My Campaign Blog
Submitted by Travis Stephens on February 28, 2008 - 10:12pm.
My fellow young professionals...
My name is Travis Stephens, and I approve this message 
One of our goals for YEL is to help young professionals become more aware and better educated of how city government works so that eventually they may identify an area where they can contribute and make a difference. As you may or may not know I have decided to throw my hat in the ring for city director. What better way to inform and educate than to do it myself and give everyone else a back stage pass to the entire process. To be honest I have never had any political aspirations but I think being a city director is more about what you can do for your community than it is taking on a career in politics.
So what can you expect from this blog?
Basically my plan is keep you the viewer fully up-to-date of all my critical decisions and my daily progress of how the campaign is going. My ups, my downs, why I did this or that, twists and turns the political landscape may provide, and all my interesting encounters along the way.
My first plan of action was to surround myself with people smarter than I that can help me get elected. Mark Myers of E-Magination is serving as my campaign manager and Steven Bell of Warner Smith Harris Law Firm is serving as my campaign chairman. Both are YEL members themselves.
Our first big decision was to decide how to announce that I was running. Mark wanted me to hold a press conference last week. If you recall we announced on Friday. The deadline to file is actually this Friday but the idea was to announce early and do it in grand style in hopes to maybe sway any on-the-fence challengers not to enter the race. Great idea however I wanted no part of a press conference. I just felt that this was a little too over the top and I'm not the kind of person that wants that much attention. So the very first recommendation my smarter-than-me advisors gave me I declined. Therefore we went with a simple press release. We did hear that 2 potential candidates decided not to run. Can't really say it was because they knew I had already entered the race but we did hear of a few people who picked up registration packets at the city clerk's office that have apparently decided against it. However I did find out just today that I have indeed drawn an opponent.
GAME ON!!!
My "You Tube" Debut
Submitted by Travis Stephens on March 25, 2008 - 9:37pm.
Special thanks to Kevin King of King Realty Group for putting this together.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmh263QEwwg
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Good Information on Travis' site...
Submitted by David Cross on March 24, 2008 - 7:36pm.
for those who haven't, please visit
http://friendsoftravis.googlepages.com
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New website
Submitted by Travis Stephens on April 1, 2008 - 9:46pm.
The new URL is http://www.friendsoftravis.com/
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SW Times letter to editor
Submitted by Pete Hanham on March 24, 2008 - 12:21pm.
Travis, did you see this letter to the editor (3/23/08)? Just wondering if you had a comment or rebuttal as it seemed rather negative toward your campaign.
DON'T MAINTAIN SOME OLD RULE
Let me preface my remarks by saying that any personal contacts I have had with either Ken Pyle or Randy Reed have been extremely cordial. Therefore, I have no personal animosity toward either of them.
It is my understanding that Ken Pyle is publicly endorsing Travis Stephens for Ward 1 city director and that Mrs. Pyle is Mr. Stephens’ campaign manager. If true, this sounds suspiciously like a plot to get the extra vote that Directors Campbell, Parrish and Goodman have been waiting for and salivating over, the vote that would allow them to re-fire Chief Lindsey and re-hire Randy Reed. We cannot allow this to happen. We cannot allow the “good old boy” network to be preserved.
We do not need clones of resigned directors to be elected. That is why I strongly support Steve Tyler for Ward 1 director and Andre Good for Ward 2 director. These men, when elected, will objectively look at the many problems facing our city and try to find solutions that are good for all our citizens, not just a few. We caring citizens have taken steps to take back our city. Let’s finish the job by electing Steve Tyler and Andre Good.
We also need to rid our city government of the ringmaster (Campbell) and performers (Parrish and Goodman) in this three-ring circus that has been our city government, whether by recall or at the ballot box. Let’s replace “conspiracy” with “good government.” Our city can progress and prosper again. We just need to elect people who can make it happen and toss out those who have been dragging our city down.
I strongly urge you to consider the above and cast your votes to get our city back on track.
Leroy Stollard
Fort Smith
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My Letter to the Editor Response
Submitted by Travis Stephens on March 25, 2008 - 1:52pm.
