Three seek mayor’s seat in Pea Ridge

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

— Col. Francis Joe Hart said he is running for mayor and intends to decrease the salary allocated.

“I don’t think at this time a mayor of Pea Ridge ought to be paid $40,000. That’s almost obscene to me,” Hart, 89, said, figuring that the amount of salary divided by population means the mayor of Pea Ridge is paid more per resident than is the mayor of Rogers.

Hart, who moved to Pea Ridge about 1987, served as councilman in the mid-1980s.

“I was the first foreigner to serve on the board,” Hart said,referring to the fact that he is not a native but moved here from Littleton, Colo.

He said the first thing he would do as mayor, in addition to reducing the salary, would be torequire responsibility, authority and accountability from all city employees.

Hart will join Mayor Jackie Crabtree, who filed for re-election, and Rick Webb on the ballot.

Council applications sought

The City Council seat vacated by John Cody’s resignation will be filled by appointment. Applicants may turn in a letter and a resume to City Hall.

The applicants will be reviewed by the mayor and City Council and appointed by the Council.

Council member hopefuls must live in Ward 2 - the west side of town.

News, Pages 1 on 08/11/2010