Louise Mann says support Lioneld Jordan to support our police and firefighters

Please click on images to ENLARGE photos of Louise Mann supporting Lioneld Jordan.



I'm sure we all want to show support for our fire and police, the people who risk their lives for us, daily.

They have now stood up against the current mayor. The Fire and Police have come together and endorsed Lioneld Jordan for mayor.

Why would they do that, if they did not feel very strongly there was a need for change? This is an endorsement that comes from the guys in the trenches. They have worked with both candidates.

Please think about this next question? Would you have the courage to come out and openly endorse against your boss? Have you ever taken such a courageous stand? It's not a small thing to do. Imagine the consequences.

Both Walt Eilers and Steve Clark have endorsed Lioneld. The Green groups have endorsed Lioneld. And the Unions have endorsed Lioneld.
These people/groups did not make their endorsements lightly. People are speaking out because they know, from firsthand experience, what kind of leadership would be good for Fayetteville.

I think most of us would agree that our fire and police have been darn good to us over the years.

Let's support our Fire and Police Depts. and give them the leader they have requested, Lioneld Jordan!

NANCY Allen says Lioneld Jordan is Fayetteville's best bet

Hope you don't mind an endorsement and plug from me for the runoff mayoral race.

I have never done this before, but I have never been on the City Council before and will not be again. So, I feel I have a "one time" unique perspective.

My Council seat is beside Dan Coody's. Lioneld Jordan is the vice mayor. So when the Mayor is out of town, I sit beside Lioneld.

The first time that occurred, Lioneld pulled a crinkled dollar bill out of his pocket and said to me, "The buck stops here."

Mayor Coody has never done the same, literally or symbolically.

I have heard Lioneld say, "I made a mistake."

I have never heard that from the Mayor. If there is a problem, Dan Coody blames the Council.

I have never heard Lioneld be rude to others on the Council.

Our mayor has been condescending and patronizing when an alderman asks a question which a constituent wanted answered.

For example, the $60 million plus sewer overrun or the hotel that became a hole in the ground.

Lioneld has never missed a Council meeting and has monthly Ward meetings to keep in touch with people in his Ward.

The Mayor was in France last year during budget time.

Lioneld conducted the budget meetings. Working together with the Council, Lioneld produced a balanced budget.

Lioneld Jordan cares about ALL the people of our city. I have never known a more pure public servant. Lioneld is a good listener. He will work from daylight to dark for us. He will work to create a better economic base so that our people have decent paying jobs. Lioneld is a fine and ethical man with a pure heart. I hope you will join me in voting for my friend, Lioneld Jordan for mayor of Fayetteville on November 25th. He has experience you can trust.

Best regards,
Nancy

Aubrey Shepherd supports Lioneld Jordan in the Nov. 20, 2008, Fayetteville Free Weekly

Lioneld Jordan offers fair and open government



In the general election, Lioneld Jordan got votes from people from all political parties. Independence of thought and freedom from prejudice are two important qualities people admire about Lioneld Jordan.

Some said they follow city-government meetings on Government Channel and respect Lioneld for his work in eight years of City Council, committee and ward meetings.

Several said his work for neighborhoods made them trust him more than any other official.

Others said they met Lioneld years ago and respected his integrity in private life. Some said they had worked with him and recognized his consistently good judgment and kindness as he rose to a supervisory management position.

Some city workers have said privately that after years of interaction with Lioneld they felt more comfortable working with him than with any other elected official.

People who care about the fertile soil, clean air and water, trees, tall-grass prairie, wildlife, streams and all things living in Fayetteville said they voted for Lionel because of his consistent support of trails and parks and especially his voting to protect Wilson Spring and to create World Peace Wetland Prairie.

Some people said they voted for Jordan because of his support of well-planned developments and because he invites developers to his Ward Four meetings to interact with constituents BEFORE developers commit to projects with flaws easily recognized by people who live near the projects.

Most important is that many long-time Fayetteville residents recognize that Lioneld is dedicated to improving life for everyone in our city, regardless of economic status. He is a working man who reads constantly, listens to everyone and learns every day.

Early voting begins November 18 at the Washington County Courthouse. The county Website lists polling places for runoff election day, November 25.

Please vote to elect Lioneld Jordan mayor of Fayetteville.

Aubrey James Shepherd

Fayetteville, Arkansas

Marsha Melnichak's passing leaves an empty spot in the hearts of Fayetteville residents

Please click on image to ENLARGE photo of Marsha Melnichak (right) and friends visiting the Fayetteville Farmer's Market on October 25, 2008.


Marsha Melnichak died in her sleep Thursday night November 20, 2008, or early this morning, at Washington Regional Hospital in Fayetteville, Arkansas, I was told.
Having visited her Wednesday night at the hospital, I knew her time was short. During the meeting of the Telecommunication Board on Tuesday night, several people spoke off camera of their sadness that she would likely never again attend such meetings and report on them with her clear sense of reality and highly developed ability to sort through the chaff and find the significant points of such city meetings. She earned universal respect from city workers, public officials and area residents who read her news stories.
Few people reach Marsha's high level of competence and integrity in reporting the news.
She covered the beginning of the mayoral campaign well, and it was clear in brief conversations in the weeks since she found herself unable to work that one of her concerns was not being able to continue her work and be on hand next Tuesday to report on the final chapter.
Maybe she realized that she would not be with us by this time. Most of us did not.
Her absence should be a reminder that, whatever goals we set, pursuing them with honesty, good humor and grace is as important as the result.

Steve Clark's endorsement of Lioneld Jordan on Google video

Please click the "play" arrow to view video of Steve Clark endorsing Lioneld Jordan.

Steve Clark endorses Lioneld Jordan for mayor of Fayetteville, Arkansas

Please click image to enlarge view of Steve Clark as he announces his support for Lioneld Jordan and Alderman Jordan applauding.
Former Arkansas Attorney General Clark finished third in the race for mayor in a six-person field of candidates during the general election. Jordan is in a runoff with the incumbent mayor for the highest office in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Early voting has begun at the Washington County Courthouse and is available from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays. Monday will be the final day to vote early at the courthouse and runoff election day is Tuesday, November 25 at regular polling places in Fayetteville.

The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette endorses Lioneld Jordan in the runoff for mayor of Fayetteville, Arkansas

 
EDITORIALS : Still for Lioneld Jordan
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Northwest Edition
Posted on Wednesday, November 19, 2008
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/adg/Editorial/244000

LIONELD JORDAN, the
conscientious alderman, is in a run-off for
mayor of Fayetteville. He’s trying to unseat Dan Coody, the two-term incumbent who’s seeking a third term. Mr. Jordan was our choice in the general election earlier this month. He remains our choice in Tuesday’s run-off.
Lioneld Jordan has much to recommend him. In his eight years as alderman, he’s never missed a city council meeting. He’s held monthly meetings in his ward to stay in touch with those who elected him to the city council. Known for his open approach, he listens to all. Even when he disagrees, he’s straightforward enough to explain why. He takes the time to master the difficult issues that come before a city council, and he’s been willing to admit he was wrong when he’s decided to change his mind.
He’s in a tough runoff. His opponent, Mayor Coody, has been a fixture in Fayetteville politics for many years, long predating his first election as mayor in 2000. And the mayor has got lots of supporters to show for it. But his opponent in this runoff has put together a notable coalition in his campaign to become Fayetteville’s next mayor. Mr. Jordan has won the endorsements of Fayetteville’s police officers and firefighters, as well as that of the Sierra Club and the local Green Party. In addition, three other candidates for mayor in the general election have now offered their support to him.
Mayor Coody has had his share of difficulties over the years. He bears ultimate responsibility for the $ 60-million-plus cost overrun for the expansion of the city’s wastewater system. The project came in three years late and had to be rescued with an increase in the city sales tax. He pushed hard for putting up a big hotelplus-condo at the site of the old Mountain Inn. But it has yet to materialize. Instead, the city has gotten a parking lot on the site.
The mayor has also disappointed with his heavy-handed take-over of the city’s Government Channel, which resulted in the cancellation of its public opinion forums. Those forums had been a popular way to provide non-partisan information about issues of interest to anyone who lives in Fayetteville.
Nobody expects Lioneld Jordan to do everything right if he’s elected mayor. But the city can be confident he’ll approach city government with a willingness to hear all sides and take all opinions into account before making the decision he believes is best for Fayetteville. He’s shown commendable openness in his years as an alderman. Based on his record, voters can expect the same from him as mayor. Which is why we’re endorsing him—again.
Copyright © 2001-2008 Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc. All rights reserved. Contact: webmaster@nwanews.com

Six fire departments put out fire started by neighbor's brush burning

 
EDITORIALS : Still for Lioneld Jordan
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Northwest Edition
Posted on Wednesday, November 19, 2008
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/adg/Editorial/244000

