TEXARKANA, Ark. - The City Board of Directors will have two new members next year as Ward 1's Terry Roberts and Ward 6's Jeff Hart ousted the two incumbents, Linda Teeters and Terri Peavy, respectively.
Meanwhile, incumbent Ward 2 City Board Member Laney Harris won re-election to his seat.
Ward 1
Roberts garnered 1,437 votes to Teeters' 513, according to results.
Roberts thanked his family, friends and the voters of Ward 1 for their support.
"Every word of encouragement, every moment of assistance, and every dollar contributed has touched my heart. Your trust in me motivates me to continue improving myself and pushes me to be the best version of myself that I can be," Roberts wrote in a Facebook post.
"My campaign promise was to always follow up and follow through for the citizens, without a doubt that will happen. Now that the election is over, the work begins. You will continue seeing me in your neighborhoods and at your door asking 'how can I help?' I believe in common sense and fairness and will be the watchdog of how your tax dollars are spent."
Teeters said it has been an honor to serve as the Ward 1 director for almost four years.
"I have enjoyed my experience. I support the ward and the city moving forward with continued economic development," she said.
She wants the tradition of representation and transparency to continue for Ward 1.
"I want to be a part of the continued success and growth of the city," she said.
Ward 2
Harris received 427 votes to challenger Vickie Lacy's 372 votes, according to results.
Harris could not be immediately reached for comment late Tuesday.
Lacy held a watch party at 1894 Market where she conceded the race, but said she would return.
"First of all, I would like to thank everyone for a wonderful race. I've enjoyed this. It has been something that I've never done before, and that I will do again. Look for me in the next election because, hey, I am not a person that gives up. I love Texarkana, and this race was meant to be. Whatever was meant to be is what it is. I would like to thank all of the people that supported me throughout this race because I have had overwhelming support of people that helped me. I would like to congratulate Laney Harris for Ward 2 director, for his re-election, and you will see me again."
Ward 6
Challenger Hart received 1,737 votes to incumbent Terri Peavy's 809 votes, according to results.
Hart made an appearance at 1984 Market on election night as well.
"First of all I want to thank Ms. Terri Peavy for her service for the last four years. I want to thank her for running a good, clean campaign for both of us. And I just want to thank the voters of Ward 6 in Texarkana, Arkansas for their confidence in me and for their vote and support. I look forward to moving the city forward, and being aggressive with our growth, improving infrastructure and making sure we have a safe and clean city."
Peavy conceded the race by offering these remarks.
"I want to thank everyone who has supported, advised and encouraged me over the last four years," she said. "..I believe we have changed the course of the city for positive growth."
Peavy said she celebrates the many projects started and she is looking forward to their completion.
"I would like to congratulate Jeff and offer him encouragement in serving our citizens and the city in the next four years," she said.
Teeters is a mathematics instructor with Texarkana, Arkansas, School District. In 2016, she ran unopposed for the Ward 1 seat vacated by former Director Allan Wren. She serves as assistant mayor and chairperson of the city Advertising and Promotion Commission.
Roberts is the chief clerk for Bowie County, Texas, Justice of the Peace Nancy Talley. He holds a Bachelors of Business Administration and volunteers at Hospice of Texarkana in pastoral care. Prior to working for Bowie County, Roberts worked for Century Bank/Wells Fargo as a branch manager.
Harris held the Ward 2 seat from 1997 to 2005 and was re-elected in 2008. He served on the Texarkana, Arkansas, School District Board from 1995 to 2001 and 2014 to 2017. He is a lifelong resident of Ward 2 and active member of College Hill Missionary Baptist Church.
Answering his candidate questionnaire, Harris promised "to continue to voice the issues and concerns of my ward and to promote the concept of fairness, accountability and equality." He also emphasized infrastructure improvements such as street and drainage repair and widening and paving Nix Creek.
Lacy is a graduate of Arkansas High School and attended Southern Arkansas University. She has been a cosmetologist for 28 years and works as a stylist at The Salon.
Peavy was elected to the Ward 6 seat in 2016, after the retirement of long-time Director Sue Johnson. She graduated from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville with a Bachelor of Science in Education.
Hart stressed street improvements, maintenance and drainage in his campaign. "We have to be proactive in selling what we have to offer new businesses and companies. We desperately need to improve our infrastructure! This not only includes street improvement but an emphasis on beautification of our city," he said in answering a candidate questionnaire.