Nataylia Deer doesn't claim to have all the answers to Fort Smith's problems. She also doesn't make sweeping promises about what she would accomplish if elected mayor.
She does know she wants to help people.
Deer, one of seven candidates seeking to become Fort Smith's next mayor, is running on a platform centered on honesty, community involvement, and helping residents who may feel overlooked by their local government.
"I know what it's like to struggle," Deer said. "That's pretty much why I'm running, because I want to run for not just the wealthy people, but all people of all parts of the economy, even the homeless people."
Deer grew up in several River Valley communities, including Kibler, Van Buren, Alma, and Fort Smith, and attended Van Buren schools. She lived in Fort Smith at different points during her childhood and returned after high school.
Her campaign reflects both her affection for the city and her concerns about its residents.
Deer said she wants to bring more excitement to Fort Smith, create opportunities for young people, and strengthen relationships within the community. She also wants residents of all economic backgrounds to participate in decisions that affect the city.
She recognizes that turning those ideas into policies will require more research and a better understanding of how municipal government operates.
"I'm not gonna make any promises that I cannot keep," Deer said. "And especially if I don't even know if I can make those promises."
Making Fort Smith affordable and accessible
Among Deer's priorities is examining the city's budget to determine which expenditures are necessary and which could be eliminated or redirected toward other needs.
She also wants to explore how unused or underutilized city property could provide additional recreational opportunities, particularly for children and teenagers.
Deer cited the Acme Brick property as an example she would like to use more effectively.
She also questioned whether some of the city's existing recreational attractions are affordable for working families.
Pointing to Parrot Island Waterpark, Deer said the admission cost can put a family outing out of reach for residents already struggling with housing and other expenses.
"Not everyone that is in the town can afford that because some people can't even afford their own rent," she said.
Housing affordability is another concern.
Deer acknowledged that the mayor cannot simply require landlords to lower rents. However, she believes the city should investigate whether available property could help encourage more affordable housing.
She is particularly interested in ways to help residents experiencing poverty become more involved in local government.
Deer recalled attending a candidate event where she asked how government officials could encourage those residents to participate in the political process. She disagreed with the suggestion that people wouldn't need to worry about government if elected officials did their jobs properly.
"I do think that everyone in the town should be involved in the political run, and they should be interested and involved because it's not just for the wealthy," she said.
Deer acknowledged she hasn't developed a specific plan to increase participation but wants to research options before committing to an approach.
Sometimes the smaller things matter
When asked about problems Fort Smith faces that receive too little attention, Deer didn't point to a major infrastructure project or an economic development initiative.
Instead, she mentioned public restrooms.
Deer said visitors to Riverfront Park have limited restroom access because the nearby amphitheater's facilities are often locked.
"That might not be a big issue for everyone, but I think that is an issue," she said.
She also raised concerns about speeding vehicles in residential neighborhoods and suggested additional traffic signs and enforcement could help protect children playing outside.
For Deer, those everyday concerns help make Fort Smith a better place to live.
She believes the city's greatest strength is its ability to unite when residents work together behind a common purpose.
"That's our strongest suit, when we're all working together," she said.
Listening before making decisions
Deer said disagreements are inevitable in public office, but she believes elected officials should listen to opposing viewpoints before making decisions.
If a resident disagreed with one of her proposals, she said she would ask why and invite that person to suggest alternatives.
"This is not my town. It's Fort Smith town," Deer said.
However, she also recognizes that elected officials sometimes must balance public preferences against what they believe is best for the community.
"Sometimes things that people want, they're running off of emotion," she said. "You have to figure out what is best for everyone and also what everyone wants at the same time. There has to be a middle ground."
Her approach to the proposed change in Fort Smith's form of government is similarly cautious.
Voters will decide in November whether to replace the city's current form of government with a mayor-council system.
Deer said she supports letting residents make that decision but acknowledged she is still learning how the proposed system would work.
She questioned whether the change would place too much responsibility on the mayor and said she hadn't researched the issue enough to reach a firm conclusion.
Still, she believes the mayor should have a greater voice in city affairs.
"The mayor's role is to be a leader," she said.
A city that comes together
Looking 10 years into Fort Smith's future, Deer envisions a cleaner, more welcoming city that attracts visitors and gives residents more opportunities to gather.
She hopes the community will become more united, especially during difficult times, and that people will help one another regardless of background or economic circumstances.
Her Christian faith plays an important role in how she approaches decisions. Deer said she prefers to pray, seek guidance, and conduct research before making commitments.
Asked what she most wants voters to remember about her, Deer returned to the principles that motivated her campaign.
"I hope that they remember that I will seek God a lot in everything that I do, and I wanna run on honesty and integrity," she said. "And I wanna help make this town better, and it's not just about things. It's about helping everyone come together as a community."