Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Laneburg rally kicks off political season

Laneburg got the political season kicked off Saturday, March 27, with the first rally of the season.

Only a handful of candidates showed up for the rally, hamburger supper and cake auction, which was held to raise money for the Laneburg Volunteer Fire Department.

The candidates primarily thanked the citizens of the community for inviting them to speak, and offered appreciation for being allowed to serve the public.

Nevada County Judge James Roy Brown was the first speaker, and said during his tenure there have been snow storms, ice storms and tornadoes, but with the help of the state and federal emergency service organizations the county ended up in good shape.

Brown said there are about 20 employees with the county's road and bridge crew and six in the solid waste department, all doing a good job. He said he chose to be the county's road foreman to save the county money.

Additionally, Brown reminded the audience about the local men and women in the armed forces stationed in Kuwait waiting to be sent to Baghdad. He suggested sending the soldiers phone cards and pointed out a 100 minute phone card is good for about 10 minutes of conversation.

Julie Stockton, Nevada County Clerk, was next, and said she has enjoyed being the County Clerk the last 12 years, has enjoyed serving the people and has two deputies who keep things in line at the office.

Circuit Clerk Carolyn Steed said Laneburg has always been good to her and she enjoys coming out to the rally. She said her office processes passports if anyone needs one. For wives of soldiers, the office has been waiving the passport fees.

Jim Gunter was the only candidate present who's seeking a state office. Gunter is running for the Arkansas Supreme Court, position 4. He was also the only one at the rally who has an opponent, as he is running against Collins Kilgore in the non-partisan race.

With what's been going on with the ASC and education, he said, it has gotten the attention of everyone in Arkansas. Decisions made a year ago will affect schools for years to come.

Because of these decisions, Gunter said, it is important to elect someone to the ASC with experience. During his tenure, Gunter has been prosecuting attorney, chancery judge, circuit-chancery judge, a businessman and operated a law practice in Hope, along with raising cattle.

"If you send me to the Supreme Court," he said, "you will have someone from home to serve you."

State Rep. Chris Thomason followed Gunter and said it has been an honor to be the people's voice in Little Rock. Thomason spend four years as a deputy prosecuting attorney for the district, and pointed out he gave his first political speech at the Laneburg rally two years ago.

He said he championed local business and industry, fought hard to strengthen criminal law and worked to make sure the reorganization of state government does what the public was told it would do  be more efficient and accessible to the people of Arkansas.

Steve Otwell, Nevada County Sheriff, thanked everyone for their support and said he couldn't take credit for the success the office has had. He praised the employees at the Nevada County Sheriff's Office, Arkansas State Police, Co. C Criminal Investigation Division of the ASP operating under Lt. Cleve \Barfield, and the South Central Drug Task Force.

Otwell promised the same kind of commitment to the county for the future.

Bob Cummings, Justice of the Peace for District 5, said he tries to get around and see all the people of the county, not just those in his district, and said he appreciated the support he's received.