Sherwood, Arkansas

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Sherwood, Arkansas
settlement_type = City


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mapsize = 250px
map_caption = Location in Pulaski County and the state of Arkansas


mapsize1 =
map_caption1 =
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_name1 = Arkansas
subdivision_name2 = Pulaski
government_type =
leader_title =
leader_name =
established_date =
area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 36.4
area_total_sq_mi = 14
area_land_km2 = 35.8
area_land_sq_mi = 13.8
area_water_km2 = 0.6
area_water_sq_mi = 0.2
elevation_ft = 328
elevation_m = 100
population_as_of = 2000
population_footnotes =
population_total = 21511
population_metro =
population_density_km2 = 591
population_density_sq_mi = 1536.5
timezone = Central (CST)
utc_offset = -6
latd = 34 |latm = 49 |lats = 51 |latNS = N
longd = 92 |longm = 12 |longs = 41 |longEW = W
timezone_DST = CDT
utc_offset_DST = -5
postal_code_type =
postal_code =
area_code = 501
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 05-63800
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 0058612
footnotes =
website =

Sherwood is a city in Pulaski County, Arkansas, United States, and a suburb of Little Rock. According to 2005 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city was 23,149.cite web | date = June 21 2006 | url = http://www.census.gov/popest/cities/tables/SUB-EST2005-04-05.csv | title = Annual Estimates of the Population for All Incorporated Places in Arkansas | format = CSV | work = 2005 Population Estimates | publisher = U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division | accessdate = November 16 | accessyear = 2006] Since then, the city has annexed the neighboring community of Gravel Ridge following voting in early 2008, and Sherwood's population as a result has increased to at least 26,381 residents (including 3,232 Gravel Ridge residents), ranking it as the 16th largest city in Arkansas, behind Benton. It is part of the Little Rock–North Little Rock–Conway Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography

Sherwood is located at coor dms|34|49|51|N|92|12|41|W|city (34.830890, -92.211514)GR|1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 14.0 square miles (36.3 km²), of which, 13.8 square miles (35.8 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square miles (0.6 km²) of it (1.57%) is water.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 21,511 people, 8,798 households, and 6,211 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,557.9 people per square mile (601.4/km²). There were 9,272 housing units at an average density of 671.5/sq mi (259.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 80.23% White, 17.83% Black or African American, 0.43% Native American, 0.95% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.83% from other races, and 1.24% from two or more races. 2.05% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 8,798 households out of which 32.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.4% were married couples living together, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.4% were non-families. 24.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.90.

In the city the population was spread out with 24.5% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 32.0% from 25 to 44, 24.4% from 45 to 64, and 10.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 94.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $44,838, and the median income for a family was $51,510. Males had a median income of $34,133 versus $25,757 for females. The per capita income for the city was $21,515. In Sherwood, 6.3% of the population and 5.4% of families were below the poverty line. In addition, 9.7% of those under the age of 18 and 4.2% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

Government

The City of Sherwood is an incorporated municipality (city of the first class) with a Mayor elected to a four-year term, and eight elected aldermen, a city clerk, and a part-time city attorney.

Mayor Virginia Hillman made history on August 1, 2007, as she was sworn in as Sherwood's first female mayor. Bill Harmon served as interim mayor April 12, 2007 to July 31, 2007, following the resignation of Mayor Danny Stedman. Harmon had not run for re-election after holding the office of mayor for 14 years through 2006.

Stedman, who was elected in November 2006, previously served as a Sherwood alderman for four years. Upon taking office in January 2007, Stedman was extremely excited about his plans for Sherwood and the city's future. In April 2007, Stedman cited health concerns for himself and his wife as he resigned from office.