Pete, thank you for posting this as it is definitely something I was wanting to address. Obviously the author of this letter had some very ill-feeling resintment towards me, or more accurately put, towards the me he thought I was. I was actually out of town over the weekend and a friend called me Sunday morning to tell me the good news. WELCOME TO POLITICS!!! was his opening statement.
Before I address the "rumor", let me ask everyone a question. What is the appropriate response a leader should take in a situation like this one? Think about that for a moment.
It would have been very easy for me to bow up, dig in my heels and prepare a counter attack. Orchestrate some sort of back lash against my opponent's camp and anyone who feels the need to perpetuate an unsubstantiated rumor. Maybe even write their names down in a little book to remember at a later date after I was elected. And yes those thoughts definitely crossed my mind. However if I am going to provide REAL leadership that is going to help move this city forward, I have to rise above that. I have to seek to understand why someone feels the way they do, look at the situation from their perspective and then identify areas where we agree and disagree and use that as a starting point to build on and hopefully work together.
So what did I do? I looked up the name Leroy Stollard in the phone book and I called him up. Instead of firing back with a letter to the editor of my own, listing all the reasons he was an idiot for publishing a "rumor" that he had heard and not taking the time to investigate the matter for himself, I simply took the direct approach and called him.
I think he was definitely a little shocked when he received my phone call the very next morning. However we had a very cordial and respectful converstaion. I told him I appreciated his concern as a citizen and I thanked him for having enough passion for the community that would compel him to author a letter to be published in the paper. Then I told him that this "rumor" he heard could not be farther from the truth. That I supported Kevin Lindsey (I signed the petition even before deciding to run for city director), Sandy Pyle was not running my campaign (that would be YEL member Mark Myers), trying to bring back Randy Reed at this point I felt would be like reopening an old wound, and finally, even though Ken Pyle had publicly endorsed me (which I have no control over who all is for me or against me) that in no way makes me a Ken Pyle "clone" (I really do have a mind of my own). From there we had a great conversation. I went on to say how wonderful it would be if everyone shared in his passion for the community. Leroy apologized and told me my stock had certainly gone way up in his book and he encouraged me to write my own letter to the editor explaining that we had talked and that he no longer felt the way he did.
This is what I bring to the table as a candidate and a leader. I am someone who is going to step across the bridge and reach out to the other side, or sides in some cases. Seek to understand their position and why they support or oppose an issue. AS LEADERS, we have to put aside our petty differences, remember we are there to represent the people, and work together to keep Fort Smith moving in a positive direction. Who knows, maybe those who oppose me on an issue might change my mind. Maybe they have access to information that I don't or maybe they have had a personal experience that I haven't. But if you don't sit down together at the table - if you don't make that phone call to the other side - progress and prosperity will never happen and animosity and hatred will reign supreme.
So what's the quickest way to get me to call you? Just speak out against me. I'll be on you like stink on rice 
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Another letter to the editor...
Submitted by Pete Hanham on April 1, 2008 - 12:28pm.
Travis, I understand and respect your attempt to take the high road, but in politics it's difficult to follow the same set of rules and get elected to office. "What is the appropriate response a leader should take in a situation like this one? Think about that for a moment." -- while a counter attack may not be the most honorable thing to do, in politics it's often a means of survival. In a perfect world all voters would research and be educated in their candidates; however, we know this isn't the case. People do not question what they read (i.e. Internet hoaxes, biased columnists, etc), what they see on television, or hear word-of-mouth.
Another letter appeared today, and while you should probably also call Mr. Skokos, a letter explaining your position (perhaps even your prior blog response) might help clear the air for your voters. This would be a good way to educate the public while not engaging in dirtier methods (i.e. attacking opponent with equally false statements).
Not in Ward 1, but rooting for you just the same!
Pete
BRING AN END TO 'GOOD OLD BOY' POLITICS
Steve Tyler is running for the Board of Directors, Ward 1, Ken Pyle’s old position. Steve worked for Weyerhaeuser and related companies for 22 years. He is active in several civic and school organizations, serves on the city’s Trails and Greenways Committee and is an elder at First Christian Church.
