Four residents are vying for the vacant seat on the Eureka Springs City Council.
Ginese Colletti, Rachael Moyer, Coltan Scrivner and Teri Wolfenbarger have applied as candidates for the Ward 1, Position 1 seat, most recently held by Autumn Slane.
The council declared the seat vacant during its first meeting of the year on Jan. 13 and residents had until Friday, Jan. 24, to submit an application to city clerk treasurer Ida Meyer. Council members received the applications at their regular meeting on Monday, Jan. 27, and are expected to vote on one of the four to fill the open seat at their next meeting, scheduled for Monday, Feb. 10.
“If you’ll review those, if you want to talk to the applicants, please do so and at the next council meeting we will hold a vote to select a new council member,” Mayor Butch Berry told council members at the Jan. 27 meeting.
The seat was declared vacant after Slane chose not to seek re-election, and Michael Welch, who ran unopposed for the seat in the November 2024 general election, announced he would not be taking the council role. After being contacted by the Times-Echo, Welch said in published reports that he had been contacted by the Carroll County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office informing him he was ineligible to serve on the council because of a felony marijuana conviction when he was 18.
The four candidates are:
GINESE COLLETTI
Ginese Colletti attended the Jan. 27 meeting and told council members that she has immersed herself into the community since coming to the area in 2021.
“I just really have a passion for the community and really engrossed in what’s going on … and would like to see where I can help,” she said.
Colletti’s resume submitted to the city says she received a bachelor of science degree in information systems management at South Florida University and is currently director of software engineering with Sam’s Club. Her background includes several positions in the engineering and technology fields with many national restaurant groups.
In her application letter, Colletti wrote that she has “immersed” herself “in local events, explored the library, became a museum member, and support the Crescent Hotel.”
“With my strong background in business technology, extensive experience in managing large projects and budgets, and a deep passion for preserving the historical essence of our town, I am eager to be a contributor to the continued growth and development of Eureka Springs while maintaining its unique character and heritage,” she wrote.
Colletti said she recently purchased a 1910 “English Revival” house in the city that she is currently renovating.
“In addition to my hands-on experience with historical preservation, my professional background in technology equips me with the skills necessary to navigate the complexities of modern governance,” Colletti wrote. “I have successfully managed large budgets and led numerous projects to completion, demonstrating my ability to handle the financial and logistical challenges that come with a city council position.
“Working for the largest retailer in the world, I have embraced a culture built on integrity, respect for the individual, and ethics, where people come first. My expertise in project management will enable me to effectively oversee initiatives that benefit our community and ensure that resources are allocated efficiently and responsibility.”
Colletti wrote that she would “love to offer ideas of leveraging modern technology and innovative solutions to enhance the quality of life for our residents and attract new visitors and businesses to our town.”
“My goal is to strike a balance between preserving our historical heritage and embracing future opportunities, ensuring that Eureka Springs remains a cherished destination for generations to come,” she wrote. “I am excited about the possibility of serving on the city council and contributing to the well-being of our community. I am confident that my skills, experience, and passion for Eureka Springs make me a strong candidate for this position.”
RACHAEL MOYER
Rachael Moyer, one of two applicants with a Ph.D., is currently a professor of political science, public administration and public policy at the University of Arkansas, a marketing consultant and owner of Loblolly Pines Adventure Camps and Hike House in Eureka Springs.
In her application letter, Moyer wrote that she has “a broad range of relevant training and experience in public administration that is accompanied by a passion for our unique city.”
Moyer has a background that includes working in city government roles. From 20142024 she worked as a policy consultant and policy analysis course instructor with the City of Fayetteville Office of Sustainability, and from 2005-2007 was an assistant grant manager administrator in the mayor’s office in Jacksonville, Fla.
She was executive director of the Ozark Arts Council from 2007-2009 and a board member of the Buffalo National River Partners from 2013-2020, according to Moyer’s resume.
Moyer wrote in her application letter that she has “always been drawn to work that respond to community needs.”
“I view the opening in Eureka Springs City Council as a unique opportunity to serve my community,” she wrote. “I am excited at the prospect of representing the interests of citizens in Ward 1 and working with other professionals to ensure a sustainable future for the City of Eureka Springs.
“I bring with me, specialized skills. For example, I have professional training and experience with methods for analyzing complex public problems and identifying solutions. This has allowed me to consult for park systems and sustainability offices in other municipalities throughout the Northwest Arkansas Region.
“My graduate education has introduced me to core public administration skills and models that include organizational planning, budgeting, and grant writing. Active involvement in public administration research has also introduced me to innovative management and budgeting models.”
Moyer noted her experience in city partnerships with community stakeholders in her work in Northwest Arkansas and Jacksonville, Fla., specifically mentioning a project she helped facilitate in Fayetteville regarding light pollution.
