Letters to the editor

Candidate holds meet and greet

On Friday, the promise of homemade cinnamon rolls was used to lure us to Wall Farms for a meeting with candidates for the upcoming election. I was a bit disappointed to see so few turn out, but in spite of that, there were between 12 and 15 folks present. We had a very pleasant time getting acquainted and re-acquainted.

Mr. Ken Hayes of the Water Department gave a very professional and informative presentation about the Water Department and the services it provides to the residents of our city and surrounding areas. He is a wealth of information and was happy to answer any and all questions we had for him. Thanks Ken and Mike Nida for taking time out of your busy schedules to come and talk with us.

Questions were asked of candidates Mechel Wall and Bob Cottingham and I believe everyone felt they were given good and genuinely honest answers to their questions. The only problem I had with the meeting was the fact that so few candidates attended. They missed a great chance to get to visit with some citizens and voice their opinions about various subjects presented. I really believe the people want some personal contact with their candidates. They want to believe that a city official will listen to them and hear some of their ideas, suggestions and concerns.

There will be future meetings and more chances for the candidates to introduce themselves, and I sincerely hope they will take advantage of those opportunities.

I just want everyone to know that you missed a very informative and cordial evening at the Wall Farm with some great people. I'm looking forward to the next one and would encourage all citizens to come join the next "Meet and Greet" with your city's candidates. Watch your paper and other notices of when, where and time.

And just so you know, the cinnamon rolls were deeelicious! Thank you, Mechel.

Sue CottinghamPea Ridge, Ark.

Sanders withdraws

To all the great people of Pea Ridge, family and friends,

Having served on the City Council in this great city of Pea Ridge for the last four years, I have learned a lot about politics, city growth and how to manage a wide array of city level responsibilities. I have met some very amazing people with fantastic ideas and have seen a lot of great projects and changes happen here.

I came in as the "new guy" with some doubts as to what king of job i would be able to do, and new ideas for the great people of our community and the city that I have grown to love. I believe that the city is on the right track to be able to manage the growth and prosperity that the future will bring, and I am proud that I have been able to help with that management. I see great things for the future of Pea Ridge.

After a long look at my family goals, business goals and possible political goals, I have decided to remove myself from the current run for a second term on the City Council. My family and I have prayed and discussed our endeavors and I do not believe that I could inject the time and focus needed to maintain my need for "perfection" on all fronts at this time. I hold myself to a level that I cannot maintain if I stretch myself too thin and would not want that level to be any less than the best I can provide for Pea Ridge and its citizens.

I want to thank Mayor Jackie Crabtree, our current City Council members, the Planning Commission members, city employees and all my neighbors, friends and family in Pea Ridge for your guidance and trust during my first term. I will continue to finish out my current term and will still be available to continue to help in any capacity that I can allow in the future.

Many of our citizens have asked for change, so in a way, I hope I am answering that call. We have the opportunity to move forward in unprecedented ways. Steady leadership from Mayor Crabtree coupled with fresh ideas from young men like Cody Keene and Matt Ahart will allow us to preserve our rich history, while ensuring a lasting legacy as our small community continues to grow.

Lance S. SandersAlderman, Ward 2, Position 2Pea Ridge, Ark.

Editorial on 09/19/2018