Steve actively supported our chief of police by canvassing his neighborhood and helping to get a large number to show up at the meeting in which Ken Pyle and directors Parrish and Campbell tried to fire Kevin Lindsey. Actions speak louder than words.
On the other hand, Steve’s opponent was commended by Ken Pyle in an interview on television, and his campaign has been assisted by Pyle’s wife, who has managed campaigns in the past.
Steve Tyler may not have extensive connections with people of status, but is gaining support daily by word of mouth, and his yellow signs are popping up more and more. People are tired of the good old boy politics that have run our city.
Doug Skokos
Fort Smith
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Response to letter #2
Submitted by Travis Stephens on April 2, 2008 - 1:51pm.
Below is my official response that I have submitted to the Times Record to be published in the Letters to the Editor section. I didn't want to steal my own thunder but I realize not everyone (especially in our demographic) reads the paper these days so I figured I'd post it here.
Pete, again thank you for your question. Maybe I'm just too new to politics or I suffer from a false ideal that we should all try to get along and work together but I am still trying to maintain a positive campaign. I believe negative tactics will only work against you. (Do unto others as you will have them do unto you). I've done my research and I've discovered some flaws but I am choosing not to go down that road. If I can't win running a positive campaign then running for office is not something I want to be a part of. We'll find out in a few days if I chose correctly.
Here is my reply:
This is in reference to the negative letters recently submitted regarding my campaign for Ward 1 City Director.
I am disappointed with the negativity and I am fed up with the bickering and the animosity that some of our citizens have for one another. If you endorse a specific candidate, then write a positive letter in their favor. Enough with the fabricated rumors and blatant lies attempting to tear down someone's reputation. Our community has endured enough and we are tired of the same old negative rhetoric. Speaking ill of someone says nothing about the person being attacked but speaks volumes about the person attacking and what is truly in their heart.
I am a 33 year old young professional who speaks for an entire generation when I say we are tired of the same ol' same ol'. It's time for REAL change in our city government. It's time to bury hatchets, heal wounds and start focusing on building a bright future that brings progress and prosperity to Fort Smith. I am a leader who will build bridges and seek to understand all sides of the issues. Let's move forward in a positive direction and let's do it together. The Marshals Museum and the 188 A-10s are just the tip of the iceberg of what we as a community can accomplish when we all rally together to pull the rope in the same direction. Ward 1 residents, here is your chance to vote for a new generation of leadership. Vote Travis Stephens on Tuesday April 8th.
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How about this as a response?
Submitted by Anonymous Snarky YEL Member (not verified) on April 1, 2008 - 1:02pm.
I must say, I don’t know what I’m more disappointed with; Leroy Stollard’s letter to the editor from the March 23, 2008 Times Record, or the fact that it was ever printed in the first place. Sure, people are entitled to their opinion, but what has happened to the accountability of said opinions?
Mr. Stollard prefaced his remarks by stating that he had no personal animosity toward former City Director Ken Pyle, or City Administrator Randy Reed. That’s nice and all, but what about his animosity toward one the candidates to replace Ken Pyle’s vacated City Director seat?
Would it be fair to Mr. Stollard if I wrote that I “understood” that he likes to kick puppies, or that he enjoys swerving his vehicle toward squirrels if they dare try to cross the street while he’s driving? How about if I said that I “understood” that Mr. Stollard only bathes during the full moon due to his Wiccan beliefs, therefore his neighbors refer to him as “Stinky Stollard” behind his back? I’m sure some would view my writing of those things that I “understood” to be true as damaging to Mr. Stollard’s reputation within the community. Heaven forbid he ever gets involved in local politics. Based on my “understandings,” some people would view him as a dog-kicking, squirrel chasing, smelly guy that practices modern witchcraft. While I’m sure all of this is not true of Mr. Stollard, it could probably sway the public’s opinion of him, especially if he were in tightly contested election.
I write all of this to try to squash the “understandings” of Mr. Stollard and his public disapproval of Travis Stephens for Fort Smith City Director based on those “understandings.” I am proud that Mr. Stollard has taken an interest in the community. However, if you don’t have all the information about something, you shouldn’t put it in print. Sure, Mr. Pyle has publically endorsed Mr. Stephens, but that doesn’t mean that Mr. Stephens asked for it or had any say in the endorsement. Is Sandy Pyle Mr. Stephen’s campaign manager? The answer is no. Mrs. Pyle isn’t running the campaign. Mark Meyers and Steven Bell are managing the campaign.
