Former Mayor Runs For Office

Ward
Ward

PRAIRIE GROVE -- A former Prairie Grove mayor from the 1970s and 80s has thrown his hat into the ring for another opportunity to head the city government.

Jackson G. Ward, a resident of Prairie Grove since 1948, is running to be mayor of Prairie Grove for the next four years.

Ward, 77, is retired now but has held many management positions in radiological engineering and health and safety fields for the U.S. government. He at one time held the U.S. government level "Q" clearance classification.

Ward developed, owned and operated businesses in Prairie Grove. His local businesses included Ward's Automotive Inc. which he owned and operated from July 1970 to 1983. He also had a car wash, gas station and muffler shop. He owned rental property in town as well as three buildings in the downtown area.

Ward said he also was the Mistletoe Express agent in Prairie Grove for a short time. This, he said, was a forerunner to UPS.

Ward is a graduate of Prairie Grove High School and Fort Smith Junior College. He has military training as an aerospace ground equipment technician and attended the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville.

Ward has been an active member of the community. He was a charter member of the Junior Chamber of Commerce, a member of Prairie Grove Area Chamber of Commerce and served as a volunteer firefighter for Prairie Grove Fire Department for 13 years.

He is a former member of Prairie Grove City Council and was elected mayor in November 1978, serving from 1979-1992. Ward was re-elected to another term for 1983-1986.

Ward resigned as mayor during the first year of his second term because his job at the time required him to be away from Prairie Grove, Ward said recently. During his absences, Ward said he stayed in close communication with city officials while he was out of town.

In a special meeting July 15, 1988, acting Mayor Carol Pair read a letter of resignation from Ward, according to the minutes of that meeting. In the letter, Ward indicated he would be away from the city for another three to four months and "he felt it would be in the best interest of the people of Prairie Grove if he resigned at this time."

As mayor, Ward said he was involved in numerous county and state activities. While serving as mayor, Ward said his focus was on seeking industry and jobs for the city of Prairie Grove. His efforts, he said, led to future developments that still operate in Prairie Grove today.

The Enterprise-Leader asked the Prairie Grove Council mayoral candidates to answer the following questions about running for office. (Editor's Note: Ward did not provide responses to all the questions).

Question: Why are you running for this position?

"Upon returning to the community from traveling and working in the radiological engineering field and areas of health and safety for the U.S. government, J.G. he found his best position at the time was to live and work in the community that he valued dearly. After years of hearing his peers' concerns as farmers, developers and great neighbors, he made the decision to become active on the concerns and call for a change in how this community's leadership can use more due diligence with the issues at hand."

Question: What do you consider are some of your qualifications to serve as mayor of Prairie Grove?

"Having previously held this position as mayor, he is familiar with the obligations along with the understanding of the community needs and desires through his previous involvement with the Chamber of Commerce. As a long-standing member of this community, citizens find that he is easily approachable. Through J.G.'s previous work under highly regulated conditions, he maintains his composure under stress and can effectively translate decisions into action."

General News on 10/17/2018