Candidates make their cases at forum presented by Chamber

Candidates for local elected offices had a chance to introduce themselves to voters and answer questions on a variety of topics at a forum hosted by the Eureka Springs Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, Oct. 15.

City vision, economic development, effective communication and infrastructure challenges were among the topics discussed by candidates, including the three running for mayor.

The biggest response from the capacity crowd at the Eureka Springs Community Center, however, came at the end of the two-hour forum when members of the audience were able to ask hot-button questions of Mayor Butch Berry and his challengers — city council member Steve Holifield and Susan Harman, former council member and current member of the city’s planning commission.

The loudest response from the audience came after a question from Ethan Avanzino, a local business owner.

“If ICE asked the Eureka Springs Police Department for assistance, how would you want the city to respond as mayor?” Avanzino asked.

Berry responded: “I’m not in favor of our police department going out and enforcing ICE rules, if that’s what your question is.”

Harman said she was not aware of current laws regarding ICE and local governments.

“… From what I understand as a city official, you are required to follow the law,” Harman said. “We’d have to look at it. Again, I don’t know what is the law as of right now. I’d like to support the police, but I don’t know, again, what the laws are according to that.”

Holifield, who had a career as a crisis counselor with the Austin, Texas, Police Department before retiring to Eureka Springs, was more direct with his answer, drawing a raucous response.

“I think we would do whatever we could, depending on what the laws are as well,” Holifield said. “But, I say hell no, we do not do that.”

Robert Schmid, owner of Edelweiss Inn and a member of the Eureka Springs City Advertising and Promotion Commission, asked about a five-year-old lawsuit in which the city and CAPC are defendants.

“What are you going to do with that lawsuit?” Schmid asked. “Are you going to address it in 2027 so we can find a solution and close it? Or is this an ongoing thing forever?”

Berry, who is also a defendant in the suit, said he was limited on what he could say because of the ongoing case, but said it is “between the lawyers and courts right now.”

Harman repeatedly discussed ongoing lawsuits involving the city during the forum, warning of the potential consequences if the city is required to pay damages.

“It’s never a good situation when we’re in a lawsuit, because it does affect the city as a whole,” Harman said. “So, this one is a pretty big number. I believe it’s down to $17 million if I’m correct right now. If the city would have to pay any of that lawsuit towards court costs and whatever, but up to $17 million, it would totally devastate our city.”

Harman said city officials need to be mindful of their actions.

“I really think that we as a city, as commissions, as elected individuals, need to be very, very careful about how we conduct ourselves on behalf of the city so we don't get into these situations,” Harman said. “Because, you think, even if it was $500,000, think of how many sidewalks that could fix. If it’s a million dollars, think of how many water lines it could fix. And that money is just gone if we lose it that way.”

Holifield said he had proposed an ordinance requiring the city attorney to review any disciplinary action or termination involving city employees.

“This won't stop all our lawsuits,” Holifield said. “They will cut it down a lot. We should learn from our lawsuits. Of course, we can’t talk about this particular lawsuit, but we should learn from our lawsuits. If you look at a lot of these, including one of the parks, the CAPC, the hospital, a lot of them are wrongful termination, and we can work on that and make that better. We’ll probably still get sued, but I think then we’ll win at the end.”

Resident Jane Stephens, who frequently charges that the city is not in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, raised that subject at the forum.

“I’ve lived here this time for 15 years, and I am an ADA champion. This mandate was passed 34 years ago,” Stephens said. “I’ve been talking to city council for 14 years and nothing, zero, goose egg has been done since I’ve been going to city council meetings. Nothing.

“A can of blue paint and a can of white paint and stencils go a long way…”

Holifield and Berry said they felt the city is ADA compliant.

“We should go above and beyond what the … requirement is,” Holifield said. “ … I think we can do better. We should do better.”

Harman mentioned her surprise when she learned that there were no handicapped parking spots in front of the post office.

“I think there probably will be other things that would come to light if we actually … communicated with each other,” she said.

Berry pointed out the elevator that was installed in The Auditorium in recent years, and said he agreed the post office needs handicapped parking, but said that is a federal issue, not a local one.

“We’re trying to do what we can,” Berry said. “Eureka Springs is not ADA-friendly, unfortunately.”

All three mayoral candidates said they were opposed to the city having Flock cameras.

“I guess this is an issue we can all agree on,” Berry said, adding that he’s not aware of any such cameras being used in the city.

The final question came from a homeowner who said she had seen “disgusting, racist comments” posted on social media by at least one city commission member.

“We live in a city where everyone has the right with their views, and it’s like, ‘go out there, knock yourself out, let's have a conversation.’ But, when you are on the committee, and you’re supposed to represent me, you lose that right,” the woman said.

When asked what the city would do in the future to try to screen individuals who are out of line on social media, Berry said he would like the resident to call his office and report the issue so he can look into it.

Harman and Holifield, meanwhile, said holding a civic position comes with added responsibility and the application process needs to be reviewed.

COUNCIL CANDIDATES

Candidates for the one contested city council position were asked many of the same questions as the mayoral candidates, including their thoughts on infrastructure needs, housing issues and city financial responsibility.

Incumbent Harry Meyer is seeking his fifth term as council member for the Ward 3, Position 2 seat and is being challenged by local business owner Shira Fouste, chair of the CAPC.