Let’s talk about the preservation of the “good old boy” network. Mr. Stephens signed the petition that was circulated to KEEP Chief Lindsey. Mr. Stephens has also publically stated that he would not rehire Mr. Reed; he views rehiring Mr. Reed as a horrible move for the future of this city. Does this sound like a candidate trying to emulate the predecessor? I “understand” that to be a couple of plain and direct signals that Mr. Stephens could care less about being considered a member of the “good old boy” network perceived to exist within our city’s leadership.
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Kudos to Travis...
Submitted by Brook Lang on March 25, 2008 - 3:56pm.
Travis, I just have to say how much I truly admire you. Your posting to the "rumored" response really touched me. It's human nature to backfire and backlash at the one who came at you but you did step above and beyond and was the bigger person. I truly admire your course of action and think you will be a WONDERFUL leader in our city as I know you have for YEL with your heart and dedication the past two years! I cannot personally vote for you but I'm doing my best to get your name out there as I think we need change in this town -- we need younger people pulling for our city and as we all can see from your posting, you will be an amazing leader for everyone!!!! Thanks for your posting as it did really touch me.
Brook Lang
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What Brook Said...
Submitted by Travis Lea on March 25, 2008 - 4:07pm.
Great response Travis.
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My Opponent
Submitted by Travis Stephens on March 19, 2008 - 10:20am.
Well I was finally able to meet my opponent tonight. I went to the city board meeting and all of the candidates for the special election were there. It was kind of a comical moment as I was sitting there between 2 friends as the meeting was just about to get under way. One asked me what I knew about my opponent and I told them I really hadn't been able to find out very much about him other than what I had read in the newspaper (if you remember the paper did a write up on each candidate when we announced we were running). I added that everything I read was very positive and he sounded like a good all around guy. At that moment a gentleman who was sitting in the row in front and a little to the side of us said he heard us talking and that I must be Travis Stephens.
Granted we didn't have much of a conversation as the meeting was getting under way however my first impression of him was that he is very nice and very approachable. Which really sucks because it would be SO much easier if I could have found a reason not to like him. I don't really know what his platform is, why he is running or where he stands on some of the key issues but I'm guessing as a person who cares enough about the community to stick his neck out and run for office he is running for the right reasons. Crap!
Our first "official" election related meeting together will be this coming Monday with the League of Women Voters. It's some sort of panel during lunch where each candidate gets a few minutes to tell who they are and then answer a few questions. A couple of observations about the upcoming meeting...
First off I found it very ironic that the person who called me about a week ago to inform and invite me of the luncheon was a man. League of Women Voters? I guess we'll find out for sure when we get there :)
The second interesting observation was that the same gentleman was at the city board meeting and he was telling me that there would be press at the luncheon and that's the real benefit to the candidates because those that will be in the audience have pretty much already made up their minds who they're going to vote for? WHAT? Are you kidding me? I certainly hope those that are planning on attending are savvier than he gives them credit for. Surely they are going to wait until after they've at least had the chance to meet and hear from the candidates in person before judging based on what they've heard someone else say. This is especially scary because ever since I announced I was running I have heard quite a few false rumors about myself. I guess if I heard all the bogus things being said about me and I didn't know any better I wouldn't vote for myself either. Fortunately for society "hearsay" isn't permitted in a courtroom.
My final observation of note was that during the same conversation prior to the meeting I asked the gentleman if all the candidates were going to be able to make it. He said yes, everyone except for Eric Arthur (Ward 2 candidate) who said he wouldn't be able to attend due to time constraints. After the meeting was over people made their way out of the meeting room and into the lobby where most everyone milled around shaking hands and exchanging pleasantries. There I hooked up with Andre Good (another Ward 2 candidate - and yel member). We were talking about the time issues and our respective employers giving us some latitude to campaign for the upcoming election. I asked him if he was ready for the LWV luncheon on Monday. He replied that he didn't know anything about it.
