This year, there are four Bentonville City Council member terms set to expire. Gayatri Agnew, Ward 1, and Chris Sooter, Ward 2, are both running unopposed for re-election.

In Ward 3, current City Councilman Bill Burckart faces challenger Sara Folkins. 

In Ward 4, Jocelyn Lampkin is running against current City Councilwoman Holly Hook. Nick Slagle will also appear on the Ward 4 ballot, however, he said he would be unable to accept the seat if elected. Slagle said he was told by the Benton County Clerk’s office that his name could not be removed from the ballot.

City Council members represent one of four wards but are elected at-large, so all residents vote in each race. Early voting begins today. For details on early voting locations, what’s on the ballot, and other voter resources, click here.

The Bentonville Bulletin invited the candidates for contested City Council seats to respond to a questionnaire. Below are the answers for Ward 4, copied verbatim. See the Q&A for Ward 3 here.

What qualifies you for the role of City Council member?

Hook

Serving on City Council for the past 3.5 years, I possess knowledge and experience that voters value regarding budgets, procedures, policies, legal compliance, etc. I have earned a reputation of being highly responsive, not just in my ward, but throughout Bentonville because I walk our neighborhoods, listen to people, respond to issues, and bring residents’ concerns to the table. I will ensure that residents continue to have a voice in Bentonville’s decisions. I have established trusting relationships with staff, experts, and volunteers to solve problems and work cooperatively for the betterment of Bentonville.

Also, serving others holds high value in my life. A few examples from my 27 years here: Bentonville Public School teacher and volunteer, Capital Campaign Manager raising funds for Amazeum, adjunct teacher at NWACC, six years on the Bentonville Parks and Recreation Board and Loving Choices Board, and currently serving on the For the Love Board.

Lampkin

I’ve served in many roles, on several boards, and in leadership positions. My servant leadership mindset is one of my greatest qualities. Servant leadership means fostering collaboration, being approachable, and empowering others to share ideas and concerns. Through my various roles, I’ve also honed my skills in active listening, ensuring that diverse perspectives are heard and valued. I truly believe that effective representation starts with listening and building relationships, and I will be dedicated to advocating for solutions that reflect the needs of those who call Bentonville home.

What is the single biggest issue facing Bentonville?

Hook

Bentonville is experiencing “growing pains.” We are constantly improving and developing infrastructure to keep up with continuous growth. During construction for these improvements, traffic becomes problematic, and safety becomes a concern. Over the past year, city planners, city council and constituents have worked together tirelessly to finalize a land use plan to alleviate some of these growing pains we are experiencing. Inviting our constituents into these meetings has helped them understand the processes better and be involved in solving the issues.

Lampkin

We have been in a state of rapid growth for a while now. With rapid growth comes housing affordability issues and strained infrastructure. So, to provide one answer to the biggest issue facing Bentonville, I would say it is our response to rapid growth. We need to move from being reactive and be more proactive on how we deal with the growth. The growth is not expected to slow down. I think Plan Bentonville has done a great job of showing how we can move forward as a city, while preserving the small-town charms that we love so dearly. Continuing this approach of gathering public comments will ensure a thriving city.

What are you hearing from the people in your ward? What issues are they most passionate about? 

Hook

My ward are my biggest cheerleaders. Many have stated that for the first time, they feel like someone is listening to them and not just rubber stamping all the decisions.

My ward has some of the biggest challenges in the city with the construction of the new Walmart Home Office.

A few months into my first term, we were confronted with an issue of a neighborhood blocked in due to an enormous amount of traffic congestion at its entrance. I canvassed the neighborhood, listened to their concerns, and set up a meeting between the stakeholders of Walmart, the residents, and the city. Within days, we came up with some satisfactory solutions. I feel extremely supported by my ward, as they know they can always reach out to me and will receive a response.

Lampkin

Issues people are passionate about definitely vary based on where someone lives, and how they live. But I know that traffic is the biggest issue that is almost always brought up. The city has worked hard to provide public transportation, however people don’t know about it. The city works to solve problems, implement, and then not a whole lot happens after that. With the free bus route, if no one uses it, we will for sure lose it. If we use it, more routes will be added. Continuing to partner with Bentonville Moves is also an option for reducing road traffic by creating and championing alternate modes of transportation.

Do you feel Bentonville is headed in the right direction? Why or why not?

Hook

Absolutely! We are one of the most vibrant communities in the nation. We are blessed to have job opportunities, thriving businesses, an incredible parks system, and most importantly, Bentonville is safe.

Lampkin

Yes, I think we are moving in the right direction. The city and the departments of the city do a great job of gathering public opinion. There is a lot of thought that goes into enhancing life in Bentonville. I believe with strategic planning and these opportunities for active community involvement, we will continue to create a thriving city that benefits everyone.

What role do you think the city should play in creating affordable housing?

Hook

Affordable housing is a crisis across the country. We are seeing more investors coming in, buying property, and driving up the cost of housing. When I moved to Bentonville 27 years ago, downtown was one of the most affordable places to live in Bentonville. Over the past decade or so, most of those affordable homes have been demolished and replaced with high-priced homes.

The city’s role should include: eliminating unnecessary regulations that increase the price of housing, refusing tax increases, considering various and diverse types of housing, and approving development in areas that are not in flood zones and are an appropriate fit for the surrounding area.

Lampkin

A few roles that I can think of include:

– Collaboration with non-profit organizations and housing authorities to leverage resources and expertise in creating and maintaining housing.

– Offer incentives or grants to developers who commit to including affordable housing in their project.

– Engaging the community in the discussions about the importance of affordable housing.

In the long run, when we prioritize housing options for teachers, first responders, and city workforce, we send a strong message that we care. When they live in the city where they work, the dollars they may spend elsewhere, come back to their home town.

We’ve all been stuck in rush hour traffic in Bentonville. How can we improve it?

Hook

I have traveled around the USA to 49 states and 46 National Parks. The one constant is traffic. The more people, the more traffic. City governments can provide options that enable public transportation, biking, carpooling, and walking, in addition to what automobile drivers need. I understand that residents will adopt the options they are willing to adopt when offered a variety of choices.

Lampkin

I talked about this in the previous answer but I can expand more here. First, I think we need to do a better job of advertising for the current free transportation that is being offered. When we get more riders, the routes will grow. Second, I believe people want to take their cars instead of a bus is because they may need to drive somewhere in the middle of the day that is not on the bus route. If the city can offer alternative modes of transportation (i.e. e-bikes) this could be an alternative that would benefit those who would otherwise have to drive. Another option may include an incentive to those who take the bus, just to start getting the word out there.