Meet the candidates …

Marion Chamber hosts political forum

By RALPH HARDIN

ralphhardin@gmail.com

We are less than a month away from the 2022 General Election on Tuesday, Nov. 8, where a number of state, county and local races will be decided.

Along with many familiar names on the ballot, voters will notice several new contenders throwing their hats in to the political ring this election cycle. To help put some faces to those names, the Marion Chamber of Commerce took the opportunity recently to host a political candidates’ forum as part of its Power Hour (and-ahalf) luncheon series on Friday, Sept. 9, at the Marion Performing Arts Center, inviting candidates to come and meet the public and give some insight into their goals and plans.

Marion Chamber Executive Director Tracy Brick, who is running unopposed to replace outgoing Mayor of Marion Frank Fogleman, addressed the crowd to open the luncheon and introduce some of her plans for the city going forward.

“I think we are poised for some major, major growth,” said Brick. “So, as I’ve told some of our department heads, I don’t want to make it ‘easy’ to do business in Marion. I want to make it more simple. I want to make it more streamlined.”

Brick said that when someone comes to the city with an opportunity, it is clear what is expected and available.

“When someone that comes in that wants to come in and move a business here or open up a business or build a house or make a development that we make that simple for them,” Brick said. “That they know who to talk to, where to go and how to take care of that.”

Brick then turned the microphone over to the candidates who were in attendance, going down the list in alphabetical order, beginning with County Clerk Paula Brown who is seeking re-election.

“I have been with the county government since 2000, becoming County Clerk in 2013,” said Brown. “I appreciate everyone coming out today and I want to remind everyone to vote in November and I would appreciate your support.”

Up next was Chris Crain, a candidate for Marion City Attorney, who is a homegrown candidate who is a _rst-time of_ce seeker.

“I graduated from Marion High School in 1984,” said Crain, who spent time as a prosecutor after graduating from law school from the University of Arkansas in 1991, in Benton County and Osceola.

“I’ve done everything from serve arrest warrants, attend murder scenes, worked trials,” said Crain. “I’ve been in private practice since 1995, representing FedEx, Auto Zone, Valero … If I can give them advice, I’m sure I can give the city council advice and represent the city.”

Adam Cupples was next to speak. Cupples, another _rst-time candidate, is running for Marion City Council. He presented his candidacy as a move to help families in the community, including his own.

“I’ve lived here most of my life,” he said. “We are currently raising two little girls. We planted Cross Community Church. We started that eight years ago, so God has been good to us. In running for city council, I believe I can help move this city forward. I think this is a good place. I think Marion and all of Crittenden County has tremendous potential.”

“Hello, my name is Ellen Foote and I am the county tax collector and I have been for the past 23 years.”

That was Ellen Foote’s introduction to the crowd.

“I’ve been with the county for 33 years, so my whole life has been with the county government,” she said. “I do not have an opponent,

See CANDIDATES, page A3

With longtime State Senator Keith Ingram stepping down at the end of his term, one of the candidates to fill his seat in Terry Fuller, who addressed the crowd at the Marion Chamber’s candidate forum. Fuller will face off with Reginald Murdock in the November vote.

Photo by Ralph Hardin CANDIDATES

From page A1

but I look forward to working with you all for the next four years.”

Next to speak was Sonia Fonticiella, candidate for Prosecuting Attorney for the 2nd Judicial District. Fonticiella was in a three-way race in the May primaries that ended with no candidate receiving a majority. Because it is a non-partisan election, the runoff between Fonticiella and Martin Lilly for that position will be held in conjunction with the November General Election.

Fonticiella thanked the Chamber for inviting her. She noted that the Second Judicial District includes six counties, including not only Crittenden but also Clay, Craighead, Greene, Mississippi and Poinsett counties.

“So if you know anyone who lives in any of those counties, I would love for you to share with them my platform,” she said. “I really want make sure that our prosecuting attorney’s office is run with honesty, ethics and integrity, and that we’re promoting equal justice for all. I want to get tougher on violent crime. I know you all have had some pretty big scares recently, and I’m tired of seeing it.”