LIONELD JORDAN, the
conscientious alderman, is in a run-off for
mayor of Fayetteville. He’s trying to unseat Dan Coody, the two-term incumbent who’s seeking a third term. Mr. Jordan was our choice in the general election earlier this month. He remains our choice in Tuesday’s run-off.
Lioneld Jordan has much to recommend him. In his eight years as alderman, he’s never missed a city council meeting. He’s held monthly meetings in his ward to stay in touch with those who elected him to the city council. Known for his open approach, he listens to all. Even when he disagrees, he’s straightforward enough to explain why. He takes the time to master the difficult issues that come before a city council, and he’s been willing to admit he was wrong when he’s decided to change his mind.
He’s in a tough runoff. His opponent, Mayor Coody, has been a fixture in Fayetteville politics for many years, long predating his first election as mayor in 2000. And the mayor has got lots of supporters to show for it. But his opponent in this runoff has put together a notable coalition in his campaign to become Fayetteville’s next mayor. Mr. Jordan has won the endorsements of Fayetteville’s police officers and firefighters, as well as that of the Sierra Club and the local Green Party. In addition, three other candidates for mayor in the general election have now offered their support to him.
Mayor Coody has had his share of difficulties over the years. He bears ultimate responsibility for the $ 60-million-plus cost overrun for the expansion of the city’s wastewater system. The project came in three years late and had to be rescued with an increase in the city sales tax. He pushed hard for putting up a big hotelplus-condo at the site of the old Mountain Inn. But it has yet to materialize. Instead, the city has gotten a parking lot on the site.
The mayor has also disappointed with his heavy-handed take-over of the city’s Government Channel, which resulted in the cancellation of its public opinion forums. Those forums had been a popular way to provide non-partisan information about issues of interest to anyone who lives in Fayetteville.
Nobody expects Lioneld Jordan to do everything right if he’s elected mayor. But the city can be confident he’ll approach city government with a willingness to hear all sides and take all opinions into account before making the decision he believes is best for Fayetteville. He’s shown commendable openness in his years as an alderman. Based on his record, voters can expect the same from him as mayor. Which is why we’re endorsing him—again.
Copyright © 2001-2008 Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc. All rights reserved. Contact: webmaster@nwanews.com

November 17, 2008, mayoral debate in The Morning News

Please click on image to ENLARGE view of laptop view of video being recorded during the November 17, 2008, debate between Dan Coody and Lioneld Jordan sponsored by the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce at the UA Continuing Education Center.ñ

The Morning News
Local News for Northwest Arkansas

Mayoral Candidates Trade Quips
By Skip Descant
THE MORNING NEWS
http://www.nwaonline.net/articles/2008/11/17/news/111808fzmayoral.txt
FAYETTEVILLE -- If elected, Lioneld Jordan aims to have an economic development plan within 90 days of taking office as Fayetteville's next mayor.
"After eight years we still do not have an economic development plan for this city. And that needs to change," Jordan told a nearly packed auditorium Monday night during a mayoral debate between Jordan -- a council member -- and incumbent Mayor Dan Coody. The debate was sponsored by the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce.
The discussion followed eight topics as diverse as growing collegiality on the council to how to mange building impact fees to how to "Keep Fayetteville Funky."
Coody, in his own calm style, spent much of his time explaining various aspects of the last eight years and the vision he holds for the future.
"We've worked to rebuild infrastructure. We're rebuilding the very basics on what you can build economic development," Coody said.
Jordan, who at times sliced the air with his hand to get his point across, reiterated many past segments of his stump speech, such as growing job training and being a better manager of the public's money.
"I don't plan on bringing a millage increase in 2009," Jordan said. "If I'm elected mayor of this city, we will have a balanced budget."
Coody also did not propose a millage increase, but his proposed budget dips into the city's reserve funds.
But when the evening's final question came up -- how to fund cost of living raises for city staff -- Jordan, a union member, reiterated that he does not plan to unionize the city work force.
"If I wanted to unionize this city, I've had eight years, and I never did it," he told the room flatly.
The issue was raised at the last debate and Coody stoked that fire a little further when he recalled a prior conversation he says he'd had with Jordan.
"He (Jordan) did say that if he had the chance, that he would unionize this city so fast it would make my head spin," Coody said.
Jordan denied the accusation, adding that if he did say something to that effect, it was an off-the-cuff joke.
"Let me tell you, I didn't come to unionize this city," Jordan said, and added, any such move would require City Council approval.
But the two men also quipped back and forth around economic development, even though both want to grow green-tech jobs. But Jordan wants to see less dragging of feet and fewer "outside consultants" brought in.
"I'm ready to hear from the business community of this city," Jordan said, subtly hinting at one the main themes of his campaign -- communication.
"And set down and hammer out an economic plan that will protect the businesses that we have and move this city forward," he added. Though Jordan did not offer any specifics to what that plan might include.
"This city needs to move forward economically, and we have not had a plan in eight years," Jordan continued.
"Sounds easy doesn't it?" said Coody, who then went on to call this approach "unrealistic."
"It is not 'unrealistic,'" Jordan said. "It takes attitude."
Coody then embarked on a his own dossier of his work with the Fayetteville Economic Development Council and the recent economic development strategy planning session the city held jointly with the university by bringing in Eve Klein and Associates, an economic development consulting firm.
And it would be almost impossible in this election to not touch on the Westside Wastewater Treatment Plant, which upon completion, was three years behind schedule and ended up costing some $60 million more than planned. Coody has half-heartedly taken the blame for the debacle, but adds that part of the problem was his office not having all the information regarding how wrongly the project was heading.
"If there's going to be a project going out of whack, I'm going to know about it and the people will know about it," Jordan said. "The buck always stops at the mayor's office, and when I'm mayor, the buck will stop with me."
"The reason the buck stops with me, is because everybody gets to pass it," Coody said.

Richard Drake's letter to the Morning News online

Bottled Water At City Hall

With all the debate about Mayor Dan Coody’s accomplishments in office, the Great Bottled Water War should never be far from anyone’s mind. On June 12, with great public fanfare, Dan announced that not only would there be no more bottled water in City Hall machines, but that the city would no longer use public funds to buy bottled water.

This, of course, is just going along the lines of a much larger trend. Dan was hailed as a true friend to the environment.

Like other (foul-ups) in City Hall, we can all understand that, hey, it’s not Dan’s fault that those pesky machines never actually stopped stocking bottled water until some months later. That the water only seemed to be removed abruptly after several local bloggers took delight in calling attention to it is just some sort of cosmic coincidence.

I think we all understand how the universe sometimes conspires against Dan.

A little harder to explain might be Dan’s performance when he spoke to the U.S. Conference of Mayors a few months ago, and informed the crowd that Fayetteville had discontinued the use of bottled water several years ago.

Several years ago? Was there some sort of time travel involved here? Was Future Dan telling the present of Fayetteville’s glorious future — under his continuing leadership, of course?

Or was Dan — who was also co-chair of the Conference’s Water Council — stretching the truth to make himself seem just a little bit cooler in the eyes of his fellow mayors?

Oh, Dan, do you think that nobody in Fayetteville knows how to use the Internet, and can read what you tell folks when you are out of town?

Richard S. Drake
Fayetteville

Lioneld jordan seeks others' views

Jordan seeks others ’ views
Many people have asked me why I support Lioneld Jordan over Dan Coody in Fayetteville’s mayoral race. “ After all, ” they say, “ Mayor Coody has done a lot of good things for Fayetteville. ”
I never contest a person’s claim that our current mayor has accomplished some good things for Fayetteville. I know that he has. Additionally, I realize that there is no one whose decisions I am going to agree with all of the time. Instead, I simply relate an experience that I had some time ago. It speaks for itself and I would like to tell that story here, with the hope that the reader will understand that I harbor no anger or malice toward Mayor Coody. The following experience does explain however, why I do not support his bid for a third term as mayor.
Several years ago, one of the hotly contested issues facing Fayetteville citizens concerned the fate of some wetlands on the northwest side of town known as Wilson Springs. On one warm summer evening, the Green Party of Washington County held a forum on the issue at the pavilion in Agri Park. Several speakers had been scheduled to give presentations that evening. To be honest, these pretty much supported the Green Party’s position on the issue. Mayor Coody and some members of the City Council attended the event. I was the moderator for the evening.
In my opinion, one of those giving a presentation that evening was being extremely critical of Mr. Coody and his point of view. Although I did not agree with the mayor’s position, and although he was not a scheduled speaker, I approached him and offered an opportunity for rebuttal; I felt that it was only fair. My offer was accepted graciously, and Mayor Coody had his time before the audience.
Between one and three weeks later, I found myself in Room 111 at City Hall. If I remember correctly, the occasion was a Ward 4 meeting. Once again, the theme concerned Wilson Springs, and it was Mayor Coody this time that was fielding the questions and comments. Several citizens were called upon to offer their comments; yet, although my hand was raised politely throughout this question-and-answer period, I was never given an opportunity to speak. Mayor Coody already understood that my opinions on this issue conflicted with his. I left the meeting feeling as though my voice was denied because of that difference of opinion.
Through relating this experience to various people, I have found other Fayetteville residents that have told me of their own similar experiences with the incumbent mayor; that is, whenever their opinions had differed from his.
Lioneld Jordan, however, not only listens to his constituents, but he actually solicits their viewpoints. Further, after making a decision, Lioneld is always open to discussing it with anyone. That’s the way it should be. For all of the above reasons then, I am asking Fayetteville voters to support Lioneld Jordan in the Nov. 25 runoff election.
Al Vick
Fayetteville

