Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Smith Moving Toward Future

Gurdon Mayor Rick Smith is seeking reelection to the position.

It took Smith almost until the filing deadline to enter the race, but he said it is important to carry out all the promises he made and continue the city's progress. This is why he is running again.

"We've seen a lot of improvements and progress during the current term," he said. "I'd like to carry out all the promises I made and continue the progress."

For the past three years, Smith said, he has attended animal control seminars and studied methods used by other cities before working to help formulate an ordinance for Gurdon. The original animal control ordinance was presented by council member Mickey Jones, who also spearheaded the animal control effort.

"We'll be learning as we go," Smith said about animal control. "We have a lot of information."

In addition, an extensive citywide drainage project has been started by the Gurdon Street Department he would like to see brought to its fruition.

If reelected, Smith will continue soliciting grant money for all city departments to help make improvements, while keeping costs down to the city's taxpayers.

He also has two more projects in mind, if he's returned to office. Smith would like to cut, line and rip the city's creek, knowing it will require a considerable amount of manual labor. This, he said, can be done by using Act 309 prisoners from the Clark County Jail along with those sentenced under community punishment.

The other project is to improve Main Street in downtown Gurdon, possibly with street lamps and planters in front of businesses, along with new sidewalks. Smith has been in contact with two agencies in trying to get grant money for this project.

Discussing his qualifications for the job, Smith said he entered the office with no formal training to be a mayor, but did have a background in finance and real estate, along with a degree in electronic engineering and knowledge of bid procedures. He also knew how to operate heavy equipment.

"I've been a mechanic, millwright, electrician, attended vo-tech in accounting, am computer literate and have four and a half years experience in office," Smith said of his qualifications.

"I think the people need to look at what we've done and see where we've came from since 1993; seeing the improvements made."

Smith said he's learned to get help from qualified people, as well as depending on volunteers to help make improvements and Gurdon a better community.

"We have a good working relationship with county, state and federal officials," he said, "and get a lot of help as a result of these relationships.

"Gurdon is known in Little Rock. They know who we are. We stand out among other towns, and I've worked hard to establish this.

Smith and his wife, Tambra, who is the city recorder/treasurer, have four sons, Justin, Jason, Jared and Hunter. Jason is a student at Henderson State University, while Jared is attending the University of Central Arkansas at Conway. Justin and Hunter are enrolled in the Gurdon public schools.

After high school, Smith said, his working career began with Cabe Lumber, then going to International Paper where he learned about sawmill equipment.

While with IP, Smith became the human resource director with the company's personnel department.

From there he ventured into real estate and went to broker's school. He sold real estate in Gurdon for nine years.

Smith attended a computer school in Boston, Mass. and studied accounting at Red River Vocational-Technical School, now the University of Arkansas Community College at Hope.

He has a degree in electronics from the Cleveland Institute of Electronics and has attended seminars on finance, real estate development, while also studying a little law.

"I've tried to be a hands on mayor," Smith said, "and be involved with all departments. I assist where I can to do a better job for the people.

"This is my home. My family is here. I want to see progress continue."