Bobby Ferrell
Courtesy photo
Mayor Lioneld Jordan this week nominated Ward 3 Alderman Bobby Ferrell to replace him on the Fayetteville Advertising and Promotion Commission through the end of the year.
“I’ve got so much going on right now and many things coming up including a very important downtown parking deck project that I want to be on top of,” Jordan said on Friday. “I want to be sure that there’s a real good job being done, so I think I need to put someone on there that can devote more time to the commission.”
The seven-member commission is comprised of two elected city officials (City Council members or the mayor), four owners or managers of businesses in the tourism industry (at least three from hotels, motels, or restaurants) and one person from the public at-large.
Jordan said he’d likely appoint another council member once Ferrell’s term is complete in December. Ferrell announced earlier this month he won’t run for re-election after serving eight years as an alderman in Ward 3. “For now, I think Bobby will do a great job,” said Jordan.
If approved by the City Council on July 3, Ferrell would join fellow Ward 3 Alderman Justin Tennant, Cafe Rue Orleans owner Maudie Schmitt, Ella’s Restaurant chef William Lyle, Dickson Street Inn manager Hannah Mills, Jammin Java owner Brandon Karn and Bob Davis from Eason Insurance.
Regular meetings of the commission are held the second Monday of each month at 2 p.m. inside the Fayetteville Town Center.
I want it
Mr. Ferrell, ask lots of questions when you join this board. Please do not give our city’s money to the university. They have plenty now, look at all that construction. Put an end to the commission rewarding only their friends. On the Council you are the one that likes to ask tough questions. I hope you will act the same way on the A&P.
I’d feel better about this appointment if Ferrell hadn’t disgraced himself in his unprofessional and childish response to Martin Bemberg at the Council meeting. Embarrassing behavior; you’re a public official Ferrell, act like it.
Indeed Alderman Ferrell sure did get fired up when Mr. Bemberg made some kind of outlandish allegation directed personally at Mr. Ferrell. Now that was some good Government TV! Mr. Bemberg seems to make no sense in his arguments and generally hurls unfounded accusations towards our city council members and the city administration. I still don’t know if Mr. Bemberg was supporting the Appeal to reverse the Planning Commission’s approval of the variance or supporting the variance as it stands to allow Planet Ice to stay open. Regardless, it is evident Alderman and Vice Mayor Ferrell will not be a complacent “yes man” on the A&P Commission.
It does bother me that both Aldermen from Ward 3 represent the city on the Commission and no other Ward is represented. The entertainment district and Ward 2 generates the most HMR tax revenue that funds A&P so I would think Petty or Kinion would have been considered. The appointment of Tennant who was a Freshman Councilman when appointed to the A&P is the most puzzling city appointment but he seems to do a good job. I bet the ladies agree he is a handsome choice. At the time of his appointment I feared it was politically motivated since his Father-In-law is Chamber of Commerce Executive Smilin’ Steve Clark. I have seen no evidence this relationship impacts Alderman Tennant’s voting record. In fact Freshmen Aldermen Tennant and Kinion have the best arguments supporting issues from a sound argumentation point of view in City Council meetings and in committee meetings aired on Government Channel. They don’t go overboard like Alderman Petty who Comes off a little arrogant and seems a little preachy (I do think he is doing a good job, but shut up and vote already ! ) Alderman Lewis is always thoughtful and prepared even though I often disagree with her. Adams and Gray…. Clueless but nice women. At least Adams takes opportunities to get clarification before she votes.This is to be expected since she never served on a city committee, board or commission before being elected to City Council. Something to think about as we look at the upcoming vacancies in our next local elections. Boudreaux just needs to go away. Her war stories are tiresome and she seldom pays attention to citizens addressing the Council Chamber. I guess since she has been there since about the Nixon and Agnew era she pretty much knows it all so people don’t much matter with their new fangled ideas.
I am looking forward to a Ferrell Heffner smackdown with Maudie jumping into the ring if it comes to that. It really could bring the Nielsen ratings up on our Government Channel and if that is what it takes to keep folks informed I am all for it! This post is longer than a Matt Petty sermon. Shame on me.