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Community Activist Plans Legislative Bid
Tracy Pennartz of Fort Smith has announced her candidacy for Arkansas
State Representative District 65 which covers the north side of the
city.
Pennartz, 57, a Democrat said that effective representation of the
needs of citizens residing in north Fort Smith is essential for its’
positive re-development and further growth. “My campaign theme is ‘The
Power of Ideas’ for Fort Smith”, emphasized Pennartz. She said this
theme kept surfacing from her talks with fellow residents of the area.
“One group I met with expressed the idea that an individual or family
who buys a home on the north side and renovates it should get some
type of tax break,” stated Pennartz. If elected, she plans on
introducing a bill which would provide tax credits for eligible
homeowners.
“People in the district have shared with me that they want jobs closer
to where they live,” stressed Pennartz. She stated that incentives
could be offered for businesses who physically locate in north Fort
Smith.
“Besides good jobs, opportunities for social, educational and cultural
events are integral to re-vitalizing neighborhoods,” said Pennartz.
She added that residents who feel secure and safe are more apt to get
their kids and themselves involved in neighborhood activities.
Pennartz said that other ideas which might give rise to legislative
bills include expanded prevention funding for Fort Smith drug courts
and incentives for the development of a viable Fort Smith river port.
“I believe it is also time Fort Smith had a resident appointed to the
Arkansas State Highway Commission,” said Pennartz.
Retiring as Associate Director of the Western Arkansas Counseling &
Guidance Center this year after 25 years of service, Pennartz plans to
teach university courses and provide management healthcare consulting
services for organizations.
Current community service includes membership on the Board of Trustees
for the Fort Smith Public Library, WestArk Retired & Senior Volunteer
Program Advisory Council, Governmental Affairs Committee of the Fort
Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce, Fort Smith Literacy Council, Fort
Smith Art Center, Legislative Committee of the Mental Health Council
of Arkansas, and Fort Smith League of Women Voters.
Pennartz has also served as a volunteer in the Rheem Golf Charity
Classic, a tutor for the America Reads Program, Board of Trustees for
the Fort Smith Girl’s Shelter, Board of Directors for Volunteer
Connection, Board of Directors for the YWCA of Fort Smith, Co-Founder
of the Rape Crisis Service, Board of Directors for the Arkansas Valley
Chapter of the March of Dimes, and former Board Chair of United Blood
Services in Fort Smith.
Awards recognizing Pennartz’s leadership include: “Woman of the Year”
in Fort Smith (1998), Nominee—“Top 100 Women in Arkansas” by Arkansas
Business (1995), past recipient of the Gardner Distinguished Community
Service Award presented by the Fort Smith Junior Chamber of Commerce,
and Outstanding Young Women in America (1979).
Pennartz holds Bachelor’s (1973) and Master’s (1974) degrees from the
University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. She is a Lector and
Eucharistic minister at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Fort Smith.
The Democratic primary is May 23rd.
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