Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Gilbert Enters Race For Representative's Position

Don Gilbert, a longtime resident of Hempstead County, has announced his candidacy for the Arkansas State House of Representatives, District 28, in the May 23 Democratic Primary.

"I am very excited about the possibility of serving my friends and neighbors of Nevada and Hempstead counties in the Arkansas General Assembly," Gilbert, who lives in Hope, said. "I have worked in this area for the past 31 years and have proven I am a man of integrity and honesty. If elected, I will continue to serve the people of southwest Arkansas in the same manner."

Gilbert began his career, after receiving BSE and MSE degrees from Henderson State University, as a science teacher and coach. He later moved to the Hope area, where he worked three years for the Guernsey School District as coach and high school principal.

His career then took him to Missouri and Dumas, where he was employed as high school principal. It was within this time period that he received the post-graduate hours necessary from the University of Tennessee to obtain an administrator's certificate.

He then served as Title I coordinator and assistant superintendent for the Dumas schools.

For the past 31 years he has worked as a territorial consultant for Interstate School Supply Co.

Gilbert is married to Jan Helms Gilbert, who is a fifth grade teacher at Beryl Henry School in Hope. They have three grown children, Cary, Kim and Mark, and one grandson, Brett.

Gilbert and his wife are active members of the Hope Church of Christ, where he serves as a deacon. "The basic principles of life are rooted in the church and family," he said in a news release. "Today's troubled youth seem to be reaching out for their purpose in life. I feel, so often, our society has failed to provide them with the real meaning. I would like to see a return to basic Christian and family values."

Gilbert, a strong supporter of the public schools, said he would work for safer and more productive schools. He will strive to obtain more funding for state mandates, he said.

"It is almost an impossible task for schools to follow the new state mandates without funds being appropriated for these purposes," he said. Gilbert said he believes there should be more in service for administrators, counselors and teachers to enable them to recognize the warning signs of those who might threaten the school environment. He will also work to get more money funded for teachers' salaries.

Gilbert also said the people of southwest Arkansas have a tremendous asset with the University of Arkansas Community College being located in Hope. "I will work diligently to obtain funding to support new programs for the school," he said.

Gilbert said another concern for him is the elderly. "There has not been enough consideration given to this population. I will do everything I can to bring a better quality of life to this group of Arkansans.

"If elected," Gilbert said, "I will do everything within my power to represent the people of Nevada and Hempstead counties in a way that will make them proud. I have no intentions of taking gifts or money from special interest groups to sway my vote. My door will always be open to listen to your problems and suggestions."