Hot Springs Mayor Ruth Carney has announced her candidacy for re-election as mayor on the Hot Springs Board of Directors in the Nov. 4 general election.
"I am running for re-election for the office of mayor of Hot Springs. Approximately 10 years ago, while taking a Local and State Government class at National Park Community College, the assignment was to attend the city board meetings. After attending, I was shocked at the rude behavior of the board members and borderline chaos of the meetings.
"I asked, 'Why is this allowed and how does it continue?' The answer was 'no one else will run for office.' For the following six years I commented to family and friends, 'I'm going to run for mayor. I may not know a lot about the mechanics, but I am willing to learn and, I will be nice.' Nice is what was needed and essentially nice has happened. We still suffer at times from attitude dysfunction, but all in all, civility has come to city board meetings."
Carney said she has traveled almost 12,000 miles on city business during her term and welcomed "literally thousands of people to our city at conferences and conventions."
"I have attended hundreds of classes and workshops and have acquired knowledge on many issues concerning city planning and development, public health, safety and welfare. I serve on numerous boards and committees and am excited about being a part of the creation of our local Human Trafficking Task Force. I serve on the board of Garland County CARES (Coalition for Action, Recovery, Education and Support), The Greater Hot Springs Chamber Board and Metro Partnership, Metropolitan Planning Organization, Project Hope, Mental Health Court, Board of Trustees Southern Nazarene University, Cities of the First Class Advisory Council and the Economic Development Advisory Council for the Municipal League, and CCMC Bridges out of Poverty committee."
Carney said she is convinced that what the city needs now is a mayor who is committed to stand by the oath that was taken to uphold the Constitution of the United States and of the state of Arkansas and that understands the purpose of city government.
"It is not a business that needs an extra chief financial officer. We have a great one already. It is not an extension of the advertising and promotion commission nor an organization of goodwill ambassadors.
"The Constitution states, 'All political power is inherent in the people, and government is instituted for their protection, security and benefit; and they (the people) have the right to alter, reform or abolish the same in such manner as they (the people) think proper. All people have certain inherent and inalienable rights; among which are those of enjoying and defending life and liberty, of acquiring, possessing and protecting property and reputation and of pursuing their own happiness. To secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.'
"The people of our community have a right to speak, and to be heard when they speak. I was the only board member to oppose the removal of the televised public comment section from the city board meetings. The voice of the people should be respected and valued. I am for the private property rights of the citizens. The right of property is before and higher than any constitutional sanction. I believe the government should make no laws, policies or ordinances that are selectively enforced or that harm or threaten the right of private property. I am for truth and honesty and against using governmental power in any way to manipulate agendas for the benefit of the government and not the people."
Carney said the mayor is elected at large, not by a single community to which preferential attention is given.
"I was elected in 2010 of the people, by the people and for the people of our entire community, and not of the government, by the government, and for the government. My promise is pure and simple. The only reason I seek re-election is to stand for truth and transparency even if I have to stand alone, and to protect the constitutional rights of all citizens. We must work to bring unity to our community."
Local on 08/31/2014