To inform voters about their campaigns and proposals, The Saline Courier asked each candidate 10 questions. Each of their responses follows.
1. Why did you decide to run for mayor?
Dabbs: "Looking at the great progress Bryant has made over the past four years, I believe strongly that our current path is the correct path, the positive path, a path that perpetuates our dreams for Bryant’s future. I want to continue leading Bryant on this positive path together with the citizens of Bryant."
Cox: "When I was medically retired as fire chief, I had so many more goals that I wanted to accomplish, so my family and I talked and we decided that I would run for city alderman. It was during my term as an alderman that I saw the mismanagement of the city and our employees firsthand.
"I got the opportunity to speak with a lot of our citizens and the overwhelming complaint has been that they are tired of being in the news for all the wrong reasons, and so my family and I again talked and decided that we were in a unique position to fix these issues and that I needed to run for mayor. I feel that I can make a difference and my experience and record can attest to that."
Henley: "I decided to run for mayor because I enjoy helping the citizens of Bryant. After six years as alderman, I wanted to bring my experience and education to the position of mayor."
2. What makes you the best candidate?
Dabbs: "Under my leadership, the city’s interest has been the focus of my administration’s efforts and achievements. From two years’ worth of community surveys and looking at the numerous awards the city has won recently in the areas of street connectivity, improved public safety, quality of life and technology advancements, the answer is crystal clear. "My administration has been focused on the city’s interest and leading our city to realize its full potential while eliminating wasteful spending and streamlining processes."
Cox: "I think I am the best candidate, because I am a leader and a public servant. We need a leader who will operate our city in a business-like manner, roll up their sleeves and get the job done and I will do just that. I have been in the business of managing people and budgets for over 32 years and the experience and knowledge I gained from that is just what our city needs.
"For 13 years I served as fire chief, where I worked seamlessly with four different mayors, multiple councils and work groups. I can work with anyone. While I was chief, the department finished at or under budget every year. I will bring these management skills and fiscal responsibility to the highest position in the city. No one will work harder to restore respect to this town and make its people again proud to live in Bryant."
Henley: "I believe what makes me the best candidate for the job is the fact that I have six years of experience with Bryant's city government, degrees in political science and business/human resources, and owned and operated three small businesses here in Bryant.
"During my six years as alderman I have had the opportunity to meet many citizens around the city and understand their vision for Bryant."
3. What experience do you have in a leadership role?
Dabbs: "Prior to being elected mayor of Bryant, I was the chief operating manager of our family-owned business, Back
"I was the first elected official of Bryant to ever receive the designation of a Certified Municipal Official through the continuing education provided by the Arkansas Municipal League. I was appointed to serve on the Workers Compensation Board for the Municipal League and to National League of Cities Community and Economic Development Steering Committee. I also serve on the Metroplan board of Central Arkansas.
"One of my greatest strengths as a leader is collaborating with and encouraging others to use their skills for the greater good of our community. Over the past four years I have had the privilege of being a part of, promoting, opening doors of opportunity, and encouraging others to join and lead in the following organizations. Each of these organizations are thriving and making an incredible difference in our community.
"I am a charter member of Women in Networking for Saline County, advocated for the formation of the BEE Coalition to support and advance early childhood education in Bryant, formed the Mayor’s Youth Advisory Committee for Bryant to give our teens better opportunities to make a difference in their community and to let their voices be heard.
"Saline Green is in its infancy, but in the near future, it will make a significant impact for our community regarding energy savings. Keep Bryant Beautiful and the River City Garden Club have worked closely with the city on multiple grants and beautification projects including the adoption a street program, flash trails, dumpster days, and general cleanup projects around our city. The historical society of Bryant is thriving along with the Bryant Senior Adult Center and the Bryant Boys
Cox: "As I said before I have over 32 years’ experience in different forms of management. Being in a leadership role for that long is unique. I have been in charge in good times and bad. Anyone can step up and lead when things are going well; it’s a whole different animal during times of adversity. Take as an example about six years ago when the firefighters association issued a vote of no confidence in me. A lot of people are going to look at that and say how is this an example of good leadership?
