Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Few Turn Out To Hear Candidates Stump At Courthouse

Turnout for the Nevada County Democratic Central Committee Political Rally Friday, April 28, was disappointing to say the least.

Few people showed to hear what the candidates had to say, and many candidates weren't on hand for the rally either.

In the race for Fourth Congressional District House of Representatives, State Sen. Mike Ross was the only one of the four at the rally.

He talked about the support he's received during his political career, thanking the voters for their help.

Ross said he brought about reform in the Division of Youth Services and was named one of the best legislators in Arkansas by a statewide newspaper.

According to Ross, it's been 97 years since anyone from Nevada County has been elected to Congress, and now people are saying he can't win because Nevada County is the smallest county in the Fourth District.

The district has a total of 26 counties, stretching from the Mississippi border on the east to the Oklahoma border on the west and hitting Louisiana and Texas on the south. In land mass, it is the largest of the state's four districts.

Ross told how he got $1 million to help build a new library in Prescott, with help from State Rep. Percy Malone.

He also talked about getting funds for the county-wide emergency warning siren system.

The campaign, he said, is about smaller class sizes, better preparation for landing jobs of tomorrow, respect for teachers, getting back to basics on education and a zero tolerance policy for guns, drugs and disruptive behavior in school.

Ross said he's seen senior citizens forced to choose between buying medicine and food, and ending up in the hospital because of the choice they made.

He said Medicare needs to be modernized to include prescriptions for senior citizens.

Ross was followed by Percy Malone, the only candidate for Ross's seat in the senate.

Malone said he's always received good support from Nevada County and has helped the county when in Little Rock.

He told of projects he's been involved with to aid the region, including getting energy grants for air conditioning at the Nevada School gym and Nevada County Courthouse.

His work for Nevada County includes helping get the $1 million for the library, $50,000 for the Nevada County Fair Association, money for the Nevada County Rescue Unit, $50,000 for volunteer fire departments in the county, helping with energy grants at the Oak Grove Community Center and Oak Grove daycare.

"We can accomplish a lot when we work together," Malone said. "I will work to continue bringing things to the county, and if there's anything I can do to help, call me."

Malone lauded the Prescott-Nevada County Economic Development Office for the job done so far, recalling how bad the economy was in Clark County 12 years ago, but was turned around by the Clark County Industrial County.

Randy Wright, prosecuting attorney for the 8th Judicial District north, was next.

Wright kept his talk short, saying it has been a privilege and honor to represent the county as prosecuting attorney.

He vowed to continue fighting to bring criminals to justice.

Nevada County Sheriff Steve Otwell was next up. He opened joking saying with the price of gas what it is, getting to see this many people at one time made the wallet feel good.

Otwell told how the Nevada County Sheriff's Office has moved forward under his administration.

He said a sheriff's substation is ready to open at Crossroads near Rosston to better protect the lower end of the county.

Mike Mullins, Otwell's challenger in the sheriffs race, said a lot needs to be changed in how the NCSO is operated, with most people knowing what the problem is.

Mullins talked of being raised in Oklahoma but having strong ties to Arkansas, including the town of Flippin being named after a great-grandfather.

He promised to provide leadership for the NCSO if elected, along with control and stability, with better organization and developing a chain of command for officers to follow.

"You can't run all over the county and take care of the sheriff's office and jail," he said. "I will make this one of the best sheriff's departments in Arkansas."

James Roy Brown, Nevada County Judge, was the only of the two candidates for this office at the rally.

Brown thanked the Nevada County Democratic Central Committee for putting the rally on, and said he'd like to keep the job as judge.

"I've tried working with everyone who calls," he said.

He talked about working with Ross, along with representatives Sandra Rodgers, Malone and Jim White on projects, working to help get grant money for the Waterloo-Bodcaw water project, and the Prescott Rural Water Project.

"It took all of us working together," he said. "I'd like to keep working hard for Nevada County."

Unopposed candidates were also given a chance to speak at the rally as well. Karen Cobb, county treasurer, Pam Box, assessor, Carolyn Steed, circuit clerk, and Julie Stockton, county clerk, all thanked the voters for their support.

Rodgers, the state rep. from district 22, told how she has lived in the Nevada-Hempstead county area all her life.

She talked about starting the pee wee basketball program in Prescott, along with the youth talent show for the Nevada County Fair.

Rodgers told of holding several offices within the Nevada County Fair Association, and how she still works on pageants.

"I've been part of Nevada County long before I got into politics," she said.

Rodgers said she's worked hard as the representative from this area and always did so with the people in mind.

Her efforts, she said, included getting an energy grant for the Nevada County Day Service Center, helping Blevins and Prescott schools and getting $500,000 for the birthplace home in Hope as this is historic preservation.

Nevada and Hempstead counties, she said, have a lot in common. The two counties have produced four governors and a president this century. "There's a lot of history in this area."

If reelected, this will be the final term Rodgers can serve in the House under the term limit law.Rodgers challenger, Don Gilbert, said he's lived in Hempstead County for 31 years and has developed a reputation for honesty.

Family values, he said, is important, pointing out he's been married for 37 years, has three children and is the deacon at the Hope Church of Christ.

Gilbert said more problems could be solved if more emphasis was put on the church and family.

He said more needs to be done with education, as this is a top priority of his platform.

