Martin Bemberg
Courtesy photo
Martin Bemberg, a 24-year-old language tutor and lifelong resident of the city said he plans to challenge Matthew Petty for the Ward 2, Position 2 City Council seat in the Nov. 6 general election.
Petty hasn’t made an official announcement, but has said on several occasions that he will seek a second term.
This is not the first time Bemberg has announced a council bid. He told the Flyer in April 2010 that he would run against Mark Kinion and Adam Fire Cat for the Position 1 seat, but backed off those plans before the filing period began. Kinion went on to defeat Cat with 77 percent of the votes, replacing outgoing Alderman Kyle Cook.
The filing period for City Council and other municipal candidates begins July 27.
Profile
Name: Martin Bemberg
Age: 24
Residency: 24 years (minus 6 months in Austin)
Employment: Private foreign language tutor
Education: Graduated from FHS in 2006, senior at University of Arkansas (Spanish/German)
Political Experience: None
Questions
What made you decide to seek election to the council? Is it something you’ve been considering for a while?
I’ve been interested in politics from a very young age, and two years ago I considered running for this position, but decided it wasn’t the right time. I’m running for a lot of reasons. I love listening, I love learning, and of course I love my hometown, but it was only when I started to see people’s enthusiasm about my candidacy that I made the final decision to go for it. My whole life I’ve seen Fayetteville grow at an unprecedented rate, and we’re going to continue to grow. What some people seem to forget is that there is a wrong way to grow. I’m running because I want to make sure we grow in the right way.
Is there anything in particular that drove you to reside in Ward 2? How would you describe that part of town?
I was born at the old Washington Regional hospital, on the corner of North Street and College Avenue. So I was born in Ward 2 and as long as I’ve lived in Fayetteville, I lived in Ward 2. I’d say Ward 2 is the cultural heart of Fayetteville – the mecca of arts and local commerce, the place you want to be.
Are there any recent citywide or Ward 2 council decisions you agree or disagree with?
It may not seem so recent, but paid parking in the Entertainment District has been a total disaster, and among other things has simply encouraged people to spend their time and money elsewhere. My priority is not elsewhere, it’s the neighborhood I grew up in.
I am in full support of the continuing expansion of our bike trails. I’d like to see more east/west expansions and some measures to make the trails safer at night.
Project Cleveland was a really tough issue, because I do think infill development – as recommended in the City Plan 2030 – can be a really good thing, but in the end I would have voted against it. To me, it comes down to protecting the property owners and preserving their neighborhood, something I would hope the council would do for me, were I in their position.
Hurricanes, floods, and tornadoes lead to disasters. Paid parking is not a disaster. I pay to park at least five days a week – it’s no big deal.
We own a house and live in Ward 2 and do a lot things around down town. Paid parking is no big deal for us. Just not a problem. A much bigger concern, and what we are really looking for, is a Ward 2 alderman who realizes there are neighborhoods beyond the downtown & Dickson St. areas. We want someone who will pay attention to the needs of the depressed areas of Ward 2, who will work for redevelopment and renewal projects, pursue landlords who allow property to deteriorate, and help keep those neighborhoods from turning into slums.
Uh…I live in Ward 2 and I work on Dickson. Paid parking is a problem. If you don’t think so then you are grossly out of touch.
New business are opening on and around Dickson, and existing businesses are expanding. If these are symptoms of a “total disaster,” then I pray Midtown is the next district to suffer the effects.
Ward 2 needs someone strong like Matthew Petty! He stood up against smoking in bars, he understands the neighborhood needs, he’s got experience. Ride bikes if parkins so bad. This guy doesn’t have his degree even yet!
According to his Facebook page, Matthew Petty doesn’t have his degree either. Also, I don’t see anything wrong with smoking in a bar. If it’s an issue of health, or the health of others, why not oppose drinking in bars too? Far more immediate harm happens to the individual and bystanders than that which is caused by smoking.
Where are you getting the data to support your claim that drinking alcohol is more of a health hazard to non-drinking patrons than second hand smoke?
http://www.co.washington.ar.us/index.aspx?page=109
James M, you’ve actually made a case for banning drunk driving, not drinking.
Law-abiding patrons of bars don’t do any harm to other patrons in the bar, but smoking patrons do harm non-smoking patrons. That is the important distinction.
If it were an issue of health, tobacco sales in Fayetteville would be banned. That would be the starting point. Not adult only, non-essential services (read that as “you’ll live a full and happy life even if you never step foot in the Beer Keg”) businesses. It’s an issue of adults who are unable to accept the decisions of other adults and smoking cessation companies jockeying for a bigger piece of the pie. With the possible exception of your mom, spouse & children, no one cares about your health.
As far as the city is concerned, smoking is an issue of the health of the public rather than of the individual. The city therefore has no interest or place in banning tobacco sales, as one’s smoking in private is not the city’s purview. Note, however, that the state bans sales of tobacco to a large segment of the population.
