Harold “Harry” Meyer
ESI: Why are you running for council?
Meyer: I have been a dissenting voice on city council for eight years and because of that I have been able to effect some changes that may not have happened. I believe my seat at the council is still needed.
ESI: What are your qualifications for being on the council?
Meyer: I have been on the council longer than anyone now on the council except for Terry McClung. I have taken the budget course provided by the municipal league. I have zero ties to any businesses in town which means my focus is representing the citizens. I was instrumental in getting the workers at Public Works their first real raises in years thus keeping employees from leaving for better wages.
ESI: What can be done to enhance tourism in Eureka Springs?
Meyer: The dates for events should not be changed because people reserve their accommodations for the next year while they are still in town. The CAPC should be more careful about how it spends its money. Their budget should match their income more closely. They don’t need to have huge cash reserves.
ESI: How could the city’s economy be more diversified?
Meyer: The city needs a better variety of housing options so it can attract work-at-home residents. We could work with state agencies to attract businesses that match the unique environment of Eureka Springs.
ESI: How can the city address its aging infrastructure?
Meyer: It is imperative that the one percent sales tax be passed by the citizens in the coming election, along with the two bonds dedicated to the city’s infrastructure.
ESI: How can progress be made on affordable housing?
Meyer: The council is working on creating a housing authority to address the housing shortage.
Shira C. Fouste
ESI: Why are you running for council?
Fouste: Deciding to run for city council was not a quick decision. It definitely took some mulling over. It is a huge commitment, a lot of work and a lot of scrutiny. I believe we must be the change we want to see. I can do this. I am smart, kind, careful with people, a great communicator and I am committed deeply to the success of Eureka Springs. I am a sunny-side up person. I can’t stomach inequity, injustice, unkindness, deception or cruelty. I hope to have the opportunity to serve and protect our beautiful town and community.
ESI: What are your qualifications for being on the council?
Fouste: I have served on the City Advertising and Promotion Commission since June 2023 and became chair in January. I am a visual artist, a business owner, a veteran’s wife, mom to three daughters and an advocate for my adult daughter with disabilities. I am tenacious. Anyone who has had to deal with social services, medical and government systems knows that takes energy and perseverance. I have the necessary skills to be on council and I have a finger on the pulse of what is happening in Eureka Springs.
I am actively involved in our community. I am out and about listening, talking, and sharing with locals and visitors. My family eats in our local restaurants, shops locally, and supports the town whenever possible. I am genuinely interested in connecting with people and hearing what they need. I want the citizens of E.S. to feel truly represented. I genuinely care about listening, understanding, taking time, planning carefully, researching and transparency.
ESI: What can be done to enhance tourism in Eureka Springs?
Fouste: I really must give a shout out to our CAPC. The wonderful staff works many long hours. While tourism is down nationally, our numbers are up. I think promoting tourism is something we all do together. It starts with friendly smiles, being our nutty, artsy, weird, wonderful selves and supporting one another. It’s the citizens of Eureka Springs that make this town so appealing. I think good old-fashioned kindness keeps ‘em coming.
ESI: How could the city’s economy be more diversified?
Fouste: We need to lean into the resources we have. Our number one resource is our people. We are storytellers, artists, naturalists, weirdos, hippies, LGBTQ+, etc. We are the Eureka experience. People love that Eureka Springs is a place where one can truly express, out loud and proud, what is in the heart. The welcome here is big. We need to push being a year-‘round destination with more activities in November, December and January.
ESI: How can the city address its aging infrastructure?
Fouste: Definitely an issue. As a candidate who would be new to the council, I think it would require a lot of due diligence on my part to understand and weigh in on areas of greatest need. Access to parking and improved disability services are critical for our future, both for locals and for tourists.
ESI: How can progress be made on affordable housing?
Fouste: This is an increasingly serious issue. As a lodging owner, I can speak from my own experience. Short-term, non-traditional lodging like AirBnB and Vrbo have devastated cities around the world. We are not the exception.
Many homes that could be housing for locals have been purchased and converted into these unregulated, passive-income generators for people who, often, aren’t even residents of our city or state. When that money flows outward, it doesn’t recirculate here to boost the local economy and contribute to the community we all love and want to preserve.