in and trust to manage the city.
“I think the reason people want me to be the mayor is they know they can trust me, that I will show up for work every day, and I’m going to live within our budget,” Smith said.
Steele countered: “I would be the better leader for the city. I believe in an open, transparent government. He believes in doing things behind closed doors.”
The city’s police, fire and retired police officers and firefighters associations have publicly endorsed Steele, as has the North Little Rock Classroom Teachers Association. State Sen. Linda Chesterfield, D-Little Rock, and state Sen.-elect Jane English, R-North Little Rock, also gave Steele their support last week.
Smith has been endorsed by an informal group of about 95 educators and teachers in North Little Rock, and state Sen. Mary Anne Salmon, D-North Little Rock.
Arkansas, Pages 15 on 11/25/2012