Economic Development
Promoting Fayetteville
Infrastructure Planning
Environmental Stewardship
Commitment to Partnerships
Public Service Focused

Economic Development

All successful communities have some key things in common: a safe environment in which to live; services that people need and amenities that improve their quality of life; and thriving opportunities that provide jobs. The most important part of my economic plan is job focus.

1. I believe Fayetteville needs to capitalize on the newly developing "Green Economy." Just as our neighboring cities focus on retail sales and the recruitment of companies that support the retail industry, as mayor I will focus on the recruitment of green businesses and their related technical and retailing components.
2. I will work to identify funding, resources, and partnerships to assist citizens and businesses in training for the needed skills of a workforce in these new "green collar" jobs.
3. I am committed to developing incentives and identifying available resources for businesses seeking to begin, relocate, or grow in Fayetteville.
4. I will work to expand the tax base beyond retail/service, creating a diversified funding base that will ensure adequate monies to cover the costs of services and amenities Fayetteville citizens are accustomed to and deserving of.
5. I believe growth needs to help pay for itself. Funding sources such as impact fees and property taxes must be utilized so that the entire burden of financing the city is not based solely on sales tax collections. Diversified revenues for a city are just as important as a diversified retirement or investment plan for an individual or family.
6. I believe expanding economic development means targeting desired businesses — not outsourcing that recruitment to third party groups. I understand it will take a coordinated effort by our citizens, our education system, our business community, and our elected officials - but I believe leadership, vision, and day-to-day accountability falls to the chief economic officer of the city: the mayor.
7. I will work to develop an economy that capitalizes on Fayetteville's arts, cultural, and music venues. The arts provide a vibrant sense of place for both residents and visitors. They make our city more attractive to businesses seeking a desirable location for their offices and employees. By defining and promoting an "Entertainment and Cultural Arts District," our cultural assets will continue to create a unique experience that helps identify Fayetteville as THE place to live, work, and play. We benefit from the amazing talent within our own community, and we should create an environment that not only is good for our local artists, but also attracts new creative people to this area.

Promoting Fayetteville

I believe the mayor should be THE biggest champion of Fayetteville. I will work to keep the HEART of Fayetteville healthy and strong by showing off what we have to offer!

1. I will promote the city as a destination in terms of fun, entertainment, sports, history, academics, aesthetic beauty, and business opportunity for both citizens and visitors. Festivals, the Farmer's Market, the Botanical Gardens of the Ozarks, Dickson Street and the entertainment district, our city parks, downtown gardens, trail system, the Walton Arts Center, the University of Arkansas, Headquarters House, our historic architecture, and our world-class public library are just a few assets unique to Fayetteville that bring and keep people here.
2. I am committed to expanding and improving our parks and trail system.
3. I will promote the protection and preservation of Fayetteville's significant historic sites to serve as a reminder of and connection to those who came before us. We must all be advocates for the preservation of our history, traditions, and diversity. This is what defines us as a community.

Infrastructure Planning

Infrastructure is the physical backbone of a city. Adequate transportation, public safety (police, ambulance, and fire) and basic services such as water, sewer, and waste management assure our citizens that they can live and raise their children in a safe and healthy community. I believe these core elements of city services must be built with foresight in a cost-effective manner, and must be well maintained to keep pace with our growth. A basic belief that comes from my background as a professional tradesman is "build it once, build it right, and build it forever." This is the blueprint for creating a quality infrastructure.

1. I pledge continued commitment and financial resources to the best police and fire protection services available. A safe community is of utmost importance.
2. I support developing a strong public transportation partnership with the University of Arkansas and their transit program.
3. I support continued research and investment toward a regional light rail system.
4. I support safe road design that provides connectivity and alternative transportation options, and maintains the aesthetic appeal of our city. Alternative options need to focus on reducing costs and reducing congestion.

Environmental Stewardship

Resource preservation, water quality, community design, and green spaces are all a part of what makes Fayetteville desirable, unique, and sustainable when it comes to our quality of life. I am committed to protecting our quality of life.

1. I believe Fayetteville's natural beauty is one of our most vital economic assets, and I support a strong urban forestry program. Along with making Fayetteville a more beautiful place, trees slow storm water run-off and soil erosion, clean the air, protect birds and wildlife, and shade our streets and buildings from both summer heat and winter wind. Without the functions of a healthy urban tree canopy, utility costs increase and water and air quality are compromised. As mayor, I will continue to support our tree preservation and protection ordinance and have it administered and enforced by an urban forester. I will also develop a long range conservation plan for our city's urban forest.
2. I support the protection of our waterways. Without clean plentiful water, our economic livelihoods as well as our personal health and welfare would be in great jeopardy. As we plan our town, we must also understand the role water plays within our neighborhoods as it drains from our hills into creeks on its way to rivers. We must also value how wetlands and riparian areas slowly replenish the water table and how our hillsides and our flat land need protection from water damage and soil loss.
3. I support efforts to protect our urban watersheds and wetlands from pollution run-off, from soil erosion sediment, from illegal or careless dumping, and from being needlessly filled over. I will also honor the ordinances we now have regarding watershed protection, and strengthen the hillside ordinance and other ordinances where necessary. I will see that the laws that our citizens have created for their community are honored by being enforced.
4. I will ask Fayetteville citizens to participate in city planning and design processes. I will support citizen decisions regarding how city infrastructure should function as well as how to protect and promote the visual appeal of Fayetteville. When our citizens come together to plan and design the community they want to live in, they have every right to believe that from this process will come the accompanying political will and direction to accomplish their proposals. Fayetteville residents have participated numerous times in such planning exercises and realize that strong leadership is needed for long term change, and that change will require long term financial planning.
5. I support the designation of green space areas. As programs such as "America in Bloom" have pointed out, a town's recognition and use of green spaces in an urban setting can transform an ordinary place into an outstanding one. We need to inventory our open and green space areas, our waterways and wetlands, and our unique natural features, and find ways to link them via trails or other corridors. By setting aside green spaces, we create ways to enjoy our natural heritage beyond our own back yards.

