Alderman Decides Against Re-Election

FARMINGTON -- Only one elected official in Farmington has announced he will not run for re-election in the Nov. 4 General Election. All others plan to file to run again.

Alderman Terry Yopp has served the city for a total of 16 years: eight years on the Farmington Planning Commission and eight years as a City Council member.

Yopp said he is not running for re-election to Ward 4, Position 1 for two reasons.

One, his job requires a lot of travel.

But the main reason, Yopp said, is that he wants to give someone else the opportunity to serve.

"I think it's important for those positions to change over time," Yopp said. "You need new ideas."

At least one person has already announced as a candidate for Yopp's open seat. Diane Bryant lives in the Valley View subdivision and Yopp said he thinks it would be good for the council to have a representative from Valley View.

"It gives them a voice on the council," Yopp said.

Bryant has been involved in the community. Last October, she was appointed to fill a vacancy for District 10 on the Washington County Quorum Court, representing Farmington and western Fayetteville. Bryant replaced Mary Ann Spears, who resigned after being named superintendent for Lincoln School District. As an appointee, Bryant cannot run for re-election.

She said she will file as a candidate and is running for office because she would like to do "great things for Farmington."

Bryant is a retired librarian, working in junior high and elementary libraries for more than 30 years. She has lived in Farmington almost seven years, is president of the Valley View Homeowners Association, a member of Friends of the Farmington Library and serves on the governor's Child Abuse, Rape, and Domestic Violence Commission.

The Valley View Homeowners Association has made many improvements, including new lighting, painting house numbers on curbs and updating the guard station.

"These are things we did to improve the neighborhood, which is what I want to do for Farmington," Bryant said.

Yopp said he is excited that someone wants to run for his position.

While on the Planning Commission, Yopp was instrumental in helping to formalize plans for zoning and other standards. He served as chairman for many years.

"We wanted unified growth that was consistent and fair," Yopp said.

As a council member, he chairs the city's Economic Development committee, is vice mayor and served on the Wastewater Committee.

"The city has seen continued growth and revenue," Yopp said. "I'm very proud to be a part of the fact that every year we've had a surplus and had funds in the bank. We've had good support from city council members. We've not always agreed but we've done what's right for the community."

The filing period for municipal office opens July 25 and closes noon, Aug. 15. Candidates are required to turn in a petition signed by 30 registered voters in their respective city, a statement of financial interest and a political pledge.

Those running for re-election in Farmington are council members Sherry Mathews, Patsy Pike, Keith Lipford, Janie Steele, Brenda Cunningham, Shelly Parsley and Bobby Morgan. Others are Mayor Ernie Penn, City Attorney Steve Tennant and City Clerk Kelly Penn.