Letters supporting Lioneld Jordan on November 16, 2008

Letters to the editor
http://www.nwanews.com/nwat/Editorial/71174
Northwest Arkansas Times
Posted on Sunday, November 16, 2008

Jordan can be trusted

Early voting for the mayoral runoff election begins on Nov. 18, and Election Day is Nov. 25. I urge you to get out and vote and, when you do, to vote for Lioneld Jordan. Here are three of the many reasons why I will be voting for Lioneld: 1. We need a mayor who believes in balancing the city budget and living within our city income. Last year, it fell to Vice Mayor Jordan to lead the City Council through this difficult task while the mayor was off in Europe doing other things. This year, Jordan joined the Council in passing a resolution directing the mayor to submit a balanced budget, which the mayor refused to do. Lioneld will not need that kind of direction. 2. We need a mayor who believes in closely monitoring large multi-million dollar city projects right from the beginning, not after they have fallen years behind schedule and are running millions of dollars over budget. Contrast the initial mismanagement of the sewer and trails projects by the Streets Committee under Lioneld Jordan’s chairmanship. 3. We need a mayor who not only believes in regular two-way communication with the people, but actually practices it. Contrast Lioneld’s 110 face-to-face Ward 4 and other meetings with the number of such appearances by our mayor over the past eight years. Again, please get out and vote during this runoff, and when you do please remember: Lioneld Jordan — Experience You Can Trust !
William A. Moeller
Fayetteville


Incumbent’s campaign disappoints

The Sunday, Nov. 9, Northwest Arkansas Times illustrates strongly why Lioneld Jordan should be Fayetteville’s next mayor. In the article about the runoff race, incumbent Mayor Coody disappoints, but hardly surprises me, by resorting to the politics of fear to down Mr. Jordan. Coody uses the buzzwords “ union, ” the Wal-Mart bogeyman, and “ radical, ” which actually translates as from the roots, to frighten people worried about the city budget. Check the record. Mr. Jordan has certainly had a grassroots campaign, but he has never proposed unionizing city employees. It is Coody who defied the elected city council’s directive to present a balanced budget. Dr. Nick Brown, in a letter the same day, eloquently defines “ sustainability, ” one of Coody’s favorite terms, as including social justice. I believe that if the mayor treats city employees well, they will not need to unionize; the fact that two of the largest, most visible and most depended-upon groups of city employees, namely our firefighters and police, support Lioneld Jordan speaks volumes. As mayor, Lioneld will not throw away money on fancy consultants, when we have plenty of expertise here in town. How difficult can it be for the mayor to put the UAF chancellor on speed-dial ? Lioneld will not direct the city attorney to fight a private howeowner over a sewage mishap, when simply fixing the problem would cost less than 10 percent of the eventual legal bills and settlement. Lioneld has learned that illconceived real estate dealing, such as the Mountain Inn / TIF fiasco, the Wilson Springs purchase, and the Tyson Building saga, are budget drains and not economic salvations. Join with me to return our city to the citizens. Vote for Lioneld Jordan Nov. 25.
Rick Belt
Fayetteville

Regarding the runoff

Although two of Lioneld Jordan’s former mayoral opponents (Eilers, Fire Cat ) have now endorsed Jordan, his runoff opponent informs us that the “ dynamic of the campaign will change as mayoral forums allow more time for two candidates to answer questions than was possible with six. ” (Northwest Arkansas Times, Nov. 6 ) Jordan’s opponent asserts that the more “ in-depth ” answers provided in debates will allow voters to “ delve more deeply into issues and public records and history of leadership ” However, those of us who’ve long appreciated Lioneld Jordan’s leadership in Ward 4 and as vice mayor are sure that Lioneld has already outlined the best long-term approaches for Fayetteville’s future development. His mayoral platform and track record build on proven experience, hard work and accountability, rather than rhetoric. And his strong backing and endorsements by Fayetteville’s police and firemen and the Sierra Club, clearly affirm his competence and leadership skill, as well as his working knowledge of how the city operates. Thus we can agree that debates between the two candidates will allow Fayetteville voters to delve into the deeper needs of our community and to judge the two candidates’ respective track records over the past eight years. And we’re certain that voters will agree with us — and his former opponents — that Lioneld Jordan is our best “ in-depth ” candidate to lead the city staff and City Council toward a sustainable, economically-sound future for all of Fayetteville. His honesty and hard work have earned our trust and yours. Please join us in voting for Lioneld Jordan on Nov. 25 — or better yet, vote early, beginning Nov. 18.
Jim Bemis
Fayetteville

Copyright © 2001-2008 Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc. All rights reserved. Contact: webmaster@nwanews.com

Melissa Terry explains why she supports Lioneld Jordan for mayor of Fayetteville, Arkansas

Why I support Lioneld Jordan

In the 10 years I've know him, Lioneld Jordan has consistently been the kind of leader who lets the facts speak for themselves. When we organized the first Scull Creek Clean Up, Lioneld came and worked with us all day pulling tons of trash out of that creek, whereas others showed up only in time for press opportunities. Additionally, when the question came to the city council about ways we can improve our city's recycling program, Lioneld Jordan is the only elected person who ever came out and did a day's work with our awesome recycling crew to see what really needs to be done to improve our current waste reduction program. Lioneld's the kind of guy whose principles are his politics, rather than the other way around. He can bring diverse points of view to tough issues and not burn bridges along the way, as evidenced by the fact that he enjoys the same supporters today as when he ran for office eight years ago. This consistent support base is because Lioneld Jordan understands how to treat people with the respect of an individual and the professionalism of a leader.

Most importantly, Lioneld's a dad. In few other forums are your powers of diplomacy more tested or more tried. He's brought up four children on a state employee's salary for 26 years, so we know he understands about managing a budget.

As an example of making the most of a limited budget, Lioneld had a third the amount of his primary opposition's campaign budget, yet he still managed to wage a successful campaign. Additionally, he garnered the support of both the Fayetteville Police Department and the Fayetteville Fire Department. These are people we trust with making lifechanging decisions and their endorsements are a decisive call for new leadership. The Sierra Club's endorsement also shows that Lioneld can work with our vibrant conservation community to ensure that Fayetteville's local economy and ecology thrive together.

Lioneld can help lead Fayetteville toward being a training hub for the emerging green collar economy by working with technologies incubating at the Genesis Center and by forming a working partnership with John Brown University's Renewable Energy degree program. Building a bridge between these partnerships and service programs like CityYear, AmeriCorps and VISTA can help our community grow more sustainable - without draining our coffers.

And, most importantly, I support Lioneld Jordan because I like him. What he says to your face is what he says behind your back. When he tells you that he supports your program, cause or concern, he actually does. When he doesn't like your position, he tells you. As a downtown property owner, a transparent city government that stands on principles rather than politics sounds pretty good to me. I encourage you to support Lioneld Jordan.
Melissa Terry / Fayetteville

Candidates Eilers and Fire Cat joined by State Rep. Smith in endorsing Lioneld Jordan for mayor, Northwest Arkansas Times reports

 
Eilers endorses Jordan for mayor
Ward 4 alderman also gets nod from State Rep. Smith
BY KATE WARD Northwest Arkansas Times
Posted on Sunday, November 9, 2008
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/nwat/News/70930