Well he knows now. Hope to see you there Andre.
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The Signs are out
Submitted by Travis Stephens on March 14, 2008 - 9:19am.
Let me start off by saying I have an amazing team of people helping me with my campaign. I am learning that running for office is certainly not an endeavor you can take on alone. And I am extremely grateful to those sacrificing a little of their time in helping me get elected. We certainly have a talented group of individuals and they are bringing great ideas and excitement to the campaign. This afternoon we are even shooting a potential "You Tube" spot but more on that later.
Regarding the signs we were a little late out of the gate getting them posted, which was a little frustrating as our opponent has had signs up for about a week. I was getting a lot of questions from people asking when they were going to see some signs. But even though it's a special election the process is still more of a marathon than a sprint and I think it worked to our benefit as we had the strategic advantage of knowing where our opposition placed his signs and what neighborhoods he would be strong in.
Once we got our hands on the signs we made another strategic decision to wait until we could get as many people as possible together to help distribute them, then with the cover of darkness we would fan out across the district and leave our mark. The idea was to maximize our marketing punch so that the next morning while people drove their normal routes on their way to work, they would definitely take notice of the change in landscape. Similar to the frog in the boiling pot of water scenario.
Needless to say we feel pretty confident it worked. I received countless comments about them and in some areas we did such a great job that I received calls from people in those neighborhoods who did not have one saying they didn't want to be left out and wanted a sign for their yard as well. I also received an email from the City Clerk (addressed to all the campaigners) reminding us of the policies and regulations on putting out signs. Was it just a coincidence that the email was sent the very next day after our signs were posted in mass? Apparently we got someone's attention. As far as I know we were in 100% compliance and we received overwhelming enthusiastic approval from all the residences prior to posting any signs. There were even a few that I pulled from the ground because even though I knew they would say yes to having one, I did not get the chance to connect with them and I didn't want them thinking I was a little presumptuous.
All that said there are still many locations on our list and we still have plenty of signs so if you avid political blog reader would like one in your yard or know of a perfect spot in Ward 1 (or even on the fringes) please let me know. You can send an email to friendsoftravis@gmail.com. Business locations work great as well.
And we would really like to get a few signs on Free Ferry since it's a major
thoroughfare so if anyone knows someone there please let us know
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You can help
Submitted by Travis Stephens on March 10, 2008 - 2:55pm.
Interested in helping me with my quest to become a city director? If so I could certainly use your help.
I need the names and addresses of people or businesses in Ward 1 who would be willing to post a campaign sign in their yard or window. Could be your parents, your siblings, your friends, or anyone else you know who wants to see younger faces, with new ideas and new ways of thinking, who share in our interest of seeing the region become more progressive, win a seat on the city board.
Key streets in Ward 1 are: Garrison Ave, Rogers Ave (from downtown to I-540), Free Ferry Rd, Park Ave, Grand Ave, North O, Old Greenwood, Albert Pike, Waldron, Burnham, S 66th, S 74th st, Euper, northern area of Hendricks and the area between Creekmore Park and the Church League ball fields. For a visual go here: http://gis.fsark.com/maps.html and click on “Ward Map”.
Also I need help distributing the signs. The plan is to get them all out at once (this Wed night the 12th), so there is that immediate visual BOOM in the neighborhoods that people will take notice of as they’re driving to work Thursday morning. If you can help stake about 10 or so signs in a specific neighborhood I would really appreciate the help. As mentioned above, we’re putting together a list of “friendlys” who have said yes to having a yard sign and now we just need to get them in the ground. If you can help in either capacity just let me know.
Travis
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Voter Registration
Submitted by Travis Stephens on March 5, 2008 - 4:07pm.
A lot of people have told me they aren't sure if they're registered to vote and how do they find out and/or register. Here's all you have to do
1) Call the County Clerk's office at 782-5065
they can tell you if you're registered or not. If you've moved they can change your info right over the phone
2) If you aren't registered then all you have to do is stop by the Clerk's office and fill out the form. The office is located in the courthouse bldg at the corner of Rogers and 6th st - room # 102.
