Editor’s note: All candidates have been contacted for updates to their campaigns. We will report on their responses as they respond.
By Martin Couch
There are notably contested races for City Council seats in Ward 1 and Ward 4 in Bryant this year. As time ticks to election day next Tuesday, last minute plans and strategies are being carried out to finish out a long campaign.[more]
Alan Kays running against alderman Danny Steele in Ward 1 is one of the more interesting battles. Steele has been in the seat on the City Council for several years, while Kays brings in a resume of qualifications.
"If I told you about all of the strategies, then I might be giving away some of the tricks of the trade as some people say," Kays said. "I can tell you that active campaigning is still in full swing."
Kays has been out knocking on doors, talking to voters, placing signs, distributing information and basically getting to know some of the residents in his home town ward.
"I will continue this until Nov. 1," he said. "Two specific areas of focus are making sure that the voters know the candidates, because voters have expressed concern about not knowing who their current aldermen are and they have also expressed their dissatisfaction with incumbent performance. Secondly, I've been encouraging people to get out and vote, preferably during the early voting period."
This is the first time Kays has campaigned.
"I have learned a lot of things that I will do differently next time," he said. "My campaign has been going well. I have made myself available through door-to-door campaigning, Bryant's Fall Fest, local political fundraisers and political rallies. The desire to meet with and listen to the people and to offer to serve them as an elected official only grows stronger with each day that passes. I want that personal exchange of fresh ideas, concerns, thoughts, etc., to continue not just through the election period, but even more so through my time as alderman for Ward 1."
Kays has been giving speeches at local political rallies lately, too.
"Regarding any strategy for me ‘gaining the upper hand,’ as I stated in my speech at a recent local political rally, I am not ‘running against anyone’," he said. "I am simply running for the people of Bryant. If I am running against anything, I am running against good ole’ boy politics, elected officials who feel that their service is an entitlement, and a lack of transparency and accountability in government. I want to give the people of Bryant a choice and will be greatly honored and humbled if they elect me to serve them."
Another important race is Ward 4 pitting alderman Brenda Miller against candidate Sam O'Bryant.
"I will continue to walk Ward 4," Miller said. "By going door-to-door people in Ward 4 know that I am aware of their neighborhoods also. I have lived for 21 years in Ward 4 and want to make decisions to uplift them as well as the entire city. Recycling, streets, drainage, parks, good water reserves and more commercial growth are important to all citizens to continue to keep Bryant the ‘people's choice’ and a great place to raise a family."
Miller has been encouraging people to vote early at First Pentecostal Church on Highway 5 to avoid lines on election day. As far as dealing with her city council duties, Miller has been in favor of a roundtable discussion for compromise if there is a disagreement between parties of different interests.
"I would much rather do that than spend money and time in a court of law," she said. "Things can often be sorted through a lot faster if people just work together. It is better to be proactive and plan for Bryant's future than cut it down in negative remarks in the media to cause distrust for all.
“Bryant is a great place to live, let's all be responsible for a positive vision in planning for our future,” she continued. “I feel real good about serving the people of Ward 4. Bryant is very special because of the great schools, safe neighborhoods, commercial growth, wonderful chamber leaders, and now ‘The Center’ that will be home to our senior adults and youth programs at the Boys and Girls Club. Wow, what a difference the City of Bryant has made in the last 20 years. It is awesome."
