Parsley, Carter Vie For Farmington Seat

Two candidates are vying for the Ward 4, Position 2 seat on Farmington City Council in the Nov. 8 general election.

Incumbent Shelly Parsley is being challenged by Howard Carter. This is Carter's second time to run for the Ward 4 position. He ran for the seat in November 2014 and Parsley was re-elected with 52 percent of the vote.

Parsley, 50, has served as a Farmington City Council member for six years and is seeking her fourth term in office. She is a graduate of Farmington High School and attended two years at the University of Arkansas. Parsley has lived all her life in Farmington.

Carter, 59, has lived in Farmington for most of his life and also graduated from Farmington High School.

He has been a poultry and cattle farmer for 36 years and worked in construction 10 years. Carter also has been a hospital chaplain for 15 years and worked for Highland Oncology for three years. He is a certified chaplain by The College of Pastoral Supervision & Psychotherapy.

Carter serves on the City Council's economic development committee and is seeking his first public office. He said he is running for the Council "to give back to the community that I was raised in. I believe I can help and represent the people of Farmington. I would like to see Farmington stay a clean and prosperous city that we all can be proud of."

Carter considers his experience in construction, business and working with people as qualities that would benefit him as an alderman and in helping serve the city.

"I have experience in building roads and solving drainage problems. I have business experience and know how important it is to have a balanced budget. I have lots of experience working with people and in helping solve problems," Carter wrote in a candidate's profile questionnaire.

Parsley serves on the city's Beautification Committee and is running for re-election to continue trying to make Farmington a better place to live. She said she believes growing up and living in Farmington all her life is one of the main qualifications that enables her to better serve the community.

Both candidates have goals, if elected.

Parsley said her primary goal would be to look for activities to keep everyone busy by providing opportunities in Farmington. She wrote that the strengths of Farmington are that it is a good place to live and work. As far as improvements in Farmington, Parsley said she wants to help keep the city clean and open to everyone.

Carter's goals, if elected, are to help the city continue to have a balanced budget and be financially responsible. He pledges to work with the mayor, council and highway department to improve Highway 170 so it will be easier to get to the new high school and back to U.S. 62.

Carter's goals also include improving streets, installing sidewalks where needed, addressing drainage problems and helping to keep taxes as low as possible. He would like to see the city's public parks improved for children and also would like to help bring more businesses to Farmington.

Ward 4, Position 2 is the only contested race for Farmington City Council. For all other positions, incumbents are running unopposed. Position 1 candidates are running for four-year terms. Position 2 candidates are running for two-year terms.