“Ward 2 needs someone strong like Matthew Petty! He stood up against smoking in bars…as he was smoking it up in one of the very bars (Kingfish) he was attempting to force a no-smoking ban on.” -fixed.
Whether Mr. Petty smokes or not is irrelevant to his support of a smoking ban. If he did smoke, however, it would show considerable strength of will and of character to, for the good of all, support a ban that would deprive him of a venue for feeding his addiction.
Dr. Zaius called. He wants to see you in his office.
Matthew Petty is a strong advocate for bikes and trails and I really appreciate all that he is doing for the City. It’s good to see Mr. Bemberg’s enthusiasm but I would recommend he find another way to serve to get a bit more experience before taking on our best Alderman. There are quite a few boards and commissions where he can dip his toes into public service without distracting Alderman Petty from the fine job that he is doing.
I don’t vote for anyone who has yet to serve on a city committee.
I don’t vote for anyone who hasn’t founded a brilliant local band.
I don’t listen to brilliant local bands that haven’t been formed yet.
The Forbidden Zone was once a paradise. Your breed made a desert of it, ages ago.
Oh Flyer comment section, you’re nothing if not predicatable.
That’s why we were ready for you when you showed up: your arrival was easily anticipated.
Get your hands off of me you damned dirty ape.
Rock style tribute band, MemPen VII ft. DLR, this summer?
What are the reasons Martin is choosing to run?
What does Martin have to offer, besides really good music?
refresh my memory, was Petty on any committees before he ran for the council?
What about Bartin Memberg?
Paid parking has hurt local businesses on Dickson street mostly bars and resturants businesses have their employees almost go broke from paying to park everyday and they also face trouble in trying to get their operational cash flow back to a normal after their budgets fell apart from slashing prices down to get customers in after wasting money on paid parking.
The famous Piano Bar closed down back in January thanks to the paid parking crap destroying any chance of them making any kind of revenue .
RE “The famous Piano Bar closed down back in January”
Willy D’s closed last year, with plans to reopen in a larger space next door; according to their web site, they still intend to reopen, despite the delay. In the meantime, the same people are operating Fit Ultra Lounge in the old Willy D’s location.
It’s amazing how many people cared enough about Willy D’s to note– and complain about– its closing, but don’t care enough about the place to know what’s going on with it. (Unless John J. Rambo has complained about the closing of Willy D’s under numerous names over the past ten months.) With fans like that, who needs apathy?
There are plenty of places downtown where you can park for free if you are willing to walk a few blocks. If I drive to Dickson I park at the Courthouse deck and walk down. The library parking deck is also open 24/7 and is also free as is parking on the Square after 6:00 pm. You can also park at the Mill and walk up the trail which is well-lit after hours.
Rambo – the piano bar is about to open back up.
I agree with Bob, walk a few blocks if it’s a big deal. Seriously people are going broke? If they can’t figure out where te free parking is then there is a bigger problem on hand for them they might need to consider.
I like what you say about protecting property owners and neighborhoods. Do you mean that? We heard several of our current council members tell us they would protect property owners and neighborhoods and that did not happen. I left a comment for Emery who is running for the council which I will leave for you as well. Stop the U of A from running over neighborhoods and property owners. Stand up for little people rather than following the orders of the wealthy of the university. Tell the Mayor and all those other council folks to stop giving money, waivers and whatever else to the university just because they ask for it. Council members are supposed to stand up for everyone/
You have to understand that the City has no jurisdiction over the UA, because it is a state run entity. The City encourages the UA to follow ordinances, but they are not legally required to do so.
The problem doesn’t simply rest on the shoulders of the UA, it’s also the folks from the neighborhoods, your neighbors, selling to the UA.
SO – if you’re concerned, talk to your neighbors, talk to your neighborhood association, talk to your City Council members.
Be proactive.
It really is your only hope.
These comments are really entertaining. “I don’t vote for anyone who hasn’t formed a brilliant band.” Man, politics is more fun than I thought.
1) I challenge anyone to find a business downtown, or someone who works downtown who thinks paid parking is a good idea.
2) Whoever brought it up, you are correct about Mr. Petty’s credentials before he was elected.
3) Since it still seems to be such a hot issue, I challenge anyone to find a bar owner who thinks the smoking ban was a good idea. Even smoke-free bars benefit from the current system because they provide an alternative to smoky environments.
4) Is it crass, maybe, to comment on an article about myself?
Politics ARE entertaining, especially in this small burgh!
1. I agree. I haven’t met a business owner or employee yet who approved of the current system. Free parking before 2 p.m. is great, but between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m., when most restaurants are deader than dead and parking lot are mostly empty, the need to pay to park seems idiotic.
2. Petty is nice. I don’t think you need a degree to serve your community. Certainly, there are plenty of degreed fools in charge right now.
3. I don’t own a bar or restaurant, but I enjoy frequenting them. I try and avoid all smoking facilities, not only because the smell of the smoke and the actual smoke make me sick to my stomach, but because I come back home smelling like an ash tray and have to wash everything I wore immediately so as to not stink up the house. Smokers don’t realize how absolutely gross they smell. I moved here from a huge city that banned smoking in bars and restaurants and amazingly, people still go to them.