Two former Fayetteville mayoral candidates pledged their support for Lioneld Jordan on Saturday at the Fayetteville Square.
Walt Eilers and Adam Fire Cat urged area residents to vote for Jordan during the upcoming runoff election Nov. 25 against Fayetteville Mayor Dan Coody. Fayetteville police also expressed their support by wearing T-shirts with Jordan’s name across the front.
“ He’s been my friend and my competitor for a long time, ” Eilers said. “ He has the sort of skills and experience that will help Fayetteville move forward, and I will do whatever I can to help. ”
Eilers listed Jordan’s people skills and experience as reasons why voters should choose him for Fayetteville mayor. He added that Jordan’s support for dog parks, economic development and recycling are in line with his own goals for the city.
Fire Cat, dressed in a black and white suit, said Jordan would do a better job of balancing the city’s budget.
“ There’s this illusion that everyone is at war, ” he said. “ We’re not at war with each other; we’re at war with concepts. While [Jordan ] may never agree with me on ordinances, we do believe in a balanced budget. The city has incurred a massive debt. As far as I’m concerned, numbers are black and white. ”
Fire Cat also delivered an endorsement for Jordan from Sami Sutton, another former mayoral candidate who was unable to attend the announcement.
“ It’s been a long campaign, and we’ll have to continue to have good, solid support, ” Jordan said. “ These gentlemen ran a good, clean solid race, and now we have to keep pushing forward. ”
Following the announcement, Coody said he expected the former candidates to endorse Jordan but urged voters not to be swayed.
“ I know Lioneld would make a radical change in direction that I don’t think would be positive for the city, ” he said.
Coody said he thinks the city’s fire and police departments will likely become unionized if Jordan is elected. The city of Fayetteville must maintain control of its own taxes, revenue and budget, he said.
“ If police and fire unionize, they’ll have the ability to do collective bargaining, ” he said. “ It would eventually have to extend to all 730 city employees. We don’t want to take the lead of so many other cities that are declaring bankruptcy to meet union demands. ”
Jordan refuted the mayor’s claims, saying he has no intention of unionizing the city.
“ I’ve been on City Council for eight years. I’ve never brought any labor legislation forward, and I don’t intend to, ” he said. “ I’m not running for mayor to unionize the city; I’m running for mayor to properly manage the city, which is what it needs right now. ”
Also following the Square announcement, State Rep. Lindsley Smith of Fayetteville declared her support for Jordan via e-mail.
“ I know from personal experience that (Jordan ) cares deeply about the interests of his constituents and has demonstrated a commitment to be a problem solver, cutting through red tape and getting it fixed, ” Smith wrote. “ I have been especially impressed with his effort to cut wasteful spending and be a good steward of our tax dollars.
Copyright © 2001-2008 Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc. All rights reserved. Contact: webmaster@nwanews.com

The Morning News reports that Walt Eilers endorses Lioneld Jordan for mayor of Fayetteville, Arkansas

Please click on image to ENLARGE view of Walt Eilers and Lioneld Jordan after Eilers threw his support to Lioneld Jordan in the runoff for mayor of Fayetteville, Arkansas.

The Morning News

Local News for Northwest Arkansas


Mayoral Candidate Gets Backing of Former Opponents

By Charles Huggins
The Morning News
FAYETTEVILLE -- Hoping for a last-minute push in the final leg of the mayor’s race, current Alderman Lioneld Jordan announced Saturday morning he has cultivated the support of two former candidates.
Supporters gathered at the Washington Square to hear Walt Eilers throw his weight and 2,189 votes to Jordan before the Nov. 25 run-off election.
“Lioneld has the set of skills to help the city move forward,” Eilers told the crowd. “I encourage you to help him out.”
That set of skills includes having good communication skills, knowing how city government works without micromanaging, and having a good working relationship with the City Council, Eilers said.
Former candidate Adam Fire Cat, donned in a half-black, half-white tuxedo, brought his off-beat but straightforward perspective with his endorsement of Jordan.
Fire Cat agrees with Jordan’s philosophy of fiscal responsibility and operating a balanced city budget, he said.
“To me, numbers are black and white,” Fire Cat said, drawing a chuckle from the crowd.
Jordan stumped on having a better relationship with the City Council than Coody, and said as mayor he would hold townhall meetings for each ward to give residents more participation in their government.
“This whole campaign has been about two words: The people,” Jordan said following the announcement.
Having the support of Eilers and Fire Cat could be what Jordan needs to put him over the top, Jordan said. Coody received 9,806 votes, or 37 percent, in the Nov. 4 general election, and Jordan received 7,380 votes, or 28 percent.
Coody agreed the race is about the citizens, but said, “It’s also about how to best bring about change based on the public input. There’s a long track record with me to prove that.”
Coody contested the claim that Jordan has a better relationship with aldermen than he does.
“We got 99 percent of everything passed,” Coody said. “We get along fine.”
Early voting begins on Nov. 18 through Nov. 24, with the run-off election on Nov. 25.

Walt Eilers endorses Lioneld Jordan for mayor of Fayetteville, Arkansas

Please click on image to ENLARGE view of Walt Eilers and Lioneld Jordan after Eilers threw his support to Lioneld Jordan in the runoff for mayor of Fayetteville, Arkansas.

David Pieper says Lioneld Jordan is a man of integrity

Let's make Lioneld Jordan our next mayor

I have had the privilege of knowing Lioneld Jordan for more than 10 years. For the past seven years, he has demonstrated his commitment to the city he loves by his dedicated service on the City Council. In these tough times, we need solid, tested leadership in the mayor's office. Lioneld is a man of integrity and a man of his word. He is the candidate I trust to take our city in the right direction. On Tuesday, I will be voting for Lioneld Jordan and will be honored to have him as our mayor.
David Pieper
Fayetteville

Please vote for Lioneld Jordan for mayor of Fayetteville, Arkansas

Please vote for Lioneld Jordan for mayor

Lioneld Jordan has been my choice for mayor of Fayetteville since the beginning of discussion of the upcoming election more than a year ago.
There is no one in the race who can be expected to do more to protect the environment of our city, the people of our city or make better decisions for the future of our city.
Lioneld was born in Fayetteville. I wasn't. I have never been able to call any other place home even when I worked in Little Rock for a few years. But, if anyone loves Fayetteville more than I do, it is Lioneld.
And no one in public life since I first attended graduate school at the University of Arkansas in 1966 has more consistently earned my respect.
I have found him always willing to listen to the concerns of everyone. The fact that he understands and relates to working people in my Town Branch neighborhood in south Fayetteville has been very important to us in recent years.
He supported our effort to save a parcel of wetland prairie from an intense development as we raised money to make the land a city nature park. The project would have wedged 48 apartments into a beautiful and old single-family neighborhood with no concern for the sensitive environment.
He voted to protect the Wilson Spring property, a much bigger and more unusually delicate ecosystem than almost any place this side of the Buffalo River,
He earned the endorsement of the Sierra Club in part for those votes and for his support of parks and trails and the steep, timbered hillsides of our city.
He has earned the endorsement of the firefighters and police officers of our city. He has earned the endorsement of the union of members of the staff and faculty of the University of Arkansas, where he has worked for decades.
He has earned the respect and endorsement of the local Green Party.
Among people I know, he has strong support among those whose statewide and national votes will be for candidates of both Democratic and Republican parties. His record stands on its own. He is the kind of person that most members of both major parties want to see on their ticket.
And he has been endorsed by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
As a member of the OMNI Center for Peace, Justice and Ecology, I am only one of many who have voted for Lioneld, because he is strong in all the areas of OMNI's concern.
I am among the members of the Carbon Caps Task Force who support Lioneld.
I have friends who support the Nature Conservancy, Ducks Unlimited, the Arkansas Wildlife Federation, Audubon Arkansas, the National Audubon Society, Quail Unlimited and many unaffiliated hunters and fishermen and bird-watchers and nature lovers who have expressed support for Lioneld.
Most important, however, are the working people of Fayetteville who know and respect Lioneld and believe that he will continue to give them a voice in city government, even as he works to create new jobs in the city and housing for low-income residents and to protect the environment while negotiating the best possible development plans as our city continues to grow.
Lioneld respects everyone and shows no prejudice toward anyone. He listens to all and learns and strives to make decisions fair to all. He is indeed the real deal.
Aubrey James Shepherd

Lindsley Smith supports Lioneld Jordan for Mayor

Please click on image to ENLARGE.

Lioneld Jordan TV spot

Lioneld Jordan visits with supporters on East Dickson Street

Please click on images to ENLARGE.

Susan Young dead swanky at Dickson and College

Please click on image to ENLARGE.

