This interview is part of a series of posts designed help us all learn a little bit about who’s running for city council in Fayetteville on November 2.
We sent two rounds of questions to all of the candidates and we’ll post one interview each weekday in the order that we received them beginning with Round 1.
Keep in mind that you’ll only be able to vote for the candidates who are running in your ward and that only two wards (Ward 2 and Ward 4) have contested seats.
In Ward 1, nobody filed to run against Adella Gray. In Ward 3, only Justin Tennant filed for the open seat.
For a ward map and more information on all the candidates, visit our 2010 City Council Election page.
Adam Fire Cat – Ward 2, Position 1
Visit: Flyer coverage | Website
Opponent: Mark Kinion
Age: 35
Occupation: Busser, Karaoke Jockey
Experience: No prior office held. Former Mayoral Candidate.
Education: Former U of A student majoring in law.
Community Involvement: Running a variety of petitions to oppose various ordinances, assisting in drug addict outreach efforts.
Fayetteville Flyer: What have you been listening to lately?
Adam Fire Cat: The Gorillaz Plastic Beach album (which I didn’t like at first, but have since warmed up to), Moloko, Lords of Acid, Spinrad (an Arkansan favorite of mine), and all things Roxette (Marie Fredriksson is the hottest woman alive).
FF: How long have you lived in Fayetteville?
AFC: I was brought here when my family moved initially in ’92 from Clarksville, Tennessee, and did half of my high school in each city. In ’95, I moved back to Clarksville briefly before enlisting in the Army Reserves. I returned to Fayetteville when I completed basic training and AIT. A couple of years later, I moved to Spokane, Washington for a brief stint. After all is said and done, I consider myself having been a more permanent resident since 1997.
FF: We know from a previous interview with you that you’re not much of a Razorback fan, but do you like any other sports?
AFC: I personally enjoy blading at our skate park. I’m not sure if that qualifies as a sport outside of the X-Games, but I enjoy taking a dive into some concrete. Fun times, that. Other sports… Badminton! I love the badminton. I think the Wombats are going to take the championship this year. Go Wombats!
FF: What’s your favorite restaurant in town? Got a favorite local dish?
AFC: An odd favorite in the local are of mine usually goes unnoticed, and that’s a Thai food restaurant called the Thai Dinner on College Ave, close by Township. The family whom runs the eatery are quite nice if not overly so. As a favorite dish however, my kudos go to Common Grounds for their Black Bean Dip Pizza. Good stuff, that.
FF: We’ve heard people say Fayetteville is the best city on Earth. Agree or disagree?
AFC: You must understand that I’m well travelled within the continental US. When we talk about a party atmosphere, I have to say Portland, Oregon has the best one I’ve seen in the states. If we speak in terms of scenery, the Grand Canyon is awe inspiring as well as nowhere near our city. And if were talking a world view, anyone been to the Great Wall of China? Our landmarks are nice, but not quite world recognized. I mean, people don’t come from across the globe to visit the Eiffel Tower in Fayetteville, nor a leaning anything to speak of. Best is really perceptional I suppose, but since you’re asking my personal opinion… not really. We are, however, very fortunate. This city does offer a lot to its citizens as well as its visitors, and for that we should be grateful. No city is perfect, but I do enjoy it here, warts and all.
FF: As a karaoke DJ, you probably hear a lot of the same songs. Are there any you simply can’t stand anymore and wish would just vanish?
AFC: Gods yes… I remember before I began working there (You Know?? Uno!!) that I used to actually like some of these songs. Nowadays, anytime I hear them, it’s like I’m being punched in the soul.
From ten to one, here’s Fire Cat’s most hated and cliché karaoke song to date:
10. Margaritaville – Jimmy Buffett
9. You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling – The Righteous Brothers or Elvis (either version is equally terrible)
8. Total Eclipse Of The Heart – Bonnie Tyler
7. You Never Even Called Me By My Name – David Allan Coe
6. Me And Bobby McGee – Janis Joplin
5. Friends In Low Places – Garth Brooks
4. Love Shack – B-52s
3. Folsom Prison Blues – Johnny Cash
2. Family Tradition – Hank Williams Jr.
And finally, the worst bloody clichéd song in karaoke history to this day goes to a band that does in fact sing many other excellent songs that tend to go unnoticed and unsung where I work…
1. Don’t Stop Believing – Journey
I’ve come to HATE that damnable song…
* Look for Adam’s answers to the Round 2 questions next week.
I’d vote for this guy…no problem.
