CAMDEN — By PATRIC FLANNIGAN
Staff writer
Camden Mayoral candidate David Chilcote visited the Camden Kiwanis Club on Thursday to speak about his experiences and his vision for the city.
Chilcote recently retired from General Dynamics where he served as the director of general operations for the past 10 years.
He has worked in the industry for 44 years - 22 of those years were with GD. Chilcote has worked through out the country but returned to Camden in 2008.
Chilcote shared that he was looking forward to enjoying retirement, but he was approached by several people within the city about running for mayor.
From there, he spoke with several local business owners, residents and even with former Camden Mayor Chris Claybaker - who asked him if he was sure he wanted to run for mayor.
He then shared about how coming from a family with an Army background taught him how to see through a challenge, be organized, and get the job done.
Chilcote is the son of a retired veteran, has two older brothers in the armed forces and himself spent three years in the Army.
“One thing they taught us is to complete the job and to stick with it,” Chilcote explained.
“I guarantee you if I take on this job and you all elect me to be mayor, I will do the job. I will stick with it. It’s very important to me.”
Chilcote then talked about what he feels the city needs. He emphasized the promotion of small businesses and explained how 25 jobs can equal 100 new residents, which leads to more tax dollars to go towards the city’s needs.
He spoke about how he was able to secure a $750,000 grant from the Arkansas Economic Development Council to expand his workforce while at GD.
He also said that the business incubator located at the Ouachita Partnership for Economic Development needs to be utilized more, and also said that internships would help with community involvement.
Chilcote then stressed that the biggest challenge facing this generation’s performance in the workforce is attendance. He said that the number one reason for terminations over the last 10 years when he was at GD was employees’ failure to go in to work.
“Show up,” Chilcote said. “It’s that simple.”
Chilcote then took a moment to talk about education.
He said that he knows the mayor can only do so much when it comes to the school district, but he feels the city can do more to help.
Chilcote stated that he believes poverty may play a big role in a student’s performance.
He said that he believes the area schools are getting better and that administration is doing a good job, but they still have work to do.
“I have no magic formula for it,” Chilcote said. “I just know kids deserve better than what they are getting today.”
Chilcote informed the Kiwanis Club members that there is an area group that has sought permission to close off a sec-tion of Washington Street every first Friday of the month for farmers markets, artists and activities for children. He said that the venture is something that will attract people to the city and allow for more tax dollars.
Chilcote spoke about how he wishes he could lower taxes, but the money is already committed into different things that Camden needs.
“One thing you wont find me doing is campaigning to lower tax,” Chilcote said. “I’d love to, but that money is committed. Camden needs a lot of things like maintaining our streets… We need to make sure the pool is open this summer. It’s a big attraction.”
He concluded his visit by acknowledging his opponent, Julian Lott, who was in attendance at the meeting.