Fonticiella touted her experience with the world of criminal justice.

“I’ve been a defense lawyer for 14 years almost now and I’ve seen too many people who are committing these violent crimes get probation or suspended sentences for a long time,” she said. “On the flip-side of that, I also see a lot of mental health issues, drug addiction issues… and I’ve got some good solutions for those things.”

Fonticiella said most of her experience has been in federal court and said she wants to take that experience and apply it to the Second Judicial District.

“We want to run that office more of the way the U.S. Attorney’s office is run in Little Rock,” she said, “and I would love to have your votes in November.”

Terry Fuller was next to speak. Fuller is seeking to fill the seat being vacated by longtime local and state lawmaker Sen. Keith Ingram who is not seeking re-election for the Senate District 9 seat.

“If you know me, there are three things that are going to come to bear: work, family and service to the community,” Fuller said. “I’ve had a lot of different ways I’ve been able to give back to my community, mostly in Phillips County. The Lord has really blessed me.”

Fuller said he serves on a number of agricultural boards and committees and board in the region and across the state, including President of the Arkansas Seed Growers Association, Helena Health Foundation and the Marvell Methodist Church.

“Family… I’m really proud of my family,” he said. “My wife, two daughters… I’m a farmer. I run a seed business. I’ve been there 42 years. I do a lot of business here in Crittenden County. I say I’m not a politician but I do say I’m a public servant. I appreciate any consideration you all would give me for Senate District 9.

Up next was Taylor Guy, running unopposed for Marion City Council.

“Luckily, I’m unopposed,” he said. “I feel like this city can go a lot farther, reiterating some of the things Ms. Tracy said. There’s nothing against anyone who’s been here a long time. I think there’s a generational gap. It’s time for us to stand up a little bit. I think we can work together and go forward. I’m about to have my first baby, if we can keep pushing everything in the right direction and opening doors, I’m all in.”

Monte Hodges took the spotlight next. Hodges is seeking to unseat U.S. Rep. Rick Crawford in the race for the United States House of Representatives Arkansas District 1 race. Hodges is currently in the Arkansas State Legislature, representing Mississippi County and surrounding areas, including the northern tip of Crittenden County.

“One of the things that I did as a state legislator for my first term was deliver the incentive package that brought Big River Steel to Osceola. That $1 billion seed has now evolved into a $4 billion project with U.S. Steel combining with them.”

Hodges acknowledges that the 1st Congressional District is “the poorest district” and wants to take steps to address that.

“The blessing that we’ve had in Mississippi County – I call it the Mississippi County Miracle – I want to take that blessing and move it throughout the First Congressional corridor,” he said. “I want to be a voice for all the people of the First District.”

P.J. Cox spoke next on behalf of Marion City Coucilwoman Sherry Holliman who was unable to attend due to an illness. Cox gave a short statement on behalf her friend, saying that Holliman “says it’s an honor to serve the people of Marion and that she would appreciate support for her as she seeks another term.”

Kim Hollowell, the Crittenden County Assessor, is unopposed in her re-election bid, said she is looking forward to continuing to work with county tax collector Ellen Foote to serve the county. She then thanked the voters for continuing to support her efforts.

Crittenden County Justice of the Peace Lisa O’Neal then offered a word of support for fellow JP candidate Albert Marconi and his candidacy before deferring to Marion City Council candidate Brad Moore.

“Unlike my two opponents, I am an implant to the Marion community, however, my family has been in Crittenden County for decades,” Moore said. “My wife and I have two kids in the Marion School District. I have been in public service for over 19 years, 11 of those working for the Marion Fire Department. I’ve got a lot of experience working with the state legislature, appointed by Governor Asa Hutchinson to the Arkansas Fire Protection Services Board. I also serve as the legislative chairman for the Arkansas Firefighters Association. I help move bills through the state legislature to improve on the safety and other things that go along with fire services in the state of Arkansas.”

Part of that effort included $14 million in upgrades to the Firefighter Academy. Moore said he hopes to bring that type of experience to the city council and improve the city’s economic development, public safety and infastructure.