The question should be asked “what is your personal best time of busing a table?” Anybody ever remember him at Village Inn? The stuff of legends, man…
@Brad. Shouldn’t the question to be asked “What experience do you have to prepare you to be an effective City Council Alderman?” I agree Mr. Cat seems like a fun person but Ward 2 may need someone that has a record of community service or community involvement at some level. At this point I am not sure we need an indiviual that has often stated the reason he is running for office is simply because he has an axe to grind because of a code enforcement issue. Has Mr. Cat ever applied to be on a city committee or worked with a community group?
Michael and Renee: Every party has its pooper(s)…
M&R – You have some very valid points BUT the safe bet is not always good. You can sit on boards and join committees until the cows come home but Fire Cat has that raw energy that Ward 2 finds appealing. Leading petition drives and reaching out to help our area drug addicts should count for something. For goodness sake, he suffered through a lot of you trying to sing “Wing Beneath My Wings”!
Will Fire Cat pander to the historical district and waffle based on which “connected” citizen calls him? (doubt it)
Will Fire Cat call it like he sees it, regardless of what the majority of the council has already agreed upon? (probably, and did in this interview)
More importantly, who will best represent ALL the citizens of Ward 2? (afc)
Lest we forget, Kinion was defeated by Petty in the last election for some reason…
@Ward 2 voter – I’m going to mostly stay out of this election, but I did want to make one statement.
Your last question is the most important one, who will best represent ALL of the citizens in Ward 2? In his Mayoral race, Fire Cat was outright against a lot of the things that Ward 2 values. He wanted to stop spending money on trails and parks, and I’m guessing that since the budget situation is even worse now, he still feels that way. If you like the services that Fayetteville offers Ward 2 residents, you need to know that Fire Cat thinks the only fiscally responsible action to take is to get rid of a lot of them. Or at least he did as of 2008.
But I do have mad respect for the guy. I went to a block party mayoral debate in 2008. When it was all over and everyone was gladhanding, Cat walked over to his laptop and started dj’ing some sick drum ‘n bass. I really wanted to high five him for taking the absurdity of campaigning to a whole new level. Fayetteville was being punked, and it was awesome. I’m glad he’s running because I can’t wait to see what he’s going to come up with this time.
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Amy James, Miedy Pakasi Bishop. Miedy Pakasi Bishop said: I don't know who's Adam Fire Cat, but he said Marie Fredriksson is the hottest woman alive, http://tinyurl.com/2g4bcwh [...]
He sounds like a rebellious trouble maker who likes to stir the pot too much and a little to into partying, my personal opinion. He also doesn’t sound like he really appreciates living in Fayetteville; it’s just someplace he can do with or without and would be fine living in some other town or city as long as he could challenge that cities’ ordinances or decisions. I don’t agree with all the councils’ decisions but we don’t need someone who would just hold the processes up by challening everything and create more red tape and delays which cost the citizens even more money. I wouldn’t vote for him if he was the only candidate on the ballot. Doesn’t matter how fast you can bus a table; it doesn’t qualify you to sit on the city council.
Adam’s a nice guy. A normal guy in that he is eccentric. Like most of us. We need more of that. More real people. He’s got my vote.
Adam is a hard worker and is honest. If you want his opinion atleast he will give you his honest opinion if you like it or not. I would rather someone tell me the truth of what they thought about on a certain subject. Instead of telling me what I want to hear.
While Mr. Cat is many things, a “rebellious trouble maker” he is not. Over the years I have known this individual I would be more likely to label him as “cool and calculated” with a wide streak of determination. Labels however are just labels just like involvement in social programs and community groups to pad a resume are involvement for the wrong reasons.
I believe the people of Ward 2 and the City of Fayetteville, deserve someone who is a proven, dedicated public servant such as Mark Kinion. I have personally worked with Mark Kinion in non-profits organizations and seen the amount of commitment he has made and will continue to make to this City.
As to Mr. Fire Cat representing the views of Ward 2: based on his Mayoral campaign, I believe he will be in direct conflict with many of the issues and values of the Ward 2 voters. Ward 2 is historically one of the most liberal Wards in the city and Adam has been on the record in his previous campaign as being much more conservative than the Ward he seeks to represent. As Mr. Petty pointed out: “In his Mayoral race, Fire Cat was outright against a lot of the things that Ward 2 values. He wanted to stop spending money on trails and parks, and I’m guessing that since the budget situation is even worse now, he still feels that way. If you like the services that Fayetteville offers Ward 2 residents, you need to know that Fire Cat thinks the only fiscally responsible action to take is to get rid of a lot of them. Or at least he did as of 2008.” Mr. Fire Cat based on his own comments does not best represent the values of Ward 2. I will be voting for Mark Kinion.
[...] Opponent: Mark Kinion Round 1: Meet the candidates: Adam Fire Cat [...]