From her journey to being mayor to the primary, Mayor Veronica Smith-Creer spoke with people of all ages at the Black History Month program Tuesday night at Barton Public Library.
Smith-Creer was the guest speaker for "Making HERstory History" at the library for the children's program.
"When I was their age, I don't think I ever thought about being the mayor, but children are so intellectual now, we may have the next mayor or one of the next mayors in the crowd," Smith-Creer said. "I'm their mayor, too. They couldn't vote for me, but I'm their mayor, too, so I think it's important that they understand that."
Smith-Creer started by saying she is black history and is the first woman and first person of color to be mayor of El Dorado.
She said she didn't realize it until someone mentioned it to her, but it took 175 years since the city's founding to have a woman and person of color in office.
"I want to make sure that even though I'm the first of either one of those things that I'm not the last," Smith-Creer said. "I hope there are a lot of other ladies that become mayor after me, and people of color."
Smith-Creer was elected El Dorado's mayor in 2018 and described the running process to the kids and those who attended the program at the library.
She said she and Bill Luther, current president of the El Dorado – Union County Chamber of Commerce, ran for mayor and she won by 87 votes.
That number, though, is why it's important to go out and vote, especially for the March 3 primary or during early voting, which began Tuesday, she said.
"That's really not a lot. That could be a neighborhood, it could've been a street, so it's important that everyone goes out to vote," Smith-Creer said. "Those of you who can't vote yet, did you make sure your parents vote? Sometimes you have to remind your parents to go vote because it's important."
Smith-Creer also responded to questions about the primary and what it takes to run for office: you have to live in the ward, district, city or state you're running in, have to be a certain age and some political experience could be useful, but not necessary.
She also said she couldn't say she wanted to be the mayor years ago, but felt she had enough experience working with people in the community to represent a large group of people. Smith-Creer said when she decided to run, she didn't want to run a campaign but rather launch a movement — that it takes everyone to make the city better, not just those who are elected.
One of the things Smith-Creer said she wants to work on while in office is getting younger people involved in the community and having events for them.
"I would like to see something happen for them. I'm 50, what I like to do is different," she said. "Kids nowadays, I don't know what they like, and since I don't know what they like, I don't know what to bring for them."
She said she plans on hosting an event for teenagers at B's Place March 14.
Smith-Creer also said students are welcome to invite her to their classrooms.
"I'll come," she said.
She still, though, wants people to bring her ideas.
Smith-Creer said people being able to speak with the mayor and being able to express their thoughts, ideas and complaints is important, which is why she has an open-door policy and makes herself visible.
She said she's already had people ask her if she plans to run for re-election, but said it's up to the people.