"It is what happened after that, the part most people don’t know, when we worked together to address the issues that the association had. I worked with them and came to a common ground and rebuilt the relationship that we once had so much so that they later came back and retracted their statement and issued a complete vote of confidence. I am also humbled to say that many of the people who issued the vote of no confidence are people who have volunteered individually to help me with my campaign and have been a driving force on my street team.
"That is just one example of being a leader and working with the people to turn a negative into a positive. That is leadership under fire, and that is the leadership experience I can bring to the mayor’s office."
Henley: 'I have spent the last six years as a leader and representative of Ward 3 citizens in Bryant. I have also owned three small businesses that required management of multiple employees, payroll, human resources, billing and accounting."
4. How would you like to impact the city of Bryant, if you are elected?
Dabbs: "It is my desire to continue the positive progress through the continued collaboration with all the many wonderful organizations, schools, chamber, businesses, and nonprofits that work so hard to carry out our community's vision for Bryant. In addition, I want to keep the momentum going to provide the best services to the citizens of Bryant without raising taxes and within a balanced budget."
Cox: "I would absolutely adopt a citizen’s first approach with city issues. My favorite thing about public service has always been talking with the people and I intend on bringing that with me all the way to the mayor’s office. I would establish a completely open-door policy for the mayor’s office and increase public access to the department heads.
"Bryant has seen tremendous growth in the last 10 years. I want to work with our citizens to ensure that Bryant has everything it needs to facilitate that growth. I want to add new amenities to our city and parks, such as a skate park and bring back festivals to replace those we lost to Benton and making all of our parks and facilities handicapped accessible bringing back a sense of community within the city."
Henley: "If elected. I would stop the deficit spending and complete the projects that the citizens of Bryant have already approved. Specifically, I would make it a priority to build the two fire stations that the voters approved in 2013. I would also bring a common sense approach to fixing Boone Road and Springhill Road.
5. What do you think are "big issues" or things that need to be fixed in Bryant?
Dabbs: "We must continue to work on improving street connectivity in order to keep our safety and quality of life at the standard we have come to expect while our community continues to expand. It is also important that we take on a more regional mindset when it comes to growth and long term visions and plans for our future."
Cox:We are grossly mismanaging our funds, our employees are treated as second-class citizens and every time you turn on the news we are involved in some controversy. In 2013 the city overspent its general budget by more than $1.2 million, of which $186,000 is still unaccounted for. This year we continue to overspend our budget while revenues are over 4 percent lower than projected. I want to get our spending under control, operate under a balanced budget, and regain the respect that Bryant used to have before we became draped in controversy."
Henley: "The big issue I hear when talking to citizens around Bryant is the water/wastewater rates."
6. How do you plan to fix those issues?
Dabbs: "We have a great master street plan developed by professional planners. Over the past four years we have completed two very vital connectors. We must continue on this path while being diligent to acquire the needed funding without raising taxes to continue this progress. Quality of life and economic development will follow the street if the street is built right.
"Regionalism will be accomplished through strategic planning with surrounding municipalities and counties. We must be unwavering in our desire to tear down the silos in order to develop strategic partnerships and collaborate effectively. This will allow our region to be more competitive on a global basis."
Cox: "By implementing a comprehensive business plan, creating a common sense budget and requiring internal monthly audits of revenues and expenditures in all departments. Most importantly, by rolling my sleeves up, thinking outside the box and working with our Chamber of Commerce and businesses to bring economic development to Bryant. I would also work closely and keep an open communication with City Council members, department heads, committee members, and employees."
Henley: "My plan is to look at alternative ways to offset these rates. The city of Bryant owns a future water supply in Lake DeGray. Currently the city has no way to get the water to Bryant. Until there is a water line to bring water to the city of Bryant, I believe that we should sell this excess water reserve in order to offset our water rates here in Bryant."
7. What has been your proudest moment/ best accomplishment during your time in city government?
Dabbs: "Realizing that all that was promised in my inaugural campaign had been accomplished. It was important to me from the beginning to accomplish what I had committed to with no regard for personal political gain. With the help of an incredible team at City Hall, that was done. We are a more transparent, accessible local government and better connected to those we serve via improved technology and an intense customer service training program.