“… My work as a consultant allowed me to lead a team that facilitated coordination between the planning department, commercial developers, stakeholders in tourism, nonprofit organizations and the City of Fayetteville Office of Sustainability to analyze and make recommendations on policies to protect community health and economic opportunities associated with the preservation of dark skies,” she wrote. “This project was valued at millions of dollars. In a consulting role, I have examined and made recommendations on a variety of policy issues over a 10-year period that have had direct positive effects on citizens and visitors in one of the fastest growing cities in the U.S.
“I welcome the opportunity to do the same in my own beloved hometown.”
COLTAN SCRIVNER
Coltan Scrivner also attended the Jan. 27 council meeting and said the many projects he’s involved in around the city make him a good fit for the council seat.
“I’ve lived in Eureka for a couple of years now and very quickly became invested in the town and various aspects of the town,” he said. “I’ve learned quite a bit about some of the challenges and some of the opportunities that I believe Eureka faces over the coming years.”
Scrivner has a Ph.D. in comparative human development from the University of Chicago and has been the owner of the 1883 Peabody House Bed & Breakfast since early 2023, according to his resume. He’s an executive producer and consultant with Blumhouse Productions in Los Angeles and a research program manager with Arizona State University.
He also organizes the popular Eureka Springs Zombie Crawl that is held each Halloween and last year debuted the Nightmare in the Ozarks Film Festival.
“As a resident, business owner, and community event organizer in Eureka Springs, I am deeply invested in preserving the unique character of our town while also fostering its growth potential,” Scrivner wrote in his application letter. “With my background in event management, small business ownership, and academic research, I bring a unique set of skills and perspectives that will serve the council and our community well.
“As the Executive Director of the Eureka Springs Zombie Crawl and the Nightmare in the Ozarks Film Festival, I have led initiatives that showcase our town’s creativity and vibrancy on a national stage. For example, the New York Times recently recognized Nightmare in the Ozarks as one of the top five Halloween film festivals worth traveling for — a testament to the potential our town has to position itself as a premier tourist destination.”
Scrivner told council members that his ownership of the bed and breakfast has taught him firsthand the uniqueness of the city meshing history with tourism.
“I’ve learned the delicate balancing act between preserving the historic nature of our town on the one hand, and ensuring that it meets the needs of a modern tourist on the other hand,” he said. “I see that as kind of a microcosm of some challenges that Eureka faces more broadly.”
Scrivner wrote that his background as a “user experience” researcher, first as an intern with Facebook in 2021, and then in 2022 and 2023 with Meta, gives him experience that could benefit the city in solving problems.
“With a PhD … and professional experience as a researcher at one of the largest tech companies in the world, I possess the planning and analytical skills necessary to make informed, data-driven decisions about complex problems,” he wrote. “My work as a user experience researcher has also taught me how to incorporate the concerns of individuals and communities into practical, effective solutions.
“I am eager to bring my skills, dedication, and passion to the City Council …”
TERRI WOLFENBARGER A 23-year career with Toyota Motor Manufacturing, holding roles such as senior engineer and quality engineer manager, helped give Terri Wolfenbarger the skills that would benefit the city council and residents of Ward 1, according to a submitted application letter.
“My passion for Eureka Springs’ future, combined with a strong planning and project management background, positions me to positively contribute to the City Council,” the letter reads. “During my time with Toyota Motor Manufacturing, I was key in implementing various initiatives that resulted in improved efficiency and cost savings. Through strategic planning and collaboration with stakeholders at all levels of the organization, I was able to successfully navigate complex challenges and achieve positive outcomes that supported business needs and increased customer satisfaction.”
Wolfenbarger received a bachelor of science degree from the University of Tennessee and spent time as a special education instructor before moving to Toyota in 2000.
“Experienced leader with a proven track record in strategic planning, project management and innovative problem-solving,” Wolfenbarger’s resume reads. “Adept at collaborating with diverse stakeholders to deliver impactful solutions that improve operational efficiency, enhance community outcomes and foster inclusivity.”
While at Toyota, Wolfenbarger founded and chaired “Spectrum,” a LGBTQ+ Business Partnering Group, “providing support, mentorship, and education to employees,” according to the submitted resume, which also noted that Wolfenbarger “mentored the leadership board of ToyotAbility, enhancing their skills in gaining consensus and professional communication.”
Wolfenbarger’s resume lists passions as customer satisfaction, tactical planning and people development.
“These experiences have honed my ability to think critically, manage projects effectively and build consensus-skills that bring enthusiasm for our community, a strong work ethic, and a commitment to learning, enabling me to serve Ward 1 thoughtfully and effectively,” Wolfenbarger wrote.
Wolfenbarger is currently on the boards of Diversity in the Ozarks and Safe to Be.
