Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Runyan Enters Race Again, Hoping To Unseat Manning

Grady Runyan wants his old job back.

Runyan is running for the position of Clark County Judge against incumbent Floyd "Buddy" Manning.

In discussing the issues, Runyan said he would continue to improve the county's roads, with Gurdon's Taylor Dairy Road being one of the top priorities.

"You have culverts and ditches needing to be opened around Gurdon," he said, "so the water can get drained."

During his time in office, Runyan had a bridge built on Smithton Road and worked to get Sticky Road paved.

If elected again, he plans on doing more projects in the Gurdon and South Clark County area, along with working throughout the county.

He also plans to help improve recreational opportunities in the county by helping communities find grants and build parks. The county, he said, could clear the ground, drain the property and clear parking lots for such projects.

On the topic of Gurdon Mayor Rick Smith's sales tax proposal, which is to have the county sales tax return the city's part to the cities in the county, Runyan said he realizes the cities need the money, but doesn't want to see it become a political issue.

"I realize the cities and county need more money," he said, "but the scenario would be the people voting to take the tax from the county and giving it to the cities. Then the county would have to get another tax."

Inflation, Runyan said, has hurt everyone where this tax is concerned.

In addition, he said, more demands are being placed on the county for services such as garbage pickup.

Such action as giving the cities their share of the tax, he said, could result in both the cities and county needing more money in a year or two.

"The cities and county must work together," Runyan said. "They need to help each other, swap equipment and manpower. The judge's manual states intergovernmental agencies must be cooperative.

"I can see both sides of this issue," he continued."

Runyan has been married to the former Thomasene Bell for 52 years. They have five children, 12 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

With the exception of two years in the military, Runyan has lived in Clark County his entire life.

He has 42 years experience in private business, having run a successful business in Arkadelphia.

While in office, he was elected chairman of the Upper West Central Planning and Development Committee, but gave this post up when the March 1, 1997, tornado struck, wreaking havoc throughout the county.

He is a deacon at Mount Olive Baptist Church, where he also teaches Sunday Senior Adult class.

Runyan is a member of the Cattlemen's Association of Clark County, the Clark County Fair Board and a member of the Arkadelphia Human Development Center.

An important issue for Runyan in this race is to work more closely with all the cities in the county. "I plan to meet with our mayors, board members and planning commissions on a regular basis so wen can express our needs and ways we can help each other," he said.

Another priority in the Runyan campaign is roads and bridges, and to work closely with the Clark County Industrial Council as well as local industry.

"We, in Clark County," he said, "are fortunate to have a strong and active industrial council we should be proud of and work with in any way possible. The county must continue to encourage industrial growth."

The county's senior citizens are also important to Runyan. "They are our strength and stability," he said. "We must do anything within our grasp to enhance their quality of life."

He also plans to work with the 2025 Commission to get a trolley system in downtown Arkadelphia.

"I would like to have a trolley stop at the courthouse as well as several places downtown," he said. "I think visitors to our town, as well as our residents, would find this useful, eliminating the need for extra parking, thus bringing more business to the downtown area.

He said the area is coming into a growth period never before experienced. "I want to be a part of the reason for this growth."