Regnat Populus

Lioneld Jordan, Vice Mayor and Ward Four Alderman, announced yesterday that he is a candidate for Mayor of Fayetteville. Surrounded by his wife and family on the north side of the town square, Jordan told a crowd of 150 citizens that his campaign was about "Two words: the people. The people. How we serve the people, how we take care of the people, what’s important to the people. Because when this thing is all said and done, we are what they call public servants, and we work for the people. And if I’m elected mayor, I will continue to work for the people as I have for the last seven years.”

Jordan outlined a platform that addressed what he hoped to accomplish as Mayor, including the basic infrastructure needs of the future, the priority of public safety, protection for urban forests and watersheds, a practical mass transit system, and good jobs -- support for existing small businesses and aggressive recruiting of "green collar jobs" that pay a decent living wage.

Big promises and bland platitudes were not enough, Jordan said, for anyone asking for the job of Mayor of Fayetteville. He said that he has never missed a City Council vote or a Ward 4 meeting during his seven years in office, and he asked voters to look at his record of public service. The theme of "experience you can trust" was more than a campaign slogan whipped up by some advertising agency, it was a fact. “He repeatedly and convincingly avowed his love and loyalty to Fayetteville,” said one long-time neighbor. “My experience as a Ward 4 constituent leads me to expect him to live up to every promise he makes.”

One citizen in attendance observed that the crowd at Jordan's announcement represented the heart and soul of the community. There was a world-famous poet and local political leaders, including a majority of the City Council and state legislators; professors and political activists; Democrats, Republicans, and Greens; small business owners and physical plant workers from the University of Arkansas. It looked a lot like Fayetteville.

In concluding his speech, Jordan stressed that his administration would be dedicated to “true, open-door government” about “me listening to you.” He proposed quarterly townhall meetings rotating through the city’s four wards so he can hear directly from people about their concerns and passions and use that information to set and implement their goals. “I’m going to be the people’s mayor," he pledged. "That’s what’s important to me. I’m going to make this mayor’s seat your seat. … We’re going to have good, decent, honest representation. I will stand in the gap, and I will lead the charge, and I will be the main cheerleader for this city. Together we can do anything, and we will.”

Jordan has a campaign website with additional information. You can also check out the campaign websites of his two opponents, Republican businessman Jeff Koenig and consultant Walt Eilers. Photograph above of Jordan announcing courtesy of Valerie Biendara.