Once you fill out the form there is a 30-day waiting period before you can vote. So if you really want to help a brother out - register before March 10th (this Monday) so you can vote for me in the special election on April 8th.
Another option is you can download the voter registration form online at http://www.votenaturally.org/all_about_voting.html After you've done that you can then drop it off at the Clerk's office or mail it in.
Get Registered and Vote!
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BID FOR DIRECTOR 2
Submitted by Travis Stephens on March 3, 2008 - 5:05pm.
Well I can officially say my campaign has started. The deadline to file the paperwork was noon on Friday. I had to turn in 50 signatures from registered voters in Fort Smith to get on the ballot. The clerk's office advised me to get extras in the event some people weren't actually registered to vote. I got about 80 just to be safe. You may have signed my petition at Bella Notte so thank you to all who did.
Many people have asked me why I wasn't mentioned in the paper along with several other of the candidates on Thursday. It was because I did not file my paperwork until Friday morning while most everyone else got there's in on Wednesday. In case you missed it I was mentioned in the Saturday article. For some reason it's not available through the Times Record but you can read it in the NWA newspaper: http://www.nwanews.com/adg/News/218357/
On Saturday I took my first major step towards campaigning - I hit the pavement and went door to door. Obviously I was nervous as I hadn't knocked on strangers doors since selling little league candy bars more than 20 years ago so I started with the shiny happy people - my neighbors. Surely I would be able to get my own neibhborhood to back me up. Of course we just moved to our new house 6 months ago so except for 2 households most everyone was meeting me for the first time. Let me just say I had an absolute blast talking to people. Everyone was very friendly and eager to talk. The downside however was that it was also extremely exhausting. 2 hours seemed like 6 and my feet were aching all day on Sunday. By the time I was done I had knocked on 26 doors and actually spoke with someone at 10 of them. Those I did get to speak with were all extremely supportive of me running for office and everyone was very appreciative that I took the time to come to their house - although they could have just been happy to discover I wasn't trying to sell them something. Most just said they would be happy to vote for me but of the 10 bodies, 4 actually wanted to talk politics and all 4 repeated pretty much the same sentiment: we need new faces on the board, specifically young faces, and they all wanted to see Fort Smith grow and progress. This was very exciting to me because all 4 of them were over the age of 60. It's certainly encouraging to know that "progress" is an issue that transcends demographic boundaries. I can't wait to get to the next neighborhood and I can very much see that this is what it's going to take to win this election. Although very time consuming and tiring, knocking on doors is up close and personal. Signs and ads are great but when did you ever vote because of a sign?
What's next:
Monday at noon I am to report to the City Clerk's office. All the candidates for the special election will be there and the purpose will be to draw straws (or something) to see where our names will appear on the ballot. For Ward 1 I have just one opponent so I'll either be on top or on bottom. For Ward 2 there are 3 candidates so it's not quite as simplistic. Not sure but I guess there's a theory somewhere that says the first name that gets read might get a few extra votes. Who knows.
Also I was amazed to find out that you can obtain a disc from the county clerk's office (separate from city clerk) that contains voter information for the entire city. It is broken down by each of the 4 wards and it lists every address in the city and whether or not the occupants of the house are registered voters and it will tell you the last time they voted in an election. WHAT A TOOL! This means that I can totally skip over certain houses (and even some neighborhoods) and devote what little time I have to focusing on the highly concentrated areas of voters. With only 5 weeks until the special election day this will come in very handy. Why knock on a door who can't even vote?
Finally if anyone is interested in helping me out in any way I invite you to join my campaign team. We will meet at my office on Wednesday night (Mar 5th) at 9:00. My office is at the Bank of the Ozarks at Waldron and Rogers Ave. We will be discussing distributing signs, passing out literature and all the other things that go into running a campaign. This is an open invitation to anyone wanting to help me or just interested in learning about how a campaign works.
I'm working on my platform and will get that posted as soon as I feel it's final.
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Correction
Submitted by Travis Stephens on March 19, 2008 - 8:07am.
I need to clarify the following statement made in my previous blog.
"Of course we just moved to our new house 6 months ago so except for 2 households most everyone was meeting me for the first time."
