I choose Dumas.
I chose Dumas as my home in 1986, and I continue to choose Dumas every day. Today, I am proud to announce my candidacy for Mayor of the City of Dumas.
For everyone who chooses Dumas—whether as a place to live, learn, work, or proudly as their hometown from afar—you deserve the very best our community can offer. I have been honored to serve Dumas in many ways over the past 40 years. During the past three years as a member of the City Council, I have come to believe I can do even more by stepping forward to serve as your Mayor.
While we face challenges, Dumas is a community defined by strength, resilience, and the quiet fortitude and giving nature of its people. We have demonstrated that time and again. To build on those strengths and address our issues, we must be willing to take thoughtful, forward-looking steps. We must be open to new ideas while honoring the values and traditions that shaped us. We must ensure our laws are followed and fairly enforced so that every resident feels safe and secure.
We must continue to treat one another with respect, dignity, and care. Our path forward is to identify what is working, strengthen those foundations, and move forward with purpose—while fostering a renewed sense of pride in Dumas and in our shared future.
I believe transparency and accountability are essential to effective leadership. City government has a responsibility to serve, protect, and support its citizens. There will be times when difficult decisions must be made—decisions that may not please everyone but are necessary for the greater good of our community. Priorities must reflect what is best for Dumas as a whole. As resources change, so too must our approach. We must follow Arkansas law and local ordinances, communicate clearly with our citizens, and ensure those laws are applied consistently and responsibly. Meeting required timelines and carrying out our duties with integrity is not optional—it is our obligation.
As for me, I am a retired teacher from the Dumas School District and a local business owner of Inks N’ Threads and Southern Starch Dry Cleaning. I am married to Doug Weatherford, who I met two weeks after moving to Dumas. Together, we have three children and a growing family that brings us great joy. Truth be told, my family is my biggest “why” in life.
I choose Dumas—each and every day. In any capacity, I will continue to serve this community for as long as I am able.