Gilbert said schools need to be made safer so students can be more productive. He added more counselors and social workers need to be placed in schools, with teachers and administrators needing more in-service training on how to recognize potential violence.

He promised, if elected, to make sure money would be sent with state mandates so unnecessary financial burdens wouldn't be placed on cities and counties.

Living near a major interstate, he said, is good and bad.

It's good for the economy, but the price for this is more crime and drugs. He said more law enforcement personnel is needed to help combat this, and the officers need to be better equipped to help fight crime.

He voiced concern for the health of the elderly, saying tax relief is needed so they can have a higher quality of life and not be forced to choose between food and medicine.

Brown Hardman, candidate for representative of district 36, the seat being vacated by Malone, was the first of three candidates for this office to speak.

He told of being born in south Arkansas, being raised here and raising his family here. "This is my home," he said.

"I'd like to be your representative because I'm tired of our young people leaving for good jobs. We need good jobs here and we can do it."

Hardman told how Clark County was in trouble in 1988, with the unemployment rate 17 percent.

But, he said, the Clark County Industrial Council was formed and now the jobless figure is 3 percent.

He said 1,600 new jobs have been created in the Clark County Industrial Park, and a business park is being developed along Interstate 30 at this time.

Hardman told of the development of the Southwest Arkansas Learning Center, a facility to teach prospective employees what they will need to know to get good jobs with existing industries. "It's customized training for people," he said, "to give industry what it's looking for."

He said he's the only one of the three running for this office who has experience in creating jobs.

On the issue of education, Hardman said his mother and grandmother were both teachers, so he knows what teachers go through and the problems they face.

He said better education is needed, as are smaller class sizes, better pay for teachers and a safer environment for all in schools.

He touched on health care, saying it's a major concern of senior citizens and would be something he would work on, if elected.

Hardman also promised to fight to keep Act 833 monies for rural fire departments.

"I'll listen to everyone, but think for myself," he said. "I will work for everyone, but never forget the most important people in government aren't those who serve, but the public."

Tommy Roebuck, an Arkadelphia dentist also running for district 36 representative, said he's been involved in politics on the state and national level for years and has the time to representative the people as they should be.

"I have a passion for the people in this district," he said."

He told of how important education is for the young people and how education is the only way to improve the quality of life.

As a sharcropper's son in Gould, with five brothers and sisters in a household of eight people, five of the children earned college degrees, with the other becoming a registered nurse.

There will be a serious problem getting quality teachers in Arkansas in a few years, he told the crowd, as the best are leaving the state for better paying jobs.

Education, he said, is the best investment we can make.

He promised to increase the tax base through industrial development and work to get 21st century jobs brought to the area.

"I'll work to bring good jobs here for the young so they don't have to leave," Roebuck said.

He talked about health care, saying it's a big issue, but there is a problem when American-made drugs are cheaper to buy in Canada than in the U.S.

According to Roebuck, 40 percent of all bankruptcies filed are caused by medical costs.

Roebuck questioned the audience asking which candidate has the leadership abilities to get the job done.

He told of being on the Arkadelphia School Board, the State Health Board, a number of different organization and working his way up from being a private in the Arkansas National Guard to retiring as the highest ranking dental reserve officer in the nation.

"I have the ability to lead and will represent this district to the best of my ability," he said.

Ron Addington, running as an independent-Democrat, was the last of the three running for this office to speak.

Addington said the last time he ran for state office he was able to carry Nevada County and hoped to do so again.

He graduated from Henderson State University in 1968, taught at Lockesburg, spent three years in the Army, 21 years in the reserve, is on the Arkadelphia School Board and was the president of Cossatot Vocational-Technical School in De Queen.

He said his work as a staff member for the Arkansas senate and a delegate to the Democratic Convention have taught him the legislative process.

Addington said he supports economic development, adding he was a member of the CCIC when it first formed, promised to support schools, volunteer fire departments, economic development offices and will work with all officials.

On the local level, several candidates failed to show and speak to the voters.

Robert Cummings, candidate for justice of the peace in district 5, was there to say he is a lifelong resident of Nevada County, is married with two children and wants to help the county.

John Henderson, the incumbent for this seat, wasn't there.

Ottis "Chuck" Otwell is running for the JP seat in district 9.

He joked saying he applied for the job because he needs it more than the other guy, George Clary, who wasn't there.

Otwell said he wants to improve things in the county and do his best to serve everyone.

For city offices, Dick Bright, alderman in ward 1 position 2, said he's always done his best to be a good alderman and tried to do the job right.

His opponent, Steve Inlow, was a no show for the rally.

Danny Beavert, alderman from ward 2 position 2, told the people he's enjoyed serving them and works with good people on the council.

"The community has hard working people who care, and people who make the community."

Beavert pointed out Prescott was the first city in Arkansas to achieve ACE certification under the new guidelines, adding this is one of the highest awards a city can get.

Elaine Williams, his opponent, said she appreciates the support she's received, adding everyone is tired reading about the issues. "We need answers," she said. "We need change."

For the constable of Emmet, incumbent James Osborn wasn't present.

His opponent, Tom Hand, also known as Santa Claus, was. Hand kept his message simply saying he'd appreciate people's votes.

Steve Jackson, constable candidate for the Missouri Township, said he's appreciate votes as well.

His opponent, Al Plyler, wasn't there.