MonticelloLive

Here are the comments made by City Council candidates Thursday night at the NAACP Meet the Candidates Event.

Candiates for City Council, Ward 2, position 1 are Andrea Jo Chambers and incumbent, Carolyn Brown.

Andrea Jo Chambers, who has lifelong roots in Monticello, is a former Centerpoint Energy (Arlka Gas) employee understands how it feels when your job leaves town without you.  She plans to base her decisions on what Monticello citizens want, and says, “together, we can make a difference.”

Carolyn Brown, was the Drew County Treasurer for 24 years, before retiring, and being elected to the City Council.  Brown told those present, “Public trust must be earned”, and mentioned her support for projects for the youth and senior citizens.  She commented that we need to have more to offer industries, like a clean town, with pride and respect. 

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Local businessman, Gary “the breadman” Pruitt is seeking the Ward 2, position 2 seat on the City Council, currently held by Claudia Hartness.

Gary “the Breadman” Pruitt has kept the same job for 40 years, and was born in the same church that he votes in.

Pruitt told the group that there used to be “Monticello”, and then there was “the east end”.  He added that he’s glad it’s just “Monticello” now.   He said that the tax-payers should be considered as the “employers” and the city council as the “employees”.  He told the group that with his job, he’s always out in the public, and that he has learned that sometimes, “experience can become a habit.”

Claudia Hartness told those attending, that she has been on the city council for 25 years.  “I love politics, and I love government”, she commented.  “There are many more streets to be paved,” she added, and then mentioned the ”need to provide a very careful management plan for the usage of the 15 year tax.”  Hartness describes Monticello as a “most wonderful place to live.  “I was educated here, and make my living here.”

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Stephanie Hill is running for the Ward 3, position 1 position of Raymond Hubbard.  Hubbard was present at the City Council meeting earlier in the evening, but, unlike the other council members, did not attend to function.

Stephanie Hill, told the group that before she decided to run, that she had never met her opponent.  Hill said, “I want to meet people.  I want to see Monticello grow.”  Hill has been involved in the local youth softball and soccer programs.  She is employed with by the State of Arkansas.

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Dentist Tim Chase is seeking re-election, against his challenger, Charlie Davis, for Ward 4, position 2.

Tim Chase grew up in Monticello, and was born in the old hospital on North Main Street.  He attended Monticello schools, and then UAM, before dental school at the Univ. of Tennessee at Memphis, and then had his residency at the Univ. of Kentucky.  He added that his business has been in the same location since 1991.

“Monticello is on my mind all the time,” and added that, the council has “made some good decisions.”

Charles Davis is a disabled veteran, and a retired accountant, who feels that his financial and business experience will be useful as a council member.  Davis worked at MonArk Boats, before beginning his 20 year long career at Bemis in Crossett.

Davis has recently opened “Charlie D’s” seafood  restaurant on HWY 278 East, with his son and daughter-in-law.  Davis also mentioned, “the best thing that Monticello has to offer, is it’s people”, he also discussed the need for industries and fuel costs.