 |
 |
 |
|
Results of Repeal Jonesboro Property Maintenance Code
JONESBORO SUN MAY 10, 2016 WEBSITE Code repealed; Wang, Long in runoff JONESBORO — Almost two-thirds of voters cast ballots to repeal the Jonesboro Property Maintenance Code. But voters will return to the polls June 7 to fill a vacancy on the Jonesboro City Council. Richard Wang and Bobby E. Long will meet in a runoff to decide who will succeed Tim McCall in Ward 6, Position 1. The vote to repeal the code was 4,891 (65.99 percent) to 2,521. Mayor Harold Perrin said he has to accept the outcome. "The people spoke, democracy spoke here, and obviously they didn't want this code," Perrin said following the release of the numbers. "What I do know is that "? I think people want a property maintenance code. Obviously it wasn't this one." Perrin said he will ask for feedback from the public to try to craft a new code that will be acceptable to the majority of voters. The property maintenance code would have established standards for the exterior and interior maintenance of all buildings in the city, including owner-occupied homes. It was based on the International Property Maintenance Code, recommended by the International Code Council of Birmingham, Ala. The city council adopted the code Dec. 15 after the mayor cast the deciding vote to break a 6-6 tie.The code was first recommended by a committee in 2014 that studied issues related to multifamily housing. A nine-member citizens committee was later appointed by the city council to develop a localized code. That committee met weekly beginning in mid-July to develop the local code. That panel voted 6-3 in October to recommend all the tenets of the international code. Opponents gathered enough signatures to force the special election. While he was the only candidate in the five-man council race who opposed repeal of the code, Wang ended Tuesday as the front runner. Wang, a political science professor at Arkansas State University, picked up 2,112 votes for 31.65 percent. "I am very pleased with the outpouring of support from my friends, neighbors and fellow citizens who cast their vote for me today," Wang said. "I think the voters made a clear statement that they appreciate a candidate who brings positive ideas and meaningful experience to the table." Wang called the fight over the property code the "most polarizing issue in years." "The voters have spoken. But the problems won't go away," Wang added. Long, a human resources official for Cavenaugh Auto Group was second with 1,798 votes, or 26.94. While finishing second, Long was confident going into the runoff. "We'll be OK. I'm good. I'll be all right," Long said. "This is the first hurdle. And the good thing about it is, there is almost a philosophical difference. How I think government needs to be done and what it needs to be involved in and what (Wang) thinks." The winner will serve through Dec. 31, 2018. The position became vacant when Alderman Tim McCall resigned after moving outside the city limits. James W. Bowman finished third with 1,162 votes, followed by Phillip Cook with 1,141 and Joseph R. Woodbury with 460 votes. The 7,421 voters who participated in the special election represent 18.66 percent of the city's 39,773 registered voters. |
|
|
Join Our Mailing List
Copyright © 2013-2024 Northeast Arkansas Landlord Association. All Rights Reserved.  |
|
