TEXARKANA, Ark. -- Ward 5 Director-elect Danny Jewell wants to make the city more attractive to both visitors and businesses.
Jewell laid out his priorities for the ward and the city in an interview Friday. After Ward 5 Director Barbara Miner chose not to seek re-election, Jewell won a three-way race for the open seat Tuesday, defeating Donna Burnett and Phillip Jones. He will take office in January.
Jewell said one of his primary concerns is clearing Nix Creek and Oak Creek, "not only for drainage purposes but also to make it look better."
"I would like to improve our looks for people when they return home and for visitors," he said.
He wants the city to return to using Arkansas Department of Corrections inmates as labor for cleanup projects and plans to lobby state-level elected officials to help make that happen.
Another priority is attracting new businesses to the city.
"When I was on the board before many years ago, we reached out to other cities of similar size and asked them for some advice. And I'd like to see us do that again, ask what their input is how we might attract some industry and businesses to our area," he said.
Another of Jewell's ideas is to lower permitting fees to encourage businesses to locate on the Arkansas side of the state line.
He expressed gratitude for those who elected him.
"I just would like to thank our supporters and all those that voted for me," he said.
Ward 3 Director and Assistant Mayor Steven Hollibush, re-elected on Tuesday, declined to comment on his race or agenda for this story.