Stedman had been one of three newly elected officials in the city in the 2006 election. Others include city clerk/treasurer Virginia R. Hillman, and council member Charlie Harmon (Alderman Ward 1, Position 2).

pecial Elections

Five candidates ran for the office of Sherwood mayor after the resignation of former Mayor Danny Stedman: Richard Devine, Doris Anderson, Virginia Hillman, Bill Harmon, and Victor Sierra. No candidate received more than 50 percent of the votes; therefore, another special election was held between to two candidates receiving the most votes. This election was held on July 31, 2007 between Interim Mayor Bill Harmon and City Clerk Virginia Hillman.

On February 5, 2008, a special election was held in Jacksonville for the annexation of Gravel Ridge into Jacksonville. The community of Gravel Ridge is located between western Jacksonville and the Sylvan Hills area of Sherwood, and has carried ties to both cities for many years — its telephone number prefix is shared with Sherwood, while Gravel Ridge shares a ZIP code with Jacksonville.

Upon the Jacksonville ballot issue being announced, Sherwood Mayor Hillman and the Sherwood City Council ordered a special election for March 11, 2008, to gauge support for the annexation of Gravel Ridge into Sherwood. In each of the cities' respective elections, each city's residents as well as the residents of Gravel Ridge voted. The proposal for annexation into either Jacksonville or Sherwood passed in each election. The result prompted a third special election for Gravel Ridge residents only on April 1, 2008, to vote on whether they wanted to be annexed into Sherwood or Jacksonville, with voters ultimately deciding in favor of annexation by Sherwood.

Gravel Ridge was formally annexed during the Sherwood City Council meeting on April 28, 2008 [http://www.cityofsherwood.net/City/Meetings/Agendas/Agenda%20080428.pdf] , during which the territory comprising the one-time census designated place was divided along Arkansas Highway 107 into additions to the first and second wards of Sherwood.

April 1, 2008 Gravel Annexation Special Election Results

*Jacksonville: 221 - 25.91%
*Sherwood: 632 - 74.09%

*Total Votes: 853

March 11, 2008 Sherwood Annexation Special Election Results

*For: 1,764 - 82.05%
*Against: 386 - 17.95%

*Total Votes: 2,150

February 5, 2008 Jacksonville Annexation Special Election Results

*For: 3,342 - 65.59%
*Against: 1,753 - 34.41%

*Total Votes: 5,095

July 31, 2007 Mayoral Special Election Results

*City Clerk Virginia Hillman: 2,646 - 64.36%
*Interim Mayor Bill Harmon: 1,465 - 35.64%

*Total Votes: 4,112

July 10, 2007 Special Election Results

*Richard Devine: 926 - 23.99%
*Doris Anderson: 403 - 10.44%
*City Clerk Virginia Hillman: 1,252 - 32.44%
*Interim Mayor Bill Harmon: 1,242 - 32.18%
*Victor Sierra: 37 - .96%

*Total Votes: 3,871

Mayors

* Hal P. (Bob) LaCoste, first mayor - elected on July 10, 1948.
* Bill Harmon - Mayor of Sherwood until 2007. He was honored with a Recreation Center in his name.
* Dan Stedman - Mayor from January 2007 to April 2007; resigned due to health reasons.
* Bill Harmon - appointed as Interim Mayor after Mayor Dan Stedman resigned.
* Virginia Hillman - Defeated Bill Harmon in run-off election July 31,2007. Term expires 12/31/2010

City Council

The City of Sherwood is represented on the City Council by two alderman from four wards for a total of eight alderman. The first position is currently on four year terms with the second position going to four year terms beginning with the general election in 2008. This will offset the elections for the city council members and make four of the eight alderman positions up for election every 2 years.

