VAN BUREN (KFSM)-For a second time, Max Blake is running against Bob Freeman. You might remember the two candidates faced off once before back in 2010.
Blake who calls himself a political rookie, serves on the city council as alderman of Van Buren’s first ward, and has served on the council for the past two years. He said if elected he will take his business experience to city government. He’s currently the general manager of his family’s company Blake Construction. He said if elected, being mayor will be his full time job.
Freeman is serving his second term as mayor and says if he’s re-elected, this will be his final four-year term. He said this is because he wants to finish the projects he’s started, leaving the city in a position for a new mayor in 2018.
Both candidates told 5NEWS their plans if elected.
"One goal of mine is to market our city to ourselves to Van Buren Residents and to people who don't live here,” Alderman Blake said.
“Get prepared for 2015, set out the goals, talk to everyone and just get things really back on track where we should be going,” Mayor Freeman said. “We still have a lot of major projects that are in the works, and we’ll just keep moving forward.
Records show Freeman got 56-percent of the votes when he faced Blake four years ago. Both candidates expect it to be a close race as well Tuesday (Nov. 4) night.