Shirley A. Watson has announced her candidacy for the Blytheville City Council Ward I, Position 2 seat in the November election.
Watson has been a resident of Blytheville since October 1979. Her family was stationed at Blytheville Air Force Base in the mid- to late 1960s, and Watson attended Blytheville West and Blytheville High School for 3 1/2 years. After 10 years away for college and getting married, she returned to Blytheville.
Her two daughters, Kimberly Watson Hendrix and Tiffany Watson Snyder, both graduated from BHS. Hendrix teaches science at Gosnell High School, and Snyder is the food service bookkeeper for the Blytheville School District. Watson is also the grandmother of three.
Watson received a bachelor of arts from the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, majoring in history and minoring in political science. Her teaching credentials were obtained from the University of Tennessee in chattanooga and Arkansas State University. She is a National Board Certified Teacher as of 2006.
"I began my teaching career in Georgia where I taught for three years in eighth grade," Watson said. "I taught six years as a lay teacher, fourth grade, at Immaculate Conception School. Blytheville Public Schools hired me in 1986 as a social studies instructor. I now teach English at Blytheville High School and am an adjunct instructor at ANC in the evenings and summers."
Watson said various leadership committees through the Blytheville School District have offered her ample experience in being able to work with others collaboratively and in helping to make important decisions affecting the lives of others.
This past year, BHS Principal Bobby Ashley and the Greater Blytheville Area Chamber of Commerce honored Watson as the Educator of the Year for 2010.
"This is a very important recognition for me," Watson said, "but also for all of the dedicated teachers in our district."
Watson is a member of First Christian Church where she conducts Children's Time along with her daughter Tiffany every Sunday morning.
According to Watson the upcoming election is about the people of Blytheville.
"This election is about us," she said. "I see tremendous opportunities open to our community, if we band together."
She said the issues she will focus on include, but are not limited to, the following:
-- Fostering a culture of city pride among all residents. "It is time for all of us to join in the same conversation as to what is best for our city," she said.
-- Parks improvement, so that all citizens can have safe places for recreation.
-- Removal of abandoned buildings and general beautification of the city. "It is a job for all of us to achieve," she said. "Reach down and pick up the rubbish; it belongs to all of us."
-- Drainage and street repairs. "To my surprise, a rowboat floated down my street a year ago last April after a heavy rain!"
"We must change the perceptions concerning Blytheville Public Schools," Watson said. "Until people see our schools as safe, productive institutions, many will seek education for their children elsewhere. I work all hours of the day and night, often entering the building alone on Saturdays for Saturday School with no fear for my safety, and I am a small lady."
"I challenge each resident to consider all of the people willing to offer their services to work in behalf of our community and then to vote for the ones you trust our future with," Watson continued. "Thank you for considering me as your representative and I pledge to do my best for you and for Blytheville. After the filing date, I will be in contact with as many of the people of Blytheville as is possible seeking to listen to your concerns and developing plans to offer to the Council."