Jonesboro, AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – March 4, 2025 – Members of the City of Jonesboro Advertising and Promotion Commission voted Monday to ask the Jonesboro City Council Rules and Nominating Committee to support naming restaurant owner John Williams to a four-year term on the commission.

Williams, who owns Sue’s Kitchen Express, would replace hotel owner Dan Das, who resigned from the commission. Commission chairman Jerry Morgan said Das’ resignation was due to his frequent traveling.

“He has been a huge service to this commission over the years and we greatly appreciate it,” Morgan said. “He and his family continue to be huge investors in Jonesboro in hotels, restaurants and businesses.”

Monday’s meeting was also the final meeting for City Councilman David McLean. Morgan said McLean’s term on the A&P Commission has expired after serving six years.

“McLean has seen a lot of improvements to Jonesboro (during his term) and has been a part of a lot of those,” Morgan said.

McLean’s city council representative position will be filled by the Jonesboro City Council. Morgan said McLean’s successor as well as Williams’ nomination will be considered by the Rules and Nominating Committee Tuesday night and hopefully approved by the City Council later that evening.

Commission member Tom Fielder noted that, with the resignation of Das and the appointment of Williams, the commission will not have a representative of the hotel industry.  Morgan said the commission members should note and consider that when the next commission vacancy comes up.

Morgan said it was important to get the two positions done and in place because the commission has important business to consider in the coming days. He said the next A&P Commission meeting will be at noon on March 12, a joint meeting with the City of Jonesboro Facilities Board. He also said a groundbreaking ceremony for the new sports complex is tentatively scheduled for April 11.

The makeup of the Advertising and Promotion Commission is defined by Arkansas Statute §§ 26-75-601 — 26-75-619 which says:

(a) Any municipality levying a tax pursuant to this subchapter shall create by ordinance a municipal advertising and promotion commission, to be composed of seven (7) members, as follows:

  • (A) Four (4) members shall be owners or managers of businesses in the tourism industry, and the owner or manager shall reside in the levying municipality or, if the governing body of the municipality provides for by ordinance, the owner or manager may reside outside of the municipality but within the county where the municipality is located.
  • (B) At least three (3) of these members shall be owners or managers of hotels, motels, or restaurants and shall serve for staggered terms of four (4) years;
  • (2) Two (2) members of the commission shall be members of the governing body of the municipality and selected by the governing body and shall serve at the will of the governing body; and
  • (3) One (1) member shall be from the public at large who shall reside within the levying municipality or in the county of the levying municipality and shall serve for a term of four (4) years.