Benton Personnel Committee to Recommend Cash as Next Alderman

Thursday night at Benton City Hall, the City’s Personnel Committee met to interview nine candidates for City Council. This process is to fill the open seat in Ward 2, Position 1, left vacant by the passing of Charles Cunningham. Seven of the nine candidates were present for the interview. I should note that I requested the City-recorded video to post here, but was told the audio portion did not record. Having said that, here’s what I know…

The following candidates were interviewed:

Patricia Ashley
Glynda Brinsfield
Jocelyn Cash
Willie Floyd
Robin Freeman
Shane Knight
Martha Slaughter

The following candidates were not present:

Leslie Kowalski
Quinn Marshall

The candidates were each asked six questions and then graded on a point system. After executive session, was decided by the committee that Jocelyn Cash, who already serves on the Planning & Zoning Commission, would be recommended at the City Council meeting Monday, June 26, 2017.

Can you please give a brief overview of any experience you have working with civic, community, or governmental organizations?
What do you perceive as the three most important concerns or challenges facing Benton?
What do you feel the city’s short-term goals or priorities should be and how will you be involved in helping meet those goals over the next 18 months?
What changes would you support to improve Ward 2 for your citizens?
What do you see as your Ward’s major challenges? Major assets?
In addition to 2 council meetings each month, you will be on committees that meet either monthly or as needed. The overall commitment for meetings and preparation is estimated to be 20-25 hours/month. Do you have the time and flexibility to meet this commitment?

Ward 2 is denoted in the illustration below, in the salmon pink area in the south half of the city limits of Benton.