All three candidates running for mayor of Jacksonville say they want to jump-start the city's growth again.
Gary Fletcher, 63, has served as the city's mayor since winning a special election in 2009 and filed in May to run for re-election, but in August he announced he would withdraw from the Nov. 6 general election.
The three candidates seeking to replace Fletcher -- Debra Fulton, 50, state Rep. Bob Johnson, 64, and Patrick Thomas, 58 -- said it's time for a change.
"We weren't a unified city anymore," Johnson said.
All three candidates were raised in Jacksonville and cited their commitment to the city as reason they chose to run.
"I can't sit back and not use my talents and skills," Thomas said. "It would be irresponsible for me to not run."
Johnson said he'd planned to run for mayor after his term as a state representative expired, but recent issues within the city's Police Department helped convince him that now was the time to seek the position.
"I felt like our city was in need of change now," he said.
The police chief position and leadership over the Police Department have been a source of controversy and litigation in recent years.
In 2017, the Arkansas Supreme Court ruled that the city's police chief, Geoffrey Herweg, was disqualified from holding the position because of a past conviction for filing a false report.
Fletcher had hired Herweg in April 2016, but City Council member Tara Smith filed a lawsuit to remove Herweg from the position. After the court's ruling in March 2018, Fletcher installed City Attorney Robert Bamburg as interim police director.
Two Jacksonville Police Department employees filed separate lawsuits against the city in April, claiming that acting department leadership violated their rights through demotions.
In May, Fletcher named former Chicago police commander John Franklin as the city's police chief.
"There is a lot of healing and fixing we need to do," Thomas said.
Johnson said the city's Police Department is undermanned and in dire need of financial assistance. He said officers haven't seen a pay raise in years and that many have left to take positions in other cities.
"We need to work on retaining our officers, because training is our highest cost," Johnson said. "Public safety is my No. 1 priority. That doesn't mean just getting more officers, but that means equipping them properly."
Fulton agreed.
"We need to see if we can fix the Police Department budget," she said. "Let's get them pay raises and benefits."
The city has seen a revitalization over the past few years, and the candidates said they want that continue.
"Everything in Jacksonville is new," Thomas said. "We will have a new mayor, we have new construction, new schools and new businesses. The life and vitality of Jacksonville is coming back."
Fulton said city officials need to think outside the box to continue the recent growth. She said she wants to focus on improving the economy and offer more entertainment for citizens.
"We need to bring in businesses and entertainment that are different and unique," Fulton said. "For example, I had a friend drive two hours to get Whataburger. We can bring in things like movie theaters and skating rinks, but let's make them different so people come here wanting to see them."
Jacksonville is home to Little Rock Air Force Base, and Thomas said it's important to keep those families in mind.
"We took the military families for granted," Thomas said. "... Military families started to move to Cabot, Sherwood, Vilonia and other cities surrounding the base because they were more attractive locations."
Johnson said his experience in politics and in the financial sector can be vital to the city's progress. He served 10 years as a justice of the peace in Jacksonville and two terms as state representative. Being a public accountant and a small business owner for more than 30 years also helps, he said.
"We need to make our budget more transparent," Johnson said. "I want to hire an economic developer, and I am going to work with the state. We can start partnerships with surrounding cities.
"We need to whatever we can to get some economic growth, and I understand how to do that because I have worked with people in the state and county and they know me."
Metro on 10/08/2018