Unofficial Final Election Results for Ward 1

The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette has reported the unofficial final result for Ward 1 Position 2 is incumbent Alderman Mary Ann Arnett has defeated challenger Nicholas Horton. Here are the vote totals:

• Alderman Mary Ann Arnett - 847 votes (56.17%)
• Nicholas Horton - 661 votes (43.83%)

In the Ward 1 Position 1 race, Logan Cothern was elected to his first term as an alderman. Details on the final results for that race are available through the above link to the Democrat-Gazette.

As Alderman Mary Ann Arnett and Logan Cothern represent us over the next two years, we should encourage them to keep their campaign promises. We can also contact them, so they know where we stand on the issues. Hopefully, the representatives we have elected this year at all levels of government will choose to side with the people.

Facts to Consider Before You Vote

For helpful information on voting this year, see our Information for Voters Web page. Polls are open on election day, November 2, from 7:30 A.M. to 7:30 P.M. The White County Clerk Web site has information on polling locations in White County, and the Arkansas Secretary of State Web site has sample ballots and other voter information available.

Who represents the PEOPLE of Searcy? Here are the FACTS.

Nicholas Horton

• Supported the efforts of OVER A THOUSAND OF YOUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS who stood up to demand their CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO VOTE be preserved through the referendum process.
• Created a web site, www.arkansaspatriot.us to allow THE PEOPLE OF SEARCY to find out what was going on with their local government.
• Spoke with THE PEOPLE OF SEARCY on a regular basis to gain an understanding of their opinions and tried to share those opinions with the elected officials of Searcy.
• Went door to door to let THE PEOPLE know about the special election regarding the A&P tax and to PROVIDE THE PEOPLE WITH THE FACTS.
• Volunteered with various civic organizations to help MAKE SEARCY A BETTER PLACE.

Mary Ann Arnett

• Voted AGAINST a motion to let THE PEOPLE vote on the A&P tax on March 10, 2009 and again on July 14, 2009.
• Voted for an ordinance creating the A&P tax WITHOUT LETTING THE PEOPLE VOTE on 3 occasions: March 10, 2009, April 14, 2009, & May 12, 2009.
• Voted on October 13, 2009 to “postpone indefinitely” a motion to let THE PEOPLE vote on the A&P tax after a judge had already ruled the city COULD NOT LEGALLY ignore the referendum petitions which the city clerk had certified.
• Voted on June 9, 2009 to take actions after being provided an attorney general opinion which said THESE ACTIONS WERE UNCONSTITUTIONAL.
• Voted on January 12, 2010, February 16, 2010, and February 23, 2010 to make it HARDER FOR THE PEOPLE TO HOLD THE GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABLE by limiting the filing of referendum petitions to 30 days (it had previously been 90 days).
• Voted on December 8, 2009 to hold a special election in April instead of waiting one month to hold the election in May.* Holding the election in April WASTED THOUSANDS OF TAX DOLLARS that would have been saved by voting in May.

Alderman Arnett’s voting record as cited above can be verified by reading the minutes from city council meetings on the city’s web site, Searcy.com and clicking on “City Departments” “Clerk/Treasurer” “Agendas/Minutes”

*Although discussion of and initial voting on the ordinance occurred during the 12/8/2009 City Council meeting, the City did not deem the voting "official" until the 12/21/2009 meeting.