Aubrey James Shepherd's fourth video short take supporting Lioneld Jordan for mayor

Aubrey James Shepherd's third video supporting Lioneld Jordan for mayor

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette editorial endorses Lioneld Jordan for mayor

For Lioneld Jordan

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Northwest Edition

Posted on Tuesday, October 28, 2008

URL: http://www.nwanews.com/adg/Editorial/241825

LIONELD JORDAN has a reputation for working hard. He’s the city alderman in Fayetteville who’s never missed a city council meeting in his nearly eight years in office. Alderman Jordan has brought the same dedication to the monthly meetings he’s held in his ward.
He’s also known for his thorough knowledge of city government, for his ability to understand complicated city business, and his just plain love of his hometown.
One of the candidates Lioneld Jordan is running against is the incumbent, Dan Coody. Mayor Coody is winding up his eighth year as mayor with a mixed record. He’s certainly done some good things for Fayetteville. Like establishing the current system of trails in the city. And he talks up environmental issues, even if he hasn’t always lived up to his own standards.
But the Coody administration has had some notable shortcomings, too. There’s the $ 60-million-plus cost overrun for the expansion of the city’s wastewater system. The project came in three years late and had to be bailed out with an increase in the city sales tax. Then there’s the stalled development the mayor backed on the site of the old Mountain Inn. Instead of a big hotel, the city got a big hole, which is now to become a big parking lot. That’ll be an improvement, but not much of one.
The mayor’s also presided over a takeover of the city’s Government Channel. The biggest result has been an end to its forums, where issues were discussed openly and fairly. A fear of fair and open discussion is not a good sign in a mayor, especially a mayor of a town as freespirited and open to argument as Fayetteville. What a shame.
Mayor Coody, maybe reflecting what he learned in the military, says a city’s chief executive is responsible for what happens during his administration. We agree. The wastewater project, the downtown hole in the ground, the canceling of issue forums... he must take responsibility for all of them along with the city’s accomplishments during his tenure.
As an alderman, Lioneld Jordan hasn’t always been right. But he’s consistently shown a willingness to dig into issues and take every side into account. As his supporters have noticed, when he disagrees with anybody, he tells them why. And his explanations tend to be well thought-out. (It’s hard to imagine him shutting down any public forums. )
His long service on important committees, such as the Street, Water-and-Sewer, and Equipment committees have given him a thorough understanding of how the city works. He does his homework. And he’s served as vice mayor, which would be good experience for the top job.
If it’s time for a change in Fayetteville, and it is, its name is Lioneld Jordan. That’s why we’re endorsing him today.

Copyright © 2001-2008 Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc. All rights reserved. Contact: webmaster@nwanews.com

Business man supports Lioneld Jordan for mayor

Give a friend the chance he deserves

I am writing today in complete support of Lioneld Jordan for mayor. I decided to support Lioneld and work for his campaign because he is the change we need in the mayor's office in Fayetteville. I am a management consultant with a business perspective. My job is to help companies avoid union organization and representation of their workforce. Lioneld is a union member who sees things from an employee's point of view, and he was a leader when his union fought to save and protect the jobs of physical plant workers at the University of Arkansas. You can't get much different than that. Yet during our time serving on the Fayetteville City Council together, Lioneld and I became great friends. That didn't just happen. We built a trusting relationship - one which has lasted beyond our years together on the City Council. Ironically, now Lioneld is in management at the UA, and I am his campaign manager. Lioneld can be trusted. He doesn't tell you one thing, then do another. What he tells you he will do, he does. He listens ! I have been able to persuade him on business issues because he realizes that people with opinions differing from his own have things to contribute to the conversation. He speaks with conviction and is able to influence those of us who are sometimes on the other side. It is the ability of elected officials to convince others; to understand and support their constituent's wishes and to explain to their constituents when they need to change their point of view which truly gives the elected official power and respect. Lioneld is factual, and doesn't make issues personal. Just because you happen to disagree with him (and Lord knows we have at times ), his respect for the other person and his ability to walk out with them together after deciding tough issues is something he has always demonstrated. In Fayetteville we have widely divergent opinions of what is best, and we need someone like Lioneld who will bring everyone to the table, work to find consensus, make a decision and then move us forward. I respect him so much. You'll hear some of his opponents say why he shouldn't be mayor, but I think Lioneld is one of the most caring people I know, truly interested in helping the city and all of the citizens. I hope you will support and vote for Lioneld Jordan as our next mayor. I know I will !
Don Marr
Fayetteville

Writ large: Firefighters, police officers endorse Lioneld Jordan for mayor of Fayetteville

Please click on image to ENLARGE photo of Police and Firefighter banner endorsing Lioneld Jordan for mayor of Fayetteville, Arkansas, on October 25, 2008.

University of Arkansas group representing faculty and staff employees has endorsed Lioneld Jordan for mayor of Fayetteville

University workers’ union endorses Jordan for mayor’s seat
Special to the Times
Posted on Thursday, October 23, 2008
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/nwat/News/70353/
The American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Local 965, representing faculty and staff employees at the University of Arkansas since 1962, endorsed Lioneld Jordan for mayor of Fayetteville in the Nov. 4 general election.

After reviewing the records of candidates and the responses to its candidate questionnaires, for the first time in the group’s 46-year history, it was unable to reach a unanimous decision on endorsements for City Council candidates: Don Conner, Brenda Thiel, Mark Kinion, Matthew Petty, Craig Honchell, Sarah Lewis and Bernard Sulliban.

Copyright © 2001-2008 Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc. All rights reserved. Contact: webmaster@nwanews.com

Another video supporting Lioneld Jordan for mayor

Aubrey Shepherd speaks in support of Lioneld Jordan for mayor of Fayetteville, Arkansas

Editorial points out similarity of today and in fall 2000.

Please click on image to ENLARGE photo of public-safety worker supporting Lioneld Jordan for Mayor and Craig Honchell for Ward 4 alderman.


Geroge Arnold today (Tuesday) in ADG

"In the Fayetteville mayoral race, things are starting to look like it’s 2000 all over again. Back then, Fayetteville had a two-term mayor running for a third term and being challenged by a large field of opponents. The opponents included a couple with colorful names. The incumbent mayor wound up on the defensive about his record. Then, one of his challengers landed a key endorsement from the firefighters’ union. He got the mayor into a runoff and went on to beat the incumbent. The incumbent in 2000 was Fred Hanna; the eventual winner of the race was Dan Coody. This year, Dan Coody is the two-term incumbent trying for a third win. He’s being challenged on his record by, among others, Adam Fire Cat, the waiter with the unusual name. And by Lioneld Jordan, an alderman since 2001 who’s been mounting a strong challenge to the incumbent. Lately, Lioneld Jordan has picked up the endorsement of the firemen’s union, the police association and the Sierra Club. It’s too soon to say that history will repeat itself, but events sure are falling into place for a repeat of the way things turned out eight years ago. —––––– • –––––—George Arnold is opinion editor of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette’s northwest edition.

It'll be great when Lioneld is mayor

It’ll be great when Lioneld is mayor

If you support trails and parks, economic and environmental sustainability, livable wages, affordable housing, open-door government and accountability, then Lioneld Jordan is your candidate for mayor. Lioneld has consistently voted to support our trails and parks. He is a team builder, open-minded and eager to learn from others. Giving credit where due, Lioneld draws together a variety of people who enjoy working cooperatively. Every month for the past eight years he has invited constituents from all over the city to Room 111 in City Hall for Ward 4 meetings. He informs us about city projects and listens to our feedback. As chair of the street committee he has the Street Department report monthly on their budget and project progress. These reports are given in front of TV cameras. Despite his full-time job at the University of Arkansas, Lioneld has never missed a City Council or Ward 4 meeting. He regularly puts in 30-plus hours a week as our alderman. It will be a great day when Lioneld Jordan is Fayetteville’s full-time mayor and able to devote his entire workweek to the city. His straightforward manner is refreshing and inspiring. His love of public service is contagious. You will see innovative economic ideas put into action as a wide variety of citizens get engaged in moving Fayetteville forward because of Mayor Jordan’s open-arm approach to city government. Lioneld brings out the best in people and he will bring out the best in our city. Vote for Fayetteville. Vote for Lioneld Jordan.
Louise Mann / Fayetteville

Students a true part of the city

Mayoral candidate Jordan speaks about UA, Dickson Street

By: Miles Bryant

Posted: 10/20/08

Lioneld Jordan has lived in Fayetteville for more than 30 years, been on the City Council seven and a half years, been vice mayor four years, fought for equal pay for women faculty at the UA, fought for the proper observance of Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, fought for a polling booth for the students and is "ready for the next level," he said.

"I truly know the campus better than any of the candidates," Jordan said. "I'm part of this campus, and this campus is part of me. It's been wonderful to be a part of this family."

Jordan's tenure at the UA has led to his affection for the students and a desire to include them into the city.

"One thing I'm going to offer the students, even though we didn't get the polling booth - I'm going to offer them a town hall meeting at least once a year on this campus," he said. "They'll know where the city's at, and they'll be part of the city. My whole campaign has been about the people and pulling people together.

"I think sometimes the student body feels that they're not really part of the city, but they are part of the city. I'm going to bridge that gap because I know the UA, and I know the city. We've got to pull everything together."

One of the things Jordan would like to see is a committee of students that would advise the city with students' needs.

"I find it's paramount to have that line of communication," he said.

Jordan said he thinks the city needs to partner the UA and Ozark Regional Transit in their efforts for public transportation.

