Jena Town Council · Nov 3, 2026
Lester
Francis
Lester Francis, the incumbent, is running for Jena Town Council in the Nov 3, 2026 election; 8 candidates are running for 5 seats.
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The race · Town Council
- 01Brian Allison
- 02Russell Dorton
- 03Lester FrancisYou’re reading
- 04Clint Masters
- 05Timmy Renz
- 06Donny RichardsonIncumbent
- 07Tommy SandiferIncumbent
- 08Cindy White
Background
- About
- Member of the Jena Board of Aldermen for the past eight years.
- On the ballot as
- Republican
On the record: Lester Francis
14 sourced01Streets1 sourced position
Said he would like a dedicated street crew repairing roads year-round.
I’d like to see a dedicated street crew working year-round, whenever weather permits, to repair roads and address maintenance issues.”
Own statementThe Jena Times · Jul 15, 2026Link
02Police and fire4 sourced positions
Said police officers, firefighters and all town employees deserve fair pay so they do not leave for other jobs.
I also believe our police officers, firefighters, and all city employees deserve fair pay that allows them to continue serving our community without having to seek opportunities elsewhere.”
Own statementThe Jena Times · Jul 15, 2026Link
Voted yes on amending Ordinance 131, the personnel policies, to allow limited police overtime pay (passed unanimously, August 2026).
Council voteJena Town Council minutes, Aug. 3, 2026 · Aug 3, 2026LinkHow the council voted
Voted yes on authorizing a five-year agreement with Axon Enterprises, Inc. for Tasers and body cameras (passed unanimously, June 2026).
Council voteJena Town Council minutes, June 1, 2026 · Jun 1, 2026LinkHow the council voted
Voted yes on adding $22,000 to the police salary budget for officer salary increases (passed unanimously, January 2026).
Council voteJena Town Council minutes, Jan. 12, 2026 · Jan 12, 2026LinkHow the council voted
03Blighted property3 sourced positions
Said the town should keep cleaning up blighted properties and maintaining rights-of-way, ditches and culverts.
I also believe we should continue cleaning up blighted properties, keeping our rights-of-way mowed, and maintaining our drainage ditches and culverts.”
Own statementThe Jena Times · Jul 15, 2026Link
Voted yes on Ordinance 214, adopting the International Property Maintenance Code (passed unanimously, May 2026).
Council voteJena Town Council minutes, May 4, 2026 · May 4, 2026LinkHow the council voted
Voted yes on awarding the demolition of 2730 and 2724 E Oak St to the low bidder (passed unanimously, August 2025).
Council voteJena Town Council minutes, Aug. 4, 2025 · Aug 4, 2025LinkHow the council voted
04Utilities3 sourced positions
Voted yes on introducing amended Ordinance 157 on utility rates (passed unanimously, September 2026).
Council voteJena Town Council minutes, Sept. 14, 2026 · Sep 14, 2026LinkHow the council voted
Voted yes on a resolution for a lease-purchase agreement to finance a water and gas metering system (passed unanimously, December 2025).
Council voteJena Town Council minutes, Dec. 1, 2025 · Dec 1, 2025LinkHow the council voted
Voted yes on authorizing drive-by-read water and gas meters funded by a $5.00 monthly technology fee on each customer bill (passed unanimously, November 2025).
Council voteJena Town Council minutes, Nov. 3, 2025 · Nov 3, 2025LinkHow the council voted
05Sewer system1 sourced position
Voted yes on awarding the Grit Chamber System Improvements contract to Womack & Sons Construction Group, LLC for $729,842 (passed unanimously, July 2026).
Council voteJena Town Council minutes, July 6, 2026 · Jul 6, 2026LinkHow the council voted
06Budget and taxes2 sourced positions
Voted yes on adopting the millage rate for tax year 2026 (passed unanimously, June 2026).
Council voteJena Town Council minutes, June 1, 2026 · Jun 1, 2026LinkHow the council voted
Voted yes on adopting the 2026 budgets for the General, Utility and Sales Tax funds (passed unanimously, December 2025).
Council voteJena Town Council minutes, Dec. 1, 2025 · Dec 1, 2025LinkHow the council voted
Every claim links to its source and was checked against it before publishing. How this guide works
Lester Francis: their words and their votes on the same issue
Blighted property
In their words
Said the town should keep cleaning up blighted properties and maintaining rights-of-way, ditches and culverts.
Jul 15, 2026 ·The Jena Times · Jul 15, 2026
On the record
Voted yes on awarding the demolition of 2730 and 2724 E Oak St to the low bidder (passed unanimously, August 2025).
Aug 4, 2025 ·Jena Town Council minutes, Aug. 4, 2025 · Aug 4, 2025
Voted yes on Ordinance 214, adopting the International Property Maintenance Code (passed unanimously, May 2026).
May 4, 2026 ·Jena Town Council minutes, May 4, 2026 · May 4, 2026
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