Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Recorder Seeks To Keep Post

Tambra Smith, Gurdon City Recorder/Treasurer, has announced her plans to seek the office in the May 21 primary.

Smith will be running as a Democrat.

She has been the city's Recorder/Treasurer since 1993 and said she would like to continue with her duties in the office.

Smith is married to Rick W. Smith. They have four children in the Gurdon School System.

She is an active member of the First Baptist Church of Gurdon, the Arkansas Clerks, Recorder, Treasurers Association, the International Institute of Municipal Clerks and is on the advisory board for second class cities for the Arkansas Municipal League.

Since accepting the office in '93, Smith has worked to continually improve it. Improvements in the office include a computerized accounting and payroll system. Data is updated daily, and is always on hand showing the status of the city's accounts. This has aided the administration and city council in tracking expenditures more closely, thereby allowing the taxpayers' money to be more wisely spent.

Smith has also been active in other city functions as well. She has worked on the Arkansas Community of Excellence program Gurdon received in 1994 and has been instrumental in working toward grant funding for the fire and police departments as well as the city park.

While in office, Smith has attended the Arkansas Municipal Clerk's Institute at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville on a scholarship. This has allowed her to maintain up to date knowledge about municipal accounting and bookkeeping practices.

"I would like to continue with my duties in this office and carry out the improvements we've begun in records keeping and data storage," Smith said. "A lot of our records are frayed and decaying and will be lost if we don't plan for their preservation.

"We are currently preparing to back up all city ordinances and minutes with a facsimile copy to computer files. This will allow for immediate indexed access and preservation of our city's documents.

"I've worked to maintain a system of professionalism and integrity in this office and hope the voters will recognize this when casting their votes in the upcoming election. It has been a welcome challenge and is a job that requires genuine concern and dedication to our community.

"I will continue to work toward making improvements and maintain our city's records in a professional manner. Your vote and support on May 21st will be sincerely appreciated."