"We addressed storm water issues, improved our public safety departments, purchased a new police fleet and two very needed fire trucks, built two new roads and improved many others. We also kept pace with our water/wastewater projects in order to keep up with our current and future growth. In addition to all of that, we have increased our park programming and renovated Mills Park pool, completed the Splash Pad, and brought Frisbee Golf to Bishop Park."
Cox: "That’s a tough question. When you have been involved as long as I have, especially in the capacity I have been where you have such a direct impact on people’s lives. There are truly too many to count. I was pretty proud when we got our ISO 2, everyone worked so hard for that and it was really good to see it happen. (ISO — Insurance Services Organization — is the rating used to determine insurance rates within the city based of fire protection, with 1 being the best.)
"The dedication ceremony for the new Public Safety Building — that was a big moment for me again because so many people worked so hard for it and we got it under budget. Outside of the Fire Department, I was awarded a Hometown Hero award from the Boys
Henley: "The proudest moment I have had on the city council would be when we acquired the water reserves out of Lake DeGray. I believe this was a great deal for the citizens of Bryant now and future of our children."
8. Is there any information out there about you that you think is misleading? If so, why?
Dabbs: "My opponents continue to cry wolf on the state of the city’s finances. During 2013, about $1.3 million in reserves was allocated by the city council via the budget for worthy projects that benefited our city. Some of these include stormwater resolutions, new streets such as Echo Lake Boulevard and Sheaff Avenue, new city software for improved efficiency, transparency and collaboration, renovation of Mills Park Pool, remodeled section of City Hall to improve efficiencies in the finance department, and many others.
"These are called capital improvement projects. My opponents have recently voiced concern over the fact that we have spent some of our reserves. This is the purpose for having reserves. When we operate responsibly managing our budget, our reserves grow and we, in turn, can reinvest them back into our city.
"Our monthly operating budget is what it takes to turn on the lights and pay our employees. These annual expenses should always be below our annual revenue so that the remainder goes back into reserves for future projects. We are fiscally sound and we should be proud of the projects we have approved for funding and completed over the past two years. The city employees deserve the credit for executing and completing these projects within budget and on time."
Cox: "There are a couple of things going around. I think it’s mostly just people telling the headline and not really knowing the story. Many people have heard that I was wrongfully charged with the theft of funds collected for 9/11 victims, but few know that the charges were based on falsified statements made by a disgruntled employee who had been previously terminated and fueled by political agendas. There was no wrongdoing or criminal intent involved and I was found without doubt to be not guilty.
"People are going to have their opinions and unfortunately being wrongfully accused is a part of my past, but it’s something I have put behind me and there’s a reason a rear-view mirror is only 4 inches wide and a windshield is 4 feet wide. It is what’s ahead that’s important and that’s where I’m looking."
Henley: "No."
9. How do you feel about your campaign so far?
Dabbs: "I feel great because I can stand firm on my record. I am very proud of all that has been accomplished during my administration, and I am enjoying sharing these accomplishments with as many residents as possible throughout the campaign. I know that Bryant is better now than it was four years ago and this has been expressed by so many residents as I have visited with them."
Cox: "We feel as good as you can about a political campaign. You can never truly feel 100 percent about it until the votes are counted, but we’re where we want to be. I have a great team and they’re all working as hard as anyone could ever ask them to. We have got a really good core following and despite what some opponents think, we have maintained a clean race based on facts. We’re really looking forward to early voting and getting to talk to more citizens about the impact we hope to make in our city."
Henley: "I feel great about my campaign so far. I have had the opportunity to meet some great people. It reminds me why I love to live in Bryant."
10. If residents could only take away one thing about your campaign, what would it be.
Dabbs: "If I overheard a resident talking about my campaign I would hope they would say, 'It is refreshing to see an elected official focused on their record and how they are going to continue to lead our city. I truly believe Mayor Jill Dabbs loves our city, has a great vision for Bryant’s future and the ability and energy to carry out that vision.'”
Cox: "I am invested in Bryant. I have lived here with my wife for 29 years; my daughter lives here, my son and his wife live here, my foster son lives here and all three of my grandkids are in the Bryant School system. Bryant is my home. I have dedicated my life to the service of Bryant; I ask that you allow me the opportunity to continue that service. No one will work harder for this city. Period."