In his view of public transportation, Jordan sees a box lined with kiosks around the city of Fayetteville, with Sam's Club in the center. He crosses the box with boulevards that have 10 feet of green space and six-foot sidewalks. He calls this "the box" and wants to hook a trail system onto the box so people can ride their bikes to the kiosks and board the buses. He also would like to run a light rail system along the railroad tracks Fayetteville has.

"I'm very interested in light rail," he said. "Light rail, with one motor, will haul 15,000 riders. A boulevard road will haul 5,000."

Jordan also said he thinks Razorback Transit deserves more money from the city.

"We're giving Razorback Transit, I think, $50,000 a year," he said. "I think we need to give them around $100,000 and really partner with them."

With 38 percent of Fayetteville's population making less than $30,000 a year, Jordan has a plan to shift the middle class. He'd like to train people, through the governor's workforce plan, in green collar jobs and then recruit green companies to come to the city of Fayetteville.

"It elevates the blue-collar workers to a new standard of living, which creates a new middle class in this city, which then creates a disposable income they'll spend back into the community," Jordan said.

For the city park system, Jordan would like to section one-third of city parks into three sections: one section with trees, one section with Arkansas natural grasses and one section with a shared community garden.

"Anybody that wants to can get a piece of this garden," he said. "Either they maintain it or they lose it. They can take a section of this and grow their own food. It creates community."

Jordan also would like to see the new parks planted with a "sustainable" grass that grows five to six inches tall and only requires cutting once a month.

"If we start to sod the new parks in this grass, how much more do we save on gas just mowing once a month instead of once a week?" Jordan asked. "We create a sustainable park."

When it comes to businesses, Jordan's primary concern is keeping local businesses in Fayetteville.

"We've got to keep the local businesses that we have here solid and then recruit the new businesses," he said.

Jordan's most heartfelt answers come from questions about Dickson Street.

"I have not supported large hotels downtown, especially on Dickson Street," he said. "When I was here, Dickson Street was the most unique place in this whole town. It was a melting pot of different cultures and diversity, and different ideas, and free-flowing thought and entertainment.

"I think it defines this city. There's no place like Dickson Street to me, and I'm going to keep it unique; I'm going to keep it like it is."
© Copyright 2008 The Traveler

Margaret Hunt says Jordan best choice possible

Lioneld Jordan is the best choice possible.
My family has been involved in the life of this city for more than 100 years, beginning with grandparents who arrived in a wagon from the plains of Kansas following the dust bowls. I was born and raised here, married my high-school sweetheart, and returned after college to raise a family and pursue vocational opportunities.
We have witnessed much growth and change in our city and have enthusiastically supported most of it. We returned to Fayetteville to retire and care for elderly parents in 1998 and supported a change in the office of mayor in 2000.
We supported Lioneld Jordan for alderman in the ward where we were living at the time on the advice of a friend. It was great advice!
Fayetteville has made some great advances in the past eight years, as well as some colossal blunders (think budget over runs ) under the leadership of our present mayor. But should we think that no one else can "keep a good thing going"except this mayor? I think not.
I do not want to settle for mediocrity. I choose instead to push beyond that and work for "excellence in all things for Fayetteville," but with integrity and fiscal responsibility.
I grew up during the end of the Great Depression and learned firsthand how to live within our means.
I was taught to treat all people in my life with courtesy and respect.
I was taught to work hard and to enjoy my work.
I was taught to respect my elders.
I was taught to accept responsibility for all my actions and not to blame others.
These are the qualities we expect in the leader of our city.
We find these qualities in Lioneld Jordan.
Lioneld was elected to the city council the same year our current mayor was elected and has been in the legislative branch of our city government with responsibility for voting on issues that have produced all the wonderful improvements that the mayor is claiming as his products.
Lioneld has chaired major committees and hammered out proposals that were forwarded to the council for their vote.
The mayor is responsible for doing the work after the council has legislated.
The job of governing the city is the responsibility of the mayor AND eight aldermen - not one man claiming honors.
In these economically challenging times, I want a mayor who will be fiscally responsible, who will treat all citizens with respect, who will accept responsibility for his actions, who loves Fayetteville, who has endless energy for the work, and who will promote Fayetteville and not himself.
Please vote for Lioneld Jordan for mayor of Fayetteville on Nov. 4. Thank you.
Margaret J. Hunt
Fayetteville
EARLY voting begins tomorrow!

Nancy Allen says Lioneld Jordan is Fayetteville's best bet

Lioneld Jordan is Fayetteville's best bet.
As you evaluate the candidates for mayor of Fayetteville, please consider:
Who has never missed a single meeting in his eight years on the City Council? Lioneld Jordan.
Who serves as vice mayor and actually ran the 2008 budget meetings when the mayor was out of the country? Lioneld Jordan.
Who will reduce wasteful expenses and present a balanced budget? Lioneld Jordan.
Who chairs the street committee? Lioneld Jordan.
Who has had a ward meeting each month, has been on the council to keep his constituents informed and to hear their concerns? Lioneld Jordan.
Who always takes time to listen? Lioneld Jordan.
Who is a man who cares about all the citizens ? Lioneld Jordan.
Who will see to it that our poor and elderly are not forgotten? Lioneld Jordan.
Who has an excellent voting record for parks, trails and green space? Lioneld Jordan. Who has championed the Fayetteville Public Library? Lioneld Jordan.
Who will have, and implement, an economic development plan to recruit green jobs that pay a living wage? Lioneld Jordan.
Who will work for an affordable housing that is not set apart to become tomorrow's slums? Lioneld Jordan.
Who is a proven supporter of the arts? Lioneld Jordan.
Who does the right and ethical thing even if it is less popular? Lioneld Jordan.
Who is accountable and does not pass the buck? Lioneld Jordan.
Who has experience you can trust? Lioneld Jordan.
When I think of Lioneld Jordan, the first thought that comes to mind is "passion for Fayetteville." He lives and breathes our beloved city. Please join me in voting for my friend Lioneld Jordan for mayor on Nov. 4. One can vote early starting October 20.
Nancy Allen
Ward 2 Alderman
Fayetteville

Fayetteville police and firefighters urging people to vote for Lioneld Jordan for mayor

Please click on image to ENLARGE Firefighters and Police officers' endorsement of Lioneld Jordan for mayor.

Jordan effective leader

Lioneld's honesty gets my vote
http://www.nwanews.com/nwat/Editorial/70153
With the mayoral debates rerunning on television, it seems the sewer plant just won't go away. Critics of the mayor continue to complain about a $ 60 million overrun and three-year delay in project completion, and the mayor continues to blame someone else and events beyond his control.
In blaming the delay on the consultant initially hired to manage the project and the overrun on rapidly increasing construction costs early in the project, the mayor glosses over the fact that it was his administration's failure to properly monitor the consultant's performance that led to the delay, which in turn caused the project to slip into a period of rapidly rising construction costs.
Contrast this with the refreshing candor of Lioneld Jordan's public statement about the hole in the ground on College Avenue: "I made a mistake when I voted for that. I won't make that mistake again."
I come from a corporate culture where a man is not judged by whether he makes mistakes, but by how he behaves after he makes them. Lioneld would do well in that culture, just as I know he will do well as our next mayor. Please remember when you go to the polls: Lioneld Jordan - Experience You Can Trust ! 
William A. Moeller
Fayetteville

Letters supporting Lioneld in the Arkansas Traveler campus newspaper

Posted: 10/17/08

Jordan is committed to city, students

My state legislative district includes the university and much of Fayetteville Ward 4, so I have had many occasions to work with alderman Lioneld Jordan on issues of common concern to our constituents.

He always responds quickly to all questions and acts immediately to address any problem. Lioneld cares deeply about the interests of his constituents - including UA students - and has demonstrated a commitment to be a problem-solver, cutting through red tape and getting it done.

I appreciate Lioneld's effectiveness in lobbying the legislature for progressive legislation to benefit students, faculty, staff and all the residents of our city.

He advocated support for legislation to reduce the sales tax on groceries, establish need-based college scholarships, provide funding for workforce training, address workplace health and safety issues, regulate nonconsensual towing of private vehicles, and expand technology-based professional development opportunities. ??

Lioneld also supported legislation I sponsored to protect citizens' rights to participate in government and a bill to strengthen the Freedom of Information Act, reflecting his strong commitment to open government in Fayetteville.

When not working together as elected public servants, Lioneld and I also work for the university, where he has been on the staff for 26 years. We share a love of the university and are dedicated to its success.

Lioneld is a supervisor with Facilities Management and is responsible for those core academic facilities on our campus - Old Main, Mullins Library and others in the oldest part of our campus. He consistently brings projects in on time and under budget.

Please join me in voting for my friend Lioneld Jordan for mayor.

