Mayor Jackie Crabtree has announced his intention to seek re-election.
"We've got a bright future for Pea Ridge," he said. "We've got a lot of things started going our way and I would like to continue. Our business community has grown over past several years, our population has grown and there are many opportunities with future economic development.
"I've got the background to help us continue with that. I have a good working knowledge of what it takes to see our city progress. I've seen our city grow by 50 percent from 1990 to 2000 and 104 percent from 2000 to 2010."
Crabtree said he believes his greatest asset is his knowledge of business and economic development.
"I think we've seen a lot of change over the years. We've seen development in the Police and Fire departments. The Fire Department has gone from purely volunteer to full time on-site staff. We're constantly changing," Crabtree said. "Just to change for the sake of change is not always the right thing to do. It has to be for the betterment of the community."
"I think I've done both -- adapted to and facilitated -- the change. Some of it may have come no matter who was here, but I think I've had a hand in a lot of the change -- business development, for instance. Being involved in the organizations I'm in, making sure people know Pea Ridge is here and know that the opportunities are here," he said, adding that he has actively solicited businesses to make Pea Ridge home.
During Crabtree's tenure, sidewalks have been built, Weston Street has been widened and improved, road maintenance has improved, along with drainage on those roadways, the library has moved into a new, much larger building, a museum has moved into a city-owned building, Big Sugar Golf Course was built. In 1998, land was annexed bringing the land on Sugar Creek into the city. The city now requires business licenses from businesses, the water and sewer plant has been upgraded, a drainage ordinance was adopted, subdivision ordinances have been adopted and improved. Pea Ridge is now a first-class city because of population growth, he added.
Crabtree said that both he and city employees continue to improve and maintain certification for various jobs through the Arkansas Municipal League. He said he attends quarterly business meetings offered by the University of Arkansas. "I go to anything that I feel I can get something out of. You will never stop learning how to be an effective mayor. There are always changes happening -- whether local ordinances, state or federal laws. There are things you learn every single day.
"We've built a capable staff who are making things happen," he said. "They don't just fix what's wrong, but look forward to seeing what improvements they can make."
There are six department heads in the city.
He said the city's budget has increased from about $1 million when he took office to $5 or $6 million now.
"Over the years, we've worked with the Planning Commission, with developers, and encouraging them to move here and to provide green space," he said.
Crabtree recalls the incredible growth in 2006 and then the economic collapse.
"We've learned a lot. Sometimes I felt like the little Dutch boy with my finger in the dike," he said, adding that the economy began to show an improvement in 2010-2011.
"I think the city and school (officials) have worked really well together," he said.
Crabtree admitted one of his biggest surprises when he first became mayor was the number of other organizations in which he was involved as mayor. "It's more than just the city that has to be taken care of when you're in an elected position. There are several offices that you're elected to along with that," he said, citing the Regional Planning Commission as one example. "I chose to be more involved just to make sure to promote the city more."
"I still try to make sure I'm available to talk to people. I don't just work the office hours at City Hall; I'm available after hours to make a point to visit with people."
When Crabtree came into office, there were a "few computers" with "antiquated software. A lot of things were manual."
One improvement, he noted, was that water meters are now read automatically instead of manually. "That's a step we chose to take to save money. I do think my knowledge in computers has helped along that line," he said.
Crabtree was instrumental in starting the city's website, which he is currently updating, and the city's Facebook page.
Coming from a business analyst background, Crabtree said he is accustomed to looking at something from the beginning of the process to the end. "I see what is involved and everything it touches. The decisions I make are because I understand all the different pieces it touches. Sometimes you can make a decision that will cause problems in other areas," he explained. "I'm trying to see the full picture."
He admitted that some people think he doesn't act quickly enough on some things, but that he takes time to deliberate on decisions so to avoid coming back and redoing them. "Do it right the first time," he said.
Crabtree is the president of the Arkansas Municipal League this year.
"I think sometimes people don't understand the relationship we as city officials have with the State Legislature, how much involvement we have with down there. I have a lot of involvement with the state, not just local, but people over the state and in with the national Congressional members. You have to build a good working relationship with those folks. It takes time to get that done. I've built relationships and worked with them over the years, not just asking what to do for Pea Ridge, but for the state, for the county. I also have been working with county officials -- JPs, the county judge -- we all have to work together. If we can't work together, then we're not going to be able to accomplish anything."
First elected as mayor in 1994, Crabtree has served Pea Ridge both in the city and school venues. He served on the Pea Ridge School Board from 1990-1994.
When he was first elected as mayor, the position was part time. It is now a full-time position.
Crabtree, 59, is a native of Bentonville and graduated Bentonville High School in 1972. He attended Midwest Bible Institute in Houston, Texas. Crabtree retired in 2004 after 31 years with Walmart Stores Inc. He was a business analyst with the Information Systems Division.
Crabtree and his wife, Freida, have one son, Eric, and a daughter-in-law, Shelly, and two granddaughters, Mahala and Kaylea. He is a deacon at Assembly of God Church, a member of the Pea Ridge Optimist Club, chairman of the Pea Ridge National Military Park Foundation, he served on the board of directors of the Regional Chamber of Commerce, he served on MAP program, is the chair of the Benton County Regional Solid Waste District, vice president of Heritage Trail Partners, a member of the executive committee of Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission and an alternate of the Benton-County Regional Water Authority. He is on the Economic Development Committee with the National League of Cities and was appointed to the Southern Municipal Conference.
"Pea Ridge has been built over the years," he said, commending the former mayors and city leaders. "It's not anything I've done. There have been people in office -- whether mayor or council members -- who had the vision, who got us where we are. It's their blood, sweat and tears that created the pathway for us to grow. I value their wisdom and advice."
"Overall, we've got a great community -- people and businesses. It's something we can all take pride in," he said.
General News on 02/19/2014