Jordan Confirms Mayoral Aspirations
Alderman Cites Experience and Willingness
Last updated Friday, February 22, 2008 10:25 PM CST in News
By Dug Begley
The Morning News
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FAYETTEVILLE - Lioneld Jordan talks a lot about the importance of compromise and coming to some form of middle ground in city government. Now he wants to literally move to the middle of city government.
Jordan, a Ward 4 alderman, confirmed Friday he is running for Fayetteville mayor. If he wins, he'll move four seats to the left on the stage at city council meetings to the center of the council chambers.
"I can sum up my campaign platform in one word," Jordan said Friday. "I'm running for the people."
The mayor's chair is a common spot for Jordan. As vice mayor of the city for the past four years, he has conducted city meetings in Mayor Dan Coody's absence.
"I understand how the city system works," Jordan said.
Plans for a formal candidacy announcement 2 p.m. March 9 at the Peace Fountain on the University of Arkansas campus are underway, Jordan said. Until then he said he does not plan to discuss specifics of his campaign agenda.
"I've always tried to be responsive and responsible to the will of the people," Jordan said. "That's why I am running and what I want to do."
He added he would like to operate "an open, inclusive government," focused on the challenges ahead. Jordan said he knows there's work ahead, but that is something he is accustomed to.
"In the seven years I have been a council member I have never missed a city council meeting," Jordan said. "I have missed one agenda session."
Supporters applaud Jordan for his grassroots positions on city issues, namely his push last year for road impact fees. The proposal tied in an April election, and Jordan vowed earlier this month to resurrect the proposal.
"He has some talents I believe we need in a mayor," said Bill Moeller, treasurer of Jordan's mayoral campaign committee. Don Marr is the campaign chairman.
Moeller said Jordan is often thought of as "a man of the people," but that belies his attributes. Moeller recalled how Jordan "cut to the heart of the issue" regarding the city's transportation improvement program.
"He recognized that the heart of the matter was progress wasn't being measured in a systematic way and he got it done," Moeller said.
Fayetteville gauges the deadlines and benchmarks for street improvements using a chart developed by city engineers at Jordan's request.
Jordan and fellow Ward 4 council member Shirley Lucas host monthly meetings with residents, something Moeller said Jordan will continue as mayor.
"I don't think we're talking about them being monthly, but regular town hall meetings are expected," Moeller said.
The filing period for 2008 municipal elections in Washington County is Aug. 6-26, according to the Washington County Clerk's Office. The election is Nov. 4.
Walt Eilers and Jeff Koenig separately announced in November their intentions to run for mayor. Coody announced Nov. 19 he would not seek a third term.
AT A GLANCE
Lioneld Jordan
Age: 54
Employment: Zone supervisor for University of Arkansas Physical Plant
Political Experience: City council member since 2001, vice mayor since 2004; chairman of Fayetteville Street Committee
Education: Attended University of Arkansas; four-year apprenticeship with U.S. Department of Labor.
Wife: Diana
Children: Jon, Amanda, Megan and Katiann
Source: Staff Report
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