Mayoral Race Profile: Harold Copenhaver – Carswellfamilyfoundation

JONESBORO, Ark. (KAIT) – As Election Day approaches, Jonesboro mayoral candidates continue to make their case to voters.

Incumbent Harold Copenhaver said his experience makes him the best candidate for the position. He spoke with K8 News about several topics related to his campaign.

Why are you running for mayor of Jonesboro?

“You know, to continue the good things that we’ve been working on for four years. It has been my joy to serve this community, the people in it, and all the people in it every day.”

Do you know what the top three issues will be on your agenda?

“My number one priority will continue to be the safety of our community. I have demonstrated my commitment to this community, my goals and what we are going to do. When I took office, I saw extremely low morale in our 911 department. So, one thing we added that I’m going to expand and continue to do is a mental health coach in our police department. I’ve invested heavily in camera technology, several million dollars in our technology in the coming years, we just got free money, free money from the federal government to the tune of $4 million for a real-time crime center. This is the future of Jonesboro’s infrastructure. Infrastructure. We are an 82 square mile community. We have six roads totaling over 600 miles. I did the research again and it showed that we need to invest $3.5 million a year just to keep our roads where we are. It was only this year that we finally achieved it. Every year I managed to increase it. We need to improve the quality of life. We also have to invest in our community, and that’s what I’m going to continue to do.”

Many people were able to see the debate, but also see each candidate with their own ideas. So what sets you apart from other candidates?

“Well, it’s a long list. I’ll be honest with you.

Experience.

You can’t raise funding just by asking. You will have to build relationships. I did it. I have these relationships all over the state of Arkansas. I’m calling the mayors. I can call the US Senator. I think it’s important for the community to understand that every time I come to Washington as mayor, I can give back funding. This is not happening.”

Now tell your residents why they are voting for you.

“I know the community as well or better than any other candidate. I think it’s important to be here most of your life to really see it. I’m not here to make a few people happy. I am here to represent the community and I have led the way and will continue to lead the way.

You change the mayor, we go back. This is a proven fact. I don’t care who he is. I don’t care what he brings to the table. We as a community are going backwards. Last night I heard someone say, “Well, I’m only going to do it in four years.” Well, guess what? In another four years we will go back again. If he is elected, Jonesboro will go backwards. We are moving forward and we have momentum and stability.”

K8 News will continue to air profiles of all four Jonesboro mayoral candidates each evening on K8 News at 10 a.m. through Thursday, October 31st.

For information on the 2024 ballot for Jonesboro mayoral candidates in the 8th and other regions, visit kait8.com/vote2024/

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