Aldermen

*Becki Vassar - Ward 1, Position 1 - Elected November 6, 2006; Term Expires 12/31/2010
*Charlie Harmon - Ward 1, Position 2 - Elected November 6, 2006; Term Expires 12/31/2008
*Butch Davis - Ward 2, Position 1 - Elected November 6, 2006; Term Expires 12/31/2010
*David Henry - Ward 2, Position 2 - Elected November 6, 2006; Term Expires 12/31/2008
*Shelia Sulcer - Ward 3, Position 1 - Elected November 6, 2006; Term Expires 12/31/2010
*Marina Brooks - Ward 3, Position 2 - Elected November 6, 2006; Term Expires 12/31/2008
*Keith Rankin - Ward 4, Position 1 - Elected November 6, 2006; Term Expires 12/31/2010
*Dr. Steve Fender - Ward 4 Position 2 - Elected November 6, 2006; Term Expires 12/31/2008

Other Elected Officials

*City Clerk: Angela Nicholson (Appointed August 27, 2007)
*City Attorney: Steve Cobb - Elected November 6, 2006; Term Expires 12/31/2010

Election 2008

There are currently eight announced candidates for the 2008 General Election for all of the five contested city positions:

*Angela Nicholson (I); City Clerk / Treasurer
*Charlie Harmon (I); Candidate for Ward 1, Position 2 Alderman
*Kevin Lilly; Candidate for Ward 2, Position 2 Alderman
*Marina Brooks (I); Candidate for Ward 3, Position 2 Alderman
*Bill Montgomery; Candidate for Ward 3, Position 2 Alderman
*Dr. Steve Fender (I); Candidate for Ward 4, Position 2 Alderman
*Norman L. Cartwright; Candidate for Ward 4, Position 2 Alderman
*Justin D. Smith; Candidate for Ward 4, Position 2 Alderman [http://www.electjustinsmith.com]

Key:

(I) = Incumbent

North Hills Country Club Controversy

The city is involved in a lawsuit over the proposed development of North Hills golf course and Country Club, in the southern end of the city adjoining North Little Rock. The court date is scheduled in April 2008. Mayor Virginia Hillman repeatedly stated during her campaign for mayor for the special election that her plans were to put the issue to a vote for the citizens. The issue was last discussed at the Sherwood city council meeting at 7:00 P.M. on Monday, September 24, 2007. A re-zoning sign was placed on the North Hills property the week before Christmas.

Education

Sherwood is home to several public and private schools for elementary and secondary education. Students seeking higher education often attend nearby colleges and universities including the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and University of Central Arkansas.

Primary and secondary schools

Public schools

The city's public schools are managed by the Pulaski County Special School District. The city's public high school is Sylvan Hills High School. Other public schools include Sylvan Hills Middle School, Clinton Elementary Magnet School, Oakbrooke Elementary School, Sherwood Elementary School and Sylvan Hills Elementary School.

Private schools

The [http://www.abundantlifeschool.org/ Abundant Life School] is a co-educational private school for grades pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade and is a member of the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI).

Other private schools include [http://victorybaptistschools.com/ Victory Baptist Elementary School] and Central Arkansas Christian School.

Public libraries

The Central Arkansas Library System includes the Amy Sanders Library in Sherwood.

Media

The " [http://www.sherwoodvoice.com/ Sherwood Voice] " is a local weekly newspaper serving the city and its nearby communities in Pulaski County with its print publication and website.

As a community newspaper, articles are centered around local news, issues, classified ads and events. Sports coverage is usually limited to the area's middle school and high school teams, such as the Sylvan Hills Bears and the Abundant Life School Owls.

Notable natives & residents

*Don Baker, Ph.D. - political scientist
*Wes Bentley - film actor
*Kelly George - Miss Arkansas USA 2007
*David Kerr - World Champion Collegiate Debater [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_public_debate_association#E-Mail] [ [http://www.hsu.edu/content.aspx?id=6794 Henderson State University debate student David Kerr is one of two finalists ] ]
*Kevin McReynolds - former professional baseball player
*Jennifer Sherrill - Miss Arkansas USA 2004
*Terry Tiffee - current professional baseball player
*Harry Vines - former coach of Arkansas Rollin' Razorbacks; member National Wheelchair Basketball Association Hall of Fame

References

External links

* [http://www.ci.sherwood.ar.us/ City of Sherwood]
* [http://www.nwanews.com/adg/News/172341/ Arkansas Democrat Gazette]
* [http://www.sherwoodvoice.com/ Sherwood Voice]