Rep. Lindsley Smith
Research assistant professor
Communication


Jordan is passionate about Fayetteville

As a friend and coworker of Lioneld Jordan for the past 26 years, I know Lioneld to be an honest and trustworthy man of passion, conviction and seemingly endless energy and enthusiasm for all of Fayetteville.

I'll definitely be voting for Lioneld Jordan for mayor on Nov. 4, and I hope you will, too!

Larry West
Carpenter
Facilities Management

William Flanagan letter in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette supports Lioneld Jordan for mayor

Candidate will serve all

I first met Lioneld Jordan at a union meeting on the University of Arkansas Fayetteville campus, where he played an important role in revitalizing the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees chapter. What struck me about Lioneld as a union leader and later as a city council member was the way he listened to the concerns and ideas of his constituents and then planned and worked to answer those concerns and to make those ideas reality.

He is a leader who pays close attention to the details while seeing the big picture. As a union leader, he understood that making the university a better place for the workers would make it a better place for students, faculty and all staff. He took that same approach to his position on the city council. He listened and responded to his constituents while keeping the needs of the whole city in mind. Lioneld also shares two of my priorities for Fayetteville's future. He is dedicated to developing a green economy for our area to sustain our environment and make Fayetteville livable for all. As an artist, I particularly appreciate his support for a cultural arts district and a vibrant arts life in our city. I am confident that he will follow through on these priorities because here's what I know about Lioneld: He's an honest, trustworthy man who loves Fayetteville and has worked to make this city prosper. His door is open to all. He has served Fayetteville well on the city council and will be a mayor for all the people.
WILLIAM FLANAGAN / Fayetteville

Mayoral candidates debate at the University of Arkansas, according to student-run newspaper

Mayoral race visits UA campus
By: James Baker
Posted: 10/17/08
The mayoral forum Wednesday in the Arkansas Union showed universal agreement among the four candidates present on the necessity for student involvement in the local community and environmental development.
However, tensions between candidate Lionel Jordan and incumbent Dan Coody continued to simmer.
With candidates Steve Clark and Walt Eilers wedged between them, Jordan and Coody sparred over Jordan's proposal to bring town hall meetings to Fayetteville to let students and residents become involved in city governance.
Students "are just as much a part of this town as anyone else," Jordan said. "People want to be informed and are tired of surprises."
Jordan also referred to the city's wastewater treatment project that ran $60 million over budget and was completed three years later than previously scheduled.
"Who wants to go to a meeting where nothing gets accomplished?" Coody said.
Coody, running for a third term, responded to Jordan's reference to the surprise of an extra $60 million spent on the treatment center project by mentioning Jordan's position on the city water and sewer committee, to which Jordan replied, "The buck stops with you."
Coody countered by saying the "buck stops with all of us in leadership positions."
All candidates emphasized the importance of the relationship between the city and UA students, both civically and economically, in the Associated Student Government-sponsored forum.
"We're not homogenized," Steve Clark said. "We all don't think alike, and that's a good thing."
Clark, a distinguished alumnus of the UA School of Law, said several short-term solutions should be implemented in the next term of office while others are planned out, including the addition of broadband to the city and covers for the multiple bus stop benches that currently lay bare.
"We can do that now," he said.
Clark also said that lack of preparation is responsible for the city not taking full advantage of its economic opportunities, and the next mayor needs to either "take action, or get out of the way."
Students "are the largest economic consumers in town," said Eilers, who supports putting a student representative into City Council and also mentioned the case for broadband throughout the city, including buses.
When asked what qualified him for the position, Eilers joked, "When you've been in business 42 years ... I've earned my white hair."
Eilers encouraged students to get out into the local community and volunteer, and he also said the "city of Fayetteville needs to care about the UA."
Coody emphasized the importance of bettering the town for the future, as many students "will want to come back and raise their families" in Fayetteville.
Jordan, who has worked in UA Facilities Management for 26 years, said communication between city government and small businesses must be "one on one, face to face."
Candidate and UA student Sami Sutton was unable to participate in the debate because she didn't hear about it until it was too late, and candidate Adam Fire Cat didn't show up.
© Copyright 2008 The Traveler

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Ward Four meetings led by Jordan always highlight major issues

Ward 4 meeting highlights city budget

Lioneld Jordan and Shirley Lucas hold their Ward 4 meeting on the last Monday every month at City Hall. They're always timely - usually covering the next council agenda or some new plans or development in the ward. Lioneld always gives us a monthly update on the city's Street Improvement Project. So it wasn't surprising that the September meeting turned out to be a short course in political science and city finance, sort of a Participatory City Government 101. It's also a working model of the quarterly town hall meetings that Lioneld will be committed to when elected mayor. As an impromptu leadoff, our three candidates for the Ward 4 Council seat - Lewis, Honchell and Sulliban - introduced themselves and their platforms for five minutes each. All showed themselves to be worthy choices for our next alderman. Then the meeting was turned over to Paul Becker, Fayetteville's Finance Director, who gave an update on the city's budgeting process. His presentation proved to be a rich learning experience for everyone. Mr. Becker treated us to an expert and fast-paced analysis of our city budget, punctuated by comments from Shirley and Lioneld and audience questions - all in less than 45 minutes. He shared a half-dozen easily read cardboard charts that he described as "old fashioned," but they painted a graphic picture of the major portions of our city budget, detailing sources and distribution of the funds. He fielded our questions directly and clearly - even from those of us who know little about the complexities of the city's budgeting process. Characteristically, the general tone of the meeting was like a family or neighborhood get-together, with Lucas and Jordan supplying additional information on budget items that most affected our ward - including some straight talk about the options for balancing the 2009 budget. Although we've had Ward 4 budget discussions annually, I believe that Becker's was the first we've applauded. Maybe that's because we have some especially difficult needs to be resolved and our U. S economy is suffering. We urged Becker to put his charts on the city's Web site for the community. And later, we posted the meeting videos online and requested replays of the complete Ward 4 meeting on CAT. An edited version also is showing on the Government Channel. You'll see the kind of accountability that we've learned to depend on in Ward 4 for the past eight years. Lioneld has promised to hold similar quarterly meetings that will be rotated among the wards when he's elected mayor, another reason we'll be voting for him in November. It's the kind of experience and sharing that we've learned to trust. Join us at the Oct. 27 Ward 4 meeting. In these lean times, we especially appreciate the careful stewardship that Lioneld and Shirley give us for our tax dollars. It's another reason to vote for Lioneld Jordan - experience you can trust.
Jim Bemis / Fayetteville

Fayetteville police organization endorses Lioneld Jordan for mayor

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Woodlee supports Jordan in Arkansas Traveler letter section

Experience matters in mayoral candidates

Why would we want Lioneld Jordan for mayor? I suppose if integrity, trustworthiness, accountability and, of course, more service and relevant experience than all the rest of the candidates combined didn't matter, maybe we wouldn't.

But as I see it, these are the very attributes that will take Fayetteville to the next level.

For me, the choice is quite obvious. We need Lioneld Jordan as our next mayor. Please remember to vote your choice Nov. 4.

Randall Woodlee
Fayetteville, Ark.

Early voting starts October 20, 2008

Early voting:

County Clerk’s office beginning October 20, 2008. Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. M – F, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. the Monday before the election.

Springdale Rodeo Center beginning October 20, 2008. Hours 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. M-F and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays. This site will not be open the Monday before the election.

Monday, October 12, Fayetteville mayoral candidate Lioneld Jordan to be a
guest on “On the Air with Richard S. Drake.”

Jordan, currently a Fayetteville alderman, will discuss budget issues,
transportation, low-income housing, attracting industry to Fayetteville,
and working class matters, among other issues facing voters.

Show days and times:

Monday, October 12 - 7pm
Tuesday, October 13 - noon
Saturday, October 18 - 6pm

C.A.T. is shown on Channel 18 of the Cox channel line-up in Fayetteville.

Artist William Flanagan supports Lioneld Jordan for mayor

Lioneld listens - and gets things done

I first met Lioneld Jordan at a union meeting on the University of Arkansas campus, where he played an important role in revitalizing the AFSCME chapter. What struck me about Lioneld as a union leader and later as a city council member was the way he listened to the concerns and ideas of his constituents and then planned and worked to answer those concerns and to make those ideas reality. He is a leader who pays close attention to the details while seeing the big picture. As union leader, he understood that making the university a better place for the workers would make it a better place for students, faculty and all staff. He took that same approach to his position on the city council. He listened and responded to his constituents while keeping the needs of the whole city in mind. Lioneld also shares two of my priorities for Fayetteville's future. He is dedicated to developing a green economy for our area to sustain our environment and make Fayetteville livable for all. As an artist, I particularly appreciate his support for a Cultural Arts District and a vibrant arts life in our city. I am confident he will follow through on these priorities, because here's what I know about Lioneld Jordan: He's an honest, trustworthy man who loves Fayetteville and has worked to make this city prosper. His door is open to all. He has served Fayetteville well on the city council and will be a mayor for all the people.
William Flanagan
Fayetteville

Susan Young tells why, like her mother decades ago, she supports a 'man of the people'

Jordan Represents All People

One day back in the early 1970s, perhaps awash from the knowledge I was gaining in Mrs. Parnell's Civics class at Ramay Junior High, I came home from school and asked my mother who her favorite president was. Mama thought about this for a minute before she answered, "Franklin D. Roosevelt. He was a man for all the people." Mama was a child of the Great Depression. Her opinion of FDR was borne of life's experiences. The conviction in her voice still resounds in my mind today.

