Conway sanitation director applies in Fort Smith

CONWAY — Joe Hopper, who started Sept. 14 as the Conway sanitation director, has applied for the top position in his former department in Fort Smith.

Hopper was superintendent, or assistant director, of the Fort Smith Sanitation Department when he was hired in Conway from among 30 applicants. He replaced director Cheryl Harrington, 50, who died in March after a long

battle with cancer. Jack Bell, the city’s chief of staff, served as interim director.

“I’ve had some folks call me and encourage me to apply [for the Fort Smith job],” Hopper said. “I was on the fence about applying for it; I love it here. The City Council is easy to work with; the mayor has been great to work with.”

Hopper, who still lives in Alma, said his wife, Lea, has not found equivalent employment in central Arkansas in physical therapy. Lea, who works in Fort Smith, is a

graduate of the University of Central Arkansas physical-therapy program. The couple have five children.

“Relocation, we’ve found to be difficult,” he said.

Hopper said he has worked the past few months in Conway “on internal things.”

“Right now, I’ve really been trying to improve the efficiency of our shop. Not only do we work on the garbage trucks, we also work on the police vehicles and vehicles for other departments,” he said. “I’ve been implementing a work-order system, parts and inventory.”

Hopper said he has also focused on safety issues. “When I got here, not everyone had to wear safety boots, or boots with safety toes,” he said. He is requiring employees to wear those, as well as tearaway vests, he said.

“I’ve already got a vision of where I want to take this department,” Hopper said.

Hopper is one of 33 applicants for the Fort Smith position.

“I really just want to give myself more time to think about it if I happen to get selected,” he said. “You can’t overlook an opportunity; it doesn’t matter who it is.”

He was at the Fort Smith Sanitation Department “just shy of 10 years,” he said.

Hopper said he worked the entire time for Baridi Nkokheli, the city’s sanitation director since 2005.

According to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Nkokheli was fired in December for, among other reasons, insubordination and soliciting loans from a vendor and department employees. Lindsey Kaelin, human resources coordinator for the city of Fort Smith, confirmed that Nkokheli was “discharged from employment.”

Conway Mayor Tab Townsell said Hopper has done a good job in the position the past almost five months.

“I think he’s a crackerjack. I hope we can keep him,” Townsell said.

Senior writer Tammy Keith can be reached at (501) 327-0370 or tkeith@arkansasonline.com.

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