JULY 1, JONESBORO — Four years ago, Harold Copenhaver was elected mayor during a time of great instability as Jonesboro and the entire nation dealt with an unprecedented pandemic and its social and civic disruptions.
Today, he announced his re-election bid for a second term, pointing to a track record of city progress during which key crime rates dropped, population surged, and critical infrastructure and recreation opportunities are flourishing at unforeseen levels — all while operating within a balanced budget.
“I love this city, I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished, and I’m excited about what we’re going to do next,” he said. “In the coming weeks, I will lay out more goals and plans as we create the Jonesboro of tomorrow.”
Under Copenhaver’s leadership, Jonesboro’s police force added multiple positions and went from short-handed to effectively fully staffed, and the fire department added more than a dozen new positions to protect Jonesboro residents and its prestigious Class 1 ISO rating. The mayor credited the City of Jonesboro team for implementing strategies that allowed Jonesboro to avoid pitfalls other cities suffered during Covid.
“We gave raises to our first responders and we added positions to meet our growing population,” Copenhaver said. “These critical employees were underpaid; now they are among the most competitive in the state.”
Continued investments in street cameras and a Real-Time Information Center have made Jonesboro safer for the 150,000 people who live in, work or pass through the city each day, he said. The network extends outside of city boundaries and allows for information sharing among area municipalities, which is critical when it comes to solving crimes and finding suspects.
“The priority on safety stands above all else,” Copenhaver said, which includes addressing the root causes of crime. As mayor, he initiated a Youth Council to create leaders of the future, a Mayor’s Coalition of city leaders from eight northeast Arkansas counties and Project Care, a program that educates special needs adults for incorporation into workplace positions.
“These programs are vital to improving our community, and we can’t afford to lose momentum,” the mayor said.
Copenhaver’s first term saw significant recreational developments. The city celebrated the opening of a second public swimming pool, the first built in Jonesboro in decades, at Parker Park, the transformation of the defunct YMCA into the bustling “Y” youth center, and the unveiling of world-class trails at Craighead Forest. New multi-sport athletic fields at Joe Mack Campbell Park, preservation of green space donated by the Sloan family, revamped playgrounds and the addition of a new dog park and pocket park downtown have all served to enhance the city’s quality of life, the mayor said.
“The next big thing will be the completion of one of the state’s finest sports complexes,” Copenhaver said. “It will be a regional attraction to host tournaments, but will also be a local hotspot for youth and adults to exercise, play and swim.”
Jonesboro parks are enjoyed by thousands of residents, families and children, and every park is now under 24-hour security camera monitoring. Soon, the mayor said, that system will include real-time monitoring of more than 100 intersections by a staff of trained specialists around the clock.
Copenhaver emphasized the need to continue investing in services and infrastructure in the coming years. “Over the last 3 years we have significantly increased funding for road overlays and pedestrian infrastructure. I will continue that,” he said. He also pointed to several areas where he wants to see improvements such as better street lighting, increased support for nonprofits that serve the homeless and housing or food insecure, and advancing the fight against blight and litter.
The Copenhaver family’s commitment to Jonesboro runs deep; both Harold and his wife of 42 years, Kathleen, attended Jonesboro public schools and Arkansas State University. Harold’s public service resume includes numerous board positions in civic and nonprofit organizations and a term in the state legislature. He and Kathleen are members of First Baptist Church and have dedicated their lives to giving and volunteering for local causes.
Copenhaver said serving as mayor of the city he loves is a culmination of public service coupled with a career in the financial and insurance industries that maximizes his statewide connections and extensive relationships.
“I knew this was a big job when I took it on, but I pledged from Day One to put people over politics,” Copenhaver said. “I haven’t wavered from that, and I believe that’s the foundation for everything we’ve accomplished.”
The mayor praised the city’s 600 municipal employees and dedicated City Council members for their “labor and love for Jonesboro.”
“I’ve been blessed to see their passion and commitment up close the past four years,” he said. “My goal and theirs is the same: to keep Jonesboro moving forward.”
