Justin Tennant
Courtesy
Ward 3 representative Justin Tennant would like to serve another four years on the Fayetteville City Council.
Tennant, global accounts director for Printronix, on Thursday became the final alderman to announce his intent to run for re-election.
The longtime Fayetteville resident is a graduate of Fayetteville High School and the University of Arkansas. He is chairman of the council’s Nominating Committee and is a member of the Transportation Committee. Tennant also serves as one of the council’s two representatives on the Advertising and Promotion Commission.
In his 2010 bid for City Council, Tennant said he would work toward making Fayetteville a business-friendly city while keeping it “green and growing.”
“I am thrilled to say that is exactly what we have done, as seen in our expanded trails system, securing the land for our regional park, improvements to Walker Park, and multiple street and sidewalk improvements all over the city,” said Tennant in a news release. “Fayetteville has also seen explosive retail and commercial growth adding to our tax revenues. These businesses are not only adding good-paying jobs, but they will also enhance our educational, cultural and overall health.”
In April, Tennant wrote a proposal designed to lure Whole Foods Market to Fayetteville. He asked aldermen to spend about $150,000 for a traffic signal at College Avenue and Masonic Drive where Whole Foods was considering building a 35,500-square-foot grocery store. Shortly after the proposal was passed, Whole Foods officials confirmed the company’s plans to expand into Fayetteville.
Tennant said if re-elected, he’ll continue to push for growth with a balance between local, regional, and national businesses.
“But we must also support the businesses that are already here, that have made Fayetteville their home, and provide them the best, most supportive city possible,” he said.
As of Wednesday, no one had announced they would run against Tennant.
There are three other Position 1 seats up for grabs on Nov. 4, including positions held by Adella Gray (Ward 1), Mark Kinion (Ward 2) and Rhonda Adams (Ward 4). The city attorney position, held by Kit Williams, is also up for election.
Gray and Kinion announced this week they’ll run again. Williams has said he’ll seek re-election. Adams plans to move to Florida, and will not run again.
The filing period for City Council candidates begins July 25.
Profile: Justin Tennant
Position sought: Ward 3, Position 1 (re-election)
Age: 43
Residency: Lived in Fayetteville for 25 years
Employment: Director of global accounts, Printronix
Education: Bachelor of arts in journalism, University of Arkansas
Political Experience: Ward 3 Fayetteville alderman, 2011 to present
Voting highlights
Voted in favor of:
- A streamside protection ordinance
- A height and setback ordinance limiting the size and shape of apartments and commercial structures that can be built next to single-family homes
- Authorizing Mayor Lioneld Jordan to issue up to $6.5 million in bonds to finance a downtown parking deck
- New occupancy limits that allow five unrelated people to live together under one roof
- Buying land atop Mount Kessler
- Reaffirming the cross section of Rupple Road from Martin Luther King Boulevard to Wedington Drive as a four-lane boulevard
- Increased pay for city employees
- Expanding the Fayetteville Farmers’ Market by closing Mountain Street to vehicular traffic during the Saturday market
- An ordinance regulating door-to-door sales
- Committing the city to up to $150,000 for a traffic signal at College Avenue and Masonic Drive where a Whole Foods Market is planned
- Regulations that should make it easier for mobile vendors to operate around town
Voted against:
- A civil rights ordinance prohibiting business owners and landlords from unjustly firing or evicting someone because of their sexual orientation, gender identity and other characteristics.
- A failed measure to expand Fayetteville’s smoking ban to include all bars
- A set of “urban agriculture” measures, allowing goats, bees and more chickens and ducks in residential areas
- Reaffirming the city’s commitment to back-in parking on Block Avenue
- Naming a three-block alley that runs from Dickson Street to Center Street “Diagon Alley,” after a fictional street from the Harry Potter books
3 Questions for Justin
We send each candidate three questions after receiving their announcement. We post their answers here once they respond.
What made you originally decide to seek election to the council in 2010?
I have always enjoyed getting involved city issues and talking to people about their ideas to make this city even better. I thought the council would be a great place to serve the city I loved.
Is there anything in particular that drove you to reside in Ward 3? How would you describe that part of town?
East Fayetteville is great place to raise our children. The education, culture, shopping, and parks here are outstanding.
Are there any recent citywide or Ward 3 council decisions you agree or disagree with?
I think Mount Kessler was one of the most important citywide issues we have ever faced. That large park will change Fayetteville forever.
In Ward 3, I am very proud the council agreed with me to fund a traffic light on North College Avenue to allow Whole Foods to build their retail center. This small investment from the city will give our citizens millions in tax revenue along with immeasurable cultural and nutritional improvement for years to come.
News release: Justin Tennant
Today I am proud to officially announce that I will run for re-election to the Fayetteville City Council. Four years ago, I said if elected as your Ward 3 Alderman I would work for a business-friendly city while always maintaining our green quality of life. I also said we should keep Fayetteville “Green and Growing.” I am thrilled to say that is exactly what we have done, as seen in our expanded trails system, securing the land for our regional park, improvements to Walker Park, and multiple street and sidewalk improvements all over the city. Fayetteville has also seen explosive retail and commercial growth adding to our tax revenues. These businesses are not only adding good-paying jobs, but they will also enhance our educational, cultural and overall health.
I am particularly proud that we have accomplished these important things while balancing our city budget during each of the four years that I have served on the council.
I have challenged city officials on behalf of my constituents when city rules or regulations seemed unreasonable, burdensome or without logical purpose. I will continue to fight for city regulations that are realistic, practical and create the opportunity for ideas and dreams to thrive.
We, as a community, have accomplished so much in these last four years. I want to continue to serve for another term because there is so much more to be done. We must continue Fayetteville’s growth with the right kind of companies, providing the right kind of jobs, with the proper balance between local, regional, and national businesses. But we must also support the businesses that are already here, that have made Fayetteville their home, and provide them the best, most supportive city possible. I will continue to do all I can to help Fayetteville’s businesses thrive.
We must work to keep Fayetteville the cultural, educational, and entertainment epicenter of Northwest Arkansas. We must always strive to make Fayetteville a destination for people in our area and around the world while keeping a sense of partnership with all of the cities around us.
I am excited about the future and for what this council can do over the next four years. I have appreciated the confidence placed in me by Ward 3’s constituents and I would be honored to continue to serve. We are all individuals with our own ideas, and I will always have a respectful ear to listen to every point of view. We all love this city, and I am dedicated to representing Fayetteville to the best of my ability and protecting the values of our citizens and our community.
In closing, I want to thank my wife and children for their support in this re-election campaign. None of the blessings in my life would be possible without them.
Justin Tennant
Alderman, Fayetteville City Council