Commitment to Partnerships

I love Fayetteville and want to lead all our citizens in working together to keep our hometown the absolute best place to live and work. I recognize the importance of the vital partnerships our city government has with the University of Arkansas, our school district, the county, state and federal governments, and other cities in our region, but the most important partner of all is our diverse citizenry. An open and respectful partnership between the citizens and City Hall will allow us to make the best decisions for our town.

1. Those of you who know me know that in my seven years as alderman I have conducted almost 100 monthly Ward 4 meetings. As mayor I will carry this tradition forward for all wards and also host quarterly citywide Town Hall meetings. The Town Hall gatherings will rotate from ward to ward, giving residents an opportunity to participate at locations more convenient to working families. I will provide this and other regular opportunities for citizens to hear what their city government is doing, and for citizens to be heard on issues big and small.
2. I will welcome, facilitate, and encourage civil discussions, while working toward consensus and plans that are in the best interest of Fayetteville.
3. I will work to continue to strengthen and build upon our strong cooperative relationship with the University of Arkansas, recognizing that in order to thrive and succeed, we are dependent upon each other.
4. I will make every effort to develop strong respectful relationships with elected officials on the Fayetteville City Council as well as with elected officials in neighboring Northwest Arkansas cities. Building these partnerships will help us understand our differences and work toward win/win solutions.
5. I will seek to be a good neighbor to communities in the region, but not ask Fayetteville's taxpayers to carry an unfair burden or assume risk that might be to the detriment of our citizens or to our ability to deliver basic government service needs.
6. I will work to insure that Fayetteville not only pays its fair share, but gets a proportionate return from county, state, and federal governments.
7. I will work to develop relationships with state agencies, elected officials, and civic groups which can lead to economic recruitment strategies and workforce development for our city.
8. I will seek to build the city's relationship with the Fayetteville Public School District, knowing that the best and most economically sound decisions are made with open and honest communication.

Public Service Focus

Often in my discussions with individuals, they are sometimes disparaging about the motives of elected officials and express their lack of confidence that individuals leading their government are genuinely interested in making their lives better. I hear this because many people feel left out, not represented, or they believe their leaders do not understand their everyday struggles. I am committed to open government, where dissent can sometimes be the first step toward participation and consensus. Without listening to or acknowledging dissent, public officials come to believe their way is the only way to think about a subject. I do not believe that. I want to listen to everyone.

I love Fayetteville and believe that it has always been one of the leading cities in Arkansas. I know that we can continue to lead if we stay on the right track and recognize that the diversity of our citizenry is our greatest strength.

1. In my administration's interactions with citizens, all people will be treated equally. I will not be a mayor for only one or two groups of citizens, but am committed to listening to everyone, to researching the facts, and to making my decisions with the best interest of Fayetteville as my guide and motive.
2. I will listen to concerns and needs and not judge people by their looks, their jobs, or their economic standing, but only by their actions. I am equally committed to helping the poor and disabled, the working middle class, the wealthy, the student, the single parent, every family, every young professional, every child and every retiree. I do not believe in exclusion.
3. "Seek first to understand, then to be understood," is more than a slogan to me. I work at being honest and forthcoming, and I tell the truth even when others may not want to hear it. We can all learn from each other, and when I benefit from the work of others, I give credit when credit is due.
4. I will be accountable and demand that others be accountable. I will accept responsibility for bad decisions and expect others to do the same. I believe my 7+ years of experience in learning how the city operates, as well as understanding its challenges, equips me to make better decisions. I will strive to make correct decisions, and if something goes wrong, I will commit to making it right again.

As your mayor, I will fully embrace being a public servant. I will provide leadership. I will open all aspects of local government to you. I will work for you. You can count on that.

In Closing

Thank you for taking the time to read my platform and ideas. I believe I have a platform that will capitalize on our current strengths and, by using my experience and willingness to listen, help solve future problems.

I will update my website throughout this campaign as I continue to seek your input, listen to your requests, and do what I believe is best for Fayetteville.

I ask for your ideas, I ask for your voice, I ask for your support. Most of all, I ask for your vote.

Remember — Lioneld Jordan is experience you can trust!