Recently I attended the Fayetteville mayoral debate sponsored by the Fayetteville Council of Neighborhoods, and I heard Lioneld Jordan say, "Theodore Roosevelt gave you the Square Deal, Franklin D. Roosevelt gave you the New Deal, and I'm going to give you the Real Deal." At that moment, I was reminded of Mama's praise of FDR as "a man for all the people." I believe Lioneld Jordan is also "a man for all the people." Like Mama's opinion of FDR, my opinion of Lioneld is borne of life's experiences. As Ward 4 alderman and vice mayor of Fayetteville, I have seen Lioneld talk openly, honestly and respectfully with people from all walks of life. I have seen him stand firm for what he believes in. I have seen him humbly admit when he is wrong. I have grown to admire him for his common sense ideas and plain-spoken solutions, for his tireless efforts to make Fayetteville the best it can be, and for his genuine love for our city and its people.

With the same strength of conviction that Mama had for FDR, I am proud to support Lioneld Jordan for mayor of Fayetteville. Lioneld Jordan is a man for all the people.

Susan Young

Lioneld Jordan elated, humbled by learning he has received Sierra Club's endorsement in Fayetteville's mayoral race

Please click on images to ENLARGE view of Lioneld Jordan after learning that the Sierra Club has endorsed his candidacy for mayor of Fayetteville, Arkansas.


The button on his shirt tells the story. Lioneld is serious about environmental concerns as he looks across Martin Luther King Boulevard to a small but environmentally sensitive area in south Fayetteville.

Ozark Headwaters Group of the Sierra Club endorses local candidates

Sent: Wed 10/08/08 11:48 AM

SIERRA CLUB ENDORSES JORDAN FOR MAYOR OF FAYETTEVILLE;

THIEL, KINION AND LEWIS FOR CITY COUNCIL
The Sierra Club's Ozark Headwaters Group announced Thursday the club's endorsements for Fayetteville races in the November 2008 elections. The endorsements are based on (1) candidates' public records; (2) their responses to a series of detailed questions about environ mental issues; (3) their presentations at the candidates’ forum held at the U of A School of Law on Sept. 25; and (4) our assessment of the candidates’ likely effectiveness as public servants with attention to environmental values.

The endorsements are:

Mayor of Fayetteville: Lioneld Jordan

Fayetteville Ward 1, Pos. 2: Brenda Thiel

City Council: Ward 2, Pos. 2: Mark Kinion

Ward 4, Pos. 2: Sarah Lewis

"It’s a testament to the citizens of Fayetteville and their commitment to the environment that we have a choice among strong environmental candidates in every race this year," said Molly Rawn, the group's chair. "While Dan Coody, for example, has often done a good job over the years, Lioneld Jordan’s outstanding track record as alderman, his excellent values and his staunch trustworthiness make him our clear choice for mayor.”
The Sierra Club is the only environmental advocacy organi zation in Arkansas that makes political endorsements. The club, now more than a century old, has over 1.3 million members and supporters nationwide, of whom more than 300 members are Fayetteville voters.
FOR FURTHER INFO CONTACT: Rob Leflar

Tel. 443-5121 or 575-2709, E-mail

Professor Steve Smith says Lioneld Jordan is the right choice for mayor of Fayetteville

http://media.www.thetraveleronline.com/media/storage/paper688/news/2008/10/08/Opinion/Letters.To.The.Editor-3475050.shtml

Support staff member for city mayor

I am delighted that UA students are politically active this year, and I appreciate the Traveler's coverage of those who have become candidates for City Council, mayor and Congress.

Vice Mayor and Alderman Lioneld Jordan, a 26-year member of the university staff, has an outstanding voting record and history of public service.

Lioneld is a zone supervisor with Facilities Management, and he has been an outstanding advocate for our students and staff.

When 32 staff workers were threatened with losing their jobs, Lioneld stepped up to lead the fight and involved local legislators to reverse the decision. When the Associated Student Government proposed establishing an early voting site on campus, Lioneld contacted the election commission and threw his support behind that effort.

In hundreds of ways, he has been there advocating for the best interests of our university community, including successfully lobbying the state legislature on behalf of UA employees.

Lioneld has been a guest speaker in my classes and a guest on "Book Notes," a program on Community Access Television.

As a member of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, he has been active in organizing the monthly food drive for Seven Hills Homeless Shelter, the Christmas toy drive for children and the Curb the Clutter program that collects trash along Razorback Road.

Lioneld has been recognized with the Outstanding Community Service Award from the UA Staff Senate; nominated for the Peace Hero Award by OMNI; twice recognized as the outstanding local government leader by Sierra Club; received the Torchbearer Award for Exemplary Community Service from Alpha Phi Alpha; and he is one of only 75 employees to have received the UA Diversity Certificate.

I am proud to call Lioneld my friend, and I hope you will join me in supporting him for mayor.

Stephen Smith
Professor
Communication

NOBODY has suggested turning the Government Channel into a community-access station. Read the policy document created by the Telecom policy committee

Policy document prepared during a series of meetings in July, August and September 2008 by the Telecom Board's policy committee
The Morning News

Local News for Northwest Arkansas
Televised Forums Spark Debate
By Skip Descant
The Morning News
FAYETTEVILLE - It's still not clear if issue and candidate forums will make their way to the Fayetteville Government Channel's prime time.
But after months of study, the topic is expected to be hotly debated at tonight's Fayetteville City Council meeting. The item was briskly yanked from last week's council consent agenda session, when practically every council member pushed the issue to open debate.
Moderated public forums involving candidates and ballot issues would be recorded and broadcast by the government channel, according to the proposed new policy. The moderator must be a nonpartisan group such as the League of Women Voters, "and will be overseen by a public forum committee, responsible for considering the issue representation with regard to participants, content and format."
Nancy Allen, a council member from Ward 2 who is not seeking re-election, raised the question of having the government channel record and broadcast a Ward 2 candidate forum. The request came from a citizen group, Allen said.
The request was denied because the group did not fall under the umbrella of city government. Allen asked last week how this topic differed from some of the more innocuous programming she's seen on the channel.
In the past, Allen has requested that issue forums about the future of Fayetteville High School or the Walton Arts Center be broadcast. Those requests were denied by the city because the discussion was not directly related to the workings of the city.
"How does that differ from showing animals in need of adoption?" Allen said. "Anyone could make an argument that walking around looking at flowers, shaking hands, that's not 'government.'"
Without directly naming him, Allen was referencing news conferences and other events called by Fayetteville Mayor Dan Coody, who has received much criticism alleging he's used the government channel as his own personal publicity agency.
"I see much more reason to debate those issues - Fayetteville High School and Walton Arts Center - than to show video of the mayor walking around the square," wrote Allen in an e-mail. "That borders on propaganda in my view."
Susan Thomas, public information officer for the city, and one of the architects of the proposed policy, has maintained that the channel can only be used by government and for government-related programming.
Thomas said a Fayetteville Council of Neighborhoods mayoral debate aired because the council is comprised of city-appointed members, meets at city hall and has city staff assigned to the group, therefore, it operates under the umbrella of the city.
"Any other organization, they don't get city staff, and they're not covered on a regular basis," Thomas told the council.
Citizen groups like the one Allen mentioned would be better served by Community Access Television, say officials. Allen admitted she had not contacted CAT.
The mayor has said repeatedly that the city council has the discretion to create the government channel in nearly any image it wishes. It only needs to write the appropriate policy and carry it out.
"If you want to turn the government channel into a community access television station, then just do that," Coody told the board last week.
Policy document prepared during a series of meetings in July, August and September 2008 by the Telecom Board's policy committee
MEETING INFORMATION

Fayetteville City Council

When: 6 p.m. today

Where: Room 219, City Hall, 113 W. Mountain St.

Also on the agenda: Urban Design Associates, the Pittsburgh design firm responsible for the conceptual plan for SouthPass, will give a presentation.

Lioneld Jordan the right choice for mayor of Fayetteville

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