Two Gateway Council seats contested

Two Run For Gateway Seat 3

Editor’s Note: Angela Warford and Teri White are candidates for Position 3 on Gateway Town Council. Incumbent Sherry Robinette is running unopposed for recorder treasurer. Early voting begins Monday. Polls will be open Nov. 2.

Angela Warford

Age: 29

Employment: Part-time landscaping

Education: High school, some college

Residency: Whole life in Gateway except for five years in Bella Vista

Family: Husband, Shaneon; two sons

Military experience: None

Political experience: None

Q: What do you think would be the biggest challenge for the city during your term, and how would you address it?

A: As far as challenges, I would say that would only be my age and experience. I think we need some younger individuals on the council to open up minds. I desire to speak for young families and older individuals that have been around a long time and know a greatdeal. I don’t have a problem listening and making an educated decision. Complete hardheadedness does not go far

Q: Why do you think you’re the best person for the position?

A: My grandfather Clarence McKenzie has always been avidly involved in our town. After a discussion with him about things the town could have had, like softball fields and such, I decided it was time to be someone who did something about issues. (Also) my age and length of residency.

Teri White

Age: 56

Employment: Fixed asset coordinator in Walmart Financial Shared Services

Education: High school, three years of college at Southern Oregon State College, majoring in law enforcement with minor in accounting

Residency: Gateway, 18 years

Family: Husband, David; one son, one daughter

Military experience: None

Political experience: Approximately six years as recorder-treasurer. Unsuccessful campaign in 2008 against Sherry Robinette, a current council member

Q: What do you think would be the biggest challenge for the city during your term, and how would you address it?

A: Something that has always concerned me is that every member of the council does not have their own copy of the laws and regulations governing cities and towns in the state of Arkansas. Without a current copy of this book, they really do not know how to do their job to the best of their ability. Each one needs to know what their duties are, what they can and cannot do by law. This is something that I would work to remedy. In a time when so many city councils seem to be finding themselves as the subject of investigations and making news headlines, I want to be sure we are operating effectively under the letter of the law.

I am also looking forward to the challenge of working to solving some of the issues that various members of our town have expressed. None of these are bigger than what we as a Town Council, working with our community, can’t solve, but if we do not address them they willbecome the proverbial “mountain out of a molehill.”

Q: Why do you think you’re the best person for the position?

A: I have the experience of serving as record-treasurer on the council for six-plus years. Having the knowledge I gained from keeping the books for that time, I know how the council functions, what goes on behind the scenes, and a lot of what needs to be corrected.

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Gateway Position 5 Has Two Candidates In Race

Editor’s Note: Incumbent Don Deckard and Cheryl Tillman are candidates for Position 5 on the Gateway Town Council.

Don Deckard

Age: 48

Employment: Walmart

Education: High school, one year computer programming, Bryan Institute, Tulsa, Okla.

Residency: Gateway, seven years

Family: Wife, Shellie, one son, three daughters

Military experience: None

Political experience: Incumbent. Alderman for three years.

Q. What do you think would be the biggest challenge for the city during your term, and how would you address it?

A. The biggest challenge for Gateway is to maintain our small town way of life and not be over regulated.

Most people move to small communities like Gateway to get away from the multitude of regulations of a bigger city. I will continue to do due diligence to keep our way of life by reading every proposal thoroughly and not allow regulations to be pushed through without considering the needs and desires of the citizens of the community.

Q. Why do you think you’re the best person for the position?

A. In the past three years, I have kept the will of the citizens of the city in mind in every decision presented to the council. I will continue to keep the desires of the citizens first and foremost in every decision I make. I will be available to the citizens for their ideas and concerns.

As a member of Pea Ridge Free Will Baptist Church,I will continue to have a prayerful attitude in every decision that I make.

Cheryl Tillman

Age: 53

Employment: Pea Ridge schools

Education: High School graduate

Residency: Gateway for 11 years

Family: Husband, Andrew; one son, one daughter; two grandchildren

Military experience: just a military wife

Political experience: none

Q. What do you think would be the biggest challenge for the city during your term, and how would you address it?

A. Just seeing that things are getting done and done right.

Q. Why do you think you’re the best person for the position?

A. I’ve been on several clubs and committees in this community and on my church board and learning from other people of what goes on, I think that I could do what the city of Gateway needs.

News, Pages 7 on 10/20/2010