“I’ve been a good dissenting voice on the council,” Meyer said. “I mainly have been standing up for the citizens of this city. We have a lot of representation of businesses on the council. I’m not connected to any business whatsoever. … I have no agenda whatsoever except for the betterment of this city. If there’s something that I think is not fit for the city, I will talk about it. I will be very loud about it, too …”

Fouste said she is excited for the opportunity to be a voice for residents at the council level.

“Whether I win or don’t win, it is not the concern of mine,” Fouste said. “I’m still going to do the very same things. I’m going to stand for Eureka Springs citizens for what’s right. I am going to be a safe space for LGBTQ-plus people. … For me, the most important thing … is that I put love first, and if I’m acting in love, I don’t think I can go wrong. I hope I’ll get the opportunity to represent you all, and I want you to know that you guys are a direct line to me for friendship, for comfort, for support on any city matters, and thank you for this opportunity.”

Two unopposed candidates also introduced themselves at the forum.

Incumbent Susane Gruning is running unopposed in the Ward 1, Position 2 seat and Peter Graham, a member of the city’s historic district commission, is running unopposed for Holifield’s Ward 2, Position 2 seat.

“I love this community, and I just want to do my part,” said Graham, who added that he’s lived in Eureka Springs for approximately six years. “I think as a city council member, it’s important that we come to unity, we work together, and not really have as much conflict, but find where we can, you know, connect and try to better our community and all those involved.”

Gruning said her focus is to serve all of Eureka’s diverse population from young families to business owners to retirees.

“My connection to Eureka Springs goes back to 2001 where I was both the business owner and the resident,” Gruning said. “Later … my husband and I retired here and we made Eureka Springs our full-time home, which we call our happy place. After being here, I quickly realized I did want to give back to our wonderful community that has given so much to us and hopefully make a difference, even if that difference comes in one small step at a time.

“… When I say make a difference, I mean for everyone, for families … and retirees, working residents, small business owners and our tourism community, which does help sustain our local economy. I don’t see these as competing interests. I see them as interconnected. When residents thrive, businesses benefit. When businesses succeed, our community benefits.”

Council members Terry McClung and David Avanzino, both also running unopposed, didn’t speak at the Oct. 15 forum.

CITY CLERK TREASURER

Aaron Borey, a small business owner and member of the city’s parks commission, is facing Michael Carey for the city clerk treasurer position currently being filled on a temporary basis by Kim Stryker.

“I’m extremely well-organized, analytical, task-oriented, and dedicated,” Borey said. “I believe that follow-through and honoring commitments should be done with respect, kindness, honesty and transparency.

“… This is my home. I’ve loved becoming more involved in our community over the past few years and want to continue that growth. I’m committed to dedicate the time and professionalism needed in order to succeed. Success is not about me; it’s about us, a collective whole. I’ll do my part, as little as it may be, to make sure that we continue to move our wonderful little tourist city forward.”

Carey, who said he’s been a resident of Eureka Springs for the past 12 years, is currently a “historical tour guide and concierge” for Basin Park Hotel.

Carey is Holifield’s husband.

“The most important duties as a city clerk are record-keeping and communicating with the public,” Carey said. “These are some of my strengths. The Basin Hotel acts as a second welcome center for the town. I believe myself to be more than capable to accomplish any and all of the duties needed to be done, including maintaining the city council minutes, preparing for the meeting agendas and maintaining public records. I can handle all these duties in a timely and efficient manner, and I think a good city clerk will need to be coming into the position with energy and enthusiasm and excellent organization skills …”

Carey said the clerk position has been “stripped to be pretty minimal.”

“The most important to note, I believe, is that the position no longer handles any of the financial situations, so it has been assured to us that it would be not in conflict with Steve running for mayor,” Carey said. “If you vote for me, I can assure you that I will work hard for Eureka Springs.”

COUNTY JUDGE

Carroll County Judge David Writer, a Republican candidate for re-election, did not attend the forum. His opponent, Democrat Jim Wallace, shared his vision for the county.

Wallace said he lives on the western side of the county at Inspiration Point and has a background that includes being a supervisor and trainer for the Inspiration Point Fire District for the past 13 years.

“When I step outside my front door and I look west to the horizon, I’m reminded daily of the fantastic growth of the county to the immediate west of us …,” Wallace said, referring to Benton County. “There’s so much of a growth there. Changes come, and change will continue to come to Carroll County, and we can’t predict everything, of course, but we need to plan our budgets, because we have to expect increases in overall population, cultural diversity, businesses and the demographics … and the increased use of our roads, water and labor.”

Wallace said the county needs to pay more attention to public safety and emergency resources.

“We have smart people in our community, and upon election, I will look to assemble a county judge’s advisory cabinet in the next term,” he said. “The cabinet would be put to work to use some of the best minds of our community to prepare for the future of prioritizing issues.

“Property taxpayers expect good roads regardless of where they live in the county because the U.S. Postal Service and emergency services such as ambulances and fire trucks need to get through safely,” Wallace said. “The county roads are essential for residents to commute to work and for the children to get to school. Some residents are using personal tractors to work on roads. This can be helpful, but it can also be damaging to the roads.”