About Teresa

About Teresa-

A resident of Fayetteville for over twenty-three years (1979-1988,

2012-present), 22 years in Ward 4. I live in the University Heights neighborhood with my

black lab mix dog and tortoise shell colored cat. Both were rescue animals.

In my free time, I like to bike, hike, kayak, make documentary films, and work with a

suite of environmental groups to save the Buffalo National River and to preserve water

quality in Arkansas.

Teresa Turk Bio 2026 Personal Statement-

I’m a 5th generation Arkansan and fell in love with Fayetteville in 1979 when I came to

the UA to obtain an education and play tennis for the Razorbacks. Fayetteville has a

wonderful cultural vibe with diverse music on Dickson St, art on the square,

performances at the Walton Arts Center and Theatre Squared, a new museum/art

space at the Porter Produce building, and an openness to ideas that are not found in

much of the rest of the state.

In 2018, I decided to run for city council because I was concerned that the Fayetteville I

fell in love with and now live in was slipping away due to rampant development without

the necessary brakes and consideration for existing neighborhoods. Historic houses

dating from the 1800’s and early 1900’s have been bulldozed down without any

regulation to prevent that from happening and without public comment. We needed to

preserve our heritage and pass an ordinance to allow a public review process before

our history is destroyed. In 2026, two new historic districts, Oak Grove historic district

and the Black Historic district were created with an ordinance to preserve these

important historical neighborhoods.

New housing also influences traffic and crime patterns. We, as a city, need to grow

consciously with intent and a vision of how we want our beautiful city to look in 20 years.

The 2040 plan has very laudable goals, but the details on how we fulfill that plan need

to be carefully considered and consistent. I have lived in large cities (Seattle and

Washington DC), and I do not want Fayetteville to become “homogenized” to look like

every other American city. I want to work to keep it “funky”, unique, and charming. Aren’t

these the characteristics that make it attractive to folks who choose to live in

Fayetteville?

I also decided to run because Fayetteville has become the first city in Arkansas to

pledge to use 100% renewable energy by local government by 2030. Currently 93% of

city government energy comes from renewable sources. But we can also expand our

vision and reduce our unsustainable consumption by borrowing ideas that have worked

in other cities, such as incentivizing citizens and businesses to use renewable

resources and changing our habits to reduce our waste, especially plastic.

I am honored and humbled to have served the residents of Fayetteville for the past 8

years. Let’s continue to work together to fulfill these goals. I will always listen to the

people who live here now so that we can keep Fayetteville a great place to live!

Occupation and Education:

• BS Zoology 1984, MA Anthropology 1989, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville

• MS Fisheries Science 2000, University of Washington, Seattle

• Retired, Research Fisheries Scientist, NOAA Fisheries,

• Currently manage personal property

Committee Involvement:

• Historic District Commission 2013-2018

• Civil Rights Commission 2016-2018

• Water and Sewer Committee 2019-2026 (Chair 2023-2026)

• Nominating Committee 2019-2024

• Environmental Action Committee 2019-2024

• Active Transportation Committee 2025-2026

• Ordinance Review Committee 2024-2026

My Key Issues:

• Continue to invest in infrastructure (water, sewer, roads, transit and green space)

• Investigate tools to preserve and establish affordable and workforce housing

• Maintain established neighborhoods with similar style and size dwellings

• Institute smart, well considered zoning to reduce or eliminate spot zoning

• Continue to implement historic district ordinances to preserve our history

• Increase green spaces, parks, and preserve Lewis Park

• Support and provide incentives to local businesses and start-ups

• Clean up Lake Fayetteville and make it swimmable again

• Strengthen the tree preservation ordinance to prevent clear cutting

• Support civility and compassion for all visitors and residents

• Ensure the inclusion of all voices in our city

• Incentivize citizens and businesses to use renewable energy sources and technology

• Continue to expand bike trails and transit system throughout our city