Hard to Go Wrong in Conway

Friday’s editorial takes a look at Conway’s ballot:

Watching Barbara Blain-Olds, Larry White and Randy Alford in their interview with the editorial board last week, the trio’s deep affection for Conway and its residents was infectious. Asked what they loved about the river town, the three enthusiastically jumped on the question, talking over each other, laughing and smiling in their excitement to talk about their beloved city. All three used glowing terms to describe the good people who live in town, the community feeling the town has built and the personal responsibility each feels for giving back to the place they’ve embraced. In short, it’s home.

It’s exactly that instinct that gives us no qualms about recommending all three for election. When it comes to leaders, however, Conway has an embarrassment of riches. Current council members Tom Anderson and Vivian Chestnut would also make fine choices for any voter. It’s almost a shame that the city has only three council seats to fill. All five have served on the council in the past and all five have the experience and knowledge of city government necessary to hit the ground running as soon as they’re elected.

Neither of the two newcomers to the race, Charlie Frye and Dale Todd, returned calls seeking a meeting, so we’re less sure about their positions. It’s worth noting, however, that the concerns of each about the city’s attitude toward businesses and zoning were also acknowledged by the other candidates.

As for the candidates we did meet, each unique strengths and each would be a valuable asset on the council. Both Blain-Olds and White are involved in social issues and genuinely committed to improving the lives of their neighbors. As not only a former council member, but also a former assistant city administrator, Blain-Olds knows the city government and the city’s issues inside and out. In talking with White, his past experience as a teacher and his love for instilling important values in the next generation comes out often.

Alford and Anderson are both successful businessmen. Alford’s keen intelligence and financial background recommend him, while Anderson is a straight-shooting problem solver who does what it takes to find solutions. Chestnut was unavailable to meet with the editorial board this time around, but her record on council shows her to be a capable candidate who would serve the city well if re-elected.

Anderson suggested in our meeting that he was in favor of term limits for city leaders, perhaps two or three terms in a row before taking some time off. In Conway at least, the idea is intriguing, if for no other reason than it would give all of these fine candidates a chance to lead their city for a while. While not all of them can win this election, we feel confident that those who go home without a seat will find another way to serve the city they love so much.

It’s exactly that instinct that gives us no qualms about recommending all three for election. When it comes to leaders, however, Conway has an embarrassment of riches. Current council members Tom Anderson and Vivian Chestnut would also make fine choices for any voter. It’s almost a shame that the city has only three council seats to fill. All five have served on the council in the past and all five have the experience and knowledge of city government necessary to hit the ground running as soon as they’re elected.

Neither of the two newcomers to the race, Charlie Frye and Dale Todd, returned calls seeking a meeting, so we’re less sure about their positions. It’s worth noting, however, that the concerns of each about the city’s attitude toward businesses and zoning were also acknowledged by the other candidates.

As for the candidates we did meet, each unique strengths and each would be a valuable asset on the council. Both Blain-Olds and White are involved in social issues and genuinely committed to improving the lives of their neighbors. As not only a former council member, but also a former assistant city administrator, Blain-Olds knows the city government and the city’s issues inside and out. In talking with White, his past experience as a teacher and his love for instilling important values in the next generation comes out often.

Alford and Anderson are both successful businessmen. Alford’s keen intelligence and financial background recommend him, while Anderson is a straight-shooting problem solver who does what it takes to find solutions. Chestnut was unavailable to meet with the editorial board this time around, but her record on council shows her to be a capable candidate who would serve the city well if re-elected.

Anderson suggested in our meeting that he was in favor of term limits for city leaders, perhaps two or three terms in a row before taking some time off. In Conway at least, the idea is intriguing, if for no other reason than it would give all of these fine candidates a chance to lead their city for a while. While not all of them can win this election, we feel confident that those who go home without a seat will find another way to serve the city they love so much.