Still for Doug Sprouse
Posted on Wednesday, November 19, 2008
DOUG SPROUSE, a long-time
member of Springdale’s school
board, remains our choice for mayor of Springdale. We endorsed him in the general election and endorse him again in Tuesday’s run-off.
As a member of the school board since 1999, Mr. Sprouse is accustomed to managing budgets for large organizations. The school district is one of the largest in Arkansas, with an annual budget of $ 125 million. Doug Sprouse’s successful experience on the school board qualifies him for mayor. Springdale’s current mayor, Jerre Van Hoose, isn’t running for re-election, but voters might note that he, too, served effectively on the local school board before taking on the job of mayor.
Doug Sprouse has done his homework when it comes to the needs of his home town. Springdale is at a turning point in its growth and economic development. The loss of the Sam’s Club to Fayetteville and the general slowing of construction hereabouts means that Springdale needs to find ways to meet today’s challenges. Happily, this year’s opening of the new baseball stadium on the west side of town should encourage further development around the ballpark, and show how the city can resume its growth.
Doug Sprouse has named economic development as a priority if he’s elected mayor. But he’s not looking at the city’s potential for growth just on the west side of town, near the ballpark. He’s committed to more development on the east side, too.
Springdale has a history of fractious disagreement on the city council, but Doug Sprouse promises to work with the aldermen to form a more unified city government. He’s also promised to improve relations with the city’s planning commission, and to work closely with the local chamber of commerce when it comes to improving the economy.
In short, Doug Sprouse offers a vision of a Springdale that works together instead of at cross-purposes, as has too often been the case. That’s the kind of mayor Springdale needs. Which is why Doug Sprouse is our pick in the mayoral run-off.
FEEDBACK:
Something to say about this topic? Submit a Letter to the Editor online