Candidates Seek Prairie Grove Council Seat

Stumbaugh
Stumbaugh

PRAIRIE GROVE -- Two long-time Prairie Grove residents, the incumbent and a challenger, are seeking the Ward 3, Position 1 seat on Prairie Grove City Council for the next four years.

Doug Stumbaugh, 39, a life-long resident of the community, has served in the position for six years.

Rochelle Hyler-Caswell, 37, has lived in Prairie Grove for 34 years and while she does not have any political experience, she is a past president of Prairie Grove Junior Civic League.

Stumbaugh works in the University of Arkansas maintenance department and his educational background includes 1998 graduate of Prairie Grove, Northwest Arkansas Community College working toward a fire science degree and attending HVAC classes at Northwest Technical Institute.

Stumbaugh is a member of Prairie Grove First United Methodist Church and serves on the Church Council as Trustee chair. The Trustees are responsible for the buildings, ground and all the property the church owns. He serves as the usher coordinator for the church.

He also is a member of Prairie Grove Lions Club and volunteers for the Clothesline Fair each year.

Hyler-Caswell has worked as a licensed cosmetologist for 15 years. She graduated from Prairie Grove High in 1999 and is a graduate of Career Academy of Hair Design.

Her community involvements include donating her time for free haircuts for organizations such as Peace of Home Shelter and the Northwest Arkansas Womens Shelter in Fayetteville. In July, she was a part of the Altursa International of Washington County back to school event in Prairie Grove donating hair cuts for children in the area.

The Enterprise-Leader asked the Prairie Grove Council candidates to answer the following questions about running for office.

Question: Why are you running for this position?

Stumbaugh: "To serve the citizens of Prairie Grove. I want to help Prairie Grove grow and plan for the future. That will have a good positive impact on the citizens, business owners, and the city. To help make Prairie Grove a place where everyone wants to live and is proud to call it their city."

Hyler-Caswell: "I would love the same opportunity as the rest of the council members to represent the citizens of the town I love. Also I want to help in the efforts to make positive changes in our community."

Question: What do you consider are some of your qualifications to serve as a City Council member ?

Hyler-Casell: "I'm a U.S. citizen, a registered voter, and pay taxes. A former president of a non profit organization here in Prairie Grove. I have been actively going to city council meetings."

Stumbaugh: "I have served on the Prairie Grove City Council for six years. I have attended the Arkansas Municipal League Winter and Annual Conference the last two years. At the conferences I attended workshops on how to make cities more walkable friendly with sidewalks and trail planning. I also attended classes on street maintenance and asphalt overlaying projects, along with a class on operating city water and wastewater systems.

"Furthermore I attended classes on how to develop and expand city parks. One of the most interesting classes addressed the necessary procedures for the cities to partner with nonprofit organizations, civic and church groups on community projects together. I am working on becoming a certified Municipal Official by attending the certification class offered by the Arkansas Municipal League on Government 101, Planning and Zoning, and Municipal Finance and Budgeting. I am attending the Human Resource class on Oct. 17 and that will complete my certification. In 2016 I attended the NWA Storm Water Forum in Springdale."

Question: Do you have ideas for local improvements that you think have not been discussed or considered publicly?

Stumbaugh: "One of the great things about Prairie Grove City Council is that we have a very open and honest conversation with our citizens through our meetings, social media, and participation in local events. There are several issues in Prairie Grove that need experienced attention, such as water color, residential zoning, and new businesses coming to town, that have all been discussed and considered publicly and with great comments. As a council member, I will continue to promote this healthy dialogue in all avenues of city life."

Hyler-Roswell: "The time I've spent speaking to the citizens and their concerns are the water issues. The infrastructures are the main discussion among our citizens and should be the main focus of our city. I hope that I can help with bringing our citizens' concerns forward and addressing those concerns to the city administration."

Question: What will be some of your goals if elected?

Hyler-Roswell: "To make sure every council meeting is broadcast. I would love to have the city Facebook/website to post more information about city issues, bringing the city into the future even more through social media. Also, help in the efforts in historic preservation which is extremely important to me."

Stumbaugh: "To continue to make the city a great place to live by planning for the future. The city is continuing to work with the Chamber of Commerce and the Main Street program to attract, promote, and grow commercial business in the city."

Question: Is there any other information you would like to share about yourself as a candidate for elected office?

Stumbaugh: "I love this city and all of its citizens and have greatly enjoyed being on the council these last few years. I look forward to serving for many more. I have always, and will continue to strive, to further my education, experience, and professional opinion on matters of city growth, future planning, operational improvements and more. Thank you for considering voting for Doug Stumbaugh to continue to serve you on the Council."

Hyler-Caswell: My great-grandparent's homestead is here in Prairie Grove. It's the only town I have ever known. I take great pride in living in Prairie Grove and just how deep my roots are here. I understand the importance of our town's heritage from square dancing, to the Battlefield Park, all the way to Historic Main Street.

General News on 10/17/2018