Ward 2, Position 2

Matthew Petty
Matthew Petty

113 W. Mountain Street
Fayetteville, AR 72701

(479) 595-8703

Email

Personal Statement



"I ran for office because I thought I could help make Fayetteville a more sustainable community by advocating for change from the inside. Since being elected in 2008 my passion for cities has only grown. I am adamant that Fayetteville should be focused on the future, and I believe cities, not state or federal governments, will lead the way toward solutions to generational challenges like climate change and income inequality. I promise to keep my sleeves rolled up and take a practical approach to making Fayetteville an ever-better place to live, work, and play."

Occupation & Education

 
  • B.S., Mathematics and Political Science, University of Arkansas
  • Grant writer and Development Associate at University of Arkansas Community Design Center
  • Father and Husband

Personal Information

 
  • Grew up in Harrison, Arkansas and attended high school in Hot Springs at the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Science, and the Arts
  • Came to Fayetteville in 2002 for college and left school in 2003 for a career in Information Technology. Came back to school eight years later to finish an undergraduate degree after being an IT Director, a wilderness adventure guide, and founding a nonprofit for sustainability advocacy
  • In 2012, eloped with my brilliant and beautiful wife at the Wilson Park Castle. Cassy and I are raising two daughters, who I get to teach how to be just as goofy as me on a daily basis

Community Service

 
  • In 2007 I founded a nonprofit to do sustainability advocacy. I closed the nonprofit in 2009 after winning my first election
  • I am a past chair of the Climate Change Task Force at the Omni Center for Peace, Justice and Ecology and of the Ozark Highlands Chapter of the Sierra Club
  • In my professional capacity at the University of Arkansas Community Design Center, I write grants for public projects involving street redesign, stormwater management, and workforce housing development
  • Serves on the Advisory Committee of the Northwest Arkansas Center for Equality

Committee Involvement

 
  • Advertising and Promotion Commission
  • Equipment Committee
  • Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission
  • Ordinance Review Committee
  • Transportation Committee Chair

My Key Issues

 
  • A new transportation spending doctrine organized around the establishment of fixed-route transportation corridors and leveraged to redesign major thoroughfares like College Avenue
  • Extending federal and state nondiscrimination laws to provide workplace and housing protections for the LGBT and veteran communities
  • Expanding our recycling and composting programs to all homes and businesses in Fayetteville
  • Growing our local food economy to make our community more resilient to long-term climate impacts
  • Removing barriers to walkable development and workforce housing

Ward Meeting Schedule

 
Ward 2 meetings are currently held as needs arise. Please call or email to request a meeting.