I had originally posted that we had moved to our new house about 4 months ago - not 6. Apparently my blog is being read by a far greater audience than just YEL members (who would have thought) and I received word from a concerned citizen, whom is well beyond their YEL years and whom I had never met before, and they informed me that there was a rule stating that you had to live within your Ward for 6 months before you could run for city director. Now keep in mind that I had no knowledge of this rule and that when I posted "4 months" I was merely speaking in general terms. Anyway while on the phone with this concerned citizen I explained that we purchased the house on August 15th or 16th and we did the math together. As luck would have it I passed the 6-month deadline by about 10 days from the filing deadline. Whew!
Well the call got me thinking a little bit and to prevent confusion and more calls from concerned citizens moving forward I decided to go back and change my general 4-month depiction to the more accurate 6-months.
COME TO FIND OUT a little later, the concerned citizen was actually mistaken about the rule and in actuality you just have to have lived inside the Fort Smith city limits for at least 6 months. So really this was all much to do about nothing.
However, the reason for my clarification is that by me going back and changing my blog statement it could have given the perception of me trying to hide something which is TOTALLY against everything I am running on. My #1 objective is to create a more open, honest and transparent city government that the people can be proud of and come to trust. Hopefully this amendment to my earlier blog statement will reinforce just that.
Vote Travis Stephens on Tuesday, April 8th.
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Follow up
Submitted by Travis Stephens on March 3, 2008 - 5:14pm.
Well they had the coin toss to decide the placement of the names on the ballot at the City Clerk's office today at noon and we've received the first major setback to our campaign. I wasn't in attendance but apparently my opponent won the toss and chose to be listed first. What a kick to the head! I'm officially declaring myself the underdog as being listed first is probably worth at least 3 votes in my book.
I hope you can all sense the sarcasm. It doesn't quite transfer through e-com the way it does face to face does it?
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Way to go!
Submitted by Kerri Barnes on March 3, 2008 - 4:46pm.
Way to go Travis! I think you will do an amazing job at a city director and you will be a great resource for YEL as a 'behind the scenes' glance into our city government.
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How can we help??
Submitted by Steve Shoppach on February 29, 2008 - 12:35pm.
Now is the time to get our voice heard and YEL out loud. Let's get behind Travis and see that he blows the doors off this thing. Now is not the time to be complaisant and let the next guy/gal do something. I'm sure Trav will need all of our help and will be calling/emailing/bloging soon. Be the first to get you hand up to volunteer and make a difference in Fort Smith.
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You can help
Submitted by Travis Stephens on March 3, 2008 - 5:16pm.
Thanks for asking Steven. If anyone does want to help and be a part of my campaign we are having a meeting at my office on Wed night at 9:00 (Mar 5th). My office is on the 1st floor of the Bank of the Ozarks bldg on the corner of Rogers Ave and Waldron Rd.
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FOP Endorsement
Well the FOP tallied the votes and despite the slanderous misinformation put out by the letter to the editor 3 days before the meeting we were still able to capture 47% of the vote count. I guess technically this means my opponent receives the endorsement but considering every officer in the audience assumed I was out to fire their chief going into the meeting I think we did remarkably well. If they had voted without us having the chance to speak at their meeting then I might have only received 5 or 6 votes. And don't forget that my opponent is a recent graduate of the Citizens Police Academy. This was definitely a steep hill to climb.
On one hand I'm thrilled to have made the charge that we did but on the other hand I must admit that I am a little disappointed. Especially since most of the feedback we received after the meeting was so positive. One officer told me that after the candidates left he heard a handful of officers say that my presentation really changed their minds about me.
The officer who called me and gave me the news said there were 126 votes cast and of those, 35 were cast by FOP members who DID NOT attend the meeting. He felt certain had they been there for the speeches and the Q&A that we would have locked up the endorsement. That just goes to show the power in printing misinformation in the newspaper - even in the letters to the editor section.
Oh well, hopefully the public will look at the 47% and realize the hole we had to dig out of to get that much support. Not sure how the FOP is going to word their press release. Hopefully it will emphasize the lack of a majority of support for either candidate.
Congrats to Andre Good for securing 122 of the 126 votes. Nice.