Another city council candidate Dr. Ray Nassar, was up next. Nassar touted his longtime presence in the community.

“I’m a lifelong resident of Marion,” he said. “To give you an idea of how long that is, I was a member of the last graduating class of the Spartans for Marion, before they became the Patriots.”

Nassar listed his credentials as a school teacher, coach and administrator, during which time he wrote and received millions of dollars in grants and said he thinks his background in education would be a great benefit as a member of the city council.

“The reason I’m running, to be honest with you, if you’ve never tried to put a business into Marion, you really need to study long and hard before you do,” said Nassar. “It’s a difficult process, and like Ms. Brick said earlier, it’s going to get easier. That’s one of my goals. My other goal… I thing improving our roads. The crews doing repairs, they need some training. We’ve got some Guinness World Record potholes in the city.”

Nassar also stressed the need to support the Marion Animal Shelter, going so far as to pledge “most of my salary” to support the shelter. He concluded his time by urging those in attendance to support the mayoral candidacy of Wayne Croom in West Memphis.

“He needs your support as well,” said Nassar. “Thank you for your time.”

Michelle Schwartz, also seeking a seat on the Marion City Council, was up next. She said that unlike many other candidates who had spoken, she was “not a Marion lifer.”

“My husband Jeff and I chose to move here 15 years ago,” Schwartz said. “We chose to move here 15 years ago. We saw growth potential in the community and I still see growth potential in this community. If you see my signs around town, they say ‘Working for our future,’ because we are working for our future. We have two small children.”

Schwartz said that she describes herself as someone who finds a problem and “dives in headfirst until I can fix it,” such as writing a grant to beautify the Herbert Carter Global Community school, working with CASA in Crittenden County to help children in the foster program, and working as a pediatric nurse, stressing her focus on making the community safe for children.

She also noted another item she wants the city to work on.

“A thing we need to work on in Marion is making it transparent,” said Schwartz. “What we are doing, what we are moving forward with. I know a lot of our community is very frustrated with not knowing what takes place… I know that it’s time to move into the “social” age with this next generation that is coming up.”

Crittenden County Coroner candidate Greg Shea was up next, also championing the need for change.

“I’ve been a Crittenden County resident for 30 years,” said Shea. “I live in Horseshoe Lake, with 15 years on the Fire Department there, and now I work for the Shelby County Medical Examiner’s Office. Just want to ask for everyone’s support. I think the Coroner’s office could stand to be a part of that change.”

County Treasurer, unopposed in the upcoming election, simply thanked voters for their continued support before yielding the floor to Quorum Court candidate Robert “R.J.” Thorne Jr.

“I want to be an example for this generation,” he said. “For younger people to know that they can have a voice, they can have a say, they can jump into politics. This community is special to me. That’s why I want to get a seat on the Quorum Court. That’s a stepping stone for me to get into other positions and continue to serve.”

Rachel Vaughn, a candidate for Marion City Attorney, spoke next, said she “fell in love with this place” when she moved to Marion 14 years ago with her family. She said she has practiced law “in just about every area you can think of” and she is currently the president of the County Bar Association.

“I also have the pleasure of to teach out at the college and have for several years,” said Vaughn. “I sponsor their student government association, wrote their constitution, helped them start their elections and I’m really proud of that.”

Concluding the panel was Crittenden County Coroner William Wolfe, seeking re-election, who extolled his credentials for the audience.

“Retired Lieutenant Colonel, 23 years of service. I have served the county for 15 years. One of the things I pride myself on is timeliness, honesty, integrity and compassion,” said Wolfe. “That’s what we need here in Crittenden County.”

Second Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney candidate Sonia Fonticiella spoke at the candidate forum, stressing the need to get tougher on violent criminals as part of her campaign platform. She will face Martin Lilly in November to decide that race.

Photos by Ralph Hardin

Like many candidates who are unopposed this November, County Treasurer Matt Thompson spoke at the candidate forum to simply thank voters for their continued support and invite them to remain involved in moving the county forward.