4. It’s not only crass, it’s completely ill-advised. For examples, please see “Hoskins, Tracy” and the hapless marketing girl from Ozark Natural Foods. This is not the appropriate forum.
Martin,
It is an awful idea to post here if you are going to make rogue statements and challenges which will quickly prove you wrong. (hint: there are bar and restaurant owners who support both paid parking and the smoking ban.)
Dan Coody likes responding to the posts too! It’s ok sir!
I think it is crass to pretend to be someone you are not.
Gotta love Martin’s Facebook page! Thanks for keeping things entertaining, Martin. I hope you don’t mind that I’m sharing your recent letter you posted on your Facebook page for your campaign:
> ctrl-c, ctrl-v
Just wrote the following to the Northwest Arkansas Times:
I Like Big “Buts” And I Cannot Lie
In the June 28th edition of the Northwest Arkansas Times, amid the announcement of my candidacy for Alderman in Ward Two was an assertion that I ought to qualify with a “but.” And a big one. The assertion had two parts: 1) I want to ensure a balance between new development and the preservation of neighborhoods, and 2) new development can be good for students and local businesses. I stick by these. The big “but” is this: when it comes to “Project Cleveland,” I firmly side with the property owners in the adjacent neighborhood.
The people there have concerns about the new development threatening their property values and the character of their neighborhood. These concerns are certainly not unfounded.
Since the Council’s 6-2 approval of the development, several houses immediately went up for sale – property values there are sure to fall dramatically, and one might reasonably fear that the neighborhood will indeed lose its unique character. The homeowners there bought their property under the pretense that zoning in their neighborhood would remain the same, and when the six affirming members of the City Council made the decision to rezone, they truly shafted the neighborhood, giving a clear signal that their priority is pleasing developers and the University – not protecting property owners, and certainly not preserving the character of one of Fayetteville’s finest neighborhoods.
I am disappointed and I am not alone.
Martin Bemberg
Candidate For Alderman, Ward Two
If your points 1) and 2) are valid and well-thought-out, then your “big but” is just so much pandering to your constituents. Other than that, though, it’s a great line.
RE “Since the Council’s 6-2 approval of the development, several houses immediately went up for sale”
How many is “several”? Regardless of the number, this sounds like an overreaction.
RE “property values there are sure to fall dramatically”
That’s a self-fulfilling prophecy, as– if “several” means anything– there is now a glut of housing on the market in that neighborhood, and price decreases when supply increases with no increase in demand. Anybody who sells a house as part of a group panic sale will probably lose more in proceeds of sale than they would in an actual decline in property value. Of course, if these “several” houses sell for anywhere near the asking prices, then your prediction will have been proven incorrect.
You lose money on a house based on its value only if you sell it, and only if it is worth less than you paid for it. (Anticipated value doesn’t count.) Those who manage to keep their homes until the neighborhood and property values have time to adjust to the presence of a new apartment complex are not likely to see much of a decline in property values due simply to this development.
I hope these “several” sellers’ real estate agents explained all of this to them.
RE “and one might reasonably fear that the neighborhood will indeed lose its unique character.”
If it does, that will be as much the fault of long-term residents who bailed on the neighborhood and contributed to the decline of property values as of the developers who replaced a ratty old apartment complex with a larger, but much nicer (and, from a property value standpoint, more valuable) one.
Much of the unique character of a neighborhood comes from the neighbors. Are they going to stop talking to each other once the apartments go up?
RE “The homeowners there bought their property under the pretense that zoning in their neighborhood would remain the same”
Really? “Pretense”? That’s inane. Who guaranteed that zoning would remain the same? Did the city issue a covenant that attached to the deeds of neighborhood properties? If not, then who carried out this alleged “pretense”? What real estate agent , inspector, appraiser or city official would be foolish– yet fiendishly clever– enough to carry out such a “pretense”? For that matter, what home buyer would be foolish enough to believe it? (Did you mean to say “supposition”, “assumption”, “fervent hope” or “blind faith”? For some reason, “pretense” just doesn’t seem correct.)
RE “I am disappointed and I am not alone.”
I don’t blame you, or neighborhood property owners, for being disappointed– especially if you and they actually believe some of the stuff you’ve said in this letter. I, on the other hand, would expect better from a city council member or candidate. I guess I get to be disappointed, too.
You might want to talk to the people at the Walyon Arts Center. They love paid parking because prior to it their patrons had a diificult tme finding a spot beacause students would leave their cars on Dickson and in the surrounding lots so they didn’t have to pay for an expensive permit to park on campus.
OMG! Paid parking is out of control! I parked in the large parking lot on Friday and Saturday, and what a pain in my backside. First I had to slow down and take a ticket, and then to make matters worse, a few hours later when I was ready to leave I had to insert both my ticket and my credit card into the exit gate machine in order to escape. That’s 10 seconds of my life I’ll never get back. The city of Fayetteville is pure evil! EVIL!