McGeorge Mac Caradine is seeking the Ward 2, Position 1, seat on the Cotter City Council.
Caradine says he believes his career as a construction engineer and project manager will serve him well as a member of the Cotter City Council. He has been responsible for construction projects exceeding $70 million dollars each and has owned and operated several small businesses as a licensed general contractor, homebuilder, hotel owner, and recently a home inspector.
He is an active community volunteer, serving on the Cotter-Gassville Sewer Commission since 2015, the Cotter Planning and Zoning Board since 2015, and as chair for the committee to relight the R.M. Ruthven Cotter Bridge. His community memberships include Friends of the Norfork Fish Hatchery charter board member, Trout Unlimited White River Chapter and North Arkansas Fly Fishers life member, Cotter-Gassville Chamber of Commerce member since 2005, Friends of the North Fork and White Rivers member, Mid-South Fly Fishers past president, and Wesley United Methodist Church of Cotter member.
As a vice chair of the Cotter Planning and Zoning Board, Caradine’s ongoing concern of the regulations prompted him to review all past ordinances making up the zoning regulations to update the city zoning map now found in city hall. As a result, the recently updated city zoning regulations were sent to the Arkansas Municipal League for review for formatting to the league’s standards. That work has been inserted in the city manuals used by the city council members and the planning and zoning board.
Caradine pledges if elected to the Cotter City Council, he will study all issues and seek comments not only from his ward, but from all residents of Cotter to represent their needs while keeping an eye on the financial impact of these issues. He says he feels it is important issues be heard by city council for discussion and action, and it is important every citizen of Cotter be equally represented to have the full cooperation and support of the Cotter City Council.
As alderman, he wants to create a healthier and safe environment for families by supporting the Cotter Police Departments needs to reduce crime and drug abuse. Caradine will give special consideration to improved law enforcement coverage. He will continue supporting Cotters canine policy as an asset to the Cotter Police Department and a deterrent against crime. He will help research for grants to increase the department budget for more officers and equipment, and he will encourage residential curb appeal to increase home values and reduce crime.
Caradine hopes to preserve Cotter as a great place to live and enjoy a wonderful, quiet, historical fishing community. Working for the citizens of Cotter, Caradine promises he will strive for a more convenient, harmonious, efficient, functional, and attractive community. He will continue to promote the historical downtown by supporting local businesses and by attaching new businesses to the downtown business district and highway commercial area. He will promote Cotter to attract new and second homebuyers to increase the tax base. Caradine says he thinks improving communication between Cotter City Hall and its residents can be a plus for the community. He wants to continue beautification and improvements of the city park, continue the citys plan to pave streets and improve drainage, and obtain funding and grants to relight R.M. Ruthven Bridge. He hopes to encourage the community to continue to support local non-profits such as Cotters Volunteer Fire Department, Cotter-Gassville Chamber of Commerce, the Saturday Club of Cotter, White River Lions Club of Cotter, Cotters VFW, North Arkansas Youth Center, American Legion Post 23, and scholarships for Cotter Schools. He also supports improving access and parking along State Highway 345 at Roundhouse Shoals by partnering with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, Trout Unlimited, and North Arkansas Fly Fishers.
On a personal note, he and his wife, Julia, have been married 33 years. They have owned property in downtown Cotter since 2001.
WebReadyTM Powered by WireReady® NSI