finishing lines
By Steve Watkins, Photo By Dero Sanford

WIDE OPEN FIELD

The next mayor of Jonesboro is going to have a very big job.

As far as commentary on local issues goes, that may be the understatement of the year.

Nearly a month after Jonesboro Mayor Doug Formon’s New Year’s Day surprise announcement that he would not seek a second term we’ve yet to see even the first candidate make an official announcement that he or she will seek to become Formon’s successor in the November. But make no mistake, the groundwork is being laid and the options are being weighed among several potential contenders.

More than a dozen individuals have at least considered the possibility of offering themselves up to become the city’s next chief executive. Several are reaching out to lay the groundwork for commitments of support. A few have already begun actively raising money, and those who are serious foresee campaign costs running as high as $150,000. Most, however, are waiting to see what everyone else is going to do. For about a half dozen of them, it has all the makings of a world championship chess match that would make the late Bobby Fischer proud. Who will make their move when and how, could alter the dynamic of the field of candidates in any number of ways.

Serious contenders all acknowledge the significance of the task at hand for Jonesboro’s next mayor. Chief among those tasks, many agree, is the importance of depoliticizing city government and mending counterproductive relationships and animosity between the mayor’s office, city council members and city departments. It’s not just a fine tune-up that’s needed, they say. It’s more akin to a major overhaul.

EARLY POTENTIALS

Look for formal announcements to begin as early as the first week of February. Until then, here’s a quick look at those are considering a mayoral run.

Alec Farmer – It’s not the first time this former city alderman has considered a run for mayor. Because of unresolved legal issues stemming from Farmer’s attempt to check a handgun at New York’s LaGuardia Airport, Farmer says he can’t comment on political aspirations for the moment. However, a January 23 letter distributed to previous political supporters clearly indicates Farmer’s ongoing interest in public service.

Dan Pierce – Runner-up to Formon four years ago, Pierce is interested, but “waiting on the dust to settle” to further explore another bid.

Harold Perrin – A 14-year veteran of city government, Perrin is in the “exploratory” stage, but will make a decision within the next month.

Chris Thyer – A term-limited state representative from Jonesboro, Thyer is unable to say with certainty what his likelihood of running may be, but he speaks as someone who is carefully thinking through the challenges (both short- and long-term) that would be before any candidate.

Gene Vance – A former alderman and construction industry leader, Vance is seriously looking at a mayoral run. If Vance can come to terms with commitments he has made to a number of business clients, he’ll be even more seriously in the mix.

Jason Willett – This former district director to U.S. Rep. Marion Berry has already set up his campaign account. Watch for an announcement soon.

Ken Yarbrough – A longtime local businessman, Yarbrough is intrigued with the challenges before Jonesboro’s next mayor and feels as though he has something to offer. He’s in a holding pattern for now, but says he’ll make a decision by Memorial Day.

Other candidates either on the fringe, or who have ruled out a race altogether include: Nancy Chrisman, Gary Harpole, Henry Jones III and Cecil Province.

While these, and perhaps more, candidates think through the possibilities for a Jonesboro mayoral race in 2008, in the end, we’re likely to see only three to five candidates actually make their way into the mix. As the leading candidates shape their campaigns early on, commitments for financial support will be made relatively quickly and the resources for waging competitive campaigns will narrow in a hurry.

You’ll see candidates talk about two important issues during this campaign: re-establishing productive working relations among the different branches of city government, and the need for a more regional approach to economic development. The candidates who can persuade voters about their ability to best maneuver these issues will be in the running.

It may be equally as interesting over the next few months to see what candidates emerge as potential city aldermen. Will voters be satisfied with the degree of change that will come from transition in the mayor’s office, or will they also look to make changes among this elected body to whom they have previously demonstrated their desire for something different.

For all of us, the stakes are high in this election. Anything less than a committed, energetic, visionary city government during the next five to 10 years will be a failure to realize the potential that is before us.

This is not the last time we’ll address the direction of our city government. Stay tuned.

You can always write me at steve@jonesborooccasions.com