ENDORSEMENTS
Don Sennott
22 Brittany Ln
Bella Vista
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A Rare Quality: Integrity
Wikipedia defines Integrity as “the quality of being honest and showing a consistent and uncompromising adherence to strong moral and ethical principles and values.” You don’t see that very much in the political arena these days. Campaigns seem to be more concerned with age, agenda, gender, or a list of “goodies” they can tailor to satisfy the demands of special interest groups. Long gone are the days of “Honest" Abe.
There is, however, one candidate running in the Bella Vista City Council race who typifies integrity. I know Doug Fowler as a councilman and as a friend. City Council meetings aren’t someplace I regularly spend my evenings, but I have attended enough meetings to know that Doug takes his job as a councilman seriously, and he makes his decisions based on what he believes will be best—Not for himself, not for some special interest group, but for the citizens of Bella Vista.
I spoke with Doug recently about the campaign. “Can I donate to your campaign? Do you need help putting up signs?” Doug’s response shocked me, “I don’t have a campaign committee. I self-fund my campaign, and I put up all my signs, so they comply with city regulations and are positioned properly.” That response screams Integrity!
You will have a chance to vote in the upcoming election. All city council members are elected “at large” which means they represent all citizens, regardless of where they live. I encourage you to vote for a man of proven integrity, Vote for Doug Fowler.
Scott Cominskey
10 Kelaen Dr
Bella Vista
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In September of 2020, I wrote a Letter to the Editor in support of Doug Fowler for the Bella Vista City Council. In this election cycle, I intend to support and vote for Doug again. Why? Because Doug has shown me over the last eight years that he has no problem asking the hard questions that the citizens of Bella Vista need asked. I understand the importance of this as I was a Bentonville City Council member from 1997 to 2008. He is willing to deal with the hard issues confronting our community – despite the political “lumps” he has taken to confront these issues. Unlike other candidates, Doug has financed his campaign with his own money. He has not and will not solicit money from you, I or anyone else. He even puts out and takes up his own campaign signs. He is not some feckless dupe who owes his/her allegiance to a national party or organization.
To be truthful, he and I have had “impassioned” discussions regarding national politics as he is more conservative than I. But more importantly, he understands that in the spirit of professionalism, being critical and being criticized go with the territory and while he is empathetic (if not sympathetic) to the plight of our citizens, he will endure the short-term pain of making a hard but unpopular decision to set city policy on the right track for the long term. Regardless of the polarization we witness at the state and national level, it is imperative that city governments don’t fall prey to the esoteric ideological battles that lead nowhere important to the day to day lives of you and me. Doug gets this and we need more like him - people who can check their egos at the door and do the hard work of local governance that needs to be done.
So, I urge you to vote for Doug Fowler for Bella Vista City Council on or before November 5th.
KB Smith
10 Highland Parkway
Bella Vista
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In 2016, Doug Fowler was introduced to a local coffee group I was a member of that met two mornings a week. The intent was to have conversation on local events and, of course, politics. This was during Doug’s first bid for a city council seat. As we know, Doug won, and he also became a coffee group regular.
It was natural that Doug would be queried about city issues during our sessions. If there was something that he didn’t know, he wouldn’t fake it. He would own up, then go to the source that had the answer and bring clarity back to the group at the next meeting. He always impressed me in how quickly he settled into the role. He immersed himself in learning how our Bella Vista city government functions, and it was obvious that he had developed personal working relationships with leadership across all departments.
In 2021, I was contacted by the French government and informed that they desired to bestow upon me the Legion of Honor, which is the highest French order of merit and is presented in the form of the Chevalier (Knight) medal. This is an award the French government has desired to award to American servicemen involved in the Normandy D-Day invasion.
When I received notice that this was happening, I told my wife, Sue, I knew who I wanted to help us organize the award presentation and serve as the emcee, and that was Doug. I was impressed by him from the beginning, and I knew he was the guy. The presentation was held at Lake Point restaurant with the cooperation of the POA in front of fifty friends and family. Doug had made all the contacts for us, and he stood as emcee and represented Sue and me perfectly.
There have been seventeen different presidents during my lifetime, and I voted for fourteen of them. My track record is pretty good. Doug and I continue to maintain a close relationship, so I know him well. He is a tested and seasoned council member. There is no other candidate that can match his experience and knowledge of the Bella Vista community. I support him and you should as well.
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Gary and Ellen Creakbaum
Bella Vista
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Re-elect Councilman Doug Fowler, City Council Representative, Ward 3, Position 1
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It’s that time again! Time to vote! Yes, we are electing a US President, but also electing even more important people! Three members of The Bella Vista City Council! The people we choose will lead us forward as Bella Vista faces growth and change.
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Councilman Doug Fowler has served on city council for 8 years and as mayor pro-tempore for 4 consecutive years. The mayor pro-tempore fills in for the mayor in his absence, so Doug knows how the system works and the people who make the city run. Doug puts in the time and does the work taking on hard issues and taking strong positions.
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Mr. Fowler has also served on local committees and boards. He knows our community well. Doug serves on the BV Depository Board, the City Employee Benefits Committee and is Chair of Discover Bella Vista.
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As our community grows and changes, we will need experience on city council! It is going to require people who understand the processes required for zoning requests or development submissions. Doug has that experience and understanding.
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We have known and worked with Doug for 5 years and have found him to be a hard worker, ethical and fair. He has been a Bella Vista resident for 17 years.
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Doug Fowler is the only person to represent Ward 3, Position 1!​​​
Matthew Champagne
4 Harborough Cir.
Bella Vista
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I am writing to express my strong support for Doug Fowler in his re-election bid for the Ward 3, Position 1 seat on the Bella Vista City Council. Doug has consistently demonstrated his dedication and effectiveness as a council member, and I am confident he will continue to excel in the next term.
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Doug is known for his honesty and credibility. He thoroughly researches each issue before casting his vote, ensuring that his decisions are well-informed and in the best interest of our community. His experience and tenacity make him an invaluable asset to the city council.
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Over the past term, Doug has shown a deep commitment to addressing the needs of Bella Vista. His proactive approach and thoughtful consideration of all perspectives have helped guide our city through various challenges. I believe Doug’s leadership will be crucial for the continued growth and prosperity of Bella Vista over the next four years.
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I urge my fellow residents to join me in voting for Doug Fowler. His proven track record and unwavering dedication to our community make him the ideal candidate for Ward 3, Position 1.