Editor's note: This is the second in a series of candidate profiles for the City Council election. Alderman Ward 2 candidates are featured this week.
All candidates will answer further questions at a forum sponsored by The Weekly Vista starting at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 25, at Riordan Hall.
Though candidates, if elected, will represent their respective wards, each City Council member is elected by all Bella Vista voters.
Name: Frank Anderson
Age: 77
Occupation: Mayor of Bella Vista
Years living in Bella Vista: 27
Groups affiliated with in Bella Vista: United Lutheran Church, Bentonville-Bella Vista Sunrise Rotary, Military Officers Association of America
Immediate family with connections to the city: None
What is your background, as pertinent to your ability to serve on the City Council? I was an internal auditor in the (U.S.) Air Force, primarily my job was an efficiency expert review done on any and all activities in the Air Force. The Air Force operates every activity in the commercial world, so I've had a hands-on look-see at just about any activity anybody would ever be involved in, and that was my job for 28 years.
I was connected with the POA for nine years, from the golf committee on up through the chairman of the POA Board for a couple of years. I was in the CEO job for about seven months while we were looking for a full-time general manager. Then I have eight years as mayor, establishing the city as we know it today.
Why are you running for City Council? There are a few things that I was not able to complete in the eight years here. Obviously, everyone is aware we're tying to build a fire station and a Street Department. We haven't gotten that done yet.
I'd like to do something with what I think is a water issue in Bella Vista, to make sure all areas of the city have access to potable water. I'm not sure yet how to do that, but if I get a little time, maybe we could figure that one out.
I'd also like to work on the pay structure for city employees. We've kicked that around and talked about that a lot, but we don't have a well-defined payroll structure that gets employees from a beginning role in whatever field they're in up through a mid-range role, then through a higher-range role. We haven't done much to advance the pay of city employees, even though we've had a couple of pay studies that set rates mid- to high range. We haven't moved anybody through those ranges to any extent. I'd like a more structured process to get from one spot on that pay range to a higher spot.
I haven't given up on the city, but I don't feel inclined to spend the 50 to 60 hours a week it takes to do the job I'm doing now.
What issues are facing Bella Vista in the immediate and/or long-term future? Streets are probably, in my mind, the first issue for both short and long term. The streets and number of miles of streets in the city are extraordinary for the number of residents we have trying to support those streets and the tax dollars coming in. I don't have a fix for that yet -- not sure there will be one.
Other short-term issues are the location of the Street Department, which we're moving to fix, and also a fire station. Getting the Street Department moved and a campus built for the department is a key issue moving forward. I want to followup with the new fire station and make sure the people are hired to man it.
Other long-term issues are a couple of things I mentioned I'd like to work on, like a need for water, which could have an impact on economic development. Surprisingly, there are quite a few spots not in the POA and not tied into the Centerton (water) system.
I think I know a lot about what we've done here so far and what we have to fix.
Name: Rick Neal
Age: 58
Occupation: Manager at Walmart Logistics Systems
Years living in Bella Vista: 18
Groups affiliated with in Bella Vista: None
Immediate family with connections to the city: Wife Theresa serves on the Bella Vista Planning Commission
What is your background, as pertinent to your ability to serve on the City Council? I've got a doctorate in organizational management and leadership. Previously, I have served on the board for the Literacy Council of Benton County for nine years. I was president for two terms on that board, and have served on several committees on that board. Other than that, I'm a concerned citizen, the fact that I love Bella Vista, love the city, love the environment. I want to do my part to help it grow and to make it better.
Why are you running for City Council? For the same reasons. In discussion with a lot of residents, they all have similar stories. They like Bella Vista because it's different than other cities around, it's unique, its own entity, has personality. I want to keep that personality. I would like to be a voice of those citizens to help in any way I can to see we stay that way. We don't want to become a Bentonville or another cookie-cutter type city.
There are pains (the city) has been going through for years, and we still have some to go through. I want to add a different perspective to dealings with the government of the city.
What issues are facing Bella Vista in the immediate and/or long-term future? I think we're on a good track. I've been doing a lot of studying on the Strategic Plan that was put together in 2012. Businesses -- we are very limited on the amount of business in Bella Vista. We need to work on that, certainly need to have it for the residents. For instance, there is no shopping on the east side of any kind, no gas stations, no quick stops to get a gallon of milk. We need to have that for the convenience of residents, and a shopping experience would lead into the tax base. We can't just keep adding to property tax as far as funding. Business would help with sales tax.
The Strategic Plan got several mentions of public transportation. In the council meetings, the transit in this area -- Ozark Regional Transit -- said they would come to Bella Vista but only by appointment, there is nothing scheduled. That would be a great win as well, to get folks from one place to another.
General News on 09/17/2014