Incumbent city officials have opponents in election.
Seeking the City Clerk/Recorder position are incumbent Sandy Button and Michael Kelley.
In Pea Ridge, for Ward 1, Position 2, incumbent Bob Cottingham and Matt Ahart are seeking the seat.
For Ward 2, Position 2, Cody Keene is running. Incumbent Lance Sanders who originally filed for re-election, will be on the ballot, but said he is not running and would resign if elected.
City Council
• Ward 1, Position 2
Bob Cottingham, 69, moved to Pea Ridge in 1982. He retired from Walmart Aviation in July 2017 after 18 years, Walmart PMDC after 13 years. Cottingham was appointed to the City Council in 2005 and has been re-elected twice.
"I love this city and its citizens and want to give back to this city a little bit of all it has given to my family and I over the years," Cottingham said. "I feel I can best do this by representing the people I think so highly of by being involved in our city government. Striving to listen to what they want, need and desire to help our city grow and improve not only for ourselves, but most importantly for the future of our children and further generations."
Matt Ahart, 38, moved to Pea Ridge in 2015. A native of Newport, he moved to northwest Arkansas in 2006.
"We decided we were going to stay in northwest Arkansas," Ahart said. "We love it here... We like the hometown feel, we like the school systems... What I want to contribute is to develop a team-like atmosphere among the city officials and with the public as well. I want the public to know that if I am elected, my door will always be open," he said.
• Ward 2, Position 2
Lance S. Sanders, 49, moved to Arkansas in 1993 and to Pea Ridge in 2006. He was elected to the City Council four years ago. He announced his withdrawel from the race in September, after ballots had been printed. His name will be on the ballot, he said he will resign if elected. If he is elected and then resigns, the mayor and City Council would appoint someone to fill the seat.
Cody Keene, 30, project manager and estimator at Dean Crowder Construction, and his wife own the Branded K, an event center north of town.
"I've grown up here all my life and I think we've done great things with our city," Keene said. "I think there's the next level we can reach. We need some younger people who can take it to the next level.
City Clerk
City Hall office manager, chief court clerk and incumbent city clerk, Sandy Button, 64, has held the City Clerk position since 1985, except for a five-year hiatus from 2000-2005.
"I have enjoyed working for the city of Pea Ridge for over 40 years," Button said. "I love my job and I love to do it and I love my community."
Michael Aaron Kelley, 47, is an accountant.
"I love Pea Ridge," Kelley said. "There are lots of good things going on here and I think there are great possibilities. I look forward to opportunities to make the relationship of residents and City Hall a little better and make it a really positive experience when people go to City Hall."
General News on 10/31/2018