Mayor McNeal seeking election to second term

Mountain Home Mayor Joe B. McNeal.

Mayor Joe B. McNeal has announced his candidacy for a second term as mayor "of the metropolis of Mountain Home."

McNeal is being challenged by city councilman Tom Rist in this year's November elections for city offices. With Rist running for mayor, his council seat is up for grabs. In addition, the seat held by Councilman Mark Russell is up for election.

McNeal said in a prepared statement that he will run on his administration's accomplishments during his first four years as mayor. He said those accomplishments include "a dramatic increase in living-wage jobs, library expansion, commercial and residential growth and a "friendlier, more open city government."

Despite critics' comments that his goals were too ambitious, McNeal said, he had "fulfilled his campaign promise of bringing high-paying industry to Mountain Home." He also noted that he had followed through with another campaign promise, "an unprecedented idea to expand citizens' participation (in government) by holding twice yearly town hall meetings."

McNeal thanked the department heads and city employees for the "dedication in implementing his open door policy," adding that "Mountain Home can be proud of its public servants -- people that the community's children can look up to."

McNeal said that his vision for Mountain Home has not been fully implemented, yet.

He asked that all who believe the city is headed in the right direction to volunteer and join his campaign by calling 587-3227.